A/N: As usual (this apology is becoming far too frequent) I'm sorry for a slow upload. Nonetheless I hope you enjoy the chapter. It's not a very substantial one but the next three are already written so expect some quick updates!

I would also like to add I've posted a new story, called Wanderlust! I would really, really appreciate it if you could check it out and give me your thoughts! Your support means a ton :) You can find it on my profile page!

Thanks guys!

~~Heritage~~

Knight Commander Kyle Beaumont's sword fell to the ground, almost as if in slow motion. The blade flexed as it hit the ground and the iron hilt gave a high pearl as it struck the cobblestone. The mask of disbelief he wore was suspended a moment later by a slow spreading expression of sincerest horror. The faces of his men changed to mirror his and they crested the hill behind them, and they gazed onto the ruin of Hyrule.

The flames no longer flickered idly amongst the city but were instead replaced by a black wind; the ashes of the fallen city blowing a choking cloud about the surrounding landscape. The only building left standing was the castle itself, yet it had changed, and not for the better. The bricks were now blacker than the darkest night and where mortar had once sealed the gaps between the stones, a soft red light now cast out its rays. Here and there large holes had been blown in the walls and the Queen's solar had altogether collapsed into the rest of the castle. A building that had once provided a glimpse of the nation's strength and solidarity had been transformed into something warped and twisted, something that inspired fear to look upon.

"Sir?" asked a tremulous voice from behind Beaumont. "Sir, what are your orders?"

Beaumont gazed on, deaf to all and transfixed by the terrible sight before him. A chunk of the great wall that had once protected the city dislodged from the ruin and fell earthwards. Kyle watched the giant boulder fall, the seconds passing as slowly as minutes. The time it took for the chunk to hit the ground was a testament to the greatness of the wall that had once stood there. The rock hit the ground with a almighty smash and exploded into fragments. Though the soldiers stood hundreds of feet from the wall, a small chunk of rock from the explosion still cut Beaumont's cheek as it went flying by.

As he gazed at the blood on his mailed fist, the truth finally grounded him back in reality. The fall of Castle Town had come as unexpectedly and suddenly as the fall of that boulder; it had been swift, unexpected, and as evidenced by the state of the city, unimaginably brutal.

"Commander, sir. I know it's terrible, I had family —" the voice choked for a second, but when he continued it was steady once more. "What I mean is that we need to move. The monsters from the keep cannot be far behind us, and I doubt we will last much longer here without being spotted. We need to leave now."

Beaumont finally came to his senses. He picked up his sword and turned on his heel to see it was Private Oliver Warden who had spoken.

"We go west. Captain Thenril will rally Kakariko and word will travel there soon if it hasn't already. The Gerudo need to be told."

Oliver seemed to be the only one capable of tearing himself away from the devastation, though. Most of the men were shaking and had tears leaking from glassed over eyes. Many of their families and wives had been residents of Castle Town.

"Listen, it's like the Private said. It's a hard sight to bear, there's no doubting that. If we stay here though, we're dead or worse, and then we're of no use to anyone. But if we move now, maybe we can make the bastards that did this pay tenfold." He slammed a fist into his other palm. "We're all Queen's men, and we have a duty. If not us, then who?"

No one answered.

"That's not good enough lads. We're Queen's men, and Hyrule and her Queen are in danger. Who's with me?"

A halfhearted "Aye" went up from all the soldiers. Beaumont gave them a hard look, then sheathed his sword over his shoulder. He studied the stars for a few moments, determining his course. Thirty seconds later he started a brisk walk to the west, alone.

After about thirty strides, he turned around and faced them once more.

"As far as we know we're the only hope Hyrule has right now. But I will tell you one thing; the last time we were in Castle Town, the Hero of Time himself had only just returned to Hyrule. Bad as this looks I'd stake my life that man survived. Hell, maybe he even got all the people out. All I know is that I for one am not going to sit shaking while one man saves Hyrule a second time. What do you say we lend him a hand?"

"AYE!" came the resounding response to this news. Beaumont watched them carefully. He had made Link a promise, but in light of the current situation, it seemed like now would be the time to unveil this news to his men. Already he could see new heart in them.

"Let's move."

The air hung heavy in the Temple of Time.

"I still can't believe all that happened while I was knocked out," said Tyrene, shaking her head. "Who would do something like this?"

Stella leaned back, resting her head against the cool stone. "Beats me." She didn't really feel like talking; though she'd only known the Queen a short time, she had really grown to understand why Link was so drawn to her. What really ate at her was the state Link was in right now; Rauru made sure he always had someone with him behind the Door of Time. The first time he had been alone he had literally beaten his fists bloody against the stone walls.

"Why am I even here?" Tyrene pressed. "In light of all that's happened in the last eight hours I know my little life in Kakariko seems pretty insignificant right now, but nonetheless I have really no idea why I'm here in the first place."

Stella turned and looked at her and dropped a thousand yard stare. "Do I really look like I care right now?"

"Well, no but—"

"Go piss off Impa instead. I'm busy being all sad and gloomy," she said abruptly, closing her eyes. "Piece of advice; that woman just lost the one thing most dear to her. Evidently it's not your forte, but around her I'd try a bit of tact."

Tyrene rose awkwardly, glancing away to where the Sheikah woman stood alone at the far end of the temple. For a moment she considered following Stella's advice and just giving it a rest, but her insatiable curiosity once again got the better of her.

Tentatively she approached Impa, her footfalls echoing softly off the polished white stone. Impa did not look up.

"I, uh - well, thing is ..." Tyrene trailed off as Impa looked up and met her eyes, but a moment later she pushed onward. "Advisor, I know how you must feel right now. I mean, when I lost my Dad it was like my whole world just stopped. Nothing else even mattered anymore. People telling me how sorry they were meant nothing, and the only thing I understood was just how much it hurt. So I guess what I'm trying to say is that ... well, I can empathize."

Impa just continued to gaze at her, the pain in her eyes manifest despite the indifference on her face.

"When we spoke in my house you said you had much to share with me. I know this is the worst possible time, but - well, I can't help what role I play in any of this. Link told me I was Sheikah but I'm still just a humble bar singer. I'm not a warrior like you, or Link, or Stella, and I'm not wise like Rauru. All I know how to do is sing and drink and laugh and —"

"He was my brother," said Impa, glancing away.

"What?" said Tyrene in confusion.

"Your father, Tyralan. He was my brother."

There was a moment of stunned silence.

"What do you mean, he was your brother?" Tyrene asked incredulously. "I think my own father would have told me if he had a sister."

"Whatever you think is irrelevant," said Impa brusquely. "It's true the two of us haven't spoken in a 'family capacity' in quite some time ... but nonetheless we are blood."

"So you're my ... aunt?"

Impa threw her a sharp glance. "Family ties aside, your blood is Sheikah. The few who know of us believe I am the last who remains of the Sheikah. Strictly speaking, that is not entirely true. There are three of us who still draw breath, and you and I make two of them. Since you have probably already gleaned from the Queen's fate as to the state of the capital, I could not leave one of the last of our race at risk in Kakariko."

"So you had Link pull me out to what? To sit in the Temple of Time?"

"I had Link 'pull you out' because I always intended to offer you a choice. Tyralan never liked the shadows, always preferred to meet his enemy head on in the daylight. Yet I am capable of both and with a clear and collected consciousness, something Tyr always struggled to master as a child."

"Don't you talk about my father like—"

"Don't be naive. I have no reason to pick apart my brother's failings, for he was a great man. I am simply stating the truth, however unpleasant it may present itself. This is a quality every Sheikah learns to appreciate."

"So what choice is it that you're offering?" asked Tyrene cautiously.

"A difficult one, and one that will shape your life forever. I am offering to teach you the way of our people. I will teach you to control your mind, master your body, and meld into the very shadows around you. You would become my disciple, and I would pass on to you my knowledge in the hopes you would carry on my torch when my time is done."

"And the alternative is?"

"Return to the mundane happenings of Kakariko's Lower District and live out your remaining days in ... well, current affairs dictate turmoil in place of peace, but nonetheless the option is that you may return to Kakariko." Impa put a hand on Tyrene's shoulder.

"Whatever your decision, you must choose before the day is out. Do not make a choice hastily, for if you make the wrong one, there is no going back.