Prologue: One dark, fateful day

One dark, fateful day, the earth cracked wide and malevolent forces rushed forth from the fissure. They mounted a brutal assault upon the surface people, driving the land into deep despair…
They burnt forests to ash, choked the land's sweet springs, and murdered without hesitation.
They did all this in their lust to take the ultimate power protected by Her Grace, the goddess.
The power she guarded was without equal. Handed down by gods of old, this power gave its holder the means to make any desire a reality.
Such was de the might of the ultimate power that the old ones placed it in the care of the goddess.
To prevent this great power from falling into the hands of the evil swarming the lands…
The goddess gathered the surviving humans on a outcropping of earth. She sent it skyward, beyond the reach of the demonic hordes. Beyond even the clouds. With the humans safe, the goddess joined forces with the land dwellers and fought the evil forces, sealing them away. At last, peace was restored to the surface.

Gaepora closed the book, placing his finger between the pages he was reading. Something in this legend disturbed him. What it was he couldn't say, but something made him feel uneasy. Ever since the clouds around thunderhead had thickened he felt that something was about to happen. He felt somehow this was all connected to this legend, but couldn't see how.
With a soft sigh Gaepora removed his finger from the pages and placed the book back on the shelf. Whatever it was, it would have to wait. There were other more immediate issues that required his attention. The wing-ceremony was close at hand and Gaepora, as headmaster of the knight-academy, needed to make his final preparations. Especially since the knight-academy celebrated its twenty-fifth birthday.
Twenty-five years ago Gaepora created the knights of Skyloft and founded the school that would become the knight-academy. The knights of Skyloft were there to protect and guide the people living on their floating island. Riding on their Loftwings these knight would help people who needed help. The would guide people who needed guidance. Protect people that needed their protection.
At the academy these knights were instructed in the art of flying, guided in the skills of combat and educated in the ancient lore of the land. The wing-ceremony was held each year to let the students at the academy proof they were worthy of becoming a knight. They would have to show they excelled in the skills a knight of Skyloft should possess. It was for this special event that Gaepora still needed to make some final preparations.

Skyloft. Skyloft was a floating island, far above the clouds. It was the place where the humans lived and had made their homes. On Skyloft there was everything you could possible want or need to lead a normal live. There was a big bazaar were people could buy and sell their merchandise. There was a great plaza were activities and events could be held. There was of course the knight academy, where young men and woman were trained to become the knights of Skyloft. In the north-western part of Skyloft was a magnificent waterfall that ended in a clear blue lake. Skyloft had much to offer for the simple souls.
Everybody agreed that Skyloft was a wonderful place. The people are friendly and the sun is always shining. But there is one place on the island that was most special. In the northern part of the island there was a smaller floating island. It was connected to Skyloft by several wooden bridges. On this smaller island stood a magnificent statue of the goddess. The statue was easily the largest structure on the entire island. It towered far above any of the other buildings on the island. The statue was designed so that everybody, anywhere in Skyloft, could always see their goddess watching over them. According to the legend it was this goddess that rescued them from the horrible war on the surface and gave them this island to live and prosper. Many believed that even know she was still watching and guiding the people of Skyloft in their daily lives.
In front of the statue was a small sanctuary. This small square was a place of silence, of worship and of contemplation. It was this place, right in front of the statue of the goddess, that was Zelda's most favorite spot. Zelda, the daughter of Gaepora and student at the knight-academy, often visited this place during the day. It made her feel good. It gave her a sense of purpose. It made her feel restful and relaxed. Somehow Zelda felt connected to this place. She would often bring her harp here and play her music. There was one song in particular that she loved to sing and play. It was called the 'ballad of the goddess'. It was a song passed down from one generation to the next. Zelda had heard the song from her father, Gaepora. Somehow the notes of this song made a connection to her. Zelda always felt more alive when she played the notes on her harp.
It was early in the morning when Zelda was once again at the statue of the goddess. A soft breeze came from west. Zelda closed her eyes and felt the breeze on play with her blond hair and for a moment she felt content. She felt alive. She felt she knew where she belonged. She picked up her harp and began singing the ballad she had learned from her father. The words echoed on the melody and resonated in the sky.
This was also the very same place where Zelda had first met her Loftwing. All people of Skyloft had a Loftwing partner. Loftwing are birdlike creatures that are extremely loyal, peaceful and protective. Each boy or girl will meet their Loftwing counterpart at an early age. These guardian birds are considered a blessing from the goddess. According to the stories the goddess made connection between the humans on Skyloft and the Loftwing in the sky. So they would create a bond stronger than anything they could imagine.
Zelda met her Loftwing for the first time in front of the statue of the goddess. She was still a young girl back then. She was visiting the statue with her father when a crystal blue Loftwing flew over their heads and landed right in front of the little girl. Zelda sheepishly stretched out a hand to stroke the Loftwing, and it returned the favor by snuggling up to her. Ever since then Zelda and her Loftwing were inseparable.
Zelda's Loftwing was also there this morning. It was listing to the ballad of the goddess that Zelda was singing. The song slowly ended when the last notes floated away on the breeze. The Loftwing gave a soft squeak.
"I know" Zelda said. She stroked the neck of her Loftwing. "He should have been here by now".
The Loftwing squeaked in agreement. Zelda gave a soft sigh. She looked across Skyloft. She could see the entire island from up here. She could see the woman washing their clothes in the river. She could see the merchants opening up their shops in the bazaar. She saw Horwell, one of the instructors of the knight-academy, jump of the island, calling for his Loftwing, soaring through the sky. She could even see the airship of Beedle arriving in the distance. But she couldn't see him.
From the inside of her robe she removed a sealed envelope. "You better make sure he's all right" Zelda said. She gave the envelope to her Loftwing and watched it take off. "And if he's still sleeping, make sure he wakes up" Zelda called. With a soft sigh Zelda picked up her harp again.

Darkness. Dark soil covered with dark trees lay beneath a dark sky. There was darkness everywhere. There was no wind. There were no sounds. The world was dark and silent. A deep dark silence filled the air. The world felt pregnant with a deep dark evil.
A low rumbling broke the silence. A violent tremor shook the earth. Then silence. Again the world felt empty. A long low rumbling broke the silence. A strong violent tremor shook the earth. Then Silence. Again the world felt empty. A strong long low rumbling broke the silence. A ripping strong violent tremor shook the earth. The tremor tore a crack in the dark soil. A large crack opened the soil revealing the darkness inside. The earth shook. The tremors tore the earth apart. The fissure grew. With a deep terrifying roar the earth opened up.
From deep within the fissure a dark creature emerged. The dark creature was hardly visible against the blackness of the world. A large scaly claw emerged from the crack. It ripped through the fissure. Another scaly claw emerged from the crack. Ripping the earth apart the deep dark creature came forth from the fissure. Hardly visible in the darkness, the creature looked ready the devour the world. The trees around the fissure had died. The soil around the creature was dead. The evil of the creature filled the darkness. The creature's sole purpose seemed to devour. Its large mouth, filled with teeth, covered most of its body. It opened its mouth and sucked in the darkness. It opened its mouth the devour the world. Its mouth opened wider absorbing everything. The mouth grew and opened up even more. Then a loud squawk resonated.

With a mixture of shock and fright Link fell from his bed. His hard hit the wooded floor. With a grunt, Link slowly opened his eyes. He rubbed the back of his head and looked around. He felt queasy. He felt strange. Link looked around the room. He could see his bookcase filled with several books. His cupboard, where he kept his clothes stood to the right. To the left of his bookcase was his desk. His desk was cluttered with pieces of paper.
Again that squawk.
Link looked at his window. The head of clear crystal blue Loftwing was sticking through the window. Link immediately recognized the Loftwing. There were several blue Loftwing in Skyloft, but none of them were as blue and clear as Zelda's. The Loftwing squawked again and spit Zelda's letter on the floor. It landed right in front of Link. With a final squawk the Loftwing removed his head from the window and flew away.
Link rubbed the back of his head. He still felt groggy and queasy. There was something going on. He felt as if there was something missing. He felt as if there was something wrong. It could have been the dream, but Link felt as if there was something else. He looked at the envelope on the floor. It was made of a yellowish paper. On the back Link noticed Zelda's mark in red ink. He opened the envelope and read the letter.

Hey, sleepyhead.
I know how much you like to sleep in, so I'm guessing this letter will be your alarm clock this morning. Did I guess right? Rise and shine, Link! Today's the Wing Ceremony! You promised to meet me before it starts, remember? You better not keep me waiting.

- Zelda

Link rubbed the back of his head. He completely forgot all about the Wing Ceremony. Link pulled a clean shirt form his cupboard and went on his way to meet Zelda. Link and Zelda had been close friends almost from the moment they first met. Ever since then they cheered each other up, comforted each other, and made each other laugh. And now Link had forgotten they were supposed to meet each other. Link left his room feeling guilty.
"Hey Link" Fledge said. Fledge, like link was another student at the academy. He was a few years younger than Link, and not yet ready for the wing-ceremony. "I thought you were supposed to meet Zelda today" he said. Link nodded.
"I am going to see her right now" Link said, and walked away.
"Tell Zelda I said hi" Fledge called after him.
With these last words Link left the knight academy. From the garden of the academy Link could already see the statue of the goddess. He knew that Zelda would be there, still waiting for him. With a feeling of guilt for letting Zelda wait Link ran towards the statue.