Hello everyone, time for Chapter 83! Link and Aviel have arrived at a strange new place, only to find strange bird people who strangely start bowing to the young archer! Just what is going on here?
"The chosen one has finally arrived!"
After they had arrived at the mysterious city at the top of Snowpeak Mountain, Link and Aviel thought they were in trouble after the bird people all confronted them. But when Aviel showed off the power of her Roc's Wing, they had all immediately started bowing before her. Even some of the bird people who had been passing at the time where bowing as well.
"Huh? What was I chosen for?" Aviel asked Link curiously.
"Why are you asking me?" Link asked.
"Come, come, we have much to explain. You two will be our honored guests here, piou!" the mayor said happily, having the knights all disperse so the two of them could follow him.
As Link and Aviel walked along down the road, they saw many more of the bird people gasp out in shock at the sight of Aviel's wings and bow down at her as she past by, but the young lady just looked around in confusion at it all.
"So who exactly are you, and what is this place?" Link asked.
"I am Mayor Nymnalo, and you are in the Land of Dhaijialoft, home of the Rito!" the bird man said.
"The Ruto...?" Aviel asked, thinking of their zora princess friend making a haughty laugh.
"He said Rito." Link corrected her.
"Ah I see, good to meetcha! I'm Aviel, and this is..." she paused a bit, looking to Link, realizing it might not be a good idea to introduce him as the Gerudo King yet, "This is my best friend Link!"
"Good, good to meet you both, piou." Nymnalo nodded, "I hope you didn't have too much trouble arriving here."
"Oh nothing much, just a terrifying death blizzard." Link shrugged sarcastically.
"Ah, many apologizes about that, but now that you're here that won't be a problem for much longer!" Nymnalo said happily.
"Huh?" Link and Aviel both asked in confusion.
Link and Aviel eventually found themselves sitting at a table in the Mayor's house. There was a large curtain over one particular wall. As they sat there, a Rito lady in a red robe set down cups of tea for them. Link took a sip of his tea and looked to the mayor sitting across from him.
"Okay, so just what is this all about?" Link asked, "The whole 'Aviel being a chosen one' thing?"
"Well you see, we Rito are descendants of an ancient race of flying creatures that lived back before the birth of Hyrule, they were majestic birds known as the Loftwings, and they once soared over the skies of the land, helping the people of the sky before they descended down to the earth."
"People... that used to live in the sky?" Aviel asked, looking out a window imaging a bunch of people sitting on clouds.
"Yes, piou. Legends say it may even be that the fabled reincarnation of the Goddess Hylia descended from there." Nymnalo said, "And that she founded the land of Hyrule itself alongside those who followed her down."
Link's eyes widened at this news, he wondered in that moment if the goddess' reincarnation could possibly be the ancestor of Princess Zelda...?
"It's said when the Loftwings came down to this land along with the Goddess Hylia's reincarnation, they evolved over time to adapt to the earth, and we Rito eventually came into existence. The Land of Dhaijialoft has been the home of the Rito since then." Mayor Nymnalo said, "As we were born by the balance of the sky and earth, we've devoted ourselves to the way of equality and balance, under the watchful eye of the Great Fairy Goddess, Venus."
"The Fairy Goddess?" Link spoke, he was aware of Great Fairies, but knew nothing about their leader, "What does she have to do with you?"
"Back in the ancient times of Hyrule's founding, there were apparently disputes about the growth of the land, and much darkness threatened to consume the light of this world. As a result, the fairy goddess blessed our early ancestors with this kingdom in exchange for her protection from the forces of darkness during that time. Its because of that we've lived in isolation for many eras, piou." Nymnalo said, taking a sip of his own tea.
"So what does all this have to with Aviel then?" Link asked the mayor.
The mayor didn't say a word, but just sat there, his body seemed to be completely motionless.
"Uh, mayor?" Aviel asked, waving a hand in front of him, but still got nothing, "What's wrong with him Link...?"
"I dunno, he doesn't look like he's moving..." Link muttered, but then looked down at the tea cup the mayor was holding and his eyes widened. Link quickly got up and ran over to the mayor. He shook him a few times to see if he would react, but got nothing. He checked for the mayor's pulse, but he wasn't sure where to check on a Rito's arm.
"You... you don't think he could had been poisoned by his tea do you?" Link asked.
"Ack! Seriously? He's dead?!" exclaimed Aviel, she got up and started running around around the room frantically, "Help, someone call the hospital! Call law enforcement! Call us an attorney!" before she tripped over a pillow and fell on her face.
"This is bad, chosen one or not, we could be accused of murdering the mayor." Link said, "We gotta get out of here befor-"
The two of them then saw the Rito shift a bit, before he leaned his head back and a snot bubble rose up from his beak as a loud and heavy sound echoed through the room.
"ZzzzZzzZZzzzz..."
"HE FELL ASLEEP?" Link and Aviel both faulted over in exasperation.
The bubble above Mayor Nymnalo popped and he snapped awake, "Ah, oh, sorry. When I get too relaxed I tend to nod off, piou." he muttered, scratching at his shoulder.
The two looked to each other and sighed out in relief as they sat back down.
Link spoke up, "Okay, so back to what you were saying about Aviel..."
"Ah yes." nodded Nymnalo, "Before the Fairy Goddess departed to the heavens, she stated to our ancestors that someday a Great Fairy of Balance would be chosen to perform a very important task essential to the future of Hyrule. Like when the Loftwings evolved into Rito, the Great Fairy would be awoken by a chosen one born from a true balance of both sky and earth."
With that, he called in two disciples who pulled away the tall curtain, revealing a mural of a winged maiden calling out before a door with a taller woman with more insect-like wings on it. The woman imposed on the door was giving off a bright radiance, and some Ritos were bowing down before her.
"That girl and door look kinda like the sketch Brad gave us!" Aviel said with wide eyes.
Link thought to himself, 'So I was right, that woman on the door was a Great Fairy. But it doesn't look much like the ones I've seen...' he spoke up to the mayor Rito, "So you believe Aviel is the one who will wake up this Great Fairy then?"
"That's right, the prophecy states the chosen would be the offspring of a Rito and a land-dweller. This girl here bares the wings of the Sky Guardian Roc, so she must be our messenger to the Great Fairy of Balance, piou!" Nymanlo nodded.
"Aviel, was your father a Rito?" Link asked his friend.
"I... don't know." Aviel said, putting a hand to her head.
"You don't remember if your dad was a Rito?" Link said, "Sounds like something you would have noticed, especially with the whole beak and feathers thing."
"My memory's still pretty foggy about everything after what happened... I guess he could have been a bird and I just don't remember it..." Aviel said, "Mayor Nymnalo, has a Rito ever left this place to marry a Gerudo woman?"
"Well as I recall, there was at least one of our people who left a little over twenty years ago, went by the name of Rusosh." Nymnalo said, stroking the fluffed feathers under his beak, "Normally we advise our people to remain here but Rusosh didn't care for that, he was always the adventurous type as a lad."
"An adventurous type..." Aviel muttered, recalling what she could about she and her family traveling. She closed her eyes, trying to think of just what happened that day she was separated from her parents, and what her father looked like, but she sighed out in defeat.
"I honestly think there's a very good chance Rusosh could be your father; you have a similar spark of life to him as I recall, piou." Nymnalo said, looking Aviel over.
"So... just what happened to the Sky Guardian Roc itself then?" Aviel asked.
"Well you see he... he..." Nymnalo started, he seemed to pause for a brief time, as Link and Aviel both looked curiously.
"Uh, Mayor?" Link asked.
A snot bubble rose up from Nymnalo's nose and they heard a snoring sound from him again.
"Wake up!" his two guests both shouted, and the bubble popped.
"Ah yes, sorry. We'll discuss the Sky Guardian in due time, but first, let's get the two of you situated and comfortable here in our land!" Nymnalo then clapped his hands together as two lady Rito came over in a split second and took Aviel by her shoulders, taking her off into another room.
"Ack!" Aviel squawked as she was carried off.
"Hey, what's th-" Link exclaimed, before two more Rito women came up just as quickly, took Link by his shoulders and led him off as well.
Some time later, Link walked out the room he had been brought into, now dressed in a light green sleeveless robe and his hair done back into a ponytail. According to the girls, the Rito wore sleeveless robes so they could fly when needed. He was a little baffled about all that was going on, but was admittingly glad to be changed out of his cold, wet coat. He was a little bothered by how flirty the Rito girls helping to dress him were; he had to admit they were pretty cute as far as bird women went, but it reminded him a little too much of the servants who dressed and groomed him back home, only with ticklish feathers.
"Hey Link! You got a robe too, huh?" spoke up Aviel, Link looked up to see her and his eyes widened.
Aviel was wearing a white and red sleeveless robe with a red and golden sash wrapped around her waist. Her normally wild spiky hair was done back and down with a type of gold tiara worn on her head with beads hanging down the sides of it. She also had some light white makeup and her lips had been painted a light red.
"How do I look?" the Gerudo girl did a spin to show off all around her; the robe was fitted well enough that showed off her figure, as scrawny as it was. One thing was for certain though, it was wrapped tightly around her round, bouncy chest, showing it off quite well.
"Y-You... you look great!" Link admitted, shaking off his daze.
"Hee hee, t-thanks..." Aviel said smiling, kicking her foot against the ground a little with an embarrassed blush on her face, "This is my first time wearing makeup and a nice outfit like this. I remember before moving in with the Gerudo that people would think I was a boy at first, which really bugged me. I think this is the first time I've really felt like a real woman!"
"Aviel, don't sell yourself short like that, you've always been a real woman. At least, I've always seen you as one..." Link blushed a little himself, "But now you look like a genuine priestess!"
"I guess but... do you really think I can do this?" Aviel asked with some uncertainty, "It's one thing to be a royal bodyguard, but I dunno if I can be a priestess or anything..."
"Well remember how I used to think I couldn't be a king? Just look at me now!" Link grinned, "Don't worry, I'll have your back. We'll get this all settled, hopefully find the Roc and get some information on your parents' whereabouts. Then after that we'll track down the others and head back home so we can prepare for the Hylian Parliament meeting!"
"Yeah, you're right!" Aviel said nodding, pumping her fists, "Okay, I can do this!"
"Ah, so you're both ready." Mayor Nymnalo said waddling in, "Come along, we have to introduce you to the people Priestess Aviel, piou!"
"Yes sir!" Aviel said saluting upright.
The three of them stepped outside to see a huge crowd of Rito people all gathered and staring up at Aviel, and they immediately all cheered out for her. Some Rito women were sitting at the entrance with instruments, playing the melody Link heard on their approach to the village, and Link presumed it was some kind of theme of the city.
"Woah, they've really been looking forward to this, haven't they?" Aviel asked.
"Yes, for what the Fairy Goddess did for our ancestors during those dark times of the past, we've been anxiously awaiting the day to return her favor, piou." Nymnalo nodded.
Link grinned a little, he found himself admiring the Rito and their devotion to the Fairy Goddess Venus, and seeing the bird people all cheering out for Aviel reminded him of when he would stand before the Gerudo people for Nabooru's royal announcements.
"Go on Aviel, say something." Link said nudging her, going by Nabooru's example.
"A-Alright then!" Aviel said stepping up, "Hi everyone! My name is Aviel, and I'm happy to meet you all! Thank you for accepting me as your new priestess, and I vow to help you please and honor the great Fairy Goddess Venison!"
There was a brief pause as everyone muttered to themselves in confusion, wondering why she was taking about elk meat.
"I think you mean Venus." Link pointed out.
"Oh right." Aviel said, "After speaking with your mayor, I believe your Sky Guardian gave me this treasure of mine, the Roc's Wings!"
Aviel then unfurled her wings to show them off to the people, the crowd gasped out at the sight of the wings and started speaking wildly among each other.
"She truly bears the wings of the guardian!"
"By the clouds, she is the chosen one!"
"Bless the Fairy Goddess and the Sky Guardian!"
When the crowd started to quiet down, Aviel went ahead and continued, "It's because of these wings I've gotten as strong as I have, and I've used them to protect the people closest to me. If these wings really did come from your Sky Guardian Roc, then I owe him for them. So I'm going to repay my own debt and help you all, just as he did!"
Aviel took went a step forward and bowed to the crowd.
"I'm new to this whole priestess thing, but I hope we can all get along together!"
The crowd cheered out, letting out loud bird calls and flapping their wings in excitement of their legend coming true. Some more musicians started playing their instruments to add to the atmosphere of the celebration.
Link meanwhile smiled and nodded with his arms folded, he wondered in that moment if Nabooru felt a similar sense of pride when he accepted his own title as the Gerudo King.
"She's really grown a lot..." he whispered.
As Aviel continued to smile and wave out to the crowd. She took a step forward to present herself better, only to trip over her robe and fall forward, tumbling down the staircase before face planting on the ground.
There was a moment of silence as everyone stared down at Aviel on the ground.
"Aah! Priestess!" Nymnalo suddenly shouted, flapping his wings in a panic.
"You alright there Aviel?" Link asked, running down the stairs and kneeling down to her.
"Owie... this robe thing's hard to walk in..." Aviel said with tears in her eyes as she held her head.
"Someone comfort the priestess, piou!" Nymnalo exclaimed to the musicians in a panic.
Link just chuckled lightly, knowing that as grown as she was, somethings just never change... But he didn't mind that at all.
After Aviel's speech to the people, she, along with Link and Mayor Nymnalo, walked down the streets of the town, greeting the Rito people who cheered and bowed to her. By Nymnalo's recommendation, she spoke and praised the Rito as she met them, and many offered her various gifts as she did.
"Please chosen one, take this meager offering!" said one Rito, holding up a plate of dumplings.
"Oooh, yummy! Thanks!" Aviel said, taking the plate and biting into one dumpling, then taking and stuffing another one into Link's mouth for him.
"Greetings chosen one, I have this lovely jewelry for you!" said a Rito in a more extravagant robe, handing her a fancy jeweled necklace.
"Oh jees, thanks... but I don't really want something like that!" Aviel said, "That's a bit too fancy-pants for me!"
"H-Huh?" the Rito exclaimed in shock, looking like the entire world was about to end.
"Priestess," whispered Nymnalo to the confused Aviel, "Take it, it's important to our people that you accept their offerings! It means good fortune for the future!"
"Uh, if you say so." Aviel said, she bowed slightly to the Rito and took the necklace, "Sorry bout that, thanks a bunch!"
"Chosen one, I have this wonderful offering to you!" said a big gruff Rito with a large sack-like beak, holding up a giant dead fish that reeked horribly.
Aviel paused staring at the fish, then looked to the Rito mayor with uncertainty.
"...uh, I don't think he'll mind if you turn that one down." Nymnalo said sweatdropping.
"Priestess, I crafted this offering in preparation for this day, and I'd like you to have it!" said a young Rito man, holding up a statuette of some kind of bird creature.
"Oh wooow, you put a lot of effort into this didn't you? Thanks a bunch!" Aviel said, turning her arms into bird wings and giving the young craftsman a friendly hug.
"AAAAHHH!" shouted out the Rito, scrambling his arms in panic to break free of her hug. He quickly backed up from Aviel and bowed to her, "I... I'm not worthy of your praise Priestess!"
"Uh, all I did was hug you." Aviel said.
"Weird, you said she was a priestess, but they're treating Aviel more like she's a goddess or something." Link whispered to Nymnalo.
"The people greatly respect the Sky Guardian for he's done, and they believe Priestess Aviel carries his will, or even his very soul." Nymnalo nodded.
Then a voice called out, getting everyone's attention, "Kwaahaahaha! Why hello, what's all the hubbub about around here?"
Before them stood a tall and rather sophisticated Rito. He had a small beak that pointed upwards, a long skinny neck, and was completely bald down to the neckline. He wore a flashy red suit with a collar that went all the way up to his head, and wore a matching top hat. His legs were long and strong-looking with large feet. His walk was more of a strut then anything as he lifted his legs up high with each step.
By the side of the aristocratic-looking bird was a much younger black-feathered, red-eyed Rito man in a purple suit. He was standing upright with one arm folded behind his back, and carrying some shopping bags with the other.
Despite the crowd gathering around Aviel, the purple-suited man pushed away the Rito people with his free hand, giving the long-necked Rito space to walk up to Nymnalo.
"I apologize citizens, but as his butler, I must inform you that the master demands his social distancing." the purple-suited Rito butler said with a dignified tone.
"Afternoon Mayor, everything going well around Dhaijialoft?" the long-necked Rito asked tipping his hat, looking around by extending his neck out at the people.
"Just fine..." Nymnalo said with a bit of annoyance in his tone.
The long-necked bird man turned to see a pretty pink feathered Rito girl, took her hand and kissed it, "I see you're growing up quite nicely Ms. Kita, would you desire to work for me as a maid at my grand estate?"
"Uh..." the Rito known as Kita groaned, "Sorry, but I have to decline Mr. Barrank."
"Ah no matter, you'll see things my way eventually." chuckled the Rito man as he went to speak to another lady.
"So who is that?" Link whispered to Nymnalo.
"That's Mr. Barrank, he's a nobleman here in Dhaijialoft, he owns a private mansion estate up on one of the hills." Nymnalo explained.
The two watched as Barrank flirted with another Rito woman, only for her husband to pull her back and protect her. The husband threw a punch at Barrank, but the butler stepped out in front of his master, blocked the punch, then swung his arm at the husband's throat with a kung-fu chop, making him gag out and fall backwards. The female Rito came to her husband's aide, and Link noticed no one else dared to do or say anything about it.
Barrank and his butler then approached the three of them. The eccentric Rito lowered his head down at Aviel, gazing at her.
"Hm, and just who might you be...?" Barrank asked.
The Gerudo girl paused, she didn't like this guy's attitude, but decided to put on a pleasant face for the sake of her role, "Hi, I'm Aviel! I'm the new priestess of your land, an honor to meet you Mr. Balsac!"
Barrank stood there blankly as some of the crowd snickered under their breath at the name Aviel accidentally gave him, Link especially. Barrank fumed a bit and glared at Aviel.
"Hmph, a priestess are you...? What are you the priestess of, shorties? Kwaahaahaahaa!" Barrank laughed out, his long neck wiggling around as he did.
"Snappy humor, Master Barrank." the butler said.
"Mr. Barrank, she's the priestess of the Sky Guardian Roc, the chosen one of legend." Nymnalo said.
Barrank's eyes widened, and he looked down at Aviel, "T-This child is the Sky Guardian's Priestess?"
"That's right!" Aviel nodded, spreading out her Roc's Wings, "The mayor says these are proof of it!"
Barrank just stood there in shock, his beak dropped down as he gazed at her wings. His eyes shifted left and right at the crowd around him who were murmuring something to each other, before the nobleman shook it off and going back to his haughty attitude.
"Hm, well you're not much to look at, though I admit you have some nice plumage, kwaahaahaa!" he laughed.
"Plumage? I don't have feathers anywhere but my sleeves and tail." Aviel said in confusion, before Barrank poked at her round chest, making her squeak out.
"Hm... strange that your feathers feel so rubbery." Barrank muttered in genuine confusion.
"Wha- hey! Get your hands off those!" Aviel shouted, resisting every urge to whack him.
But then a figure stepped between Barrank and Aviel. It was Link, who glared at the aristocrat and spoke coldly, "Hey buddy, I don't care who you are, but keep your flea-ridden wings off of her."
"And who are you, the priestess' bodyguard?!" Barrank demanded, though he was a bit shaken at the intimidating man before him.
"Her friend." Link corrected, narrowing his eyes, "But I can be a bodyguard too if you try to touch her like that."
Aviel was at a loss for words, and couldn't help but blush brightly from Link coming to her defense like that. But then recalled what she said before they arrived at the town, about her supposed to be his bodyguard, and she frowned a bit...
Barrank's butler stepped between his boss and Link, going into a kung-fu poise, narrowing his red eyes at the Hylian, "I ask that you know your place sir. You lay one hand on the Master's head and you may very well not have functional hands anymore."
"I don't want to cause any trouble here, but I will if your lecherous boss hurts my friend." Link said.
The two of them just stared each other down until the mayor stepped in and separated the two.
"O-okay now, break it up, piou!" Mayor Nymnalo said nervously, he whispered to Link, 'Please refrain from angering Mr. Barrank for now!"
"Huh? But he just-" Link started.
"W-Well that's enough, I'm growing weary anyway." Barrank shrugged, turning around and going off on his way, gesturing to his butler, "Come along, I have a few more things to do in town."
"Of course sir." nodded the butler, picking up the bags and following after Barrank.
The mayor had the rest of the crowd disperse afterwards, leaving him alone with Link and Aviel.
"Whew, that was a close one, piou." Mayor Nymnalo sighed out with relief.
"I don't get it, that guy's a total creep! Why do you put up with him?" Aviel asked.
"Well the truth is, we're rather peaceful for the most part, not really much of fighters..." Nymnalo said, "Despite his appearance and arrogant attitude, Mr. Barrank is a powerful wizard, adapt at the magical arts of wind and ice. So to keep our sacred land safe, we arranged a deal with him to protect us from the dark forces of the outside world using a barrier of wind."
"Wait, are you saying he made that blizzard in front of the gates into the area?" Link asked.
"That's correct, he set it up so it would be passed off as a typical snowstorm and keep intruders from coming here." nodded Nymnalo, "In exchange we provide him with protection payments, including building his private estate."
He gestured up to a mansion up on a tall hill, unlike the other buildings it looked more in line with traditional mansions Link was used to seeing in Hyrule and other lands.
"So that's what Korume meant by the blizzard not being natural." Aviel said.
"Unfortunately putting Barrank into that position also made him realize how much he could get away with. I wish we didn't have to relay on one like him for so long..." the mayor sighed, then turned to Aviel with a relieved smile, "But now that we have you to awaken the Great Fairy, we may no longer require his services, piou!"
"That'd be fine by me, one less headache for you guys to deal with, and he's a massive one!" Aviel said sticking her tongue out.
"Well for now why don't you take a look around and get antiquated with our city, Priestess? I have some matters to attend to, namely setting up for the festival tomorrow!" Nymnalo then said.
"Festival?" Aviel repeated with wide eyes, her hair locks shot up straight in the air.
"Yes, the Sky Guardian Festival, we've been holding it in honor of the Roc." Mayor Nymnalo said, "You arrived just in time for it in fact, it can only be a sign of your chosen role here in our land, piou!"
'Or it was just a freak coincidence...' Link thought to himself.
"As the priestess, you'll be held as our guest of honor! It'll be three days long, and on the second night of the festival it will finally be time for your great duty, piou!" Nymnalo explained, "We'll be having you in training for tomorrow morning and the next day in perpetration for it, but you'll be welcome to attend the festivities themselves as well!"
"That works out, we can participate in the festival, track down the others, and make it back to our home before the week is up." Link said to Aviel.
"Alright then, we're looking forward to it!" said Aviel nodding.
"Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go make those preparations, piou." the mayor nodded and went off on his way, before suddenly coming to a complete stop.
"Did you forget something Mayor?" Link asked in confusion.
Mayor Nymnalo leaned back snoring loudly, with a large snot bubble growing out from his beak.
"He fell asleep standing up?!" Aviel exclaimed.
"Just how does he gets anything done around here...?" Link asked.
Unknown to the two, the rich Rito wizard Barrank was watching them carefully from behind a red gate, having heard their conversation, with his butler standing beside him.
"Damn that priestess... I've had a good thing going here for the longest time, and I can't have her ruining my meal ticket!" Barrank said in annoyance, his beak biting down on the gate.
"Shall we order take out tonight instead then, Master?" the butler proposed.
"I can't let her open the way to the Great Fairy Fountain, I need to do something about her.." Barrank muttered, "I just need to figure out her weakness... kwaahahaha..."
Deciding to leave Mayor Nymnalo on his own, Link and Aviel went down the roads of Dhaijialoft to see everything around them. More Rito showed up to bow to Aviel, offer gifts and pray to her for good fortune. With Link's help, she was putting in a good effort.
"Priestess, it's an honor to meet you!" boomed a loud husky woman's voice, as the two turned to see a rather large Rito before them. She was tall and round, with white feathers all over, and wearing a yellow robe. What Link found particularly odd was she had some kind of red skin around her eyes that made it look like she was wearing a mask, and she had a red comb on top of her head, "My name is Crissile, and I have a favor to ask of your greatness!"
"Oh, hi! Nice to meet you, I'm Aviel!" she said with a friendly wave, "And this is my best friend Link!"
"Link you say? I see..." the Rito woman just glared at Link.
"Something the matter?" Aviel asked.
"Strange, I'm not sure why, but this man bothers me for some reason... like he's wronged many others like me in the past..."
Link gulped a bit looking up at the woman. She greatly resembled a certain type of bird creature that he had past trauma with, recalling a flock of white birds with similar eye and comb colors swarming and attacking him in various areas of Hyrule...
Snapping back to reality, Link looked back up at the giant Rito staring down at him, and he waved innocently, hoping for all that was good in Hyrule that none of them were possibly related to this large bird. He didn't want the fury of the whole population of Dhaijialoft coming down on him or Aviel.
"P-Pleasure to meet you maam." Link said.
"So uh, what did you need from me as the Rito priestess?" Aviel asked.
The large Rito stared down at Aviel, before she reached into her robe and pulled out something from it.
"Forgive me, I... uh..." the Rito spoke sheepishly as she fell down to both her knees, "I was wondering if you could purify this..." she held up a small charm with a symbol on it Link and Aviel didn't recognize.
"Umm... I'm sorry, but I still don't know much about Rito customs... what is it?" Aviel asked.
"It's a... ..." Crissile looked to the side sheepishly, then spoke in a really low voice, "Dha-se l-e ch-m..."
"Huh?" Aviel asked tilting her head.
"A D-jia-e -ove ch-m..." Crissile muttered again.
"Still can't hear you." Aviel said.
"IT'S A DHAIJIAESE LOVE CHARM OKAY?" Crissile shouted out in frustration, "I... just thought perhaps if it had your blessing it might help me... find a new... husband."
"Huh, wasn't expecting that." Link said, only to get a sharp angry look from Crissile, "Um, forgive me... but did something happen to your previous husband?"
"Nothing! Nothing at all! He totally didn't leave me for a smutty flamingo girl!" scowled Crissile angerly, ruffling her feathers, "And this absolutely isn't the sixth time it's happened!"
"I didn't ask anything else." Link said sweatdropping, now feeling a lot of pity for the Rito woman.
"Please priestess, I'm begging you!" Crissile then shouted to Aviel, bowing her head, "Give this bird a chance to love again!"
"Well I don't know how exactly, but I'll try." Aviel said, taking the charm and holding it, she stroked the charm with the feathers of her Roc's Wings and whispered to it, "To the Fairy Goddess, please give this poor woman the hope of a brighter and happier future for herself..."
Aviel then handed Crissile the charm back, smiling happily, "There you go, should be good as new!"
Crissile stared at the charm with wide teary eyes, "Yes, I can already already feel the energy of love in it! That's it, I'm going to find myself a new man!" she said with determination as she pumped up her fist, "Thank you so much Priestess! Now to find my happiness!"
With that, Crissile went running off down the street leaving behind a trail of dust behind her.
"Think she'll be alright?" Aviel asked.
"Dunno, but that was good on you to do that for her." Link grinned.
"Hee hee... it's kinda neat for everyone to be counting on me so much. You remember before I became your bodyguard, that I told you I was always getting into trouble with my guard duty boss, and just to get me out of the way they made me a lookout?" Aviel said.
"Yeah, that was quite a while back, wasn't it?" Link said, recalling the day she came down and crashed on top of him.
Aviel did a twirl and grinned widely, "But it's because of that I got to meet you, and it turned my life around for the best, and being here as a priestess kinda feels like that! I'm ging to keep working hard to put a smile on everyone's faces like Ms. Crissile!"
"Atta girl." Link grinned, "Now how about we go look around the area some more?"
"Um, excuse me!" piped up a small voice. Link and Aviel looked around in confusion but didn't see anyone.
"Who was that?" Link asked, looking up into the sky to see if a Rito was flying above them but saw nothing.
"Down here!" peeped the voice, and they both looked down to see a small Rito girl. She was brown with white spots, and wearing a pink robe.
"Oh, sorry! Can we help you?" Aviel asked.
"Y-You're the Sky Guardian Priestess right...?" the small Rito asked sniffling, "I'm trying to find my big brother... but I've looked around everywhere! I can't fly very good yet, so I can't go looking for him from above..."
"Aww, don't worry! We'll help you find him!" Aviel said brightly, "What's your name?"
"My name's Pecoli, a pleasure to meet you Sky Priestess!" she said politely bowing.
"Hee hee, you can just call me Aviel if you want, and this is my friend Link!" Aviel turned to Link, "Isn't she adorable?"
"She kind reminds me of some baby chicks I led around with my ocarina..." Link pondered.
"So is what I've been told true? Do you really bear the wings of the Sky Guardian?" Pecoli asked.
"Yep, check it out!" Aviel said, spreading out her Roc's Wings and taking on her bird form.
"Wow! That's so cool!" Pecoli said with wide sparking eyes, hopping up and down and looking over her wings, "Do you have any other powers like what I've read in my picture books; like super strength, ice breath, or shooting explosive laser beams from your eyes?"
"Just what kind of children's picture books do they read here...?" Link asked sweatdropping.
"Nothing like that, but I can do this!" Aviel said with a grin, she whipped out her crossbow, aimed it up at a lantern hanging high up on a gate in the far distance, and fired an arrow. The arrow went soaring through the air and snapped the string holding the lantern in place, causing it to fall to the ground.
"WOWIE ZOWIE!" Pecoli's eyes widened and her jaw dropped, she started hopping around Aviel excitedly about her skill in archery.
"Heh, looks like you just made a new friend Aviel." Link grinned.
"Yeah, sure does." Aviel nodded to Link, "Come on Pecoli, let's go find your brother!" she said, taking Pecoli by the hand and escorting her off with Link following after.
Meanwhile, unknown to them some distance away, the rich nobleman Rito known as Mr. Barrank was laying on the ground. The remains of the lantern Aviel had shot down just a while ago having impacted directly on his head while he was attempting to follow and easedrop on her.
"Grk... damned priestess..." Barrank muttered as his butler helped him up.
"Shall we continue with the investigation of the priestess in a while, or should I escort you to the local medical clinic to have you treated for your concussion?" the butler asked, helping his master up and dusting him off.
"N-No... that won't be necessary... j-just take a break for now..." Barrank said in a woozy state.
"Very good sir, I have some matters to take care of, but I'll send the other servants to take you back to the mansion." the butler said walking off.
"Thank you..." Barrank groaned, before falling over again.
Link, Aviel and Pecoli went down the road, and the two girls were talking up a storm. Aviel was telling Pecoli about many of the adventures she and Link went on over their time together.
"...and then with one big swing, POW!, Reirousa took down the Molderm!" Aviel said swinging her fist to emphasize the hulking woman's attack strength.
'Glad she left out the part where I ripped out of it's stomach to save Sovan.' Link thought to himself.
"That's so cool, then what happened?" Pecoli asked.
"Afterwards we all went to celebrate, Nemisa danced for us while Link played his ocarina!" Aviel said.
"Really...?" Pecoli muttered, "Oh that reminds me, I have something I want to show you priestess!"
Pecoli reached behind her back and pulled out a harp, her small fingers delicately stroked the strings as she started playing a gentle little tune with it.
"Oh wow, that's so nice!" Aviel said happily.
"That's not bad," Link admitted, "How long have you played it?"
"My mommy taught it to me along time ago, and I've been practicing it for the day the chosen priestess arrived here, I didn't think I'd get to meet you like this though!" Pecoli said.
As she was playing, Aviel started taking in the melody, there was something about she couldn't quite put her finger on, but she was getting more into it the more she played.
"Aaah!" Help! Thief!" shouted a woman's voice.
"Huh?" Pecoli looked just as someone ran by and grabbed her harp right out of her hands, "Hey!"
The three of them saw it to be a Rito man in a dark blue cloak running off holding Pecoli's harp, as well as a handbag he stole from a woman. The guards chased after him, but the thief spread his wings and took off into the air.
"Hey, give that back! My mommy gave that to me!" shouted Pecoli with small tears in her eyes.
"Haw haw haw, just try and get me losers!" laughed the thief.
"We'll see about that." Link said narrowing his eyes, he was about to give chase when Aviel stopped him.
"Hold up Link, if I aim just right I can probably graze his wings enough to make him drop the harp and bag." Aviel said, aiming her crossbow carefully.
"No need for that, look!" Pecoli said, gesturing to the guards who pulled out more of those strange pipes with sacs on them that they had deployed back when Link and Aviel first arrived into town.
One of the Rito aimed carefully, and squeezed the sac at the end of the pipe, causing a small dart to shoot out from the pipe and fly into the air, impacting into the back of the thief.
"Grk! I got careless..." the thief groaned, his body starting to become dizzy judging from the way he was flying, until he dropped the harp and handbag and started falling downwards.
"I got it!" Aviel said, pulling out her wings and shooting out at Pecoli's harp and the woman's handbag, snatching them both with her talons in midair.
Link meanwhile ran forward and restrained the thief so he couldn't get away, "And I got him!"
Aviel flew down to the ground and gave the handbag to the woman it had been stolen from, "There you go lady!"
"Oh thank you so much Priestess, we are truly blessed to have you here!" the Rito woman said bowing to her.
Link meanwhile handed the thief off to the guards, who thanked them both him and Aviel for their help, then hauled the thief away.
"There you go Pecoli, your harp's back!" Aviel said.
"Oooh, thank you so much Ms. Priestess! I'll never forget this!" Pecoli said happily, hugging her tightly.
"Ah hee hee... well, just trying to help out." Aviel said sheepishly, patting Pecoli on the head..
"So what were those pipe things anyway?" Link asked Pecoli, "Never seen anything like them before."
"Big Bro says they're blowdart pipes, they use them to shoot darts with some kind of fluid in them that numbs whatever they hit, kind of like that feeling you get when your arm falls asleep." Pecoli said, "He said they use Octorok air sacs to fire them."
"Wouldn't it just be easier to use bows and arrows?" Link asked as they continued down the road.
"I don't think Rito could fire normal bows with the kinds of arms they have." Aviel observed, looking at the arms of a villager passing by, "Though I think a crossbow might be better fit for them, I'll talk to Mayor Nymnalo about crossbow crafting sometime, sounds like it could be useful to them."
"Good looking out on that." Link nodded, happy to see Aviel was looking to improve the lives of the Rito in other ways then just being the chosen.
"So do you use that crossbow a lot Aviel?" Pecoli asked.
"Yep, I use it to help protect Link and my other friends!" Aviel said. She wanted to mention she was a bodyguard for Link, but decided not to as she still didn't want anyone to know he was the Gerudo King just yet.
"Would you use it to protect us if anything happened?" Pecoli asked with large eyes.
"Hee hee, course I would!" Aviel grinned and nodded.
Pecoli smiled as they went on their way, and Link noticed after a few minutes, Pecoli leaned a little against Aviel's arm as they went along.
"Excuse me, can you help us with something?" Aviel called out to a Rito villager to get his attention.
"O-Oh!" the Rito turned and gasped out, bowing to Aviel, "It's an honor to meet you priestess!"
"Uh, you too. Listen, we were looking for Pecoli's older brother, have you seen him?" Aviel asked, holding the young Rito girl's hand.
"..." the male Rito stared down at Pecoli, and Link could swear he saw an irritated glare coming from him, "I-I'm sorry priestess, but I haven't. I have to go now, please take care." he bowed again and walked off.
"Still no luck, guess we'll have to ask around some more. Come on!" Aviel said, escorting Pecoli off.
'Weird, this isn't the first time that happened. Do these guys have a problem with Pecoli...?' Link thought to himself before following after them.
This became a routine for a while, Aviel would greet a Rito, they would praise her or offer her a gift, but then she'd ask about the whereabouts of Pecoli's brother, and would get her questions ignored or refused.
"Ugh... what a pain." Aviel groaned sitting at a bench with Link and Pecoli, "Why hasn't anyone seen her brother at all?"
"I wonder if that's all there is to it...?" Link muttered in suspicious thought.
"Maybe it's cause I don't really get to go out too much, so I barely know any of the people here." Pecoli said, "Big Bro says not to go outside without him... so I don't really get to be around the other kids or anyone."
"Sounds like he's pretty protective of you." Link pointed out, "Maybe a little too much though."
"Well, he says the world can be really dangerous, and very few can be trusted, even in this place, like with that mean thief." Pecoli said looking a little down, but then looking up and smiling as best as a creature with a beak could do, "But I don't think that's completely true. Both you and Priestess Aviel are really nice!"
"Link..." Aviel said with wide teary eyes as she turned to her friend and whispered to him, "S-She's so cuuuuute! If we can't find her brother you think we can adopt her? Please?"
"Pretty sure that would be kidnapping." Link said.
"Ah... you're right." Aviel realized with a pout.
"Huh? Oh! There he is!" Pecoli exclaimed, waving her arms, "Big Bro! Over here!"
"Pecoli? Oh, there you are!" said the Rito man, running up to the three and hugging Pecoli, "I told you about wandering off like that, it can be dangerous for a little one such as you!"
"I'm sorry Big Bro, I just wanted to talk with some other kids, but their parents took them away and I got lost!" she sniffled.
Link and Aviel were both surprised to see a very familiar looking Rito man; he was black feathered and red eyed, and wearing a fancy purple suit.
"Hey wait a minute, aren't you the butler guy that nobleman with the long neck had with him?" Link realized, recalling what happened earlier with Mr. Barrank.
"Yeah, he's Mr. Balsac's butler!" Aviel said.
"Ah yes, I do apologize for my actions earlier. Allow me to reintroduce my personage, I am Tonsahi, butler for the estate of Master Bals-" he coughed and corrected himself, "I mean Master Barrank, and I'm the older brother of Pecoli here. I thank you both so much for finding my dear sister."
"Oh, uh... sure I guess." Link said rubbing the back of his head, surprised to find out about this side of the butler that had confronted him earlier. He also now understood why the villagers were so on edge with Pecoli, since this meant she was associated with the wizard nobleman Mr. Barrank.
"You don't seem like that bad a guy, why do you work for that pompous jerk?" Aviel asked.
"Well... to be honest, me and Pecoli are orphans. We lost our parents years ago so I've been trying to take care of her since then, but it's been difficult. One day Master Barrank came along and took pity on us, and gave me a job working for him in exchange for residence in his estate." Tonsahi said, rubbing Pecoli's head as he gave her a berry to eat.
"O-Oh..." Aviel said, reflecting heavily on the fact that they lost their parents, as she thought about her own parents that she herself was looking for. Aviel took a glance to Pecoli, who was hugging her harp, and she realized just how important it was to her. "I'm so sorry to hear that..."
"I guess I could understand your situation. It's pretty admirable of you to take on a responsibility like that for your sister's sake." Link said, finding some newfound admiration for the butler.
"...thank you both, that's quite appreciated." Tonashi said, "Well we better be on our way Pecoli, Master Barrank is probably home at the mansion by now waiting for my presence."
"Okay, thanks again both of you for helping me find Big Bro!" Pecoli said bowing.
"Hey wait, are you gonna be at the festival tomorrow?" Aviel asked.
"Oh right! Can we Big Bro?" Pecoli asked eagerly.
"Well..." Tonashi muttered, "Honestly I don't think we'll be able to go, the Master is having me perform some important tasks over the next three days."
"Awww..." Pecoli moped.
"Hey if you like, we can take her instead!" Aviel suggested, lifting Pecoli's spirits.
"Are you certain of that? We don't exactly have the best reputation around here on account of being associated with Master Barrank." Tonashi pointed out.
"Of course, I'd be happy to!" Aviel said cheerfully.
"I'll keep an eye on both of them as well if it makes you feel any better." Link nodded, "Who knows, maybe having the priestess so close to her might boost people's perception of her."
"Hmm, that's a good point..." Tonashi pondered.
"Pleeeasee Big Bro?" Pecoli begged.
"Ha, ha, I suppose my wings are tied then. That will do just fine." Tonashi chuckled.
"Yaaay!" Aviel and Pecoli squealed out in success.
Pecoli and Barrank both bid the two goodbye and that they'd see them tomorrow, before going off together, Pecoli chattering wildly to her brother about Aviel as they went along.
"Heeeeeeee, I can't get over how cute Pecoli is!" Aviel said happily, "And I can't wait to see her again tomorrow night!"
"You know, you're pretty good with kids." Link grinned, "Ilite tells me about how her teacher Ms. Fareafu brings her and the class to the archery grounds and you help the children learn how to shoot bows."
"Well, that's cause they're cute and adorable and fun to be around!" Aviel giggled, "Plus they're the future of our people, so I gotta make sure I do what I can to help them grow!"
As the two walked along down the road, Link thought on that note and smiled lightly, thinking in particular about what he had talked with Korume about back at the campsite in Snowpeak.
"So uh, have you ever thought of the idea of having kids yourself then? To help grow the future of our people further?" he suggested.
Aviel stopped in her tracks, "Me... having kids? I dunno, honestly I never thought about it before. I think I'd be a bit too clumsy with them."
"I wouldn't say that. I mean from what I've seen from you with the Gerudo children and Pecoli, I think you'd make a great mother someday." Link said.
"Ah hee hee... Come on Link, quit complimenting me like that..." Aviel said blushing brightly, as she took a moment to glance at her friend.
She wasn't sure why, but in that moment she took the time to look Link over and how different he looked compared to two years ago...
Link's hair was bleached from the desert sun he had lived under all this time, and had allowed it to grow down to his shoulders rather wildly. His skin was deeply tanned from all the time he spent under the sun, and his bright blue eyes that reminded her of the sky stood out more then ever thanks to it. While he had been pretty lean and athletic since he arrived in Gerudo Town, Link had some more defined muscle these days, Aviel could see that just from the sleeveless robe he was wearing that he had more developed biceps then before...
Aviel caught herself on just how intently she was looking at her friend. She felt like there was something about Link that was making her notice him more, but she couldn't quite remember...
"Aviel, you alright?" Link spoke up, looking down to her with concern in his eyes.
"Huh...?" Aviel asked, looking somewhat spaced out, before she tripped over a piece of uneven brick on the ground and fell flat on her face.
"Gack, you okay there?" Link asked, trying to help her up, but in his haste of doing so he accidentally gripped something rather soft.
"Aaah!" Aviel shouted out with a bright red blush on her face.
Link realized he had grabbed one of Aviel's chest mounds and let go, backing up to give her space, "Oh jees, sorry about that!"
"No no no! It's fine!" Aviel said frantically.
The spectacle of the two of them trying to apologize over their actions was seen by several of the Rito in the area in confusion, their weird waving and bowing motions only made it more peculiar.
But thankfully the awkwardness was ended when they both heard a loud voice shout out,
"Halt!"
"Stop and surrender!"
"What's that, another thief?" Link asked.
"Back off you damn birds!" they heard a loud and familiar woman's voice shout out, followed by another familiar voice calling out,
"Wait Nemisa, don't punch any more of-!" they heard a powerful smashing sound, "-them."
"Hey it's everyone!" Aviel said looking over to see Nemisa, Saria, Korume and V all being confronted by Rito guards. Nemisa was kicking and punching any of the guards that tried to attack them. One guard tried to swing his spear at Nemisa, but she blocked it with her steel arm band, startling the Rito and allowing her to roundhouse kick him away.
"Who wants some more?" Nemisa shouted with her fist up, as Korume stood beside her with her ice spears armed. One guard attempted to attack Korume, but she swung up one of her ice spears and cut off the tip.
"She... she broke my spear..." stammered the guard, "That was my favorite spear..."
"I'll break off more then that if you try it again." Korume spoke coldly.
"Hey wait!" Aviel shouted out, running towards the group with Link, "It's okay, it's okay! They're our friends, we got separated from them on the way up here! Please let them go!"
"The priestess?" one of the guards exclaimed at the sight of Aviel, they quickly bowed and back away, "P-Please forgive us! You heard her, stand down men!"
"Link, Aviel! We're glad you're okay!" Saria said, running forward and hugging Aviel, while Nemisa and Korume both hugged Link. V stayed back and watched them all closely.
"Glad to see you girls are fine too, but how did you get here?" Link asked, "That blizzard was rough."
"It took some time to think of a solution, but I was able to make a large shield using my ice magic to block the wind, while having little V here use his fire breath to burn through the snow so we could have a clear path." Korume explained.
"Got pretty exhausting and I inhaled a lot of snow, I think I prefer when it's covered in that cherry juice." said V, coughing out a bit.
"We followed the trees until we found the red gate you mentioned." Saria said, "But as soon as we got here we were surrounded by those guards."
"They wouldn't hear us out, so I had to beat up a few of them." Nemisa said glaring at the guards who backed up a bit nervously.
"Yeah, we can relate." Link said, "Not sure what would had happened if Aviel hadn't shown off her wings to them."
"That's right, what was that those guards mentioned before?" Korume asked Aviel, "About you being a priestess?"
"Well..." Aviel was about to start explaining, but that was when Mayor Nymnalo came over to greet them.
"Hello there Priestess, piou. Are you doing well?" the kindly old bird asked, "I heard from the guards about more trespassers. I'm going to have to have a strict word with Barrank about his protection..."
"No big deal, these are my friends!" Aviel nodded, introducing everyone to the mayor, as she and the mayor explained her situation in Dhaijialoft.
"The Sky Guardian's chosen one...?" Korume gasped out, "My, my, little birdbrain, I would had never imagined that of you..."
"Well, come along then, we have much to discuss." the mayor said, leading the six of them off on their way.
Unknown to them all though, a tall mysterious figure in a silver cloak was in the shadows watching them. Their gaze fell on V in particular, and they grinned wickedly before leaving...
Mayor Nymnalo led Link, Aviel and the others to a temple in a more secluded area of Dhaijialoft. The guards at the door allowed them all in, and the six of them saw before them a magnificent sight.
The room was circular, with statues of deities and painted murals lined along the walls. On the opposite end of the chamber was a large door with numerous symbols on it.
"Just what is all this?" Nemisa asked.
"This is the Sky Temple, the current resting place of the Great Fairy of Balance, piou." Nymnalo said, "This is also where the Fairy Goddess Venus once lived, before she left to the heavens shortly after Hyrule was properly built."
"And you guys believe this great fairy will open it's door to Aviel?" Link asked.
"Correct. We've been holding the Festival of the Sky Guardian for nine years now, it takes place each year for a period of three days. But now that you're here Priestess it shall be much more important, for on the second day of this year's festival you will sing the harmonious song that will awaken the Great Fairy of Balance: the Melody of Sky." Nymnalo said, "Upon the door opening and freeing the Great Fairy, the third day will be devoted to the celebration of her awakening!"
"Melody of Sky, huh...?" Link muttered. He recalled the Great Fairies he encountered in the past instead woke up to the song of the royal Hylian family that Impa taught him as a child, but it seemed this one was a different case.
"Hey, tell me Mr. Mayor, could the melody possibly go like this?" Saria asked, putting her lips to her ocarina and playing the notes she saw on the paper Professor Bradson made for Aviel.
'Fluoo FLUOO fluo, fluoo-FLUoo fluoo fluoo FLUOO...'
Nymnalo stood there with his beak agape, "Why it's very close to the actual song! How did you find out about it, young one?"
"A researcher friend of Aviel's gave a paper to her with the notes on it. That's how we came to find this place." Saria explained.
"Strange, how could anyone had gotten that information?" Nymnalo pondered.
"La LA la, la-LAaa la la LAAaa!"
Everyone turned to Aviel who had just sang out the tune herself, "Oh uh, oops. Did I sing it too early for the Great Fairy?"
"Priestess, that was surprisingly even more accurate!" Nymnalo said with astonishment, "For you to know and sing that song so skillfully, you truly are the Sky Guardian's Priestess! You just have to learn the rest of the song, piou!"
"Huh, still don't know where I got it from..." Aviel said in thought.
"I was wondering, you think that Rusosh guy you mentioned before relayed that information out?" Link suggested, "The Rito you mentioned that might be Aviel's dad?"
"Now that you mention it, that could very well be the case, piou." Nymnalo said, "In his youth he had a tendency for blurting out secrets as I recall."
"Then that might very well explain where Professor Bradson got the information to make the notes he gave to Aviel!" Saria said.
"And you say he may have been Aviel's father?" Nemisa asked, she sported a mischievous smirk looking to her partner, "Well she does have a habit of blabbing things out as well."
"Hey, I do not!" Aviel squawked in annoyance.
"I trust you haven't been loosening your lips on others things, have you little birdbrain...?" Korume asked looking down at Aviel coldly, reminding her of when she blurted out a secret of Korume's back at Link's last birthday party.
"I said I was sorry about that!" Aviel protested.
"So what will happen when Aviel opens the door?" Saria asked as she and Korume were arguing.
"When the door opens and Great Fairy of Balance awakens from her slumber, she will perform the task that the Fairy Goddess bestowed to her;" Nymnalo said, "To stabilize the balance of a great power in this world, one that she believes shall lead us and the world to prosperity, piou."
"Wow, I see why you hold the Sky Guardian in such high regard." Saria said.
"Excuse me, Mayor," Nemisa asked, looking up to one picture in particular of a giant bird, "Just what is this?"
"You have a keen eye Miss, that's a mural of the Sky Guardian Roc himself." Nymnalo explained, "He's the one who watched over us, under the orders of the Fairy Goddess, all the way up until his last great act..."
"Roc... as in the Roc's Wing treasure Aviel has?" Nemisa exclaimed.
"Yes, he once looked over our great land for many eras, and our ancestors worked alongside him to protect the Great Fairy Fountain. According to Roc, the priestess who shall open the way to the Great Fairy will be one born from the balance of both sky and earth. If Aviel's father is Rusosh and her mother was a Gerudo, then she may very well be that one. I believe the Sky Guardian blessed her with those wings, as a symbol of her destiny."
"Really? So do the wings only work on you then Aviel?" Saria asked.
"Not sure. Honestly, I've never let anyone else use these." Aviel said, "Even back when I had to take them off when we snuck into the slaver's hideout I asked Lady Nabooru to not let anyone use them, they're too important to me..."
"I have no doubt they were a divine gift to you priestess, so that you may fulfill this prophecy on behalf of the Sky Guardian." Nymnalo said.
"I see..." Aviel spoke, "So what exactly happened to Roc? You mentioned something about a 'last great act'."
Mayor Nymnalo said nothing as he just stared up at the mural with a sad look in his eyes.
"Mr. Nymnalo...?" Aviel asked with concern.
"Well... you see about ten years ago, he fought against a great evil that tried to seek out the power of the Great Fairy of Balance, as her power was still young and unrefined, making it ideal to harness and use to their own ends. Tell me, are any of you familiar with a monster known as a Gleeok?"
"I've heard about them." Korume said, "The Gleeok is a large, powerful dragon that usually dwells in dungeons around Hyrule. While some of the weaker ones only have a single head, there are variations of stronger ones that can have anywhere between three or five heads."
"That sounds really complicated." V muttered quietly, "Think I'm happy just having one."
"I once worked with a group of adventurers to fight a three-headed Gleeok on a journey I took." Link said, "It was a tough customer, even after we chopped off it's heads they still flew around and attacked us."
"Ugh, that must have been lovely to see." Nemisa said sarcastically.
"The great evil that attacked us was considered the most powerful Gleeok of them all, the storm dragon Geelorokhi." Nymnalo said.
"Geelorokhi... ?" V muttered in thought.
"The Geelorokhi was a terrifying menace that invaded our land and tried to steal the power of the Great Fairy. It sent down powerful lightning and vicious storms to try and get to her, but we were protected thanks to the power of the Sky Guardian, piou." Nymnalo continued, "The Sky Guardian drove the Geelorokhi away from our home and destroyed it in battle. But in the end, he had to sacrifice his life to put an end to it..."
"W-What?!" Aviel exclaimed in shock, "The Roc is dead?"
"It can't be..." Link muttered.
"Yes, he contacted us with his last breath through the aide of our mystics." Nymnalo said, "He also told us that the chosen one would come someday, and that we needed to watch over the door until then. That's why we needed the aide of Barrank for protection."
"Oh, that must have been sad having to lose your guardian like that..." Saria said, thinking about the Great Deku Tree having been cursed by Ganondorf so long ago. She looked over to Aviel and saw the sad look in her eyes, feeling pity for her after all she done to get here.
Nymnalo nodded, "We hold a firm respect for him, and many of us still feel the pain of his death. Originally the festival were just an annual event for the prosperity of our people. But after that tragedy happened, we now hold these festivals in memory of the Sky Guardian and his sacrifice, piou."
The others grimaced and looked over to Aviel, who was hanging her head down as tears started going down her cheeks uncontrollably.
"L-Link... I..." Aviel sobbed to her friend.
Link simply went over to Aviel, holding her in his arms, and she buried her face into his chest, sobbing softly. No one said anything in that moment, knowing she just needed time to cry.
And the worst part was, she wasn't even completely sure why she was crying...
Meanwhile in a isolated area deep in the mountains of Snowpeak, a tall mysterious being in a silver cloak stood, wearing a hood and some sort of golden mask over their eyes. The mask itself was more of a golden piece of jewelry in the shape of a single eye. The figure was standing at the mouth of an icy cavern. While the freezing snowy wind blew around them fiercely, the figure didn't even so much as flinch from it. The figure smirked a bit as they looked up to see dark clouds in the sky, blowing in the vicinity of the mountain.
"Any luck yet?" spoke up a voice from the blowing wind. They too were wearing a silver cloak with the same mask.
"They're making progress right now, and it seems they were right. I can feel that it's there, it won't be much longer until the time comes..." the tall one said with a strong voice, "We just need a means of getting to it."
The figure pulled back the hood and mask a little, revealing them to be a gruff older man with a purple haired mustache and beard, as well as one piercing orange eye, and the other eye was shadowed by his cloak.
"Well now that you mention it there's something else you may be interested in." the other figure said, "Some travelers have come into town. One claims to the priestess of the Sky Guardian..."
"The priestess eh? How interesting..." the gruff man spoke, rubbing his beard, "Anything else?"
"Yes, there was also someone else there... a certain someone we failed to track down and capture at Death Mountain."
The gruff man's eyes widened, and he smirked lightly as he looked up into the sky and saw more dark clouds starting to form overhead.
"I see... I think it's time I finally meet him then." the gruff man said with a malicious grin.
And that ends the chapter! While Aviel's mission has seemingly failed, she now has a new task as the Sky Guardian Priestess, what will await them at the festival, and just what are these mysterious people? Find out soon as the Snowpeak arc continues!
One again, thank you all for you support! Please drop a like, follow or comment if you choose to! Your encouragement has been a big motivation for me to push this story out!