Glimpses of sunlight warmed the Sealed Temple as the storm clouds slowly faded. The company agreed to begin making their way home, at long last. Yet standing in front of the Gate of Time was Impa, arms crossed and head held high.
"You four should be proud of what you've accomplished," she said tenderly. "Your people will tell this story for generations to come. I know mine will."
Zelda detected a hint of sadness in Impa's otherwise pleased tone. Her blond brow curved upward.
"You're not returning with us?" she asked.
Impa chuckled softly.
"You read me too well, Your Grace," she said. "Worry not. We will see each other soon enough, Zelda. I promise."
The answer unsettled Zelda terribly, though Impa's confident smile assured her enough to keep her from pressing further.
"I wish I had a gift to offer you to remember me by," Zelda said. "You know... until I see you next."
"You don't think our many adventures are memorable enough?" Impa laughed quietly.
Zelda bit her lower lip in thought. Then, an idea struck her. She slid a bracelet from her wrist. It matched the webbed, periwinkle clasps in her hair. Zelda delicately lifted Impa's hand and placed it in her palm.
"I owe you so much more than this," Zelda confessed, "but please, if you will, take this as a sign of my gratitude, until I find a way to properly thank you."
"You owe me nothing," Impa countered kindly, "but because I know it means so much to you, then yes, I will keep this safe until we meet again."
Her thin fingers wrapped tightly around the bracelet, which she then raised to her heart. Zelda then followed Link, Groose, and Fledge through the Gate of Time, turning for one moment to catch one more glimpse of Impa. Her tan skin reflected beautifully in the light of the sun as she bowed her head solemnly. As they stepped to the other side of time, the first thing they saw was the elder woman, exactly where Impa had stood, bowing her head, and holding the bracelet to her heart. Zelda gasped as the realization hit her like a log. Impa looked up, with a mischievous smile curling onto her wrinkled lips.
"See?" she chuckled. "Soon enough."
"You..." Zelda marveled breathlessly.
"Yes, Your Grace."
"Wait..." Groose drawled, eyes wide. "Granny was Impa this whole time?!"
"Indeed," she chuckled. "Though I must admit the name Granny grew on me."
"But you're so much shorter now than you were two seconds ago."
"A thousand years ago," Impa corrected, both sternly and playfully. "Time tends to do that to a person. Alas, I had to ensure the Spirit Maiden was protected, as I swore to do."
"And you did, very faithfully," Zelda said, eyes welling with emotion.
"Now, it is time for me to finally take my rest."
All were shocked to hear this, though Zelda and Groose took it the hardest.
"Please, Granny," Groose pleaded. "Won't you come to Skyloft with us? We'll all take good care of you, won't we?"
Fledge and Link nodded, though Zelda remained still, knowing Impa had resolved herself.
"I'm flattered and honored, truly," Impa replied. "However, I am tired, and it is time for my soul to embark on a journey to new realms, where I am also needed."
With dainty steps, she made her way over to Zelda and cupped her wrinkled hands around Zelda's.
"While you may not remember me in lives to come," she assured her, "I know, deep in my old heart, that we are destined to meet again someday. That goes for you too, Link. The spirits of the Hero and the Maiden shall surely return, and the Sheikah, my people, are sworn to serve the chosen ones of the Goddess for all time."
Impa bowed her head again.
"Until then, I will remember you and your sacrifices fondly, and I will carry my memories of all of you, always."
A strange wind filled the temple. Impa's figure was swept away as Zelda held tightly to her hand. All that remained was the bracelet left in Zelda's outstretched palm. Link swallowed his own emotion to gently lay a hand on her shoulder. Though she tried valiantly to hold it in, a sharp cry escape her as she buried her face into Link's shoulder. He rested his chin on the top of her head and consoled her by tenderly rubbing her back. Meanwhile, Groose stood, lip quivering and eyes welling with tears.
"You gonna be okay there, buddy?" Fledge asked cautiously.
With a loud sniffle, the brute straightened his back and let out a shaky sigh.
"Yeah, I suppose," he replied. "Even in the adventure stories we grew up hearing, there would always be some kind of sad separation in the end. I guess I should have seen this coming."
Zelda turned and nodded, then stepped over and wrapped Groose in a warm embrace.
"It means a lot to me knowing you kept her company for so long, Groose," she said, her voice somewhat muffled by his broad shoulder. "You really do have a big, kind heart."
"I knew you'd realize it someday."
Everyone smiled, and the glad moment inspired them all to think of home. With every second that passed, they longed for Skyloft more and more, evidenced by the glances they exchanged between one another.
"Let's be on then," Link said with a sigh.
"Master..."
Fi emerged from a sword and offered a curtsy to the group.
"There is something you must do yet."
Link's brow furrowed as Fi led him and the others to the end of the room. On the floor there was what seemed to be a rock, which no one had paid much mind to before, yet upon further inspection, they could see that it was a pedestal, and on it was carved an image of the Triforce. Fi hovered over it from the other side.
"Now that it has vanquished the darkness," she began. "The Master Sword's purpose is fulfilled, as is my own."
Link's breath caught in his throat. All were hit with a pang of sadness deep in their stomachs, anticipating what she was about to reveal.
"Although you are its chosen wielder, Master Link," she continued, "the sword must sleep until the time for it to reawaken arrives."
"And when will that be?" Link questioned.
Fi shook her head.
"There is no telling exactly when," she replied. "However, Demise was correct when he said that reincarnations of his hatred and malice will someday enter this world again. At that time, the Master Sword will awaken once more. Until such a time, it must remain here and rest."
Link's gaze lowered. He gently shook his head, wrestling to accept what he was hearing.
"And since you are the spirit of the Master Sword..."
"... So must I. Our journey together, Master, has come to its end."
A sense of anger began welling in his chest.
"There has to be another way," Link said, voice catching.
"I calculate a zero percent possibility of there being another way, Master."
Link scoffed sadly and shook his head, amused yet not surprised by Fi's bluntness. He could not imagine a more suitable way for her to respond if he tried. Her unintended humor made the moment somewhat more bearable. Link drew in a deep breath to compose himself, though his eyes remained glassy with tears as he looked up to meet Fi's gaze.
"As you know, I was created without the ability to experience emotion as you do," she said. "However, I do believe that, as I reflect on our time together, I feel what your kind calls... gladness... to have been your servant on this journey."
"You've been my partner and companion," Link corrected her. "And the best one, at that. I really could not have gone on without you."
"Very well, Master Link. I will remember you as my companion, and my friend."
She gestured to the pedestal.
"If you will, please. Lay the sword to rest."
She curtsied one final time.
"Farewell, Master Link."
Link drew the sword, relishing the sound of the metal singing against its sheath. He looked up at Fi one more time, and they offered each other a nod of assurance. With that, Link plunged the sword into the pedestal, and when he looked up, Fi was gone. He caught an escapes tear with his shoulders and sighed shakily.
"Rest well, Fi," he said quietly, gliding his fingers over the hilt one last time. "Until we meet again."
A few moments of near silence passed, broken only by the sounds of the small birds that were finally making their way back to the woods. Link bowed his head while Zelda briefly rested a hand on his upper arm. Fledge nervously fidgeted with the hem of his orange shirt. Groose, bothered by the silence, threw his hands in the air and huffed.
"I don't think I can take another sad goodbye," he griped. "None of you plan on vanishing into thin air, do you?"
His manic stare jumped back and forth between Link, Zelda, and Fledge, who all shook their heads, holding back their laughter. The birds could be heard more clearly as the rays of sun brightened up the temple. Link, still feeling on-edge and prepared for an enemy attack, felt his pointed ears perk up. He thought himself crazy at first, perhaps overly exhausted or beyond his mental breaking point. But when he heard the sound again, he knew it was real, and the others heard it too.
"That can't be...?" Zelda drawled.
Another vocalization, this time a loud and proud squawk, could be heard just outside the temple. The company ran out and were amazed to find none other than their Loftwings alighting on the Sealed Grounds. They each ran to their birds. Zelda, having been separated from hers the longest, buried her face in her Loftwing's feathers and let out a happy and relieved cry. Link's bird, in his excitement, shoved his head into Link's chest for a scratch so enthusiastically that the boy was sent to the ground.
"I missed you too, bud." he laughed as the bird continued to pin him to the ground.
Even the small birds seemed to understand the elation displayed by the Loftwings. They complimented their squawking with their own harmonious chirps. Some of the tiny birds even flew over to meet their giant counterparts, who appeared to like them at once. Link, once he was allowed off the ground, mounted his bird and looked on at the others.
"Let's get you home, Zelda," he said. "Finally."
The people of Skyloft had felt Demise's presence. As the battle had raged on at the Sealed Grounds and in the sky, the entire world, even in the distant future, had been covered by a dark, raging storm like none had ever witnessed. They hid themselves in their houses while some remained at the Bazaar. The students of the Knight Academy and the professors took shelter in the halls of the Academy, and all waited and prayed in grueling anticipation for the storm to end. Gaepora felt it was somehow tied to Link and Zelda and found himself in an internal war to keep himself from thinking the worst.
He watched over the students, trying his best to remain composed. The pounding rain echoed violently on the rooftops, while the room was lit up by hot flashes of lightning. The thunder roared constantly, and the wind whistled with such cruelty that some wondered if the old building could withstand it. Yet, shortly after the storm reached its peak, it began melting away. The rain slowed to a drizzle, the wind returned to a breeze, and all could see glimpses of the sun appearing behind the dark clouds, which were steadily disappearing.
While the village worked to collect debris and start on repairs, Gaepora stood watch near the light tower, scanning the skies for any signs of Zelda, Link, Groose, and Fledge. Little did he know, the valiant friends were speeding up toward the cloud barrier on the backs of their Loftwings, which flew with all haste with excitement and gladness to be reunited with their riders. In a puff of cloud, Gaepora saw Link and his crimson bird soar through the barrier first, followed by Groose, then Fledge, and then... a fourth.
His eyes welled with tears the instant he recognized Zelda's royal blue Loftwing and saw her golden hair reflecting the sunlight so beautifully. Zelda could see Gaepora standing in the distance in his fiery orange robe. Before she even realized it, she was screaming out for him.
"Father!"
Behind Gaepora, other students and townspeople began to gather, cheering as the four flew in. Her Loftwing's talons hadn't even met the ground when Zelda jumped down, and ran with all of her might towards Gaepora until she barreled into his open arms at full-speed. The warmth of his embrace helped the remnants of the journey to melt away as she sobbed into his chest while he kissed the top of her head as many times as he could. He pulled back, his glassy eyes meeting hers. He thumbed away a tear from each of her cheeks.
"There is not a father in the world more proud and honored than I am," he said with a smile.
"I missed you so much," she replied, pulling him close once more.
Groose and Fledge were greeted by their classmates, all expressing their awe at their bravery. Stritch and Cawlin approached, and to their amazement, Groose put up a hand to halt them.
"There's going to be some changes in how we treat Fledge and Link from now on. You don't have to be friends with them, but there won't be any more bullying while I'm around. Are we clear?"
Both lads grumbled under their breath, as Fledge looked on, shrinking back a bit. Finally, they sighed and reluctantly agreed before exchanging shoulder-punches with Groose. Meanwhile, Link approached Zelda and Gaepora quietly. Gaepora, keeping one arm wrapped around Zelda, extended his other hand and nearly pulled Link in for a hug, but stopped himself short and extended his hand for a shake instead, mindful of Link's dislike of touch. Link proudly took his hand and they exchanged a mighty shake.
"Thank you, Link." he said fondly. "You have returned my world to me. I owe everything to you. We all do."