The Demon Lord's Inner Battle

Chapter 18

I walk around the woods, looking for a place a sacred flame could be hidden at, trying to ignore a sexy demon's eyes on me. Why does he keep watching me? Man decide already if we're enemies or you like me geesh.

"Friend! Are you looking for something?"

Machi emerges from a bush and hugs me. I kneel down to him and smile.

"Hey, Machi. Hope you and you're friends are doing good?"

He nods, snuggling into me.

"I'm happy to hear. Say maybe you could help me. Did you ever heard something of a sacred flame? Maybe a place you can only reach through swimming?"

Machi seems to think for a while and then points towards the giant waterfall.

"Machi doesn't know of a flame but the elder once told us a legend that Lake Floria holds a secret, kwee..."

I gulp. So it is in water. Agh...

"I see. Thanks, Machi. You've been a big help."

I pet his head and get up as he smiles at me and waves. I wave back and head to the waterfall I almost died at before, a shudder running down my spine.

I make sure I have the bracelet on and sit down on the ground, putting my feet into water. I can see some kind of bubble around them and take them out. They're completly dry.

I take a deep breath and head into the water with my downer body and slowly with the rest, still being close enough to the edge. But Fi's right. I can swim...

I gather my courage and hold my breath, putting my head under water. My entire body is now in that bubble and I can even breath. Wow this is awesome!

I smile to myself and dive towards the ground, where I see something of a little entrance. It's a passage, just barely enough for me to swim through and I follow it until I am breathing air again.

I end up in some cursed looking place. It gives me the creeps. There is purple water everywhere and I don't want to find out what happens when I touch it...

I carefully make my way through this creepy place and spot a rope leading up. I have a bad feeling about this and look around but nothing in sight.

I jump at the rope and start climbing as I hear something beneath me and see  Bokoblins in badly healthy shape digging their way out of the ground like zombies. Ooohhh crap! Cliiimb!

They start climbing after me and catch up to me eventually. I manage to shake them off and reach the end of the rope. They don't seem to have followed me all the way up. Maybe they don't like this bright light up here? Well, happy I'm rid of these!

I spot stairs and head up to a large ancient looking door. Once I open it, I see an altar and a goddess' symbol behind it. I hit it with my Skyward Strike and a giant green flame bursts from the altar.

Fi absorbs the flame and bounces around the room before landing right infront of me.

"Raise your sword, Master."

I take out my sword and hold it towards her being a little intimidated but she wouldn't harm me. Right...?

She throws fireballs at me as I let them all be emerged from my sword. After she stopped burning, my sword glows with a strong light. I sense more power from it now.

After I put it away into its sheath, I notice the back of my hand glowing and see three triangles forming a bigger one with the right part glowing up. Is that proof of finding the first flame?

Fi nods.

"This is a part of the Triforce. Once you collect all sacred flames, you will be able of wearing its entire power. Now, Master. I have another message from the goddess."

I nod at her, lowering my hand and giving her my full attention.

"Two flames remain. In order to obtain them, you have to prove yourself worthy in the other trials. The next one is awaiting you within the shifting sands of Lanayru Desert. I will now bestow upon you Nayru's Wisdom, it will act as the key to unlock the next trial."

Fi starts singing a melody again and returns to my sword. I take a breath and decide to head back to Skyloft for now and rest.

Back in the clouds, I enjoy the presence of my feathered friend as we head to Skyloft. I look for Sapphire and spot him with Instructor Horwell.

"Hello, sir. Can I take Sapphire to the Lumpy Pumkin?"

He turns to me and smiles.

"Link. Hello. Of course. I'm pretty sure he would love that."

Sapphire and Crimson flap their wings and I nod at my instructor and head for the pumkin isle with them.

We enjoy our nice hot soup outside with the air invigorating me. It sure is nice down at the surface, in the forest atleast but home... home will always stay the best.

I wonder if everyone feels like this. The Kikwis seem to be really happy down there. Hm... does Ghirahim like the surface...? The goddess said he resigns in the woods but... does he actually like it there...?

I get lost in my thoughts until Crimson nugdes my side.

"Oh. Sorry. You want some?"

The Loftwings are done with their soup and I offer them mine, which is barely touched. They only stare at me though and I laugh.

"Haha. I get it, I get it. I'm eating, see?"

I take my spoon and start eating my soup again. Once I'm done, I bring the bowls back inside and pay. Then I head back to Skyloft and bring the Loftwings to Instructor Horwell's care.

"Tomorrow I would like to make breakfast for them, sir."

He nods with a smile and I nod back before I head into the dorms and collapse on my bed. Tomorrow I will search for the second flame...