Quest to the Heavens (Legend of Zelda)

Through the Eyes of Link

I've never been the best with words. Every time she (or at least, I think they're a she) talks to me, I want to answer—I want to answer more than I ever have, besides perhaps when I talk to Zelda; but I know I can't. That isn't how it works.

It was nice being back in Skyloft, yet at the same time it was rather grim. They all expected me to return with Zelda in my arms, to make life happy and normal again. Yet that hasn't happened.

I was so scared; scared even to walk outside. What will they, Groose and Professor Gaepora, say to me? They cared for Zelda; how do I even begin to explain that I failed them?

The Bazaar was cramped, however, and it only felt right to walk outside. I don't have a clue as to why it felt right. It only did. I've heard stories about this phenomenon before. Everyone tells me it's natural. It's something the gods do to make the flow of life feel more natural, and comfortable.

However, I don't think they feel the same phenomenon that I do. At least it makes sense, what they do, but why would the gods tell me to run into a wall, or fall off of my Loftwing?

I've pondered the idea of abandoning the gods altogether, but I can't.

The gods tell me not to.

* * *

"Hey!" she shouted. It caught my attention faster than I thought it would. "Where should we go next?"

To Zelda, I thought.

"Oh," she said, "that's right. You're looking for something, aren't you?" She studied me as though I were some sort of animal. I feel memories, brewing just out of reach within my mind, of me—as a wolf. I immediately dismiss them; that's impossible.

"Would anyone here have an idea where it might be?" she inquired, her tone suggesting boredom.

She spoke with a soft voice. It was gentle and soothing; like Lon Lon Milk—or rather, the creamy Pumpkin Soup from the Lumpy Pumpkin. She made it feel like she genuinely cared about this missing thing, which was a feeling I haven't felt for quite some time now.

I beckoned for her to follow me, and she did. I knew that the best person to go to was Impa, but she was no longer with us. The next best thing would have to be Professor Gaepora; I headed towards his office now. I can't imagine how the conversation will go, as I'd just watched his daughter perish before my own eyes.

I decided I'd go to Gaepora anyway; it's not like he'd expect me to say anything, and I think it's best that way.

The Knight Academy was just up ahead, over the bridge. I went there now, Fynnan following just behind me.

I passed the flowers where the butterflies usually gather. Strange enough, they usually have a nice smell: sweet, but not without a gentle bitterness.

Relatively large doors loomed before us. I opened them, and just inside was Professor Gaepora. He looked worried, and I didn't blame him.

"Link!" he said to me in his deep, burly voice. "Did you find Zelda?"

My lack of immediate response left him crestfallen. I looked down, ashamed.

"Oh," he said. "...oh."

A small voice behind me spoke up. "Where would we find this Zelda you speak of?"

Fynnan stepped forward, facing Professor Gaepora.

"You can always get back whatever you lost; it all depends on how much effort you want to put into finding it."

"Zelda..." began Professor Gaepora, "Zelda was my daughter."

"Oh." There was a pause while she thought. "Do you have a library?"

This is hardly the time, I thought.

"I'm afraid we lack a student library—"

"No," she said. "I'd require a staff library."

"Well," he said, "I suppose. What subject would you like them on? Professor Owlan has many on plants and wildlife, and Eagus surely has a book or two on fighting techniques—"

"How about legends and lore?" she asked.

"That would be in my office," he said. "Come."

He lead us down the hall to his office.

We went inside. It was a cozy office, lined with bookshelves.

Fynnan immediately began searching through the titles. Professor Gaepora tried telling her a synopsis about every book she examined, but she spent only two or three seconds deciding whether or not the novel was relevant. Her hands quickly became full, and she started pouring them into mine.

"Okay," she said after having ravaged through every shelf on every wall, "can you take me to Professor Owlan's room?"

"Of course... right this way," Professor Gaepora said.

He took us out into the hallway and a few doors down to Professor Owlan's room.

Upon entry, Professor Owlan turned, noticing our arrival.

"Hello, Link," he said with his calm and monotonous voice.

When Professor Owlan entered behind us, he became excited. "Professor Owlan!" he exclaimed. "Wh-what brings you here?"

"This young man would like to look through your book collection," he said, gesturing to Fynnan.

"Ah, yes. I do not have a vast assortment, but there is the bookshelf over there—" he pointed to the shelf in the corner "—and I have a variety of live specimen on hand."

Fynnan nodded, and proceeded to the shelf. She picked out two, and said her goodbyes.

My knees nearly buckled under the weight of so many books. I heaved them along as I followed her outside.

She sat by a shady tree, and started looking through the books one by one.

"You wouldn't happen to have any paper, would you?"

I shook my head.

"I see." She licked her fingers and continued flipping through the pages.

After waiting a long while for her to gather the information she needed, she finally stood up.

"I know what we have to do," she said. She looked over at the statue of the goddess that stood above us, the highest point of Skyloft. "Are you coming?"