Look everyone, this chapter actually on time… kind of. Anyways, this chapter actually matches fairly well with the game, something that I'm quite proud of seeing as I'm writing this from memory. I guess it helps when you've beaten the game about fifteen times, but still. Alright, read… now… please.

Chapter 6: Playing Thief

"Are you sure you know what you're doing" a voice asked softly.

"For the eighth time now, yes." Hunter was crouched low in the tall grass of Ordon, two figures talking in whispered tones before him. He had been roaming the small village for nearly half an hour before gaining a location of his prize.

The two figures standing before him were the mayor Bo and Jagle, the father of Malo and Talo. Hunter had quickly hidden when nearby when the two started talking about a shield resting in Jagle's house.

"Are you sure it's safe?" Bo asked quietly.

"Of course, it's resting up in our loft right now."

"Good," the mayor said with a sigh. "With Hunter's disappearance the monsters are coming back as bad as ever. I have to do what I can to take care of this problem; I'm putting you in charge until I get back."

"Are you insane?" Jagle said in shock. "Rusl went out armed and look what happened to him. If you go out there by yourself you'll be slaughtered!"

"I'll be fine, just take care of the others," Bo said. Without waiting for a reply he walked off, passing Hunter as he went.

"Well now, wasn't that interesting," Midna said after the two men left. "Now we just need to get inside that house."

"That'll be fairly simple," Hunter said rising from his hiding spot. "They leave the window that leads to the waterwheel open; that should lead to the second floor. If I can get on top of the market roof, I'll be able to make my way over there."

"Alright then, let's go."Hunter ran through the village, still marveling at the ease at which he could now travel. He made his way over to the market and easily leapt onto the roof via a small mound of dirt on the side of the building. With three more jumps, and almost falling into the stream below, he stood on the roof of his destination.

"Well that was easy," Midna said floating beside him. "You'd think they would have a bit more in the line of protection, what with all the monsters and all."

"That's what I was here for." He companion said sadly. "Now if you're done talking, let us continue."

A short minute later, Hunter lay on the ground outside, his fur dripping with pond water. His prize however, a stout wooden shield engraved with the emblem of a goat head, was resting on his back.

"Was it entirely necessary to jump out of the window, into the water, were people will here?" Midna asked, a small smile playing across her lips.

"Necessary no, but it was the quickest way out of the building."

"Hm… acceptable. Though we still need to find a sword."

Hunter sat there for a few seconds, thinking of where he could find one. "I'm pretty sure I know where I can get one, but I doubt it'll be easy." The wolf and his rider made their way to a house near the back of the town, hidden almost by a small alcove. "Rusl and his wife Uli live here with their son," Hunter explained. "If we can get them outside, I'll be able to dig in through the side of the building."

"Good. But uh… how exactly do you plan on getting them outside?"

"I'll think of something." That something turned out to be taking a large stone in his jaws and flinging it at the front door. As the inhabitants quickly ran, or in Rusl's case stumbled, outside, Hunter made his way into the building, grabbed a sword lying on the couch and made his way to freedom once more.

Midna was laughing hysterically as Hunter swiftly made his way out of the village, his dark fur blending in with the shadows as he went. "You are such a little thief," she said through her laughter.

"I'm a mercenary, what did you expect? Besides, we have to make ourselves adaptable to the circumstance; it's one of the first things we learn growing up." As he walked past the spring, the wolf heard a soft voice call out to him.

"Wait… come to my spring." Hunter slowly crept forward, hair standing on end in anticipation. As he neared the base of the spring, six black pillars fell before him, strange purple flames leaping up between the stones.

"A beast of shadows approaches," he heard faintly. Looking towards the sky, Hunter watched as a dark portal opened in the sky, depositing a black creature before him. It was fairly humanoid, resting however on both arms and legs. Its long black body was covered in glowing green ruins; a mask similar to the style Midna wore covered its face.

"Careful Hunter," Midna said coming to a hover beside him, "these are Twili Messengers; dark beings able to crush any who get in their way."

"Messenger or master, it's in my way." Hunter circled the creature, fangs bared, eyes focused, as he readied his attack. The creature before him made a few strong swipes at the wolf, but they were slow enough for Hunter to dodge by simply jumping away. 'Enough playing around,' he thought. Dodging another swipe, he went on to the offensive, bolting past the creature to deliver a solid tear through its leg. Spinning in the dirt, the wolf's body tensed, its legs coiling up, waiting to release their pent up energy.

Watching the creature turn to face him, he noticed the wound to its leg hindering its movement. "And now," Hunter said, "it's time for you to die!" The wolf sprang forward, raping his teeth around his opponents neck. It was over in a matter of seconds, the creature disintegrating into small black particles that formed a portal above the spring.

"Thank you hero," the voice from the spring said. With a flash of white light the appeared before him, a great shining goat with a ball of light between its two curved horns. "My name is Ordona, the spirit of this spring."

"I am honored great spirit," Hunter said, bowing his head in respect. "Though I do have a few questions I would like to ask you."

"You wish to know why remain in that form… even upon entering the light."

"That's definitely one of them. My companion's not really the best at explanations."

"I find that offensive," Midna said with a frown.

"The creatures of Twilight have once more begun to roam… the world is falling into shadows. My brothers light has been stolen by the shadow beings… you must return that light. Only then will you be able to return to your true form."

Hunter nodded again and turned towards the entrance to the spring. "Be careful," he heard the spirit whisper as it faded back into the water.

'Carful?' he thought to himself with a dark smirk. 'Yeah, like that's ever going to happen.'

I got to admit, this was my favorite chapter to write so far… at least, of those I've posted. We get to see both Hunter and Midna's personalities conflicting, a bit of Hunters more violent characteristics, and even humor… and who doesn't like a bit of dark sadistic humor.

Once more I bid you, Good Day and Good Hunting.