The quiet rustling of leaves filled the otherwise silent grove, the forest light bathing the company in a subtle viridescence.

Mipha watched Faron approach the pedestal wherein the legendary Master Sword rested, with not an ounce of hesitation in her countenance. However, judging by Zelda's expression as she stood next to her father, the Princess did not share that confidence.

Nor, it seemed, did the other Champions.

"I don't like this," Daruk admitted uneasily.

"Oh? You seemed quite certain of her abilities earlier," Revali pointed out coolly.

"Yeah, but—"

"Yes, this is another matter entirely, isn't it?" the Rito answered preemptively.

"This was an unwise move by the King," Urbosa said gravely, "Things could go very badly."

There was a pause, and Mipha glanced between her fellow Champions before at last speaking up, "I believe she can do it."

Revali gave her a sidelong look, "You can't be serious."

"She may have impressive fighting skills, but that far from guarantees that the Sword will answer to her," Urbosa pointed out.

"She can do it," Mipha reiterated, "I'm sure she can."

A spark of interest appeared in Urbosa's eyes, but Revali seemed deeply unimpressed.

"And what makes you so certain?" he queried, his voice positive dripping with skepticism, "That Sword is said to answer only to one, and—if you'll forgive me for saying it—the likes of her has little hope of being in that very narrow category."

"She won't give up," Mipha persisted, "I know it."

I know, because I saw it in her eyes.

"That may very well be the problem," Urbosa explained, "If she's not the one destined to hold that Sword, it may very well kill her if she doesn't back down."

Mipha clasped her hands tightly together.

We have had some close calls in the past, but this time will be different, I'm certain.

A hush settled in as Faron clutched the Sword's pommel, drawing back on it. For a solid minute, the Blade did not budge an inch. Then it moved, suddenly and ever so slightly. Mipha's breath hitched.

"Don't get too excited," Revali warned her, "We've had knights half as good as her get twice as far. Remember?"

"Well, it's a start at least," Urbosa said, though her voice lacked optimism.

Faron pulled harder, her face twisting into a strained expression. Still, determination burned in her eyes, and the Sword moved another fraction, then another. Sweat glistened on her forehead, a visible trembling taking root in her hands before travelling up her arms and through the rest of her body.

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Revali scoffed, "The stubborn fool. Why not simply give up?"

Mipha clasped her hands tighter, willing, begging the Sword to move. And it did, but not enough to free it from its stone pedestal, and Faron was growing visibly weaker with every passing moment.

Suddenly, the Deku Tree's massive voice boomed out, "Enough."

Mipha looked up quickly at the Blade's guardian, dismay flooding through her. Urbosa shook her head, her disappointment evident.

"Well," Revali said, "That's it then."

But Faron had not released her grip. Her hands still held fast to the pommel of the Master Sword, silently commanding the Blade to come forth. She went down on one knee, her legs no longer able to support her. She gasped for air like a stranded fish, but still would not let go.

"ENOUGH!" the Deku Tree thundered again.

"Enough!" the King echoed.

"NO!" Faron screamed, her voice resounding through the forest.

"Someone stop her!" Zelda gasped, but no one moved.

Mipha's horror suddenly fell away, replaced with conviction. She knew exactly what she had to do. Laying a hand over her heart, she silently prayed for the goddesses' forgiveness over what she was about to do. Then, reaching out, she called upon her healing powers, letting them flow through Faron. Slowly, the swordswoman got both feet under her again, summoning a new wave of strength to pursue her aim. And with a blunted shout, she wrenched the Blade free, stumbling back and nearly losing her footing.

A silence settled over the forest, lingering for what felt like a lifetime. Then, with measured pace, Faron approached the King, kneeling before him and bowing her head in respect. Then she arose again, waiting patiently for him to speak.

"Well...it would seem you have proven yourself after all," King Rhoam declared, "Rest assured I'll stay true to my word, and you shall be appointed as my daughter's sole protector."

Whispers passed between the present knights, and Zelda's stunned gaze met Faron's stoic one. Mipha beamed in delight, only for that sentiment to quickly vanish when she noticed Urbosa staring at her.

The Gerudo's gaze said it all: she knew exactly what Mipha had done. And as Revali and Daruk moved to greet the new champion, it provided Urbosa with the perfect opportunity to interrogate the anxious Zora.

"What could've possibly possessed you to do such a thing?" Urbosa demanded, her hands on her hips, "I've never known you as one to mess with sacred trials."

Mipha couldn't bring herself to meet those stern eyes.

"I-I could not simply stand by..."

Urbosa sighed, kneeling down and placing a gentle hand on Mipha's shoulder.

"I know," she said, her gaze softened with a smile, "Now come on. It's only fitting our new champion have an audience with the Zora who saved her life. Don't you think?"

They made their way over to the semi circle now surrounding Faron, watching the exchanges passing between their fellow champions.

"I was rootin' for ya the whole time!" Daruk exclaimed, aiming to give Faron a backbreaking friendly pat.

Faron ducked at the last second before righting herself just as quickly, her expression never changing. Daruk took a second to register what had happened.

"Oh, you're a quick one, aren't ya?" he noted.

"Well, that's hardly impressive with you, Daruk," Revali pointed out sourly before turning his attention to Faron, "So, you're one of us now, hmm?" He laughed mockingly. "Best not to let it go to your head. Daruk might fool you into thinking otherwise, but you'll have little hope keeping up with the rest of us."

Faron's eyes narrowed icily, rivalling Revali's venom.

"I believe congratulations are in order," Urbosa interjected, earning a nod of acknowledgement from Faron, "I'm Urbosa, leader of the Gerudo. And this is Mipha."

"Oh, yes, actually, we already met," Mipha explained, feeling suddenly awkward under Faron's piercing gaze, "I'm sure—I mean, I wanted to...um."

Her mind was utterly blank, leaving her stumbling helplessly over her own words, and before she knew it, Faron's attention had moved elsewhere. Mipha watched dejectedly as the swordswoman made her way over to the Princess, kneeling briefly before her. Once again, the Zora could feel Urbosa's gaze on her and she looked up quickly, wondering what had caught the Gerudo's discerning eyes this time.

"W-what?" she squeaked.

Urbosa simply smiled and remarked, "A quiet one, isn't she?"

"I doubt she's worth trusting. What do we really know about her?" Revali queried suspiciously, "Some mysterious swordswoman showing up at random to claim such a trusted position? This doesn't bode well."

"Hold on!" Daruk said excitedly, "She's gonna speak to the Princess!"

A hush fell over the champions as they strained to listen.

"Princess," Faron said, "What are your first orders?"

"Oh," Zelda answered awkwardly, "Well, um..."