Izzy: Greetings everyone! I'm back and now a married woman!

Roecliff: Horray!

Scrubs: YAY!

Femur: HUZZAH!

Oni: Whatever!

Izzy: So much has happened to our favorite characters thus far in the story. Ganondorf isn't a happy camper and Mystia and crew had just gained their first stone! On top of that, they saved the Gorons from the mysterious Nightus, lady of the night. What is she up to?

Scrubs: Let's find out!

Izzy: Let's keep reading!

Disclaimer: If I were married to Miamoto, I could try to claim rights, but I am married to a web developer instead...but that's okay! I love him very much! 3


They looked toward Kakariko (the only place where the sky was clear again aside from the Kokiri Forest) to find the moon just rising over Death Mountain. Knowing that night had fallen in Hyrule, the travelers had decided to camp out for the night. As they were pitching their tent toward Zora's River, the Fracture children showed up to tell them something.

"We told the whole family about Oni Mystia," Harlin told his Uncle Femur. "They know the situation and will give her the means to travel at night if necessary."

"We also found out something else," Arthie spoke. "It's about the Gerudos in Gerudo Valley. They are in the fortress, but they're prisoners."

"Who's holding them prisoner there?" Mystia inquired as she tied the last knot around the rope twirled around the final stake.

She promptly grabbed a branch from a nearby tree which had fallen and began to clear the area in front of the tent in preparation for a campfire.

"Different monsters. They're everywhere! Name the monster and it's there, " Cal said.

"This just gets better and better," Mystia said sarcastically just as she hurriedly collected some wood and laid it where the campfire would be. She knew that Femur would be starting it in no time. Once she was through, she sat on one of the broken logs of that same fallen tree.

"Mystia, I'm hungry," Scrubs whined, tugging her tunic.

"Not now, Scrubs," Mystia said, waving him off. "I'm trying to listen."

Scrubs huffed and went toward the tent.

"Was there anything else there?" Femur asked.

"No, not really," Arthie replied. "Just different creatures. There's even Stalfos over there."

"They're scary..." Cal said, quietly.

"Very scary!" Carpa and Tunel said in unison.

I'm assuming that the white shadows are there, Oni told her. Considering that's the biggest thing going on around here.

I assume the same thing, Mystia replied.

The travelers and the stalchildren gathered around the wood fire Femur built for them. Scrubs sat on the other side from Mystia and sternly stared at the fire as he ate his nuts. Mystia and Fetch began consuming their rations while Femur told stories. Mystia, however, was not paying attention to the stories. She had her mind on something else.

I still can't believe that your name is Caspen, she said to Oni.

You've said that at least twenty times now, Oni remarked.

It's just that...I like it better than Oni. It sounds friendly.

Why do you think I never told anyone my real name? I wanted to be feared, after all.

So, what do I call you, then? Oni or Caspen?

To others, I'm Oni,he replied. You can call me Caspen if you want.

Okay...Caspen. Wow...this is going to take some getting used to.

Don't hurt yourself.

Mystia chuckled.

"What are you laughing about?" Scrubs grumbled once he had finally reached the deity's side.

Mystia, who was still thinking about what Caspen had just said, looked up at Scrubs with a smile.

"Nothing, Scrubs," she said, still slightly chuckling. "It's nothing."

"Didn't sound like 'nothing' to me," he mumbled, crossing his stubby arms as he glared furiously into the fire, then proceeded to stomp back over to his original seat.

In the meantime, Mystia had noticed her friend's strange scowl. What's up with him? She asked Caspen.

Maybe he's just moody, Caspen suggested.

"It's time to eat!" Femur happily announced.

Once the meal was done, Femur and the Fracture children were so satisfied with their meals that they decided to take a midnight stroll. In spite of Scrubs' objections, which they didn't take seriously, they insisted that he join them and went so far as dragging him along. Fetch, meanwhile, went into the tent to sleep. Mystia still remained by the fire, staring deeply into the flickering flames and hearing the sound of wood popping loudly as it was consumed. The heat kept her from getting chilled in the cool summer night wind.

Summer already,Mystia thought.Just yesterday, it felt like spring had begun.

She pulled out her hand clock that Mayor Kaife gave her back in Termina. The hands were still moving at a rapid pace, but she managed to find out that it had been two weeks since they first went to Kakariko. Time was flying too fast for her to keep up. She felt she had lost too much time. She figured that autumn would return in a matter of days. She was getting sick of the weather changes...the time changes. She hated that it was always so dark no matter if it was night or day. She hated the Dark King for causing all this madness...all this chaos. She wished that it was all over. No loss of time, no darkness, no Dark King...no destroyed villages...no deaths...

Are you alright? Caspen asked.

Mystia snapped out of her thoughts. She realized that her jaw was clenched and her hands tight. She relaxed and sighed. She was about to say, 'I'll be fine', but she couldn't bear to say it again. She knew she wasn't okay. She was tired of saying it. If she were, she wouldn't be feeling the way she felt.

No, Mystia said in sadness. I'm not alright.

You wanna talk about it?

I don't...I don't know...It's...It's too hard to explain...

I'm listening,he said to her gently.

She sighed again.

I can't talk about it...but I can show you.

She closed her eyes and recalled the events that happened:

She remembered it like yesterday. The explosions off in the distance. The smoke that flowed in the sky. The rushing of wind as she rode Starfire to the burning town. The adrenaline she felt as she worried for her family. The smell of burnt wood. The heat from the roaring fire. She could feel herself choking at the images that were forever burned into her mind. She saw her parents, dead and covered in blood. She witnessed the mayor as he took his last breath. She heard the manic laughs and screams of Ashasti. Tiko...her best friend...telling her to leave town...to leave him. She escaped to the sound of Tiko's scream. She was being chased down by the stalfos. Shebecame stuck in the woods with the thought of no hope. She felt lost and scared...

She opened her wet eyes and dried them quickly with the palm of her hand.

Mystia, she heard Caspen say in pity. That...that's horrible...

Now, do you see why I wouldn't want to talk about it? She replied.

I can't believe he did that to you! Mystia could sense a bit of tension and anger in his voice. He...he

hurt you! He's not just a freak! He's a heartless murderer! To do such a thing to anyone...once I'm free of this mask, I'm going to make that demon-controlling freak wish he hadn't messed with you from day one!

Caspen, you don't have to do that—

Melody, that's a promise.

She was taken aback by what he said. That was the first time he had ever called her by her real name. If he was using her real name paired up with a promise, he would have to be serious and sincere. She softly smiled.

Thanks, Caspen. I appreciate it.

After what you did for me, I owe you one.

She could sense a smile coming from Caspen, which she never thought was possible.

"Pst!"

Mystia, startled by the noise, looked around. She heard Femur speaking with the children and the slight sounds of Fetch snoring.

What was that? Mystia wondered.

"Pst!"

There it was again! She turned to find a glowing, yellow light on the other side of Zora's River. She stood up quickly while swinging her hand backwards to grab her weapon.

"Follow," the orb said, flashing as it spoke.

I would advise the opposite, Caspen told her.

Though, I am curious, Mystia replied to him. I'll keep my guard up.

The female warrior followed the glowing orb before crossing through the warm river to the other side. The orb led her through the passage up Zora's River to a circle of rocks in a corner. The orb floated to the center of the circle and began to glow so brightly that Mystia had to cover her eyes. The light subsided and in its place stood Takaro with his arms crossed. His black cloak flowed in the steady wind.

"Hello again, Mystia," the mysterious man said softly.

"Not at all what I expected," Mystia frowned.

"Hold on," Takaro spoke quickly. "Please, I can explain."

"Well, that's new coming from you," she said, staring at him incredulously. "Go ahead! Explain yourself."

"It's about what happened back on Death Mountain. I don't exactly tell people this sort of thing, but after what you saw, I think you should be sure if you're going to trust me."

About time! Caspen grumbled.

Takaro sighed; he uncrossed his arms and as he placed them on his hips, his cloak parted. Mystia could see that he had a white peasant shirt and black balloon-legged pants underneath. His one visible golden eye appeared nervous.

"It's about Ashasti," he finally spoke sadly. "The reason why I was speaking with him was because he came to me. I was in the mountain hunting for white shadows when he showed up."

"What did he want?" Mystia asked him.

"He...he wanted me to join him." He raised his hand when she opened her mouth in surprise. "Before you think that I would agree to such an offer, I didn't. Even when he asked me the first time—"

"First time?"

"Yes...the first time...which is why I look the way I do."

Is he saying what I think he's saying? Caspen asked suspiciously.

"But why you specifically?" Mystia asked curiously. "Why would he want you to join him?"

He lowered his head. "Because...I'm his nephew."

"What?!" Mystia exclaimed, her eyes wide in shock. "Ashasti is your—"

"Yes. He's my uncle."

I knew there was something fishy about this guy! Caspen declared.

"But how..." Mystia began quietly, still in shock of what she heard.

"This is the part where it's hard to explain," Takaro interjected. "That's why I don't bring this up. People

like you wouldn't trust me."

He sighed in dejection.

"When I was younger, I lived with my uncle after my father died. I knew from the moment I met him that something was strange about him. He acted insane. He practiced with spells and incantations nightly in this special room that I was never allowed to go in. I only knew that he was doing it because I peeked inside through a crack in the wall that was in my room. I wasn't really sure of what he was doing. One day, my uncle brought me to that room. He said that he…wanted me to witness something. When I entered the room, there was a Triforce symbol marked on the ground along with six symbols of the sages. He started reciting a spell to each symbol until the center started glowing. The magic felt so dark. Some kind of portal appeared in the middle of the floor. Right before my eyes...rising from the floor...was the Dark King."

"You saw the Dark King?!" Mystia asked in surprise.

"He rose from the Dark Realm, so to speak," Takaro continued. "My uncle swore allegiance to him, then asked me to join them. I knew what the Dark King was capable of and I knew who he was. I said no and tried to run away."

"That's when Ashasti cast a white shadow on you," Mystia concluded.

"I tried to fight it! It was too strong. Then, a mysterious man came to me and put the monster inside me into a deep sleep with the magic that I now possess. If it wasn't for him, I would have been a slave to the Dark King for sure."

I don't think he's telling us everything, Caspen mentioned. He still hasn't explained how he knew you.

"So, what about me?" Mystia asked him. "Can you explain that?"

"That, I'm still not certain yet," Takaro replied. "All I know is there's a part of me that wants to help you. I'm not sure if it's instinct or just a calling. How I know your name is as much of a mystery to me

as you think."

Takaro lowered his arms.

"Now, you know. There's nothing more I can tell you. I'm sorry if it disappoints you, but it's the best I can do. Whether you trust me now or not is your choice, but know this: I'm always here to help." Takaro took a couple steps back and as he faded away, added, "'Til next time, Mystia."

I'm not sure how to take this, Mystia thought, confused.

I do, Caspen stated. I like to rip his head off!

"Miss! There you are!"

She turned around, spotting Femur, Scrubs and Fetch behind her.

"We wondered what happened to you, miss," Femur said, giving her a friendly smile. "Trying to get a head start, are we?"

Mystia smiled and shook her head.

"No," she replied. "Just having a private conversation."

"That's no surprise," Scrubs said with a huff.

Mystia looked at him, confused. "What is that supposed to mean, Scrubs?" she asked him.

"What?" Scrubs said, annoyed. "Isn't it okay that I have private thoughts, too?"

Mystia was really confused. This wasn't like Scrubs to act this way.

"Why are you getting so upset at me?" she asked him kindly.

"Dekus can have feelings, too!" he scowled, folding his stubby arms across his chest.

"Who said you didn't?" Mystia inquired.

The Deku pressed on, "Why should I tell you? I don't have to tell you anything!"

Mystia started getting annoyed, though she still was wondering what was wrong with him.

Maybe something he ate at supper disagreed with him... Wait. Can woody stomachs even get upset? Caspen flippantly said.

Mystia ignored Caspen and gently continued, "Hey, Scrubs. I can tell that you're upset. What's wrong?"

"Nothin's wrong with me!" he protested.

Femur frowned in confusion. Of course there was something wrong.

"Okay! Seriously! What is his problem?" Oni grumbled.

Mystia was now so upset with Oni's usual brashness concerning her little friend and the fact that Scrubs wouldn't tell her what was bothering him that she didn't realize that she had blurted out her comment to Oni out loud, "I'm trying to find out what his problem is!"

Scrubs turned around; his yellow eyes glared at her.

"I don't have a problem!" he shouted at her. "You're the one with a problem!"

Fetch started barking when the volume of the voices of those talking had all of the sudden increased.

"It's okay, boy. Everything's okay," Mystia gently said to the wolfos before turning to the Deku again. "But Scrubs, I didn't mean what I just said, I meant that…"

But Scrubs rudely cut her off, "There you go again, saying one thing but meaning another!"

"Whoa! Excuse me! Who gave him the right to judge people?" Oni suddenly humphed.

Once again, Oni's comment was enough to distract the girl and she didn't realize that she had answered the deity out loud, "Will you be quiet?"

"Yeah, sure. Just because you're bigger than me doesn't mean that I have to agree with you! In fact, all you ever think about is yourself! You don't care about other people!" Scrubs said accusingly.

"That's not true!" she insisted, getting very upset over her friend's irrational behavior. Why was he so angry?

"Scrubs, my friend," Femur said, rattled at the situation. "Mystia has never thought of herself. She's a loyal friend to all —"

"Oh, shut up!" Scrubs hissed.

Oni immediately growled to Mystia, Why that snotty little twig! Just one spark from your sword should sizzle up his little…

Now very upset with Oni's constant interruptions, she angrily—yet accidentally— scolded him out loud, "Will you cut it out!? What did he ever do to you?"

Scrubs was now beyond reason as he yelled back, "I won't cut it out! And why do you always tell me what to do?"

Mystia had enough. She had no idea what was wrong, but she was getting sick and tired of Oni's comments and Scrubs' yelling at her for no reason.

Her eyes lit up as she finally yelled back at her little friend, "By Din's Fire, Scrubs! I was telling Oni to cut it out just now! Not you! Why don't you tell me what's wrong?"

"See? See what I mean?" Scrubs declared. "You don't care! You only care about your feelings! Your problems! The only person you ever talk to is Oni the Terrible!"

He did NOT just go there! Caspen exclaimed angrily.

Suddenly defending Oni, Mystia yelled, "Don't talk about him like that!"

"I bet you're always siding with him!" Scrubs fumed. "I see how it is! Fine! Side with the real enemy! The jerk of jerks! The low-down, selfish, crummy —"

Oni growled, Look who's talking about being selfish, Mystia—and from day one! Eating your nuts! Riding your horse! Complaining about being so tired and hungry when I've been forced to watch you help him! Especially when he's nothing but a little big, stupid coward!"

"You're not helping!" Mystia yelled to Oni for all to hear.

"Now you're accusing me of not ever helping you? What about when I saved your butt in Goron City?" Scrubs defended.

But Mystia hadn't heard her little friend because Oni had just yelled in her mind, Oh yeah, you little handful of fodder? What about the time those Deku hornets chased after you? What about the bulokoblin? How about the time that Ashasti attacked us back in Termina? What about Gometh? What did you do? You ran and hid like a scared cuccoo! You call yourself a fearless warrior, but you're nothing but a shaky piece of driftwood and if you don't like me, then you can just leave!"

I don't want him to leave!" Mystia half-said only to Oni and half-blurted out loud.

"Fine! Then I will leave!" Scrubs turned around and waddled away. He stopped halfway and glared back. "Good riddance!" Then, he waddled even farther until he was out of sight.

"Wait!" Mystia yelled toward the little Deku.

But Scrubs just kept going.

Ugh! The nerve, Caspen said. And serves him right! He should have known better!

"Well, you certainly didn't help things work out!" she chided him out loud. "I can see now that he must be jealous of you!"

What? Are you serious? Oni snorted. He can't even compete…

Now Mystia was peeved with Oni. He had made things worse than they needed to be. She was about to give him a tongue lashing when she was interrupted.

"Miss?" Femur said nervously. "I don't think —"

"What?!" Mystia said to the Stalfos harshly.

"I...I...never mind..."

Fetch whined softly at Mystia. She looked down at him with a glare.

"What are you looking at?" she spoke harshly, though she was really upset with Oni and what happened between Scrubs and her.

Fetch stepped away as he whined sadly once again.

Mystia looked toward Kakariko and quickly spotted the sun rising from the horizon. She sighed heavily in frustration.

"Come on," she grumbled. "I'm sure Scrubs will calm down and catch up. We need to get to Zora's Domain and get the Stone of Water."

She started walking upward toward the river. She got halfway up the slope and turned around to find Femur and Fetch still standing still.

"Well? Aren't you coming?" she asked harshly. "Or do you want to stand around all day?"

Femur appeared reluctant at first, but then hurried to catch up while Fetch followed behind with his tail between his legs.


Izzy: Longest chapter ever written!

Oni: Just when things were going well between me and Mystia.

Scrubs: Jerkface!

Oni: Twig!

Scrubs: Stupid!

Oni: Nuthead!

Izzy: ENOUGH! Gee! Anyway, things aren't going so well for our group of friends here...

Oni: *coughing sarcastically* NOT FRIENDS!

Izzy: ...and ended with complications. Scrubs is gone, Mystia is mad at Caspen, and poor Femur and Fetch are stuck in the middle of it. The questions here are: why was Scrubs so mad at Mystia for? Will he come back or will our deity girl have to do without him? Did Caspen ruin a relationship between the Deku and our warrior or even her and himself?

Oni: HEY!

Izzy: Find out next chapter!

Roecliff: R&R!