A Heavenly Burden

by Ebblenubble

A defiant teenager has just learned that he is but a part in a massive play, and there's no time to dwell on it. Now that the fate of his beloved friend sits in his hands, along with those of the universe, he must do things he never thought he was capable of. Will he, his friend, and his bully learn to face fate? Or will the king of demons rule the world?

4. Chapter 3, Grass Isn't Greener

Chapter Three, Grass Isn't Greener

"Oh, dear…" Zelda grumbled, standing with many wobbles. Soot, dirt, rocks, and other minerals coated her dress. Its pink hue was dead. The dress itself was far beyond repair, with massive rips and holes that revealed her also damaged tunic beneath. In places where her skin showed, there were scratches, bruises, and even a gash or two. It stung, revealing more blood than she had seen in her life. The very sight made her shudder and suppress a gag. But the thought soon left her mind when she looked up and around, her attention quickly leaving her body. Her surroundings were so much bigger of a story.

Trees. Lots of them.

Birds too small to lift two acorns, let alone be ridden on.

Solid dirt ground with no gaps in sight.

'…Could it be?'

She stepped back and craned her head up to the sky, her eyes widening at the sight. Her heart skipped a beat. She gasped. It seemed so unbelievable, like a dream, and yet it was very real.

A sea of clouds blocked every bit of sunlight from piercing through it. The very same sea she saved Link from a time ago. The very same one she always looked downward at, thinking about the Surface.

It was true.

It always had been.

…

"So, this is really the Surface!" she exclaimed, jumping with nerdy glee as she spun around. She had proved it! The texts were right! All of her research wasn't for naught! It was true! What a discovery!

…And there was nobody to share it with. Not even Link. She was alone.

The wave of joy, fascination, and all other such emotions was beaten by a tsunami of fear. Here she stood, in the middle of a forest's clearing. The only pink spot in a sea of dull green and beige. The only Hylian in what could've been miles. And while the Surface sounded like a beautiful place, it wasn't without its dangers. It wasn't lifeless. And how would creatures — worse yet, other Hylians — react to a stranger? Would she be killed? Tormented? Kidnapped? Or was she entirely alone?

'No, no. I'm okay. Just sit tight and wait for Link to land beside me. Hopefully I can catch him,' she reassured herself, shaking. Still, while she waited, it would be nice to take a little tour of her new world. As gray as it was, it looked good. Besides, if it helped stave off her wild and frightening imagination, it would do. 'I wish I had brought a notebook with me this morning.' She traced the edge of the clearing, her pace slow so she could suck in all of the details. The little birds were, frankly, cuter than Loftwings. They also seemed to be a small part of a much bigger… as her father called them… ecosystem. Only having bugs on Skyloft, she had yet to see a full one until now.

In fact, there were even more birds of different sizes and shapes. Some had sharp beaks and wide wings, like brown Loftwings with white feathers at the end. Others, like the tiny ones beforehand, were very round. But that was far from the end of the fauna. Four-legged creatures, thin and plump, walked through the bush. Their skin almost blended in with the bark. 'So, camouflage is real. Fascinating,' she remarked, jogging toward the opposite side of the clearing. There was a yellowish shape hanging from a branch, surrounded by buzzing bugs that seemed rather defensive.

As for the flora, it was more varied and undocumented than she had ever known. Vibrant flowers with sharp tips, oozing with a mysterious liquid from their center. Weeds with puffy tops that, bit by bit, flew away in the wind. Fruits, mushrooms, and other such potential foots littered her whole space. Beets bright pink of a massive size, their stems shooting up from the dirt. The trees themselves, upon looking at their crowns, were of different shapes and sizes to such a degree that she wondered if they were the same.

But the looks of the Surface were far from its joys. So were the sounds and smells. Fresh grass, sweet puffs from plants, and chilly but perfect air. The chirps and songs of birds above, the squeaks and creaks of animals below. It was entrancing and consuming. If she could take all of the sounds and stuff them away, she would play them on repeat when she reached Skyloft again. If Storm, Epona, or most of all Link landed soon, her escape was inevitable.

"Wow… I still can't believe all of this…" she breathily uttered, standing back in the center of the clearing. "It's so lively, too."

Peace and quiet surrounded her, drowning her in nothing but serenity.

For but a moment.

"Hey, look at that!" a distant voice yelled, weaving its way between the trees. Hope and horror filled her to the brim as she froze. Her wild imagination stuffed itself back into her mind as she staggered back. Where was Link when she needed him most? When she wanted him most? "Damn, I didn't know birds could be this big! Now, I'm not surprised you hit the thing!"

"…Fath. Look at it closer."

"What?" The other voice was too quiet to make out through the small forest, nor was Fath's reply. But it was clear that some kind of surprise washed over him. "…legend!" his rising voice continued, becoming audible again. "That place doesn't exist, Tonik. If it did, we would see them and they would see us. It's nothing but a blue paradise up there, man. That's why—"

"SHH!"

Rustling — dead ahead of her — preceded a loud SNORT. She flinched and tripped, landing on her butt before freezing again. Whatever she heard, they heard it too. And it was only a matter of time before they caught a glimpse of her. Or, worse, met her. "Bokos! Fire!" one of them cried, his voice soon lost as arrows shot from across the treeline. Several flew between the bush, landing feet away from her. The snorts, once of aggression, quickly became ones of fear. Rushing footsteps grew in volume as shadows moved through the trees, closer and closer.

SNOoOoORT!

A red creature with a snout and minimal clothing ran in cowardice toward her, arms flailing, spit spilling from its open jaw. The moment she caught its eye, rage filled it again and it leaped onto her. She could only flail in pathetic defense, shrieking in fear as it beat at her. Fists of three fingers added bruises to her face, its spit made her dress even worse to wear, and she almost puked while crying. Her words fell to pieces, she couldn't think, she couldn't breathe.

"STOP! STOP!"

Pit pat pit pat pit pat!

"STOP!"

"There it is!"

THWP!

Weeeew — SPLAT!

"AH!"

It melted into purple mush in an instant, falling all over her. Shaking, her mind still racing, pain still consuming, she stood up. The smell got to her before her other senses did. She turned around and puked.

"Hey… what is that?" Footsteps approached her posthaste, snapping her out of her terrified and disgusted trance. Well, just the trance part. She was still terrified and disgusted at everything that had happened in the past minute. And it got a thousand times worse when she realized she had been spotted.

She wiped the muck out of her eyes, turning with tense shoulders to face her unintentional saviors.

…They were… a pair of brown-feathered birds?

"Fath," —one turned to the other and chuckled— "I think you've got your proof. Heh. Only took half of your life." He put his bow away in sync with the other… bird thing and smiled at her. It was warm, friendly, protective. But it could've been false. Down here, they were murderers for all she knew. Nothing made her different from their prey, other than her looks. Which might've made it worse, making her special prey. "Hey, take it easy. You're okay now, stranger," he affirmed.

"Who… wh-what are you?" she asked, backing up as he tried to reach out to her. She knew there was life down here, but… more birds? Like standing, Hylianoid Loftwings? With bows? Was it a sign of savagery, or a sign of civilization?

"Rude," the other one remarked, crossing his arms. She guessed it was Fath by his voice, the skeptical bird who found another bird… for what? More importantly, if he was a bird, what was the other one?

"Cool it," the nicer one ordered Fath with a glare. "We are members of the Rito," he explained to her, pressing a feathery hand to his armored chest. It was engraved with a symbol, a helmet with wings. She guessed it was the emblem of his people, surrounded by real and engraved feathers decorating his armor. "We mean no harm to you whatsoever. I promise."

"I mean, we did save you, so that should've been pretty obvious. I'd hope, at least."

"T-true…" she shakily agreed, looking at Fath. Despite it being a sly remark, it wasn't wrong. That didn't mean she didn't find it rude, to some extent. Her shock was still her bigger concern, either way. "I just… I don't know how I got here. I don't—"

"Shh." The nicer one approached, hands low, steps slow. "Take it easy. We'll bring you to our village and you can catch your bearings there. Out here, it's not safe to stop and talk. Besides, by the looks of it, you need new clothes and a bath. No offense meant."

"No, no, I take no offense," she murmured, nibbling on her hair. "I…. All I need is some peace of mind." She glanced at the sky, thinking about her former home. More importantly, about Link. "But my friend, he—"

STOMP!

The nicer one's eyes widened. Fath groaned. She looked between the two of them, confused and afraid again. They pulled out their bows, small but strong in design, and surveyed the clearing. "What?" she asked, shaking more. There was nothing in the forest she could see, but that didn't mean it couldn't see them. At least she wasn't alone, this time around.

"Let's not find out. Tonik?"

"Well, we're not losing that bird for nothing. It's good food." He tossed his bow at Fath, along with a small dagger with a feathered hilt. "See if you can pack it up before it crushes it. Last thing we need to do is feed those monsters."

"Fuck you, boss," Fath grumbled, jumping and initiating flight. While it wasn't far, he must have been doing it for time. "You owe me!" he cried, falling behind the treeline. Out of sight, out of mind. She hoped that he, and herself, would be safe when he got back. Whatever that massive stomp came from, not to mention the brief tension in the air, it wasn't friendly. Very unlike the Rito beside her, who decided to strike up a conversation.

"What's your name, stranger?" he asked, keeping his gaze on the trees.

"Zelda," she replied, also trying to focus on the trees. "You're, er, Tonik, right?"

"Heh. You're a clever one, you are," he said. "Yes. I am one of the Rito's best hunters. Fath is, too, but… well, he has an ego. I" —he lowered his bow and frowned at the trees— "hope it doesn't get him killed. I love the guy, y'know. But I argue with him often over what he can, can't, should, and shouldn't do. He doesn't even back me up, all that often."

"I see. It must be quite tough then, huh?" Sounds of quiet clashing and light grunts echoed past the trees, noticeable but unconcerning.

"You don't know the half of it, Zelda," he sighed, smiling at her. "But, on the bright side, he doesn't try and kill me when we go out. Unlike" —he pointed into the treeline— "those things. I see they made quite the introduction to you. How are you holding up, by the way?" He poked at her cheek with his feathered finger, causing an ache in her teeth.

"I'll last. I hope," she murmured.

"GOTCHA! SUCK IT LOSERS!" Fath's voice erupted, sending a shocking wave of smaller birds flying away. Through the swarm came a larger bird, Fath, holding a large bag in his talons that bounced with each flap. As he approached, a wave of stomps beat at the ground. Large silhouettes grew in size, snapping trunks with its rapid growth. "TONIK!" Fath threw the bag at the ground and landed, sending a cloud of dust up into the air. "We've gotta go. Get the bag, make form, and leave!"

"What about her?!" Tonik asked, putting his bow away. "You saw what one Boko did to her, Fath!"

"We shouldn't take her!"

"No! I'm not taking that chance!"

SNORT!

BAAAOOOOOOOOOOR!

The cloud passed, revealing a massive reddish-pink beast, marked with greenish-yellow tattoos and holding a horn to its mouth. By its feet were five smaller creatures, all itching to see blood.

Tonik's, Fath's, and her blood.

"Get on, Zelda!" Tonik cried, picking up the bag with his talons. He and Fath now were on one knee each and holding one another's shoulders, forming a wingspan similar to that of a Loftwing's. It would do.

"Right!" She dashed onto their backs, jolting when they ascended in unison. They dragged the bag through the skies, making it sway back and forth. It also made them bounce and wobble at times, with so much weight on their backs, but they managed. In the meantime, Zelda's adrenaline faded and her mind returned to her surroundings. Now on higher ground, so to speak, she saw the vastness of the Surface. And its variety. But Tonik and Fath's sudden chat between themselves drew her away from it.

"Say, how many times has your idiocy almost got us killed?!" Fath shouted, his feathers flying up against the wind.

"You're counting! Not me!" Tonik answered.

"At least you had good intentions, this time!" Somehow, Fath managed to face Zelda almost directly, despite the pain it seemed to cause to his neck. "Zelda, right?!" She nodded, remembering she was standing on them both. But sitting didn't seem like a good choice for them either. Fath seemed to notice. "Well, first of all, sit down! My spine is snapped enough as is!"

"Oh, s-sorry!" She sat as slowly as she could. "I haven't flown like this before, is all!"

"Not every day you ride a bird's back, huh?!" Fath chuckled at Tonik's remark, gluing his eyes back to the ground.

"Actually, it is every day!" she corrected, smiling. "At my home, we had these things called Loftwings! They're big, bright, and joyful birds that we used to get around! It was always lovely!" An odd look crossed Fath's and Tonik's faces. Eyes wide, pupils narrow. "We get them from birth as our guardian! I named my blue one Storm! He was always so kind to me, even if he was loud! I just hope he—"

WOOSH!

Tonik and Fath suddenly shot down, making Zelda yelp as she lost her words. Their speed doubled, making their descent dangerous. "Hold on, Zelda!" Tonik cried, shooting down faster as Zelda gripped the feathers on their wings. Despite the discomfort it caused them, they pushed on. Before long, they slowed and stopped, giving her a moment to let go. "Home sweet home." She looked downward, seeing a camp surrounding a rather tall stone, almost shaped like a bird's perch. Tents, wooden houses, and other rather primitive structures littered the area. Dots on a canvas. "Welcome to the Village of the Rito!"

"YES INDEED!" another voice boomed, a large gust of wind sweeping into everyone's faces. The new Rito that stopped in front of them, sending the gust, was more yellow than Tonik and Fath. But the general features — the beak, the wings, the armor, the emblem — remained. "SO, WHAT DID YOU… you… you…." At the sight of Zelda, he froze. It both spawned a polite smile on her face and made her panic. Was she the only Hylian on the Surface? A place a thousand times more vast than Skyloft? It made her shiver.

…

"A HYLIAN?!"

"Yes, Sketh. We have a Hylian. Cool your damn feathers," Tonik grumbled. She expected that kind of talk from Fath, not Tonik. But, considering how unbearably loud Sketh had been in the past minute, perhaps it was his constant talking voice. Besides, Tonik and Fath were pretty unbothered about having a Hylian on their backs. "But she needs a minute before we can ask her anything. Get the cooking fire started, we've got" —they passed the big bag between talons— "some good meat."

"OH. Oh. Okay. Yeah. Go on ahead," he said, turning tail and flying into the heart of the camp. As he shrunk into the ground, which grew ever more detailed and lively, he shouted one last time. It was quite a remark — one that made Zelda laugh out loud. "WHAT DID YOU IDIOTS PICK UP?!"

She, Fath, and Tonik soon landed on solid ground again. It felt pretty upsetting to not be on a Loftwing equivalent anymore, but it was only for the day. She hoped, at least. As long as they found Link, too, when he landed. Whenever that was. He was torn up by the same tornado, wasn't he? Or had he and Epona escaped its grasp? Had Storm? Or were they all sucked in, thrown about the Surface with nothing but a chance to survive? Or… were they really… dead?

No, she couldn't stomach that. They were okay. Hurt, like her, but okay.

Right?

Tap, tap.

"Hey, c'mon, Zelda," Fath said, pointing her toward a small wooden hut. One of many she saw earlier. "Let's clean you up a bit, okay?"

"What about Tonik?" she asked, obediently walking with him and looking over her shoulder.

"He told you he's a hunter, didn't he? The loyal idiot — er, my boss — always needs to check on his catch when he comes back. He's good, but not perfect." He glanced back, seeing the bag being torn open. A frown of disappointment crossed his face. Along with it came a nervous swallow of nothing. "It seems like our prey is still alive."

"Really?" She looked back, only catching a flicker of blue before Fath shielded her eyes.

"I wouldn't look if I were you. We're humane, but we're busy," he muttered, opening the door to the hut. He pushed Zelda inside, not following, and called out, "Reva! We're gonna need you here!" Zelda looked around, pleasantly surprised at its coziness. A lit fire sitting in a fireplace, built with stone and shielded with crude metal. Small tools sat above it, along with trinkets that she could only assume were part of their culture. The roof was made of straw, bits and pieces of it littering the ground like a carpet.

"Yes, Fath?" a woman's muffled voice asked, coming from a door. It opened, revealing a very casually dressed Rito, with extra feathers looking like hair on its head. Her dress, and feathers, reminded Zelda of how her dress looked one morning ago. Its cleanliness made her jealous, in a way. But this Rito would be kind to her. The least she could do was ignore her temptation to pout and frown. Rather than that, she ate her hair. "Oh. Oh, my. Who are you?" Reva asked, looking between Zelda and Fath.

"Her name is Zelda. She's a sweet girl in need of some help. Set up the bath for her, okay?" He asked, already stepping out of sight, inch by inch.

"Of course. Here, sweetheart," —she tore a pelt from the wall without a moment's hesitation— "take this." Zelda took it from her hands and wrapped herself in it, watching with a tilted head as Reva plucked bits of the wooden plank from the wall. "Sit by the fire, too. Get cozy." Zelda did as told, squatting beside the fire while trying not to stab herself on some straw. Meanwhile, Reva entered another room, right beside the one she left out of.

"Then that's my job done. Be seeing you." Fath began pulling the door shut.

"Wait!" Zelda yelled, shooting up and standing in front of the door. The quiet sounds of crashing emerged past a door. Fath looked at Zelda, one brow raised, smile gone. "Thank you, Fath. For all of this," she said, grinning at him. At the end of the day, even though he didn't make a good first impression, he was just as kind as Tonik. Defiance helped sometimes, after all. Like it did for Link… most of the time. She loved to see it once again, even if through an utter stranger.

"Thank you for putting up with me, Zelda," he replied. "I'm sorry for suggesting that me and Tonik should've left you. It was just… heat of the moment. I am cocky, I do have a big mouth, and I'm proud of that. I'm not when it hurts innocent people thrown into a mess I'm involved in. What's worse is that I only realize that every night when I'm laying in my perch at night. So… I'm sorry."

"I accept. At least, heh, you didn't shoot me."

Fath smiled and nodded, glancing outside for a moment. His smile faltered in that moment, but returned when he said his farewells. "Fair point."

Thud, click, clack.

And with that, he shut the door, off to do whatever had been on his mind. Whatever had clouded his mind. She couldn't quite grasp what had made Fath and Tonik so anxious, especially when she mentioned Loftwings. Perhaps it had to do with the legends being true, if Skyloft was a legend like it seemed to be to the Surface. "Alright, dearie," Reva said, leaving the room and pointing at the other room. "Hang your clothes on the hook in there, and I'll pop in to take them. Don't worry," —she smirked as Zelda took off the pelt— "I won't look. I'm only so fascinated in Hylian anatomy."

"You research Hylians?" she asked, approaching the door.

"A story for another time, honey. For now, just relax." She moved aside, letting Zelda walk inside the tiny box of a room. It was clean and, in its center, was a moderately-sized tub of water. Steam flew up and out through a small window, too high for her to be seen, stuffing the smell of lovely plants into her nose. It made sense considering the little leaves inside the tub. And it helped her relax. After what had happened today, she'd need that peace of mind. She undressed, finding more soot and dirt in her clothes, before dunking herself into the bath.

In an instant, she felt warm. Warmer than when she sat by the fire. It swallowed her whole, sucking her into its soothing void. Her thoughts, once set in stone and carved like a Goddess Statue, melted like iron in a flame. She let out a sigh of such relief that it filled the room, escaping through the window. Audible steam from a source just as warm as water. Every last sense vanished. Everything blurred, she lost her hands in the water, and the sounds around her became nothing but ambience. Time? What was that? She hadn't heard of it.

Not to her memory, no.

Everything was now. Everything connected to now. There was no past, there was no future. There was now, and it all surrounded that. But she wished that was a lie.

If only she could return to the prime of her life. That past felt like ancient times, now. That moment when she and Link were truly… almost in love. Did he ever feel anything for her?

Looking back, he had never complimented her like someone who loved her. It sounded more like a friend affirming another, words she had said so many times reflected onto her.

…It hurt to say that it made sense. He was way out of her league and wasn't anything like her. How could he find even the slightest interest in her? He hardly kept his room clean, let alone loved research into theories like she did. If anything, though, she had the satisfaction of proving him wrong. Now, when they met, she could tease him like hell over believing in the void. Like she used to. Once they reunited, everything could go back to normal.

Unless he hadn't landed right.

What if he broke his neck when he landed? What if he couldn't fight off the monsters she was lucky enough to have backup for? What if Epona trapped him and got him killed? What then?

Was anyone trying to find them both? By now, they should've recognized that two kids were missing. Or were they too busy? Too caught up in celebration?

She shouldn't have been freaking out, but how could she stop herself? Her whole life was up there, not here. She would survive here, not live. She would find Storm and get out of here with the help of the kindhearted Rito. They had given her everything, and she knew, deep down, that they were civil and well-meaning. Other than the mindless monsters of earlier, everyone down here had learned to work with one another. They were trying to reach up to the skies and stars. Now, she was, too.

And when she got back, it would be one hell of a story. Plus, a big contribution to her research.

For now, though, she would relax. Perhaps that big catch from earlier, when it died as peacefully as it could, would be rather tasty.

"Ah…." She smiled at nothing, slipping out of her mind. Her neck fell loose. Her body fell limp. Her eyes bounced like a ball against her bottom eyelids. Maybe her thoughts were good white noise….

Knock, knock, knock!

"Ah!" she yelped, jumping and sending a splash of water onto the floor.

"Dinner is almost ready, Zelda!" Reva shouted through the door. "We want to show you what we're eating before we cook it! I'll wait outside for you, darling!" Zelda shot out of the tub, flicking her wrists and kicking at the air to dry off. She dashed out the door, shutting it posthaste as her eyes landed on her clothes. They were sewn together with patches of fabric, cleaned until they were spotless, and folded to perfection atop the table by the fire.

She changed, sparing one moment to smile at how fresh it felt, before leaving through the front door. "What are we eating?" she asked, smiling like the sun. It made the gray tones of the world, for a fleeting moment, become vibrant.

"Oh, here, I'll show you!" she exclaimed, marching toward the campfire. It was the one Tonik had walked toward earlier, surrounded by countless Rito chatting amongst themselves. Like kids at the Plaza, a lifetime ago. The fire, unlit, had a long cloth draped over it. It seemed stiff, for now. With Zelda in tow, Reva continued rambling with the energy she had picked up and never put down. "Tonik and I insisted that you see what glorious catch they got on their hunt! Fath said that you didn't deserve to see it, but" —she giggled— "he's not usually one to be correct. We'll even give you the honor of roasting it! How does that sound?" The unlit fire, and countless Rito, grew ever closer. Few turned to face her and Zelda but, when they did, a shade of worry crossed their face.

"It's dead, right?" she asked, squirming a bit.

"We're quite sure. Now, c'mon!" Before she knew it, Reva and Tonik had given her a torch and held the cloth with great excitement.

"I hope you're ready for the best dinner of your life, Zelda," Tonik remarked, that same kind smile coating his face as usual. "Light the fire and we shall begin."

"Oh, have some more grandeur, Tonik!" Reva hit her chest twice, mimicking a deep, masculine voice and parading around the campfire. "Come one, come all! Today we celebrate the special occasion of a Hylian descending gracefully from the lands above!" To everyone's surprise, despite everyone participating in it, the whole crowd broke into cheers and applause. Well, excluding Fath and Tonik. Either way, Reva continued on. "We just so happened to have caught our biggest and best prey yet! So now, we shall gladly feed it to our special guest and even give her the honor of lighting the fire!" Another wave of glee passed through the crowd as Reva returned to her original spot. "Now, we shall begin."

"HYAH!" they cried, throwing the cloth high into the air, revealing the food. It was still alive. But that wasn't what had the biggest effect.

Zelda froze. Her mouth fell wide open, her jaw hitting the floor. Her eyes widened and pupils narrowed. She quivered. Her mind raced. Her heart beat against the walls of her ribs. A single tear fell from her eye.

She couldn't believe what she was seeing. It had to have been an error, a mistake on her part. She was seeing it wrong, right?

She blinked. She wanted to rub her eyes. She blinked again. She kept blinking until her world flickered like a dying candle. The image, now burned into her mind and carved by a rough knife into it, remained.

"Zelda? Are you okay?"

"Zelda, sweetie? Are you still there?"

…Those voices took on a whole new meaning.

She didn't want to believe anything. They were good people, this had to be a fluke.

But, no… that wasn't on her mind. When it eventually returned to her, she could only drop the torch feebly. One word left her mouth. One name. One she had uttered a thousand times.

"STORM!" She ran, tears flooding her eyes, and hugged her beloved Loftwing. Arrows, rubble, dirt, and blood soaked his once sky-blue wings. He couldn't make any sounds anymore. His throat was slit, and his energy was sapped long before she awoke. For the longest time, he had been calling to her, but his wounds had prevented it. She couldn't hear him in time. He was clinging to life for her. Not for himself. For his master.

The worst part about it all?

The wound on its throat wasn't from rubble or harsh winds.

A clean line — the kind only an arrow could cause.

And she knew Fath wasn't the one who took the shot.

"HOW COULD YOU DO THIS?!" she squealed, a sobbing mess of tears and fear as she curled up beside her beloved Loftwing. "TONIK, I TRUSTED YOU!"

"And you still should," Tonik calmly replied, stepping toward her. "I know that was your Loftwing now, but—"

"LIAR!" she accused, rubbing Storm's bloodied feathers, still a sobbing mess herself. "YOU KNEW WHEN YOU SAW HIM! I HEARD YOU, TONIK!"

"No, I didn't. Fath, you know now, too. Back me u—"

"Don't lie to her!" Fath stepped between them both, staring down Tonik with anger. Not the teasing, playful, and prideful kind he had earlier. Pure, unbridled, rage. All in an act to defend her. Somehow, in the heated chaos of the moment, it soothed her enough to focus on untying Storm. He was still hurt, but still alive. There was time and hope for him. "You know, Tonik. You told me. You told the elder! You knew that it was hers the moment you saw her!"

"And you knew that, too. But, no, you didn't tell her. I'm" —he tapped at his chest and got in Fath's face— "doing this for the Rito. I am here to be loyal. I am here to help Zelda live with—"

"What makes you think I wanted to come here?!" she yelled, untying Storm and burying her face in his shoulder. "You saw me, Tonik; I know you did. So why, why in Hylia's name, would you do this to me?!" She snapped her head back, glaring at him, hatred flowing through her veins. The darkest part of her mind pictured Tonik, brutally massacred in ways she couldn't even do if she wanted. But it didn't matter. She would leave this savagery, one way or the other.

"WHY NOT HELP ME LEAVE—"

"You can't go back!" he screamed, his voice as loud as its softness could go. But the point hit her just as hard. An arrow right through the neck. Right through her heart. "Nothing, nothing can pierce that sea of clouds! You, no matter what you do, are stuck here! That is what me and Fath realized when we met you. Not that we had a savior. Not that we found a lost girl from the land of legend. NO." He marched toward her, legs shaking, beak quivering. The strength of his words remained. "We realized a girl from, as we know it, Heaven itself, was thrown into this hellhole. And that world of bliss isn't coming down here any time soon. Nor are those clouds parting. I wish to Hylia I could help you, Zelda. I want to. But… I can only help you live." He reached his hand out to her, a quiet look in his eye. "Please."

…

What choice was there?

Die fighting for an unwinnable war or live in a home she had to get used to?

In the end, Tonik, Fath, Reva, and everyone cared about her. They would take Storm, sure… but what use did he serve?

She opened her mouth, eyes flooding still, and moved to grab Tonik's hand. Her wrist twitched. Nothing left her mouth. She choked it.

'Say… it.'

"I…." Again.

"I…." Again.

"…"

She couldn't bring herself to. But making no choice was not an option.

At least someone spoke up for her.

"Tonik. Let her go. Give her some supplies and send her on her way," Fath said, pulling Tonik back. "You owe, y'know. You owe me this. Alright?"

"…Fine. I understand. Reva?"

"Y-yes?"

"Fetch some food, a knife, a cloak, and medical supplies for Zelda."

"But—"

"That's an order. Do it."

She walked into a hut or tent, grabbed a box, and returned to Zelda. She set it down by Zelda's feet, muttering something inaudible before stepping back. Zelda picked it up and dried her tears, taking a firm hold of her breath again. It hurt to leave, but it would kill her to stay. Even if, as Tonik implied, Storm couldn't get her home, he still meant a lot to her. Far from what Link meant to her, but still close to her heart. And she knew, some way, somehow, Storm would be useful to her now. He had to be. Her faith in him wouldn't die. Not now, not ever.

The forest neared with every step she took, the same calming nature approaching with slowness. All she heard as she walked were her sniffles and shaking breaths, echoing across the world. She should've been gone by now, deep into the forest with nothing but survival on her mind. And yet, she wasn't even at the edge of the clearing. She wasn't even moving, at this rate. Thought, and thought alone, held her back. One little question jammed in her head and fused with it, repeating over and over at full blast:

'Can I hate Tonik?'

After all he had done, she still sought peace. She still sought humanity within them. It was there, for certain… but was it true?

Did he hide dark secrets? Or did he do what he had to do? By telling him he wasn't in the wrong, was she helping a good cause? Or was she pouring oil on a flame, burning down all that was good?

Was it worth the risk?

…No, that shouldn't have been a question. It was worth the risk. Everyone deserved a chance. And another one after that.

She turned her head around, halting at the edge of the forest. Storm flapped his wings, upset and anxious, but she ignored him. Off in the distance, Tonik and Fath watched her still. They still cared. They always did, even if it meant they took hold when they shouldn't have. They deserved even one reassurance that they weren't the villains in this story. She inhaled deeply opened her mouth, and thought of the past hour. What they did for her… and to her.

'TONIK!' she cried. But not out loud.

She couldn't say his name. She couldn't picture his eyes without shaking her head. She couldn't walk toward him.

It was like she had never met him, and her body was trying to protect her.

And… in all honesty… that was for the best.

'I… I'm sorry,' she thought, turning on her heel and marching into the forest.