Live Your Own Story in Hyrule

"Well, I'll go where you go, but first, looks like we'll have to deal with what's in here first. The prisoners can't be freed with these traps ready to come crashing down on them. Mipha wants to freeze these traps. You've got the ice arrows and she's already working on the water." Red points out. "We take care of that and we can go searching for Link."

"Of course, Your Highness. Thank you." She nods to Red as well. Without delay, Irina approaches the closest iron spikes. Once they are wet, she waits for them to raise and lifts her hand towards them -- no need to use their precious arrows.

A small flurry travels from her fingers to the iron block, freezing it in place. One by one, she goes around the room repeating the same process until all the iron spikes are frozen and stuck in place.... and the room is finally silent except for their own steps.

She returns to the princess. "You should not stay alone, but anybody who wishes to join me is welcome," she adds with a deep bow to Mipha. "Thank you very much, Your Highness. For everything."

Mipha looks up at their work. "All done." She took a deep breath and sighed. "I don't want to stay alone, but I won't be upset if I am. Finding Link is more important." She was already beginning work on freeing the prisoners, aiming her trident at the base of the ice. The prongs roiled with water energy that glowed in similar fashion to blue fire.

The ice sublimated briefly before entirely steaming away, releasing the prisoner from its hold. "You can call me Mipha, you know..." She smirked. "But it is my pleasure," she returns to Irina gratefully.

"That's right... I will keep trying," she says with an apologetic smile. "Please be safe." In any other case, she would have given her friend a hug, but it's different with royalty.

Instead, Irina bows her head again before heading back out the door, spear in hand.

"Ohohoho! Look how fiesty he is!" Twinrova teased, hissing from the nip that she felt. She tightened her grip and proceeded to rattle the wolf a bit. "That is no way to treat your master." She raised him to eye level so she could get a good look at his little, angry face. "Improperly trained. We suppose that's what happens when traveling with fools."

The room they hover into might be a bit cramped for the combined might of the twin witches, but they could still fit. Several reinforced wooden beams occupy the floor while two, dark stone figures with scythes slowly rotate at its center.

"We've always admired this space for the short time we've been here. It really captures our essence well. Wouldn't you agree?" She cackled and turned the wolf outward to observe the room for himself.

Wolf Link can only growl a reply. His tense body language suggests that he could spring at any moment in an attack, but he doesn't yet. He studies the room and the pattern that the stone statues follow.

He growls again, making wolf noises, but in reality is communicating to whoever can still hear him.

Translation available: Wolf

Irina hears Link and nods, even though he can't see her. “So you are still in the temple… Good. We are on our way.” She looks around at the room, wondering where she could go.

The first prisoner freed collapses to the ground, chilled but faintly breathing. He appears dazed, no doubt from being trapped for so long. He tries to establish his surroundings, though he can only open his eyes every few moments due to his apparent weakness.

Within the room, the upper floor contains a chute that was used to discard a body earlier. Unremarkable as it is, the bodies do have to go somewhere.

Outside the room is the plaza that also had an upper level with a small path connected to it. One of the walls contained a door that could be entered.

Irina looks around at the plaza, ensuring there are no traps—at least none she can immediately see.

She looks back to check if anybody is following her before making her way to the upper level.

If the walk there is uneventful, she will attempt to open the door.

The walk is indeed, uneventful. The temple has once again fallen into an eerie silence after the scuffle that took place in the jailing quarters. The door opens to a small earthen ossuary chamber with a pair of torches inside. On the opposite end is another door.

_After helping the prisoners, Gatu follows Irina with the others to find Link. Since his Moblin Spear was rendered useless due to Twinrova's ice magic making it too heavy and slippery to hold, all that left him for weapons was the few arrows he has to shoot with his Traveler's Bow and his Boomerang as he begrudging discards it. He doesn't want to invoke his magic that might startle or scare Revali, Mipha, Irina, or especially Link- for they might misunderstand and jump the gun to paint a target on him if they viewed him as a bigger threat._

_But with how dire things are seeming to degrade to, he's debating on what choices he has and what he doesn't while staying focused on the task at hand. He pushes them down after they nearly reached a climax, as he can't afford to have doubt creep over and absorb him. He steels his resolve and looks ahead and around with courage in his heart. Whoever or whatever desecrated the Shadow Temple that put it in its current state are going to be made accountable, and face justice for the deaths and murder here._

Revali and Red go along with Irina, not wishing to have her navigate this place alone. "Hey, slow down a little. Thought you'd be easier to catch up with, but you move surprisingly fast," Recall remarks to Irina as he joins her.

"I'm sure we'll catch up. He's giving us updates, annoying as they are, but we can at least make out most of it. He's in a room with two stone statues." He sighs. "In here, that could be anything. But, they've got something big. Maybe that's the more important part."

He then looks to Gatu and gives him a thumbs up. "You managed to pin down one of those old windbags. Impressive. You're down a weapon, but that happens, sometimes."

Irina turns when she hears Revali. She smiles heavily at his words and speaks softly, trying to stay unnoticed while they explore the temple. "I am sorry. Thank you for coming, I feel much better knowing that you are here."

Losing her smile when he talks about Link, she nods. "They are planning to do something with him. We need to find the room with the statues before that happens." She then turns to look at the room in front of them. "The problem is that this place is never what it seems. But let's start with this room."

Irina attempts to cross the room and get to the door, but not walking across it. Instead, she walks around the edge of the room carefully, not sure if there is something in the center - or whether there is a floor at all.

"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.*