Faith and Kuran were arriving the island of Yen Sid and as the two stood in front of the tower, the woman couldn't help but wonder "What is going on that Master Yen Sid needs to see both of us? NOt to mention that Mickey, as he brought the message even went so far and invited them to the castle until we're back?"
"All I can guess is that he sends us to a bigger mission that requires us to spend a period of time away from home." answered Kuran and rubs his head "And on such an adventure is headache enough. But of all Keybearers the two of us are the only ones with children. So why sending us?"
"I think we can answer that once we see Yen Sid" mused Faith while heading for the door "While I don't mind time off from the children, I prefer if we had a proper holiday as a reason, and not a mission." and opens the door.
Nodding her husband follows her "Yeah. A proper holiday instead of a properly world-saving mission would be better." and the two went up the staircase to reach Yen Sid's office.
In his office, the wise former Keyblade Master sat, as usual on his seat behind the desk and stroke his long grey beard. Sometimes the two Keybearers simply wonder if there is even a time that old wizard isn't sitting on his chair at all. At least they cannot recall him standing even once. Stroking his beard some more, Yen Sid looked up and spoke "Faith. Kuran. I thank you for me summon. I knew the both of you have deep responsibilities in the order of raising children. But the mission I have of you is of urgency. Also, it connects with both of you."
Both Faith and Kuran looked at each other in wonder and Faith was the one picking up the opportunity to speak "The two of us? What do you mean with that Master Yen Sid?"
"Long ago, times even the Atlanteans have trouble to remember despite their age, on one world, was a great evil, that were defeated by the combined force of champions chosen by the people, a hero chosen by their gods, a maiden chosen by the gods and Keybearers that happened to be at the place of battle." began the old master and after a short time "Only a hundred years ago, that evil made his return. The people of this world tried to do the same method that stopped the evil before, and even key bearers were on place, one of them my former master. However… the evil was more cunning than anybody could imagine. IT turned the greatest advantage they had against them and a great calamity happened. It was stopped however but only temporary and without losses. Of the Keybearers that went to this world, only my master survived. The chosen Champions are death, the maiden missing… and the hero put away to a deep slumber. At this time, a prophecy was also discovered. When a hero in slumber reawakens, three heroes set out to defeat the evil once for all. And three symbols were given."
"Well… all well and good but what does that have to do with us?" wondered Faith and crossed her arms "After all, even if this evil is sealed, why sending the two of us and not a mixed team that would fit for the job?"
"My master brought back a written copy of the stone written prophecy… along with the three symbols." explains Yen Sid and gestured to the two "I haven't told about it anybody before, and I have doubts, that Erasqus had any chance to do so either as he never took that story of our master serious." before snapping the fingers. And a parchment appeared on the table.
The two Keybearers, as it was already opened for them, looked at the piece of paper. As Yen Sid said, the prophecy was written on it… and the three symbols.
"I know two of them. That one is my family crest… and that… that is the crest of the Kingdom of Hyrule! But that third…"
"That's… that's the crest of my people." stated Faith in shock and looks at Yen Sid. Kuran surprised as well, looked up to the old wizard as well.
To that, the old wizard only nodded "Yes it is… that is also why I called you only now. Because while I knew the two other crests, one of your people, Faith, that one I only learned recently. ANd that made me remember that particular thing. That… and the evil is going strong again."
"So you think we two are destined to go down there and deal with this evil?" asks Faith and groans "That will be again one of those trips that I will hate at some point."
"I leave you the time to say goodbye to your children, as I fear you might spend at least a few weeks in Hyrule." assumed Yen Sid. "Then I will send you as close to the sleeping Hero I can. But his location… evades me. I can tell he is near the centre of the former Kingdom."
The two parents nodded "Fair enough." pointed Kuran out "We will return once we said our goodbyes to them."
Key of the Wild
Back in the Yuma household, Faith and Kuran were saying goodbye to their children, thought Ancelot was whining "Do you have really to go?"
"Yes, Sweety" smiles Faith "Master Yen Sid self send us there… but don't worry. We promise to be back as soon as possible. And bring you something from Hyrule."
"Can't we come with you?" asks Serena while hugging her father "I promise we will be good."
"As much I love to take you two with us." began Kuran and rubs his daughters head "It is too dangerous. We couldn't bear it if you or your brother were hurt there." and then he smiles "Don't forget that you will spend the time we're gone with Uncle Will."
To which the two children smiled and hugged their parents thought they had to make them promise to really come back… and bring lots of presents with them.
To which Will laughed as he were present now. Kuran rolled his eyes a little at his friends' antics and moves over "Thank you, Will, for taking them in, in short notice… I really appreciate it."
"Not a problem Kuran." grins Will "Just ensure you test out if you could wield the Master Sword once more."
"I fear this time it will be a Link away." jokes Kuran and the two friends shakes hands "Just ensure they behave."
"Always" laughed Will, "I ask my family keeping an eye on them." to which Kuran had an odd feeling… one he really couldn't put a finger on.
And why does he has the feeling once he gets home, he has a long talk with WIll regarding his two children? Unmentioned is that Faith has the same feelings as well.
Key of the Wild
Appearing out of a light, Kuran and Faith stood upon a dais surrounding by some water and a small forest.
Looking around, "So… that is Hyrule?" asks Faith "Well, not a bad first impression." and nods before she and Kuran ducked upon a loud roar and they turned their gazes to the direction of said roar… and they saw a large castle, surrounded by multiple pillars with for them unknown design… and a feeling of malice came from this castle, as a dark aura surrounds it… and the same aura flies around the upper levels of this castle, roaring loudly as it flies.
"Is… that the evil Yen Sid told us about?" asked Faith and stepped back "Such anger… and hate. I never felt such a wish for destruction."
Kuran was stepping back as well and nodded "I think this is it…" and gulped loudly "The only thing we can really glad of that we had time to figure out how to deal with this monster… but I have my worry if Master Sword is enough of a force to even kill it."
"I hope you're wrong on this one." countered his wife and then notice something. "What is that" and points forward.
Kuran looked forward as well and blinked as he saw a cephalopod-like thing with red glowing decorations, walking on six tentacles. and a single eye glowing in black and blue. At it was staring at the two it seems.
The married pair then looked at each other and Kuran could only helplessly shrug "I have not a single clue, Faith…" before suddenly a red target appears on his wife's head… something she seems to notice.
They followed the somehow visible target line and saw it originates from the strange object and a beeping sound were heard. Which should be mentioned gets higher in tone and faster. The two Keybearers eyes widened as they realized the implications.
With also equal understanding they start dashing. Away from whatever it is. And this wasn't a second too soon. The moment they began to run, the eye glowed brightly and a powerful laser shot towards the spot they had been a few seconds ago.
And how does the two know it was powerful?
The impact of the laser destroyed a bunch of trees and the shockwave send the married pair away, while the heat of this blast charred them and burned parts of their clothes.
Landing hard on the ground, they grunted in pain while getting up despite the protests of their bodies. Once on the feet, they run again and each time this thing had its target on one of the heads, they run in a semi-circle to avoid the blast before rushing towards a lake and once there they jumped in.
The strange… machine as they mentally decided to call it, looked around for a while to try to find them again but then began to move off, returning to where it was. And this leaving was what they needed. Resurfacing and gasping for air, Faith and Kuran starred in the direction of this thing and then swam to the opposite end of the direction they came from. To limit the risk of running into another one.
Once again on land, the two wet keybearer panted and Kuran complained: "Yen Sid could have warned us about those things!"
"I agree with you" pants Faith loudly as well and looked over herself "We nearly died from being blasted apart by a freaking laser, we are wet, the sun is going low and our clothes are freaking ruined."
"And that not even five minutes after arriving here" was the only conclusion Kuran found as he looked around "Well… it seems we are at least on a road. Which means we properly just need to follow it to one direction to find somebody."
"The only question is… which direction?" asked Faith in curiosity "It seems we can either head west or east from what I can tell." then she spot somebody and deadpans "Or we can simply ask for directions to this weird guy."
Kuran looks in the direction his wife does and… well… a skinny man wearing a backpack as large as the man AND twice the with wasn't very high on unusual things he expects to see today. However since a wanderer means he knows where find ANY place to get fixed or at least rested, he isn't going to speak that out loud.
The two approaches the man, who smiles brightly "Ah! Customers! I am Beetle, the wandering merchant! How can I help you?"
"By guiding us to the next place we can at least rest" answered the darkness user "We got a… run in as we were too close to the castle and you can see how it feared to us."
Taken back by the information, Beetle declared "by the gods! You faced a Guardian and survived? That's amazing! NOt many people could even dream of doing that! And here you are, alive! Are they really so terrifying as they say?"
"We had a reason to bail the very second we noticed it is aiming at us" answered Kuran simply with a sigh. A very weary sight.
"Ah, under that aspect I am not surprised" admits Beetle with a thoughtful nod "How about that: You tell me why you even came so close to the castle in the first place and I guide to you the closest stable? I happen to be on my way there anyway."
"That sounds reasonable. thank you" nodded Faith with a smile. And with that, the three went west. They told Beetle, that they were sent to explore the land to judge the dangers and if it is rentable to establish trading here or even a colony with people from their home.
"Ah, Hyrule is a beautiful land" assured Bettle "But your people should have come a few centuries ago. because the kingdom that once ruled here is sadly ruined a century ago."
"That much we already figured," said Faith with some sorrow in her voice "And that this land is covered with monsters now."
"That's true." Admits Beetle and rubs his chin as they reached a part of their path that runs between two mountains "Speaking off… looks like there were some recently but were killed off by someone. Well makes that part of the trip much safer." And he looks at the two "Just past the twin peaks mountain, we are at the stable. If you have some rupees, you can at least sleep in a comfortable bed and a warm meal. After that, what were your plans?"
Kuran careful thought about it before he answers "Well after some rest, we wanted to go to the nearest village or town and try to get new clothes… and hopefully weapons."
Beetle nodded "A reasonable plan. If you got something to sell, almost every merchant of Hyrule is buying any clothes, ingredients for meals or medicine and ore you can find. They all know how to make the best of it"
"Got it" nodded Faith, hoping the small stash they have from Kurans time in Hyrule at this so-called Twilight Era is enough for everything they need.
And a short time later, just as the wandering merchant has promised, they reach a stable on the other side of the mountains… evident by the sheer fact a horse head was built on top of it for decoration. And properly a mile away sign for travellers.
Heading towards it, they also went inside as do the time they had now, it was evening and they went to the man who seems to be the reception. "We would like to ask for two beds for the night… how much would it be?"
"For the both of you? 40 Rupees." was his answer "Got in monster trouble eh?" while Kuran counted the Rupees and paid it… costing more than the darkness user hoped for "Nope. Guardian."
"You survived a guardian encounter? Lucky fellows you are!" he grunts as he accepted Kuran's money. "IN one hour the meal is served. Make yourself comfortable until then."
The two nodded and they looked around and found a table. Where a blond young man in rags and a random assortment of weapons, sat there already, drinking a cup of water. Approaching him, Faith wondered to him "Excuse me. WOuld you mind if we take a seat here?"
The boy looked at the two and shakes his head "Not a problem. Some company wouldn't be that bad, compared to my last few days."
"Have been alone?" wondered Kuran. And received a nod as a reply
"Yeah… was on a plateau in the west from here. Took me a while to get everything I need to consider going down." was his explanation "And as for the company I had… you wouldn't believe me."
"Try us." dared Faith
"He was a ghost. Showed me what I needed to know to survive here but still a ghost."
"Eh" shrugged Kuran "Wouldn't be my first encounter if I had been there." while he and Faith took the seats.
The boy looked over Kuran and Faith "RUn into a Guardian Laser?"
"Shared experience?"
"You can say it." nods the boy "Never thought my clothes could get any worse than they had" he chuckles loudly. "I am glad when I get to Kakariko VIllage. There I will try to get a fresh set of clothes."
"I think we join you on that venture." said Faith with a smile "I am Faith, and that's my husband Kuran."
"Greetings! I am Link!" grinned the now named Link. To this reveal, Kuran and Faith looked at each other… and they had one shared thought: Were they really that lucky to find the supposed Hero of this land just within a day?
Only time will tell in this case...