Live Your Own Story in Hyrule

“That is a great point,” Irina replies, touching her chin with a fist loosely closed. “There must be a way for people, or monsters, to get to those islands.”

Her next question is for Kayo, and she turns to him to ask respectfully. “Your Highness, does that give you any ideas? Unless we can make the ship fly somehow,” she grins to the Zora prince.

Link can't help but grin at Revali’s reaction. “Bait? Oh yes. After all, you are irresistible. We could lure all of them to you just like that beast earlier.”

He chuckles and says, “Of course not, Revali, but the communication idea is brilliant. Perhaps we could split the remaining arrows and fire them into the sky if we need assistance.”

Kayo listens to Irina and Mipha thoughtfully. He looks as if he is about to say something when Kala interjects.

“The forces controlling these lands have gone to great lengths to suppress the light and the ability for us to bring it back.” she remarks.

Kayo hmms, “Yes, but long ago, according to the legends, our ancestors were said to have been able to swim to the heavens.” The captain points to the sea that they are gliding over and continues, “Many things from the past are thought to be buried in this sea. The monsters that inhabit these waters were thought to have been placed there to deter people from exploring.”

He smiles warmly to Mipha and says, “Your highness, I would love to learn more about you and our kin in your kingdom. Perhaps understanding your present world be a key to understanding our past and unlocking our future.”

“Swim to the heavens…” Irina repeats, looking at the floating islands in the distance. “By any chance, are there any waterfalls falling from those islands and into the ocean?”

Kala looks to Irina curiously. She then gazes towards where the islands should be. “Not as long as I have been around, but it's a good thought. We have never been allowed to go to the islands but rumors have it that there are ancient machines on them that can control our environment.”

"That's right, I am irresistable, but being irresistaby _delicious_, I am not. Although, I can see how you'd be the apple of someone's eye," Revali countered Link, returning a similar grin. "Communication would be perfect for me and Red. We can use the arrows to indicate simple messages. Nothing too complex, maybe color coded. I'll leave the rest of whatever you guys are thinking about to you all. If some scouting needs to be done, just let us know. The faster we get out of here the better."

Mipha looks between Kala and Kayo, she could definitely see and feel the similarities with her own family. "Well... Let's see. How do I explain it?" She questioned aloud to herself. "We don't have any stories about...sky islands or machines, but what we do have is a system of dams and reservoirs. In order to control the flow of the water, there are sluices that can be opened and closed, either by hand or by the water when certain conditions are met." She raises a hand to her chin.

"Wheels and mills are also used to help with control as well..." She hums. "If there is anything of the sort of that nature here, I'm certain that's the purpose it would serve. If water could be redirected towards the sky, I suppose that would be the way to swim to the heavens." She turned her attention back on the group. "If these machines are anything like our system, I imagine they can move water in a way that could make swimming possible."

“Buried in the sea…” Irina looks into the water again, only seeing darkness.

“If those machines are in the ocean somewhere, we will need to explore it.” She turns to the group. “I can go, but I will only be able to breathe underwater if I am close to another Zora. Would anybody else like to come?” With all the Zoras in the group, maybe somebody else is curious about what the ocean is hiding.

"Since I didn't get the chance to purchase a Zora Tunic myself back in Hyrule since I've been preoccupied with a lot of stuff, I think I can use my Magic to cast an Air Bubble spell that'll let me breath underwater." _Gatu says, up for a swim. It'll also help get all this grim from fighting those bug monsters and those shadow monsters before off of him._

“You are welcome to join,” Irina responds to Gatu's offer, “but I would need a Zora in order to breathe. Would anybody be interested?” She looks at the royals.

Mipha nodded. "I would be happy to assist. If anyone needs help breathing underwater, my abilities are sufficient. I can shape water to capture air," she offers. "I suspect we'll be met with dangers down there, much like we were up here and air is going to be very important for most of you." She looks towards the water. "Let's be decisive about going. Once in the water, there should be no turning back until we have found what we're looking for."

"All I require is to have a Zora close; no need to capture air." She looks at Mipha and smiles honestly. "But it will be my honor to explore these waters with you, Your Highness." As Mipha encourages the group to start moving, Irina nods and dives into the water.

Mipha nods and smiles. "Of course. Let's be on our way!" She leaps up and backdives into the water, joining Irina. "How fast can you swim?" She wondered out of curiosity. "I don't think I've had the chance to see how you move in the water."

Irina smiles, seeing the princess next to her. How fast? That's a hard question to answer, coming from a Zora.

With a playful, childish grin, Irína replies respectfully. “I will let you be the judge of that, Your Highness.” With her arms fully extended in front of her, Irína kicks her armor’s flippers and starts catching up speed, her body moving in fluid, up-and-down undulations. The combination of scale, armor, and her own training allow her to swim faster than a Hylian, and maybe allow her to challenge the average Zora.

She enjoys the swim immensely as if it was a game, feeling at home even in the dark waters.

Mipha watched Irina with a smile. "Not bad." Seems she'd gotten used to that armor, swimming in it well enough. She dipped beneath the water and resurfaced next to Irina once again. "I think you'll do just fine keeping up with me." She searched around the waters, trying to determine where to start their search. "I suppose the best way to find out what we're looking for is to go straight down. This ocean is vast, but perhaps we'll run into something along its floor. That would be the best place to start looking for anything Zora-kind."

She then looks to Irina. "Admittedly, I've spent my life among the rivers and lakes of Hyrule, but Ruto has experienced all kinds of waters. Truthfully speaking, I'm relying on her knowledge to seek out what wer'e finding. I'm certain we'll discover what we're looking for."

With that, she rolls in the water and begins to swim down, starting slowly at first to ensure Irina is nearby before attempting to pick up speed.

"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._

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;