Live Your Own Story in Hyrule

"The ferry?" Mipha looked in its direction. It had been sitting here, circling the cavern and it wasn't sitting on top of water. Maybe it might actually be safer. She leapt into the air and gave herself a boost with a water jet to land on the deck. She knealt down next to Gatu and began tending to him. "Your wounds are significant, but I will do what I can."

Revali knew this thing was dangerous, but this...this was lethal. Of course, nothing in this place was without danger, but he's having a hard time believing this is the sage they're looking for.

The range it had was animalistic, wildly unpredictable. There had to be a reason for that. He could feel it, even if he couldn't explain it. That attack was brutal and admittedly shook him up enough to start looking at this creature with a lot more fearful respect.

He'd been trying to study this thing while flying around in the air. It's clear the core is the place to strike it, but the head or more specifically, the eye was also critical. A longer shot to hit, to be sure, but beneficial. It had to be the same way for this newest transformation.

"We can still get this thing! I think we need to put it on ice and cool it down!"

Now to just get its attention. Readying two arrows, he fires them towards the head of Umbrolos.

Umbrolos continued to strike the ground with the hammer in frustration, leaving pools of pitch in different spots of the island. It roars once again, scanning the ground looking for the archer, but no longer finding his presence. Without his distraction, it refocuses its attention on who remains before it. The first arrow from the Rito fighter missed and struck its shoulder.

Whipping around to face him, two tendrils twist and reshape into two sharp lances to fire at its current attacker. Flying between its two missiles, a second arrow found its home in the creature's head. As before, the tendrils weaken and fall limp and the shadow beast dangles in place, stunned.

_Gatu's vision continued to focus in and out. His body felt like lead, but at least he's giving that boss a run for its money with how much damage it has sustained in such a short time. He didn't react too much to outside stimulation as he tries to pull himself back up onto his feet as Redvali came over to move Gatu out of the creature's range with Mipha tailing him, and then moving him over back onto the ferry for treatment. Other than a nice burnt hold in the right side of his tunic, the burn practically cauterized itself on impact; so it wasn't bleeding. But it looked gnarly for sure since it was all sorts of shades of a crusty red and orange with the smelt of burnt flesh._

_As Mipha begins tending to him and treating the wound with her healing powers, Gatu looks to Redvali._
"Red... Take this... Either you... or your twin... put that creature on ice, yeah?"
_Investing the last of his magic, Gatu creates an Ice Arrow for Redvali using the last arrow in his quiver, holding it out for them to take for either them or Revali to shoot Umbrolos with. These kinds of arrows imbued with the power of ice that'll breaks apart on impact, freezing objects in the immediate area, should do the trick since it'll be incredibly effective against hot things- especially the still-burning Umbrolos._

_After Redvali takes it, Gatu would pass out and go unconcious- now officially KOed out of the battle. It's up to the others now._

While the creature is distracted with Gatu, Irina prepares an ice arrow herself. Doing so with a dry arrow is possible for her, but gathering the water around it before freezing it drains her magic much faster. But this is one of the moments when it is justified to do so. Preparing the arrow, she shoots it in the direction of the flaming creature.

The ice arrow lands right on target at the core of Umbrolos, its body writhing from the pain as steam juts out from the impact and chills the burning pitch where it landed.

Meanwhile, the wolf staggered to its feet. He was very dazed from the last attack. The dark needles had penetrated his fur and he felt a strange force coursing through his body. He feels that some of his life force had been drained in a way that would not be possible to simply heal, at least not with the typical techniques or magics.

Nevertheless, he picks himself up and sees the flames around the monster subside momentarily. He runs towards it and attacks again, this time ready to spring away at the slightest hint that it would begin to ravel itself or change form. He can still feel the intense heat from the flames that were just there.

Red takes the offered ice arrow. "I'll put this to good use," he remarked to Gatu. He knew he was unconscious, but still felt it should be said. Taking off, he flies back towards the island, witnessing the shadow beast has already been pelted with one ice arrow. "Guess this would be the perfect time to use this other one..."

Once he was back over the island, he pulled his bow and lined up the shot, striking the opposite side of Umbrolos' body to cool it down.

"Now that's what I'm talking about! We keep this up and we should take it out no problem!" Revali was glad to see his instincts were right again. Generally, they always were, but it just felt so good to see them validated.

Now that the beast was cooled down, he saw the perfect opportunity to use his most trusted and definitely not problematic bomb arrows.

Besides, had he used them when Umbrolos was hot, they certainly would have been put to waste. But he doesn't have to worry about that now. He takes one out and fires it off at the cooled body, aiming so its explosive shockwave doesn't impact Wolf Link.

Umbrolos rolls around in pain from the second ice arrow, steam rising from its body and cooling the affected area. Between the two, the heat that once emitted from its body isn't much more than a temperate mist. Exposed in this manner, the wolf can rend and tear at his delight, cooled chunks start to fall from its body, helped along by the explosion that has rocked its body, sending more pieces falling from its form.

Irina is sick and tired of this gooey thing hurting her and her friends. She joins in to tag team with the wolf again, but this time against Umbrolos instead of the witch. Holding her spear with two hands, she tries to attack the enemy.

_Gatu remained prone on his back, unconscious on the ferry, while Mipha works to get Gatu back in the fight or stabilize him with her healing powers. He was going to have difficult time blocking attacks since Umbrolos knocked his Hylian Shield down into the abyss... He might be able to afford a new one with all the Rupees he's been picking up from the slain monsters they've been fighting, maybe even refill his dwindled supplies. But right now; the party had a bigger, blacker, gooey tentacle monster to fry somehow whilst one of their own is down for the count._

Wolf Link’s instincts override whatever pain and ill effects he is feeling. He attacks viciously, learning about his new body and the carnal desire to gnash and bite. An observer might conclude he is enjoying himself with the way he moves. Certainly, this is new territory for him and he fears it as much as he relishes in it.

Umbrolos wakes up to the pain its in and rapid spins, its tendrils overlapping in successful arcs to push the fighters away so its recovery wouldn't be hampered. The tendrils retract and form together into two arms with crustacean-like claws at the end. No longer taking risks of having approachers, the claws open up wide and lock into place.

Taking aim at the adventurers, the claws snap shut, igniting the air and firing a large ball of fire towards the group. It alternates between arms, firing the other in the same manner, resetting and repeating several times in a hot game of keep-away.

"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.*