Bah, I'm so slow. Stupid me D: sorry. I can only say that I try to hurry because I don't wanna promise stuff I can't do 100%. And it's sometimes hard to show that actually the mission the whole journey is only made for Link - and that Saria is merely a bystander who got caught up in it because of her relationship with both – Zelda and Link. I don't like the idea that Saria is suddenly some magical goddess character with over powered mega superb powers destiny and so on.
I hate mary-sues and Over powered characters. So I want to show that even normal people can take part in such important stuff without playing a great role, too. I hope I can achieve that xD
To the reviews!
ZeldaRubix – Aw, thank you! I'm trying to put her into the action without taking too much importance and without disappearing in it as well. However it's sometimes hard – so I apologize if make mistakes and so on xD I want the romance to slowly develop so I'm happy that you noticed the 'Link knows Saria is important but not more' atmosphere :D and Skyward Sword in text format style? Don't make me blush silly you :DD
ShadowRiderOmega – Yeah I want to split some weapons between them so that they can help each other out instead of only having Link to handle the many items. I want to give Saria the chance to be a capable companion. My idea is – which is obvious already in this chapter – that Link has mostly the muscles and Saria has the brains, she is good at solving the riddles where our lil' Link has his problems, haha xD
Bruno – Really, really thank you for the nice words :D it gives me courage to continue this story!
Oh what I already forgot since CHAPTER NUMBER ONE! Ugh, stupid me! Is that I drew a little character chart for Saria so that you readers can actually see how she looks like in my story.
http:/ thekiro. deviantart. com/gallery/#/d4kjeiz
– I hope it works and helps you to imagine better how Saria is xD
Chapter four
To chase after a Treasure
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, Master Link."
"That's awful…if you can't detect her aura anymore…this old building must be filled to the brim with monsters…"
"…it'll be fine…we'll find her."
The Skyview Temple was dark and smelled after moist plants and stone, a heavy scent. No window offered them sunlight and the only source which 'glowed' them the way deeper into the dungeon-like structure were strange mushrooms. They weren't the same they knew from Faron Woods or even from small islands above the sky but a new kind – pale blue, gleaming lightly.
The walls around them were old and decorated with mystic patterns; roots from trees grew in corners and fought their way through the solid stone with ease. It was a sight which made one nervous but still excited the child in the heart. Adventures which had been mere dreams back then appeared to be suddenly real.
Link and Saria made their way down the long staircase carefully because both of them were still a bit intimidated by the change of mood the place carried with it. Next to Keeses, small bat-like creatures, they were confronted with huge webs made by spiders. The greenhead had never been a girl to complain about bugs but the size was making her feel uneasy. Small spiders? No problem. But how tall was the insect if it could create such a web? The thought made her shudder; she didn't want to know…
…it made it only worse as Fi explained the 'spiders' were called 'Skulltulas' a giant species of the famous insect.
The young senior knight at her side took the difficult task into his hands to get rid of the white cobweb with his divine blade. Their way leaded them further and further down until a closed door halted their feet.
"What now?" The sandy blond looked around in order to find another way. However it was the only door which led further into the temple.
"Look." The girl pointed towards a Deku Baba which hissed at them angrily from above. It rested on a narrow stone passage which was only accessible thanks to vines which clung to the wall. "Maybe the little guy hides another switch."
The young man lifted an eyebrow and stared at her. "Why do you think that?"
Saria shrugged with her shoulders and took her trusty slingshot into the hands. "I would do that."
"As a Deku Baba?"
"As something, Link. Everybody would hide such an important thing as that." The Skyloftian sighed and hushed the older one to hurry. "I'll distract it whilst you climb up. Look if you find a switch, key or something else which helps us. If not we got a problem…"
"Yes, yes." The young man nodded obediently and started to climb the stubborn vines; he only hesitated as the monster noticed him and growled with bared teeth. It took luckily only a few seconds before Saria already shot at the enemy with her small weapon; the creature snapped its head towards the young girl and tried to attack her instead in vain. It gave Link enough time to reach the surface and just like his dear friend said, he could see a reddish colored crystal not far away.
The Skyloftian hurried over to the object and drew his sword to activate it; he didn't want to find a drooling ugly Deku Baba in his neck if he doesn't make it quick. The sound echoed through the narrow corridor and he could hear a hidden mechanisms respond to his action.
"Link! It opened, come on!" Saria called over whilst the blond wouldn't let her say that twice.
He dodged the aggressive Deku Baba and jumped from the ledge quickly; he landed beside Saria with ease who waited patiently for him in return to catch up. Her knowing smile made him frown; he started to feel like a child again. A young boy who tagged along whilst a girl was the leader…not very manly, he should be the brave clever guy, shouldn't he?
"I know." He scoffed. "You were right, I was wrong..."
"You weren't exactly wrong." She laughed and the young man took the opportunity to open the door.
"What then?" He grunted as the stone started to move upwards due to his strength.
"You were just…you know…being you."
Saria earned a look which was filled with uncertainty – he tried to figure out if he should actually feel offended by such a remark or not. In the end Link decided to let it slip and forced the origin of such witty comments to Zelda because she had always been the one to call him a 'thick sleepyhead'. The two girls spent too much time together…to share a room was a bad idea. Why did Gaepora allow this in the first place? Couldn't he see what for a bond he created?
A bond of pure doom. At least that's what it felt like for him.
The sandy blond sighed and explored the next room further. It was overgrown by snow-white weed which gave off the same pale light as the other plants. A breathtaking sight even though they had to hurry and couldn't enjoy it in the slightest…
A quite unusual and creepy mechanism had been their only obstacle – it resembled an eye – and proudly Link discovered quickly all alone how to solve this small riddle. Even if it looked clumsy and amusing he swung his sword around, over and over again. Its iris had followed the brim of the weapon attentively before it suddenly gave out and fell to the ground noisily.
After that a great main room was offered to the youngsters. More doors, more options and enemies. Staircases which had been connected with the ground were broken and their remains were scattered all over the ground. It was quite a sight next to the narrow path they had followed earlier. Link forced Saria first to wait there at the door in order to get rid of the Bokoblin which guarded the crossroads of the old bridge alone. Only after the monster fell to the ground lifelessly she was allowed to follow again. He had the feeling that this pattern will repeat a lot more often till they figured out how she could fight herself.
"Look!" Her voice awoke him out of his short thoughtful moment. His blue eyes followed her pointing finger until he found the source. Another rosy red crystal decorated the space above a closed door, another switch which waited to be activated. Saria took her slingshot once more into her hands and shot a seed which nearly missed its target. She had to work on her aim…
A 'clicking' sound echoed behind the massive walls and the door's lock opened without missing a heartbeat. Link grinned at his friend in a silent praise before they both made their way to explore the other unknown room. Whilst the door closed itself behind them Saria was forced to stare at another giant cobweb which claimed much room hauntingly. They were really everywhere in this temple…how could Zelda handle them? It even started to bug her! And the greenhead had sometimes played with Strich as she was small, the biggest insect lover she knew.
The senior knight drew his sword and cut through the spider web to create enough space for them to step through. But as Saria passed his makeshift gate-away and he tried to follow his right feet got caught by one of the sticky threads. Out of surprise the blond cursed beneath his breath and stumbled slightly – it was his mere luck that he didn't fall, with a sharp sword in his hand nonetheless.
He tugged at his leg harshly and satisfied he listened to the snap of the annoying thread before they could continue their way. The room was narrower than the other and a single bridge made out of stone leaded a bit further into the middle. Pale spores filled the air as the two of them continued their marsh with slow and careful steps.
Suddenly a dark blur appeared to be falling from the ceiling and Link was quick to shove the girl behind him. In front of him a giant spider – a Skulltula – hissed at them whilst sharp fangs tried to grab one of his limbs.
"Well…that explains the size of the webs." Link muttered his blade lifted into the air, ready to strike.
"I don't want to know how Strich would react…" She mumbled behind him whilst the blond turned his head to her slightly. "Strich?" He asked slowly before his mind recalled the tall schoolmate and his strange interest in insects.
Well that would be an interesting thing to see…
To finally move on Link slashed at the spider but to his dismay the shell was way too hard and the Skulltula spiraled around in the air. The thread it clung to was its only hold. Saria stepped back out of reflex she didn't want to be girly but damn, spiders started to make her feel uncomfortable. Whilst the giant insect turned in circles thanks to Link's strike it exposed its stomach which appeared to be smoother and softer next to the hard shell on its back.
The senior knight reacted fast and stabbed it harshly into its weak point – a deadly attack – because the Skulltula fell the ground beneath the bridge and crumpled to death.
"Spiders…huh?" Link glanced at the corpse of the insect with an indifferent expression before he walked to a stone tablet which lay at the end of the bridge, in the middle of the room.
"What does it say?" Saria asked from behind him as she waited patiently.
"Two doors lead to rooms left and right, but they will only open when the gemstones are struck." Link read out loud while he furrowed his brow thoughtfully. "One is above, one below…"
"A small riddle?" His friend's eyes started to sparkle at this idea.
"A stupid riddle." The sandy blond responded. "What does it mean?"
"I wonder…" The green haired girl crossed her arms thoughtfully whilst she mumbled quietly the phrase over and over again. Link glanced at her before he took once more a closer look around the room, to make sure that they didn't miss anything important. The other side was too far away, not a gap you could overcome by a mere jump – the walls were covered by vines and moss. The senior knight bent over the edge of the bridge to stare at the ground below them. Pale glowing mushrooms, snow-white weed the dead body of the Skulltula…
What was that? Link squinted at the wall on the other side, hidden behind a bunch of grass appeared to be a narrow hole. Or was it only his imagination? He turned to Saria who was still thinking about the true meaning of the secret message as he pointed at his new discovered something. He hoped at least that he wasn't mistaken.
"I'm going to check something out, you wait here – okay?"
The girl blinked at him and merely nodded weakly. "Alright, be careful."
She could only watch as her companion jumped suddenly from the bridge and with a slight gasp she stumbled towards the edge to make sure he wasn't breaking his neck. To her relieve he landed on his two feet without a scratch before he hurried over to a certain spot he seemed to be interested in. He patted the stone wall a few times and then to her surprise he vanished suddenly in a small hole, could he even fit through it? It looked so tiny from above…
With slow steps the Skyloftian walked back to entrance of the room, her pointy ears were trying to hear any sound of her dear friend but she could hear nothing not even a shuffling. She really hoped he didn't do something dangerous…but he would be fine either way…she should concentrate more onto the small riddle or better yet hint which was offered them in a strange way.
"One above…one below…" Saria tugged her short green hair behind her ears and stared at the stone door which separated her from the main room. They was another door on the other side locked and another one to her left then which was sealed with a real lock out of metal where they would need a key. Wait…her mind formed the room in front of her eyes, the switch she activated was above the door to this room…so maybe the other one was below the other door? That's it!
"Link!" The girl called out excitedly as she could hear how a hard item hit something with full force.
A mechanism was activated behind the ancient walls and the sound of rushing water echoed back and forth between the narrow ceiling and ground. Her dark blue eyes stared at the stone floor beneath the bridge in worry as the cool liquid filled it eagerly. Link disappeared down there! He couldn't be drowning right?
"Link!" This time the greenhead called his name in worry. "Where are you?"
"Here!" His voice was small but not far away.
Her head snapped around in every direction it might had come from until she could hear the sound of aggressive pushing and kicking against wood. A small opening in the wall had been closed with a thin structure of wooden planks and it shuttered and creaked with every hit the sandy blonde landed with his right feet. Finally it became loose and crashed onto the ground before Link followed with an uncomfortable looking landing.
"You're…alright?" Saria asked carefully because her friend was drenched completely, his blond strands stuck to his forehead annoyingly and he tried to push them out of his eyes.
"Yeah…just a little swimming…you know…" He grunted. His attempt to wring out his green hat amused her.
"Well, I solved the little weird message. Or at least I think I did." Saria smiled at the senior knight in order to cheer him up.
"Really?" His crystal clear eyes glanced at her surprised. "So does it help us?"
"Well…if you go swimming once more…yes."
"Aw man…"
Link could do nothing but wring his poor green hat again as the water clashed onto the stone ground. This temple here was already too wet for him but he couldn't demand from the girl to jump into the water to activate one of the crystal switches. Or to climb the wall in order to get the key which was hidden behind the heavy door.
Now he only watched her as Saria opened the lock for him with their little treasure and the metal chains fell to the ground noisily. At least they made progress. The blond pushed her slightly away to take the task upon himself, to open the stone door which had quite a pretty pattern carved into it. He only hoped that this wouldn't go on too long…how could Zelda even get so far? It was a mystery to him.
The door finally moved and behind it a wide room appeared which made them both gasp in surprise. Well that was the real main room, and no end in sight. In the centre of everything there stood a structure, proud and tall. An orange light filled the atmosphere and signaled them that the day already came to an end. Skulltulas and Keeses were everywhere, occupying some corners or areas for themselves. How old this place must be…
"Which way…" Saria's voice ringed in his ears quietly.
"Well…" He was still slightly overwhelmed by the complex surroundings before his blue orbs recognized one of the reddish crystals which was attached to the weird main structure. "We'll start from there." Link pointed at it. "Could you activate it?"
The greenhead nodded eagerly as they made their way to it and took hold of her precious little item. It was at least something she could do next to being useless if it came to battles. Even Keeses, those small little annoying creatures had to be demolished by Link himself as they spotted the pair in their territory. She needed finally a weapon or she had to start to despise herself…she didn't want to be a burden; she wants to be an equal companion.
Saria shook her head in the end and aimed at her target with more confidence than before. As a small seed hit the switch the lock of the door which led into the structure opened and allowed them further access. At least…for one of them…
"You stay right here." Link pointed towards the ground next to him seriously. "You hear me? And wait until I come back."
"What?" His friend blinked at him surprised. "But I don't want to wait here, why can't I come with you?"
The senior knight rose one of his eyebrows gracefully. "Saria…this door leads into what? A weird monument…structure, whatever you may want to call it." He sighed once. "Seems fishy to me, so no."
The girl crossed her arms in front of her chest and was a bit upset that she couldn't argue against his statement. He was probably right but it made her feel like drag…though in the end if there would be something dangerous…she would be no help at all. After a few seconds she lifted both of her hands into the air in defeat.
"Alright, but be careful…"
"You know me." His lopsided grin didn't make it better.
Link shoved the door open with little exertion of force and gave her one last look before the door closed behind him quickly. Saria sighed deeply and leaned against the stone wall slowly, staring after the young man who had disappeared. Still no Zelda in sight…she had nearly expected that if they walked through the other door which had been locked with chains and things like that…that her beloved friend would stand there smiling like always – asking them why it took them so long to get it her.
However only more doors were offered, more monsters which threatened them, not a single glimpse of a heartwarming pink dress or blond long hair…
The Skyloftian tugged at her messy short green hair absent-minded. Where was that little quick tempered girl? Just where could she be…?
The sound of two swords clashing against each other awoke her suddenly from her daydream and in panic her blue eyes snapped towards the heavy stone door. That didn't sound good at all…her hands touched the cool surface carefully and her brow furrowed in worry. What did Link fought against? Was he winning? Silly question, he must. It was Link, he must be fine.
"Link?" Saria called out loudly.
No answer, expect more sounds of sharp blades clashing against the other. Stupid dangerous temple, she thought whilst she bit onto her bottom lip. She couldn't be of any use; she wasn't even able to look around because of all those Bokoblins and bat-like-creatures. For the girl it felt like an eternity she had to wait right in front of the door which separated her from her dear friend. Before the sounds calmed down and stopped echoing through the big room.
"Saria?" Relieved to hear his loud call the greenhead responded immediately. "Yeah?"
"The door is locked! Could you, eh, activate the crystal once more?"
"Of course!"
Her feet were quick and her aim became better and better she believed as the switch was activated and a slightly exhausted Link escaped the structure on slow feet. His companion rushed towards him with a frown, she didn't expect such a sight. He was even bleeding!
"What happened?"
"Ever heard of a 'Stalfos'?" His crystal clear eyes were smiling even though his lip was cut and bleed painfully next to the few scratches in his face.
"No…" She shook her head weakly in sympathy. It sounded dangerous enough already to her.
"Me neither however that thing put up quite a fight…it looked like a skeleton…which could move, fight…the surface surprises me more and more." He tried to get rid of the blood on his bottom lip with his left glove.
"Did you at least found something…? That thing couldn't have been there for no reason."
Link nodded slowly and handed her a small golden item whilst he stared at the thing puzzled. It resembled an insect with many beautiful carvings and colored patterns on it which underlined the golden surface perfectly. Saria observed it with care and confusion.
"And what is that?"
"You tell me that." The blond smiled lightly. "Fi said that from the look of it, it should be able to fly. But I don't know how…" His eyes watched the girl in front of him who still scanned the new item curiously. "Should I throw it into the air?"
"I don't think that would work, Link." She glanced at him.
"But how then?" He deadpanned, he was actually certain that his idea was just great.
"I wonder…" The girl's answer was weak.
Link grabbed the golden bug from her small hands and stared at it intensely. How can this little beetle be able to fly around? With curiosity burning in his veins he attached the little device onto his left arm and tried to somehow make the little thing move. To his dismay it was in vain.
"What now?" He murmured.
"Let's continue for now until we figured out how this beetle works?"
"Sounds like a plan." Link looked around the huge room slowly. "I hate to say it…but to split up would be useful."
His friend nodded. "It'll be easier to find Zelda if she is here somewhere."
"If something is wrong just scream or something like that…I'll come right away. I'll draw the attention of the Bokoblins onto me too so that they'll leave you alone for now."
"Don't worry." Saria started to smile. "Keep an eye out for Zelda; I'd worry more about her than me. I have some protection at least."
Dreadfully the young man had to agree although his frown didn't soften. "Just don't do anything too dangerous."
Link merely remembered how he run around the temple, pushing another door open being attacked by more monsters and discovering old dusty chests which offered him keys to continue. It took him a few more tries as finally the golden beetle really moved into the air, a little switch pushed life into the little device and with an old looking control pad made out of fragile looking material he was able to control it.
He had heard nothing of his dear friend who ran around by herself and neither had he caught a glimpse of the lost blond girl they were searching for. Only more monsters and paths which led him further and further into the ancient temple – the senior knight took a run up and jumped over a small but deep gap. The Bokoblins appeared to be more aggressive than before and the Skyloftian couldn't help but wonder why.
Link panted exhausted and stared at the great gap which separated his half from the other one. It was a shame that the temple was already broken like this…his blue orbs observed his surroundings of long green veins and a tall golden door on the other side of the room. A mere rope connected them. Hold on – was that Saria!
"Saria!" He called out loudly staring in disbelief at the girl.
The greenhead turned around; her smile bright and her eyes twinkling in delight.
"Link! You're here!"
The young man clothed in green turned around to the way he came from whilst his mind tried to understand how in the world she was able to get here so fast…Link literally threw his hands into the air, his eyes filled with bewilderment and frustration. "How in the world did you get there?"
Her rather small figure from afar waved at him. "Come over here first! I found something!"
He dragged his feet with him and felt already a headache approaching his mind. Here he was worried about her well-being all the time and the girl even outran him like that. How did she get passed all these monsters? And without the keys? Wait…he did find one or two chests already open as he got there…maybe she took them first? The lonely and old rope which connected both sides of the wide room worried him at first although he had no other choice anyway and made his way on weak but quick steps over it.
"I'm glad you're okay…" He heard her sigh and finally lifted his gaze as his feet touched the firm ground again. "After the Bokoblins chased you I was worried…"
"How did you get here?" Link wondered loudly before he suddenly jumped by the sight of bleeding scars on her arms. "What-"
"It's not as bad as it looks!" Saria reassured him fast. "Really. After I explored a path which led upstairs…I found myself soon in a narrow small room, it was very dark as suddenly the ground beneath me gave out and I landed here…" Her delicate hands showed him a golden sculpture which had a weird shape. "…I was merely chased by a few Bokoblins but I was able to get rid of them – I'm alright."
Link sighed heavily and nodded in defeat. It was no use to fuss over it now anyway. "What is that?"
"I don't know…" The green haired girl answered sheepishly. "…however it appears to be some kind of key." Her head turned towards the door. "I was trying right now to figure it out."
The senior knight stared at the object carefully. "Are you sure? That thing?"
He took it into his hands to get a better look and turned it over and over again. Link couldn't believe that this something here could fit into any hole in a door. It didn't even share much similarity. The green haired girl however was confident.
"I looked around; here is nothing else – no key, no switch, only this." Both of them shared a quiet look. "Maybe if we just turn it the right way and push it in…"
Saria took the sculpture back once more and observed it determined. She would make the damn thing fit into this golden door, whether it liked it or not. She loved riddles, but this one here made it quite difficult. The Skyloftian turned the strange shaped sculpture over and over whilst her dark blue eyes glanced at the rather small shaped hole in the tall door. It only needed to fit…
Link stood next to her and preferred to not intrude her concentration. He looked around in order to make sure no monster disturbed them and to maybe finally see Zelda from afar who only got lost in this temple and found them after hours of running around. To his dismay – nothing.
"I got it!" Saria cheered and his head snapped back to his companion.
She stretched herself and stood on her toes whilst she shoved the weird sculpture into its rightful place. He didn't know what she had done but suddenly the 'key' opened the hidden lock and the path opened in front of them slowly but noisily. She really made the sculpture fit into the strange fitted hole, he couldn't believe it. And her smile was priceless – so big that it exposed her small white teeth generously – she had always loved riddles of all sorts anyway.
His first reaction however was to step forward and signal Saria to stay behind him.
"Stay behind me, alright Sar?"
"Yeah…"
No one could trust such an impressive golden door in a temple filled with monsters.
The room was big and a lot cleaner and steady than the others. The stone ground was decorated with beautiful patterns and elegant ornaments. The walls were marvelous just like the door on the other side of the room. Another unknown place was still waiting for them it seemed and the sandy blond took a step forward carefully, he didn't trust the silence which welcomed them.
Suddenly a blinding light appeared in front of them and Link cursed shielding his eyes with his left hand. It took him a few seconds to regain his focused sight and the first thing he saw was a thin stranger clothed in white. A crimson colored cloak clung his neck and he held up a long sword in front of him – ready to attack.
Alarmed Link shoved Saria a few more steps behind him – who was that? A friend or an enemy? However the white haired stranger didn't pay attention to them. Furthermore he appeared to be angry at the golden door on the other side and he growled at it quietly. The blade in his hand turned into a dark bloody black. The shape became loose and as if he was a magician it disappeared in nothing but thing air.
Who was that? And what in the name of the goddess was he doing?
"Look who it is…" His voice was cold and empty – enough to sent goosebumps down Link's spine.
The stranger finally turned around and his black eyes were boring themselves into the blonds' very soul. His smile was more threatening than welcoming.
"I thought that tornado I stirred up would have tossed and torn you apart, yet here you are. Not in pieces…" A sudden blink before his smile widened. "…and you brought a little friend? How wonderful."
"What are you talking about?" Link asked slowly; his guard was up, his mind already working – if something happened, he had to protect them both. It wasn't possible for a mere human being able to summon a tornado, right? Bad news, really bad ones.
"Only the girl matters now." The stranger answered instead his head turned towards the closed door behind him slightly. "I can sense her here."
The senior knight could hear Saria shifting behind him. "He's talking about Zelda…he is, isn't he?" Her soft and worried whisper reached his pointy ears slowly.
Before Link could have reacted on her question the stranger with the short white hair spoke up again. "Oh, but listen to me. I'm being positively uncivil. Allow me to introduce myself." His figure turned towards them again and the young blond man tensed slightly.
"I am the Demon Lord who presides over this land you look down upon, this world you call the surface. You may call me Girahim." His dull black eyes were twinkling. "However I prefer Lord Girahim."
Link glared at his opponent angrily and drew his blade and shield. This stranger – Girahim – summoned the tornado? He was after Zelda as well? And even his attitude was enough to make the senior knight angry. The weird enemy in front of him was only an obstacle.
"Did you really just draw your sword? Foolish boy."
Girahim smiled at the young man before a frown graced his face in a flash. "The girl should have already been ours…but then this loathsome servant of the goddess snatched her away." His hands which were hidden beneath thin white gloves were kneading themselves aggressively in front of his chest. His movements felt forced and cramped as if the white haired man had no idea how to express his rage properly. How quick is disturbing amusement turned into anger was memorable.
"Do you have any idea how that made me feel inside?"
His black eyes glared through his long bangs which hid nearly one side of his face completely.
Did he really need an answer?
"Furious! Outraged! Sick with anger!" His loud voice thundered through the room whilst suddenly his whole body disappeared into thin air.
Of course not.
Link jumped alarmed at the sudden movement and his head turned from left to right. Where did he disappear to? Where was he?
"This turn of events has left me with a strong appetite for bloodshed." Girahim's voice echoed back and forth. It made it impossible for the young man to find his enemies position. How could the situation change so quickly in a few mere seconds?
Who was this Girahim that he suddenly butted into their business? What did he want from Zelda? Link could feel so many questions burn in his throat although not a single one was worth enough to be said. Not now where Saria and he were in danger because of some disturbing white haired stranger.
His dear friend suddenly gasped in fear and the senior knight snapped his head towards her only to see no one else but the Demon Lord standing behind her. His filthy pure white hands held onto her arms as if he was trying to calm her down whilst his black eyes glanced at Link silently.
Oh how the Skyloftian despised him already…
"Still…it hardly seems fair, being in my position, to take all of my anger out on you or this little sweet girl." Girahim grabbed Saria's chin and pushed it slightly towards his face in order to look at her eyes. The green haired girl wasn't stupid enough to do anything drastic and bit her lip slowly. She needed to wait for a right moment to escape his grasp.
"Which is way I promise up front not to murder you…" His thin white lips turned into a smile and his thumb stroked her chin oh so softly that it sent shivers down her spine.
Link ground his teeth angrily, ignoring the Demon Lord's twinkling glare. He pointed his sword at his pale face – ready to attack if he had to.
"Let her go. Immediately."
Girahim's smile widened quickly and maybe, just to anger the sandy blond a bit more he stuck his tongue out and dragged it over Saria's cheek teasingly. That was enough for the young girl to finally react and she tugged and pulled at her arms aggressively to get rid of him. Who cared about waiting for the right moment? This guy was nothing but creepy and nasty! Finally she winded her way out of his firm grasp and stumbled towards Link who was more than eager to catch her with his arms.
Saria was sure that this memory would haunt her in the future whilst the Demon Lord only laughed out loud. Oh how amusing this green haired girl was! What a shame that he didn't need her.
The blond haired young man gave the girl a short squeeze before he pushed her far behind him. Once more he raised both sword and shield towards the enemy. Now he had more than enough reasons to kill this white haired guy. How could he even dare!
"So you really want to fight against me?" Girahim smiled fondly at him. "Did I make you angry? That little friend of yours just looked so sweet-"
"Bring it on!" Link barked now frustrated. He would just show that strange creepy stranger what he was capable of.
His opponent shrugged once with his shoulders before with a snap of his fingers his cloak disappeared. Black eyes stared into light blue ones and to mock the Skyloftian further Girahim signaled him to take the first step. It angered the swordsman even more that the other one didn't take him serious at all. Such a cocky, creepy man was unheard of!
In the meanwhile Saria hurried back towards the door they came from in order to not be in the way. She wasn't naïve enough to jump into the fight blindly with nothing but a shield and slingshot. This Demon Lord was no good and even though she was worried, she knew that Link was the only one of them who could stand a chance against the pale man. Furiously the greenhead rubbed her cheek; it was a disgusting feeling. The touch of his tongue on her skin; ice-cold…
The young girl shuddered and shook her head. Something like that doesn't matter anymore. This man was the only obstacle between them and Zelda – that's the only thing she cared about. And although she believed in Link more than anyone, she couldn't help but observe the sudden start of the fight in fear.
Link dashed towards Girahim confidently and attacked him. The man with the short white hair however was able to stop the blade between nothing but his mere two fingers. What was he? No one could stop a sword so easily like this! Furiously the blond tugged at his blade to break free and quickly, without missing a heartbeat he attacked once more. His only hope was that the Demon Lord would be too slow and in the right moment he could land an effective strike…
However that guy was not someone to mess with easily. It didn't matter when, where or how Link tried to hit him. His opponent was able to dodge every single one of them – with an ugly mocking smile of his, too –
The senior knight started to growl and attacked more aggressively, how could he be this strong? He never had met someone like him…it was impossible…his own stamina wasn't that generous either…
Link halted in his movement as suddenly a small seed nearly hit Girahim's head. Of course the pale stranger dodged the surprising attack and his black eyes darted to Saria who still stood far away in the corner of the room with nothing but her trustworthy slingshot in her hands.
That was his moment!
The Skyloftian jumped towards the Demon Lord quickly and slashed the enemy with a painful hit. Girahim cursed beneath his breath and glared at the dirty blond angrily for a second before he took a few steps back.
"So you want to play it like this, huh?" His cold voice echoed through the room as suddenly a sword appeared in his right hand. "Well, then let's play."
Link didn't wait for him to finish his sentences before he already dashed towards him to attack once more. If he still was able to keep his attention then Saria would be safe as well. Her little shot was more than helpful enough.
Girahim disappeared suddenly and appeared again behind him; the blond turned around quickly and lifted his shield in order to dodge his strike. The long black sword landed forcefully in the wood before the pale man took again a few steps back. His frown turned into a smile which already made the blond nervous enough. The worst was as his opponent was able to summon red glowing daggers which didn't aim for him but for the girl who still stood in believed 'safety'.
"Saria!"
The greenhead gasped as the sharp blades rushed through the air fast and grabbed her wooden shield to hide behind it. Two of them missed her barely. The other three bored themselves into her only protection with so much force that her upper-body fell against the cool stone wall behind her. She survived. Thank goddess. She was sure that her heart stopped beating for a second there.
Link's grip on his blade tightened and he suddenly run up to Girahim as fast as he could to use the final blow with all his strength. The amused smile on his face made him furious and how his dull black eyes watched his dear friend as he was still waiting for one of his bloody daggers to hurt her was unbelievable. Only as Saria's dark blue eyes peered over the shield the man with the short white hair turned back to him – still with the cocky smile…
Too bad that it was too late for him.
Link slashed him across his chest; he could feel how his blade met with a stone like chest even though he pushed all his strength into this blow. His fingers trembled and the Demon Lord stumbled a few steps back before he looked up to observe the dirty blond. A soft sigh escaped him whilst his eyes twinkled in sheer amusement.
"Well…you two put up more of a fight than I expected…such a nice teamwork." Girahim stroke his chest, right there where Link had hit him. "But don't clap for yourself quite yet. That sword of yours is the only reason that you're still alive."
Link panted slightly and only now he felt how his feet hurt from running around so much. His sword was the only reason? Because of Fi?
Girahim blinked a few times before a cold smile tugged at his lips. "I fear I spent far too long teasing and toying with you." A soft sigh occurred before he spoke again. "The girl's presence has all but faded from this place…"
The Demon Lord turned his look to no one else but Saria who tensed behind her damaged shield.
"Goodbye…" He glanced back to Link hauntingly. "…sky children. Run and play this time. Get in my way again, though, and you're dead."
And just like he had appeared suddenly out of thin air he disappeared again. No whisper, no disturbing presence still lingered in this room and finally the blond breathed again. He didn't even know he held his breath until oxygen reached his dry lungs. Whoever this Girahim really was…he hoped that they didn't have to meet him again too soon. His crystal clear eyes looked for his companion who was right now busy with pulling out the daggers out of her shield.
"Saria, everything alright?"
The green haired girl threw the last sharp blade onto the ground and nodded merely. "I'm glad we bought two…" Her eyes observed the damaged shield with a frown.
"Yeah…" Link answered sheepishly to lighten the heavy mood.
"If what he said was true…" The young man had to strain his pointy ears to listen to her quite voice. "…then Zelda is not here anymore…" Saria stood up carefully and walked towards him.
"Let's check it out ourselves." The senior knight tried to smile whilst unconsciously his hand reached out to touch her cheek. Confused his friend stared at him with her big blue eyes before she noticed how his thumb rubbed over the very same place this creepy Girahim had licked her. Not a very fond memory for her…
Link didn't know why but the thought of disinfection came into his mind. How could this weird stranger even dare to do that to Saria? It made his guts turn a few times because he was sure strangle him to death the next time he dared to even touch a strand of her hair. Saria had always been important to him, since they were small. And now where this Demon Lord did that he felt for the first time threatened in his position – not in a way where she could prefer the creepy stranger over him but in a way where another male was able to touch her so easily – someone except him.
"Link? We should really hurry."
The blond blinked at her and withdrew his hand rather quickly.
"Yeah."
With that short answer they turned to the golden door which now appeared to be suddenly open as if magic itself welcomed them after what they had experienced.
The spring was breathtaking. A platform was surrounded by clear water. The sky now colored in an orange glint exposed the well hidden sacred place and the sounds of rustling leaves and happy birds reached their ears. For the first time Saria saw the tiny birds not far away resting between a few flowers and her excitement tried to push away the happenings in the Skyview Temple. So unbelievable fragile and small, they were adorable.
The pair walked up the stairs slowly and took in the beautiful sight which was offered. Even though to their dismay Zelda really wasn't anywhere to be seen…
"Is that not a statue of the goddess?" Link murmured whilst he pointed towards a sculpture which was not far away; standing in the middle of the water.
"It really is…" Saria breathed.
They both closed in on it curiously before the older one of them recognized the crest which rested right in front of the familiar figure. Quickly he drew his divine blade in order to summon this energy just like before and right after this pure light left the sword and hit the dark pale crest – after he swung it of course – Fi appeared in front of them and landed gracefully on the water.
"Master, I have a message written in the language of the gods of old. Allow me to translate it for you." Her monotone voice was calming yet intruding like always.
Uncertain how to react Link nodded slowly. "Uh…go ahead."
Suddenly the spirit of the sword bowed down and performed a graceful swing of her legs.
"From the edge of time I guide you, the one chosen to carry out the goddess's mission."
Fi glided as light as the feather over the water surface and circled once then twice around.
"The spirit maiden who descended from the clouds must travel to two sacred places to purify her body." Another soft jump before a light half-turn followed suit. "You stand in one of these places: Skyview Spring. The other is known as the Earth Spring."
Both Skyloftians watched how the light blue skinned girl turned and glided around until she suddenly stopped in front of the statue of the goddess and spun around. "This second spring is hidden away deep within the scorched earth of Eldin."
"Eldin…" Saria mumbled quietly to herself. Another unknown place of the surface…
"The spirit maiden, ever mindful of the heavy task entrusted to her, has set out for this second sacred place."
Fi suddenly stopped her graceful dancing and in front of the sculpture a faint light appeared. A faint old magic offered the youngsters another stone tablet even though this time a ruby red crystal graced its features. Another key to open another gate to the surface; Link grabbed the item with careful hands. Did really, really…the goddess herself just talked to them? He couldn't belief it. A message from her grace, a real one? For…him?
"Master, it is now too late to return to Skyloft." Fi's monotone voice reminded him of the heavy setting sun. She stood next to them quietly, her performance already over.
"I guess we'll stay here in the woods then for the night." Saria said slowly while Link put the stone tablet away with ease.
"Yeah…maybe we should return to the other temple where the old lady is…" The blond nodded slowly to himself. He didn't want to risk that this Girahim returns. A surprise attack was the least thing he needed. "…it's safe there and we have a roof above our heads. The night can become cold."
Saria smiled. "Good idea." Her head turned back to the statue of the goddess which rested peacefully in the cool liquid. "For now…I guess it's enough to know that Zelda is safe. Just like you she has a task to absolve…but I want to find her as fast as we can anyway…the surface is very dangerous."
Link's face softened and a small grin spread on his face. "It feels like a treasure hunt to me…weird, huh?"
The green haired girl dissolved into giggles before she shook her head lightly. "A treasure hunt?" Her blue eyes twinkled at that silly comparison. "Yeah…it really does actually."
"Come on." The senior knight signaled her to follow him. "Let's go back before it gets dark."
His friend followed him with quick small steps, a bit relieved to leave this rather dangerous Skyview Temple. However, the experience to sleep on the surface and watch the sky which was so far away from here…was a bit exciting. It was something she would have preferred to do with not only Link but with Zelda as well. Maybe, maybe they were able to do that soon. Saria would love that…and she was sure that the blond young man who grinned at her lopsidedly shared that wish.
Tomorrow, tomorrow they would chase after their personal treasure again.