Live Your Own Story in Hyrule

Now that everyone was on board, Revali was trying to get himself used to this boat. In some ways, it wasn't too hard. Flying felt the same in some respects. While wandering around trying to figure out what kind of work he'd be getting into here, he registered the sound of that slap and looked up to see who initiated and who received.

"Oh, so every group has that one that doesn't trust things so easily?" Revali smirked. "I'd ordinarily side with the slapper, here, but the slappee might have a point this time. Looks like the light has been missing for a while here and it's about to make its return, somehow. I doubt a light whale is something you see every day here." He paused. "...Assuming that 'days' even happen here. I don't know what passes for time in this place, it's been sunset or sunrise or sun-whatever since I got here. Fact remains, that thing," he motions to the creature of light, "Is nothing like what I've seen since I got here. And if it managed to work its way out, I have to think this realm can have the same result."

He lifted his wingtips to his beak to rub it in thought. "Besides, maybe it's just me, but I find it fascinating that we could be on the verge of bringing light to this place while ours runs the risk of falling into darkness. I don't think the coincidences are isolated."

Irina climbs down to the whale’s fin and dips a finger in the water, which creates a path of light behind them.

Her gaze turns to the whale’s eye. “We need the sphere you swallowed to bring back the light everywhere.”

She does not think the animal can understand her but tries anyway. “I can tell you are not just any water creature. Can you help us get that sphere to my friend’s sword?”

Maybe the whale has a different plan… but asking won't hurt, will it?

Some time passes. Link remains on the deck, looking out at the whale.

After a while, Link is nodding off, and then the boat suddenly jolts to a stop.

“Anchor down!” echoes from a crew member from the mast.

The whale has stopped before a strange cloud of mist. The trail of light has stopped before, too.

“What is that? We have never seen that here…” “What is that cloud?” “It's just isolated to here… as if it were hiding something.”

Voices of confusion echo differently now as if they were no longer on the open sea but near land.

The whale descends into the water, leaving Irina floating on the surface. Its light glows intensely then disappears into the water, except for a glowing ball that floats back up to the surface.

An old Zora man appears, glowing and standing on a shoreline that is now faintly visible below the fog. He looks back at the ship.

“Uncle Oshus.” exclaim both Kala and Kayo at the same time.

The Zora princess jumps down into the water and approaches the old man. Her brother follows behind her.

“My child…” the old man says weekly. “There is not much time. This island you see has been hidden by the shadows.”

He stumbles and Kala reaches to help steady him.

“Take me to the light root hidden on this island. One drop of light and the shadows will not be able to stop it.”

Link jumps down as well into the water, but he goes after Irina to check on her and observe the old Zora from a short distance.

“A light root? What could that be?” he asks Irina out loud.

Irina looks around herself as the whale disappears under the water, just to see Zora Link approaching her.

“Sorry that I swam away,” Irina apologizes to Link, “but I had a chance to follow the creature and couldn't let it go!” She grins, glad that things have worked out so far.

The barmaid watches as old man and the mysterious cloud appear in front of them. Her jaw drops slightly in surprise after the two Zora talk to the glowing man, in realization that they are family.

“I have never heard of a light root before,” Irina replies to Link’s question, “but it looks like that's our solution.”

Mipha had mostly kept to herself so she wouldn't wander around and get in the way of the others that know their way around this boat. Revali seemed a lot more comfortable or maybe a lot more confident, about his ability to move around and he'd proved as much as he took his occasional circuits on it.

When the vessel came to a stop, she looked into the water and then ahead to see the strange fog before them. Walking forward, she's able to see the glowing ball more clearly and hears someone's name spoken. Oshus?

She hastened in her steps to see what the fuss was about. "Does he need assistance? Your uncle," she began. "I am a capable healer," she offered her services. Her eyes continued to scan the area, searching for what this 'light root' might be that was spoken of, but nothing of any notable light stands out to her.

The old man takes a few steps on his own onto the island. As he walks, the fog begins to part... just in the area nearest to him.

He whispers, "Best stay close, children." He takes another step but stops when he hears Mipha's voice. He turns slowly, squinting to look at her. "My child. That voice. That accent. It sounds like music... like something from a distant memory..." his weak voice trails off and he coughs. "I am afraid I am beyond healing and there isn't much time. We should continue."

Link watches the fog and then runs to the old Zora's side. He signals to the others to come. "We must stay within the light, otherwise I fear that something bad will happen if we step into the fog."

Tera and the Bokoblin prepare to disembark.

"Secure the vessel! We will join below to see what is going on." shouts Tera. She walks over to the Zora boy who is sharpening some sort of bone. "I guess that means you are in charge while we are gone. You technically have the most seniority."

The rough and tough Hylian descends down a rope into the water and is followed by Fred.

The rest of the crew stays aboard and tries their best to look busy while the captain and others are still within sight.

Irina joins the group, bowing her head to the old man. This is her way to respectfully greeting him without interrupting the conversation. She then looks at Mipha, trying to understand the meaning of old man's words.

Staying away from the fog, Irina walks close to the group of Zora.

Before:

Photos had spent the days since her last excursion resting within the halls of the crimson wolfos tavern. It was where her friends had welcomed her to the world of Light after all. And there was a not entirely small part of her that regarded it as a home away from home. It couldn't compare to the somber, forlorn elegance of her golden hued homeland, but it had its own charms. The lacquered beams, smoke scented interior and murmured hush of voices drifting from elated patrons intermingling in a strange sort of rush.

But as time ticked by, Photia became more and more perturbed by their absence. Spy as she might, she wasn’t privy to all of their secrets. She had yet to discover where Link had acquired that peculiar mask she had seen. But it was a conversation she had overheard that had truly set alarm bells ringing within her head. Photia had been traversing the shadows of the tavern whilst hidden within them, looking to pinch a delectable pastry from a passing plate. She had frozen in place upon mention of an obsidian doorway ringed with gold.

Photia knew that doorway. It was the same one that had spat her into the world of Light before. And she knew better than anyone, in living memory perhaps, the consequences of fiddling with it. Photia had bolted for the tavern’s entrance immediately. Her friends needed help. _‘And the sooner the better!’_

——————_-_

Now:


Off to the group’s left, a soft thump would sound from somewhere in the fog. Photia had used her magic to flit from shadow to shadow, searching rapidly. She had feared they might be changed, as the old stories had said a previous hero had been afflicted. Yet not long after, she received what she considered to be an assurance of her friend’s position. Considering the fact that most of the creatures within this realm both desired and reviled light simultaneously, a gigantic, glowing whale seemed like a safe indication of her friend’s position. There was that… and an odd sensation of being drawn to the center of a vortex. One that would sustain her and simultaneously could harm her.

“I should have known. You all did always have a penchant for getting lost.” The words carried through the fog, containing just enough bite in their melodic lilt to seem familiar. The shock of flaming hair occasionally glimpsed through the fog also felt familiar. Though its bearer’s stature was not. A woman’s silhouette stood at the very edge of the light, yet never crossing the threshold of the fog into it. She seemed as bedecked in finely woven silks. Intricate patterns of green bands melded between flesh and this purported gown. Ruby eyes rimmed in sapphire blue seemed to sparkle in the faded light. Between her hands, shadows were woven into a parasol, shielding her from the light cast by the spirit.

Link, still in his zora form, is the first to sense the presence, hearing, or simply sensing something in the fog. He turns and sees the woman standing there.

He does not immediately recognize her but he doesn't sense imminent danger either. His body shifts quickly and he lets out a gasp, all of this alerting anyone around him.

“My lady…” Link calls to her, assuming she is someone important, “We seek safe passage through this fog.”

The elder zora pauses momentarily and addresses the group, “We must not delay.” he says in a voice laden with fatigue.

Kayo and Kala pause as well. The captain draws a sword and Kala grips her spear, looking at the woman who lingers within the veil of fog.

"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._

Not too far from the town, a royal guard sees the fog and hurries to ensure everybody is safe. Upon seeing the fog, Kagetora stops before he reaches it. He is aware of what will happen if he touches it... and frowns.

"Everybody, step back! Do not touch the fog!" He warns lifting his arms, stopping any villagers that attempt to approach the area.

The young yellow bird was near the fog but perched slightly above it on a stone chimney. He hops down to the roof and asks the soldier, “What is happening?”

Kagetora looks up to see the Rito while he tries to block people from entering the town. “This fog contains dark magic and is similar to that in Castle Market Town. Those who touch it will be cursed and turned into poes. Please warn everyone to stay away!”

The young Rito squawks in affirmation to the warrior's command, and then hops a few times before taking flight over the town. He begins to call out, "Beware! Beware! Everyone abandon the village! Avoid the fog!"

Ohhhhhjoy. >~< John pushes off from the wall and runs over to the building's door, yanking it open. "ANYBODY IN HERE, GET OUT FAST!!! THERE'S A POISON FOG FILLING THE TOWN!!!" John of course actually doesn't know if the fog _is_ poisonous, but it's a decent assumption based on the bird-man telling people to avoid it and it gets across the desired action quick and easy. A few confused townsfolk come tumbling out, including an old man with more wisdom than speed. U~U; John grabs his arm and throws it over his shoulders, trying to hasten his hobble toward the edge of town.

Meanwhile, the resident sky-watcher who's always hanging out on that roof is still rubbing his eyes from witnessing that sudden bright beam come down from Death Mountain. :dizzy_face: By the time his vision clears, the building he's on top of is already surrounded by fog, and it's starting to creep up the shingles toward him. He waves his arms up at Kanali. "HELP! I CAN'T GET DOWN!"

Over near Kagetora, a dog darts forward to bark and growl at the encroaching phenomenon. >O A small girl runs after it, wrapping her arms around its neck and tugging fruitlessly. "No no Duke, get back!" >n<

Kanali pauses, catching a glimpse of the curious man that is standing on the roof. He looks around, watching the fog rise. He sees a woman holding a cucco and both are transformed immediately into orbs of light as the fog touches him.

"Oh no... this is terrible." the bird mutters under his breath.

"Hold on!! Stay away from the fog!" he shouts at the man on the roof as he hops up and takes flight, being careful to put some height between himself and the encroaching haze. He swoops down and grabs onto the man, already struggling to keep aloft, but says, "I got you! Hold on to me!"

At that, he kicks down on the roof to give himself a boost, breaking several roof tiles in the effort and sending them tumbling into the fog. Kanali takes flight with the man and attempts to carry him to safety, although his piloting skills are rough with the added weight.

Kanali crashes off to the side with the man, away from the fog. "Quick! Run away from the fog!" He dusts himself off, then picks himself up and flies back to the rooftops to see if he can spot anybody else.

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;