Live Your Own Story in Hyrule

Irina is following the conversation but her mind has already moved to the next practical step. She is looking at the dark water around the ship, trying to find another of those vehicles. She also keeps looking up to the islands, trying to find the best way to take the group there.

_Gatu surfaces and climbs back up onto the boat. He looked a lot cleaner having jumped in the water, having washed the film of dirt and grim off after going underwater with Irina and Mipha. He nearly got hit by that craft when it shot up like it did, but luckily avoided it. When the Revalis offer help to get back up, Gatu accepts the proposition after he uses some Wind Magic to dry himself off. Vaati was right how convenient it'd be for when you need to dry yourself or cool off..._

"Yeah, I think I've had enough swimming for the day and luckily not getting launched and sent spinning through the air. I'm ready to head back up so we can hopefully get the Master Sword. Time isn't exactly on our side."

Mipha senses there's more behind this danger and quietly thinks to herself about adressing it or not. "Is that truly the case?" She asked, deciding addressing it was the better option. "After what was experienced down there, it wouldn't be forthright of me to imply it isn't. There is clear danger there, but there was also this," she motioned to the vessel.

"In the distant past, it seems Zora once occupied these waters and their influence still remains. I don't know which of the cases is true that has been presented by Link. Perhaps it's both? It's clear that this realm is on the precipice of change and you both may be the guiding light that heralds it," she addresses Kala and Kayo.

She smiles softly. "At least, that's what I think. I know it isn't my place to insert myself into such matters."

Her attention returns to the hatch and she slips back inside to assume her place at the controls. When Link approaches, she lifts a bashful hand in greeting, finding amusement at him peering into the craft.

"Finally. Some action! Alright, he's gone and tossed himself in the water and you," Revali points out to Gatu, "You've removed yourself from it. But, you make a good point. Heading up is going to be our next objective and unless we happen to find more of those things, that means we're going to be carrying volunteers up there," he points off into the general direction of the islands.

"I'm assuming we're not going to find another one of those, so anyone who intends to go up, make it known now. Otherwise, me and Red are leaving with empty talons."

Kayo can't help but beam proudly as he is validated by Mipha’s assessment. He gives his sister a side eyed grin as if saying “told you so.”

His expression returns to one of seriousness and he replies, “Be that as it may, we are forever indebted to your bravery.”

Link pulls himself up and begins to examine the strange craft with a wide eyed curiosity. He awkwardly pulls himself into the vessel and lands next to Mipha, smiling back to her. “This is fascinating. What is it?”

Irina steps forward to Red and Blue. It probably went without question that she wanted to help, but she wants to make sure they are aware.

"It is fascinating!" Mipha began. "And...I don't know," she ended. "There's no description that I know of or have found, but it appears to be a vessel meant for traveling in water and air. It does have a limit of how long it can travel. Irina pointed it out, but it seems there's an indicator of some sort that shows how long it can move. So, we'll have to do our best to make it to a place where it can land safely. Else, I believe it will simply drop back into the ocean."

Red watches Irina step forward. "I'm beginning to think you and Blue are too much alike. I haven't determined if this is a good thing or a bad thing. Your readiness to face almost anything is admirable as much as it is concerning," he admits with a shrug. "Blue is definitely going to be the one carrying you."

Fred approaches Gatu as he returns and listens to Revali's offer. He gives a glance to his captain before speaking, “If you all go up, we can provide aerial support with our cannons. If there is an opportunity to go up with you, I also volunteer myself.”

Irina can’t help but grinning. “Maybe that is why we are good friends,” she replies to Red. “But I am ready to face anything if it concerns those I care about.”

Stepping close to Blue, she nods with a warm, soft smile. “Thank you, Revali. I am always happy to team up with you.”

Link reaches out to the various controls as Mipha speaks but doesn't actually touch them. He pulls back and says, “This may be our ticket, then. Can you try taking us back to the island?”

As he looks at the controls he muses, “This device looks to be built around the proportions of a Zora. I can only imagine that it was designed around the Zora physique and manner of moving.”

"Your observation is excellent. I have every reason to believe that is the case. Once I got used to the controls, moving felt far more natural. It is clearly fit for a Zora." Mipha started up the vessel mid conversation. "Mind your head, please. The hatch is about to close. I won't waste anymore time here and get us to that island."

Once the craft stirred to life and the hatch proceeded to secure itself, she used the controls to position the vessel and give herself the best chance of having a good trajectory to fly with. The propulsion system kicks in with a gentle thrust forward and strengthens to jet off into the sky and towards the island. All the while, her heart is thumping wildly at the thrill of this flight and the one sharing it with her.

"See? My motivations aren't that difficult to understand. She faces danger to protect those she cares about and I face danger to ensure it knows its place for thinking us weak enough to submit ourselves." Revali explained. "Naturally, she would want to go with someone like myself. We do make a pretty good team." He then looks to Irina with a proud grin.

"Any team that has me on it is good on principle." He stands up and eyes Fred, then Red. "Seems we have another volunteer. He'll be your partner."

Irina grins, listening to Blue. “Totally agreed.” She crosses her arms with a proud and amused grin herself.

While they talk, the strange vessel can be seen flying from the water and into the sky. “That's our signal to follow. Ready when you are,” She grins to Revali, clearly excited about the adventure that is to come.

"But something keeps bugging me... I used the Master Sword to end the Flood and recede the waters... I went with Princess Zelda and her guards to return it to its pedestal in the Temple of Time. The Door of Time were sealed shut before the flood, and only opened after she used her Sage magic to open it up so I could return it with her since we didn't have the Spiritual Stones or the other two keys. So how was it the Master Sword got taken and brought here in the first place after the Door of Time was closed?"

Mipha could understand Kala's sentiments, even if she may have been slightly disheartened at hearing her words. Still, she would hold out hope regarding the opportunity that might very well present itself.

"Evil has a way of overwhelming and corrupting what are considered sacred places. Each of the temples in the land served significance to its people in some form and Ganondorf invaded each one. The Master Sword, despite its power, I can imagine can be affected in similar fashion. However, unlike the temples, it bears a unique sentience that may have contributed to its disappearance. It may have ended up here due to fear or protection or something else," she offered her thoughts on the matter.

"That is what I think, at any rate."

Maintaining her hold on her trident, she turns away from the group to look towards the islands once again. It doesn't appear they're very active, which begs the question of where the others are. Were they successful? Why haven't they returned?

She'd placed a hand to her chest in a self-soothing manner to calm her heart, nearly sinking into the thought that they might very well be in trouble. Naturally, she lowered her eyes from the island feeling troubled. Yet, what was sadness was quickly turned into befuddlement. "What is happening in the water?"

She returned to the group. "Something has happened in the sea. It's filled with streams of light!"

_Gatu runs over and looks downwards to see what Mipha sees._
"Something important must have fallen into the water after what the others did over on the Floating Island. It's hard to tell, but... I think they went down to retrieve it. I think I see a craft of some sort down there, near the farthest stream of light over there." _Gatu said, pointing it out to Mipha if she hasn't spotted it._

"They went down? Are you certain?" Mipha inquired, her voice elevating as she'd stepped closer over the edge to take a look at where Gatu was looking. She couldn't quite make it out in the same way, but it didn't matter. They could very well be in danger. "But the waters... I thought--" She shook her head. "Nevermind, that. I'm going to go after them." She hastened towards the cliff that Link jumped from before. Looking over the ledge, she studied where the guiding light was leading towards. Without further hesitation she dove off the ledge and slipped through through the surface of the sea as smoothly as a knife through butter.

"Be careful Mipha!" _Gatu said after her, wishing her all the luck as she leap and dove down to see what's going on._

Kala crosses her arms and mutters something under her breath... something about "she is going to get herself killed" and "spoiled princess".

She walks to the edge then turns and gives Gatu a sharp look. "Well, are you coming or not?"

Revali came gliding in from above, circling over the area before coming to a landing. He didn't want to run into any issues on his way down. "Hey!" He calls out in greeting. "Me and Red have finally returned. We're coming to pick you guys up and fly you back to a boat out there. Seems a lot has happened and it'll be too hard to explain. Best way I can put it - A whale of light is tugging the boat." He shrugs.

"Don't ask me more, I just got there and got yelled at by Mipha."

Red comes landing soon after Blue and stretches a bit. "We've been doing a lot of flying..." He states. "But yeah, what the Blue guy says is correct. All the others are okay, though. That we know of, at least." He confirmed.

"If you all are ready, just say the word and we can carry you back. No need to get into the water."

Kala was about to jump into the water, maybe grabbing Gatu with or without his permission, but she stops when she sees the two figures on the horizon. She points and then runs to them as they land. "Boat?" She asks confused.

She stares out at murky water and frowns, then turns to the birds. Then the other thing he said clicks in her mind, "Whale... of light? What?" She looks more confused now. "Are they in danger? The people on the boat?"

Revali sighs, lifting his wing to his head to hold it briefly. "Yes, a boat. Whale of light. You heard it right. No one is in danger, thankfully. I'm not making any guarantees, I don't know anything about these waters, so they might not stay that way. But, for now, folks are fine. In fact, a lot of the crew looked like you," he pointed to Kala.

"We should probably get going before we lose sight of the boat. I don't think that whale is intent on stopping anytime soon."

Red grumbled, "I'll pick up from where he left off. There's a boat that's currently manned with a crew. Some of them look like you. Whatever happened on that island there is also responsible for the light in the water. We think they're headed towards its source." He eyes Blue. "It really wasn't that much to describe..."

He then returns his attention to Kala. "But if we stay here, they're probably going to get further away and I don't really want to be stuck here, so can we start flying off?" He thumb points in the general direction of were the boat is.

Kala crosses her arms. This wasn't exactly helpful dialogue, and she doesn't seem to enjoy small talk.

She immediately quips as soon as Red finishes, “Look, take these two…” she points at Gatu and Impa. “I can manage. A few sea serpents don't frighten me. Just try not to get eaten out there. I don't know what your kind tastes like but I am sure our local species would find you all delicious.”

She seems suddenly agitated and impatient to get to that boat. With that brief monologue, she jumps into the water with her spear. She disappears into the sea mist, practically flying across the surface of the water.

"I don't want to find that out. This is exactly why I want to fly away from here and eventually, out of here entirely." Red slouched a bit, thinking about being some sort of sea serpent snack. He took off and grabbed up Gatu, leaving Blue to pick up Impa. "N-not without helping out. I mean, we did sort of make an agreement and I'd hate to be the one to break that..."

"I'm in peak form and I take very good care of myself, so I would assume my taste would be sublime. But, I'm not about to be anyone's snack. I work far too hard just to become some mince meat for a sea serpent out here. Should it come to pass that I am unfortunately eaten, I will make sure the sea serpent that did it will have the worst stomach pains of its life every step of the way." Revali flies over to grab up Impa. "Alright, just hold on and we'll get back to the boat in no time."

"Let's head out. The faster we can go snag that orb of light that fell off the island, the faster we can hopefully stabilize BOTH realms." _Gatu replies, willing to head down and rejoin the others. The sooner they get the Master Sword out of the Twilight Realm, the faster it can stabilize._

Kagetora moves quickly through the edge of the fog, intercepting the small girl and her dog before they can get any closer. He drops to a knee just long enough to steady her, guiding both back with firm but careful hands.

“Stay with the others,” he says, voice calm but urgent. “Do not approach the fog under any circumstance.”

Rising immediately, his gaze looks around the village. He tracks the spreading fog, the panicked movement, the flashes of light where people vanish into it. “This is the same phenomenon reported in Castle Town,” he calls out to those nearby. "Everybody, fall back now! Move to higher ground and keep distance between yourselves and the fog!”
He pauses only briefly, weighing the situation—then the decision is made.

He turns toward the direction of the road leading out of Kakariko, expression resolute. “I need to inform the castle,” he says, more to those who can hear than anyone in particular. “The Princess must know at once.”

Without hesitation, he breaks into motion, moving swiftly and silently along the outer edges of the village, leaving the evacuation in capable hands. He needs to carry the warning now.

Kanali watches Kagetora and hears him. He checks on the man he just helped one last time, then says, "Sorry, I must go. Please keep people away from the fog."

He jumps into the air and takes flight, catching up to Kagetora. "Sir!" he calls out from above. "Sir!. There is a similar fog near the castle. I can help you get the message to the castle if you want."

heads for the stairs leading up to the gate to Death Mountain with his burden. >_<; As they make it up the first flight and turn toward the north exit, the old man glances down worriedly and sees the spreading fog rising up to the ledge they just surmounted. >.>; "J-just leave me, we won't make it--" "Save it!" John snaps, tightening his grip on the man's arm. They stumble forward together, walking a deadly tightrope between going too slow and losing even more time by pushing too hard and falling down. Fortunately, the higher the fog goes, the more space it has to spread out in, so it moves outward slower...but it's definitely creeping along the ground behind them now.

In fact, it's also coming from their right. >.>; John watches tendrils form along the second set of stairs, cutting them off. Well, just have to hope they can hold their breath and withstand a little--

"Up here!" The gate guard kneels on the ledge on the left side of the stairs, holding his arms out urgently. o_o John quickly leans the old man against the wall, then crouches down and wraps his arms around his thighs. With a grunt of effort, he lifts the man upward. The guard grabs hold of the old man's arms and pulls from above. With the weight partially relieved, John switches hold and grabs the old man's feet, pushing him the rest of the way up just as the fog closes in around him.

After a tense moment of blindly following the wall to mount the stairs with eyes closed and breath held, John turns around and chances a peek. -xo The fog appears to be paused in its ascent, coming no higher than midway up the stairs. Whatever was releasing it must be running out. John exhales and trudges over to the old man and the guard. "Whew...that was a close one."

The old man doesn't look around. "He should've saved himself," he says sorrowfully. "He had so much life still ahead of him." v_v

John gives a short-breathed guffaw. "Hey, I think I'm gonna be okay. Stop moaning." X)

The guard peers cautiously over the ledge. "He just...disappeared. I can see the ground below us through the fog, but I can't see _him_. It's like it _dissolved_ him." o.o;

John furrows his brow. "Hey, I'm over here! Behind you!" John goes to put a hand on the guard's shoulder -- and it passes right through. o.o;