A bit of a shortie today, but if I continued it any further it would have fucked up the flow. Here you go~


Somehow, Zelda wasn't surprised.

She'd acquired an acute sense for when a person wanted something from years spent in the courts--both her own, and others, when they actually let her out of her room.

What did surprise her was the mention of Skyloft. She'd actually forgotten that Skyloft was part of the empire, and yet . . . not.

After the War of Monsters, the people of Skyloft had suffered possibly the heaviest losses and had withdrawn from the Alliance. They'd remained independent ever since, keeping to themselves, staying out of the occasional turmoil of the world below.

Until now, it seemed.

She tuned back into the conversation. ". . . can't afford to wait too long," Shad was saying. "They've already taken out some of our better fliers."

"In case you haven't realized," Mipha said, keeping the edge to her voice just dull enough not to cut, "we are not exactly prepared to launch an airborne assault. We cannot even launch a ground assault."

The bitterness in her usually sweet, calm voice resonated within Zelda, as she knew it did in everyone else. If they'd had the resources, they could have prevented so many tragedies already.

She ran a hand through her hair. "As it stands, Shad, Mipha is right. We lack the weapons. We lack the food. We lack the manpower. It is all we can do to evacuate the remaining cities and villages without disaster falling. What you ask is improbable at best, impossible at worst."

"Trust me, I would love nothing more than to help you," she continued, looking into Shad's disappointed gaze. "I don't wish to abandon my people, even if they do not see themselves as such. But I can't help you."

Silence may have fallen, then, thick and heavy, but a voice spoke up. "If I may ask," Dark said, his head cocked, "how did Ganondorf's army even launch an attack on you? As far as I know, Skyloft is high above the clouds. Much higher than any monsters are able to go." He rolled his eyes. "Unless they have wings."

Link sent his brother a look that said, Really? What a surprise that would be. Zelda allowed a tiny smile.

"You may not know him, but your brother and the Empress do," said a new voice, and Zelda absolutely froze. Her heart stuttered in her chest. No . . .

She turned slowly, seeing from the corner of her eye Link doing the same, and found someone for whom she'd spared hardly a thought, to her eternal shame. Her hands began shaking.

They walked forward, blood-stained and dirty, but otherwise wholly alive. The entire group of them, stretching back into the hall that led into the main room. A hand on Zelda's shoulder told her Ilayen had seen the newcomer, too.

She stepped forward, her arm bandaged, the insignia on her military jacket stained red, and she leaned on her commander's sword.

"You look surprised," Commander Impa said, blunt as ever.

Zelda was stuck to the floor for a second--but only a second. She rushed forward, not even caring that Impa might just whack her over her head for indecorous attitude, and threw her arms around the woman's neck.

Instead of smacking her, though, Impa simply chuckled and returned the hug, her hand stroking the back of Zelda's head. Just like the queen had used to do. Zelda began crying, then, burying her face in Impa's shoulder until she realized there were others waiting their turn.

Wiping her face, a smile stretching her lips, she stood back as Ilayen followed much in her footsteps.

This time, Impa did smack him.

Laughter rolled around the room, and even Laruto sported a small smile from where she still sat, one knee over the other. Ilayen retreated, rubbing his head, but he was grinning, and just the sight of it, the mere realization that the return of such a central figure, such a person of strength, could make the shadows of the past days recede so, rendered Zelda a little dizzy.

A hand on her back spread warmth, and she rested her head against Link's chest. His arms went around her, his cheek in her hair. She felt his breath over her ear and shivered.

She felt his smile, too, and pushed off him, unable to keep her own grin down. Whether anyone noticed the redness in her face was unclear, and she was determined to keep it that way. At least until she was alone with him.

She cleared her throat for good measure and welcomed Impa to the table. As soon as she was sat, the others in the hall entered, and Zelda recognized them as castle guards and soldiers of the Hylian Army. It made her all the more curious.

Impa was already in the telling. "When the Takeover began, the castle was a madhouse." Tetra nodded solemnly. "In the chaos, a certain prisoner pushed his advantage and escaped his cell."

Impa sent a look towards Link and Zelda, who met each other's gazes. "Ghirahim."

Impa nodded. "He returned to Skyloft--his original home--and planted the seeds. He sent a message to someone--I don't know who, but they were from Waker."

Dark leaned forward. "And now Waker is under attack."

Impa cocked her head at him, glancing at Link several times, but she didn't question Dark's presence, or his striking resemblance to Link. "That's right. Clearly, the monsters were waiting for it, because they split. Half went on to attack Waker, and the other half to terrorize Skyloft."

"Presumably to keep them out of the war," Laruto said, her first words. Impa inclined her head deeply to her.

"Indeed. But that is not all."

"Oh, goody."

Impa ignored Darunia's mutter. "Shad was partially correct in saying that Skyloft is under attack. They were--for a short time. But it was merely a distraction. The true purpose--along with every other betrayal--was to divert our attention from the capital."

Zelda straightened. "What do you mean?"

She had a feeling she already knew, but said nothing. "Have you wondered at the timing of the betrayals, Your Majesty?" Zelda shook her head.

"I thought not. Ganondorf is a smart man, which makes a very dangerous enemy. He knows you. He has been keeping you busy, running back and forth, saving as many as you can. Slowly expending your time and resources. All the while, monsters have been pouring into the castle. At the same time, the furthest nations have now come under attack."

"In other words, the ones that take the longest to reach," Mipha concluded, earning herself an approving nod from Impa.

"He had hoped to spur you into trying to save more. And had you done that, while you were so far, he would have swept in with his army and destroyed this place."

"But why doesn't he just do it now?" Link asked. "Wipe out all his enemies at once? Like Zelda said, we don't have an army. We can't exactly put up much of a fight."

"It is not an army Ganondorf fears." Impa stood. "It is you two yourselves. It is what you stand for. By having Zelda, in particular, far away from where she is needed most when he destroys it, he gains that much more. He wants her to despair. He wants her to give up, so that when it comes her time, he can fight someone with nothing left to fight for."

Zelda felt queasy. "But--"

"In addition, he fears what Zelda might spur people to do in her name," Impa went on. "While she is here, he knows you all would fight that much harder."

Silence met her words; Zelda felt it settle over the room, like a thick smoke. She felt a muscle begin to tick in her jaw.

If he fears what I stand for, then by the time I'm done, he'll be cowering in the corner, she thought with a vengeance.

She kept that to herself, saying instead, "Well, then I suppose we'll have to get to work."

The people at the table straightened, purpose lighting their eyes. Even Laruto lifted her head, her hands clutching the arms of her chair. The flame in her blue eyes warmed Zelda.

Now came the hard part.

She took a deep breath, knowing someone in this room would hate her for what she was about to say. It has to be done. We have to be ready.

"You say he fears what people would do in my name," she began. "That being said, it doesn't appear he's very afraid at all. I mean to change that." She leaned forward on the table. "We need an army. We need weapons. We need food and supplies. We need people who know where these things can be obtained. And we need people who are experienced enough with the land, who are unrecognizable as one of us, yet who can provide proof that they are. As it stands, there are precious few of us who meet that criteria."

She felt the exact moment Link understood. He stiffened, making a tiny, nearly silent intake of breath. She felt him glance at her, knew his eyes were wide, his lips slightly parted. But she wasn't looking at him.

Across the table, he met her gaze, straightening. His chest expanded under his crossed arms as he took a deep breath. And he nodded.

Zelda swallowed. "Thank you," she said quietly. "And I'm sorry. I know the timing is--"

"No."

She froze. Beside her, Link was practically vibrating--though whether it was from anger or fear, she couldn't tell. Somehow, that scared her more than anything Ganondorf could have done. She turned slowly, finding him shaking his head. "Link--"

He ripped his arm away from her touch. Zelda bit her lip hard, struggling to keep it down as he rounded on her. It was his eyes--the confusion, anger, betrayal that lay in his blue gaze. "How could you?" he nearly whispered.

She didn't want to. She desperately wished there was someone else, anyone else, but it was their only option, and--

"Link, just listen--"

"Link."

He swallowed hard as he turned to face the speaker. Dark watched him with those red eyes, so expressive, yet holding emotions in them that were for Link only.

Link himself slammed his hands on the table. "I am not going through this again," he said, voice shaking. "I refuse to do this again--not now."

"Who else would you send?" Dark argued, albeit gently. "It's as Zelda said--I'm the only one who can do it."

Link looked as if he might be sick, and that expression alone was enough to make Zelda ill. She wrung her hands as he stared almost beseechingly at his brother. "I just got you back," he said, and his voice cracked.

Zelda closed her eyes against their burning, refusing to let anyone see her cry. She remembered when Link had first told her about his family. How he'd broken down in her room, how he'd cried into her shoulder, his whispered apologies for someone who wasn't there. And now that he was, she was taking him away again.

Dark was speaking. ". . . think I felt every time you went off on some crazy adventure? How do you think I felt when I heard you went to the Dragmire Estate? I knew what was there, you didn't, but there was nothing I could do to stop you. I had to sit on my ass and wait for word--word that might not even arrive! How do you think I felt when you went to Termina? You left me behind! I didn't die that day in Mabe, Link, but every time you leave, it kills me!"

"So why are you trying to leave now?!" Link shouted, oblivious to their audience. Zelda doubted he even cared at all. "How can you say that, and yet be so ready to go back out there alone?!"

"He won't be alone," Impa interrupted before Dark could respond. "I am going with him."

Zelda glanced at her in surprise, but then, she supposed she should have expected that. Just saying you were part of the resistance wouldn't be enough--Dark would need someone the people of Hyrule knew. For that, Impa fit perfectly.

Impa laid a hand on Link's shoulder, gripping him more firmly when he shrugged it angrily off. "This is Dark's decision. Do you really think Zelda would volunteer someone if they didn't wish to go?"

That made Link stiffen; she saw his chest hitch as he inhaled.

"No."

I may as well have, Zelda thought, disgusted with herself. It's not as if Dark really has a choice in the matter, with everything at stake.

"Don't worry about me," Dark said, spreading his arms. "What my dear brother doesn't know is that I was trained for things like this. I might even be better than he is, actually."

His voice was cheerful, cocky even, the smile in it evident, but it brought no comfort to Zelda. Not when Link refused to look at her.

She forced herself to tear her gaze from him as Impa continued. "We need to focus on the monster army. For now, we have shadows watching the city constantly, with messages waiting to be sent. If Ganondorf makes a move, we should know sooner rather than later. Incidentally, on the way here, we received some interesting news."

Impa glanced at Zelda quickly. "The Mirror of Twilight has been taken from its pedestal. The Path of the Fallen is closed. Twilight's borders are locked from the inside. No one gets in but by the grace of her majesty, Midna."

Zelda's lips parted, her pain forgotten momentarily. "The . . . Path is closed? I didn't even know it could be closed."

Mipha spoke up. "The Path can be opened and closed by means of the Mirror of Twilight. When taken out of its pedestal, the Path closes. Have you ever noticed how quiet it gets through the mountain split? When closed, a wall of pure twilight descends upon the whole pass. The last time it was closed was over a hundred years ago."

Zelda hmmed. Impa continued, "If the Path has been closed, it must mean news of the Takeover has already reached Midna's ears. This is her way of keeping the monsters out of Twilight. And in the Northern Reach, Twili magic users have surrounded the old Palace and have systematically eradicated the monster army. For now, we can consider Twilight safe."

Link settled down slightly, his shoulders falling. At least there's that, Zelda thought. Though he still looked supremely unhappy, and she knew she'd not heard the last of his protests.

"Also, there's this." Impa gestured to one of the guards who, until now, had stood to the back. He came forward, hefting a large, bulky, burlap bag with him. He set it on the table gently and stepped back. "I don't know how much you know of history," she said, withdrawing several paper-wrapped items, "but in times past, these were used to great effect."

She unwrapped the first item, and Zelda had to stop her knees from buckling.

The Master Sword.

Beside her, Link had dragged his gaze from Dark's to stare at the blade. Gleaming almost eerily, the sword's edge caught the light of the chandelier above them, illuminating the sharp edge. The breath he dragged in was ragged.

Zelda could imagine what he was feeling. She could feel the power of the sword without even touching it. The sword of evil's bane, the sword that seals the darkness, the Master Sword . . . history had given it many names, and yet it was only ever used against one enemy.

Once again, the weight of her responsibility crashed down on her. She was sure Link felt it too. As the others gathered around the legendary blade, Impa removed another package from the bag. This one was long and slimmer than the first, and Zelda cocked her head.

Impa removed the paper and handed the item to Zelda. "This was used in the Era of Twilight by that time's Princess of Destiny," she said, as Zelda accepted the sword with shaking hands.

She held it up to the light. It was balanced perfectly, as if made for her. The blade itself was long and slim, for lightning fast strikes and precision. The handle was purple, with a gold crosspiece. Her predecessor's chosen weapon.

Zelda swallowed hard. "Where did you get this?" she asked hoarsely.

Impa's expression did not change. "I stopped by the museum on my way out of the town. These weapons have been collecting dust in their cages for far too long."

Zelda had to laugh; of course Impa would be completely unapologetic. Not that she was complaining. At the back of the crowd, there was a commotion until a black head of hair pushed its way to the front. Ravio's green eyes widened.

"There they are," he whispered.


Ravio lifted the Master Sword almost reverently. "It's the real thing," he murmured.

"Of course it's the real thing," Impa scoffed, clearly miffed at Ravio's lack of conduct. "Why else would it have sat behind two cages of diamondglass in the Hyrule Museum of Artifacts?"

Now it was Ravio's turn to give the commander a disdainful look. Zelda admired the nerve it must have taken; Impa was not the least intimidating person. "My family has run an antique shop for the last several hundred years. We have almost every item used by past Heroes. The only ones we're missing are this, Queen Zelda's sword there, Hilda's staff--" He pointed to the staff currently clenched in his queen's hands, "--the Ocarina of Time, the Goddess Harp, the Wind Waker and the Bow of Light."

"Don't forget the light arrows," someone called from the back. Ravio snapped his fingers, tongue sticking from between his teeth. In front of him, Impa gave him a severe look.

"And how would you come to possess these things?" she ground out. Zelda found they were getting rather off track, but the way Ravio was fidgeting made her step forward on his behalf.

"Actually, most of the items in the Museum are replicas," she admitted. All eyes turned to her. Even Link forgot his anger for a few moments to raise a brow. "They're so old, no one kept any records on where they went after their respective age had passed." Now she turned to Ravio, a questioning brow raising. "I suppose now we know where they are, don't we?"

Ravio offered only a sheepish smile in response, rocking back on his heels. Link rolled his eyes, swatting half-heartedly at Sheerow as the little white bird flitted around his head, chirping.

"Indeed, those items you listed used to be in the Museum," Impa went on, if grudgingly. Zelda turned to her. "Used to be?"

Impa's only response was to remove several other items from the bag. This time, Zelda did take a seat.

"I'd rather they were in our possession than in Ganondorf's," the commander said blandly.

Zelda scrubbed her face. The four items Ravio had listed as still missing from his collection lay on the table, exuding such quiet power she'd felt her knees buckle. Alone, she was sure she'd not have had such a strong reaction, but when they were all gathered together, she felt light-headed. I suppose that's why they each had their own wing in the museum--and answers the question of whether or not they still have magical properties.

Her chest felt heavy, and she wanted to examine each artifact more closely, but--

"If we can get back to business?" Laruto called, with enough of an edge that everyone snapped to attention. Zelda stood, accepting Link's hand with only a slight grimace.

"This is more than I could have asked for, but it doesn't solve much, unfortunately," she directed this to Ravio, who shrugged humbly. "While Dark and Impa search for our materials, we'll have plenty to do here. For now, I want to at least divvy up the tasks to those best suited."

"Darunia, how many of the GMC have arrived?" she asked the Goron, who rubbed his chin.

"About fifty."

"And how many are still in Kakariko?"

"The remainder of the Union. Around two hundred."
Whispers abounded the council room. "That's two hundred fifty metalworkers," Zelda muttered, noting the number on a paper pad. "We'll send a hawk to let them know we're coming, and wait for word that it's clear before we go in. Darunia, they know you, so you'll lead."

The Goron grunted in approval, nodding.

"Now . . . Ilia, how much food have the Ordonians brought?"

She conversed shortly with Rusl, who'd stood stoically beside her throughout the entire meeting thus far. The man turned to Zelda. "With the number of people here, and what the Zoras have stored away already, enough to last us several weeks."

Zelda noted it down. "We'll send another team to the coasts to find what we can from Valoo's stores. While we're there, I'll have another team collect the survivors from the battle on the sea. Hopefully, we'll receive some word on that front, as well."

"Shall I lead the food team, Your Majesty?"

"Yes, Rusl, that's fine," Zelda said distractedly, numbers and figures running through her mind.

"I'd like to lead the recon group," a voice said. Zelda looked up sharply, meeting Ruto's determined gaze, the numbers flying from her head. She opened her mouth, but Zelda was already shaking her head. "I can't spare you, Ruto. I'm sorry."

She knew Ruto was shaking. She knew why the princess wanted to go. The Domains and Valoo had worked closely together over the long course of the Empire; it was only natural that she'd want to see how Valoo, Komali and Medli were faring. But Zelda couldn't risk it--not with Ganondorf whittling them down. If they lost another Sage, they would be in deep shit.

As if we already aren't, she couldn't help thinking. With Rauru gone, she couldn't fathom how they'd stop Ganondorf. Then she remembered--what Ruto had said, during Sidon's wedding.

The Princess has been a Sage before.

Zelda wasn't quite sure how that worked, being both the Princess of Destiny and a Sage, but if it helped them at all, she wouldn't complain. And as long as they were on the subject . . .

She cast a glance around the table. Link knew--she'd filled him in intermittently. Ruto was aware of her role, as well. But the others were in the dark.

Feeling Ruto and Link's gazes heavy on her back, she called for attention and launched into it, starting with her prophecy. Their faces changed as she spoke, at some points falling slack, and once or twice Link had to lay a hand on her lower back. By the end of it, she took a long drink of water offered by Mipha and allowed them all to process it all.

Quiet whispering broke out here and there, but by and large, the crowd didn't speak much. Zelda wanted nothing more than to lay in bed, especially when the lingering fear of what Link would say about Dark surfaced in her head once again, but she forced herself to keep her head up.

Mipha was the first to break the silence. "So," she muttered, then louder, "So you're a sage?"

Ruto nodded, her face paler than usual under her family's eyes. Laruto simply stared at her, blue eyes searching her daughter's face, as if trying to find something. What she searched for, Zelda couldn't say.

"And," Mipha continued, clearly struggling with the concept, "you have to work with these other . . . sages . . . in order to seal away Ganondorf."

Zelda nodded.

"Who are the other sages?" Laruto asked.

"Unfortunately, we don't know," Zelda admitted. "We don't have a concrete way to find out who they are, and time is running short."

"For now, we'll just have to settle with what we've got right now. Currently, we know of at least three sages: myself, Ruto, and Nabooru. That'll have to suffice. In the meantime, we should focus on preparing for whatever Dark and Impa will bring back. Speaking of which--I want you two to get some rest. The sooner you leave, the better, and you both need medical attention."

Zelda motioned for a healer to come forward; while Dark shuffled to a quieter corner, Impa shrugged off the healer. "I have been through worse, Your Majesty," she said. "And sleep will do me no good. My dreams have been dark of late."

Zelda pursed her lips, unwilling to fight, but then she froze. My dreams have been dark of late.

Dreams.

She glanced sharply at Ruto, who met her gaze. She nodded, blue eyes bright. "What kind of dreams?" Zelda demanded, turning to Impa.

The commander lifted her head, sensing the urgency in Zelda's voice. If she was wrong, then fine. They'd make do, like she'd said. But if she was right . . .

She tried to calm her pounding heart. She opened her mouth, but another voice spoke up.

"Shadows and flame, under a red moon?" Darunia muttered gravely. Impa nodded slowly, understanding lighting her gaze. Zelda let out a breath, meeting Link's eyes. Two more, she read in them.

She took his hand, silently thanking the goddesses he hadn't shied away from her again. Two more. That brought the count up to--

"That's five, then," Ruto murmured, her eyes unfocused. "Fire, Water, Shadows, Spirit, Time."

"How can you be sure?" Impa asked, ever pragmatic.

Zelda, Ruto and Darunia all shared a look. "Have you not felt it?" Darunia asked, his deep voice booming.

"In your dreams, there is a voice," Ruto added. "Something along the lines of, 'the Six must awaken', and an impending darkness."

Impa's silence was answer enough.

Zelda resisted the urge to scrub her face. That was an unexpected surprise, but we're still left lacking, she thought, frustration building. And we're no closer to defeating him than two hours ago.

Exhaustion settled even heavier on her shoulders, and she finally made the call. As the group dispersed, the former guards that had arrived with Impa shuffling tiredly to another wing, running footsteps sounded to her right.

Link's eyes were sympathetic as Zelda turned to see a short girl run into the room, bent over to catch her breath.

And he saw Zelda's shoulders rise as she recognized her. "Saria, what are you doing here?" she reprimanded. "This was a closed meeting."

Saria pffted, flipping her hair. "Not important. Besides, it's not like you guys were quiet or anything. These halls echo terribly, you know," she addressed this to Laruto, who allowed a tired smile. Behind them, the other sages and Dark, who'd stayed behind, snickered.

Saria grinned, sketching a bow to the queen, but she began to wilt under the raincloud brewing before her.

"Saria," Zelda thundered, hands on hips--Link knew that pose well--"go to bed. Now."

Saria merely frowned. "The kids wanted to explore. And they miss you. I thought I'd come and find you, but you've been in council forever, so I had to wait. I only came out because Mido started pulling on Tatl's hair."

Zelda twitched, and Link knew her resolve was crumbling. Three seconds passed before her shoulders sagged, and she sighed deeply, dragging a hand down her face. "Why does he always pick on you girls?" she muttered defeatedly.

"Because he's a stupid boy," Saria said sweetly, turning in a slow circle to look at the council room. Zelda had to admit, it was an opulent place. The ceiling rose at least thirty feet high, and arches glowed in the light. A large chandelier hung from the peak of the ceiling, and the table was enormous--and somehow still managed to be covered in papers. "At least, according to Tatl."

Zelda snorted. "Well, come on. Let's go."

She laid a hand on Saria's shoulder to steer her away. As soon as her hand touched Saria's bare shoulder, lightning cracked, and her back arched.

She flew backward, slamming into the table. Her head rang, sounds blurred and muted. Hands grasped her and pulled her up, and as she rose, her hearing returned. She looked wildly, searching for--

"Saria! Wake up!"

Her heart dropped into her boots.

Where she'd stood, a cracked, black spot of tile marked where the lightning had struck. And a few feet beyond, Saria lay, unmoving.

OOH Cliffie!

Again, kinda short, but eh. You'll survive.

REVIEW REPLIES.

To Oracle of Hylia: NEHAHA. What was that you were saying about angst?? *Cackles evilly* YOUVE DOOMED YOURSELF HAHAHAHAHA.

To Generala: muhahahahaHAHAHA! Aww yeah I cried while writing it, not gonna lie. I wrote it to the song "Final Hours" by the Marcus Hedges Orchestra, which is a cover of the song that plays during the last six hours of Majora's mask. Smacked me right in the feels, that one.

True that, mate. Wars suck. And I couldn't help it—the continuous "failure" is getting to her, I thought I'd give a little insight to her feelings on it.

Zelink trash XD—it's called a trash CAN, not a trash CANT.

To Ultimate blazer: oohhhhohohohoho, you should NOT have said that XD. You and Oracle are gluttons for punishment LMAOO. You're welcome!

Okay. Now for the long one.

To StJames1: Bro.

inhale*

SHIT. XD. in all honesty I was REALLY hoping nobody would notice that haha. Obvi I was mistaken. And I'm glad you said you were just being goofy because by the end of it, not gonna lie, I was getting a little annoyed lmao. But seriously, I am glad you pointed that stuff out (I did ask for it, after all). It helps me clean up the story and keep it consistent, so thank you!

Now.

There are a couple reasons why this part in particular is messy. They're not excuses, but for one thing when I post, I'm on a time crunch. One hour to upload, fix up (italics, typos, etc) and post—AND eat my lunch before I go back to work. You'd think this would make me prepare the chaps in advance, right?

Ha.

Maybe now I will, though lol.

But seriously, that's one thing. Another is that with this messiness concerning Dark, I changed the ages of the boys when I posted. Up until that point, he WAS eight. Then I realized as I was posting that Dark is literally a carbon copy of Link—age, height, mass, weight, all that. So I was like, well it doesn't really work with the game dynamic if he's younger than Link. So I changed it to have them be twins. That being said, when I went through and made the changes necessary, I actually forgot that I'd mentioned earlier that he was eight, hence why it's inconsistent. I DID, however, know that that bit with "when dark is older he'll join us" was a discrepancy and because of said time crunch and my inherent laziness, I was like "eh, maybe no one will notice".

Clearly I was mistaken.

And tbh, I really don't know how to fix that bit, because as you said, if they're both of age, then they both should have gone, but Dark has to be in Mabe when the monsters come. Hmmm. I'll think on it.

Like I said I'm glad you pointed that out, because honestly, it does bother me when I'm aware of mistakes, but sometimes (not often) my laziness gets the better of me and I let it be. I'll try to keep the story clean of mistakes like these, but I may miss a few. It's only 39 chapters on , but on google docs we're going on 94! It's a lot to sift through. Hopefully though, now I can count on you to keep me on track!

Another thing: your Rauru review gave me some good ideas after I thought about it for a bit, and I'll be sure to implement them in earlier chapters. Thanks for the insight! I'll give a mention when I've made the changes so y'all can go back and check them out, if you so desire.

OKAYback to your regularly scheduled programming.

Thank you to everyone (dragonbane522 and StJames1) for following/favoriting. :) see y'all Monday, and stay safe from Corona

whips head around* . . . CARDI??!