A/N: For those who read the end of the Prequel when it was available, I am implying a slightly different ending in this chapter—one where Ghirahim, instead of being just out of reach of Zelda and Impa as they enter the Skyview Temple, manages to catch up with them when they are inside. A second fight ensues (the first being when Zelda was initially pulled to the surface), which Impa and Zelda narrowly escape from before dashing to the spring and finally fleeing the area.

- Part III -

Chapter 33

In Pieces

Crystal blue gazed toward the horizon. Blond hair swept listlessly at the urging of a soft breeze. Tattered magenta spread out on the ground. She took a breath, and slowly let it go.

"Your Grace?"

For three days her sore feet had almost been her main concern, trailing closely behind the likelihood of a night ambush by bokoblins. On this cool summer morning, however, a single thing reigned in her thoughts—

Green. She had never been very fond of green.

The news at the start of the fall semester that this year's graduating knight class was to wear uniforms of this hue had done very little for her. In fact, it had been a disappointment.

The Knight Academy was already littered with green uniforms from the previous year's graduates. All of the men had been dressed in yellow, while all of the ladies had been given light green.

Like a true Azurian she had hoped for blue; a rich, royal blue. Something to bring out deep sapphire eyes.

Still, she couldn't help but wonder how the green would fare on one knight in particular; one who happened to have dashing good looks.

Her next breath was drawn out. It melted into a sigh. Her eyes glazed over.

"Your Grace?"

The young woman jumped and turned, focusing on the auburn glare of her guardian. The hint of annoyance that emerged on her face didn't last under the Sheikah's authoritative stare. "Yes, Impa?"

"Are you well this morning?" Impa ran a hand over one of the bandages on her arm.

Zelda glanced at herself. "Yes. Just a bit worn out." She picked up the bottom of her ragged skirt. "And maybe in need of a bath." She studied the loose hem in her fingers. "And new clothes."

"You will have the chance to wash in the Earth Spring," Impa said, throwing two large handfuls of dirt on the fire. She stood up. "We are less than two days away."

Zelda nodded. Looking through the trees, she envisioned the dangerous path to the spring. The further north they traveled, the more the energy of the volcano grew. The ground often vibrated and rumbled.

"Something troubles you," Impa said, crossing her arms.

Zelda watched the sky. Every trace of night had finally fled. "Do you think he'll forgive me?" Impa remained silent and still. "I know you're displeased with him, but he's still my best friend. And I feel so bad for—" She swallowed.

"It was necessary," Impa said firmly, taking a step. "If the knight had known of the possible dangers ahead of him, he might not have come."

"I should have warned him somehow," Zelda said, looking at her hands. "Shared more details from my visions before we were separated. Left him some sort of note in the woods. Anything. If he'd been aware of what was coming, then he could've made his own decision about whether or not to proceed. Right now, I feel like what happened was my fault because I knew about the demon, but just…didn't tell him."

"You cannot be blamed for his failure," Impa said.

"But I can't be acquitted of it, either."

Impa tapped her fingers. "Whether the knight had been briefed on the situation or not, his capture is not your fault, Your Grace."

"I'm not sure if I can accept that," Zelda said, climbing to her feet. "Link doesn't just fail…at anything."

"But he did," Impa said. Zelda looked up at the willowy Sheikah. "I have many injuries to prove his failures that day." Zelda sighed. "You know, Your Grace, that he should have been there to fend off Ghirahim before he intercepted us in the temple."

"I know…" Zelda said somberly.

"You almost did not have enough time in the spring. We barely escaped." Impa's eyes burned with disapproval. "It should not have happened. It was not meant to happen."

"I think a lot of things have happened which weren't meant to happen," Zelda said, willing her feet to move. "I think we both know what kept the demon from pursuing us after the fight." She gave her guardian a flat look. "I think Link deserves a little more gratitude than this."

Looking away, Impa walked ahead. "Let us hope that he has learned to be on time."

Zelda followed. "Who knows what the demon did to him? And Link must be so upset that I stayed to talk to Pipit, but not him…"

"We must move swiftly," Impa said over her shoulder. "I sense that Ghirahim is on the surface, but I am unsure where."

…..

The gap in the cloud cover waited like an open door. Link watched the distant opening, swearing that it must have been more than three days since he'd ridden the wind of the Goddess and met Crimson in the air with Pipit and Midna. Just like his journey in the demon realm, it all seemed to have happened so long ago.

Link hugged his violin case to his chest. "When I went down eight days ago, there was no one on the surface. Except for the old lady at the Sealed Temple." He rubbed his neck in thought. "How many people do you think are there now?"

Directly behind him, Pipit answered with a hiccup and a disconcerting belch.

Link shied away. "Geez, Pipit."

Pipit pounded his chest a few times. "Sorry. My stomach's still a little weird."

"Too bad Hematite's still busy courting Azura," Link said, giving his friend a wary look.

"I'm fine," Pipit insisted. "And to answer your question: I dunno. Five? Five-thousand? What difference does it make how many people are down there?"

"I'm just curious," Link said, looking ahead. "It's dangerous down there." His brow came up as he watched someone leap from his or her loftwing and vanish into the clouds.

"Well, we know there's at least two," Pipit said, catching the same sight as Link. "Assuming that decrepit old saddle bag hasn't kicked the bucket yet."

"Wow, Pipit. Good job respecting your elders."

"What?" Pipit asked with a shrug. "She looked like she was at least a-hundred-and-sixty."

"Is that any reason to talk about her like that?"

Pipit muttered to himself. "Actually, I'm just cranky 'cause I'm mourning the loss of thirty-percent of my sex life."

Link slowly looked behind him. "You mean Karane?"

Pipit nodded. "Yeah."

"Thirty-percent? You seriously know the percentage?"

"Rough estimate."

Link rolled his eyes. "So what's the other seventy-percent?"

"Well, five-percent is other people," Pipit said. "I just lumped them together. Actually, it fluctuates. Maybe five to ten-percent."

"And the other sixty to sixty-five percent?" Link glanced behind him. With a goofy smile, Pipit gave a little wave with his left hand.

Sighing, Link turned away again. "Right. Well, I'm sorry that you now have ninety to ninety-five percent responsibility."

"Well, it's better than the full one-hundred, eh?" Pipit asked with a chortle, giving Link a spirited shove.

"I guess," Link said stiffly.

"Then again, even you aren't your entire sex life." Pipit crossed his arms. "Midna must count as something. I mean, you guys did fool around a couple times in recent days."

"Mildly," Link added.

"Well, it still counts. And even though you refuse to say it, I'm betting Lord Voldemort holds at least…what, half a percent?"

Link didn't look at him. "Is that supposed to be funny?"

"I wish," Pipit said. "I think we both know that—"

"There's nothing to know," Link interrupted.

"Hey, I'm just—"

"That's enough," Link spat over his shoulder.

Pipit retracted. "All right, all right." He looked at the back of Link's head. "We really shoulda picked up a new knight's cap for you while we were at home."

"It's fine," Link grumbled.

"Still dunno how a knight loses his hat," Pipit said. Link stared at a faraway air cyclone. "Or his sword." Link turned again. "Oh, pardon me. Your sword is broken, not lost." Pipit leaned in. "You still haven't told me how the hell that happened."

"At least I told you it happened at all," Link said. "That's really all you need to know."

"Come on now," Pipit said with his hands out. "You think I don't know what it's like to have your manhood shattered? 'Cause you know I do. I have no qualms being honest."

"I don't…know exactly what happened to the sword," Link said.

Pipit scoffed. "What do you mean you don't know?"

Link gripped his case tighter. "I didn't see it break."

"Why?"

"Because I don't think I was conscious at the time."

Pipit's acerbic expression eased. "Huh?"

Link sighed. "The last I knew, the sword was whole. Then I found the fragments inside my bag in the spring."

"What do you mean you weren't conscious?"

"I died, Pipit," Link said. Pipit gawked at him. "I told you I lost a fight."

"Yeah, but you didn't say you died," Pipit said. "What the hell? How are you even here?"

"I was told there're certain places in the demon realm where a person can die, but still wake up in his own realm."

"No way."

Link shrugged.

Pipit thumbed his chin. "Hey, you know what? I've heard about that sort of thing before."

Link looked at him. "Yeah?"

"Totally. Remember that story called The Void or something in mythology II? Eleventh grade?"

Link thought for a moment. "No…"

"You musta slept in that day and missed it. If I had a rupee for every time that happened—"

"What's the significance of the story?" Link asked.

"Oh. Well, it's the same old 'kid gets lured into the lair of a demoness' rubbish, but instead of giving it up to her and being tossed aside and left to wander the world a wretched half-of-a-man, she kills him."

"And?"

"And he wakes up in his bed the next morning as if nothing happened. So he goes about his business, the days pass, and he notices something's wrong."

"What was it?" Link asked, his voice quieting.

"He doesn't know, so he ignores it. But this nagging feeling that he's missing something leads him to search for it."

"Was it his dependence on the woman?" Link asked.

"Good guess, but no. Yeah, there was that, but that wasn't what drove him completely bonkers." Link's eyes shifted. "So never being able to find his missing piece, the guy cracks, runs off a cliff and falls to his violently painful death. The end. Good story, huh?"

"Yeah…" Link dazed for a few seconds. "So, what did the missing piece end up being?"

"Don't remember," Pipit said with a weak grin. "But I know it didn't have to do with your guess."

"What do you mean you don't remember?"

"Geez," Pipit said. "Just gimme a minute. Maybe I will."

"You better. You can't tell me a story like that without finishing it."

"Let it stew in my head for a while. It'll come to me."

The two sat silently for several minutes. The gap in the clouds grew nearer.

"Oh!" Pipit exclaimed.

"What?" Link twisted around.

"On a brighter note, what do you think became of this other Link who your sword is so fond of?" Annoyed, Link turned back around. "Haven't you thought about it?"

"Of course I have."

"Isn't it weird how he has the same name as you?"

"A bit," Link answered.

"And that he looks like you?"

"Sort of."

"Well, actually, sounds like he was taller." Link drummed his fingers on his case. "Guy seems to have been thoroughly screwed over."

"Maybe, maybe not," Link said. "Who knows?"

"Certainly not Effie," Pipit said. "Too bad she was forbidden to think on the subject. With three-thousand years to contemplate, I bet she would've figured it out based on logic alone."

"I guess."

"Now your only hope is the Lord of Darkness. If no one else, he knows, right?"

"Um…" Link's throat suddenly felt dry. His chest hurt a little too. "I suppose."

"Not that you can just go find him, sit him down and ask him what he knows. Dude's about as pleasant as an ingrown hair. Hopefully we'll never see that wack-job again."

Link dropped his head and almost laughed. "Oh, I'm sure we'll be seeing him again."

"What's he want, anyway?" Pipit asked, tilting inward. "I'm so in the dark here."

"Well, Fi said Zelda was needed to revive this great evil…"

"But why?"

"I guess we should have paid closer attention when the sacred texts were being read to us all those times. Maybe it's explained in there."

"Hm. Maybe." Pipit nodded. "Hey, but didn't you say Ef's knowledge of the text was completed in Superna? Like she absorbed it or something? Everything from the main book, anyway." Surprised that he'd forgotten so quickly, Link nodded. "So let's ask her."

"The soul of the Goddess Incarnate is needed to restore the Demon King to his true form," Fi said from Link's bag. "Thereafter he will aim to finish what he began three millennia ago: locate and claim the Triforce and subsequently dominate the world of men."

"Oh, is that all?" Pipit asked with a laugh.

Giving him a look, Link was soon joining in on the wry chuckle. "That's the worst thing I've ever heard."

"What the hell is a Triforce?" Pipit asked.

Link stuck a hand into his largest bag. "Here," he said, handing the lighter of the sword pieces to his friend. "We're gonna be landing soon. If you want to ask Fi twenty questions when we're down there, be my guest. Just don't cut yourself."

"Thanks," Pipit said, marveling at his flawless reflection. "So I can ask her whatever I want?"

"Just be polite," Link said, glad that it was almost time to jump.

"Maybe she can tell me another story," Pipit said, his eyes gleaming. "I really enjoyed her last one. I was hooked."

"Mm-hm."

"Especially the tale of her last sexual encounter," Pipit said. Link shook his head. "I've never even heard sex talked about like that. It was like some kind of graphic but emotionless porn."

"Fi is…good at being straightforward and detailed," Link said, making a face.

"It was awesome," Pipit said. "If I were her, I never would've left Nightcrawler's side. I woulda been like, 'You need to do this to me every night'."

"Pipit…" Link mumbled.

Pipit placed the shard in his satchel. "Sure was nice of Fledge to make this bag for me. Kinda strange, though."

"And that pretty yellow sailcloth?" Link asked, smiling. "It matches your tunic so nicely."

"Hey, I only asked him to make this so I could risk my life to save your ass," Pipit said. "And the color was totally his choosing."

"Uh-huh."

"He's got a veritable business going. I think he's made sailcloths for everyone in Skyloft."

"Well, good for him," Link said, securing the strap of his instrument case over his shoulder. He then made sure that Eagus's sword and shield were firmly in place.

"I wonder which of these swords is crappier," Pipit said, pushing his borrowed blade further into its scabbard. "I'm thinking mine. Maybe I should buy one instead of using shoddy junk from the sparring hall."

"Put those night patrol paychecks to good use," Link said, counting down in his head.

"You mean giving it all to a sottish compulsive gambler isn't good enough?"

"Your mom isn't that bad, Pip." Link pulled the long white cloth from his bag and wrapped the edge around his wrist.

"She's bad enough," Pipit mumbled. "And speaking of moms, we never had time to ask around about yours."

"I mentioned it to the headmaster yesterday," Link said, balling the cloth and readying it in his hand.

"What'd he say? And don't you dare jump before telling me."

"Well, that Twili girl already told us my parents came to Skyloft, but she didn't know where. The headmaster's known all along, though."

Pipit's jaw dropped. "Where'd they go?"

"The North Province."

"What! You mean they've been a ten-minute flight away for how long? If Gaepora knew, why didn't he say anything?"

"He didn't want to stir up trouble, I guess," Link said. "Maybe my parents didn't want to be found."

"And these are the people you want to reunite with?"

"Their opinions of me and what defines me are two different things," Link said flatly. "Besides, no matter how they feel about me, I want some answers."

Pipit shrugged. "So, when our little camping trip is over, you wanna check out the North Province?"

Link shook his head. "He said they're not there anymore."

"Well, what the hell? Why not?"

"According to him, they disappeared ten years ago."

"Ten years? Well—"

"But I think I know where they went," Link said with the slightest smile.

"You do?" Pipit looked away and scratched his head. "So where is that?"

But Pipit immediately discovered that his question had gone unheard. Just like that, the space in front of him was empty. He peeked down and saw his friend falling further and further away. "Oh, I get it," he said. "I left you hanging, so now you're returning the favor. Pssh, whatever." He fished around in his bag for Fledge's sailcloth. With a sigh, he looped it around one of his hands, jumped off of Crimson, struck a superhero-in-flight pose and plummeted toward the clouds.

When Link had looked upon the grandeur of the Sealed Grounds and temple for the first time several days ago, amazement had overtaken him. Now he was visited by the same feeling, but for an entirely different reason—

There were people. Everywhere. Dozens upon dozens of them from what Link could tell. Maybe even hundreds. He hadn't expected such a large crowd.

Floating down absentmindedly, reality struck him. It hit him even harder when the ground came up unexpectedly under his feet.

Staggering, Link stared into the distance. For a moment, he couldn't move.

This place was a deathtrap. Not that the hordes of people crawling all over the place were paying heed to that. The surface was one realm away from the home of the enemy: the demons. Didn't they know that? Ghirahim himself could be hiding behind a tree somewhere, ready to snatch someone for one of his sadistic games. The thought made Link's heart want to stop.

He searched through the people. Knights and soldiers—they could defend themselves easily enough. But what about all the civilians?

He looked down and shook his head. No… No one could defend themselves against Ghirahim. His magic and strength would win out every time. Link looked to the multitudes again, becoming more nervous by the minute.

"Hey! You better move or I'm gonna be sitting on your shoulders in about five seconds!"

Squinting, Link looked up. Leaping out of the way, he observed his friend's ungainly landing. He tried to hide his amusement.

Knocked on his rear end, Pipit scrunched up his sailcloth. "I know you're not laughing."

"Not at all," Link said with a grin.

"Unlike you, I need more than one go to learn how to use this infernal thing." Shoving the cloth in his bag, Pipit jumped up. "I am no good at this."

"I've had more practice than you," Link said. "Wing Ceremony, remember?"

"Ha, yeah," Pipit said. "Zelda shoved you off the statue. That was pretty awesome."

"Mm," Link grunted, putting his cloth in his bag. He started for the Sealed Grounds.

"Learning on the fly, right?" Pipit asked with a nudge. "Necessity breeds fast learning, especially when you're about to smash into the ground." Link stared ahead as he walked. "Geez, man, look at you. You're like a pack donkey." Pipit chuckled. "You've got a sword on your back, a shield over that, two bags hanging from your belt and your violin case hanging from your side. You seriously gonna lug all that through the woods?"

"It's all lightweight."

"But it's bulky," Pipit said.

"I'll manage."

Pipit eyed him. "Why are you bringing your instrument?"

Link looked away. "I just figured it was a good time to practice."

"For what?" Pipit asked. "There some concert in the wilderness that I don't know about? Planning on wowing the squirrels?"

"There's a bunch of graduations I could play for," Link said, studying the iron fence on his left as he passed it.

"You really think any graduation ceremonies will be happening?" Pipit asked. "Look at all these people down here. I bet everyone in your class, and my class, plus about ten different classes are here right now."

"I don't wanna think about it," Link mumbled.

"Plus you said that army general, whatever her name is, said that there's a bunch of people here from Twilight. And I bet there's people from other states too, with more coming all the time."

"Yeah…"

"Nobody's gonna be there for any of the graduations," Pipit said.

"I dunno," Link said with a sigh.

"So what's the real reason you brought it?"

"Maybe to beat you over the head with it," Link grumbled.

"Ooh. Somebody's cranky," Pipit chided.

"No," Link said. "Just unhappy about the number of people down here. This isn't safe for anyone."

"What, it's like a big pre-war party!" Pipit exclaimed. "It's the let's-get-to-know-each-other merriment before we form ranks and haul off to fight a war we can't possibly win."

"Pipit…" Link glared to his right. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"What comes with the Lord of Darkness? The Army of Darkness, right? And this Demise character we've heard so much about."

Link gritted his teeth. "Your lack of faith in your fellow knights is disturbing. And how do we know there's going to be a war?" His expression hardened.

"Sure sounds like it to me," Pipit said, kicking a stone out of his way. "And a mishmash of disordered knights and soldiers who've never seen war outside of a storybook against an army of well-seasoned demon warriors doesn't sound too promising." He shrugged. "Just sayin'."

Link bit his tongue in an attempt to avoid saying something he might regret.

"The way I see it," Pipit said, "the more people that're here, the better. Safety in numbers."

"Just means there's more people to die," Link mumbled.

"You said it yourself: have faith. And what're you so upset about? It's not like you caused the war or anything."

Link's head dropped. The sound of Pipit's voice as he continued to talk faded into a drone.

Not like I caused the war…

His friend's lively chatter blended into the buzz of the grounds beside the Sealed Temple. More colors than he was able to keep track of circulated before him as knights and soldiers moved about.

Link pulled his violin against his chest again. He looked to the right. A large group of Twili soldiers in black uniforms were standing outside the temple. He looked to the left. Men and women in tunics of grey, yellow, blue and black were gathered around the ancient chasm marking the very spot where the leader of the demons had been sealed.

Link watched in silent dread as people walked down the coiling path toward the bottom of the pit. They strolled leisurely as if they hadn't a care in the world. Some even laughed.

They need to speak to the old guardian in the temple, Link thought. Then they wouldn't be laughing.

But he knew where their carefree attitudes were coming from. Unlike him, none of these newcomers had heard Fi account the horrors of the first war with Demise. None of them knew who Ghirahim was, nor had they ever seen the demon realm. Link didn't expect any of them to believe the tales told about the demons, let alone that they would soon be meeting them in battle.

Stopping along the edge, Link peered into the pit and shook his head.

"You said that's where Ghirahim sometimes meets with Demise, right, Fi?" Link asked. He realized after he said it that the demon's name had flowed effortlessly.

"Yes, Master. According to the energy waves surrounding the Sealed Grounds, Demise's strength has grown since the last time we were here."

"Why does that not surprise me?" Link asked quietly.

"Holy wow," Pipit breathed. "There are so many hotties here."

Link gave him the eye. "Can't you stop searching for your five to ten-percent even for a few minutes?" Pipit gave him an innocent look. "This is serious, Pip. These people are all easy prey for…" Link paused. "…Those who might be prowling."

"And I think you worry too much," Pipit said, roughing up Link's shoulder.

"You're just like them," Link said.

"What? Choosing not to worry until there's an actual reason to worry?" Pipit shot his friend a sardonic look and a shrug. "While I wait for hell's fury to fall, I'm perfectly happy to check out some of these blazing hot chicks." Link looked into the pit again. "Like her over there."

With a sigh, Link followed Pipit's gaze over to a small patch of trees beside the temple. There stood a slender young woman of medium height. They saw only her back. She seemed to be looking into the forest depths. According to her black tunic with the familiar design, it was another Twili knight. Nothing new.

Her bow and quiver full of arrows drew Link's attention, but again, nothing new. He looked more closely at the contours of the young lady's body. He blinked a few times. It was then that he noticed a small amount of red hair showing beneath her black knight's cap.

"That's Midna," Link said, keeping his eyes on her.

Pipit lifted a hand to scratch his forehead. "Ooh… Eeep. I didn't know she was coming down here."

"She said last night she might," Link said. "When I woke up this morning she was gone. She must've gone back to her room, got her stuff and left."

"Woke upthis morning?" Pipit asked with a grin. "She spent the night in your room?"

"Yes, Pipit. She was having nightmares and wanted to sleep in my room."

"Ah, I get it," Pipit said with a little wink. Link's stare remained on Midna. "Why don't you go over there and get a little somethin' to hold you over for a couple days before we take off?"

"I'll go over there, but not for that reason." Link started walking to the temple.

"Suit yourself," Pipit said as he watched his friend leave. When Link was out of range, Pipit added, "And how come you can recognize Midna so fast just by looking at her butt?"

Oblivious to Pipit's crudeness, Link studied her. He moved his instrument case to his shoulder. "Midna?" he called from several feet away.

She didn't respond.

"Midna?" he asked a bit louder. She still didn't move. "Midna?"

Her lack of response made him wonder. Maybe it's not her, he thought.

He stepped briskly but lightly until he was directly behind her. He stretched to the side to view her up-close. Well, it's definitely her… He cleared his throat. "Mid?"

Instead of responding to Link's call, she continued her vigilant stare into the trees.

Link looked her over, beginning to worry that something was wrong. "Midna?" He took a step. When she still didn't budge, he reached for her shoulder.

The moment his fingers brushed her, she grabbed the bow off of her back, whipped an arrow from her quiver and spun around.

In an instant, the tip of her nocked arrow met Link's metal shield. The two objects clanged.

Surprised, Link gaped at her over his shield. "Midna? What're you doing?" Her intense look rapidly softened. Link lowered his shield and took hold of the arrowhead that was staring him in the face. He pushed it to the side. "What's the matter?"

With bowstring loosening and arrow dropping to the ground, Midna looked down.

Link was left speechless for a moment as he watched her. "Um…" He looked at the weapon in her hands.

Midna took a slow breath and straightened up. "Sorry," she said.

Link looked to the side. A few observers who'd heard the clatter were gawking. "Is something bothering you?"

Midna's eyes were low when she answered. "I'm okay."

"Okay?" Link took a step. "You almost shot me in the face."

Midna dropped her arrow in its quiver and slung her bow across her back. "You're too quick for that."

Link looked around, bewildered. "Well…"

"I'm just a little distracted," she said. "I've been on the surface before but this is still pretty new to me. And I haven't been sleeping well."

"Did you have any more nightmares last night?"

Midna looked at him blankly. "I think sleeping next to you made it better."

Link grinned a little bit. "Oh." He cautiously rehung his shield. "So why did you decide to come down here?"

"I didn't feel like being left behind," Midna said, folding her hands and looking into the crowd. "What good is a knight if she's sitting idly in her dorm room?" She shrugged. "Everyone from your building is here. Everyone from my building is here. Pretty soon everyone on campus will be."

"There's a lot of people from TKA here," Link said, encouraging her to walk with him. "Anyone you recognize?"

"Some," Midna said. She eyed Link's violin case.

"So, what is it that you plan to do down here?" he asked. He noticed that her hair looked different.

"I'm not sure. I haven't really spoken to anyone in charge yet. But I heard that there're plenty of opportunities for work. I could cart stuff back-and-forth down here, or maybe bring food and materials from Skyloft." She smiled nonchalantly. "Or help make some tents, or join one of the repair teams working on the Sealed Temple, or Skyview Temple, or help guard the Sealed Grounds. They're also preparing the land a couple miles away for farming."

"You don't sound too thrilled about any of those things," Link said. "You couldn't have come all the way for that."

Midna smiled knowingly. "Are you implying I'm not the type of girl who likes to get her hands dirty?"

"Well, if you have an interest in building, transporting, or growing food, I haven't heard about it."

Midna giggled softly. "You're right. I came to see what the training is like."

"What sort of training?" Link asked.

"Archery, sword fighting, combat skills. Some of us are supposed to be given command of other people." She leaned in. "I've even heard there's going to be horse-back riding lessons."

Link gaped in disbelief. "Horses?" Midna nodded. "You're a lot more informed than I am. Where are they getting horses from?"

"According to some soldiers I was chatting with, the desert."

Link looked at her in wonder as they walked. He examined her hairline. Instead of several loose strands streaming from her knight's cap, her hair was pulled tightly back. "Desert?"

"Yes, the Lanayru Desert, silly. The one out west?"

"Well, yeah, I know where it is."

"There's a race of people who live out there."

"Humans?" Link asked.

"Not exactly," Midna said. "But they're horse masters and magic users."

"Magic users." Link thought for a moment. "Not exactly human." He looked at his bag. Suddenly, something clicked in his head. "The humans and Empyreans from Fi's story. They must be their ancestors." His eyes brightened.

"You just realized that now?" Midna teased.

"I guess," Link answered.

Midna gave him a playful look. "You'll have to fill me in on the last part of that story. I missed the ending."

"No problem." Link searched the premises, wary of the backdrop of thick forest behind the Sealed Grounds.

"Well, there's Pipit," Midna said. "Talking to some Twili girl."

"Typical," Link said.

"He's going with you to get your sword, right?"

"Yup."

"That'll be fun," Midna said. "Never enough male bonding, right?"

"If you say so."

"Now you don't sound so thrilled," Midna said with a little smirk.

"I dunno." Link shook his head. "Pipit's just…Pipit."

"And you're lucky to have him."

"Mm-hm," Link said.

"Oh!" Midna said. "I see General Ani on the other side of the pit." She pointed. "At least, I think that's her. I've never actually spoken to her."

It took Link a few seconds to remember. "Oh, the Twili general."

"I heard she's really tough," Midna said. "I guess you'd have to be to be a woman in her position."

"Yeah, she seemed rugged," Link said. "She likes to talk a lot, too."

"I should introduce myself," Midna said. "Even though she doesn't hold any power over anyone but her soldiers, it can't hurt to be on the good side of a general , right?"

"You can do better than just one general," Link added, observing the people. "I'm pretty sure most of the generals I met over the weekend are here."

"If anyone is privy to what's to come for this soon-to-be-camp, it's them," Midna said. "I'm gonna head over. Promise you won't leave until I can say a proper goodbye?"

Link grinned. "I promise."

With a gleam in her eye, Midna slipped away. Link watched her go, well aware of the characteristic sway of her hips as she walked. It was especially eye-catching with her weapon draped across her back. She looked dangerously sexy…

"Does she know how hard you stare at her?"

Link hopped sideways. "Gods, Pipit."

"Just asking. Not that she doesn't stare at you just as hard."

Link looked up at his friend. "She does?"

"Wow. You're not clueless."

"Well, if she's like me, she only does it when I'm not looking," Link said, starting down the path leading to the chasm.

Pipit followed. "Why don't you guys just sneak off into the trees and get it over with. I'll watch your back. I'm telling you, it'll hold you over for a while and you'll be a happier man for it."

"For the tenth time, Pipit, I'm not gonna do that with her."

"Good lords, why not?" Pipit asked. "You want her, she wants you. It's so obvious it's practically scrawled across your faces. You might as well hang a sign around your neck that says, 'I desperately want my fantasies to come true. Make sweet love to me, Midna—Love, Link'. And she could do the same, except, you know, reversed."

"Ugh," Link grunted. "I never said I didn't want to. I'm choosing not to. I have self-control."

Pipit glared at him. "Oh, that's just wrong. You saying I have no self-control? 'Cause I totally do." Link looked incredulously at him. "What?"

"What happened to, 'I'm planning on behaving myself from now on'? You said that just a few days ago, and look what happened."

"I had a bad weekend," Pipit said.

"Sleeping with numerous people is not a bad weekend," Link said. "It's shameful."

"Oh, I get it. You disapprove of my heathen ways. Well, forgive me, oh pious one." He gave a sarcastic bow. "But let us not forget that what is done in the mind is just as bad as what is acted upon. Why don't you think about that next time you're about to bust a nut to the mental image of Midna au naturel."

Two female knights in dark blue tunics gave each of the young men dubious looks as they passed by.

"Pipit!" Link whispered, appalled.

"What? It's completely true!"

"So? You don't have to say it!"

"Ha! I love when you admit you're not Mister Purity. The great Link is human. Maybe I should go share the news with Midna."

"I'll tie your face in a knot first!"

"How about you leave me alone about my woman habit and we can avoid the face-tying," Pipit suggested.

"Fine by me," Link said, looking forward.

The pair walked silently for a couple minutes as they viewed the activity below.

"Karane was really upset," Link said.

"Come on! You just said you were gonna leave me alone."

"I'm just relaying how unhappy she was last night."

"Man, I felt how unhappy she was last night."

"Well, I mean, I talked to her. While you were taking a bath."

"You did?"

"Yeah."

"What'd she say?"

"That she was stupid for believing that you guys were meant to be."

Pipit didn't say anything for a minute. "Yeah, she's probably right."

Link scoffed. "That's harsh."

"Good gods, let me finish. I was gonna say that I felt the same way for a while too. But then I realized that something wasn't quite right. Like something was missing."

"What was that?"

"I dunno. Whatever's supposed to be there. It just wasn't." Pipit shrugged. "I can't stay with someone like that in the long run. I mean, she tore it up in bed, but I woulda felt way too guilty staying."

"You?" Link asked. "Would've felt guilty?"

"Indeed, yes. One does not need to have a raging guilt complex to feel guilty about something."

"Mm-hm."

"I guess this proves that you've saved at least a little bit of guilt for the rest of us."

Link just nodded, having averted his focus. "Headmaster's down there."

"You mean my future father-in-law?" Pipit asked. Link glanced at him. "Kidding."

The rest of the walk was quiet. The path led them in another circle as they made their way down. Link visually explored his surroundings more closely than he had the first time. He knew the surface's history now and understood the significance of everything that was presently happening. With each step, he felt more like he was part of something big.

He pictured that glorious moment when Hylia had summoned all of her power to seal the enemy away, when the ground had parted and shook as if struck by a violent tremor. It must have been an astonishing sight to behold. Part of him wished that he could've seen it with his own eyes.

Now more than ever it was comforting to have Fi by his side. Ignorance had certainly been bliss, as was apparent from the absence of urgency throughout the Sealed Grounds. It was easier not knowing. But still, he was grateful for everything that Fi had shared with him. He looked forward to having another conversation with her soon; perhaps during their trip in the woods—if Pipit ever gave him a moment's peace.

Finally reaching the bottom, Link hunted for familiar faces. While most he'd never seen, a few stood out—one of whom was General Pajaro from Azuria. Link desperately hoped that the tall, older man had forgotten about Pipit's humiliating little stunt in his office.

Link also saw Captain Gannet, the strawberry-blond young man who greeted them at the Skyloftian army base. Link also recognized several of the soldiers who he'd seen that day, although most of the uniforms he was seeing were from Twilight.

One particular man in a uniform that was almost as grey as his hair had gathered a small following of people. After observing his mannerisms for a moment, Link quickly concluded that it was General Ornis from Superna. It was no surprise that people desired his company. Link had spoken to him only for a short time, but it was plain to see what type of person he was. He was distinguished, disciplined and motivated, just as he expected his soldiers to be. But he was also kind and just, and from what Link could tell, operated with the utmost integrity. Link knew that it wasn't the man's perfection that drew people—it was his heart.

Link wanted to speak with him if only to say hi. He hadn't been in the best mood when he'd stepped into the general's office two days ago. Link felt he owed the man something better.

With Pipit trailing behind and a sea of chatter surrounding them, Link weaved through soldiers and knights. Some of them waved to him. He nodded back.

Then, a voice with unmistakable pitch climbed above the background noise just long enough for Link to catch wind of it. He picked his head up.

"Why don't we just get going?" Pipit asked. "The sooner we get this thing in the woods, the sooner we can get back here and start doing manly stuff in large groups of manly men, which hopefully includes activities like fighting with huge swords and spears, and learning how to kick demon ass."

Listening for the voice, Link was slow to respond. "I'm sure we'll get to do lots of that."

"I can't wait," Pipit said with enthusiasm.

Link's ears caught the sound again. A small chill travelled down his back.

"…Because to not refrain from intercepting an enemy whose banners are in perfect order is utter folly."

Link's throat dried up. He turned and gave Pipit a look.

"What?" Pipit asked. Link didn't say anything.

"To attack an enemy who is in calm and confident array is to fail in the art of studying circumstances. In your haste they will overtake you. And, well…" There was a pause. "Shame on you if that happens."

The voice was louder now. Link stopped walking, afraid that he was going to bump into its owner.

Checking out a pretty brunette, Pipit crashed into him. "Whoa! Why're we stopping?"

Assigning himself the job of avoiding who he knew was somewhere in the crowd, Link stood still and put his ears to work.

Pipit stepped in front of him. "What are you listening for?"

"That's about as senseless as advancing uphill against an enemy," the voice said. Link turned an ear behind him. "And the one thing that every good general needs to remember…"

Link looked at Pipit and shook his head, knowing it was too late.

"…Is that the key to winning a war is not simply tearing down the walls of a city or assaulting an army in battle array. No. The secret lies in—"

Feeling a face over his shoulder, Link cringed.

"—the art of assailing your enemy's mental equilibrium."

Link looked past Pipit and sighed before staring at his feet.

"Isn't that right, Sir Link?"

Blinking very slowly, Link gazed at the sky. After several seconds, he turned.

There, standing with a sly grin was General Sheik. His dark blue uniform was as wrinkle-free as it always was. Even his gold insignia was blindingly shiny. "You'll have to speak up, Sir Link. I don't think your fellow men of honor can hear you."

Link looked at the men surrounding their general. They couldn't have been much older than himself. They seemed to be out of their element as they stared perplexedly back.

Link turned his cagey eyes to the general.

"Oh, that's right," Sheik said, drawing his shoulders back and stepping into Link's face. "You're not well-versed in the art of war, are you?" He grinned. Link tried not to scowl. "It's unfortunate, but for a knight, typical." His grin stretched into a full smile. Link stood up taller and looked down at him. "Such a shame that while knights are bred for general acts of service, their education in warfare goes sorely neglected."

Sheik circled round. Link could feel the man's eyes on him. "Knights certainly have their moments. If someone is being bullied in the street in a seedy part of town, hooray for knights. If an old woman needs help carrying a heavy bag, hooray again. If some drunken fool takes a tumble off the side of his island, or if, heaven forbid, a kitten gets stuck in a tree…" Sheik flipped a pale lock of hair away from his auburn eyes and planted himself in front of Link again. "Then I think we're all on our knees praising the Goddesses for creating knighthood."

Sheik's smile disappeared. "But when the threat of war is looming and real danger is on the horizon, who has what it takes to step into the fray with weapons brandished and bravery coming out of their ears? Who is there to save the day?" Knowing the answer, Link kept quiet. "Those in the army, that's who. The Skyloftian army, to be precise. Although even foreign armies are most certainly a cut above the knights of any state."

"Your opinion of knights seems to have gone down," Link observed. "Two days ago the biggest difference between knights and soldiers was discipline. Now knights are nothing but weaklings. What changed?"

"I met you," Sheik replied.

A huge belch sounded a few feet behind them. Everyone shifted their focus.

"S'cuse me," Pipit said, lifting a hand. "So, uh, who is this midget, anyway?" Link's eyes doubled in size. "Even you're bigger than he is. He must be about four feet tall."

"This is the leader of Skyloft's army," Link murmured, thankful for the ambient noise. "You know—the guy you warned me about when we visited Kehia Island a little while ago?" Pipit's expression blanked. Link sighed. "The worst truth or dare game in history? Remember?" Pipit glanced sideways. Link shook his head. "Midna in her underwear?"

"Oh, yeah, now I remember," Pipit said. "So, this is Sheik?" He sent a scrutinizing look past his friend.

"The one and only," Sheik said proudly.

Pipit chuckled. "After everything I've heard, I was expecting someone big and scary."

Link glanced to the side as Sheik crept up behind him.

"A man does not need to look big and scary to be big and scary," Sheik said, staring directly at Pipit. "Isn't that right, Sir Link?" Link slowly faced him. "Try not to pee your pants out of sheer joy, Sir Link. I know how much you missed me." Sheik stepped in close enough for Link to smell his cologne. "They're building me a nice big tent, with a big, cushy bed." His eyebrow came up. "When you get back, you'll have to visit me." His eyes dropped. "Maybe you can play your fiddle for me."

Pipit stepped up. "He doesn't have to visit anyone, including you."

Sheik scoffed coolly through his nose. "If it isn't the jealous boyfriend. Can't you lend him out even for one night?"

Link looked at the ground and grimaced.

"Jealous boyfriend?" Pipit asked. "I'm just pointing out that an army general has no real authority over a knight. Link is no more required to visit your tent than you are to be a decent human being—obviously."

"Ooh, so mean-spirited he is," Sheik mocked. "I'd ask that age-old question, 'Do you know who you're talking to?', but you already admitted that you do. So consider this your final warning to watch what you say."

As Pipit and Sheik stared each other down, Link stood between them, praying that the tension would lessen.

"There's only one problem with that," Pipit said.

"And what's that, sunshine?" Sheik asked.

"I'm not afraid of you," Pipit answered.

"Well, we'll have to do something about that, now won't we?"

"You go right ahead. But it's gonna be a little hard to intimidate me with your arms and legs detached from your already stumpy body."

Link froze in place as he felt the ring of soldiers close in. Pipit's glare stuck to the general.

"It's okay, Pipit," Link said. "He just wants to talk. I have no problem talking."

"In his cushy bed?" Pipit asked.

"He's just kidding around," Link said, eyeballing the general.

"That's right," Sheik said, lifting his hands in surrender. "Kidding around. Certainly a 'funny guy' such as yourself understands what that means."

Pipit looked to each man around him. "Funny guy? What's that supposed to mean?"

Link didn't move, well-aware that this was not going to end in a civilized fashion.

"It means," Sheik said, "that even buffoons can have a talent for good timing and witty comebacks."

Pipit lightly elbowed Link out of the way. "Man, forgive me for what I'm about to do," he said to him.

Link felt himself pale. "Why?"

"'Cause I'm about to bitch slap the general of the Skyloftian army," Pipit said.

Link slid between them. "Actually, it's time for us to leave." His eyes bounced from one man to the other. "So we need to go talk to our headmaster." He gave Pipit a piercing look. "Now."

After several tense moments, Pipit finally took a small step back. "Yeah, the guy who actually has the authority here," he said.

"Correction," Sheik said, holding his hands behind his back. "This is brand new territory for everyone in leadership. And authority is relative." He gazed at Link. "In time, only one of us will be the sovereign leader over this land, and these men." He grinned. "And knights."

Pipit clenched his fists. "Well, I'll be damned if you end up ruler over anything, you f—"

"Pipit," Link said, shaking his head and mouthing, 'no'.

Sheik shared a laugh with one of his soldiers. "There is certainly no shortage of belligerence spilling from the mouths of fools these days."

Knowing how bad Pipit was at brushing off insults, Link turned and looked him in the eye. "Don't listen. Let's just leave."

Just as he was about to take a step, Link was jerked to a stop by a hand on his shoulder. "Wait."

Link took an irritated breath. "You haven't asked to be dismissed," Sheik said. "Not even a curtsy? Have you forgotten who you are in the presence of?"

"Didn't we already discuss this?" Pipit growled.

"I'm not talking to you," Sheik said evenly. "I'm talking to Sir Link."

Trying to ignore his friend's disapproval, Link looked at his shoes. "Can we leave?" he asked quietly, feeling Pipit's dismay.

"Eye contact, please," Sheik said. "That's what you give to those whom you respect."

Heaviness and judgment was in the air as Link faced the general. "I don't respect you," he said firmly. "Can we leave anyway?" Pipit snickered behind him.

Sheik lolled his head in amusement. "You already know I get off on hostility."

Awkwardness was added to the tension as Link waited for the general to say something. Instead, the man looked him over. Slowly.

Finally, Sheik brought his search to an end. His shoulders bounced as his grin returned. "Maybe you should beg. I've heard you like to beg." He smirked. "Please, oh please, spare me, demon lord," he whispered.

Link's throat knotted up.

Sheik laughed. "You may go," he finally said. Link inched away. "If you swear to visit me when you arrive back at the Sealed Grounds."

"Fine," Link said, moving away.

"Best of luck on your little adventure," Sheik called. "I hope you find exactly what you're looking for."

Within seconds Link had pushed through a wall of people. Pipit whirled around to follow him but was halted by a hand on his arm. He stopped and turned, finding the shorter man staring him aggressively in the face.

"Do you know what happens to soldiers who violate the Uniform Code of Military Justice?" Sheik asked. Pipit's eyes narrowed. "You may be a knight, but any privileges that you now have won't exist for long." Stronger than he looked, he grasped the collar of Pipit's shirt and dragged him down to his level. "Before you can say, 'Have mercy on me, General', you will find yourself in the disciplinary barracks, answering for your rebellion against your superiors. And it will not be pleasant. I promise you that."

Shoved back and wide-eyed, Pipit watched as Sheik strolled away, his attendants close behind.

Pipit tugged angrily on his shirt. "Yeah, go build that tent with your groupies," he muttered. "Freak."

Traveling in the direction that he thought Link had gone, Pipit looked for his friend, waving to knights who he knew from the academy and admiring attractive ladies he'd never seen before.

Quickly forgetting about the general's threat, Pipit spotted Link standing beside the chasm wall, conversing with Gaepora. Not wanting to intrude, Pipit sauntered along, observing as Gaepora did most of the talking. Link nodded his head every few seconds.

As he strode closer, Pipit picked up a few stray words about a volcano, facing imminent danger, and arriving on time. He thought he heard Zelda's name, too.

"Tell her that I'm sorry about the walk," Pipit heard the large man say. His voice was as deep and booming as ever. At that, Link seemed confused. "She'll know what you mean."

Finishing up the discussion, Link said his goodbyes and rejoined his friend. "Ready?"

"After you, bravado," Pipit said. "But first you gotta tell me—why the hell do you kiss that undersized bastard's ass so much?"

Link didn't respond right away. "Because I don't know what's going to happen, and he has a lot of influence." He grumbled a bit. "Plus he knows too much."

During the lengthy march toward level ground, Pipit felt like he'd gone back in time. He imagined this to be the very sight that Fi had seen day in and day out three millennia ago, green-clad hero and all.

The two had barely made it out of the chasm when a flash of green and blue whizzed by, grazing Link's side and forcing him to jump out of the way.

The first things Pipit saw were arms full of wood and a lady's sky blue tunic. "Hey, watch out!" he shouted.

Upon hearing the words, the hasty culprit stumbled, sending the entire bundle of wood crashing to the dirt. Link dashed forward and began picking up the pieces.

"You okay?" Link asked as he crouched down. His friendly smile faded as he saw the face before him.

Pipit squinted and jerked in surprise. "…Wha?" A scaly, green reptilian face centered with keen eyes turned toward both of them. "Who's that?"

"I don't know," Link answered. The two young men took note of the peculiar tunic-wearing creature before giving each other a look and a shrug. They listened as she murmured something imperceptible. Quick as a flash she reclaimed what had slipped out of her claws. "Are you all right?" Link asked again. With her small arms full once more, she stood up, only reaching about three-quarters of Link's height. She backed skittishly away.

Link brushed himself off and stood. "What's your name?"

At first, the creature spoke in a way that neither human could understand. Then, appearing jostled, she said in an unexpectedly sweet-sounding voice, "Skylark."

The two friends looked on in curiosity. "Where did you come from?" Link asked.

Clutching the wood to her chest, she shook her head lightly, her bare feet bringing her further away. "Sorry…for…almost…" They listened carefully to her halting words. "…Bumping into you, Courage."

Link stared as she scampered off. "Courage?"

"Who's the lizard?" Pipit asked. "Somebody's pet?"

"I don't think so," Link said vacantly.

"The surface is weird as hell, man," Pipit said. "The things I've seen, I swear…"

"Oh, I agree," Link said. The word courage resonated in his head.

"Hey, there's Mid," Pipit said teasingly. "You gonna give her a big sloppy goodbye kiss?"

"I do need to let her know I'm leaving," Link said.

"You have to tell her when you're leaving?" Pipit asked, making a goofy face. "You guys are so together. Admit it."

"No, we're not," Link said.

"Liar."

Midna spun around and flashed Link a loving smile long before he reached her. Glancing to the side, Pipit saw the same look mirrored on his friend's face. He rolled his eyes.

When the 'couple' came together, Midna took Link's hands, smiled again and leaned in to leave a soft kiss on his cheek. Pipit wrestled back a laugh after Link adopted a bewildered look and stiffened like a board.

When the two shared a little giggle, Pipit rubbed his neck and twiddled his fingers, feeling slightly jealous. Still, he was happy for them.

As Midna whispered something in Link's ear, a thought dawned upon Pipit. Pinching his chin, he looked up, made a decision and nodded.

Lost in the feel of Midna's lips so close to his sensitive ear, Link almost didn't notice when Pipit inserted something into one of his bags. Caught off-guard, he looked to where Pipit had been standing and found that he was walking away. Pulling away from Midna, Link jogged after Pipit.

"What'd you put in my bag?" Link asked.

"Something you'll need soon," Pipit said.

"Where're you going? Aren't you coming with me?"

"Not anymore."

"What? Why?"

Pipit turned. "Because your girlfriend is unenthusiastic about staying here for a reason. She doesn't want to build or plant or polish her archery skills. She wants to polish your sword."

Link just stared and blinked. "She what?"

Pipit gave a loud sigh. "She wants to go with you. She wants to be with you—to be your thirty-percent. Get what I mean?"

Link looked around. "So you're not coming then?"

Pipit crossed his arms. "I'm not coming so that you can." He nodded. "Hopefully I don't have to explain it any more than that."

Link didn't know what to say. "Well…what're you gonna do instead?"

"Stay here, what else? Find a job to do. Should be easy for a strapping young lad such as myself. You go and have a jolly old time in the woods, compliments of Pipit. See you in a couple days." He gave Link a wave as he walked away. "And if you come back a virgin, there's something wrong with you."

"You can't stay here alone," Link said. "Look what just happened with the general. You're gonna end up in trouble!"

"I'll be fine," Pipit called.

"Hold on," Link said, pursuing him.

"Just go," Pipit said. "You need advice or something?"

Link stopped. "Advice?"

"Yeah. You don't have to have sex with her to make her scream your name into the trees."

Link looked back to make sure Midna wasn't standing there. "That's not why I'm over here," he murmured.

"All you need is three fingers to do it," Pipit said, demonstrating a come-hither motion. "Maybe even two."

Link's fingers fluttered. "Huh?"

From several yards away, Midna watched them talk. The topic must have been interesting because Link seemed enthralled. She heard nothing from either of them until Link called, "Girls can do that too?" Then Pipit laughed, slapped Link on the back and walked away.

Link pondered for a few minutes before returning to Midna, who was staring into the trees again. When he stepped up to her, her concentration broke.

"He's not coming?" Midna asked.

Link cleared his throat. Her eyes looked beautiful. "No. He's got some stuff he wants to do here."

"That's a shame," Midna said. Link couldn't tell if she was being honest or facetious. "Well, you can't go alone. Do you want me to come with you?"

Link took a breath, glad that he didn't have to do the asking. "If you want…"

"Great," she said cheerfully. "If you're ready, I'm ready."

Trudging through the people, Link couldn't believe that he was about to enter the woods not with Pipit like he had planned, but with Midna.

Stealing a glance, Link saw her hair again. He couldn't help but wonder why it looked so different. He almost asked her, but refrained. The idea of brushing it rose up. Perhaps she had a brush in one of her bags.

"Fi, which way are we going?" Link asked.

"You must head northwest from the Sealed Temple, Master," Fi replied. "I will direct you the entire way."

"This will be fun," Midna said, turning a sparkling eye to Link.

He scratched his head. "Are you sure you're okay with going? It's the woods, and it's not…" He hesitated. "It's not hospitable, or comfortable in any way. There aren't any bathrooms like at home."

Midna giggled. "I know that, silly. I survived the first time I came here. I didn't even know if you were alive or not. Now, I get to go with you." She grinned confidently. "I'm looking forward to it."

Link nodded and chewed his tongue, wondering what he was getting himself into this time.

An overgrown path awaited them as they left the clearing behind to venture into the Faron Woods. As if a switch had been flipped, loud turned to soft, bright turned to dim, and wide-open turned to dense green.

This place was peaceful and smelled so sweetly. The air was refreshing—quite a change from what he'd been dealt at the Sealed Grounds.

Taking a cleansing breath, Link eyed Midna again. Looking her over a bit, he started to worry.

What if temptation got the better of him?

No, he would be fine. Cracking his knuckles, he stretched up taller and looked boldly ahead. Besides, he could always ask Fi to leave the sword shard and sit with him if he needed it.

After patting his bag, he dropped his gazed to his violin case. Something would have to be done about that problem too.

The gentle sounds of insects and birds made him realize that the demon's voice had been absent from his thoughts since leaving Skyloft. This small detail made him uneasy, if not suspicious.

He sensed that if it were not for Fi and Midna, he still would not be alone right now. The demon was here. Link could feel him as if he were standing nearby, ready to embrace him.

Link felt as if his mind was missing something; as though it were open and ready to receive a message that simply wasn't transmitting.

Link looked through rows and rows of trees, past the canopy and into the pieces of sky which he was able to see. Something was going to happen soon.

….

Note: Skylark is an OC owned by Vulaan Kulaas.

If you aren't sure what Pipit's sex talk is referring to, you may be too young to know :p But if you're really curious, let me know and I'll explain it…somehow. Thanks for reading!