A Couple of Trials (ZeLink)

Chapter 90: A Vanishing Reflection

The island floated in the sky, allowing the golden clouds of the ancient skies to pass over, under, and around it. Windmills creaked as their sails turned, water softly echoed as it flowed through the rivers and passed under bridges, and the breeze quietly whistled as it blew through the small sky-bound village. It was an island of peace, one that Zelda enjoyed as she and her ancient counterpart walked down tall staircases and through winding roads that ran parallel to the island's cliff edges.

"Are we really on an island in the sky?" she asked, looking out into the sea of clouds that expanded as far as the eye could see. "I can see the clouds below us, but I still find it so difficult to believe..."

"It's funny to hear you say that," her sky-bound ancestor replied cheerfully. "During my time, the idea that there was anything below the clouds was nothing more than a myth. No one could comprehend anything beyond our little island and the clouds beneath."

"And this is where you grew up?" Zelda asked, turning her attention from the sea of clouds to the little town they were walking next to. "A town in the sky?"

"Yup," her ancestor answered. "It's called Skyloft. It was once the only civilization we Hylians had left."

"The only civilization? On this little island?" Zelda asked in surprise.

"Your kingdom's ancient tales should give you some idea of what this place is," Sky said. She gave Zelda a knowing smile, and after a pause, the princess realized.

"Hylia's sacrifice," she put together. "This is the safe haven the goddess made for her people to protect them from the ancient evil..."

"That's right!" her ancestor said. "The remainder of her people stayed on this island for thousands of years before I was born."

"And who were you?" Zelda asked. "I doubt a small place such as this would have a monarchy. Were you a mayor of some sort?"

"Oh, not a chance," Sky giggled. "We didn't really have any kind of leadership here in Skyloft. The closest thing to a leader was my father. He was the headmaster of the Knight's Academy here in the skies."

"Oh, you had knights up here?" Zelda asked curiously. "That's quite surprising. Was this not a safe haven?"

"It was safer up here than it was beneath the clouds. I found that out the hard way," her ancestor giggled. "It might've been a little much to have as many knights as we did. Truthfully, it felt more like tradition to have knights than there actually being a need for them. They were mainly just guards to prevent people from falling through the clouds."

"I can imagine falling off the island wouldn't be very enjoyable..." Zelda said, looking nervously back out at the sea of clouds beneath them. After a pause, she asked, "If I may ask...how was your relationship with your father?"

"My father?" Sky repeated thoughtfully. She looked at Zelda, who was still gazing at the clouds, before humming in thought. "We had a strong relationship, if you want me to be honest with you."

"I see," Zelda answered simply.

"I know that look," Sky remarked. "You think it's your fault that you had a tough relationship with your father, don't you?"

"How could I not?" Zelda asked guiltily. "I did nothing but fight with him during the time I spent with him. Yes, he was hard to connect with, but it wasn't as though I was any different. I ran away, argued, and distanced myself from him so often."

"Hm. you sound like me," her skyward counterpart smiled, causing Zelda to furrow her brow.

"You must be trying to make me feel better," she said. "How could you compare yourself to my faults?"