Cold air from the cave's depths rushes past me as I sprint inside, my sword on my back. I soon run into a couple of bats. Drawing my weapon, I swing the blade into the bats' bodies one by one. After I have killed them, I continue onward. I encounter two slimes. I dispatch them with my sword and start to run off, when…
Wait a minute.
I turn around and walk back to where I killed the first slime and find a jelly blob on the ground in its place. I pick it up, remembering that small trinkets like these allow me to craft and upgrade things later on in the game. I veer off the path slightly, sensing a treasure chest nearby. Leaping off a ledge, I find a small chest and open it. Inside is a red rupee.
Good. More money to buy things.
I return to where I once was and push forward. I kill a few more bats and a slime along my way. Water from cave puddles seeps into my boots. I reach a wall of vines and, my instinct knowing exactly what to do, I grab hold and begin to climb. Luckily, my experience with rock wall climbing allows me to have a sure footing. When I arrive at the top, I find another chest which also has a red rupee.
I wander around the cave some more, killing bats and slimes as they crop up. Soon, I come across a tiny hole in the cave wall. I crouch down and crawl inside, collecting two more red rupees.
Wow, 120 rupees already. Quite a hefty sum for the beginning of the game.
I follow a small stream and see light for the first time in a while. My senses flare up even more. I know that my beloved loftwing is here.
When I emerge from the cave, my attention immediately turns to the bird statue ahead of me. I approach it and save the game, then head to my right. Just as I'm about to round the corner, I hear a familiar voice call my name.
"Adrienne!"
I turn toward the sound to see Zelda fly in on her loftwing. She lands, then hurries over to me.
"Hello, Zelda."
"Hey, Adrienne. I was hoping I'd find you here. I heard you'd gone searching for your bird around the waterfall, so I thought I'd fly around and help you look."
"Much appreciated."
"How's your search going? Any sign of your loftwing?"
"Not quite, no."
"Oh no… Well, let's not lose hope yet. There's a place up ahead that Groose and his gang are always hanging around. Maybe we'll find something there!"
Suddenly, a mysterious feeling washes over the both of us.
Adrienne…
…Why does that voice sound familiar?
I clutch my head with both hands, trying to remember whose voice I heard. Looking up at Zelda, I notice that she's looking over the cliff. Her lovely blue eyes have a mysterious wonder in them.
"Huh…? Who… Who's that? Who's calling for me?"
Just as quickly as the sensation begins, it ends, and Zelda looks back at me.
"Oh, sorry, Adrienne. I got distracted for a moment. Let's go!"
And with that, we proceed. We walk until we round the corner, and then we both audibly gasp.
"Look! There he is!" Zelda points straight ahead at my loftwing who is trapped behind a barricade of wood planks. "No doubt about it. That's your loftwing, Adrienne!"
"I have to free him."
I run ahead until I reach the gate, then draw my sword and slice through the ropes holding the wooden planks against the small cave opening. My loftwing carefully steps out and opens his crimson wings wide, chirping. I reach out my right hand to pet him and he eases his beak right into it. He then flaps his wings and takes flight. I run to the edge and watch with Zelda behind me.
"We should hurry, Adrienne. Now that your loftwing is free, you should fly to the ceremony" She pauses as that same voice returns to both of us. I raise my hand to my head again.
"Zelda?"
"Before you go, I have to ask you something. I… I heard this voice a few moments ago. Did you hear it too? It's been happening a lot lately. It's the strangest feeling… Almost like someone is calling out to me." She stares down at the clouds below us.
"I've heard it too."
"You have?"
"Yes. Just now, and before."
"How odd… I wonder who it could be…" She pauses again. "Have you ever wondered what's beneath the clouds?"
"All the time."
"Some say that it's an empty, barren place, or even that there's nothing at all down below, but I just have this feeling that they're wrong. Some of Father's old texts talk about a place called the surface. The old tales describe a whole world under there, far more vast than Skyloft! The thing is, no one's ever been down there to see it, and our loftwings won't fly through the cloud barrier. But I can't help imagining the wild things that might be waiting below. Someday, I want to see for myself."
And you will, Zelda. You will.
"Oh, sorry, Adrienne. We don't have time to talk! Let's get going." Zelda turns to me and smiles, and I cannot help a blush rising into my face. I smile back and jump off the edge of the platform we are standing on, then whistle as loud as I can. As I fall through the air, my loftwing flies down beneath and catches me. Just like the chocobos, I grasp my bird's feathers tightly so I won't fall off. I fly around for a while, making sure my loftwing is not injured.
"Well, that's a huge relief! I don't know about you, Adrienne, but your loftwing looks like he's flying great. My father and the others are probably worried about your bird, so let's go give them the good news!"
With that, together Zelda and I fly off back towards Skyloft. The Wing Ceremony is about to begin. Once we land, Zelda hugs me and smiles.
"Your loftwing really is amazing. Especially considering everything the poor guy has been through this morning. I'm going to fly back and tell Father what happened."
Zelda rushes off, and as I watch her go, I sense a presence behind me. I turn around to see…
"Well, well, if it isn't Adrienne!" Groose says.
I'm going to wipe that smug grin off your face.
"Hello, Groose."
"Word around the plaza is you found that dumb bird of yours."
"Yes. I did. You have a problem with that?"
"Well, that's just great. Because you and your dumb bird can't tell time, all the pre-race warm-ups me and the guys did were for nothin'. Now I'm all stiff."
"I couldn't care less."
"We've been waiting forever for the race to start, and they delay it for you? I don't get it. The big flake gets special treatment?"
"It's your own fault. And besides, I'll emerge victorious."
"You still can't seem to go anywhere without Zelda. I bet you can't even decide what to have for lunch on your own, huh?"
Wow. I don't know what to say. His insults are… pathetic.
"And don't think we haven't noticed the smug looks. 'Ooh, Zelda and I are BEST friends. We go everywhere together.' Ugh!"
Hang on, you think I'M the one acting smug here?
"You think you're pretty suave, don't you?"
Just then, Groose's short friend turns to his tall friend.
"Groose has been going on forever about how he's gonna be the one to be with Zelda. He's really got his pompadour in a ruffle about her!"
You can say that again…
His two goons laugh to each other.
"I hate to break it to you, but today's the day I bust up this adorable little fantasyland you're living in. Zelda's playing the role of the goddess at today's ceremony, and I'm gonna be the one to claim that sailcloth," Groose says.
No. Absolutely not, you creep.
"When I heard she made it herself, man, no way was I gonna let some scrawny clown snatch that prize from me. Oh yes, that sailcloth—Zelda's sailcloth—will be mine!" He lets out a confident laugh.
I'm going to shatter you.
"Oh, man, I bet she was thinking about me when she was stitching it…"
"...Zelda doesn't love you," I say venomously. Groose, however, pays me no mind.
"Yup, I can see it now. First, I win the big race, and then Zelda and I finish the ceremony together on the statue. Just the two of us…"
By now, my blood is boiling with wrath. Magic flows through my right hand, wanting to draw my sword against him. My eye twitches. Who does he think he is?!
"It'll be our special moment alone. Nobody is stopping me and Zelda from having our moment. Oh, it's so real I can… I can see it…" He giggles to himself.
"You pervert." My latent magic flares up inside my body. Just as I'm about to release a spell on him…
"Groose! Pssst, Groose! Behind you! Right behind you!"
"WHAT?! Can't you two see I'm in the middle of—" He turns around and pales. "Gah!"
"Care to explain just what you meant by 'our special moment alone'?" Zelda says, her hands once more on her hips.
"I… uh, nothing big, really. Just… Just… Adrienne! Yeah, I was just telling my buddy here how glad I was she found that red bird of hers. Boy, am I looking forward to a fair race!"
You liar.
"Anyhow, later, Zelda. Look for me during the race. I'll be the one pulling off all the dangerous moves."
"Hey, Groose! Wait up!" His lackeys chase after him as he walks away. Zelda and I are once more left alone. Still fuming, I walk over to Zelda to relax. She hugs me.
"Did you hear that guy? A fair race? Yeah, the chances of that happening are just about less than zero. Either way, don't let those fools get you down, Adrienne! Just get out there and fly the best you can! I know you've got these guys beat, and deep down I think you do too."
"Yeah. I'll make sure of it."
"That's the spirit, Adrienne! Trust me—you can win this." She smiles at me. I smile back.
Just then, a loud clang of a bell sounds, and a voice announces the start of the race.
"The Wing Ceremony will now begin! Participating students, please assemble!"
"Looks like it's race time. Good luck, Adrienne!"
"Thank you, Zelda. I'll see you again soon."
She hurries off and I prepare for the flight of my life. As Groose and his lackeys gather, Zelda's father and the leader of the ceremony stand before us.
"Your attention, please. At last, we are ready to begin the Wing Ceremony. I was beginning to worry that we'd have to proceed with Adrienne, but luckily that is no longer a concern. I'm glad you could all make it. Before we start, I'll explain the rules for today's competition. I have attached a small statuette to this bird, who I will then release to the skies. On my signal, dash and dive off the ledge. Once you are in the air, mount your loftwing. Whoever catches the bird and claims the statuette will be this year's champion." He clasps his hands together. "Excellent. As you well know, today's champion will graduate to the next class, bringing him one step closer to knighthood. He will also receive a gift from the young woman chosen to play the role of the goddess in this year's ritual. Today is a special day for many reasons, but it is also the 25th anniversary of our fine institution. To celebrate the occasion, today's champion shall also receive his gift high atop the Statue of the Goddess. I hear the young woman performing the role of the goddess this year has crafted the gift herself. And as you all well know, the role of the goddess this year will be performed by… the lovely Zelda!"
Zelda giggles, clasping her hands to her chest with a warm smile.
"Let's see your finest flying out there. Show me just how hard you've been practicing. Also, I want to see good, clean flying. Anyone caught interfering with other riders will answer to me!"
"That goes double for you, Groose!" Headmaster Gaepora says. Groose flinches.
"All right, gentlemen, line up. At my command, the competition will begin!"
I ready my stance.
3… 2… 1…
"Go!"
Upon hearing that single word, I sprint forward and leap off the platform, whistling loudly to summon my bird to me. He hovers underneath me and I land on his back. With that, we rush off after the golden loftwing. We take a sharp nosedive, sliding in front of the other contestants. Drawing near, I push myself up a bit and reach for the statuette, when…
"Hey! Don't you know this is my day to get all the glory?" Groose then closes in and disrupts us. I stumble, nearly falling off my loftwing, but my grip tightens.
"Yeah, you heard him! Let's see how you fly with egg on your face," one of his lackeys says. Soon, they begin throwing eggs at me as I try to catch up to the golden loftwing. Dodging the eggs, I close in on the golden loftwing's position once more. I reach out, loosening my grip on my loftwing's feathers and…
Yes!
I close my fingers around the statuette and wrestle it free from the golden loftwing's grip and cheer.
"Adrienne!" Zelda calls happily. Before I can say something, she jumps off the edge. She does not whistle. Gasping in terror, I immediately push my loftwing to meet her, catching her in my arms. She giggles.
"Z-Zelda! Are you okay?!"
"Don't worry—I'm fine! Great flying, Adrienne! Congratulations! Now we'd better get on with the ceremony!"
"Yes, let's."
We fly off toward the Statue of the Goddess and land on the platform at the very top. I bid farewell to my bird, and Zelda and I begin the ritual.
"Adrienne, hand me that bird statuette you grabbed in the race. I must offer it to the goddess."
I set the statuette in her hand and she places it inside a small opening in the statue of the goddess. Once finished, she strums a lovely melody on her harp. I close my eyes and listen to the tune. When the song ends, Zelda turns back around to face me. She reaches out her left hand, and I take it in my right, kneeling to her.
"Great goddess, guiding light and protector of our people, grant us your blessing and mercy as I act in your stead during this ceremony. Valiant youth who grasped victory at the celebration of the bird folk… In accordance with the old ways… I now bestow the blessings of the goddess upon you."
I look up at her as she removes the shawl she was wearing.
"Wow…" I whisper.
"The blessings of the goddess drift down from the heavens aloft a sail, which I now pass on to you." She holds the sailcloth out to me. I take it with both hands and gently raise it to my face, breathing in the calming, flowery scent.
"Adrienne! Quit goofing. This is supposed to be a sacred ritual, remember?" We both laugh. "You know, they say that the goddess gave the sailcloth to her chosen hero long ago. Of course, the one you're holding isn't the same one. I've been working hard to finish making this sailcloth in time to give it to today's champion." She blushes, raising a hand to her hair shyly.
"...Zelda?" I blush.
"I'm really glad I got to give it to you, Adrienne. Make sure you take good care of it, okay?"
"I promise."
"Thanks for making it up here to do this with me today like you promised, Adrienne."
"I wouldn't trade it for the world."
"Now we really should finish up this ritual… You… do know what happens at the end, right?"
"Um… sort of?"
"Hee hee. I'm glad you're so well-informed on the subject."
Zelda leans in very close, a sweet smile on her pretty face. A bright red color floods my face.
Wait, is she going to…?
Before I can finish my thought, she spins me around.
"You have to jump off the statue!"
"Ah… R-Right… I remember now…"
"Look down. See that big, round design on the courtyard below? To finish the ceremony, you need to drop down right into the center of it! Leap off the edge here. Right before you hit the ground, open up your sailcloth! Just how brave are you? If you were really fearless, you'd wait until the last second to use your sailcloth. So, ready to jump?"
"Zelda, w-wait, I—"
She pushes me off the edge once more.
As I fall, I wait until I am about to crunch into the ground before opening my sailcloth and landing perfectly in the center of the courtyard. I breathe in. I breathe out. Just then, Zelda comes down on her blue loftwing and runs over to me.
"That was perfect! You're amazing, Adrienne!"
We stand together in the courtyard, staring into each other's deep blue eyes. Our loftwings watch over us.
"Zelda…"
"You know, Adrienne, seeing as how you won today… And with the weather being so nice… You think maybe you'd like to, you know, go fly around the clouds together?"
"I'd love that."
We climb on our loftwings once more and take off, flying high above the clouds.
"...Adrienne? Hey, Adrienne!"
"Yeah?" I look over at her. She's smiling.
"Today was amazing. Watching you win the race and performing the ritual together… I'll always remember this."
"As will I."
"It really was wonderful." She pauses. "You know… Adrienne… There's something I've been meaning to talk to you about…"
"What is it?"
Before she can respond, a blinding golden light shines in our faces, and it's not the sun.
We look up ahead of us.
"What is that?" Zelda asks. What we see appears to be a massive, deadly tornado!
"I… I don't know!"
"What's going on?!" Zelda cries. We hold onto our loftwings for dear life, but the tornado is far more powerful than we anticipate, tearing Zelda from her bird and pulling her down below.
"Ahhh! Adrienne!"
I try desperately to rescue her, but I too am ripped away from my bird. I black out.
***
I awaken in darkness, still falling.
Adrienne…?
I look upward and see a figure clothed in light. She is a blue-skinned humanoid creature with blue bobbed hair, blue and purple flowing sleeves for arms, a purple dress with a golden diamond embedded in her chest, and blue and black fishnet tights.
I am waiting for you. The time has come for you to awaken. You are vital to a mission of great importance. Adrienne…
Suddenly, the figure changes to Zelda as I awaken. Or so I think.
I can save her! I have to!
I reach out as much as I can, but she falls into the maw of that massive creature from my first dream.
I shoot awake in my bed, gasping.
"...Ah, you're awake."
I look beside me to see Headmaster Gaepora.
"When your loftwing carried you back, you were limp and unconscious. I feared the worst. Fortunately, you don't appear to have any serious injuries. For that much, we can be grateful," Gaepora says. I lower my gaze.
I failed. She's gone…
"Sir, I…"
"But, Adrienne… Where's Zelda? She was with you, was she not? What's happened to my daughter?"
I explain the situation to him.
"A black tornado, you say? Hmm. That was no ordinary storm."
I immediately start to prepare to go after her, but Headmaster Gaepora stops me.
"You must not push yourself. You're still recovering."
"With all due respect, sir, I can't just let her die. She's out there. I know it!"
"Tell me, when you saw Zelda today, did anything about her seem… off?"
I share with him what she told me.
"I see. She was talking about the surface then? And you've been having dreams about a 'great mission?' How interesting…"
"What does all of this mean?" I ask. He pauses.
"I'm sorry. I was lost in thought there for a moment. It's all very strange, but I doubt there's much of a connection between these things. I'm concerned for Zelda, but so long as she's with her loftwing, I'm sure she'll be fine."
About that…
"Either way, daybreak has yet to arrive. It would be very difficult to spot one girl and her bird in the dark of night. It would also be very dangerous."
"Rest now, Adrienne. Zelda's going to be fine. She's out there alive. I know it."
I nod to him and he leaves the room. Just as I am about to crawl back into bed, I hear her—the humanoid from my dreams—outside my door.
I can't sleep now. She must have answers for me. I need to follow her.
As I venture out of my room in search of her, my mind is filled with only one thought:
Zelda, I promise I will find you and bring you home…