Link
Bliss. Satisfaction. Relief.
These were just a few of the words that floated through my mind as I soared back home.
I have such an amazing partner; it's incredible to think that through everything, Crimson still is flying. The pain is lessening on our chest, it's becoming easier to fly, our face still stings however.
With the time that we now had, I inspected Crimson's wounds. Like I thought, the one to his chest was easing up now; Loftwings can easily deal with wounds. The one to his face was barely a mark, it had stopped bleeding, I was sure that within a few hours Crimson would be ready to fly again.
Pleasure. Victory. And even Anger.
I looked at this little turquoise statuette. How far was Groose's egotistic greed gonna go for this little thing, but again, I'm going to put this question and all the things that Groose has done under the 'later' category and... Just enjoy this unspoiled moment.
This little thing was no bigger than my hand. And yet it inspired cheat, deceit, and even a little bloodshed, I looked again at Crimson's face and side, blood was still dripping, how could this have happened? How does Groose think this is ok? It was clear from the start that the only thing that would stop Groose was absolute defeat, and despite all odds, we've done it. Having worked through everything that slowed us down. after all the lies, after finding Crimson locked up, after flying through every single obstacle placed in our path, both natural and Groose-made...
...we've won.
Wait till Zelda sees this...
Zelda
The whole crowd was in silent agony. Practically begging for some confirmation. They had seen a collision in the sky, what happened? I asked, no one seemed to know. Father, the Instructors and the Knight Commander all stared intently I wondered if they actually knew what was going on or if they were all just naturally calm.
I turned back to the sky, what happened to Link? I saw someone fall from their bird and actually land on another bird, what made that happen? Was it Link or Groose or Cawlin or Stritch, I mean we have no way of knowing.
"Father!" I called, and he turned to look my way "should someone go check?" he looked back at the sky.
"It is tradition that the students must compete for the prize without interference from the seniors" he said, not looking at me,
"But surely if something went wrong-" I started
"I was about to suggest the same thing Headmaster" interrupted Owlan "something dangerous has occurred, we both saw the same thing, and we are both aware of what often happens during this race when it's not supervised"
"Yes, I agree" spoke the Knight Commander "when the safety of one of our students is in danger, it should over ride any traditional values"
"Very well" my father agreed "Eagus, could you mount and investigate what we all witnessed"
"Hold on headmaster!" Horwell was gazing up at the sky with a grin on his face "I don't think there will be any need"
I turned to follow his line of sight.
Just in the distance, a bird and his rider were flying straight towards Skyloft. As the bird drew closer, its colours became more distinct, it was unmistakable. The Loftwing's feathers were bright red. It was Crimson.
Upon the Loftwing's back, its rider raised the statuette above his head, giving the audience its cue to burst into applause and cheers. My father, the instructors and the Knight Commander stood tall and proud at the student that set himself apart from the rest, and was most deserving of the reward. It took a few seconds for it to actually hit me.
"He won, he actually won. I hoped that- but... I mean I always wanted him to- of course I always knew he... oh who am I kidding. Sweet Goddess, he won!"
I saw him span the crowd, looking for me before our eyes met and even in the distance I saw his face smile. My heart skipped a dozen beats, and before I even knew what I was doing I screamed his name and jumped off the diving platform
I'm not sure he was expecting that.
But Link acted with heroic instincts. Crimson picked up speed and Link outstretched his arms, and... I landed in them. For just a few moments I was cradled in his arms... a knight and his princess...
Or at least, until I realised that I was actually in his arms and he was looking quite worried.
"Don't worry-I'm fine!" I said beaming at him, laughing, he gave his own little chuckle. "Great flying, Link! Congratulations! I said while leaning into him.
"Now we'd better get on with the ceremony!"
Link
Right now?
You know... this... is romantic... *ahem* I don't mean to be corny or anything but... it is.
Me and her, beneath the statue of the Goddess, in the distance I can see mine and Zelda's Loftwing flying up above. I know I wasn't keen on this at first, but... it's beautiful...
"Link..."
I was drawn out of my daze by my Goddess, for I was her knight
"Hand me that Bird Statuette you grabbed in the race. I must offer it to the goddess." she said, holding her hand out to me. I obliged, and handed her the turquoise statuette.
She took the small bird carving with both hands and carefully placed within the small opening in the structure where we stood. She then turned it around so that the bird faced outwards. She then slowly backed away and pulled out that beautiful golden harp.
The sound produced by that instrument, Goddess Above...
I heard the notes reverb and echo around our vicinity
The last chord was strummed and the Goddess turned and faced me, she held out to me, right, here goes.
I extended my right hand and placed it on top of hers and knelt down on one knee.
"Great Goddess, guiding light and protector of our people, grant us your blessing and mercy as I act in your stead during this ceremony."
From this point her words took on a maturity that was far beyond her years, it only made me love her more...
"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."
I heard the rustling of fabric and dared to look up, and she handed me her blessing.
"The blessings of the Goddess drift down from the heavens aloft a sail, which I now pass on to you."
Not taking my eyes of her's, I carefully grasped the white cloth with the symbol of the Goddess stitched into it.
The Sailcloth. A treasured blessing that all knights carry with them... Zelda's heavenly scent floated from the fabric and conjured memories of childhood.
"Link! Quit goofing. This is supposed to be a sacred ritual, remember? You know, they say that the Goddess gave the Sailcloth to her chosen hero long ago. Of course, the one you're holding isn't the same one. I've been working hard to finish making this Sailcloth in time to give it to today's champion. I'm really glad I got to give it to you, Link."
...she made this for me.
"Make sure you take good care of it ok?"
Of course, I'll treasure it always.
"...Thanks for making it up here to do this with me today like you promised, Link"
I saw her looking at me with one of the most sincere smile I've ever seen.
"Now we really should finish up this ritual..."
Oh, alright, I was hoping we could stay up here a little longer but sure let's go
"You...do know what happens at the end, right?"
...she said way too slowly...
"Nope" I replied...
"Really? Huh. I thought you would've figured it out by now."
...well it's a bit warm up here... was it like this a minute ago?
The girl took a step forward.
Goddess, that is way to close. I mean we've hugged and been near each other plenty of times, but... her lips are dangerously close to mine.
So soft, so inviting. How easy it is just to imagine leaning forward just a few centimetres... just do it... come on, lean in...
I let my eyes close just for a heartbeat
"You have to jump off the statue!"
...
I'm sorry?
Oh Sweet Goddess Above!
...didn't this happen earlier today? Wasn't I standing on the edge of a platform and a beautiful girl pushed me off? Really? Does anyone else see the link?
Leans in for the kiss, pushes you off the edge...
...Zelda, you are so lucky I love you...
Of course now I remember the end of the ritual!
How did I forget?
So I'm falling, what? 500 feet? Yeah that seems about right. I'm falling at a rate of...let's say 100 feet per second. Considering the fact that my arms and legs are currently out stretched for maximum air resistance, it'll increase the time by some but not much. ooh look, there's a ring in the centre of the courtyard, a perfect place to land, and I think I can safely assume... 5.6 seconds from statue to floor...
I have 2 seconds left...
...If you blinked you missed it.
The Sailcloth quickly unfolded as I held it from both ends. A Sailcloth is woven from the feathers of a Loftwing, this special fabric stretches when the wind blows against it, it's also far more resistance to cuts, tears, and it's even a little water proof. And another thing, it is very good at being a parachute.
Within the last second I dramatically reduced speed and landed safely into the ring.
I let out my shuddered breath as I picked myself up from my spontaneous free fall, just in time to see Zelda landing her Loftwing.
"That was perfect! You're amazing, Link"
Really, I, uh, well it wasn't that good, I just... thanks
I gave her one of my smiles just to let her know I'm ok with her pushing me off the edge... again.
Crimson came down to my side, just as Zelda's Violet was beside her.
"You know, Link seeing as how you won today..."
She seems nervous
"And with the weather being so nice..."
Hmm, it is a beautiful day
"You think maybe you'd like to, you know go fly around the clouds together?"
That... sounds perfect
and it was... just me and her and the friends of our hearts, soaring through the clouds, I can't get over all that's happened in such a short space of time, I'm the one graduating to senior class, I have a special new memento, the Sailcloth, made by my best friend.
I scanned my mental list of things in the 'later' category, cause now everything is over, I can finally relax.
"...Link? Hey, Link!"
Hmm?
I looked back at Zelda; she raised her voice so she could be heard above the wind
"Today was amazing. Watching you win the race and performing the ritual together... I'll always remember this.
It really was wonderful."
It was, I'll never forget it either
Again, she had that nervous look in her eye, like she's contemplating saying something but she's not quite sure how to phrase it.
"You know... Link...
There's something I've been meaning to talk to you about..."
I hate this moment. I hate it completely. I hate myself for it. I hate my weakness. I wasn't ready. I never knew how to be. There was no warning. No preparation. And no reason. No way to stop it. no. no. no. no!
NOOOOO!
"What is that? What's going on? What's happening? No! Ahhhhhhh! Link"
...
...I will never forget that scream
Should I call it a tornado...? No...That's too simple. Too easy to say it was a simple tornado.
Even though I now know what it was. I don't care.
I was falling, right?
No, no I wasn't. I was knocked out, so, I'm asleep.
Wait, no that can't be right.
"Link...?"
I opened my eyes. Didn't I? So I can't be asleep...
But I'm dreaming, aren't I?
...that girl, the one from my dreams is here, so I must be dreaming, and therefore, asleep.
"I am waiting for you. The time has come for you to awaken"
Awaken? So I am asleep... I need to wake up.
"You are vital to a mission of great importance."
"Link..."
I'm not asleep... Zelda... Zelda... Zelda!
I can reach you, hold on, I'm coming, I can save her, just a little more, gives me your hand, almost there, I'm so close! Just a bit more! Zelda!
That scream... that horrifying, pure white scream... silenced into the pure black of my nightmare.
"Link! Help me! Please!
...I will
