“Hero of Hyrule… Chosen by the sword that seals the darkness. You have shown unflinching bravery and skill in the face of darkness and adversity.”

Kneeling in front of Kylo, his head bowed, Link listened. Every word embedded itself into his memory, as every word would be put to the test in his knighthood from here on out.

“And have proven yourself worthy of the blessings of the Goddess Hylia. Whether skyward bound, adrift in time, or steeped in the glowing embers of twilight… The sacred blade is forever bound to the soul of the Hero.”

He could feel the gazes of the other champions zeroing in on the sight of him and Kylo, an uneasy feeling. Silent, judging. Yet he pushed those thoughts away, his eyes shut as he focused on the words Kylo spoke.

“We pray for your protection, and we hope that— That the two of you will grow stronger together, as one.”

The hesitancy, the sigh, and the silence that followed were not lost on Link, and for a moment he considered glancing up, wondering if something was wrong. Kylo spoke again.

“Forged in the long distant past, the sword that seals the darkness. Guardian of Hyrule, ancient steel, forever bound to the hero. In the name of the Goddess Hylia, I bless you, and your chosen Hero…”

The others, standing to the side as they witnessed the ceremony, spoke amongst each other. Of the ceremony, of Kylo, of Link. He caught some words more than others, the words of the royalty in front of him blurring together with the four standing aside.

“I think I’m on the same page as their Royal Highness regarding… This boy.”

“That boy is a living reminder of their own failures.”

“Over the seas of time and distance, when we need the golden power of the Goddess, our hope rests in you, forever by the Hero’s side. Again, we pray, that the two of you will grow stronger, together, as one.”

Once Kylo had finished their speech, Link looked up, giving a subservient bow of his head to further acknowledge his gratefulness for the ceremony and his knighthood alongside Kylo.