Second Hand of the Chosen Hero

Chapter One

Far into the sky, sheltered from view by the thick white of clouds, was a land scattered and broken in structure, but whole in it's people.

Skyloft was alive that day, more than most. Ribbons and banners had been strung along lightposts, their tassels and colors left to sway in the ever present breeze that cooled the city in the sky. It's people were out and about, some preparing for the ceremony to come, some going about the business they could hurry to get done before the majority left to watch the events unfold.

From her little cottage home set atop a small hill, Tya could see a glimpse of the grounds on which said ceremony would be held. It was, for the most part, blocked by the Light Tower that loomed over the "Town Square"-- quoted, as she'd always thought it resembled more of a circle than a square, but Town Circle didn't have quite the same ring.

This view was one she settled for most days. There were occasions when she'd brave the outdoors for things other than work, to go for a short walk around town, but for the most part, she kept to herself if it was left up to her. It was socialization that she often found the most threatening part of leaving the house. Even now, she wasn't overly fond of the idea, yet there she was, smoothing down the velvety red of her calf-length dress in final preparation for leaving.

Had it been any other day, or even any other event, she likely wouldn't have attended. She wasn't much for social get-togethers. Or crowds. Or people in general. Most seemed to think it was a side-effect of loneliness born from her parents untimely deaths. But no, the truth was that she had only been social when she was younger because her father, may he rest in peace, was the happiest, nicest man to ever walk the face of Skyloft. She'd talk to every person in the town just to make him smile, and even now that point stood true.

A small twinge of mourning pierced her stomach as she thought over the sight of her father- of Cain Maraise smile. Toothy, just slightly crooked, aged at the corners of both his lips and his eyes. She missed him dearly, and she wouldn't deny that...

But today was a day of importance for a reason that did not in fact pertain to her deceased parents. Today was a day celebration was to be had, and while she had opted out of it every year prior to this one, she had preemptively guessed that it wouldn't be an option this time around for one reason, and one reason solely: Her best friend.

Her only friend, actually.

Things could be two things.

Zelda.

A bubbly personality so deceptively placed to cover bossiness that practically ran the youth of all of Skyloft. Possibly even some of the elderly too.

Zelda had "done her time" as she so called it. She was the daughter of importance, likely the highest position to be had in Skyloft, and she had worked quite hard to earn the respect she would have been so easily given simply because of her position. The Knight's Academy throughout the town was to be revered. It's headmaster, Zelda's father, the same. She'd 'done her time' studying, training, working, building herself, and now, today was her day. Not for competition, as there could only be one and she'd be goddess damned if she was going to choose to compete on a year where the graduate color would be green, but it was her time to shine in a whole different way. She had instead been chosen to play the part of the Goddess.

She'd spent the last few months thoroughly preparing herself for the act. She'd tailored a new dress all by hand. A sailcloth, perfected her make-up, memorized the song both in lyric and in chords as she was given a harp to do so, and so much more. Tya knew this because much of it had been done in her very home. Her room in the Academy was so small, she'd always complain, and Tya had a whole house to herself. Which wasn't to say the cottage was big, but it did have a little more space than the academy, so Tya let her get away with it even if she knew the truth of the matter was that Zelda was notoriously easy to distract. Being in Tya's home was far easier on her focus than it was in the academy where Zelda could hear all of her peers doing fun things that she very much wanted to be involved in.