Live Your Own Story in Hyrule

In a similar fashion to the dissipation of the shadow beast that was Umbrolos, the dark energy raises out of the wolf like a thick smoke and is drawn into the shard of the mirror. The surface of the mirror darkens, losing its reflective value until the smoke is entirely absorbed. The etchings on the shard flash and the pale glow returns to the mirror, resonating with the light of the Triforce. The reflection of the wolf remains as the surface returns to normal, the darkness having been successfully removed.

Irina removes her hand as Impa starts her work, not wanting to influence it in any way. She watches the smoke raise from the wolf and into the mirror.

When it is over, Irina looks at the wolf to see if anything changes. Did that work?

_Gatu has is fingers crossed that Impa's idea works._

The last of the absorption comes with Impa drooping and letting the shard fall into her lap from loose fingers.

"That is all I can do at this time. My apologies for my failure. ...That I could not lift this curse from Link at once..."

She raises one of her hands and it visibly trembles. The stoic mask is all she can maintain now that her body is failing her.

"Noble and Sacred Spirit, please confirm current corruption rates."

The wolf in the reflection slowly stirs awake. It looks to the mirror with a cold stare, as if it were looking beyond it. The eyes in the reflection become intense, and more expressive, almost human. Their intense look draws anyone looking that direction into its gaze. The face in the mirror transforms into that of a Hylian man.

Link slowly rises to his feet, staring at his new reflection.

The sword spirit reemerges and addresses her master and the shadow sage’s inquiry.

*"Master, internal diagnostics indicate a substantial expulsion of the anomalous dark and shadow energies from your physical vessel. However, residual trace signatures are still present. I calculate that your internal physiology has stabilized, currently sustaining a perfect equilibrium between your inherent sacred light and the ambient shadow magic."*

Mipha gasped. She reached out with a strong desire and wish to hug Link, but she retracted her hand, clasping it above her chest instead. Stepping forward, she speaks, "How do you feel?" She could certainly feel the difference in him, but she wanted to be certain by hearing his words. "I'm happy to see you as yourself again," she smiled warmly. "Lady Impa, thank you so much for your help." Nearly caught up in her own happiness, she almost missed the signs of Impa's weakness. "You've been through so much. Will you also be alright?"

Link bows to Mipha. “Your highness. You… saved me. Thank you.” His eyes are closed, partially from reverence, partially from lingering weakness from his transformation. “I feel better. I feel myself.”

Irina was still sitting on her knees when Link transformed and stood up. She sighs relieved before she stands up too.

It is not until she sees him talking to the princess and acting like himself that she finally shows a small but bright smile.

Link turns and bows to Impa as well, then approaches her to check on her condition. He kneels before her, “You also saved me. I am indebted to all of you.”

"Whoa..." Red watched Impa work her magic. "I wouldn't call this a failure, Lady Impa. You've brought him back!" He was excited at this development. "For a while, I was thinking there wouldn't be anything good coming out of this, but I'm glad to be wrong for a change."

"That's right, you are indebted to me! I'll think about what I want from you later, but for now, let's all just be glad we don't have to look at your furry mug anymore." Revali expresses joy in the only way he knows how. "Although, your current one isn't much of a difference, but it's preferable. I won't have to worry about getting fur trapped in between my feathers..." He sweeps across his wings as if to brush off any remaining wolf hair.

The sage is disappointed in herself looking at the shard, and until the newly restored hylian kneels in front of her, Impa is genuinely surprised that she was successful.

"I... Am glad you are back, Link." A genuine and gentle smile graces her face for a moment before snapping back into Impa's usual impassive look.

She does also have to hold her expression a little tighter after Revali's bold remark, though. ~(She's still on the clock, no laughing.)~

Mipha is the most relieved she's been since this ordeal started. "I couldn't think of anything else but keeping you alive. That goes for everyone else too." She offered to Link. Revali is met with an intense stare, but it softens after a few moments. He might have been right, but there were plenty of better ways to say as much.

She looks at the mirror. "This now leaves the matter of repairing the mirror. Link is back to normal, but we've yet to find the Master Sword. After all that's happened, I believe that was our objective before he met with a terrible fate. Is it possible Fi may feel something here?"

"It's good to finally see the face that belongs to the legend." _Gatu says, perking up a bit seeing Link healed and restored. Things look to be possibly turning out for the better hopefully._ "Me and you have a lot to talk about. However, it must wait a bit longer before we can proceed with that conversation. We should leave the Shadow Temple altogether for the time being and find somewhere where we can regather ourselves after this harrowing experience."

"Tell you what, I'll think of a surprise and it'll be on the house." Fallon replies to Saria, jotting down 'surprise' and circling it. "Okay, that ought to take care of things and--" her head lowers to see her little one at the table. "Play? That is what you are offering after they have just arrived?" She smiles, giving way to the table so they can all take off. "Of course, they wouldn't say no to that offer."

She chuckles and clears the milk and water cups while she determines what would be good for them to eat. "Make sure you stay close by!!" She called out to them, ensuring her voice could be heard through and beyond the door.

"Okay, now what to feed to them... Perhaps some cuccoo tenders. I think that'll be good. Side of greenery and that ought to cover it."

That in mind, she quickly heads to the kitchen to drop off the glasses and put the order in. She then hustles towards the exit so she could watch them and wait for the order to finish.

"Okay Mommy!" Naomi says as she follows the other two, her brain immediately filing the instruction under 'Things that have been responded to and thus require no further thought'.

Out in the field, Naomi spreads her arms to the others. "So what should we play? How abouuuuuuuut" (points at Aio) "you're the heroic knight," (points at Saria) "you're the pretty princess," (points at self) "and I'M the ferocious dragon?" >:) Naomi raises her hands high like claws and stomps dramatically toward Saria. "IIIIII'M GOING TO EEEEAAAT YOOOOUUUUU!" >:O

Aio stares at Naomi blankly. He clearly didn't understand her. He wonders why this girl is threatening the other girl.

As he doesn't quite understand the rules of the game, he does the same and chases after Saria, holding his hands up like a dragon as well. He calls out "Raaawr!" and something unintelligible in his language.

Saria lets out a scream as both come after her and laughs, running. She looks at Aio and points at Naomi without stopping. "Attack HER, not me! We are the good guys! Dragon! Dragon! " She repeats, hoping to teach Aio a new word.

Aio begins chasing after Naomi, too, and calls her by what he thinks is probably her name, "Dragon! Dragon!"

Fallon opens the door and is immediately met with screaming and shouts of a dragon. She hurries outside, checking the sky and surroundings to see if one had suddenly popped up. Thankfully, there was no such creature and further processing allowed her to realize they were just playing out here. Of course, that's what they intended to do in the first place, but flashbacks of moldugas and spiders said otherwise. Briefly, anyway.

So, she heads back towards the walls of the inn and leans against them, watching them play and enjoy life for the time being. A refreshing change of scenery to what she knows lies beyond.

Naomi blinks at the swift derailment of her CAREFULLY CRAFTED FANTASY WORLD. o.O; At least Saria seems to get the idea and is trying to explain it to Aio -- but it looks like he still thinks _he's_ a dragon. Okay, well, maybe he can be a knight AND a dragon! Like some kind of...dragon man!

<https://i.redd.it/xcbi8yj0nhv81.jpg>

"Ummm...OHNOES IT IS THE DRAGONBORN! BUT YOU WILL NEVER DEFEAT ME UNLESS YOU FIND THE, ummm, MAGICAL HELMET OF RAINBOW FLAMES! IT IS IN, ummmmmmmmmm...aaaaaa SECRET PLACE THAT--THAT ONLY THE ROYAL FAMILY KNOWS ABOUT!" Yeah, Naomi is totally engaging in AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION and not dumping her DM responsibilities on Saria. n.n

Those were a lot of words and Aio understood none of them! He continues to chase Dragon and shouts her name. He giggles with excitement as the air and sun and open space combine to create a volatile reaction of fun.

As the screams of the children echo through the field outside of the Wolfos, a tall imposing Gerudo woman cuts the horizon perpendicularly. She holds a spear and walks in a relaxed pace but with a serious expression. The expression softens when she sees the children playing, particularly the boy.

She stops and observes them by the stables outside of the inn.

Saria laughs and nods, pointing at Noemi! "Yes! Catch the dragon!"

Seeing Risa arrive, Saria hmms, touching her chin with a finger. She approaches Risa and Fallon and brings her hands to her back. "Excuse me, I have a question."

"As you know, Aio is living in the Kokiri Forest now. Do you know of any grown-ups that may help us build a treehouse for him?"

Risa crouches down to become eye-level with the forest child. She rests her elbow on her knee and says, "A treehouse?" She thinks, and says, "Sweetie, I am from the desert. I don't know much about trees. But I will find someone who can help."

Fallon laughed to herself. Of all the things Naomi could've been, a dragon...born was not one she expected. Yet, she could appreciate her imagination. Those bedtime stories must've sounded far more spectacular to her than she'd thought.

Spotting movement in the distance, she looked towards it and found it was a friendly face upon closer inspection. She smiled as Risa approached, acknowledging her presence with a nod.

With Saria now approaching, she then pondered her question, "You need help with one, hm? Well, I'm not much of a builder, but I can assist in whatever way I can. I'll have to ask my husband if he has any suggestions or ideas. All else fails, I could just read about trees and houses and then attempt to replicate it."

Saria grins, her hands on her back while she listens to them. "You are big and strong women, so I knew you could help! Thank you." With this, she goes back to playing with her friends.

GUUUHHHH!!! &gt;_&lt;; Being a DM is so FRUSTRATING! You put in all this work to give the players an intricate world to interact with, and they just want to be MURDER HOBOS that solve every problem by charging at it swords waving! "Okay, fine! TAG, YOU'RE IT!" Naomi shouts to Aio. Then she turns and dashes away.

_-OOC- QUIET 9s, A 10 IS SPEAKING._

*The Evil King is surveying his dark kingdom from some precipice, watching the creatures and monsters he cultivated scuffle among themselves.*

"Boring."

*He is impatiently waiting for Edu, who he summoned at his whim and no care for whatever the Twili might have been involved with.*

Edu had received a summons from his supreme overlord, whom he so desires to please. Riding on top of a guardian, he quietly sits until the guardian arrives at his master’s throne, in which the guardian leans forward to allow Edu to slide off, landing on his feet only to kneel on one knee in front of him, bowing his head.

“Lord Ganondorf… I have come, just as you asked!”

The spider whispers while the grown folks start talking, "A spider's name cannot be enunciated by your species' tongue. But you may call me Belinda." She hides back into the shadows.

"That is a pleasant name." Artifa whispers back, also deciding to just tuck herself away someplace nice and unquiet. She gets the distinct feeling there's no real peace to be found down here, so a nearby boulder will just have to do.

*A grunt is all Edu is graced with, as Ganondorf continues to stare over the Depths before he finally glances over his shoulder.*

"You did well draining that overgrown puddle."

*The waters of Lake Hylia are now a raging, roaring river; seeking to carve a bed for itself or an exit. It drowned the weakest and slowest of the Depths' denizens to the Gerudo king's amusement.*

"New job for you: Take this."

*Ganondorf holds a crystal in his hand that he sends to hover in front of Edu. Artifa would recognize it, as it was integral to her test to gain entry to his domain.*

*It vibrates before splitting up into 4 identical copies still hovering in front of the kneeling figure.*

Artifa definitely recognizes those crystals. She didn't even know more were going to be used. This was going to be fascinating to watch unfold and keep record of.

Darkness thickens along one of the jagged stone structures overlooking the gathering. It does not move. It simply exists — heavier than the surrounding gloom.

If one were to look long enough, they might notice the faint suggestion of a figure leaning against the structure — arms loosely folded, one shoulder resting against stone that seems to absorb her rather than support her. Red eyes glimmer once in the dim, observing.

Dark Irina says nothing. She does not step forward, does not interfere with Ganondorf’s commands, does not acknowledge Artifa’s quiet fascination.

She watches the spider, the scholar, the summoned dark guy, and the splitting crystals, and a faint curl of a smile touches her lips.

The shadows around her remain still, as if unaware she was ever there at all.

The spider's laser eye catches the glow of the crystals. Pretty. Her hind legs rub silently with excitement.

Edu glances up at the praise from his master. How exhilarating this was! He was actually being recognized for his efforts, which brought a smile to his face.

_New job..?_ Edu wondered internally, before a crystal is sent floating to him. Edu reaches out to grab it before it splits into 4, a small gasp escaping Edu’s lips. “Yes, Lord Ganondorf.” The words slip from him out of habit, before he reaches again, attempting to grab one of the four crystals.

*Turning slightly so the Twili is more in sight, Ganondorf gives a slow cruel grin.*

"Set these up. Wherever, whenever. When you do, the only thing I want ... Is to make sure it hurts as many people as possible."

*He chuckles deep in his chest.*

"I'm sure you'll all enjoy the results when they've all gone off."

A low chuckle rattles in Edu’s chest as a massive grin stretches across his face. He quickly gathers the crystals, and bows once more to his master. “I'll get right to it!” He shouts, stumbling backward as he raises up from his kneel, however he manages to clean it up with a nice spin that would have looked really cool if he wore a cape. Unfortunately he did not. He hops back on the head of his guardian. “I'll get started on my work right away, m’Lord.”

Dark Irina just rolls her eyes and scratches the side of her neck idly, looking a bit bored now.

"That kind of excitement is admirable for such a daunting task. I almost died from mine and it wasn't even the crystal that was the most concerning..." Artifa remarked to herself while peering over the boulder.

"I'm sure he'll do fine."

*The Gerudo male shrugs lazily, acknowledging Artifa's words as he opens a portal to his next destination;*

"Either the job gets done or he dies."

*Ganondorf disappears into the magic, leaving the question if the bomb or the Evil King himself would be the cause of Edu's death.*