Skyward: A Zelda fan story (Book One in the Skyward saga)

Chapter 2: Encounter

       Arin stood before the Crimson Loftwing, unable to speak. That was the same Loftwing from his dream! It couldn't be possible. But here the bird was, perched proudly in front of him. It's crimson feathers seemed to glow in the light of the rising sun. It's big, yellow eyes gleamed. It stood there, waiting, waiting for something. But what? It was then that Arin realized that there was a voice ringing in his head. It is your time... It is your time to become great... your potential is legendary. Arin prepared to take a step back, then hesitated. "What... what do you mean? Why are you here?" The Loftwing gave Arin an amused look. I think you know well enough why I'm here. I'm sure I was very specific last night... And I'm also sure that all those years ago you could feel me watching you. Arin's eyes widened as he did remember. Many years ago, he had been watching a race preformed by the famous group Skyward, as a child. That night, he had made a decision that when he grew up, he was going to be a Loftwing racer. At that moment, he had felt a tingling sensation, like someone- or something- was watching him. And that someone must've been the bird standing before him, Arin realized. Exactly, the bird thought to him, as if he could read Arin's mind. But if you need further explanation, I'll tell you what you need to know. The bird's eyes shined with excitement and mystery. I was not only summoned to you because you have great potential. It is also because I admire your spirit. I have faith in you, and I now bow down to you and hope that will accept me as your Loftwing, and you as my rider. Arin was taken aback. "Wait, so you mean-" The Loftwing spread it's wings. In honor of the traditional Loftwing summoning ceremony, I ask you: Do you, a passionate, promising boy, choose to accept your fate as my rider? If so, I will reveal to you your destiny. Arin stood in shock, yet inside him, joy was rising up. Four or maybe five years ago was the time for all boys in the Knight Academy to receive a Loftwing. The ceremony was preformed underneath the Statue of The Goddess. Each student came up, one at a time, and received a Loftwing of their own. But when Arin came up... nothing happened. Ever since that moment, he had felt separated from everyone else. Before the ceremony, they were all the same, but now, he was different. And now, he was hearing from this Loftwing... that the summoning that should have happened at the ceremony was happening now. Arin thought for a moment. "The ceremony... Will it commence?" he asked. The crimson bird seemed to smile, in it's own way. Yes, it will continue formally. People are already starting to arrive. Arin looked flustered. "What? Why are they here? How did they know you came?" They don't. They are here for the Wing Ceremony. Arin's heart sped up, and he felt under pressure. "The Wing Ceremony is today?!" The Wing Ceremony was a ceremony that marked the graduation of the students at the Knight Academy. There would be a race, and whoever caught up with the Loftwing in front and obtained the artifact it carried first would win. The winner not only is the one to advance to the next grade, but is assigned the role of the Hero in the play/skit that happens afterwards. The person playing the role of the Hero will receive the Sailcloth from the person playing the role of a god/goddess, and jump off the statue, landing in a circle below. That is the Wing Ceremony. The very reason why Arin dreaded the ceremony was because he had no bird to ride in the competition. "But I've got no Loftwing to race with?!" he exclaimed. The Loftwing fixed it's steady, golden gaze on Arin. You have one now, it thought to him. Arin stared, and the bird corrected itself. You have one if you accept. Arin thought this over. "Will the summoning ceremony come before the Wing Ceremony begins?" The Loftwing almost nodded. Yes. All Loftwing arrivals come before anything else. Arin came to a decision. "Okay. Let's do this..." he looks deep in the bird's eyes. "Thank you..." At that moment, the bird suddenly wrapped it's wings around Arin, shielding him. You're welcome, friend. The bird thought to him. Arin felt so calmed by the Loftwing. He already knew his decision, even before the ceremony began. So he climbed down the rungs of the ladder and confronted his classmates and flight instructor... and Ralis. Ralis greeted Arin with a smile. The truth was, Ralis actually wasn't much older than Arin. Arin was 14, and Ralis was 16, though nearly 17; he could be considered a young adult. "Hey, Arin!" Ralis waved, eyes friendly. Arin waved back as he walked over. "So, finally managed to get your Loftwing?" Ralis asked, grinning. Arin was stunned. "How did you know?" Ralis looked off to the side. "Well, I have my ways, and..." Ralis pointed behind Arin. "Well, it's kind of obvious, isn't it?" Arin turned to see what Ralis was pointing at, and saw the Loftwing peeking out from behind the Statue Of The Goddess. Arin was about to respond when he heard the voice of his flight instructor. "What in the name of the Goddess?! Arin!" Instructor Horwell ran up to Arin, eyes wide in astonishment. "Is that... Ralis?! How the- why the-" Horwell struggled to find words. "Ralis is the famous leader of the Loftwing race team Skyward! He's the most famous rider in Skyloft! How..." He pauses to catch his breath. "I'm sorry... it's a pleasure to meet you!" Horwell bows slightly. Ralis smiles. "You've got nothing to be sorry for. Nice to meet you as well!" Instructor Horwell stays silent for a moment. Then he asks: "How and why are you here with Arin? I'm confused." Ralis laughs a little. "Well, it's a funny story..." Arin looks up at Ralis, uneasy about him telling the story. If Instructor Horwell figured out that Budoh was a threat to Arin (He still didn't know that Budoh bullied him constantly), then Budoh would get punished, and then Arin would have to pay for it, big time. Or at least that's what Arin thought would probably happen. But Ralis went and recalled their meeting. "Arin was walking, and then another student appeared with two other students at his back. The student was about to attack Arin, but I noticed what was happening and couldn't just pass it by. So I blocked the punch." Instructor Horwell nodded, taking this in. He then turned to Arin and asked: "Arin, who was this other student?" Arin looked at the ground and mumbled: "Budoh..." Horwell nodded again. Ralis seemed to notice Arin looking nervous. "Let's change the subject," he offered. Horwell nodded yet again. "In fact, I have another question to ask." he said. Arin looked up from the ground. Horwell regarded him by looking him in the eyes. "Why did you come, nearly alone, early in the morning, to the Statue of the Goddess?" asked Instructor Horwell. Arin froze. He didn't know how to answer this one. He was sure he was done for when Ralis spoke up for him. "He's come to participate in the Wing Ceremony, of course," Ralis said with a smile. Horwell frowned. "But... Arin doesn't have a Loftwing to ride on..." Horwell tried to explain. Ralis waved it away. "He does now." he said proudly. Horwell had a look of pure confusion on his face. "Excuse me, what?!" Arin mumbled: "Well... a Loftwing... kind of came to me this morning...?" He didn't look his instructor in the eye. "Huh!?" Horwell's voice was shrill and baffled. "Where?!" Arin decided he would actually like to see Horwell's face when he saw the bird, so he said: "I'll call it over." He turned over towards the statue and cupped his hands around his mouth. "You can come out now!" he called. Moments passed, then the crimson bird flew out from behind the statue and landed gracefully beside Arin. As soon as Arin saw his instructor's face, he knew that letting him see the Loftwing had been worth it. Ralis just smiled his usual, mysterious smile. "That's a..." the instructor paused then found his voice. "That's a Crimson Loftwing!" Arin smiled, looking down. "Yeah," he said. "Arin! Do you realize that calling that bird is a sign of greatness, potential, and a great destiny?!" he asked. Arin looked up. "Really?" Horwell nodded. "Apparently, not a single person has called a Crimson Loftwing in thousands of years... no one that is living today has experienced a Crimson Loftwing summoning, or even a simple encounter!" He shook his head. "And to think that you would call one..." Arin frowned. "What, did you underestimate me?" Horwell raised his hands slightly, almost as if surrendering. "No, no! Quite the opposite, actually!" He said. "I had my suspicions that there was something special about you... I just can't believe it happened!" He looked down at Arin. "I have great expectations for you, young one." Arin looked up at him, proudly. Ralis spoke up. "So, isn't the Wing Ceremony starting soon? We should complete the summoning ceremony so he can ride with his bird." Horwell looks back at Ralis. "W-wait!" Ralis turned to look at Arin's instructor. "What is it?" Horwell looked down. "It's just that... Arin has never flied before! Not only will he have no winning chance, but he could get hurt out there!" Ralis is silent for a long moment. Then, he looks up, smiling mysteriously. "I trust his skills." he said. Horwell looked like he wanted to object, but Arin interrupted. "Instructor Horwell..." His eyes shone with hope. "Please? Just let me try?" Horwell looked between the hopeful faces of Ralis and Arin, and finally gave way. "Fine! Just please, be careful!" Arin then walked to the base of the Statue of the Goddess, with Ralis at his side. The summoning ceremony then began.

       When the ritual was finally complete, it was announced that the bird was his. His own bird. Arin couldn't believe it! Budoh had tried to bother Arin about it, but when Ralis appeared, Budoh left him alone. Time seemed to fly by as Arin waited for the race to start. Ralis taught him the basics of flying while they waited. "Remember," he said, "When I think you're in a pinch, I'll remind you what you need to know." Arin nodded and turned to his Loftwing. "You'll help me too, right?" Yes. I will serve you to the very end. Arin smiled. "You know... the color of your feathers remind me of fire." He thought a moment. "You need a name..." His eyes sparkled with a new idea. "How about I call you Firebrand?" The bird's eyes lit up. I think... I think so. Yes... it feels like I was born to have that name... Arin smiled. "Okay," he said.

"From now on, you're Firebrand."

TO BE CONTINUED