Upon leaving the temple, Zelda saw five red pig-like monsters harassing some creature. "Out of the way! Scram!" It shouted. Zelda immediately ran over to help without hesitation. Some of them managed to block her attack a couple of times but using what she was taught at the academy, Zelda managed to defend all of the monsters. Despite there being five of them and all of them had cleavers, she found them pretty easy to deal with.
"Whew! Thanks for jumping in there to rescue me!" The creature said obviously relieved. "It was no big deal" Zelda said. "Just who were those red pests? I did not expect to run into a pack of them in this peaceful forest." Zelda nodded in agreement. "Neither did I" she said. "Oh! How rude of me. I should introduce myself. I am Gorko the Goron." "It's nice to meet you Gorko. I'm Zelda."
"I owe you big for taking care of those guys, so let me tell you something fascinating" Gorko said. He walked over to the bird statue behind him and said "I am researching the ancient history of these woods here. According to the ancient texts, there is some kind of place up above called the Isle of the God. Far up in the sky!" Zelda blinked in confusion. 'Isle of the God? Is he talking about Skyloft?' "Apparently, these old statues serve as landmarks to those traveling up to the sky or down from this Isle of the God place." Zelda listened to Gorko ramble on about the statue. She then got an idea. "Maybe this could help me get back home." "What do you mean?" Gorko asked. Zelda walked closer to the statue and it started to glow. "Whoa! What in the world just happened? Did you use some kind of magic?" Zelda shook her head. "The statue reacted the moment you got near it. How crazy is that?" He said excitedly. "It probably reacted to me because I'm from the sky" Zelda said. "What!" Gorko shouted. Zelda turned to him. "You see, everything you said is true. I'm actually from this place in the sky called Skyloft." "Can you please tell me all about it?" Gorko asked excitedly. Zelda nodded.
After Zelda told him everything she knew about Skyloft, Gorko was in awe. "So, you're telling me that there is an inland in the sky called Skyloft, where people like you can train to become knights, and they do fly on giant birds called loftwings." Zelda nodded. "You know, now that I think about it, this is the second time I bumped into one of your kind today" he said catching Zelda's attention. "My kind? Tell me was that person a boy with blue eyes and blonde hair?!" Gorko nodded. "Can you please tell me where he went." Gorko pointed to an open gate. "He went that way." "Thank you" she said before taking off.
Once Zelda walked through the gate, Fi came out of the sword saying "mistress, now that you have accessed the stone statue, you can return to the sky at will." "That's great news!" Zelda said happily before asking "hey Fi, what were those things I fought a moment ago?" "My analysis shows that they were Red Bokoblin. These monsters have plagued the land since ancient times. They each play different roles, and their weaponry varies. They prefer to act in groups." Zelda nodded. "Thank you Fi." Fi went back into the sword and Zelda continued on the path.
After a couple of minutes of walking, Zelda found herself at the entrance of Faron Woods. Fi appeared. "Mistress, you have entered Faron Woods." Zelda looked around in awe. "The plentiful water in this region clearly sustains a large diversity of flora, including this massive tree. It is logical that the lush plant life and water resources have attracted animal species to the region. Looking at the probabilities, it is extremely likely that Link is somewhere in the area. I recommend you continue to use your dowsing ability to search for him" Fi said then disappeared. "Right! Remember Zelda, you're here for Link" she muttered to herself before taking off.
As Zelda continued on the path she saw two more Red Bokoblins harassing another creature except this time the poor thing looked terrified. It was laying flat on it's stomach, looking like it was trying to disguise it's self as a bush. "Hey!" She screamed to get their attention. The Bokoblins looked at her and ran towards her with their weapons raised, leaving them vulnerable for an attack. Just like before, she ran at them and easily took them out. She noticed in the last fight that the Bokoblins focus more so on just attacking and occasionally blocking rather than planning, making them easy to defeat. Once they were gone, Zelda approached the creature to make sure it's okay. "Huh…? It's gone quiet" the creature said getting up. It didn't notice Zelda until she said "excuse me are you-" "Kwee-koo! Now there's a pink one! I didn't even know they came in pink! Don't hurt me, koo-weep!" It shouted then ran off, thinking that she was an enemy too.
"Wait! I wasn't going t-"she tried saying as it disappears into the woods. "Well… at least it seems ok" she sighed. Fi appears. "Mistress I have picked up a highly interesting reading from the creature you just encountered." "What is it?" Zelda asked. "The readings I got from the creature you encountered elicited the same readings as the shield you carried" Fi said. Zelda gasped. "So… are you saying that you detect Link's presence on that creature?" Fi nodded. "Indeed. If it had Link's presence on it then I propose that you follow the creature, if you catch up to it then there's a 50% chance it'll know where he is. You can use the dowsing ability to find it." "Alright. Thank you Fi" Zelda said happily. She couldn't help but smile, knowing that she's getting closer to finding Link. She pulled out her sword and used the dowsing ability to find where that creature went.
After a bit of walking and fighting off some more Deku Babas, Zelda found the creature. It was hiding behind a giant mushroom. "Please come out. I know you're there" Zelda said. " Please don't hurt me! Kweee!" It pleaded. "Calm down. I'm not going to hurt you" Zelda said. The creature peeked out from behind the mushroom to look at her but it didn't look all that convinced. Zelda threw her sword to the side, got on her knees, held her hands up, and gave the creature a gentle smile to show the creature that she means no harm. Seeming convinced, the creature hesitantly walked over to her and said "you don't want to… eat me?" Zelda shook her head. "Kwee… Come to think about it, why did you fight off all those red monsters?" "I was saving you" Zelda said getting a better look at the creature and finding it really cute. "Kee-paleep! I'm Machi. I'm a Kikiwi. You seem ok, even though you're scary. Thanks for saving me!" "You're welcome" Zelda said standing up and getting her weapon.
"That's weird, kee-koo. A little while ago, I ran into another funny animal like you, but that one was a boy." This immediately caught Zelda's attention. "Do you mean Link?" She asked. "What's a Link? I don't know who he was, koo-kwee, but he seemed to be in big trouble when I saw him" Machi said. "What happened?" Zelda asked panicked. "A pack of those mean red guys were after him, kwee, but he defeated them all and escaped with the Kikwi elder." Zelda sighed in relief. 'Thank the gods' she thought then asked "can you take me to the elder?" "But what if more of those red things turn up, kee-kwee?!" Machi asked. "I promise, if we run into any more monsters, I will protect you" Zelda said. Machi nodded. "Ok then, follow me." Machi then walk along the path and Zelda followed him. 'I'll find you soon Link and once I do I'll never let you out of my sight again' she thought.
Along the way they encountered some more Bokoblins and a new enemy Fi identified as an octorok. It's an enemy that hides under ground and spits rocks at any one that comes close. Unlike the enemies she fought so far, she could just walk up to it and swing at it, since it would just go back under ground if she got close enough to hit it. Zelda actually had to parry its attack back at it to defeat it. Something she found a bit difficult since she had trouble timing when to deflect it.
Once they reached the end of the path, where there's a gap between where they stand and the clearing ahead. Machi and Zelda jumped across the gap, straight ahead there was a large creature that was laying face first on the ground. It looks similar to Machi with its light and dark fur as well as the camouflage, but it was at least five times the size of Machi. He was with a couple other Kikwi's. "Elder! I'm back, kwee!" Machi said happily. The elder leaps onto its feet and turned to face them. "Oh ho! You've finally returned, young Machi! And you brought a friend too! I don't know who you are or where you come from, but you have my thanks for returning Machi safely, kwee hee. I am Bucha, the Kikwi elder." "It's nice to meet you Bucha. Machi here told me that Link was with you. Could you tell me where he is?" Zelda asked. "Link…? Ah, the boy dressed in green. He looked like one of your kind." Zelda looked at Bucha confused. 'Green? Link wasn't wearing anything green that last time I saw him' she thought. "Yes, he was with me, kweeee. He was rather kind. I told him about my missing tribe and he offered to find them for me. He said he had to travel to the temple deep within these woods, kwee. Oho, I tried to warn him about how dangerous it was there, but the clever little thing vaulted off my belly and ran off on his own just the same" Bucha said.
"Which way did he go?" Zelda asked. Bucha turned to the direction Link went. "I think he headed down that way toward the temple, kwee… but be sure to take great care if you follow him. That area is crawling with monsters. Oho! I almost forgot, kwee! As a reward for returning Machi to us, I will give you a previous Kikwi heirloom. Let me just fetch it for you right now, kwee. Pardon me a moment…" He gestured for Zelda to move out of the way before collapsing to the ground. He opened his camouflage to reveal a slingshot and a bag. Zelda climbed on Bucha's back to retrieve the bag and slingshot. Bucha got up and said "with that slingshot, kwee, you should be able to find a path into the Deep Woods where that temple is. To start, why not try shooting that curled up vine over there? If you run out of ammunition, just grab some seeds from the fruit that grows on the trees." Zelda aimed it at the vine and shot it, causing the vine to uncurl and hang down. "Amazing shot!" Bucha praises as the other Kikwis clapped. "Now go find that boy! I'll be rooting for you, kwee heh!" With a smile, Zelda bid them a farewell and headed for the temple. She went deeper into Faron Woods with a new weapon in tow.
The first part of afternoon was spent navigating the woods, fighting enemies, collecting items, climbing ledges, balancing on ropes, even encouraging Gorko and talking about a medal cube he calls the god cube. He even had Zelda use a skyward strike on it and it shot up into the sky, much to his amazement. Once they finished talking, Zelda continued on towards the temple, even encountered a couple more god cubes along the way.
Upon finding the temple, Zelda tried to go inside but the door wouldn't budge. Zelda groaned. "How am I supposed to get in?" As she backed away from the door to see if she could find a way to open it, she noticed a crystal on the ceiling, looking like it was made up from several other crystals. 'Maybe that'll open the door' Zelda thought to herself. Figuring it was worth a shot, she pulled out her slingshot and shot the crystal, causing the crystal to scatter and turned gray. The door opened. "Yes it worked!" She said happily, knowing that she was one step closer to finding Link. Just as she was about to enter the temple, she saw a shadow like figure out of the corner of her eye. She quickly turned around but saw no one there. "Maybe I'm seeing things" she said then entered the temple, though she couldn't ignore the strange feeling in her stomach.
Having faced many puzzles, unlocking many doors, swinging and jumping over ravines, and faced many challenging enemies, Zelda finally reached the end of the temple. She couldn't contain her excitement as she entered a room and walked towards a door with Hylia insignia, knowing that she was getting closer to Link. A bright light flooded Zelda's vision, forcing her to cover her eyes. As soon as the light vanished, Zelda lowered her arm to see a pale figure with a red cloak facing the door. With a sword in hand, he raised it high aiming to strike the door but he suddenly stopped and his sword disappeared. "Look who it is…" he said turning around. "I thought that tornado I stirred up would have tossed and torn you apart, yet here you are. Not in pieces. Not that your life or death has any consequence." He looked at the door. "It's just the boy that matters now, and I can sense him here… just beyond this door. Yes, we plucked his sire from his perch in the clouds and now he's ours. Oh, but listen to me. I am being positively uncivil. Allow me to introduce myself. I am the Demon Lord who presides over this land you look down upon, this world you call the Surface. You may call me Ghirahim. In truth, I very much prefer to be indulged with my full title: Lord Ghirahim. But I'm not fussy."
"And what do you want with Link?!" Zelda demanded. "Ah, ah, if I spilled all my secrets to you right now, then I'd ruin all the fun of our little game" Ghirahim taunts. Zelda grit her teeth in annoys. 'I don't have time for games!' She thought pulling out her sword. "Did you really just draw your sword? You foolish girl" Ghirahim said turning around. "By all rights he should have fallen into our hands already. He was nearly ours but then that loathsome servant of the god snatched him away. Do you have any idea how I feel? Furious! Outraged! Sick with anger!" He disappeared in a flash of gray and black diamond shaped markings that quickly faded away.
A part of Zelda hoped that he left but she knew that it was just wishful thinking. "This turn of events has left me with a strong appetite for bloodshed" his voice echoed throughout the room. Zelda tried looking for him. He walked up behind her and leaned his head on her shoulder. "Still… it hardly seems fair, being of my position, to take all of my anger out on you. Which is why I promise up front not to murder you… No, I'll just beat you within an inch of your life!" Zelda quickly took a few steps back to get away from him. Ghirahim's cloak dissolved and he got ready for a fight.
Zelda rushed at him and Ghirahim merely walked towards her. Zelda tried to strike him but to her surprise he caught her blade with his index and middle finger. Zelda managed to jerk her sword out of his grasp. "Don't give him a chance to raise his hand." She heard Fi say. Listening to Fi, Zelda ran towards him. Before Ghirahim could raise his hand, she managed to slash at him. After Zelda managed to land several more hits on him, Ghirahim decided to change his tactics. He summoned a long sword and threw daggers at her. She dodging the daggers and struck at him when he was thrown off balance. Zelda dodged the daggers, Ghirahim rushed at her with his sword held high. Zelda blocked his attack by using her shield. She struck Ghirahim's sword with her shield with a lot of force, almost making him drop it, kicking him in the chest making him stumble back. Taking advantage of the situation, she ran towards him and slashed him several more times causing him to step back in defeat. "Well… You put up more of a fight than I would have thought possible for such a fragile looking girl. But don't clap for yourself quite yet. That sword of yours is the only reason you still live. I fear I spent far too long teasing and toying with you. The boy's presence has all but faded from this place, which means there's no reason to linger here. Good-bye, sky child. Run and play this time. Get in my way again, though, and you're dead." He then disappeared.
Although Zelda is glad that she won and only getting several injuries, she could tell that Ghirahim was holding back. She couldn't bring herself to celebrate her victory, all she felt was sadness and anger. She had been so close to finally be reunited with Link, only for someone to turn up and let him get away. The room regained its warm light, the symbols on the door lit up, and it opened. She walked into the room and was greeted by a beautiful scenery. A stone lay straight ahead with white pillars trailing along with waterfalls on the side. Moving closer to the end of the path showed a large spring with even more small waterfalls. Two trees lie on each side of the spring. Ahead is a statue that appears to be a miniature replica of the God Statue at Skyloft. Fish swan around the spring's clear waters, while more tiny birds hopped around on the stone pavement.
"It's so… beautiful" she said walking towards the statue. She stood on top of a symbol engraved into the ground. Another symbol is seen at the bottom of the statue but in black. Zelda raised her sword for a skyward strike. She sliced her sword into the air, releasing a light that struck the symbol. The symbol, now purple, twirled around before stopping and giving a bright glow. Putting her sword away, Fi appeared in front of the statue, floating on the water. "Mistress, I have a message written in the language of the gods of old. Allow me to translate for you." She then moved around the spring as if she was ice skating, moving with grace. As she did, she recited a message. "From the edge of time, I guide you, the one chosen to carry out the god's mission. The Spirit Warrior who descended from the clouds must travel to two sacred places to purify his body. You stand in one of these places: Skyview Spring. The other is known as the Earth Spring." Fi halted in front of the statue, twirling around quickly. "This second spring is hidden away deep within the scorched earth of Eldin. The Spirit Warrior, ever mindful of the heavy task entrusted to him, has set out for this second sacred place." A glowing object appeared near the top of the statue and it floated to Zelda, revealing a stone tablet with a ruby gem.
Fi hovered towards her. "Mistress, as I just translated, it would appear that Link purified himself in the waters of this spring. I calculate a 97% chance that he has already set out for Eldin, where another great spring exists. However, it is not clear what method of travel Link used to move from here to his next destination. My analysis suggests you take the tablet to the altar in Skyloft. Doing so will likely open a new column of light on the surface, allowing you to descend to another area to continue your search for Link. The bird statue that transports you back to the sky should be in the forest you previously passed though." Zelda sighs. "Thank you Fi." Although she was in awe of the scenery around her, she found Fi's movement around the water beautiful, and she knew where she should go to next it did nothing it ease Zelda's spirit.
"Mistress, I am detecting a feelings of sadness" Fi said. "Because that's how I'm feeling right now. I've been very worried about Link this whole time, not knowing if he's ok or not. So I was very happy to learn that I was close to reuniting with him but I took too long and now he's gone. Maybe if I was as good as Link, I would have ended the fight a lot sooner" she confessed. "My calculations show that even if you were the best swordsman you couldn't properly defeat Ghirahim any faster than you did. I'm 100% sure he means a lot to you but the Spirit Warrior has an important role he must do and so do you." Zelda looked at the ground. "Mistress, may I make a suggestion?" Zelda nodded. "My analysis shows that the water in this spring contains unique capabilities. If you soak your injuries in it, I estimate a 95% chance that the water will fully your wounds." Zelda picked up handfuls of water and gently rubbed them on her wounds. Just like Fi said, the water healed her injuries as if she never got them. Zelda gave Fi a small smile. "Thank you Fi. I can tell that you're trying to cheer me up and I appreciate it." Fi nodded then went back into the sword. Once she was done healing her wounds, Zelda left the temple. Although Fi isn't the most ideal person to travel with, Zelda is glad to have someone with her through out her journey.
Upon leaving the temple, Zelda saw Machi waiting for her. "Hey! It's me, kwee! Did you find the boy?" "Not yet…" Zelda said. "Oh. That's too bad. But it sounds like you at least know where you need to search for him next, kwee. That's… something, right?" Zelda nodded. "I wanted to thank you for reuniting me with all my Kikwi friends. And when you find that boy, tell him I said thank you for finding them, koo-weep!" "I will" Zelda said. "With any luck, hopefully you'll find that boy you've been searching for real soon, koro-koo! Take care. Ok?" Machi said then took off. Taking a deep breath, Zelda walked over to the bird statue. The statue then let out a powerful gust of wind. Zelda took out her wrap and held it above her head, she walked over to the gust of wind and flew into the sky.