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An Impulse Decision: Chapter 40

Fanfiction.net

AO3

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****

Chapter 40: Lament of a Sword Spirit I

Link felt his eyelids slowly open up. Surrounding him was a white void. Link did not know where to go or what to say. A new sound gently pierced the air around him: a woman humming a gentle song—a lullaby. Link turned around to see the source of the music, and his eyes widened to see who greeted him.

"Mom?"

On her knees, Cara held a bundle wrapped in a green blanket. She smiled sweetly as her sapphire eyes lit up with joy. Cara continues to hum the lullaby, rocking the bundle. Link finds himself getting sucked in by his mother's song. It had been a long time since he had heard her voice. It was one of the many things Link had missed since she and his father died.

Sobbing suddenly struck in the air, knocking Link out of his enjoyment. It was coming from behind. Link turned around to see another woman crying. A black shawl was around her shoulders, contrasting with her bright blue dress.

"Aryll…"

Despite not knowing who she was, Link said her name with familiarity. The young woman's state heavily contrasted with Cara's. Tears were pouring down Aryll's eyes. While Cara appears to be living at the peak of her life, Aryll looks like her whole world was taken from her and violently destroyed. Her cries echoed through the white void, barely drowning out Cara's lullaby.

"I'm so sorry, Big Brother. You didn't deserve this."

Seeing Aryll like this…struck something within Link. He barely knew anything about this girl, but Link wanted to comfort her. He knew the things to say to help her feel better. All Link wanted to do was make her happy.

Aryll's sobbing then died down. She lifts her head, gaze meeting Link. He could now see that, behind the grief in Aryll's eyes, Link saw a tiny spark of hope remaining in them.

"But I promise…I promise that I will keep on going," Aryll let out a sniffle. "I know it's what you would've wanted of me."

Link blinked once and Aryll was suddenly gone. He felt a shift behind just as Cara's lullaby caught his ears again. Link turns to see Aryll standing directly behind Cara with a determined expression. With them together, Link noticed that Aryll and his mother's faces looked strikingly similar. Right behind them was the winged emblem of the Skyloft Knight Academy.

"And I swear…" Aryll gently gripes Cara's shoulder's, the woman not flinching once as she continues to hum. "I will not let your legacy die...Link"

Cara's humming fades down. She adjusts the bundle in her arms, revealing a tiny babe with sandy blonde hair. Cara gives the infant a tender kiss on the forehead.

"I love you, my little Link."

****

Thunder cracking in the air startled Link awake. A groan then let out as Link rubbed his head soothing the ache. Sounds of rain echoed across the stony structure he was in. Out of what was left to be a window Link could see the pouring rain outside.

"Link!"

The green clad hero turns his head to his side. Pipit, Karane, and Fledge, relighting up a small fire with the flick of his hand, stared at Link with concern.

"Are you alright?" Fledge was the first to ask.

"I think so. Where are we?"

"We're in the ruins of some sort of…settlement. Rain was coming so we had to find shelter," Pipit explained. "The rain has been going on since last night. If I'm right it should be late afternoon now."

"I've been out for THAT long?!" Link bellowed out in shock. All three of his friends slowly nodded in confirmation. "What in the Goddesses happened last night?"

"We were hoping you would tell us that," Karane meekly confessed.

"What do you mean?" Link questioned.

The three other knight students glanced at each other. "You were…acting strange," Karane shared. Link raise his brow in confusion at her. "We woke up to find you gone. Fi led us here and we split up to search for you. I found you first but…"

"But what?"

"You were yelling out things that didn't make sense,." Karane trailed off.

Link remained silent as he took in the accounts Karane & Fledge gave him.

"Mind telling us what's going on?" Pipit broke the silence. "And don't you dare say that it's nothing because there's something clearly going on with you."

Link let out a defeated breath. "I…I've been seeing images."

"Like the dreams you kept having before The Wing Ceremony?" Fledge inquired.

"No. Something else entirely."

"Like what?"

"Visions. Of Hylia."

"Goddess Hylia?" Pipit parroted.

"The very same. Not only Hylia, but I keep seeing a girl, too."

Karane bit her lip. "Does this girl...happen to be named Aryll?"

Link gaped at her with broadened eyes. "How'd you know that name?"

"When I first found you, you called me Aryll. You even referred to her as your sister. I find that odd because you're an only child. Unless you have a secret sibling you never told us about."

"I don't." Link stated strongly. "I don't even know who she is...but I feel like I do know her. It's hard to explain."

"What about a guy named Orville? You yelled that out too before you ran off."

"I…I don't know." Link stammered. "What else did I do?"

Fledge sucks in the air through his nose. "After you left Karane, I found you in a nearby field. You were screaming at someone. Calling them a traitor. You said some words in a language I've never heard of. Then you looked like you got stabbed before passing out. Was it this Orville guy?"

"No! I'm pretty sure it wasn't him." Link massages his temple. "It was so much at once. I can't remember all of it."

"What can you remember?" Karane prodded.

"I've seen them, Hylia & Aryll, from someone else's point of view. A man who wore a tunic just like mine. The same shade of green as well." Link let out a pregnant pause. "...And his name was Link too."

"Any idea why you are having these visions?" Pipit prodded.

Link rubs his head again. "I don't know. I don't even know what triggered them. Or why am I seeing them to begin with."

"I believe I may be able to explain, Master."

Link turns around to see Fi near a section of wall that was broken. The Sword Spirit's back faced the group. Her sight linked to the pouring rain outside. Link noticed something about Fi. The sword spirit was standing on her two feet, not floating like usual. A realization struck Link.

"You were there…" He breathed out.

Fi turns around, head lowered. "You are correct, Master Link. I was there."

"Uh, where…?" Fledge inquired.

Link faces his friends. "Before you guys found me, I saw a vision of a tournament. I, or rather the other Link, Hylia, and Aryll were there, but not just them. That woman, Impa, the one who was traveling with Zelda was there...So were two others: Fima & Grahime."

Fledges faces Fi. "Wasn't Fima the name Ghirahim called you back in The Fire Sanctuary?"

"You are correct, Master Fledge," Fi responded. "It was my birth name. One that I used to go by a long time ago."

"Why do you call yourself Fi?" Karane commented.

Thunder faintly rumbled in the air as Fi's head moves in Pipit's direction. "Master Pipit. Do you recall the conversation we both had back in The Ancient Cistern? You asked if I was once a human, correct?"

"I do." The yellow clad senior knight responded.

Fi slowly walks closer to the group, sitting on her knees.

"When I initially made my answer, my memories of my past were still muddled to me. But now I can 100% confirm that I was indeed a human in my past life. As was Ghirahim. Those were the names we had back in our human lives. He went by Grahime, and I went by Fima. The very same that you saw Sir Link defeated, Master Link."

"You knew about the visions, didn't you?" Link contended.

"I had sensed them, yes. I did not press the topic merely because we were not in a safe & stable environment to have that discussion, Master."

"I see." Link uttered out. "So that was really you and Ghirahim?"

"Over one thousand years ago. The visions that you've been observing, Master, were memories that belong to Sir Link from that period. Including the tournament that earned him the privilege to serve alongside Her Grace, Hylia by defeating me & Grahime-...Ghirahim in combat."

"Why was Grahime...Ghirahim...whatever his name is, even there? Doesn't he answer to Demise?" Karane prodded.

"Ghirahim was not always a servant of Demise. He, along with I, served Hylia. We both grew up as Her Grace's proteges. When we got older Ghirahim, or Grahime, earned himself the position of Commander Mage. While I, as Fima, earned the rank of High Mage, the highest position one working close to Hylia could achieve back then. We dedicated our efforts to serve & help protect those in the Land of Hylia." Fi uttered in a regrettable tone. "...A civilization that no longer exists. All thanks to Demise, and-..."

A glum silence followed. The outside rain continues to echo outside of the shelter.

"The Demon King was merciless. He devastated everything in his path a mere millennium ago. It was then that I was horrifically injured" Fi glances at her shawl "…Which led me to where I am now."

"W-What happened?" Fledge quavered to the spirit.

Fi scanned at each of the faces and watched her. Her eyes lingered on Link last. "Originally, I had no intention of sharing this information with you. My purpose was to solely guide Master Link and assist him whenever I was needed until the quest was over. I suppose that has changed now. A lot had changed. Given everything we've all been through, it would not be fair to keep my history hidden from you."

Another pause lingered again, save for the rumbling thunder from the storm outside. The quartet of the knight students patiently waited for Fi to continue speaking. Eager to hear more from the sword spirit.

"I think you four are now ready. Ready to hear what happened…One thousand years ago."

****

"To understand what happened one thousand years ago, one must know a history from an age long passed.

Before time began. Before spirits and life existed.

A tale that Hylia had shared only with me. One that her sisters, the Golden Goddesses, had also shared with her. Gorko mentioned that nobody knows where Demise came from. That is not entirely true.

Eons ago, before the creation of your world, there was a realm similar to the one you all live in currently. Humans, like yourselves, inhabited it. Unlike your world, this one was ruled over by gods and goddesses alike. They watched over the realm, taking care of those who lived in it, and influencing the world for better needs. At first glance, this world sounded like a paradise.

But there were also…flaws.

The gods controlled every aspect of their world, including the path their humans would pursue. The duties the humans would do in life were chosen based on what the gods seemed more fitting. The gods could even make a human one of their own if they had the right potential. The said humans had no say on the matter, for the words of the gods were the words of law.

This caused resentment to grow among some of their individuals. One of them would become Demise. He obtained great dark power. Letting Malice consume and transform him into the Demon King he is now known as.

Demise decimated everything in the realm, including the gods, with his newfound dark power. All but three of these gods survived and escaped with the surviving humans & creatures. These three were teenage humans that were selected & training to become goddesses:

Farore, Nayru and Din.

Before sending them away, I've been told that the head god of the pantheon gave the three the last of their power, fully completing Farore, Nayru, and Din's transformation into fully bloomed Goddesses. With their home realm gone, what's left of the surviving inhabitants, and the power creation in their hands, it was up to the sisters to create a new world from scratch.

Time passed as these girls grew into women and mastered their powers. It wasn't long till the time came to put their magic to the test. The process was lengthy but their efforts to create life would become successful. That success was Hylia herself. Her first cry of life filled the trio's hearts with hope.

With complete confidence in their ability to create life, Farore, Nayru, and Din immediately conceive plans for their new world. When they were ready, the Golden Three descended into the chaos that was this realm.

Din, Goddess of Power, cultivated the land with her strong flaming arms and created the red earth.

Nayru, Goddess of Wisdom, poured her wisdom onto the earth and gave the spirit of law to the world.

Farore, Goddess of Courage, with her rich soul, produced all life on the earth to uphold the law.

Before fully cementing the new world, the Golden Three knew that they could not make the same mistakes the gods of their old world made. So they each took a vow: to have little to no interference with the world. The new world will have its own free will, including the humans and other inhabitants that live in it. The Goddesses would only get fully involved if things were too dire for the people to handle themselves.

A problem soon arose.

The surviving humans now had to handle themselves in this new world. They had relied too much on the gods of old for their protection and guidance. They did not know what to do, for they were used to having most aspects of their life be determined by the gods of old. With their Vow of No Interference, Farore, Nayru, and Din could not do much. Fortunately, the Golden Three formulated a solution.

That solution: Hylia

When her sisters compiled their plans, the young goddess had grown enamored with the world. Hylia had made it clear to each of her sisters that she wanted to be at least one of the first few to see the new world. Farore, Nayru, and Din knew this, and that's when they got an idea.

They assigned Hylia, now a fully matured and established goddess, the task of watching over their world and guiding & protecting the humans. Since Hylia never took the Vow of No Interference, she can have free reign of the world. However, she can only have minimal contact with her sisters. Hylia would have to handle any conflict that might arise on her own. Despite all that, Hylia accepted her task without hesitation.

With their labors completed, the great great goddesses departed for the heavens. Leaving Hylia to watch over the new world.

Under Hylia's watchful eye, this world, now called The Land of Hylia, thrived. All living beings from the old world settled exceptionally well in the land. Even new species came to be. None thrived as well as the humans did. Hylia helped encourage the humans to forge their own paths, giving the tools needed to do so. Everything else was on the humans. This had proven to be successful for within a few centuries, the descendants of the surviving humans created a prosperous civilization that would be The Land of Hylia.

But nothing was without its problems.

Malice had found its way into the Land of Hylia, creating dangerous monsters. Hylia was always there to protect the humans. Over time, she realized that she could not do it all on her own. The Goddess needed more eyes and hands. That's when she got an idea.

Hylia sought out humans with exceptional talents throughout the land. With those humans, she formed The Sheikah, a group dedicated to protecting the Land of Hylia and all those who lived in it. The same group that Impa is a part of.

For the next 6,000 years, life in the Land of Hylia was paradise. The human population drastically increased, along with the Sheikah and many other species and races. The land lived together in peace and harmony.

One thousand years ago, that changed when Demise discovered the realm. Upon learning about Hylia and the land's connection with Farore, Nayru, and Din, Demise declares war against her, vowing to make the land his.

With Demise now having an influence, monster populations of all kinds have increased. Making them even more dangerous for humans. With more danger came more injuries. And occasionally: Death.

I was not born as Fi the Sword Spirit. I was born as Fima. Orphaned due to my parents, whoever they were, being killed by Demise's Monsters. I spent the first few years of my human life in an orphanage. Until one day…My life changed, setting the course that led me here."

****

Over a Millennium Ago…

Clear blue skies blessed the Land of Hylia. No clouds were spotted—just the bright shining sun. Down below, lived a bustling town. Those who lived there were taking advantage of the beautiful day. On the main road of the town, many humans were doing various activities such as shopping, working, or simply hanging around. In the crowd, there was one lone woman who was merely walking down past all of that.

The woman wore a simple white and pink dress with a blue hood covering her head, obscuring her face. That did not hide that she was considerably taller than many people. Some bystanders stopped to gawk at her, but the woman paid no mind. The cloaked woman's focus lied solely on one particular building.

Hylia Town Orphanage

Children of all ages, from infancy to late teens, lived there. It is where they have called home until a new family adopts them, or at least until they are old enough to move out and care for themselves. Several of these children were also taking advantage of the beautiful day by playing outside in the gardens at the orphanage. Several feet away from the playful children, one blue-haired child was not partaking in the activities.

A girl sat on a bench. In her hands was a book. She was reading it like it was telling an exciting story. The girl was not interested in playing with the other children. She was so engrossed in her book that she did not see the two women approach her. One of them was significantly taller.

"Fima?"

The girl looked back at an older woman with purple eyes. "Hello, Headmistress Saria. Is there something wrong?"

"Nothings wrong, dear. I'm sorry to bother you but there is someone who wishes to meet you." The Headmistress gestured to the taller hooded woman next to her.

"Hello there." The tall woman greeted Fima with a friendly smile. Under her hood, Fima could see the woman's bright blue eyes. "It is nice to meet you, Fima."

"What do you want with me?"

"I wanted to meet you and maybe speak with you. Would you mind if I sat down?"

Fima shook her head, making space on the bench for The Tall Woman to sit.

"Are you comfortable?" Fima asked.

"I am," the woman said, turning back to the headmistress. "Would you mind if you leave us, Saria?"

"Of course. I'll be nearby if you need anything." The Headmistress walks away, leaving the child & woman alone.

"Why do you wish to speak with me?" Fima questioned curiously.

"Your Headmistress had written to me. We have been corresponding over letters over the past few days. Saria's talked about you quite a lot." The Woman glances at the book Fima has been reading. "How old are you, Fima?"

"Six. Why?"

"I see that you're reading Wonders of Magic. That is quite an advanced book for one so young."

"It's not really that hard for me to understand. It's easy. Headmistress Saria had let me borrow it from her personal library shelf in her study. Same with others."

"Do you enjoy reading them?"

"I do. They're very fun to read."

"Any other subjects you're good at?"

"The tutors here say I'm good with science & math."

"How so? If you don't mind me asking."

Fima reached into a bag, pulling out two sheets of paper. One had a series of complex mathematical problems that would be too advanced for most six-year-olds. Another had a series of scientific questions with responses written in the most articulate words. Both were graded with A pluses.

"You are quite an intelligent young lady, Fima," The Tall Woman complimented.

Fima stared intently at the woman for several moments. Her purple eyes lit up. "I know who you are."

"Do you?"

"You're Hylia. The Goddess."

The Woman looked…genuinely surprised by that answer. "What makes you say that?" She inquired curiously.

"You're very tall. I've often heard others talk about how tall you are."

"Not a bad guess. Any other factors?"

"You also have a necklace with Hylia's crest."

"Many others have the same thing."

"But yours in a purple glass. Only Hylia has jewelry made from such material." Fima's eyes narrowed. "And I see a crimson feather as your earring. You fly on a Crimson Loftwing, the rarest kind."

"Seems like you make a compelling argument. I am Hylia." The Goddess said with an amusing grin.

"Why are you here?"

"Your Headmistress has been writing to me talking about you. She was sharing about your great intelligence. I wanted to come here to see for myself. Frankly, you're not what I expected."

"Are you disappointed?"

"Oh no. If anything, you exceeded my expectations." Hylia's face then dampened. "May I ask, how'd you end up here?"

"I was brought here as a baby. Some hunters found me on the side of a road next to my parents. They looked like they were attacked by monsters. I was the only survivor."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"It's okay. Like I said, I was a baby so I don't remember it."

Hylia then asked. "Are you happy here at the orphanage?"

Fima shrugged. "It's alright. Headmistress Saria is kind."

"Are the children here nice to you?"

"They are, for the most part."

"Do you play with them?"

"Not really."

"Why is that?" Hylia quirked her brow.

"...I think they're intimidated by me."

That was something Hylia did not expect to hear. "Why would you think that?"

"Every time I talk to them, they always have this look on their face. Like they don't know what to make of me. So they leave me alone."

"Have any adults shown interest in adopting you?"

"Few have but it's always the same result."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"It's fine. I don't mind peace & solitude…" Fima gave a pause.

"Do you like being alone all the time?"

"Sometimes…I do like to think how things would be if I had parents. To be part of a family. Or at least…Someone that understands me well."

"I think I may have a solution." Fima turns her gaze to Hylia with an inquisitive look. "Have you heard of The Sheikah?"

"They're warriors that help protect the land."

"Not just warriors. People with exceptional talents and brilliant minds such as yours."

"Like me?"

Hylia nods her head. "How would you feel if I allowed you to join them?"

Fima took a moment to think. "What's in it for me?"

"You'll be around those who understand you better and not feel intimidated. The Sheikah can accommodate all of your needs. And they have access to an excessive amount of knowledge that you study. And perhaps you can help make The Land of Hylia a better place."

"Do I have to be a warrior?"

"Only if you want to. If not then that's okay. There are plenty of Sheikahs who do not choose the path of a warrior but choose to spend their life as scholars & scientists and many other things. They cover every field of study you can think of. Mathematics. Literature. Physics. And magic."

"Magic?" Fima's eyes lit up. "I can study magic?"

"You can study whatever you like. If you accept, I will take you in as my protege and allow you to join The Sheikah."

"Do I have to decide now? It sounds like a lot."

"You have all the time to think over your answer. Days. Weeks. Years even. This is not an easy decision to make. The life of a Sheikah is not as simple as the one you and many in this town do. It takes a lot of hard work & effort. If you don't want to go through it, then there's no shame in declining. But just to let you know that I'll be ready if you ever make your decision."

After three days of thinking it over, Fima had made her decision. Hylia arrived at the orphanage on the back of a large Crimson Loftwing. Fima had thought it to be a beautiful bird. Hylia flew the child back to the Sheikah village.

The Loftwing landed at the village's entrance. Hylia gently stroked her bird's beak, letting him fly off. The goddess and child walked to the village entrance, where a teenage girl stood.

Hylia let out a smile. "Hello, Impa."

"Welcome back, Your Grace." Impa bowed. "Did you have a nice trip?"

"I did."

Impa turns her sights on Fima. "Is this the child?"

Hylia hummed to confirm. Then she looks to Fima. "Would you like to introduce yourself, dear?"

Fima took several steps forward. "Hello. I'm Fima. It's nice to meet you."

"It is nice to meet you too. I am Impa. On behalf of The Sheikah, we welcome you our village of Kakariko."

Later, Hylia took Fima to the residence where the goddess would stay during her time with The Sheikah. The village was more closed off compared to Hylia Town, and there were many things that were different. But Fima didn't have any cause for concern. Kakariko and the people who lived in it seemed good so far.

Hylia had taken Fima to her new bedroom. "Would this suffice as a bedroom?"

"It's spacious," Fima commented.

"And it's yours to do whatever you please. Is there anything you need now?"

"I would like to rest if that's okay."

"Of course. Today was busy after all. I'll leave you to rest. Dinner will be served later."

"Thank you… For all of this, Your Grace," Fima smiles back.

The goddess proceeds to exit. "Now, where could he have run off to?" Hylia muttered to herself as she closed the door, leaving Fima alone. The child took her time to take in every inch. She lay down on the bed, which was super comfy. Next to her bed was always a window with a good view of Kakariko Village.

Soon, however, Fima felt that she was not alone in the room. She felt a swift change, which led her to a closet. Fima hovered her hand over the handle. She hesitated to grip it until a sudden burst of courage compelled her to open the closet door. Tumbling out was a blonde-haired boy about her age.

"Ow, Hey! What's the big idea?!" Exclaimed The Boy.

"Were you spying on me through my closet?" Fima calmly asked him.

"N-No! I was…observing you without your knowledge!"

"I'm certain that's considered spying."

"Okay maybe I was!" The Boy threw his arms. "But I was only doing it to see if you were a threat! Which I can now safely deduct that you are not."

"That's good to know." An awkward silence fills the air between them. "Now that we got that taken care of, and since you're here, we should introduce ourselves. My name is-."

"You're Fima."

"Oh? You already know my name?"

"Hylia had been gushing over you since she first visited you. She was hoping that you would accept her offer. I'm going to guess you did."

"I have. She and the headmistress of the orphanage I lived in believe this would be a opportunity for me to have a better life, and I believe so too. I hope the people here are kind."

"I wouldn't worry much. The worst they can be is a little too stern, but they're alright. I was born into this group, so take my word for it."

"You were born a Sheikah? I thought all Sheikah were former civilians?"

"Most of us are. Occasionally, a few are bound to fall in love and start a family just like any average person. Me, I came from a long line of Sheikah. Hylia told me that my ancestors were the best warriors & magic wielders around. Same with my parents until they were killed in the line of duty which is how I ended up under Hylia's care."

"Oh…I'm sorry for your loss." Fima said sympathetically.

The Boy merely shrugged. "Eh, I'm not that torn up about them. I was too young to remember what they even looked like. Hard to mourn someone you barely knew."

"Still, I'm sorry about them. I lost my parents when I was a baby…I guess that puts us in the same boat. I'm sure your parents were great people."

"Hylia said they were. She said they were the best at what they did. And one day I hope to achieve that. Not only being the best Sheikah but being the greatest fighter & mage in the history of The Land of Hylia. And perhaps you can too."

"Maybe…you can help me? We are going to be living together after all."

The Boy's expression showed that he was thinking about the decision. "I guess it wouldn't hurt to have a friend around."

"Thank you. I'm sure we'll be good friends." Fima beamed. "Though…it may help if I know your name."

"My name is Grahime." He let out a proud grin.

#legend of zelda #skyward sword #legend of zelda fanfiction #sksw #an impulse decision

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