Chapter One
The Two Links
I.
She looks at me with that same look she gave me a year ago, the look when I told her I couldn't sense my Loftwing. A mischievous sparkle in her eyes gets me a little nervous. Is she going to push me off the statue of the goddess again? She's done it before, and she might do it again. I tense, ready to spring out of the way.
Instead her sky-blue eyes narrow in amusement. Her corn-yellow hair flutters in a sudden breeze. She looks like she may be cold in her pink dress, but despite the outfit she still wears a tough belt that looks like it could have been for a man. Zelda somehow enchants me in a way no one else can.
We stand atop the statue of the goddess, overlooking what was once Skyloft, high in the clouds. Now it is grounded. The streets bustle with people going to and fro. Above, our Loftwings glide lazily in circles that block out the sun. I crane my neck upwards and I can just make out Groose diving on his own Loftwing. I smile, remembering the "Groosinator."
"Hey, Sleepyhead! Wake up!" Zelda yells, followed by a sudden force slamming into my back. I cry out as I lose my balance, floundering to the edge of the statue. My momentum makes me tip over, and I start falling down, my yells following me.
Of course Zelda would do this! Laughter bubbles up inside me as I quickly take out the Sailcloth Zelda had given to me so long ago, when Skyloft still remained in the sky. The wind hits it, and I drift slowly down until I hit the ground crouching to absorb the impact.
I feel not a trace of annoyance when the whistle of wind on wings warns me a second before to duck. I lay sprawled on the ground as Zelda dismounts her blue and white Loftwing to crouch beside me. I let out a sigh as my cheek presses up against the warm cobblestones.
"You awake yet?" Zelda teases, pinching my cheek. I sit up, and we sit together with our legs crosses beneath the statue. I still wear my knight's clothes, but thankfully I have the day off from showing the knights places to explore. We ride around on our Loftwings, and I show them sights such as the Earth Temple, even Skyview so they we can perhaps spread and grow.
I bring myself back to the present as Zelda tousles my dirty blond hair. I smile as she pulls off my hat, and tugs my tunic so I am forced closer. Alarm flashes through me, and I am suddenly aware of every part of my body. My palms are sweating, and I have an itch on my right leg, right above the knee cap.
She pulls me in so close until I can see the lighter blue flecks in her eyes. They draw me in, a swirling ocean of color, until I am lost. I suddenly am jolted back to reality as she shoves me away, laughing. She wanted to see me alarmed? I bristle for a moment then relax. This is Zelda! I laugh with her and we lean against one another as the sun warms the cobblestones below us. We gaze into the sky, where clouds drift lazily by.
"Hey, Link…" Zelda begins. When I don't respond, which is usual, she continues, "do you ever think about what would happen if we weren't involved in this mess?"
I know what she's referring to. I had to brave many challenges to find her and defeat Demise. But if we hadn't been there…I shake my head in wonder. Of course I've thought about it. Skyloft would still be in the sky, and we would continue to stay up there, not knowing what lies beneath the clouds. Our descendants may fill up the island, and soon we would have to find even more islands to inhabit.
I nod back to her, and a less cheerful look crosses her gaze. I prop my head up on my left elbow, concern filling me. I reach out and touch a hand to Zelda's shoulder. She doesn't tear her gaze from the sky, but she reaches up and places her warm palm over mine. We lay like that for a while, side by side. I don't even know how we got into this position.
"Zelda!" a familiar voice booms from the entrance of the statue of the goddess. "We're just about to eat supper. You can invite Link, too, if he so desires."
Zelda looks at me, her eyes pleading, but I shake my head sorrowfully. I point to the sky. She nods, and gets up, brushing herself off. I get up with her, and suddenly she tackles me. No - she hugs me. It takes me a little to get over the shock, but soon I relax into it and return it.
"I'm going to keep doing that until you learn to enjoy it," she teases me, and leaves. Her flowery scent still remains, even when her skirts are long gone. I breathe them in for what seems like an eternity. They still linger with me, even when I call for my own Loftwing.
My Loftwing is crimson, the only known one. It circles from the sky, its large cone - shaped beak glowing orange in the retreating light of the sun as it gradually sinks over the horizon of the woods. Beyond it is a field. Some of our knights have set up camp there, hoping to start a town. I'm content to stay in Skyloft, which is connected to the field, but Zelda shows signs of wanting to join them. A selfish thought flits through my head as I think of her. She can't leave me! I brush it away. I'll go with her wherever, even though my heart lies in Skyloft. My heart is with her, too, however.
I slide easily onto my bird and together we ride into the sun. I squint against the wind and light, and soon forget entirely Zelda still has my hat in her possession, too wrapped up in my own thoughts.
Link!
I feel goosebumps prickle my arms. Not now! I don't have this feeling often. In fact, usually not at all. I am still tormented by Zelda's screams for me. A bucket of icy water seems to be poured down my back as I hear her cries for help rush in my ears. I feel my heart deflate, and I clutch my Loftwing, who seems to sense something's wrong.
Helplessness tugs at my insides, and I start to curl up on my Loftwing's back. I shake all over, trembling. After a few short moments, I get up and continue to ride, past the new village the others are starting. Tears sting my eyes but I grit my teeth and shut them closed. I can't think of this now.
Even so, the image of Zelda being sucked up by a black tornado enters my mind. When she was imprisoned in a sleep to seal away Demise. Her being at the feet of Demise. I shiver uncontrollably and cling to my Loftwing's crimson feathers.
But this time, when all of this is over, will you come to wake me up?
"I…I promise, Zelda! I…promise."
I don't realize I have said the words aloud until my Loftwing gazes at me with its large yellow and blue eyes. We are now hurdling over Faron Woods, but I don't register it. Those were the first words I have spoken aloud ever since she was sealed into a deep sleep.
"Hey! Link! When you're done daydreaming, return to Skyloft! Something's wrong!" I quickly straighten and glance around wildly. A knight is riding a dull brown Loftwing, flapping hard to keep up with my Loftwing's speed.
I nod and whirl my Loftwing around, taking off for Skyloft at an incredible speed. As I near it, I don't see anything wrong. The knight struggles to follow us, and I slow down a little for him to catch up. I feel the reassuring weight of a generic knight's blade on my back.
As I land in the square, which is bordered by fluttering flags on clotheslines and a clear blue river, I see my floppy green hat lying on the ground. I hastily scoop it up and place it on my head. Then I look around wildly. If my hat is here, where's Zelda?
"It's fine, Link." The knight who warned me earlier says. "Zelda's fine. But you might want to go to the statue of the goddess. She said she wanted you there or something. And that it was urgent."
No one is gathered around the statue itself, which is strange. I climb the wood steps to get to it, rickety as they are. I reach the cobblestones, where I hear raised voices ahead. And one sounds like -
No. It isn't possible.
"But Zelda! You don't recognize me?"
"You're speaking! What's with the sudden change of heart? I've been waiting for over ten years for you to say more!" I can hear the emotion in Zelda's voice. I can almost imagine the tears streaking her face.
I rush into the area that holds the statue, my sword at the ready. Someone is impersonating me! It's true; I see an exact double standing in front of Zelda, whose finger is pointing right at his chest. I feel fury rise inside of me.
I yell out, just so we can have a fair fight. It isn't like me to attack someone whose back it turned. I run at him with my sword ready, the Hylian Shield equipped to my right arm. He stumbles backwards, and only then do I realize he has the goddess's sword. No, the fake goddess's sword. It can't be real.
Surprise crosses his face as he dodges out of the way. He draws his own blade. To be fair, it looks well crafted, and I can almost convince myself it is the same one that rests in the statue of the goddess. The only fault in his guise is his clothes are lighter and his hair is also more blond. But it is hardly noticeable. Of course Zelda wouldn't know. Our blades clash together in a surprisingly hard stalemate, sparks flying from both swords.
Our yells are identical, and Zelda cries out at one point, but I ignore her and keep dueling the fake Link. His eyes are narrowed in concentration, but then again so are mine. His movements mirror mine as I bring my blade down in an arc.
I know if I summon a lot of strength, I can pull off a certain maneuver I thought was once long forgotten. Our moves are similar, and so are our defensive skills. Has he been watching me? Training in secret? Who is this impostor anyways?
We finally get a little distance between each other, both panting. He pulls out his bow, but I have forgotten mine back in the knight's academy. Instead, I use my hookshot to grab on to his green tunic just as his arrow flies. The hookshot then drags the impostor closer to me, and I soon release him. He's close enough now. I have to roll while still holding the hookshot to avoid his projectile.
I raise my blade to the sky with a great shout. He freezes as the light of the fading sun blinds him. My blade shakes with energy, and I can practically feel the light radiating from it. I jump high above the other's head and bring my blade down as a blast of pure energy leaps from its tip.
The other brings up his shield, but there is no need. I am suddenly pushed back by some force I cannot see. Did he somehow summon a force field? I am flung back into a wall, where I hear it crack. Or is it my back? I don't know, but I fall to the ground, blackness rimming my vision. Nausea rises in my throat, and I feel as if I have swallowed my spine. I sit with my legs sprawled out, my head lolling. I blink through the pounding in my head. Dust rises all around me, along with a bang.
Link!
I hear Zelda as she is sucked into the black tornado, her form a little speck among all the wild winds. I reach for her desperately, but I can feel my consciousness slowly drifting away.
Link! Please! Wake up!
Zelda? She never said that when she was whisked away…
A gentle black wave seems to caress me as I float in a black abyss, blissfully unaware of any pain or emotion. My mind is wandering the limits of the dreaming world.
I am brought abruptly out of my stupor as Zelda shakes my shoulders violently. I cough and splutter, but something's wrong with my breathing. My breaths come in quick and shallow, and they sound terrible in my chest. What have I broken? My head screams in agony, but I push away the pain. Or at least try to.
I hastily pull myself into a sitting position, and I feel something hot and sticky run down the side of my right cheek. The liquid coats my entire face from my scalp to my chin. I don't try to brush it away, though.
I try to get to my feet, but I have to lean on Zelda for support. Suddenly my memory rushes back. The impostor! I draw my sword once more and on shaky legs, I face him. He is standing still, confusion planted on his face. The ground sways beneath me, but I don't care. I start my slow advance, and he draws his own sword swiftly, an action I can no longer perform. Zelda cries out in protest, but once again I ignore her.
The clash of metal against metal rings out through Skyloft as we battle. It is hopeless on my part, but I am determined to defend Skyloft and Zelda. I dodge and slash despite my dizziness, and eventually land a few blows on him. Miraculously, he doesn't land many on me. His leg is thoroughly soaked in blood, and he limps on it.
As I sidestep the ground suddenly swirls before me and I drop to my knees. I can hear the other put his blade away and gasp. Is this how I go? Dying at the hands of someone who is impersonating me?
"Who are you?" I can hear his voice, slightly shaky. If only he hadn't summoned the barrier between us that knocked me back! But confusion plays on the other's face, adding to my own.
I stumble to my feet, and this time I feel a different presence help me up. It is warm and billowing, and I relax into it. I stand with my sword still in hand, but the other doesn't draw his own. I pant, the blood trickling down the side of my face turning into a stream. Suddenly stored energy flows into my limbs. Have courage.
"Who are you?" Again the impostor repeats the question. Zelda rushes to my side and the presence retreats, instead replaced by her warm scent. It washes over me and I lean on her, but try to keep the worst of my weight off of her as she slings my right arm over her shoulders.
"Who are you?" Zelda snarls back, defensive. "You're not Link at all!"
The other looks taken aback, confusion apparent in every muscle of his body. "What do you mean, Zelda? And since when were you this…fiery?" He hesitates. "I'm Link! I should be asking who this is!"
He points to me, and I can't muster the energy to give any sort of response. Questions whirl around in my head until I feel even more dizzy. I sink down in Zelda's clutches as she cries out.
Link! She is growing smaller as the tornado sucks her in farther, deeper into unexplored lands. Blackness streaks my vision, but I call out to her just before I fall deeper into the darkness.
I delve out of the memory. I'm still at the statue of the goddess. I get to my feet, but the world is still spinning. I lean against the wall fighting down bile as Zelda and the impostor battle it out.
"You're trying to impersonate Link you filthy fraud!" I almost laugh. Zelda's fiery attitude sure is affecting the other.
"What do you mean Zelda? Clearly, he's the one who's the trickster here!" He shouts at her. This snaps me back to reality. He's yelling at Zelda! I stumble to her and place my hand on her shoulder reassuringly.
I am not the impostor. I am the real Link. I am the Chosen Hero. I am the one who rescued Zelda. Not him. I stare at him with a terribly impassive gaze. I raise my sword, but not to kill. The simple action leaves me breathless. As expected, however, the blade gradually becomes lighter. A glow radiates from it. A challenge flashes in my eyes; I can tell.
"I am a warrior of Hyrule." I utter the words, barely thinking before they spill out of my mouth. I sense the honor in the words, and am thankful for it. "I am the chosen hero of the goddess. Do not try to impersonate me."
The other's eyes are wide with my words. I lower my sword slowly, keeping my eyes upon him. Zelda lets out a gasp beside me and tugs on my sleeve, the blue irises of her eyes shimmering with tears. "Link! I haven't heard you speak since…" She closes her eyes. "Ever since your father…Link, please find your voice. It's so beautiful."
I glance down at her, regret filling me. My father told me on the night he left to be strong. He promised he'd return. He was on a mission with the other knights of the academy to find out what upset Levias so. Only, he was among the many that didn't come back. I remember the night so clearly. Rain came down lightly as I was alone, still waiting for my father to return. I remember calling out his name into the night until my voice was lost along with him. Sorrow pierces my heart, but only for a brief second, before I become once more the mute I usually am. I shake my head to Zelda.
"Wait…but you're not Link." The other has a mask of confusion and awe plastered to his face. "I'm Link."
Zelda opens her mouth to protest, but is silenced when I bring her closer by grasping her shoulders. She seems to understand the look in my eyes. "Who…who is your Zelda? Or whatever? Where did you come from?"
"Hyrule," he responds. "I…I'll just explain, I guess.
"I was born as a Kokiri child, or at least I thought I was." He glances at our faces and adds, "Kokiri are children of the forest who never age as long as they remain there. Anyways, I was summoned by the Great Deku Tree - a wise tree the Kokiri worship - and had to rescue the princess, Zelda. I knew I had to save her for the sake of Hyrule."
"But we don't have any princesses yet." Zelda frowns. "How could I have been with you?"
"Well, this kind of looks like Hyrule Field…" the other glances around him. "But where's the castle? And how did I get here? What is here?"
Master Link…it is time yet again to meet…
I jump. The familiar voice is so sudden, so unpredicted, I am for a moment astounded. The ground sways again and I lean on Zelda for support. Could this really be who I think it is? I feel shivers rack my spine.
I quickly stop leaning on Zelda and start briskly walking for the exit of the statue of the goddess. I start to pick up a jog, and when the jolting steps don't make my headache too bad, I start to sprint. I hear the other's footsteps pounding after me, along with Zelda's.
I exit Skyloft. Quickly traversing the streets, I hardly notice the curious glances Skyloftians cast us as the two Links and Zelda run through. I sprint for the entrance to the temple of the Sealed Grounds. I throw myself against the doors, but I am weak and they hardly budge. Zelda starts to push along with me, but she isn't desperate. I am.
We burst through. I barely take in the cascading ivy and sunbeams tracing the floor as I race to the pedestal in the center of the large room. I stop at the foot of the steps, taking in the beauty of the Master Sword. Or the goddess's sword, as I sometimes prefer to think of it.
I suddenly hear her voice again.
Master Link…you must draw the sword once more. You are needed.
I stride up to the pedestal. Zelda and…Link stay behind me. Link starts forward, but is stopped by Zelda. I feel like my palms are sweating in my gloves, but I ignore it. I grip the hilt of the legendary blade once more. It feels to warm, so familiar in my hands.
I slowly muster the courage to pull. In my weakened state, it's a surprise I can even pull it. It slowly comes out of its resting place. I take it out and hold it high above my head. The sunlight hits it at an angle, and the light beams slant into the ivy on the far wall.
"Master, your identity has been confirmed."
The words are now aloud. I gasp and turn around. Fi floats only a few feet away from me. She looks beautiful in her half blue and half purple…material, even though she is an artificial being created by the goddess. Joy springs in my heart.
"Link." She speaks my name again in her voice, echoing off the walls. "Allow me to explain the events that have occurred here." Fi bows to me and starts to wander the room, turning in wonderful coordinated circles and in a dance I remember so well when I played the harp. "This is yet another Link, but your descendant. This is the Hero of Time. Ganondorf, the evil he has spoken of, is a reincarnation of Demise. Your sword will not hold him forever, but he is sealed as of now.
"He has come from the future, when the lands of Hyrule have been established." Fi turns and skates back to us, turning in a few loops around the other Link. "We must collect another hero, as another realm is threatened. There is a hero in that realm, but he is threatened by horrors unimaginable.
"We must collect another Link, the Hero of Twilight." Fi turns her blank eyes upon me. "We will have to traverse other time periods and opposite universes to do so. We will be able to be together again, Master Link, if only for a little while."
Pleasure flairs in my chest, but also the weight of responsibility. So we must take different Links from different time periods so help another Link in another Link in a different time period or universe…I find it hard to wrap my head around it. But does that mean I must leave Zelda? I glance at her, but her gaze is lowered, and she stares at her boots.
"We depart at dawn." Fi drifts back into the Master Sword, where the blade glows for a second before returning to its normal state. I take out the knight's blade and replace with daintily with the Master Sword. I lay the knight's sword across the pedestal.
"Who…who was that?" Link splutters. His face is a mixture of shock and wide - eyed curiosity.
"Fi." Zelda responds when I don't. "She aided Link in his quest." I am still staring at the spot where the Master Sword was. Zelda then comes up behind me. Zelda approaches me. "Link, come. We have to tend to your wounds."
Link is examining my items back in the knight's academy. My room is small yet cozy, with a small desk in the corner and sculptures of Loftwings on my shelves. I sit on my bed next to the closed window. It's late in Skyloft. I haven't warned any of the Skyloftians of my passing into a different realm, and I don't intend to.
"Wow, these are actual birds?" Link says, turning the sculpture over in one hand.
It was hard to smuggle him into the room, seeing as the Skyloftians may get alarmed if they see two Links. Zelda reminds the Hero of Time that I am mute, for the most part, so if ever we were separated in Skyloft we might be able to pull it off.
I nod in response to Link's question and turn back to the window. Outside, the field is silent. I close my eyes then open them again, feeling a cool breeze tickle my face.
"So…you're a knight then," Link still handles my sculpture. When I don't respond, he adds, "that's kind of what I am."
I smile and look at him from the corner of my eye. Perhaps we aren't so different.
"Link. Or can I call you Sky or something?" When I don't respond, the Hero of Time goes on, "I can hardly believe I'm a reincarnation of…well, I guess, you. I don't know if you're the first hero or anything, but something happens in which our spirit is called upon when Hyrule - this land, - is in need."
I turn to him, not knowing how to feel. So I'm going to reincarnate? Does that mean I might experience what Time is experiencing right now? I shiver, thinking of all the lifetimes. Will I still be with Zelda? If the Hero of Time has a Zelda, certainly she'd reincarnate, too?
My door bangs open suddenly, making me jump to my feet, startled, it is accompanied with a yell of, "Link, buddy!"
The other Link drops my carving of my Loftwing. I cry out and dive for it, catching it in my outstretched palms. I breathe a sigh of relief. I set it back atop the desk and pull myself to my feet.
Groose stands in the doorframe with his arms outstretched. Groose is a tall, muscular knight with strange red hair that spikes up. He wears a yellow parka cut short over a blue shirt. His pants are generically yellow, too. He wears an expression of cockiness, which quickly changes to shock, and then confusion.
"Link?" His yell echoes through the hallway. I motion for him to be quiet, but it's too late. It all happens to quickly for me to think.
Pipit appears beneath Groose wearing a yellow knight's tunic. "Link what's up wi - " He stops short as he takes in the scene. "Link?!"
The Hero of Time and I meet gazes. We seem to decide something silently. I slide easily past Groose, the Hero of Time following. We sprint into the hallway, where Karane stands, trying to peer past Pipit and Groose. Pipit suddenly is dragged out of his shock as he gives chase, dragging Karane with him. Groose follows, a set of more heavy footsteps.
"Why is it so important we run?" Link hisses in my ears as adrenaline flows through my veins. I mean, apart from protecting the Skyloftians from any harm…if they knew of the information we did, some would insist upon going with us. They would be endangered.
As we near the doors that lead out of the knight academy, we burst through in unison. It's creepy how mirrored our movements are. We dash past Instructor Owlan, who is also shocked. I wince. We need to separate from each other. I point down one road for the Hero of Time to follow. It will lead him to the Bazaar.
"So we split up." Link nods. "We'll meet up again somewhere, right?"
I don't give him an answer as I charge up the steps to the statue of the goddess. I can tell it stops the three knights who are chasing us for a moment. After a little, Groose and Karane decide to chase after me, Pipit after the other fleeing Link.
I run for the trees of Faron woods, dodging through the undergrowth. As I weave in and out of trees, I stumble over a protruding root. I gasp as Karane, fleeter than Groose, is nearly upon me. I feel something clutch my legs, but my momentum carries my forward before I fall straight on my face, right on another tree stump. A thin trickle of blood slips down my nose. I roll to absorb the impact, but a heavy weight is dropped upon me.
Groose sits atop me, as I lay, defeated. I pound the ground in frustration for a moment. I guess I'm not used to running in the forest. I should have sent the other Link in this direction, seeing as he was raised in one, and I should have gone the other way, towards the field. I was caught so quickly! Too quickly.
Groose takes me by the shoulders and stands me up. He is far more stronger than me, and I know I am helpless as he holds my arms in his grasp and forces me to my knees as if I am a prisoner. Karane stands in front of me with her arms crossed in the fading twilight.
"So, Link, do you want to explain what was going on back there?" Karane asks in a level voice, yet it's accusing at the same time.
"So there're two Links now?" Groose is less controlled, surprise barely concealed in his voice. "What happened? Was that an illusion? Did you talk? Or did the other guy? Or…"
"Link doesn't talk." Karane kneels down to be eye level with me. "But we did see one of you talking. Was it you?"
I shake my head truthfully, nervousness brimming in my stomach. Of course it wasn't me. But then again, it was me. Another headache assaults me, and I rub my head on my shoulder, my teeth clenched.
"Come on, Groose." Karane straightens. "Take him and we'll see if Pipit has caught up with the other…Link."
Groose can't seem to get any more words out, so he silently marches me back into the confines of Skyloft. Instructor Owlan is waiting for us at the top of the stairs that lead to the statue of the goddess. His hair is white, but he still looks young. He wears a tan tunic and has his hands folded behind his back.
"Groose, Karane." He nods to each of them in turn. "Pipit has caught the other, but he refuses to give any answers. Did yours give any?" Both Groose and Karane shake their heads in response. "Well then, let's get these two together and see if anything happens."
Owlan eyes me, and I melt under his gaze, shameful. How can I lie to my instructor? He has taught me so many things, supported me.
"I think you two have the real Link." Owlan says, stopping Karane and Groose as they turn to go. "You can see it in his eyes. He is full of shame, and the other Link didn't seem to recognize me. But they do have the same fiery resistance. Unless, of course, they are the same and I am mistaken."
I feel fire lick my insides. I can't believe I messed up so badly! The Hero of Time shouldn't exist in this time, but he was sent here somehow. The people of the land aren't supposed to learn of two heroes!
I am directed back into the knight's academy where I find the Hero of Time kneeling on the floor of Instructor Owlan's study. I am forced into the same position by knights in the back of the room.
Zelda bursts in, her hair flying. A look of horror crosses her face when she sees the positions we are in. I keep my eyes averted, not meeting the gaze of anyone in the room. The Hero of Time does the same, but we peer at each other from the corners.
"Now, then Link." Owlan follows Zelda in, his strides painfully slow. I wait as my instructor crosses the room. "Please, do tell us of what is happening."