From this chapter until chapter 8, I'll post just text, because it's what I already had posted in Wattpad, and maybe chapter 9 too.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Pkmnacezelda
~º~
It was a sunny day at Skyloft.
Loftwings were soaring the skies. Riders atop their Loftwings were to be seen, too.
There, at the base of the statue of the Goddess, was a beautiful blond girl dressed in pink and plucking the strings of a golden instrument. It produced a calming sound.
The girl started singing, but she was soon interrupted by her blue Loftwing.
Loftwings were very important for the Skyloftian people. They were winged creatures with an incomparable beauty. They are considered sacred, and are very important for the culture of Skyloft. They appear in numerous pictures, carvings and clothes all over the floating island. Each habitant of Skyloft has a bird partner, which they meet at a very early age. Every person trusts the Loftwing they're bound to, and entrust their life to them as they dive off the island, trusting their companion will hear the call of its master and catch them as they fall.
Even if they are of great help, they have a limited night-vision, and only the rescue knights on night shifts are permitted to fly with them, using lanterns, which are attached to the bird's head.
The blue Loftwing lands at her master's side and the girl takes out an envelope, which she hands to her bird. With that, the Loftwing takes its leave, leaving the girl alone.
She watches as her dear friend flies away. Suddenly, she turns around. She swore she had heard something, or someone...
She brushes off the feeling. It must have been her imagination, after all...
~~~•~~~
He opens his eyes. He was floating on a dark void. He was confused. What was that place?
All doubts disappear the very instant he sees a large black scaled creature with a large mouth roar above him, black mist pouring from underneath its feet.
A blinding light forces him to shield his eyes.
He hears a melodic voice talking to him from the void.
"Rise, Link... The time has come for you to awaken... You are fated to have a hand in a great destiny, and it will soon find you..."
After hearing this, confusion hit him hard. What destiny? Awaken?
"The time has come for you to awaken... Link..." It repeated.
This time, the creature roared, and the light extinguished. The power of its roar was enough to overpower him, so he closed his eyes shut. He continued to hear the horrifying roars of the beast, but they soon were drowned by a different sound. A screech.
Link looks around, and meets the large beak of a blue and white feathered creature.
It screeches loudly, and he was sure his ears would start bleeding.
It was enough to actually wake him up. He felt his back smacking against the cold floor of his room. He opens his eyes, still clouded by sleep, and looks around.
Above him, Labrynna's head, Zelda's Loftwing, was looking down at him.
He watches, still half awake, as the bird spits an envelope on his face. She makes a sound that sounds like a laugh and heads out, shutting the window.
Link gets up and looks at the envelope while scratching his neck.
"A letter... from Zelda..." He says to himself in a low voice, still stained with sleepiness.
He opens the envelope and reads the letter:
Hey, sleepyhead. I know how much you like to sleep in, so I'm guessing this letter will be your alarm clock this morning. Did I guess right? Rise and shine, Link! Today's the Wing Ceremony! You promised to meet me before it starts, remember?
You'd better not keep me waiting.
- Zelda
He chuckles. That was his best friend, always looking out for him.
He walks to the door, placing the note on his desk before getting out.
He looks at his sides. The academy was kind of empty, which of course, made sense, since a lot of students were out, flying with their Loftwings and enjoying the nice weather outside.
That reminded him of his main quest: meeting Zelda before she came searching for him. She was really scary when she got mad, but overall, a really good friend. His best friend since his parents died on a mission on the sky when he was only seven years old. She had been the only one to understand him, since she had lost her mother before he lost his parents.
He walks to the kitchen to grab something to eat on the way. He spots Fledge, his friend, on a corner at his left, trying to lift up a barrel.
He walks up to him.
"What's up, Fledge?" The boy stops what he was doing and turns to greet his friend.
"Good morning, Link! Today's the Wing Ceremony, right?"
"Yup."
"I wanted to fly too, but I didn't make the cut, so I'm stuck back here at the academy..." Link sighs.
"You can always try again next year. I know you'll do it!"
"Thanks for trusting in me! I've got to move these barrels over to the kitchen... I was hoping to at least be able to cheer you on, Link, but... I guess that's the way it goes. Go out there and wow them, buddy!" Link smiles.
"Guess what, I'll help you out!" Before Fledge could say anything, he was already carrying a barrel towards the kitchen. He placed it near the old lady in charge, Henya. She looked surprised.
"What's all this? I though I told Fledge to carry that! Bah. It's probably for the best... That skinny boy would probably have flattened..." Link goes retrieve the other barrel and places it beside the other one.
"Say..." Henya crosses her arms. "Don't you have an important ceremony to attend to today? Hmph!" The old lady looked at him in the eyes. He was taken aback. But soon, she smiles. "Well, thanks for the help." Link sighs. That old woman always seemed to be on edge, but she was always in a good mood. "I suppose you just woke up, right?"
"Yeah... More like someone woke me up..." He scoffs.
"Then wait a second. I still have some freshly baked honey bread. You'll need a lot of energy for today's ceremony!" The woman retrieves a honey bread from a tray on the counter. "Take it!"
Link thanks the old lady, takes the bread and walks out of the kitchen.
Before he heads over to the door, Fledge stops him.
"Hey, thanks, buddy! You didn't have to."
"Nah, I like helping my friends." He finishes the bread and pats Fledge on the shoulder. "Well. Gotta go. Zelda will kill me if I don't meet her before the ceremony." They both laugh and Link heads out the door.
He takes in the fresh air. He loved living in Skyloft. He takes two steps forward, but a voice suddenly startles him.
"Hey Link! Up here!" Link looks up at the roof of the academy. Instructor Horwell waves at him. "Good morning to you, Link! Today's finally the day of the long-awaited Wing Ceremony! Are you feeling ready?"
"Good morning, Instructor Horwell! I sure am!"
"Good! But you know... It's a little silly to carry on a conversation from this distance. Why don't you come join me up here? You should be able to climb up those wooden boxes over there."
Link nods and looks at the boxes at his right. He steps back a few meters before dashing toward them. He uses the strength of his legs to climb up the side of the boxes. Right after that, he places his arms atop the box so as to not fall back to the ground. He pushes himself up and stands on a stone platform.
He breathes in and out for a second to regain his breath. He jumps to the other piece of the stone platform and joins Instructor Horwell.
"So what are you up to? Rushing to get some last-minute bird-riding practice this morning, Link?"
"Well... not exactly, but I could do that. I was going to meet Zelda first."
"Oh, really? Perfect timing, then. You see, Headmaster Gaepora has a pet named Mia, and, well... she's scampered off..."
"Ah! I know! That brown and white ball of fur got away again?" Horwell nods.
"She went that way!" The man points to a higher roof of the academy. "The headmaster is so busy working with Zelda, preparing for the ceremony... I thought I should feed her, but the ceremony is about to start and I just put on a fresh set of clothes and, well... you see... Will you help me and go retrieve Mia for me?"
"I'm on it!"
Instructor Horwell doesn't hide his surprise.
"Wow! Thank you, Link! I know you're in a hurry, so I appreciate you are taking the time to help. Use the wooden ledge behind me. You should be able to climb some vines on a wall from the other side. You're quite the climber!" The man laughs, and Link does the same.
"Yeah. Ever since I was a kid! I'll never get tired of it!" Horwell chuckles and Link dashes toward the wooden ledge behind his instructor. He grabs it and starts to move to his left. He lands on a piece of stone, which was used to cover the window from the sun. That's why the first floor of the academy always had a neither hot nor cold temperature.
He jumps through the gap between roofs and grabs the vines at his right. He climbs up and gets to the highest roof of the academy. He notices a wooden box near a wall at his left. He pushes it against the wall and dashes toward it, pushing himself up. He walks carefully on the irregular blue roof and picks up Mia, waking her up in the process. He holds her safely in his arms and jumps down the roof. He jumps through the gap between the golden bell of the academy and walks towards Instructor Horwell.
"Nice work, Link! You brought her safe and sound! Sorry for troubling you with this. I know you're busy."
Link shruggs it off.
"It really is no problem. I like helping wherever I can!"
"That's very noble coming from you! I'm sure that you will be a great knight!"
Link nods and gives Mia to the Instructor. He waves and starts walking toward the statue of the Goddess.
"Before you go." Link stops on his tracks and looks back. "Please tell the headmaster we found his pet."
"I will!" And with that, Link walks toward the wooden staircase, which led to the statue.
He starts climbing the stairs. He just hoped Zelda wouldn't be mad at him.
And... there she was.
A soon as he passed the stone archway, he saw her.
That unmistakable blond hair. And that voice, singing along the beautiful sound of an instrument.
He didn't know what the instrument was, but the sound of her voice melted his heart.
He couldn't help the smile that tugged at his lips. She was gorgeous.
He recognized the lyrics of the Ballad of the Goddess.
"Oh youth,
guided by the servant of the goddess...
Unite earth and sky...
Bring light to the land..."
As soon as she sung the last word, she stopped and turned around, noticing Link was behind her. A smile appeared on her face.
"Hey! Good morning, Link." He approaches her and they hug each other briefly. "I'm glad to see Labrynna got you out of bed."
"Yeah... She's got too much temper. My back still hurts..."
Zelda laughs.
"Well... but I had to. I was pretty sure you'd sleep in and forget to meet me this morning." She holds out a golden instrument with the shape of a half moon and strings. "But look at this instrument! And look at this outfit! They're mine to use today in the ceremony, since I'll be playing the role of the goddess. Aren't they beautiful? Especially this instrument! They tell it's just like the one the goddess was said to have in the legends. It sounds gorgeous too. I asked Father about it, and he says it's called a harp."
"Yeah. It really is beautiful." Link agrees.
"And look at these clothes! I made this wrap myself," She points to the white wrap on her shoulders. "and we get to use it in today's ceremony! Between the harp and this outfit, I'm going to make a great goddess today! I got you up early this morning because I wanted you to be the first to see me like this, Link!" A slight, almost unnoticeable blush stains her cheeks now. Link, as distracted as he was, didn't notice at all. The girl twirls around. "So... how do I look?"
Link smiles widely.
"You look great!" He would've said that it didn't matter, because she looked great always, but he restrained himself.
"Hah, I think so too! But it's nice to know you agree. Thanks, Link."
"Ah, there you are, Zelda" Both Link and Zelda look at the archway, where Zelda's father was approaching them. "Are you all prepared for today's ceremony?"
"Oh. Hello, Father!"
Headmaster Gaepora looks at Link in disbelieve, because he knew Link was a sleepy person and people had to wake him up. Never had he seen him so early in the morning.
"Link! You're here too! Outstanding!" Gaepora pats Link's shoulder. "It's encouraging to see you up so early, given your capacity for sleep. No doubt today's ceremony had you too excited to close your eyes for once!"
Link was about to say that it was Labrynna who actually woke him up with her usual temper, but he didn't want to spoil the man's happiness.
"If you win today's ceremonial race, you'll get to participate in the postrace ritual with Zelda, so give it your best out there."
Link nodded.
"Yes. About that..." Both men look at Zelda. Link knew something was coming up. He was going to get scolded by Zelda... Again. "Father, I don't know if he can do it!" He was right. She was angry at him again. Shoot. "Recently, Link hasn't been practicing much at all for the ceremony!" Link hangs his head low in embarrassment. He feels Zelda's eyes burning him. "And even when he's out riding his Loftwing, he's just lazily gliding around. Probably daydreaming! I don't know what he's thinking. He's going to have to be in perfect control of his bird to win today."
Father and daughter approach each other. Link turns to his headmaster, running his hand over his forehead to take his sandy blond hair from his eyes.
"No need to worry yourself, Zelda. Though you may have a point. Today's Wing Ceremony tests the skill of the rider as well as his bond to his bird. Victory will not come easily. And, as you pointed out, I haven't seen him practicing as hard as some of the other students."
Great. Even the headmaster agrees with her. I'm in big trouble now... I should've practiced..., thinks Link.
"But you've known him since you were both very little. Since you were six or seven years old, if I recall. You've known him almost ten years now. You should know better than to fret about him!" Link looks at Gaepora with surprise. Was he actually defending him? All he could think was... Wow. "You see, Link and his Loftwing share a special connection. I've never seen anything quite like it."
They look at the Loftwings gliding peacefully in the sky above them.
"As you know, each of us in Skyloft is but one half of a pair. We are only made whole by our Loftwings, the guardian birds that the goddess bestows upon each of us as a symbol of her divine protection." Zelda and her father look at each other. "When we are young, every one of us meets our Loftwing under the great Statue of the Goddess. It's quite a big moment, as I'm sure you recall. Ahh, but that first meeting between Link and his Loftwing was extraordinary." They turn to look at the boy. "The bird that came to him was a Crimson Loftwing. It is a breed so rare we were sure for some time that it had vanished from the line."
Link, who was still distracted looking at the sky, looks at them, noticing they were talking about him. He scratches his neck while looking at the ground.
"Yes, and the boy and his bird seemed to share a profound connection from the moment they met. Do you recall when Link and that Loftwing of his first met? What a sight! The little boy just hopped up on that bird and gracefully flew away, without even a moment of instruction! They were meant for each other." Gaepora smiles in delight as he remembers the scene. "And judging by how jealous you were that day, I'd say the friendship he shared with his bird didn't go unnoticed by you, my dear!"
Link closes his eyes while raising his face at the sky. He looks for the thread that bounds him so his Loftwing. But he doesn't find his companion at the other side. What was going on? He could normally sense his bird. He opens his eyes looks at the sky. Something was wrong.
The other two look at him. They don't notice at all.
"Ah, but who can blame you?" Gaepora continues. "I'm sure you weren't the only one envious of the powerful bond shared by Link and his bird. Anyone who is part of something special is bound to catch some nasty looks sooner or later." He laughs while Zelda sighs.
She was losing her patience.
"This contest is nothing to laugh at, Father! This ceremony is part of the final test for those training to become knights of Skyloft! If Link doesn't fly fast enough during the race..." She looks at his father in the eyes, a sad look in her cerulean eyes. "What if Link messes up his big chance... What if he's not allowed to become a knight?"
Gaepora sighs.
"Calm down, my dear. It will be fine. Honestly, it's almost as though you become a different person when you worry about Link."
Zelda turns around, tired of his father's compassion towards Link. She walks up to him.
"Listen, Link, you'd better fly your heart out today. At the very least, you need to squeeze in a little practice time before the race!" She grabs his hand and drags him toward a wooden ledge. "C'mon, you'll thank me later!"
Link looks helplessly to Headmaster Gaepora.
They soon arrive at the ledge.
Zelda pushes him in front of her. He spuns around on his right to look at her. But she goes to his left side, avoiding eye contact.
"Here we are."
"Zelda, please, wait, I-"
She stops at his right side and looks him in the eye.
"Go on now. Jump off the ledge and call your Loftwing."
"But I can't-"
"It's almost time for the ceremony, so try to practice seriously for once!"
"But I can't sense Ace around here!"
"Hmm? Oh yeah? You can't "sense" your bird out there?" She says, pronouncing the word 'sense' in a mocking tone.
She must think I'm joking...
"Oh, I get it. You're trying to weasel out of having to practice! Nice try, but you're not fooling me."
"Please, Zelda, you have to-"
"Off you go!"
She pushes Link forward and he flies off the edge with a scream.
After a couple of seconds, he catches Zelda's voice above the wind.
"Ok, Link, go ahead! Just whistle to call your Loftwing!"
He puts his hands to his lips and uses his special whistle, the only one he used exclusively for Ace.
He fell, and fell, and fell... but Ace still hadn't appeared. He should've by now.
From above, Gaepora and Zelda watch as Link falls.
"Hmm... Ace sure is taking a long of time to get here..." Says Gaepora.
Zelda looks at his father and realises that Link was right.
"Something's wrong!" She doesn't hesitate. She launches off the wooden platform gracefully and calls for Labrynna. Her Loftwing appears right after that and picks her up, while diving at full speed to catch Link.
When they arrive at his side, Zelda commands Labrynna to grab Link. The blue Loftwing does as she was ordered and extended her talons to reach out and grab Link. She grabs him, earning a painful gasp out of him, and changes direction. She stops dramatically and goes up, flapping her wings with as much strength as she could.
"Hang in there, Link! I've got you!"
They land roughly near the wooden ledge. Gaepora walks to them.
Labrynna is on the floor, wings extended, while Zelda was stroking her neck. Link was near the talons of the Loftwing, gasping for air. He had had the scare of his life. And the pain on his sides didn't help. It wasn't bad, but more like uncomfortable. No broken ribs, but he'd have bruises for sure.
"Are you two alright?" Link nods, for he wasn't able to talk.
Zelda ignored his father's question. She was worried about her Loftwing.
"I'm sorry, friend. I didn't mean to push you so hard. You didn't sprain your wing, did you?"
Link looks at them. Seriously? sShe was worried about her Loftwing, but what about him? She almost killed him! But he shruggs it off. That's just how she was. He wasn't mad, just... disappointed... She'll worry about him later, like always.
Gaepora breaks his line of thought.
"This is very odd, Link. What could have possibly happened to your Loftwing? For a bird to ignore the call of his master... It's unheard of!" Link gets up, sucking a painted breath. He needed to see the damage. "And you still can't sense your bird nearby, eh, Link?"
"Yeah... Something's terribly wrong..."
"This is quite a problem, especially considering the Wing Ceremony is about to start..."
Link sighs.
"Link..." They both look at Zelda. "...when you said you couldn't sense your Loftwing, well... I should have believed you... I'm so sorry..."
"Don't worry." He says, sighing. He flinches. That had hurt his sides. "I'm fine..." Zelda looks at him. She doesn't believe him. Again.
"You're not." Link looks down. Then, he lifts his shirt. Zelda gasps. His skin was starting to have a deep purplish color. "You see? I knew you weren't fine. I need to tend to Labrynna, so I'll catch up with you later. You'd better go on ahead and see if you can find where Ace has gone!" They hear a bell ringing in the distance. The academy bell.
"My, how did it get to be so late? If I recall correctly, this year Instructor Horwell is presiding over the ceremony. You should go explain the situation to him and see if he's willing to delay the race a little se that you can find your bird, Link."
"But, Father, you're the headmaster of the academy! If Link asks Instructor Horwell, he'll probably come to talk to you about it." Gaepora looks at his daughter and nods in agreement.
"Ah, quite true. As usual, you make an excellent point, my dear. Very well, I'll explain the situation to him myself. Link, run along and tell Instructor Horwell to come see me in my quarters."
Link nods.
As he was about to walk to the stone archway, Zelda stops him.
"Link, see if someone in town knows anything. And put some ice on those bruises, please."
"Ok." He says. He turns around.
Time to look for Ace.
