A thousand pardons for my lack of updates! I never intended for over a year to pass before I continued this story. As always, I don't own legend of Zelda. Please enjoy.

Colin stacked the last of the boxes in the storeroom and wiped his brow. As he went back to the porch, Luda came to his side. He wrapped an arm around her waist and said, "The storeroom is full again. We should be good for a few months. Has Kaden returned yet?"

Luda shook her head. "He was supposed to be back this morning. I expected him yesterday with the way things are between him and Ilia. Has Rica mentioned anything?"

Colin's sister had delivered their latest supply from Sara in Ordon. He shrugged. "I didn't even think to ask her."

Three children came running up to the inn. Colin crouched and spread his arms wide. "Slow down, what's the hurry?"

"Aunty 'lia and Mina are here!" Colin glanced in shock at Luda and picked up their youngest, Elva.

Connor, the middle child, said, "Midna and Ilia are talking to grandpa by the Sanctuary."

"Can we please go say hello, mother?" Jareth, the eldest, pulled at his mother's hand.

Luda glanced at Colin worriedly and said, "I think we'd better."

Together they started toward the building closest to the spring. Midna and Ilia could be seen with Renado. People greeted them as they passed. It wasn't official, but Colin was their leader. He had been the one to start rebuilding nearly twenty years ago. He was the reason Kakariko was once again a thriving town.

When they had covered half the distance to the shrine, the ground began to shake. Colin held Elva to his side and planted his feet. Jareth staggered and Colin gripped his shoulder to keep him upright. Luda asked fearfully, "What was that?"

Colin glanced around. Villagers beside them were recovering as well. His eyes narrowed. A garbled shout sounded behind him and Colin was struck across the back. He fell facedown. Colin left his youngest on the ground beneath him and stood quickly. He drew the sword and shield he had strapped to his back and thanked the Goddesses he had been wearing them.

Luda had her arms widespread. The necklace around her throat was glowing and a protective aura surrounded her and the other children. The monster that had attacked growled. Its entirety was bright red. Globules of spittle dripped from its wide chin. Beady eyes narrowed. It snarled and swung the club it wielded, striking her barrier. Luda's necklace cracked and she fell to the ground unconscious.

Colin charged the creature. He screamed a war cry and stabbed. The creature was caught by surprise. Colin's sword pierced its armor and thick blue blood ran down the blade. Colin withdrew and swung horizontally, cutting off the creature's head. As it burst into ash, Colin looked around.

The thoroughfare had erupted into a battlefield. The militia Telma had helped him form was protecting those without training. Ilia grabbed Renado's arm and pulled him into the sanctuary. Midna charged into the fray. Her robes billowed around her as she dodged and cast magic. Ilia ran from the sanctuary drawing her husband's sword and spinning into battle.

Colin lifted Luda into his arms and called, "Jareth, get Elva!"

He carried his wife's unconscious form to the relative safety of Malo Mart's deck. As his children sprinted over, terror on their young faces, Colin pushed them under the wooden planks. "Stay low. Keep quiet."

Then he was gone. What was happening? Where had the monsters come from? Colin helped a wounded knight finish one of the beasts off and turned toward the east. His heart dropped as he saw the force heading toward his town.

"Everyone get back! Fall back!" Colin waved his arms and pointed toward the spring. The militia stopped in a line halfway down the thoroughfare in front of the villagers. Colin took the middle position and called out, "Whatever happens, they will not have our home! We will not be beaten!"

Midna slid to a stop beside him. "Damn it all. I thought we had gotten here early enough."

"You can tell me what's happening later. Everything's a bit tense right now." He prayed to the Goddesses that there would be a later time.

Ilia took a stance beside him and bore her teeth. "Let them come. They'll gain nothing except their own demise."

Colin grinned. His cousin was dangerous when she wanted to be. The army was bearing down on them. As the army covered the last hundred feet, a bright light lit their faces. An owl screeched ferociously. Colin risked a glance to see Eldin rising from the fountain behind him.

The spirit's wings spread wide. A vicious wind blew through the town. Colin covered his face instinctively, but it never reached him. It tore at the monsters until all that remained was ash.

Midna breathed a sigh of relief and ran into the spring. Colin took a step toward her, before he remembered his family. He ran to the store and his children crawled to him. Elva's lip quivered and he lifted her in his arms. She proceeded to bury her face in Colin's shirt and started bawling. A member of the militia, a young woman, walked by and Colin called her over. He handed Elva off and went to his wife.

Luda blinked up at him before falling still again. He pulled her to his chest and stood. The kids followed in shock as he took their mother to the spring.

She floated in the shallow water at the base of the waterfall fed by the spring behind it. Midna stood conversing with the spirit in human form. Colin still found it hard to get over their strange abilities.

"My brother, Lanayru, has sealed the path they used to enter the field. They will not be able to return by that passageway. My siblings in the forest have had similar circumstances."

Colin asked, "Is Ordon alright?"

Eldin responded, "Ordona was able to protect everyone. Farore is still fighting deep in the Lost Woods. I will go to his aid."

The light switched and Eldin was gone. Midna turned to Colin kneeling in the water where Luda was already waking up. "We need to talk."

Colin helped Luda stand and said, "I'll be in the sanctuary shortly. Give me a moment."

Midna nodded and looked beyond Colin to the children. She smiled and glided through the water to them. She took their hands and led them to the shelter, their parents close behind.

Colin deposited Luda beside her father in the sanctuary and turned to leave. His cousin hugged him. He interjected, "Ilia, I need to see to my people."

Ilia nodded against his shoulder. "I just had to be sure you were safe."

Colin kept her at arm's length and searched her face. Something was very wrong. "I'll be back as soon as I can."

Outside, the knights were gathered. Colin said, "Damage report."

"Two houses caught fire, but have been extinguished. Fifteen injured, five were civilians. The gate took damage, but will hold. Colin, what are your orders?"

He exhaled slowly. This was what his role had become. "Talo, take a scout and secure the field. I want to know how we missed them. Barricade the gates and post a guard. No one gets in or out without our knowledge. Until further notice, the city is under siege. Make arrangements to take the underground passages and get the villagers to Castle Town when we know it's safe."

As they hurried to fulfill his wishes, Colin turned back to the sanctuary. He wished Kaden were here. The kid had a hot head, but was good in a fight. And they could use all the help they could find. Luda was sitting up when he returned. Elva sat in her lap with Connor and Jareth beside her. Ilia was pacing. Midna sat beside Renado.

The old shaman was starting to show his age. Colin smiled warmly at his father-in-law. Midna wore a hard expression on her face in concentration. Colin couldn't help but wonder what she was thinking. "The village is being secured. Now, what is going on?"

Midna broke her trance and stood. "Hyrule is under attack."

She then told what had happened ten years ago and what was happening now. Colin felt his heart fall. Kaden and Jae were trapped in another world. No wonder Ilia was so distracted. And Midna and Zelda's children were there as well. Colin felt his anger well up. Why did this always happen to his family?

Luda placed a hand on his arm and Colin took a deep breath to calm himself. His hand had formed a fist without his knowledge. After a moment, he opened his eyes and asked, "What do we need to do?"

Ilia hugged herself and said, "I want to evacuate Ordon. The forest is the focal point. The monstrosity causing this is seeking revenge against the Goddesses."

"Farore…" Colin cursed.

Midna smiled grimly. "I plan to use Kakariko as my gateway. I can open a portal to the Twilight and get as many people out of harm's way as possible. Will you help us?"

Luda looked at him. Colin could tell she had already made up her mind. He silently agreed with her and asked out loud, "What do we need to do?"

Midna nodded in thanks and they began to make plans.


Damon was in a bed. He turned over and let the dry breeze blow through his hair. It was all a nightmare. He was in his room in the palace and Maertisa would be in shortly to take him to get breakfast.

Damon shot up and looked around in horror. "No, no, no, no, no!"

Tears sprang to his eyes as he leapt out of bed and tried to open the door. It was locked. He ran to the window and glanced down. Or was it up? He pushed back from the window, nausea making its way up his throat. Damon breathed heavily as he tried to calm himself.

"Think, Damon, think. What happened?" He crouched and held his head as he tried to recount the swamp. He had been tied to a tree, about to burn to death. Smoke clogged his lungs. It was hard to breathe. Then that screaming howl. Everything became disoriented. Maertisa made her way to him. Then he passed out.

Damon opened his eyes. What had happened after he blacked out? Not only that, but his fairy was gone. Damon wrapped his arms around himself and tried to contain his panic. "So Majora is real. It wasn't just a bedtime story. He thinks I can release him. I have no idea where I am or everyone else is."

Damon then noticed another door. It was open. No, it was the same door. When had it opened? He stalked toward it, wary of surprises. A strange hall wound beyond it. It wasn't straight, but meandered left and right. Closed doors were to either side. He came to a staircase and began to climb. At the top of the tower, Damon saw a four poster bed. Silk drapes blew softly. He walked up to it and saw a figure sleeping on it.

Tetra barely breathed as she lay beneath the sheets. Damon stepped back in shock. Why was she here? Wasn't he the one Majora needed?

"Isn't she pretty?"

Damon spun and gasped. A skull kid in a strange purple mask had appeared behind him. Damon backed up until the bed was against his legs. He said nothing.

The skull kid said, "I don't understand what we need her for, but it doesn't matter. I think we got off on the wrong foot. I'm Skull Kid. Will you be my friend?"

Damon didn't reply. This creature might seem innocent, but he didn't trust it. Skull Kid tilted his head. "Is that a no?"

Damon asked, "What happened in the swamp? How did I get here?"

Skull Kid giggled. "I had my giant save you! Those meanies were going to kill you, but I couldn't let that happen. Anyway, I wouldn't worry about that now. All we need is Majora and we'll be happy."

Damon clenched his jaw. "Why do we need Majora?"

Skull Kid spread his arms wide. "Don't you see? He does so many wonderful things! Look around! If he can do all this, what would he do for those who release him?"

Damon finally noticed the ground above him. So it hadn't been a trick. The tower was upside down. Damon closed his eyes to contain his vertigo. "I want to go home."

Skull Kid's grin was evident as he crowed, "Then ask Majora!"

Damon's voice grew hopeful. "Is it possible? Can I go home?"

Skull Kid cackled. "He has to be awoken first, silly!"

Damon swallowed thickly. Skull Kid's laugh grew quieter. Damon looked where he had been. Nothing was there. "Feel free to explore the tower. Just be careful. It's as dangerous as it is fun!"

Damon looked back at the princess's sleeping form. He smoothed out the blanket where his fist had ruffled it. A keening sound in the remaining silence caught his attention. He glanced around before he spotted the dark light at the top of the bed.

"Are you alright, fairy?"

A sob was cut off as it realized it had been caught. It tried to fly away. It zipped down the stairs. Damon gave chase. He looked around at the base of the staircase. The light turned a corner and disappeared. Damon slid around the corner and stopped. The room was full of jars. The floor was completely covered.

Sobbing was heard from the left. Damon tiptoed through the maze. When he found the source, Damon crouched next to the jar. He looked within to see a young fairy covering his face as he cried.

Damon whispered, "Are you trapped here as well?"

The fairy started in surprise, a short hiccup escaping. "Leave me alone."

Damon lifted the pot and put a hand over the top. "I can't do that. You see, I'm stuck here and you might be my chance to escape."

The fairy didn't reply as Damon took the pot back to the room he had woken up in. Damon sat on the bed and waited for the fairy to come out.


Maertisa hung limply. The ground bobbed beneath her. She looked up into the face of the man carrying her. Strange armor covered his chest and tattoos covered everything else. His eyes glowed with a white light. He didn't notice she was awake. Sheik and Jae walked beside each other. Kaden was out of view. A song echoed through the chamber. The man's chest vibrated lowly. He was the one humming it. As the music faded, a cry was heard. Jae turned quickly. The man holding Maertisa glanced around before going back a step.

He placed Maertisa gently on the ground and went to the deku scrub. Maertisa sat up and watched as Kaden screamed again in pain. The man placed a hand gently on Kaden's back and whispered, "Let it go. He is not part of you anymore."

Kaden held his head and when he pulled his hands away, a mask came off. He dropped the mask and breathed heavily where he sat. Jae gasped and ran to him. Maertisa breathed, "Kaden?"

Kaden looked over with wide green eyes. Maertisa sighed in relief and raised a hand to his face, glad to have the boy she knew back. The man who had carried her stood slowly. He turned to a blue light and commanded, "It is time you went home. Your charge has been found by another, even though that one does not yet realize it."

Navi nodded, unable to contradict him. After a moment, she disappeared. Maertisa asked, "What happened? Did we save Damon?"

Kaden covered her hand and shook his head lightly. "The creature from the forest took him."

The stranger said mysteriously, "Two children, one path. Four warriors, multiple destinies. The dark god wishes for his freedom. Thus three days repeat until the end of time unless another is created. Only then will peace be restored."

Maertisa asked in wonder, "Who are you?"

The man's gaze softened. "I am known by many names. Majora split his personality to recreate himself. I am the part he wished to be rid of, his righteous nature. You may call me Fierce Deity. I have been in slumber for millennia. Then, two brothers woke me.

"It is my purpose to contain Majora until a new time is created. If you fail, a prince and princess shall be manipulated into creating a gateway from this world. Tetra and Damon are being held within the last stronghold of Majora. Go, you will find the ones you seek."

The corridor became dark. As he disappeared, Fierce Deity said, "We will meet again."

The chamber changed until the working of gears was heard. They looked around in wonder at the inside of the clock tower. Jae asked quietly, as though afraid of the answer, "What does that mean?"

Maertisa looked at Sheik and said quietly, "I'm so sorry. Your sister, Tetra… I never thought she would have been taken as well."

Sheik looked at the ground. "It's alright, Tisa. I hadn't expected this either. But we did learn one thing. They're together. Damon and Tetra can take care of each other. This is far from over."

They stood and looked toward the door. Kaden remained where he was. Jae said softly, "Come on, Kaden."

"Don't you see? Don't you understand what this means?"

Maertisa tried to understand what he was saying. He continued angrily, "Fierce Deity said two brothers woke him up. Epona and Eleni are here. Our fathers made it here before…"

Jae shook her head. "Please, Kaden, let it go. We were warned not to believe everything we see. This place… It's a mirage, an image built in Hyrule's reflection."

Maertisa retorted hotly, "If what you say is true, then we have no choice but to finish this mission. It is our inheritance. I'm here to save my brother. Remember why you are here. Or go home."

She left Kaden shocked on the floor. She'd had enough of his self pity.


Damon yawned and stretched. The fairy had stopped crying, but still refused to leave the pot. Damon curled up on the bed and said, "Goodnight, fairy. My name is Damon, by the way."

He wasn't sure if the fairy heard. Then, "Tael."

"Huh?" Damon mumbled as his eyes closed heavily.

"My name is Tael."

Damon smiled lazily and replied, "Goodnight, Tael."

Damon dreamt he was in a forest. He walked until he came to a clearing. Three women sat cross-legged before an enormous tree. They held hands and spoke quietly. Damon walked closer to hear.

"He is trying to block us. That won't stop us." They finished each other's sentences. "The warriors have reunited. However, the children are held in a tower of stone. The miscreant is hurting. He's sad, angry, and confused. True. Do you think that will help the youth? It is unclear at this time. And we never took into account the other one. Ah yes, the feral one."

"It is not polite to spy, child of twilight."

Damon jumped as a hand was placed on his shoulder. He looked up into smiling blue eyes. A blonde man in green garb stood behind him.

"How rude," one of the women started. Another finished, "To spy implies we didn't know Damon was there."

Damon took a step back and bumped into the legs of the man. The man put his hand on Damon's other shoulder and coaxed, "Easy now, lad. It's alright. You are safe in the Glade of the Goddesses."

"The Goddesses?" A small voice asked. Damon looked over and saw a girl about his age in a white dress. Her blonde hair fell past her shoulders. He started in surprise as he recognized Tetra.

"It seems you've been followed, princeling," a woman said with a small laugh and a raised eyebrow.

Damon fought against the instinct to relax. He shrugged off the man's hold and casually walked around, slowly making his way to Tetra. Twenty feet away.

"Who are you people? How did we get here?" Fifteen feet.

The women smiled. Damon couldn't help the feeling that they were humoring him. Ten feet.

"We are the Goddesses, Damon. You came here to seek protection."

"Protection from what?" Tetra asked. "I don't know what's happening, but I can't wake up. I hear people talking and a voice keeps whispering in my head."

Damon frowned. Tetra heard Majora too? A flash of fabric caught his attention. One of the women knelt by Tetra and put a hand on her forehead.

"Hey, what are you-PUT ME DOWN!"

Damon struggled as the man lifted and cradled him. The man put a hand on Damon's head and commanded, "Stay still."

He then looked into Damon's eyes and searched for something only he could see. Damon had always hated when the healers did that. He slapped the man's hands away.

The man futilely tried to keep from smiling. The woman by Tetra said, "Bring him here, Link."

Damon was placed beside her. The man knelt behind him with his hands on Damon's shoulders. Damon glared up at him, but then the woman placed her other hand on his forehead.

A calm stream entered him and he wobbled where he stood. The man wrapped an arm across Damon's chest to hold him up.

"How bad is it, Ru?" Damon heard the man ask through a haze.

The woman pulled her hand away and Damon sighed in longing. She smiled lovingly at him. The man pulled him and Damon settled in his lap, his back to the man's chest. All earlier hostility toward these strangers left him.

Another woman held Tetra's sleeping form. Damon felt a wave of fatigue wash over him. The woman called Ru said, "Remember, Damon, to stay strong. You must protect her. You have more power than you can imagine."


Link brushed Damon's hair back, a memory of Makura unconscious before him rushing unbidden to mind. He shook his head and looked at where Farore held Tetra. "How did she get here? I know Damon has the ability, but he's too young. He has no control yet."

Din repeated, "He has more power than he knows. He will have to learn quickly if he is to survive."

Nayru kissed her fingertips and brushed them against Damon's forehead. "He will be a great sorcerer. In time, he will surpass even your abilities when you were alive, Link. Midna will not be able to teach him. He will need a mentor."

Link frowned. "If what you say is true, he will have a terrible curse. He will wish he had never been born and then he will bring death in his wake. How can I prepare him for such a harrowing fate?"

Nayru held his head in her hands and kissed his cheek. "Trust in yourself and trust in us, in me. We will not lead you where you do not wish to tread."

Link closed his eyes and nodded. Farore said, "Let the children sleep. They will need their rest for the coming trial."

And there we have my first update in forever. I will try to be better about future updates. Thank you to everyone who's stuck with me.