The Hero’s Fall Chapter One
The once peaceful nature-filled surface was now covered in bustling homes and shops. Skyloftians now roamed around, basking in their new home, taking advantage of all the seemingly endless space. Although one place that was never changed was the Sacred Sealed Goddess Temple. It served as a place of worship of the Triforce and the Goddesses. Currently, a man and his daughter were kneeling on the cold marble floors of the holy temple. The man, Link, hastily murmured prayers for prosperity and peace for his kin. While on the other hand, the daughter, Diedre, was holding back giggles as she watched her Kikwi friend walk around stumbling over practically everything with its tiny legs. Link peeked one of his blue eyes open, looking over to his beloved daughter. An adoring smile graced his lips, warmth filling his heart for the girl. Diedre noticed the sudden stop of her father’s prayers, looking over to him questioningly. Her face flamed up when she made eye contact with him, quickly turning away and closing her eyes as if she was praying the whole time. Link snorted at Diedre’s silliness. He got up off the ground, brushing off whatever dirt or dust got on his pants. He ruffled Diedre’s hair before speaking.
“C’mon kiddo, I have a meeting with the other knights soon.” Diedre got up as her father wished, signalling her Kikwi to follow.
“So what am I supposed to do while you’re away, papa?” She spoke in a sweet worried tone, pouting her lip. Link smiled softly at her.
“Ashoka is gonna take care of you.” Link started to make his way out of the temple, leaving his shocked daughter standing there. She stood for a good few seconds before running to catch up with him.
“But papa! I don’t like him! His eye is so creepy!” Diedre whines, carrying the kikwi with her. Link rolled his eyes, exiting the building.
“It’s rude to say something like that, Dredre.” He climbed uptop Epona, who stood waiting for the two outside the temple entrance. Diedre climbed up after him, making sure the kikwi was safe. Diedre sighed as Epona started galloping back in the direction of home. The heavy wind blew in the two’s hair, tangling and fluffing it up into a mess. Epona halted to a stop in front of a familiar small cottage. Ashoka’s cottage. As if on queue, the wooden door swung open revealing the man. He was fairly attractive. His body was curvy and feminine, his skin the colour of warmed clay. His eye was an icy blue, and also icy blue glass eye was in his right socket. His hair was black and cut messily to his shoulders. His ears had two extra piercings at the helix. The earrings were a dark red. He smiled welcomingly at the two visitors, opening the door open for them. Diedre and Kikwi were the first two off, heading inside and immediately sitting on the well-worn couch immediately. Link on the other hand got off Epona and led her to Ashoka’s horse stall, putting her beside Ashoka’s light brown and white horse. He made his way back to Ashoka, embracing him in a tight hug.
“Thank you so much for doing this! I don’t know what I’d do without you, man!” Ashoka hugged back, humming softly before breaking apart. Link walked inside the warm home, Ashoka following behind them, closing the door.
“I’ll leave in a few minutes, but I really need a seat right now. This old man’s back hurts” Link says, popping his back before plopping next to Diedre who laughed.
“You’re not an old man, papa!” Ashoka took a seat in the chair beside the couch, listening to them converse. The kikwi was now wandering around Ashoka’s house, doing Hylia knows what.
“So, what is it you’re doing that you can’t take Dredre? You always have her by your side.” Ashoka asks curiously, an eyebrow arched. Link laughs, sheepishly scratching the back of his neck.
“I have an important meeting with the other knights and the council. No kids allowed.” Diedre groaned as Link smirked at her. Ashoka laughed and Link stuck his tongue out at his daughter. When Ashoka stopped laughing, he grinned at Link.
“I’ve never had the chance to ask Link,” Link hums, signalling he was listening, “Who’s the lucky woman you settled down and had a kid with?” Link choked, his face reddening to his ears.
“W-well you see um-!” Diedre looked at her flustered father, confused.
“It was Zelda, no? Everyone thinks you two are perfect for each other after all.” Link stared at his friend, astonished.
“NO! She’s my best friend! Ewww! Nothing more!” Link covered his face, his foot tapping against the floor at an alarming pace.
“If not her, then who?” Link sighed and smiled.
“Diedre is adopted.” Diedre grins at Ashoka’s reaction. His eye was wide, his mouth agape.
“I didn’t know there were any orphans from skyloft!” Link glares at Ashoka.
“I’m an orphan.” Diedre bursts into a fit of giggles, squirming on the couch.
“Oh yeah.” Ashoka deadpans. Link looks at the clock hung on the wall, cursing silently. He quickly shot up from his seat, alarming the other two occupants of the room.
“I’m gonna be late!” Link rushes out the front door, leaving Ashoka and Diedre flabbergasted at the sudden outburst. They turn and look at each other simultaneously.
“Wanna play treasure hunters in the backyard?” Ashoka suggests awkwardly. Diedre smirks.
-
Link choked on the air that was blowing into his open mouth as Epona galloped quickly to the new knight academy. The landscape around him was a blurry moving mess and he squinted ahead of him. Suddenly Epona stopped, making Link nearly fall off her. He scoffs and jumps off her. He grabbed her reins and led her to the barn that held all the knight’s horses. Inside the musty barn was a young tan woman with red hair. She greeted Link and took Epona from him. He tossed her a red rupee before heading into the academy. Inside was cosy and smelled of fresh roast and veggies. The walls in the academy were decorated with weaponry and photos of famous and important knights from over the years. His picture was amongst them. The picture was taken a few weeks after his fight with Demise. His face was still littered with scars as a proof of the fact. He looked young but mature in the picture. Only to be expected from a teen who fought the Demon King. He peeled his eyes away from the photo and instead onto the double doors ahead of him. He pushes them open, taking in the scene before him. Hylian knights and council members were all conversing happily amongst themselves by a huge table. He spotted Pipit, making his way toward him. Pipit was chatting with Zelda and Karane, talking about the new bar that was recently built. Karane was the first to notice him.
“Heya Link!” Zelda and Pipit look over at him, smiling brightly. He smiled and waved.
“What’s up?” He asks awkwardly. Pipit laughs.
“Nothing much. How’re you and Diedre?” He asks smoothly. Karane squeals.
“I forgot about her! Oh my gosh, is she still super cute and squishable like last time I saw her?!” She rambles, fanning her face. Link snorts, and makes eye contact with Zelda. She stared at him with intensity, almost dazingly. When she notices that he noticed her, she looks away bitterly.
“Everything okay Zelda?” He asks, a frown forming on his face.
“Of course not!” She quickly reassures him. Suddenly a loud clap was heard. The four turn their heads to where Gaepora stood at the head of the table, ready to start the meet. The reason they all gathered here.
