Routine

by Archangel507

(Being rewritten! Details in first chapter!) Post-BoTW. A Hero's Routine often comes with a price. You fight for those you love only to see them get hurt anyway. Some Heroes have accepted this payment, others refuse. This is the tale of one such Hero, the most recent of many, and the Blue-eyed Wolf who guides him along. [Violence, Lots of Swearing, and Some Shipping.]

38. Special: The Twilight Wraith

[Quick Note: Twilight is referred to as "Link" in this until the last part.]

---

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

"Routine"

Special Chapter: Twilight

"The Twilight Wraith"

[Current Word Count: 65k]

---

Mother...

Midna...

Zelda...

Ilia...

Their faces faded from his view,
with both fear and confusion in their eyes,
and the eyes of his son as he faded away too...

"Wild!"

He gasped when he found himself kneeling in an odd room. A warm air flooding in around him, a stark contrast from the Death Field's lukewarm feel. Beneath his boots was a red, velvet carpet. He felt himself scoff, you'd never find that in Ordon, much less his own home...That was something you'd only find in...Hyrule Castle.

Oh shit.

Among the gasps of various people around him, he allowed himself to stand up. His twin sapphire eyes gazing about at the room around him, his left pupil tainted slightly red. He wore his green tunic and cap. The Master Sword was strapped onto his back, along with it's partnered Hylian Shield. He looked ready for combat, even has he scanned the room around him.

It was...the Sanctum. Where the throne was, but something was different. Soldiers and Guards stood at attention around the room, equipped with swords and spears, hands reaching for their weapons in response to his appearance. One stood directly ahead, his armor shining silver with a red/black cloak over his shoulder, signifying a high ranking.

There were so many unrecognizable people sitting atop behind railing. A Council? Since when had meetings been in the Sanctum, and not in the actual meeting room?

He blinked the thoughts away, he remembered that he'd lived far from the castle in his later years, away from those problems.

So...why was he here?

"What did you do?" Someone boomed from above, where the thrones sat. "Who is this man?"

"I-I'm not sure..." Came another voice, this one dazed with surprise. It belonged to a woman wearing a white robe, standing just across the room from him. She bore the symbol of the Sheikah on it, clutching a black tablet of some sort in her hands, it's front face glowing with more odd symbols.

He looked up at the thrones, noting the towering king who stood there, looking down upon him.

He looked familiar...

"Daphenes...?" He found his voice, surprised to find it still his youthful tone, so his form had not changed since the afterlife.

"I'm sorry, Daphenes?" The king repeated, with interest. "I...am afraid you have me mistaken, stranger. I am King Rhoam Bosphoramus Hyrule, Daphenes was my predesscor."

"That sure explains a lot..." He thought, reflexively looking backwards as he called out internally. "Shade, are you still with me?"

"...I am, Link." Came the gravely, yet smooth tone of his ancestor's wraith.

"Where are we?"

"...If what this Rhoam says is true, then I believe the better question is 'when' are we."

Link narrowed his eyes as they flicked to the sides, listening to the murmures of the aristocracy staring down at them. With his sharp ears, he could hear their fear and doubt.

"He has the Master Sword!" Link snapped to the left when one stood up and shouted. "The sword that seals the darkness itself!"

"Is that what they call it now?" Shade didn't hide the sarcasm.

Rhoam actually reeled back in shock, then leaned forward, on the railing. "Purah, you summoned a hero of the past!?"

"I-I did..?" The young sheikah fumbled her words, then perked up. "I mean, I did!"

Her hands quickly reached for a notepad on her belt, taking the pen off the top and scribbling down on the paper. Her face etched with excitement now as she hurried over and began to circle him, peeking up occasionally as she wrote.

"This is incredible!" She nearly squealed with excitement, stepping uncomfortably close as she examined him. "Hmm...No ill effects from the slate..." She reached up to touch his face. "Hmm...I'd wager you're as healthy as you were in your prime, when you were alive that is. Since you were a hero and all."

Link felt himself growing uncomfortable, cringing at her excitement and scrutiny. He quickly took hold of her hand as she made to tug down on his eyelid so she may inspect his eyes.

"As much as I find this interesting, can I venture a guess and assume I'm in the future?" He inquired drolly,

"Future?" Purah paused, hand going limp in his grip. "Wait, what Era are you from?"

"The Era of the Twilight War and Hyrule's Second Reunification." He answered, then shrugged. "Well, that's what the Shekaih of then called it."

"What!?" She, along with many other of the surrounding nobles gasped aloud, even the king looked flabbergasted. "That was over Fifteen-Thousand years ago!"

Link's eyes widened, mouth dropping slightly at the news, releasing his grip so that his and Purah's hand would fall. He'd expected a large gap, maybe a few centuries.

But several millennia?

"That...complicates things." Even Shade sounded shocked, judging from the tremor in his ethereal baritone.

"I'd thought the Sheikah Slate would summon...I don't know, a physical copy of a warrior..." The female sheikah gazed at the tablet in her hands. "But to summon a living, breathing Hero from so long ago...Incredible!"

"Send me back..."

She looked up. "Huh?"

"Send. Me. Back!"

Link snapped at her, making her flinch, the sounds of weapons unsheathing from nearby guards meeting his ears.

"Oh, don't even try it." He chided, before turning back to the Sheikah woman. "You. You have the power to rip me from my afterlife, so you must have the power to send me back!"

"Send you back?" She seemed confused. "Why? This is too perfect! Now we have no fear to search for the Chosen Hero to defeat Calamity Ganon!"

"Calamity Ganon?" Link repeated, bewildered. "That's...No, you fools have no idea what your messing with."

"And what is that exactly?" Inquired a bald councilmen, rather snidely at that. "All you've done is speak in riddles, Mr Hero."

"Keep it up, baldy." Link retorted. "Someone'd better fetch the fortune teller, she needs her crystal ball, right? I can literally see what's on your mind."

"Hey!" Snapped another, this one had square face. "Hero or not, you'd better have respect for your superiors."

"Superiors? Hahaha!" He laughed, then added. "What the fuck's with your face? That shit belongs on a totem pole!"

Link whipped around when another stood to say something, this one had big ears. "And I'm gonna stop you right there. Now I know some people clear their ears with cotton, but you'd need a fucking mop for that-"

"Enough!"

Rhoam's bellow stopped everyone in their tracks. including Link's roasting session. A vein pulsing on his forehead, he huffed as he stood against the railing in front of his throne, rubbing his temples with his fingers. "Now, if you are done insulting the aristocracy, can you care to explain why you wish to be sent back?"

"Finally, someone with sense." Link sighed with relief, looking smug as the councilmen sat back down in defeat, before explaining.

"As you know, The Goddesses will that only one Hero may exist at one time. There is, without a doubt, one here to fight this so called 'Calamity Ganon', it is not my part to play." He shrugged. "So, you better send me back before they decide to intervene and send their messenger."

Rhoam nodded slowly, still a bit confused, then glancing to the side. "Purah?"

The young Sheikah on the other hand, blinked in utter bewilderment, looking up to the King in uncertainty. Her shoulders slumped, looking the complete opposite to the ball of life she'd been moment ago as she turned to face Link again.

"..." She mumbled something.

"What?" Link's eyes narrowed.

"I said, we can't..."

"..." Link stared at her for a few long moments. "...I'm sorry, can you explain why?"

"Well..." She tensed, looking at the tablet in her hands. "The Sheikah Slate is still relatively new technology uncovered from under the earth, long buried by my Sheikah ancestors. Honestly, Mr. Hero, it was a complete mistake to discover the summoning function."

Her gaze leveled as she placed a hand on her hip. "So, until I give it further study, you appear to be stuck with us."

Link's glare was leveled directly on her, not even twitching as some of the council around them began to discuss and argue, growing silent when the King cleared his throat.

"Whatever the circumstance, we must enact our protocol. It states that any unexpected, but not unwelcome arrivals during meetings shall be escorted out." He paused. "But, given the unorthodox nature of this particular person, I doubt that will be necessary."

"I'll see him out!" Someone called quickly.

"...Fuck!" Link exclaimed, not in response to the person, but more of an late reaction to Purah's information to him.

His curse granted some mortified reactions, not stopping his stride as he turned on his heel and began to walk away, heading towards the large open entrance of Sanctum opposite to the King's platform.

"Wait! I uh..."

"If you haven't heard a word I just said, then just bite your tongue instead!" Link snapped, hearing a twisted version of Shade's voice overlap his. Coupled with his upper left side overlapping with an ethereal copy of the wraith's, his left eye glowing red. "No matter what your intentions, it will all be for naught. I shall be dead once more by sunset, so leave me to my peace until then!"

All present recoiled at his demonic visage, fully realizing that, maybe, they had not just summoned a former Hero, but a Demon as well. Link's form became his own again, and with a more human-like snarl, he exited the room swiftly and quietly, leaving those who summoned him to wallow in their squalor. As he left, he noticed, hidden in the shadows by the door, a girl about twelve years of age, with waist length blonde hair. Her dress was royal blue, contrasting to her emerald eyes.

He stared at her for a few moments, she stared back with growing curiosity and little fear.

"Zelda!" Came Rhoam's stern voice.

The girl turned to face towards the Sactum, giving him one last look before walking down the way he came.

"...Fuck me." Link gave a huff and continued outside.

---

He made scarcely five steps before someone began rapidly approaching him from behind. Link expected it to be that Purah woman, but as he turned to rebuke her, he was surprised to see the Soldier with the red/black cloak.

As he drew closer, slowing to a brisk walk, Link realized that the man looked...similar to him at a older age, about in his early thirties. He had a lean, but muscular figure, with messy, spiky long dirty-blonde hair down to his shoulders. His eyes were teal, muddled versions of Link's own sapphires.

It would take a complete moron to not realize the implications behind that fact.

"Aye, Twilight Hero." He greeted, a familiar smirk adorning his face. It reminded him of Ilia. "Sorry for the shock of that, must be confusing suddenly appearing in a completely different time."

"...I've done it before." Link replied with indifference, narrowing his eyes. "And you are?"

"Lion, General of Hyrule's army." He bowed, making Link cringe. "Pardon me to ask this of you, sir hero. But...What was your name in life?"

Link blinked, unconsciously glancing backwards for a split moment for Shade's guidance. Lion flinched and held his head, ignorant to the Wraith magic being conducted onto him as he reeled from the sudden headache.

"I sense no malice...But, I do sense something...else. Keep talking to him."

Link rolled his shoulders. "The same it has always been. Link, the Hero Chosen by the Gods, as they called me."

"Link...ouch..." He repeated, wincing from the sharp pain, then easing into a smile. "Sorry, just a little headache. But anyways, that's a good thought then."

Link heard Shade's voice again, so he pressed. "What is?"

He recoiled, before composing himself, rubbing his temple. "Nothing, sir Link. What made you ask?"

"I possess the abilities of a Wraith, able to read the thoughts of others, bend their wills, the usual stuff. As you saw a moment ago." Link explained nonplussed. "A little prod was all I needed to know that you are nervous...Along with some of your thoughts."

"Ah. That's...a soothing thought of it's own." Lion remarked dryly. "Well...It explains this headache...I'd heard that one of my ancestors was bound to a wraith, but I figured it was just a story blown out of proportion."

"Most do."

"Heh...without a doubt." Lion scratched the back of his head. "Well, I'd call you my Grandfather, but that would be far too many 'great's in a single sentence."

"My own mother had that down to a practice, but I never was one for it." Link chuckled lightly, turning to look down the steps to a rocky outcropping just in-front of the Sanctum, winding downwards and around as a path to other facilities on the Castle Grounds.

Lion waved a hand forward, motioning for them to move down the steps and stand on the grassy outcropping. They did so, and soon Link was looking over the Castle Grounds, and Castle Town itself just across the moat.

Hyrule Field's plains rolled into the distance, giving way to mountains and forests. It would seem that the once massive ravines that divided the field into sections had long since been filled in and had become rivers.

Atleast nobody had to worry about a painful fall into the abyss.

"Some, but few things have changed it would seem." Link said, glancing down the bustling town below. "The buildings have a new aesthetic and the ravines of Hyrule Field have become rivers, but overall...It seems Hyrule is as it always was...A land of adventure."

"It used to be much more peaceful." Lion said, crouching down on the edge. "But recently, some monster tribes have begun to attack, setting up their camps everywhere." He pointed to black speck on the riverside, one of those camps. "Bokoblins and Moblins especially."

"Bulbins?" Link inquired.

"No." Lion shook his head. "They're still in the Ordona Kingdom, last I heard was that they're fighting a war alongside the Ordonian army and Darknut legions."

"Wait, wait." Link looked at him with disbelief. "Ordona Kingdom? Ordonian Army? A War?"

Lion looked up at him. "Yeah, I'm surprised you never knew Ordona had become a Kingdom. The historians say it was founded during the Second Hyrule Reunification, that's when you were around, right?"

"Keep in mind that I died then." Link huffed, gazing outwards. "...Probably happened after I passed, maybe it was Malo who did it."

"Malo, eh? Sounds like an interesting bloke..."Lion murmured, before clearing his throat. "Well anyway, they say the Marsh Kingdom is invading them. The current Ordonian Royal Family, the Latoans, are hard pressed for aid."

"Marsh Kingdom..." Link stared outwards, contemplation etching his features. How that hellhole had endured over the millennia he'd been gone was mind boggling. Causing woe seemed to be their national decree, especially to those related to Heroes.

To help his home once more would be nice, but he already was supposed to be dead. If the Goddesses haven't noticed his presence in the world of the living yet, they sure would if he helped stop or even win a war.

"Are Heroes, those chosen by the Gods that is, are they always named Link?" Lion asked, breaking his thoughts.

"Hmm...I would say yes." Link mused, but looked down to his descendant. "But don't let that stop you from being your own hero. It isn't about birthright or divine intervention. You can be a Hero, you only must try."

"Heh...You sound so wise for someone who looks like a Nineteen year old. But, you are my elder technically." He stood up and smirked a bit. "Well...If the Goddesses wish to intervene, so be it. But how about you come get some grub with me? It'd be nice to get to know my ancestor a bit before they go. It's a once in a lifetime thing, y'know?"

"All too well." Link thought.

They traveled down the winding rock path, heading down towards the main gate leading to down. They stopped short of the second Gatehouse and headed down some stairs alongside a cliff. Embedded in the rock was the Dining Hall, scarcely populated. Link had noticed it, it was in the afternoon, so he'd figure that many a guard or soldier would be out either patrolling, drilling, bathing, or sleeping.

That's how he normally kept his routine.

"Have a seat." Lion motioned to a chair.

Link nodded, unslinging the Master Sword and Hylian Shield on his back, propping them against his chair in the center of the long dining table. There seemed enough chairs to fit every person in the Castle Guard, plus Castle Staff.

Sitting down, he tugged off his cap and scratched at his hair, stuffing the green article into his pocket. Lion did something similar, setting his sword and shield down and sitting in the chair next to his ancestor.

They talked a little bit, mainly things about Link's life, details he was okay with giving out, descendant or not. Soon, a handmaiden soon came by, setting down two soup bowls for them and a plate of bread and butter. Link raised an eyebrow at the selection.

"I hope this is the appetizer." He muttered.

"Amen." Lion agreed under his breath, reaching for a spoon.

They ate quietly for the moment, trying not to make faces at the soup's bland flavor. At least the bread was edible, lathered with the butter that is.

Call him nostalgic, but Link had to remember why he taught himself to cook at a young age. Lion didn't seem to mind, but Link passed that off as him being used to it.

After all, he was the fish out of water, not him.

"So...Um...How did you come to be possessed by a Wraith?"

Link raised an eyebrow. "Possessed is a loose term. Wraiths can bind themselves to living beings. The one whom is bound to myself was a Hero of old himself, giving me two lifetimes of experience." He leaned back in his chair. "As for how, I took a nasty blow to my neck once before my adventures. It sliced it deep and snapped it like a twig, lucky me to put my hand up to block the fatal blow, only to get my palm smashed to the bone and sliced to ribbons."

"Ouch." Lion cringed. "So this Wraith...resurrected you?"

"In a way." He said without importance. "I had to find a Great Fairy to heal my mortal wounds, or else I would die once he unbound himself from me for long periods of time."

"Ah...May I see the wound?"

Link rolled his eyes, reaching up to tug down on his collar, showing off the faded, but jagged scar on the side of his throat. He then pulled off his left glove, holding his hand flat upwards, showing another scar slicing through the creases of his palm.

"Damn, that looks painful."

"You could say it killed me." Link replied sarcastically.

"Anyone ever tell you you're awfully snarky?" Lion inquired as he propped his elbow on the table.

Link sighed. "Look, I share the Wraith's experience, not to mention that he's talking to me within my own thoughts. To put it lightly, Lion. I have two lifetimes of torment that, frankly, makes me want to tear my ears off sometimes."

"I can see that..." He scratched his head nervously. "With Calamity Ganon and all, it's been frantic too around here, but I guess it'd be dull to you."

"Whatever." Link looked off to the side.

"Well...How about we go riding around? Let you explore Hyrule a bit more, eh? A lot more than just Ravines and Towns have changed over the years after all. Stay here, just need to grab something."

"Hmm..." Link grumbled, watching him exit the room and delve further into the Castle.

"A curious one, he takes after you." Shade murmured from his thoughts.

"Funny, was just to say the same thing 'bout you." Link retorted quietly.

A handmaiden came over, collecting the dirty bowls and plates. Her lightly-colored hair bouncing as she hummed a tune to herself, stacking the bowls and plates in her arms. Her eyes glanced up to him, giving him a funny look, one of faint recognition.

"M'sorry if I offend ya, but what's your name, sir?"

"Link, why do you ask?" He murmured, looking off distantly.

"Link?" She repeated, confused. "Y'mean like Lion's son?"

It was the Hero's turn to give her a look. "Son?"

"Yessir, you look like them both, especially the boy." She remarked, nodding. "I figured you were related to them."

"...I am...distantly, that is."

"Oh good, than I wasn't mistaken." She nodded her head. "The other Link's over there by the way, I saw Lion looking at him over his bowl a minute ago. Seemed quite proud."

Link looked over to where the woman gestured to, down to the end of the table. A group of knights was gathered there, most except two wearing their metal armor, barring helmets. They were talking, rather loudly at that, eating what seemed to be baked apples and grilled meat.

But the one sitting in the middle caught his eye.

His blonde hair was short, almost to the length Link had during his adventure. Sapphire eyes alight with mirth at his comrades' antics, yet still drooped with exhaustion.

He, along with one other knight, wore what appeared to be Royal Guard uniforms, much like the one Link wore in his own era. A formidable, yet stylish black uniform with white gloves and boots. The military style cap that wielded the badge of office above it's left brow was set carefully on the table, away from the food.

"Good kid, hanging out with those beneath his position." The handmaiden mused with approval. "That's to say nothing about his sword skills, he was besting adults at the age of four! Plus, between you and me, his cooking's better than this gruel we serve."

"Really?" Link muttered with faint interest, staying quiet until she was out of earshot. "Intriguing..."

"This era does indeed possess a Hero." Shade mused.

"Yet, he does not possess the Master Sword yet." Link observed with disinterest.

"Indeed, what becomes of it and it's wielder, we may never find out."

"And just what does that say of our fates?"

---

Castle Town bustled about as they walked through. Street vendors, performers, and other rabble gave it such a lively feeling. Though, Link was to note, it seemed...less crowded than during his Era.

They garnered some stares, but they were mostly directed towards Lion, who received waves and greetings from many a person. He was the General after all, nobody paid mind to the green-clad young man beside him. They approached the Stables, where Lion stopped short of the door, holding a arm up to stop him as well.

"I'll go retrieve my horse, here are some rupees, you go pick one out for yourself." He dropped a small bag into his hands, patting him on the shoulder as he walked off. "Meet me outside the gate!"

Link watched him go with a curious look, while Shade mused again. "He treats us as a novice...Amusing."

"...Just like you did." Link muttered, pocketing the bag as he continued out of Town, standing just outside the wall.

Shade made himself known, a pale, ethereal version of his skeletal form. Stepping quietly off to the side to keep watch, yet with a careful eye on his descendant.

"You intend to use Twilight Magic..." He remarked, watching as Link held his hand out. "I imagine that you would've lost practice in your growing age."

"Did you?" Link replied dryly, wisps of red lighting arcing from his fingers.

"Ha! Touche." The Divine Wraith chuckled lightly, watching as black particles seemed to rain down from the heavens, forming together and taking shape.

The shape of a Horse.

Epona reared up in surprise, giving a whinny in delight when she noticed both Link and Shade nearby, trotting over and nuzzling the former. Her saddlebags jingling with the sounds of metal, items that had transported along with her.

"Lost practice, he says." Link snarked, patting his faithful mare's mane. "Good girl."

"I retract that statement then." Shade waved a hand, turning to look around. "Though, it was quite a stunt, and gamble, to do that out in the open, in possible view of a guard on his lonesome patrol."

"Nobody saw, Shade. And as if anyone would believe said guard." Link rolled his eyes, beginning to look through Epona's saddlebags. "'Guys, I saw some dude and a spirit summon a fucking horse from the sky! I swear it!'" He mocked. "You worry too much, Shade."

"It is only because I am bound to you." The wraith replied flatly. "You make me worry, as much as an Ancestor can for his descendant."

"Lion is our descendant, yet we're both not fawning over him and trying to guide him to do right."

"That may be true." Shade conceded, flexing his skeletal fist in front of his face. "But he is already in his middle age and bears a son, so I infer that he is doing well enough without our guidance." He glanced at Link. "As for you, I figure you just don't care enough to care, as evident by your lack of reaction to that revelation."

"Eh..." Link shrugged, withdrawing a sheath with a beige ribbon trailing on it from the saddlebag. "I'm just a bit jaded against this kinda thing, having dealt with you and all. I only wonder if he and his son are descended from one of the Twins, or Wild."

"Or perhaps, one of them is Wild?" Shade suggested.

Link froze, remembering that little fact that his first son had perished, and had been reincarnated into his second son. They'd even shared the name Wild, and had looked identical. Both had inherited his Triforce fragment, the first being killed for it.

"Doubtful..." Link shook his head. "Wild had my eyes and hair color. You saw Lion's teal eyes and dirty-blonde hair, it would not match."

"Hmm..." Shade hummed. "Then what of the boy, he fits the description well enough."

"..." Link paused, then muttered a curse as he shook his head, continuing shifting through the Saddlebag.

To match the sheathe, he found his father's broken sword. The black obsidian blade's point still sharp as ever, still the perfect makeshift dagger. Sliding it into the sheath, made for a shortblade, he strapped it onto his back, right next to the Master Sword's decorated Sheath.

He found his Hero's Bow, which was slung over his shoulder. Some arrows, bombs, and other items of varying necessity.

Story of his life.

A sense of unease began to boil inside him, a sick feeling in his stomach. Link assumed Shade felt it as well, noticing the Wraith shuffling in unease nearby.

He made to withdraw one last item, a necklace made of simple string, with a black crystal hanging from it. The twilight crystal that Zant attempted to curse him with, now useful in helping him transform since Midna taught him. Though, he doubt he'd be able to use it again. Tying it around his neck, he felt a warm pulse emit from it's red cracks and runes. Part of him found it disturbing, the other relished the feeling of nostalgia it brought.

As he reached to latch one smaller saddlebag closed, he flinched when a transparent, ethereal, sickly green hand grabbed his wrist. As he turned to face it's owner, he felt a fist smack him in the face. The hand left his wrist as he reeled back, disoriented.

"Link!" Shade shouted from his side, his quiet footsteps approaching, then slowing down. As the Hero of Twilight opened his eyes, he was suddenly aware of something. The world had...gone dark...

A black fog had surrounded them, the outlines of distant mountains their only source of location. They were in Ordona, in the plains that lay over the valley to the south of Ordon Village. Link had visited them once, while scouting for bigger game to hunt with Wild in their spare time.

Around them stood men and women of the ranks, soldiers of varying degree waging war on one another. One side wore silver armor, looking quite heroic, while the other wore light leather armor with ebony plates, each wore ear-rings with different colored orbs, the lesser of their opponent. They were locked into battle, using a mix of spears, swords, and other weapons as blood spewed from open wounds. The ones still of the living, those they could see, were frozen in place, soldiers, knights, even the Calvary horses. Burning and Bomb arrows were halted mid-air, their crackling flames and sizzling fuses frozen like ice.

Link looked to Shade, though the Wraith was staring forward into the distance. He turned to look at what he'd seen, his blood running cold as he looked deep into the statue-like ranks, he saw him.

"Isu." His voice came out shaking.

The Goddess Wraith, dressed in his dark crimson hooded robes, his silver armor gleaming, with golden lines of light on his chestplate, gauntlets, and boots. His metallic, blank faceplate with golden lights on the cheeks. Two diagonal lines running down from the temple and along the cheeks the only sight of the once-human dark hero underneath that mask. Two glowing red eyes staring through the downward slits, piercing into Link like icy daggers.

Brisk breathing was the only sound he made, aside from the clanking of his armor as he moved closer, and closer to them, stepping around the frozen armies around them. Both Link and Shade reached for their weapons, intending to go down fighting. This proved to be a mistake as Isu forced a gloved, charred-fingered hand out. Unseen, but powerful green wraith magic grasping the Divine Wraith in a coil of powerful energy, immobilizing him.

Link, on the other hand, had the luck to draw the Master Sword. Then, that luck promptly vanished when Isu thrust his hand out, a bladed chain from underneath his gauntlet launching out and wrapping around the Blade of Evil's Bane in an instant, before he gave a sharp tug, relieving Link of his weapon as he withdrew the chainblade.

Isu began to close the distance, so Link went to his backup weapon, his father's broken sword. He'd drawn it quickly, just as Isu bore down on him. He swung downward, aiming for the center of the Wraith's chest. Isu promptly closed his arms together, catching the jagged blade between his gauntlets, sparks shewing off from the contact of metal-on-metal.

With a robotic grunt from behind his faceplate, he wrenched the makeshift dagger away, tossing it before bringing his head to meet Link's in a devastating headbutt. The metal of his helm meeting the hero's exposed forehead, sending him down.

Link collapsed, teeth gritted together and eyes shut in pain, but he already made to get up, only getting a second into that plan before a weight slammed down onto his chest. When he opened his eyes again, he saw Isu looming over him, his knee placed firmly on his chest to keep him down.

The robed warrior held his fist up, flexing his fingers as two metal pieces from his chainblade clicked together underneath his wrist. They formed a serrated, yet insanely sharp blade themselves, that with a flick of his wrist, extended outwards, gliding past his palm and fingertips.

An Assassin's weapon, for sure.

Part of Link accepted this fate, given who was giving it out. Another part of him wanted to glare defiantly at this inhuman man, who dished out judgement his every waking hour. Link swore he never slept, or ate, or did anything that would make him human.

With a sigh, he shut his eyes, waiting for the sting of the blade, and the afterlife to take him again.

"You really must learn to have more trust, Twilight Hero."

Instead, he got a lecture.

His eyes opened again, watching as Isu relaxed himself, leaning back to give him space, but keep him down.

"Old Habits..." He muttered.

"Heh...I see." The Wraith said wryly, looking off to the side. "Our last encounter has left that much of an impression on you, has it?"

"Damn right it did!" Link snapped. "You threw me off a fucking tower! You're lucky Shade helped me land safely, or I would've been paste on the pavement."

"Right, I did do that..." He chuckled lightly.

Then he leaned back in without humor at all, dragging his blade closer to Link's flesh.

"What're you...?" Link began.

"Hush, do not move one muscle...at...all..."

The sharp blade lowered, closer and closer, stopping short of his cheek, gliding upwards to his eye, just above it. Link could feel himself sweat at the closeness of the weapon to his pupil.

And without another word, Isu withdrew, allowing them both to stand. He did so calmly, his underarm blade retracting into his gauntlet, while Link scrambled to his feet in a dumbfounded haze, staring with complete shock.

"What the fuck was-?" He tried to question.

"That, was to enforce the point." Isu said sternly, beginning to pace before him, always facing him. "The point of, that you should be fearful of me, with every reason there is to be."

"Oh, I got the point alright, almost in my damn eye too. I mean, you're here to kill me, so why didn't you just finish the job then?"

Isu seemed to scowl beneath his blank faceplate. "You will die again, Hero of Twilight. But not today, and definitely not by my hand."

Link raised an eyebrow at that, then looking over to Shade, who struggled against his ethereal bonds. He nodded his head toward him, to which Isu nodded in turn, waving his hand idly so the imprisoning magic would fade, freeing the fellow Wraith, who collapsed to the ground.

"The Goddesses call to you again, Chosen Hero. You will serve a new destiny, a new adventure to partake in, and more hardship for you to bear. Only then will you return to the Death Fields."

"You're starting to sound like a damn storybook." He relented with a sigh. "So, what is this destiny I've been gifted?"

"Do not speak lightly of it..." Isu warned.

"Just spit it out, you idiot."

"..." He continued to pace, his armor clanking lightly. "Lion has told you, has he not? Your home of Ordon, what it has become, and what will become of it?"

Link nodded slowly. "He has."

Isu gestured to the frozen battle. "The Hero of this Era, he has no interest in Ordon. It was not his home. But, if left unattended, the kingdom shall fall to Marsh's forces. But that is not it's destiny." He stepped up to two soldiers locked in battle, gazing at them blankly, before turning to Link. "Just like it is not this one's destiny to die yet..."

He gestured to the small, hidden blade the knight in silver armor had drawn from his belt, ready to gut his opponent, a man with a single ear-ring with a black orb, who was ready to impale him with his sword.

Shunk!

Without a word, Isu had extended his wrist-blade again, sinking it into the center of the silver-knight's neck with a messy sound of ruined flesh. Yet, his expression didn't change, remaining frozen in a tense concentration that would soon be replaced by the blank look of death once his body realized his windpipe had been brutally slashed. A soft click followed as Isu retracted his blade, grabbing the small knife from the now dead knight's hand and tossing it away. It got a few feet before freezing mid-flight of the throw.

Link stared at him, a mixed expression of horror and confusion etched in his features. "And what would I do?"

"You will fight." Isu replied firmly. "You have both the ability and skill to drive the invaders away from your home, to break them both physically and mentally, so that they may never return."

"Yes, but you are asking me to fight a war." Link scowled. "I refuse to partake in anymore madness of it, having fought two already."

"Spare me, the Twilight War was nothing more than an alternate title to your own legend, your own journey." Isu retorted. "As for Kalenvar, while that was more military-focused, you fought mere men and women on the battlefield. This, is much different."

"What? Giant Trolls and Spiders? For Din's sake, you've told me I am going to die again, so might as well just tell me when and how, and what will do me in."

"I cannot answer that, but a few guesses can be ventured." Isu gave a shrug as he continued pacing. "Perhaps you'll be stabbed in the back by a then-ally, or be squashed by a Stone Talus, or even gutted by a Lynel." He gave a amused chuckle at Link's confused look. "Oh? You haven't a clue what I speak of, do you?"

"I'm having a clue that you just made them up..."

"Don't squander his wisdom..." Shade warned, albeit grudgingly as he walked to stand beside Link. "It may yet prove useful."

"Listen to your wraith-friend, Youth." He stopped pacing, speaking with a deathly-serious tone. "When Lion returns, you will ask him to take you to Narchost pass, it is the border between Hyrule and Ordona. You will enter your former home and recieve counsel from the Light Spirit. Only then, can you join your fellows in battle." He pointed a finger. "But, you will not tell Rhoam or the council he lords over. It is not his place or his right to know of your task, understand?"

"And if I refuse?"

Isu lowered his head, his blade snapping into place over his palm again. "Then my blade will taste your blood once more. Take my warning lightly, and you will find yourself at peace sooner than anticipated."

"..." Link sighed, opening his arms in a beckoning manner. "You ask a lot of me, Isu. Your own flesh and blood, haven't you a care for you descendants?"

The Goddess Wraith glared, moving forward until they were face-to-face. "Have you care for your's?"

Link's eyes narrowed, glaring sharp daggers in antagonistic reply.

"I thought not." Isu murmured with loathing, blade retracting again. "I have no love for fellow wraiths. Even half-wraiths are under my watchful eye, especially you. To care, in my opinion, would be to mercy-kill you both right now...but I will not."

"Why?"

"...I will not answer." He growled against Link's incessant prodding. "Do what you will with your enemies. Be it kill them, break them, or bend them to your will. It matters not to me, but to you...is a different matter."

"I have only branded someone once, and we've promised never again. Dominating one's will...or ruining their mind, it is inhuman, unjust." Link stated firmly. "And we do not make promises we cannot keep."

"Yet, those are the best kind." Isu gave a mocking chuckle, crouching to take the Master Sword off the ground, holding it out for him to take. "Lie to yourself if you wish, it matters little to me."

Link and Shade both looked down at the holy sword in his hands, it's blade not even glowing, despite the sheer negativity his very being seemed to generate.

With reluctance, Link took it from his hands.

"I will be watching you, Twilight Wraith, and I will be there when you need me." He said, stepping back.

Then, with a flash of green and black smoke, he vanished from their view. The world collapsed in around them, and soon they found themselves back outside Castle Town's gate. Link gazed around themselves for a few moments, taking everything in, how it all moved again.

Then, with a exasperated expression, looked to Shade.

"Did he honestly just send us off to another war?"

Shade shuddered. "You know I hate reading him...there is almost nothing left of who he once was."

"I know...Well?" Link pressed, hand on his hip.

"It wouldn't be the first time we've been sent on a fool's errand." The specter remarked wryly. "This one is just of more grand a scale."

"That's one way of putting it." Link gave one more sigh, picking up the discarded remains of his father's blade, returning it along with the Master Sword to their respective sheaths. "So, this brings into question what to tell Lion, and more importantly, Rhoam and his council."

"Nothing, as Isu instructed." Shade said simply. "Or, we could simply say we wish to return home to Ordon, and leave it at that. So what if the kingdom happens to be triumphant in it's conflict? We will only be partaking in the festivities, we had nothing to do with the battles themselves."

"Play the fool's fiddle to fool the fool." Link remarked, rolling his eyes. "Sure, we'll go with that plan."

"Have you a better one?"

"...No. These people are dumb as bricks anyhow, I honestly don't give a damn if they know I'm off fighting again. Better them know that I have no incentive not to kick their asses if they cross us."

The whinny of a horse made them flinch, with Shade quickly binding himself to Link as Lion trotted out from the gate, bringing his chestnut horse up alongside them. He gave a quick roaming look to Epona, one of approval.

"Aye, a fine horse you have there." He narrowed his eyes. "It looks a bit familiar, but I don't recall it from the stable."

"It was new." Link lied smoothly, casting his gaze off to the side.

Lion leaned forward in his saddle. "Well...I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but his majesty wants to speak to you again, as does lady Purah."

Link looked to the distance, remaining silent for the moment. He took off his cap and scratched through his hair, before replacing it and giving a sigh, swinging his arms idly.

"Lion, can you lead me to Narchost Pass?"

---

Well, this was unexpected.

Narchost Pass must've been named long after he was dead, because that was not it's name when he lived.

It was the ravine that divided Faron Woods and the Ordona province itself. The rope bridge that once crossed the gap had long since been replaced by a sturdier, stone bridge. Though, even that seemed to fall before the ages. Gale force winds blew through the pass, carving away at the stone railings. So at least the safety level hadn't risen or fallen since then.

"Well, whatever business you have in Ordona, It's none of mine to ask." Lion reasoned to himself. "But, what shall I tell His majesty?"

"That I vanished." Link replied. "There one second and gone the next, like the Twilight I've fought against."

"Cryptic...Very well..." He nodded with a sigh. "I'm going to get hell for that statement however."

"Just this once, Lion."

"..." He sighed one final time. "Very well, Good luck. This pass is trecherous."

"I've braved it daily long ago, you'd know this."

"...Yes, I would." He turned his horse about, galloping back down the path.

Link faced forward, across the stone bridge that led to what was his home, and where his new destiny lay in wait. It was sunset when they'd arrived, having gone full gallop straight from Castle Town, so he had to either make camp at the Light Spirit's spring, or get to Ordon before nightfall.

He rolled his shoulders and nudged Epona to canter across the bridge, shrinking in on himself as the wind met him, nearly blowing off his cap with it's speed. It was more of an annoyance than threat, but he retained his right to gripe about it. The hero then let out a surprised grunt when a sharp sound flew past his ears, tugging the reins so Epona slowed to stop. In front of him, as he saw, seemed to be an almost transparent wall, made of the wind itself.

He looked about, mainly to the right where the sound had come from, then to the left where it had left. When he saw nothing there, he turned to the right once more. That is when he saw it, at a distance a mere speck against the cliffs. But as it approached, he could see the white edges and golden base of the speeding item.

"The Gale Boomerang!" He exclaimed with surprise, ducking as it passed over his head. When he looked back up, he saw it double back, spinning in it's own manner as it stopped to hover in front of Epona, rising up to his eye level. Bits of leaves and dust spiralling in it's own private vortex.

"Greetings, Chosen Hero." It greeted with a mystical voice, of the being housed within. "It warms my very soul to see you among the living once again."

"Fairy of Winds." Link nodding his head in recognition. "You are responsible for the gales that divide Ordona from Hyrule?"

"I am, the light spirit instructed me to do so, so that the battles the Ordonians fight may not cross over." It said, almost like a whisper. "As such, I will not be able to accompany you again, but I will allow you to pass over into your home, Chosen Hero. It is the least I can do for suffering me all those years ago."

"I'd gladly suffer you again." Link smiled, nodding his head again. "Thank you."

With a whistle, the artifact that housed the Fairy flew off to resume it's duty of maintaining the barrier. But, for a split moment, it fell away to allow him passage. Wasting little time dawdling about, he urged Epona the rest of the way across.

And with a held breath, they stepped into Ordona.

The narrow pass that winded up to the Light Spirit's Spring and, eventually, Ordon itself had noticeably widened in the passing millenia. It permitted an open space to the right, just across to where the spring's entrance had been.

Emphasis on had.

There was a small camp in the open space, yet just across there was nothing but a rock face. Link really didn't feel like climbing, yet just over the rocks and trees, he could see the spring's waterfalls and patterned stones. He looked to the camp, made up of a pitiful campfire and a threadbare tent. A simple stool sat next to the former, whoever resided there's only form of comfort it seemed.

Lips twisted to the side, Link dismounted Epona, patting her mane as he crossed over to the meager camp. The fire crackled, it's light meshing with the twilight of the coming sunset.

"Tell me...do you ever feel a strange sadness as night falls?" A lost voice echoed to him.

He turned about, expecting Rusl to be standing at his back, but all he saw and heard was the howling winds of Narchost. Shade's figure formed into existence beside him, looking in the same direction. They both had heard it, sharing one another's experiences thanks to their bond. Every vision Link or Shade received, the other witnessed it in turn. It being a blessing or curse, they never truly decided.

After a few seconds of watching and listening, they looked to one another.

"He is gone, Link." The specter reminded sadly. "We have not the time to chase echoes."

Link conceded with a sigh, flexing his hands as he turned back. He began searching through the camp, looking into the tent to find it empty, and searching some packs laying strewn about. According to his plentiful experience, this was a scouting camp, and not a very good one at that. It being on the side of the path was a damn stupid idea, a good scout would hide atop the cliffs or within the woods, away from any main routes so they could observe unseen.

Link already noticed a faint smell about the camp, the scent of a person. While his sense of smell wasn't as strong as his beast form, but that didn't mean it had not been improved during his lifetime, being far better even after his revival.

But, the old ways are the best ways, as one would say.

He reached into his tunic, taking the twilight crystal into his hand, clutching it tightly as he let out a quick breath. The transformation was originally painful without Midna's help and guidance, but now it was quick and seamless, without pain whatsoever.

"Where the human fails..." Shade quoted himself, appearing across from Link as the Golden Wolf. "...The beast may yet prevail."

Link snorted, shaking out his fur. "Let's just find where this trail may lead."

The smell gave off an odd orange-ish color, hovering about the camp, before leading down the trail towards Ordon. With a grunt, Link sprinted off to follow it. The trees blurred by as Link rushed by, dodging big stones littering the path eve now. The scent became stronger and stronger, until he came upon the clearing, now much larger, just preceding where his house was formerly located. The secret entrance to the spring long since overgrown and inaccessible. Instead, three men stood around someone lying prone in the dirt, laughing as they poked him with their blades and kicked him if his consciousness faded.

They were torturing him.

Link gave a distasteful snort of air, wondering if these men were Ordonian or Marsh soldiers. The faint lighting, of only the waning sun against the tree canopy and their torches, proved bothersome as it was almost pitch black already. Caro would be chiding him right now about forgetting a lantern.

"Of course, the rabble remain without tact." Shade murmured from within his mind. "How do you wish to approach?"

"With fear, of course." Link muttered darkly, already transforming back.

With how dark it was, the four didn't even see him approach, laughing and jeering at their captive as he writhed at their feet.

"Dè a tha lag!" The chortled in a foreign language. "Gabh e leis an lòchran a-rithist!"

The torch-bearer quick jabbed the fallen man with the torch, causing him to cry out in pain. It made Link wince, but the scream did mask the sound of him unsheathing his father's sword, stealthily approaching from behind, until his face was illuminated by the torchlight.

"Cò tha siud?" One of the men asked aloud upon sighting him, but it was far too late.

Link wrapped his arm around one of their necks, causing him to yelp in surprise. As another turned around, Link stabbed him in the ribs, not deep enough to be fatal, but enough to discourage any fight from him. He gasped in shock and surprise at the sudden pain, hands reaching to close around Link's wrist.

Yanking his blade free, Link dragged the jagged point along his captive's chest, making him scream his head off as it dug deep into his flesh, scrapping against bone.

"Cuir a-mach an lòchran!" The remaining, non-wounded one cried, first in his language, then in new hylian. "Douse it now!"

The torch, the only real means of light, went out. Shrouded in darkness, all Link could hear was the frantic breathing of his quarry as they unsheathed their weapons and the moaning from his wounded captive and the man on the ground. With a grunt, he shoved his prisoner into the shadows, startling his comrades as he nearly crashed into him.

"Leig e dhomh falbh!" He groaned in surprise.

"Math, faigh do chlaidheamh." There was a chuckle. "He cannot see us now."

Faintly, Link saw little lights in the darkness. The light of three pairs of glowing irises, they all moved quickly and were glowed bright green. Whoever these men were, as clumsy and ignorant as they were, they possessed the ability to see in the dark.

Unfortunately for them, so could Shade, and by extension, him.

The men gasped in shock as Link's upper-left half became transparent, glowing with Shade's image instead of his. Their fear only rising as the pale golden glow of the wraith illuminated not only them, but their surroundings too. His left eye glowing bloody crimson as he stepped towards them.

With a gold flash, and Shade's voice overlapping his, Link let out a ferocious roar.

"I SEE YOU!"

They screamed in shrill voices of pure terror, scrambling over themselves and their wounds to scurry down the path towards Ordon. Their cries echoing through the night, fading into the distance as Link sighed, returning to his normal self.

"Good one." He approved quietly. "Very intimidating."

"Thank you, I take it that wasn't the last time I'll have to make such a grand display."

"No, it will not be." Link smiled a bit. "You give the best speeches and one-liners."

"Thanks, glad to know my infinite knowledge and power are being used to their fullest extent." The wraith replied flatly.

He was intending to just kill them and be done with it, but a last minute change led to Link having a far better plan. Just in case these were not his true enemy, he would simply ingrain some fear within them. Show his unforgiving presence in a terrifying way. This kind of tactic was something he'd done extensively during his journey back then. If only mostly to discourage any human forces from flocking to Zants, and later Ganondorf's side.

Sure, he could just use Shade's power to break their minds, leaving them as mumbling, drooling husks of their former selves. This was far more effective for a larger audience of enemies, ones he wouldn't dare fight all at once. He needed to send a message, not a death threat.

Link looked down to the remaining man, the prisoner of the trio. He was unconscious now, but with Shade's sight, he could see some features of him. First, he was Ordonian, or at least not Hylian, as evidenced by his round ears. His armor was leather, with ebony plates on his torso and shoulders, he also had an ear-ring with a yellow orb.

The hero paused, remembering what Isu had shown him. The battle with both participants in their respective armors. Had he explained who was who? He couldn't recall well enough to remember if he had.

Link knew the Marsh kingdom was known to be flashy, having caused him woe back in his time, and possessed the sharp, if shorter, ears of the Hylians as well, possibly being an branch that moved away from Hyrule. At least, that's what Zelda had thought. With that information, he reasoned this man was an Ordonian Scout, especially with the camp set up back the way he came. Link cursed himself for not catching a better look at the men he'd scared off.

Normally, he'd have Shade probe his mind. But he'd rather spare the guy a headache, especially with what he'd endured.

Picking him up, he carried him back to his camp, setting the ordonian carefully on the ground next to the campfire. With care, he examined him to determine the wounds he'd sustained. He was bruised pretty bad from the constant kicking, his armor and flesh scorched horrifically on his left side. His right leg was covered in blood, stab wounds littering it where he'd been tortured.

Link was no doctor, but he didn't need to be one to determine how bad this guy had it.

"Can you heal him?" He asked Shade.

"That is not how wraith magic works, unless you'd like for me to turn him into a mask?" The specter snarked, turning to where the Light Spirit's Spring entrance should be. "We must get into the Spring itself and retrieve a fairy, or carry him to Ordon to receive care."

"He's still bleeding pretty bad on his leg, I don't think he'll survive the trip, especially since I don't know where in the village to take him." Link stood up. "We'd better try the spring."

Shade nodded, binding himself to the Hero as he rushed at the cliff face. With a surge of power, he scrambled up the rocks, digging into a few nooks, using them as footholds as he climbed up and over.

He landed with a big splash into the spring, which hadn't changed that much, though the waterfalls roared twice as loud. Link was surprised he hadn't heard it just across the tree line. Link had to smile with nostalgia as he stepped into the center, kicking his feet in the water playfully like when he was a child. But he had to focus, looking about for any fairies that would've remained.

To his luck, there was indeed one, fluttering about at the water's edge, slowly making it's way over to him. Link crouched down, making to speak to the fairy. With little surprise, Shade's voice came out instead of his, his upper-left half replaced by the spectre's.

"Dia duit mo chara, ní mór dúinn do chabhair a dhíth." The wraith said in ancient hylian, a forgotten tongue from a bygone age. Only deities and magical beings spoke it still. Shade had the luck to be both.

The pink fairy bobbed along into his waiting palm, resting there as he stood up, transporting it with care as he climbed over the cliff again and to the main path. Kneeling down next to the wounded man, Link nudged the fairy from his palm. The tiny creature fluttering down to the Ordonian, seeming worried about his state. It didn't last long though, as it began to fly around him quickly, a trail of a dust-like magic trailing as it flew away.

Link leaned in to examine him again, finding that his injuries had vanished like they'd never even existed. Though, his armor was still pretty messed up. The guy would have to deal with when he was awake though, which might not be for a while.

"Well, it's something. We should wait for him to come to before moving on." Link said as he sat next to the fire, watching the flames crackle.

Shade appeared again, stood up and pacing in wait. The spirit was never impatient, but with as much action as both heroes had seen, it was getting to be dull when they sat around. Hell, even in the afterlife, not a day went by that they didn't spar, despite it holding no meaning since the reasons for battle did not apply to them anymore.

How wrong had they proved them.

Link crossed his legs, propping his elbows on his knees as he stared into the fires. His thoughts rested on the Fairy from moments ago. They were odd creatures, but useful for whenever he fell in battle, which was thrice at most. He wondered about the Great Fairies though, and what had become of them? He knew of two, but they must've been long gone.

"Shade...what exactly did you tell the fairy?" He broke the sullen silence.

The specter was quiet for a moment, then spoke. "...I asked for aid, and they were glad to give it."

---

The moon was high when the fallen ordonian stirred for the first time, rising with a wearing groan as he propped himself up on his elbows. His eyes, dark emeralds, looked around in a hazy confusion. They came to rest on Link, who sat poking at the fire with a stick, now a larger and roaring mess of flames since he'd taken the time to gather some more wood for it.

He gasped when the Hero's eyes darted to him, the left pupil glowing a faint red that gave a unnatural feel to him. The Ordonian's muddled mind became clear, remembering the demon wraith that'd beset upon his captors just before he lost consciousness. With a swift and trained hand, he reached to draw his sword. But, with horrified expression, realized he'd been disarmed. His sword standing propped on his tent, far from his grasp, useless.

He simply stared, frozen like a statue.

"...Hi." Link muttered the greeting, trying to hard to hide the snark.

"A-Are you here to eat my soul?" The man stuttered, eyes wide with fear, slowly crawling backwards.

Link snorted instantly, finding the notion ridiculous. "Haha! You, my friend, have no idea what a Wraith does, do you? Because eating souls is pretty nonexistent in our regard...Well...Kinda."

"O-Oh...Really?" He seemed to ease, moving up on his palms now. "...I've...never really heard of a friendly wraith before. Well...now that I think about it, I don't think I've heard of anyone ever really...facing one."

"Well, consider yourself the first of your kind." Link smirked, extending his hand. "I'm Link."

He leaned forward and shook it. "Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Link. I'm Hunter, Ordonian Scout."

"I could tell." Link looked around the camp. "I've spent time with the military before, could tell by your camp setup. Though, to give some pointers, you outta relocate to atop of a cliff or in a hidden grove so you may observe the main roads unseen."

"Yeah, that's what I was thinking. Camp was set up when I got here, we swap out scouts regularly to watch Narchost Pass for Marsh-Men possibly making through the gales." Hunter sat up fully, crossing his legs. His eyes narrowed as he scratched his short black hair. "Pardon me for prying, but what rank were you in the military?"

"Captain, and eventually acting-General for a while before I gave it up." Link nodded to the side. "Though, It wasn't without some hard work."

"Wait wait wait." Hunter waved his hands in a 'hold it' manner. "Pardon myself, but you look to be at least Nineteen. When'd you even start? Age Ten? Nine?"

"Seventeen, actually." Link said matter-of-factly, then added. "Though, don't forget about the wraith thing. I don't look my real age."

"So you're immortal?" Hunter blinked, then whistled, laughing. "Damn, I know some fellas who'd kill for that ability. What're you pushing? A hundred?"

"Fifteen thousand." He held up a hand at Hunter's flabbergasted expression. "But, before you flip your shit, I was technically...asleep for the majority, I'd wager my actual age is around seventy."

"Okay, that makes more sense...I suppose." He tilted his head, grinning lightly. "Heh. Though, to know that you're my elder is quite odd, in a way."

Link's smile faded, turning his head back to the fire in silence.

"Umm..." Hunter scratched his head. "So, thanks for getting rid of those guys. Did Lady Latoan send you for rotation? Or was it Quartermaster Egbert?"

"No."

"Oh? So you're not a Scout? Then, they sent a Ranger?"

Link shook his head, eyebrow slightly raised. "No."

"So..." Hunter eyed his father's sword. "...A Half-blade, then?"

Link turned. "A what?"

Hunter blinked. "A...Half-Blade. Y'know, the Half-Blades, the Organization of Assassins? They reside in the valley just...south of Ordon...village...?"

Link stared blankly. "I'm didn't come from Ordon itself." He said after a moment, looking back at the fire, the flames dancing in his eyes. "I crossed over from Hyrule first, over the Ravine there."

"But..." Hunter fumbled, lost for words, obviously listening to the gales that howled nearby. "Those winds haven't let anyone past since the war started, how in the world did you get by? Are wraith's immune to mother nature herself?"

"I wouldn't say that. But I am an acquaintance of the Fairy of Winds." Link said truthfully. "She was kind enough to allow me safe passage here."

"Funny." Hunter deadpanned, disbelieving. "Well...If you're not an Ordonian, then why're you here?"

"Ordon used to be my home, fifteen thousand years ago." Link explained curtly. "The Light Spirit that resided in the Springs, I need to speak with him urgently. It's about this war you go on about. But, it seems the entrance has been collapsed over time. I had to climb over just to retrieve a fairy for your wounds."

"You did?" Hunter raised his eyebrows in surprise, grinning like an idiot "Well...thanks again for that. But, I think you'll be a bit disappointed when you see this."

Link cocked his head curiously, watching as Hunter stood up and stretched a bit, walking over to where the Spring's entrance had been. He placed his hand on the cliff-face, pushing against a discolored portion of rock.

Click!

A low hum followed as Hunter's hand sank into the rock, withdrawing afterwards without harm as the cliff-face seemed to sink into itself, giving way to the spring just beyond. Link blinked, then hung his head, letting out a groan of dismay. Hunter laughed at his reaction, shaking his head wearily.

"You're not the only one, my friend." He chuckled. "Many are fooled by this witchcraft, as intended by the Mages."

"I'm sorry, Mages?" Link gave a pleading look. "Ordon has Mages too? Are you serious right now?"

"Heh..." Hunter gave a smirk. "Plenty has changed, Mr. Wraith."

"I can...fucking tell." Link grunted with exasperation as he stood up, brushing the front of his tunic off. "Thanks for opening the way, I assume you'll head back to Ordon now?"

Hunter shook his head. "No, It's my turn to tend to Narchost, after all. I need to stay at my post, but I'll be waiting for you to return. Most visits with the Light Spirit often last hours, even days."

"That a fact?"

"Afraid so." He nodded his head back, returning to sit at his camp. "Give Ordona my regards, and ask for some blessing to me, so I won't find myself the victim again of those marauders again."

"Marauders? That's who those guys were?"

"Yeah, terrible people too. They used to be part of a larger tribe known as the Renegades, but they were wiped out and scattered long ago by a great Ordonian hero."

Link gave a flat look, while Hunter shrugged. "Just the facts."

The Hero sighed, heading on through the opening in the cliff-face. His sharp ears perked up as it closed behind him, leaving him alone again the springs, the gentle sound of the water overtaken by the roaring of the falls. Yet, as Link looked in the center of the falls, he saw the sparkling light of the Light Spirit. Nostalgia seemed rampant on him today, along with the constant feeling of deja-vu.

He had to think for a moment.

He, the Hero of Twilight, had been summoned from the Afterlife by the technology of the Sheikah, of all things, on acident no less. So, given the circumstances, he knew it was only a matter of time before the Goddesses sent Isu after his ass. So, he leaves this era's aristocrats to stew about, content to spend his little time once more among the living doing what he wanted to and spending some time with his descendants.

Then, out of fucking nowhere, Isu comes in and basically says, "Hey, so...I'm actually not going to murder you. Go to Ordon and fight a goddess-damned army for me, okay?"

Link had to admit, he should be used to this kind of ass-pulled bullshit already, having faced this kind of situation countless times during his life, but it seemed to only keep surprising him even now. So, once more for the record, it was his life in a Nayru, Din, and Farore-damned nutshell!

"Link, you're ranting again." Shade broke his thoughts with a deadpan tone. "As much as I agree that this sort of to-the-point thing has occurred to us far too many times, we-"

"-Gotta keep going, yeah I know." He relented, stepping into the center of the spring.

The swishing of water around his feet, Link gazed up to the Light Spirit's essence as it floated above the spring's surface. He felt his lips become dry as he remembered the many times he'd been called upon by Ordona.

Once as a child, several during his adventure, and many more in his middle and old age.

"Dad! Please slow down!" A fleeting voice called from behind him. "I can't keep up!"

He turned around to face it, but only saw the original entrance to the Spring, not changed whatsoever. Confused, he listened closely to anymore. The sounds of battle, the dying groans of enemies, and the frightened scream of his second son.

It sounded familiar...

Hauntingly so...

---

During a sparring session with Wild, who was pushing thirteen, Link had felt Ordona contact him. He was pleading for aid, mystical voice desperate and pained. Master Sword in hand and Wild, Rusl, Colin, and a few Darknuts in tow, they hurried from the Village and to the Spring, bursting in just in time to face a group of men.

They called themselves Cerberus, a faction of Necromancers inspired by the Twilight Invasion to blot out the world of Light, replace it with pure darkness. They'd been all over Hyrule, to each Spring in an attempt to steal the resident Light Spirit's power much like Zant had done.

They were led by a Hylian called Aniketos. A murderous psychopath with a rising body count. His skin was sickly pale, with bloodshot purple eyes. He wore black robes with armor underneath, made of volcanic glass produced from Death Mountain's crater. It took a few chance encounters that Link figured that Aniketos' magic was pretty strong, since the members he'd slain had been revived as mindless thralls. Who, often than not, would be missing limbs, and one of them, the half of his face.

It failed to deter the Hero however, who even facing the bulk of their forces at Ordon spring, was combat ready as he charged in with a ferocious yell. Aniketos was present, seeming ready to drain Ordona's power with his necromancy. Luckily, they got there in time. Joined by a patrolling group of Darknuts, they practically slaughtered the group in their prime. But, while Link cut one down, he turned to Wild screaming, watching as Aniketos loomed over him, ready to finish his son off.

With a quite frenzied growl of sheer rage, Link flashed across the Spring to them, using his momentum to snap Aniketos' arm like a twig and knocking the Necromancer down. Drawing his father's sword, Link stabbed him in the shoulder and yanked him away from Wild, facing him. With Shade's visage overlapping him, Link slammed his left hand onto the side of Aniketos' face. Pale golden magic seeping from the scar on his palm as the Necromancer's purple eyes began to glow it's color as well.

"What do you suffer?" He had growled with a demonic voice. "Do you suffer my pain? Of grief? Or a pain of your own?"

"Nnngh! D-damn y...you!" Aniketos cried in pain.

"...Forget it all. You will SUFFER ME NOW!" The glow intensified as Link pried into his mind, demonically roaring all the while.

He could feel the snap once the magic dissipated, the Necromancer's eyes rolling into the back of his head as Link released his hand, stepping past him, twirling his makeshift dagger about and stabbing him in the lower spine.

With a ragged breath, Aniketos fell into the waters.

Broken.

He was a murderer, but be it as it may, you never strip away a man's mind. That act of rage had stuck with Link for a while, to which he swore off using wraith magic to do anything like that again.

His gaze had risen from the broken man before him, to his allies and family. Their eyes were shrunken, mouths agape as they looked...fearful of him. Even Wild, his own son, gaped in horror.

Especially Wild.

---

Link flinched, back in the present. He took out in a shaky breath, recovering slowly from the memory, looking about the empty spring aside from himself. Rolling his shoulders, he looked upwards to Ordona, the Light Spirit taking form of a golden Ordon Goat. Such a familiar form brought some more warm nostalgia to the ancient hero's heart.

"Ordona!" He said. "I've come to ask for aid. To help my home once more."

"...Brave youth-" Came the familiar voice. "Your fate has been tethered to this land, the land of the living and what has been your home. I believe the goddesses have chose it's rightful protector. As such, I will convey what you wish to learn. You must only ask."

"Tell me what Ordon faces-" He stopped himself, gazing to the ground, before looking back up, determined. "No. Tell me what has happened since my demise, what became of Ordon and how did it grow to become it's own kingdom?"

"Very Well..." The Spirit lifted it's head. "After you perished, it was your daughters who continued protecting Ordon in your stead. Together with the Darknuts and Bulbin Tribes, along with a steady influx of hylians from Hyrule and Ordonians from villages discovered in the south after your passing, they built a meager army to ward off threats."

It continued. "But, it was your son. The youthful and spirited Wild, who truly shaped Ordon into what it would grow into. It was him who journeyed to the Sacred Grove and returned the Master Sword to it's pedestal after you could no longer make the journey. Together, with his sisters and Princess Zelda, the Daughter of the one you knew, had observed your legacy with a mixture of feelings."

"A mixture?" He repeated, intrigued.

"Yes, Wild had seen the woe and torment you've endured, bound to your ancestor's spirit and burdened with many battles, much death. Yet, there was no clear legacy that you've left. Only your children." It paused, then continued. "He began to journey south, deeper into the Province. There, he discovered villages and towns, long ignored by Ordon itself. He called for aid, to build Ordon, to reform it into a thriving city, not a mere village."

Link nodded slightly, motioning for the spirit to continue.

"Wild asked for little, but received much more." It said cryptically. "With discovery, came hardship. He discovered that the rest of the province was divided in twain by two tribes. One were fearsome marauders that lusted for blood and murder, favoring torture to a quick death. Insane with bloodlust, their first meeting was bathed in blood. Wild led an army to wipe them out, with very few survivors to this day."

Link blinked, having no clue know what to say to that. He felt some pride...but it didn't feel right to hear that his son burdened himself like he had.

"What of the other tribe?" He asked.

"They were a faction of Outlaws, seeking only treasure, gold, and rupees to add to their name. They partook in bounty hunting and shady dealings that no man of morals would do. But, unlike the marauders, these men had reason and Wild instead enlisted them into his service to manage material currency in Ordon." Ordona shook his head. "But, with victory, be it battle or diplomacy, came an unexpected turn of events. The entire province, now free from their previous rulers, flocked to Wild's feet, expanding Ordon's land ten-fold. The free people wanted him to be crowned a king."

Link frowned.

"But, he refused. That honor, instead, went to Malo, who as you remember, had a particular skill for leading and ownership."

"That's one way of putting it." The Hero smiled wryly, then asked. "Did any of my descendants have a part in leading?"

"No, though Wild and his sisters took part in building up the army, they soon retired their weapons and lived peacefully. Wild's grandson moved to Hyrule after his death, while his sisters and their children remained in Ordon."

"Amity and Dawn did like this place better than Wild did..." Link muttered, looking around the treetops, remembering the fondness for his daughters. He nodded. "Thank you, Ordona. That helped a lot."

"And it explains enough for now." Shade appeared beside him, looking to Ordona. "Now, can you tell us who governs Ordon now? We wish to aid in their cause."

"I can, Ancient Hero." Ordona bowed it's head. "Lady Primrose Latoan. She is a woman of action and sight, with hair as white as snow, and an ear-ring with an orb as golden as her eyes. She can be found in Ordon, in the palace where the mayor once resided."

"A palace...Hmm..." Link put a finger to his lip. "...How big is Ordon now?"

"Far larger than you can imagine, brave youth."

"Then it is our duty to see that they continue to live peacefully." Shade nodded his head. "We must leave at once."

"But it's night-" He looked up. "-time...What the..?"

It was sunrise, almost noon actually.

Hunter wasn't kidding, it seemed, discussions with the Light Spirit lasted far longer than time seemed to allow. His jaw hung open in shock, giving an exasperated sigh after the initial surprise wore off, flexing his hands instead.

"Okay...I'm just...gonna go." He gave a wave. "Thank you for the help, Ordona."

"Good fortune to you, brave youth." It faded away, humor in it's voice.

"Great, now I have a Light Spirit laughing at me." Link muttered as he walked away, Shade behind him. "I wonder what happened to the other three?"

"Perhaps their power faded, or they live in peace among the wilderness." The wraith suggested, binding himself to Link again.

He shivered at the familiar feeling, stopping at the cliff-face, where the entrance was. He looked closely, but saw no nook or discolored rock to press. He even ran his hands along the stone to try and find a nook, but found nothing.

"Perhaps, we should just climb over-" Shade attempted to suggest.

"No, fuck that." Link took a breath, then shouted. "Yo Hunter! Open the fuck up!"

Within literal seconds, the rock collapsed away to allow him passage to the Scout's camp. This time, however, there was another there with him.

"Good Nayru, you don't have to yell, we're right across the cliff y'know." Hunter admonished, twisting his pinky finger in his ear. "So, ya enjoy your overnight chat with Ordona?"

"You're not gonna go deaf from me, friend. I'll tell you that much." Link replied flatly. "And, I had no idea that time could pass like that, what in the actual hell?"

"Hey, everyone in Ordon is just as confused as you are with it." The other Scout said, sipping coffee from a metal cup. "It's not like their giving you a vision or something."

Link gave Hunter a look. "Hmm? Oh sorry, this is Echa. He's rotating with me today."

"Pleasure." Echa waved a finger from his cup. "You are Link, correct? The so-called Wraith who saved this moron from Marauders?"

"Hey, they snuck up on me, it wasn't my fault they jumped me!"

"Sure, mate." He sipped his drink, uncaring.

Hunter rolled his eyes, jabbing a thumb down the path. "So, you wanna head to Ordon now that you've got your answers? It'd be great to grab some food if you're hungry."

"Sure." Link nodded, whistling for Epona, who remained beside the camp.

"She's a good horse, very loyal." Hunter remarked as he grabbed his pack and sword.

Link gave a nod of thanks, following after the Ordonian as they moved down the trail, towards his old home.

---

The light spirit hadn't lied either. The only thing that lasted since his Era was his own home, which was kept intact as a memorial of sorts.

As for the village itself, the narrow entrance was now larger. Houses and buildings lined the main road in rows of two. The road itself was now covered by wood, crossing all the way through. Sera's shop was now a Malo-Mart, twice the size and with many advertisements in the window, people were practically lining up outside the door and down the road to get inside.

The river had expanded, the tall rock long gone, with the small shore washed away, the water bending around to travel into the distance. Wooden docks and platforms lined the edges, with houses built into the cliffs. Boats passed through regularly and people sat the shore or on the dock with fishing poles.

As for the small creek going through town, it was much wider and much deeper, allowing boats to travel up to a large lake down the hill from a section of homes where Uli and Rusl's house had been. He could see the tops of buildings leading up the path to the ranch, which sprawled further and even up to the side of the mountains it seemed.

And finally, where Bo and Ilia's house had been, sat a rather large building resembling a palace made of wood and fine stone. It's tallest spire reached the height of the nearby trees. It's entrance was the same as before, albeit with a large staircase leading to a much larger door. The one fenced off hill that had a massive oak tree atop it was now covered by a huge pavilion with elegant chairs and tables, connected to the palace itself.

The village, if you could call it that anymore, was just larger and different.

"Holy shit!" Link breathed, blown away by the sheer scope of the place. "This place is huge now!"

"Damn right, it's our shining capital. We've been compared to one of those fancy Elven villages to the east, though we're a bit more modest about it." Hunter gave a grin. "C'mon, let's go get something to eat."

The Scout led him down the wooden path and to the riverfront, where just behind Malo-Mart, was a fishing place that sold cooked meals at only a few rupees a person.

Frankly, it was pretty damn good.

Though, Link observed with getting his order, it seemed that Ordon used gold coins more often than Rupees, but accepted the Hylian currency anyway.

"See, I tell them if they use too much sauce it ruins the flavor, it's just-" Hunter rambled off a topic Link failed to hear.

"Sorry Hunter." Link cut him off, readjusting his weapon straps. "I need to go to the Palace, it's urgent."

"Oh, really?" He seemed disappointed. "Well, okay. But don't forget about me, ya hear?"

"I won't, see you around."

They waved to one another, before Link quickly turned heel and headed up the path, crossing the larger creek passing through the center of town, and over to where the Palace entrance was. It towered over everything and was kind of intimidating.

"Do not get cold feet now." Shade said flatly.

"Haha." Link mocked under his breath, heading up the stairs and opening the door.

Warm air met him as he stepped inside, looking around the brightly lit main hall. Burning braziers and large windows arranged along the walls gave off a welcoming feeling as he entered. Chairs, tables, and bookcases were placed against the walls all around. In the center were some steps leading to a lowered floor, where groups of men, soldiers most likely, stood sparring with one another.

Link gave a wry smirk at that, closing the door behind him as he walked towards them, leaning on a railing to observe. Their technique was clean, he'd give them that, watching as two remained lock in combat for quite some time, before the quartermaster finally separated them so that they may rest.

"Fine Soldiers, Aye?" Came a ruff voice next to him.

Link looked over to see a tall man in full ebony-plate armor with chainmail underneath. He had short but unkempt dirty-blonde hair and a goatee. His left eye was covered with an eyepatch, his remaining one a greyish-blue, but he didn't seem blind. On his right ear was a ear-ring with a black orb.

"Well, they're no chosen hero, but credit's where it's due, they have good form." Link nodded his head to the side in a conceding way.

"Whatever, like you could do any better." The man laughed, shaking his head wearily.

"Is that a fact? I'd be glad to give you a demonstration." Link challenged.

"Haha, no." The man said dryly. "The day I fight a half-wraith is the day I die, my friend."

Link stared. "Pardon?"

"Oh, yeah. Three men came by last night in quite the panic, screaming about a demon wraith at Narchost pass. I came down there to find Hunter alive and well, but he tells me said Demon Wraith is real, is a person, and actually saved him from those men." He leaned his elbow on the railing. "So we arrested them of course. But, correct me if I'm wrong, Wraiths are spirits, not people like you and me. So, I reckon whoever this wraith was, they were simply bound to one."

"...Well, you're not far off." Link admitted lightly.

"Hehe, good!" He suddenly slapped him on the back. "The name's Drake Egbert, head Quartermaster of Ordon's army. Lady Latoan would like to speak with you, my wraith-ful friend."

"That's funny, I was just going to speak to her." Link replied flatly, rubbing his now sore shoulder.

"Well good, you won't have to wait." Drake laughed, turning to lead the way, armor clanking.

For a moment, Shade appeared so he and Link could watch him go, almost bouncing with each step. He was like a child in an adult's body, but given their experiences, especially Shade's, that wasn't too outlandish.

Ancestor and Descendant both gave eye rolls at that thought.

"He feels proud enough of surprising us like that." The spirit remarked, arms crossed.

"I could tell." Link muttered, following after the Ordonian. "He looks familiar, though."

---

Drake led them to the Pavilion overlooking Ordon's center, while also, as Link noted, having a good view of the entrance. Chances are, he and Lady Latoan saw him come in with Hunter mere minutes ago.

The lady Primrose herself sat at a table at the very end, giving her such a view of Ordon. As described the Light Spirit, she had white hair and golden eyes, with an gold orb ear-ring. She was looking out over the town, watching everyday life go by with a gentle, if passive look on her face.

"M'lady, our demon wraith is here to speak with you." Drake announced, chortling afterwards.

She turned to look at them, a smile gracing her lips upon catching sight of the quartermaster. Link had to admit, she was very beautiful, especially when she smiled. She looked like she could be one of the three Goddesses.

"Thank you, Quartermaster." She bowed her head a little, light reflecting off a silver circlet she wore, waving for him to leave them.

Link allowed him to pass, moving up some steps to stand properly before her, shifting his weight around as he didn't know if to bow or kneel before her. She didn't seem to be offended though, instead smiling brightly and motioning to the chair across from her.

"Please, sit." She said.

He nodded, removing his weapons and propping them on his chair, before taking a seat and resting his arm on the table. The woman before him took a cup from the table platter with a pitcher on it, sipping from it, eyes closed in delight. One cracked open to look at him.

"Will you not have some tea?"

Link raised his eyebrows in surprise, before relenting and taking one of the cups and the pitcher off the platter. He poured it into the cup, taking a moment to sniff it, discerning it as regular tea. He took a sip and was quite taken aback, it was very sweet, a far cry from the normal beverage of the upper-class.

"Well?" Lady Latoan inquired to his preference.

Link shrugged, sipping once more. "Very sweet, something I'm not that used to."

"I see." She hummed, setting her cup down before resting her hands in her lap. "So tell me, mysterious wraith. What is your name?"

"Link, your majesty." Link set his own cup.

She seemed to pause, her pupils noticeably shrinking as her eyes narrowed. Then, with another hum, mused aloud.

"It seems odd the Hero of Twilight would return from the afterlife, especially in our desperate time of need." She said, scooting up in her chair. "While I expect the Blade of Evil's Bane to last a long time...Wraiths do not possess immortality, or else they would still exist in vast numbers to this day."

"..." Link felt surprised for the umpteenth time in the past two days. "Well, Lady Latoan-"

"Please, call me Winter."

"Er...Winter, You seem to have me mistaken for someone else."

"Do I?" She seemed to tease, smiling. "Twilight Hero, I can see the Wraith bound to you, the ghostly visage that burns in your cold heart. Why do you think my hair has lightened to this odd color? Or that my eyes glow the color of coin?"

"Personally, I think it just makes you look even more beautiful."

"Hmhm..." She giggled. "While that may be true, you must be informed that I posses the ability to see beyond what Mortals can. While I cannot interact with them, I can see supposed Wraiths, and many other beings of magic origin. You may as well not even hide it."

Before Link could respond with a witty remark, Shade unbound himself and appeared beside the table, glaring down at Winter with a hard gaze.

"We have come to aid you, not flirt or antagonize." He spoke sharply, giving a admonishing glance to Link. "Forgive my ally, he is rather crass when it comes to nobility."

"Really?" Winter locked her fingers together. "Hmm...Your armor...It is like the legends of the Hero of Twilight say...They tell that he was bound to a Wraith, one of his ancestors, another Hero themselves." Her golden eyes flicked upwards. "So, when Quartermaster Egbert comes to me with news of a Wraith, even though one has not appeared in the public eye for several millennia, coming to this very place. It didn't take me long to put two and two together. But, how did you manage to live this long?"

"With all due respect, we are around Fifteen Thousand years of age, but we did indeed pass on to the Death Fields." Link explained, tapping his knuckles on the table. "We were resurrected by the Sheikah in Hyrule through...some sort of technology."

"Yes, we've heard that they were uncovering ancient technology built by their ancestors, most here call it Magitek. Many interesting things have come about from what we've heard, but to resurrect the deceased? Very intriguing..." Winter looked to him. "But what brought you here then?"

"We were contacted by the Goddesses' messenger before we could dawdle about. He told us to come here and aid you in your war with the Marsh Kingdom, though gave little detail aside from a vision of the battlefield."

"I see..." Winter closed her eyes. "The Marsh Kingdom only just attacked in the past five months, more of a skirmish than anything. Then, they crossed through Kalenvar unimpeded and attacked our forces at the Carchost border with ferocity. We've already lost the two territories to the south and they have sent many groups to probe our defenses in search of a weakness."

"What kind of forces are we talking about?" Shade asked, beginning to pace.

"Marsh-men are known for their flashiness, so they don't fight unless it is a big battle. They are being led by a man known as Talon, a powerful sorcerer who took control of two tribes who've given us trouble in the past." Winter frowned. "He used these rings, golden bands with a bronze center jewel. They seemed to bring the wearer under his command and enhance their strength far past what mortals could accomplish."

"Rings?" Link repeated, flatly. "Seriously?"

"I wish I was joking, but I am not." She sighed. "He came and offered one to me as well, but I refused after seeing black magic emitting from it. He ended up leaving it. We tried to destroy it, but it would not yield. Narchost had long since been barred off by the winds, so to take it to Death Mountain and cast it into the crater was a forfeit plan as well, so we took it and tossed it into the river. Nobody has recovered it as of yet."

Link nodded, still a bit fishy about the whole "Power Ring" thing. It was such a cliche that you would read in children's books. But, it did present a problem if they could corrupt whoever wore them.

"Where shall we start?"

Winter reached for the platter, slipping a sheet of parchment out from underneath it, a map of Ordona. The lands were separated into three provinces, Ordon, Seregost, and Ashland. The latter was bordered by the land of Kalenvar, which wrapped around Gerudo Desert in Hyrule, separating them from Marsh Kingdom which bordered the west side of Hyrule. But, according to Winter, they had crossed over without problem. Which, judging for her reaction, seemed to mean that Kalenvar was occupied by something dangerous.

"With Seregost." She pointed to the province just south of Ordon village. "It is home to many plains and valleys, along with a massive mountain range that borders the sea, it is known as the Tone Cliffs. It is home to the S'gaoilead, men of undeath who enjoy bloodshed. We believe they are remnants of the Renegade tribe from long ago. Quartermaster Drake is leading a platoon off at dawn to aid in the defensive."

"...I fought a war in Kalenvar all those years ago. I led men against such foes, they were common then." Link stared at the map. "Who leads them now?"

"They call him Cyrus the Walker, a once noble man who would walk the battlefields casually, like one who enjoy a stroll in the park." She growled in disgust. "He was the first to take one of Talon's rings, betraying his people and taking control of the S'gaoilead. He's taken over the Barrows there, an underground temple with the makings and defenses of a fortress."

"Are there any other Barrows?"

"Yes, there is one at Ordon and Seregost's border where our army is holding them back, and another in the Ashlands."

"We'll deal with Seregost's first then, before moving onto the Ashland." Shade and Link looked to one another, giving quiet nods. "Cyrus the Walker..."

"We shall have his head."

"And his ring."

---

~Part 2~

"This reminds me of Kalenvar a bit much." Link murmured, swinging slightly as the blood rushed to his face.

"Kalenvar was a melting pot of death." Shade appeared, sitting casually atop the branch against the tree's trunk, one leg hanging down with the other brought to his chest, both hands resting on his knee. "Be grateful there is no sign of a Dragon to the horizon."

"Heh...Yeah." Link smiled, gazing out over his once-small home, albeit an inverted view as he hung from his legs from a tree branch by the river, swinging in boredom.

While Winter had offered a room within the Palace, he had declined and got a room at the Sleeping-Creek Inn up the hill where the ranch was once located, preferring commodity to formality. Said area had changed largely, the ranch relocated and replaced by a sprawling town that broke off into a large road that led to the other two provinces.

His inn room was small, but still very comfortable. With a soft bed, a writing desk and chair, a wardrobe and mirror, a balcony, and an adjacent bathroom. Honestly, it was the best one hundred and twenty-five rupees he'd ever spent.

The hero had sighed as he watched the day go about, it being only after noon. He had the rest of the day before he left with Drake and his team for the Ordon-Seregost border gate to aid in their defense. But, he felt troubled. It was like an itch he couldn't scratch, stuck to pacing around his room, trying to figure it out. He didn't feel like he had a pure goal anymore, one of his own. He didn't feel like a hero, just the wrong man in the right place.

"In truth, we are exactly that." Shade had heard his thoughts, speaking to him. "Do not let sheer audacity distract you. Appearing in an unknown time is somewhat familiar to me, but you will get used to it."

"It's not..." Link sighed, throwing his hands up as he walked away.

He'd stopped in front of the mirror, inspecting himself and how he looked. His appearance was, as always, the way he'd been during his adventure. Seventeen, but looked to be eighteen or nineteen. The green tunic and cap he wore nigh-identical to the one's he wore.

Oh, who was he kidding? They were one and the same.

He pulled at his collar and sleeves, inspecting his arms. Sapphire eyes gazing over his skin that was marred by scars, even now. Scars that he had earned both early in life, during his journey, and later down the road. All his experiences, criss-crossing his body like some sort of map.

Yet...

"Isn't it odd though? To know that I may be buried somewhere around here." He voiced his thoughts aloud. "I didn't get a good look at what became of my house, but I have a feeling that my grave is there."

"It is..." The wraith conceded. "But you must recall I felt very similar when we went to revisit Lon-Lon Ranch during your time."

"Right, when Mom wanted to rebuild it." Link nodded, lost in thought.

He had turned quickly, blackness seeping over his tunic and cap, morphing and changing shape, before shattering away to reveal his Ordonian clothes. Shade only hummed with mixed interest at the use of Twilight magic to change clothes, a rather mundane use. Midna had used such a trick during her time travelling with them, but it was rarely useful.

"There's a bar by the river, I'm getting a drink." Link then announced, swinging the Master Sword onto his back, locking it's buckle in place.

"You don't drink." The specter stated wryly.

"Fuck it, I do now."

Now much later, here he was, hanging upside-down from a tree just a few yards away from said bar. A few bottles of brandy sitting on said branch, with an empty one in his hand.

Link always enjoyed sitting in trees, and alcohol only enhanced the nostalgia that came with it, since Ordon was a big and popular producer of it in it's later years. He smile wearily to himself and let his bottle fall to the grass below, turning his head idly as he heard someone coming.

Make that a lot of someones.

It was a flood of children of varying ages, with the oldest seeming twelve at the most, Link counted at least fourteen of them. They laughed and cheered as they played and chased one another, finally moving on after lingering near him, not giving him a second glance before resuming whatever they were doing.

"Do all heroes enjoy public intoxication and speaking to yourself? Or is that just the side effect of hanging from that branch?"

Both Lady Primrose and Drake entered his view, the latter giving a somewhat admonishing, yet confused look, while the former seemed nonplussed, even amused by his antics.

"First off, I enjoy climbing trees; Hell, I lived in one after all. Second, I'm not a hero for nothing; My endurance makes it so these bottles give me a slight buzz at the most."

"Shall I break out the royal stash?" Drake raised an eyebrow.

Winter gave him an wry glance.

"Uh...Never mind." He took it back.

Link laughed at that. "And third, can you not see the Wraith sitting atop the branch?"

Both looked up to see Shade, who gave an idle glance. He was hidden away in the tree's shadows, so anyone who passed could easily pass it off as seeing things, but their close looks definitely revealed him.

"Ah..." The lady of Ordon narrowed her eyes.

Link brought his hands behind his head, starting to swing back and forth, a little grin on his face. He looked like a child who'd successfully won an argument with their mother.

"So, who's kids were those? Do you practice teaching in your free time as ruler of this fine countryside?"

"You make it sound like I am a dictator." Winter remarked dryly.

"Ah yes! The Oppressor of Ordon!" Link said dramatically, waving his arms in an exaggerated manner. "Lady Winter, her heart colder than the tallest peaks of Snowpeak! To see her enemies driven before her, she would burn the world and laugh as it then froze over from her wrath!" He stopped. "That right?"

"Sure is, Mr. Comedian." Winter rolled her eyes. "They, are my children. I promised to take them to watch the show dancers in the town square today."

"Show dancers-?" Link paused, then burst out laughing. "Ha! Bwahahaha!"

His cackles drew the attention of a lot of people, but he hardly cared as he was lost in his mirth at the fact that the woman in front of him apparently had sired fourteen children.

"Woo..Ha..." He noticed through his tears that she was glaring at him. "...Wait, you're not kidding?"

"I am not."

Link raised his eyebrows, still swinging a bit. "Well, did you consider telling the father to fuck off when you got to child number five? Or ten? Or fourteen for that matter? Consent is a thing, y'know. He should know that."

"My husband has been dead for years." Primrose retorted dryly, rolling her eyes. "Though, given his..ahem...ambitions, we might've had much more."

"Ah, forgive my crassness then..." He paused, then shrugged. "Or don't, I guess."

Winter gave a little smirk, before walking off after her children. Drake stayed back for a moment, looking after her before turning to the upside-down Hero.

"Just some advice." He said. "She had a rather rocky relationship with her husband, the previous Mayor-Lord."

"Mayor-Lord?"

"Yes, that is the official title of Ordona's ruler." Drake shrugged. "Similar to a King, if you will. Technically, lady Winter holds the title now. Her husband, Toaru, died in a skirmish in Ashlands-"

"Wait a minute, how old are the two of them?" Link frowned, waving his hand.

"They both were sixteen when they had their first child."

"Okay, thought this was some sort of 'married to a man twice your age' type of thing." Link cringed, shaking his head.

"Of course not, unlike Hyrule, we have standards."

The half-wraith smirked. "Touche."

Drake laughed, leaning against the tree trunk. "Anyway, Toaru was what you call...anti-social, at best. Don't get me wrong, he was good man with good intentions and great ambition for Ordona's future...But he was never really one for...emotional connections."

"Sounds like someone I know." Link muttered, leaning his head to look up at Shade, who grumbled quietly in reply.

"I was in Toaru's party when he was ambushed. He died to a poison-tipped arrow, but not before telling me that he wished he could live longer, so he may protect those he came to love." Drake paused, scratching at his nose. "...I'd always thought I would be long dead before that man admitted his feelings for another. But...I guess having children can do that to a man."

"...Hmm." Link hummed quietly, a blank look on his face.

"I'm married and got a kid on the way right now, so I'm afraid I'll go soft too." He chuckled lightly, before glancing up at Link. "Did you ever have children?"

It was Link's turn to pause, before carefully replying. "I did. Four, as a matter of fact. I buried one and the other three outlived me."

"...How do you cope with that?"

The question was met with Link slipping off his branch, athletically twisting mid-air to catch it with his left hand, his right grabbing a bottle of brandy off of it, pulling the cork with his teeth before guzzling it down as he dropped to the grass.

"Ah..." He sighed in relief, the blood draining from his face. "Cope with what now?"

Drake stared, before conceding with a nod of his head as he began walking off. "...Forget I asked."

Link watched him go, humming to himself as he rolled his shoulder, letting the bottle hang by the lip in his fingertips. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, sapphire eyes narrowed as he watched the going-ons of Ordon around him.

It moved in a rhythm, a rhythm he wasn't apart of in any way.

Yet, out of the corner of his eye, he would catch a glimpse of a figure in dark-crimson robes with a blank faceplate under it's hood. They would be staring from a rooftop, a tree, an alley, or even a booth at the back wall of a bar.

Two beady red eyes, glowing rubies of tainted light, watching.

Watching him.

It seemed to only get more frequent whenever he felt like he had no place in this era, and he didn't...But Isu seemed hellbent to remind him that, frankly, he had no choice. Shade appeared beside him, staring in the same direction, just as disturbed as he was. The unnerving presence of the fellow wraith sending a reverbing tremor through his very being.

"He will always watch us." Link muttered.

"I count on it." Shade replied, fading away.

Isu, in the distance, unnoticed by everyone around him, lowered his head slightly. Ghostly whispers sifting through the air, barely audible above the chorus of townspeople around them. They soon silenced as he slinked away from view.

But he would always be there.

The rest of the day and the morning after was uneventful at best, with some rare words being passed from Link onto anyone. Though, he did attend to the show that Winter had promised her children.

He liked folk songs now.

Link did, however, took the time to look into how Ordona's army and military worked, along with many of it's customs. There was your normal militia, which conisted of Knights, Scouts, and Recruits. Above that were three branches of the elite force.

Battlemage, Ranger, and Brokenblade.

The Battlemages came from the Crystal Halls in the Ashland Province, where Mages learned and trained to practice magic. Link found that they had been discovered by his second son. Though they often swore off violence, in times of conflict they would ally themselves with Ordon's forces.

Rangers were your elite troops, which took up a major portion of the army itself. Though there were lower ranks, of scouts, knights, and paladins; Ranger was a title many sought in the military.

As for Brokenblades, they originated from the Half-Blades, a group of assassins who used snapped-in-half swords as daggers, they acted as spies and, of course, assassins. They resided in an abandoned mine transformed into a temple in the valley just south of the Ordon-Seregost border.

Link, who noticed that the Half-Blades used his methods, delved into their history, soon finding that the Half-Blades had indeed originated from tales of his exploits with his father's broken sword. He honestly couldn't tell if he should be honored or not.

---

As the sun rose, Link dressed in his green tunic and readied his weapons. Without anything left to do there, he had gone and met up with Drake's group of soldiers and knights he'd gathered the week prior to the hero's arrival. There was forty in total, men and women of differing ranks.

Link noticed that they wore what appeared to be mockeries of the Magic Armor he'd once worn, down to the chainmail skirt and a circlet/diadem on their foreheads. Red Tunics and black trousers, literally everything that armor set had provided him with.

Rangers wore chailmail under their tunics with red front piece, with ebony plate armor as the chest plate, pauldrons, boots, and gauntlets. They had a bow and sword on their backs with quivers on their hips. Their circlet was adorned with an emerald.

Battlemages, while dressed similarly, were distinguished by the blue hood they wore, though their circlet possessed a sapphire. With a sword on the back and a dagger at the hip, they seemed confident in their magic and sorcery.

Brokenblades, on the other hand, disregarded much of the ebony plating. Leaving only their red cloth-chainmail tunics with black hoods, sleeves, gloves, and leggings, with a ruby as their circlet's center jewel. They kept two sheaths and a bow on their backs, just like Link did, one sheath for their regular swords and the other for their snapped swords.

"Well, what do you think?" Drake inquired with a grin, arms stretched wide in presentation to his little troop.

"...Is 'we are fucked' a good statement?" Link replied sarcastically, earning a few conceding chuckles from the entourage the quartermaster had accumulated.

"Oh, grow up." Drake chuckled, patting him on the back. "Look at the bright side, you'd count as a Brokenblade."

"All he needs is to fight till his tunic soaked red." Chortled one of the hooded assassins, causing his fellows to laugh.

Link rolled his eyes at that, looking up to the palace doors that opened. Lady Latoan stepped out, closing the door before descending the stairs to meet them before they left.

"Quartermaster! Sir Link! I just want to thank you for doing this. Many men would pale at such a challenge." She said, before turning to the assembled troop. "That goes for all of you as well. It takes great courage to plunge headfirst into battle."

"It is our pleasure, Lady Winter." Egbert said, bowing his head. "We shall await you on the battlefield."

"Huh?" Link turned to him, confused. "She's coming too?"

"Not yet mind you, sir Link." Winter nodded her head. "Ordona's Mayor-Lord typically lead their men on the field of battle. So, since I technically hold the office, I am undergoing training to join the fight with you."

"And we shall be waiting for you, M'lady." Called a battlemage.

Link opened his mouth to say something, but held his tongue for now. For now, he was heading off into another war. He could save the confusing logic that apparently lay dormant in this land.

"Shouldn't Sir Link be called something else besides Sir Link?" Inquired another battlemage aloud. "He's no ranger, or battlemage, or a brokenblade for that matter."

"Technically, I'm all three." Link shrugged. "So, I guess I'm-"

"A hero." Egbert slapped him on the back, laughing. "Through and through."

Everyone shared the sentiment, giving amused mumbles of agreement.

"Though, given the circumstances that dictate the need of rank." Said Winter. "I will grant him status of Captain. His former rank of Knight in his era still stands as well."

"Er...Thanks."

Winter turned to Drake. "That goes for you as well, Master Egbert. There are already plenty of quartermasters at the Border gate, so you shall be granted Captain status as well, but will keep your Head-Quartermaster rank as well."

The one-eyed ordonian nodded, scratching his beard in thought of his new title before moving away.

"Well..." Said a Ranger, placing his hand on Link's shoulder. Link realized that it was Hunter, from earlier. "Do you still have little faith in us, captain?"

"Depends, how good is your aim with that bow of yours?" Link replied drolly, incurring some chuckles. "By the way, what are you doing here?"

"Hmm? Oh, I'm Sir Egbert's squire." He jabbed a thumb backwards, adding sarcastically. "The man needs someone to polish his sword after all."

"Your prissy little fingers do the trick!" Drake shouted from the front.

"Politely cram it, Captain!"

They continued to squabble for a minute, with many of the gathered soldiers laughing aloud. Link found it amusing as well, but soon turned when he felt someone tap his shoulder. It was Winter, who'd descended the rest of the stairs, along with a handmaiden who held a case in their arms.

"It is not often we are aided by a Hero, be they of this time or otherwise." She said, hands together. "I spent the time since your arrival trying to find this."

She motioned to the handmaiden, who opened the case. Inside was a dark grey cloth, with ancient marking along it's center. It seemed to be a hooded cloak.

Link took and inspected it, finding it familiar. It had a scent on it that...

"...This was my son's." He said, some shock settling in. "Rusl gave this to him on his fourth birthday...You kept it this long?"

"We did indeed." Winter smiled. "I am positive there are many more of his belongings somewhere in the palace, we shall continue looking for them to pass on to you."

"I..." Link held the cloth to his chest, touched. "Thank you. I may not know you all very well...But this means so much to me."

"C'mon Link, we've not all day to dawdle!" Egbert called from ahead, finally done arguing with Hunter.

"R-Right!" Link called back, turning to Winter. "Thank you, I mean it."

"You are most welcome, Hero."

Link quickly put the cloak as the group departed, leaving Ordon through the mountain pass south of the ranch's former location. The trail was long and winding, with no clear end in sight. But before Link could question the length of their trek, he was bombarded with inquirers by his fellows. Most, if not all, of them had grown up in Ordon and never saw him, for obvious reasons.

A little curiosity couldn't be helped.

Most questions revolved around who he was, where he was from, and if the stories told by Lady Winter and Drake were true. Link kept it open, being truthful about being bound with a wraith, even if Shade remained disturbingly quiet during the whole event.

The specter of his ancestor had seemed a bit disgruntled in their time here. While he was uneasy too, Link could definitely cope with the Era difference as Shade had said, but now it seemed the wraith was having doubts himself.

"Why are you being so open about the wraith thing?" Drake came up alongside him, keeping his pace steady even as he kicked some loose rocks about on the path. "Y'know, some people would label it as necromancy, and that's generally frowned upon 'round here."

"I'd like to see them stop me. Besides, I've dealt with Necromancy before, even read some books on it. A wraith is not even close to what they do." Link answered, looking about with half-lidded eyes, yet he didn't feel tired. It seemed he didn't require sleep. "...Where are the Bulbins? And the Darknuts for that matter...Blood knights of their quality would be thrilled for this kinda thing."

"Hmm? Oh right." Drake scratched his cheek. "The Bulbins reside in Seregost's plains. They are helping defend the border gate from the S'gaoilead. They do a damn good job at it too from what I've heard."

"And the Darknuts?"

"They took residence in the Ashland Barrows."

"...But, the Barrows were captured by Marsh, wasn't it?" Link pointed out.

Drake's gaze hardened. "Yes...We've heard no envoy or call from their forces as of yet. We fear that they may have been wiped out."

Link frowned. "...I don't believe it for the life of me. The Darknuts are a hardy people. To uproot them from their home is plain suicide."

"And yet, you've accomplished just that." Remarked Shade idly.

"Oh, nice of you to finally speak after this suffering silence, Shade." Link snarked in his head. "What've you been up to?"

"...Thinking."

Link just sighed at the cryptic answer, gazing off into the distance as they continued onward.

Drake turned and barked something to the groups of Rangers and Battlemages, who had mingled together for the journey, while the Brokenblades remained among themselves.

Link began to move about, going between the groups and speaking to them. Most were friendly and happy to hold a conversation with him, the Brokenblades taking a shine to his new cloak. He reached a hand up to touch the fabric around his neck, a nice warmth in his chest. Link didn't have much time to think of it, being always on the move, but he truly missed his son, his daughters, and Ilia, of course.

It was an odd, gnawing feeling in his gut. It ground against already raw nerves, making it nigh unbearable. If only he had a-

"Hey, want a pipe?" Came Hunter's voice, who'd strolled up beside him and held out a carved smoking pipe.

Link stared for a second, then snatched it from his hands. "Fuck yeah I do!"

He greedily huffed at the pipe, smoke quickly filling his lungs, before escaping into the air in an almost absurd amount as he took the shortcut to calm nerves. Finally releasing it once Hunter snatched it from him.

"Sweet Nayru, man! Calm down or you'll suffocate yourself!"

"Woo!" Link exclaimed as he shook himself awake. "That's got a nice kick, what brand is that?"

"Ashland Pure." Hunter took a drag himself, puffing out smoke rings. "They had a few tobacco fields up there, something about the heat down there seems good for the crop. Though, it's hard to get any product since Marsh took it."

"Heat?"

"Yeah, Ashland is part of an underground Volcano, but it's surrounded by snowy mountains." He paused as he smoked, breathing out. "The snow mixes from the sand of Gerudo Desert and the ash of any volcanic outlets, creating a rather harsh weather system down there. You gotta wear a face mask to pass through the lower lands, where it's the worst."

"Where do they farm then?"

"They grow the tobacco up in the highlands, where the updrafts carry the ash away before it can hit the crops, but it's awfully stuffy up there."

"I bet, is it like Death Mountain levels of heat?"

"No clue, I've never been up that far in Hyrule." He looked ahead, holding the pipe back to Link. "So, when did you start smoking?"

"After my fourth child, my son." Link replied wryly as he smoked. "...It was my wife who introduced me to it."

"Sounds like a classy woman, smoking tobacco pipes."

"Shit, she worked out in the fields with me. That, and three kids, typically stress you all to hell."

Hunter laughed. "I can imagine recent events have stressed you quite a bit, how do you deal with that?"

"Drinking and Smoking, of course."

"Ha! Ain't life grand?"

"Hold Formation!"

The whole group stopped as Drake barked from the front of the group, eye staring up, locked to the cliffs around them. They weren't exceptionally high, but just enough to warrant a short, if steep climb. Link narrowed his eyes, feeling a certain tension in the air as silence droned on around them. An erie silence that only heightened one's sense of danger.

Fwip-SHUNK!

"Gah!" Link gasped as an arrow embedded itself in his shoulder, dropping to his knee as he grabbed at the injury. "Gouh..."

"Shield up!" Drake hollered to the group, more arrows raining down onto them. "Shield up dammit!"

A battlemage stepped forward, putting her hands together in a praying motion. "Beri-ammen, than ammen with cn galad!" She murmured, flicking her wrists and shooting her arms out. A cone of blue magic expanded from her palms, covering the whole group.

"Whew." The captain sighed with relief. "Good work, Maven."

"My...pleasure..." The female battlemage grunted in exertion as arrows bounced off the overhead shield, creating little rings of impact with each arrow.

Hunter tried to tend to Link, who brushed him away. The half-wraith standing up and grabbed the arrow's shaft, ripping it from his shoulder in an instant, not even flinching.

"Damned cheapshots, taking me by surprise." Link growled lowly, eyes flicking to the side as a Battlemage came up and began to heal his wound. "Thanks..."

Above them, on both cliffsides, were groups of assailants armed with bows and crossbows, steadfast in their mission to turn them all into pincushions if it weren't for the shield, yet the barely halted their barrage.

"Those bastards have crossbows!" Exclaimed a Ranger, pointing up. "Who the hell can afford Crossbows these days!?"

"Hmm...I don't see any markings on their armor." Said another, squinting his eyes. "I think they are just bandits."

"Bandits who can afford crossbows?"

"Well, it's a theory..."

"A shit one, mind you."

"Can you two just shut up for three seconds?" Drake snapped, scratching his head. "We need to take those archers out before the shield falls. Get your bows and spells ready."

They quickly did so, sorting themselves so they could peek out from the side of the shield and shoot upwards, but it soon turned out to be ineffective. They were practically shooting straight up and could hardly even see where their targets were atop the cliff itself.

The mages, on the other hand, had a lot more luck. They channeled what seemed to be a form of lightning magic, shooting if off and shattering pieces of the ledge, forcing their opponents back in a cloud of rock and dust.

"Hey, Jack!" Called one to her friend as she held her cupped hands out to him. "Hit me!"

Jack gave a confirmation, shooting his palm out. "Grant nin rod plural rodyn, a send ed-c n wrath!"

A bolt of pure lightning escaped from his palm and into his friend's waiting hands, who pressed it to her chest and forced her hand out of the shield, channeling the power with her own and sending out a massive bolt of electricity, eviscerating a couple of the archers.

"Hey, Mr. Hero!" She called to Link, who watched in faint interest with his arms crossed. "Would you mind, I don't know, helping us a little?"

Link rolled his eyes and reached for his bow, but stopped short, and instead walked to the edge of the shield.

"What are you doing?" Shade inquired, deadpan.

"Just some practice." Link replied quietly, stepping out from under the shield.

He looked up, noting a little cluster of his targets. Link raised his arm, pointing there with his index and middle fingers. Quickly, sparks of red electricity shot up his arm and out of his fingers, a chain of black and red lightning rocketing out and completely demolishing that part of the cliff. The archers who'd stood there either vaporized or tossed like rag dolls to their death.

"Holy shit!" Yelled someone as rubble rained down on the shield. "What the hell was that!?"

"Huh, I forgot you could do that..."

"Yeah, I forget about it sometimes too." Link smirked, taking aim and obliterating another section of the cliffs, disorganizing the attack.

"Their ranks are broken!"

"So? What can we do about it? By the time we climb up there, they'll be ready for us."

Link sighed to himself, placing his left hand on his hip. "How 'bout I just take care of it?"

"You'd better get ready for an arrow in the fa-" Came a sarcastic retort.

Link held out his hand to stop him in a pleading, done-with-it way. He turned and stared up the cliff, waiting until he could see anyone again.

Movement.

His sapphire eyes shot open, hand grabbing onto the Master Sword and unsheathing it. As the metallic ring sounded, the blade scraping halfway out, the Hero's side became ethereal as he channeled Shade's power, glowing in the form of the wraith himself. Showing off the wraith side, he disappeared in a blur of black particles, red lightning, and golden smoke. Those among his group only stared, slack-jawed at where he'd been standing only a moment before.

"That guy...is fucking awesome."

Everyone silently agreed.

---

Link appeared atop the cliff, sword thrust out and into the neck of one of the archers. There was slight pause as the dying man unconsciously grabbed at the object in his neck, his blood leaving the blade slick as he gurgled. His allies yelped in surprise and horror when the green-clad half-wraith appeared out of nowhere and ended their friend.

Link's expression was blank, but his side was ethereal and his left pupil glowed a deep crimson as he let Shade take over with the more stylized techniques. With a balanced, practiced grace, he retook the Master Sword's handle with a reversed grip, ripping it free from the dying man's throat, twirling it and himself idly, then swung it to decapitate him with one clean stroke.

As his fellows recoiled, Link once more vanished, this time reappearing with his sword planted firmly in the gut of another. Ripping it out, he let out a frenzied, wraith-enhanced roar as he cleaved the man about half-way through his waist, before rounding his blade about and fully bisecting him from the opposite side.

This continued on in a pattern of specialized moves only a true knight could perform, someone who had the skill and grace that took lifetimes to perfect. Shade, of course, had plenty of all that.

Link, on the other hand, favored a more brutish fighting style, but certainly did not lack the finesse of his ancestor. He just hadn't taken the time to perfect it as he had, as such, it led to these kinds of moments. An out-of-body experience, per say, as he let his ancestor take over and took a proverbial backseat as the divine wraith tore the competition to shreds.

They were well-practiced with the method, having used it often if the numbers were too much for Link's skill. But as the years went by, this gap seemed to lessen more and more as the Hero of Twilight enhanced his own abilities. Yet, It was required for them to use certain abilities, however.

"Die Die, my darlings!" He felt himself cackle. "Die, Die, Die! HAHAHA!"

But it was always nice to watch a master at work.

Shade wasn't one to showboat, but even he had some blood lust that came out during combat, often turning the composed, once-hero into a playful child who loved to taunt his foes.

As Link watched his body move on it's own, under the will of his ancestor, he observed the men they were slaughtering. Their skill was fluid and actually worth mention, using barbed steel sickles to parry Shade's blows, before being cut down anyway. Their fear was causing them to hesitate, giving the duo the upper hand.

But to have the skill to parry Shade's strikes, told Link they were not ordinary bandits. He observed their uniforms, a black and red outfit that seemed to be your typical ninja attire, but more military or assassin themed, he did not see any symbols tied to a specific faction.

They kept their hair in a variety of topknots and other formal styles.

No, not formal. Unconcerned and out of the way, to not interfere with their goals, but to retain a regal appearance. They wore odd earrings, but not the orbs the Ordonians wore, yet their ears were round, so they were not of Marsh or Hyilan descent.

Finally, they wore a mask.

Link felt himself pause, even as Shade kept slaughtering through them. Upon their mask, was the symbol of the sheikah, but flipped on it's head, the iconic teardrop dripping upwards.

"Shade, these guys are Sheikah." Link forced the thought as his ancestor continued his assault.

"...No." Came a little whisper, so quiet that Link almost missed it. "These men would never be worthy of the Sheikah's honor, but their skill..."

They had long since finished off the false-sheikah on that side of the cliff, flashing over to the opposite side to attack the ones there, slicing and dicing their way through.

He'd sunk the Master Sword down to the hilt in one's chest, the enemy's first reaction to lean forward in shock. Link took the opportunity to draw his Father's broken sword and stab it into the back of his neck, before pulling both blades free from the corpse.

Finally, they moved onto the last opponent. In their frenzy, they had not even noticed his appearence until they clashed blades with him. Link noticeably gaped in surprise as the muscular man before him, wielding a katana etched with white runes. He stood a good head over the hero, and had the strength to match his imposing figure.

"..." He glared down at Link from behind his mask, grunting with exertion as they pushed against one another, fighting for dominance as their blades sparked together. "What...are you...!?"

Link felt Shade smirk, his lips moving on their own as he spoke in the wraith's voice, his own voice still present but dominated over by the specter's.

"Good question."

His tone was demonic, perfect for putting the fear of the gods into someone. This was accompanied by the tensing of his sword arm. The man seemed to notice this, applying more pressure on him to sustain the lock, growling lowly.

"Only a coward uses fear tactics!"

"Says the one who ambushes from above."

"Grah!" The man leaned in and snarled.. "I will make you suffer in the name of Mistress Aghok!"

"..?" Shade frowned at the name.

"Aghok?" Link thought, sharing the sentiment. "...Shade, we might have to read him."

"He isn't calm, the spell won't work." The Wraith reminded, headbutting his assailant before stepping back for breathing room. "...Unless?"

"Unless, we soul-brand him." Link finished for him, resentment filling his soul.

"...I am not comfortable doing this if you are not, Link."

"Ugh...Isu said we would have to cross this road again." Link sighed. "I'm really not, but we have not time for a proper interrogation. Just do it and get it over with."

Shade paused in hesitation, allowing their opponent to recover and charge at them, wielding both his sword and a crossbow. The specter narrowed his eyes, sidestepping a swing of his sword. A white blade of pressure shooting from the blade, nicking the shoulder of Link's tunic.

Surprised, but undeterred, the wraith forced his foot out, kicking his foe in the knee. He held fast and swung again, forcing the ancient hero down to avoid the horizontal swipe. He lashed out again, this time making the man stumble slightly. Dodging a few more times, he delivered a final blow to the same knee, breaking it, forcing the man down in shock as Shade seized the opportunity. The wraith socked him across the face so he fell to the ground, catching himself on his palms as the pain of his useless limb set in, both weapons falling over the side and into the canyon. But before he could scream, Shade then grabbed him by the shoulders, turning and tossing him off the cliff.

He did scream all the way down, tumbling down the cliff side before rolling onto the road next to Drake's group, who jumped in surprise. Surviving the landing with only some bruises and scratches, the man groaned in pain, only to yell as he felt someone land on his back and something pierce his shoulder.

Shade had lept down from the cliff, Link's father's sword in hand and at the ready as he landed atop the man, stabbing the broken blade into his shoulder and using it as leverage to force him over and onto his back. He roared, forcing his hand onto the side of his face, the golden magic almost hot enough to burn an imprint onto the flesh.

"Forfeit your mind!"

The man screamed in absolute terror and pain, much to the horror of Drake and the other Ordonians, who watched frozen in place while Shade worked his magic. Piercing the inner reaches of the enemy's mind, Link felt his vision fade.

---

Flashes came by, bits of information becoming known to him as he saw faces, heard voices, and felt the world around him. These men, the Yiga, were once Sheikah who'd sworn allegiance to Ganon. Traitors to their own brothers.

A woman with white hair and facial tattoos, her beady eyes as red as the robe she wore.

"If Marsh will support us, then we shall gain their favor." Her voice was harsh, but fleeting and light on Link's ears. "Go to their leader, this Talonm and do his bidding-"

Her image faded, with more flashes of countryside and wetlands accompanying them. Then, a man with a fair face appeared. His black hair was styled in an elegant manner, with piercing, glowing orange eyes. He held his hand up to cup his chin, a ring with a red jewel on the center around his finger.

"You wish to support my cause?" He asked softly, but with arrogance.

"Only if you will support ours."

"Hmm..." He closed his eyes and seemed to think. "...Very well, I will put you into the employ of my captains, Cyrus the Walker and Daythef the Outlaw. Do what they ask and I shall-"

He too faded, images of a woman and man standing before him, the former fading until it was just the man. His eyes were frenzied and glowed the same orange as Talon's, with gray colored hair and a cracked yellow orb ear-ring.

"You are the Yiga that Talon sent? Fuck it, you'll do." He said with distaste, waving his hand. "There is a group of Ordonians coming to reinforce the border according to our spy, they are part of the elite and some rumors say they have a Half-Wraith among them."

"I do not believe in such fairy tales."

"Believe what you wish, but it's your neck, not mine."

---

The visions ended with a flurry of a blade and the haunting visage of Link possessed by Shade. The Hero glared quietly at man, the glow of his palm increasing as he questioned.

"What do you know of Cyrus the Walker?"

"H-He..." He gasped against his will. "...Is a coward of a man...Hiding behind a ring that grants power..!"

"What more?" Shade growled, the magic intensifying as the Yiga gasped.

"Agh! H-He...fears death and to die forgotten. Humiliation is his bane!" He gasped again. "B-But he...is...unable to die. That ring...it protects him from all suffering and pain..."

"I guess I'll have to be creative then..." Shade murmured, bringing up the broken blade for the final strike.

But he paused, lowering his weapon and instead continuing with his magic.

"Fàg am beatha seo airson sìth mhaireannach, Sìos am measg na mairbh." He murmured in Ancient Hylian. "Ocheiden Valinor!"

"Shade...! Stop, we have all we need-" Link thought futilely, helpless as his ancestor probed deeper into the Yiga's mind.

More flashes laced his vision, men turning against their brothers, horrendous slaughter as the smell and feeling of blood invaded every one of his senses at once, making his stomach lurch as the visions became intense. Cages, soaked crimson with blood and bile, chains rattling loudly as men crept by him, their wills broken as they were forced into slavery, eyes sunken and hollow, bodies frail and weak.

Screams echoed in his ears, flashes of bloody tools, men stretched over racks as they were pull apart by the limbs.

Torture...Slavery...Link felt horrified when he saw these images, memories of the man before him. He could feel his emotions too, and there wasn't a bit of regret associated with them too.

And then Link felt something bubbling up within him, pure rage and anger, but it wasn't his...no, it was...

"You Bastard!" Roared Shade, removing his hand from the Yiga's face, instead wrapping it and his free hand around his neck instead as he choked the life from him. "Treacherous snakes! Insignificant scum of the Earth! You'll burn in hell for what you have done! I swear it on my soul I will make you suffer!"

The Yiga choked in vain, the cracks in his mask revealing watering eyes and blood dribbling from his mouth as he thrashed in agony. Link tried all he could to resist his ancestor's influence, but even he knew it was no use. All he could do was watch, trapped in his own body, as his own two hands were guided by a wraith to brutalize the man before him.

Even if he agreed that what this man had participated in was pure evil, this was going too far.

"Shade! That's enough..!"

"NO! It's not!" The Wraith withdrew his hands, moving them up to the Yiga's face now, summoning as much energy as he could. "I will not sully my blade with his cowardly blood!"

Recognizing what he was about to do, Link put all his willpower into stopping the spell. This exhausted him completely, but seemed to work, as the magic seemed to limit itself to the extent that Shade simply stared at the empty light in his palms in frustration.

"I won't let you ruin his mind either...!"

"Then...How about this?" Shade had turned to see the discarded crossbow lying just inches away, grabbing it quickly and pulling the string back as a bolt loaded itself. He stood up and promptly aimed it down, pointing right at the Yiga's eye. The weakened adversary weakly reaching up in a pleading manner, moaning out in despair in his last moments.

Fwi-Shunk!

Blood splattered across the ground and up onto Link's tunic, his hand slowly lowering the crossbow as he stared down at his handwork. The Yiga's pleading hand falling limp as the body ceased movement, quietly expelling a final breath before lying still.

Shade sighed aloud, his form disappearing from Link, who remained standing, staring at the body in sadness and shock. The Crossbow dropped uselessly from his hand, clattering at his feet. The Ordonians from nearby simply stared in shock, waiting to see what he would do. The Hero blinked once and sighed, taking off his cap and running a hand through his hair, blowing a shaky breath out. Placing his cap back on, he grabbed the man's discarded sword and placed it on his chest.

"...Shit!" He cursed silently, before standing up and looking to the group, who gawked back. "...We ready?"

There was silence as they stared in complete bafflement. He seemed to grin as he began walking towards them, before letting out another shaking gasp of breath as he collapsed to the ground, eyes rolling back as he passed out on the spot.

---

Link woke up to the sun in his eyes, finding himself in what appeared to be an infirmary, being tended to by a nurse. After a quick question of where he was; He was safe at the Seregost-Ordon province border, he let her tend to him. Only to find that the copious amounts of blood was not his at all, only their attackers. As a matter of fact, he didn't have as single injury from the encounter.

Of course he didn't.

Shade was completely silent, even in response to questioning. Frustrated, Link gathered his effects and exited the infirmary to get the lay of the land.

The border was guarded by a massive gate-wall-fortress that sat between two mountain peaks, closing off the canyon they'd come from, the only path to Ordon Capital. On the Ordon-Province side, there were many buildings with varied purposes for the army. Training, Eatings, and whatnot. On the opposite side of the gate, where it led into Seregost-Province, there was constant skirmishes where the S'gaoilead attacked frequently. Needless to say, the infirmary and morgue were filling up rapidly. A garrison of a thousand men already stationed there in wait of the S'gaoilead's forces. They welcomed the group with enthusiasm and quickly put them to work around the gate, except for Link.

The Hero quickly made himself scarce once they started handing out jobs. He was of better use on the battlefield, not patching brickwork. He settled himself at the stables, sitting on a barrel with Epona beside him. He held a bag of apples in his hand, handing one off to his faithful mare and eating one himself. Shade finally unbound, but remained quiet and instead leaned against the inside wall of the stables, out of sight from passerby's.

Link noticed that many people stopped to stare at him, some being members of the group he came with, but he ignored it and continued eating his apple.

He was uneasy, having always hated the feeling of branding someone. It seemed a necessary evil, since they had scarce enough time as is, let alone time for a proper interrogation. But, he often forgot that even the stoic wraith of an Ancestor he had could still feel human. What they both had witnessed in the memory of the Yiga...He didn't blame Shade for reacting that way.

It was just a sad, sorrid affair.

"Hey, Mr. Wraith!" Drake's voice made him perk up, the one-eyed captain walking over to him from the Wall's main gate. "Back from the Infirmary I see, we thought you were out for the count!"

Link glanced at him for a moment, giving only a small grunt of acknowledgement.

"Huh? Why the long face?"

"Just a bit glum, I hate long waits for battle." He snarked with a shrug and a wave of his hand. "Anxiety and all that."

Drake nodded in agreement, turning to look at Epona. His expression then became puzzled. "...Who's horse is this?"

"Mine."

The Captain looked at him, then to Epona, then back to him.

"You...didn't bring a horse..."

Link glanced up, then shrugged again, biting into another apple. Drake gave a suffering sigh.

"Well, we sent word back to Ordon. Once we heard that Yiga say there was spy there, we sent someone to inform the higher-ups in the army so they comb through the ranks in search of them. We're also on alert, especially if the Yiga are aiding Marsh now."

"Bloody bastards..." Link muttered, quietly chewing on his apple. "Well...I could've just warped there and told them, but I guess the thought hadn't crossed my mind."

"Warp?" Drake repeated, then asked firmly. "Okay, what all powers do you have? Because you're just holding out on us right now."

The hero narrowed his eyes, tossing the apple core away as he set the bag down and leaned backwards on his palms. "Long version or short version?"

"Long, I guess?"

"Okay. See, back when I first began my adventure, I-"

"Alright, never mind. Give me the short version please."

"Pfft, partypooper." Link rolled his eyes. "With the Wraith's help, I can harness advanced Twilight Magic, which includes a specialized lightning attack that'll hurt you as much as it can kill you, as in it is guaranteed. I have enhanced agility, endurance, stamina, and strength; As well as combat experience. The Wraith itself grants me many abilities, including be able to brand the very souls of my enemies, bending, or breaking their spirits, wills, and minds. Or, if I need quick information, see into their thoughts and memories as well."

"That's what you did to the Yiga guy." Drake nodded, somewhat confused. "And...if you didn't have the wraith?"

"I'd be more limited in my abilities. I could still warp, summon and store items, or even my horse." He motioned to Epona. "All that, along with warping items, I could still transform too."

"Transform?"

"Yeah." Link raised an eyebrow. "I can turn into a wolf, hadn't I mentioned this already?"

Drake shook his head. "No, you haven't. You're a lycanthrope?"

"For lack of a better term, yes." Link confirmed with little importance. "That's what being chosen by the gods can do to you. You try to enter an contrasted, demonic version of the woods and you become a wolf. Just your average day in Hyrule."

"Damn..." Drake placed his hands on his hips, looking bewildered. "I guess you've got no shortage of excitement up there."

Link shrugged, reaching up to pat Epona's mane.

Drake frowned and looked off down the path, seeming to think.

"...So, how're you holding up?"

Link gave him a look. "Huh?"

"It's just that." Drake tensed. "You seemed quite...intense, when you did that...thing to that Yiga. Then...you seemed sad."

"Soul-Branding." Link specified. "I just...I've only done it once in my life..." He lied uneasily. "...because I never saw any need for it. But when I did...Everyone looked at me like they would a monster, a look of pure, unadulterated horror. I made a promise that day, to never, ever use that ability again."

"...And you broke it?"

The Hero nodded. "I have a lesser version of it, one that'll give me information, but leave you with a headache at most. But you need to be calm in order to use it...That guy, wasn't very calm as you could tell."

"If I'd just watched a demon wraith carve through my allies, I wouldn't exactly be happy-go-lucky either."

"Touche."

Drake laughed, looking over to the stables. He seemed to catch a glimpse of Shade, hiding in the shadows. "Speaking of which...Mind telling me what's up with him? Why did he snap at the Yiga like that? It was actually pretty damn scary..."

Link turned just in time to see Shade present Drake with an obscene hand gesture.

"Hmm...We saw something sickening...he acted accordingly."

"That's...ominous." Drake blinked. "C'mon, what did you see?"

"Slavery. Torture of said slaves." Link actually shivered a bit, the images still very fresh in his mind. "...I can handle it better than most, not that that's a good thing...But Shade has held a deep hatred for anything related to those topics..."

"Why?"

Link shook his head. "Even I don't know..."

Drake began to question again, but simply sighed again and shook his head. Link offered him an apple, which he gladly accepted while taking a seat across from him. Both chewed in silence, watching platoons and civilians pass by on the way to-and-from Ordon.

"Oh, by the way. Commander Darius wants you to join in to the work on the wall." Drake wiped his hands on his trousers, standing up afterwards.

Link frowned. "Uh, can I politely decline? Patching brickwork is not something I enjoy doing."

"What? Oh, good goddesses no." Drake shook his head, smirking. "Darius wants you to patrol the walls and whatnot. Y'know, a soldier's work."

"My ass." Link muttered, then groaned as he stood up, stretching his arms. "Fine, what's first?"

---

Of course, the answer was Patrol duty. For the next few days, he was saddled up with a group of rangers on horseback, traveling around the surrounding mountains and cliff sides, traveling up elevated roads to the top of the cliffs during their route.

It was horribly dull and Link often nearly found himself nodding off on Epona's back, trusting his horse to not let him fall before an ordonian could rouse him. At least the group he was with shared the sentiment, making conversation as they went along. He heard many interesting things about Ordona Kingdom, and much about Cyrus the Walker.

That Yiga, the evil Sheikah that is, now that Link had more info, had said the man was invincible. He had been seen shrugging off arrows, swords, and even cannon fire. Many thought he was unbeatable and doubted their ability to prevent him from taking the border gate. But it had all been linked to his ring that Talon had gifted him, so Link at least had a good strategy in mind.

One of the most interesting things was that Cyrus was supposedly the Ranger Headmaster, the leader of the entire group. Which made his downfall so...jarring. It did explain his supposed skill.

He continued thinking while continuing on with his patrol group. While taking a break along a downward path. Link swore he felt something vibrate underneath his boots. Looking down, he noticed that every few seconds, the gravel would jolt and rumble suddenly, before calming for a space of a few seconds, before rumbling again.

"Hey!" He barked to his group, who quickly turned and rushed over to him.

"Yes, Captain?"

Link pointed down. "Stand here."

Someone did so, their face going from curiosity to confusion, staring at their feet as the earth rumbled.

"Feel that?"

"Yeah...Vibrations." The ranger knelt and ran a hand along the ground, feeling the jolts more closely. "What's causing it?"

"I know a good way to find out."

When they looked up, they jumped as Link's left arm glowed the color of his wraith ally, to which he ushered them away, reeling back and slamming his fist into the exact spot. A cloud of dust and rock spewing out of the sizeable hole he'd made in the dirt.

To their surprise it was hollow and led further down.

Not wasting a moment, Link drew his father's sword and hopped down into the hole, finding himself in a carved out tunnel, and facing down some poor schmucks who had the misfortune to be underneath him when he'd made the entrance, staining the dug-out rock crimson, not to mention the smell...

"They're digging tunnels..." He announced as he climbed out, waving his hand quickly. "Get to Darius and Drake, tell them to sweep the perimeter, there may be more."

Sure enough, with some searching, they found several tunnels being burrowed around and atop the cliffs, and even under the ground.

And so, Link slammed a scribbled chart of said tunnels on the Commander Darius' desk.

The grey-eyed man stared at the paper in confusion, tugging on his head bandanna a bit as he looked up at the admonishing Hero. "What is this, Sir Link?"

"Oh nothing, just some fucking tunnels being dug around the gate. Under us, around us, even some on top of the damn cliffs!" Link pointed in directions for emphasis. "Why the hell did nobody notice these? I could feel the vibrations through my boots!"

Darius frowned, eyes flicking away uneasily. "It...must have escaped our notice, is all. I commend you for detecting them however, the enemy could've overrun us from the rear if you hadn't."

The commander's tone was uncharacteristically shaky for someone who outta be grateful. Link narrowed his eyes and looked to the side, noticing quite the large stack of papers that obviously were reports. He huffed and turned, walking out to find Drake for another assignment.

Which, just so happened to be scout duty atop the border gate itself.

There was a dozen archer towers with space for three archers each. Along the top itself were what appeared to be naval cannons, but refitted for land warfare. There was about three dozen men up there during the day, and about two dozen at night, so conversation was abundant when nothing of notice was going on the opposite side.

During the weeks that passed, Link often just hung around in the archer towers, using his old hawkeye mask to observe the opposing army that hung out on the other side of the border wall. A good few thousand men, just enough to oppose the Ordonians stationed at the border. Marsh's forces remained cozy within their camps, while the S'gaoilead threw whatever they had at the wall. Men, women, and even children; shot down within seconds of charging the main gate. Those who survived the initial barraged were engaged by ground soldiers, who often completely slaughtered their lesser numbers. On few occasions though, they would have the superior numbers and manage to badly wound or even kill one of the Ordonians by swarming them.

As much as he hated to admit it, Link found it to be an interesting strategy. Waste the local militia in doing your dirty work, and when that fails or succeeds, you either finish the job, or take all the credit.

Though it still was fucking stupid.

Link enjoyed using his bow and taking pot shots at the back ranks, often nailing the relaxing and carefree Marshmen with an arrow to the gut, knee, or shoulder. He didn't go for killing shots, but ones that made his presence well and known. The main Marsh force wore heavy suits of silver armor, which clanked very loudly as they marched. The Ordonians promptly coined them as "Clankers", though it was noted to be very annoying since it was so loud.

Atop the east cliff, there was a wooden platform on the edge that served as a scout's post that had a large range of vision than the archer towers. Link one day decided to hop up to it and scout out what he could. The first thing he noticed was some patches of grass growing on the edge, upon closer inspection he noticed it was hawk grass from way back in his time.

Almost ecstatic with nostalgia, he picked a piece of it and played the heavenly tune. A screech of a hawk soon met his ears, one that had been circling around the border-gate flying down and landing on his gauntlet.

So, he spent a few hours sending it to harass the Marsh Forces too.

After having his fun, Link new view allowed him to notice that, to the west between the so-called "Tone Cliffs", the mountains where the Ordonians got the gems for the ear-rings that everyone seemed to wear, and across the plains where the majority of the Marshmen and S'gaoilead forces dwelt, there was always a constant stream of skirmishes from a large pass there. Smoke rose and screams resounded constantly from there, corpses blurred by distance always lying in the charred and bloody grass.

The sounds of battle and bloodshed piqued his interest, so upon further inspection and some questions to Drake, Link found that it was the Bulbins who were the cause of it. The, now massive, tribe of former monsters of darkness were making sure to keep the enemy busy while Ordon mustered it's forces to break Marsh's ranks.

Link smirked as he felt that respect they'd earned from him so long ago rise up.

One night, while no-so-discreetly having a smoke break with a Battlemage named Jake-

Long story

-Link and his new friend noticed a black figure scrambling up from over the wall, sticking rather audaciously to the shadows to avoid detected from the other guards.

Eyebrow raised in confusion, Link called out to the figure, who yelped in surprise and made to leap over to the Ordonian side. Link acted quickly and, with some light provided by a fire spell courtesy of Jake, drew his bow and managed to get a shot off just as the figure jumped. The arrow flew true and struck them in the throat, their body going limp as they fell off the ledge, landing with a loud smack against the hard ground below.

Link whistled for his fellows on patrol, rushing down to ground level to find the corpse, which was already surrounded by Ordonians who were inspecting it.

The man was of Marsh descent, short pointed ears hidden behind a helmet of Ordonian making. As a matter of fact, his whole armor was that of an standard Ordonian soldier, red tunic and all. In his pouch was an assortment of materials; Powders in bags and liquids in bottles.

"Explosives." Link showed the pouch and it's contents to Drake and Darius. "I'd have to wager that he was gonna hide among our ranks, then blow up either the gate or the wall itself. Probably at a weak point."

"How'd you guess that?" Darius inquired sarcastically, having been dragged out of bed for the information.

"It's what I would've done." The half-wraith replied, meeting the commander's antagonizing gaze calmly.

"Good job, Master Link." Drake nodded quietly, waving his hand. "Hunter!"

The Scout turned Squire entered the room, seeming to have risen from bed very recently, hair in disarray and with bags under his eyes.

"Yessir?" He bowed, groggy.

"Take these to the Gunnery, have the Surveyors sort them into our stock."

Hunter nodded and swiftly took the pack to carry out the order. Drake then turned to Link again.

"Thank you, Link. We are lucky you're so quick on the draw."

The Hero frowned, feeling as if too much praise was being reaped upon him. He put his hand on his hip. "You outta keep an eye on our ranks, it was just one man tonight..." His eyes narrowed. "What's to say that any have gotten over beforehand?"

"Are you doubting our scouts, Captain?" Darius challenged, sounding offended.

"Maybe I am." Link said lowly, dropping his arms to his side and meeting Darius' glare with one of his own.

The commander seemed ready to flip his shit, but luckily not before Drake could defuse the situation quickly by sending Link off to the barracks.

---

While a captain, he wasn't afforded his own quarters since there was already four others, Drake included, stationed at the border as well. As he walked towards the barracks for rest, with nary a soul in the hallway with him, he began to mutter.

"That Darius guy doesn't have to be such a prick all the time."

Shade appeared, walking beside him. "You haven't been exactly playing to his song, have you?"

"Well, his instrument needs to be tuned then." Link frowned, interested that the specter seemed ready to speak again. "I just uncovered two plots against the border gate, yet he acts like anyone could've done it."

"Anyone could have done it." Shade pointed out.

"My point exactly." The hero noticed his ancestor's puzzled expression. "Think about it, why has nobody noticed the tremors under our feet? Or a man rather conspicuously climbing over the wall? Anyone could have noticed, yet nobody has?"

"I see..." The wraith seemed to think. "So you suspect, what, simple incompetence?"

"No, the Ordonians are far too skilled for that. As a matter of fact, I think they have noticed." He frowned, looking back. "...But what reports they've sent in, things they've seen or noticed, it's being ignored."

"Ah...And who else to ignore such reports than?"

Link's eyes narrowed, remembering the large stack of papers on a certain someone's desk.

"Darius."

---

After a few more days of patrol atop the wall, Link went to Drake for another assignment.

"To mix it up", he said.

So, he got stuck with Guard duty again, though this time he was to guard the main gate itself. He was to watch for travelers and merchants coming to pass through the border gate, and to apprehend any suspicious characters if they threatened the safety of the army and/or the gate.

"I feel strangely under-tasked..." The Half-wraith muttered, leaning casually on the stone wall next to the gate. "...And that Darius is starting to get annoyed with my snooping."

"If I had to deal with your wise ass, I'd be a tad disgruntled a well." Shade said sardonically. "Never mind the fact that you disrespect his command, you still act as if he'll relinquish control of an army to you."

"Well, it'd be a bit appreciated to be granted such an honor." Link huffed, crossing his arms. "We've been here only a few days and I've already foiled two of Marsh's plans-"

"First off, we've been here two months."

Link nearly face-faulted. "WHAT!?"

"Um...Yeah, how have you not noticed?"

"I've been busy doing shit! Why didn't you tell me that much time had passed!?"

"Because I am not your personal alarm clock." Shade had unbound and materialized in front of him, both heroes in each other's faces as they bickered. "You should know better and be mindful of your surroundings!"

"What kind of mentor are you then? Not supporting his pupil and keeping him focused!?"

"Please, you are hardly my pupil anymore." The spirit scoffed. "I see you as my equal, in all fields."

"You're certainly on my level when it comes to being a jackass!"

A laugh from the side made them both stop and turn their heads, surprised to see a whole contingent of people, with a soldier at the front, watching them in amusement. They all wore red tunics with long sleeves and black trousers, or as Link had attested, copies of what he wore under the Magic Armor. Some had helmets, other's hoods, and or nothing on their head.

"Oh don't mind us, please continue." Said the leader, smirking. "It really tells what we're going to experience here. It's not everyday that you see an ancient hero and a wraith bicker like an old married couple."

"I take offense to that." Shade said.

"Oh, just fade away." Link rolled his eyes, putting a hand on his belt as the wraith did just that. "Welcome to 'The Wall', our little fortress in the middle of nowhere. It's tall, wide, and boring as shit. You coming from Ordon?"

"Yup! Quartermaster Thomison, at your service." He saluted. "You must be Captain Link, the Demon-Wraith as they say."

"If the walking, talking lightshow a second ago was any indication, then yes, I am." He nodded curtly. "Just refrain from calling us that."

"Of course; And these fine men and women-" Thomison waved to the organized rows behind him. "Are the recruits."

"Recruits?" Link repeated, puzzled, then nodded. "Ah, for mentorship, I assume?"

"Yessir! With the war going on, not many Knights are available back in Ordon for proper teaching, most being stationed here or elsewhere for battle." He folded his hands. "So, we bring the recruits here for them to get picked to become squires to their knight."

"I see." Link nodded slowly, reminiscing. "Hyrule didn't have any Knights back in my era, I was the first in centuries. I wish all of you luck in the selection to squirehood, if you have any questions, please feel free to ask-"

"So you really are ten-thousand years old!?" Someone quickly asked from the back of the ranks.

"Fifteen-thousand!" Link corrected, snapping his fingers and pointing to the recruit, then jabbing his thumb backwards. "Now head on inside, my friends."

With another salute, courtesy of Thomison, the small platoon shuffled past and into the gate, heading off towards the barracks to get acquainted with their new home.

Except for one.

Of course, Link didn't notice for a bit, until Shade loudly cleared his throat.

"Okay, how are you even able to do that-" He began as he turned and jumped in surprise. "Gah! Sweet Farore, where did you come from!?"

The recruit, a young girl of about thirteen with honey colored hair and eyes, the former of which tied into a short ponytail on the side by a blue bow, but even that didn't stop it from flowing down to her shoulders. Her red tunic had a thigh-length skirt with chainmail underneath, along with a sword and shield strapped to her back.

"Wow, the windows match the drapes." Link thought upon noticing her appearance.

She blinked in response to his earlier question. "Just...been...standing here, sir."

"Be a bit more modest, little-bit." He smirked, waving a hand. "That formal shit drives me crazy. Did you have a question? You'd better hurry though, not many recruits become squires on the first outing."

"Erm...Yeah, well..." She scratched the back of her head, seeming to bite her tongue out of nervousness. "I...uh, was wondering...Since you are technically a Knight...if you were...taking on Squires, sir?"

"Oh?" Link narrowed his eyes, scratching his head. "Well...That depends really on the recruit...I mean, I'm not disinclined to the idea, but to randomly take one on would be...I don't know...Odd, if you will?"

"O-Oh?" She kicked her feet a bit, staring downwards.

"Why do you ask?"

"Well, I...was wondering, if you would...Um..." She steeled herself, taking a few deep breaths. "Ifyouwouldtakemeasyoursquireprettyplease?"

She forced the words out quickly that Link hardly caught them, both confusing and impressing the hero and the wraith within. Link soon found himself smiling at her, shaking his head slightly.

"...Dear Nayru, she is adorable." Shade chuckled in amusement at her motor mouth.

"No kidding..." Link thought, rolling his eyes at his ancestor. "Well...Like I said, I'm not unwilling...but I'm not sure if I can take on such a responsibility. I don't think we have the time-"

"Time? I just said we've already been here for two months."

"I know that! But..." The Hero paused in realization. "Wait, how long do we have here anyway?"

"How would I know that? Would you like me to ask Isu?" The specter snarked. "Although, we both know what he'll say."

"Yeah yeah, whatever." He sighed, shaking his head lightly. "I just don't think-"

"C'mon, Link..." Shade reappeared this time to speak properly, surprising them both. "Surely you can handle just one squire? Or has your skill diminished with leadership? Oh, who am I kidding, I might just have to train her while you...do whatever it is you do..."

"Fuck you! I've trained two squires and you know it!" Link snapped at the specter, jabbing a finger into his ethereal chest. "Hell, Wild was one of them and he Founded this damned kingdom! I can train a squire better than anyone, especially you!"

The wraith seemed satisfied with that little outburst, turning to the recruit with a smug grin on his skeletal face.

"Pay attention. That's how you get a yes out of him."

The girl giggled at that entire, if abrupt exchange. "So, does this mean I have two Masters?"

"In a way." Shade nodded slightly, turning to Link, who's face had gone pale in realization. His palm quickly met his face in an expression of sheer exasperation of his ancestor's trick.

"Shade...I fucking hate you."

"Hehe, you are so easy to toy with."

"Why do I do the things I do?" Link's voice was muffled through his hand.

"I haven't a clue, you are the one who fought a giant plant, y'know." Shade crossed his arms.

"And you're the one who fought a damned painting..."

"I..." Shade began to say something, only to fall short and nod his head instead. "Touche."

The divine wraith vanished again, leaving Link to stare down at his new squire. He suddenly noticed her stature, being only up to his chest in height.

"So, be honest with me. Did Drake set you up? Or was it Darius?"

The girl began to deny the claim, but paused and eventually nodded to the side. "Drake, he's my cousin."

"Really? Pfft, sneaky bastard..." Link muttered, looking to the side before sighing. "Probably sent you to help me adjust better or something...Well...I guess I haven't anything better to occupy my time with. What's your name, little-bit?"

"Everyone calls me A or Aya." She replied, eyes steady as the nervousness from earlier seemed to vanish. She instead swung her arms idly. "It's not because of my name or anything, it's just what I prefer."

"Alright, A..." Link paused, then shook his head. "Yeah, I'm just gonna keep calling you little-bit."

She frowned, stomping her foot. "Just because I'm a bit short doesn't mean I'm incapable!"

"Notice that I didn't say that. I just like it, it fits." Link smirked. "Even then, I'm your Knight so I get to call you whatever I want to."

Aya huffed and crossed her arms, looking in the opposite direction. Link chuckled again. She reminded him of Ilia.

"Either way, My shift here is over, let's see what kind of skill you have with that blade." He glanced at the sword on her back, noticing it's rather familiar hilt. "...C'mon, let's see where I need to coach you at."

---

The training grounds was a small squared section on the Ordon side of the border-gate. It was a simple space for sparring and practice during downtime, which was almost never given due to the rather tense situation. This allowed Link and his new squire some privacy for a quick sparring session to see where the latter stood in terms of combat.

"So who was the Twilight Princess?" Aya walked briskly behind Link, looking up slightly to his face.

"A good friend." Link answered cryptically then, after a second, elaborated. "Her name was Midna, she accompanied me on my journey, along with Shade that is. And while that sounds neat, having those two nagging me wasn't any fun."

"So those old books were right?"

Link looked at her, confused. "Books?"

"Of course, there are many historical records of you. After you showed up in town a few months ago, there was quite a number of people who wanted to meet you." She smiled a bit. "You really missed a party, if you don't mind me saying."

"Not at all, I'm far more casual then other Knights, who've got sticks up their asses." Link opened the small gated area, letting her then himself enter before closing it behind him. "Besides, I dislike being hounded about being a hero."

"Really?"

Link shrugged. "Meh, I have a tight lid on it and typically try not to let it get to me if someone acts all formal in my presence simply because I save people for a living." He seemed to think, then shook his head. "It's just annoying."

"...I see." Aya looked off to the side, then back again with her head slightly tilted. "Is it true that you loved her? Midna?"

Link snorted instantly as soon as she'd spoken the words, trying in vain not to absolutely die with laughter. The mere concept of what her words implied was enough to send him into fits of giggles. Even Shade, who had decided to remain quiet and simply observe through Link, struggled not to crack up.

"Ha...ha...woo..." He wheezed, holding his chest. "Oh my Hylia, that was the funniest thing I have ever heard in my life!"

"...uh?" Aya frowned, without a doubt confused beyond belief.

"Well, from a certain point of view. Yeah, I did love her..." He turned halfway to look at her, raising his finger. "As a sister. As in, she annoyed the living hell out of me frequently, but that's besides the point."

"So...No romance?"

"No. Romance." Link replied with blunt emphasis, a wry grin on his face as he drew the Master Sword and Hylian Shield. "Alright, let's see what you've got."

Aya stood still, blinking. "Now?"

Link rolled his eyes. "Yeah, now! Whoa-!?"

He'd raised his blade up quickly, sparks almost blinding him as a broadsword slammed down onto the Master Sword's side, a horrendous scraping sound meeting his ears as they clashed. Aya had drawn both her blade and shield in an instant, and brought the former down onto him like a boulder too. His reflexes saved him from a nasty wound down his chest though, so that was a plus.

"That good for ya, Master Link?" She grinned a little.

"Tsk, Tsk. Don't get cocky on me." Link easily forced the blade back, overpowering and knocking Aya off balance as he swiftly swept her legs out from under her.

"Oof!" She landed in the dirt, shaking her head and looking up. "What the...?"

"Just because you have a quick draw, does not mean you're gonna win a fight." Link smirked down at her, unconsciously twirling the Master Sword in his hand. He beckoned with his shield arm. "C'mon, get up."

Aya scrambled to her feet, holding her sword with both hands, even when she had her other arm looped through her shield's straps. Though, Link did note that she was left-handed, which made this interesting. She seemed to notice, quickly switching her hands as she steadied herself.

"Don't worry, I used to be left-handed too." He said. "I learned to be ambidextrous though, seems like you have too."

"Yeah...I used to get teased about it-ack!"

CLANG!

Link brought down the sword in an easily-read stroke, allowing her to parry without trouble, but still catch her off guard in a small act of payback.

"No judging here, little-bit." He disengaged and stepped back, spreading out into his sword/shield stance, beginning to bounce on his heels and twirling his sword often. "Now, once more. Bring it on."

Aya nodded, baffled, but unfettered as she brushed some loose strands of her hair to the side of her face. She stabbed forward, quick but light enough not to injure. Link dodged gracefully, practically dancing away from it, making her go in for a faster strike. This missed too, as did the rest of her strikes, the hero constantly bouncing on his feet as he sidestepped her swipes with ease.

As she missed again, she noticed that he had a look plastered across his face, a look of pure confidence in himself. The faint red glow in his left eye surprisingly dim, indicating that he didn't need a specter or wraith for this display. He ducked forwards to dodge once more; this made her smile as she swung at his exposed back, letting out a shocked gasp when he leaned down forwards sharply, her blade narrowly missing the green cloth of his tunic as his head snapped towards her over his shoulder, a deathly serious look in his eye, which flashed red once.

With a restrained grunt, he pivoted toward her and, with inhuman speed, swung upwards towards her. The sharp edge of his blade stopping just short of the side of her face, the whistle and pressure of air leftover from the swing gliding past her face, leaving her frozen like a stone statue. Her breaths came sharply, still in shock at what just occurred. The serious look in Link's young face softening quickly as he eased back.

"Attacking the back is a good strategy mind you, but keep note that not all are open to that kind of cheap shot." He explained as he withdrew his sword. "You're definitely fast on the draw though, so I want you to channel that into keeping on your toes, rather than trying the best of both worlds."

"I-I'm sorry?" She asked, shaking herself out of her daze.

"Right, my mistake." He laughed, scratching his head. "I haven't taught anyone in about fifteen millennia, so forgive my rustiness. Alright, picture this...Swordplay is often divided into three categories: Agile, Strong, and Skill, if you will. All three are self-explanatory really, and the weaknesses should be very simple too. Think of it as rock-paper-scissors, yeah? Agile beats Strong, Strong Beats Skill, and Skill beats Agile. As for the categories themselves, Agile fighters typically focus on being light on their feet, dodging strikes and attacks, using their agility and acrobatics to tire their opponent, before going in for the kill."

"Right, and Strong is...the opposite, right?"

Link nodded, guard dropped as he seemed to think. "Strong fighters are pure tanks when it comes to combat, using their strength and endurance to deliver slow, but fatal strikes and endure any kind of damage you could inflict on them. But they are weak to agile fighters. And then you have-"

CLANG!

Link raised the Master Sword, effortlessly blocking Aya's attempt at a surprise attack. His head slowly turning to her, one eye closed with a little smile on his face.

"Skill." He said with amusement as they disengaged. "It's something you seem to be attempting. Reliance on technique and finesse, if you will." He shrugged. "Though, it's a pain in the ass to have that work out when a Strong fighter can destroy you with a single blow."

"I see...So what type do you practice?"

"All three..." He frowned and shook his head. "Though, that's because Shade and I had mastered them first. He always leaned towards Skills and Techniques, while I started off with strong swings and heavy attacks. But thanks to our Heroic spirit, Shade's magic, and our natural reflex, our styles gradually morphed together over time thanks to our shared experiences, becoming a lightning fast, vastly skilled, and incredibly tough style."

"Shade? You mean the wraith?"

"Yeah, though don't mind him that much." He glanced off to the side. "He'll tell you some stories, but not much else."

With some more conversation passing, they eventually continued to spar together. The hour grew late and Link had made a neat little profile of Aya's skill level. While talented, for a recruit, she desperately needed the practice for the long run. She relied far too much on her quick draw, putting too much strength into a single swing, causing her to tire at the get-go. He made note to teach her not to simply dodge around your opponent, thus breaking your line of sight in the process. She needed to keep them in view at all times, shuffling around instead of running to keep on the move and be less predictable.

He also asked where she'd learned how to draw her sword that quickly, it was uncannily similar to the Mortal Draw now that he thought of it, just less refined and precise. It really threw him, and Shade, for a loop when she said that Drake, of all people, taught it to her.

"Really? Could've sworn you might've been taught by your father or something..." He said wryly, walking with her through the fortress.

"No sir, my parents died when I really young. Cousin Drake took me in though, since our extended family's really big." She smiled lightly. "It was nice, but I do miss my parents now and then." She looked to notice him looking off through a window, almost wistfully."Oh, were...you an orphan too? I'm sorry if..."

"Nah, Little-bit." Link shook his head sadly. "My father died when I was nine. But my mother lived for quite a while...But I had my friends then, so it wasn't all that bad...It was home, y'know?"

"I see..."

He smiled at her. "As long as you're happy, it's going to be alright, yeah?"

Aya returned the smile, raising her fist. "Yes, sir!"

They made their way back to the barracks, though it was mostly due to exhaustion after a rather long first day. Truthfully, it had just occurred to Link that it was Aya's first day. That was gonna be one hell of a story to tell future recruits when she went on to become a knight and take on her own squire...Wow, it really just occurred to him that he had a squire now.

She was a bit meek and quick to the draw, no pun intended.

But, to be honest, he couldn't complain...

---

Gods, he used to fucking love mornings. He'd immediately grab Ilia, and later on the Twins and Wild, and hop on Epona and ride full bore to Hyrule Field. The awesome feeling of the wind and the morning sun was fantastic for a country boy like him. Hell, even Shade admitted to enjoying a good morning ride.

Now, he simply occupied his time doing menial tasks around the border fort. Up to, and including, pissing off Darius, walking some lone patrols, screwing with Marsh's forces with the Hawkeye, pissing off Darius, cleaning his sword, sparring in the courtyard, pissing off Darius, training with Shade, helping in the infirmary, and pissing off Darius.

Today, it was the one before the last one.

Now, he never, ever considered himself a doctor. He could quickly fix up a wound, minor or major, to keep you going. But if it was gonna be a permanent fix, he might as well find a fairy or an actual medic. Shade was the one with medical knowledge, among his infinite and expanding library. Either way, he still felt like lending a hand with moving patients and tending to manageable injuries with Shade's guidance.

What could he say? Once a hero, always a hero.

Even if it meant Ilia was rolling in her grave.

A quiet sigh escaped him as he walked over to a young man lying in a cot, he was a Hylian judging from his long, sharper ears, Link tended to him; a nasty burn on his side from a fireball and a deep cut on his shoulder from an arrow.

The ears was the key difference between Hylians and Marshmen. While both had pointed ears, they were both noticeably different. The former had the sharper, long ears of their goddess, while the latter had shorter, elf-like ears instead.

Most Hylians who were in Ordona had become stranded due to the Gale winds at Narchost, so while many simply settled in to wait it out, most had enlisted as auxiliaries in Ordona's army to speed up the process. Knowledge that the war was the reason for the Gales was common knowledge it seemed. There was the occasional Marsh defector who'd enlisted to fight against their fellows, albeit under a watchful eye in caution of spies.

"Don't apply that much paste to the burn, and don't press the bandage on his shoulder too hard." Shade chided, kneeling next to Link as he worked, occasionally helping since he was tangible enough to hold things and help lift something. "Let the wound breath, don't suffocate it."

"I know, godsdammit." Link muttered quietly, trying not to disturb other patients. "I've been doing this for eighty years for Din's sake."

"Sixty, mind you." Shade shook his head as he stood up. "What kind of fool can't remember his own age?"

"Someone who doesn't fear the end of his days." Link retorted, standing up and wiping his hands with a cloth.

"What's up, Mr. Wraith?" Drake walked over from the other side of the room, an weary look on his face as he shook off his sleepiness. "Huh...I didn't know you guys could patch people up..."

"Well, I can't...But he can." Link nodded to Shade, then leveled a glare up at him. "Also, please stop calling me that. Besides...I'm more interested in why I've got a squire of my own now."

Drake smirked a tiny bit, stroking his beard, which had grown out in the past months. "Well...Aya could use the experience, and you need to adjust a bit more to this time..."

"Knew it." Link said instantly.

"Heh...She's a good kid."

"Hmm...And a little quick on the draw too." Link narrowed his eyes, arms folded. "Anyway...what can you tell me about Cyrus and his Men?"

Drake blinked in surprise and shrugged. "Not much more than what you've probably heard already. Marshmen can see in the dark, but he's an Ordonian so he'll trust his subordinates. He was the former Grandmaster of the Rangers, but that even that seemed to be irrelevant due to his fall to that ring of his..."

Link nodded, seeming to think.

"...Have you seen any of these rings Talon has made?" Shade inquired.

The one-eyed Ordonian nodded to the Wraith. "The one Winter received. It was golden with a bronze jewel. But from what we know, the appearance changes based on...something within the holder."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, Cyrus has a green jewel on his ring. Much like the Rangers."

"And the others? While you're at it...who are the others anyway? Who is Talon?"

"Sheesh...Let me think for a second..." Drake scratched his head. "Er...Well, you've got Cyrus...Then you got Daythef, who's like the Outlaw Queen. She was the third Mentor of the Half-Blades, the fourth one passed away recently...Then there's Talon. He's a mystery alright, with the only information we're certain of is that he's far more than what he appears to be."

"That's helpful..." Link sighed. "I remember the name Daythef...From the Yiga..."

"No, she was a Half-Blade. Not a-"

"I know. I meant in the Yiga's memories...she was there with Cyrus." Link paused, then shook his head. "There was the two of them, then Talon I assume, then a woman who I think was the Yiga Grand-Mistress."

"The Grand-Mistress!?" Drake gaped. "Is she here in Ordon!?"

Link shrugged, frowning. "I'm not sure...From what I saw, they've set up shop in a cave."

"Caves? Y'mean a tunnel system?" Drake asked quickly.

"I don't know, yes? I kinda remember seeing tracks and lanterns...But don't hold me to that."

"I see..." He hummed, looking downward with his eye closed in thought. "There are tunnel systems and canyons, old mines even that bypass the Hyrule Border, allowing people to pass over underneath the Gale winds. Though...we thought they might have collapsed."

"Would certainly explain how they got over." Link remarked, then sighing. "I suppose we'll cross that bridge when we get to it. After Little-Bit's training today, I'm heading out to take down Cyrus."

"You're gonna what!?"

"Master Link?" Came a voice from across the room, as quiet as a mouse, yet oddly recognizable.

"Oh, little-bit!" Link greeted, turning to see the young squire peeking in from the hall. She seemed quite confused as to why her teacher was spending his time in the infirmary. "C'mon in, we need an extra pair of hands. Set your weapons down at the door please, you'll need the dexterity."

Aya nodded, entering the room fully before closing the door behind her. She slipped off her sword and shield, setting them down beside Link's Hylian Shield and the Master Sword, which were propped against the wall beside the door. She then pulled the band out of her mini-ponytail, using it to fully tie her hair back so it wouldn't get in the way.

"Morning Cousin Drake." She said to the Ordonian Quartermaster, who was as stiff as a board.

He shook his head quickly. "Good Morning, Aya...I was just leaving. I'll see you three later."

Drake made himself scarce quickly, obviously bewildered beyond belief. Link didn't blame him, but he couldn't help but grin at Aya's confused expression.

"Alright, grab that water jug and the bowls." Link pointed to the items on a nearby table, then pointing upward and circling his finger. "Hurry up, many of these guys need water constantly."

They went around quietly and efficiently, patching up fresh injuries and giving out water. The medical staff and mages were mostly silent, but always gave thanks when they helped. The presence of Shade was jarring at first, and came to shock many a patient who awoke to his ghostly visage standing over them. One poor schmuck though he was death itself coming for him.

But they eventually eased to his presence, even welcoming it thanks to his intense knowledge.

"How do you know this much?" Aya had asked at one point.

"Experience..." He answered cryptically, looking away.

"Annnd that's as much as you're gonna get outta him." Link said, tending to an Ordonian with a missing arm. "Sheesh, man. Gimme five, yeah?"

Aya watched in surprise as her teacher joked so lightly, bringing chuckles to the one-armed soldier. This actually distracted him from the pain of Link applying the herbal paste to the wound. She turned again to Shade, who was shaking his head lightly at Link's joke.

"Master Wraith..." She began.

"Master Wraith? That's a first, but call me what you please, I suppose."

"Er...Why does Master Link act so...childish?"

Shade looked upwards slightly. "...A rather open-ended question, don't you think?"

"I mean...You both are fifteen millennia old...yet he acts like a kid. I don't mean any offense...But even you act quite foolhardy sometimes."

"Oh..." Shade waved a hand. "Link has always been that way. He can be quite aloof at times, but the man simply has no concept that growing old means you become wiser. He doesn't even remember the age he was when he died."

Aya perked up. "D-Died?"

"Yes, while we are indeed several millennia old, that much is true, he was only alive for sixty years of it." He shrugged. "I, on the other hand, am over two-hundred and eighty years old."

Aya blinked in surprise. "So...you were resurrected?"

"It seems that way..." Link butted in, patting the wounded Ordonian he was tending to on the shoulder before standing up to join them. "I didn't get enough time to ask before we were ushered over here to help you guys out."

"You were ushered? By who?"

"I..." Link froze, looking to Shade, who shook his head wearily. The Hero instead sighed. "I'd...rather not say."

THOOM!

Everyone in the infirmary lurched as the entire fortress seemed to shake. Herbs shivered in their pots, patients lurched on their cots, and tools fell from the tables as the walls shuddered from an impact, definitely on the Marsh-occupied side.

"Shade!" Link snapped quickly, the Wraith nodding as he rushed to his descendant, binding to him as he collected his weapons.

"What's happening?" Aya asked in a fright, gasping as another jolt shook the floor.

"I knew they were building fucking catapults!" Link cursed rapidly, grabbing Aya's gear and tossing it to her. "C'mon, little-bit! Time to be goddessdamn heroes!"

They rushed to the top of the fortress wall, joining up with an entire legion of archers who were raining hell fire on the Marsh forces. Link leaned on the stone railing, looking over the expansive field that their enemies occupied. It seemed the main Marsh forces had gotten restless, bringing up catapults to bear down on the border wall out of range of the archers. Not only that, but an unknown force of assailants had emerged from the east, launching a surprise attack on Marsh that threw them off long enough for them to make their way along the mountain walls to the Border-Fortress.

They looked oddly familiar...

"Darknuts!" An Archer called, lining up his shot. "Clear the way!"

The once-evil force of warriors seemed to not have changed much in the past millennia, still fighting with great skill and valor as their meager force sliced through to Link's position. The Hero himself nodded slightly at their combat prowess, smirking as he drew his own bow and took aim. Aya was given a bow by an archer, but was obvious uncomfortable with it.

"I'm sorry, Master. I was never a good shot with a bow..!"

"Aim, Breath, Release!" Link instructed quickly, scoring a headshot right off the bat. "All there is to it!"

As the Darknuts drew closer, beginning to gather at the base of the fortress with the Ordonian fortress, a certain change occurred within the enemy lines. Archers lined up, standing beside Catapults that were ready to fire. Link's eyes opened slightly in surprise, watching as a hail of arrows flew towards them, accompanied by flaming boulders that smashed into the wall and Ordonian ranks below, those who survived the impacts being pin-cushioned by the arrow storm.

As Link stared down in shock, there was a split moment that Shade took over his body, left hand rising up to catch an arrow mere inches from his face. This quick reflex snapped him out of it, flipping the arrow around as he nocked it, returning it to sender. The Cannons around him thundered as they were shot off, completely demolishing the Marsh Ranks around the Catapults, the siege weapons themselves being reduced to splinters.

"We got them!" Aya exclaimed, leaning forward on the stone rail.

Link leaned forward, a brief silence atop the wall as everyone observed the Marshmen blowing a loud whistle, their back ranks parting to reveal about a dozen more Catapults.

"Oh no, they have way more." Link deadpanned.

"Clankers!"

Someone had yelled from below, from the Ordonian ranks at the bottom of the wall, guarding the main gate. Sure enough, the shiny silver armored army of Marsh were beginning to make a charge, reinforcing the remaining S'gaoilead soldiers as they marched through mage-fire, arrow storms, and artillery to reach the gate below. Link lowered his bow and tapped his knuckle on the stone rail, turning to look at the Gunners manning the cannons atop the wall. Darius and Drake had shown up it seemed, the former arguing with the head gunner. All the while, the enemy forces got closer.

"Darius! Make a fucking decision already!" Link yelled over to him.

"Stay out of this!" The Commander hissed. "These are my men, Hero! Not yours!"

"Commander, the Captain has a point-" Said the head-gunner.

"Don't you dare backtalk me!" Darius stomped his right foot. "Hold. Your. Fire!"

Link's face deepened into a scowl, visibly disgusted with the sheer crassness of the Commander. He turned to Aya, who seemed very confused at the situation. "Prick." He explained with a casual mutter, nodding back to Darius. "C'mon, we're heading down there."

"You can't seriously be going?" Drake admonished, staring almost bug-eyed. "Cyrus was the Head-Ranger! He's-"

BOOM!

A flaming boulder smashed into their general area. Debris and fragments of burning stone flew, the force sweeping many off their feet. A few soldiers were crushed underneath it, dying instantly while Link, Darius, Aya, and Drake were tossed about. Link managed to catch himself before he was thrown over the wall, reaching out to catch Aya who flew in the same direction. The young girl gasped as gravity pulled her down, nearly making them lose their grip.

Ever determined, Link huffed and pulled with all his might, lifting her back up safely before lifting himself up. Another Ordonian saw them and rushed to their aid, pulling Aya up first before reaching down to help him too.

The return-fire was rushed it seemed, as the Ordonians went about trying to help the wounded. Drake was burnt and shaken, right arm dripping crimson and hanging limp. Darius was far worse however, left arm completely crushed, his clothing and skin burned, his own blood staining the stones beneath them. He screamed and cursed in agony as some Medics called for a stretcher.

"You have a cruel sense of Karma, Hylia." Link said quietly, shaking his head at the scene before him.

Drake blinked and looked around in astonishment, along with Aya falling to her knees at the carnage around them. Link then turned to the Commander, sapphire eyes icy cold daggers boring into the wounded man's soul. "Be grateful the gods have spared you. You, who ignored reports of sabotage. You, who refuses to continue using artillery despite it possibly saving countless men." He pointed to the battlefield below, where the corpses of both Ordona and Marsh's armies lay, bloody, broken, and arrow-ridden. Then, he motioned to the dead men around them proper. "Face it, Commander! You've choked...and Men died because of that."

Darius flinched in surprise, mouth hanging open in surprise at being so blatantly called out.

"You honestly think I never noticed...under that bandanna you wear?" Link leveled his gaze down. "The pointed, yet short ears of a Marshman?"

The Commander froze once more, completely stiff at that. It was a pitiful sight, watching the pride of a man's country become his own bane. Darius was far from dangerous, but simply an obstacle. He would never attack his own country, so all he could do was stall...Ignore opportunities that could turn the tide of battle to Ordona's favor. That proved to be his downfall, since his own country could care less for his safety.

"I never meant..." The Commander slumped, passed out from his wounds.

Link couldn't give any pity as he watched him be carried away.

"Commander!"

The voice rang out so loud, it even dwarfed the sounds of battle so jarringly that everyone simply ceased what they were doing. The Catapults had ceased fire, as had archers on both sides. All eyes looked to the Marsh charge, which had stopped just a few dozen feet from the Defenses. The Ordonians looked to one another in confusion, watching with a brevity of silence as the main lines began to separate, a man emerging from within the ranks and stepping in front of the Marshmen.

He held a very smug look on his face, a perpetual and easy grin hanging loosely on his jaw. His eyes glowed amber as he held his hands behind his back in a formal manner, but with a slouched posture. His hair was shoulder-length, gray but young, a cracked yellow-orb earring hiding within the messy strands.

"Cyrus the Walker..." Drake muttered, tightening his grip on his unsheathed sword. "What in three aspects does he want?"

Cyrus held quite the aloof look on his face as his glowing eyes darted around, sizing up many a soldier as he passed a silent judgement. It was brief, and ended with a shake of his head. "I see many fresh faces, recruits I presume?"

"Go to hell, Cyrus!" Drake shouted down at him, eyes steady.

"It's almost Sad, that you would bring these poor, young men and women into the fray..." The so-called Walker chuckled, beginning to pace oh-so-eerily as he continued to shake his head. "Promising them such glory in squire-ship, only to throw their lives away...without a second glance." He smiled. "Just...sad."

"Cyrus! We don't want any!"

Link had stepped forward to the stone rail, yelling down to him at the top of his lungs. The Ordonian-defector seemed confused for once, pausing in his stride as he stared up at the green-clad man, eyes narrowed.

"Er...Any...of what exactly?"

"Whatever bullshit you're peddling!" Link snapped. "Either you've come here to make an ultimatum, or you're gonna surrender, so either cut the BS and get on with it, or fuck off and leave us be!"

Cyrus seemed surprised at being so casually called out. "Huh...You're the first to have the courage to out me like that. Most don't speak to me in such a way without a little fear..." He inclined his head. "Why, even Darius is shaking the last time I showed up...though that should be expected."

Link glanced slightly to the side, seeing Darius being quickly carried away from the ensuing battle.

"It makes sense...I'm the Hero Chosen by the Gods."

There was a pause where everyone quickly looked to him, their half-attention cranked up to max once they realized that it was the Hero of Twilight smack talking the enemy. If Aya was to be believed, these men were starting to hold him with reverence. Like he was some sort of divine being come to rain down retribution on their enemies.

"Oh...?" Cyrus' smile seemed to deepen into uncanny territory. "You must be...the Half-Wraith."

Link narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms. Aya noticeably flinched beside him, as did many soldiers. "What of it?"

"You are just the man I was looking for! Your reputation...precedes you immensely." He chuckled. "It's big news when a Hero of an ancient era appears one day...Y'know, Yiga are such a pain to control...But they have their uses. It's a shame the ones I sent after you failed...It means We'll have to get our hands dirty."

He waved his right hand up for emphasis, allowing Link to view this so called Ring that empowered him. Golden with a bronze jewel...No, it was indeed an emerald, just like Drake mentioned. The green glow was obvious even from his vantage point, he wondered if it meant anything special.

"Now...I have a...proposition for you." Cyrus smiled, folding his hands in a mocking way. "Y'see, we are all a bit pissed about getting jumped by the Darknuts...So, we're gonna give you a choice. Either send yourself out here to face me...or, my fellows and I slaughter them and all your fellows down here. How's that, eh?"

"Fucking boring." Link said half-seriously. "Can't you be more ambitious as a villain? What happened to kidnapping princesses or turning light to darkness or some other poetic shit...wait, scratch that, please don't do that."

Cyrus shrugged, confused. "Disregarding whatever it is you're droning on about, I leave the choice to you."

With that, he began to pace again, waiting for an answer. Both armies shuffled quietly, taken aback by the banter, readily preparing for whatever happened next it seemed. A brief panic seemed to set in, the Ordonians looking about in confusion, muttering to themselves. Link turned to Aya and Drake, the young squire seemed horribly confused, looking around at the blood and dead men, then to him in a pleading way.

Drake was just glaring down the wall at Cyrus, shaking his head in anger before he turned to Link. He nodded to the side, to the expectant, confused army waiting for any command, be it from Link or him.

This was it.

Turning to look at all the Archers, all the Rangers, Battlemages, Brokenblades...The soldiers of Ordona. He looked to them and they returned it with rapt attention and eagerness for his answer. It was readily apparent across their faces, smirks and frowns abundant expressions ready to give. Stepping around Darius, Link stood atop a big piece of stone that had become dislodged during the initial exchange of artillery.

"...Many of you probably know who I am. But, most of you haven't a clue." He said as loud as he could, so they all could hear. "And I do not blame you. But I will tell you, because secrets should not be kept from your comrades in arms...So lend me your ears my fellows and friends!"

All attention drawn, he allowed Shade to take over, his upper-left half of his face and torso becoming ethereal, copying the image of the Divine Wraith in his stead. This was a shock to many of the newer soldiers, but to those who'd heard of or met him, it only drew in their attention more.

"My name is Link, the Hero Chosen by the Gods and the Hero of Twilight." He looked about with a steady glowing red eye. "You may know me as the Demon-Wraith, or the Half-Wraith. And as you can see, both are true. But I do not intend to steal souls, or dominate and conquer the lands...I intend to aid you. To aid Ordona in it's desperate struggle for survival against Marsh, and do what no one else will. I plan on killing Cyrus...Then we shall march, together, through Seregost and Ashland, Kalenvar and Marsh, and we will bring this war to Talon himself!" There was a sullen silence as the speech sunk in with the men, Link noticeable eased. "...If there is a man or woman, who wishes to depart and return home. To return to their families and not risk their lives...Do so now. There will be no judgement, just understanding."

Rather than stepping away.

All soldiers present, be they on the wall with him, atop the towers, or below on the ground...

All took a step forward.

"You have our swords, Hero." Said a Ranger.

"And our Magic." Said a Battlemage.

"And our Stealth." Said a Brokenblade.

"And our Bows!" Said an Archer.

Link smiled, looking down to Aya, who smiled back.

"Then I say this...Sit back...and Watch."

There was a brief buzz of confusion and surprise as he stepped off his platform, calmly walking through the crowded ranks and towards the stairs to ground level. Soldiers stepped out of his way, allowing him unimpeded passage. Aya and Drake did so as well, though the former showed reluctance and desperation in trying to understand what her teacher could possibly be doing.

When he reached the main gate, a simple wave of the hand was enough for them to open it. He breathed deeply as the large double-door gate opened towards him, revealing his figure to those defending on the other side. They didn't notice at first, until they realized the Marshmen were looking past them.

Ordonians and Darknuts both turned to look, the latter flinching at his appearance. He was unsure why, but it was of little importance now. But with all the awe and surprise both sides were experiencing, it made him feel almost mythical. In his mind, he imagined a triumphant theme accompanying this moment.

---

[Author's Note: Quickly, go listen to the first few seconds of "Hero Chosen By the Gods" on the Twilight Princess Soundtrack. You'll get how this moment feels.]

---

The lines parted to allow him passage, never breaking stride as he stepped out into the battlefield, past cooked and bleeding corpses of friend and foe. Finally, he stopped in a small little area of flat ground, looking at the opposition with a steady gaze.

CYRUS THE WALKER
Ordonian Defector

Cyrus was a young in his late twenties it seemed, wearing all black clothing and armor, with a hooded cloak around his neck. He used a double-edged broadsword to battle, along with a bow, much like a Ranger would. From this distance, Link could tell the ring he wore was affecting him negatively. Even so young, wrinkles dotted his face, giving him a rather aged appearance.

But he didn't let that fool him so easily, the way Cyrus moved, it was methodical. The ring of the sheath as he drew his sword, it was practiced. The glare in his eyes, it was focused.

This man was no amateur.

"Alright...Let's see what you have, Half-Wraith." He taunted, holding his sword downward, inviting an attack.

Link silently drew the Master Sword, the iconic ring of the sheath dwarfing that of Cyrus'. He held the sword aloft for a few moment, letting the Dawn's light bathe it in an unearthly glow. A glow that instilled awe to weaken foes, fear that routed armies, and courage in those he led into battle.

And blinding those who happened to have the light reflected back into their face.

It was quick, but Cyrus squinted once the glow met his eyes, cursing in frustration at the temporary blindness. It lasted for a second, a second was all Link needed to allow Shade to take over. In a flash of golden magic and twilight particles, he was gone from his starting spot, reappearing at Cyrus' left side, his index and middle-finger extended to the side of his head.

Time seemed to slow as the Ordonian Defector turned in surprise, watching in utter silence as a quick surge of black and red lighting shock down Link's arms and out his fingertips, meeting Cyrus in the face. The resulting shock wave and crack of thunder blasted the Ring-bearer across the field and into the side of the cliff, the lightning passing through his head and slamming into the rock, showering Cyrus' still body with dusty and small stones.

The moment was held with little brevity and hardly any surprise. Link feeling his body instinctively lurching forward, the whistle of a sword swing behind him, grazing and sparking the Hylian shield on his back. He pivoted on his heel, drawing the shield and turning to face his attacker.

To his surprise, it was an Ordonian soldier.

One who had his right-side of his face blown off and a number of arrows sticking out of his neck and torso. His eyes glowed amber though, but that only meant...And just like that, it's face reformed into that of Cyrus.

Link turned again to where Cyrus had fallen, observing as the body rose up on it's own accord and retrieved it's sword. It shambled and grasped for the cliff face to keep itself steady, slowly turning toward him again. Cyrus let out a smooth chuckle, his entire right side of his head charred black from the lightning. But the skin regained it's color, the horrid burn marks fading as they healed within seconds.

"Got another one in ya?" He grinned.

"Immortality...right." Link muttered, twirling his sword. "The raising the dead gimmick reminds me of Aniketos though..."

"Heh...Try not to overexert yourself when slicing my limbs..." Cyrus said coolly.

"What if I remove your head, do you grow another one?"

"Nothing too outlandish." Cyrus chuckled, holding a hand to his mouth. "It's all a matter of separation. For example, my head cannot be separated from my torso. An arm and a hand, sure, but they'll grow back in seconds."

Link's gaze flicked to Cyrus' ring hand.

There was a thought.

The Master Sword would react to the necromancy that seemed to power his regeneration. Speaking of which, the increasing number of dead men rising around him, all of whom bore the face of his opponent, was starting to cause concern. If there was too many, he wouldn't be able to maneuver that well.

Plus, one Cyrus was just enough.

"Crowd control..." He mused, looking around as the undead soldiers closed in on him from all around while Cyrus watched with a smirk.

"HRAAAH!" All of a sudden, Link was replaced fully by the Hero's Shade apparition.

The Wraith being accompanied by golden and blue flames that rose up all around, flowing in towards him in the fiery outburst of Din's Fire. Following up, it pulsed in a large orb, expanding out with a red hue that flash-scorched the walking dead as soon as it passed over them. With a sudden burst of power, and his form returning for the time being, albeit merged with Shade's, Link began hacking away at the opposition that remained.

Cyrus' smirk vanished as the Hero of Twilight warped all around the designated arena, taking down his undead thralls with single, swift strokes. In once instance, he swept one thrall off it's feet and, while it hung out flat in the air for a split-second, he drove his wraith-powered fist through it's head, disintegrating the entire body from the sheer magic force behind it.

The former Head-Ranger realized that the Hero knew it was suicide to take on all of them at once. So he began to teleport-spam to literally be everywhere at once, attacking and vanishing to whittle their numbers away and keep from being pinned down. Tactically speaking, it was an ingenious move.

But he didn't expect Link to come back after him so soon though, not without taking care of the thralls first. The Hero suddenly appeared in front of him, crossing blades twice before tackling him to the ground. He drew a snapped-in-half sword and raised it up for a fatal strike. There was glimmer of hope for the Ordonian defector, as one of the thrall rushed up behind the unsuspecting hero, sword ready to kill.

Link's eyes flicked to the side, having sensed the sneak attack already. "Shade."

"On it." The wraith replied, emerging from Link's back with a dagger of his own, clashing with the Thrall before knocking it down too, driving his dagger into it's neck before vanishing back into Link.

This gave Cyrus some reprieve and time to struggle, throwing Link's aim off to instead plant the dagger in his shoulder instead of his head, before Cyrus threw him off quickly. They reengaged and struggled against one another, Link's wraith abilities and Cyrus' ring balancing each other out for an otherwise even battle.

Link frowned inwardly as he crossed blades again with his opponent.

"So...Are we just two immortals, doomed to be locked in battle until the end of the world?" Cyrus inquired sardonically, eyes rolling. "We'll be at this all day!"

"Unless you give up." Link snarked.

"In your dreams!"

They battled on, and on and on.

Cyrus soon resorted to heavy swings and charging attacks, mainly out of frustration. While Link began to bounce on his feet, shuffling and dodging out of the way of swings and performing feints intended to frustrate. It started to work, who Cyrus let out a frustrated yell as he lunged forward for a deep stab. Link seized the opportunity, dodging and reaching out, taking hold of his wrists in a death grip, causing his to yelp in pain and drop his sword. Cyrus seethed as Link began to wail on him, punching, kicking, and headbutting him into submission.

"Ah...Hehe..." He grinned again, blood leaking from the corner of his mouth as he shook his head. "I told ya...You can't kill me that way, friend."

"I wasn't trying to, friend."

Cyrus opened his eyes to look at Link in confusion, noticing that the Hero had drawn his broken sword, placing the edge underneath his fingers on his right hand, specifically his ring finger and pinky finger-

Ring Finger.

"NO!" He screamed, but it was too late.

Link sliced upwards, right through Cyrus' fingers like a hot knife through butter. A pulse of dark magic sent the Ordonian defector to the ground in shock and agony as he stared at his mutilated hand. Link bent down and retrieved the severed ring finger, the emerald-embedded ring still stuck to it. The Hero observed the little band for a few moments, then clenched it in his fist.

He'd won.

Cyrus continued to hold his mutilated hand, the nubs of severed fingers bleeding profusely as his face paled with shock and horror. Even then, his eyes snapped up to glare at Link, and he gave a pained laugh. "That ring is bound to it's wearer." He said, teeth clenched. "I am it's master and it will only respond to me! Even if I die...it'll find someone else!"

This time however, Link grinned down at him. "You need to stop explaining these thing, y'know."

Cyrus' eyes widened. "Wha-!?"

He, and all those present, watched in shock as Link held the ring up...and slid it onto his index finger. Another pulse of power coursed through him, but he let it pass. It was all up to Shade now.

"Y-You fool!" Cyrus sputtered. "You're Talon's pawn now, he crafted these rings! Whoever wears one must serve and do his bidding...You've doomed yourself!"

"I have confidence that Shade can suppress the influence." Link retorted with little worry. "I cannot have this ring o' power fall into someone else's hands, now could I?"

"Dominion Ring!" Cyrus hissed, slumping. "They're called Dominion Rings!"

"Oh hush, exposition." Link said, punctuating his request with a solid punch to the face, knocking Cyrus out cold. "You're lucky I thought of that finger-cutting trick, or else Shade might've had to pull out your soul."

With this, Link turned towards the Marsh forces, who stood and watched the whole fight. Now, with their commander defeated, they seemed ready to spill some blood in his honor...Yet, there was a certain fear to them. A fear of him.

A fear he could exploit.

"Listen well, Men and Women of Marsh!" He spat on Cyrus' body, starting to pace with Master Sword in hand. "I have upheld my end of the bargain! And your Champion." He paused in disgust. "Has upheld His!"

He sheathed his broken sword, feeling the cool grasp of his ancestor's wraith take hold. His upper-left side taking on Shade's appearance, he sat back and let the master at work. "For fighting this Pitiful enemy, your leader promised 'mercy'." He raised his arms in a 'here I am' way. "Gaze upon me now! I am the Hero bound to a Wraith! The Hero who has burnt away the Darkness! Chosen by the Gods, I am the Hero of Twilight! I am the Twilight Wraith!" His voice was full of savage fury, but he continued despite it. "And I. Make. NO SUCH OFFER!"

Drawing the Master Sword, he drove it into the ground, generating a brilliant blue and gold flash of harmless magic. Of course, the enemy didn't know that. They screamed in terror and turned to run in fear of their loosing their lives and souls to the Demon Wraith. Shade and Link, bound as one, watched as they scattered and retreated from the province, favoring defeat than his wrath.

"Run!" His voice echoed, increasing their fear. "Run! Run to your master! And give him this Message:"

Shade held his hand out, clenching his fist as he rounded it off.

"I Come For Him!"

He lowered his arms, visage vanishing from Link's body. The Hero panted quietly, turning to look down at the unconscious man behind him. With a scoff, he waved his hand to signal for the Ordonians to retrieve him.

Then fell flat on his face, passed out.

---

Aya felt a panic swell in her chest, her honey-colored eyes widening as a yelp of fear escaped her. Such a slip would be against a future knight's discipline, but it couldn't be help, especially as she witnessed her master fall. All of Ordona's army had seen it, murmurs of shock and confusion resonating through their ranks as Link collapsed to the ground just as the squad he'd called for had descended to collect Cyrus.

Marsh's army had fled, allowing them some reprieve as the Ordonian girl swiveled and rushed down the stairs, muttering reassuring words to herself as she made haste.

"He's fine...He's fine...He's fine!" She hissed to herself in great worry.

She sprinted from the main gate, brushing past the Darknuts and higher-ranking soldiers. The girl skidded to a halt, dropping to her knees at her master's side. He lay face down in the dirt, eyes half open as he gave shallow huffs of breath to show that he was still alive. Her relief was immeasurable, though she still tried to shake him to wake him from his stupor.

"It's no use..." The Specter, Shade, appeared suddenly, knelt opposite of her. "He will be unconscious for a time, though I wouldn't count him out so quickly."

"Why did he fall unconscious in the first place, Master Wraith?"

Shade shook his head, the leaves strapped across his armor rustling quietly with the movement.

"My power, and mine alone. Because he refuses to use it himself..."

---

Talon walked calmly through the carnage around him, the flames and screams ineffective to his resolve as the black cloak weighing him down shifted with each step. His men, his soldiers, marched diligently and with cause, striking down the survivors of the razing with precise stabs and swings. Their swords humming and glowing blue, such a pure color that represented the side they once took many centuries prior.

His black hair was covered in ash and embers, eyes glowing as orange as the flames he walked through with his guard at his back. Casually, he dragged his fingers, covered in metallic gauntlets with spiked fingertips, across a burning piece of wreckage. He observed how his ring glowed the same color as his eyes, almost reflecting the power he held.

With a quick motion of his hand, he and his forces turned and marched from the burning town. They entered their nearby camp, where a courier lay in wait for him. He opened his mouth to speak, but was silenced by Talon, who sat in a padded chair next to a table. He leveled his gaze at the courier, who shrank back a bit from it.

Leaning on his elbow, fist to cheek, he spoke with a refined, upper-class accent, "Well? What cause have you to interrupt our victory celebration? Is it news from Daythef?"

"Uh...No..." The courier straightened up. "I bring word from Seregost...Cyrus has been defeated and imprisoned."

Talon sat up in an instant, taken aback as his eyes narrowed. That was news he didn't want to hear, because if Cyrus was defeated and taken prisoner...that meant his Ring had either been taken or destroyed. It certainly explained the odd feeling he got when trying to locate it with his own ring.

"By whom?" He didn't hide the agitation in his voice, eyes becoming half-lidded with quelled anger. "And if you say Latoan, I will-"

"No sir, it was someone called Link, a half-wraith who some call a Hero Chosen By the Gods." He gulped. "He's...called you out, sir."

"...Link, huh?" Talon wasn't familiar with that name, though there were whispers among his men of such a man. Though it wasn't much the name that concerned him, but the status of this new opponent. Him being Half-Wraith would be troublesome if it were true, meaning he was bound to an actual wraith, who could disable his ring's influence.

This thought made his frown and shake his head. It was impossible, the only wraiths to exist faded and died out long ago and any new wraiths wouldn't have escaped his notice. It was the whole point of his Dominion Ring plan, the Wraith's and their abilities, though he had to scavenge Mind-Control gems from the Gerudo Desert to work with the rings themselves.

Either way, it meant a new combatant who can take on an Ordonian Master-Ranger turned Traitor, who was empowered by his ring no less. It would be better to deal with this threat in an orderly manner, rather than face him in direct combat. Fortunately for Talon, he'd just gotten support from the very people who could accomplish such a task with discretion.

"Run to Darkhammer Mine and contact the Yiga Clan camped there, tell them to deal with him."

"At once, sire."

He made himself scarce, leaving Talon to look over a map of Ordona. Tentatively, he grabbed a pen and traced a black line across the border between Seregost Province and Ashland. He was in the latter, razing a town that decided to rise up against him. Putting stops to rebellions was a nice stress reliever, especially with the torment relinquished upon him by his rings.

To use such power with no consequence was a mere child's tale.

Setting the map away, he rose up and paced about his tent, eyes narrowed as he contemplated his situation, and the plans for the future of his conquest of Ordona. But it didn't last, as another silver-clad knight entered the tent. He was no courier, but judging from the blue-ish scorch marks on his armor, he had quite the important message for him.

"Sir..." He bowed his head. "Calemvir requests your presence."

"Hmm..." Talon nodded, eyes closed. "The headless worm is always restless, I shouldn't keep him waiting." He opened his eyes. "Head to Ulitown, find Daythef and tell her I've traveled to Kalenvar and that it is up to her to meet me at the Carchost wall."

"Yes, sir."

With that, Talon brushed past him and walked towards his horse. With embers in the air and the torched village behind him, he rode off towards the land between here and his home.

---

When he woke, there was a horrible light in his face. Link let out a groan of pain and pure exhaustion, shifting and rolling onto his side in the little cot he'd been placed in. His eye cracked open, the world around him a blurry mess of shapes and color. With a surprised moan, he realized he was in the infirmary, which was eerily quiet save for the groans of the wounded around him.

It was midnight, as all was dark except for a few lanterns, like the one at his bedside.

"Shade..." He gasped quietly, voice raspy and throat dry. He tried to push himself up. "Grah...S-Shade..!"

He flopped back down, panting in exertion. Eyes dull as he stared up at the stone ceiling, feeling unconsciousness weighing him down.

"...Never...going to...live this...down..." He whispered to nobody but himself, raising his right hand and clenching his fist, noting that his grip was weak.

Dropping his hand, he turned his head to look around. At his bedside was a pitcher of icy-cold water and a cup for it. Wild's cloak was draped on the side, with Cyrus' dominion ring sitting atop it. Link faintly reached for the cloak, but instead the ring reacted. The gold band trembled, the emerald glowing green as it began to move towards him.

Curious, Link extended his arm fully, the ring flying off the bedside table and slipping onto his index finger. A gasp escaped him, feeling a pulse of energy shoot through his exhausted body. The emerald glowed menacingly for a moment now that he wore it, but before anything could come of it, his Triforce mark pulsed as well, the emerald briefly shining with golden, divine magic before dimming down to normal. It seemed his Triforce fragment protected him when a Wraith was not present, which made sense he imagined. He knew that because of his bond with Shade, he retained some of his primary powers, like soul-branding and flash-warping.

He briefly stared at the object around his finger, eyes becoming steady as a feeling of strength flowed through him. It was like the ring helping him up with a little power boost, even while being suppressed by his triforce piece. To be honest, it felt alot like when Shade bound with him.

A surge of power, of vigor and strength.

"An odd little thing, ain't cha?" He muttered to the piece of jewelry as he sat up, groaning all from the dull ache in his body.

He felt cold, realizing his tunic had been removed, his torso and leg wrapped in bandages, he looked and felt like an old Redead back in Arbiter's Ground.

Gods, he hated those things.

What he noticed, however, was the blood spots dotting his abdomen, shoulders, arms, and left leg. This caused him to frown, since he could honestly not remember getting hit, and Shade would have definitely told him if he had. Nevertheless, he reached for the cup and pitcher, pouring some water before downing it, enjoying the refreshing and cold liquid.

Sapphire eyes glinting from the lantern light, he glanced over when he heard a slight cough. Sitting in the shadows was a figure in black, head drooping down as he fought exhaustion. Faintly, on instinct, Link gathered up magic into his left palm for a Soul-Brand...But stopped himself just as he did so, letting the murky blue magic fade as he clenched his fist, the wisps of light tainted red and black by his Twilight Magic.

Instead, he whistled, jolting the figure from his or her nap.

"Wha-?" The voice of male. "Oh! You're awake."

They got up and stepped over to him, face illuminated by the lantern they knelt down next to him.

"Hunter..." Link recognized him instantly, beginning to look around. "...What happened?"

"Well, you nearly got yourself killed, friend." The scout chuckled, scratched his head. "While you were busy taking Cyrus down, his thralls were walloping at your back with their swords and arrows. You're lucky to be alive...As a matter of fact, we were certain you died!"

"...I...don't remember." Link narrowed his eyes, looking down at the ring, then back up. "Where's Shade? And Aya?"

"Who?...Oh! The Wraith and your squire, y'mean?" Hunter nodded his head and jabbed a thumb backwards. "They're celebrating in the dining hall with everyone else."

"Really? Well, it's nice of them to care..." Link snarked, rolling his eyes. "Least they could do is look after me."

"Well, them sitting for five days outta wear them down, y'know?" Hunter stood up, hands on his hips. "That job got shoved to me though."

Link's eyes widened, darting up to stare at the Ordonian, mouth agape. "Five days!?"

"Well, yeah. You were badly injured, friend." Hunter frowned. "Not to mention that Marsh's army came back shortly afterwards in a last-ditch assault. Lucky for us, it seems that Cyrus' tactical skills were needed, since we were able to drive them back and out of the Province. They even left their camp behind!"

"Oh...Good." Link sighed, lying back down and staring at the ceiling, contemplating as Hunter continued to stand there.

"Y'know, I'm honestly surprised you have the strength to move..."

"It's this ring..." Link held up his hand. "It seems to have empowering properties."

Hunter knelt down, taking his hand by the wrist, studying the little band up close. "Huh..."

"It's a Dominion Ring, thanks to Cyrus the Exposition."

The Ordonian laughed, letting go of his hand. "We've got him locked up in the Dungeon, we're gonna send him back to Ordon to be judged by Lady Latoan."

Link gave a wordless thumbs up, clearly spent.

Nevertheless, Hunter tapped his foot for a second, then asked. "You want to go check out the Dining Hall? Everyone is celebrating there, Ordonians, Hylians, Marshmen, Darknuts, and Bulbins. We even had two traveling Rito bards come in to play."

"That sounds...Wait, what's a Rito?"

"Bird people, basically." Hunter cocked his head. "They live in north-west Hyrule, you never seen one?"

"No..."

"Really? That's odd..." He shrugged. "I heard they were descended from the Zora."

"...What? Wait...what? That doesn't even..." Link waved a hand. "So you're saying...The Rito, who you say are like bird people, are descended from the Zora, who are fish people who live underwater?"

Hunter blinked. "...Y-Yes?"

"...Alright." Came the dull acceptance.

He was really too used to this kind of shit.

---

Link had limped towards the dining hall wearing only his trousers and beige shirt that he typically wore under his tunic. His pointed ears perked up when he heard music and laughter escaping into the hall outside. Once he entered with Hunter in tow, he was met with a jubilant celebration filled with drunken spirits and mirth at a successful battle.

In the corner, playing music uproariously, was the two Rito that Hunter spoke of, one playing a violin and the other an accordion. Joining them was a one-eyed, bearded, graying-blonde haired hylian, who played a blue Ocarina, and, surprisingly, Aya, who played a pan or pipe flute with green threads on the sides and different colors on each pipe. Together, they played a rather elegant version of the music that Link would hum while roaming the fields. The coincidence was astonishing really.

Gathered at the tables were the elite forces, battlemages, rangers, and brokenblades all mingled together as they drank and hooted. Everywhere else was interspersed groups of Bulbins, Darknuts, and Ordonian former didn't seemed to have changed much from way back, nor had the middle group. The armor they wore was the same, and their noses had a comical red hue to them, but they were still the standard grunts Link had fought way back when.

The Darknuts, on the other hand, while their armor was virtually the same, had forgone the original gauntlets and sleeves. Some had even removed their shoulder pauldrons. This left their arms bare, showing their dark or grey fur, or ashen skin. Some had their helmets off, revealing one of three things, a wolf-like head, a mixture of a wolf-human head, or a distinctly human face with pale skin and green, wolf-like eyes.

Link always saw the Darknuts as being a dark, twisted parallel of himself. Wolves in Knight's armor.

Though, he would be a Knight in Wolf's fur.

Be they humanoid or creatures of a pack, he could not deny that they were formidable warriors, and trusted allies. Ever since he fought Quinn in the Temple of Time, he regarded their entire race with revered respect, perhaps moreso than the Bulbins. Ganondorf chose his enforcers well.

What had driven them from their home in Ashland...He could only imagine.

There was a wave of silence as everyone noticed him, the makeshift band quietening down as all turned to look at him. Hunter stepped past him and down off to the side, giving him a clear walkway as he quietly limped down the steps and across the main floor, brushing past tables. Mutters of thanks were given, along with pats on his shoulders and arms.

Once across, the came to a crossroads of where to go, he went left.

Towards the bar.

A reverb of chuckles came from all around, the humor and cheery mood setting back in as everyone continued what they were doing. The band continued, albeit missing some of the key instrumentals. A quick glance in their direction showed the reason why, the one-eyed hylian and Aya had gotten up and were making their way over to him. Link frowned at the former, finding him very, very familiar.

He shook his head, pulling out a stool and taking a seat at the bar. The bartender brought him some whiskey, but all that achieved was a light buzz. He'd forgotten his discovery back in Ordon proper, in this state he couldn't get drunk, or was extremely resistant to alcohol.

Well, at least it was refreshing...

The bar stools on both sides creaked as Aya and the Hylian sat with him. He gave a slight glance to the latter, fully bringing his attention instead to his squire, who seemed caught on her own words, mouth dropped open slightly. She coughed awkwardly when he raised an eyebrow at her, brushing her hair behind her ear as an embarrassed blush tinted her cheeks.

"I-I'm...glad you're alright, Master Link."

"..." He smiled a little, letting out a wearied sigh. "I am too, little-bit."

"Y'know I can't use my power recklessly..." The Hylian at his left chided in a smooth, yet gravelly baritone. This familiar voice made Link jump slightly and whip his head around to stare at him. The one-eyed knight raising his eyebrow in turn, twirling a cup of alcohol idly. "...I suspected you would learn that after we took down the Yiga."

"...It was you who did that, not me, Shade." He tensed the nickname of his ancestor, who rolled his one eye.

It was a surprise to see Shade in human form, but a welcome one. He was a dead ringer for Link himself in his elder years, minus the whole missing eye thing. His graying blonde hair was long and tied into a ponytail, the light-green tunic he wore darkened with age and looking to have been patched and repaired so many times that it had lost all the elegance of it's origin, now being all but identical to Link's own article. Which made sense, since they were one-in-the-same.

"Scum who rely on slaving and torturing said slaves deserve much worse than death." Shade drawled with a rasp, holding up his hand and pointing with his pinky since his other fingers were holding the cup. "Next time we encounter any of those bastards, I will do what I must. Like we used to-"

"I won't fall to that corruption again, Shade." Link said quietly, staring at his lap. "Don't mistake my reluctance for weakness...I will suffer more of your madness, but I will not partake in it like I did then. Do what you will, but at least be in your specter form when it happens. Seeing a face so similar to mine do such things brings an illness to my body."

Aya frowned in curiosity, leaning on the bar and tilting her head in a rather adorable manner of questioning.

"...Fuck, I said that out loud." The Hero muttered, while Shade gave a 'hmm' of an agreement.

"Corruption?"

Link shook his head. "Just a bitter memory, Little-bit. Of the distant past now."

"With respect, Master...You're from the distant past too."

"True, but I meant it in a different way." He summoned the bartender for another round, gulping it down within seconds before turning back to Aya. "Listen, little-bit...I've fought many things in my life. A giant plant, a dragon, and an evil king and pig-demon which were the same person. I've befriended enemies, like the Darknuts and Bulbins, and even a damned vampire once. I've fought against entire countries who worked to bring chaos and anarchy on my world, just so we may have some peace." His gaze darkened. "But...I could have never done those things on my own."

"Surely, Master Time would've helped you."

"Master Time? Seriously?" Link glanced at Shade, who shrugged. Link sighed and shook his head. "Shade, is a tough one, mind you...But even our individual strengths are forfeit against an army, let alone a country. So we did combine our strengths, but it came at a heavy, heavy price. This, I like to call The Twilight Wraith."

"The Twilight Wraith?" She repeated.

"Yep, cheesy as hell ain't it? It wasn't even my idea to be honest..."

"Didn't...you say that you were The Twilight Wraith?"

He was about to answer before realizing she was speaking to Shade, Link quickly remembered that just before he passed out after fighting Cyrus, Shade had taken over his body and frightened Marsh's forces off with an epic speech of impending doom. During which, he had indeed referred to them as such.

"I had said so..." The wraith-in-human-form nodded. "Though...It's not mere identity that associates us with that, but a concept that escalated."

"Huh?" Aya blinked in bewilderment.

"Let me explain..." Link butted in, tapping his chin. "During my adventure, we met many trials and foes that tested our skill and strength. I've came close to death and have been stuck in wolf form-Oh yeah, I can turn into a Wolf by the way-"

"I know, Master Time told me."

"Neat, that saves actual time." He shook his head to keep himself on track. "Anyway, our impoverishing trials ended when I pulled the Master Sword and returned to human form. But before that, it was us against the whole world, it seemed. So Shade and Midna had begun to channel their powers to me, enhancing my abilities ten-fold."

"The Twilight Wraith?"

"Yes, Master of Souls." Link paused and waved his hand. "The name was not of my doing, however, someone else did the trick in titling us. Though don't get me wrong, he is not a separate entity from myself, but a persona that results from the combination of all our power into my being. There were still moments where we three would bicker individually, but Twilight was set to be a Hero who would do what he must for the greater good. If a hundred men had to die so a million would live, so be it. He would use Midna's Twilight Magic to rend his foes to shreds and Shade's Wraith Magic to shame those who opposed him, bend wills and minds, or shatter them like glass." He shook his head again. "He is the result of three people coming together to face great odds, he can not exist if the one separates from the three."

"But...it's just you and Master Time, why do you refer to yourselves as him?"

Link shrugged. "Nostalgia, maybe. The power we held in our combined might was...elating to possess. I could feel it coursing through my veins...I felt as if I could take on the whole world...But power corrupts, a fact I realized all too late when my own family caught a glimpse of The Twilight Wraith's power. The ferocity of his swordplay, the cold and calm eyes that bore great fury as he branded the very souls of his enemies."

"Branded, sir?"

"Soul-Branding, the domination of souls, whatever you may call it." The Hero scoffed to himself as Shade explained. "It's an ability exclusive to Wraiths, but being able to learn it doesn't seem out of the realm of possibility, if one is dedicated enough and has a large magic pool to draw from."

"What is it? A spell like the Mages cast?"

"Nothing so simple..." Link crossed his arms, thinking. "It's a magic power connected to a Wraith's tormented spirit, or your evil soul if you're not a wraith at all. For example, there's a fleeting strand of Shade's power within me, even now when he's not bound with me. I can still soul-brand, but if that connection were to fade or be severed, I would instantly lose the ability since I am pure of heart, somehow."

He frowned again. "As for what it does, it allows you to link yourself to your opponents spirit through skin contact, preferably on the cheek, face, or neck, though I have branded someone on the arm before. You can forcibly scour the depths of an opponents mind and soul for differing purposes, like gaining information, Think of it like a hasty torture session if you will, except that it always gets the truth out of them...most of the time. It's the reason Wraiths are feared as soul snatchers, I can definitely do that if I wish."

"Isn't...that dangerous?"

"Oh-ho, insanely!" Link chuckled darkly.

"You're far more likely to break their mind and soul than properly read them." Shade added. "Though, We can just do that anyway, since it's quite the fitting punishment for the irredeemable. Though I have never done it, ripping out the soul is also a considerable punishment for any such acts..."

"A fate worse than death, you mean." Link remarked dryly.

"Depends on the victim..."

"Sweet Farore, you are just numb to empathy, aren't you?"

"I've been dealing with this kind of thing for two hundred and eighty years, and now you judge me?"

Aya butted in. "Why is it called Branding?"

"Soul-Branding. Because it leaves the mark of your choosing on the area of contact." Link jabbed a thumb back at Shade. "Turns out another soul touching your soul leaves a searing, painful burn mark. When we first used it, Shade made it appear as a glowing blue triforce, but once we...created...The Twilight Wraith persona, we started having it be a golden-blue hand print instead. It often just symbolizes the shame that comes with the soul-brand whittling away at your sanity or the new allegiance of the branded."

The honey-haired squire's eyes widened. "You can change someone's allegiance?"

"Well...Yeah, but it's more like a sophisticated brainwashing." Link mocked holding his hand out. "You just go 'Suffer me now!' and 'Swear loyalty, scum!', and boom, they're on your side. From what I know, the Gerudo's brainwashing techniques were inspired by it."

Shade shook his head. "Their brainwashing affects only the mind, not the soul. So the effects are only temporary if alleviated."

"So it's permanent? That's incredible, you could create an entire army with a power like that!"

"Ehh...We've had that thought, but it's not really my style...Plus, permanently damaging the mental state of a bunch of people-" He glanced at Shade. "-No matter how bad they were, is just cruel to all parties involved."

"Did you...well, when you were The Twilight Wraith, do that?"

Link waved his hand in a "so-so" way. "That persona ran off the philosophy of 'The bad guy is evil, so let's be worse'. Soul-Branding was a staple in his arsenal, but he never considered building an army to oppose Ganondorf, simply because there was no time to amass one and not enough 'bad guys' to make one big enough."

Aya shook her head. "Okay Master, I'm confused. Is the Twilight Wraith a personification of yourself? Like an alternate personality? You're being very vague..."

"In a way, yes..." Link said, scratching the back of his hand idly. "It's sort of the reason I let Shade take over a lot. Normally, It would be me to use that power...But when we combined Midna's power and Shade's Magic, melding it into my spirit...It made me, basically, go mad with power...But in the righteous, for-justice sort of way. I sought to make the enemy fear me, but it was dangerous and my very soul was at risk, however. The Goddesses punish Heroes who are corrupted by power...But, I guess I was careful enough." He shrugged. "In a way, it was symbolic. I, the peasant and beast, Midna the Royalty, and Shade, who wielded the power and appearance of a deity. Fierce, yet swift and silent like the Twilight itself...We were nigh-unstoppable." He shook his head. "But...The Master Sword has done away with all that corruption...but...even while I wield it, it seems to return in small doses..."

"Yet, but it's all relative." Shade mused, setting his glass down, eye narrowed slightly. "Without Midna, and myself in my god-state, we haven't the access to that overwhelming power. And it's traumatized Link so much that he forces me to take the helm as the Hero's Shade, leading to his body growing weak and passing out from the shock of having a wraith inhabit his body solely."

"It didn't traumatize me!" Link protested.

"And yet...You are fearful of this magic."

Shade held up his left hand, the wispy-gold magic of a readied brand spewing from his palm. Link stared at him with a hard glare, but even Aya could see the uneasiness in his posture. These two had been at odds with one another on this topic before it seemed, with neither letting up in it's regard. Respectfully, she stood up and walked away from the conversation, giving them some privacy in their old squabble.

"...With good reason, mind you." Link said with a deep sigh. "You remember the look on Wild's face, the horror...and fear at what I'd done in my anger. I swore to him, Ordona, and you, that I would never purposely use that magic again. I do not make promises I can't keep, Shade."

The specter's form quivered for a moment, dissolving into the all-too familiar skeletal form from before. His beady red eye blinked once and again, before he nodded solemnly. But before he bound to Link again, he gave a quiet whisper that chilled even the Hero of Twilight's blood.

"And yet, like our friend has claimed, those are the best kind."

Staring at his hands lying on the bar, Link gave a sigh as he called for another round. Downing his glass in an instant, he remained seated and idly tapping the cup with his fingers. He glanced at the ring pulsing on his finger, the steady green glow accompanied by the gold/blue pulse of Shade's own magic suppressing it's influence in conjunction with his Triforce.

...Maybe he was wrong?

Thoughts of that title...What he did under it's name...

Or rather what he didn't do.

It plagued his mind, even now.

So, he began to think.

---

Link groaned as he once more rose from his cot, enjoying some pops of his aching bones. Even in this younger body, he could feel his age. It was morning, but still kind of dark. He lit the lantern on the end-table and glared at the wounded soldier who was reading a book in the cot next to him, his eyes staring at the book, unblinking.

"Sweet Nayru..!" He moaned in exhaustion. "What time is it?"

No response was given, as he continued to stare at the book.

"Hey, did you hear me? I said what time is it?"

No response.

"You might as well not bother." Came a metallic voice. "You're back in my world, Hero of Twilight."

Link's blood chilled in an instant, head swiveling forward in a second. At the foot of his cot, sitting on a crate, was Isu. Sharp scrapes of metal echoed in his pocket world as the Goddess-Wraith sharpened his wrist blade, the lights on his armor and blank-faceplate glowing in the darkness.

"I-Isu..!" He choked out.

Shade appeared at his side in instant, blade drawn as he glowered at the intruder, who didn't even give a care it seemed. His head moving upwards slightly, the red orbs of his eyes behind the narrow slits of his faceplate the only indicator he was even looking at him directly.

"I haven't any time to waste here, so I shall make this quick." His blade retracted with a audible snap as he stood to full height, his dark crimson robes swaying. "You will return to Hyrule Castle. Now."

"N-now..?"

"Yes, now. Don't act daft, Twilight Hero." He took a step forward, glaring down at him. "Take your Squire with you and help with the crisis that plagues them there, but make haste...you haven't much time for opportunity."

"And if we refuse?" Shade inquired.

"Then your descendant dies."

The rather intense warning was given no elaboration, given that Isu vanished in a green flash of smoke. The frozen world resumed, the sudden presence of Shade surprising those in the infirmary. He and Link exchanged looks, the latter throwing off his covers and scrambling for his gear.

"We have to hurry!" He said with uncharacteristic worry.

"This must be a major event if Isu interfered like that..." Shade noted, binding with his descendant.

"No fucking kidding!" Throwing on his tunic and securing his weapons and gear, along with his cap, Link sped out of the infirmary despite protests of the patients and medical staff. Charging down the hall with haste that most mortals couldn't begin to fathom, let alone perform and withstand. Bursting into the training yard first, he instantly saw Aya on the other side sharpening her sword. He hopped the fences and stopped next to her, grabbing her by the wrist, breaking her focus.

"M-Master!?" She yelped in surprise.

"We have to go! Now!" His voice reverberated with Shade's, albeit dominant to the Wraith's baritone, even as his upper side and arm glowed.

Aya's eyes widened in surprise, mouth agape in shock at the sheer image of intimidation he gave.

"Link!" Shade snapped, making him pause. "You're loosing control! If you don't intend to use my power, than pull yourself together!"

This got to the Hero it seemed, as he shook his head quickly to get rid of the wraith's influence, eyes becoming focused instead. "Forgive me, Aya...But, We have to leave!"

"Uh..Yeah...!" She stood up and grabbed her shield, placing it and her sword on her back. "Where to?"

"Hyrule Castle." He said, offering a hand.

"What? But...it'll take us days to get there!" She gaped. "Not to mention the gales have yet to cease at the border!"

"Not a problem if we warp, take my hand."

Aya looked at his offered hand uneasily, as if judging whether or not to actually take it. Steeling herself, she place her own hand into his. Almost instantly, an odd feeling crawled up her back, and to her shock when she turned her head, saw her shoulder began to disintegrate into black particles.

"Master..?" She breathed.

"It's okay..." He reassured, intensifying the warp speed. "Here we go!"

With a flash and scramble of twilight magic and particles, they vanished from the training yard...

And reappeared in the Castle Sanctum.

There was a flood of gasps and yelps around them, the council that had greeted Link on his first arrival gathered for what seemed to be a meeting. His gaze rounded about to glare at each one of them, searching for deviation. Finding none, he turned to face forward, finding King Rhoam standing at ground level rather than up on his throne. The gray-haired royal's eyes were wide, shocked at his presence, but at the same time eerily calm.

He took note of Aya's shock and gave a reassuring pat on her shoulder.

"You!" Hissed a councilman. "How dare-!"

"Fuck off." Link growled lowly, stepping toward the king. "I was informed of a crisis here, is this true?"

Unnerved by sudden appearance and low growls, Rhoam cleared his throat and nodded slightly to the hero. "There...is a problem, Hero of Twilight. Aside from your disappearance that left us quite befuddled, but we have not received any report of a specific reason..."

Link frowned and looked to the floor, the red glow of his left eye fading as his nerves steadied. He was about to say something when someone called and rushed into the sanctum from the main archway. He was a hylian with blue hair and a panicked look on his face as he skidded to a halt at his side.

"Lieutenant Vvillequin, have you any news?"

"Lynel!" The lieutenant promptly cried, earning shocked gasps from all those present except Link. "A silver lynel is attacking the town!"

"S-silver...L-lynel!?" Aya stuttered, the color draining from her face as her pupils shrank to the size of pins.

"We must deploy our garrison!" Yelled the council, who began to scream other such orders.

"The fuck is a Lynel?" Link asked aloud, definitely confused.

The azure-haired soldier turned to look at him. "It's a monster! Half-Lion, Half-Horse it is! This creature serves only itself and will rend it's foes with sharp swords, hard clubs, and flaying claws!"

"Can't you just send Archers after it?"

"Well it has a bow too! And it's aim is true and deadly, it kills most men with only a single shot!" Vvillequin gulped. "General Lion went after it solo...I can only pray for-"

"He what!?" Rhoam roared in a fury. "And you let him, Lieutenant!?"

"H-he ran off, sir! I couldn't catch up...and he told me to come inform you of the attack anyway..."

Link frowned at the Lieutenant stutters, he was beginning to sound like Aya. He stepped forward and past him, sapphire eyes steeled and ready. As a hero, this seemed almost routine to him. It was his specialty, it seemed.

"I'll go help." He said firmly. "I've fought many things...this doesn't seem too different."

The council mumbled to themselves, but Rhoam only stared at him thoughtfully. He looked down, stroking his beard and slowly nodding.

"...I'll still help, even if you say no." Link reminded lightly.

"I am aware...Er..." The King glanced up. "What...is your name, Hero?"

Link looked at him, then glanced to Aya, who stared back expectantly. In this scenario, he would give his proper name...but with his descendant possibly in the fray, it would be troublesome if there was a mix-up. With little options and last night's argument still fresh on his mind, he had one name to go with, as much as he loathed to bear it again...

"Twilight." He said firmly, nodding his head. "Just call me Twilight."

Aya glanced up at him with a questioning look in her eyes, he gave her a reassuring nod in reply. Rhoam stared at him, as did everyone in the room, until the King slowly nodded and waved him away. The re-christened Twilight nodded once, turning heel and motioning for Aya to follow. Faintly, he felt a begrudging respect for the king and the authority he held.

Even if the council was a bunch of asshats, at least there was a good man leading them.

As they rushed from the Sanctum, Twilight slowed slightly upon catching sight of a blonde-haired girl of about thirteen standing at the upper floor, leaning over the rail staring down at the main archway. Time seemed to slow with the apprehension that caught hold of them both, Twilight and the Girl, as they stared at one another. Her emerald eyes only conveyed distrust and loathing, while his were sapphires of wearied readiness.

"Princess Zelda..." He felt himself scoff, breaking his gaze and staring forward. "Good to know that not much has changed..."

"Huh?" Aya inquired at his back.

"Nothing, Little-bit. Let's go kill us a Lynel."

They rushed from the Sanctum and down the stairs to the rock outcropping that held an overview of Castle Town. Aya, who had never been to Hyrule, gasped in amazement at the horizon before here, the beauty of the wilds that Hyrule held. Even if Ordon was much wilder, it had to be appreciated, by how refined it seemed to be.

Castle Town blazed below, smoke columns rising form the town center, where the fountain was. The sounds of yells and battles met Twilight and his Squire's ears like thunder, the latter going rigid with fear at that. Twilight rested a hand on her shoulder to calm her, staring down at the battle taking place upon the bridge between Castle Town and the Castle proper. Both crouched down to observe.

"Dinsake...You ever seen one of these things, Little-bit?"

"No, sir." She shook her head, gaze steeled. "I fear them however, judging from what this one can do..."

"Don't fear the enemy." The Hero instructed, standing up from his crouched position. "Be eager to face him."

The Ordonian girl nodded. "Yes, sir."

Keeping his hand clamped to her shoulder, Twilight promptly warped them in between the roofs and railings of the gatehouses and towers surrounding the Castle's front, until they were on top of the main gate. Hylian-Army Archers were position there as well, raining arrows upon the silver-maned Lynel. Twilight's eyes opened slightly at the sight of this beast, locked in battle with Lion.

"Whoa!" Yelped one of the archers, a Zora. "Where'd you come from?"

"We're the Calvary, how's Lion holding out?"

"...Not good." Replied the Archer with worry, turning to look downwards at the battle. "He's gotten some hits in...but he's wounded too!"

Twilight nodded quickly, studying the Lynel from afar for any signs of weakness as it remained in battle.

"Master Li-" Aya paused. "...Master Twilight, can we even kill that thing?"

"I've killed bigger and stronger." He said causally. "If it bleeds, then it can die. Meet me down there, alright? I'm taking the express route."

An archer stopped him. "Are you crazy? That thing will kill a normal person!"

Twilight gave a smirk in response. "Don't worry so much."

Aya blinked at that, stepping back as he rushed forward and, much to the protest and shock of the archers, leapt off the tower. His body twisted mid-air, gracefully flipping forward and landing with thump on the stone bridge, Shade's magic channeling through his body to dampen the impact, allowing for a far faster means of descent.

Plus, it looked damn cool.

Lion had rushed the Lynel, aiming for the horse-like creature's sides and neck with his sword. But when Twilight made his entrance, the hulking monstrosity turned to face him, giving a snort of disdain of the sudden interruption. It's sharp, jagged blade and shield in it's palms, ready for action. Casually, it swatted the Hylian General aside like a piece of trash, turning fully towards the newcomer.

"C'mon then..!" Twilight growled the challenge, drawing the Master Sword and Hylian Shield. "I don't have to know what you are to kill you."

The Lynel seemed to accept the challenge, as it charged him, raising it's sword for a heavy swipe. Twilight rolled forward, the blade whistling overhead as he lashed his arm out, grabbing onto the Lynel's leg and swinging himself up onto it's back. It gave a surprised growl, immediately slowing and attempting to buck him off. Sheathing the Master Sword, Twilight reached for his father's sword, ready to stab this beast in the eyes.

The color drained from his face when he grabbed air, he'd forgotten to take it from the nightstand...

"Fuck!"

He cursed aloud, drawing the Master Sword again and slamming it into the Lynel's neck. The blade hardly pierced the thick skin however, and with one last buck, he was thrown off into the air. Flipping backwards, he put away his sword and shield, drawing his bow and took aim, firing off an arrow into it's back. No effect was apparent.

Once he landed, he watched pale-faced as the Lynel bore down on him in a charge, the wind knocked clean out of him as he was trampled underfoot. The beast passed over him as he scrambled in his wounded state, groaning as he back stood up, his dominant right eye shut from the pain. He was probably concussed as well, given that damned ringing, almost beeping, in his ears.

Holy shit, it was annoying.

"It's fast..." Shade said.

"Too fast..." Twilight hissed, holding his wounded shoulder. He winced when he noticed blood staining his tunic. "Dammit! What the hell is this thing, a dark creature?"

"The Master Sword would affect it if that were the case."

"I couldn't pierce the skin...it's extremely thick around the neck."

"Try the sides then, this thing has to have a weak point!"

The lynel huffed to itself as the Heroes bantered, tearing the arrow from it's back and tossing it away. It's red eyes glared at Twilight, hooves pawing at the stone and kicking up dust as it readied another charge. Twilight narrowed his eyes, holding up his hand and snapped his fingers. With a flash of twilight particles, a bow of golden light appeared and fell into his waiting palm as his other one faded away.

"Sorry, Zelda..." He muttered, taking aim with an imaginary arrow. "Gotta borrow this for a quick second."

The Lynel roared, enough force escaping it to create a sphere of air pressure alone. It reared itself back, ready to charge again and trample it's foe again. Only to halt mid-movement, Lion's blade embedded in it's right side. The General, who'd been tossed to the ground when Twilight entered the fray, had risen and taken the opportunity to deal a mortal blow.

His sword was almost to the hilt in Lynel flesh, puncturing through it's right lung and edging dangerously close to the monster's heart. It seemed to realize this, raising it's sword up for a retaliation. In a swift series of swings and blood, Twilight didn't even see his descendant fall. Only afterwards, did he notice the body collapsed on the stone. The beast, as if to add insult to injury, heaved the body up and tossed it to the ground with a loud smack on the stone bridge.

The pupils of his eyes narrowed, a sting coursing through his heart as rage bubbled from within. Breath shallow and quick, his brow furrowed and teeth gritted. This feeling that replaced courage, the sorrow. The sorrow of Lion's sudden defeat, all but drowned out his senses. No feeling came to him, no sight, smell, or sound. There was nothing.

With nothing left, all he felt was anger.

Pure, unadulterated anger.

"RAAAAAAH!" He roared as his side glowed with great intensity, his body beginning to harness Shade's power, but with him in control. He took aim and fired true, the light arrow slamming messily into it's face with a loud thundering sound. The Lynel roared in agony as it was temporarily blinded, rearing up and trying to find it's target in a confused haze.

In it's daze, Twilight had charged and lept onto it's back again, sword drawn as he stabbed it directly in the base of it's back. A surge of pain going through it, the Lynel attempted to buck him off, not so easily defeated. Growling incomprehensibly, he vaulted over it's head and landed directly in front of it, forcing his hand out and onto it's chest. A faint sizzle escape from his palm as he channeled a quick-brand. First-degree, Second-Degree, Third-Degree burns, and so on. Underneath his hand, burnt into the Lynel's fur and flesh, was an exact hand print of charred flesh. His left eye, glowing pure red, snapped up to face the recovered, but in-agony monster at his mercy.

This was the power he'd spoken of. Once harnessed by him way back when, the power of his ancestor coursing through his veins provided him a deadly power. The power of the Hero of Time's Wraith given to him, mixed with his own Twilight Magic, formed the base of the combined identity. The Twilight Wraith.

He spoke again, his voice cool and menacing, compared to the frenzied anger that Shade demonstrated when branding.

"Damn you...Haah!" He gave a yell, stepping back and lunging forward again, placing both hands on the Lynel's face. He reached out and lashed at the creature's mind, doing his damnedest to rip it asunder. He'd expected primal thoughts to lash out when reading it's soul and mind, but was surprised when he found sentient thought instead. A voice, a tiny yet strong voice, was yelling against his intrusion of it's mind and spirit. This threw him for a loop, weakening his hold for the tiniest of moments before he could reestablish it.

Nevertheless, his strength was waning. The injuries sustained up until now, and all this time spent suppressing his connection to Shade's power had affected his output far too much. The Lynel, far more bound in it's natural strength as opposed to his, gave a roar of defiance. Leaning against and pushing back his hands. Twilight faltered, almost at a loss for words at how this thing was successfully pushing him back.

Him.

"Master!" Twilight snapped his gaze to the side, seeing Aya rushing from the castle towards him. A bow in her hand with a single arrow nocked, but with about twenty other arrows grasped in her other hand. "Hold him still!"

He nodded once, intensifying the brand as much as he could, pouring all of his own power into it. Aya skidded to a stop, taking aim with her bow at just two dozen feet away. She let one arrow fly, which spun haphazardly through the air and into the Lynel's side, far from any vital area. But, she then quickly drew another one from the bundle she held in her opposite hand and shot it off too, then another, and another. In rapid succession that matched a crossbow, she fired off at least twenty arrows into the Lynel's side.

"She traded accuracy for mounting damage." Shade said, intrigued. "...And she says she needs our experience."

The Silver Lynel, damaged near-mortally, gave a roar and lurched backwards, away from Twilight's brand and Aya's arrows. With a growl of wounded rage and pride, it turned heel and galloped towards the main gate and out of Castle Town.

Twilight collapsed to his knee, staring after the retreating beast as it fled towards a large building looming in the distance. A Colosseum, worn away by the ages. A breath escaped him, easing him away from the pit of power-hungry rage he'd dug into. His left eye, once full crimson a moment ago, dulled to the faint tinted sapphire it had always been. His palms burned intensely, the triforce mark on the back of his hand pulsing like a rapid heartbeat in exertion. Anymore of this abuse of his heroic spirit, and he'd end up like Isu...

His attention turned from that morbid thought, towards Lion, who lie motionlessly scant feet away from him. He stood and staggered over to his side, falling back to his knee as he placed a hand on his fallen descendant. There was faint relief welling up in his chest when he realized the Hylian General was still breathing, albeit faintly. He clenched his free hand into a fist, gore staining Lion's armor and black clothing sticking to his fingers and glove.

"C'mon, Lion...You gotta get up." He said hushed, moving to help as Aya joined him at the other side, he quickly sent her away before tending to Lion again. "Little-bit, go grab a medic, now!"

"Yes sir!" She ran off.

"Lion...You have a son...You can't leave him." Twilight frowned at the perpetual silence cloaked over them, grinding at his raw nerves once more. "Lion! Godsdammit! Get up, now!"

The Hylian seemed to rouse, eyes dull and faint, half-lidded and distant as he took in a single rattling breath. Blood seeped from his mouth and nose, clogging his airway. It seemed the earlier slam had done a number on his internal organs. Without a proper healer, he wouldn't last for long. He seemed to realize this however. Weakly, but with drive, Lion's hand grabbed at Twilight's tunic collar, pulling his close. The dying man staring at him dead in the eye, aware of his short time, but very willing to make the most of it.

"L-Link..." He gasped, like he was ready to choke out a last request.

"...Yes?" Twilight's eyes softened, holding his wrist.

"No...My son...As you said..." Lion choked on his blood, tears welling up in his eyes. "You...watch over him, Ancestor. I...have no right to...ask this of you...But...Godsdammit, you take..." He gasped again, blood pouring from his mouth like a fountain. "...good...care of him, yeah?"

"I..." The Hero was at a loss of words. Without thinking, he nodded anyway. "Of course..."

Lion gave a half-grin, slumping back to the ground as he gave a relived sigh. His hand weakly reached out to him, the hero looking down to see him push a broken sword into his bloody hands. Twilight frowned, noticing that it was Lion's own sword, it must have been broken during the fatal blow. Twilight felt a twist form in his stomach at that, as he gripped the hilt firmly and looked back up at him, remembering his own father's demise and legacy in the form of a broken sword.

"Y-you...look like him...Y'know?" Lion muttered quietly, letting his hand drop. "Didn't...really notice...when you first...showed up...but..."

Twilight nodded once, hushing him. "...I know."

The Hylian General, his descendant, looked upwards suddenly at the cloudy sky. He was smiling warmly, eyes alight with a brimming happiness that Twilight hadn't seen since...

Since...

Lion then frowned and blinked once, then twice, raising a hand to point to the west.

"Is that...rain...An...ces...tor...?"

His body began to shiver and quake, gave another horrible rattling sound again. He exhaled one final time, eyes going fully dark as his head rolled to the side, body ceasing even the tiniest of movements. His hand falling onto Twilight's knee, fingers faintly tugging on the skirt of his tunic before going limp. With a final gleam, the Hylian General, and Hero's descendant, passed on to The Death Fields.

There was no fanfare, just finality.

Twilight could only stare at the end, feeling an odd sensation crawl up his back.

Not rage, not at all, but...sorrow, once more.

The feeling of loosing a loved one.

A creeping realization settled through him, the feeling and question of why should he care? He'd only met Lion once and ran off after that, all because Isu said so, because destiny said so? Why did he care for a man he knew so little about? Was it because Lion had been nice to him, after being waylaid so readily by the council and that sheikah woman? Or maybe...it's just because he was his descendant. He could say he didn't care at all, but at the end of the day, he was family.

Loosing one's family was the hardest thing of all, that he knew all too well.

But that brought up the promise of a certain individual, the one who requested his presence, all in the name of saving his descendant. But with that very person in his arms, he just felt betrayal instead, no feeling of thanks to be given to that insufferable man who worked under the Goddesses.

"Isu..." He whispered to nobody except himself and the corpse, channeling that bubbling hatred for that very man. "You...fucking liar..."

His gaze was lowered, hair covering his eyes in a light shadow as inner turmoil rolled through his body. Shade said nothing, nothing about the dead man in his arms, nor the traitor that bore the name Isu, as he was probably feeling the same sadness as Twilight was.

Faintly, he was aware of Aya returning and kneeling beside him, her gaze mourning and shaken.

"I...I couldn't find anyone, master..." She sniffed, crestfallen. "They were all attending to the injured in town..."

Twilight nodded once, hand placed on Lion's chest. "It's not your fault...he was lost anyway..."

The Squire blinked, looking down sadly. "...What will happen to Hyrule's army, now that their general has died?"

"They will promote a new one...or the Lieutenant will step up, whoever that is..."

He stood up and shook his head briskly, preferring not to talk about it now. Aya seemed to understand his silence, standing beside him and staring down at her feet. Twilight turned to walk back towards the castle, but he stopped in his tracks upon gazing forward. Both he and Aya froze upon catching glimpse of the thirteen year-old hylian standing before them.

He wore heavy steel armor, blonde hair matted with sweat since he seemed to have sprinted there despite all that weight. Sapphire eyes open wide with shock, staring at the fallen General lying just behind Twilight, the sword he carried clattering to the ground noisily. The Hero recognized the face instantly, even Aya noticed the resemblance between Father and Son.

"Hey...Kid..." Twilight said softly. "Link-"

"..." Tears were streaming down the kid's face, a choking sniffle escaping his stoic expression. "No..."

His face then contorted from grief to anger, the kid pivoting on his heel as he sprinted off towards the Castle. Twilight frowned, being aware enough to notice that he was running with purpose, not distress. "Ah, Damn." He turned to Aya and motioned to Lion's body, shoving his broken sword into her hand. "Stay here and guard his body. Shade will accompany you, but will remain out of sight, we can't have people freaking out."

"What, why?" Aya questioned.

"Because if that Lynel comes back, Shade's probably the only one who can take it out, so keep it distracted, yeah?"

She attempted to protest further, but he silenced her. Shade's presence left him, though the specter didn't show himself. With a flash of Twilight particles, the hero warped away towards the Castle. He reappeared on top of a tower, before warping to another and another, jumping between vantage points trying to locate his descendant.

It came to a head as he stopped atop a bridge between two of the towers, looking around before hearing a sharp sound echo through the appear. A sound so iconic and unique, that only a Hero could know it. For a moment, he almost imagined a triumphant tune ring through his mind like back then. One that siginified the awakening of a Hero, but this time, it was sullied by a cloud of urgency.

The Master Sword.

Turning on the dime towards the sound, he warped onto another tower and looked down into a courtyard of sorts, a circular path surrounded by a little garden. In the center, was a pedestal, and standing at that pedestal, was Link. Twilight watched, slack-jawed, as the boy held up the Blade of Evil's bane. But there was no triumphant in his posture, but determination. Vengeance.

Behind him, prone on the ground, was the blonde-haired girl from earlier. Princess Zelda. Why she was on the ground, he hadn't a clue, but even she was awestruck when she looked up and gaped at the sight of Link holding the legendary blade.

"This kid...He will be a hero..." Twilight muttered knowingly, though his tone hinted at pride for his bloodline.

Link gazed backwards once, probably at the Princess, before shooting off past her and into the Castle. Zelda sat there in a daze for a moment, then shook her head and rose up, rushing into the halls. Faintly, he could hear that Vvilequin guy from earlier meet up with her. The Princess informed him of what happened, causing them both to run off to tell Rhoam.

Twilight frowned at that, but turned towards Castle Town, flash-warping between high points until he was at the Town Wall. He was just in time to watch Link, on horseback, gallop through and out of town, riding towards the Colosseum after his Father's killer. Twilight had sympathy for the kid, remembering his own father's demise, but if that Lynel was a match for him...

Suddenly, the Hero realized what Isu had meant...Perhaps Lion was meant to die, but with his intervention, he would prevent the same from happening to his son.

"...You've always been so damn cryptic, Isu." He muttered as he warped again, this time back to the Sanctum.

Faintly, as he appeared, he heard the shocked gasps of the Court and Rhoam.

"He pulled the Master Sword!? Incredible!"

"Yessir, But It appears there is no time for celebration." Vvillequin's anxious voice said. "His father is dead, he is driven by rage, and I think he's hunting the Lynel down as we speak."

"He just left Castle Town." Twilight spoke as he warped in beside Zelda, who had been listening intently, she yelped at his sudden appearance. "He's heading in the direction that the Lynel went, towards the abandoned Colosseum to the South-West."

She gave him a look of hatred for a split moment before appeasing her expression, albeit to one of loathing rather than straightforward disdain.

Rhoam nodded sadly, turning to Vvillequin. "See to his father's Body, as for you..." He turned back to Twilight. "Go after Link and bring him back safely. We cannot afford to lose him."

Twilight snorted, instantly shattering into black particles and fading away.

"What gives them the right?" He thought.

---

He materialized inside the Colosseum, on the second floor. A Bokoblin that was resting there squeaked in surprise at the strange Hylian's sudden appearance. Which soon devolved into a death rattle as Twilight sunk the Master Sword into it's chest. He ripped it out, flicking the purple blood off the blade as he sheathed it. The body slumped as he walked past and peered over the ledge at the broken, yet intact ground floor. Cracks dotted the stone floor, years of erosion and negligence begging for the entire structure to collapse.

Trotting around in the middle was the Silver Lynel from earlier, the deep, jagged wound on it's body from Lion's sword was a dead giveaway.

He backed a bit away when the deadly creature caught a glimpse of him, it snorted once and continued it's aimless trotting. It'd be useless if he was detected this early without a plan. But before he could formulate one, the sound of a horse led his eyes to gaze over to the entrance. In walked Link, his descendant and freshly orphaned son of Lion. Anger in his eyes and his grip on this era's Master Sword.

The lynel noticed him instantly, slowly shifting to face him. Another snort and he reached for his bow, it's massive hands stopping short, then opting for it's shield and sword. It scraped them together menacingly, trying to intimidate and scare him away, but Link didn't even budge. The wounded creature frowned at this, halting it's tactic and reverting to a combative stance.

"It can think pragmatically...interesting." Twilight found himself thinking.

Twilight stood up and whistled, catching the attention of both Link and the beast. The former's eyes widened in surprise and confusion, while the latter furiously growled with recognition. Twilight snapped his fingers, the Bow of Light appearing in his hands. He nocked an imaginary arrow, which was replaced with one of pure light. He gave a nod to Link, who upon returning it, let out a scream and charged the beast.

"Kid's got spirit, gotta admit that." Twilight muttered, taking aim. "Hope it doesn't get him killed someday."

fwi-Choom!

He released the light arrow, which erupted spectacularly from his bow and into the chest of the Lynel. It howled in pain and surprise, finally noticing he was being attack on two fronts. It charged forward on all legs and it's hands. Link hopped it's left, his sword cleaving fur and flesh along it's left side, sending a spray of blood onto the ground. The beast growled, catching it's claws into the ground and spinning itself around. They exchanged blows many times as the fight dragged on. Twilight released a torrent of arrows, hitting it in the back and on the body, severely weakening it.

One lucky shot hit it dead in the face, the Lynel's response was to grab a nearby stone and chuck it at him, smacking him dead in the face.

"Ack!" He fell back, clutching his face in pain. "Fuck! Cheap shot!"

While he shook off the pain and reorientated himself, Link soon was under stack by the Lynel, his anger and rage at loosing his father fading once he realized he couldn't just keep dodging forever. Dodging several harrowing swings, he realized that hew as severally outclassed without any advantage. He'd forfeited stealth when he galloped in and his horse had fled moments ago. His unknown ally down for a bit, he had to react accordingly or it would cost him his life.

Thinking quickly, he sidestepped a swipe and prepared a deadly strike to it's-

His thoughts were shattered when the Lynel decided to forgo the sword and smack him with it's giant hand, sending him sailing across the arena and into the cracked wall. He let out a choking cry of pain, completely sure something had broke when his sides burnt in pain, the armor on his back and waist shattering on impact, clattering around him in pieces.

Darkness caved in around him, threatening to overcome his vision as his consciousness faded, he was only semi-aware when something landed in his lap. He looked up, squinting at the object, a bow.

A golden and glowing Bow with two arrows ready to go.

"Hurry!" He heard his ally yell from above, faintly seeing him kneeling down on the edge of the second floor.

Nodding faintly, he grasped the bow and arrows, pulling them back and steadily aiming at the Lynel, which was now charge towards him. His vision kept going in and out, hindering his aim greatly. At this rate, He would miss, possibly even pass out...

The Lynel took it's chance and picked up speed, ready to trample the boy.

"Oh no you don't!"

Twilight yelled, leaping off the second floor and onto the Lynel's back, driving his blade into it, creating a long jagged wound down it's side. It roared, bucking him off. He flipped through the air and landed gracefully, staggering to the side as he dodged a surprise charge from it, making it plow right into the wall. The Lynel whipped around and growled lowly at him, clearly still pissed from earlier.

"Come on, I'm not scared of you..." Twilight muttered, uneasily shifting on his feet.

It reared back and roared in a fury, charging forward on all legs and it's hands, kicking up stones and dust. Twilight breathed out, steadying his nerves as he held his sword, ready to strike with-

Two light arrows shot past him and hit it in the eyes.

Suddenly blind, it tumbled past him and smashed into the wall next to Link, who was now standing up. Dazed, blind, and in a great deal of pain, it slumped down against the wall. Link wasted no time, dropping the Bow of Light and wailing on the Lynel with the Master Sword, slashing sideways onto it's neck, repeatedly. He was yelling and screaming incomprehensibly with each swing. There was no grace, only pure savagery as he cut deeper and deeper.

Until the Blade sliced clean through it's neck and embedded itself into the stone wall.

The decapitated monster could only gurgle as it toppled backwards, it's head sliding off and cracking against the floor with a sickening sound. Twilight wrinkled his nose at the smell of it's blood, sheathing his sword and walking over to Link. The boy stared at the Lynel with disgust and anger, blood staining his armor, hands, and sword. The remnants of his armor fell away, leaving only his black Royal Guard uniform underneath.

Twilight silently grabbed his Bow of Light and stood next to him, hand on his hip, impressed by his sheer audacity.

"Congrats, Kid." He said. "You just killed a Silver Lynel...Although, I kinda helped..."

Thump!

He whipped his head around to see Link collapse and passed out on the ground, the Master Sword clattering noisily from his hand. The weight of his armor and the death of his father bringing him down with ease. Twilight sighed heavily, putting away the Bow of Light, before bending over and picking him up.

"Ya did good, Kid." He muttered softly as he held him close. "You're gonna do great things, I know it."

Placing his foot on the Master Sword on the ground, they faded into black particles, reappearing in the Throne Room of Hyrule Castle.

"The Lynel is dead!" He announced to the surprised Council, King, and Princess. He carefully handed Link to Vvillequin. "...Get him some aid and rest, he's more than earned it."

With a huff of anger, he kicked the Master Sword across the floor, the blade sliding up to the King's feet with a loud scrape along the floor. Twilight pointed to the unconscious boy, face set in stone as he declared with warning and passion, "He's a hero! For your sakes, treat him with the respect I never received from Hyrule's nobility. The respect my bloodline deserves from you, Arrogant Bastards and Mewling Quims."

With that, he marched out of the room. Outside the Sanctum, he would confronted by Rhoam, and then Vvillequin moments later, who lectured him about his insults against the aristocracy. He didn't care, it was the truth as far as he knew. He remembered his treatment back then, the only people who were halfway decent was the Zelda of his time, her husband, and Ralis of the Zora. He doubted, with all his heart, that anything had changed since then. If there's someone who'll do their dirty work, the court will be all too happy to treat them like scum and still ask for their helping hand.

His mood soured, he met back up with Aya and Shade, who were helping transport Lion's body to the Castle. A funeral was already being arranged; he planned to attend, as did Aya. Rhoam provided them a single room in the Castle, but only because Twilight had helped and was, as revealed at some point by Lion, related to the late General.

While Aya slept, he remained awake, not needing sleep anyway. He went for a stroll around the Castle to clear his head, passing through a hallway and gazing out into the courtyard where the Master Sword lay again in it's pedestal.

He would regret the next day, when they expected Link to pull it once more.

They hadn't waited at all, or at least until his father's funeral had passed and given the kid time to mourn. They were ready to use him, another asset to be used in their plans. Their preparation for the upcoming invasion.

Calamity Ganon...

For once, Twilight found himself rooting for the bad guy.

He hoped, however faintly, that he wiped them all out,

"Damned Nobles."

---

He gazed out over Castle Town, sitting on the cliffside outside the Sanctum. Wisps of smoke escaped a tobacco pipe he'd purchased in town earlier, helping calm his already raw nerves. His iconic cap was off, replaced by bandages crossing over his right eye and right side of his hair, small tufts of blonde peeking out. The same could be said for his torso and leg, both heavily damaged and wrapped up like a ReDead, with his tunic worn over to hide them.

There was many things on his mind as is, but the whole destiny bullshit was driving him crazy. He hated the idea of it, he hated Isu for enforcing it, and...He hated this new era, this new world with new foes and concepts that made little sense to him. He hated them all and wished for them be damned, sparing only a few in this pitiful remnant of a country, a mere shadow of the close bond that his Era's Hyrule's people shared. Ordona seemed to be stuck in that era, but not in the bad way, the closeness of comrades giving him hope for the future.

But this land, in the few hours he'd stayed to help with the aftermath of the Lynel's attack, had shown itself for exactly what it was. A bumbling nation clouded by hysteria in response Calamity Ganon's impeding attack. The monarchy hard pressed to prevent such an invasion had led to intensive excavations of nearby mountains and prominent locations mentioned by ancient sheikah texts. There, they unearthed massive structures, autonomous machines built by Sheikah scholars ten thousand years ago to combat Calamity Ganon's previous attack.

So, in a mad scramble, they will unearth and repair theses machines, shanghai Link and this Era's Zelda into Hyrule's service, just to combat this threat.

A noble cause, yes?

But one without compassion. There was no explanation for most things, only strict orders and threats of execution if not followed to the letter. He had spoken to the Infirmary guards and was informed that nearly the entire Royal Court, sans the King, had tried to speak with Link but were denied since he'd yet to regain consciousness. The men had stated that they only wished to speak, but a guard had overheard them explicitly say that they wanted to force him out of bed, into the courtyard, and take up the Master Sword again.

The sheer audacity was enough to baffle him.

It required insurmountable strength and endurance to draw the Sword, as he would know. If he was forced to take it up in his battered, wounded state, he would flat-out die. But even despite that, the nobles were oh-so insistent, that the staff had to move the kid from the infirmary to his room for privacy.

That just pissed him off even more.

He'd worked on his hatred for Nobility before in the past, as he knew that there were some who were of good-nature and not complete snobs. But time and time again he'd been blind-sided by a stuck-up prick who thought less of him than the mud on his shoe. It disgusted him so much that the people that most put their faith in could be completely ignorant of others and their feelings.

"You're rambling." Shade said.

"You're damn right I am!" He snapped at the specter. "What the hell gives them the right to treat him like that!? I mean, what the hell are we doing here anyway, are we just playing the pawn again? Are we meant to suffer for the Goddesses entertainment, or is Isu going out of his way to accomplish that?"

"Twilight-"

"No, I'm pissed! I just watched my descendant die! It's like Wild all over again! Now, I have to suffer in silence as I watch this damned country fall apart at the seams and the court force responsibility on my other descendant. I don't know what code of honor you possess in conjunction with Nobility, but you know all too well that I refuse to partake in...this...bullshit!"

"Link!" Shade barked, halting the hero's rant as he glared. "This is nothing more than routine to us. As Heroes, it is our routine to suffer. And we both know that a Hero's Routine often comes with a price. We fight for those we love only to see them get hurt anyway. Some of us have accepted this payment, others have refused. You do not suffer alone, Lion was my descendant as well...No mention to the fact I have suffered this pain already, many times in fact, before watching you fall as well. Yes, you fell, and I helped you rise up again. It is the very reason I am here, it's why we are both here..."

Twilight stared for a few moments, a mess of emotions hiding behind his eyes. Emotions that his Ancestor could easily read without any Wraith Magic or branding. The pain they shared was tearing them both apart, Twilight especially as he shook his head, lowering his gaze to the ground with a clouded look in his eyes.

"I can't do this anymore..." He murmured. "This torment is unbearable."

"Then we shall endure it together." Shade placed a hand on Twilight's shoulder. "You are not fighting alone, Link. We both are fish out of water in this Era, thinking our errors have outweighed our good will. But one of the errors has founded a Kingdom, the others lasting to this very age...It is a sign that we shall thrive."

"...Let's go back to it then." Twilight looked up, eyes dim. "There's still a war to fight. Nothing awaits me in this land, nothing to fight for."

"The Boy?"

"I never asked to look after him, never intended to..." He shook his head. "It was in the heat of the moment, my sorrow blinding my judgement. I should never had made that promise, I cannot keep it...It is beyond my power to do so...I feel for his pain...But I cannot deal with it in tandem with my own."

Shade nodded slowly. "I understand...but...speaking of broken promises..."

"...I know..." Twilight looked up at him again, face contorting with shame. "I don't know what is causing me to loose control like this. I have been keeping it in check for so long...Why is the Twilight persona arising now?"

The Divine Wraith looked downwards, reaching and grabbing Twilight's right hand and holding it up.

"I think this might be a good reason as any." He said, motioning toward the ring on Twilight's finger.

"The ring? It's a harmless trinket now, isn't it?"

"Not so much anymore, Link." The Specter frowned. "While you were out of commission these past few days, I took the time to look into Talon's crafting of these so called 'dominion rings', as Cyrus called them. Turns out, these are bound to a dark power all too similar to a wraith's power."

"Really?"

"Yes, Perhaps that is why they are called Dominion rings, a wraith's main ability is to dominate living souls. These rings would allow one to become a Wraith themselves if worn long enough. Tell me...have you felt...agitated at all?"

"Hmm...Yes, a little bit..."

"Then this is our answer." Shade dropped his hand. "These rings function similar to how I bind with you, granting and enhancing power, but they have a dark, oppressive presence, in contrast to my far more tame one. It conflicts with my presence. I can suppress the effects, but your resolve to refuse my power will waver with time."

"But...A day was all it took for me to crack..." Twilight paled in realization.

Shade nodded grimly. "How quickly can you defeat Marsh's armies, Link?"

"...I...I don't know."

The Wraith stared for a few moments, before patting Twilight on the shoulder. "We will need our rest then, let us retire to bed for now."

Twilight nodded, shivering as the specter bound to him again. He extinguished his pipe, smacking it against the palm of his glove before pocketing it. Specks of droplets began to pelt him, wherein he looked up to see the night sky and the moon blotted out by black storm clouds. They'd escaped his notice, but he solemly remembered Lion's last words pointing it out. He'd paid no mind to them however. Lightning crashed and thunder rolled as the hero turned about and walked down toward the room he and Aya had been granted. It was behind the Castle proper, literally "on the ass-end" of Hyrule, as he liked to say.

He entered the room quietly, careful not to wake his Squire while he began to set away his gear. Lighting flashed and rumbled, illuminating the room and himself for the briefest of moments as he set away the Master Sword and Hylian Shield.

But, while instinctively reaching for his father's sword, which he'd forgotten, he was surprised when his fingers brushed a hilt anyway. Drawing the weapon, he gaped when he realized it was Lion's snapped-in-half sword, he completely forgot that Aya had given it back. He didn't even give it to Rhoam or Link yet.

"Well...Sleep's overrated anyway, yeah?" He grinned wryly at Shade, who appeared beside him studying the blade. "I hope the kid won't mind a little visit..."

Shade was quiet, completely engrossed in the broken sword's design. He glanced over to the sleeping girl on the bed, namely her own sword and shield resting against the foot of said bed. He turned back once and then looked to Twilight.

"I've seen this sword before..." He said, walking towards Aya's weapons. "Tell me...what do you think of it?"

Twilight looked to the broken blade, instantly noting the parallels between it and his own father's sword. But he paused when he noticed the type of sword it was. The hilt, the blade, the craftsmanship. The certain material, that of goat horns, inlaid into it.

"This is an Ordon Sword..!" He murmured in surprise, turning it over. "Rusl only made Five of these, at most! One for himself, each of the Twins, Wild, and Colin. Nobody I've seen in Ordona Kingdom wields a blade like this."

"Nobody?" He looked up to Shade, who stood with Aya's sword in hand, pulling the blade partway out of it's sheath. "What of this one?"

With a glance, he had an answer. There wasn't any mistake, it was an Ordon Sword as well, albeit with some subtle differences, like the runes engraved into the blade itself...Though, that would mean...

Twilight gaped for a moment, before quickly walking over to Aya and nudging her awake.

"W-wha?" She mumbled, a bit of drool dripping onto her pillow as she woke. "Master?"

"Aya...I need you to be straight with me." His gaze was hard, telling the half-awake girl that he was serious. "What is your actual name?"

"..?" She blinked in confusion, still groggy. "A...Amity."

Twilight's eyes widened. "And...Drake's your cousin..."

"...Yeah...Why?" She made to get up. "Is something wrong-"

"No." He waved quickly. "It's fine, go back to sleep. I just needed to know."

Aya, too tired to think rationally, shrugged and flopped back down, drifting off again. Twilight stood up, expressionless, and walked to the other side of the room, looking out of the window in thought. Shade sheathed the Squire's blade and set it down, walking to stand beside the Hero. They both observed the moon glowing in the sky, bathing the land in shadow and light.

"Amity...The name of one of the Twins. My daughters." Twilight muttered. "If Drake's her cousin, that means he is descended from Dawn...Not to mention Lion, and this new Link, are descended from Wild..."

"Indeed."

He laughed quietly. Not a laugh of humor and good will, but a crack of an emotion as he briefly broke down at the realization. He cackled softly into his palm, as to not wake his newly-discovered descendant, lips split into a manic grin. Shade only observed, allowing the fit to pass before placing his hand on his descendant's shoulder in a reassuring way.

Twilight sniffed, wiping at his eyes. "Fuck this era...Just fuck it."

"Hmm...The Goddesses have a sense of irony it seems..."

"You think?"

Twilight shook his head, completely bewildered at his current situation. With a long suffering sigh, he placed the broken sword in the sheath and retrieved his own weapons. He stared at the Master Sword for a bit longer than usual, most likely gauging it's meaning to himself as he witnessed Link draw it's future-counterpart just earlier that day.

"What do you plan on doing?"

"I'm going to return the sword, attend the funeral, then return to Ordona with Aya, and finish that damned war." He paused, then shrugged. "Then...I don't now, go fishing I guess? Been a while since we've done that."

Shade chuckled. "Perhaps, we can."

With a ghost of a smirk, he left the room and began walking toward his counterpart's room. Being on the other side of the castle, it was a rather tedious walk with many stares courtesy of the castle guard. Unlike Ordona, these men didn't seem nearly as accepting of him.

"Not much has changed, I see." He thought with an eyeroll.

Link's room was amid a hallway of various other rooms, mostly reserved for Royal Guards, but with name plaques at the sides of each door. This made some sense given his rank, but would've been unorthodox otherwise. Hell, if Twilight guessed correctly, they'd probably put him together with the Princess if things involving Calamity Ganon escalated.

He knocked twice on the dark-oak door, but received no reply. Frowning, he knocked again, again no reply.

Twilight tried the door handle, which was surprisingly not locked and open with ease. Stepping into the small, but comfy room, he took note of the absence of it's occupant, and the decoration that lined the walls. There was black-and-white photos of varying quality all over the walls, of places both familiar and unfamiliar.

Faron Woods, The Lake of Hylia, Gerudo Desert, and Death Mountain.

He had to suppress his nostalgia as he began to look around for clues as to his descendant's whereabouts. Shade had unbound and paced around the room, stopping by the writing desk underneath the single window in the back of the room. The specter leaned over and read the contents of the papers lying there, humming in interest as he did so.

"Shinguru-sutorōku" He read, single eye narrowed in interest. "A form of swordplay that involved a single-stroke to quickly end a battle...This is a very advanced technique, yet it seems as if he's mastered it..."

"He's a Royal Guard, and our descendant, it makes sense that he would be naturally skilled." Twilight gave a wry grin. "Remember, I hadn't a clue how to use a bow, but I wielded the Hero's Bow like a master archer."

"Yes..." Shade smirked in turn, looking back and shifting through the papers. "He seems very interested in combat, mostly how to end it as quickly as possible. If only he possessed the abilities of a Wraith..."

"Hmm..." Twilight didn't agree with that, but was too busy looking at the pictures around the room to protest further. His gaze stopped on a picture of a woman with red-hair and brown-eyes, smiling brightly and playing what looked like a harp made from the frame of a bow. "Is this his mother?"

Shade glanced up to the picture. "She looks...familiar..."

"Yeah, almost like mom...except...I don't know."

He kept looking, this time to a picture of what looked like a red-skinned Zora with golden eyes, holding her hands gently to the arm of a blonde short-haired child with cat-like eyes, wearing a light-blue shirt with a lobster design on it. It didn't take that much of a guess that the boy was Link, the short hair throwing him off, but the Zora was quiet interesting since he hadn't seen a red-colored one before.

"Remind you of Ruto, Shade?" He teased.

The Specter glanced up again, then shook his head slightly, chuckling under his breath. "Goddesses, No."

Twilight laughed, shaking his head as well as he looked back to the previous picture. "Well, It's not a stretch to say that he's gone back to his mother, wherever that is..."

"Judging from those pictures, as well as these-" He held up a stylized drawing of the same Zora. "-drawings, then I would bet that he lives near Zora's Domain, hmm?"

"Fifty Rupees says you're wrong."

"Alright, but you have to get there via Wolf Form."

"Deal!"

---

The workout was ideal, plus it felt good to be a mostly-dark colored wolf running near-quietly under the cover of the stormy night. Rain soaked his fur as he prowled along the river, dodged groups of traveling soldiers, and snuck past a bustling riverside stable. He the knew the way to Zora's domain by heart, even if the landscape had changed, memories of time spent fishing with Wild and Ralis kept cropping up as he sped along on all fours, kicking up mud and wet grass.

But the light of a distant village crossed the dark hills, signaling him to return to his human form, for obvious reasons. In his wandering mind, Twilight quickly noted the massive river surging down through the mountains, no doubt leading up towards the domain itself, and the fact that the village was built into a small valley of sorts bordering. With the storm raging around him, he immediately noted that if something were to happen that caused the river to overflow and expand, the village would probably get swept away and drowned and replaced by a swamp.

Trying to look inconspicuous, which didn't take much effort, he strolled along the road and up to the gate. A large sign hung above it and, in stylized Hylian wording, read "Goponga Village".

"Tacky, we know." Said one of the Guards at the gate with a light-zora accent, though a Hylian compared to his comrade, who was an actual Zora. "What brings you here at this time of night, friend? And in a storm no less?"

"Nothing devious, m'afraid." Twilight replied with a northern accent of his own, a fragment from his childhood living on his family's ranch, though washed away by his widespread travels, he could still call upon it as easily as he could call upon Shade. "I was just looking for a kid, about thirteen I think, he looks like me in royal guard uniform."

"Oh! You mean Link?" Asked the Zora, pointing his silver spear back past Twilight. "His family's house is just down that way, head towards the fork in the road, then go left rather than right towards the Stable."

"Well Well, Guess who owes me fifty rupees?"

"Alright, thanks!" Twilight said through gritted teeth, trying to sound happy.

He waved, turning heel and heading down the suggested route. Once out of sight, he turned back into a wolf to pick up the pace, speeding down the road again until he reached the fork. He was about to turn when he heard the whinny of a horse, turning to see a rider heading towards him from his descendant's residence.

Sitting on the road, rather casually for a wolf, he waited until the rider came closer and, eventually, stopped right next to him. They looked down at him, face hidden underneath the shadow of hood. Only sorrowful ruby-red eyes gazed at him, familiar ones, but these were fresh and contorted with newfound grief, but also confusion at his presence. "...What the? A wolf?"

Still staring at this mysterious wolf, which was far from where any wolf should be in Hyrule, the person soon shook his head and gave a grunt of indifference, before he reined his horse back, galloping off towards the Stable.

"Hmm..." Twilight hummed, turning in the opposite direction and sprinting off.

He could make out the outline of a house, shrouded in the stormy night as he stepped up to it. The lights inside were on, but there was some sort of commotion going on around the back. Stealthily prowling around the corner, peaked back to see a small ranch of sorts. There was a collection of goats, ones from Ordon given their horns, and a woman attempting to wrangle them into a barn.

The goat she was tugging at bleated in disapproval, threatening to charge her if she pulled it any further. Twilight scowled and quickly transformed, hopping the fence and running up to them. Giving a whistle to get her attention, he stopped at the goats side, already soothing it.

"What?" She stared at him, slack-jawed.

"Don't worry, the storm'll shake them, but not too bad." He gently took the goat from her and led it into the barn, before moving onto another goat. If only he had Epona, he could wrangle these guys in a heartbeat. He glanced to the woman, still standing there petrified. "C'mon, let's go!"

She seemed to snap out of it, hurrying to aid him in bringing the last of the goats in. It was quick with the two of them and soon the barn door was closed and barred. Twilight let out a sigh, standing under the edge of the barn roof to keep dry. To say that was tedious, but somewhat relaxing was an understatement. He really did miss tending to a ranch, working with animals.

It was something of a pastime for him.

Before he could speak, two hands were placed on his cheeks. He opened his eyes to see the woman staring at him intently, tears welling up in her brown eyes. Noting her red hair, Twilight quickly realized that this must be Link's mother. What she was doing however, was beyond him.

"Lion...?" She breathed with hope.

Oh.

"I'm...afraid not..." His eyes softened, gently taking her hands away from his face. "...He has passed on."

"Oh...I see..." She dropped her hands, staring at the ground. Her face was already wet from the rain, so he couldn't tell if she was crying. An eerie silence passed before she spoke again. "I'm sorry...Where are my manners? Thank you for helping me with the goats, will you please come in?"

She motioned to the house nearby, to which he gave a quick nod.

---

The home was cozy, with wooden walls and soft carpet rather than stone. Truly, Lion's status as General meant he could afford luxury for his family. Twilight kept that thought as he was told to take off his muddy boots and rest in the parlor, to which he politely declined. Being the country boy-type, this level of commodity was still foreign to him, despite the various meetings he'd undertook when living and working at the Castle during his Era.

They had entered the kitchen, the woman hurrying to make some tea for the unexpected guest. Which she set upon a platter, along with kettle, cups, and all, on the kitchen counter and pouring him some.

"Sugar?" She asked.

"Yes, thank you." He nodded, leaning back with his hands on the counter. Having gained a liking to sweet tea after time spent in Ordona, he'd started taking some liberties in adding an excessive amount of sugar to his drink.

She handed him his cup, before making her own. They drank their respective cups quietly, before setting them down with a clink of porcelain. After another string of silence and a few escaped sniffs from the woman, she spoke up. "Forgive me...It feels like my very soul is being weighed down...I had hoped you were..."

Twilight nodded slightly, understanding that she was still reeling from news of what happened just earlier that day. It hurt him personally seeing people sad, but he couldn't do anything in this case except express his sympathy.

"It's a sad affair..." He sighed, rubbing his eyes. "It's hard to lose a relative, even if I didn't know him that well...I wish I got to know him more..."

"Hmm..." She looked to him, circles under her eyes as she studied his face again. "...You're his ancestor, right?"

He blinked in surprise. "I am...He told you?"

She nodded, rubbing the back of her neck. "He did, I didn't believe him though..." She paused. "But...In a world of fairies, dragons, and heroes, I suppose there are more outlandish things."

"I like her already." Shade mused.

"I'm Marin, Lion's wife." She held out her hand, which Twilight shook. "And you are?"

"Link, but I go by Twilight." He inclined his head as he leaned back again. "I do believe your son is named after me."

Marin frowned and shook her head. "It wasn't my idea, and Lion wasn't aware of the significance of that name. He just suggested it and we thought it was good fit."

Twilight narrowed his eyes at that, but shrugged it off.

There was far too much inconsistency anyway, he didn't want to worsen the fact.

---

A/N: *The author stops typing and gives an aside glance to the viewers, before continuing with the transition.*

---

Aya tucked her knees to her chest, staring sideways at the flickering lantern on the end table at her bedside. There was a certain sourness in her gut, giving her the worst feeling, anxiety and worry. With how her master spoke when asking for her name, she knew right off the bat that he'd figured out their relation to one another. It was no secret to her, however doubtful she was when Drake informed her of the fact.

Drake had always known they were related to the Hero of Twilight, being close with the Ordona Royal Family typically allowed for that knowledge to reach him easily. He had figured that the hero would piece it together sooner, but it wasn't meant to be it seemed.

Though, it was not Drake's idea for her to train underneath him.
That was more of a spur-of-the-moment type of plan.

In her limited travels with Twilight, as he was calling himself, Aya began to note many oddities about his personality. He seemed to hide his compassion underneath a wall of abrasiveness and snark, which didn't do him any favors to the doubtful. There was many a time he'd seen it crack open, while training her, speaking to Master Time, and when the Hylian General died.

She wondered what thoughts were running through his head.

With a sigh, she rose up from the bed and began to collect and strap on her gear. She hadn't a clue as to where he went, but she reasoned he wouldn't want to be followed anyway, not that she could in this foreign land. Her chainmail skirt rustled as she fasted her sword and shield to her back, tugging on it to make sure it was secure, before quietly exiting the room.

Hyrule Castle was, in no uncertain terms, a maze of winding corridors and wandering guards that bore blank faces of indifference to the night shift. The howling of wind and rain whistled at open windows and pattered against the glass of closed ones. Aya had to take a detour through some underground passages to get around having to walk through that torrent of rain. Her aimless journey, wishing for something to do, had led her into a room filled to the brim with bookcases and the banks of knowledge stored on their shelves.

Perfect.

Sitting in the far corner, shrouded in shadow aside from a single candle on her table, was a blonde-haired girl with green eyes, staring intently at a book below her. A pair of glasses were perched on her nose, but they seemed to only be for reading. Aya was quiet, but made her presence known as to not startle the mysterious girl, who seemed to be about her age, but of a scholarly background. She walked to a bookcase, audibly tapping her feet to draw the blonde's attention from her book for a split second. She succeeded, but also received a rather harsh scowl from said girl, who grumpily went back to her book.

Probably a Chambermaid on her break.

Aya decided to pay her no mind, browsing through the book selection with an idle hand. She wasn't much of a reader, but with her teacher gone and a storm raging outside, there was little she could do. With this enormous collection though, time could literally fly by if she found the right book...But what was she in the mood for?

Suddenly, a stray thought struck her.

Hurriedly shifting through the books, which were thankfully labelled alphabetically, she began to search for a book that had any mention of Wraiths within it. The search was harrowing and tedious and she had to swap between bookcases several times in a miniature wild goose chase, but she managed to obtain a single lead, "The Fall of the First Knights of Hyrule and the Rise of Their Wraiths".

With relief, she pulled out a chair and set the book down in the glow of a candle, and she began to read. Some of it was in a foreign language of sorts, what seemed to be...Marshtongue? No, it was ancient Hylian now that she had a good look at it. The lettering was refined and more elegant than it's counterpart, which was a mere bastardization of the hylian language.

From what Aya knew, or was forced to learn back in basic training, Marsh actually used to be apart of Hyrule, but fractured off after a Civil War with it's mother country. By that logic, it meant Marshmen were descended from Hylians, explaining their rather harsh relationship with them nowadays.

Why they attack Ordona though, was beyond her.

The squire shook her head, running a hand through her honey-colored hair as she flipped through the pages. She eventually came across a summary that was, thankfully, translated into New Hylian, which near-everyone spoke these days.

She read...

---

"In a bygone area, once the first of the Hylians returns from their lofty home in the sky, there was the establishment of the First Kingdom of Hyrule, led by an ancient hero and princess, bound as Husband and Wife. The Hero, his prowess with a sword unchallenged, but soon weakened by age, sought to protect the growing kingdom by founding the Knights of Hyrule, the first of their order. These loyal men and women fought many battles through the Era of Chaos preceding the true formation of Hyrule."

"But all was not to be, as their order was subjected to a horrific purge during the Force Era, leaving Hyrule vulnerable to the Wizard Vaati's attack. But, unlike the future Orders that were re-established by later Heroes, there was something special of the First Order of Knights. Their motivation to save and protect Hyrule was so great, and their shame of their failure and death, had breached the barrier between the World of the Living and The Death Fields. Their very souls were revived without a shell to contain them, giving birth to the first Wraiths."

"These former knights, banished from death by their own decree, continued their service to Hyrule's Royal Family for generations in a terrifying crusade of power and courage. Unfortunately, their state was not recognized with open arms like they had expected, many fears the Wraith-Knights and their terrifying powers to control the mind and souls of men. This was one of the few minor factors that led to the Hyrulean Civil War prior to the Era of the Hero of Time."

"The war tore the once-great country apart and led to the second deaths of many Wraiths, who either were banished back to the Death Fields by powerful magic users or faded away with time, though none have quite figured out why. There was a rumor that, as specters similar to a Poe, they could not die and held a degree of immortality...But their existence was tied directly to their magic pool, think of stamina but for magic, and were simply unable to remain tethered to the mortal realm."

"All is known now, that Wraiths are very rare creatures, their whereabouts often only known by Dark Mages and Necromancers who seek their powers of dominion over souls. There has been recurring evidence that Gerudo Brainwashing techniques were founded upon the abilities of Wraiths, particularly in reign of the infamous Twinrova's sorcery. This would require further study however and personal accounts from a Gerudo magic-user, which are very few and in-between these days.

As a footnote, there is a long standing rumor that Chosen Heroes could become Wraiths, but this has long since been dismissed."

"It is a thought, though."

-LS

---

Aya frowned and stood up, flipping the pages as she left the library.

Her thoughts drifted to her Teacher's status as a Half-Wraith. There was definite fear in those who were aware, awe in some others, and pride in many soldiers for their superior. She wondered if the Hylian Army of his Era held the same views as Ordona's did now.

Thinking back to her master, she remembered his appearance. Of a young man between the ages of seventeen and nineteen at the very least, wearing that worn green tunic and cap, the inspiration of Ordona's army uniforms. He'd always kept his bow tucked over his arm, and that snapped-sword he seemed to cherish next to his normal sword, reminding her of the Brokenblades and their characteristic weapons.

It really dawned on her that Twilight seemed to have influenced a good part of Ordona's culture and factions, even if indirectly.

She then thought of his "wraith" form, as she would call it. All too similar to his normal self, except split down the middle, from his scalp trailing down to his left hip. His entire left side would glow and become ethereal, showing the image of Master Time in his Shade form. Ancient armor and a broken horned helmet the only real significant detail that set them apart in that state, as well as the Wraith's skeletal-like face.

Back to Twilight, Aya regarded him as always battle-ready, but very noticeably laid back, almost cocky. This would get you killed normally, but from what Aya had seen, there was reason behind his arrogance. Various instructors would yell at you for acting that way, like your too good for your opponent.

Twilight was just that good.

Even if his own abilities weren't up to par, he could have Master Time possess him and deal with the enemy.

That was another thought that she'd had, that particular ability that her teacher seemed to use in repetition, at the cost of his strength. It zapped him dry pf stamina and left him either winded or unconscious. With such a drawback, why would he keep on using it? And what of his "Twilight Wraith" story? In her personal opinion, he didn't seem the kind of person to purposely use a wraith's power over souls so willingly, nor did he seem the type to "go mad with power" either.

There was several layers of mysteries to that man, mysteries that she wanted to uncover and solve.

Even if it was a passing fancy, rather than her personal objective.

She had stepped into their room, closing the door behind her. She set the book on the writing desk, lighting the lantern there as well. It was all on autopilot mostly however, as she was still thinking. Perhaps, she thought still, that the "Twilight Wraith" was a mere excuse for using Master Time's power willingly?

The fight with that Lynel, she had seen him use that power by himself. The squire noted from before, that his side that glowed with the power of Master Time, was far different that when the Wraith himself was in control. The normal, bluish-gold tint to the form, so pure and good, had darkened to a sickly-green-gold hue instead. The ethereal armor was the same, but seemed to have been modified, almost reminding her of Ordonian Ranger armor. Then there was his face, which was completely different.

Rather than the helmeted skull of Master Time, there was instead a younger, fairer face. It's features were softer than Twilight's, but...still so familiar. It wore the same green cap that Twilight did, but with an added Faceguard with unique markings. The eye would remain red, but now with a blue tint, a complete inversion of that eye's normal look.

It was like...They were one in the same...Yet different.

"I wonder..." She murmured, closing the book.

---

There was a lot of things Twilight hadn't known about this kid, that was for sure.

He listened patiently, tentatively asking questions as Marin went on about Lion. He kept his attention focused solely on her, letting her get whatever turmoil she had left out of her system via her stories. Be they humorous or sorrowful.

She described the late General as a man of action, but very level-headed and down-to-earth. He cared deeply for his family and was very proud when his son turned out to possess unparalleled natural skill with a blade, and even moreso when he joined the Royal Guard.

He'd been raised in the Snowy Northwest, up high in a mysterious mansion in the Hebra mountains before moving to the rolling green hills of Hyrule Field, to a house in Gatepost Town in the shadow of the Great Plateau, the supposed birthplace of Hyrule. He joined the local guards before being promoted to auxiliary after a harrowing battle with the Yiga Clan.

Rising through the ranks, he became lieutenant underneath the blatantly corrupt General Ebara, who cared more of his reputation rather than the state of the country he swore to protect. The Yiga Clan, a far greater force, one caring little for said General, easily slaughtered him and his forces in an ambush in the Faron Region.

The skirmish was now known as "Ebara's Folly", which immediately led to Lion taking command and managing to route the Yiga's forces, pushing them through Lurelin Village and trapping them on the Beach. This summarily led to the massacre of the majority of the Yiga's forces, changing it into the isolated group of assassins they are today.

The battle of Cape Cresia, as it was known, would lead to Lion taking the helm as Hyrule's General. After that, the army underwent major changes meant to stamp out corruption and improve their abilities, all over viewed by Lion personally.

The aftermath of the battle had also led to Lion meeting Marin, who was living in Lurelin village at the time. He had saved her from being taken hostage, along with many other of the village's citizens. They got together sometime after Lion's promotion and began a ranch near Zora's Domain to raise a family.

Needless to say, the man didn't bear the triforce of courage, but he was still a damn good hero.

Twilight glanced into the room of his descendant's son, who lay in bed covered in bandages. The matted blonde hair, the scarred facial features. What Shade had said months ago was true...This boy was the spitting image of Wild, down to those sapphires if memory served him.

It made him feel so sad...yet happy?

He watched as Marin silently removed and replaced the bandages, stroking her son's forehead affectionately before stepping back out.

"...He's so much like him." She said with a smile. "If what you say is true, and the Master Sword chose him as a Hero, then I know he'll do well."

"Depends if the assholes in the Royal Court gain some compassion." The hero muttered gruffly. "From my experience, they're all stuck up pricks with no morals beyond the care for their country and position."

"Not all of them are like that." Marin protested. "I've been to meetings to Lion, there are plenty of them who have good hearts. Brit, York, Thoric, and Lime especially!"

"Forgive me then, I haven't the best experience with nobles."

"Well just don't judge people without knowing them!" She snapped, pointing a finger in his face. "Some of them are my friends, so if you mess with them, I'll beat you into the ground!"

"Sheesh, fine then!" Twilight held up his hands in defeat, muttering to himself. "Great Din, if she has this much of a temper, I can only imagine what the kid's like..."

"My case in point is Link himself, he was brought in here by the Army's lieutenant, who's family is personally involved with the Royal Court as well."

"Lieutenant? You mean the guy with blue hair, right? Vvilequin, was it?"

She gave a curt nod and wave of her hand. "You might've seen him when you came in, riding back towards the Castle."

"Hmm..." Twilight stared at the window, thinking. He gave a sigh. "...Whatever."

"Just...try to imagine it from our perspective. Give them a chance, fifteen-Thousand years have passed, things are bound to change!"

Twilight promptly lowered his gaze to the back of his hand, and the glowing triangle that connected to two similar black mark, all three which glowed through his gloves.

"Not much, it seems."

The rain had let up, so he bid the woman goodbye and promised to visit in the future. Once outside, looking out over the murky, soaked land before him that was illuminated by the rising dawn, he transformed into Wolf Form again and sprinted off towards the Castle. Even if he could just warp, he needed to think for a moment.

"...What?" He growled defensively.

"I didn't say anything..." Shade replied coolly.

"I can feel you grinning...It's really fucking annoying too."

"Well, I'm just thinking on how similar you are to that woman." The specter mused. "A good person on the exterior, but quite the temper underneath that hard shell."

"Hi pot, I'm kettle." Twilight snarked.

"And that brings me to my next point, I think she makes a good point." Twilight paused, growling lowly as the Wraith continued unfazed. "Your prejudice against nobility is becoming a liability, and is starting to look more and more unfounded with each passing day."

"Only because-!"

"Only, because of what happened to Wild, the first one." Shade snapped, appearing infront of him, albeit in Shade form as opposed to Wolf Form. Twilight transformed as well to match his height. "I was there, Twilight, you remember it damn well. Scythes deserved what he got, but that turmoil has affected you so horrendously that it's thrown you off even after all these years! How long will you lie to yourself, claiming "Twilight Wraith" this and "Twilight Wraith" that!?"

He made sure to keep his voice raised, or he'd never get through to the hero. Shade had much experience with the man before him, a lifetime of it, and he knew how to get a point across. For so long, he let Twilight have his peace. Fooling himself by claiming his bouts of anger as the result of the Twilight Wraith's influence, as if they were indeed a separate entity.

"Remember who you are..." He pleaded.

"I...do." Twilight replied with a sign, rubbing his eyes as he turned around to gaze over the landscape. "...It's just...all this has thrown me for a loop."

Shade stepped beside him, looking to him and listening attentively.

"You're right, Shade. You've always have been...And I want to change what we are, Shade." The Hero spoke again. "People fear us and know us as a 'Demon Wraith' even to this day. They look up to us, with awe and fear. I want to fix that, show them that we are still the heroes we've always been."

"Like 'The Twilight Wraith' before us?"

"No. Too long I've used that excuse of a title. This whole hero thing, the wraiths and whatnot...They're pretty much done." He gave a sad look. "We're more ghosts than people..." The specter nodded slightly at that. "No. This time, we are not heroes, but men. Flawed men who are not immune to our anger, who don't blame some persona that never even existed." He shook his head. "We are not heroes anymore. But we shall set an example for this new era, for this new Hero that will rise."

"This is...quite grown up of you."

"Heh...I've been thinking of it ever since we set foot in this era, and even prior to that." He said with a smile. "Back in my era, I was thinking, and then now in this new one, I kept thinking...on how to improve myself. What more could I learn? How can I grow? So, I've decided that all bets are off." He looked to his ancestor, a deep frown replacing his optimism. "Shade, after we end the war in Ordona...I want you to return to the Death Fields, while I remain here."

Shade blinked in surprise. "...I am bound to your spirit...forever...I cannot just leave."

"Yet, you can go where you please." Twilight reminded. "I will not keep you here any longer than you wish. But, if I'm to improve myself, I need to do so by my own hand, not one guided by a wraith, a specter, or whatever you find yourself to be."

"...I see..." The specter turned to look over Hyrule. "...You're steadfast in your wish, and that is admirable. But I will not just leave you to fate. I will lessen my bond, so I am only slightly connected to you. So that I may appear in your most dire hour." He looked up, determined. "Where you go, I go. Never will you walk alone."

Twilight nodded, accepting that. "Of course."

The specter nodded in turn, binding himself again to the former Hero, who turned to look at the silhouette of Hyrule Castle on the horizon. How similar it looked to the one of his era. It's eerie shadow was still the same, cast over Hyrule Field in a bath of dawning light, acting as an arrow, pointing southwards.

To Ordona.

His home.

"And even after all these years, you still intrigue me the most." Came a chilling voice. "...Twilight Wraith."

Twilight's brow furrowed, instantly drawing his sword as he turned to glare at Isu. The Goddesses' messenger was casually sitting on a rock, his knee pulled up to his chest with his hands resting atop it. While hidden by his mask, it was all too obvious he was smirking.

"Of course, that name holds no merit. It never did, did it?" He stood up and walked over. "Who fought in the Twilight War? You did. Who slayed Ganondorf? You did. Who fought wars, broke minds, stole souls, and blamed it all on some persona that didn't exist just so he could handle the guilt and shame of it?" He chuckled. "Need I go further?"

Twilight glared in reply.

"Ah...but nevertheless, I applaud you for accepting your mistakes." He held out his arms. "And here is your reward: Fresh Marsh blood, all the way to Talon himself!"

Twilight frowned. "What're you...?"

"Hurry back to Ordona, a great battle is afoot."

---

Aya grunted as she and her teacher landed on the rough ground next to the Seregost Fort, which was positively bustling with activity. Soldiers, be they Ordonian, Hylian, Darknuts, or Bulbins, were running about with weapons and supplies, piling them into Wagons and mounting their horses.

"What's happening?" She asked, confused.

"Hmm...Drake!" Twilight waved upon spotting the one-eyed Ordonian.

He stopped in place and looked over to them. "Oh, you're back! Where the hell have you two been?"

"Had some business in Hyrule...What's happening here?" He waved his hand around. "Are we mobilizing for the Barrows across the field?"

"No, we've already taken that one yesterday, as have we the one in Ashland." Drake said, brow furrowed. "Well...Taken being a loose term. It was abandoned when our forces got there...That's when Marsh's forces ambushed them. They're dug in, but they'll only last for so long..."

"Seems we're on the opposite end of the stick this time..." Twilight muttered. "Without Cyrus, I was sure they would fall back to Kalenvar."

The Ordonian shook his head. "No, there is the second Captain, Daythef. She's taken over and there is rumors that Talon himself is marching towards the Barrows as we speak. We're mounting a counter-offensive."

"I can see...We take out Talon, and their armies crumble..." He mused. "Nice that Darius has come to his senses..."

"A greater lie has never been told, Hero of Twilight."

Twilight and Aya both turned to see quite the familiar face, Lady Primrose "Winter" Latoan, wearing what was no doubt an armor inspired by his Magic Armor, down to the diadem on her forehead, but bearing Ordona's banner on the tunic's skirt.

"M'lady!" Aya bowed quickly, suddenly flustered.

She grinned at Aya's sudden act and Twilight's surprised look. "Darius has been relieved of duty after being declared unfit for command. I will take command of Ordona's forces for the time being and will lead them into this battle."

"Good to see someone has sense around here then." Twilight inclined his head. "What's our game plan, then?"

She motioned for them to follow, to a hastily set-up table next to the main gate. There was a sprawled out map, detailing the border between Seregost and Ashland provinces, specifically the Barrows that were just a hop-skip away from the border. Mars's forces had poured in from the North and West, destroying and burning down the town at the other end of Ashland. Now, they were pushing to retake the Barrows which guarded the path to the border.

"We're to meet up and reinforce the men at the Barrows, then charge the enemy lines, give them little chance to use whatever artillery they may have procured."

"Easy enough, what's the catch?"

"Well, as Drake has probably told you, Talon and his remaining Captain Daythef the Outlaw are supporting their forces. While I'm not too concerned of Daythef, Talon is cunning and will undoubtedly lead his forces into battle."

"Right, tell me more of Daythef."

"Little is known, I'm afraid." Winter frowned. "She is apparently an outlaw by trade, one who desires riches thanks to that damned ring of hers. She supposedly possess the ability to control wildlife and creatures, though this was unfounded until recently...It's hard to separate fact from rumor..."

"We'll have to improvise then." Twilight placed a hand on the map. "I'll take on Talon if he shows up, Daythef too if she gets in the way. Is there anything else we need to know?"

Winter reached below the table and grabbed a silver axe and sword, placing both on her hips. "Only if you're ready for battle."

Twilight glanced up to the sky, whistling a tune. The shape of a hawk crawing in response made him smile as he looked back down. "Born ready."

---

There was a yell to rally the troops, who mounted their horses and carts, falling in behind Winter, Twilight, Aya, and Drake. Before they departed, Winter turned on her horse to address her forces, speaking loud enough for them to hear.

"My fellow men and women of Ordona! Today may be the final push to victory, our victory to take our home back from Marsh, from Talon. With our hearts set, our swords sharpened, and our bows steady, we shall rend the foes of Marsh and drive them away! Follow us, one last time in this war!" She turned to Twilight. "Anything to add, sir Link?"

Twilight glanced at her, then to the army. He cleared his throat and spoke. "I speak from the heart today. Today, where I embrace this era I find myself in. I am proud of what my home has become, this shining kingdom. I speak to you, not as a wraith for this is no serious moment, but as a friend. For this day, as Marsh gives us one last act of strength, we shall return the favor with one last act of courage!" He raised his fist "As brothers and sister in arms, to war! To battle!"

A roar of support rushed through the army, signaling those at the front to turn about and lead the charge from the border gate. Atop Epona, with Aya and Drake at his sides on their own horses, Twilight rode through the fields of Seregost, kicking up dirt and grass as they charged through the former battlefield that Cyrus had blotted the land with. Past makeshift graves and discarded weapons, headed south, then towards the west now.

The tumbling of wagons joined with the thundering of hooves, Twilight looking to the west to see the rest of the Bulbins, atop their bulbos, joining with their ranks. Along with them were more wagons and horses, loaded with the remnants of the Darknuts, ready for battle.

At the front of this daunting force, Twilight felt himself smile at being part of something again.

He felt at home.

"Hero."

He turned to Winter. "Yes?"

"You still have Talon's ring, do you not?"

He nodded and held up his hand to show off the fact.

"Good...As you know, those who possess the rings have immortality." She said curtly. "You may want to figure out how you intend to take down Talon in that case."

Twilight frowned and nodded. "Right..."

---

The Ordona Army thundered through the harrowing valleys and canyons that led to Ashland, the air growing very dry and heated, thick with smoke at times as they entered a very flat expanse of land, that after a about mile or so, dropped down into a deep canyon that boiled with volcanic activity.

It was at the top of this flat area where the Barrows were located, being something a fortress in and out of themselves, despite being claimed as a temple of sorts. But, given his experience with temples, it hardly surprised Twilight. He continued to lead the charge alongside Lady Latoan, slightly behind her since he didn't know much of the way.

The Barrows rose a good deal above them, spires and archer towers connected to a top archway attached to a surrounding wall shrouded in ashy mist. Banners bearing the Ordonian sigil barely visible from the highest spire, signaling it's occupying force had endured whatever Marsh had thrown at them, as evident by the scorched and damaged land and walls. They seemed have sighted the calvary, as the main gate opened for them to enter.

Half of the army did so, while the other half began to set up shop. Digging in and building hasty defenses in preparation for the upcoming onslaught that was bound to happen. This was confirmed once Twilight and company dismounted inside and were approached by the remaining defenders. A furious battle had ended mere moments ago, with Marsh's forces retreating into the mist, taking any bodies left on the battlefield with them, be they Marshmen or Ordonian.

"What?...Why would they do that?" Winter frowned heavily.

"Perhaps they intend to raise the dead, like Cyrus could?" Drake suggested.

"No." Twilight shook his head. "Only his ring possessed that ability, Shade has been studying it."

"Then why?"

"...I don't know."

Suddenly, there was cry from outside. A war horn had sounded from across the volcanic plains, where Marsh had fled to. The group quickly moved up to the top of the gate arch, looking out towards it's origin. It continued to sound, with the mist of ash receding with each blow. Soon, figures and shapes could be made out, then colors. Then all the mist vanished, leaving the clear, hot air and a perfect view of the fruit of Marsh's labor.

Their army, wearing stripped armor of silver due to this heat, stood steadfast before a field of corpses, their discarded swords stabbed into the ground in a mock memorial intended to demoralize. It did the opposite, growls of rage coursing through the Ordonian ranks as Twilight narrowed his eyes. He took the hawkeye from his bag and put it on, instantly spotting two defined figures standing atop a mound of stone.

One, a woman, wore the colors of a brokenblade, blackened with some obscene magic, her face covered with a black hood and facemask.

Daythef.

The other, a man wearing a similar hood, but all black robes. His gauntlets and boots were spiked, made of an unknown metal that coursed with dark magic. Just underneath that cowl of his, two eyes of amber peered across the way, up to meet the former hero's gaze. A shiver of red-green energy coursed over him, his left-side becoming transparent in an oddly familiar way. Similar to a wraith, all originating at the red-jeweled ring on his finger, nothing but a crude mockery.

Talon.

Both Twilight and Shade had their suspicions, but this all but confirmed that Talon's craft of the rings were based on the wraith's power. It certainly made this battle more interesting, to fight a fellow wraith, no matter how "false" he may be.

The mist gone, the source of it had been revealed. A town, just behind Marsh's forces, torched to nothing but ash and ember now, moans of the dead and dying reaching Twilight's sensitive ears even from this distance. A scowl on his face, Twilight cursed as he took off the hawkeye. At his side, Shade appeared looking in the same direction.

Talon turned to his remaining captain; Daythef nodding at an unknown command and raising her hand, the ring on her finger glowing a ethereal blue as she placed her hand on the black stone jutting out of the rock beneath her. The group gaped in shock as it began to rise up, with both ringbearers atop it. Daythef's supposed control of monsters seemed to be true, given the gasps going around.

"A Stone Talus!" Someone squeaked.

"Talus?" Shade murmured to Twilight, who gave a curt nod. "It seems Isu's predictions have come to pass so far."

"Except for the betrayal part." The former hero thought.

"Master..." Aya said suddenly, looking quite determined. "I'll take on Daythef and her Talus."

Twilight looked down at his squire, pleasantly surprised at the seriousness in her tone, unlike her meek personality from before. "You sure, little-bit?"

She nodded. "Yes, sir. After seeing you fight that Lynel, it got me thinking...I outta start pulling my own weight before I become a burden...Consider this my test."

"Hmm...Right then." He turned back. "Head on down, give 'em hell."

"Yes sir!" Aya whipped around and headed towards the main gate, Winter and Drake watched her go, the latter following while the former remained with Twilight and Shade. She seemed concerned and voiced it too. "Are you sure she can handle that? She's still a squire."

"...Heh." Twilight smirked at the Mayor-Lord. "I wouldn't expect anything less from here, I have faith, so should you."

Winter seemed to accept this, gazing back over the soon-to-be battlefield. Twilight and Shade did so as well, just in time for Talon to step forward. A voice, presumably his, echoed along the death-littered ground, all the way up to them.

"This...is your fate..."

"Hmm..." Winter frowned at the echo and drew her weapons. "Y'know, I've always wanted to visit Ashland...I just didn't think it would be for battle. Do you heroes ever get that feeling?"

"What feeling?"

"That...with everything you do...You can't just be a normal person? Free to pursue your own destiny...Isn't that what heroes retire to?"

He simply stared ahead, not speaking.

Winter glanced at him, shivering eyes betraying her neutral expression. "...I'll go join the men."

"Right..." Twilight muttered the reply as she turned heel, still meeting the gaze of his opponent across the desolate field.

Now alone, Shade turned to his descendant. "Talon awaits us..."

"Right then...Let's bring this war to him."

He turned heel, just as Shade bound to him again, walking to the other side of the archway to look over the gathered forces of Ordona. Bulbins, Darknuts, Hylians, and Ordonians, all gathered to fight together. It gave him a surge of strength, far more powerful than Shade's bond to him did. Today, they fought for the future of all, and the end of Marsh's oppression.

"We have taken down the traitor Cyrus the Walker, and We have matched the armies of Marsh time and time again, and We have conquered the Barrows of Ordona.." He spoke, letting himself use Shade's power one last time. "But it is still not ours..!" Their voices and bodies overlapped, but were equal, neither dominate over the other. Together, they spoke to the army, to give them hope and the courage to fight this battle. He pointed outward to the enemy, their enemy. "Talon's army advances! Ready to butcher every last one of us! But we will not die under his rule, we do not and will not serve his dominion! We will sally forth on the battlefield, and take this land for our own! Once more, in battle! I will fight! We will fight! You will fight! You fight for your families at home, you fight for the future of this kingdom and it's people! You fight for Ordon!

You. Fight. For Ordona!"

"For Ordona!" There was a uproar of valor and hype, the clanging of swords on shields, the war cries of battle ready soldiers. The gates opened, showing them their foes, and they were not fearful of them. No, there was no fear of their enemy, only anticipation. Twilight drew his sword, raising it high, glowing half-in-half with his ancestor.

"Charge!"

Across the barren field, Talon drew is own sword from his back, the same shiver of a wraith, bloodied crimson, crossed his side as well.

"Tôl acharn!" The Hylian phrase for "Vengeance Comes".

Both armies, matched in battle and valor, charged forward to meet halfway. The clash was horrific, but largely in Ordona's favor it seemed. After all that time sending the S'gaoilead to fight their battles, it seemed the Marshmen had gotten lazy and rusty. Not to mention the inclusion of the elite forces, the Rangers, Battlemages, and Brokenblades, bolstered the standard soldiers forces tenfold.

Aya and Drake ran side-by-side, cousins in arms as they sprinted through the carnage, rather wasting time to stop and fight off the enemy around them. Their goal was Daythef and that Stone Talus of hers, stomping through battle like an elephant in the room. Talon had spotted Twilight leap off the archway to join Lady Latoan in battle, so he dropped off from the Talus and rushed to engage them, leaving Daythef to clean up.

Torrents of fire, ice, and lightning were showered onto the Talus and it's rider, both of whom were unaffected by the onslaught. Daythef barked an order and the Talus shifted slowly as it swiped it's massive stone fist through the Battlemages, sending them flying. Aya halted in front of the hulking monster, who saw her and attempting to do the same.

But she was ready, putting her master's teaching and wisdom to use as she slid underneath the hulking beast, next to it's legs.

"Aya, here!" Drake barked, pulling out a bomb from his pouch and rolling it towards her. It was Ordonian craftsmanship, ignited by a pin made of flint. Aya grabbed it and stuck it between the two rocks that made up the Talus' forearm, pulling out the flint-pin quickly enough to create a spark, igniting the fuse as she rolled out of the way, tossing said pin to the ground.

BOOM!

It's arm was gone, the rider giving a yelp as she nearly fell off as the Talus slammed face first into the ground. Aya wasted no time in jumping onto it and scrambling up just in time for the Talus to rise again. Daythef gave a growl as she drew two dagger and engaged the young squire.

"Get off!"

"You first!" Aya snapped back, clashing her sword with Daythef's daggers, before letting them slide off and kneeing her in the gut, bringing her sword around to slash her across the face, a thin trail of blood following the arc of the blade.

The woman grunted as she recoiled from her new wound, her mask cut away as she hissed at Aya in an almost feral way. For a split moment, Aya swore she saw fangs in her now exposed mouth. She thought little of it as they reengaged. Below them, Drake was busy dodging both the Talus' swings and the occasional Marshmen out for his blood. With a stroke of luck, he managed to cram another bomb into the Talus' remaining arm, blowing it to smithereens as well.

The sudden lurch threw both fighters off balance, Aya less-so. This proved to be an advantage, as she took the window of opportunity to attack the black crystal atop the Talus, the weak point. She got four swings in before Daythef had risen again, grabbing her by the back of the tunic and tossing her off and to the ground below.

"Aya!" Drake came to her aid, kneeling beside her. "Are you hurt?"

"No, I'm fine." She brushed him off, quickly getting up again. "We need to take that thing down!"

Drake glanced over to a group of Battlemages and Brokenblades, lips splitting into a grin.

"I've got an idea..."

---

CLANG!

Twilight had been fighting off a whole group of Marshmen when he swung his blade around, crashing into a rather familiar volcanic-steel sword. Attempting to wretch his sword free was futile, so he instead pushed against it, coming face-to-face with Talon. Beady amber met focused sapphire as they exchanged glares.

"That ring is mine..." The Marsh leader growled, looking to the band around Twilight's index finger. "Give it to me."

"Come claim it then..." Twilight growled back, breaking the lock and clashing swords several more times. "Where's the wraith that possesses you now!?"

Talon snarled, swinging his sword with fury as they partook in the dance of death. Twilight instantly noted that Talon was not all talk and all bite like Cyrus was, this man was no talk whatsoever and pure bite. Exchanging a few more blows, several of which he parried, he channeled some of Shade's power into his fist, thrusting the glowing appendage out. Talon caught it in his own glowing hand, a shockwave of magic and kinetic force erupting from the contact of two wraiths, throwing soldiers on both sides to the ground.

"What kind of knight throws a punch?" Talon sneered, voice warped.

"One that is merely distracting his opponent." Twilight raised an eyebrow.

The opposing wraith yelped as he narrowly dodged an axe swinging down onto him, the blade clipping his shoulder as Winter rolled past, swiping again with her sword. She managed to slice deep into his cheek, before rolling backwards and up next to Twilight, readying both weapons for battle.

The attack had disorientated Talon, Twilight taking advantage by rushing in, blade at his side, and swinging upwards. The Master Sword cleaved flesh, cloth, and armor alike, sending Talon flying in a flurry of crimson and black cloth. But the former hero didn't stop there either, leaping into the air with a cry and stabbing the fallen foe in the center of the chest.

A move so eerily familiar.

But Talon would not go down so easy, as he glared at the Twilight Hero above him, holding his hand to his view as the ring glowed it's red glow. A pulse of magic threw Twilight off of him, sword in hand and leaving the gap in his chest to heal.

"Right...Immortality...Forgot that part." Twilight muttered as he got to his feet, looking back up. His eyes widened. "What...!?"

Talon's form quivered, his hood fallen to show murky black hair mixed with grey.

His amber eyes pulsed, switching from that ominous color to purplish bloodshot pupils.

His face...It was...

"Aniketos...!?" Twilight's jaw dropped. "How the fuck!?"

"You don't know the half of it..." Talon muttered, gritting his teeth. "I had hoped not to do this, but it seems I have no choice."

His body pulsed again, quivering almost spastically, lightning crackled and snapped into the ground around him, arcing out from his very flesh. An orb surrounded him, one of pure magic energy, his feet left the ground as he hovered in his little ball.

Something so harmless seeming from an outside viewer.

"What are you doing, hiding from battle like a coward!?" Winter roared aloud.

Talon cackled, grinning evilly. "My dear Lady Latoan, you're missing the point! Haha...Hahaha!"

"No...He's not hiding..." Twilight gritted his teeth. "He's gonna blow himself up!"

"What!?"

"He's gonna release all his magic power in a single use, it'll be like a bomb the size of Hyrule Castle was set off!"

"Let's stop him then!" Winter ran at him, swinging her axe and sword at the forcefield around him, only to be sent flying back, both weapons shattered into pieces.

---

The onslaught of magic occupying Daythef from the front gave Drake and Aya enough time to sneak around the back. The remaining captain leaping down from her perch to deal with the Ordonians while they climbed up to plant more bombs at the black crystal to deal with the talus in one fell swoop.

Drake hoisted Aya up to climb onto the flailing Talus, trying to help it's master fight off their enemies. Taking the bundle of a dozen bombs out of her pack, Aya tied the string of them around the crystal, tying them securely.

But just as she was about to pull the flint pin, an arm wrapped around her throat, a dagger placed on her cheek.

"Did you think I was that dense?" Daythef hissed, pressing the blade harder into her flesh. "Too bad for you."

"Aya!" Drake yelled. "Quick, use your instincts!"

The squire gulped, trying to think on the fly.

So she bit down on Daythef's finger.

Hard.

The Marsh Captain shrieked in pain as she released Aya to cradle her wounded hand, while Aya lurched forward and pulled the flint pint on the bombs, leaping off just in time for the whole bundle to go off. The Talus exploded in a shower of black and purple smoke and pebbles, plus some precious stones. Daythef had been tossed and was now crumpled on the ground, unconscious.

"That is...not what I meant..." Drake blinked as the Squire walked up.

"whateevggh-Pleh!" She spat into her hands, revealing a bloody finger with a ring on it. "Huh? What the..."

"A ring?" Drake looked at it.

"No..." Her eyes widened. "One of Talon's Rings!"

"It is!?"

"Twilight..!" She turned to look around, taking the ring off the disembodied finger. "Master Twilight!"

She soon gazed upon the commotion happening on the other side of the area, with Twilight and Lady Latoan staring up at Talon, who was enveloped in some sort of Magic Orb. Without thinking, she continued to call out to him.

---

"Get your men out of here!" Twilight barked, waving Winter away. "I'll take care of Talon!"

"Right!" She turned and ordered a retreat.

"And how do you plan on doing that? That shield is nigh impenetrable."

"We'll use this ring of his."

"One will not be enough to break it."

"Master!" Twilight turned to see Aya across the way, she tossed something to him. "Here!"

He caught it, looking at a ring in his palm. Twilight grinned. "But two will!"

"...Wait...I have a plan." Shade said quickly. "Put it on, now!"

Twilight nodded, wasting no time as he slid it onto his finger, power pulsing though his body as he turned to face Talon once more. He didn't even seem to notice this new development, much less the golden light mingling within the rings themselves, instead reveling in the upcoming destruction. Twilight began to channel all his and Shade's power into his left hand and feet. Braving the now swirling winds that accompanied Talon's last ditch effort.

With a cry, he leapt off the ground and into the shield, passing right through it and grabbing Talon by the collar. The Marsh leader's eyes opening in shock as he was dragged from the orb and tossed back out into the open air, the attack dissipating behind them harmlessly. Talon scrambled to his feet, shocked as Twilight suddenly head butted him, grabbing him by the wrist and back of his neck as he flailed, disoriented.

"What the!?" He exclaimed in confusion as he came to his senses.

Twilight ignored him, looking skyward and whistling a tune. It was accompanied by the shriek of a hawk that circled overhead, the bird soon swooping down towards them, talons outstretched as it zeroed in on them. Then, at the same fast speed, drug the same claws across Talon's throat, bloodily ripping it out as he Twilight let him go at the same time. He toppled over, choking through his ruined flesh.

How the former hero had the time to train a hawk to aid him at the mere sound of a whistle was beyond him.

It was a temporary setback either way, but a haunting one as Talon rose up with blood dripping through his fingers, staring in complete horror at the former hero before him. Eyes narrowed and calculated in the art of battle.

"How...?" Talon wheezed through his healing throat.

"I picked him up back at the Seregost border-" He blinked. "Oh, you meant me kicking your ass. Yeah, I just figured out the real power behind these rings of yours." Twilight said, holding up his fingers to show them both off. "The more there are, the more power you have...So I'm gonna crush you until you're nothing but ashes!"

Talon scowled at that, rising to his feet as he flicked his bloody hand to the side, specks of crimson staining the ground.

"Like hell!"

He lept back, dark magic forming in his palm, which he tossed in front of him, splitting into dozens as they shot out and landed all around, black blots of murky shapes formed into ghastly horsemen, similar to a technique Ganondorf had used in their final battle. Talon arose mounted a hellish horse of his own, which Twilight recognized as the late Aniketos' horse as well. Something that made him uneasy.

Who the hell was this guy?

He waved his own hand, summoning Epona to his side in a wreath of twilight particles. Mounting his steed, he turned and whistled, signaling the mounted Calvary to emerge from the Barrows. Bulbins mounted on Bulbos, Darknuts and Ordonians on Horses, both joining at his side as they stared down Talon and his hellish riders.

"Tôl acharn!" Talon roared as he and his riders charged forward.

KRAK-CHOOM!

"Go!" Twilight barked over the deafening sound, his hand skyward as an arc of lightning shot up through the misty air. He and his line instantly parted to the sides, giving way for Cannon fire from the Barrows to rip clean through Talon's line on his signal, the hit riders exploding into a mess of black goo. The False Wraith hissing in anger as his remaining riders were forced to split up between groups, crossing blades with swords and clubs alike.

There was still a battle going on, which Twilight made sure to weave around as he charged Talon's exposed left side. Epona swiftly sweeping past as the Master Sword slashed across Talon's torso. He nearly fell of his horse, but remained steadfast as he rounded about and began to pursue the former hero, who sheathed his sword and reached instead for his bow. Gaze set, Talon warped from atop his saddle and directly onto Epona's back, looking down at Twilight, who gasped in surprise as a boot landed squarly in his chin, sending him out of the saddle.

Tumbling to the ground, his bow and arrows flying, Twilight felt himself begin the free fall into the deep crevice that bordered the flat expanse of ground. Luckily, he managed to grab hold of the edge and hoist himself up, but not before scorching heat nearly burned the back of his tunic. Getting to his feet, he realized his cap had fallen off, but that hardly important right now as Talon appeared in front of him, sword at the ready.

Hand snapping to his sword hilt, Twilight drew the Master Sword and slashed in a single, mortal stroke that dug deep into Talon's neck. His eyes widened in pain and shock, but Twilight wasn't done. He ripped the sword right out and drove it into his chest, pushing it all the way to the hilt. Despite that level of damage, the immortality part still held up as Talon's expression turned to a glare as he grabbed Twilight by the throat and tossed him back, taking the Master Sword with him with a bloody wet sound as it emerged from his torso.

"Dammit, I keep forgetting that part!" The former Hero cursed.

"Even better that you don't have access to it." Talon retorted lowly. "Suppressing my influence also means no regeneration."

"That explains the Lynel hurting me..."

"What?"

"Nothing." He lowered his sword. "Quick question though, why do you have Aniketos' face?"

Talon rolled his eyes. "Shall I write you a book of my entire plan? Put a pink ribbon on it while I'm at it?"

"Well shit, at least you snark like Cyrus. Guess his exposition is a family trait."

"Ah. That explains why you're well versed on these rings."

Twilight snorted. "Magic has always been placed within rings, necklaces, and other jewelry...It's the Wraith Magic that's new to me. Shade says it's not something you can so easily contain."

"Ha! You lack the ambition to comprehend why I did that." Talon smirked. "It's the reason I have this body."

"So you are possessing it. Cool, than this-" Twilight's gaze flicked to behind Talon. He caught the small sign and let out a yell as he swung his sword around, cleaving through thin air. Realizing he'd been duped, he tried to turn and face Twilight again, only to realize the Half-Wraith was already at his back, left hand glowing as it slammed right on the center of his back. Talon screamed as the pain of the burns set in, then an unfamiliar feeling.

He managed to glance back as he saw what appeared to be a murky, red orb being ripped clean from his back.

"-should work." Twilight smirked through his half-wraith visage as he began ripping Talon's soul out. "Y'now, it's kinda funny...A Wraith and Poe share a single connection; they have a soul capable of being ripped out...provided you have the means!"

Talon couldn't move, his whole body felt like it was on fire, let alone the portion of his back being burned horrifically by the soul brand.

"No...!" He gasped through clenched teeth, his black robes catching fire from the intense heat. He fell to his knees, choking and screaming through the intense pain. "I have...come...too...faaaar!"

Twilight gasped as Talon let out a pulse of energy, throwing him to the ground, the soul snapping back into the false-wraith's back. Talon gave a roar and jumped on him, savagely pummeling him. Twilight saw stars and tasted blood as Talon continued to beat him into the ground, growling with feral anger. As he reeled back for another blow, Twilight forced his hand out onto his face, the split-second contact already scorching his face. Talon screamed and, after a struggle, managed to release Twilight's grip. Grabbing the former hero off the ground and tossing him away as he fell to a knee.

Twilight careened off the edge of the crevice, hovering between literal life-and-death as he began to fall into the volcanic crater. Unfortunately for Talon, he still had a few tricks up his sleeve. Stretching out his fist towards the fallen false-wraith, twilight particles forming around his hand into a familiar shape. The Clawshot.

The ancient device shot out, chain rattling loudly as it slammed into Talon, who had shed his burning cloak while cradling his scarred, yet healing face. With a tug, he both yanked his enemy into the pit with him and halted his own momentum enough for him to catch the edge again. Twilight quickly scrambled up as Talon flew past him, screaming in defiance and attempting to grab onto him in a last-ditch effort to save himself. But, sadly, he couldn't reach nor could he focus enough to teleport.

Climbing again to his feet, Twilight shakily looked back down into the depths of the crevice, only hearing the bubbling of boiling water and the clattering of loose stones from the scuffle. With a simple sigh, he began to move away...

Only for a horrifically burned, skeletal hand to grab his ankle.

He stared, wide-eyed, as Talon emerged from the side. Horrific burns stretched across his entire body, bone exposed in various places as the last remains of his clothing and armor were burnt away, leather and fiber fusing to his skin in what was no doubt the most painful way possible.

"Ah...ha..ah...My...rings..." Talon rasped, almost zombie-like, as he freed Twilight's ankle and climbed to his feet.

Staggering about, his injuries were already healing. Twilight, who was similarly exhausted but obviously not as wounded, let his shoulders relax noticeably, watching and waiting as the Marsh Leader healed ever so slowly. He continued to walk slowly towards him, before collapsing to his knee, shaking violently as the healing process tried to speed up.

"Twilight...The rings." Shade said softly.

With a blank look, Twilight nodded once and held his hand up, and with his other, slipped both rings off his fingers. Talon stared at him for a moment, eyes unwavering even as Twilight tossed the twin bands onto the ground. He reached out with a shaky hand, taking them off the dusty ground. His scarred lips twisting into a smile as he slipped them on. He stood to his full height, the healing process, enhanced by the two rings, happening in almost an instant. Looking at his freshly healed body, Talon glared over at Twilight with a menacing gaze.

"Oh, you fool."

Twilight, who'd maintained a neutral expression, gave a sad smile. "Who's the bigger fool? The fool, or the fool who follows?"

Talon frowned at what he meant, then suddenly choked on an ash cloud drifting into his face. As he coughed and waved his hand to clear it, he noticed, to his horror, that it wasn't volcanic ash. His hand, namely the one with the three rings, was gradually flaking and...disintegrating. "Wha..? How..?"

"Here's the thing...when you're evil, or just possessing the body of a necromancer powered by rings in your case..." Twilight said with a chiding tone. "...And when you decide to put on two more rings that are infused with a little bit of divine energy. You're just...not compatible."

"Wait..no..!" Talon struggled to rip the rings off his fingers, but they appeared to have been fused onto his fingers thanks to his healing. "This isn't how...You're not...You can't be a divine being!"

"Oh, I'm not." Twilight nodded his head back. "But my Wraith is. It was his plan too. Now, the only way to save yourself would be to cut off the rings with a sword." His eyes darted over to Talon's discarded blade just a few feet away. "Like that one perhaps?"

Talon's gaze snapped to the sword, quickly running over to grab it with his other hand.

The hand which scattered into the wind.

Talon's eyes widened as his last hope vanished, falling to his knees as he realized that he'd be truly duped. He stared at the ground, at the sword that could've saved him, the only thought on his mind that he had truly, truly failed. As his torso and head began to disintegrate too, he only uttered a few words. "Marsh...Forgive me..."

His remaining body crumbled and drifted away, mixing into the volcanic winds and updrafts, until he was completely gone. Twilight stared at where the man had been, kneeling a look of complete despair on his face. He wondered why he looked that way, why after all he'd done, all the cruelty he'd given out to anyone not on his side, why he had the gall to look so depressed in his final moments.

"And so falls Talon..." He murmured flatly. "Son of Marsh."

With a tired sigh, he flopped to the ground, panting in exhaustion.

"Twilight! Master Twilight!" Aya came running up beside him, kneeling down to look at him. "Are you alright?"

"...Hey, Little-Bit..."

"Yeah?"

"You...wanna go fishing?" He chuckled lightly. "I really wanna do that right now..."

She blinked in surprise. "Uh...Yeah, sure. There...uh...there's still a battle going."

"Okay...cool...cool."

He groaned as he rolled over, Aya taking his shoulder as he got back to his feet, reaching for his sword. Some commotion to the side made him turn to see a group of Ordonians surround a lone figure prone on the ground. The person, Daythef, was struggling to her feet, her hood falling off as she managed to get to her knees. Twilight quickly strode over to her, stabbing the Master Sword out and towards her, leveling it to her throat.

"I'd suggest surrendering." He said flatly, too tired to snark.

She looked around in confusion, facing turning to Twilight, who promptly blanched.

It wasn't a stranger's face, nor one of the enemy, it was...

"Deyja?" The former hero squeaked, dropping his sword instantly.

She too blanched at the sight of him. "Link!?"

---

Far forward, four years passing by.
He stood in the darkness again, in the Fields of Death, walking from his family and friends again.
Towards the light, again he stepped, but was stopped.

The silhouette of Isu stood before him and Shade, crimson eyes glowering at them.

"A Wraith no more, Hero of Time." He inclined his head. "The Goddesses seek your audience, follow me with utmost care."

Ancestor and Descendant looked to each other, somewhat mixed at this development.

They would be separated, for the first time in millennia. But this only served Twilight's wishes, to better himself on his own. There was a glimmer of hope, that Shade could return, but for now all he could do was hope.

As his ancestor stepped forward, the visage of his skeletal form disappearing as he passed into the light by himself, Isu turned to glance at the former hero.

"Half a year, that is all it will take for our job to be done."

He too, turned and walked into the light, beckoning Twilight to follow.
When he did so, the scent of the wild, the trees and animals was what met him.

His hands were clawed and covered with fur, his eyes perked with wolf-like hearing as he forced onto all-fours, stepping onto a grassy knoll.

"The Hero of the Wild awaits...

Farewell, Twilight Wraith."

---

A/N: Whew! That was fun...and exhausting to do. Hehe.

This is my personal love-letter to Middle-Earth: Shadow of War, which inspired the Wraiths and Soul-Branding magic. Noticeably, with this rewrite, I changed the name of the latter. This was to distance myself from the inspiration, while keeping the similarities.

The next Special Chapter may be about Aya and the events after this Chapter.

But for now, we'll return to the main story.

---

FAQ:

- Of course, we begin with Twilight roasting the new-era aristocracy. He's a fish out of temporal water, so he has no qualms or reason not to at this point.

- Purah still being Purah, even all those years ago. Thankfully, the Champion's Ballad showed that she hadn't changed that much either.

- And then you got Young!BOTW!Zelda watching. it was definitely quite the first impression for the two of them.

- Lion is cool, I thought of a few particular heroic father figures from my favorite games and anime's, particularly Minato from Naruto (Which I just got into, by the way XD).

- Isu being a cold badass, like always. I can't wait to get into his major role later on in the main story. :D

- The entrance to Ordona was my particular favorite part to write. I just imagined Twilight coming home, seeing that aside from the new bridge, nothing much had changed. He meets some friendly Ordonians, intimidates some Asshats, meets the Fairy of Winds and Ordona himself again. Then, he gets to the main village, which is something straight out of the Lord of the Rings. Seriously, imagine Rivendell...but full of country bumpkins instead of elves.

- Speaking of Elves, Marshmen are a more accurate depiction of actual Elves in this story, whereas Hylians are humans with pointed ears.

- In the first draft, there was a scene where Twilight comes down the path beside his old house, which has been faithfully preserved as a museum of sorts. I cut this because I wanted it to be a scene between him and Aya, but since the latter wasn't introduced yet, I'm saving it for later.

- Anyway, Ordona was interesting in the I wrote it. It does have LOTR vibes to it, but was actually inspired by many fantasy novels/games/shows I've been looking at nowadays. The siege of the Seregost Wall was inspired by the App "The Great Tournament" which is a kind of Choose Your Own Adventure game that featured such a siege that you participated in, with varying outcomes.

- Lady Primrose "Winter" Latoan was inspired partly by Galadriel and Daenerys (From Game of Thrones). A warrior Princess/Queen/Mayor-Lord. What's neat is that her last name and her husband, Toaru's first name are both alternate regional names for Ordon.

- Originally, Twilight would have grabbed one of the Yiga's crossbows to turn against them and use later down the line. It would have had a bolt-magazine design would've been inspired by the M1 Garand, complete with a ping when the clip ran empty. This may show up later in Routine's main story, or Aya's special chapter.

- The whole of the Lynel attack wasn't originally planned, but added on to expand the chapter. (Shit, that was a mistake)

- Lion dying was originally off-screen, but this was changed too.

- Sometimes, pulling the Master Sword isn't all fun, games, and epicness. It's just finality.

- The way I wrote the scenes originally shown at the beginning of the story was to add onto it, like we're seeing the situation from a perspective where we have context.

- Marin...not my idea, tbh. My friend joked about having Marin be Wild!Link's mother, I laughed it off and walked away, then instantly thought "Oh shit! That explains so much!"

- The biggest thing to note about this Special, we are witnessing the end of some major character development that Twilight has undergone throughout his life. The Twilight Wraith persona doesn't exist, never did. It's simply Twilight's excuse for the mistakes he has made in life. Hell, in Sorrow, I'll probably never, ever mention it until like the last chapter. That's it. Twilight in this Special is realizing that he needs to experience things in a different light, and not under the snarky, begrudging view he has always held. He's hated what he has become, so he has to accept that he is not a flawless Hero, but a flawed man.

- To note, I added the scene with Aya reading about the first Wraiths to distance the story from the original inspiration for their inclusion, Lord of the Rings. As for Soul-Branding, it will be explored a bit more, especially with how it influenced the mind-control techniques the Gerudo developed.

- And finally, the finale and battle with Talon. It speaks for itself most of the time, along with how Twilight is accepting that this will be the last time he will use Shade's powers. As for the Talon-Aniketos connection, that will be explored further in Aya's Special Chapter. Then there's Deyja, the rarely-mentioned Vampire that Twilight has mentioned. She will make her grand appearance in Chapter 2 of Sorrow, and be a supporting character down the road for Routine's main story.

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Thanks for reading,
please enjoy the rest of the story after this milestone of a chapter.
:)