ACT II, EXACTLY AS PLANNED

Chapter Five, May the Wills Wane

The edge of the universe. Right below his feet.

Sword and shield on his back. Cloak and dagger in his words.

Mind racing. Feet still.

The fate of the world entrusted to his two gloved hands.

At least, that's how he envisioned it. In reality, he was currently sitting on his bed, wide awake despite the earliness. It was like his body knew, through intuition alone, that today was the day. Or maybe something else he couldn't explain. Whatever it was, he felt good. He felt ready. His boots were on, his sword lay kindly on his desk, and he stared into his cracked mirror. More than his looks bounced off of it. For the most part, he was taking this moment to reflect on his actions… on who he was as a person… on everything he said to everyone… on the effect he left on the world…

'Yeah. I'm so in the right,' he reminded himself, smirking and popping his collar. Of course he was. When was he wrong? Even fate agreed to that. He was going to save the world! If he didn't get a badass statue of him after all was said and done, then everyone else was as stupid as he thought. That long list excluded Zelda, as per usual. She was perfect but unlucky, in the same situation he was in — fate and all. Both of them deserved blessings, but they were left with a burden.

At least it was on their shoulders in equal measure.

"Master Link?" Fi asked, taking her form outside of the Goddess Sword with a quiet jingle. Link stopped brushing his hair (for the dozenth time) and looked over at her, his body still aimed at the mirror. Both of their expressions looked equally flat, like they were staring at the epitome of entertainment. "It is unexpected that you would be awake and alert at this hour from what data I have gathered from you. Is there a particular reason for such a change in habits?"

"No," he answered. "I just… kinda… did."

…Beep. "You cannot find an explanation to define your sudden change of habits?" she inquired, her head at the same, familiar tilt. The rising sun behind her glinted off of her shiny head, flicking a dagger of light into his eye. He stifled a yelp and turned away from her and the mirror, opening his closet instead.

Inside were all the essentials of his trip, thrown onto the rest with the same grace as a bumbling idiot who could hardly walk (in other words, Groose.) Most of the essentials were gifts from his friends, like the pouch Fledge made or the maps Pipit had sewn. Crude as they both were, they would be better than going straight down into hell with only a sword and shield. It shortened an already short 'get in, get out' mission, at least.

"Sometimes things just happen, y'know?" he continued, responding to Fi despite the pause. He plucked the long, pointy green cap off the hanger in his closet. It was fuzzy and made his head itch, felt too loose, and ruined his hair whenever he took it off, but it completed the knightly attire. It was the same vibrant green as his tunic, which was the color of Knights this year. "Things we can't explain. Like intuition, or magic, or—"

"A night of healthy, restful sleep, possibly."

"…Yeah. That too," he grumbled, putting on the cap and giving it an extra few tugs. It still felt like a strong gust of wind or someone yanking on it would tear it straight off. Hopefully the monsters on the surface were all 'honorable' and only used blades or clubs.

"Hm. I suppose Hylian minds like yours aren't capable of finding reason in everything or examining details close enough," Fi remarked.

Link's entire face fell to the ground, shattering as it landed. 'WHAT DID SHE JUST SAY?!'

Fi glanced at him, blank as always, and continued flatly. "I suppose that explains why your kind has such primitive ways of information retention and transmission, and explains your lack of proper knowledge regarding the Surface. It is quite the setback considering the information I will need to transmit to you over our time of travel, but it is not as troublesome as I surmise. There is worse." She turned away from him, looking outside through his window. "…Much worse…" she murmured.

…

"D-did…" —Link spoke up, picking his face off of the floor— "did you take a jab at me…?"

"…I do not believe I made any physical contact with you, Master."

"But you—" He stopped himself and just sighed. No matter what she would say, it wouldn't suffice. "Whatever." He sat on his bed again, soon giving in and flopping over. He had time to spare, and he would spend it doing his specialty: Sleeping. He jammed his face into his pillow and shut out the world, his mind going completely blank. If he was going to be picked up by full sunrise, he probably had enough time for another nap. Just to get some extra energy for the trip.

Knock, knock, knock!

"Link! It is time!" Gaepora's force rang through his door.

"…Fuck." Link sat up, stood, and cracked his neck. 'I guess a nap is out of the question, then.'

He picked up the Goddess Sword, which Fi had entered when he faceplanted into his pillow, and put it on his back. Everything he needed was on his person: the pouch, his clothes, his weapons, his equipment, a map, and his pride. "I'm coming," he assured Gaepora, glancing in his mirror one last time. He reached below his collar, his fingers fumbling for a moment before pinching a sharp blue object. He pulled it up and looked at it, a faint smile appearing on his face.

The blue rupee Zelda gave him, now around his neck.

"Ah. So you are indeed prepared," Gaepora noted, stepping out of the way to let Link into the hallway. Several students stood outside of their rooms, littering the already crowded halls.

He picked out a few faces — Fledge, Pipit, Karane, and… ugh, Groose's cronies.

Gapora patted Link on the shoulder, nodding with a face full of determination. Link still noted how shadows of rings dug themselves beneath his eyes, lingering there. "Come along. It is time." He led the way with Link in tow, heaving the lightest of sighs as he went. It was mostly masked by the mild chatter from the other students around them. They looked on in awe, pity, jealousy, and everything in between. For the most part, Link saw jealousy or sour looks, as simple as a furrowed brow or as boring as a look of indifference. Not like he really cared, anyway.

"You've got this, Link!" Fledge's voice shot through the crowd.

"You'll kick ass, buddy!" Pipit added, coming from the same general area as Fledge's voice.

"Bring a souvenir!" Karane (probably) shouted, her voice blending with the rest.

Link lifted his head, his stance growing solid, each step boosting his confidence. Nothing would shatter his resolve. He would fight until the end.

"YOU SUCK!" Cawlin's voice pierced his eardrums, coming right beside Link and making him stagger.

In half a second, Link gave him, Stritch, and even a worn-out weak-ass Groose a horrifying death glare. 'They're jealous, pathetic pricks who can't live with the fact that I'm better than them,' he thought, his eyes almost flashing red as it crossed his mind. "Hmph," he grunted, picking up the pace a little to stick beside Gaepora. Hylia forbid he even interact with them. He was their senior, for one, and he was personally chosen by Hylia herself. They didn't earn more than a murderous glance once or twice.

Soon enough, he and Gaepora made their way out of the hall and into the morning light. The pack of students was more spread out, but they still followed. He kept his gaze forward, his mouth closed, and his posture straight. 'These peasants don't deserve me,' he thought. 'But… they don't deserve a murderous glance, either.' Down the path and to the plaza they went, the long line of students always following with keen eyes. At points, a few stragglers would walk off, but he didn't notice. The crowd was big enough, anyway.

"So… this is it," Link muttered, approaching the very diving board used in the Wing Ceremony. The same one that started this mess. And the one that would end it.

"Indeed," Gaepora agreed, stepping aside and lightly guiding Link to the edge. He then turned, facing the watching crowd, and began his speech. "Two days ago, my dear daughter Zelda was lost to the clouds below. She is alive, however — she is merely a part of a destiny far beyond our understanding."

Link felt Gaepora's gaze lock on him, pride and anxiety filling his spirit. 'Now, the best part…'

"As is our newest knight, Link Skye. He is fated to travel bravely down to the surface and save not just my daughter, but all of the land below!" A mild cheer escaped the crowd. Or groan. Maybe both. "After two days of rigorous training, he is now fully prepared and ready to take on the challenge of saving both his homeland and a foreign one!" Gaepora set a hand on hi shoulder, his heels dangling from the edge of the board. "I ask that you pray for him and my daughter deeply as they fight for their destinies. As this…

"This moment is the biggest moment of our history."

"WOOHOO!" Cheers erupted all around them, some forced, some true. Whatever happened, Link knew but one thing: He would forge his own legend. And dammit, it would be the best one ever made. Link turned, looking at everyone just one more time: his parents, his friends, his teachers, his peers, his bullies. In just a few days time, they would all be by his side or at his feet. And such a thought was heaven incarnate — especially when Zelda would be there with him.

He saluted, letting gravity pull him far below. "You better make a statue for me when I come back!" he yelled, diving headfirst into the clouds, his arms reaching for his mouth.

TRIIIIII!

Epona flew beneath him, catching him and flying high and free toward the green pillar of light. Right where the pillar pierced was a hole in the clouds, showing a forest of vibrant green covered in golden light. That was where Zelda was, waiting for him. And probably doing whatever little destiny thing she had to do, despite the fact that he would have to carry most of the work. Oh, well. Fate was weird, and that was that.

"Master Link?" Fi asked, her voice not too clear because of the lashing wind.

"Yeah?!" he shouted back, the green pillar growing closer.

"I would like to mention: Your Loftwing will not be able to pass with us down to the surface. Additionally, I highly recommend that you have your sailcloth prepared to prevent death upon impact with the ground."

'Oh, great,' Link thought, pouting. "Sorry, girl," he said to Epona, gently caressing her feathers as they reached the top of the pillar. "Hey, don't lose your other eye while I'm gone, 'kay?" He chuckled at his joke, hearing Epona's quiet noise of joy escape her beak. He stood up, staring down at the hole created by the pillar of light, his expression growing determined. He looked at Epona one last time, his breath hitching for the briefest of moments. 'Now or never.'

He spread his arms and jumped.

'No freaking out when you're falling, alright?'

WOOOOOOSH!

After some 15 minutes of falling, he started shrieking in terror. By the time he passed the cloud barrier, it finally hit him how utterly fucked he was. This had been a dream for his whole life. And now it was real! As real as the threat of death. He was in a completely foreign land, with no idea what he was doing. There was no guide, no arrow pointing forward, no clear instruction should the plan go to hell. He was shaking and flailing midair, more akin to a rag than a Hylian. He was afraid.

…Plop.

Until he felt his butt land softly on a patch of grass.

"Master Link. Next time, I highly suggest keeping your sailcloth at the ready," Fi blankly said, appearing in front of him and staring downward. "I had to open it for you, however I will not always have the time to do this. Additionally, I suggest you keep still when descending to hasten the process."

Link exhaled an unholy amount of air from his lungs, getting to his feet and nodding at Fi. "Thank you," he muttered, shaking his head. His eyes were teary, having left damp stains on his collar. He got to his feet, his arms and hands quivering faintly. A blush covered his face, its burning red color beaming in comparison to the green of the world around him. 'In and out, hero,' he reminded himself, forcing slowed breaths and clamping his eyes shut. 'Time to shine.'

"Welcome to the Surface, then," Fi spoke, joining his side and looking at their surroundings. A beaming ray of sunlight highlighted the spiraling hole in the ground, most of its rays locked onto the temple not far from them. At the bottom of the spiral, down in the center, was something… odd. A darkness, blacker than darkness itself, spilled out from it. That was clear with a glance. As long as there was no need to go near it, everything would be fine.

Otherwise, their surroundings were very lively. Plants of all kinds (nothing interesting, but still), fauna he didn't recognize, and the occasional scary-looking monster he spotted between the trees. His biggest issue with all of it, though, was the lighting. It was dull. Considering the sea of clouds up above, it made sense. It still sucked ass, but it made sense. Hopefully, all of the scenery directly in front of him would be interesting enough.

"It looks… better, I suppose," Fi remarked, floating to the edge of the path and looking around. "It looks… emptier, too."

"Alright," Link said, stretching with a cocky smirk. "So, just go forward, and everything will be great. I bet Zelda's even just sitting in the temple." He began to walk down the path, approaching an oddly flat and leafy plant. "This will be easy—"

He was immediately assaulted by said plant.

A pimpled blue head sprouted from the plant, its neck a long wavy stem that flowed from side to side. Link swiftly rolled up, drawing his sword and raising his shield to face the beast. Its head split in half, revealing a maw of spit-covered fangs and gums, dripping onto the grass below. This was it. His first fight.

"Master Link, I highly suggest defensi—"

"HIYAAAAAHH!" Link threw the hardest vertical slash he could muster toward the beast's head, expecting blood to explode outward as he would split it right down the middle. He would easily cut it down and destroy it in its place. Nothing could stand in his way, especially something so utterly pathetic that he could take it out in one simple strike!

Bo-oi-oing!

He recoiled, catching his sword and managing to stabilize himself. 'How the hell—?' he thought, his adrenaline spiking as he stepped back, getting out of its reach. How could its skin just… deflect him like that? That was ridiculous! He slashed so hard, but nothing happened! There was no way his sword had dulled or something, right?

"Master Link." Fi's voice caught his ear. "Upon scans of this plant, I have found that it is vulnerable either at the points where its split head connects or at its stem. Attacking either of those points will result in an instant defeat. Otherwise, your blade will be deflected from its tough skin."

The beast lunged at him, causing him to yelp and jump back. Whether he moved or didn't wouldn't have changed the outcome since, being a plant, it could only go so far beyond its roots. He relaxed and sighed with relief, a small flush and pout on his lips. "Could've told me that earlier, prick," he grumbled, approaching the beast again. It swung its head high, letting out a roar. Or, more accurately, a raspy squeak, filled with anger. 'Damn you and Fi.'

He cut it down by the stem, its head instantly falling to the ground with a sick thud. 'Much better,' he thought, marching onward. Along the short route were a couple of other ones, but thanks to his own intuition and nothing else, he cut them by the stem and made it without a scratch. In a moment's time, he jumped down a level, landing right in front of the temple. Another level below in the spiral, the pathway seemed to randomly collapse.

"Child of fate," a voice rang out, emerging from the bottom of the spiral. His gaze was torn from the temple, thrown toward the darkness far below against its will. The moment he locked onto it, the world around him crumbled to ash, a red hue engulfing his body. He was in that same void from his dreams, days ago, but now in a much more vivid state. This was a message; not a dream. The big question stuck in his mind was…

Who was it from?

ROAAAAR!

Link unsheathed his sword in a blink of an eye, staring down. There, rising from the blackness, was a beast. Scales of ash, fangs larger than the land around them, and an eyeless gaze that cracked his iron will. Its size was bigger than Skyloft as a whole, probably double the island's size, He recognized it, feeling a chill make his spine shudder. He bit his tongue to keep from screaming, stepping back and grinding his toe into the ground. He wasn't running, no matter what. It didn't matter if he was terrified, he was fighting it this time.

It leered down at him, a beaming red light behind it highlighting its form. He felt his fingers around the sword's hilt tighten, trying to bind himself with it to stay sane and safe. He stepped back once more, trying to look at the creature and holding his breath, donning the best poker face he could muster. Considering that it shattered after one mere moment, it clearly was far from the kind he needed in a place like this. 'It's just a message, it's just a message, it's just a message, dammit!' he repeated, unable to break his gaze or move his body.

One word left the beast's mouth, that broke Link entirely.

"Run."

"AHHH!"

Link jumped back, covering his face and letting out a scream so high-pitched he couldn't hear it. There he sat, at the edge of the spiral's path, broken. All from a simple vision.

He whimpered for a moment, staggering to his feet and still shaking. Fi's voice was what truly snapped him out of his trance of terror.

"Master Link?" she asked. "I detect a major disturbance in your mental stability. Are you alright?"

…

"Master?" she repeated, exiting the sword to appear in front of him. "Are you okay?"

"…I'm fine, Fi," he muttered, shaking his head and heaving a sigh. He couldn't fail before he started — he just couldn't. No matter what it took, whatever trick or lie he needed to pull over his enemies or himself, he would see this destiny shit to the end of its rope. He wasn't a fighter. He was a goddamn hero. "Let's go check out this temple or… whatever. The faster we find Zelda, the better everything is." He spared one more glance at the bottom of the spiral. "The faster I can go home."

Clunk! Rumble, rumble…

The weathered stone doors leading into the temple opened wide, dust shaking off of them. The guttural groans and rumbles were impossible not to hear, but they fit with the aesthetic of the place. That aesthetic being worn down, probably having seen something violent in its day to result in its damage. 'Not the kind of place Zelda should be in for long,' he thought, walking toward the back of the room. There a throne, bathed in the golden light of the sun's focused rays, sat. Atop it sat a hooded old woman.

Most of her outfit was just a big red cone, in his eyes. He could try and meet her gaze, but her long, dull blonde hair and aforementioned hood made it impossible. Although, she immediately made it clear that it was unnecessary.

"Child of fate," she said softly, her body stiff but relaxed. Miniscule breaths left her body, only noticeable because of the enhanced sunlight. Clumps of dust specks would move in and out with each breath, making it just clear enough that she was alive. "You have arrived. It is nice to see you once more."

"…And you are?" he asked in turn, letting his body relax around the woman. She didn't look like she could do much against him if she tried, so there wasn't much reason to stand on guard.

"My name? Hm…." She raised her arms slowly, brushing her chin with her small hand. It was boney and very wrinkled, beyond a level he had ever seen in his life. He had seen old people before, but never to the extent of… that. Additionally, her body was small, little more than a child's size. "I apologize, dear child. My name has appeared to slip my mind. What of yours, child of fate?" She leaned forward, dust falling from her hood.

Link felt his body tense itself up, his trust waning. Someone as old as her forgetting her own name… made sense… but still felt wrong. 'Whatever.' "I'm Link Skye," he declared, raising his voice. "I've got this funny sword with some weird girl in it, and I'm here to save the world." It sounded less like a proud declaration made of honor and loyalty and more like a boring fact. Which, to him, was just that; a boring fact. Plus, he just needed to get it out there to answer her question.

A smile crossed her lips. "Then it is true," she muttered, chuckling to herself. "So. Link, if I am not mistaken…. Good." She fell back in her seat, her shoulders falling a bit as her hands gently lay on the armrests. "So. You are the… hero of the sky, so to speak. Descended from the great lands above to save this forsaken place. And, most of all…" —she leaned back up, her smile growing smug— "The Spirit Maiden. The one you call Zelda."

"Where is she?" he immediately asked, a hint of worry waving through his tone.

The woman paused, sighing and bowing her head. "I understand your worries, hero. Truly, I do. However, there is a message I must pass before you set off." She locked her gaze with his, piercing into his heart despite her hidden eyes. "All I ask is that you listen before all else. Is that clear, Link of the sky?"

He clenched his fist. Already, his patience wore thin. He'd heard everything before, there was nothing special she had to tell him, he should've just yelled at her for the information. Yet… it was worth hearing her out. Reluctantly? Absolutely. But it didn't mean he'd not listen, unless it was the same jargon as before. 'Just a chance,' he told himself. "Alright. Fine."

"Thank you." She took a silent breath, easing the atmosphere. "You are well aware of the gears of fate, I am sure. I wish not to recite that to you again, so I shall be blunt. The way that the Spirit Maiden has entered this land was not the way as prophesied a century ago. The shower of light she was meant to come down in was rather a violent storm, resulting in wounds and trauma." The air lost its tranquil aura, now tainted by fear. Impa's voice and face hardened, her glare growing ever more intense. "What turns the gears of fate is not the Goddess, but rather a malicious force trying to use fate to stop fate.

"It is up to you to turn the gears of fate. Alone."

…

"Alone…?" he repeated, every thought in his brain locking onto the one word as it bounced around in his head. The word soon lost its meaning to him, doing nothing but bury itself into his subconscious, as if it was nothing more than a nail to a hammer. Each time it repeated, it was dug deeper, prying open a hole in his very soul. It beat at him, over and over, each hit more devastating than the last. He felt his knees quiver, his jaw loosen, his eyelids raise, and his heart stop.

'I have to do all of that… alone…?'

The old woman sighed, the sound quiet and unnoticed by Link's swirling thoughts. "Now. Beyond the door to your right lies the path ahead. You must go. You must face your destiny head-on. You must save the lands and reunite the Surface and the Skies." She finished her declaration with a determined, proud cry, nodding at Link with an expression of pure confidence. The look didn't last when she read the room, her body and face relaxing. Her voice softened as she left him with words to ponder on.

"Link. This is your destiny. And you are not going to ignore destiny."

Yesterday…

"So… this is the Forest of the Kikwi…" Zelda murmured, patting Storm on the beak as she landed. After her day of recovery, comparable in quality to her time at Rito Village, she had set off. Her old pink tunic and skirt were long gone, by now, replaced by a pristine white dress. On her back was a small, pure golden harp. Despite looking identical to the one she used at the Wing Ceremony, many a day ago, it was heavier and had a nicer sound.

…Oh! And those mystical powers Impa mentioned. They would come in handy when the moment was right.

"Alright, Storm. Come pick me up, alright?" She pressed her forehead to his beak, a small yet sunny smile appearing on her lips. "Thank you, for everything, my dear Loftwing." She stepped back, getting a fair distance away while staring at Storm. The red streaks in his feathers had really held up since he got them, despite being against his will. "Now, ascend!" she cried, causing a cloud of dust to erupt from below Storm. She clamped her eyes shut, turning away until the wind ceased. When she turned, Storm had already ascended into the sky. Only a thin line of white followed his wings as he returned to Impa.

'Here goes nothing,' she thought, turning and beginning her stroll into the forest. At first, it was just a walk. Nothing much. At least, not until something… hit her. A feeling? No, that wasn't it. An idea? Not that, either. No, rather what had hit her was… a smell. For each step she took, an increasing aroma clouded her nose. Its sweetness was headache-inducing, bringing about a sense of calm glee as she began skipping. The fauna seemed a bit more colorful than usual, the air more fresh and free, her heart a bit lighter. It was… nice. Being able to walk around in this forest, knowing that little could harm her… it reminded her of how she thought the Surface once was: Calm. Serene. Perfection.

Soon enough, she was in the forest, her mind racing with positive memories and thoughts of varying importance. She hadn't forgotten her purpose here, of course, but she felt a sense of glee in doing so. Her goal mattered, her goal meant the world, but nothing about that meant she had to be somber and quiet or tense and ready to kill. The survivors down here in the Surface weren't great, but surely they wouldn't do something like use her, right?

…

Oh, wait. They already had. And this aroma was the second time it had happened.

Boing, boing!

A small, fuzzy, peach and black creature bounced out from behind a big mushroom. Atop its head were a few tiny leaves, and on its back sat an unfurled bush. As for its adorable, teeny little face, it was a patch of black fuzz that looked like a mask, with a pointy nose and white dots for eyes. The sweet scent grew a hundredfold when she laid eyes on the creature, and she fell head over heels for it. Only the smallest itch in the back of her brain told her that this was a bad idea.

"Who goes there?!" the creature squeaked. "I am Machi, kwee, the strongest and most—"

"AWWWH!" she squealed, picking up the creature and spinning around. Her eyes sparkled and were wide, an absolutely idiotic grin plastered on her face as she laughed. 'Cute, cute, cute!' rang through her mind over and over again. Each time the word lost its meaning, eventually only becoming associated with the utmost love for this creature she just met. Every other thought had evacuated her brain

"Oh, phew," Machi murmured, snapping his tiny fingers.

Snap.

Zelda stopped dead, her smile fading and expression falling. The aroma was now gone, leaving her with a headache and mild confusion. 'What just happened, exactly…?' she thought, her mind clearing as she looked at the fuzzy creature once more. Yes, it was very cute. Yes, it was very soft. Yes, she wanted to squish it. But those thoughts seemed like nothing compared to everything just the moment before. The world was duller, now, but at least it was real. "Um… hi," she greeted, her voice small.

"Please… put me down… kwee?" Machi asked, his tiny limbs flailing as he still sat high in the air.

"R-right." Zelda squatted, putting Machi back on the ground, allowing his body to relax a bit more. "So… are you a Kikwi…?"

"Yes. I'm Machi, kwee." Machi began making his way into the forest, leaving Zelda to trail behind him as he continued speaking. "Considering your attire, kwee, I would guess you are the one that the elder was told of many years ago. What was her name? High… Hy… uh…." Machi stopped briefly, scratching the leaves on his head. The bush on his back briefly flicked open before curling in on itself once more. "Ah, right. Hiii-lee-ya. Hileya, kwee!"

"…Y-yes, Hylia," she agreed, continuing to trail Machi as they reached a deeper part of the forest. Here, everything felt even more alive than earlier, with the tallest tree much clearer from here. At the very peak of its crown sat blossoming pink flowers, falling gently to the ground, creating a gentle shower of bliss around them. While not as intoxicating as the smell Machi emitted, it was still calming. Which brought a thought to the front of her mind. "What exactly was that aroma, by the way?"

"Oh, that?" Machi turned just a little, trying to look at her despite the fact that he didn't exactly have a head or neck. "It reacts well to any creature that doesn't mean harm to Kikwi. The pheromones in our bodies and the—"

He proceeded to rant about a ton of different words she didn't know for the following five minutes.

She really tried to listen, barely following along to the words spewing out of Machi's mouth. A few words stuck out. 'Plant, monster, peace,' but the rest was lost to her. Rather than listen, she looked at the surrounding scenery, only growing more wild with each step. The beings here didn't seem too bad… not yet, anyway. Her faith lay entirely in Impa's hands, even if it spilled into the hands of other survivors on this cursed land.

"Got all that?" Machi chirped, stopping at the base of the large tree she'd seen earlier. The one with the blossoming flowers, falling all by her feet. Up close, the bark of the tree was very worn, surrounded by slithering vines that bore themselves beneath its surface.

"...No…" Zelda answered. She didn't look at Machi as she lifted her hand up, catching one of the flowers. It softly and smoothly slid into her palm, its scent sweet and soothing, bringing calming memories to mind. Like those with Link. A simple, peaceful time, when she handed him a blue rupee she'd taken from her father. She remembered his silly promise to always keep it around… and her promise that she would someday do the same.

"These flowers are rather beautiful," she remarked, facing Machi again as she approached the tree.

Machi stopped again, resting one of his tiny hands against the bark of the tree, a few specks of dust falling at even the lightest touch. "Oh, one of those? Indeed, Hileya!" Machi pulled his hand from the bark, sending a mild rumble through the ground below their feet. Nothing to be concerned about, exactly, as the bark opened on its own a moment later. The thickest parts moved upward, revealing a hollow inside filled with vines. "I'm sure the elder wouldn't mind if you took one."

'...I guess not,' she thought. With that, she pocketed the flower in a subtle pocket on her chest, adding some color to her white gown. "Thank you, Machi."

"Now, c'mon, Hileya!" Machi jogged toward the vines, scaling them quickly. Or, rather, rolling his way up them, the tangles of the bush on his back intertwining just right with them.

She chuckled at the sight, allowing the vines to unfurl before scaling them herself. They were a bit sharp and rough, causing her to wince, but they weren't too harsh. In a moment's time, she found herself standing on a base of raised roots, forming a rather flat surface that gave a view of the tree in all of its glory. Around the base were, to her surprise, many other creatures who looked exactly like Machi. Same fuzziness, same bodily patterns, albeit with a partially different mask.

Not to mention the massive version of the same creature, standing tall and facing away from her and Machi. Its fuzz was brown, its bush was way smaller than its back, and it made deep breathing noises with each passing second.

"Ah, Machi," it greeted, turning slow with thunderous steps and leaning down toward him. "You have returned. I was beginning to fret for…." He trailed off, his gaze falling on Zelda and piercing into the depth of her soul. She shuddered briefly before meeting his gaze, her confidence restored. Not because she knew she was safe or because she knew she'd get a free pass, but because her hand hovered over the small knife she had yet to use.

'No chances…' she instantly thought, a kind smile creeping over her face. 'But I really don't want to do this.'

"Hylia…?" the elder asked. "It is me, Bucha. You remember me, do you not…?"

"U-um… I'm actually a reincarnation of the Goddess you speak of," she corrected, reminding herself of everything she'd been told. 'That is what I am, right?' "I have come to search for the Spring of Power…." The confused silence she received, which felt like it spread across all of the forest, got her flushed. "Or as you know it, the Skyview Spring…?"

"Ah, yes. I would happen to know where that is." Bucha turned his gaze up, pointing with a small hand at an opening in the large tree. It appeared dim and full of branches, but, considering it was a tree, there couldn't be anything devious it could lead to. Not like she could jump that high on her own, anyway. Even the loose vine by itself wouldn't give her such reach. "That there leads further into the forest. My Kikwi have left out a trail for you to follow, which we have preserved all this time." Bucha faced her once more. "The Skyview Spring is reachable along that route."

She nodded, more like a bow. "Thank you, Bucha."

…

"But one more thing."

"Hm?" she raised her head, her gaze softening.

"Where are the others?"

"The other… whats?" she repeated.

"The others!" Bucha exclaimed, his confusion only growing with each word she said. "Those who hold the pieces of the Te—"

BOOOM!

A loud shriek shot out through the forest, the Kikwi instantly dashing like wild into crevices and patches of grass. Zelda jumped, yanking the knife from her hidden dress pocket, her heart rate spiking as cackles and snorts began to follow through with the destruction. A haunting, petty laugh caught her ear, making her heart skip several beats in the matter of a single second. That voice, the one that belonged to a certain demon…

"Oh, HYLIA?!" Ghirahim's voice roared through the woods, bouncing from every tree into her ear. "I've got a gift for you!" he sickly sang. "IT'S QUITE EXPLOSIVE!"

"Hylia, you must stay with me and—"

The world stopped. Her breath stopped. The sounds stopped. And so did her heart. Her mind, however, raced at a speed she hadn't known ever before. Times when she was studying or racing through the skies couldn't beat out an experience such as this. Her mind was… something new. Filled with information, knowledge, and wisdom, something that would send anyone into a state of unconsciousness. But her? No, no. She could take it, and gladly so.

'Leap off of a bouncy surface, hide away in the path, and make a dash for it when nobody is looking. Ghirahim is going to make his way as quick as possible to my current location; he knows the plan, he's recited it as much as Impa had, he knows I'm meeting with the elder. If I'm gone before he's here, then I'll be alright. I can't leave these people, though… I-I can't just leave them to suffer. But I can't do anything. I either die in vain or live at a cost. I don't want to, I don't want to, I don't—

'I know. But you have to.'

TIME ELAPSED — One second.

Zelda dashed toward Bucha, planting her foot right on his fuzzy gut and kicking off as hard as she could. Her hands swung forward, arms stretched beyond mere discomfort, the tip of her finger hovering over a thorn on the vine. She caught it, not a yelp leaving her lips as she climbed with all of her might. As soon as her toe reached the edge of the opening in the tree, she threw the vine behind her and lunged into the crevice, shielding her face with her free arm. From there, she faced the other opening, and dashed across the tightrope with grace in her step.

"WHERE IS SHE?!" Ghirahim yelled, already at Bucha's throat. "WHERE?!"

"I-I don't—"

Ghirahm kicked Bucha away, squatting down to pick up something from the ground. A small knife, marked with her print.

"I'll find you. I will find you."

As Zelda ran, her breath catching in her throat with tears in her eyes, she caught a glimpse of something on her hand.

A golden triangle, its aura faintly blue and marked with a symbol.