The waters had calmed along with the atmospheric depression, and Nayru could feel unnatural movement within the seas. A tiny, and not entirely unwelcome, disturbance. Erratic and multiple, Nayru followed the internal pull to a large, slowly forming sink and looked upon in wonder. Tiny red critters darted about in the frothing white, and tumbled and slid amongst each other in the relatively shallow waters in an obviously confused array. On the sharp, black ridge ledges of a small cone mountain sat white creatures of skin, with an anatomy of surprising resemblance to Din's adapted body. The creatures were turning and looking around with curiosity, confusion, concern, or daring, but they never moved from their spot, as though they did not know which way to go. Their hands moved out to feel among the rocks and sometimes themselves and each other, though this was usually by accident and they would seem to be startled, or just grow even more confused.

They are blind. No, not blind, blinded. This darkness, which was of no consequence to a Deity, seemed to be detrimental to living creations.

Nayru looked upon them with growing concern and question. They were confused in the entropy of this particular feature of the region.

Why would sister place her creations in here?

It seemed unwise, for they did not seem to know what to do with themselves. Or perhaps Farore did no such thing, but the pull of the water flow brought them against their will. Nayru's Gift pulsed and released the will into the ocean to weave through the deep calm and turbulent white. Slowly the water guardian inhaled, and the pouring waters slowed to a thin stream over the rough edge of the raised ridge.

Din, I ask your assistance.

Din had been sitting on a mountain ridge when the voice called. The Titan was lightly petting the creature that had recently fallen asleep and paused to look to the waters.

"What's up?"

You must make a small deformity in your planet.

"What for? Where are you?"

I must make a reverse in my creation, which I can only do with your cooperation. You can find me if you listen.

Din shut off the physical senses to the external realm and extended her spiritual eyes and touched through the planet. Nayru was right, and Din could sense the unnatural pull.

"What do you need?"

Where I push you must give way.

Din focused harder to understand what the hidden Entity meant, and sense the area Nayru referred to. The cracks on the rock countenance frowned.

"The changes you're asking are too small. I can't make such minute calculations."

I see. I will need to work with what I can find here then. Wait for my signals.

The Titan did. The towering stone held still for a nearly interminable amount of time, for so long that the great Scarlet beast had awoken, waited loyally for the awakening, got bored, and turned to explore the mountain. It found a slight give away in the earth, and started the task of burrowing through the rock, sensing something to eat underneath. It had managed to dig six miles before Nayru spoke once more.

Right here, can you feel me?

"Yes."

The second the crack broke the sea bottom, the creations unfortunate enough to be nearby churned wildly in their panicked shock. The wave from the force of the crack boomed through the waters to the very edge where land and sea met. Din, with senses still focused on where Nayru requested the break, could feel the water rushing along a new path within the rock to fight with the molten lava rising to reach the surface and heal the cut. But Nayru's careful direction and gentle persuasion rushed the water through just the right paths to burrow the necessary tunnels before the waters petrified the planet's blood, to come out again in the center of the sunken ring of the ocean.

The pressure from the seas of the outer ring rushed the water through the tunnels in the crack with enough force to gush into the center of the ring. The water level rose quickly and fervently to reach the top while Naryu held the usually pounding waters back. The white creatures vocally feared and rejected the unexplainable change. They backed up against the edges of their anchor, or flailed bizarrely in the waters when it enveloped it. After a moment the creatures found their natural way of movement, and calmed as they swam through the rising waters, to join the darting tiny creatures that were their neighbors.

The massive and slowed geyser soon ceased its ascendance at a point above the gridlocked ocean wall, and Nayru finally released the fence, expecting the level to now even out. It seemed the geyser was stronger than the rest of the ocean level, and the wide and relatively shallow natural fountain bubbled and swelled to retain its endowed power and features. The mix of creatures were spilled and tumbled out to sea, and Nayru watched in satisfaction as the creatures found their kindred and banded once more, each coming and swimming to discover together in the great new expanse stretched out before them. As it seemed, they were still blind in the expanding dark of the seas, but there was some other sense, a hidden bond through which they seemed to sense another's movements inside this world, and successfully navigate.

The watching Entity was pleased, but not satisfied. These creatures were saved from a wasted fate, but there was another. There was another creature somehow missed, that was elsewhere inside these waters. Nayru set about to find it.

Farore realized this journey was more difficult than first surmised. In some ways, this body had to work harder in the air than in the water. While swimming, one could at least rest with no concern. In the air, one did not have such luxury. Not to mention that the journey itself was longer than expected. Well, this was a given: the original direction had been on a longer course to where the kindred spirits had been where the creative spirit's journey first began. Mid way through the folly of this plan had Farore change direction, but, it seemed land was further away than estimated. The problem this entailed? Though the flying spirit desperately continued the needed pumps of wings, the strength and energy was harder and harder to reach with each flap to stay aloft. Exhaustion took a whole new meaning Even just holding out the wings was becoming harder along the glides.

I can't keep doing this. I need to stop…

So as Farore glided, the shape shifter tried to focus on changing the body, so as to fall into the water with no repercussions. Quickly the longer, smoother feathers plucked out of the pink skin, and the body quickly veered downward, now that the proper shape for aerodynamics disappeared, but even as the spirit fell, the down feather would not pluck out as easily as the larger pieces. And the legs would not come together to form another tail, nor were the arms changing into the useful directing fins as before.

What's happening?

Farore splashed into the ocean sooner than expected. The sore body curled while sinking in the darkness, with a vague shimmer of an emotion or sensation that was new and unfamiliar, and frankly unpleasant. With great concentration and great effort the shape shifter managed to at least forge the shrunken wings into arms once again, and slither muscles back into the legs to a more acceptable length and useful size, but those were the only tasks manageable. Farore realized that now had come the time to shed this body completely. It was a sad admittance, but it was only weighing down the spirit from returning to the kindred Entities.

But it would not release its hold on her.

Farore could not breathe. The pockets of air that had formed before to help propel through the weak air were expecting to be used, an unanticipated side-effect. Taking in water would weigh the body down, the Gift knew that. It seemed as though Faore would need to work physically to the surface. Which way? It was dark down here. An intuition alluded the way that was "up" and the tired Entity followed the hint. Arms and legs hauled and strained at Nayru's creation to reach the surface. It was slow work, for each stroke was weak and leaden because this body was not made for the waters. And it was nearly dead with exhaustion.

After a few moments the spirit wondered briefly: How far is the surface? Because Farore could not tell. And why does my head feel as though it's being squeezed? And why are the pockets of air demanding to be used in a sharp and painful way?

It disoriented and confused the already unbalanced Farore. The more this confusion grew, the more appeared the strange and unfamiliar feeling. It felt… bad. A warning. If the entrapped spirit could not reach the surface, then something was going to happen.

Farore needed air- that was the only clue the relentlessly morphed body could give.

Arms and legs clawed and kicked clumsily at Nayru's trapping creation in a desperate attempt to reach the surface. It was horrible work, for each stroke felt frustratingly useless and ineffective. This was not good. Air, air, this body needed air. Along Farore climbed, along the burning body shoved up and up for safety. What was going to happen? The warning insisted that this was imperative, that if the surface could not be reached in time-

But the warning was interrupted by another force, one that scooped Farore from the idle movement in the water, powerful enough to squeeze what little air was left inside the lungs. It was only after a moment of feeling the massive forceful shove from below that Farore broke surface. The air was a cursedly painful blessing. The whole body vacuumed the boundless supply with a spiritual knowledge of relief to save the form that was the vessel of creation. The down feather that would not release itself from the skin was soaked and heavy against the heaving and drained body, seeming to sap even just a bit more of the precious energy. Only after the imperative need was taken care of and dealt with could Farore notice the warm slippery surface that acted as a savior. Wearily the spirit looked down. The only thing discernable was a curving edge floating in the water. There was a noise, a slow then rushing bubbling rumble before a great splash sprayed in front of the weary eyes, to the side of the floating edge. The clear water solidified into a ghostly formed, to great wings with a head on top, and a golden glow shining through the water and the eyes of the Entity. The Seraph of Water.

"Nayru…" Farore breathed heavily, actually in a stunned awe of the once equal kin. Why did this physical voice feel so quiet? "You've gotten bigger."

"I am the same. It is you who have changed size." The Seraph's ethereal voice was almost chiding in its tone. "You've completely drained yourself of power."

From where the body lay, Farore felt the pulse of warm life from the creature carrying it. And Farore's eyes and ears discerned creatures flying and squawking from high above in the sky. It seemed the supposed Spirit had somehow created without conscious knowledge.

"…I guess I did, didn't I?" Farore murmured. No wonder the celestial essence could not have shed the body. "What would've happened… if I had drained even more?"

Farore could not read the essence of the encompassing kin. The link they usually shared was gone in these bodies. "You would have lost your vessel."

"But… would anything have happened… to me?"

"Nothing truly detrimental. Only the loss of your ability to create."

"Permanently?"

"Yes. But you have already done that job, so there is nothing to fear."

"Fear…"

Was that really fear? It was so foreign. The ache and desire to stay, to live, was nothing like any fear felt before, not as a free spirit. All that would have happen was the loss of the ability to create, and that was already taken care of, like Nayru said. Did the Gift fear such a fate that much? Farore smiled, the closest the body could attain of an ironic laugh as the eyes closed for rest.

"I was just… having such a good time…"

Nayru looked upon the shape shifter of kin as the sibling fell into a sort of meditative state; a stage to rest the body and try to regain the energy lost from extensive work. The soft rhythm of the lungs reassured the water gaurdian, and the Gift told the Seraph to be as silent as possible as well as lead the creature born from the Lost Tail toward where the Titan of the Earth lay in wait.

Rest, Sister. And when you awaken, meet your children.

Farore would never feel the intense power of creation the way the kin of essence could, but there was no hierarchy based on this, for in the end, the erratic, ever-changing, ever-inquisitive, ever seeking, ever mistaking spirit was the most important of all.

Farore was life.

With … rich soul produced all life forms who would uphold the law.

"And that's what happened."

Din openly stared. "Wow…"

"It seems you have had quite the adventure."

Farore did not know how to reply to that. They were right, when really going over everything. It had not felt like it at the time.

"Makes a nice story." Din commented. "Everyone here will probably remember your accounts better."

The creations did not want to say such words out loud, though silently agreed. The storyteller glanced uncertainly at the audience, from the sitting Deities to the enraptured little rocks, the white creatures of the sea, and the winged race, to the respected attention of the Great Red Beast sitting calmly on the mountain and the Great Fish floating in the sea. Each creation a part of the great Deity and the very creator had not even realized it.

"It is certainly a fine collection of accounts we should be remembered by." Nayru extended her water form to signal a leave. "Fine tales to pass through the ages."

"We gotta leave already?" Din complained.

"We have done our job. Now we must depart to let our creations truly flourish."

There was an immediate vocal protest to this from the conscious of said creations.

"But we must."

Their pleas and demands and begs and arguments only rose to counter the claim. Din leered in agitation. A great seism rumbled the earth beneath the taloned, hardened and webbed feet and the volcanoes and magma erupted dangerously beside them.

"Stop this insistent whining, you clinging children! Either accept this or get away!"

The creations took warning. The winged race squawked and cheeped, the boulder-like race yelped and the finned creatures cried out. Families gathered their young and interracial neighbors forsook each other for their own safety as they retreated to the heavens, a safer mountain and the sea. Din's anger dimmed with the arrival of confusion.

"Where're they all going?"

"To heed your word." Nayru smiled in amusement.

"I just wanted them to let us leave, not leave us be."

Farore smiled. "Your rage is a powerful factor Din. You should be aware that my mortals cannot stand up to it."

"Beware of Din's Rage." Nayru nodded sagely.

"Well, I guess I am a force to be reckoned with. Might as well go now. Good lasting impression to give them."

"Alright," Farore stood to join the Deities, though the current form was still comically smaller than theirs. "Just give me a minute before we leave."

"You gonna change?"

"Change?"

"Well, you look ridiculous. You uh, missed a couple there."

Din pointed to the top of the stone forehead, and Farore reached up to mirror the move, and felt two long feathers that had not come out from before. Farore leered, turned without a word and marched away, in all the tiny, gray, fluffy, glory.

The nerve of her! One foot kicked at one of the stupid rocks conceitedly blocking the path. I never make fun of her vessel.

The crossed Deity huffed as the march along the dusty plain slowed. The centuries-old dirt seemed flimsy and useless. The echo of her curse that brought this inept substance into existence in the first place bit with a vengeance. Then stopped. Great vibrant rings of green followed a pattern- a rhythm of sorts from some distant starting point, toward the mountain and sea border. Each ring must have been at least the size of Din's foot, and each one sprung with vibrant energy. The curious Deity mentally counted them, trying to remember where the song was familiar. It was excited and determined, almost erratic with anxiety. In a flash Farore realized these must have been the footprints from the start of the creative journey so long ago. How strange, the spirit seemed to make music as well as creations without realizing it. Now that Farore stopped and thought about it, the Deity vaguely remembered wishing Din's planet softer, with more color. But from what part of the vessel could these tiny things have come from, and how did Nayru and Din miss these?

The Deity knelt down next to the nearest ring and reached out to touch one little leaf in curious affection. The thin and springing green stem bounced away at the slightest touch, and Farore felt almost in awe at the thought of so many fragile things surviving on such a planet. How long had these small things been here? And how could there be so many in such small spaces? The Deity rose to look again at the skipping trail, the remnants of a young virgin Entity. The clouds turned and thundered with the promise of a coming storm, and though Farore knew better than to question or tamper with the Seraph's designs and patterns, the thought of a storm bombarding these already struggling creations brought on anxiety. Was there something that could be done to stop it?

Farore was a celestial being, of course there was. Nayru may have written the Laws… but the Laws were for the mortal creations to live and prosper. And if the Laws were somehow a hindrance to the creations, then the Deity and Creator of Life should use proper judgment to interpret Nayru's Laws to ultimately benefit the world. But to what extent?

As the gray darkened with the increase in clouds to block the light, The Creator of Life thought and considered. Never before had there been a consciously made creation. A part of Farore… the fingers moved up to the smooth forehead, where two long feathers remained. A creature… to protect life. Farore physically pulled them out and looked to them both. A creature… for the skies. The thin fingers twisted the two feathers together into a cracking and ruffled string. A creature… that could survive the onslaught of the heaven's power. The Deity held up the segmented feathers and blew.

The brown twisted feathers coiled and grew within the released current of wind. It glowed and adapted a darker shade of the creations Farore wished to live. Softly it dropped to the red ground as the brief air current died to join the rest of the air on the planet. The massive and segmented body of the conception instinctually rested comfortably into a ring on the vast dusty plain. After a moment of slow and arduous movement from the rope of a body created on itself, a single vivid yellow eye with an unexplainable cyst in the iris opened obediently and expectantly to its creative parent. The eye was the size of Farore's head.

"Protect them." The Creator said simply. "Protect them until they are strong enough to live."

A thin white film closed horizontally along the yellow eye concurrently with its green skinned vertical counterpart in a single blink, before the eye retreated as the great creature worked to uncurl the enormous body. Farore watched as a thick, clawed leg the height of the lower half of the body- tiny in proportion to the rest of the snake- snapped out from under the scales, and another leg the length of the whole body burrowed out from further back on the anatomy. They gave just the little support it needed to unwind from the dusty floor. Earth red lined the scales and armored nose to lessen the monochrome green. Without a second questioning or affirming glance, the great Opus of Farore rose from the earth to uncurl completely. With a slight jump for take off, it slithered into the skies and clouds above. In just another moment, the darkness lessened, the clouds thinned and parted just enough to set The Creator's heart at ease.

The rings of vibrant newborn green sprung and shook with Farore's bestowed smile. Rays of warm halcyon light slowly grew to bless the rings of life. Such a beautiful color, the Deity mused. The brown dust of the surrounding planet conjured more questions. What other colors could this planet bear? What others forms and races could thrive to love and enjoy this planet? Slowly the Deity gazed to the thinning clouds. A clear blue sky slowly showed itself to the land for the first time as Farore tried to imagine what this world would be like in the future. The Creator could not. The thought only made Farore laugh, freely and joyously and excitedly, as The Creator raised arms and released the vast flow of magic stirred and aroused only by free and wild joy.

Both Deities from afar were caught off guard from the massive whoo that flushed over the encased globe. A torrent of wind blared through the dormant sphere. It was completely invisible, yet still displaying its power and ability with its affects on the other creations. It swirled and pushed Nayru's clouds and stirred Din's smaller rocks; it veered the flying race and knocked around the walking rocks. The gentle shower of rain in other points on the earth amalgamated into a mighty hurricane. The baptismal tempest swirled with a real world projection of bluster, to fight the wild rough impulses of the planet itself, and created a fine accompaniment to the song and dance Nayru and Din left behind; a necessary instrument that was fundamental, and made the others wonder how they thought to get along without it before. The rolling drums and flashes of light stirred the Deities from their dazed impatience, and slowly, The Seraph of Water began another song, a simple impulse to join the new chorus. Slowly, Din began another dance, a simple impulse to celebrate the newest addition to the globe. And that is how the Deities celebrated their creations.

But the true reason for Farore's release was invisible and unknown to anyone, for as the release of power slowly dissimilated, now the plain Deity stood on the plains, with only plain pink skin as a case for essence, the last of the gray fluff carried by the wind to its confidential destination. As the power in their region calmed, Nayru and Din joined their kin upon the plains. The small disguised creature was given warning by the shaking stomps of Din's careless step, but did not turn initially.

"I cannot wait to see what you have painted." Nayru soothed.

"Well, it might take a while." From this tiny stature, Farore craned the neck to look upon the Titans and half joked thoughtfully. "Any chance we could have one more round of a game? For old time's sake?"

The two Towers nodded. They could have at least one last bit of fun before they completely took on the responsibility of a planet. The black and brown ground shook and rumbled with the weight and power of the Deities as they stood on the surface.

"We ready?" Din asked.

Farore nodded. "Can we still?"

"We have not lost our old ways." Nayru smiled, "Only gained new ones. We merely need to reach back into our origins, our beginning natures to find them again."

The seemingly aimless collection of mists condensed and flowed into liquid. It adapted a form similar to Din's and Farore's anatomies, with legs and arms. After a few more moments, the water froze into a hardened base.

"You can change too." Din accused, just now seeing that this vessel might be the only one stuck with a stubborn form.

"I am adaptable." Nayru corrected.

"…Wait a second, a while ago you said you had no physical form." Din reminded in suspicion.

"So I did. Well, I think it was important for the Scarlet Beast to see your authority anyway."

"Lazy."

The wise Seraph only smiled and held out the ice hands. Farore could not reach initially, and ignored Din's snickers to concentrate on growing the body to at least be at a more acceptable level. The third and final Deity smiled, finally seeing eye to eye with the celestial siblings for the first time in a very long time. They smiled as well, and linked their own hands with, creating a circle of three. Instantly they could feel the change in themselves, and each other, and now better understood each of their roles in this great responsibility.

Din: the wild raw planet that was the imperative anchor of it all, that both cradled Farore's life and burned it away, to make room for the new creations bound to come.

Nayru: The deceptively gentle, exceedingly powerful water which soothed Din's wild flame and through adaptable forms regulated the planet into a smoother shape.

Farore: The ever changing array of life which rested on Din's stone and drew upon the energy of Nayru's water to live and grow into this realm of possibilities.

Just as it would be forever more.

"Let's go."

Once more united, the task to search the ability of flight was easy. They gathered their energy, stirring the air and dust of centuries and launched for the heavens.

The three great ..., their labors completed, departed for the heavens.

As they gathered energy and soared up to the entry point, the three Deities experienced a strange sensation with their new bodies. Friction against the forming new air of the planet they would soon come to call 'wind resistance,' though this was only a minor detail. The goal was just within Nayru's shield and thus easily within reach without disrupting the barrier, so there were no concerns for that. However as they kept their eyes ahead to the awaiting rift, Nayru began to become fearful.

"Sisters?" Carried the voice called over the roar.

"What?" They both asked.

"We're not very malleable in these forms, are we?"

There was a moment of confused blinking as the two of kin took this in. Well it was true the solid cases of their vessels were not so flexible as their pure energy forms, though they failed to understand why this caused for distress. It was only as they looked at the narrowed crack all the bodies were heading for that it clicked. In the same instant, their eyes widened.

"Oh shy-"

All three noggins collided into one another from the inevitable momentum. Farore's soft nose knocked against Din's sharp forehead, and Nayru's freezing mouth cracked against Din's chin. They all dispersed quickly from their first collision, holding their injuries; a strange new feeling for a strange new lifestyle.

"Ow!" Farore clutched at the bump space between her eyes and mouth. "Watch it!"

Din glared at, rubbing at rough forehead and under chin.

"You bumped into me!" The Titan glanced at Nayru. "You okay?"

The smallest one nodded with frosted clear hands over the busted lip.

"Ah well, let's try that again, one at a time." Din said. "This is harder than I thought."

The vessel of rock entered through first, Farore's plain form followed, and Nayru's icy encasing came up at the rear. Once back into the space between spaces, all three felt wary enough to spread out to engage in their tasks. Slowly they extended their hands and released red, green and blue rays of light. The three streams collided in white against the rift and quickly mended and sealed the entrance once more. They lowered their hands and checked their injuries once more, more in awe than actual pain. This was such an odd experience, yet somehow seemed so natural now.

"Am I bleeding?" Farore asked and lifted the concealing fingers.

Din looked at the shining golden liquid and nodded with a "Just a little," before drawing fingers away from the cut Nayru's sharp ridge of a mouth left on the rock chin and looked at the glittering essence. "Blast, hope we don't leave any in here on accident. If that doesn't spell disaster I don't know what does."

Nayru nodded in agreement and pressed fingers against the hurt mouth.

One the other side of the repaired crack, three golden droplets, one from each spirit, fell as rain. The natural magnetic attraction brought them closer together, and they dried and congealed into a sharper form. Each took form of the strongest and most balanced shape of the known universe to reflect the awesome potential and strength reflected in the Creators: the triangle.

And golden sacred triangles remained at the point where the ... left the world.

And it left quite a surprise for when they returned. Granted their game did run over a hundred years or two, but they did not realize it would lead to such a leap.

"It seems our power has increased the development in this particular area." Nayru observed.

The other Deities were too stunned to comment.

Only an occasional small, white, harmless cloud dotted the clear blue sky, leaving the halcyon light of the sun to shine onto the earth and give more energy to life. Vibrant shades of jade, olive, and viridian carpeted the once barren dusty red planet with grasses and leaves and moss. Splashes of radiant pearl flowers colored the monochrome green and the air with their seductive fragrance. Tiny glimpses of lemon, grape, and berry shaded flowers just learning to deviate from their white neighbors and ancestors took bold roots and spreading campaigns. Though the sight was beautiful, this was not what had the Deities so enraptured.

Feathers flew, beaks snapped, talons clicked and eyes leered about as hundreds of owls who called themselves 'Oocca' squabbled amongst the gathered populace. The great proud and hulking race which called themselves the 'Gorons' pounded and shook in their argumentative rage. The 'Zora' as they were so called waved their sharpened coral spears to boast of their reigning intelligence, despite being forced out of their element. Tiny little white people that donned weaved fibers of green plants and colored flowers for decoration whined in their tantrums for the unfair advantages of the other races.

"It was your turn to clean the Triforce, Page, it's an important duty. I don't understand why this is so hard for you to get-"

"I just need a little courage to ask her out, it's no biggy-"

"My heart's intent will surely be of greater benefit to the clan-"

But the moment the Deities were spotted, everyone stopped. Voices that moments ago were in heated disagreement quickly erupted in terror. They scattered off into their own directions, leaving the shining golden triangles alone once more.

"What was that all about?" Din wondered.

Farore snickered. "I think they still remember stories of your rage."

"Well, what if I just wanted to say 'hi'? That's just hurtful."

"Hello little ones. You are not afraid?"

Farore and Din followed Nayru's line of sight to the tiny people decorated in plants. Their bodies were relatively the same as the Zora and Gorons, though the proportions shrunk to make them shorter. Some chubby, some skinny, all had different hair colors and facial features, more distinct than the other races usually had from each other. They remained and stared with open mouths at the three titans. Farore smiled.

"They were created after it happened."

"…You're really big." One pointed out, in case the three had not noticed it before.

Nayru nodded. "It would seem we are."

"Yeah, we're not little!" Another agreed.

"We're just vertically challenged!"

Farore had to suppress an affectionate giggle.

"Also fashionably challenged." Din scoffed. "What are you all covering yourselves with?"

"Hey!" Here, the little people and Farore turned in affronted anger.

"I'm just saying. Their wardrobe choice leaves a bit to be desired."

"Oh yeah?" one little child boldly pointed up to Din. "At least we're not an ugly boring color!"

"Red is not boring!"

"That's brown, like mud!"

"It's red earth!"

"Come on, Din." Farore stood and held back the sharp and warbled stone shoulder. "They're just creations. You are a wise, matured Deity."

"Little brats need to learn some manners!"

"Like you're one to talk. You're just offended."

"Am not!"

"Are too."

"Am not."

"Are too."

"I am not!"

"Sisters."

"What?"

Nayru calmly indicated the little people. "Watch what you do in front of the children."

The two blinked and looked down to see the little children unexplainably bickering in plain sight of the two Titans.

"Ha! Why'd ya go an' add a purple flower? Yellow's much better."

"It is not!"

"Is too!"

"My hair's prettier than yours!"

"Is not!"

"Hey, bet I can touch the triangles before you!"

"No!"

Both Din and Farore slammed down their hands in front of the triangles before the child could go near, startling the other observing kids and disturbing a burst of petals, leaves, and dust from the floor.

"You don't do that, that's not a toy." Farore chastised. "You mustn't touch them."

The children hung their heads from the warning tone and shuffled their feet in convenient shame.

"Now, run along and play, over there in that growth of plants. And don't come back until this is gone and safe."

"All the way over there?"

"All the way over there."

"Aw…"

They dejectedly kicked the grass, before they turned to see what it was Farore referred to. A great tree that towered from afar and watched over a jungle of a forest of wild plants beckoned the far children and enticed for play. They brightened instantly at the sight of the woods and cheered and raced over. Farore took a good look at the face of the tree, and realized it must have been that tiny sprout of a plant touched so long ago; or at least an offspring of it.

"We will need a way to hide this." Nayru said seriously.

"Yeah. This thing can definitely cause some trouble for us in the future." Din flicked the triangles for emphasis, earning an indignant 'ching' in response. "I think we should put it away before it gets out of hand."

The massive stone hand wrapped about it easily enough, but when Din tried to physically remove it, it would not budge in the slightest. Even twisting and yanking at the thing did not loosen it. Farore came to assist, but even then the item stubbornly refused to move, letting its clear intentions of remaining in its spot known.

"Blast-" another mountain from afar exploded, "looks like it's already attuned itself with the earth."

"Well, nothing we can do about it. Guess it'll have to stay."

Since then, the sacred Triangles have become the basis of our world's providence.

Nayru grew serious and pondered. "We will need to seal it off. Enough to keep it away from life until it is mature enough to handle such a task."

"How?"

All three considered how this should be done; it was Farore that had come to an answer. This Deity, the Creator, had created a race to conquer Din's mountain, had created a race to love Nayru's seas, had created a race to occupy the sky, and had created a race to enjoy the flowers. It was not impossible then, to create a race merely to protect this sacred essence. A part of the Gift… Admittedly Farore liked the forms of the little plant covered people… but they would need to be bigger and stronger, to carry their purpose… Thoughtful hands reached up where green fur now quickly grew into a flowing emerald mane. Pale pink fingers combed through the windblown tresses and gently raked away the few long strands that complied. With a single hand at a time, The Creator extended the arm to let the wind catch the silk. Thin emerald threads shimmered white and curled into the air, to land toward the hallowed light of the Sacred Blood. Even the mere moment they touched the grasses and wild flowers, the fibril shone green as the power of their creation began.

"That should do it."

"I kinda like this look for you." Din said thoughtfully, studying the hair against the body. "The fur seemed strange before, but it looks better longer."

Farore stared, stunned by the compliment, then relaxed enough to soften. "…Thank you, Din."

"You're welcome."

"If you are sure you are done Farore, then we should leave."

"Why so soon?"

"Well," Nayru tried not to sound accusatory, though the words could not help but be patronizing, "thanks to Din we cannot approach any of the life forms without them fleeing in terror."

"Way to go, Din."

"Shut up, Farore!"

"But we can't just leave them." The Deity of Life argued. "We left them alone for only two hundred years, and look what happened."

"You are right. We need help watching them when we cannot approach them."

Silence reigned against the bright sun and soft blowing wind as they contemplated this. Who to ask for assistance on such a matter?

"What about Lanayru?" Farore suggested. "I'm sure he'd be willing to help us out a bit."

"Funny, I was just thinking about him too." Din admitted. "Either him or Ordona maybe."

Nayru was quiet another moment. "I believe Faron and Eldin would do very well."

Din sighed. "Well, we don't know for sure if any of them would actually want to do it. We'll have to ask and make sure first."

"Right." Farore nodded "Let's go and find them."

"Wait here, Farore," Nayru suggested. "To keep an eye on them while Din and I ask."

"Right."

The Deities ascended the heavens once more, and Farore and looked upon the slow formation of the latest inventions. Similar to the child-like creations, they varied in height, facial features, body sizes and details. Though perhaps because not all of the used hair was perfectly straight, The Creator noticed a tiny few with small deformities, such as a crooked arm or stooped back. One even had only one foot. The Titan thought of the cyst in the Dragon's eye. Yes, they were indeed perfect.

They had all noticed the enormous presence by now as it knelt down to see them up close. Now that Farore thought of it, these were the only creatures that had their parent actually remain with them to watch their formation. And now it was time to instruct them in the same manner as the Dragon so long before them.

"Now listen to me carefully, my children," Farore said softly, catching the attention of all the long ears she gave them specifically for this purpose, "You are given a very important responsibility. Protect the sacred Triangles you see there. Their power can be used for the good or evil of this land, but now is not the time. Hide them, seal them, keep them from the eyes and ears of others. This is an imperative responsibility."

The Instructor noticed movement in the back of the awed group and looked. A single being was wandering around curiously, searching at the flowers, looking the trees, seeking out the small bugs or animals and critters that could be found. A strong sense of curiosity and adventure was refreshing to see at least one of the creatures, but became troublesome when he finally rested eyes on the Triangles. This one had short, rounded ears as his unfortunate deformity, thus was not as attuned to the guiding voice, and did not hear the Instructor's initial warning. He took a step for the Triangles.

"You must not touch the Triforce." The Instructor said a bit louder.

The creation with rounded ears jumped and whirled. In startled obedience he hurried in place and looked up expectantly. Farore softened her stern look. He had meant no harm by it, and he would be more careful from now on. The Instructor returned attention to all.

"I am counting on you."

And so, having relayed the needed information, Farore towered tall and proud in all pink skinned, flat-chested, narrow-hipped naked glory, and after a moment of inner searching found the strength to leave the creations closest to heart and take off to the heavens, leaving the children behind with the impression of a guiding mother, a soothing female.

A Goddess.

The Hylians heeded Farore's word. They carefully formed a hiding fortress, a crude inter-dimensional holding with only the intention of keeping out direct contact with life. Despite the seal upon the Sacred Blood, the essence and power still leaked through the land, subtly influencing life forms for years to come.

And the resting place of the triangles has become the Sacred Realm.

"They agreed." Nayru informed.

"Really? Which ones?"

"All of them."

Farore blinked. "All?"

Nayru nodded. "They were eager to assist when we told them our favor."

"Oh…" Farore looked down into the window that had been created for their viewing convenience. "I guess that mean's we won't have too much to worry about."

"Alright, we did it!" Din flung up celebratory arms and cheered. "With that problem fixed, we should be A-OK from here on out!"

"But it's becoming more crowded," Nayru murmured and peered through the window, "I can dry my seas some, but I overestimated the amount of elevated land. Din's planet is too covered with my waters to provide adequate space."

Farore blinked. "So we need more land?"

"Yes."

Farore turned to Din with an amused grin.

"Guess what you get to do."

Din blinked. Then groaned.

Before time began, before spirits and life existed…

Din, the Goddess of power…

Nayru, the Goddess of Wisdom…

Farore, the Goddess of courage…

Three golden Goddesses descended upon the chaos that was Hyrule.

Din

With her strong flaming arms, she cultivated the land and created the red earth.

Nayru

Poured her wisdom onto the earth and gave the spirit of law to the world.

Farore

With her rich soul produced all life forms who would uphold the law.

The three great Goddesses, their labors completed, departed for the heavens.

And golden sacred triangles remained at the point where the Goddesses left the world.

Since then, the sacred Triangles have become the basis of our world's providence.

And the resting place of the triangles has become the Sacred Realm.

This legend is common knowledge, and undisputed fact. Unfortunately, a few details were lost as it passed through the ages. No one suspected, or even questioned this Legend, until a single night, one fateful sleep, when one small boy had a dream that inspired him to create a story worthy enough to be retold one fateful Unity day, when two tiny villages down in the southern woods of Hyrule came together in celebration.

Fireworks were arranged each year to launch from Hyrule Field, so that people all across the land could enjoy them. Farore enjoyed watching them too, from her window in the heavens.

She was in the form of a female now, as had become the preference of all the Goddesses. Today she felt playful, so remained in a child-like body, in remembrance of the her isolated race. Her constant green hair was in braided pigtails that only reached her shoulder, and because today was a special day, she decided to let her body wear a green dress with robin-egg blue zigzag patterns and a white lace finish that swished around her knees, with an adorable little blue bow on the small of her back. She wore green slippers to complete the outfit, with a thin sole and a little blue bow on the toe of each shoe. Her short body leaned against the top edge of her water basin, and the bowl was tall enough so that the edge of the container went up to her chest. The basin was wide, nearly the length of her current body times three. Her bright green eyes peered into the window, with crossed arms resting on the flat molding of the edge of the basin. A small, fond smile flickered between a content half-smile, to an amused grin as she watched the faces of the spectators. She still managed to feel new excitement each time a child's face lighted with awe and discovery.

"Shouldn't you be watching Link?" Came the dry voice.

She did not look up, though waved off the voice. "He's fine, he's fine, not in any danger. Besides, Faron has him. I just want to see the kokiri before the Deku Tree sent them off to bed."

Din's body had long ago lost the rough, crude black edges of the beginnings of her creation, and had smoothed to a rounder form. The cracks were still there to allow movement, but no longer glowed as intensely from the magma stirring inside of her. One elbow rested on the edge of her own basin to support her head, and her legs crossed over the edge of her white throne, where she would have to keep her position for a long while, less she start an accidental earthquake. "And that's why you watch more than one place on that thing."

"It will be fine, Din," soothed Nayru's voice. She was in her water form at the moment, and her golden eyes flickered over the vast surface of her own window. "Farore knows when to Watch, and when to let things be."

All three Goddesses kept their eyes on the surface of their own basins. Each surface had a different region of the word, that could hone in on one area at will. And could be separated into separate areas at one time. They had long ago gotten into such a habit, so as not to miss a moment of the lives of their creations. A mortal's time could go by so fast if they did not pay attention.

"And I am Watching more than one place," Farore defended, "I'll be Watching soon anyway," the little Goddess grinned. "Strider will be telling his story soon."

Din did not even pretend to know who that was. She did not keep track of the Hylians and humans as much as Farore did. Nayru on the other hand, actually paid attention to her common ramblings of random names, and kept track of the events unfolding.

"You refer to the story he wrote about us?"

"Yep, and he'll finally get to tell it. He's so excited he can hardly sit still." She giggled. "He won't get to finish it, but it's still cute."

Din's curiosity stirred a little. "Really? He wrote a story about us? Why won't he finish?"

"Yep, he did. You should Watch and see."

"Not likely." Din went back to her Watching. "Let me know if he actually gets anything right."

Farore hummed her affirmative, not put off by her brisk nature. The Gorons were about to begin their tournament after the fireworks, and Din always found far more entertainment in that than story telling. And apparently, the next few tournaments would decide the order of guarding when the Dark Times hit, so she had to be sure everything went well. She just hoped her sister would keep her cheers down.

"Strider," Din frowned as the name was suddenly striking a cord in her memory. "Wasn't that the one with the-"

"Don't say anything," Farore finally looked up to beseech. "He'll hear you, and I don't want his night to be spoiled yet."

"He'll hear?" Din raised an eye ridge as she looked up.

"He has the ears. And he's become very paranoid about it," she grinned.

Din shook her head. "I don't see why you let his parents do that to him."

"Well," the little girl leaned back to her window to Watch again, "it's funny."

Nayru kept her chuckles down as Din sighed and went back to her own Watching. As far as Din saw things, it was a good thing none of the creations knew about all of Farore's motivations. They probably would not react well to her sadistic tendencies. Nayru of course knew the truth behind the unfortunate incident, but said nothing.

After the end of the fireworks display, and after the Deku Tree sent the isolated Kokiri off to bed, Farore switched over that part of the Channel to the more central region of Faron Woods, where two tiny villages had come together in celebration. This year it was the northern settlement's turn to host the celebration, and the people of Ordon were the guests. Between the orchard, and the forest clearing where the stables were, was a little place where the two cliff walls came close together to form a bottle-neck. It was here that the fire pit had been lighted, and the circle was already forming. The adults remained by the cliff faces on either side of the growing pit to let the children sit around the story fire.

The one exception was Colin, a fair-haired boy that remained on his mother's knee. Uli kept her hands on the child's middle to keep him balanced. She sat cross legged in the middle of the group of women on one side of the fire. To her left, Hera chatted away, asking her questions about how Colin was coming along and if she could lend her broom, because the one at the tavern had bristles so short and worn and it would take forever to make a new one, something she could not get done soon enough for cleaning. Hera was a fairly tall woman who also had fair hair, but it was a much more golden color compared to Uli's platinum flax. On the woman's other side, Pergie and her old friend Jiren gossiped, the two brunettes catching up on old times and trading stories with giant Sera about their lazy husbands. Directly across the fire pit, on the other cliff face were the men.

With their wives on the other side making no secret of their subject, Jaggle grumbled freely about hen-pecking women that used their charms to lure men into a false sense of security before nagging at them nonstop. Helo, a man that strongly resembled Hera, hushed him, and told him it was not so bad. After all, they had not resorted to extortion, and the husbands could still get away with their rugged and seductive charms to make their wives more compliant. He promptly shut up at that point, because Jaggle started glaring, and Hanch looked like he was about ready to cry. All right, so maybe the other two did not have it quite so good as him. Mitulo, a very tall, and burly man off to the side, decided not to take part in their conversation, instead smoothing down his brown goatee. He had stopped feeling sorry for them a long time ago. Link pretended not to notice their conversation as he leaned against the wall next to Jaggle, but the man remembered him anyway. He nudged Link with his elbow.

"Hey, what're you doin' up here? Men only."

The teen glanced at him, frowning at the slight.

"You're still fifteen, that ain't old enough."

Link looked away from him, but crinkled his eyebrows in stubborn refusal.

"Shelen's still sittin' with the kids."

He turned his attention to the sixteen year old teen at the fire pit, and leered to try to convey his message for him to get up and get over here to support him.

"Jus' go and sit."

He pushed off the wall and sat begrudgingly between Shelen and Ilia in the only free space, cursing him all the while. Ilia held back her chuckles, though grinned with her straw-haired friend Keian as they tried to keep up their conversation without a hitch.

"Ah, but do ya think it'd look good?" Ilia asked.

Keian tilted her head to the side slightly, and pursed her lips as she scrutinized with her single gray eye. Then she flipped her head, moving the straw bangs to cover the other eye instead, and reached out to hold Ilia's long hair off to the side.

"I think it'd look cute," she affirmed.

"Ya think so?" She tilted a shoulder and pat her hair thoughtfully.

Link glanced over, about to try to convince her not to cut it (she had very nice hair, in his opinion) but then started having second thoughts. She was facing away from him to speak with her other friend, and all he saw was the back of her neck as he hair was lifted off her shoulders, but even at this angle, he could not help but think she looked cute. Keian, who was facing Ilia for the sake of conversation, noticed his stare, and smirked a little.

"Definitely cut it this way. With a little curl on the side," she emphasized. "I'm sure someone else would like it to."

"Keian, hush!" Ilia hissed, and pulled her hair out to flatten it down, trying not to look behind her, which sent the other girl into giggles.

"What? I just meant you-know-who," she pointed over her own shoulder behind her, instead of at Link.

Ilia's face looked stricken, and hoped he did not hear, but the hinted boy had already been listening in anyway.

"It wouldn't matter if ya cut it 'r not, Ilia," Strider hopefully called over. "I think ya'd look great either way."

Ilia smiled over to humor him. "Thank you, Strider."

Link turned away quickly and ignored them. Keian's jabs were nothing new.

Shelen, and now Link were directly across from the narrator-to-be, which meant their backs were to the orchard, and ultimately, to the village. On Shelen's other side was Miren, a smaller girl with nearly black hair. She kept her knees close together, and nibbled her lip occasionally as she glanced at Shelen, trying to hold back a shy smile as he glanced down at her as well. The girl paid only half an ear to Deron, a slightly younger, but taller boy with brown hair that flipped out like wings by his ears, who sat on her other side and still tried to talk to her to get her attention.

Strider practically bounced in his spot as his friends and family and neighbors took their places within the circle. Young Talo was also just as eager, and he fidgeted by Strider. The little Malo was less enthusiastic, and just sat between Talo and Deron. Beth, for her part, was excited too, but the little girl tried not to let her immature eagerness show. She still sat next to Strider on his other side, but did not look directly at him and did her best not to glance over Ilia, Keian, and Goron to look at Link too much. Goron was a chubby human boy with an unfortunate nickname, his real name was Goro. His hair was the same shade as Deron's, but with loose curls all over his scalp instead of two flips. Like Malo, he was none too eager for the story, and tapped his foot impatiently, hoping to get whatever nonsense Strider had come up with over with. Said boy looked over each face and mentally checked off each person at the fire pit, (he paused to wave encouragingly to Ilia, who smiled hesitantly and waved back) then at the wall to his left, then the one to his right, before frowning and realizing they were missing some relatives. He craned his neck, then turned all the way around to spot them talking amongst themselves, walking painfully slow.

"Uncle Jod, hurry up!"

"Yeah, hurry up Rusl." Talo called.

"Coming," he called back and turned back to Jod. "A whole fifth, really?"

"Mm-hm," he nodded, his balding head shining in the firelight with each shake. "I'm jus' grateful we saved as much as we did. Those herbs 're pretty potent stuff."

The taller, larger and completely bald man looked critically at him, his tiny little mustache turned down in a frown. Mayor Bo rubbed his plump chin thoughtfully.

"Are they really safe t' use on crops then?"

"Jus' stinks up a storm t' keep 'em away. Washes off fine though. The boys suggested it actually. They used it t' torment the bugs they caught in the woods."

"Figures as much." Bo shook his head. "The new generation never ceases to amaze me."

The three were finally taking their place on the cliff with the other men when Rusl spotted his son on his wife's lap. His lips twitched in worry and disapproval. Uli caught him looking, and had to silently contend his point. She murmured in the boy's ear, and he looked to her beseechingly. She quietly urged him on, and he unwillingly stood. He made a few hesitant steps over to the group, though no one noticed him at first. The child fidgeted as he sought out an empty space, but disheartened as he found the whole circle filled. The action caught Link's attention, and he looked at him, and the look caught Shelen's attention, and he followed his eyes.

"Colin," Shelen alerted, "over here."

The boy gratefully hurried to where Link and Shelen scooted back a bit before sliding apart to make room and nestled between them. Link took the time to look at Shelen questioningly. The older teen seemed in no hurry to move, and mostly used his arms to lift himself up. And because of his sensitive hearing, he could hear the shallow hitch in his breathing, as though holding his breath while trying not to hiss in pain. Then teen was situated again, and he glanced back at Link, flashing him a smile, before turning back to Miren. Strider, the only other person in the gathering with Hylian ears, also noticed the pattern, but knew the reason for it, so did not question it.

"We all here? Good."

The boy reached into his belt and pulled out a wadded paper square, and Deron scoffed.

"You're supposed t'have it mem'rized."

"I tried ahright, but it was a lot," he defended.

"Don't worry 'bout it Strider." Keian soothed in her alto voice and flicked back her straw bangs. "We'll let you this one time."

"I'm sure it will be really good." Ilia encouraged.

"Oh it will be, it has to be, " He promised eagerly, and gave her a big toothy grin as he held it up. "I worked really, really hard on it just fer tonight so it would be perfect for ya, so I really hope ya like it."

Ilia bit the inside of her cheek as the other kids in the circle (and a few adults to the sides) held back their snickers at her suspense. She knew she should have been flattered, but after all these years, his affections had become more of a nuisance than anything. She looked back at his wide, sparkling blue eyes as he awaited her answer breathlessly. Well, she could not just leave him.

"Um, thank you, Strider," she finally said, "I'm sure I'll love it."

"Yes!" He cheered. "That's two hundred sixty-nine to two seventy-three, I'm catchin' up!

With new zeal, he unfolded the paper to begin his tale. Ilia had to lower her blushing face as Keian pat her shoulder affectionately, and Link stared at the boy. He kept meaning to ask what the heck all those numbers were about. Maybe he would remember to ask after the story. Strider finally unfurled the paper to show three separate pieces, inked out with letters from front to back.

"How long is this story?" Talo complained from beside him.

"Listen an' find out." Strider chided. He turned his attention to the words of the page, "The legend starts, Before time began, before spirits and life existed-"

"Hey, tha's just the creation Legend." Goron frowned.

"Am I gonna get to tell my story?" He leered. "If ya quiet and listen, you'll see that it's not the same creation legend."

"How's it different?" Beth asked skeptically.

"Listen an' you'll see!" Strider snapped.

"Don't get too excited, Strider," Mitulo warned.

"Yes Pop," he grumbled.

But he kept his eye on the group, and glared at the silent trio, the only people that had not said anything, daring them to add their own commentary. Shelen looked away, Link smiled in confusion, but innocence, and Colin looked down to avoid Strider's silent wrath. Satisfied, Strider lifted his paper.

"Is this-"

"NO!"

There were a few traitorous snorts and snickers at Shelen's purposeful jab at Strider's patience, even as he leered.

"Hate you guys so much," he muttered. "The legend starts, "Before time began, before spirits and life existed…"

But there was a time before time. This realm was only chaos. But in a place beside this universe, the realm of the Goddesses flourished. There was joyful music and wonderful light and beauty, and the three golden goddesses were happy in their world. Nayru sang for her joy, Din danced away for her passion, and Farore played any instrument she chose for her emotions. Except for the smallest and sweetest and wisest, the Goddesses celebrated. Farore one day noticed her sister's sadness.

Nayru, what ails you?-"

"She asked her fer a drink?"

Everyone stared at Deron, wondering if he was serious or not. He stared curiously at Strider, as the boy stared dryly back.

"'Ails' as in 'plagues' or 'saddens,' not "ale" the drink."

"Yer makin' that up."

"I am not! Itsa real word."

"Now yer jus' showin' off."

"I'm jus' using more formal language for her. Don't go accusin' me of showin' off just cuz you never pick up a book."

"Then wha's with the fancy accent?"

"I'm jus' reading' it properly, there's no accent. Now shut up an' let me read."

"Ahright, ahright, keep tellin' the story."

"Thank you. "Nayru, what ails you?"

I do not know. I cannot find joy in our music. My heart yearns.

What for?

I do not know.

Din had listened to her sister's plight.

Perhaps she only needs a change of scenery. Often I cannot dance because I find the same surroundings tiresome.

Farore and Nayru agreed to give the idea a try. And so they left on a journey. They passed many beautiful things, with colors and shapes that belonged only to their realm. But no matter where they roamed, how beautiful the sight, Nayru would not cheer. Her sisters could only watch as her depression grew. It surely must have been destiny that fateful day, when Din happened to dance in a remote region of their realm, and stumble upon the entrance to another.

What is this place?

It was dark and barren and cold. Her celestial self shone through the strange world to reveal the chaos hidden, and she found it beautiful. It inspired her to dance, in a way she never had before. She danced for hours in the darkness, and her light and fire filled the cold void. Her gift brought together stone and rock to form a great planet.-"

"So basically, a giant rock?"

"That's right Deron," he grit his teeth, a tic developing above his eyebrow, "a giant rock."

"Just checking."

The boy held his tongue, finding his patience running increasingly thin. "As she danced, the other Goddesses of the realm noticed Din's absence, and searched for her. They came upon the forming creation as she finished. Pleased with the work her dance created, she rested, with the new form of rock and earth. As Nayru looked upon the new earth, she was filled with such love that her tears flowed onto the-"

"Holy crap, a giant rock, it's just what I've always wanted! Din, how did you know?" Deron gasped, and sniffed and wiped at his eyes. "Best Birth present ever!"

"Basset, Deron!" Strider pointed accusingly, even as the whole circle burst out laughing. "That's yer home you're making fun of, show some respect."

"Come on Strider, she cried for no reason?"

"They were tears of joy."

"Just what's so joyous about a big rock?" Goro criticized.

"It's the potential in the rock. These are celestial beings with powers and minds beyond mortal man's imagination-"

"Written by a nine year old." Shelen interjected.

"Shut up!" He reached his palm up to the heavens, "These Goddesses hold other worldly understanding and intuition that we can only dream of had to come with the ability-"

"Ugh, he's going on another tangent." Keian groaned.

"He does this a lot?" Ilia asked.

Miren nodded. "It's better to just let him run his course."

"Smooth Goron," Deron snapped.

"- they created us all then there's gotta be a way for them to sense when it's good to make life. If it wasn't for that strange and mysterious power then we wouldn't be alive. Unless of course they had to practice first to get it right, since we're supposed to be the closest living race to the Gods-"

"How long's this gonna take?" Talo complained.

Beth shushed him. "It might take longer if you interrupt him again."

"Seems like it's taking long enough as it is," Malo muttered.

"Besides," Strider calmed suddenly, "Isn't that why we're all here? To celebrate the joys of the Goddesses creations?"

"We're here for the war celebration, moron." Deron reminded.

"Deron!" Helo barked from his wall.

"That's the end of war celebration," Goro corrected and murmured: "Dumbass."

"Goro!" Jiren snapped still managing to somehow hear the swear word.

"A hundred and ten years of peace and quiet, and I still gotta put up with this crap." Keian joked to Ilia.

"Keian!" Jod yapped.

Miren sighed. "Can we go inside now?"

"Miren!" Mitulo caught himself. "Oh sorry honey, got caught up in the moment."

"That's okay, Uncle Mitulo."

"That's it! FINE!" Strider threw his papers up in the air. "Forget the blasted story I spent three bloody weeks on and go inside!"

"Strider, not you too." Hera berated.

Beth and Talo giggled at the naughty language, while Malo rolled his eyes and Colin looked on in horrified wonder. The fine people of Ordon blinked with complete bafflement at the erupting scene before him. These people could not have always been like this, they would have remembered.

"Ignore the love of our mothers!" Strider was saying. He was on his feet by now and crying out to the heavens. "Forsake their labors and go back to your merry drink!"

Then again, no behavior like this could possibly develop over a single night.

"Oh for love's sake."

Deron pushed on his hand and shot to his feet. He came around and scooped up the raving boy by the waist and slung him over his shoulder. This might have upset and stopped a normal child, but Strider was rather passionate about his topic and not halting his rant in the least. He flapped his arms like wings and half kicked his feet.

"…For we shall all feel the wrath of their displeasure for not granting their proper rituals!"

"Brigadier Goron, it's official, the Lieutenant has gone mad." Captain Deron adjusted his hold and put a foot on one of the rocks around the pit, staring down at the flames with an insane glint. "We must sacrifice him to the Gods!"

The younger children screamed in horror at the prospect, and many of the adults were rubbing their temples, pinching their noses, and other like gestures of relieving stress.

"Deron," Jiren ordered out, "put Strider down. No away from the- I said away from the fire!"

Keian saw Link's and Ilia's expressions and laughed. "Welcome to Judiken."


So, this is actually a prologue to the story. I realized I had to split it and move it, because this chapter is daunting, and would not show up, and while it does foreshadow and hint and generally enter into the world of the main story, it does not follow the same style, and initial narration.