Hello! So, since I haven't seen anyone else really touch on this idea, I've decided to!
Quite simply, Fi and Ghirahim have swapped roles. Should be fun hm?
"You know… Link. There's something I've been meaning to talk to you about…"
Zelda's words were still ringing clearly in his ears moments before it hit, the bright flash of light nearly blinding him.
How could it have been going so well one minute, and then all have turned upside down in the next?
The winds became violent, currents ripping through the air like jagged claws. They were being dragged towards the vortex, Loftwing's screeching as they tried to fight it. And then she fell, slipping from her bird, screaming as plummeted.
Without a moment's hesitation, without a second thought, he dived straight after her. But as if the twister had a mind of its own, it threw him back with a sudden savage burst of force. He was cast back into the sky. All he heard before being swallowed by darkness was her scream still echoing through his mind.
Falling, falling…
"Link…"
He hears a voice calling to him and opens his eyes, wincing at the bright light he is bathed in.
A figure is staring back at him. Though it is hard to distinguish their features around the intensity of the light, he is able to make out two solid white eyes.
"I am waiting for you…"
The voice is smooth, yet almost taunting in nature. It beckons him and he reaches out but the figure is further away now, blurrier...
"You are required, vital to this mission of great importance… now awaken, Link…"
The figure drifts away and darkness washes over him, all around him. Which way was he falling?
A chuckle belonging to that same voice is in his ear once more, but closer, too close.
"Come find me, chosen hero of the goddess…"
Link's eyes snapped open and he bolted upright on the bed in a panic, unable to make sense of where he was for a few disorienting moments. Immediately he winced at the ache that shot through his entire body.
"Ah… you're awake."
He looked over to his side at the sound of a familiar voice, seeing the headmaster of the knight academy, and blinked in confusion. He soon realized that he was back in his dorm room, though how he'd returned he had no recollection of…
"You were limp and unconscious when your loftwing carried you back. I feared the worst," Gaepora explained. "Fortunately, you don't appear to have any serious injuries. For that much we can be grateful."
Link's eyes widened a tiny fraction.
It all came back to him, rushing over him like a wave; his dream, the tornado, Zelda…
Zelda.
Sensing his tension, Gaepora drew closer, almost cautiously, worry written all over his features. "But, Link, where is Zelda? She was with you, was she not...?"
Link didn't respond at first. He couldn't. He wasn't able to make sense of the events that had taken place in the past few hours. And most importantly, he didn't know where Zelda had disappeared to beneath the clouds.
Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly, the teen turned his gaze to the headmaster and did his best to explain what had happened. Gaepora listened with patience, remaining silent until Link had finished.
"A black tornado, you say? Hmm… that was no ordinary storm." Gaepora frowned, beginning to pace slowly.
Link nodded absentmindedly, his hands resting on his knees as he tried to think of some explanation for this. Suddenly, he felt the strong impulse to move, to go somewhere, as if something were pulling him. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and began to stand when the headmaster stopped him by holding out a hand.
"You must not push yourself. You're still recovering. Tell me, when you were with Zelda today, did anything about her seem… off?"
A sigh left Link's mouth and he lowered his eyes to the floor. "She… she said she kept hearing a voice calling to her from down beneath the clouds. That's the only thing I can think of."
Gaepora nodded slowly in understanding. "I see… She was speaking of the surface then?"
"I believe so," Link replied quietly. Zelda's father placed a hand on his shoulder comfortingly.
"This is all very strange but I'm afraid that rescue attempts will have to be made when day breaks. Searching for one girl and her bird in the dark of night would be very difficult, not to mention dangerous," he said, a frown etched into his brow.
Link felt a twinge of irritation, knowing that he was right. He bit his lip but didn't say anything in response.
"I'm concerned for Zelda, but as long as she's with her Loftwing, she'll be alright. Rest now, Link. Zelda is going to be fine. She's out there alive, I can feel it," the headmaster pulled away and headed for the door.
Link merely sat there, mulling about what to do long after the door had shut after him. It just didn't seem right to not get a rescue mission started right away, not while Zelda could be out who knows where, but what could be done about it? Besides, if he didn't rest now then he'd have no strength to go looking for her tomorrow, not that he had any idea of where to start looking…
He sighed and lay back on his forest green bedspread, his eyes sliding shut. He merely lay there in the silence of his bedroom, the whirlwind of thoughts running through his mind unceasing.
'Link…'
The teen's eyes snapped open. It was there again, that same voice, but closer. He sat up. Was he in a dream?
Almost magnetically, he felt his gaze pulled towards the door of his room.
No… something told him he was wide awake this time.
Pushing off of his bed he dashed for the handle and practically threw the door open, not so eager to let the voice that had been haunting him over the course of the past few days escape so easily this time. At first he saw nothing. But, turning his head towards the curved staircase, he finally spotted what he knew to be the being that had been speaking with him. It had to be.
The dark form levitated not two feet above the first stair, silent, unearthly in appearance. Stripes of white criss-crossed all over his body, converging at the silver diamond in the center of his chest. His – at least Link was sure it was male – solid white eyes regarded the boy before him coolly. Link could have sworn he saw a flash of condescension but it was gone as the corners of the specter's lips turned up in a beguiling smile. Then, without taking his eyes off of him, he drifted backwards and up to the landing.
Immediately, Link was compelled to follow.
"Wait!" He called, starting up the steps. Had no one else seen the spirit?
The being did not wait. Link followed it down, all the way to the end of the hall. He thought he had it cornered, there was seemingly nowhere else to go, but he was proven wrong. The spirit passed through the door as if the wood were nothing more than a sheet of vapour.
Quickly overcoming his surprise, he twisted the handle of the academy's door – thankfully it hadn't been locked – and stepped out into the night. All was strangely silent, not a single cry from the monsters that plagued Skyloft at night could be heard.
It was… odd to say the least. The atmosphere was almost surreal, undisturbed, fragile, as if he could easily reach out and shatter it with the lightest touch.
The dark being was just up ahead, obsidian skin glinting in the torchlight. Link once again approached but it flitted further away, towards the stairs that lead up to the Statue of the Goddess.
"Who are you?" He called out, dashing after the mysterious being. The volume of his own voice surprised him, carrying out into the sky in a desolate echo. Frustratingly enough, the figure did not grace him with a response, only moving out of reach whenever he got too close.
He soon found himself at the top of the stairs, the entrance to the courtyard in front of the statue blocked off. The spirit seemed undeterred, swiftly moving off to a hidden path on the side of the island. Confused for a moment, Link hesitated before following.
He carefully dropped down to a ledge below. The breeze was stronger down here, the wind caressing his cheeks and running through his sandy blond hair. This was a part of Skyloft he hadn't explored thoroughly, and especially not at night. He continued along the path, quietly stalking around a sleeping Remlit, knowing how vicious the little creatures could be after the sun had set. He looked back up to see the spirit disappear around a corner and hurried to catch up.
The path ahead sloped steeply upwards. Having been worn by the chase thus far, Link had to stop for a moment to regain his breath. He looked up to the top of the slope, where the floating spirit was looking down at him, seemingly amused as he patiently waited for the Skyloftian. Irritated by the aloofness the other displayed, Link sprinted up the hill with determination, nearly losing his footing a few times on the loose gravel but managing to keep his balance until his feet were on grass once more.
When he glanced around again the figure had disappeared from sight.
With nowhere to go but up, the youth braved a short jump over a sheer drop to the clouds below. There were vines growing up one wall that appeared to curve back to the top of the island, only there was no ledge underneath so if he fell there would be nothing to stop him from plummeting to the clouds below.
Panting with exertion, the youth took a breather, his hands resting on his knees. He raised his head and narrowed his eyes, hoping that he would at the very least have some answers after this.
His hands grasped the thick stems as he pulled his weight upwards, over the rock and steadily up the side of the island. His lips turned up in a breathless smirk. This was probably insane but then again he'd seen people do crazier tricks on their Loftwing's, and even attempted some himself.
He panted heavily as he neared the top, finally grasping the ledge and beginning to pull himself up.
It was so sudden. One moment there was nothing there and the next there was a face, inches from his own. He cried out in a panic and jerked back, barely just managing to hold onto the vines. He could have sworn he heard a chuckle, the same chuckle from his dream, as he felt the spirit move away.
"Goddesses…" he breathed, hanging there for a few more seconds, his heart hammering against his rib cage, before he pulled himself up.
Was this entity trying to show him something or get him killed?
The dark figure was waiting for him a short distance up ahead, expression even more smug than before. Link shot it a dirty look, but didn't run after it this time, instead leisurely jogging after it as it lead him around and to the front of the Goddess Statue.
He watched with interest and mild surprise when the figure drifted back into the stone, which melted away and revealed an opening at the base of the statue.
Link stepped in front of the doorway, his eyes widening in shock as he peered down the tunnel leading into darkness. Did anyone else on the island know this had existed?
Piqued with a new slew of questions, the curious youth proceeded down into the statue's waiting depths.
Before long the narrow hallway had opened up into a circular chamber, the ceiling stretching high above his head. The area was alight with torches, their flickering glow sending shadows dancing in the far reaches of the room. Intricate designs crawled up the walls and along the floor, images of some far away past engraved in stone.
It was all very fascinating, but the item that caught his attention the most lay at the center of the chamber.
The sword was dark, though it was hard to tell if it was black or a midnight blue from far away. The shape of it was unlike anything he had ever seen before. The pommel and guard were flared; the edges looked so sharp that it appeared even the handle of the sword could be used as a weapon. The blade itself was long and sleek, a golden three-triangled mark imprinted just above the handle.
Link found himself somewhat intimidated by the aesthetics of this peculiar discovery. Yet, like a naïve child, he was drawn in for a closer look…
Booming laughter echoed around the chamber, causing the boy to nearly jump out of his skin and glance around frantically. The voice seemed to be moving around the walls, yet the source of it was unseen. He couldn't pin-point its location.
Then, as swiftly as the presence had come, it just left and all fell silent again.
… Or did it really leave?
Taken completely off guard, Link could only draw in a sharp gasp as strong arms encircled his torso, their owner out of sight behind him. Lips were then close to his ear, practically pressing against it as warm breath slid over his neck. He went rigid, not quite sure how to react to this sudden embrace.
"I've been waiting for you for a very long time, dear boy…"
The words were not spoken with malice, but there was something behind their smooth tone, whether it be impatience or displeasure, it set Link on edge. No doubt about it, it was the spirit from his dream, the being he had followed all the way up to the statue. The youth swallowed nervously, unsure of the other's motives.
An odd sort of purring noise sounded in the apprehensive human's ear, making him shiver and frown in confusion.
Something told him the spirit meant no harm but, if these advances were any indication, he couldn't quite say whether that was true or not.
Then, just like that, the being removed himself, leaving the boy feeling strangely violated. When Link spun around, nothing was there.
Link scowled, tired of being toyed with, and once again began to approach the pedestal that the dark blade was stuck in. A blinding white light flashed from the hilt and the black and white figure appeared once more, standing in front of the sword. Link was somewhat taken aback at first by the fact that the man's feet were actually touching the ground this time.
It didn't take long for him to put two and two together; the sword must have been the spirit's vessel.
"The one my creator has chosen… at last we meet, face to face," the figure said, raising his chin towards the teen in a gesture of superiority.
Link narrowed his eyes, not liking the stare the other was giving him. The spirit rose up a few feet, beginning to drift around the room as if pacing, his voice a subtly-mocking drawl.
"You know, for someone to play the role of the hero, I would have expected you to be a bit… taller in stature?" He grinned, flashing his strikingly white canines. "But, I suppose you'll do…"
Link ignored the offhanded jeer, having been teased about his height numerous times before. It was nothing new.
"Who are you and why did you bring me here?"
That brought a loud sigh from the spirit.
"Ah yes, questions, questions…" he peered down at the hero, "your little mind must be buzzing with them, hmm?"
Link rotated on his heel slowly, his eyes following the specter as he began circling the outer edges of the room, briefly disappearing behind the pillars every so often. It set Link on edge. Was he supposed to trust this being or not?
"Those troubling dreams plaguing your sleep… My sudden appearance… but most importantly…" the spirit paused as if for dramatic effect, "… what of your friend's fate?"
Link's eyes widened; a miniscule action that didn't go unnoticed by his companion.
"Ah yes, that darling girl…" the spirit exclaimed dramatically, throwing the back of his hand over his face, "torn away from you and swept below the clouds… how awful. Well fret not, chosen one. The one you seek, honourable Zelda, is still among the living…"
The teen looked up, hopeful at the mention of his friend being alive.
"… And she is fated to play a part in a great destiny, as are you. Can you feel it? The ball has begun rolling already, little sky child…" The dark being smiled at Link as his form gracefully touched down just behind the blade lodged in the pedestal. His hands came up to rest on its handle as he tilted towards Link to mutter lowly. "Now, should you desire to seek her out, your first step is to draw this sword from its pedestal and raise it skyward. That shouldn't be too much of a challenge, hm?"
Link looked from the sword to the spirit, then back to the sword again, hesitation evident in his expression. It was clear as day that he wasn't entirely certain what he was preparing to accept, or if he even wanted to do so. But he thought of Zelda… and if this being new of her condition then he had to know of her whereabouts.
The spirit moved back, rising into the air a short ways above as he offered further persuasion. "If you are able to do it, I'll answer whatever question you can conjure up. Seems reasonable, yes?"
Making up his decision, the young Skyloftian moved into a suitable stance, widening the space between his feet and raising his hands to grip the sword's handle. It was cold to the touch, but he paid that fact no mind as he tensed his muscles and pulled up. The blade slid free from the stone easier than he thought it would, causing him to lose his balance rather ungracefully. Taking a moment to right himself (and ignoring the amused chuckled coming from the spirit) the blond stared down at the newly claimed weapon in wonder.
Contrary to what he'd expected, it was light, feeling almost natural in his grip… which was odd considering he already wasn't too fond of the being inhabiting it.
Curiously, Link raised the blade up above his head, mesmerized as a beam of holy light crawled down the steel. The sword began to emit a light violet glow and the hero could feel its power, the weight of what he had just accepted.
A slow clapping sound brought his attention back over to his companion.
"Bravo. Remarkable. Outstanding. I'm speechless." The black and white spirit spoke as he brought his hands together over and over again, though it was obvious he was far from impressed.
The youth lowered the Goddess' Sword to his side, looking up at him questioningly.
"You still haven't told me your name."
That seemed to take the spirit off guard.
"Oh, how positively uncivil of me!" He exclaimed, his shock actually looking genuine. "Where are my manners? My deepest apologies. As for my name…"
Link watched as the spirit lowered himself to the floor before him, giving a bow that was nothing short of sarcastically respectful.
"You may call me Ghirahim."
For any of those who are reading Sanguinary... it probably won't be updated for a while. Quite simply, I have no motivation for it.
R&R