So I go back to school tomorrow aand it's going to be difficult for me to update whenever I can... so, this may be the last chapter for a while, but do not fret! I will updates whenever I can :)

Scroll Four

A Temporary Establishment

Nyx got her fifty rupees. It was an easy win, too. Link was good at Archery, though he missed the pole twice before striking it. Nyx hit it quite easily. "WHOA!" Talo shouted, jumping up and down with delight. "You're so cool, Nyx! Are you staying for long?"

"As long as Link is, I suppose. Unless you want me to stay for longer…"

"We can stay for another day," Link chuckled. "You look like you could use a bath. Do you like hot springs?"

"Never been in one," Nyx replied. Ilia's head snapped to Nyx with astonishment.

"Are you kidding? You've never been in a hot spring before?"

"No… it's too cold for hot springs… if that makes sense."

Ilia shook her head. "Absolutely! This is why we're going to the hot spring! Right now! Perfect time of day. Sunset is almost upon us!" Ilia grabbed Nyx by the hand and began to walk towards the spring. She couldn't say anything despite the panic rising in her gut. Link couldn't say anything against it, nor could Midna, though she would have.

Ilia led Nyx up a ladder and towards a pool of boiling hot water. Without hesitation, Ilia undressed and strode slowly into the spring, sighing when the heat got to her core. "It's so lovely, Nyx. Come on in!"

"I… I think I'm fine."

"Come on! It's lovely!"

"I…" My markings will show… "Just don't… be afraid, alright?"

Nyx took off her clothing and Ilia's eyes bulged. "Goddess, you're skinny! And that birthmark… it's beautiful!"

"I'm sorry?"

"It's slightly darker than your skin, but still beautiful."

Darker? Can she not see they glow blue? And a birthmark… what on earth is that? This brands me as part Twili. Nyx dipped her toe in the water and hopped back. "That's steaming!"

"It's supposed to, silly! I can scrub your back if you want; you're filthy."

"But it's… too hot…"

"You get used to it," Ilia laughed. "Come on, get in."

Slowly, Nyx submerged herself in the hot spring, her dark hair splayed out around her face. Ilia appeared behind her, holding a sponge. "Move your hair; I'm going to scrub your back until it's as white as the snow you were raised in."

By the time Ilia was done with Nyx, she felt as if she'd grown a new skin. She felt… stuffy, almost. Ilia said it was because she was clean. Link had laughed at her for asking why she felt so odd, though he understood. After the two girls had returned from the spring, Link had leapt at the opportunity to bathe in the hot springs.

"Renaldo wants to speak with you now," Link had said. "While you're busy conversing, I'm having a bath."

Nyx had been led into the largest building in Kakariko by an eager Talo to guide her. "My younger brother Malo says you look really strong and that the arrows you have are worth twice the arrows he sells. He wants to know how you make them so he can sell them for the appropriate price."

"I'll be sure to make some arrows for him then," Nyx said, smiling. She liked the kid. He was full of energy. "So, what's Renaldo like?"

"He's a really good shaman. He helped Ilia remember who she was and where she came from. His daughter's pretty cool too; she helps me with the watch sometimes. He said he wanted to meet you in person too, since Telma spoke so highly of you… or something like that."

Opening to doors to the hut was like entering home. The walls were painted with red markings that Nyx didn't recognize, set up with five torches lit. In the center of the room, there was a statue of an eagle with its wings closed. Sitting on a bench, a dark-skinned man wearing a cloak and scarf gazed at her with wise old eyes. His hair, now dark dreadlocks, fell over his shoulder in great lumps. He appeared to be in his mid-forties, with a strange look in his withered face.

"You must be Nyx. I am Renaldo, shaman of Kakariko. If I may ask, how does a mountain barbarian of the East come here to the West mountain of the Gorons?"

"I was driven out."

"By whom? Or what, to be more precise?"

"Shadow beasts," Nyx spoke in a hushed tone.

"The monsters that hide under our beds? Please, Nyx, aren't you a little too old for fairytales?"

"I saw them. I've killed them. I watched them tear my family to pieces and drive my homeland into the cold, dead snow stained with blood. I watched my family turn into the monsters that killed them and turn against their brothers, sister, aunts and uncles."

Renaldo's face turned dark with worry. "Are you certain of this?"

"More than certain. I know what I saw."

"And you were the only survivor?"

"I don't know for certain."

He stood, towering above Nyx. "I do not have time for unsureness, Nyx, though I know you are telling the truth. I am a good lie detector."

Nyx stared directly into his eyes. "I was told you would listen. And you have. Now I will listen to your request, you if have one."

"That I do. You see, Kakariko entered a state of… nightmares, if you will. Monsters roamed the streets, killing anyone who got in their way. Boblins ran the gates guarding the entrance. Had it not been for Link, our lives could have possibly ended up like the store keeper, whose store is now run by Malo across the road. I would like for you to accompany us here, so that we feel… safer."

"Live in Kakariko?" Nyx blinked.

"For the time being, until Link returns to us again. Then you may travel with him."

She glanced around. "Where would I stay?"

"Wherever you please. You could stay with me here with the children, or perhaps with Barnes in his bomb shop… though that would be… unwise."

Nyx had never been a fan of bombs in the first place. "And my job is to simply guard the village? I thought Talo guarded during the day. Perhaps I could guard during the night?"

Renaldo smiled and nodded. "That sounds fine to me. Shall I tell everyone?"

"Go ahead. I'm not fussed. But can I explore the village a little? To gather my bearings?"

"Sure. Off you go. I need to send some letters anyway. I'll see you at supper."

Nyx left the hut and began to make her way down the streets, familiarizing herself with the small town. A couple of coocoos made her feel uneasy, but they didn't seem to notice her presence. The sun was beginning to disappear and a dark purple had settled over the horizon. Nyx climbed up the tallest building and found Talo sitting at the edge, watching over the town. "Talo, I'll take the night watch. You head down."

"You're staying the night?"

"I'm staying here until Link comes back. Then I go with him."

"Cool! Can you teach me how to fire an arrow with a bow?"

"My bow's too big for you. I'll make one, and some arrows."

"Cool! Well, see ya!"

Talo disappeared down the ladder, leaving Nyx to stare upon the town. It was a slightly humid night and the heat brought down from the volcano gave Nyx comfort. The only time heat could be felt at Snowpeak was when the summer sun shone over the peak. It would temporarily melt the snow until a small sheet of white could be seen over the peak of the mountain. But after the Twilight had consumed her home, only a blizzard was left of her home. The sun hadn't shone on her home for weeks afterwards. Then the massacre happened… and now Nyx was here, sitting guard at Kakariko.

"Hey, Nyx." Link's voice was low. "They're serving dinner, did you want any?"

"I'm not hungry."

"You looked starved."

She smiled and stared at the spring towards the entrance. "I can go for days without food, provided I'm not injured or dehydrated. My wound is almost healed and I'm not dehydrated, so food isn't a priority of mine at the moment. Thank you, though."

Link sat down beside her. "Well, eat some bread at least. Ilia wants to introduce you to as many foods as possible."

Midna appeared beside them. "And she wants to show you Ordon, if you ever got the chance to go there with her. Provided we create peace in Hyrule and my world."

Nyx sighed. "What will happen to your world when this is all over?"

She shrugged lightly. "Dunno, really. I just want to put my world back to normal. Whatever happens to your world doesn't really matter to me."

Nyx frowned, but didn't say anything. "Where… where do I go?"

"What do you mean?" Link asked.

"I'm a half-breed. Do I go to the world of Twilight, or stay in Hyrule?"

"Let's not think about that right now. We should focus on getting that canon sorted. Link, do we leave tomorrow morning?"

"Yeah. We'll come back in about ten days, depending on how big the Castle in the Sky is."

"Castle in the Sky?" Nyx asked. "How can such a place exist?"

"Ancient place it is, which is why no one's ever heard of it," Midna explained. "I'm sure Renaldo has some old scrolls on things you want to learn about. How about tomorrow after we leave, you go do some research?"

Nyx smiled and nodded. "That sound nice…"

The sun shone bright on her skin. Nyx had been sure not to fall asleep that night, but now she felt exhausted once again. Maybe someone else can take the night watch tonight… I need to sleep…

She climbed down the ladder to the ground and walked towards the exit, where Link was saying goodbye to Epona. "I'll be back in ten days, Epona. Be good for Ilia, won't you?"

"She always is a pleasure to have. Be safe, won't you Link?"

"Always am."

Nyx stopped by Ilia and smiled, waving a little. "Have a safe journey."

Link left the village soon after, with nothing but a satchel of supplies, his sword and shield with the shadow of Midna behind him.

Aaand there we have it! Let me know if there are any 'Tiny Typos' and I'll correct myself :)

I hope you've enjoyed this chapter and that you're having a good morning/day/afternoon/night!

~EmmyTheTurtle