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In all her time of existence, the Light Dragon hadn't done much other than exist. Flying high above the cloud barrier, lazily drifting between sky islands, occasionally seeing her fellow dragons punch through the barrier and join her endless circling.
They did not speak nor interact. There was no need to. Her purpose was to stay above the cloud barrier and wait, and theirs... well, she wasn't sure what their purpose was. But she supposed that didn't matter.
Time was a foreign concept, she knew of the sun's rise and fall and the changes in the moon, but days, months, years, and eons were all the same. As always, she was to stay above the cloud barrier and wait. She didn't know what for but also didn't know to care. That was her purpose, and that was enough.
Until something changed, she wasn't certain what it was. The sky was no different, the sun was no different, but she felt a presence, something awakening, and the soft voice coming from the sword she protected, "It's almost time."
She flew through the air, past the largest of the sky islands, the decaying rock eroded by time and the plant life that flourished beneath the clear, constant sunlight, a welcome sight among the monotony of the clouds. She watched something fall from the island's highest point. Small and insignificant in the grandness of the ancient structure.
Ah, that was it. This was Her Purpose.
The Light Dragon turned her attention away from the falling figure and continued her lazy circling. She needed to wait just a little longer; he had not yet given up the sword. The voice would tell her when he did.
The sun rose and set once before the often silent voice made itself known. "Now."
The Light Dragon made her way through the thick clouds. The water vapor clung to her mane as she pushed through the barrier, six legs clawing at the air around her as she beheld the surface. She flew lower than she had in eons. She would need to build up speed to break the barrier for longer than just a moment. She turned back towards the sky and pushed herself forward, faster, faster, faster, and with a roar, she slammed through the barrier.
The clouds parted to reveal a vast swath of greenery, beautiful and bright. A land she had so rarely seen. Her Purpose watched her as she flew away, and he jumped. She once again turned her attention away. It was no longer important. Instead, she started a new circling path, dipping below the clouds closer to the surface but not nearly as low as the other dragons.
Many days passed before anything truly changed.
And then, emotion, sadness. True, crippling pain and grief she had long since forgotten. It ebbed and faded as Her Purpose discovered the tears she had shed long ago. She roared to combat the pain desperately, but now it was in her head as well as her heart. The voice of the sword tried to comfort her. It was almost over. Her purpose was almost fulfilled. It would be okay. Just wait. It won't be long. She steadied herself, for that was all she could do.
A few days later, Her Purpose landed atop her head. How he had reached her, she did not know. He grabbed the sword's hilt with two hands, and the pain increased tenfold. But if he was not ready, he couldn't have it. She roared and fought, tossed her head back, and tried to throw him, but he clung to the weapon. She plunged and shook, but he hung on.
"He is ready." The voice whispered, and she roared, doing her best to smooth her flight as the pain continued and she traveled skyward.
The sun glowed a beautiful gold as he pulled one last time. The voice whispered a soft farewell, and the pain faded. But Her Purpose stayed atop her head. His own tears fell as he ran a hand through her mane.
"I found you," he clutched a tuft of her fur, "Sorry for taking so long."
Her purpose had been fulfilled.
She hasn't expected to see him again. But there he was, on her head again, petting her and talking. She enjoyed his little visits. He spoke names she didn't know, places she couldn't remember. She didn't even remember him, really. He was important. She knew that, and even more important to her though she didn't know why.
The company was nice. The Light Dragon hadn't known to miss it before now. His small footsteps and gentle pets were welcome. He tried to keep his voice upbeat, but she could sense that not all was right. She didn't know how to comfort him other than to keep her flight smooth and ensure he was as comfortable as possible.
On one of his visits, he greeted her with a "Hi, Zelda." And a pat on the nose. "I'll be facing down Ganondorf tomorrow. I'm ready for this to be over... I only wish that you'd be there after it all."
He leaned against her horn, "It's weird, traveling in silence again. I miss all your weird plant facts and history lessons. Sure, building machines is nice and all, but it's not as fun without you."
She gave a long huff, and he sadly chuckled, "Well, I better get going. Hopefully, I'll see you soon."
She hoped so, too, and he pressed a kiss against his hand and touched it to her head before jumping off once again.
The next day, her circle took her by the castle when a dragon she had never seen burst from the depths. Massive and dark, radiating a hatred she could feel. She would have flown away had Her Purpose not been stuck in the Demon's jaws.
With a burst of speed, she charged toward the monster with a roar. It snarled at her and opened its maw, but she dodged the bite, chasing after the small form falling from its jaws.
She caught him and flew up and up to get away from the Demon, but Her Purpose jumped off her nose and attacked the beast.
Idiot.
He slashed at the Demon, and she chased after him once again. The beast roared and threw Her Purpose off, and the Light Dragon raced after him. She caught him and brought him back up, but he jumped off repeatedly, dodging balls of fire as he slashed at the monster.
She watched as he plunged the sword deep into the Demon's head. It roared, black and red blood spurting from its wounds as it thrashed in its death throws. Golden light poured from its head as Her Purpose fell once again.
She caught him before he slammed into the monster's tail and carried him away from the Demon as it thrashed and fought against its dying light. It exploded into a beam of light, brighter than the sun, as she flew past. Her Purpose safe atop her head.
The light from the death of a demon faded, and she felt something strange, like a warm, loving embrace. It wrapped around her with the love of a father, the love of a mother, and the love of someone who never gave up on her.
And Zelda woke up.