The walk to the goddess statue was invigorating, yet tiring. Thankfully he was very close to the tall, exquisite sculpture. He loved the way it felt to be physically capable of doing so, but spent all night enjoying the opportunity. He told Hylia he had to attend to his night patrolling duties, even though it wasn't his time to do so.
Nevertheless, despite staying awake and moving hardily all night, he was in considerably good shape. He made his way through the deep forest until he stumbled upon a stone wall that blocked entrance to the statue that was now towering over him.
In the corner of his eye, he saw a few vines that would easily allow him to climb onto the other side of the wall. He suddenly remembered this place as a child; he would come here with Ryker when they were exploring the woods. Occasionally they would find other curious children and would play with them on the stone floor beneath his feet. They were always scolded at for "disrespecting sacred ground", and eventually the walls were built to keep everyone out. Luckily the vines grew fast for Link to climb in, though.
According to what the adults told him as a child, this area contained a small temple—and the statue, of course—made by ancient civilians to honor Hylia and for any usage she may need of it, should she ever decide to come to the land below her. Link smiled at the realization that today was the day, after goddess knows how many years, that she would in fact use it. But there was only one problem: Where was Hylia?
Link's smile vanished at this cognizance and suddenly turned around as if he would find her. No luck. He began searching all over the enclosed area, and even considered entering the temple. He mulled it over, but decided not to enter, because it was hers, not his.
He sighed in relief as he looked skyward and saw golden locks of hair that waved in the wind, realizing that Hylia was at the top of the statue. But this led to yet another problem: How in the name of Din was he supposed to get up there?
He started towards the statue, expecting to find some kind of ladder he had missed, when a loud squawking noise blasted his eardrums. Alarmed, he quickly brought his hands to his ears in attempt to block out the awful noise, which gave Hylia's loftwing the perfect opportunity to take Link's wrists into its talons. Link squirmed to try to get his hands free, but it was no use. He decided to stop when he knew they were too high to fall down and actually be able to survive.
Finally, the loftwing reached the small platform of the top of the statue and dropped Link on to it, so he could quickly fly away from him. Link landed with a thud on his stomach, and slowly rolled over on his back with a loud moan.
"You're late," Hylia said as she finished playing a song on a small golden harp, facing the vast landscape before her.
"Yeah, sorry," Link groaned as he struggled to sit up. "But I did keep my promise, didn't I?"
She held the harp in front of her, securing it tightly. She turned to see Link manage to sit up, and began to speak. "Sorry about my loftwing… he's usually not that bad. I guess he really doesn't like you."
"You don't say," Link had to cough due to the impact of his collision with the hard stone.
"Well, there's something I wanted you to have. Do you think you can stand up?"
Link moaned under his breath as he faced Hylia on one knee. She took a step towards him, offering a hand to help him up. He took it willingly, but did not want to hurt her in any way by using his body weight on her one arm.
"Can… I just kneel? Just to make things easier?" Hylia chuckled and nodded her head. "Thanks. You know, someday I may just win over that loathsome beast. No offense," Link said, trying to use any pride he had left.
"Yeah sure," Hylia laughed as she agreed doubtfully.
Their hands remained together, eyes on each other, as an ever so slight serious tone began to emerge. Hylia began to speak accordingly. "Valiant youth who grasped victory of the bird folk," Hylia smirked as she teased him, "I now bestow the blessings of the goddess upon you."
Hylia reached behind her and revealed a white piece of fabric, with a symbol on it identical to the ones on the base of the statue. Hylia continued, "The blessings of the goddess drift down from the heavens aloft a sail, which I now pass on to you."
Link took the piece of cloth curiously, a bit befuddled. He actually found himself able to stand, he figured through Hylia's healing touch. He was now able to look at her face to face, confused.
"Um, I appreciate it, but…what is it?" He asked with curiosity, holding the cloth in front of his face.
"It's a sailcloth," she explained, trying to suppress laughter. "But that's actually not what I really needed to show you…"
"Ok then," Link said unsurely, "But seriously, what's this for?"
"Well, seeing it that my loftwing might kill you the next time it sees you, it's your ride to the ground!"
"Wait, wha—" was all Link could say before Hylia leaped of off the statue into the air. He heard the sound of a whistle, and then saw the large red loftwing dive straight towards Hylia.
He didn't know what to think. He had never seen anything like this before. Was it trying to hurt her? Without hesitation, Link jumped off of the platform, just in time to see Hylia land firmly on the bird's back. Whew. At least she was safe.
But it wasn't until then that Link became aware that he was hurdling towards the ground at a truly fast pace. He quickly unfolded the sailcloth in his hands and positioned it in a parachute shape—just a second before his feet hit the ground.
"Wow, it took guts to not use it until the last second," Hylia shouted as she dismounted her loftwing that stood on the other side of the courtyard. The bird was in the air before she took another step.
She walked towards him, and she could see he was still shaking a bit from the ordeal. "And you managed to land right in the middle of the gold ring. Aces!"
Link was still in shock, but he managed to look around him—she was right. He had landed right in the middle of the circle. Perfectly.
"You passed the test," Hylia began.
"Test? Wh-what test?" Link stammered.
"The test that you could not only defend me, but you had you were able to take action, even when you put yourself at risk. And you also learned how to use the sailcloth and land. It's clear that you are in fact the chosen hero!" She proclaimed joyfully.
"Oh," Link responded, not sure what else to say. Again, the word hero had not fully sunk in yet, but it was getting there…slowly. "So…what did you want me to have?"
"Oh, right," Hylia said. "Follow me." She walked along the stone path and up to the temple doors. Without thinking, Link opened the heavy door for her, and even he was surprised that he could barely get it open.
She thanked him, and they both entered to be greeted by a strong, cool breeze that cascaded their faces. Link hadn't even realized how hot it had been outdoors until coming in here. He was drowned in the shade that the temple provided, but his eyes had not yet adjusted from being outside so long.
Once the glare marks his eyes had made from the sun subsided, he could finally see what was in this sacred place. Despite the temple being ancient, it almost looked as if it were brand new; enchanted to look that way, perhaps. The walls matched the floor with a grayish-white color and pillars lining the building. To the left seemed to be a garden-like area that lacked any kind of vegetation or flowers. The right only held a door that looked to be sealed shut. In front of Link was a tremendous sized black slab of stone—but it wasn't just any stone. On it were what seemed to be inscriptions of an ancient text, and the symbol that was found on his new sailcloth.
"What is that for?" Link asked, indicating the stone that obviously once required a lot of craftsmanship.
"I...I'm not really sure..." Hylia answered. Link was suspicious, but he decided to brush it off. Hylia led them around it and were faced to a huge door; even bigger than the ones they had entered through. But instead of going through them, Hylia stopped at the top of the many stairs that surrounded them, and turned to face Link so she could begin to talk to him seriously.
Before she spoke, she held out her hands about a foot apart, and Link watched curiously. Suddenly a shimmer of light began to form where her hands were. The glistening eventually began to take shape, becoming so white it was hard for Link to look at. With a flash of light, the sparks vanished and Hylia was holding a blade; a perfect, silver one. Flawless, strong, ethereal.
"This is the Master Sword, a blade that eradicated evil. It contains the power to rend the earth, and acts as a pillar to support it as it floats up into the sky." Link thought about this for a moment, and it suddenly made sense why Hylia offered the knights the possibility of literally living in the sky.
"However," she continued, "it was wrought by the gods, meant for our hands alone. Yet I must allow a human to wield it in order to exert my power over the surface world."
"But aren't you human now?" Link questioned.
"No," Hylia said quietly, "I am the goddess in human form, but still have divine capabilities, as you've seen. Like calling my loftwing, conjuring up this sword, characteristics like that." Link understood, and then kept quiet.
"Link, I think you understand who must wield this," Hylia paused, and began to speak slowly, "The most valiant, honorable man on the world's surface…"
"Goddess, I was imprisoned for a very long time. I am impure. I cannot possibly lay my hands upon a holy blade."
Hylia was shocked by his refusal, but continued nonetheless. "The sword will decide whether or not you are impure." Link gazed at the sword, still amazed by its beauty.
"Link," she said, getting his attention and holding the sword up a bit higher, "Will you wreck vengeance on the land that held you in contempt? Or will you save it from its fate?"
Link found this hard to comprehend. Could he really wield a holy blade, even though he was in prison just a few days ago? Sure it wasn't really his fault, but he wasn't going to accept a position as serious as this without being honest with himself. But this also made him feel more pressure than usual. Now not only did he have his fellow knights asking favors of him, but a goddess as well. It didn't bother him too much before, but it wasn't until now that it actually started to sink in.
And he didn't know how to answer. He could be passive and shy like usual, but that wouldn't let Hylia know of the doubts he had for even himself. Everyone else had so much faith in him…but what if he wasn't successful? What if he failed not only himself, but every being that he does and doesn't know, and even worse, the goddess herself?
He decided to answer honestly. "Gods…humans…both of you seek the same answers from me. And you use me whenever it suits you."
Wait, he thought, that came out harsher than I thought it would…
"You know, Link," Hylia said trying to comfort him, "You won't be alone. I'll always be right there beside you. After all, it's not just your destiny that has to be fulfilled."
He thought about her words. His mind had already been made up, but her utterance really was comforting.
"But," he said softly, as he looked thoughtfully into those blue eyes that could drive the most rational man completely senseless. "Needless to say…I will always stand with my friends."
She looked at him for a long time, and a smile slowly grew on her face, and Link mimicked her. His hand grabbed the purple winged hilt of the blade, and placed it where Orville was just a few moments ago. Hylia took his old sword as he placed the Master Sword in his sheathe, where it would remain; with the hero until Demise had been eradicated.
"You look awful…" Hylia teased Link as they walked to his house from the temple.
"Thanks," he said sarcastically, "Just tired I guess. How about you? Did you sleep well?"
"Actually, I only slept for like two hours, but I feel completely fine. I think it's because I only possess a few human qualities, so I only need a few human necessities…if that makes any sense."
"No, it did," Link declared, "So how much do you eat? Is that different too?"
"Well ever since I got here I've only eaten eggs and an apple, so probably not."
"Right." Link didn't know why, but he was really fascinated by this. But then again, maybe it wasn't just him. How often does a goddess appear in human form, anyways?
The rest of the way they walked in silence. Hylia lagged behind a bit, because she wanted to look up and see the Master Sword's hilt in his sheathe. It really complimented his armor and his red cape…and his muscles. He really did look like what a chosen hero should look like.
Upon entering Link's house, for some reason he missed the coolness of the temple. His house provided shade, but it just wasn't the same.
Highly went to the bathroom, and when she came back out and saw him leaning on the kitchen table rubbing his eyes. "Link, get some sleep. Seriously, I wasn't kidding when I said you look awful."
Link shot her a look, but they both knew she was right. He would need strength if was going to get training done of any kind. "Fine," he said reluctantly, even though he really was dead tired. He decided to tease her back. "But wake me up in a few hours. And don't do anything stupid while I'm out, goddess divine."
They both smirked at each other. "I should be telling you the same thing, hero."
Link dragged himself to his bed, and it didn't take long for him to lose consciousness. Hylia waited until his breathing became even, and then stood up, walked to the door, and quietly left the house.
She hated that she had to wait for Link to fall asleep to leave, but she couldn't let Link know what she was up to…
