A/N: And yet another apology for my great lateness. I'm sorry guys, this took way too long. Explanation at the bottom.
Disclaimer: I do not own Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, nor any other Zelda titles.
Sky Child
Chapter 10
Battles
Link wiped his forehead, marveling once again out how much he could sweat considering how cold he was. His left arm had not improved, as he had hoped, but had turned a bright, angry red. Some of the sting marks oozed a bit of puss, and Link didn't need Fi to tell him that that wasn't good.
He had been inside the Skyveiw temple for a while. Link wasn't sure if it had been hours or a day; there were no windows, no way to tell how quickly time was passing. He was hungry and had drank the last of his water. There was plenty of water all around the temple, but it had been stagnant for who knew how long. It was dirty and filled with greenish-brown muck and Link had been unfortunate enough to fall into it once or twice. Whatever had been in the water was most likely responsible for the worsening of his arm and his fever.
Link walked wearily down the broken steps towards the large, beautiful door he had found earlier. It alone in the temple seemed unaffected by age, though it had to have been thousands of years old.
Despite his pain, Link smiled. According to Fi, Zelda was just behind the large door. He had at last found what seemed to be the key, although it was just a strange formation of gold. As soon as he could fit it into the lock, he could get Zelda and they could try to find a way back home together.
Link pulled the massive golden block out of his adventure pouch, using a considerable amount of effort to keep from dropping the thing. As best as he could, Link climbed partially up the door's ornate features so as to reach the lock. After a few moments of twisting and re-positioning, Link was able to push the golden shape into the hole.
Around the shape of the block, a beautiful golden glow appeared. Link hopped down and stepped back, wondering how the door would open. With a great jerk, the gear that the key hole was mounted on moved one peg, breaking the key in half. Link watched wide-eyed as the solid-gold block dissolved into golden dust. Where the key had broken, a seam appeared in the once-solid door.
Suddenly, fear washed over the young Hylian. The door grated slowly open, revealing a dark passage. Link felt something the likes of which he had never felt before. Without knowing quite how, he recognized the feeling as power. He could feel someone else's power emanating from within, so powerful that it had crashed into his mind despite his lack of any magical abilities.
For a moment, a short, optimistic moment, Link hoped that it was Zelda. But even if Zelda had managed to gain such overwhelming power, Link knew it couldn't be her.
The power was dark. Violently, sadistically dark.
But Zelda was inside. She was in there with that power. The thought of her standing alone against something so great immediately restored Link's determination, and he raced forward into the dark.
Without any warning, the tunnel opened up to reveal a large, beautiful room. Link looked around in awe. It was in pristine condition, clean and fresh as if it had just been completed not moments before he entered the room. Link looked up, trying to see the ceiling, but failing. Apparently the room ended far out of the dim light's reach.
There was a bright golden flash, blinding Link and bringing him out of his momentary shock and into the present. The power he felt was focused in one place now, and it was directly in front of him.
The light faded quickly, showing Link what he had failed to notice before. A man stood just ahead of him.
Although his back was turned, Link could see enough to know that the man was not someone to underestimate. In his hand he held a large black rapier, which glowed with the same darkness Link had seen in the Sealed Grounds. The man's skin was a sickly gray color, and he wore a skin-tight body suit with diamonds cutouts on his legs and chest, revealing muscles much larger than Links. His red cape billowed around him in an invisible wind, and for a moment Link feared for his life. And then a few things occurred to him.
One, the man had not yet seen Link, which meant if the Hylian was able to pull himself together quickly, he could land a deadly blow before the man knew he was there.
And two, Zelda was nowhere to be seen.
Link's eyes immediately focused on another golden door in front of the white-haired man, which glowed with markings Link couldn't quite see. 'That must have been what the flash was,' Link thought, 'But why hit a door?'
Disregarding the strangeness of the situation, Link went to reach for his sword when a growl emanated from the man in front of him, cold and filled with rage. Link paused fearfully, watching as the man poured all his strength into yet another blow with his rapier. Link gasped in surprise as the rapier blurred with unnatural speed. The man froze mid-swing.
Link had been noticed.
The green-clad knight watched as the man relaxed, and Link thought for a moment that he was about to drop his sword. But instead, the black blade dissolved into diamonds, leaving nothing but air.
The man raised himself to his full height, much above Link's own. "Look who it is…" Link jumped at his deep voice, not having expected the man to speak.
The man turned, and Link drew in a sharp breath. The man's eyes were frighteningly large and pure black, and they were focused on him. In that moment, Link felt as though his every weakness was being noted, although the man's gaze never moved from Link's blue eyes.
The man smirked in amusement. "I thought that tornado I stirred up would have tossed and torn you apart, yet here you are. Not in pieces." The man's eyes trailed down to Link's arm for a moment, then back up. "Well, not quite."
"Tornado?" Link mumbled, confused. Then it clicked. "You! You're the one who almost killed me and Zelda!" Link shouted and stepped forward, his fear overcome by his rage.
"Your life or death has no consequence," said the man. His attention drifted back towards the door behind him, and Link followed his gaze. "It's just the girl that matters now…" he said, and Link was sure at this point that he had been dismissed as unimportant. "I can sense her here… just beyond this door…" The man reached out a gloved hand, his fingers trailing over some invisible barrier between himself and golden door.
"Yes, we plucked Her Majesty from the clouds, and now she's ours," the man said, louder this time.
Link growled. "You wont touch her, yuh-yuh-you…!" Link trailed off as his stammer resurfaced in his anger.
The man laughed, turning to face Link once more. "Oh, but listen to me. I'm being positively uncivil!" His eyes widened mockingly in false embarrassment. "Allow me to introduce myself." His eyes slowly narrowed as his smirk grew in size. "I am the Demon Lord who presides over this land you look down upon, this world you call the surface. You may call me Ghirahim."
"Demon?" Link muttered to himself, his eyes never leaving the man in front of him. The man, Ghirahim, didn't look demon. That being said, he certainly didn't look Hylian.
Ghirahim's smile fell a bit upon hearing Link's whispered words. "In truth, I very much prefer to be indulged with my full title: Lord Ghirahim." He chuckled once more and turned around again. "But I'm not fussy."
Link felt his anger swell once more, the same type of anger he had felt upon realizing that Groose liked Zelda. The only type of anger that made him want to hit something. And now, it was directed towards Ghirahim, this man who wanted to hurt Zelda. She was braver than Link, true, and smarter, but not stronger. She couldn't hold up against this man.
With the beautiful ring of metal on metal, Link pulled his blade from its sheath and held it tightly in his hand, fingering the hilt angrily. He wouldn't let Ghirahim reach Zelda. He would protect her.
"Did you really just draw your sword?" Ghirahim pouted. "Foolish boy."
"Leave. Her. Alone." Link spoke slowly and through gritted teeth, trying to keep from stuttering, as it would do him no good if Ghirahim fell over laughing at his pathetic disability.
Ghirahim turned to smirk at Link once more, spreading his arms out wide. "By all rights the girl should have fallen into our hands already. She was nearly ours when that loathsome servant of the goddess snatched her away…" A deep fury was creeping into the man voice, and he collapsed in on himself, his hands clenching and unclenching with rage. "Do you have any idea how that made me feel inside?" the Demon Lord growled. The room shook as his power skyrocketed, and the light seemed to dim and fold around him.
"Furious! Outraged! Sick with anger!" Ghirahim screamed. He pulled in on himself hard, and his whole body seemed to shudder out of existence.
Link's eyes widened in shock, and his heart began to pump to the steady rhythm of his growing fear. Ghirahim was powerful enough to vanish at will, leaving no trace. How could he fight someone who could simply vanish out of sight?
Link looked around frantically, trying to relocate his enemy in the dim light. The Demons Lord's voice echoed from all around the room, making him impossible to find. "This turn of events has left me with a strong appetite for bloodshed," Ghirahim said quietly, which seemed to make it all the more ominous.
Link continued to search the darkened room, slipping into the best defensive position he could with his left arm in a sling. The adrenalin was pumping through his veins, his muscles tense. He would protect Zelda. He wouldn't let this man win. He concentrated, focusing his senses on the area around him. He had practiced swordplay blindfolded, having to hear the swing of the blade and counter without sight. Ghirahim would not sneak up on him. His heartbeat slowed, then came to an abrupt halt as two hands snaked their way over his upper arms.
Link winced as his arms were squeezed painfully tight, his left arm burning underneath the crushing grasp. Ghirahim sighed, and Link could feel his breath on he back of his head. How could he have not heard the man come so close?
Ghirahim leaned down to the Hylian's height, leaning forward to whisper into his ear. "Still, it hardly seems fair, being of my position, to take all my anger out on you, which is why I promise up front not to murder you…" Link's ear twitched involuntarily. The demon lord was close, too close for his liking. Link didn't dare to move an inch, fearing that one wrong move could cost him both of his arms. Instead, he glared at the man out of the corner of his eye, watching for the right moment to break free.
"No…" Ghirahim laughed, squeezing Link's arms tighter than ever. "I'll just beat you within an inch of your life!" Link cried out in pain, feeling sure his arms would bruise in the shape of those long, white fingers. His cry turned to one of disgust as Ghirahim's tongue flew out of his mouth, grazing the tip of the Hylian's ear before spinning in front of his face.
"GET OFF!" Link shouted, wrenching his arms out of Ghirahim's iron grip. He jumped away, turning quickly around to face his enemy once more. Normally, teasing and mockery did not bother Link much at all. But this man… This man infuriated him to no end. He wiped his ear on his shoulder in disgust, raising his sword to a defensive position once more. He would not let himself be shaken.
Ghirahim straightened, his cloak billowing around him once more. He examined the boy in front of him, observing the anger in his eyes, the innocence in his round, pale face. This boy had never felt true pain. Ghirahim felt his smile grow into a grin, then a full-out laugh. He threw his head back, letting his laughter echo around the room.
Link watched the display in mounting anger. Suddenly, Ghirahim threw his arms up with a small grunt, and his cloak dissolved into diamonds, leaving the demon lord in nothing but his body suit. He spread his arms wide and cocked an eyebrow, smirking at Link as if to say 'Try me. You will fail.'
And with no further thought, Link launched himself at Ghirahim full speed, sword raised high. Just as he was about to bring down the blade in a vertical slice, the demon lord snapped his fingers, disappearing in a wave of diamonds. Before Link could register what had happened, he felt a hand connect hard with his torso, throwing him of balance. He whirled around just in time to dodge a second punch by the demon lord, flipping backwards to avoid a kick.
Link stumbled a bit on his landing, his fever impeding his sense of balance slightly. He mentally cursed himself for having been so stupid as to get his wounds infected, then dodged yet another punch and went in with a horizontal slice.
Once again Ghirahim vanished before the sword could find it's mark, but Link was prepared for this. He continued to follow through on his swing, making it into a spin-attack, only to find that Ghirahim had teleported to the other side of the room.
The white-haired man grinned at Link's antics, watching the boy stumble as his balance wavered. Link's eyes found Ghirahim once more, and they narrowed. "Come now, child," Ghirahim cooed. "If you prove to be no challenge, perhaps I should see if your friend would be more amusing?"
Zelda. She was counting on him. Link felt an anger he hadn't known he was capable of begin to pulse through his veins. The very though of that monster getting to Zelda had awakened something within him he hadn't known was there, but whatever it was, it was powerful.
Link ran towards the demon lord full-tilt, Letting out a loud yell as he prepared to bring his sword down. His fever didn't matter, his left arm didn't matter. The power he had felt emanating from the man before him just moments ago didn't matter. No, all the mattered was keeping him away from Zelda.
And that, he could do.
Link squeezed his eyes shut and brought his sword down with all the force he had in his body, feeling it slip through the air and lodge itself into something solid. 'Bone,' Link thought, 'I must have gone straight through his shoulder.'
"Is that really all you have, sky child?"
Link's eyes flew open, focusing on the blade of his sword. His stomach dropped and his jaw fell open. His blade had not cut through to the bone.
No, the Goddess Sword sat stuck between two gloved fingers.
Link met the deep black eyes of the man in front of him. White lips smirked at Link's shocked face. "What a shame. I thought this would be fun." And with no warning and seemingly no effort, Ghirahim swung the sword by the blade, flinging Link across the room.
Link flew through the air, spinning and rolling. He felt his right shoulder collide hard with the stone floor, and he fely his tunic rip and tear as he skidded to a halt against the cool stones. Laughter filled the chamber, echoing up into the invisible ceiling.
Link turned his head to see Ghirahim striding towards him, twirling the Goddess Sword absentmindedly in one hand. The young Hylian tried to push himself up, but fell back to the ground with a hiss of pain. His right wrist had been sprained. The angry power he had felt earlier was gone, leaving a sickening, gut-wrenching fear in its place. He had fully functional arms left. He couldn't fight the demon lord off.
Link scrambled to his feet and quickly began to back away. "S-s-stuh-stuh-ay buh-bah-ahck!" Link shouted. His stammer had returned with a vengeance, much to his annoyance and embarrassment.
Ghirahim chuckled. "So afraid you can't form proper words. Or perhaps just too stupid?" With one final glance at the Goddess Sword, Ghirahim tossed it over his shoulder. Link watched it fall. There was no way he could reach it, not with Ghirahim standing right there.
"Shuh-ut uh-up!" Link yelled, not as tolerant of insults as he usually was.
"Well, if your're not going to present a challenge for me, that's all right." Quick as a flash, Ghirahim closed the distance between them, slamming Link hard into the wall. "I always enjoy a punching bag."
Ghirahim grabbed Link by the throat, lifting him high into the air. Link coughed and gasped as his windpipe was crushed, flailing his legs in an attempt to hit Ghirahim, but unable to get within reach. "Now now, stop SQUIRMING!" Ghirahim punched Link hard across the jaw, causing a resounding crack. Link screamed with what little breath he had left.
Ghirhim brought him down closer, whispering in the Hylian's ear. "Poor little child, did the Goddess send you here to do her dirty work? Too bad for you, she didn't account for your weakness." Ghirahim suddenly brought a knee up into Link's stomach, from which he earned two muffled cracks.
Link's vision swam with involuntary tears. He couldn't move his jaw, he couldn't breath. It was almost a relief when Ghirahim tossed him across the room once more.
Air ripped into Link's lungs, quickly exiting once more as groans and moans of pain. Link rolled over onto his knees, coughing up blood. His right wrist was quickly swelling and turning purple, completely unusable. Before he had time to relocate Ghirahim, Link a boot on his back, shoving him flat on the floor. Link grunted, feeling his broken ribs move around his chest.
"Groaning is always lovely," Ghirahim drawled, "But you know what I like better?" Link felt the boot leave his back, but didn't dare to move. "Screams."
Ghirahim's foot came down hard against Link's right leg. He heard the loud crack of his bone snapping in two, and for a moment, that was all. Until the pain hit.
Link screamed. He had never broken a bone in his life, but this pain was unimaginable. He felt blood trickling into his leggings, and some part of him realized the bone must have pierced the skin. Ghirahim laughed, kicking the broken appendage and various other parts of Link's body.
Link screamed until his voice cracked into sobs, tears streaming down his face to mix with the blood dripping from other various cuts from skidding across the stone floor. He was beyond any thought other than the pain inhis legs, and every inch of his body. Ghirahim smiled, reveling in the pain he had caused the Goddess' chosen one.
Ghirahim stooped down long, grabbing the young boy by the collar of his tunic. The man lifted him off the ground, bringing him up to eye level.
"How weak you are…" Ghirahim smirked. "I hate to break a promise, seeing as I am a bit superstitious about these things…" Ghirahim bumped Link's broken leg purposely, bringing another cry Link. "But perhaps I should just put you out of your misery."
Link sobbed. He had never felt pain like this in his life, never imagined the hopelessness and fear he was feeling now was even possible. He thought he could handle himself; how wrong he had been.
"It shouldn't be too hard catch up to the girl. I'll reach her quickly. And I assure you, boy, her death will be much more painful than yours."
From some deep part of Link, some part that hadn't been consumed with pain or fear, anger rose once more, and with a snarl, Link brought his left arm out of it's sling and slugged Ghirahim hard across the face.
Ghirahim dropped the boy and stumbled back, his hand going up to his right cheek. Link fell to the floor and laid still, his energy fully spent.
Ghirahim wiped the spit from the corner of his mouth, staring at the boy in mild amusement. "Well… you put up more of a fight than I would have thought possible out of such a soft boy. But don't clap for yourself quite yet. Your luck is the only reason you still live."
Link squeezed his eyes shut, tears trickling to a halt, waiting for the final blow to fall. But instead, he heard Ghirahim take few steps back. "I fear I've spent far too much time teasing and toying with you." Link peeked through his half-closed lids, seeing that the demon lord wasn't even looking at him. "The girl's presence has all but faded from this place, which means there's no reason to linger here." Ghirahim turned back towards Link, striding forward until he stood towering above him.
"Good-bye, sky child. Run and play this time. Get in my way again though, and you're dead." And with a great flourish of his arm, he dissolved into diamonds.
The room instantly lightened, revealing both the ceiling and the beautiful gold and green walls. Link still lay on the floor, just breathing. His chests felt tight, and it was harder to breath than usual. Every part of him hurt, even his throat, horse from his screams. His tears were spent, his courage was spent, he was done. For some time, Link lay on the floor, trying to regain his self-control.
After a while, Link shakily pushed himself up, wincing and groaning all the way. Slowly and painfully, Link looked around the room. Ghirahim had left him pretty close to his sword, which lay only a few feet away. Link vaguely wonder if Fi had seen him take the brutal beating.
Link looked down to survey himself and nearly retched. His leg was bent at a strange angle, and throw a small hole in his leggings he could see Just the tip of a bone poking through his calf. Using his right arm, despite the pain he felt when he moved his wrist, he untied the sling from his shoulder as best as he could. Using both free arms, Link slowly tied the sling around his bloodied leg, crying out as he tightened the make-shift bandage.
Once finished, Link lay back down on the ground, unsure of what to do. He couldn't walk on his leg, and his sword was too far away to reach with his arms. So he did the only thing he could think of.
"Fuhai," Link called out weakly. It hurt too much to move his jaw properly. He prayed the sword spirit would understand him. "Fuhai."
A tinkling Link had never been so glad to hear echoed around the room. Link turned his head to his left to see Fi floating just above the blade of the sword.
"You called me, Master?"
"Huhellpuh…" Link murmured, nodding towards his leg.
Fi's attention turned to his wounds. "Master, my sensors indicate that you injuries are very serious. I have temporary healing software installed. It can be used to dull intense pain until medical attention can be found. Would you like me to utilize it?"
Link nodded weakly, closing his eyes once more. He didn't watching what Fi did, but he slowly began to feel a light warmth spreading from his core to the rest of his body, slowly but surely numbing every ache and pain. Link let his mind wander back to Ghirahim's last words. "Her presence has all but faded from this place…' has she left? Where did she go? Or was he just lying?'
"The process is complete, master." Link reopened his eyes to see Fi hovering close to him. He tested his body: although he still couldn't move his jaw, leg, or wrist, he could no longer feel the pain. He gave what he hoped was a grateful smile, but he wasn't sure what it looked like with his bloodied and broken face. "I suggest that you proceed as quickly as possible to Zelda's last known location." With a light tinkle, back into the blade Fi went.
Link took a deep breath, knowing it was time to move. Using his left arm and leg, he pushed himself up into and awkward crawling position and worked his way towards his sword. A few moments later, he was able to grab the hilt with his left hand. He planted the tip of the sword firmly in the crack between two of the stone tiles and used it to push himself onto his feet. Using the Goddess Sword as a sort of crutch, Link tried to take a step. His right leg gave out under him, and he slammed back into the stone floor. 'Looks like I'm hopping, then.'
Many trips and falls later, Link stood (on one leg) before the door. The symbol of a Loftwing glowed in the center, surrounded by markings which seemed to resemble the Hylian alphabet. Link stared at them for a moment, trying to recognize any letters or words, but couldn't decipher the ancient text. He had never paid too close attention to the few ancient history lessons he'd had in school, but he didn't feel too bad. He figured that whatever was written on the door couldn't be too important or helpful to his current situation. Link glanced down at his leg. The bandage had managed to stop the bleeding, but there was a slight bulge where his bone must be poking up. Link grimaced and looked away. He'd never done too well with serious injuries.
The markings on the door continued to glow steadily, as if waiting for Link to do something. The teen looked at the door wearily. Was Zelda really back there this time? Or would there just be more monsters to fight? And what about what Ghirahim had said? Could she really have just left?
Link absentmindedly brushed his right hand over the door, feeling it's smooth, cool metal surface. Suddenly, the markings glowed brighter than ever, and then faded, taking the door along with them.
Link blinked in surprise. Although he supposed he shouldn't be surprised at all; this had to have happened a few times now. Link peered through the door frame, and to his great dismay, saw a staircase.
Link groaned in despair. Nothing could be easy on the Surface, could it? If Zelda was really gone, was it worth trying to climb all of those stairs and risking more injuries?
But she might still be there; there was always a chance, however slim. Link couldn't stop if there was a chance that she was still up there, waiting for him before they could return to Skyloft. Maybe these stairs were the final part of his journey; after he found her, they could both go home. Ghirahim could send all the tornadoes he wanted, but they'd be more careful. Then they wouldn't have to worry about this world below. That would be nice.
And so, Link began his slow way up the stairs.
An hour or so later, Link carefully hopped his way through another golden archway. He stood on a stone path, framed on either side by large stone columns with ornate torches, which crackled and popped merrily, unaffected by the cool breeze blowing on Link's dirty, sweaty face.
He looked up, and squinted. Sunlight. Real, honest-to-the-goddess sunlight. On either side, crystal blue waterfalls poured over high cliff sides into small streams. Link laughed with relief. Outside at last.
Up ahead Link could see another small staircase, but that didn't matter. Zelda HAD to be here. She never would have left this place, she liked swimming too much. Ghirahim must have sensed wrong. With that in mind, Link hopped forward eagerly, throwing caution to the wind as he hopped up the last set of stairs, falling on his butt once or twice. Finally, he reached the top.
The sheer cliff sides opened up into a flat, circular valley. Trees grew thickly along the edges of the cliffs, making it impossible to see into the surrounding woods. Waterfalls poured down into this small valley, filling it with the crystalline water to at least knee-height. Rising out of the pool were four stone platforms, on the last of which there was an altar to the Goddess. Link looked around, amazed by the beauty and calm of the place. All around him were tiny creatures, tweeting and chirping, of all different colors. They looked like tiny Loftwings. But as the novelty wore off, Link realized that he was alone.
Zelda wasn't here after all.
Link sunk down to the ground, his fatigue catching up with him. He'd failed. He'd been stung, bruised, half-starved, and brutally beaten, and what did he have to show for it? Nothing.
"Master."
Link looked up, seeing that Fi had appeared before him. He met her eyes tiredly, letting her know that he was listening.
"There is a crystal on the alter which can be activated by the energy from a Skyward Strike. I calculate a high probability that it will reveal a clue as to Zelda's whereabouts."
Link looked towards the alter, and sure enough, there was a dull gray statue of a Loftwing sitting there, much like the one he had activated under the Goddess Statue in Skyloft. Of course, the only way to get within striking distance would be to hop across the platforms, but Fi seemed to be disregarding that he couldn't do that on one leg.
Link nodded to show he understood, and Fi disappeared back into the blade at his side. Link examined his blade for a moment. Although he had been abusing it as a staff for the past hour, it seemed no worse for wear. On the contrary, it looked even sharper.
Link's attention turned back to the altar. How was he to get across the platforms? His whole life seemed to be turning into one problem after another, and it was doing nothing to help his mood. His eyes drifted down to the cool water below him. If he could manage to get off the platform on which he currently sat, he could float himself painlessly over to the last platform and try to pull himself up.
Link sheathed his sword and rolled off the edge of platform, sighing with relief as the cool water washed over his dirty body. He sipped some of the clean water, the first he'd had since finishing off his jar halfway through the temple. Link reached the platform all too soon, and with his left arm, began the struggle of pulling himself up. He pulled himself high enough to get his right elbow over the edge, and with two arms to do the work, he was quickly up and out of the water.
Sopping wet, Link struggled to stand up on his left foot. He faced the altar, looking at the statue of Hylia with some annoyance. In a way, this was her fault too. Why him and Zelda? They didn't deserve to be put through this.
Careful to maintain his balance, Link drew the Goddess Sword and held it above his head. He was sure he looked completely ridiculous, stand on one foot dripping wet and holding his sword above his head. He felt the power charged through his blade and down his arm, and quickly brought it down into a vertical slice, launching the light forward in a wave.
Much like it did under the Goddess Statue, the Loftwing symbol burst into life, spinning with the force of the blast. As it slowed to a stop, it tinkled with unseen little bells, and shinned a brilliant, golden light. Suddenly, music filled the air around him. It was simple and quiet, but it touched him. Against his will, his lips curled up into a small smile.
Fi flew out from the blade in his hand, resting just above the water in beside the altar. The water rippled around the tips of her toes, as if she created some unseen breeze. Seeing her standing there, next to the ancient structure with the music, felt right.
"Master, I have a message written in the language of the gods of old. Allow me to translate for you." Too Link's surprise, Fi slide her right leg out and bent down, then with a hit of the unseen music, leaped into the air, spinning above the water. She was dancing. "From the edge of time I guide you, the one chosen to carry out the goddess's mission." She landed, skating across the top of the water as though it were glass. "The spirit maiden who descended from the clouds must travel to two sacred places to purify her body." She skated around the spring, the water beneath her glowing golden with unseen light. Link watched her, amazed. He had found her strange and unnatural, but here, in this spring, it was nearly impossible to imagine the place without the sword spirit.
"You stand in one of these places: Skyview Spring. The other is known as the Earth Spring." Fi circled the alter once more before stopping just in front of the Loftwing symbol, bringing her left leg up into a pirouette, her wings raised above her head, and spun, propelled by some invisible force as the music carried on. "This second spring is hidden away deep within the scorched earth of Eldin. The spirit maiden, ever mindful of the heavy task entrusted to her, has set out for this second sacred place." As Fi spun, a glowing circle of light appeared in the hand of the goddess statue. Fi launched off once more, and the light flew down, as if attached to the spirit's wings by strings, and stopped to float just in front of Link.
It was another piece of weathered stone, much like the one he had seen beneath the goddess statue, yet this one was embedded with a ruby, red as fire. Looked at it for a moment, but before he could touch it, it flew away, disappearing behind him. Link turned on his one foot, seeing that Fi had come to stop on the water behind him. Link realized that the music too, had stopped. The message was over.
Link looked at Fi, and Fi at him. The sword spirit tilted her head ever so slightly, considering the teen before her. Link wondered what she saw. And suddenly, he cared what she saw. Something passed between them, and Link realized, it was his trust. For whatever reason, he trusted this spirit who had turned his life upside down.
She floated up out of the water and closer to him. "Master, as I just translated, it would appear that Zelda purified herself in the waters of this spring." And just like that, the moment had passed.
The message began to sink in. The journey wasn't. He had to go to another spring, and if it was protected in the same way, another temple full of beasts. Link looked towards his injuries. The numbness Fi had given him after the battle was slowly but surely leaving.
"I calculate a 97% chance that she has already set out for Eldin, where another great spring exists. However, it is not clear what method of travel Zelda used to move from here to her next destination."
That was true. How had she gotten out without using the door? Link glanced at the surrounding walls. They were sheer, not a foothold in sight. She couldn't have climbed out, and Link was positive that she hadn't walked through the room while he was battling Ghirahim. "How do we get there?" Link said, slightly garbled. With his jaw still numb, he could move it without pain, although it's movements were still limited.
"My analysis suggests you should take the tablet to the altar in Skyloft. Doing so will likely open a new column of light on the surface, allowing you to descend to another area and continue your search for Zelda."
Link went to ask how returning to Skyloft was possible if his Loftwing couldn't descend beneath the clouds, but Fi seemed to have anticipated his question. "The bird statue outside can take us back up."
Outside?! There was no way Link could walk through the temple again with his injuries. But again, Fi anticipated his trepidations. "If you are able to reach a bird statue within he temple, I can use it to bring you outside. This has always been an option."
And so, another hour of stairs later, Link found himself in front of the temple. By this time, Link's injuries were sore, and his leg was beginning to throb. The numbness was fading more quickly, and Link winced from the pain. He needed to get back into the sky, and soon. He would sneak into town, grab a potion from his room, take the tablet to the altar, and get out without having to see or worry anyone. If he was caught, then there was no doubt in his mind he would be made to stay until he was healed. But he couldn't risk spending time up there when Zelda could be in danger down below. He needed to catch up to her. Because maybe if he did, he could convince his friend to forget their duties and get her to come back to Skyloft. Let this world go, and they can live in peace up above.
Link hopped over to the bird statue stationed outside of the temple. Just as he was about to send a prayer to return home, a small, squeaky voice stopped him. "Hey!" Link turned to see a kKikwi waddling over to him. "It's me, kwee!" The small creature waddled to a stop in front of him. "Did you find the girl?"
Link stared at the little Kikwi, feeling guilt rise up in his chest. He had, for a moment, forgotten the sweet, innocent Kikwis, and the kindness of Gorko. Realizing he needed to answer the Kikwi's question, he shook his head no. "Oh. That's too bad." The Kikwi bent his head in sadness, sadness for Link's plight. How could he have been so selfish?
"It's ok." Link said. The Kikwi didn't seem to notice Link's injuries, but brightened upon hearing the teen speak.
"I'm so glad I've finally been reunited with all my Kikwi friends. It's all thanks to you, koo-weep!" Link smiled. He had been able to help someone, at least. He'd helped these innocent little creatures. "With any luck, hopefully you'll find that girl you've been searching for real soon, koro-koo!" Link nodded. "Take care, ok?" The little Kikwi waved and waddled away, and Link wondered which one it had been. It didn't matter. The thank you felt good.
"Ack!" Link coughed hard, putting more weight on the sword he was once again using as a staff. His leg hurt badly, and he could feel warmth spreading from his leg. He was bleeding again. His chest was feeling tight, and he could taste blood in his mouth.
Link turned to the statue once more and bent his head in prayer. He needed to get a potion, and fast. He prayed to return to the world above, and when he looked, he saw the statue glowing brightly. Around him, he could feel the wind picking up, twisting around him.
Link's heart sank. Oh no.
Quick as he could with his left arm, which was once more beginning to ooze puss and throb, Link sheathed his sword and pulled out the sailcloth Zelda had made him. Careful to avoid getting blood on it, he tied it around his injured wrist. He grunted as he pulled it tight. This was going to hurt badly.
No sooner had h gotten a good grip on the other end of the sailcloth with his left hand did the wind turn into a full-force cyclone, jerking him upwards quickly.
Link screamed in pain as his broken wrist was jerked heavily. His left leg was unbearable, and his chest felt tight once again. His jaw throbbed, as did all his other bruises and cuts.
He felt the cyclone leave him, and he felt himself begin to tumble down. He let go of his sailcloth as blackness began to eat at the edges of his vision. With the last of his strength, he brought his left arm to his mouth and whistled. With one last groan, he passed out.
Pipit sat in the Goddess Statue's courtyard, thinking. Behind him, Link's red Loftwing sat eating the food the knight had brought him.
On the first night of Link's absence, Pipit had been praying before the Goddess's Statue for Link's safe return. The blonde had been gone for an entire day, and Zelda had been gone for two. But Pipit didn't lose hope. He prayed for the safety of his friends, hoping that they and their Loftwings were safe.
As he had finished his prayer, Pipit looked up into the night sky, and saw a brilliant red bird.
Link's bird.
Pipit stood, stunned, and then laughed. Link had returned! But as the bird drew closer, Pipit had felt his stomach twist. The saddle had been empty. And there was no sign of Link.
Pipit had kept this a secret, keeping the courtyard locked to all but himself. If word got out that Link's bird had returned without him, then all hope would fail. A Loftwing landed for only a few reasons: on its rider's command, to seek food or medical attention, or if it simply could not find it's rider. Since the bird was evidently fine, itmeant Link was gone.
Pipit took of his hat and ran his hands through his hair. The young knight didn't know why he refrained from telling the others; maybe because it would make the fact that Link, sweet little Link, was really gone.
Or was it that whenever he imagined doing so, all he could see was Karane's face twisted into tears, tears he would have caused? No, that couldn't be it; Pipit didn't let feelings get in the way of civic duty.
So on that day, Pipit sat and thought. It was past noon, marking three nights since Zelda had been lost and two nights since Link had left. When the sound of the bird's eating ceased, Pipit stood to take the bowl and head back to the academy.
But when Pipit looked at the bowl, it was still half-full.
The red Loftwing stretched to its full height and sat completely still, as if listening. It's eyes widened, and with a loud cry, it spread its wings. Pipit jumped back out of the way as the Loftwing took off, and quick as lightening, flew south towards the plaza.
Pipit watched it for a moment, stunned, before leaping into action. That could only mean one thing.
Pipit raced out through the gates of the courtyard and onto the bridge. Could it really be? Pipit tried not to let himself hope, but why would the bird take off so suddenly otherwise? It had to be. It had to be him.
Pipit reached the end of the bridge, eyes focused on the sky ahead of him. Before he could go any further, he ran into something hard. Pipit fell to the ground, stunned at the sudden impact.
"Ow! What the... Pipit?" Pipit looked up to see the Karane sat on the ground in front of him. Her eyes were red, and she sniffed. She had obviously been crying. Pipit scrambled to his feet, mumbling a quick sorry. Karane rose to her feet as well, finally noticing the strange expression on Pipit's face. "What? What is it?"
Pipit's eyes roved the skies once more, and he moved around Karane and through the gate to the Bazaar while answering. "Link," he breathed, and took of running once more. It took only a second for Karane to run after him.
They blew past Parrow, who was standing in front of the Bazaar tents, nearly knocking him over. He called after them, but neither listened. They raced down the steps and onto the cool stones of the plaza, finally coming to a stop. Pipit and Karane searched the sky desperately as they gasped for air, looking for the tell-tale signs of a red speck among the clear blue. A few moments passed, and nothing happened. "Are you sure?" Karane asked breathlessly. "How do you-"
"THERE!" Pipit shouted, pointing slightly to the east where a small red dot could be seen fast approaching.
Parrow jogged up behind them. "What's all the rush about? You two nearly... Hey, is that Link? I thought he was resting in his room..."
"LINK! He's back, I can't believe it!" Karane laughed, waving her arms. The Loftwing flew closer, and they could begin to make out the figure of Link on the saddle. "That's him! That's his green tunic! LINK!"
"Back? From where? What's going on?" Parrow asked, but the knights ignored him, too overjoyed to see their friend returning safely to worry about the false information the villagers had been given.
Pipit and Karane continued to laugh and wave there arms, but something caught Karane's eye. Another speck ofred, falling off the Lofting. "What was that?" Karane pointed as another flash fell. "Are those feathers?"
"Somethings wrong." Pipit's demeanor changed instantly, his face growing pale. "He's not sitting up."
"What?" Karane felt the blood drain from her face. No. it couldn't be. Was the red dripping from the bird... blood?
"He's slumped over, he's not moving!" Pipit ran to the edge of the plaza as the bird drew closer. Karane eyes drifted back up. It was true. He wasn't moving.
"What happened? Why is Link hurt?!" Parrow shouted, eyes flicking between the knights and Link.
"Parrow! Go get Instructor Owlan, now!" Pipit shouted. Parrow took one last glance at the approaching Loftwing and took off running towards the academy.
Karane couldn't move. She was frozen as she watched the Loftwing grow closer. Pipit waved it in, but Karane had eyes only for her friend. Link's hair, usually a pretty gold, was matted with dirt, sweat, and blood. His face was swollen and bruised, blood drying on his cheeks. His tunic was wet and soiled, and his legs... Karane let out a tiny shriek. His right leg was covered in blood, that's what she had seen dripping down into the clouds below.
"Oh, Goddess, no…" Karane sobbed. Emotionless, Pipit pulled Link off the Loftwing as a crowd began to form around the plaza.
"I heard yelling, what's wrong?"
"Is that blood?"
"Link! By the Goddess, that's Link!"
"Move!" shouted Pipit, plowing through the crowd and running as fast as he could back to the academy. As Link's blood began to run down his tunic, there was only one thought that repeated in his mind.
'I won't let this happen again.'
A/N: So, a bit of a twist as to how the fight went, huh? Not what you were expecting? There will be more minor changes like this. Please give me some feedback on the chapter, as I had a lot of trouble writing the battle scene.
And I apologize once again for my extreme lateness with this post. When school started up, I had way less time than I thought I would. This chapter has been sitting half-finished since early September. I finally had a free weekend, so I completed it. I don't think I'll have time to really write again until Thanksgiving weekend, that's how much homework I have this year. It's scary. In addition to all of that, I got into D Gray Man, which consumed what little free time I had, as well as drawing a fullmetal alchemist brotherhood poster for my cousin's 16th birthday.
If you want to know the music that i described to be playing to the cutscene, go watch the cutscene. I felt that was pretty important to the scene. And tell me what you thought about the moment between Fi and Link, as it was more spur-of-the-moment. I was writing that part, and I got to the end, and I just felt like that was the moment when Link trusts her. I had been struggling with when he should start to fully trust Fi and stop blaming her, and it just came in that moment, for no particular reason.
Again, thanks to Tetraninja for his walkthrough, and xXDeathIsAPromiseXx for her editting skills.
xXDeathIsAPromiseXx : Oh, yeah! The sexy tongue action we were all waiting for ;)