Chapter 10: Skyless Temple

Thump thump thump... thump thump thump. Oh God when will someone stop that infuriating thumping?! It felt like it was going on for forever and I wanted to drive my head through a concrete wall if that would stop it. Though, the sound was all too familiar, I've heard it before. Thump thump thump. Was that... My heartbeat? Suddenly a surge of electricity filled my body as an assault of air filled my lungs and I coughed up a storm. There was no longer darkness and I slowly gained the ability to see what was around me.

"Oh thank the Gods! Fi she's awake!" Link tapped me slowly in the back as I continued my outrageous coughing fit.

"The likeliness of her surviving without brain damage is a mere 13%. Even if she's still here she may not be able to do basic cognitive functions." Fi replied in her normal obnoxious, sarcastic, empathy lacking, me hating, stupid robot voice.

After a few minutes I could finally breathe normally again and my chest felt like a horse ran over it.

We were no longer in the blood stained room, where I so graciously knocked out, but in the next room, all the enemies were destroyed and I sat above a huge petal. I was in the same clothes as earlier and it latched to my body disgustingly well.

"What happened?"

"Praise the Gods, she's not retarded."

"I'm getting real sick of your shit Fi."

"I'm always here to help."

Link helped me up in a sitting position but I immediately laid back down. He handed me a canteen and I graciously accepted. I noticed that my chain mail and tunic were gone leaving me with just my tank top.

"Well, we found you in the room full of... Anyway you knocked out and I carried you back here then suddenly you stopped breathing and I had to resuscitate you. Thankfully you woke up before any real damage could get to you."

"We don't know that yet Link." Fi chimed in, "Hey Andromeda say 'Peter Piper picked a peck of picked peppers' but you have to do it real fast okay? Nod if you understand me."

I grunted as I failed to sit back up, "You're lucky I can't move or I'd murder your smurf ass."

"Link she's making up words now."

"Can someone shut her up before I go into cardiac arrest?"

"The odds of a person having a heart attack after just stabilizing is a low 1-9%"

Link finally shut her up by putting her back into the sword and then passed me a change of clothes. "I went looking for fairies but I couldn't seem to find any, I only have a potion from the Skyloft Bazaar and that'll take about an hour or hour and a half to kick in. Umm, I'm sorry but I couldn't change your stained clothing but..."

I turned my head to face Link and smiled, "No I understand but I think you might have actually broken one of my ribs. Not that complaining or anything but I'm going to need to help... for now at least." Link positioned the potion so that it was easier to drink. The potion was bitter but bearable to drink and after a few retches I was able to get it all down.

"Now about the clothing..."

Link looked puzzled, "What about it?"

"I really can't stand the unpleasant odor of blood. You want to sit like this for an hour? Plus it's totally platonic, you're in love with Zelda and I need clothes that don't smell like demon blood."

"No offense to you Andromeda but I'm not all that comfortable with this. It might get awkward."

"What exactly are you thinking? I not asking you to ravage me right here but just to wipe off any excess blood."

I don't know if it was my half assed speech or the smell of my clothes but I got Link to finally help me. "Wait here, I found a small fountain in the room next to us." He searched through his bag to find a cloth and settled with a huge handkerchief.

"Thanks Link."

"Anything to help."

"Yeah, while you're doing this we can talk to pass time."

"So where did you get this petal from?"

"I ripped it off a Deku Baba before killing it. I mean it seemed better than the concrete floor."

"How thoughtful. I appreciate it." Link was done ripping the handkerchief I tried to lift my arm but the pain was too much.

"You'll have to cut it off, I mean it's not like you were ever using it anyway." Link said smirking.

"Well aren't you a clever one? I'm glad you can amuse yourself with my pain."

He raised his hands defensively, "I'm trying to lighten the mood like a gentleman."

"Pshht, you're doing this because you know I lack the ability to slap the crap out of you."

"That too. I'll be right back."

"I'll be right here."

Link smiled and made his way to next room. So... Here I was laying on the floor waiting for Link to help me like a damsel in distress so we could continue our 'rescue mission'. Fuck, how did things end up this way? Link returned soon after with the now damp ripped handkerchief. He wiped the blood off my face and neck and made his way to my arms.

"Oh sweet baby Jesus that feels good."

"Maybe I should take you to back to Skyloft to see a doctor. You keep making words up."

"We have more important things than my rampant word imagination. Don't you think?"

Link nodded and I could feel the potion working because it no longer hurt to move my fingers. I was glad I didn't have any nerve damage. My chest and stomach still really hurt and I knew I wouldn't be able to stand until I was completely healed. Link sat in front of me with his knees up.

"So Andromeda, how was your life before all of this?"

I wasn't ready to tell my back story yet, I know I had a lot time but I still haven't made one up yet. I decided to remain close to the truth, "I lived with my mother and brother. My brother was 9 at the time, I think I missed his birthday."

"Why did you come with me if you have a family?"

"Had, they're gone now. I'll never see them again so it doesn't really matter."

Link patted my leg, "I'm sorry to hear that."

"What's your story oh great knight?"

"My father was a locksmith and my mother was a seamstress. They loved each other so much that every night they would come into my room and read me a story about a Hero that would save a fair princess countless times and the princess would fall deeply in love with the Hero... even though he was a peasant. It was a very beautiful tale and I would sleep to it every night but one day there was no story just... yelling and lots of it."

Links expression changed from happy to solemn as he continued his story. "My parents got into a fight and were yelling at each other all night. They were arguing about money and having to take care of me. A new seamstress was stealing all the customers from my mother and my father's business couldn't support us all. After that night they would argue every night and it would last for months, but one time in the middle of their usual argument there was just silence. There was no more fighting and when I finally came out to see what had happened they were both dead and blood was everywhere. Ever since then Gaepora has taken care of me."

"Oh Gods Link, I'm so sorry."

"No need, it was a long time ago. Wow, I don't think I've ever told anyone about then."

"What about Zelda?"

"No, the only person who knows is Gaepora and that's only because when I ran out to get help he was in close range and saw the aftermath. He never asked me what happened but told me to move forward."

"Well your story is safe with me."

"Where did you get that necklace? I don't remember seeing it before."

"Oh. It's my good luck charm. I kept it in my backpack until recently." Luckily my improvisational skills came through.

"If you want to grab some shut eye until you're fully healed, I can stand watch."

"And leave you with no form of entertainment? I'm wounded not cruel."

Link smiled, "So what do you want to talk about next?"

"What do you plan on doing after all this over? I mean other than proposing."

He scratched the back of his head, "I really don't know, I mean I don't have anything planned. When the time comes I'll think of something. Yourself?"

"Since I don't have anything to get back to I'm thinking about making a hut and living out the rest of my days as a hermit."

Link laughed, "No offense but you wouldn't make it a day being a hermit."

"What? I could totally make it a day. When this is all over I'll prove it to you."

"I'll take you up on that."

"I look forward to it."

An hour passed by rather quickly as I was soon blessed with the ability to stand again. I dusted myself off and helped Link up due to his now numb legs. "We should get going and finish the temple so we can get closer to finding Zelda."

Link nodded and started to collect our scattered icons from the floor. I pulled out a black t-shirt from my bag and was disappointed with the lack of pants I had packed.

"Link do you by chance have a spare set of pants one could borrow then clean and return to as soon as possible?"

"Yeah I have a pair of black pants just hold on a second." After a few minutes of rummaging Link handed me a pair of black tights.

" Heh you have got to be kidding me. You wear these? I don't even think I can fit into them how do you squeeze your muscly butt in here? "

"Those are for wearing under my Tunic and armor its very skin tight but it works to help out with all the chafing that goes on. I knew you were checking out my butt as much as you deny it. "

I chuckled, "No way Jose. As far as the chafing goes, some things are better left unsaid or ignored. Luckily I'm taking the high road and choosing the second one. Now let's go save the future Misses Link but first you gotta leave so I can change out of this atrocious clothing, please and thank you."

Link took a step back and turns around but oddly didn't move. "Habla no English? Link you gotta leave so my lady parts can finally breathe."

"No offence to your lady parts but I did say I'm not leaving."

"Perv, you just want to get in on this."

"Wouldn't want to even if I was blessed by the Goddesses themselves."

"Suit yourself."

I turned around and started to change as quick as possible but one can only strip so fast. I was kind of happy that Link was sticking around to protect me. I guess I didn't feel so alone after all. I pulled my boots on and stuffed the dirty clothing inside my bag and prayed that my toothbrush was safe. I tapped Link on the shoulder, "Ready to go Curious George?"

"Honestly I have no idea where you come up with these absurd phrases from but you have got to teach me some."

"Ain't no thang but a chicken wang."

"There you go again."

We walked through the door to the next room and it was quite empty so we easily made it to the next room. We were greeted by a teen Bokoblin with the sword skills of a toddler. After Link easily defeated the Bokoblin I stepped on something like resembled a web. I silently prayed as I looked up and my prayers were ignored as a huge Skulltula was staring right back at me. I elbowed Link, "Link we may have a teensy problem. There's a huge man eating spider heading our way right now. On the bright side I think it'll be a quick and painless death."

With an impressive vertical slice Link managed to destroy the Skulltula and we moved on. "I don't know how you cope with being such a badass, I mean if I were you I'd be getting so much tail. I don't how you've kept your monogamous crush on Zelda for so long. I mean I've known scumbags not even close to your level having the time of their lives with the ladies."

"Sorry to disappoint but I'm not so interested in getting all that 'tail'."

"Well that's what makes you a unique specimen Link... "

Link grabbed my hand before I entered the room. "I have a bad feeling about this room. I want you to stay here before I give you the clear."

"No way Jose. We are a team, If there's danger we go in together and we come out together."

"I enjoy your enthusiasm but I can't put you in unnecessary danger. I won't."

"Well I'm not weak, okay? I can handle myself. Face it, I'm stubborn and you know it."

Link sighed and scratched his head, "Alright but just keep to the walls okay and stay out of the way. Just know that I must rather you stay here."

"Let's do this!"

"You never cease to amaze me."

"Good I wouldn't want to bore you to death."

We entered the next room but we're greatly disappointed when there was absolutely nothing waiting for us. The floor had a spiral design that met at the center and there seemed to be no they exit, there were blue columns that reached to the ceiling with had the same pattern as the floor. "Why call it the Skyview Temple when we can barely even see the sky?!" Before we knew it the door shut behind us with magic bars covering the door and both Link and I looked back in reflex.

"Oh fuck this can't be good." The ground shook in reply as a Stalfos emerged in front of us and I was frozen with fear. His bones were floating but we're somehow holding him together despite the lack of contact. It's armor was decayed and barely hung to its bones but it's sword was gold and six feet in length, I have no idea how it could see with a helmet that covered it's whole skull. Technically it shouldn't even be able to see due to the fact that it didn't even have eyes! Well I guess that's Nintendo logic for you, I was lost in my thought bandit quickly snapped out of it when the Stalfos growled and lunged straight for Link. Luckily our hero did a fancy block and jumped away.

"Fi jumped out of the sword and floated toward me, "I can feel Masters resilience to the evil around him depleting quickly. He needs rest and I just thought you should know. Just so you know this doesn't at all mean that I trust you let alone tolerate you but I doubt he'll listen to me." Without another word she ran back into her sword and I watched the remaining fight. The Stalfos was missing an arm and was slowing down but sadly so was Link.

"Link stay strong! Kick his bony butt!"

Watching Link was like watching an amazing orchestra playing, he was in his element everything he did was for a reason and I could tell that it took a strain on him. This was probably because he has yet to acquire the Triforce yet. I felt for Link, I could see the beads of sweat forming on his face as his finished off the Stalfos with, my personal favorite, the jumping finishing blow.

"Good job Link! You look like you need rest though so you should get some rest."

Link dropped his sword and landed on his knees and I caught him before he slammed his face into the ground. "Yeah a quick nap… wouldn't hurt, I just feel so drained."

"I'll keep watch so don't be afraid to catch some zz's."

"Wake me up… if you're in trouble."

"Don't I always?" Link smiled as he faded into a deep sleep and I rummaged through our backpacks to find our sleeping bags and before I could successfully pull out Link's sleeping bag a dagger fell out. "I guess a little personal protection wouldn't hurt so I guess I'll just hold on to this for now. Just throwing my intentions out there." I laid the sleeping bag beside Link and rolled him inside, I pulled the sheath off him before enclosing him in the cocoon of warmth.

"I know you've been dying to come out so go ahead." Soon enough Fi emerged from Link's sword and floated with her arms crossed. "I don't trust you."

"I don't think I've given you a reason to but I think we should try to get along for Link's sake."

"You don't get do you? I'm the Skyward Sword, I was sent by the Goddesses to help protect the chosen hero and I wasn't informed about you and I'm informed about everything."

"Well how do you I wasn't sent by the Goddesses? I mean it's a possibility."

Fi shook her head, "The Goddesses would have told me or at least warned me. Whatever you have planned I will stop it and I will turn Link against you. I won't ever trust you."

"Tsk tsk, you are quick to judge. Listen I wasn't exactly planning to come and join you all but nevertheless I'm involved so you'll just have to get used to it Smurfette." She glared at me for a few minutes then returned to her sword without another word.

"What no goodbye? You are one rude sword." I turned my attention back at Link and he seemed quite peaceful until he started to fidget with a disgusted expression stuck on his face. He started to kick and punch within the sleeping bag causing it to rip a little bit and my amulet started to shine brightly. I pulled it off and placed it on Link's neck and he stopped immediately. I sighed and fixed his now messy hair and started to sing an old lullaby my mother used to sing to me asleep.

"My sweet little girl

My divine growing pearl

The world may take you by storm

And on that day… you will transform

But know that you'll always be… my lovely little girl."

I heard clapping coming from behind me and I pointed the dagger to whoever was there but I failed to see anyone. I stood up and took a few steps forward but I still couldn't identify anyone. Frustrated I turned back to Link but my right hand was pulled and twisted behind me causing me to drop the dagger. I was forced to turn back around and I stood face to face with Ghirahim. His hair was white as snow and all his hair was on the right side on his face and was cut to his chin. He was wearing a huge cape that covered the rest of his body but his eyes were dead and black with dark purple eyeliner three centimeters thick.

"My master sends his greetings Andromeda, just a word of advice you really shouldn't have given your amulet up. I knew just a few nightmares for your boy toy and you would run to protect him." His voice was surprisingly deep and despite my constant effort to shake him off his grasp was tight.

"I'll make this quick, I know you a lot more than you let on so I'm just going to spit this out, my master know how this ends and we're going to change it and you're going to help us and in return we won't kill your boyfriend here. Every time your boyfriends sleeps he'll experience the worst nightmares one can imagine and the only way he'll be able to go to sleep is with your amulet there and I will visit you every time. You have 5 days to tell us where to find the girl or I'll kill him while he slumbers. Master knows that you're no opponent and he seems to let his guard down enough around you to let you keep watch so I'll be seeing you very soon.

"You're not going to break me Ghirahim." He pushed and then slapped me.

"That's LORD GHIRAHIM to you human. You have 5 days to the minute. I'll be seeing you both really soon." Without another word he disappeared leaving only the dagger. I grabbed the dagger and sat really close to Link.

"Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit, oh shit, oh shit… Fuck."

Hey guys! It's been like two weeks and then some but I tried to bring a longer chapter! Wow this one was a doosey to write there was just a lot to write. :D Please try to ignore all the bad grammar and such, myself and auto correct can only do so much :s. Enjoy and I will see you all very soon! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! ~Dar.