VOLUME I: The Red Thread of Fate
)) Chapter 3: Brave New World ((
Outskirt of the Faron Woods, The Surface (AKA Grooseland), 2:45 pm, First Day -
Ankoku finally regained full consciousness from the light wetness of the grassy fieldand, and shook his head as he leant up against a tree. He had been flying for quite a long while due to the irregular air currents caused by Levias' passing in the sky. It had been a sight to behold, no doubt, and most likely the other Skyloftians had stared in awe at the deity… but for Ankoku had not been as much of a blessing. He sighed as he used the tree as a support and caressed his temples again, attempting to figure out what kind of priorities he had to settle first. Indeed, the lack of his scarf to relieve his stress was not helping at all.
At the realization that he had reached the surface… Ankoku froze in surprise and in wonder. He had to find Dodo and the scarf… in a land he had never seen… all by himself? Just like the Hero of Legend? Truly he could not get, in his opinion, a best blessing and worst misadventure all at once. Yet he was going to cope such just like his childhood idol had 75 years ago to save Zelda
He quickly decided. He had to get his scarf back. Yes, he had to, then he would have…. Before finishing his line of thoughts, he realized that Dodo was much more important to find. He could have been still in a panicked state … or worse. Yes, indeed, Dodo was the priority, then he had to get his scarf and finally return to the surface. He should have had at least 24 hours, if he had gotten this correct. Plenty of time, if he excluded training, dinner and sleeping. He hoped at least that his mother would have to be understanding of his temporary absence.
But little time he had, so he grabbed a Deku Stick and quickly decided to look for clues of his Loftwing's whereabouts. The only thing he knew was the direction Dodo seemed to have been swatted by Wind Fish towards. Better than nothing, he supposed.
Also, the odds seemed to be in his favor, the sky was crystalline, with no prospect of rain, and it was on a comfortable grass field, without any monster whasovere And even better, he seemed to be going towards a forest, close by a lake. Actually… a part of the forest seemed to had been flooded, weirdly enough. But he did not have time to think as he saw some familiar imprints on the ground.
'Dodo', he thought enthusiastically as he rushed further in the woods, amazed by the uniqueness of the makeup of the land compared to Skyfloft, Those trees gave a relaxing and peaceful shadow, the leaves he stepped on gave a unique background music which accompanied each one of his movements, the light shade cooled down his head. He was almost scared, and indeed had he not been alone and not determined to look for his steed, he would have needed someone else to lead him.
He finally heard the pidgeon like verses, a bit pained and rushed at his companion. As soon as he saw it, he wrapped his arms around the Loftwing, which clearly was in a pained expression.
"Come on, Dodo, you are fine, that bad God of Wind won't attack you again nor those Bombchus will harm you. There there", he said patting his steed only to notice something wrong as his gaze shifted to his right wing. That bending was not natural…
His eyes widened as he realized his companion had its wing broken. Was that the effect of the crash? He could not understand, but Dodo was clearly ashamed, Without flying, Ankoku had no idea how to get back up to Skyloft. Maybe the Kikwi had some red potions to heal the wound. Normally, wrapping around Dodo's neck his scarf worked for these cases to calm him down, but as Ankoku himself lacked it, he tried to make an impromptu healing using one of his detectable sleeves and wrapping it around the broken limb after straightening it with a piece of wood.
From the work he had done and the possible risk of infection, he knew it was not much, but at least Dodo seemed to be less in pain. The Skyloftian tried to make him move, but he seemed too afraid to walk away. After a bit, Ankoku gave up and tried to sweet talk Dodo
"Okay, my little Dodo, let's do this" – Ankoku said trying to comfort him with the brightest smile he could pull off – "I find my scarf so you can play with it, and so we go to Skyloft, okay"
The animal, understanding, made a nod and the closest thing a bird could do to a smile. Ankoku thanked Hylia and with a further pat asked Dodo: "Have you seen my scarf?"
The bird pointed at a direction and made a verse as if to confirm it was in the forest. Ankoku nodded and went into the direction he had said, constantly looking back as if to make himself sure Dodo was alright. He started looking for the special article of clothing… everywhere.
His determination had clouded his better judgment. He did not think, just acted, and, keeping the the Deku Stick on himself using his belt, with a leap he started to climb up like a small monkey the trunk to see up the scarf. Having never climbed a tree before, he nearly slid once or twice, but his determination allowed him for a stronger grip than usual, already loving how he had found an item he cared so much for…
'Are all the trees in these woods so similar I end up switching them as I am about to reach for my scarf?',he thought, his enthusiasm-driven energy wearing out not noticing the small chuckle filling the air of the woods. Once more as he had gotten to the top of the tree, no trace of the scarf …
"Oh oh good good" – a voice stated echoing from almost any direction in a somewhat mocking tone – "what is a Wind Born doing here?"
"Looking for a scarf", Ankoku mused looking down and then staring at the other three not seeming to pay attention to the new voice, or at least not considering it much of a threat. A figure slowly faded in, almost next to Ankoku.
First thing were two bright golden eye, then sparkles quickly appeared forming two pointy ears and a pronounced snout, followed by a long and thin neck covered by a piece of red cloth, A canine body swifly appeared, finishing with three long and also fluffy looking tails. Ankoku normally would have watched the spectacle in awe as weren't for the fact the small yellow-furred fox-like creature with a big grin had appeared just over Ankoku's back, his snout next to his face.
"A scarf, uh? In this forest? You must be lucky if you want to find it", he mused to Ankoku, who quickly quipped back with an approval verse.
It took a small while for Ankoku to understand, and then finally looked at the face of small animal, not focusing on anything below its head. Confused at the situation and the animal's excessively vivid gaze, waved at him instinctively.
The answer was a bright and cheerful: "Well well, what do we have here? A Wind Born looking for his scarf?"
"Greetings there"; Ankoku quickly quipped back politely, bowing his head and taking a deep breath as his hands struggled to get hold of the branch without making too much effort, not really looking back at the Keaton, due to his search being all he had in his focus.
At this the many-tailed fox, who already knew all along why was there, started moving suggestively his brows, laughed out loudly and said, recalling the time he had met a leader of another tribe of his species: "Funny, there was only another who gave me a calm answer"
The young boy widened his eyes, thinking whoever could it be, only a name coming up in his mind. Only a name came out of his mind and asked without turning: "Who? Link?"
"Curious ?", the fox quickly answered dismissing him, his grin wide due to his new interlocutor's weird calmness, enough to decide that it to get another different kind of amusement to let the boy atop the tree to initiate the conversation.
"Quite a bit" – Ankoku stated, making the Keaton shrug with his huge smile, before attempting to resume the conversation again and ask him for his scarf back – "So… what… or rather, who would you be?"
The fox looked left and right, pretending not to know the boy was talking to him, pointed at himself and asked with his grin with a tone loud enough to cover any other sound: "Me?"
Ankoku and stated and, pointing at him, distributing his weight : "Yes, indeed, I am addressing you with such question"
The nameless canine laughed and leaning his head forward and answered slowly: "My name… starts ... with ... K"
"A K…." – Ankoku promptly answered placing his finger in a thinking position, then said aloud the name of the K-starting race he remembered the most – "Kikwi?"
There was a deep moment of silence before the animal busted into an hysterical laughter , having quite some fun with the Skyfloftian. He was even about to bump his tiny fist on the ground, but realized he was not that amused.
Rubbing his head with his paw and shaking it in disapproval, he stated: " I'm a Keaton, human, you need to know better. Even 'Kurious for when we fall, but I would say five seconds' could have been a decent answer"
Ankoku raised a brow, not noticing any sound aside from the Keaton's loud voice at the last statement and he repeated it: "Curious for when we fall, but I would say five seconds? What do you mean by that, the branch does not seem to be about to…"
Of course, he was promptly cut off by several more cracking sounds and then, just in time to fully realize, the small wood broke at the combined weight of the two.
"Fall", Ankoku yelled as he crashed down while the Keaton faded with a wide laugher. Luckily, he was not at an high height, so he got out of that with no wound.
Before he could comment or even have time to dust his clothes off, the blue dressed boy felt a weight on his head, and saw the two sides of his scarf dangling down, quickly followed by the nameless Keaton's face only inches from his own. It had been fun… too bad the branch did not hold up more. Maybe making him fall by tickling him with his tail would have been more fun. Alas, past was past… and luckily for him, the boy was still there
"That was fun, can we do it again? heheheh"; the three tailed fox cheered pumping his fist to successfully startle Ankoku, making his interlocutor almost jump back.
The young man, clearly ditzy at the quick round of happenings, winced a bit and trying to bottle his emotions up, and stated to mutter: "Y-y-yes, why not? M-m.-maybe another day…. Listen sir… Keaton, I do thank for your caring, but might I know… do you have any clue for where such a scarf might be?"
The inhabitant of the Surface, teleporting in front of him between two trees and walking on all fours. At his Ankoku 's eye twitched as he saw. Around the Keaton's neck… his scarf. So… the Keaton had known all along why he was there. He had been wearing the scarf all along…. The answer at his question was…
"Maybe?" - the fox like creature asked tilted his head, his grin betraying the innocence of the sentence – "Lemme guess. We got lucky, uh?"
Ankoku was looking still unable to answer at what he was seeing, trying to figure out why that animal was acting like this.
The Keaton feigned surprise and placing his paw before his mouth stated in a fake shock: "My my, don't tell me THIS is the scarf?"
A speechless Ankoku nodded and bowed before him.
"Yes, that is the scarf… now… excuse me… might I have it?", the Skyloftian said met by the Keaton's grin and narrowed eyes.
"Hmm….", the small fox-like creature mused tilting his head and walking forward, the wind blowing the scarf giving him an enigmatic look. In his mind only a thought echoed.
Amusing.
"Guess", the Keaton said with a grin. He was meeting such a unique wind person, so the opportunity was worth more milking
Ankoku looked and repeated puzzled: "Guess what?"
At this the Keaton darkly chuckled, winked and, without answering, vanished, making Ankoku try to rush and catch him but in vain.
Before he could get up, Keaton had returned a few feet to his left, holding a '7' sign appeared out of nowhere to value that dive
"Guess" the Keaton repeated grinning somehow wider, the sign vanishing
At this Ankoku attempted to prove he was like Keaton by laughing breathed deeply and said in the most conceivably unconvincing way: "Ah ah ah…"
"Oh, by Her Grace" – the Keaton laughed back shaking his head, his ears twitching in amusement at his – "Nope, but nice try"
Before Ankoku could answer, the animal had teleported before him and said: "Boo"
This made the Skyloftian jump a foot away which made the Keaton laugh. And yet he quickly came back to his sense and jumped again at the Keaton, only to have the small fox teleport and getting against a tree for his toruble
"Do you want the scarf? Take it" – the Keaton said on a branch with a wink finishing in song-like tone – "that's what I am counting on…."
This made the Skyloftian jump a foot away which made the Keaton laugh. And yet he quickly came back to his sense and jumped again at the Keaton, only to have the small fox teleport and getting against a tree for his trouble
"Do you want the scarf?" the Keaton, appearing from a branch, hummed and concluded once more with a wink. As Ankoku faced him, he teleported to another tree and repated the same prank... two or three time: he had to run the joke before it grew stale after all.
Ankoku sat down and sighed. That animal was acting more like a nuisance as of now. He tried to shake a tree down to make him fall, but the Keaton just teleported on his head and covered his eyes with his paws.
To further twist this, he added before vanishing again: "Who's there?"
Ankoku tried to look for him once more, but this time, the Keaton's laughter was just echoing through all the woods. The young Skyloftian looked at his steed, quite distant but visible, and seemed to be covering his face with a wing in embarrassment.
"Worry not Dodo, he is just pranking us around. It will be a matter of ten minutes and I will get the scarf back"; he said to assure the bird, whose answer was a mere sigh.
This said, Ankoku returned to rush at the Keaton, who had been sitting behind him the second the Wind Child had ignored him.
Faron Woods, The Surface, 5:30 pm, First Day -
Ankoku had no real chance against the teleport-wielding magical creature.
Every time, his attempts to rush when he could, ended up with him jumping and ending face fist on a bed of leaf, with the Keaton teleporting on a safe spot and taunting him. The young skyloftian could have sworn that in one of those taunting, the fox was somehow walking backward despite his legs were moving forward, although, most of the times he simply chuckled. If he were in a good mood, he even went up to sit on his head.
"Missed? Come on, you can do it", the animal further mocked with a small laugh. Once or twice he had even comforted him by patting him with his tail. Ankoku would have gotten upset at this, but that tail was so fuzzy and cuddly he could forgive him.
Alas, even at his full speed, the Skyloftian was not able to get not even a close hold on him. And when it seemed he was about to get him, then the Keaton turned, his wink revealing that he had been just pretending to let his guard down and vanish again in a loud poof. Ankoku went so far to wonder if said poof was an effect of the magic or the Keaton mimicking the sound. He should have asked one day.
But what was the cheery of the top of this game, to further humiliate him, the fox-like creature was doing no real harm to him, also because, in the Keaton's eyes, he was no threat whatsoever. Every time he run onto a tree, fell onto a branch or tripped… it was all Ankoku's doing.
The one reason Ankoku had not given up after the tenth time was due to a mantra he was reciting, of five simple words: Link would successfully catch him
Unfortunately, what Ankoku failed to see was that, alas, he was no Link, and even if he were, he lacked any equipment for a proper hunt like this one.
He had just just a Deku Stick and a few floating detachable clothing, and he refused to use the former because he did not wish to hurt him. After all, the teleporting canine was not that malicious. Obnoxious at worst, but even then nothing for which to waste a stick which might have broken if used improperly.
In the end, Ankoku's stamina run out and sat down, panting and using his Deku Stick to stand. The Keaton quickly appeared before him and smirked, finished his silent snark with a wink.
"Okay" – Ankoku panted after taking a deep sigh – "you won the thirty-first round. You are quite formidable in your magic. Reminds me of a book my father read me when I was a child"
The Keaton did not answer, but from his expression, was clearly flattered. He was having fun, and the fact his new victim was not taking anything in stride his prank. They both were interrupted by Dodo's pidgeon like verse, as he was calling for his master. Ankoku sighed and nodded, then turned at the Keaton
"Well" – Ankoku stated with one more deep breath as he got up – "that was… a rather bafflingly unique experience, Sir… Keaton, but alas, I have to set once more my priorities"
The magical canine tilted his head holding with an hand an sign with a sad face appeared from thin air, and answered still with his amused voice: "Really? But awww… well well, at least it was fun. Hehe, I suppose…"
"But worry not, I suppose I might return… tomorrow? So we can settle this thing with my scarf", Ankoku said laughing and rubbing the back of his head as if not to let him down.
The Keaton thought for a while. He was actually going to teleport from behind him and tie Ankoku's scarf back to his neck and disappear with a laughter echoing through the forest…. On the other side…. Ankoku was essentially giving himself for further pranks. Could he miss such opportunity?
The fox-like creature shrugged feigning indifference, but his wink and smile hinting that he had more to hide. Ankoku, not minding this, bowed and was about to part ways with him but, then in his mind something clicked. There was something iffy in these woods: he had heard that in Faron woods there was still a small number of monsters and, had he wished to admit it out loud or not, he had been catching for the Keaton for quite a while. How hadn't any of them run across them?
"Wait, a question" – Ankoku stated turn – "I need to know …"
Before he could speak, the Keaton and his scarf had vanished in a silent glimmer of magic, the laughter of the teleporter once more breaking the silence of the forest as it faded out.
Faron Woods, The Surface, 6 pm, First Day -
Little else Ankoku could do. He had to treasure the time he had and so he quickly went to take his steed wrapping his arm around the fluffy plumed neck and started exploring further the woods, regularly checking the impromptu bandaging time he had placed on the wing, and silently apologizing to his Loftwing for not being a doctor, to which the animal answered wish a shrug. At least, though, Ankoku had a small plan. From what he had read in books of the several tales of the surface, there was a friendly race down there, the Kikwi. Maybe with their help and the magic of their forest… who knew, Dodo might have been healed quickly. That's what he hoped for, at least. As he was about to reach the place, he could not help but feel a weird smell. Not a stench, but nonetheless unpleasant. It felt like when he had a bath with hot water and kept the door closed. It was…
'Humidity', he thought as he looked at his ironed boots and saw the dirt looked somewhat wet, as if that place had somehow been subject of a relatively recent flooding and that all the humus had been left. Weird… Ankoku looked around the place, full of bigger trunks which were large enough to fit even a small house from Skyloft. Not that he could see anyone. He looked at Dodo for confirmation and he shrugged.
"Alas, our journey seems far from an end…", Ankoku stated to his steed with another sigh and promply sat down on a brown rock. He was about to notice that was awfully soft to be made of stone, but then…
"KWEE", a voice from the rock cried making Ankoku jump up as he looked at the object moving, clearly a bit hurt due to a Skyloftian sitting on him. It looked like a bird with a brown beak and blank white eyes which looked as if drawn on his face, with stubby feet and legs.
"Kwee, why did you sit on me?", the Kikwi said with a sad tone, as if he were about to sob out of pain. He knew they were skilled with hiding themselves, but did not know such side effect could be so… painful. And that animal in front of him was… scary.
Ankoku too froze a bit… If only because the Kikwi was so overwhelmingly cute he wanted to pet it all day long. From his face, even Dodo seemed to agree on this.
"My strict apologies, Kikwi, for I meant no harm, nor I were aware of your presence. My greetings and humble apologies, little one" – Ankoku stated with an apologetic bow – "my name is Ankoku Yami, son of Kage Yami and Shini Goroshi. Honored to meet you, especially for I need your assistance"
The Kikwi looked a bit mistrustful at the boy, but decided he might have not been that much of a threat and stated with a cute and infinitely shy voice, as his small leg were shaking: "You… talk strangely… kwee…. And hi…. Ankoku… I am Lopsa. What do you need help for?"
Ankoku promptly made a gesture at Dodo, and the Loftwing stepped forward showing his broken wind. Lopsa looked and said a scared: "Oh my kwee! You need the Elder's assistance!"
"Elder?", Ankoku asked confused.
"Elder Machi, yes! He has been hiding for a bit, but you should find him" - the Kikwi stated, then stated intimidated – "you … found me … after all"
"My deep gratitude", Ankoku said with a bow as he was about to take his leave with his steed, accidentally stepping on a small stick
"Oh… And when you meet him…. Tell him I am fine", Lopsa said before hearing the small noise and hiding again.
Faron Woods, The Surface, 6:15 pm, First Day
It was not particularly difficult, but in the end Ankoku found what supposed it was the Elder, as it was an almost ten feet tall rock of a similar color to Lopsa's.
"It seems another human found me. Kee-paleep. I am Machi, the Kikwi elder. You are quite an expert searcher if you found me. I would have considered you scary, hadn't I met once a human with even better skills and if I hadn't grown several feet taller. So, how can I help you?", the Elder asked in a very relaxed voice, standing up and showing his true aspect , with short 'mustaches' made of moss pointing upward like his 'beak' and sitting down. Dodo's eyes widened at his size, Ankoku had paid no mind, as he heard a mention of what he really thought was his eternal childhood hero.
When the Elder concluded, Ankoku answered: "Gentle and wise Elder of the noble race of the Kikwi. I have come so far for I need some assistance. I have ended up due to an unfortunate misadventure stranded here in the Surface, with my loyal steed injured and a wish motivated also by an urgency caused by personal matters"
Quickly Ankoku switched pose and, with one more bow,continued: "Therefore I beg you, gentle and wise Elder Machi, offer assistant to my Loftwing and heal his wounds, such is my last hope to return up in the sky"
Machi heard remaining collected at the wound and finally spoke: "I am sorry, youngling, but we Kikwi don't possess any possible power to heal broken bones. Kee-paleep. I can't help you…"
At this, Ankoku bowed his head resigned, about to part ways, although he reminded of one more of his books and asked: "Do you think that I might speak then to the Light Dragon Faron to ask for her assistance?"
The Elder thought: unfortunately, he was aware of Faron's capricious nature, so he knew that sending the young Wind Child to her was too big of a risk. And even if she were willing for help, there was another problem.
"It would not work either" – the Kikwi stated – "Faron and her brothers have been called back to the heavens by the King of the Dragon Gods, Ordona the Light Spirit, over fifty years ago. Kee-paleep. so they are not in the Surface anymore. Problematic, uh?"
Seeing the boy discomforted though, the big Kikwi continued: "But… I can tell you of a thing. Kee-paleep. Yes, when I was young I heard of several myths. Kee-paleep. Of people who looks more like you than me, who always remain little and short and have small orbs of light who accompany them. Kee-paleep. They have a lot of magic, and are blessed by Farore"
Ankoku's eyes widened at the mention of the Golden Goddess and lit up as he saw one more hope and begged: "Please, do tell more"
"Uhhh" – Machi said trying to remember everything and pointed with his small arm at a direction of his left –" they are said to live in the very core of the forest, in the Lost Woods of Faron's Sacred Grove, over there. But I warn you that the Woods shall test you once you are there. They say only people with hearts like a child's can get there"
At this Ankoku made a very loud cheer and smiled as he profusely thanked the Elder.
"You should have no problem, kee-paleep, cool"; the Kikwi stated with a smile.
"I hope such judgement will be a blessing as well, noble Elder, for I shall venture pronto. I am deeply grateful for such a unique information and opportunity. I will treasure it and, in case, I shall let you know whether I have found such fabled children-like spirits", he stated with a bow and exchanging greetings, took off to go away from the area and reach the area of the forest where the woods grew thicker alongside Dodo. He was scared, and so was the Loftwing. Luckily they were together, up against the legendary woods blessed by the Goddess of Courage.
The Lost Woods of Faron's Sacred Grove, The Surface, 6;30 pm, First Day
It was… too difficult to describe what was happening. It was true the forest of the lost woods were enchanted. It was an endless maze of beautiful grass fields and beautiful vegetation whose brightness and lusciousness could have never been imagined by Ankoku, no matter how many pictures he could remember from any book he had read.
And the magic… yes, indeed, there was no doubt magic. Ankoku and Dodo could feel it… no, they could smell it. The air was so thick and … mesmerizing, Ankoku felt more than once the need to rest using the Deku Stick as support, for if his senses felt as if leaving him. After just the fourth area, he had already gotten lost, yet his determination in finding that forest with magical children was giving him enough energy to make him struggle on his feet against all the odds and lead Dodo with him. In the end, they reached what was a narrow passage and they entered. They were in a black corridor and before them curious images were flashing, of a weird heart, of races he had never glimpsed before and many other things he could not fully comprehend.
It was like that dream he had back the previous night about Hylia… only that this was too real. It was unsettling, to say the least.
As he kept venturing further into the forest appeared before him once traversed that unique place, until the vegetation became smaller and more rare, a sign he was getting somewhere. He finally reached the place which seemed his destination. It was a the dark interior of a building, before him a technology he had never seen before with gigantic slabs of metal working by sliding into each other, letting out a pleasant rhythm.
It was strange… but surely for such a place there was no doubt the works of the Deities behind it… right? Unaware of the presence gazing at him in the shadows, the Skylfotian made a sign to Dodo to stand back and finally reached what was a gigantic door and, pushing it with his strength, opened it, although he could not help but feel he was not his alone in moving the giant planks of wood.
It was not a forest anymore. Before him, as the sun seemed to be about to set and It was a whole city, of a different style than skylfot, all covered in red stones, houses of bricks and woods. And he seemed to be standing on a giant tower where at the top there was the images of a giant sun and the moon, all surrounded by the number from 1 to 12 set in a circular and homogenous pattern, with two long sticks, one longer than the other, fixed with a giant symbol at the center.
And how many inhabitants of every age and unique array.
Center of Clock Town, Termina, 7:45 pm, First Day
"Alas, Dodo" – Ankoku said in disbelief at what he was seeing, finally realizing how far he had gotten lost – "This is no children's land"
END OF VOLUME I
DISCLAIMER:
The hystory of Zelda, Skyloft, Hyrule and Termina, alongside its characters and setting are (c) Nintendo
The nameless Keaton is (c) Maanga
Ankoku Yami and the story are all (c) Xantospoc
Thanks you all for having read this fic, read and review please. See ya for the next chapter :)