The Hyrulian Valhalla Saga: Side Stories
By Queenie Z

Guardian Angel

It was something Sky liked to do for each new Hero as they settled in to their new afterlives; something he felt like he was obligated to do, as both the eldest and the most knowledgeable about this world and the ties that bound them all together. One morning, after allowing some time for the reality of their own deaths to sink in, he would come and visit the newcomer, bringing them a hearty breakfast and answering any questions they might still have over their food. Then he would take them for a walk to the gardens, where he would show them the small shrine set up in memory of Fi, the Spirit of the Master Sword. There, he would tell them her story - he owed it to her, and he owed it to these brave young boys who had inherited his title and, sometimes, the blade along with it.

Now it was the Hero known as Light's turn to hear the tale. Upon reaching the shrine, he looked it up and down, his mouth sightly agape. It wasn't that there was much to look at - there was a stone pedestal with a small wooden statue encased in glass and a simple wooden awning protecting the statue and the small area surrounding it. There were letters, flowers, and tiny offerings laying on the ground and pinned to the pillars of the awning. No, what amazed Light wasn't the the shrine itself, but the love that had been so obviously poured into it by his predecessors.

"I don't understand," he said, turning to Sky. "What does all this have to do with the Master Sword?"

"I was just about to explain that," replied the elder Hero. He walked over and carefully removed the glass case. Then, with a peculiar tenderness, he took the statuette in his hands. After looking at it for a moment, he handed it to Light.

Light took it hesitantly, inspecting it carefully. It was a simple statue of a girl embracing a blade, a blade he could easily infer was the Master Sword. "Who is this? This girl... is she someone you knew?"

"She," said Sky, placing a hand on the new Hero's shoulder, "was a friend of mine. Actually, she's a friend to all of us. Her name is Fi - she's the spirit that lives inside the Master Sword."

Shocked, Light looked back up. "The Master Sword's spirit? ...There was someone inside it this whole time?"

Sky nodded.

"Then - then how come I never met her? How come she never showed herself?"

The other Link shut his eyes and smiled sadly. "She would have if she could have. ...But she couldn't. I was the only one who ever saw her. That's why I made this; so we all could remember her, especially those of us who never met her."

Light's face fell sadly. Then, after a short moment, he perked up again. "Sky, can you tell me about her?"

"Of course I can." He sat down on the ground, motioning for his successor to join him. Once they were both seated, he began his story.

"You know that the Goddess Hylia created this place for us, right? Well, she also left behind for us a sword that could vanquish evil."

"The Master Sword."

"But it wasn't called the Master Sword back then. That part came a little later. ...Anyway, she left with that sword a spirit guide; someone who would help me when I went on my own journey. That was Fi." Sky looked upwards wistfully. "She watched over me, gave me advice, helped me out when I was stuck... she was a wonderful friend."

"So, why hasn't she ever appeared for the other Heroes? Wouldn't she have wanted to help us?"

"Honestly... I'm not sure why she never woke up again. Perhaps she simply merged with the sword completely at some point." He looked back to Light. "But I do know that she has helped you. She's helped all of you. With her power, she helped you all keep evil at bay for thousands and thousands of years. Do you think you could have defeated Ganon with just any other sword?"

Light shook his head. "You're right... I couldn't have." He smiled at the statue of Fi. "Do you think she knew me, though? Was she, you know... watching over me, like she was with you?"

"Without a doubt."

The younger Hero laughed. "So she's like a guardian angel, then!"

Sky nodded. "That's right! You could think of her like that, I guess."

After his finished laughing, Light reached up and pulled off his hat, holding it to his chest and bowing his head in reverence.

"Then I should pay my respects, too," he said. "...Thank you, Miss Fi, for everything. I hope you can rest in peace."

Sky wrapped a gentle arm around his shoulder. "I'm sure she appreciates it, Light." Though the first of the Heroes missed her dearly - that was one thing these many millena could never change - the thought that she still remained, silent yet ever watchful over her wielders, comforted him. As for the others, they too felt themselves grateful for their unseen guardian angel, who would continue to serve and protect their kind for eternity.