This is a tale that you humans have passed down through uncounted generations…
It tells of a war of unmatched scale and ferocity, the likes of which would never be seen again. 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 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 an 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.
This is a tale that you humans have told for many ages, generation to generation… But there are other legends, long hidden away from memory, that are intertwined with this tale. Now, a new legend bound to this great story stands ready to be revealed. A legend that will be forged by your own hand.
A young girl stood on the pedestal before the Statue of the Goddess. She was playing an elegant harp, singing softly to herself. Her notes echoed far and wide, summoning to her side a large, blue bird called a Loftwing. The Loftwing gave a gentle chirp, pointing out his presence to the girl.
"Hello, Azure. You know what to do with this…" the girl said, holding out an envelope. Azure the Loftwing snapped the letter into his large beak, and flew away with it. Like his mistress said, he knew what to do with it.
He pushed his face into a building not too far from the Goddess Statue, and spat out the envelope. The resident of the room Azure chose sat bolt upright, panting heavily. He rubbed some sweat from his forehead, and looked at the letter. It had fallen right beside the book he had been reading before he fell asleep. He scooped it up.
"Thanks, Azure," he said. He was still thinking back to his nightmare… or was it a premonition? It is time to awaken… he put the matter to the back of his mind, and hoped that the voice in his dream meant that literally. He opened the letter, and as he expected, it was merely a handprint. He placed his own palm to it, and felt the letters contents appear in his mind.
Hey, sleepyhead. I know you just got into that new book you found, so I'm guessing this letter will be your alarm clock today. Well, rise and shine, Link! Today's the Wing Ceremony, and you promised to meet me before it starts, remember? Try not to keep me waiting.
-Your friend, Zelda.
Link smiled. Even in the shallow imitation of writing Zelda was limited to, she was always a perky little ray of sunshine. It was always nice to know that. He picked up his book, put it to one side, and walked out of his room. He emerged from the building, and walked out into Skyloft. He set out on a small jog to reach Zelda. He expected to find her at the Goddess Statue.
Sure enough, Zelda was standing right there. She was playing her harp, and Link allowed her to continue.
"Oh youth, guided by the servant of the goddess… Unite earth and sky… Bring light to the land…" Zelda sung. The Ballad of the Goddess was always her favourite. Zelda stopped, and noticed something. She turned around for a little, before finally settling on facing Link's direction.
"Good morning, Link!" Zelda said. "Glad to see Azure got you up."
"A few more moments, and I'd have gotten up myself. I had a really bad dream…" Link said.
"…Poor boy," Zelda said softly. "But look at this harp! And this outfit! They're mine to use in the ceremony, since I'll be playing the role of the goddess!"
"Wow…" Link softly remarked. The harp was definitely beautiful, but Link didn't have much to say about the outfit. He was willing to say it was because he found Zelda cute no matter what she wore.
"This harp… it's almost an exact replica of the one that's in the legend!" Link commented. The harp in question had a picture in Link's book, so Link recognised the shape almost immediately.
"It sounds amazing to see! And it's just as beautiful to listen to!" Zelda said.
"I heard. It was amazing," Link said.
"I'm going to make a great goddess today!" Zelda said. Link smiled, and hugged Zelda. He loved her can-do attitude, despite her one flaw.
"Ah, there you are, Zelda. Are you feeling confident for today's ceremony?" the deep voice of Gaepora, Zelda's father, echoed from behind Link. Both Link and Zelda jumped.
"Hello, Father!" Zelda said, looking around wildly. Link grabbed her face, and gently guided it so that she was facing Gaepora. Zelda nodded gratefully.
"Oh, and you're here too, Link. Outstanding…" Gaepora remarked, smiling at Link. "It's encouraging to see you take part in today's ceremony, especially for Zelda's sake."
"Of course, Gaepora," Link said.
"I've told you a million times, Gaepora doesn't suit you. Call me Father. And might I remind you, if you win today's ceremonial race, you'll get to participate in the post-race ritual with Zelda, so give it your best shot out there in the skies," Gaepora said.
"Gaepora, I've told you a million times, I'm not ready to call you Father," Link said.
"Link, do you feel confident in flying?" Zelda asked, turning her head. "All of the other boys say you glide around really lazily when you fly!"
"Calm down, Zelda. You mustn't take everything other people tell you about your surroundings to heart. Ideally, you should believe in your own eyes, but… unless either Link or myself says something, question it," Gaepora said.
"But she got it right this time. I spend more time bonding with Malon than I do mastering speed and all of that other acrobatic stuff…" Link admitted.
"…I admire your angle, Link, but Zelda does have a point. The Wing Ceremony tests rider skill as well as bonding with your Loftwing. Victory will not come easily, especially with all of the other boys focusing on speed," Gaepora said. "While your connection with your Loftwing is the closest I have ever seen, Zelda may be wise in suggesting practice."
"Yeah… It was a great moment, meeting Malon under the Statue of the Goddess… but I guess I have been more focused on being her friend than flying her. She'd enjoy getting that chance to spread her wings," Link said.
"I felt that joy when you first met Malon, too. I'm sure you'll win!" Zelda said. "Just refresh yourself on flight…" She looked downwards. Link gave Zelda a comforting hug, before turning around to head to the flight platform nearby.
"Wait a moment…" Link said, looking around.
"Link, what's wrong?" Zelda asked. Link closed his eyes, and let out a six-note whistle. He waited a few moments, but nothing happened.
"Oh no…" Gaepora said.
"Link, now's not the time for this! Jump!" Zelda said, nudging Link to where she knew the platform was.
"Zelda, I can't! Malon's missing!" Link said. Zelda recoiled in shock, and began to lose her footing. Link grabbed her waist, but the both of them fell from Skyloft. Zelda realised the situation they were in, and gave her own whistle: the first few notes of the Ballad of the Goddess. Azure shot like a bullet, and grabbed both Link and Zelda from the sky. Azure went up, and returned to the jumping platform.
"Azure, are you all right?" Zelda asked, feeling Link up and down.
"Looks all right… but could you stop touching me AH! Zelda, enough!" Link said. Zelda stepped back, realising her error. Link quickly checked Azure.
"Good condition…" Link said.
"But the same cannot be said about Malon…" Gaepora remarked. Link nodded. Malon would never ignore his whistle. And the familiar pattern of Malon's readings were nowhere to be found.
"I'm sorry about not listening… I really should be more careful," Zelda said.
"Don't beat yourself up about it. You wait here… I'll go find Malon. It'll be easier if I do it myself," Link said. Zelda nodded. Link kissed her on the cheek, and bolted down Skyloft.
"…Find her, Link," Zelda said softly. The sound of bells echoed up Skyloft.
"Ah, the ceremony is on the cusp of beginning! Zelda, wait here. I shall discuss the matter of Link and Malon to Instructor Horwell," Gaepora said, running down to Skyloft himself.
Link ran through Skyloft, taking the time to scoop up a sword along the way, with the promise to not use it unless necessary. The blade was actually pretty sharp, which he took as a precaution. When he had continued running, he encountered three familiar shapes.
"You know, Groose, that sure was a pain, what with all the scratching and pecking," one shape said. Link always struggled with distinguishing the two lesser figures. But the leader of the group was easily distinguished.
"Course it was. You thought a big Crimson Loftwing like that was gonna go down without a fight? But we got him, and I don't care how tough those birds are supposed to be. He's not getting out of that pen anytime soon, boys," Groose, one of the other up-and-coming knights alongside Link, boasted. He turned around, to see Link standing over him, his arms crossed.
"Whoa! Just how long have you been standing there?" Groose asked.
"Long enough, Groose. We need to talk," Link said.
"What about? Oh right… the race! I can see it in those dopey eyes of yours. You're begging me to let you win the race. Aren't you. Aren't ya?" Groose asked, as he began to circle Link.
"I would never stoop that low, Groose," Link growled. "Unlike somebody…"
"Yeah, yeah… you're just desperate to get some alone time with Zelda on the Statue of the Goddess at the end of the ceremony. Well, I've got a news flash for you: Groose don't do charity for wimps! My advice? Work hard, and wish with all of your heart. You might even achieve second!" Groose said. "Say… wait a minute. Where is that pile of red feathers you call a bird? Do you think its tiny brain got confused and lost?"
"Groose, you know full well I know full well that you know exactly what happened to Malon. Give me directions, buddy," Link said.
"I have no idea what you're talking about… you know, we're all getting tired of how you never let up on the fact you and Zelda go way back," Groose said.
"Don't you rope Zelda into this! She doesn't care about you, and your incessant preening. You do realise she doesn't care about appearance?" Link asked.
"He's got a point, you know," one of Groose's cronies pointed out. "I mean, she can't even see."
"She values my friendship more than your showboating, Groose. Why do you think, of all the things she's told me she can see, it is me?" Link asked.
"Big deal. It doesn't change the fact you float through life with your nose firmly pointed away from Skyloft, or occasionally, within some musty old book. Wake up, straighten up, and grow a backbone!" Groose said. "You are dragging our academy through the mud!"
"And just what do you mean by that, Groose?" Zelda asked, staring determinedly five metres to the left of Groose.
"Zelda… uh…" Groose started nervously. Zelda began marching forward and, with Link's guidance, was staring directly into Groose's face, her milky blue eyes boring into Groose the way only a blind person could.
"Don't even try to hide it from me. My eyes may not work, but you can't hide from me! Link is a student at the academy, like all of us are. Why do you insist on kicking him around so much?" Zelda said.
"…I suppose…" Groose said.
"Suppose? Suppose what?" Zelda asked. Groose began breathing heavily.
"Suppose nothing, you white-eyed wench!" Groose said, turning on his heel and leaving.
"I don't think he's figured out what being blind means…" Link muttered. Groose and his cronies jumped off Skyloft, and flew away on their Loftwings.
"Those three had something to do with Malon's disappearance…" Link said. Zelda gasped.
"I'll tell Father immediately! Which way to the academy?" Zelda said.
"Don't worry, Zelda. I'll find him… you just focus on making sure you're ready for the Wing Ceremony," Link said. Zelda nodded, and, with a brief redirection from Link, ran back to the academy to grab some help from whoever she could find.
Link ran through Skyloft, and reached a small, out of the way cave that he knew Groose liked to use. He passed through it, and found a cavern where Malon was squealing. He cut off the boards covering the cave, and Malon slowly walked out. She spread her plumage, and Link began stroking her. Malon soared into the sky, flying happily. Link smiled, and jumped down towards the clouds. He whistled, and Malon scooped him up. With nary a thought for what lay beneath the clouds, he soared high into the sky, and returned to the beginning of the Wing Ceremony.
"There you are, Link! We've been waiting ages for your sorry butt!" Groose called out. He started mumbling under his breath, a mumble Link didn't hear. Zelda, who was much closer and could hear better, did hear him, and waved around in Groose's general direction.
"Whoa… I didn't mean whatever it was you thought I meant, Zelda! Just look for me in the race!" Groose said.
"She can't see you, Groose," Link said, rolling his eyes.
"Ahem… so have our participants gathered?" Instructor Horwell asked. Link, Groose, and Groose's two cronies Cawlin and Stritch nodded.
"At last, we are ready to begin the Wing Ceremony. I was worried when I heard Link's Loftwing disappeared, but that no longer appears to be a concern," Instructor Orwan said. "Now that we are ready, I will now explain the rules for today's competition. I have attached a small statuette to this bird, who I will then release to the skies. On my signal, you will take to the skies, and attempt to catch the statuette. The boy who claims it will be declared the winner of this ceremony, and take one step closer to knighthood. He will also receive a gift from this year's goddess. Since this is our 25th anniversary, the gift shall also be bestowed atop the Statue of the Goddess. I am told that the young goddess has created the gift herself. This year's goddess will be our own Zelda. Any questions?"
All four participants shook their heads.
"Then let's see your finest flying," Orwan said, attaching the statuette to a golden Loftwing, and sending her into the sky. The four participants took their positions.
"Let's have a nice, clean race… now!" Orwan said. The four participants jumped, and whistled their own tunes. The four birds raced to the golden Loftwing, with Link reaching out first.
"Oi! This is my day for glory!" Groose said. He threw an egg in Link's direction, which Link dodged, and grabbed the statuette. Some egg splattered onto Malon's wing, and the participants turned back to Skyloft. Zelda ran forward to them, running too far and falling from Skyloft. Link dived and caught her.
"Whoops… gotta be more careful!" Zelda said, taking her own seat on Malon. She smiled, and leaned towards Link.
"But we'd better get on with the ceremony…" Zelda said.
"Of course, Zelda," Link said. He gave a light touch to Malon, and she figured out what to do instantly. She looped around to drop the two on the Goddess Statue, before turning back to where the instructors were.
"Link, hand me the Bird Statuette. I must offer it to the goddess. …And also point me in the right direction," Zelda said. Link gave her the Statuette, and guided her hands so that she'd put the statue in the right place. She pulled out her harp, and played the first few bars of the Ballad of the Goddess. She turned to face Link, and Link bowed.
"Great goddess, guiding light and protector of our people, grant us your blessing and mercy as I act in your stead during this ceremony," Zelda said. "Valiant youth who grasped victory at the celebration of the bird folk… in accordance with the old ways… I now bestow the blessings of the goddess upon you." Zelda reached around her, and grabbed the item she crafted with love and care.
"The blessings of the goddess drift down from the heavens aloft a sail, which I now pass on to you," Zelda said. Link spun around, and held up the sailcloth proudly.
"Quit goofing around… this is sacred, remember?" Zelda said shyly. "You know, they say that the goddess gave her sailcloth to her chosen hero long ago… Of course, that one isn't the same. I made it myself, and I'm proud of that fact. I'm glad you're the one to receive it…"
"I shall make you proud, my divine sweetheart…" Link said. Zelda curtsied.
"Now it's time to finish this ritual… You do know what happens now, right?" she asked, approaching closer to Link. She got close to Link, and nudged him. Link recoiled in surprise, and slipped. He tumbled from the Goddess Statue. He looked at the sailcloth, before opening it up, and landing safely on the ground. Zelda floated down on Azure's back.
"That was perfect, Link!" Zelda said, bounding up, and knocking him over again. This time, she hugged him tightly. Malon came floating down, nudging herself into Azure. The yolk on her wing had been cleaned.
"You know, Link… seeing as how you won today… and with the nice weather…" Zelda said softly. Link held her softly, and Zelda took a deep breath.
"Would you like to, you know, fly around the clouds? Together?" Zelda asked.
"Of course I would, Zelda," Link said. Malon and Azure stepped over almost immediately, and snapped them onto their backs. They shot into the sky, and began a gentle flight.
"Today was amazing. Watching you win the race and perform that ritual… I'll always remember this," Zelda said idly.
"It really was a wonderful occurrence…" Link said.
"Link… there's something I've really wanted to talk about…" Zelda said. Before she could continue, a burst of light shone out, distracting both. A large, dirty tornado appeared from the clouds, catching both Loftwings. Zelda looked around in fear for Link, but she was torn from Azure, and pulled into the tornado. Link shot forth to try and catch her, but he was knocked from side to side. He lost consciousness, and hoped he could pull out of this.
*Link?* a voice asked. Link looked around. All he could see was black. He couldn't even tell which way was up. He looked around, and realised his previous hypothesis was incorrect: there was a purple spot with a figure inside it.
*I am waiting for you,* the figure said. *The time has come for you to awaken. You are vital to a mission of great importance.*
Link looked around some more. He heard the sound of Zelda in pain and fear.
Link sat bolt upright. He looked around: he was in his own room.
"Ah, you're awake. We found you unconscious, underneath Azure's wing. We feared the worst…" Gaepora said.
"Zelda? Malon?" Link asked, looking around in fear.
"No sign of either. You seem to be well, but you should try to avoid being too engaged," Gaepora said. "But do you know where one might find them?"
"Not a clue, Gaepora. I wish I knew…" Link said. "All I saw was a brown tornado."
"A brown tornado? No ordinary storm…" Gaepora admitted. Link turned, and went to stand up.
"Do not push yourself! …Did anything seem odd about Zelda today?" Gaepora asked.
"No more odd than usual… though she did seem to be about to tell me something important…" Link said. Gaepora nodded.
"I think I might know what that would be," Gaepora said. "But she's been talking to me about the surface. It would seem… that perhaps there is something greater than I can comprehend at play."
"I will keep one ear open. Any texts that talk about the surface would be appreciated," Link said.
"Good spirit. But for now, get some rest. We'll think more about this in the morning, when we can have an easier time searching." Gaepora left the room. Link mulled it over, before hearing a very synthetic voice. He left into the hall, and noticed the earlier figure. Link started to follow her around Skyloft.
The figure led Link into the Goddess Statue, through a passage that was freshly opened. Link noticed a beautiful sword in the stone, which burst to summon the figure.
*The one chosen by my creator. I have been waiting for you. You will play a role in a great destiny. According to your customs, I should provide my personal designation. I am to be known as Fi,* the figure said.
"Nice to meet you, Fi. My name is Link," Link said, holding out his hand.
*…The correct response to your action is to shake your hand? Permit me to do so,* Fi said, floating up to Link, and shaking the offered hand.
*I was created for a single purpose, long before the recorded memory of your people. I must aid you in fulfilling the great destiny that is your burden to carry,* Fi said. She floated to one side.
*Come, Link. You must take up this sword. As the one chosen by my creator, it is your destiny,* Fi said. Link stepped forward uncertainly.
*The strange dreams troubling your resting period. My appearance of no warning. Uncertainty that surrounds the fate of the other. Under these circumstances, logic would dictate that you would exhibit some apprehension. I shall attempt to minimise your apprehension levels by sharing information. My projections indicate that this information has a high probability of altering your current emotional state,* Fi said.
"Whoa…" Link said.
*The one you seek, Zelda, is still alive,* Fi said. Link gasped in shock.
"She is?" Link asked.
*Zelda… She is also a chosen one fated to be part of the mission you will embark on. Should you desire to locate her, I recommend you take up this sword before you begin your search. Are you presently invigorated?* Fi asked. Link grabbed the blades hilt.
*More persuasion will not be required. Draw this sword, and raise it skyward,* Fi said. Link stepped forward, grabbed the blade, and held it so it pointed to the heavens. The Goddess Sword was now his to wield. With the shining light, Link heard the familiar wingbeats of Malon. He turned around, but didn't see his Loftwing. He saw something red in the corner of his eye. He gasped, as he saw a red wing, the exact plumage of Malon. But the base of the wing led…
*Recognition complete, Master. Link… the Crimson Glider, bearer of the sword of the great goddess Hylia. Your legend will echo through the ages!* Fi said.
"Link!" a deep voice called out. Link turned. Headmaster Gaepora stood there, looking between Link, Fi, and Link's newfound plumage.
"Gaepora!" Link said.
"I've had my suspicions, but I wasn't sure if they were correct… But here we stand in the Chamber of the Sword, the place where it was foretold that the youth of legend would one day appear. It is said that this place was left to our people by the goddess herself…" Gaepora said. "The knowledge of this room's existence is a secret passed down only to select few, along with the words 'When the light of the goddess's sword shines bright, the great apocalypse will wake from its long slumber. Do not fear, for it is then that my winged youth, guided by my hand, shall reveal himself in a place most sacred. Crimson plumage will mark this messenger from the heavens…'"
"I… I have wings?" Link asked, genuinely astounded. He felt the bases of the wings. They led to the ridges of his back, all right. It wasn't Malon tied to his back.
"The events that transpired today were indicated to me… this sword has begun to give a faint, otherworldly light. At first, I thought I was seeing things. I never dreamed that the prophecy would come to pass in my lifetime, that the winged messenger of the goddess would appear before me… These words are coming true before my very eyes!" Gaepora said. "The youth will be guided by one born of the blade - one who is also youthful in likeness yet wise with knowledge immeasurable…"
*Oral tradition? One of the least reliable methods of information retention and transmission. It appears that critical sections of passage have been lost to the generations. I at least commend you for remembering the part about the crimson plumage.
*The youth who draws forth the guiding sword shall be known as the goddess's chosen hero, and it is he who possesses an unbreakable spirit. He shall be burdened with the task of abolishing the shadow of apocalypse from the land. Such is his destiny. With the spirit of the blade at his side, he shall soar over the clouds and plummet below. United with the spirit maiden, he shall bring forth a piercing light that resurrects the land,* Fi said.
"Zelda…" Link said in realisation.
*Yes. Master, you must embark on a great journey beneath the clouds to the vast realm of the surface. It is only through this journey that you can fulfil the mission set before you by my creator, the goddess. It is also the only method available for you to reunite with the spirit maiden, honourable Zelda,* Fi said.
"Link… this will be no easy task! The world below is a forsaken place, and just to reach it, you must pierce the clouds below… No one has done this in living memory!" Gaepora said. Link turned to him, determined.
"No one has ever flown without a Loftwing," Link said. Fi clasped the wisps of arms she had, and created a small tablet with her hands.
*This tablet will illuminate a path through the clouds to the land below. Take it, and place it within the altar behind me,* Fi said. Link spun around, and held up the Emerald Tablet.
*You must first perform a Skyward Strike on the altar behind me. Hold up your sword, and cleave down to perform a Skyward Strike,* Fi stated. Link ran to the altar, and held his sword to the sky. He cleaved down, and let out a burst of energy. The altar spun, and rose up from the ground. A place to insert the Emerald Tablet revealed itself. Link slid the tablet into one corner of the slot, and a light shot out from the Goddess Statue.
*Master Link, it is done. Until now, there has been a cloud barrier that separates the world you know from the one beneath. The tablet you placed in the altar has created a beacon of light that will allow you to find a safe place to land. I have recognised you as my master, and as such it is my duty to follow you wherever you go. I reside within your sword. Summon me whenever you may require assistance,* Fi said. She turned into a light, and disappeared inside the Goddess Sword.
"Link, listen to me for a moment. The nature of the great apocalypse mentioned in the texts is a complete mystery to me. But it seems that both you and Zelda have big roles to play in our destiny. Just think: Zelda is alive! And there is no doubt that she is coming to terms with whatever the goddess has in store for her. Should you heed this call, I am ignorant to what dangers you may face. Especially beneath the surface. If you decide to brave the unknown, please find my daughter and bring her back," Gaepora said.
"I will, Gaepora. I'd better rush, though…" Link said.
"Do your people proud, Link!" Gaepora said. "Dawn is drawing near. It's been a long night. You have a great journey before you… I'll go and prepare some more suitable clothes for the road."
The next morning, Link awoke to the uniform lying on a table. Despite prior discussions that the tunic would be green, this year's tunic was a brilliant crimson. Link folded it out, and noticed two gaping holes that matched the ridges of his back. All of a sudden, the reasoning behind the change made sense: he was the Crimson Glider, and someone with a colour in his title should dress in that hue. Link slid the red tunic over himself, and checked out his appearance in the mirror. He hummed Malon's Song, and his wings burst out. The red tunic matched the wings well. He focused, and withdrew his wings, checking the holes. Yep, they matched correctly. He was ready. Gaepora entered the room.
"Hm. Our knights of this year will be wearing green, but I could see nothing other than red for the goddess's Crimson Glider. I'm glad I made that decision. May your legend be written with a happy ending, and make sure you are properly equipped before you fly out. And don't forget to summon Azure if your wings fail you. You can whistle Azure's Song, correct?" Gaepora said.
"Of course," Link said. He even did so to prove his point.
"I will be looking through the ancient texts for more information. Stop by if you have questions. You and Zelda will be in my prayers. May the goddess watch over and guide you both," Gaepora said. Link nodded, and looked through some of his possessions. He grabbed a shield and a pouch, and began his journey.