Live Your Own Story in Hyrule

Link is checking through his inventory, seemingly looking for something. He looks back to the group and says as a warning, “If some of you venture back into Hyrule, beware of the market area. Do not set foot in it. The mysterious fog that transformed me into the beast, and perhaps transformed people into poes, has the same dark energy that I felt the mirror pulling from me.”

He sits up taking a heavy breath. “Perhaps if someone stays behind, they can gather poes and bring them to the mirror to see if they can be cleansed of the curse.”

"I could if I had the right equipment or still some magic in reserve, but all I have left right now is my Moblin Spear here and my Boomerang until I can catch my breath more and try to refill my magic reserves. My Bow took a good bit of damage from Umbrolos whacking me... The upper and lower limbs are severally damaged. I used up the bundle of five arrows Revali gave me to shoot some normal and elemental arrows during that boss fight with corrupted Impa- but even if I got another bundle, it's probably only got one or two shots left in it before it breaks too unless I get some tools to repair the damage... I lost my Hylian Shield as well to the abyss below when it got knocked hard out of my hand, so I'll have to improvise and just dodge really good." _Gatu replied to Link. Despite his Inventory's bleak and complete lack of ammo and items, he is determined to see this through with Link and the others if they forgo heading back to restock._

Irina listens, trying to understand all the details just like she does with Fi. "Improvising is what we usually do," she chuckles. "We cleared the enemies in the temple on the way here, so you may be fine by just going back the same way."

"Speaking of missing weapons," Irina then unbuckles the belt that is holding the scabbard and sword on her back and offers it to Link, "You dropped your sword when you turned into a wolf."

Standing in everyone's blindspots, Impa has leisurely returned to the group, bandaged up and soothed with the knowledge of her fellow Sheikah's survival and well-being.

She is simply calmly watching over the group and guarding their backs. As Sage of this temple, she is well aware the malicious spirits of the dead can accumulate and make a monster at any time, regardless of their exhaustion.

When they're rested and ready to go, she will assist them.
But for now, it is nice to have a calm moment.

Link smiles and holds his sword high in the air. He hears a fanfare in his head. “Now I feel like my old self.”

Irina laughs when Link does… the things Link does. The group’s shared energy and joy is filling this place, probably for the first time ever.

_Gatu smiles softly at this wholesome moment quietly... He forgotten what it was like to travel in a group, to be a part of a team as he went from place to place and helped the races of Hyrule rebuild their lives after the Flood ended. He didn't know he missed it until he joined this 'venture._

Mipha despite her best efforts, had nodded off at the campfire. Its warmth and the comfort of being around companions had lulled her into a much needed rest. When questioned, she woke up and shook her head, looking to Irina and blinking. "I'm sorry, did you say something?" She inquired, turning away briefly to yawn. Upon realizing she was sleeping, she placed her hands to her cheeks, embarrassed. "Oh, dear. I hadn't realized I'd fallen asleep. It was a good rest while it lasted, though," she smirked.

"How did you?" Red looked around, trying to find out when Impa even entered back into the place. "When did you?" He brushed his feathers back down after they'd ruffed up. "How are you feeling? You look a little better now."

"Did I wake you up? I am so sorry," Irina apologizes to Mipha. "I was just wondering if you needed anything, but what you needed was to rest." She is explaining herself when she hears Red talking to somebody she did not see at first. Huh... Impa was actually there? How long had she been there?

Link unbrandishes his sword and turns to face Impa. He bows to her and says, “Can we assist you with your people? We know some were in a poor state, and some were killed by the witches. I offer my assistance before we depart.” He looks at Mipha and the others, “The group will rest before we move on.”

"Oh, no! I mean...yes, but it's alright. I just needed the rest, I suppose," Mipha smiled Irina's way. "I do not need anything at the moment. I am doing alright, so far. I don't think I was affected nearly as much as you all. So, if the others need any attendance, I am fully refreshed and happy to be of service." She looks to Link. "I think I've had all the rest I need, but if there's anything more I can do, let me know."

A little amused at the reactions, Impa holds up a hand, gently dismissing their concerns and offers.

"Your care is much appreciated, however your journey is yet to be completed. My people will be safe soon, and will tend to all hurts at our home." She gives a nod at the declaration of recovery and going through the Mirror.

"I see, then you will need this," Impa says while revealing the shard in her hand. "I believe, I might be of assistance still. Shall I accompany you?"

"We will most certainly need that," Revali answered to Impa. "And your assistance could prove useful. We're not sure what's awaiting us on the other side of this mirror, but you might be the one most qualified to handle it. Quite frankly, I'm hoping we don't meet with anymore of those beasts. Besides, it seems there's a chance what we're looking for might be on the other side, there."

Irina still feels guilty but bows her head to Mipha with a smile. Watching Ima talk to Revali, she speaks to both Link and Mipha in almost a whisper. "Sorry, but did you know Lady Impa before this? She seems really powerful and mysterious."

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.

Aio didn't quite understand but he understood perfectly what she meant and what his job was now. He gives chase to Naomi and also Saria.

Saria laughs and runs away from Aio, happy to see him enjoying himself. There were some things they needed to figure out but this was probably what he needs for now.

_-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.*