The Reality

Silent Realm

I barged into the Headmaster's office.

Headmaster Gaepora looked up from his papers curiously. The lamp on his desk masking the darkened sky behind him, despite the fact that it was ten in the morning.

"Yes, Pipit?" He asked expectantly.

"Sir, Link needs help."

The Headmaster shoved himself away from the desk. He stood up stiffly. He nodded at me and allowed me to lead him, walking briskly. "Tell me what happened?"

"That's the thing; we don't know." I pushed open the double doors. We took the steps two at a time. "We just found him like that, but we can't approach."

"What do you—?" By that time, we had reached the Plaza. Headmaster's words had died when he caught sight of the large crowd.

Everyone had come when they learned of Link's condition.

"Everyone," Headmaster acknowledged. Everyone cleared a walkway, letting the most important man on Skyloft (in our culture, at least) come up to Link.

I trailed weakly behind him.

Ignoring his robes, Headmaster knelt down just clear of the flower like pedestal that had appeared on the deck. The center and petals were teal blue. But the center had a strange triangular outline. And Link's sword was sticking out of it.

Said man was knelt before the sword, gripping the hilt. His eyes were closed and his breathing was even. It was almost as if he had fallen asleep, but he couldn't have.

"Interesting..." Headmaster mused.

"Are you referring to his condition or the fact that this is his fourth sword in just as many weeks?" Karane said. But her worry and concern shown through her eyes and stature.

Headmaster reached out a hand. But it was met with an invisible barrier. He hummed and began to push against it.

Like most of us did. But unlike when we tried it, the hilt of Link's sword started to glow.

A figure formed from the light. It took the form of a woman in blue and purple. A crystal similar to the one on the sword's hilt. Fury seemed to burn in her vacant gaze.

"You must not disturb Master Link's training." She spoke with a robotic and calculated voice. "There is a 96% chance of severe brain damage occurring to the Master if I allow this to happen."

"Training?"

"Master?"

"Percent?"

People started talking in fear. Was this woman Link's friend? Or what? She referred to him as her 'Master'. And how was she in the sword?

"What kind of training is he going through?" Knight Commander Eagus asked from somewhere near the back.

The spirit (she's levitating) turned her lifeless gaze from Headmaster to Knight Commander. "He is experiencing the Goddess's Silent Realm."

"What?"

"The Goddesses each created a otherworldly and nonlethal trial for the hero. This is the final one." She informed. "In order for him to wield the Power of the Gods, he needs to have a unbreakable spirit."

"The Power of the Gods?" I asked.

"Yes." She said simply.

At that minute, Link seized up. His breathing became erratic out of fear. And that only scared the rest of us.

"Link!"

But just as soon as it had happened, Link went back to the almost-sleeping phase he was in before. He relaxed and his breathing became even again.

"What just happened!" Kukiel asked in worry.

"I estimate he was discovered." The spirit said as if she was just remarking on the weather.

"Discovered by what?" Professed Owlan asked.

"A Guardian." She stated again, as if it was nothing of concern. "Creatures who are there to test Link's time management and speed."

"I still don't understand." Gondo shook his head.

The spirit looked as if she was going to say something when Link started breathing heavily again. He was 'discovered' I guess.

Then, he screamed as if his very soul was on fire. And then, it was cut short and Link's breathing calmed down. He relaxed.

A hundred questions raced each other in my mind in a 'fun' game of tag as the spirit simply floated on over to Link.

"Master, it would seem that you have failed." She said. "Do you want me to explain it to you again?"

She paused as if waiting for an answer. Or as if she was listening to an answer.

"Okay." She nodded. "Master, I suggest going for the hardest tears first and only picking up the easier ones if you get discovered or after you have the harder ones. Good luck." She added as an afterthought.

And she flipped back into her sword, leaving us filled with worry and questions.

None of us left. Link's condition never proved nor did it worsen so I count that as a win in my book.

But then he was discovered. He panted more like he was full-out sprinting rather then out of fear.

Then, it stopped. He calmed down. The spirit showed herself again.

"That is the Stone of Trials." She said to Link. "It proves that you have completed this Silent Realm, and it will help lead you to the location of the Triforce. Although, there is one other. You'll need both to get to the Triforce. I estimate the other is somewhere on this island. Your next goal should be to find it."

Then she went back into the sword as Link opened his eyes. He stood up and pulled his sword from the pedestal easily.

The flower folded up and disappeared. Link sheathed his sword, holding something in his hand.

It was a red crystal. But that was all I got before Link slipped it into his bag.

He looked at us skeptically. "What... are you all doing here?"

"Making sure you're okay." Headmaster said, striding up to Link.

"Why wouldn't I be okay?" He asked suspiciously. He was eyeing us like he was wondering how much we know.

"Your... friend... told us about the trials." Headmaster explained, trying to lead Link back, presumably to the academy for some rest.

"She did?" Link asked. "Fi, why did you tell them?"

The spirit, Fi, left the sword and appeared before Link. Her head was hung like she was ashamed. "I'm sorry Master. They were concerned and I had to let them know you were okay."

Link's expression softened. "It's okay Fi. I understand."

She nodded. "Thank you Master." And she reentered the sword.

Link turned back to us. He crossed his arms and leaned on one legs tiredly.

"So... ask away."