Link ran to the nearest Loftwing dock, and jumped. He whistled Malon's Song, and his wings burst out in a brilliant display of plumage. He shot back into the sky, and performed a few spins. Loftwing travel was pretty difficult, but having wings made it much easier to fly. He missed Malon a lot, but he wasn't averse to flying on his own. He spotted a green pillar, and shot towards it like an arrow. When he reached the hole, he let his wings vanish, and he dropped like a stone towards the vast land. He made his landing in a place of vast green and old stone structures.
*Master Link, we have made our arrival. This is the surface that Skyloftians speak of in legends. If my calculations are correct, your current position is known as the Sealed Grounds,* Fi said. Link looked around. If the name was to be believed, there was a seal of some sort here, and it would be wise if he were to avoid it.
*Please proceed with caution, Master,* Fi said, echoing Link's earlier thought. She disappeared into Link's sword, leaving Link to look around on his own. He made careful steps, making sure to conceal his wings. A dark burst came from the centre of a large pit beside Link's landing site, giving Link a headache.
"Note to self: the sealed demon is there," Link said. Dark energy was exhibited by the sword in the stone at the pit's base. Link jumped down to land beside the sword. It was exhibiting a black aura.
"Young one, child of destiny descended from the sky… Raise the sword of the goddess skyward, aim at the evil aura, and unleash its power!" a voice said. Link complied, performing a Skyward Strike on the stone. The dark aura ceased to exude from the stone.
*Master Link. I have been performing scans upon the area, and have detected an aura. Judging from readings of your Sailcloth, I can surmise with a 99% probability that this aura belongs to Zelda,* Fi said, coming from the sword.
"Zelda? Can you trace this aura?" Link asked.
*Of course I can. The process to do so is called dowsing. I can detect the presence of various auras, and I can point you in the direction of these auras using the tip of the sword. The nearer you are to an object emitting this aura, the stronger a response I can create. The tip of the sword will gravitate to the aura's origin, and will vibrate more rapidly if the source is nearby,* Fi explained. Link dug into his pouch, and pulled out a few odds and ends. He looped a small string around the hilt of the Goddess Sword, and fashioned a loop at the other end of the string. Link noticed a similar string appear on Fi's ankle.
*What, might I ask, are you doing?* Fi asked.
"I've read vaguely of dowsers. It's more beneficial to me if you can move about freely when dowsing, right?" Link said.
*Quite wise, Link. There is a 75% chance your idea will save us hassle in the future,* Fi said. Link flew out of the pit, and entered a temple near the pit.
Inside this temple, Link saw a tall, red tent. Link approached the tent, before gasping in shock. What appeared to be a tent was actually a woman's massive hat.
"Ah… the traveller descended from the clouds above. I welcome you, child of fate," the woman said.
"You know of me…" Link said, assuming a seated position.
"Only vaguely, winged warrior. What is your name?" the woman asked.
"My name is Link," Link said.
"Link, is it? Good. I sense that you have already gained control of the power that your sword harnesses when pointed skyward. The Skyward Strike is at your command… It is proof that you are fit to bear the blade you carry, the Goddess Sword. I have sat here for years, waiting for you to arrive. All so that I could fulfil my purpose as your guide," the woman said.
"Do you need anything? Food, water… the bathroom?" Link asked.
"…Please do not spoil the magnitude of this moment. You stand under the roof of the Sealed Temple, a place built by the goddess an eternity ago. Your arrival was predestined many, many years ago. The spirit maiden you seek arrived here shortly before you, descending to this land in a shower of light," the woman said. "There's no doubting it. The gears of fate have begun to turn. Yet all is not as it should be. The spirit maiden was not meant to reach this land in the manner she did. I feel an evil power working in the shadows. It moves to warp the destiny of which you two are a part. Link… you are concerned for the spirit maiden and seek her whereabouts, yes?" the woman asked.
"Yes. Who knows what's down here… Zelda can't see! She could have easily fallen prey to the giant hole in the ground just outside!" Link said.
"I assure you, that problem has been dealt with. For now, you must focus on moving forward. That girl has her own purpose she must pursue, as do you. She set out for Faron Woods to discover her destiny, and you must follow. Faron Woods lies… here on your map. All of your questions will be answered in time…" the woman said. Link nodded, and left the room from a newly opened door.
He left the Sealed Temple, and found a weird creature being assaulted by other weird creatures swinging sharp objects. The victim carried only an explorer's pack, marking him as the person in more need of saving. Link slashed with his sword, and the various monsters were vanquished.
"Thanks for the hand there, buddy…" the creature said. "I wasn't expecting to bump into those pests in this peaceful place…"
"I do not know their name, but I do know that they will trouble you no more," Link said.
"Also, what are you things? I've seen two of you today. This place has just been getting weirder and weirder…" the creature said.
"Hey!" Link said adamantly. He thought about it, and realised he must have referred to Zelda. "HEY!"
"Oops… forgive my lack of tact. I owe you for defeating those foes, so let me tell you something. First… my name is Gorko the Goron. I am a researcher. According to the texts, there is some kind of place called the Isle of the Goddess in the sky! Bird statues, like the one over there, serve as landmarks for those going up or going down from the Isle of the Goddess. It might be useful for you…" the creature said.
"Bird statues… I'll make a note!" Link said. "What else is there to know?"
"A connoisseur of culture! It's been a while since the last time I met such a fellow! According to what I've read, some people live on the sky island, and they get around flying on the backs of huge birds!" Gorko said. Link hid a tear: no matter Gorko's intention, he hit a nerve there.
"Up there, everyone reveres the goddess, and all of the residents live in a perfect society free of conflict and unhappiness!" Gorko said.
"Free of conflict?" Link asked, thinking of Groose. "Yeah, like that's gonna happen."
"Not only that, but apparently, their civilisation is far more advanced than ours down here! And that's not even the half of it! The place was crafted by the goddess, so it figures that wonders exist we cannot comprehend here…" Gorko said. "The buildings are made of gold! An endless spring of water of immortality is found there! The trees can cure disease! Pumpkins grow that never rot! Wildflowers bloom everywhere… And perfect weather!"
"OK, now I know that island's too good to be true…" Link said. He tried to make note of Gorko's statements, and try to see if he could find that to be true back in Skyloft.
"It is beyond amazing! I'd love to tell you more… but I don't know enough now…" Gorko said. "If we meet again, I'll tell you more!"
"Sounds lovely, Gorko…" Link said. He approached the statue, and touched it. He felt a mystical power flow through him, and words he had never heard of flowed through his mind. All of a sudden, he felt like he could identify the various things within the forest… wait… he knew he was in a place called a forest!
"I'm starting to believe this Isle of the Goddess thing…" Link said, smiling. Gorko did a small jig. Link started to walk through the forest.
Link entered the Faron Woods. Fi appeared at his side, and began her spiel.
*Faron Woods: a plentiful water supply sustains a large diversity of flora, including the massive tree ahead of us. Through a logical progression, the lush plant life and water resources have attracted animal species to this region. It is highly probable that Zelda can be located within this area. Use dowsing to find her…* Fi said. Link nodded, and Fi returned to the blade. Link held out the Goddess Blade, and followed the direction of the dowsing. This led him to find two Bokoblins harassing a small bush.
"Now why would you go and do that?" Link asked the two Bokoblins. Both were slashed, and Link knelt down to see what the bush actually was. A small creature poked up his head, and sat up, revealing the bush to be its back.
"Huh? It's gone quiet…" the creature, a Kikwi, said. It stood up, and looked around.
"Eek! Don't hurt me!" the Kikwi said. It ran up a hill, and Link's dowsing sword followed it. Seeing this, Link ran up the hill behind it, and ran right beside it. The Kikwi realised it wasn't putting distance between itself and Link, and hid as a bush again.
"Relax, little Kikwi. I'm not going to hurt you," Link said, sitting down. The Kikwi got up, and looked at Link confusedly.
"So… you're not going to eat me?" the Kikwi said. "Thanks for helping me! You seem OK, red one. I'm Machi."
"Hello, Machi. My name is Link," Link said.
"A little while ago, I ran into another animal like you, except the other one was a girl. The thing kept talking to next to me," Machi said.
"You must have found Zelda. I'm looking for her… where did she go?" Link said.
"What's a Zelda? The girl I saw was in trouble when I saw her. A pack of mean red guys were after her, but she escaped with the Kikwi elder," Machi said.
"Thank the goddess she's safe…" Link said. Fi appeared from Link's sword, causing Machi to hide as a bush again.
*And that explains the earlier false readings. My apologies, for it seems I forgot to tell you: the aura that dowsing utilises leaves traces on other auras. Nevertheless, we were led to information on Zelda, so I consider this event a success,* Fi said. *I can extrapolate that continued dowsing will allow you to reach one of the Kikwi elder or Zelda.*
"Hopefully Zelda," Link commented. Fi returned to the blade, and Machi stood back up.
"That was reeeeally weird, Link. But it sounds as if you're set on finding your friend and our elder. If you're heading that way, let the elder know that Machi is safe," Machi said. Link nodded, and continued through the forest. Climbing up, he found the elder. The massive Kikwi was easily twice Link's height, and probably four times his weight.
"Hello, crimson traveller. I am Bucha, the Kikwi elder," the Kikwi said. "You saw through my disguise easily… you must be a master woodsman."
"You wouldn't happen to have seen Zelda, would you? About my height, beautiful blonde hair… milky blue eyes…" Link asked.
"Zelda… yes, one of your kind. She was with me. But now is not the time for such talk. The woods are full of monsters. I am worried about my missing tribe. Shock and worry has made my memories of that girl hazy…" Bucha said.
"I've met another Kikwi. His name was Machi," Link said.
"Ah! You've met another! But the monsters still lurk in this forest. I shall not leave this spot," Bucha said. He promptly returned to being a bush.
"So… I guess I'm going to have to find some other Kikwis…" Link said. "Fi, can we dowse Kikwi?"
*Yes, Master. I can dowse for anything you request. Dowsing will now lead in the direction of lost Kikwi,* Fi said. Link nodded, and started looking through the forest.
"Lopsa, Erla and Oolo are all accounted for," Link said. He had finished exploring, and found the three Kikwi.
"Ah, my thanks, crimson one…" Bacha said. "You seem good at finding what is missing."
"I've served as a pair of eyes to a girl who had none. My seeing senses have been attuned, and then I got dowsing," Link said.
"Kwee hee hee! I believe I just remembered where that young lady went! Let's see… Zelda, was it? She had to travel to the temple deep within these woods… I tried to warn her about the dangers, but she just pressed on anyway. Shot off like a magnet, she did. Hope she avoided all of them monsters…" Bacha said.
"So do I…" Link said. He took a ponderous breath, and started humming. He played Malon's Song, and his wings burst out from his spine. He hopped, and started to fly. He started dowsing with Fi, catching on to Zelda's direction. He shot off like an arrow, following Zelda through the forest.
"…No more Glittering Spores," Bacha said, falling asleep.
Link approached the Deep Woods, the area that Zelda had travelled. He saw a small item lying on the ground, and scooped it up. He identified the object as a Slingshot, and picked it up for later use. He continued to glide, and spotted a large, ruinous building. He knew its name: the Skyview Temple. He shot his slingshot at a diamond crystal outside, and entered the deep dungeon. He felt the need to tip toe through this dark, dank place. Skyview Temple was nothing of the sort; he was going underground, not seeing the sky at all.
*Master, I cannot isolate the aura of Zelda from the aura of the monsters. You will not be able to dowse any longer,* Fi said. Link sighed, and shortened Fi's string. He walked through the passages, using glowing mushrooms as guides. He slipped past spiders, green Bokoblins and varieties of Babas, to reach a map. He shrugged, and pressed his hand to it. Like the bird statue in Faron Woods, he felt knowledge of the temple flow through him at the touch.
*Master, it seems as if someone has left Information for you to find…* Fi said.
"It's nice of them. Though now you mention it, it feels a bit… off," Link said. He vaguely wondered how he was getting this information, but resolved to pay it no mind. If it was someone being nice, good. If it was a trap, he had well and truly sprung it by now.
Link progressed through the Skyview Temple, to find a new foe. The room he was in locked itself, as the skeletal enemy known as Stalfos assembled. Stalfos crept up on Link, and Link spread his wings intimidatingly. Stalfos cringed, allowing Link to exploit a weakness in his guard. Stalfos immediately went back on guard. Link waited, as Stalfos performed an attack. Link guarded with his shield, causing Stalfos to drop his swords. His bones disassembled, and withered into dust. Link held out his hands, and the dust assembled inside his arms. He spun around, and proudly held up the Beetle.
*You have acquired a new item. Analysis of its body structure indicate that it can fly,* Fi said.
"So can I. Big whoop," Link said.
*Hm… maybe its miniature size allows it to go through areas you are too large to fit through?* Fi asked. Link looked up, and spotted a small cavity. He shot the Beetle towards it, and felt his perception switch to that of the Beetle's. He directed the Beetle to weave through the glowing mushrooms, to hit a switch. The Beetle flew back to Link, and latched on to Link's arm.
*My analysis appears to be correct. The size of the Beetle, as well as its capacities, gives it its practicality,* Fi stated. Link nodded, and continued through the temple, arriving in areas that lived up to the Skyview name a little more than the earlier portions.
Link arrived at a large door, with a few carvings on the ground beside it. Link knelt down, and inspected the shapes. He looked at the door, to notice a hole in the vague shape of a key with a comically large tooth. He picked up one of the carvings, and twisted it so that it, too, looked like a key with a large tooth. He slid in the carving, and the door opened. He entered the room cautiously.
Link looked around the room, and saw nobody. He returned his gaze to face forward, and spotted a figure who certainly wasn't there a few moments ago. This man was chalk-white with diamond patterns, and had a red cape and a very nasty looking sword.
*Look who it is…* the figure said. He turned dramatically, revealing a rather unsettling-looking face, as if created by a person who was unfamiliar with the differences between a male and a female face. The jarring sight was luckily partially concealed by the white hair of the person.
*I thought my little tornado would have torn you apart, but I guess I mispronounced my spell. Here you are, in the opposite of pieces! Well, not that your life or death has consequence. It's just the girl that matters now, and I can sense her here… just beyond this door. Yes, we plucked Her Majesty from her perch in the clouds, and now she's ours,* the figure said, his sword vanishing.
"Who are you… and WHAT DO YOU WANT WITH ZELDA?" Link asked, fear driving his words. His wings exploded out, as he faced the figure he couldn't name, the figure who had dark designs for the girl Link defended with his life.
*Oh, right. I'm being positively uncivil. Allow me to introduce myself. I am the Demon Lord who presides upon this land you look down on, the land of the surface. You may call me Ghirahim. Truthfully, I very much prefer my full title of Lord Ghirahim. But I'm not too fussy,* the figure said. Link furrowed his brow.
"Demon, huh… I think it's about time you had a good long chat with Fi!" Link said, drawing his sword.
*Did you really decide to do that? How foolish… By all rights, the girl should have blindly fallen into our hands already… but then a loathsome servant of the goddess… snatched her away. Do you have any idea how that made me feel? Furious! Outraged! Sick with anger!* Ghirahim said, turning to diamonds and vanishing.
*This turn of events has left me with a strong appetite for bloodshed…* Ghirahim continued, before coming up right behind Link. Link flourished his wings, sending him keeling.
*It hardly seems fair, being of my position, to take all of my anger out on you. I promise not to murder you at the moment… I'll just beat you within an inch of your life!* Ghirahim said, shedding his cape.
Skyview Temple Boss … … … Demon Lord: GHIRAHIM identified!
No confirmed information identified. A powerful and evil aura emanates from this individual, though it appears that he is holding back to some degree. He seems confident in his ability. His bare right hand appears to have the ability to take the Goddess Sword, so attacking from the direction his hand is present is sub-optimal.
Link's senses picked up this much as Ghirahim made his approach. Link swung his sword, striking past Ghirahim's hand and supplying him with damage. He spun his sword around, and flung it at Ghirahim, hitting him with the hilt. Ghirahim got to his feet, and summoned the sword he held earlier. He charged forwards, and sliced. Link dodged the slice, and landed a blow. Ghirahim teleported a few metres back, and shot a line of daggers, which Link deflected. Ghirahim appeared behind Link, but a spin attack sent him keeling. Link quickly charged a Skyward Strike, and blasted it at Ghirahim.
*You put up more of a fight than I thought possible, for some ex-human freak. Well, I suppose that's a bit hypocritical of me… but no, I'll say it anyway. Beast! Creature most fowl! You only live because you wield that accursed sword!* Ghirahim said.
"You take that back right now, person who calls himself a demon!" Link said.
*Master, there is a 5% probability that pointing that out is going to cease the insult, considering Ghirahim's earlier statements,* Fi stated.
*Enough. I fear I have spent far too long teasing and toying. The girl's presence has faded, which means there's no reason to linger here. Good bye, you little parrot. Get in my way again, and I'll be killing you, and slow-roasting you… it's been a while since I've had a good turkey!* Ghirahim said, vanishing. Fi turned to face Link.
*Master, there is a 75% chance that taking Ghirahim's statements to heart will cause undue pain and reduce your overall effectiveness by a significant margin. I highly recommend that you ignore his tactics,* Fi said. Link looked idly at his wings. He had never considered it before now, but did his wings really mark his descent into inhumanity?
Link passed through Ghirahim's room, and into the Skyview Spring. He stepped towards an altar beneath a replica of the Goddess Statue, and delivered a Skyward Strike to send the crest spinning.
*Master, a message… From the edge of time I guide you, the one chosen to carry out the goddess's mission. The spirit maiden who descended from the clouds must travel to two sacred places to purify her body. You stand in one of these places: Skyview Spring. The other is known as the Earth Spring. This second spring is hidden away deep within the scorched earth of Eldin. The spirit maiden, ever mindful of the heavy task entrusted to her, has set out for this second sacred place,* Fi said. A glow appeared in the hands of the Goddess Statue, which soared over to Link's hands. He spun around, and presented the Ruby Tablet.
"So… next stop, Eldin?" Link asked.
*With as much speed as possible. We want to be as prepared as we can be to help Zelda's purification,* Fi responded. Link nodded, and spread his wings. He jumped, and soared high, back into the sky.