The ball was tonight. We call it the Goddess's ball. My attendant helped me get ready as usual, though he seemed somehow detached. I asked him what was wrong, and he just mumbled something about my father having my whole life planned out for me. I'm not sure what he meant, although I suppose I can identify. There are times when I wish the circumstances of our lives were different.

The ball itself was well done as always. I was shocked to see Father conversing with my childhood companion. I hadn't seen him in ages. The son of a wealthy merchant, he'd just returned after years of traveling. We didn't dance, despite Father's insistence. Maybe he's shy since it's been such a long time, or maybe he thinks the whole affair is ridiculous. He sat next to me, going over the past and telling jokes the entire time - mostly about those dancing.

Shared what was left of the cake with my attendant, which seemed to lift his spirits.

/

Today, again I overheard Father conversing with my childhood companion. I can tell Father is really fond of him. I only stopped for a moment to listen, but there was something in their tone that made me forget the rudeness of my eavesdropping. As I listened I gathered what, or rather whom they were speaking of – my attendant. My companion seemed very suspicious. I wonder what happened to make him question him. They've barely said a word to each other.

My father seemed taken aback as well and began to recount the story of how he became my attendant.

I had been very frail as a child – having a condition the doctors couldn't identify. They all told Father that I would be afflicted with this condition all my life. Not long after the departure of my childhood companion, my ailment only grew worse. Father searched far and wide for anyone or anything that could help. That was when HE showed up, claiming that he could do the impossible – and he did.

I'll never forget what that man said to me the first time we had a moment alone. "We meet again, Your Grace." I had the oddest feeling when he said that. I was certain we'd never met before... yet I couldn't shake the feeling that he was someone dear to me. It was then that I gifted him that staff, which seemed to perturb Father to an extent, telling me that that royal heirloom was meant to be kept under lock and key. As unsettled as Father was, he couldn't reject the man who saved me.

As the conversation progressed there was a panicked quality in the voice of my companion.

After that, I forcibly tore myself from the conversation. I can't put my finger on why, but the whole thing left me feeling hollow. Hearing the concern in his voice, and the abruptness of it...

/

I'm struggling to write this.

My attendant didn't come to wake me this morning. I went to his chambers, but he wasn't to be found. Growing exasperated, I asked my father about his whereabouts. The conversation went something like this, although I'm sure I've blocked most of it out.

"He is a fraud... Always has been," my father explained. "On the other hand, your longtime friend did well to uncover that man's scheme. I couldn't be more pleased. I've made him your appointed knight."

I remembered the conversation between Father and my companion yesterday. I should have known! Somehow I held my composure.

"What has he done? Even if he is as you say, and he came with ulterior motives, his magic has strengthened my body. I am no longer that frail child - because of him. Where is he? I want to speak with him."

What my father said next will be forever burned into my memory.

"I forbid it! You will only see him once more – at his execution. You will not speak to him, you will only observe and be quiet as is fitting for your position."

I felt as if I were someone else observing the conversation. The only reminder I was myself was the ringing in my ears.

/

I held my companion's hand as I tried to drown out the chorus of the sages. I had to. I had to put up a wall to distance myself from the man being executed, so I held the hand of his accuser and played pretend. Father seemed pleased by this. He actually smiled for the briefest moment. Smiled... Despite what was transpiring just feet from us. If this peace between us is to continue, will I keep having to pretend?

/

1 week since the execution

I can't help but feel like there's a void in the castle. No one is speaking of what happened, even though I wish they would. Maybe the void is really in me.

/

1 month since the execution

No matter how hard I try, it's like they see through me.

Father confronted me today.

"Hilda... That man isn't around to coddle you any longer, so pull yourself together."

Father has been on edge since the war began. He tried to silence all talk of the Sacred Realm and the Triforce with that execution, but it backfired. Fighting has broke out close to the castle as of late, so my appointed knight is with me almost always. I only hope Father won't be angry with him for what I'm about to do.

/

By now, they've likely realized that I, along with the sorcerer's staff, have gone missing. It's unlikely that anyone will find me here in this forsaken place. It's been many generations since these catacombs were in use.

I can no longer call myself princess of Lorule. so I've created a new identity for myself. I will help end this war. I can bring those that seek the Triforce to heel, and this time no one has to die.

/

Here I will dwell with my paintings – people who sought the Triforce like him. I have spared those that don't have malicious intentions and pose no real threat. Many are driven to seek the golden relic out of their own desperate circumstances. Lorule is far from perfection – tragically so. I still question if his intentions were truly as bad as they say.

/

They've found me.

As I was fleeing my father's men on horseback, the staff slipped from my grasp. I hid in the depths of Skull Woods until they gave up, but when I emerged, I couldn't find the staff. They must have found it first.

I took great care to return here, but someone must have seen me.

I can hear voices calling out to me further down the tunnels. Among them, the voice of my appointed knight.

Everything I've done has all been for nothing.

The wars will continue - possibly until Lorule is undone forever.

When they take me back, I will go back to counting the days – and for all the years to come, carrying out my duties as heir to the throne.

Life is long and without meaning.

And I didn't know this feeling until I lost him.

I can only hope that when these wars inevitably rage out of control that my descendants will make the right decision.

/

The captain set the book down, the color drained from his usual ruddy complexion. Just moments before he'd picked up the diary and began to read aloud, much to Ravio's displeasure.

"I already know what it says," Ravio begged the older man, but still, the captain kept reading. Now the two stood in silence.

Ravio had never wanted to lay eyes on that diary again. He'd only planned on passing through. It all brought him back – back to when he came to in this place, following his meeting with his shade in Skull Woods.

This room was in sharp contrast to the rest of the catacombs. The walls here were made of stone, compared to walls made from earth. It was furnished with a small writing desk and a makeshift bed with a lace net, heavily coated in dust, hanging over it. The stench was not present here, although the air was stale after centuries of disuse. There were candles and sticks of incense scattered around. It had clearly been lived in and well cared for at one time, but there was something off-putting. On the walls hung countless two-dimensional paintings of people.

When Ravio had awoken, the master sword lay before him, an apparent gift from his predecessor. He'd read the diary, and found a stray piece of parchment neatly folded inside bearing the image of a mysterious woman carrying a familiar staff. He left the diary, taking the parchment with him as he navigated the tunnels of the catacombs with only the Master Sword, a torch, and his wits. He'd later thrown the parchment at Yuga when they encountered each other outside Hilda's chambers.

"Now you know what we really are... Hilda, Yuga, and myself... We're just reincarnated souls – reincarnated souls with unfinished business." Ravio was surprised to find himself, at last, reflecting on what he'd seen and experienced after trying to forget for days.

"I'm sorry," the captain, said, hesitating. "I didn't mean to -"

"I know. You don't have to apologize. Let's keep moving. We're not far from -"

A scream muffled by distance rang out, carrying through the subterranean tunnel they'd just traversed. Ravio turned in the direction it had come from, heartbeat rapid and thunderous in his ears. He was surprised how something so faint could make his heart race.

"It's probably nothing to worry at. I'm embarrassed to say, but I've been too lenient with my men. I'm sure he's fine. The only things down here are us and the rats, right?" The captain asked, although his tone of voice gave away his unease.

Ravio was down the hall before the captain could say more, running for the knight's cell at a full sprint, the shouts growing clearer as he closed the distance. The stench had become so much worse even though he'd only been gone a few minutes. What he saw made him feel as though he were in a nightmare, running in slow motion.

"Someone get me out of here!" The knight's sword was drawn. He was frozen in fear at the thing that occupied the cell with him.

A Thing... That was the only word Ravio could conjure up to describe it. It was just a little taller than a man... at least when it slumped its long neck forward. It's 'skin' appeared to be decomposing and marbled with blood. Its arms were short and ended in talons rather than hands. The way it moved was the most disturbing thing of all. Without legs, it just ambled along on its bloated, rotting body. Dead Hand was the foulest thing Ravio had ever beheld. He was overcome with fear just to be in the same room with it, even if it wasn't yet directing its attention on him. He didn't know what it was capable of or even where it had come from.

Dead Hand snapped it's head back and bit the knight's shoulder, not unlike a snake striking its prey. The knight reeled back from his injury, and Dead Hand pulled its acquisition into its putrid embrace, plunging down into what should have been solid earth, spewing a vortex of dirt where they'd stood. It had all happened so fast, Ravio hadn't had a chance to act.

"What happened?" The Captain huffed from behind him. Ravio's eyes were fixed on the empty cell. He couldn't tell if the Captain was out of breath from running and had just arrived and not seen what had happened, or if he was breathless from fright.

"I... I don't know... There was something in there with him, and it took him..." Ravio stammered, struggling to make his words intelligible, given the situation.

"I say we hurry up and make our way into the castle."

"I agree..."

As they turned to leave, they were cut off by several long, thin appendages that burst from the ground, forming a circle around them. Ravio sliced through one of the hands, trying to clear a path, but before they could make their escape dual plumes of dirt were thrown up.

Ravio's stomach dropped as he realized what had happened."No, no, no, no... " The creature and it's new companion set its empty gaze on Ravio and the Captain. Ravio backpedaled as he drew the Master Sword, quickly accessing the creature's movement. "We can't let it pull us under!"

Ravio lunged at the creature, unsure if his ire was directed at himself or the horrifying being before him. Without thinking he began to attack, slicing into the creature's blubbery, rotting flesh with reckless abandon. The creature let loose a demonic groan in pain. The nauseating odor emanating from the thing only grew worse. Ravio thought he'd gag. He landed blow after blow, but the foul abomination somehow hung onto life. He was only vaguely aware that behind him the Captain was trying to fend off what had once been the arrogant knight.

Ravio was growing exasperated, pushed far beyond his limit. At last the thing let out a low, mournful cry. It's long neck slumped forward as it collapsed right on top of him, pinning the young man, it's skull-like face only inches away from his as it convulsed. He raised his head to see the Captain was cornered.

"Captain!" Ravio tried to squirm free, but he was firmly pinned, and quickly becoming nauseous from the stench.

The Captain shot Ravio a concerned glance and turned his attention back to Dead Hand. "Forgive us..." he whispered, as he swung his sword horizontally and sliced through Dead Hand's elongated neck, decapitating the monster. The creature collapsed and moved no more. Slowly, the Captain slid down, resting his weight against the wall behind him. He exhaled audibly, speechless.

"Captain! A hand, please!" Ravio called to him. The Captain snapped his attention back to the moment at hand and rushed over to Ravio. He hesitated momentarily before reaching under Dead Hand to lift its body just enough to allow Ravio to crawl out from under it.

The Captain grimaced and wiped his hands on his pants. "Disgusting..."

"You can say that again! Thanks by the way. It's heavier than it looks..."

"Don't mention it..." The Captain mumbled.

"Come on. Let's get out of here - and never speak of this again.

AN: Older chapters are getting revisions. It's going slower than I'd like, but little by little they're getting updated.

Prometheus17: Finally the conclusion to what was happening in the last chapter with Ravio and the knight. I hope you enjoyed. I really tried to go dark with this one. Thanks for all your comments. I really appreciate all of them. :) And I appreciate what you're doing with your story, as well. Stories about Lorule of this scale are very far and few between.

HazelGamerEyes: Ravio is definitely getting a bit defiant, especially given the triangular relationship between himself, Hilda, and Yuga. For Ravio is must be so scary to see someone threatening Hilda (the knight), while at the same time sharing the same frustrations the knight has towards Yuga.

HacchanADL: The captain... He's crass like he was in destroyed Lorule, but here he shows a much more noble side to himself. I hope you enjoyed the explanation of how Ravio knows about these catacombs and where he found that wanted poster. It's all coming together now. :)

The Maiden in Pink: Hopefully I will reach my goal to finish this year, but rest assured, there's plenty more to come, and I'm not going to rush things along for the sake of reaching this goal. There's still a lot that needs to happen to conclude the story, after all. There's a lot of really dark, sad stuff going on in the story and to come (I sincerely apologize), but the ending will be well worth it. :) Thank you so much for the compliments. They really made my month, heck, my whole year. And I agree with you 100% on BotW. The story is a big concern for me as well. After playing Botw, (and I feel awful for saying this) it has made me question if a Lorule game would be a good thing. After seeing how Ganon was handled, especially. If by chance Yuga were to get the same treatment, I know I'd be pretty torn up about it.