Ravio and Hilda

"Link, we are in position. I got two Darknuts in my sight guarding the south gate."

"Darknuts?"

"Yes, Darknuts. Blue ones too. In other words, I think you could take them out quicker with some sword beams than we could in a fight. They're also facing forward so arrows aren't the way to go."

Hilda took the spyglass from Ravio, looking at the forces not too far north of the mentioned Darknuts that surrounded Ravio's destination, the Pedestal of Forest (complete with a broken statue of a tree). "If we take them out, their allies might see it, and there's no guarantee that their defeat will be felt across all forces. They are too well organized to not have a general nearby."

"Could it be Ghirahim? Or that other guy, Onox?"

Ravio shrugged, standing to his full height. "If it was Vaati or Veran, we would feel that. I got my money on Onox. He had Darknuts before at Saria."

"I see those damn lizards again too. Great." Hilda gazed just a few meters right of the gate, where Link and Zelda were positioned. "Be careful using the bracelets, especially you Link. It takes mana and stamina to use its abilities, and since you aren't potent enough to use magic with aid, you will tire out quickest. I wouldn't worry too much about you, Zelda, but same warning."

"Thanks. Midna, Riju, how are things on your end?"

"We are peachy. So far, so good."

"Great. Ravio, Princess Hilda, good luck to you."

"Thanks Princess Zelda." Ravio placed his charm under his cloak, folding his arms as he looked down from the hill they were one to the gate several meters ahead. The easiest pedestal he was gifted, but it (so far) had the hardest entry, and he was stuck with the person he liked the least at the moment. "So...Any plans of infiltration, Princess?"

Hilda turned to Ravio, noting the force he spoke her title. "You're still mad at me."

"Mad, no. I forgive you, but I haven't forgotten and never will. Now do you have an idea or no?"

Hilda turned away, focusing on their current plight. She had an idea, but to put it to use… It will be a while. "I have one, but we'll have to wait until the sun fully sets. I could use my powers as the Shadow Sage in the darkness to make us totally invisible. There would be less strain on me to conjure up the spell."

Ravio pondered on it for a moment, then sat down back. "It better work."

Hilda was now fed up with Ravio's attitude towards her. However, instead of lashing out, she calmly sat down beside him, folding her hands in front of her. "Ravio… If we are going to talk about this, what do you want me to say?"

"To tell me, with certainty, that there was no other way for you to save Lorule besides wishing it destroyed."

"I… I…" Hilda dropped her head, feeling tears stream down her cheeks as she looked away from her friend. It has been three years since it happened, and she remembered that for days she would think about what she had done, and if there was a better way to save her land. There was a simple answer to Ravio's question, as she had came to that conclusion long ago. "Yes. Yes, there were other options. But… I… I was foolish. I was afraid. I was impulsive. I saw the destruction caused by the Imperials, and it reminded me of the stories of my namesake. Of both our namesakes. So yes, I made a wish that destroyed our land for those reasons, and at the time it was the only way to make things right. I knew you wouldn't understand, so I lied to you about it. I knew that if you knew the truth… You would hate me then, as you hate me now. But if I told you then, maybe it could have been different. Maybe you could have understood. So, Ravio, please don't beat me up for this. I have done it to myself for three years."

Ravio watched as Hilda sobbed, feeling pangs of guilt for his anger. Sighing, he reached out to Hilda, wrapping his arm around her. With his other hand he lifted Hilda's face, wiping her tears. "Hilda, I do not hate you. I am not that mad you did what you did… Ok, I am, but that's not the point right now. I am furious you hid it from me and that it was the guy that attacked Lorule that told me this. I am disappointed that you didn't trust me with this. But I do forgive you."

"Why?"

"You are the only reminder to me that there once was a Lorule, and there's nothing that can bring our world back."

Hilda was about to respond, but closed her mouth as a memory flashed in her mind. How could she not have thought of this before ever since her group started on this quest? How could she had not thought of this years ago? The answer to their greatest trouble was here in Rauru Town, in a sealed temple. Her mind working, Hilda stood on her feet, gazing to the ruined Temple of Time. "Ravio."

"Yes, Hilda?"

"You would do anything to see Lorule again, would you?"

Ravio stood up, confused yet intrigued. What was Hilda saying? Of course he'll do anything to walk in Lorule Field, to shop at Thieve's Town, to explore the maze of the Dark Palace… "Yes."

"Even it is traitorous to the cause we fight for?"

"...What do you have planned?"

"The Triforce… It can grant the wish of any desire. Our desire will be to see Lorule returned..." Hilda turned to Ravio, looking at him straight in his eyes. "Are you with me, Ravio?"

He knew what his princess was implying, and it was traitorous. Normally Ravio would have said no, that there was another way to do this, that to intervene in Link and Zelda's mission would have dire consequences. But...maybe the person he was named after would say. That's what he did. This Ravio… He might be a coward, but he dearly loved his home. He was loyal to Lorule the country and Lorule the princess. He took Hilda's hand, gripping it tight, giving her his answer before looking to the ruined temple.

"Link, Zelda, Midna...We're sorry."

Riju and Midna

The Gerudo and her impish companion raced quickly to the Spirit Pedestal. Nightfall was approaching, and the window of surprise was closing fast. Link and Zelda had already infiltrated the ruined town, Ravio and HIlda were delayed, so it was up to Riju and her pedestal to divert the attention of the Imperial Army from the others.

Unfortunately for them, the Pedestals of Light and Spirit were well within the city, and so were the corresponding Sages. Fortunately for Midna, as she found out when she as accidently spotted by a Lizalfos, her monstrous appearance gave her the cover of being one of the Imperials, while Riju had to resort to her skills as a Gerudo to traverse the ruined buildings. She was careful not to slip up, as the ruins were weak enough that if she planted her foot incorrectly, her life and the advantage of stealth they have could be forfeit. Thankfully, a flying imp distracted any possible hostiles from her.

As she flew, Midna was intrigued by the selection of monsters in the ranks. As she heard from Ravio and HIlda, Darknuts, Lizalfos, and Dinolfos populated the city, but since she was much deeper than they were, she saw more varieties. Bokoblins and tall, skinny versions of Moblins were also present, but instead of the red and blues, most of them were black and grey. If color rules still applied, those types were more dangerous than their common counterparts. Stalfos patrolled the city in different kinds, from human-shaped to Bokoblin. Midna also sworn she spotted the mane of a Lynel in the distance, and having some memories of those guys from Saria, they were just the brutes in this army. "These guys aren't playing. These are the tougher enemies."

Riju grunted as she took out scanned the ruins. "Definitely so. I have never seen half the monsters here. To think this was once the holy city of Hyrule… This is a disgrace."

Midna nodded. "Yeah."

"Ganondorf told me you and an Auru were from here. Where did you live?"

Midna flew up to Riju's side, taking a glance of the Temple of Time. Their current position was still far from the building, but close enough that she could see the damage upon it. How the temple still stood, she could never know. It has been many millennia since it was constructed, and, no pun intended, it withstood the test of time. She could say the same of her feelings towards Ganondorf.

Riju had said nothing of the sort, but Midna wasn't stupid. She could tell the Gerudo Chief had feelings for the Gerudo Prince, and if Ravio's story of his trip to Nabooru was true, there was more to that story. She couldn't blame Ganondorf though. She saw Aveil in the not so decayed flesh, and could tell she was beautiful. Riju stands her before her, and she is a goddess. There is no way Ganondorf would pass up on Riju, a member of his race, to be with someone like Midna, especially if she didn't find a way out of this damn form.

Neither Zelda or Hilda could change her back, but Midna had an alternate plan. The magic Zant used to change her was of their mother's people. There was no way Zant could know such things unless he knew how to use their powers. Add the mask she found in Midoro, the one Zant said belong to her ancestors, he got it from somewhere. The answers were in one place, and though it pained Midna, she would have to go there.

She pointed to the northeast, just between the slightly visible Pedestal of Spirit and a approximate location of the Pedestal of Light. "My home is over there."

"I'm sure it was once a nice place."

"Yeah… It was. Let's continue going. We're almost there."

"Right." Riju leapt to the adjacent building, Midna flying right behind her. They traveled for a few more minutes before they were on a rooftop overlooking the Pedestal of Spirit. Unlike the rest of the city, the pedestal itself was untouched by erosion and fire. The marble landmark was distinguished by a slightly ruined statue of a woman holding her arm skyward. Looking around it, Midna and Riju could see the pedestal was guarded by a sitting woman, surrounded by the lizard and pig beasts.

However, the woman didn't look afraid, sitting contently by the pedestal. As a matter of fact, the monsters didn't even mind her. Midna looked to Riju, who was...enamoured with the sight. "Hey, do you think she is a leader to these beasts? They aren't attacking her."

Riju shook her head. "No, look. That woman...she shouldn't be here. She's dead."

"What?" Midna looked back down, analyzing the mysterious stranger. She had dark red hair, tied into a long ponytail underneath a ruby holder. On her dark forehead, a piece of topaz hung there as well as around her neck. All her clothes were white; the cloth around her breasts, her pants, the arm sleeves, all purely white. But what shocked Midna was when she looked up, not at her watchers, but up enough in their direction that Midna could see her face. Against the makeup the woman wore, she spotted two cool, green eyes flashing. "Who… Who is this?"

"That is no other than the Sage of Spirit before me, but to you, she's Ganondorf's mother, Nabooru Dragmire."

"Really?"

"Yeah. That's her. I can see the disdain she had for me in her eyes. I'm sure you know about how Ganondorf's parents fought over who'll be his mate."

"No, he never spoke of that or you. As far as I can tell, it has always been Aveil."

"Really... That's true, to some extent. Aveil was the obvious choice. Ganondorf and her were tight as a Gordian knot. Nabooru preferred Aveil, which is ironic as she is a Sage Gerudo. But Malladus, Ganondorf's father, wanted to end the rift between my people and his by uniting his son and me. Eventually, Aveil won the right but the two of us were kept close. But if you ask Ganondorf who he chose, well… He liked Aveil as his best friend. As for me… The last day I saw him, just the day before Nabooru Town was sacked, we...did a thing. I loved him, sure, and even now, I still do… But i know for a fact he desires to be with you, Midna Twilight. He misses you so much I could see his pain in his eyes." Riju looked to Midna, stepping up to the ledge. "He's under the influence of Ganon. I don't know how deep he was on Death Mountain, but… I tried my best to reason with him, that Ganon and his promise of power was wrong. You, however, have the best chance to get to him, and you must. The world has a demon; it doesn't need the devil. Now to go to the same place as one from my childhood." Riju leaped down, landing by "Nabooru" almost inaudibly. She looked around at the guarding Lizalfos, Moblins, and Bokoblins, relieved to see none of them had noticed her or Midna so far. As a matter of fact, it seemed the monsters weren't even paying attention. Moblins had the height to see the rebels on the rooftops, while the lizards were natural hunters. There was no way they were unalerted...unless… Riju turned to the seated former Sage of Spirit, who winked back.

"Surprised?"

"What did you do?"

"You could say I've tampered with their fighting spirit, though it will fade once the pedestal is activated. I suggest you get busy, successor."

"Right." Riju looked up to Midna, pointing in the direction of the Pedestal of Light. "Get going. Once I do my thing, we won't have the element of surprise anymore."

Midna nodded. "Be careful, Sage of Spirit." Riju watch as Midna darted off, then turned towards the pedestal, taking the Medallion of Spirit in hand. She analyzed the stand that topped the structure, noting the depression that, if faced front side down, the medallion would make a perfect fit. But first, she had to take up the mantle of the Sage of Spirit, even if that meant conversing with the older one. She turned her head slightly, just enough to look at the former queen. "Why?"

"Why, that in my life and in my death, you still lose? Why to you did it seem that I hated you for my son? Why did I go against my husband? It was simple, Mareeha. I was protecting our people."

"From what?"

"A united Gerudo. He was no fool, but once I showed him what the unity between Daemon and Sage Gerudo too early could do, he resigned his fight for you. Aveil was chosen. She was chosen not because I hated you, but for the survival of one Gerudo once the other fell. I had my duties as the Sage of Spirit to Hyrule to protect it, but I also had a duty to the Sage Gerudo, to ensure that if my bloodline with Malladus fell, then my bloodline with Urbosa wouldn't so the next sage, should I fall, would finish what I started."

Riju turned away, stricken with realization. Nabooru knew what would happen to the Daemon Gerudo, that the Imperials would come eventually. "My mother… She died because of…"

"She knew the risk would come for her as well. That's why we kept Sage and Daemon separate. That's why, my dear niece, I denied you. But do not take that for shame. Had there been a different situation, you and Ganondorf would be as one. Even now, as you stand before me, I see a woman with the spirit to stick to her morals, even if it makes her leave her friend. I see a chief with the spirit to fight adversity, even when the odds aren't in her favor. I see a queen with the spirit to take up arms against anything, even her own king. Mareeha Riju, Your Highness, the dream of my husband for you and his son has not passed. The spirit of all Gerudo rests with you both. In time, he will join you once more. But first, we must do this." Nabooru walked beside Riju, placing a hand on the pedestal. "To restore the Kingdom of Hyrule and reunite our people…You must travel forward through time's flow. Listen to this Requiem of Spirit… This melody will lead a child back to the desert." Nabooru raised up two fingers to her mouth, softly blowing the tune known as the Requiem of Spirit. Riju mocked her, and the two Gerudo played the song as the younger woman set the medallion in the stand. A soft orange glow radiated around the pedestal, and then immediately shot up to the darkened sky. Riju gazed up to the sky, then took out her Gossip Stone. "Everyone, Spirit is activated." Riju then turned to her aunt's position, noticing the queen was gone. Riju didn't mind. Smiling softly, she watched as the monsters around her finally noticed her, grunting and roaring in alert. Riju took out her twin scimitars from her back, ready to do battle against the beasts.

Nabooru...Malladus...Mother… I will not fail you.

"That's the first...I don't care how you do it. The chosen are in here somewhere. Find the others, kill them, but the Hero and Princess, they'll come to this square…"

Link and Zelda

As expected, once Riju activated her pedestal, the Imperials were alerted. Thankfully Ravio hadn't got to his yet, as the extra time under the radar was beneficial to the Hero and Princess. Navigating the ruins of the holy city, having to become moving graffiti to avoid detection, it was definitely taking Link and Zelda too much time to get to the temple in the city's center. Determination, however, kept them going.

Popping out the merge between wall and man, Link and Zelda rematerialized to their normal selves. Finding themselves in an alleyway, Link dusted himself off and walked to where the alley met a road deeper into the city. Checking both sides for monsters, Link waved Zelda over. "I don't know how far we are in the city, but I'm winded from the wall-jumping. Whatever progress we have left has to be on foot. It should be dark enough we'll have some cover from the night."

"Possibly." Zelda raised her stone to her mouth, desiring to speak with the unaccounted Sages. "Ravio, HIlda, progress?"

"This is Hilda. We have made way into the city, on route to the Pedestal of Forest. Should be a few more minutes."

"Great. Midna?"

"Same. Almost at the Pedestal of Light"

"Okay. Zelda out." Zelda turned back to Link, who continued to stare down the road. "Link, is everything okay?"

"For better or worse, yes. The road is clear...too clear." Link took off his cap, letting his fairy go free. "Spryte, is this throwing you off as well?"

Spryte nodded. "Yeah… I can feel darkness across the city, but when i concentrate on this road… there's nothing, expect for something all the way down in the center of the city. I believe this road leads to the front of the Temple of Time. It has been a while since I have…"

Link turned to Spryte, who was holding her head. "Spryte?"

"It's nothing Link. It's just that...it feels as if I've been here before."

"Like you remember seeing the Triforce in Old Kasuto?"

"Yeah…" Spryte faced her Hylians, tapping her toes in the air. "That wasn't the first time. I haven't told either of you this, but when Horsehead knocked you two out in Ordon, of course I was watching over you two. You know that Shade came from Ordon to look for you."

Zelda nodded. "Yes we know this. But what does that have to do with you?"

The fairy sighed. "When he came to the fairy spring and let me see his face, I had a feeling that I could immediately trust that face. There was something in me that made me feel calm at the moment, that I knew that face would make everything alright. I mean, I still freaked out, but it was to a lesser degree. I just...trusted your lives with him, without question. Nobody does that, even if you know the person, you still question."

Link turned to Zelda, then scooped up Spryte and placed her on his shoulder. "Maybe you're thinking too hard on this."

"Maybe. Anyway, we got a clear shot until we get close to whatever is at the end of this road, so we can take our time."

"Yeah." Link kept the Master Sword, Zelda drawing her bow. They slowly walked down the street, checking every intersection for signs of Imperial soldiers. Neither Spryte or Zelda sensed anything close by except the looming darkness ahead of them. Link had a bad feeling it was a trap, and he knew Zelda and Spryte felt the same. It was too convenient that the road, this singular road, was devoid of monsters completely immediately after the Spirit Pedestal was activated. This singular road led to a unknown enemy, and though Zelda's story would make it unlikely, Link was not dropping the idea that Vaati himself would be at the end, waiting for Link and Zelda at the steps of the Temple of Time.

The ancient marble temple loomed over the trio as they came to what used to be a market square. Ruined carts and stores dotted the plaza of the Temple of Time, and in the center of it wall was a barely functioning fountain, the emblem of Hyrule eroded above the fountain's mouth.

"Oh my," Zelda exclaimed, astonished by the damage around the ancient temple. "Just think, eight years ago, this place was once a bustling square, now a testament to a better age."

Spryte nodded, fluttering off Link's shoulder. "Just think what 100 years could do."

"This place would still be in ruins, with a breath of the wild within." Zelda turned towards a group of ruined carts, spotting something gleaming in the remaining sunlight. She walked towards it, placing her bow on her back to free her hands to shift through the debris. Her hands grabbed the mysterious item, and out came a perfectly intact golden harp. She dusted it off, holding it up. "Link, look. A harp. I haven't held one since we lived in Ordon."

Link nodded, but he had other things on his mind, specifically the threat that was supposed to be here. "Spryte, is it here?"

"Yes, I've tripled checked since we got here-LINK!"

Link heard the clanking of metal and the sound of a weapon being readied, turning around and holding his shield up in time to deflect a ball and chain. The chain receded, retreating to its owner, the golden armored knight from Saria Town. He held the upper half of his weapon, a large battle axe, on his shoulder, looking through his helmet at the chosen pair.

"Alert as always, Link the Hero. So glad you can join us, Princess Zelda."

Zelda took her position beside Link, drawing her own steel. "General Onox, if I remember."

Onox grinned. "It is an honor to know you remember me, and it is even a greater honor to fight you in this once beautiful city. Long ago, before our time, it was once known as Hyrule Castle Town and the capital of the rising Hyrulean Kingdom. Do you know the history of this place?"

Link rolled his eyes. "Please don't."

Onox did anyway. "The Temple of Time. It was here before us, and it will be here after us. It has withstood the test of ages and the trials of seasons. Many men and women had gathered in its halls, but much fewer have seen its true purpose. The temple is the gateway to the Sacred Realm, and there, access to the Triforce. Only those with the require trinkets may open the Doors of Time...once called the Spiritual Stone, but in the present age you know them as the Pendants of Virtue. There is the Ocarina of Time, and playing the song of the Royal Family along with the pendants placed at the Pedestal of Time will unlock the doors. Of course, to get inside, you need the Six Sages to activate their pedestals, but you know all this. What is it you don't know...Oh. That." Onox pointed towards the sunset, where, though barely visible, Link, Spryte, and Zelda could make out the shape of a large bird. Link recognized it immediately as the bird machine that appeared on Death Mountain beside the lizard.

"No, no no… He's coming."

Onox chuckled. "Yes. My master and mistress will witness the fall of heroes and princesses. You will die here due to a dream you had of a free Hyrule, while I, General Onox, will have eternal glory myself. Maybe I'll have a wish of my own...As you know, if I take your trinkets and enter the Temple of Time myself, the Triforce will be at my grasp, I could make myself greater than Vaati and Veran, and all living things will be under my control! That is the world of darkness that I long for-AHH!"

Onox turned around, growling as he gazed upon the outstretched hand of Zelda, still glowing with the fiery embers it casted. "If that is your plan, then it is our duty to stop you. If you so desire to rule this world, then you'll have to get pass Link and I first."

Onox grinned, lowering his battle axe. "That's a great idea, but you'll have to wait your turn, Princess." Onox reached out, blasting Zelda and Spryte away with a monstrous swirl of wind towards one of the streets that lead the heroes to the square. Link looked back, seeing Zelda barely land on her feet while Spryte tried to regain control of flight. Their path back was blocked by more tornadoes. Fortunately, sight wasn't restricted, and once Link saw that his friends were okay, he turned his full attention to Onox.

"You're going to pay for this. For Labrynna, for all the harm you have done, and for the harm you would do."

"Heh heh heh. No, boy, it will be you who will pay. I've waited countless centuries for this. Vengeance shall be mine, here and now."