Retrieving a flower wasn't difficult work. As Link had said, there weren't many to choose from. There were a couple on the cacti and a few small pathetic shrubs with barely noticeable once, but there was one sort of bright pink flower that stood out. They thought it was safe to assume that was the one, and Fi confirmed that it was indeed.
They returned to the sky only an hour before night started to fall and hurried to take the flower to Gondo. The man was ecstatic over the thought of getting Scrapper up and running, and immediately got to work.
Unfortunately, no matter how quickly Gondo got it done, the pair likely wouldn't have had time to get back to the surface with the robot, so they agreed they'd start fresh in the morning.
They once again decided to stay together, just to avoid any panic from either side. Though they still didn't sleep easy together, they both felt they were much safer with another person around.
They woke early specifically to get to the bazaar the moment it opened. Something told Tya that Gondo would have been working on Scrapper all night until he was fixed. He was much too excited to let the project wait until the next day, in her mind.
Just as she'd suspected, Gondo had him up and running and was particularly excited about it. Understandably so, given the fact that no one seemed to believe it was even real.
"Who is this green-clad individual of small stature?" The robot flew his way out with the help of a propeller on his head.
"This is the kid that gave me the materials I needed to fix you. Go on! Say thank you!" Gondo excitedly motioned to Link.
"…Are you sure it was him?" Somehow the robot seemed to be in disbelief that it could be helped by Link of all people. When Gondo nodded and Link smiled, it simply continued with "Well then, I extend my reluctant thanks to you in a gesture of obligatory gratitude." Then what continued were a couple small zapping sounds Tya just expected from a robotic being.
"Heyyy now! Watch it! That's no way to talk to someone who just saved your life!" He sighed, then shook his head. "Anyway, these kids want you to haul some stuff around, and you're going to help them!" It wasn't until then that the being seemed to notice Tya. It shifted a bit to study her, then redirected back to Link.
"This individual may have restored my operations, but I am not inclined to offer assistance. Serving children is low in my task priority."
Tya arched a brow, leaning forward a bit. "What about for me?"
The robot seemed to shift from her to Link before turning away entirely.
She drew back, brow furrowing this time. "Did we just get unreasonably snubbed by a robot?"
"I th-think we d-did."
As they both stood, trying to come to terms with the sudden hatred, Fi appeared before them.
"Master, you should consider preparing another mode of transportation. It will not be possible to carry the item in your pouch and return to the sky."
Link had begun to respond to Fi when the robot rushed back over to them. Somehow, despite its face being metal, it managed to have a look of awe toward the spirit.
"Who are you?!" A fluttery little buzzing sound left it.
The Sword Spirit turned to face Scrapper when he spoke to her. "I am Fi."
"Your name is Fi?" Another little buzz. "Should I call you Mistress Fi? Are you looking for something, Mistress Fi?"
"I am searching for the Windmill's propeller." Fi said.
Scrapper looked to Link, then to Fi. He seemed to put together that they were working together, but regardless he answered with "I understand. At your request, I will carry anything regardless of weight or destination."
Her expression remained unchanged, but somehow Fi seemed confused. Finally she just turned to link, and with her same deadpan execution, she said "….Master, we now have a means to bring the propeller back to Skyloft. You may immediately begin your search for the Windmill Propeller." With that, Fi returned to the sword once again.
"Master Shortpants! I offer assistance. I can now detect Mistress Fi's thought waves! Should you need me, ask Mistress Fi to call me, and I will arrive with haste."
Link nodded hesitantly, seemingly confused though Tya couldn't tell if it was because of the sudden change in demeanor with Scrapper, or the new nickname he apparently had. Perhaps it was both.
They turned and made their way to the green beam of light, preparing for an uneventful day. Not that they knew it was uneventful to start with. Just that they descended into the woods only to find that they were unable to find anything about the propeller through the dowsing. They decided to at least look around a little, thinking of the correlation between where it would have fallen from in Skyloft compared to the woods. Evidently they were no good at assuming, because they went home empty handed.
They figured they may as well check the second closest place—Eldin.
They went to the top, figuring they'd check from the top down. Descending was much easier on Link. Because of this decision, they were able to come across the propeller much sooner than they would have otherwise. It had somehow fallen to the summit of the volcano, near the temple's doors.
Tya couldn't really make sense of why it had landed there of all places, but she didn't think too much on it. At least they found it.
They returned home, and handed the propeller over to Jakamar with Scrapper's help. Though they had wasted time in the woods that morning, they'd fortunately woken early enough to allow mistakes. Meaning Jakamar was able to fix the propeller and they were able to shift the windmill before night fell.
Moving the windmills in the right way allowed a small little part of the Light Tower to rise from it. If it wasn't already dark, Tya would have been concerned about calling too much attention to them. Despite the noise it made, though, no one seemed overly concerned about it. A few people peeked out and looked around, and the Sky Knights seemed to be searching for something, but no one seemed to really notice the new addition to the Light Tower.
They climbed up the ladders provided on the tower until they got to the top.
They assumed the harp would be needed there, but after playing nothing seemed to happen. A few attempts with other tools and a bit of looking around provided them with next to nothing.
Given the fact that it was called the light tower though, the pair assumed it may be better to attempt such a thing during the day. Again, they retired to Tya's home.
Showered, fed, and then the two went to bed as they had the past two nights. They woke early again, and immediately set out to the Tower again.
The daylight allowed a beam to shoot through a surface above them, and it aimed away from a glass surface at their side. This time, the harp actually triggered something. The harp and Fi's song made the platform move, letting the light shine through to the glass. The glass let the light form a perfect beam toward something the townspeople called the Thunderhead.
They had to fly out to it, and once inside they flew to the only thing they could see inside. Another tower, which the beam of light shot through to.
They circled it, finding no clear entrance, so they decided to land on an island just outside it.
A stone informed them that it was a puzzle they needed to figure out:
'Rotate the center pedestal to complete the bridge that allows you to step to the great tower on the Isle of Songs.'
The island on which they stood was circular, with tracks and walls. Little pillars moved according to a rotating lever, and would catch themselves on walls if they were left up on a track.
The puzzle was easy enough to figure out, and quite fun if Tya were to be honest about it.
They were allowed to cross and enter through a cramped little hole.
Link drew his sword on instinct then raised it to fill it with light. He used a skyward strike, hitting the crest and allowing it to illuminate the room. Light shown down from above, and a statue of the goddess rose. Fi showed herself then, her attention fixed firmly on the statue.
After a moment, she began to speak "He who seeks the sacred flames, listen well, for I guide you from my place at the edge of time. The sacred flames are three in number. To obtain them, you must also earn relics known as the three sacred gifts. For each trial you overcome, you shall be blessed with one of the gifts... Make use of the power of these gifts, and you will find your way to the purifying sacred flames. Now, I bestow unto you a melody. It will serve you as a key, opening the first trial that awaits you deep in the wilds of Faron Woods."
Then with that, a song began to play throughout the tower. They listened intently to the beautiful melody, but when it began again, Link realized it must have been emimportant/em. He quickly searched for the harp, pulling it out when he found it.
Tya was surprised at how quickly he got a hold of what he was doing. All it took was a bit of strumming to understand what sounds went where, and then he slowly plucked the strings along to the song.
When he matched it, it ended, and they were able to leave.
There was still much of the day left, so they headed out to Faron.
"A report, Master." As they landed and got their bearings, Fi appeared and watched them both. "I have detected the aura of a Trial Gate nearby. If you can pinpoint the origin of this aura using dowsing, I conjecture the song you learned at the Isle of Songs, Farore's Courage, will reveal the gate."
"Dowsing." Link repeated, pulling the sword from its sheath and nodding.
As he started off, using the blade to guide them, Tya quietly asked "What do you think the trials are?"
"I d-dunno. I f-figured like th-the temples. Those were tr-trials, right?"
"From what I understood, yes. So you think they will be like more puzzles?"
He nodded in response, lowering the blade and looking around at where they were.
"Do y-you th-think it'll be hard?"
"More than likely. But I think we can handle it."
Link smiled before nodding and motioning around to the area.
"The d-dowsing says it's r-right here."
It was a spot they'd passed before. It didn't appear to be special at all, just a patch of dirt among the vivid green grass. The only things though, were a little bunch of bright blue butterflies, fluttering happily around the spot.
"The harp?"
Link brandished the instrument, flashing a smile to Tya before strumming the strings. Fi came forward once again, landing gracefully on the opposite side of a small glowing plate that had formed.
He began to play the song the Isle of Songs gave him. To Tya's surprise, he remembered it quite well for something he learned on the spot. Along with his playing, Fi began to sing, and for each moment they sung the song, a petal like light formed around the plate on the ground.
When they finished, it resembled a flower.
Fi moved to their sides, her attention seemingly on the markings that had formed.
"Something here is reacting to our performance of Farore's Courage. I have confirmed the appearance of a strange mark on the ground. I calculate a 90% possibility that this mark is a Trial Gate, as mentioned by the goddess statue we heard from on the Isle of Songs. Thrust your sword into the center of the mark on the ground before you" With that, Link turned to hang the harp on the pack Tya held, and stepped forward to the mark. Tya stepped forward a bit as well, but kept her distance. She didn't want to disturb whatever it was this mark would make happen.
He drew the sword and thrust it downward into the mark, allowing a light to engulf him and pulse through the air.
Then he seemed to freeze. His eyes closed and his head bowed slightly, hands still remaining firmly on the hilt of his blade.
"Link?" Tya asked quietly, concern coming forward. When he gave no response, she stepped forward, only to have one of Fi's makeshift arms extend out toward her.
She looked from Link to Fi. "What's happening?"
Fi did not respond for a moment, just kept her cloth held outward to keep Tya from disturbing Link.
A second or two later, the spirit faced her.
"You cannot follow him to the realm he has gone to. Nor can I." She told Tya.
"R-Realm he's gone to?"
"Yes."
"What does that mean?"
"He has entered a realm known as the Silent Realms. They are accessible only to the Goddess's Chosen Hero."
"…And I'm not supposed to be here, so I don't get to help."
"Yes."
Tya sighed heavily then shook her head and slid the pack off her shoulders. She was careful not to jostle it much, as she didn't want to break any of the tools that were now strung to it. How they'd manage to properly tie up the Gust Bellows, the Harp, Beetle, and their tent and bedrolls, she really didn't know. It had to have been some sort of miracle to get everything on there.
"Is he in danger?"
"Yes."
"You're… Really not all that comforting."
"His spirit has temporarily separated from his physical body. Should anything happen in the silent realms, it will shatter his spirit and he will fail."
"And then what? I'm not able to get him where he is."
"Then hope he does not fail."
"I don't think he will, but that doesn't mean I'm not worried…" Tya sighed once again, and looked up at Fi. "Can you see what he's doing or something?"
"Yes."
"So you know he's alright?"
"Yes."
"What exactly does he have to do in there?"
"He must collect the Tears of Farore so the Goddess may bless him with a new power."
"He can't hear me or anything, can he?"
"No."
"Can he hear you?"
"Yes."
Tya let out a frustrated sound, pulling her kneed up and resting her head on them.
"How long is it going to take?"
"I estimate two hours."
Another frustrated groan.
"How come he can hear you but not me?"
"I communicate with him telepathically."
Tya paused, brow furrowing as she thought about that. She hadn't ever noticed they were able to do that before. Then again, perhaps it was because Fi usually just spoke to both of them. A quiet sigh left her before she pulled her knees to her face and rested her arms, then her head on them. She watched Link carefully for any sign of movement, though she saw nothing really.
She couldn't help but wonder if this would count as sleep. He certainly looked as if he was sleeping. She doubted it was peaceful, but he seemed as if it was. He needed it…
For some reason the thought that they'd slept in the same bed together was strange to her. How much did she actually know about Link? And yet she trusted him to be in her house, in her bed, wrapped around her while they slept.
Becoming friends was weird…
Was she really that isolated that she thought that?
Well, she had to go back to being as she was. She had no choice. She had no idea why she thought it was a good idea to stay in such close quarters with someone. She'd already made that mistake once with Zelda—fortunately those feelings faded when she kept her distance, and they never returned when she allowed herself close again. She'd have to do the same here.
A quiet sigh left the woman and she looked up at the sword spirit. That seemed like the longest Fi had ever remained in her presence. It was quite awkward, really, like being around someone new. It was odd to think that she'd traveled with Fi as long as she had Link.
She looked back to her companion once more before slowly getting to her feet. She slid the pack off, letting it sit on the ground near the two.
"I am going to look around a bit. I won't go far, so if he wakes just call for me." In response to this, Fi seemed to bow her head. It was somewhat of a nod, and she took that as an affirmative action and started off.
Tya explored the surrounding area absently, finding nothing of real interest. There were a few interesting little rocks, but in the end she abandoned the majority of them. There was no need to keep them, after all, and they'd likely just weigh the pack down.
When Link called out for her, she hurried to return to him. He'd succeeded, evidently, and was rewarded with something that made Tya a little uncomfortable. They were water dragon scales. She couldn't help but think they foreshadowed something that involved, well, water.
It would allow him to swim freely under water, and apparently the flame lay somewhere they'd not yet explored. Which could very well be water…
They turned to leave, only to realize the Kikwi Elder, Bucha, had been patiently waiting for them. He only backed up what Fi had said, and what Tya was concerned about. Everything seemed to point to the water…
The first little body of water they'd come across, Link decided to dive right in to explore. It was right in front of where they'd come from, at the base of a massive tree.
Returning, he informed Tya that the inside of the tree seemed to be hallowed out, and that they could reach it by swimming.
Which was a problem for multiple reasons…
"The scales allow you to breathe under water?" She motioned to the necklace he'd put on. He nodded a bit, using his wet arm to wipe water out of his eyes, only to realize what a stupid idea that was.
"Link, I can't breathe under water. We can't take the pack under water, our stuff will be ruined."
Link looked from her to their things, and he pursed his lips.
"Do y-you want me to g-go ahead?"
"Would you like to go ahead without me?"
"Not r-really."
"Do you have more than one scale?"
He looked at his neck before looking up and shaking his head. He'd yet to come out of the water, only beached himself on the shore, looking up at her as he rested his head on his arms. How he was comfortable in soaked armor, she'd never know.
She clenched her jaw a bit, aggravated by the simple fact that water was involved. As if she didn't already have to fight the invasive thoughts telling her she was useless, she actually had to make herself useless.
"Was it a long way?" Perhaps she could manage to hold her breath that long.
Link nodded his head in response. "M-Maybe I could l-like, give you a-air."
"Would that work?" It seemed unlikely. And awkward.
Link shrugged, sighing heavily as he was seemingly out of ideas. For a moment he stopped to try and think, then he seemed to realize something.
"Ya know, th-there was that lady, in the b-bazaar… Didn't sh-she say som-something about an a-air potion?"
She thought back to the last time they were in the bazaar, thinking over all the pitches being thrown at them about what was being sold. She didn't remember exactly what the potion was said to do, but 'air potion' did sound quite promising.
"It's worth a try, I suppose. What about the pack?"
Link looked at it, then pursed his lips once more.
"I g-guess we could just l-leave it here and h-hide it a little? Hope for the be-best and come back when we n-need it?"
"But it has all your tools."
"I d-don't kn-know if they can get wet though. W-We may not even need-need them."
She shrugged then, nodding her head to show that she agreed. She stepped back then, and he pulled himself up.
The two hurried to return to the sky, idly discussing methods that may work in keeping their things together.
Heading into the clouds, the two made their way directly to the bazaar. Luv gave a nice little speech about her air potion, informing them that it was indeed what they'd hoped for. They didn't have many empty bottles on them, but with a little extra rupees, Luv supplied them with two more. Tya thought it may have been a bit excessive, buying four potions, but she understood that it was better to be safe than sorry.
They hurriedly returned to the surface then.
