~30~
The next day they all woke up to a grey drizzly dawn. They found their clothes lying on chairs at the foots of their beds, all clean and pressed. There were wash basins beside each bed, and they all cleaned up before dressing.
"Hey, I have to hand it to you Londaris, Sheikah really know how to entertain!" Karzad said, walking over to the table, where breakfast had been laid out.
"It is true," Londaris said, coming over to the table as well, "Even when the Sheikah maintained regular contact with Hylians, their hospitality was fabled among all other races." They ate a sumptuous breakfast, and were just finishing up when Melasef peeked in.
"Ah, I see everyone is up," he said, coming in. "Your horses have been prepared, they wandered into the camp during the night, I suppose they were looking for you." He said. The five got up and Rondansa went over to Melasef.
"Thank you again old friend, for all that you've done for us… we must continue now, but I am forever in your debt for what you've done." He held out his hand and Melasef shook it.
"Anything for an old friend." He replied. They stood for a moment, and then Melasef led them out the door. They went down the staircase and on the little platform they stood. Melasef opened a bag that sat on the platform and gave them their weapons, all polished and clean. They strapped them on and then Melasef reached into his cloak and drew out a box. Inside was one tiny crystal phial on a fine silver chain. Within the phial was a bit of pure, clear liquid.
"Inside are seven drops of rain that fell onto holy ground in the Sheikah's ancient land. The rain only fell once every ten years there, and the water that comes from the sky is said to be the goddesses' very tears, and to posses special healing properties when drunk. Some say it can lift the dead, and cast light through the deepest dark. I know not how this phial will help you on your quest, but it is a secret treasure of the Sheikah, and after conferring with the elders, we decided you need it more than we ever will. Now, who will bear it?" he asked. They all looked at one another, and then Karzad stepped forward. "I will bear it," he said, lowering his head. Melasef draped the chain over Karzad's neck, and Karzad slipped the tiny phial under his shirt. They stood for a moment in the cold grey of that early dawn, and then slowly they bid farewell to the Sheikah city, leaving its splendor behind. They rode through the swamp, back to the entrance to Kakariko Village. They went back to Rondansa's house, where they all decided to get some rest.
****
The next day dawned brighter, but heaviness fell on Nayru's heart. She had left her father and mother behind once more…Left them behind when she had been so close to finding them. Karzad noticed her glumness as they decided to take the day to study the texts for clues on how to find the fourth bearer.
"What's wrong?" he asked her quietly, as they poured over Rondansa's endless supply of books.
"I have been so close…So many times…Yet still, I have not been able to do the one thing I set out to do in the first place. To find my father." Nayru said forlornly. "Don't worry," Karzad said,
"We will find him, I promise."
"Thank you," said Nayru softly, grasping Karzad's hand. Novur napped the whole day, a blue glowing ball curled on Rondansa's armchair, which she had taken a liking to. They studied all day and into the night. At last Rondansa closed the book he had been reading and announced that they all ought to turn in for the night. Rondansa and Londaris slept on their own beds, while Karzad, Nayru, and Zarij, curled up in wide armchairs under thick woolen blankets. They all slept silently until the stroke of midnight. The moon reached its zenith, and shone with an eerie light.
Clouds billowed across the sky, and lightning dashed across a leaden overcast. Thunder crashed so loudly, it shook the very houses of Kakariko on their foundations. The five travelers were jolted out of sleep, and Rondansa lit an oil lamp. Thunder rolled again, and the five huddled together, frightened though they knew it was only a storm. Novur's light lit the groups' faces with a pale blue glow. Suddenly a blast of lightning lit the room, and a hot, red glow, burned for a second before all was smothered in pitch. A thundering, malicious laugh resounded through the village—through all of Hyrule it seemed. And all was black.
*****
The five rushed outside, and saw a sight that made their blood run cold. Death Mountain had erupted in fury. Hot magma rushed down its sides. Great fissures in the ground ran through the village. The sky was coal black, and the only thing that lit the sight, was a hellish red glow coming from the smoldering fires, still bursting from the crater atop the mountain. Hot ash showered down, and they all made for the village gates. They ran down the stairs quickly as they could, rocks tumbling, and fires blazing all around. Nayru grabbed Karzad's hand and they ran as fast as they could. They found the Zora river to be running red, with sickeningly thick, glutinous currents of blood. The hoards and masses from Kakariko village swarmed over the tiny stone bridge, and as they neared the walls of Hyrule Market they heard other shrieking cries. Roofs could be seen blazing in the marketplace, and frantic hands pounded on the securely closed drawbridge. The castle, seen in the distance, was shaking on it's cornerstones, and as they watched in horror, a great flaming fissure opened up beneath it and swallowed it into the earth.
"No!" Karzad bellowed in terror. "Mother!" he screamed in utter anguish. Karzad tried to fling himself toward the castle, but Nayru grasped his hand tightly, trying to hold onto him, and calm him down. Some people were trying to help the people in the market escape. One man had an axe, and was wading through the red moat, trying to hack at the thick wooden door. Soon Nayru ran over with her sword and joined the fray.
More and more people were now scrounging for tools to use to break down the door. After what seemed like hours of working away, a large battered section of the drawbridge fell away, and hoards of screaming civilians ran through. Hundreds massed in horror as the hell ensued around them. All was still black as tar. Lightning crashed, showing brief flashes of panic and disorder. Screams pierced the night, and the wind howled. Suddenly the clouds cleared—completely unexpectedly. And they sky beneath was red. Blood red.