The Red Bandit
Translation by Amina Evel Ul Laputa
Day 1
I was born with a twin, I a girl, him a boy. He was everything to me, until he was taken from me, by none other than the honorable Knight Academy no less. We were both quite young, still learning how to fly on our beautiful Loftwings. His was jet black, named Twilight, mine lapis blue; Nayru, after the goddess of wisdom, though we all call her Flight. We were riding along on a lovely clear day, enjoying the nice cool breeze, when we spotted a large parting in the clouds below, a bright green beacon rising skyward from it. Of course, being children, we went to investigate. This is one punishment I will never forget. As we neared, we were attacked by creatures black as night itself. I didn’t know what they were, or where they came from, but we both realized we had only one option: abscond. Just as we were turning around to fly off, Knights of the Academy cut us off, attacking the hideous creatures. It was a stunning display at first, but as I turned to my twin, I watched as a Knight intentionally flew headlong into him right as he was over the gap in the clouds. He lost his grip on Twilight, a tuft of black feathers still clutched in his hand. I saw his red eyes widen, staring directly at me. I caught my breath and everything seemed to slow as I watched him fall. I flew above, helplessly watching him plummet down, his arm reaching for his bird, for me, black feathers streaming behind him, silver tears following. That was the last time I saw my brother.
That day I swore revenge on everyone, everything that took him from me. Little did they know, but the Knights had made themselves more than one enemy that day. I soon became the best warrior on Skyloft, and during the sickening light of day, I worked right under the nose of my new enemy, an apprentice trainer in battle for the new Knights.
But when night fell, I became who I am now.
~The Red Bandit
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kaida Aura Ren Amaoi whipped her short curly cloud white hair out of her face as she twisted her sword under her opponents arm, stopping with the point held at his exposed stomach.
“You’ve got to do better than that,” she lowered her sword down by her side, “Come on Rini, you’ve been at this for weeks now, but you still can’t block a simple thrust?” She sheathed her weapon, which she had named Sanosuke, survivor, into the sheath attached at her hip, her hand resting on the hilt.
Eagus was watching from the back of the Sparring Hall, shaking his head in disappointment, “I guess you’ll have to come back tomorrow Rini. Again.” Eagus walked towards the door and opened it, gesturing for Rini to leave. Rini opened his mouth to say something but Eagus cut him off quickly, “Don’t bother saying anything. I understand you want to continue your training. I’m going to talk to Kaida and Headmaster Gaepora about it. Run along now.”
Rini bowed his head and slowly shuffled out with his sword trailing in the dirt behind him. Eagus closed the door and put a hand up to his head, “Why doesn’t he learn anything? It took him over a month just to learn how to hold a sword!”e hair that grew right down to below her chin, her bright gemlike blue eyes
Kaida looked off in thought, “I expect he just one of those late flyers I guess. After he learns how to fly properly I’m sure he’ll become an excellent Knight. He just needs time,” she grabbed her Sailcloth which she had tossed aside for the battle, and wrapped around he shoulders, it’s light blue and red lace standing out on the white fabric,”That’s what Headmaster would say,” She was wearing a simple saphire blue shirt with the Hylian symbol embedded on the center, and baggy white pants that were cut off by tight fitted creamy brown leather boots right below her knees. The Sailcloth was made by her and her twin brother when they were young. She’d kept it ever since.
The most interesting things about her though was her curly snowy whitthat occasionally had swirls of white or silver like the sky, and the black bandanna she wore around her head, pulling her hair back.
“Maybe you’re right,” Eagus sat down beside one of the many wooden dummies that littered the hall, “He just needs a little time,”
“Exactly my point! Okay, can I go now? It’s getting a bit dark out.”
He looked up surprised, “How do you know? They’re aren’t any windows in here and you’ve been inside sparring all day!” She flashed him a smile, her eyes seeming to shine brighter.
“I just know.”
Eagus raised an eyebrow but shrugged and stood up again, “Sure, you can go. But make sure to tell Pipit that he doesn’t have guard duty tonight; Professor Owlan said he wanted to watch out for tonight.”
“Alright! I will, don’t worry.” Kaida darted out the door of the sparring hall and had only taken two steps before she ran straight into someone wearing bright yellow outfit.
“Hey- Oh Kaida! I didn’t know it was you! I thought it was Cawlin trying to pull a prank or something. You should really watch where you’re going though, you don’t want someone-” Pipit started.
“Sorry Pipit, I’m kind of in a hurry! I don’t have much time to talk!” she started to dash off again before skidding to a stop, “Wow I almost forgot; Eagus wanted me to remind you that Professor Owlan wanted to keep an eye out tonight.”
Pipit looked confused for a moment, “Right, I almost forgot about that. Good of Eagus to tell you to remind me. Thanks Kaida!”
Kaida had scampered off before she even heard his reply, nearly tripping down the stairs as she darted off the edge of Skyloft. She let the breeze whip across her face for a moment, taking a deep breath before whistling loudly, the noise cutting through the silence of the night.
There was a loud flapping noise and a feather whooshed past her face as she fell neatly onto the back of Nayru. Petting the soft blue birds head, she guided Nayru off to a small island near Beedle’s shop, one of the many islands she called home. As they flew, Kaida stretched her arms out, feeling the wind shooting past her, like the rippling of the waterfall that generously poured into Skyloft, relaxing her. She sighed and lay down on Nayru, whose light feathers tickled her pale freckled face.
Before she knew it, she was being woken up by the impatient cawing sound of a Loftwing beneath her. She opened her eyes, not realizing she had dozed off while flying. Luckily she had a trustworthy Loftwing or she’d be dead right now.
“Sorry Flight, I had a long day today. It’s gonna be a long night too, huh?” Nayru cooed in response, agreeing. Nayru was circling the island below her, which had a small pool of water decorating it’s green surface. Kaida carefully stood up on Nayru’s back, and leapt off, falling towards the island. She quickly untied her Sailcloth and snapped it out like a parachute, safely floating down.
