Link arrived back in the present, and turned to the old woman. No… he turned to Impa. Only one woman would have known about his stupid question.
"So you've returned… and I now see asking about the bathroom was an exercise in futility. Well, you have surely learned more important things. Zelda is behind that gate, sleeping without end. She is still alive and well. True to legend, you will need the Triforce to vanquish Demise. It is thought to have been hidden in Skyloft by the goddess. Sadly, that is all I've got about its location. Other clues are lost to the ages. I will spell out the conclusion, but you have likely come to it. The key to finding the Triforce must be in Skyloft. Go now, Link. Go forth and seek the Triforce," Impa said. Link nodded.
"Whoa there!" Groose called. "There's something I've gotta tell you, Link!"
"And what might that be?" Link asked.
"Well… how was Zelda when you saw her?" Groose asked.
"Skip to your thing, Groose," Link said.
"So, something bad happened. Gotcha. You're going to do something about this mess, and no matter how much I want otherwise, that is a dead guarantee. Link… I'm not going back. I'm staying with Grannie. We hate each other, but there's definitely the basis for a friendship somewhere…" Groose said.
"Yes, me cursing your guts every time I mention you in a sentence is a great friendship…" Impa called over.
"Nah, I'm doing what I want to do down here! There's a feeling in my belly that I have work to do down here. I don't know how to explain it. Someone's got to watch the Imprisoned fellow, and Grannie's not getting any younger. It's not the action you see, but maybe this is the destiny laid out for me. Get my meaning?" Groose said.
"I get you, Groose…" Link said.
"It's not so bad. Living in the sky was fine, but it smells just great down here. Check it out: Zelda and Grannie brought life to this land here. I bet the weakest sapling could grow into a beast of a tree in this soil. It'd brighten this place up too. It'd take a few years to grow, yeah, but I've got nothing but time from where I'm sitting. And that's the way I feel," Groose said.
"Wow… it's nice to see this side of you, Groose. When people ask, I'm going to say you're doing magnificent. Partner," Link said, holding out his hand.
"Thanks… Partner," Groose said, taking Link's hand, and shaking it.
Link landed in Skyloft, and walked through the Knight Academy. He walked into Gaepora's office, and waved to the headmaster.
"Hey, Link. More news on my daughter?" he asked.
"Yes… not something I want to talk about," Link said.
"Ah… well, I've been thinking, on another note. You've had destiny thrust upon you without warning, or choice. But I wish to help as best as I can. I'm a bit old, but old people have ways of being useful. Let me tell you some knowledge. Any requests?" Gaepora asked.
"Do you know about the supreme power the goddess sent up along with Skyloft?" Link asked.
"The supreme power… if you're talking about the Triforce, that's not a word I've heard in a long time… a long time. The Triforce has appeared in ancient texts, including a few times in texts you've read," Gaepora said.
"Ah, I remember it, now… the Triforce was one of the topics I didn't understand all that well…" Link admitted.
"But its whereabouts aren't illuminated in any tome. The Triforce is lost to history. Sorry…" Gaepora said.
"You did your best," Link said, kneeling down.
"Link… you must talk to the one person in the sky who is wiser than I," Gaepora said.
"Who is that, and why isn't he running this academy?" Link asked.
"Well, person is a bit of a misnomer… but note how I said 'sky', and not 'Skyloft'," Gaepora said.
"Oh, right…" Link said. "Now I know exactly who you're talking about."
Link soared through the skies, and pierced into the Thunderhead. Scrapper appeared, holding a giant pumpkin.
*Sir Shortpants! I don't know what you're thinking, but Lady Fi signalled me to get this!* Scrapper said. Link smiled, wondering what use a giant pumpkin would serve, but he soon found out. The massive Wind Fish Link was seeking leaped from the clouds, covered in scary little tentacles. Link gasped. Something was off. The Wind Fish leaped forward, and snapped up the pumpkin and Scrapper.
Boss of the Skies… …What? Great Spirit of the Skies… LEVIAS identified!
Link was in the dark. Levias was a benevolent one… he would never harm a fly! But there went Scrapper in one gulp. And while Scrapper was a massive jerk to him, he wasn't taking that lying down! Link leaped into the sky, and spiralled around Levias. Link soared towards the odd tentacles, and pierced them with his sword. They burst into green goo, and the tentacles retreated. Another thing sprouted from the head of Levias. Link dived onto the head, and faced the… thing.
Now that's more like it! Ocular Parasite BILOCYTE identified!
This thing is attached to Levias, and is known for its enormous optical structure. It controls the mind and body of its host, the creep! The Bilocyte's projectiles can be repelled by the sword. That seems very effective, and really awesome. Its weakness would be that massive eye… but those fins. That could make attacks ineffective. But can reflected projectiles be directed…
Link stared down the Bilocyte. He stood his ground, and deflected three goo balls: one left, one right, and one forward. The Bilocyte was sent to the ground, and Link could slash away at the Bilocyte's eye. Bilocyte reared back, shot a ball, and leaned to one side. Link slashed the orb over to him, and defeating him with his own powers. Levias let out a mighty wail, and Scrapper was ejected from Levias's innards. Link was deposited on a small island.
Did you save me from that irksome pest that altered my behaviour? Thanks… but in future, LD-301 robots aren't very tasty, Levias said.
"He wasn't on the menu," Link said.
*Thank you, Lady Fi, for saving my life. Sir Shortpants, I'm never trusting you again! I'm going home. Scrapper is out, peace!* Scrapper said, retreating.
Well, the pumpkin soup I gobbled was most delicious. I thank you for it. Before she passed on, the goddess Hylia appointed I, the Wind Fish Levias, as the warden of the skies. And you are Link, if memory serves. It's nice to see you again… though where is that lovely bird of yours, Malon? Levias said.
"She's… become one with me," Link said. He spread his wings.
Ah. Shame, too… if I recall, Azure had quite the crush on her. Hm… your sword is quite curious. And I sense a silent power dwelling in that little frame. Link, you are the goddess's chosen hero. How interesting. I'm guessing you've come to hear about the Triforce, Levias said.
"Right," Link said.
As I suspected… As you know, an evil force attempted to take the Triforce for his own. The goddess did everything in her power to prevent it from falling into his hands. For the safety of all things, she hid the Triforce somewhere with the rock called Skyloft. However, its exact location is a secret. Even I do not know where to look. But there is a hint… you must play a song. It is known as the Song of the Hero. This tune is the key to revealing the secret location of the Triforce. The song is in four parts. I know one part. The other parts are known to Faron the Water Dragon, Eldin the Fire Dragon, and Lanayru the Thunder Dragon. You must learn the parts that the dragons know. I will teach you the last part. It makes it special, see? Levias explained.
"The Song of the Hero…" Link said.
Remember… where the fate of the world is concerned, we're holding out for a hero! Levias said.
The first place Link decided to travel was Faron Woods. He had already met Faron, and he reasoned that visiting her would be the wisest first move. He flew down towards Lake Floria, before hearing a familiar bird whistle.
"So close…" Link said. He looped around, and shot back to the Sealed Grounds. He saw Groose preparing the Groosenator again, who waved at Link as he flew. Link dived down to the base of the pit, and watched as the Imprisoned broke free of his prison.
The Imprisoned!
This is the demonic vessel of Demise. There appears to be a previously unseen tail thing. We'd better make use of Groose's catapult. Using the 'attack its toes' strategy is the wisest move once more. After toppling the beast, remember to fly towards the head. The monster's evolution has reaped a powerful state, and using only the blade seems impossible… I wonder what else we can load into the Groosenator.
Link flew about, and slashed the Imprisoned's toes. This toppled the beast, and allowed Link to strike the Sealing Spike once more. The Imprisoned got up, and a large circle appeared behind the beast.
"What is that?" Groose asked. The Imprisoned roared, and began to float.
"Oh no you don't! Groose, feed him the Groosenator!" Link commanded.
"With pleasure," Groose said. He fired, and shot a bomb directly into the Imprisoned's mouth. The Imprisoned was sent into the pit, and Link slashed the Sealing Spike some more. The Imprisoned roared, and some crumbling noises sounded from the top.
"LINK! I'M OUT OF BOMBS!" Groose cried out. Link thought back to the tactics that came to mind.
"I've got you covered!" Link said. He hopped into the Groosenator.
"…Let's hit him with force!" Link said. Groose ran up to the lever, and pulled. Link felt himself launch from the catapult, and felt something in his stomach start rumbling. Used to take-off as he was, flying from a catapult was something else altogether. He landed on the Imprisoned, dazing him. Link slashed at the Sealing Spike, causing the Imprisoned to writhe and explode into scales. Link hurriedly began hovering, and dropped down to the base of the pit. He performed a Skyward Strike, and sent it back into the ground.
"Whew… shouldn't need to do that again…" Link said.
"Yeah… I thought we were goners… wonder what the next Imprisoned fight will add. Eyes?" Groose asked. Link shook his head, and flew back up to the Sealed Temple. He and Groose entered the room.
"Ah, so the beast is sealed once more… but the seal seems to wane each escape," Impa said.
"So next time he breaks out, I win, fly into the sky, and hear the whistle immediately?" Link asked.
"Let us hope it does not come to that. Have you found the Triforce?" Impa asked.
"I know where to look. I should be done before round four. All I need to do is find the three dragons and complete the Song of the Hero," Link said.
"It was wise to descend here… but the woods are completely flooded," Impa said sombrely.
"Eep…" Link said. "Let's hope I'm still good with swimming."
Link flew back to Faron, and landed in the pool of water. He didn't notice it earlier, but the place was flooded. He saw Kikwi floating about on lily pads. Link swam down, and went into the Great Tree. He swam up to the top of the tree's inside, and heard the Water Dragon Faron rear up.
Who dares to dip even a toe in my waters without my leave? Faron asked. Roared, more like.
"Link, Chosen Hero of the Goddess," Link responded.
Oh, I remember now. You're the young human who helped me recover from my injuries some time ago. Link, was it? Well, you certainly look and seem stronger since last we met. And that sword… you are clearly the spirit of the hero of the goddess! So… if my guess is correct, you're looking to learn a part of the Song of the Hero, correct? Faron asked.
"Correct," Link said.
That's all well and good, but I just can't go give away something that precious to every hero who shows up on my doorstep. I will execute a final test. There are more than a few irksome monsters running around as of late. I had enough of their strutting. I decided to flood the whole woods to be rid of those awful things. Every inch of greenery is submerged. So I will test you here, in this flooded land. If you're up to completing my task, I see no reason to not give you the melody you seek, Faron said. She summoned a blue orb, and sent it into the sky. Link ran out of the Great Tree, and saw the orb split into pieces, falling into the forest.
As you saw, I have split the melody among my Tadtones and hid them around the forest. Take this score I have here, and collect all of those musical friends. Find the Tadtones, and return. If you succeed, you are worthy of the Song of the Hero, Faron said. Link nodded, and dived into the water.
An hour or two later, Link had found and collected all of the Tadtones, and returned them to Faron.
Well done for finding them all. You are indeed worthy of being called a hero. I am a dragon of my word: I will teach you the portion of the song I know, Faron said. A blue light appeared in her hands, and that light shot into Link's head. Link spun around, and held his hand high. He had learned part of the Song of the Hero.
And… I had planned to keep these woods underwater. But your task is far from over… I suppose I will return the woods to their natural state, Faron said. I will retire to my hall. You'd best be on your way too.
Faron dived into the water, and its level drained after her. The forest had returned to normal, and for that, Link was glad. Keeping a forest underwater wasn't healthy, or so he guessed. Link shot into the sky, and headed to another dragon.
Link dived down towards the Eldin Volcano region, and heard a massive eruption. He got sent to one side, and blacked out. When he awoke, he found himself in a cell. He looked about. He found his Mogma Mitts still on his hands, and could burrow under the jail. Link whistled, and sure enough, his wings were still around. He looked about. Some Bokoblins shrieked, and he used his wings as a form of attack. He flew about, and found a few of his items: his Gust Bellows, his Clawshots, his Whip, his Slingshot and his Bomb Bag. He looked about, and flew around some more, and up the volcano to its summit. There, he found the Master Sword.
"Now we're back in business… I wonder who's responsible for this…" Link said. He flew some more, and discovered a small hideout. He cleaned out the area, and found a treasure chest that looked filled to bursting. He opened it, and found his Adventure Pouch and missing items. He continued his flight, and looked for the Fire Dragon.
The Fire Dragon, Eldin, was relatively easy to find. He was located past an intricate door elsewhere on the mountain. Once Link was in the Dragon's Chamber, he burst from the lava, and started floating about.
A man of flesh and blood has walked to the heart of my burning hall! Now this is something! Eldin said. Link got on one knee, and bowed to the Dragon.
If I have the right of it, the mark you bear upon your hand is not just a fashionable decoration. There can be no doubt about it. The goddess has chosen you to hear the melody I have guarded for all of these years… Eldin said. Link stood up expectantly.
Listen well, human child. I will grant you my part of the Song of the Hero, Eldin said. He created a red light, and shot it into Link's forehead. Link spun around, and held his fist high. Link had been bestowed two parts of the Song of the Hero.
Oh, and, err… sorry about the earlier eruption. I may have, err… had a bit of an overreaction to something, and you were just too close. The skies above should be clear. You should be able to fly through them, Eldin said. Link nodded gratefully. He ran to a room with a clear sky, and jumped up in search of the third dragon.
Link dived down into the Lanayru Desert. He performed a fly-over, and found Golo the Goron. Link quickly resumed human form, and called out to him.
"Oh, hey, Link! Did you find that flame?" Golo asked.
"Yep, Golo," Link said. "Have you found anything on the Dragon?"
"Yes. Remember that passageway I was digging earlier? It's too narrow for me to fit. The Thunder Dragon… so close, yet so far!" Golo said.
"Thank you. I'll see if I can fit…" Link said.
Link soared over to the area Golo mentioned, and found the passage in question. He snuck through the passage, and found the Lanayru Gorge. Link walked up, and saw a pile of bones lying around a pillar, eyes glowing gold. Link chocked, and looked around the area. He soared into the sky, and looked for something… there it was! A clump of Chronolite! Link dived down, and summoned Fi.
*SCRLD301,* Fi said. With that, Scrapper came down to Link.
*Where do ya want this, Lady Fi?* Scrapper asked.
"Over by that pile of bones," Link said.
*I didn't ask you, Sir Shortpants… I mean, I'll do anything for you, Lady Fi!* Scrapper said. He scooped up the Chronolite, and followed Link to the pile of bones in question. Link activated the Chronolite, and the bones quivered, turning into a massive fellow. With a few booming coughs, he revealed his livelihood.
*I am out of here…* Scrapper said. *Weird blue rocks… yeesh.* Link rolled his eyes, and turned to the Thunder Dragon.
Oh, hello… I haven't had a visitor in… well, quite a while. You look human… so what reason do you have to come this far? the Thunder Dragon Lanayru asked.
"My name is Link, and I am the Chosen Hero of the Goddess. I would like to claim your portion of the Song of the Hero," Link said.
Link… not much of a name. How about… CG-LINK-03...? Lanayru asked.
"What kind of rename is that?" Link asked.
Ah… you don't like it. What a shame… so what can I do for you? Oh, right, that song… Well, I must apologise… I can't really help you… I'm quite ill. I'm in no shape to sing, Lanayru said.
"All of the other dragons gave me the song as Information… but I guess I couldn't overlook a sick Dragon. Do you know of any potential cure?" Link asked.
No… I feel so ashamed… Lanayru said. He tried to muster a yellow orb for Link, but Link turned it down. He wouldn't accept himself if he sat back and let Lanayru die. He flew up, and found a small dead tree besides some Chronolite. He went back in time, and found the tree in seed form. He dug it up, and found it as a Life Tree seedling: its fruit could cure any illness. It wouldn't grow in Lanayru… where else could it grow?
Link flew back to the Sealed Temple, and went back through the Gate of Time. He ran over to one side, and planted the seed in this past. Link went back to the present, and looked where he planted the tree. The tree had blossomed, and a Life Tree Fruit had blossomed. Link picked it, and flew back to Lanayru.
Link walked up to Lanayru, and presented the Life Tree Fruit. Lanayru took the fruit, and swallowed it whole. He shone a bright white, and roared. A massive drumbeat sounded, as Lanayru spun around, and held his fist high.
Now you've done it! I feel like a proper dragon again! Lanayru said in triumph, passing in and out of the Chronolite with ease.
Having eternal life is cool, but being sick while living forever is just not fun. Now, though, I will keep on charging a while more! You've earned this! Lanayru said. He created the yellow orb, and this time, Link accepted it. He spun around, and held his fist high. He had earned the third part of the Song of the Hero.
And as a proper thanks for saving my life… Lanayru said, holding out his hand, and summoned a shield. Link looked at it: it was blue, laced with a silver rim. On it was the yellow triangle pattern on the back of his hand, with a red bird underneath…
Yep. The Goddess's Crimson Glider… that's you on the shield, my friend. Now, go back and make use of the Song of the Hero! Lanayru said. Link nodded, and set off back to the Thunderhead.
Link flew back into the Thunderhead, and landed atop Levias. Levias looked up, and noticed him.
You've learned the three parts of the song? You've done well, young one, Levias said.
"Thank you, great Levias," Link said.
True to my word, I shall grant you the final part of the song… hup… Levias said. He focused, and shot a green orb into the sky. Link took it into his mind, and learned part four of the Song of the Hero. He spun around four times, and raised his hand high into the sky in triumph. He pulled out his harp, and began to strum. As he did so, he felt his mind begin to wander. The three dragons and Levias hummed the song with his harp, and Link felt the pattern of the song become his own.
Link… you must play this song in Skyloft. Only then will the path to the Triforce open… Levias said. Link nodded, and soared towards Skyloft.
Link landed in Skyloft, and saw a small symbol appear beneath his feet. He was at the foot of the light tower, and here, in front of him, was another gate to a Silent Realm. He played the Song of the Hero, and as he did, he saw a few visions.
An adventurer, holding up a triangle.
A magician, placing a stone into the forehead of a statue.
A champion, holding up what looked like the Master Sword in a deep forest.
A dreamer, playing a song for a giant egg.
A legend, pulling the Master Sword from a pedestal in a large building.
A boy, playing an ocarina under a large moon.
A woman, using a rod to bring dead trees to life.
A man, using a harp to change from light to dark.
A knight, dividing into four in green, red, blue and purple.
A sailor, crossing a massive ocean aboard a crimson boat.
A hearty crew, battling in formation against a large foe.
A hero, being turned into the size of a nail by a bird on his head.
A maiden, holding the Master Sword in a misty place not unlike the Sealed Temple.
A mariner, crossing the ocean with steam coming from his ship.
An engineer, driving a device on the power of steam.
And finally, he, Link, a demon, gliding through the sky. He was the only person he saw clad in red, not counting one of the crew of four knights, but he knew who he saw. His distant children, the people who would hold up his ideals against the threats that they would face. Touched by the sight, he touched his sword to the final symbol, and appeared in the fourth Silent Realm, Epona. He felt the Spirit Vessel appear, and looked around. He whistled, just to be sure… but noticed something behind him. His wings were just as magnificent, if not more so, than in the real world. He could fly around Epona, and claim the Sacred Tears using his wings. And good thing, too… the Guardians were not calmed by the Sacred Tears. Link claimed the fifteen Sacred Tears, and filled his Spirit Vessel. He walked up to the Loftwing, who spread his wings and disabled the Guardians. He turned to Link.
"Azure?" Link asked. Azure nodded, and spat out the fourth reward of the Silent Realms. Link spun around, and presented the Stone of Trials, the path to the Triforce. Epona dissolved, and Link reappeared in Skyloft.
Link looked down at the Stone of Trials. It slowly pulsed. Link walked around, and the Stone of Trials began pulsing faster and slower based on Link's movements. Realising what was going on, Link followed the Stone of Trials around Skyloft, and was led outside the cave he had to traverse to find Malon after Groose captured her. Smiling nostalgically, while still having a twinge of regret, he turned around, and saw a statue of a bird. One eye had a red stone, while the other did not. Link looked at the Stone of Trials. It was vibrantly pulsing, and resembled the other eye. Link put the Stone of Trials into the empty eye, and the bird statue revolved around to face away from Link. It fired a cannonball at Skyloft. After a few moments, rocks crumbled away, and a magnificent structure appeared beneath Skyloft.
*Master Link, my calculations indicate an 85% chance that the structure ahead houses the Triforce,* Fi said.
"And the other 15%?" Link asked.
*It houses another clue as to the Triforce's location,* Fi said.
"Let's hope it's that first one, then," Link said. He sprouted his wings, and jumped across to the building.
Link walked into the dungeon. His first sight was a tablet on the ground, which he quickly touched to get the Information on this place, the Sky Keep. Link looked around. He saw a tablet, and looked at the shapes on it. There were eight squares, which represented the rooms of the dungeon. Three of the squares were marked with the triangle shape on the back of his hand. He tried to pull out the blocks, but they were stuck fast. This was a sliding puzzle. He slid around the rooms of the dungeon, and created a pathway. He walked through the pathway he created, through a forest room and a room with Chronolite. Once he reached the end of the Chronolite room, he found another sliding puzzle. He marked the rooms he'd been in, and rearranged.
He backtracked through the Chronolite room and the forest room, and went through a heated room. He marked this sliding puzzle, and noted that this puzzle already had his earlier markings. He gave a slight smile, and entered the next room. Here, he met a familiar looking foe. This was a robotic pirate who looked like Scervo, but was instead a robot called Dreadfuse. Link approached Dreadfuse, and charged forward, using a similar strategy to Scervo to send him from the cliff. Link proceeded past Dreadfuse's arena, and continued past the dungeon. He had visited all of the rooms without triangles, and went back to another sliding puzzle. He slid around the tiles a little, and realised he could access all three triangles without having to use the sliding puzzle again. He did this rearrangement, and entered room with the blue triangles.
In this room, he saw a gate barring a blue symbol. He walked towards one side of the gate, and walked slowly into the corner. He spread his wings, and felt something odd occur. He found himself inside the room with the blue emblem, and touched it. He found himself in a sort of Silent Realm, though this had no name. He spotted a golden triangle ahead. He ran up, spun around, and presented the Triforce of Wisdom!
Link reappeared in the real world, and walked about the Sky Keep, through some earlier rooms. He found the green symbol, and walked around through to a long pathway. Here, he was barred inside, and went up against two Moblins with metal shields. Gliding around to their backs, his True Master Sword could easily defeat these beasts. He progressed, and shot down a few Bokoblin Archers, and thwarted some Stalfos. Next room along was a Stalmaster and some Cursed Bokoblins, which Link could easily take down. He touched the green symbol at last, entering the second Silent Realm. He stepped forth, spun around, and claimed the third piece of the Triforce, the Triforce of Courage!
Link took a deep breath, and continued on his way. He crossed the forest and Dreadfuse rooms, and entered the last Triforce room. He crossed over some rivers of lava, dodging Keese, and found the red symbol. He entered the Silent Realm, and saw the last piece. He spun around, and presented the Triforce of Power! Vanquishing Demise was now a reality!
Link appeared atop the Goddess Statue in Skyloft, and the three Triforce pieces assembled into a familiar shape in front of him.
*Master, I believe at this juncture that a prayer is required. The ultimate goal we have pursued is now within reach,* Fi said. *Focus now, and wish with all your might for the destruction of Demise.*
Link stepped forward, and closed his eyes in prayer. The Triforce shone with a bright light, and the Goddess Statue dropped from Skyloft. He heard the whistle that signified the Imprisoned's seal breaking, but that couldn't be helped. The Goddess Statue descended on the Sealed Grounds, and perfectly fit within the Imprisoned's pit. Dark light appeared around the edges, before vanishing. The Triforce's power had defeated Demise, and restored peace to the world. One thing left to do.