Chapter 2
Time ran far away from the fight with Twi in his arms, like Sky said, the diamond walls were disappearing. Once far away enough, Time set Twi down.
"Are you alright, Link?" Twi looked up at Time and nodded. "I'm so relieved to hear that." Twi looked down at the ground.
"Why...? Why do you care for me so much...?"
"I'll be honest with you, I'm not entirely sure. The moment I saw your face though, I knew I had to protect you, that you are mine to take care of." Twi's ears perked back.
"The way you talk, the way you move, the way you look at me... it's just like him..." Time raised an eyebrow.
"Like who?"
"The gold wolf..."
"The gold wolf? What gold wolf?" Twi turned his head with it still lowered.
"N-Nothing... Forget I said anything..."
"Link..." Twi looked up.
"I said it's nothing. Leave me alone." Twi started running again, heading toward the fight.
"Link, stop!"
~Sky~
Sky stayed still waiting for Ghirahim to make the first move, but Ghirahim stayed still.
"What are you waiting for Sky child, buying time for your little friends to get away?" Sky smirked.
"Not quite. I know they will. I just want to see how long it takes for you to make the first move. Usually the taller one leads. In dance anyway."
"Well, well, treating this like one of your pathetic dances? I'm surprised you even know how to dance, you're so clumsy that I'm surprised you haven't fallen down from your little rock in the sky."
"Oh, I have. Trust me. Many times, half of the time, I wasn't even awake."
"You're making fun of yourself, you know? That doesn't show much confidence in yourself. I might as well put you out of your misery, after I take what it is I need from you that is. Then maybe I'll go after that darling little boy. He is simply too delicious. He will be sacrificed to the Demon King though, once I finally resurrect him that is."
"So, that's your plan. Well, I won't let that happen again."
"We'll see about that." Ghirahim charged at him, Sky blocked with the sword and slashed at Ghirahim, but he jumped back before he could be cut. This time, Sky ran at him and stabbed at him, but Ghirahim dodged. Ghirahim slashed at Sky, but Sky blocked with his sword and they were pressing the blades against each other. Sky managed to get the upper hand and pushed Ghirahim back, then slashed at him. He cut Ghirahim's stomach a bit, but wasn't very deep because Ghirahim moved back quickly enough. He jumped back and summoned his daggers and sent them at Sky. Sky tried to dodge them, but one caught on his sleeve and pinned him on the ground Sky was about to pull it out but more came and pinned him.
"You cheated, you coward!"
"Oh, you had to know that was coming. I am a demon after all. Be glad I didn't kill you." Sky struggled to try and get free, but they pinned him really good. "And now, it's time to take what I came for." Ghirahim walked over and was reaching his hand down to touch Sky's head.
"No! Don't touch me!"
"Hey, Diamond freak!" Ghirahim looked up in time to have a stone hit his head. There was a gash on his head from it. He growled angrily. Twi was standing about 15 feet away from where Sky was pinned.
"No, get out of here!" Sky shouted.
"No, if the boy wants to fight, then let him fight." Ghirahim jumped over Sky's pinned body so he had a clear path to the young boy. He started charging at the boy who rolled diagonally as Ghirahim got close to striking. He stood back up and started running backward away from Ghirahim, but then tripped on a rock. Ghirahim smiled evilly and slashed down at him, but the blade never hit the target. Time stood in the way, holding the blade in between his hands to keep it from moving.
Time used Ghirahim's moment of shock to pull the blade out of his hand and wield it himself. He side-jumped, rolled forward and jumped back up, slashing at Ghirahim's back. Ghirahim started to fall forward. Twi put his feet up and made Ghirahim flip over him, making the demon lord land flat on his back. Time ran forward and jumped up in the air to make the final strike. Ghirahim snapped out of his stupor quick enough to snap his fingers and teleport away from Time's strike. He appeared about 10 feet away from them all.
"Enough!" Ghirahim snapped his fingers again and both the blade in Time's hand as well as the daggers pinning Sky disappeared. "I'll let you off with this warning, I will return for what I came for and I will not stop until I do. You will all perish in the depths of hell!" Ghirahim then disappeared in diamonds. Time breathed in deep and let it out. He held his hand out to Twi who looked away from him. Time's face grew sad and he closed his eyes, sighing. He opened his eyes.
"Did I do something wrong at some point to deserve this treatment from you?" Twi gave no response. "I'm sorry if I did and I hope you can forgive me." Time turned around and helped Sky up.
"We have to leave this land. I need to get my people to return back to the sky. They'll be safer there." Sky said.
"Then I will help spread the word. Though, how are we to go to the sky?"
"Loftwings." Time and Sky looked over at Twi. "The sky people would fly on them. They are giant birds given to each of Her people as a symbol of Her protection." Sky stepped toward him.
"How did you know that?" He asked.
"I read about it in the book... The Tales of the Goddess's Chosen Hero. He is my second favorite..." Twi pulled his knees to his chest and rested his head on top of his knees. "I've read it several times since I was young." Sky walked over and sat down in front of him.
"That's amazing. So people of your time know of my legend. That's incredible." Twi smiled a bit.
"I even met descendants of your people. They were like birds, but had human like faces. They couldn't fly well though."
"That's incredible... You said I was your second favorite. Who's your first?"
"The Hero of Time..." Time perked up when he heard the name. "I always wanted to be like him, he was my role model. I felt so connected with his story."
"That's great." Sky stood up and offered his hand to Twi. Twi hesitated for a second but then grabbed Sky's hand, allowing him to pull him up. "You'll have to tell me more later. Will you?"
"Sure. I'll tell you as much as you want."
"Awesome. Let's get back to my camp and get everyone to safety, then you and I can talk about it all. Maybe spar a bit at the sparring hall, have some pumpkin soup for supper possibly. How's that sound?"
"Uh, sure. Why not?" Sky smiled.
"Great! Let's get going, ok?" Twi smiled and nodded. Sky started running. "The first one back to camp wins."
"You're on." Twi started running after him. Time stood there in silence for a few seconds. He took a step and swayed a little bit, suddenly feeling dizzy. He held the side of his head and closed his eyes. He took a deep breath in and let it out, then opened his eyes again. He followed after the two boys, but at a walking pace. It didn't take long for the boys to reach the camp. Upon arrival, they bumped into Fledge.
"Oh, hey, there you are, Link. Where were you?"
"I was in the woods. Fledge, we need to go. We need to get everyone back to Skyloft as soon as possible, before dusk. Think you could help with that?"
"Of course. I'll take the western side. What exactly is going on?"
"The demon lord's back. Where is Zelda?"
"She was in the dining tent last I knew."
"Alright. Thank you. I'll head there now."
"Ok." Sky and Twi started to walk in the opposite direction of Fledge. "Link, wait." Sky turned around, as did Twi. "Everything will be ok, right?"
"Yes, cousin. Everything will be ok. I promise. Just evacuate everyone, ok?" Fledge nodded and took off toward the western tents. Sky started walking again. Twi followed. They reached the dining tent, finding the cook, Henya, stirring a pot of orange liquid over a fire in front of the tent. To Twi, she looked like a creepy old witch making a potion. "Miss Henya, is Zelda in the dining tent?"
"Eh? No, child. Last I knew, she was heading to the medical tent. She talked about an injured boy who wanted soup." Henya said.
"Alright. Thank you for letting me know. You might as well stop your cooking. You need to return back to Skyloft immediately."
"Why is that?"
"I will tell everyone later, just trust me, ok?"
"Ok, ok. Don't get your undergarments in a twist, child. I'll pack up. You better have a good explanation for letting perfectly good soup go to waste though."
"Believe me, I do. Take care, Miss Henya." Sky turned and started heading toward the medical tent. Along the way, they bumped into Time. "There you are. Thank goodness you caught up." Time nodded lightly. "You didn't spot Zelda by chance, did you?" Time shook his head.
"No, sorry."
"It's alright. Stay close, ok?" Sky turned around to make sure Twi was right beside him, which he was. "Both of you." Time nodded. Sky started walking again. They went to the medical tent, which they found vacant of even Professor Horwell. Sky clenched his fists and his eyebrows furrowed. He was starting to worry. Sky turned and started running. Twi ran after him. Time stayed at a normal walking pace, knowing he'd fall over if he tried running. Sky stopped in front of his tent and entered it. There, he found Zelda. "Zelda, oh thank God." He ran and hugged her tightly.
"Link, what's going on?" Sky pulled away and grabbed her shoulders.
"Ghirahim's returned. It's not safe for anyone here. We have to get everyone back to Skyloft." Zelda nodded.
"Ok."
"Did Professor Horwell say where he was going?"
"Yes, he said he was going back to Skyloft to report our find to the Headmaster. He said he won't return until tomorrow."
"Good. Stay by me, alright?" Zelda nodded again. Sky turned around and noticed Time wasn't there. "Oh no..."
"What?"
"We're missing a Link." Twi's ear twitched and he turned around, noticing what Sky noticed.
"I'll go find him, he can't be too far behind." Twi offered.
"You shouldn't go alone." Sky said.
"I'll be alright. You focus on getting your people to safety. I'll come find you once I find him, ok?"
"Alright. I'm going to head toward the western tents to help Fledge. Be careful."
"I will." They stepped out of the tent.
"Oh, here. Give this back to him when you see him, ok?" Sky handed the sword to Twi. Twi nodded and turned around the way they just came. Sky and Zelda went in the other direction. Twi quickly found Time walking along the path.
"There you are." Time looked up. "You scared us."
"Oh. I'm sorry."
"It's ok. Here. I was told to get this back to you." Twi handed the sword towards Time. Time took it in hand and put it back in its sheath. "Is everything ok? You're rather quiet." Time was slightly taken aback by Twi's question. He simply nodded a reply. "You sure?"
"Yes. I am fine. Let's hurry and catch up to the other Link." Twi nodded. He turned around and started walking. Time walked behind him. It was completely in silence as they walked. It didn't take them long to get to the western area of the campsite, though it took some time to find Sky and Zelda.
"Glad you two caught up. We've convinced everyone here to go to Skyloft. Now, there's one place we need to go back to. I need to get my sword back. I left it behind there."
"Why's it there?"
"Well, uh... Hehe, funny you should ask that... I'll tell you later, ok? The sooner we finish up here the better."
"Alright." Sky started walking toward the Great Tree. It didn't take too long for them to reach. Sky immediately found his sword and picked it up. In the water, there was an orange shimmering that caught all their attention. Twi quickly went to the edge and looked around. He pulled something out of the water, a black rock with orange swirled around within. A broken string was tied to it, which is what Twi held it by.
"What's that?" Sky asked. Twi jumped and turned around.
"It's nothing." Twi put it in his pouch at his hip. "Let's just go, ok?"
"Alright. Um, Zelda. The taller Link shoulder ride with you since you're lighter than me."
"Ok. That sounds good." Zelda agreed. "Though, we should really come up with nicknames for the other two Links."
"Right. Um... Titles! You both have hero titles, don't you?"
"Yes." Both Twi and Time answered at the same time.
"Good, what are they?"
"Well, uh, I have three..." Twi said.
"Oh, wow. Alright. What are they?"
"Hero Chosen by the Gods, Hero of Light, and Hero of Twilight."
"How about Twi? It's simple."
"That works."
"What about you?" Sky asked Time.
"Well, uh... I'm the Hero of Time." Twi's eyes widened and he turned to look at Time.
"Ok. How about Time?"
"That doesn't sound like a normal name for someone, Link." Zelda said.
"Uh, ok, um... Tye?"
"That sounds too close to Twi." Zelda pointed out.
"Right, um..."
"How about Shiek." Time offered.
"Shiek?"
"Mhmm, there was a man I knew who went by that name and was a close friend of mine."
"Who turned out to be princess Zelda disguised as a Sheikah." Twi said.
"You know about that?" Time asked.
"Yea, of course. I read you story many times. It's my favorite. Though, that sounds a bit weird, calling you Shiek."
"Hey, how about Ayri? That was my mother's name, but she was named after her grandfather." Sky offered.
"That doesn't sound too bad."
"But if we introduce them to Father, he'll be a bit confused. She was his younger cousin, remember?" Zelda pointed out.
"Oh yeah... This is so difficult!"
"Just stay calm, ok?"
"Never tell a girl to calm down, Zelda! You should know this!" Twi and Time glanced at each other and then back at the two.
"Don't shout at me! We'll figure this out, Link. Just relax." Sky took a deep breath in and out.
"If you say time in an Ordon accent, it'd be Taum. So, people may think we're saying that instead of Time." Twi said.
"That may work. Twi, you're a a genius." Sky said. "Ok. So, Twi and Time. I'll keep my name since this is my time. People will already know me as Link."
"That's alright."
"Let's go ahead and go to Skyloft. Twi, you'll ride with me." Twi nodded. Sky put his index fingers to his mouth and whistled. Zelda put her index finger and middle finger to her mouth and also whistled. It didn't take long for two giant birds to land next to their riders.
"Ok, let's go." Sky climbed up onto his bird and held his hand out to Twi who took it, being helped up onto the bird. Zelda climbed up onto her bird, Time climbed up. "Hold on tight. Phoenix, go." The crimson Loftwing took off into the Sky. Zelda's bird also took flight and followed close behind.
Twi turned his head to look at them. He laughed a little seeing Time's arms wrapped tightly around Zelda's waist with his eyes closed tightly. It was obvious he was afraid to fall. Meanwhile, Twi was used to the feeling of flight.
"This is amazing! It's everything I expected it to be!" Twi shouted over the wind so Sky could hear.
"I'm glad! It's a fun experience, though I think Time disagrees." Sky had also noticed Time's discomfort. It didn't take very long to reach Skyloft. Once there, they landed in the plaza. Twi looked around wide-eyed at everything.
"I can't believe I'm actually here! It looks so much different than what I recall seeing in my time." Zelda's bird landed and the two riders got off. Time was rather wobbly.
"Are you going to be ok there, Time?" Sky asked.
"Uh, yeah. Just a bit dizzy..."
"Yeah, you are looking rather pale. Afraid of heights?"
"A little bit..." Time's face went a bit red with blush of embarrassment.
"Hey, it's ok. We all have our fears. For example, I'm afraid of the dark. It's only natural for us to fear. Anyway, we need to go to the Headmaster. I need to introduce you two and call a town meeting. I need to let everyone know what's going on." Sky turned and started walking. The three others started following after him.
"So, how old are you guys?" Zelda asked.
"I'm seventeen." Twi said.
"Wow, really? You look fourteen to me."
"I get that a lot. What about you, Time?"
"I'm seventeen as well." Time answered.
"That's crazy. You're so tall for being seventeen."
"I'm only five feet eight inches tall."
"And I'm five-three."
"I'm five-four And twenty." Zelda said.
"You're twenty?" Twi asked.
"Yep, and little Linky is five-four and nineteen." Sky turned around.
"I'm not little!"
"Yes you are. You're so tiny." Sky's face went very red.
"There's nothing wrong with being small. It has plenty of advantages," Time said, "People may underestimate you, meaning they may take it a bit easy on you and you can use that to your advantage. I used to be very small, but I used my size to the fullest."
"That sounds awesome." Twi said. Time smiled.
"I'll take your word for it." Sky turned around and kept walking.
"My main problem has always been my face. Many people mistake me for a child, so they tend to want to take care of me. I've grown used to it." Twi said.
"I've always had that problem too." Sky said.
"I've had the opposite problem. Many think I'm older than I actually am." Time mentioned.
"I did think that you were possibly Twi's father for a few moments when I first saw you." Sky admitted.
"That medic thought the same."
"Yet, we're the same age." Twi said. Without realizing it, the group made it up the steps that lead to a building.
"Oh, we're already here. This is the Knight Academy. The Headmaster's office is up on the second level." Sky explained. They walked in. They followed Sky up the steps and walked into the Headmaster's room at the top of the steps. The Headmaster looked up when he heard the door open.
"Oh, hello. I didn't expect to see you here so soon."
"I ran into a bit of trouble, Headmaster." Sky explained.
"Really?"
"Yes. The one who conjured the dark tornado that took Zelda away, I thought he was gone, but now he's back. I already had the camp evacuated. Though, no one understands. Would it be possible to call a meeting so I can explain to everyone the danger?" Sky asked. He was being rather serious which wasn't normal for him to most who knew him.
"Are you sure you want to do that? Do you know what you may be risking?"
"Yes, I do. I don't care what they say. They need to know. Everyone."
"Alright, if that's what you wish, Link." Sky nodded.
"Thank you, Headmaster Gaepora. Now, there's another matter I wish to discuss. It's about these two gentlemen behind me." Gaepora looked behind Sky and Zelda to see the two boys.
"Yes, Professor Horwell spoke of them earlier, he told me you found them in the woods earlier, one with an injury. What about them do you wish to discuss?"
"Well, um, it's not safe on the surface for the time being. They need a place to stay. With your permission, I'd like to accept them into my dorm."
"Link, your dorm is so small."
"I will rearrange it so it can fit them. I need an extra mattress that is large enough for them to share. I wanted to change my room around anyway."
"Ok, if you're sure, then I will allow it." Sky bowed.
"Thank you so much, Headmaster."
"You are very welcome. What are their names?" Time walk up to the desk and bowed.
"It is a pleasure to meet you." He stood straight up. "My name is Time and behind me is my son, Twi." Time bowed again. "Please give us your kind consideration." Then stood straight up again.
"Of course, young man. You and your boy are welcome to stay as long as you wish."
"Thank you."
"I'll show them to my room then. Thank you again, Headmaster."
"No need to thank me, Link." The group of four stepped out of the headmaster's office.
"So, should I call you father from now on?" Twi asked Time.
"That is completely up to you. I only said you were my son because it is more convincing that you are my son rather than my younger brother." They started going down the steps. With each step, Time was following slower and slower, soon becoming the last one coming down. At the base of the steps, that's when it happened, Time fell to his knees and fell unconscious by the time he fully reached the floor.