The Wind's Breath

The cool, nighttime wind blew through my shaggy blonde hair. I stared out at the never-ending, dark sea from aboard Ruby’s huge pirate ship. It was no longer safe within the Great Sea and we were attempting to find an island to relocate to. Even after the demise of trade that had fallen apart within the scattered islands. Everyone was alone, and struggling. Most islands had different traits and skills that the inhabitants had used. My hometown was responsible for livestock for example. But with how scattered everyone was, we had decided to search for one large island to relocate everyone to. It would take years of work, but our scouting expedition was pure fate. I just had honestly wanted to find a new place for my grandmother and sister to rest. There was just too much trade fighting. This would even the playing field out.

“TRAVIS!” Ruby screamed. I glanced around the deck, wondering where she happened to be.

“TRAVIS! HERE!” I looked up and saw her beautiful smiling face peering over the edge of her lookout. Her blonde hair was blowing in the wind. She had let her pony tail out. She was truly a gorgeous creature, even if she might have an attitude problem. I ascended the ladder and came face to face with the glowing Ruby and an excited Jacob. We had the young scallywag volunteer his services to help us on our journey. I had grown quite fond of the boy since first meeting him on Roost island years prior. I grinned slyly. “What’s all this excitement about?”

Ruby handed me her telescope and beamed. “Look straight ahead.” I looked into the old telescope and had seen a huge grey landmass that lay ahead. I could see the outlines of the large mountains in the distance. I gasped and almost dropped her scope.

Ruby grabbed me around my waist and lifted me up doing a little spin and shrieked straight into my ear. "I can’t believe we finally found it!”

Laughing, I swatted at her arms. “Ruby for the goddesses' sake put me down! Don’t allow yourself to get your hopes up too much. We still have to explore the land to make sure it is safe and suitable for our people. Remember?” The light died a little in her eyes as she dropped me.

“Oh…” She said gloomily. “Right, I almost forgot.” I felt guilty for ruining her mood and I wanted to reach out and reassure her that it will be as perfect as she was expecting it to be. "I don’t even care if it is crawling with monsters. I have a really good feeling about this place. Let’s get some rest so we can explore tomorrow!” Jacob said interrupting my guilty thoughts. Ruby smiled. “Yeah, that's a good idea.” She walked to the ladder. “I’ll see you boys tomorrow.” She winked and blew us each a kiss, giggled and began descending down the ladder. I shook my head. Her mood swings never ceased to amaze me. Jacob stared after her with adoring eyes. I chuckled to myself. His crush on Ruby was obvious from day one. “Well, I think I’m going to head off to bed myself.” Jacob regained a bit of his composure. “You really should get some rest Travis. You’ll need to be at your best tomorrow.” I smiled shyly. “Yeah I suppose. Goodnight Jacob.” He nodded at me and flew down the lookout to his quarters. I stared out ahead at sea and my thoughts drifted away along with the waves gently lapping. My heart was lonely despite being surrounded by my friends on the ship. I missed my family back home. I missed the simplicity of my old plain life back on Outset. Sighing, I leaned against the strong wooden railing and relaxed.

“Travis... Travis...” A voice whispered.

“Travis…we’ve been waiting for you.” Another separate voice chimed in.

Resting one hand upon my sword, I called out into the night. “Who…who is out there?” A bright blinding light appeared in front of me. The golden light separated into four distinct patches of light that floated in front of me. “Travis, we are the Four Golden Goddesses. We have come to let you know that you have found it. The new lands that you seek. But we warn you, that there will be many hardships that you must endure in order to claim the land that belongs to your people rightfully. Many lives will be lost if you are not careful with how you proceed. I know you have many, many questions for us and we promise that we shall answer them all in good time, Travis. But beware of the dangers that lie ahead. Trust your instincts, because you are braver than you know." The goddesses faded away slowly and left me alone in the dark silence with just the waves lapping at the ship as we steadily sailed towards the large island.

Fear and uncertainty pierced my heart and filled my lungs. Abruptly, I turned around and launched myself down the ladder, and retreated below the deck. I paused outside Ruby’s room, wanting to tell her about my vision but I couldn’t hear her rustling around. ‘She must be asleep’ I thought to myself as I turned away and retreated to my tiny room below deck. I couldn’t even begin to process what the Goddesses told me. Many deaths? What did that mean? I was fast asleep even before my head hit the pillow.

***

I awoke at dawn to the stillness of the ship and the sounds of Ruby screaming bloody murder above deck. Abruptly, I jumped out of bed, grabbed my sword and dashed up to the deck to find her scolding her pirate crew. “-And we need everyone to come on land with us! If you’re too bloody scared then why did you come on this journey with us?” She was beet red and furious. I looked at the faces of the pirates. Only Kyle and Benny looked ashamed. I assumed they had voiced their concerns to Ruby and caught themselves in a whirlwind of her emotions. ‘Poor Kyle and Benny.’ I thought to myself. I cleared my throat and Ruby whipped around to face me. Under her beautiful blue eyes were dark grey shadows; you could tell she didn’t sleep. “Oh…Uh… good morning Travis.” She stuttered, flustered.

“I need to talk to you, privately.” I said. “It’s urgent.”

“Oh, of course.. Meet me in your room in five, okay?” She replied hurriedly. The look of concern was very present on her face. I nodded and retreated down to my room. I sat on my bed and stared at the pictures I had pinned to my wall. There was one of Aryll and my grandma on the last day I had saw them. I smiled sadly as I thought of home. My eyes drifted to the one I had of my old boat, the King of the Great Sea, and myself. I sighed regretfully. We had made a great team together. The boat had vanished along with the rest of an ancient city when the water began to destroy everything imaginable. I began to fidget with the homemade bracelet that Aryll had given to me before I left. Her small face had a half-smile so similar to my own that it hurt.

“To remember me...” Her small voice held so much wisdom. ‘Oh Aryll,’ I thought. ‘How could I ever possibly forget you?’

Just then Ruby barged into my room. “Grr, those damned pirates. I swear on Din’s name they just behave like little kids!” She paced in my small room. “Anyways Travis, you said you needed to speak to me in private. Are you ready for today?”

I shot her a small smile. “Yeah, I am. Little nervous though.”

She laughed. “You? Nervous? You have more courage in your whole body than I do on my little finger.” She waved her pinky at me.

I shrugged. “Well, I had a visit last night which kind of shook me up.”

Her blue eyes widened with curiosity. “Wait. What do you mean?” I explained the Golden Goddesses and their brief but powerful message. “Hmm…” Ruby’s face contorted into confusion. We have done this before, discussed our visions with each other. It's what lead us together in the first place. “I wonder what they were talking about.”

“Beats me.” I shrugged. “I still don’t understand how I am the so-called 'chosen' hero.”

“Yeah, still wondering that about myself…” She laughed. “I don’t feel like a princess.”

"Well, you don’t really act like one either.” I winked at her. Knowing that I was talking about her screaming at the already scared pirate crew, she chuckled and she tossed a bag at me. We knew each other too well.

“What’s this?” I asked

“Your supplies. I have two potion bottles and a packed lunch in there for you but feel free to load up your weapons or anything else you think you’ll need.” She strode towards the door of my room and turned back to look at me. “We will be leaving in less than one hour from now. I sure hope the Goddesses were right about leading us to this place, even with all the dangers up ahead. If it means anything to you, I think we know what we are doing.” Ruby dashed out of my room and left me alone with my thoughts. I sighed. I’m not quite sure what I’ve gotten myself into this time. Collecting a few of my items like my bow and arrows, I finished packing the bag that Ruby gave me. With one hand on the door, I took a deep breath in and decided to make the most of the dangers that lie ahead.

Let the adventure begin.

Chloe Rose Violet

Inspired after the ending of the Legend of Zelda Wind Waker Video Game.