They didn't go far. And under the nonplussed look of their group, Link stopped and got off Epona, looked around with a satisfied look in his face.

"Yeah," he said, "This is fine."

Ashei's frown deepened, "We are barely out of Castletown," in fact, she could get off her horse and walk back without trouble.

Link grabbed the bag on his belt and raised his shoulders, "Well, I need space to figure out where I'm going."

"I'm still super confused," William tried to gauge everyone's expressions, hoping that someone knew more than they were letting out, but Robert looked as lost as him. "Link, can you please share with us what you are doing?"

Link had the bag with the Shadow Crystal opened and under the scrutinizing look of everyone who surrounded him, he chuckled.

Ashei was about to grab Link by the collar but Shad grabbed her arm.

"You won't even believe this," Link started. "I'm gonna transform into a wolf," Link pondered, "a Twilight affected wolf? It will heighten my senses and let me follow the trail of magic that's affecting Zelda," Robert chuckled and looked around trying to find some sense of camaraderie, "wherever it is, I'll find it, destroy or close whatever's drainning her power and... well, that's basically it."

William had an eyebrow cocked and he started to wonder whether Link was all right in the head. "Uhm, Link... Do you feel all right?"

Link showed the bag in his hands, "In here there's a Shadow Crystal, as soon as I touch it I will transform."

Robert took a step towards Link and William did the same, "And how are you going to return to your hylian form, huh?" William asked. They were prepared to jump at Link and stop him from doing whatever he planned on doing.

Link had to thin his lips at that question. The more William made him say the more he realized it sounded like baloney. "A certain object will help me with that, you don't have to worry." Link felt over protective of the Master Sword and felt he had to still keep it a secret.

Link looked at William and then Robert and shook his head, "Do you really think you could take me down?"

"Well, there's no shame in trying," Robert answered.

"What are we supposed to do, huh?" Ashei interrupted. Both William and Robert turned their heads slightly to look at her.

"Not much," said Link, "you could follow me, but after a while you won't be able to do so. And whatever is affecting Zelda I doubt any of you could help."

Ashei made a disgusted face, "Off to save the day again, yeah?"

Shad looked bewildered, "Maybe we ought to be cautious and have you followed anyways? In the odd chance you need help, I mean."

Link nodded, "Fine." He was motioning to get the stone out when William interrupted again.

"Are you sure about this?"

"I am sure is our only chance now, yes."

"Just..." William gestured with his hands, "Don't do anything that will bring you harm, all right?"

Link cocked an eyebrow.

"Zelda won't be happy if she finds out you sacrificed yourself for her, you know that, right?"

Link chuckled. Of course he knew. She would blame herself for another thing out of her control. "I know." Link then looked unsure, "when I transform it's not the easiest of things, so that's gonna hurt."

William looked more worried by the second. Robert was about to say something, and Ashei was giving a step forward, but Link decided that time was up and he dropped the Shadow Crystal on his hand.

It was less painful than the forced one he had suffered a days back. But it was uncomfortable nonetheless. Link bit out a couple of times, trying to adjust his jaw to its new shape. Walking in four legs was comparatively easy, and the obvious change of view always made him anxious.

When Link shook his body and moved his ears to catch the sound around him, there was only silence.

"Holy Hylia and the Goddesses," whispered William.

Robert was oddly charmed by this new Link, "Link?" he called.

The wolf placed its eyes on him and Robert could see Link's blue eyes staring back at him. Robert kneeled towards the wolf - too big to be called a wolf - and raised his hand, "Shake."

Link opened his massive mouth and growled. In any other situation Robert would have jumped backwards, screamed even, but Link's eyes were still there so Robert laughed when Link bit his whole hand.

"Oh, I've always wanted a doggie! Maybe we can keep you like this Link, what do you think?"

William watched with horror as the wolf jumped at Robert and started gnawing on his body. Shad was muttering next to him, but the only thing William catched was the word 'magic' over and over again.

Link retreated and made a poised stance, and everyone just stared as Link started to sniff the air around him.

"What's he smelling?" asked Robert.

"Magic, or some sort of remainder, I would think." Shad answered.

Link stopped a second and started to run in direction to Zora's Domain.

"Shit!" Ashei rushed to get on her horse and everyone followed suit. "Link!" Ashei tried calling to him, but the wolf ran without turning back.

The men scrambled to get on their horses as Ashie followed Link. As soon as they regrouped William shouted, "Where is he going!?"

Ashei made a cone with her hands, "Zora's Domain!"

William nodded once and eyed the surrounding mountains. It had looked like a joke, when Link had assured them that he would transform. It had felt light-hearted when the wolf gnawed playfully into Robert. But now William couldn't fight the frown that remained on his face and the urgency with which Link ran was starting to bring back the anxiety of the situation they were in.

When their horses started to tire out, Ashei was the first to sprint in an attempt to catch up to Link. "Link! Stop for a second and let the horses rest! We'll keep on after that!"

Ashei glared at the wolf, who made no attempt to slow down. Shad was the first to slow down, followed by Robert, William glared at Link and cursed as the wolf got farther and farther away. Ashei ran after it a couple more meters but when she stopped and looked around, everyone could see the anger radiating from her.

William only heard Ashei's ending diatribe, full with mean words directed at Link. Shad was prepared to calm Ashei down, had a speech ready to at least annoy her enough to distract her.

Without knowing how, Ashei was able to even let her horse's walk look heavy and her aura was dark and menacing.

"You," she whispered, and the men waiting for her stirred uncomfortable.

Epona walked past them and Ashei grabbed the mare with more force than necessary.

"She'll help us find that idiot."

Epona glared back a little but kept on walking.

"I swear to Hylia, if we find his corpse I'll be so fucking pissed."

Nobody dared say a word.