A/N: Im back with more Sykward Sword Bullshit. Heavily inspired by the Skyward Sword Manga found in the back of the Hyrule Historia. A lot of the dialogue is taken from there (and adjusted, oops).
He fell into his Loftwing like rain destined for the ground. At least, that's what it had felt like, all those years ago.
He'd been a child, Link. Born on Skyloft like everyone else, and destined to die there too. It wasn't a terrible existence, of course. He had friends and family. Every day was an adventure.
But there wasn't anywhere to go.
Skyloft was a finite place with clearly defined edges. All it took was twenty minutes to cross from one end to the other, and that was at a leisurely strolled pace. Link's entire existence was carefully confined to a floating rock and the scant few islands in the sky beyond.
He would look to the cloudline below and the other kids would laugh. Except for Zelda. Never her. She would sit beside him at the edge of the sky docks, their legs hanging over and knees knocking as they kicked their feet.
Observing the edge of their world and wondering what could possibly be beyond.
Link would look to the sky as well, waiting for the day that he would get a Loftwing to call his own. A right of passage, the Knight Academy. Generations of youths had passed through those halls; it was natural he'd find himself there too.
He and Zelda concocted wild ideas of what they do the moment they had access to the sky, a daily ritual.
One day, Link was watching puffed white clouds roam the azure expanse when he saw it. The Crimson Loftwing, gliding high through the sky on wings spread wide. Like a beacon, almost. Link couldn't stop staring.
"Link, what is it?" asked Zelda. Then her gaze followed, she saw and she gasped, her hands finding her mouth as she watched in wonder. The scarlet color was nearly unheard of, a rare and wild treat.
Link felt the type of wanderlust that no child so young should recognize. "How nice it must be," he murmured to Zelda, his eyes still trained above them, "to fly through the great blue sky, free like that."
"Truly," agreed Zelda, a wide grin on her face as she turned back to Link.
"I can't get up there," said Link quietly, watching the Loftwing in awe.
Zelda's expression turned slightly. "Hm?"
"Oh, nothing," said Link, scratching the back of his head as he looked at her. Then he smiled sheepishly. "Just thinking."
Zelda laughed and then reached out to push at him. "Last one to the Goddess Statue is a rotten egg!" And then she was gone, turned on her heel, and running away before Link could say anything.
He hesitated though, staying behind for a brief moment to look above once more. Wishing that he could grow wings and fly high among the stars. It was an indescribable yearning, the feeling of a deeper purpose.
I wonder, he thought. Why do I feel like this when I look up at the bird?
Link saw the Loftwing again, later. Once, twice, even a third time. Gliding through the air high as it circled around and watched the world below.
"I wonder what it wants," said Zelda.
"I wonder too," said Link.
The Crimson Loftwing was a secretive thing that kept to itself. Rare in its form which is why it drew attention. Everyone in Skyloft wondered what the Loftwing would do.
Link wanted to take to the skies with it.
"I've always found myself looking at the sky," he said to Zelda that day.
"I know." Zelda wasn't judgemental, she was amused. "Head and nose in the clouds so often that it's a wonder you don't walk right off the edge."
Link offered her a wide smile, laughing at that. And Zelda laughed right back, nudging his shoulder. Behind them, Groose shrieked, a high-pitched yelp as he pointed to the sky. Everyone around turned their heads to look.
The Crimson Loftwing was diving towards Skyloft, a clear target in mind. The other children scattered. Adults called and yelled. Even Zelda made herself scarce, hiding behind a statue, peeking out from behind.
Link only stared at the bird, standing on the edge of the island as the Loftwing made its way closer.
Then it landed right next to him, its wings kicking up grass and dirt in a gale. It was massive compared to the small stature of Link, the Loftwing hunched over as it observed the boy.
It was familiar. The Loftwing. Link didn't know how or why, but this felt so utterly familiar that it felt right. Like he'd regained a piece of himself that he'd long lost. He stared in wonder, hands held out as he waited to see what the bird would do.
Hello. I've long awaited this moment.
The Loftwing didn't speak, but that was what it said. Link felt its intent deep in his bones, he somehow understood exactly what the Loftwing's eyes held within their gaze.
Link didn't have a family here on Skyloft. He'd grown up mostly on his own, raised by others. Surrounded by those who loved him, sure, but- it wasn't the same.
But this, whatever this was; it felt like the Loftwing was family come home, and Link was welcoming it back.
Zelda gasped from where she stood as the Loftwing lowered its head, bowing slightly before Link. Her eyes shone and she shook slightly with barely contained excitement.
Link reached out to press a hand to the Loftwing's beak, smooth underneath his fingertips. They watched each other, and Link could just feel what the Loftwing wanted to say.
Though we have been parted by time and distance, I am here now. Together, we will weave a story of destiny that spans eternity.
And then Link smiled.