*Zelda's P.O.V.*

We both woke up early the next morning to head back down to Kakariko Village and to avoid the workers. Both Gor Dorano and Ibus kept thanking us for our efforts before we left as well. To make the morning even better, it was a very nice day out. The temperature was just right and there was a slight breeze in the air. The injury on Link's back was also doing well, having no signs in infection yet. As we made our trek down to Kakariko, I thought of something.

"Are we going to have time to shop for anything?"

"Why?"

"Well, I have been wearing the same clothes for a few days now, and your tunic needs stitching up. What does our food level even look like? Oh, also, another horse."

"You're not letting go of that other horse thing are you?"

I shook my head.

"I'm sure I've told you before that horses are expensive and I doubt there's enough rupees to cover it. However, new clothes and some stitching materials could be covered. Possibly food as well."

"Good. I'm in dire need of something different to wear." I pulled at the ends of my dirty sleeves. Instead of being a soft white, they were now a dusty color. "I mean, at least something to wear long enough for me to wash this outfit."

"I should probably do the same. Though, I'm pretty sure I have other clothes with me."

We didn't talk much the rest of the way to Kakariko. It was probably for the best, because with that being one of the first civil conversations we've had, it was almost awkward.

It was mid-morning when we ended up back at Matthew's house. He was sitting on his porch and drinking something out of a small mug. When he noticed us walking towards him, he stood up and gave a smile.

"Why, hello! Was your mission in Death Mountain successful?"

Link nodded. "Indeed it was."

"That's good to hear! Come on in, come on in! I mean, unless you have to be somewhere soon."

"We were actually going to do some shopping for a few things before leaving," I mentioned.

"Ah. Well I could show you two around since you don't know Kakariko very well. If you want a quick trip, I know the best places that are quick and usually less crowded."

"That would be great, actually," Link said. "There is somewhere we have to be, so a quick trip would be best."

Around five minutes later, we made our way to a store that was close to the stables where we left Epona. The sign by the door read, "Malo Mart".

"Malo Mart?" I asked aloud.

Matthew chuckled. "The story is that it was once a very big business that started in Old Kakariko Village. Unfortunately, it only lasted around a century before other businesses started taking over. This is apparently the last one in existence, and even with that fact, it still doesn't get a lot of business. There are still a loyal few who come here, and I guess that keeps it going."

We walked inside the store. I looked around and noticed that there seemed to be almost everything related to travelling.

"Ah, hello, Matthew!" An older man called from behind the store's counter. "It's been a while. Who're your friends? I don't think I've seen them around before."

Matthew walked over to the man while speaking. "Oh, them? They're, uh...just passing through. They came by a few days ago."

I wanted to mention what he did for us, but something told me not to. Matthew seemed to be holding back information for some reason.

"I remember that, actually! They were all the town was talkin' about for the rest of the day. Ol' Judy from the farm wouldn't stop talking about it with me a couple of days ago. It was about as bad as the day you got here."

I suddenly remembered Ibus talking about some weird tradition that he overheard the workers discussing. 'I wonder if this man knows anything about it...'

"Why is it shocking to everyone here that Hylians exist? We never went extinct," I asked as I walked up to the counter as well.

He shrugged. "I'm not exactly sure why. I guess we were just taught in school that Lord Rugo wiped all of y'all out. With there being no hints otherwise, we just kind of believe that. Then when Matthew came here, I'm sure almost everyone believed he was the last one. That also might be due to the fact that he had no memory of anything but his own name and how to speak. Either way, what's the real story?"

I decided to be cautious with my words. "Well...we didn't get wiped out and we lived happily ever after in a village far away from here."

Matthew let out a cough. "Anyway, the two of you wanted to get some shopping done before you left..."

"Right." I started to look around the store for clothes, which happened to be near the entrance we came in. There wasn't a wide selection, but luckily, I found some things in my size that I liked. I picked out a thick pair of white pants, a light pink shirt with the shoulders missing, and a very dark purple leather vest. After that, I grabbed a few other things I absolutely needed before returning to the counter, where Link was with a little bit of food and stitching materials.

"Is this all?" The old man behind the counter asked. Link nodded and paid for everything, since he was the one with the rupees.

We then all left the store. We stopped in the front to put our newly bought goods in the bag with everything else.

"So, did you guys need any time to prepare for anything else? I noticed the hole in the back of your tunic, Link."

Link glanced at Matthew. "I suppose we could use a little bit of time."

"I wouldn't mind changing clothes and washing these," I mentioned.

"Well, that settles it. I have a washboard at my house that you could use." He gave a smile.

"Sounds great!"

"There's something I wanted to talk to you about anyway, Link, but I'd prefer to talk about it at my house."

Before anyone else could do anything, I heard a voice come from the main entrance of Kakariko.

"All residents of Kakariko, please come to the plaza immediately! Our ruler, Lady Freja, and her advisor, Tenebris, have an announcement to make."

"Lady Freja? I wonder what business she has here," Matthew thought aloud. We followed him to the plaza, where indeed, Lady Freja was waiting in a fancy looking carriage. Beside her was a strange looking man with long white hair and a solid grey outfit. He had some kind of shelter to shade him. His silver eyes looked like they could steal someone's soul and his skin was so pale, it was probably whiter than snow.

"There is something seriously strange with that guy," I whispered to Link. "It's almost if he isn't human."

"Yeah, I'm getting that kind of vibe from him too. I'd say we keep an eye on him."

I nodded in agreement.

Both Lady Freja and Tenebris stood up, but it was not the dictator who spoke.

"I will be speaking for Lady Freja, who has recently lost her voice from a sore throat. First, the happy news. You are all invited to her wedding, which will be happening in two weeks' time. I'm sure that you will all welcome the new Lord with open hearts. I assure you that he will lead the beautiful country of Hyrule in the right direction."

The crowd let out a small cheer. I looked back at Lady Freja, who smiled. Once the man, who I assumed was Tenebris, started speaking again, I looked back at him.

"Now, for the other news. As you may remember from your history lessons in school, there was once a race of long-eared people called the Hylians. If it wasn't for Lord Rugo and his endeavors, this country would not be as successful as it is now. For a long story short, the scholars at the college in Castle Town have discovered proof that Hylians were evil beings that tried to ruin the peace that we have kept for hundreds of years."

I heard a few gasps in the crowd as I felt a worrying feeling grow. 'Where is he going with this?'

"There has been rumors of Hylians coming out from hiding to destroy this peace again. If you see or have seen any Hylians, please report them to us immediately. There is a 5,000 rupee reward per Hylian."

I refrained from making any noises that could gather attention. I glanced at Link and Matthew, who both had a scared look. As if we were all thinking the same thing, we turned around and tried to push through the developing crowd to get away.

"Do you mean like these?" A voice shouted out as someone grabbed me. I responded by quickly kicking them and making a run for it.

"Guards, after them!"

All three of us ran as fast as we could to the entrance. Both guards and people were chasing us. Matthew stopped to push a stack of barrels over to block them for a short period of time. Once we were at the stables, Link quickly got Epona out and we headed out of the village.

As Link climbed on Epona, I looked at Matthew.

"We can't fit three people on one horse. Do you have one?"

He shook his head. "I'm afraid not. Look, I can find a place to hide out for now. The two of you need to go."

The shouts of people were getting closer. Link shook his head.

"I'm not going to leave you after I just found you!"

"You have to! Besides, I know where I can go!"

I stared rushing to pack the bags onto Epona's saddle. "Link, if he knows what to do from here, he'll be fine! Let's just go! We need to get to the Zoras anyway!"

By this time, the group that was chasing us was by the entrance of the town.

"No! We can make room for three!"

Matthew shook his head and walked to Link as I got on Epona as well.

"I will be fine. You have a job to do, and I am not going to allow you to be dragged down to take me somewhere safe. Besides, I know where to go from here, and it's somewhere that I remember."

"How? I thought you had amnesia and couldn't remember anything."

"That's the thing-" Before he could finish, the crowd had gotten really close. Matthew slapped Epona to make her go. As she ran off, we both watched to see what happened.

The guards tackled and pinned Matthew to the ground and handcuffed him. He lifted his head in our direction and yelled, "I remember everything now!" before the guards knocked him out.