As they were getting closer to rito village Zelda got a crash course in the exorcist/spiritual side of max's world.
More details on how exorcist operates and how his black arms actually worked.
Zelda: so your black proportions are a part of you? And not some curse?
Max: I'm gonna make this clear. I'm not being corrupted by my black arms and I'm in control.
Zelda: and you can absorb energy with your black with your black arms?
Max: that's thanks to my black energy type I'm basically like a living sponge of energy I can control all types of energy well maybe not everytype there some few I haven't tested.
Zelda: fascinating you must be the strongest in your world.
At that max let out a loud ha which somewhat caught Zelda off guard.
Max: you may think so but I'm not I'm still in training and more importantly I couldn't beat my upper seniors.
Zelda: wow how powerful are you really?
Max: well if you want to know if you're daddy is stupid enough to do something against me I would wipe out the entire hyrule kingdom.
Zelda was shocked by the statement and she didn't feel any hesitation from his voice just absolute confidence.
After a while of walking they finally made it to rito village and to say that they happy to see them was an understatement.
As soon as some guards saw them they saw them they were really welcoming and they greeted Zelda and max with respect.
Every rito that they passed by seemed really friendly to both of them.
And the kids were pretty awed by his presence and it was wierd being looked at as a role model.
He had to admit rito village is pretty small but he wasn't judging at least the place looked nice to live in.
They made their way to the an elder who was an old but funny enough he doesn't look that old at least a man that's about to be an elder.
And his name was kaneli.
Kaneli: ah. Zelda it's good to see you. And I see you brought the hero of legend too. I'm kaneli I'm the elder of the ritos.
Max: that's kinda funny because you still look pretty young.
Kaneli chuckled at that because lost of visitors said that to him.
Kaneli: yes I'm not exactly an old man. But the elder before passed away due to old age and I'm currently the taking position while I'm still at my prime.
Max: I get it so it's more of a title than a fact.
Zelda: where's Revali?
Kaneli: oh, he's taking care of some bokoblins near by he should be back by now.
He then let out a sigh and shook his head.
Kaneli: honestly that boy has talent and great skills in wind magic. However that ego of his is his biggest weakness.
Max: tell me about it, I'm tempted to turn him into fried chicken-
He then realizes that he might have insulted the rito race as a racist remark.
Max: I'm sorry I-
Kaneli stopped him before he can apologize.
Kaneli: don't apologize, we ritos experience such insults in the past, but it's understandable why you aimed said insults on Revali some ritos don't actually like him because of his ego,But please don't let him get to you, we ritos are not as arrogant as him.
Max: I can see that.
Zelda: Mr kaneli, max is here to train under Revali on the art of archery but.
Kaneli: I'm not fool princess, I can tell just by looking this boy that he's stronger than he looks and unlike past heroes he seems more experienced.
Zelda: yes, and I know this might seem like a waist of time but, I figured since max isn't from hyrule I might as well be his guide when he's introduced to other races.
Kaneli: yes, I suppose that's the only thing he will need in his journey, well I shouldn't keep you here any longer. Revali should be here any minute.
Zelda: thank you for your time Mr. Kaneli.
Max: see ya.
As they walked away kaneli kept his eyes on max who exude an aura of absolute power.
Kaneli: (this boy, he doesn't feel normal and his presence feels like if he wanted to he would probably turn the world into a land of chaos, but fortunately he seems to have a good head on his shoulders, I hope Revali spins realizes that humility isn't something to scoff at.)
Zelda and max made their way towards a plat form that seems to be for ritos to take off and fly.
Zelda: so what's your on the ritos now?
Max: they are actually pretty nice people which is funny considering that Revali, is an arrogant prick and that gives anyone the idea that ritos are arrogant by nature.
Zelda: like I said don't let Revali's personality trick you into thinking such things.
Max: yeah, but honestly that guy needs to be taken down a peg.
Zelda let out a sigh at that.
Zelda: yes, that's one of his biggest problems.
Max: well anyway enough of the ritos, do you think that your daddy is gonna be mad at you?
Zelda scoffs at that.
Zelda: considering how over protective he is of me I wouldn't be surprised if he sent a search party after me.
Max: I know that you don't like him treating you like a kid but sometimes parents are like that, there scared of us growing up, though in your case, your dad sees you as an ace in the hole against ganon. But I can get that he's also panicked thanks to the whole calamity ganon thing.
Zelda: still he could treat me like her actually daughter instead of a tool, every day is training, training and training with no results, he doesn't have a clue that it isn't that easy. I pray and continue on devoting my faith in the goddess..but nothing. Your summon is the only one time that I felt a hint of that power. But I haven't felt it since.
Max: hey. I'm not gonna pretend that I know your dad. But I'm pretty sure if the situation was different he would have probably let you explore around the place you seemed to be into archeology.
Zelda: how do you know that?
Max: I can tell that you were talking about the divine beast like they were magnificent objects, which mind you they are but mainly you seem more interested into the background of it.
Zelda: I guess there's no hiding my passion, it's funny since it's unbecoming of a princess.
Max: who says I'm judging? You're your own person princess or not, you have your hobbies and I have mine and I'm not exactly too judgy about things, unless is something that I can't actually believe or process with out an explanation.
Zelda: you really are something else.
Then Zelda though of something that just hit her.
Zelda: max, why did you became an exorcist in the first place?
Max: why? Well I don't really have a big reason, I don't care about becoming the strongest or the best of the best,
He looked at the back of his hand and a white infinity snake symbol appeared in his hand and he showed it to her.
Max: someone took me and my sister in when both of us were on our own with no where to go, and I owe that person my life and moline thinks the same thing. So I decided to become an exorcist to become strong enough to protect those I consider family or friends and anyone who lays a hand on them or tries to do then harm.
Max's body language turned from relaxed to serious letting out a bit of his killing intent to show that he meant these words.
I'll kill them.
Zelda felt a bead of sweat coming down because she felt the pressure of his killing intent and some ritos felt the pressure and they were a bit concerned.
But max quick disappated his killing intent and calm down.
Max: sorry, it's just that I get heated when my reasons for why I'm an exorcist come up. It's a minor goal but I honestly don't care what other people think that's my plan and I don't plan on stopping now,
He then looked on the horizon which it was a beautiful view which brought a small smile to him.
Max: even in another world that hasn't change, and I unfortunately that applies to you and the other champions…..well Revali is questionable.
Zelda: you consider me. A friend?
Max: well like I said, you don't act like a spoiled brat, you're mischievous in the whole sneaking out but I can't exactly blame you, and more importantly you treated me with respect so I showed you respect back.
Zelda couldn't help but smile at his words unlike her father max actually bothers to Litsen to her and he doesn't judge her on her passions.
she was about to say something but the wind currents suddenly got stronger and from the bottom of the platform the bird of the hour showed up landing on the rails
Revali: hope I didn't keep you waiting princess…max.
Max: birdie. What took you so long?
Revali: it's nothing to be concerned about, just some ruffians near our territory and I took care of it. Now then I agree to train in the art of archery, but clearly you don't need it, which pardon for being so blunt, it's just asinine.
Max can tell that Revali was insulting him and he was ready to blow a gasket.
Zelda noticed how max was getting irritated by Revali and she decided to put her foot down.
Zelda: Revali, please can you at least show some respect to max? He may be…unique but he and I play a role in sealing ganon being back up is just as important to weaken that monster.
Revali: pardon me princess, but he's not exactly unique in the sense of character or power, it rather that he made us champions look bad and I as the most skilled archer among the rito, I can't let that slide.
Max: so you're saying that you're pride is ruined? Get over it.
Revali: it's not just my pride, I can't have the hero of legend making us champions look jokes, It was bad enough that I'm tasked to merely assist you, all because you are the hero of legend and you apparently have the ability to absorb energy.
Max: well if you actually wanted a silent hero sorry to disappoint you, but I'm not exactly quite when someone is clearly try to jab at me.
Revali seemed to get an idea and Zelda wasn't liking it one bit.
Revali: actually if remember correctly you spawned wings right? Then how about we have a little contest.
Max: normally I wouldn't bother but you just annoyed me to no end, so name it.
Revali: let's have a little race in flight and…let see to where… oh I know how about up there?
He waved at the divine beast flying in the sky and it was really high up and max figure that Revali doesn't know that he can fly for a long time.
Revali: oh,ho,ho, I apologize do you think you can make it?
Max: I can.
Revali: well in that case.
He spread out his wings in a ready to take fright position.
Let's see if you can keep up.
He then took flight making sure to kick up some dust for max to insult him.
DONT DISAPPOINT ME NOW!
He called out before continuing to fly up.
Max dusted his jacket and glared at Revali.
Zelda: are you actually gonna accept his challenge?
Max: damn right i am. Come on.
Before she could say anything max picked her up bridal style and spawned his wings and took off as Zelda scream in fright.
Revali thought he was in the lead he already knew that max wasn't normal by hyrule standards but there's no way he can actually keep up in his domain.
The skies.
However his pride was once again shattered when max blurred past him with a the aftershock of max making him stumble before regaining his balance and speed up.
This was terrifying for Zelda because she was really high up but once max slowed down she saw that they were high.
And it was a beautiful sight.
She never thought that she would see hyrule from a really high point of view.
But the thought of falling made her cling on to max's neck more preferable.
Max was too in the zone to focus on Zelda but he noticed Revali was catching up and he decided to speed up.
Unfortunately for Revali max made it to vah medoh before Revali and he wasn't thrilled about it.
Zelda however fell to her knees and let out a breath of relief but she glared a max and smacked him across the face.
Zelda: you absolute idiot!! What were you thinking in bringing me with you I could have fallen!!
Max felt the heat of the slap and it hurt but it was more of a love tap compared to when woman with spiritual energy can do.
Max: you would have been fine I would have catched you anyway. And besides I need you tell me about how be careful and not trash this thing by accident.
Zelda: Revali would have tell you about Vah medoh.
Max raised a brow and both of them looked a Revali who had a gloomy aura.
Zelda got the picture on why max and Revali couldn't be left alone especially after this.
Zelda: Revali.
That snapped the rito out of his thought and Zelda expected Revali to be angry. But to her surprise he looked calmed.
Revali: oh don't worry about me princess, it seems I once again understand our hero.
Max wasn't buying it he can tell that Revali was hiding his resentment on losing which was funny because it didn't felt aimed at him directly.
Revali: well since we're inside Vah medoh I as the pilot should explain how it functions.
He gestured at a thing that looks like an egg with the top having things that might be antenna.
Revali: this is the main control unit. It's powered by four terminals that were activated by the sheikah slate, the little machine that it's on Zelda.
She took out said slate and max looked at it.
Max: so I'm assuming that you have one yourself eh Revali?
Revali: heh, unfortunately this little thing is one of its kind and if I hand my own I would love to have a complete idea as to how medoh works.
Max: so it's just one?
Zelda: yes unfortunately, this only one, no other slate has been found.
Max: well that sucks but besides that are we gonna do the target practice thing?
Zelda: don't you want to know about medoh?
Max: you can tell me while we practice.
Revali: in case you haven't noticed genius we don't exactly have anything we can use for target practice.
Max: moline does.
Right on cue moline from the within Max's conciseness snapped her fingers and multiple white transparent energy snake appeared and scattered around medoh.
Revali: what did she do?
Max: let's play a game now on my condition. We will go around medoh and whoever takes out the most snake wins.
Revali: so it's a challenge between marksman's eh? Alright, but be aware that I-
He was interrupted by max taking out his revolver and aim it behind him and fire letting out a bang.
And the solidified energy projectile hit of the snakes which vanished into white particles.
Revali and Zelda jumped a bit at the bang but when they saw a snake down they looked at max who was twirling his revolver and blew the smoke.
Zelda: what in the name of hylia is that.
Max: this my friends is a gun but this variant is a revolver. These things fire small things called bullets and thanks to the a small explosion inside this thing it's fires fast.however mine doesn't do that it solidifies my spiritual energy into a bullet shape and it launches when I pull the trigger.
While Zelda was fascinated Revali looked at his revolver with a bit of skepticism.
Revali: its fast I'll admit, but there's a clear downside to these,"guns" there pretty noisy and they can easily get the attention of the enemy.
Max: maybe but these things do damage and get the job done so I'm not complaining. Also I'm ahead so catch up.
With that max walked away with Revali took to the skies and checked if he can find any snakes.
Zelda whoever went with max since obviously she can't fly in the air.
Zelda: max you said that your gun-a revolver you call it's only a variant of a gun?
Before he answered he saw a snake and he gestured for Zelda to cover her ears and she did as requested and he fire taking out the snake.
Max: yeah, there other types of gun types, semi automatics, rifles, snipers, and handguns that's all I know so far.
Zelda: I'm guessing that your people don't use bows and arrows?
Max: nah they still do.
He fired once more taking another snake out.
Max: but unlike your bows and arrows that more advanced and more… how do I say it? More calibrated I guess?
He took out his phone and put up a images of modern bows and arrows and it for her to see.
Zelda was a bit stunned on how advanced the bows looked but there was one thing that she didn't get.
Zelda: what are the wheels at the ends of the arrows for?
After shooting another snake he turned.
Max: I don't know. I never actually used a bow, but it probably to stabilize the wire so that it doesn't break?
Zelda: still this is fascinating. I'm curious though which one is better? Guns or bows?
Max was a bit taken aback by the question because he doesn't know to answer that.
However he stopped to shoot at another snake behind him.
Max: well guns are noisy but we developed silencers so that they don't make noise in operations and not to mention depending on the gun you have to refil the magazine.
He fired at another snake and continued.
Max: as for bows and arrows I don't know much, but I know that they are silent and they aren't anything to scoff at. But you have to have a quiver on you and if you're the kind of person to carry special arrows then he or she better make sure they double check.
He shot another.
Max: but the one benefit of gun magazines is that they are small and you can carry in a pocket. Meanwhile the quiver looks like it takes too much space in my opinion.
Zelda got most of what he was saying but she didn't understand the magazine part.
Zelda: you keep talking about magazines what are they?
He shot at another snake and he took out a stock of 6 black bullets.
Max: this is a clip but the magazine is a different type for different types guns. These bullets are specially designed as compression blast, how it works is that I compress one bullet inside my gun and I pump spiritual energy in it compressing it and when it fires it does massive damage and explode.
Zelda: wow. can I see it?
Max: and risking destroying this thing? No thank you, besides I have a limited amount of these and thanks to me being I don't exactly have the supplies to make new rounds so if I shoot willy nilly I will not only lose my rounds but my gun will be almost useless.
Zelda felt embarrassed by being called out but when she heard that max didn't have the supplies to make extra rounds she gained an idea.
Zelda: I have an idea mind if I have one of your. "Rounds" right?
Max: these are actually called bullets but why do you want to have one?
Zelda: well we might not be able to replicate the material in your bullets but we could make replacements.
He shot at another snake and turned to her curiously and hooked.
Max: I'm listening.
Zelda: well, remember those arrows we saw in the stores?
Max: yeah you told me they were arrows with different elements.
Zelda: well I can get the royal blacksmiths to make you some bullets and we might be able to make you elemental bullets.
Max though about it, on the one hand it's beneficial for him since he doesn't have the weaponry department which of course is a part of EXO org that is private to the public.
but well known among exorcist and they get paid good and for a good reason they get the order of custom weapons perfectly and they make gather people or spirits that have enhancing abilities otherwise the weapons would be just plain steel but thanks to other materials that were made by spirits of the past said plain steel is a spiritually effected weapon like his katana.
However if he does accept that mean that he will be giving away something that might backfire on him for example what if the yiga get a hold of it…..
Then again they would need guns to use bullets and likely those weaklings wouldn't know how to use it exactly use it. Sure it's just pull the trigger but the recoil will likely break their hand.
He made sure to get a good grasp of his own gun before actually using it so that his hand doesn't dislocate.
Speaking of recoil he aimed at another snake and fired.
He actually just noticed how big the inside of this thing really is and he had to admit if the scientists and mechanics of his world were here they would tear this thing apart.
He turned to Zelda who looked a bit anxious, he guessed that since she was an archaeologist she wants to see an object from another world and examine it.
He let out a sigh and decided to wing it.
Was it stupid? Yes
But what other option does he have? He doesn't need bullets to fire his gun sure but that doesn't mean jack if his gun just fires solidified energy and not real bullets that do damage.
And besides this has one benefit he will have more options in bullet types? Fire,ice, shock? That would be a massive advantage on this calamity ganon.
Max: fine but one thing. Can I trust that you won't let this fall into the wrong hands?
Zelda: yes, as the princess of hyrule you have my word.
Max looked at her face and he didn't felt any lies from her,
He took out one bullet from the clip and gave it to her.
Zelda however was surprised that the bullets we're so small but she wasn't gonna argue about it if she learned one thing from max is that he doesn't lie about how deadly he can be.
She put the bullet away in her pouch and time passed with max and Revali taking out the snakes when it was time to see the results Revali and max met at were they first landed.
Moline: max wins.
Revali: what!?
Moline: I've hidden my snakes more inside medoh then outside, and also.
She glared at Revali which the rito felt like his soul was being pressured.
Moline: I don't like how you're treating my brother so consider it a lesson, mess with my bro and you and I will have a problem birdy.
Revali: I..I understand.
Zelda leaned towards max curious.
Zelda: is she always this overprotected of you?
Max: yup dispite being older she sees me a big brother figure. And she knows how strong I am she just can't exactly take anyone who dises me or our family in general.
Zelda: how big is your family anyway.
Max continues to watch moline and Revali argue about the challenge he decided to answer Zelda's question.
Max: well I'm adopted along with my two sisters Mona and her Mona Funny enough is actually the youngest and she's pretty shy.
He then shutters at remembering the times Mona got mad and either almost killed someone because they were talking bad mom and her siblings.
Zelda: so she's not your blood relative?
Max gave her an "are you stupid" look, and pointed at both himself and moline.
Max: we look nothing alike and not to mention even if my mom wanted to have kids she can't because spirits don't have internal organs.
Zelda: your mom is a spirit?
Max: yeah and I have a dad too him and my mom used to live together and they're retired exorcist but after a while they separated.
Zelda: oh. I'm sorry to heard that.
Max looked at her confused but he quickly realized the way he said "separated".
Max: oh no I don't mean that they had a falling out,I'm saying that they had to separate due to work.
Zelda: oh.
Moline: hey bro! I think our time with the bird is pass due don't you think?
He looked out and he saw that it was dusk.
Max: yeah I think you're right, we should probably head back to castle.
Zelda: my father is not gonna happy.
Max: gee ya think?
Revali: well I hope you enjoyed your time in medoh because next time it's gonna cost you.
Max: if your talking about Money I can't pay you because I'm kinda broke.
Revali: what do you mean broke?
Max: it means I'm poor.
Revali: I'm not talking about- you know what, just go.
Max walked over to Zelda and once again picked her up bridal style. Which was embarrassing for her.
Zelda: do you have to carry me like this?
Max: would you rather that I carry you over my shoulder?
Zelda:….no
Max: that's what I thought.
He the sprouted his wings and took off with moline disappearing and reappearing in his mindscape.
Revali saw max fly away and he felt insulted not only a grounded race can take to the skies like a rito and he was humiliated in his own flying and his archery skills.
He clenched on one hand and pounded it against a stone wall near him.
Revali: damn it.
It was bad enough that the warrior of legend was an powerful anomaly but he not only upstarted him on his own territory but he made him look like a failure.
And that was enough to start a new fire in him.
"I'll train harder till I surpass him"
Back with max and Zelda.
After seeing the ritos off max and Zelda were walking back to stable to get the horse back and from then max and Zelda continued talking.
Zelda: so about your parents, you said that are separated due to work?
Max: yup, mom works on selling charms or charmed accessories to people to make money. Mean while dad works at a bar called lazy bones.
Zelda: why is it called that?
Max: that's because my dad is a skeleton.
Zelda stopped walking and looked at max who looked back.
Zelda: a skeleton? You're joking right?
Max: I'm not kidding, just image a skeleton with in a black suit and that's Diego.
Zelda: I just don't understand, a spirit takes the form of a skeleton? It doesn't make sense.
Max: well supposedly how it works is that your spiritual form reflects your true embodiment of your personality and how you see yourself even if you don't realize it.
Zelda: so there's an actual reason on why he looks like a skeleton?
Max: well there's this thing called the day of the dead or dia de los muertos and it's an event to honor the dead and the funny thing is that spirits attend it just to be close with their family members. And it's especially popular in Mexico and Diego is Mexican but he moved to the states.
Zelda: and what exactly do they do in this day of the dead? And why did you say it differently?
Max: that's because Mexicans speaks Spanish which is a different language but I won't get to the details because I don't the details, but basically like a festival people paint their faces in skulls, there's also food,dances and by the end they say their prayers to their dead loved ones.
Zelda: wow,amazing I wish I can see it.
Max: too bad I guess. But anyway my dad also has kids of his own there Luna Rey and Nero. Luna is human and Nero is a spirit.
Zelda: so that's four siblings.
Max: five if you include me.
Zelda: wow, I must admit I'm jealous, I wish that I had a sibling like Mipha does.
Max: she has a sibling?
Zelda: oh yes, his name is Sidon, he's her younger brother and he's adorable.
Max: Mipha is a princess right?
Zelda: how how did you know that?
Max: she kinda has a royalty vibe like you.
Zelda: well yes,Mipha is the princess of the zora and Sidon is the prince.
Max: so who's gonna be my next teacher?
Zelda: Daruk.
Max: that's the big guy right?
Zelda: yes, although he's still not good at pointing Vah rudania and perhaps you can get to know the gorons.
Max: okay looks I'm gonna have a sumo for a teacher.
Zelda: sumo?
Instead of answering he pulled out his phone again and put up a picture of a sumo wrestler.
Max: I'm my place there's a sport called sumo wrestlers and they are overweight men who push each other of the ring I never actually seen a sumo match but I know that you can't hit your opponent just pure force.
Zelda: the gorons actually have something similar but I haven't seen it myself but I heard it from Daruk when I came to recruit him to pilot rudania.
Max: what exactly do the divine beast do anyway?
Zelda: well they each have a unique attribute that corresponds to the races and they-
Max stopped her wanting the details on how exactly are they gonna do against ganon.
Max: zel not that, I mean what are they gonna do against ganon.
Zelda: oh, well each divine has a laser and all fired together they will powerful enough to do massive damage to ganon.
Max: I'll ask one more time, are you positive that ganon has a brain?
Zelda: why do you ask?
Max: gee I don't know maybe because I'm a little worried that this plan might back fire on us.
Zelda: we have the divine beast and the master sword, but were missing one piece and that's my power but once I-
Max: then what if all that preparation is for nothing and ganon has a plan of his own?
Zelda: why are you so worried?
Max: because I fight literal monsters and some of them have enough of a brain to learn from their mistakes and some nearly killed me when I first started in this gig. And from what I can tell you haven't seen ganon yourself so you don't have a clue on what's in store.
Zelda: I-im positive that we can combat ganon of i just awaken my power I can.
Max: that doesn't put my mind at ease. What if ganon has different abilities? Did you did any research on that.
Zelda tired to answer the question but she stopped because now that she thought about they don't know anything about ganon's capabilities.
Max took her silence as sign that she realized that they were prepared yes but they didn't have any info on thier enemy.
Max: looks like im right. I know already that ganon can revive his minions from a blood moon but besides that nothing else?
Zelda: that doesn't matter we have the divine beast and we have the master sword and all that's left is to unlock my sacred power-
Max: and how's that going for you?
Zelda looked away in shame.
Max: clearly whatever you're doing isn't working, and what exactly are you doing to unlock this power?
Zelda: I-i go to sacred springs and pray to the goddess hylia and-
Max: that's not training, that's practically you just hoping to unlock your power.
Zelda just scoff at that.
Zelda: that's easy for you to say! You are so powerful and you make everything you do seem so effortless you don't have no idea on how hard this is for me!
That seemed to struck a nerve on him.
Max: hard? Hard!? You want to talk about hard!? You think I had it easy!? I trained myself to be an exorcist! When I awakened to my back arms it was when I nearly got myself killed! My arm was broken and I was loosing a lot of blood! but ever since I was a kid I wanted to protect the ones I loved and I pushed my body to the absolute limit. And at least you have a biological dad that even gives a shit about you ,unlike me! Who my parents didn't have a shit about me and just saw me as an offer.
He got close to her and put a finger on her middle upper chest.
Max: so don't you go saying that it's hard for you when you haven't put your life on line
There was a moment of silence between the two after max's rant and he steeped away from Zelda to give her some space.
He took a breath and pinched the bridge of his nose thinking that he might have went to far with Zelda her she probably meant hard for her to awaken her power but still sitting on something and praying isn't doing anything.
The silence was still in the air but it was unexpectedly Zelda who broke it.
Zelda: if putting my faith in the goddess isn't working, then what do I do then?
Max turned and he saw that Zelda wasn't mad or sad she just looked lost on what to do.
He didn't answer right away but took his time to gather what he learned on her power.
Her powers is a sacred one and she have self doubt and isn't exactly well prepared for anything herself,
She clearly doesn't know how to fight and not to mention she doesn't look all that durable when it comes to her tanking damage when it comes to it.
So in short she's a classic example a princess that didn't bother to learn how to defend herself.
Max let out a breath because he can't believe he was actually doing this.
Max: I'll train you myself.
Zelda: what?
Max: clearly whatever they have you doing isn't working and not to mention when we got attacked by the yiga clan you just stood in the background and watched.
Zelda: what was I-
Max: I'm not finished. Clearly you will have to train on not just your power but your body too.
Zelda: why would I need that? My sacred power would be enough.
Max: then what if you're connection to said power gets cut off by other types of magics? Or what if you get tired from using your power? This is something you're gonna need to learn that over relying on your power won't get you anywhere. Like I said I didn't get strong in the snap of a finger I trained both my body and my soul that's how I can do all this that in your point of view looks easy for me but the reality is that I just adapted to it.
Zelda didn't know how to respond to those words because she can tell that max wasn't lying and not to mention his eyes looked like they seen hardship.
Max: look I'm offering you, a quicker and more accurate way to unlock your power and learn some combat strategies. Having power doesn't mean anything if you don't know how to use it.
There was another moment of silence but max broke it by asking.
Max: where exactly are you when you're trying to unlock your power?
Zelda: the spring of power.
Max: well I'm pretty sure your dad is gonna be forcing you to go there and as your appointed knight I'm force to be there too. But until then think about my offer because if anyone knows how to handle power that comes from within. Is me and my sister.
The two then started walking and they made it to the stable and pick up her horse.
And when they got back to hyrule castle…well.
Roam: I can't believe you sneaked off behind my back Zelda!
Zelda: I only came to give him a tour of rito village nothing else-
Roam: that doesn't matter you need to focus every moment of your time to your training in unlocking the power to seal ganon away.
Zelda: I'm trying father. Can't you see that isn't easy for me? I'm doing everything I just needed some time off.
Roam: time it isn't something that we have calamity ganon can appear at any moment and destroy this world.
Zelda: father I-
Roam: no more excuses Zelda. Tomorrow your going to the spring of power again and your staying there until night time, that your punishment for going behind my back.
Zelda just clenched her fist and ran out of the room.
While roam looks at the door Zelda left at and he let out a sigh.
Roam: I'm sorry Zelda but we cant be unprepared for whatever ganon has in store for hyrule.
You know pushing her is gonna do more harm than good old man.
Roam turned around at the voice and it was max who sat on the window looking at him a bit unimpressed.
Roam: how did you get here?
Max: I have my ways, but anyway you're certainly getting the father of the year award.
Roam didn't understand what he was saying but he guessed he was talking about his relationship with Zelda.
Roam: my relationship with my daughter is non of your concern.
Max: yeah it isn't and normally I wouldn't interfere but Zelda kinda plays a big role in the whole ganon thing.
Roam: and why are you here then?
Max: well I can't exactly say you're doing a good job at being her dad.
Roam: excuse me?
Max: put yourself in her shoes for a moment. Do you really think she likes being kept as an asset in killing ganon? Do you think she isn't suffering from self doubt? Self doubt I might add that is already crushing her and you seeding her off to the spring is not exactly doing any better.
Roam: I know that I'm pushing her. But this is for the sake of everyone in hyrule.
Max: okay then what if the day comes and she still doesn't have her power? And if you keep on doing something other than scolding her for something that she literally doesn't have control over yet she won't be to have the confidence to do so.
Roam: I'm aware of that, but I can't afford to for her to slack off.
Max: you know there's a thing called overtraining. Right? A word of advice king, Zelda is going through enough by not unlocking her own power and she doesn't need the extra pressure.
With that he jumped off the window and his words struck roam and he started to rethink his approach on Zelda's predicament.
On the next early morning Zelda and max were walking towards the spring of power not saying a word since clearly Zelda looked like she was in a bad mood.
When they got there max was standing off to the side while Zelda was halfway sunk in the spring while she repeated her prayers.
He couldn't feel much in the air for such a special spring.
Sure there was a spiritual presence but he can't sense too much of it.
Either his own sense of spiritual presences is only accustomed to his own world or this place lost its grace. It has been like what ten thousand years? So it's reasonable to think that this place lost some of its charm.
Zelda said a sort of prayer which he didn't pay much attention and just kept an eye out in case something happens.
After finishing her prayer nothing happened.
He heard Zelda muttering something which he can tell was resentment.
She got off the spring and looked defeated.
Max didn't say anything but when he was about to find a spot to train Zelda's voice stopped him.
Zelda: max.
He turned and he saw that Zelda looked desperate and she looked at him straight in the eye.
Zelda: can you really help me? With my power?
Max: so you're taking my offer?
Zelda: want to make sure that you aren't getting my hopes up.
Max: I'll be honest I'm not a good teacher and I might make a few mistakes but I'll at least promise to try. This a different world, and I'm pretty sure magic and spiritual energy is different.
Zelda: so you might be able to help unlock my power?
Max: I'm not gonna help with just that. If you actually accept my offer I'll train you in not just your power but your body too.
Zelda: why would I need to do that?
Max: I told you before your body is also a weapon and I might not be there to protect your hide from the yiga. You'll train on defending yourself and not just rely on me to get you out.
Zelda: but that's becoming of a princess I-
Max: so you're willing to let hyrule go to hell then?
Zelda froze at those words.
Max: here's a word of advice, grace,honor or ideals don't matter to me, you have an enemy that needs to be eliminated no matter the cost so your status as a princess doesn't give you privileges when it comes to those who want to see the world burn. You either get the job done or die for your own pride.
Zelda let those words sink in and they were harsh but seeing how Max's face got intense he meant it and it went against everything that she was taught as a princess.
Max: look. I'm not saying that showing mercy isn't bad. Some guys are do bad things because they are either black mailed or they're just broken on the inside. If they have some amount of regret or are at least reasonable they can be forgiven. But all I'm saying is that the priority is to the destroy ganon and after we kill him you can worry about your status if the world manages to survive him.
That seemed to lift her spirit and after a few moments of silence she finally answered.
Zelda: fine, I'll do it, if it means ganon is destroyed I'll do anything I can to protect hyrule.
Max: are you sure? Because I'm serious, I'm not gonna go easy on you and you will put your body and soul to the limit.
Zelda just scoffed at that.
Zelda: I rather actually do something other than praying in a spring.
Max: alright. Well if you say so, and the first order of business is getting your power unlocked.
Zelda was a bit worried that this won't work but she at least hope that having someone who understands inner power can help her.
Little does she know that max's help will improve a lot in the future.