1: Wounded

The path crunched under my feet, my head throbbing. I could hear the steady drip drip drip on the ground. I staggered along alone, not really knowing where I was going. The ground was starting to blur and my head spun when I stumbled. I regained my balance and slapped myself across the face.

Just get to the academy, don't pass out, I thought, clutching my side. The stab wound was now warm and sticky and oozing with blood. I couldn't see it in the dark but it hurt like hell.

"Damn it..." I groaned, wrapping both arms around my torso. I bent over and vomited blood.

"Fantastic..."

I made it to the clearing in the less than pleasant Laruyu Desert. I whistled for my loftwing. A loud squawk sounded in the distance above, and a large bird descended from the clouds. The loftwing landed and cawed at me, as if to say:

"What do you mean by calling me this hour?!"

"Hey... Sorry about... About this... Jake... It's important, promise," I said gently, stoking his neck. He rolled his eyes and lowered his neck. He obviously could not see in the dark. I slid on to his back and he shot up into sky. I held on to his red feathers as best I could with one hand for I had the other on my waist. I tried to focus on the steady beat of the bird's wings and not the pain in my right hip.

"Back to Skyloft," I called to Jake. He squawked in reply and stopped in midair.

"Sorry... Please..." I added.

I had to make sure to always be polite when talking to Jake, he is very particular when it comes to manners.

The sky started to blur. I shut my eyes in fear of being sick. Jake would not approve of that. I must of been pulling his feather too hard because he turned his head to scold me. He stopped short when he saw the crimson liquid leaking from my side and on to his. He cawed in worry.

"I-I'm okay..." I said still keeping my eyes shut. "Just... Just keep going..."

Jake faced forward, flying faster after realizing the urgency of my condition. We reached the floating village quickly and he landed in front of the Bizarre.

"Thanks... Jake..." I said as I got off of the loftwing. I hit the ground with both feet, stumbled, and was caught by Jake.

"Thanks for the save..." I mumbled. I could not think straight anymore, never mind walk straight. I staggered up the steps to the academy. I turned the corner to find Pipit patrolling the area around the school, as usual. He was slowly pacing back and forth at the door to the academy, holding a sword and shield. One of the many privileges of being a knight of Skyloft was you were allowed to carry weapons.

Not much had changed during my absence.

"Link! You're back," Pipit said smiling. He probably could not see me clearly in the darkness. The only source of light was the pale moon.

"Heh... Yeah..." I started to say but I dropped to my knees. The pain in my side was increasing becoming almost unbearable.

"Are you okay?" Pipit said looking puzzled. I vomited blood in response.

"Link!" Pipit dropped his sword and shield and rushed over to me. I wiped the blood from my lips with the back of my hand as he slung my arm over his shoulder. He slowly stood up and began dragging me towards the academy.

Drip drip drip.

The sound was making me sick and blood trailed behind us. Pipit carried me past the kitchen and down the dark hallway. I started coughing when Groose poked his head out of his dorm.

"Quit being so - Link, I didn't know you came back," Groose said smugly, leaning on the doorframe. "Where's Zelda? You didn't find her do you? Well I'm not surprised considering you're not nearly as strong as me."

I don't blame him for not knowing I was hurt, it was dark and we were turned away from the door, but I was tired of being bullied by him. Ever since we were children, he's hated me for no apparent reason. Always name-calling and belittling, so you can see my dislike for Groose. I also wasn't thinking very clearly right then.

I let go of Pipit's shoulder and slowly approached Groose, clutching my hip.

"I was up... For the past two days... looking for Zelda..,"I probably sounded drunk at the time but I was at the end of my rope with Groose. "I fought monsters... Almost died a few times... While searching for her... I got stabbed in the stomach, Groose! If... If that isn't brave... I don't know what is..."

I fell to my knees again and vomited blood.

"Now you've done it Groose," Pipit fumed, helping me up again. "Quit being a jerk!"

With that he set off further along the hallway and up the stairs. I felt light headed and could probably no longer stand. My consciousness was fading and my hand slipped from my side. Pipit moved my hand back to the wound and held it there.

"Hang on Link, don't you die on me," Pipit said determined.

"Heh..." I said softly. The black surrounded me and I passed out.