A young boy waits under the Statue of the Goddess, his eyes on the skies and the clouds off in the distance. He has waited for this moment his whole life. To finally bond with one of the many Guardian Birds of Skyloft and take to the skies like a true knight of Skyloft. What color will it be? Blue, black, brown, yellow? No. The swirl of color coming towards him creates a red streak through the sky. The boy smiles, not hesitating for one second as he jumps onto his new companion and takes to the skies. They may have only known each other for a moment but their bond was already sealed.
The Crimson Loftwing was a breed thought to be long extinct in the land of Skyloft, so naturally, Link, the destined hero, was always meant to have a rare and beautiful loftwing, gifted to him by the Goddess Hylia herself. The Crimson Loftwing may not have a name like the noble Epona, but it is still just as loyal and brave, facing many dangers in the skies and continuously aiding Link on his quest… Even if Link was the one that had to rescue the Crimson Loftwing first.
In Skyward Sword, the player is first introduced to the Crimson Loftwing through the lack of the bird’s appearance. Zelda pulls Link out of bed for some last minute practice before the traditional Wing Ceremony. While Link tries to call for his bird, Zelda and her father talk about the incredible bond between boy and bird. Gaepora recalls the day Link made his bond with the bird, describing it as an instant friendship that made even Zelda jealous. Oblivious to them both, Link is worried, for he cannot sense his bird in the skies. So begins Link’s first quest: to find his bird.
The envy of Link’s bond with the Crimson Loftwing extends beyond just Link’s friends. It doesn’t take long for Link to discover that his bird has been imprisoned by his rival Groose in hope that, without his bird, Link will have to pull out of the Wing Ceremony and finally not be on top for once. Of course, no one can get between Link and his bird. They are quickly reunited and we are finally able to see for ourselves this legendary connection.
This bird is not just another horse or creature to be called and dismissed as the player requires. The Crimson Loftwing soon returns the favor to Link, proving that they always have each other’s back. As darkness swirls through Skyloft, taking Zelda with it, Link is thrown from his Loftwing’s back and sent flying through the air. The Crimson Loftwing saves Link’s life, carrying him back to the Knight Academy where the bird knows Link will be able to get help. It’s a surprise that the bird isn’t waiting outside the window for Link to wake up, but the bird is known to disappear in the night like most of the Loftwings.
Beyond the tutorial stage of Skyward Sword, the Crimson Loftwing carries Link through the skies to each destination and even helps fight off dark enemies invading the clouds. They are so advanced, Link’s instructor permits Link to teach the Crimson Loftwing the Sprial Charge move, a move so stressful and difficult that only senior knights are permitted to use it. The Crimson Loftwing doesn’t hesitate, transforming the dash action into the spiral charge from that moment forward. So, while this Loftwing can’t fly through the skies at night, they are a force to be reckoned with when the sun is high.
The Crimson Loftwing may only be able to help Link from above the clouds, leaving Link to fend for himself on the surface below, but it doesn’t erase the strong bond between them. The Crimson Loftwing is always ready to take Link wherever he needs to go and will charge through any challenge. The Crimson Loftwing is a Guardian Bird worthy of carrying the Hero of the Skies.
