As the storm quieted that late evening, Igos Du Ikana found himself pacing the halls on the second floor of the castle. Out the window, he could see the construction of Stone Tower in the distance and it was nearing its last completion. While he knew it was a time to rejoice, he still couldn't help but frown.

He brought a hand through his red locks, before lowering it to cover his face as he leaned his body against the window. Today marked the exact day of his youngest son's birth, and yet he could not celebrate it. Instead, he silently recalled a moment in his life he wished never transpired...

It happened fourteen years ago, at a time in which his younger brother was still living. His father had chosen his youngest to rule over the Kingdom, and though Igos found this quite unfair, he said nothing. Instead, he stood within the shadows, watching as his brother ruled the people.

It sickened him.

Long ago, he should have been chosen to take the seat of power, but his father had made the mistake of choosing his bratty brother, who was much too young to even handle such supremacy.

For three years, his brother ruled the Kingdom, going so far as to spread its borders further into Nimtera. The people seemed to adore the young King, and Igos felt overlooked, as if he were invisible to the affections toward his brother, especially by his own father.

Jealously consumed Igos and in an effort to reclaim what should have rightfully belonged to him, Igos took the initiative. At a tender age of 25, he snuck into the Keeping Room of the Palace and stole the Sacred Script passed on through many generations of his ancestors. If he was denied the privilege to rule his people, then he would take matters into his own hands.

To say he was acting out of jealousy was an understatement; in truth, he hated his youngest brother. Igos would do anything to reclaim what he desired, even going so far as to summon a fierce god to do his bidding. Of course he knew the consequences of his actions, and he knew that by doing so he would be tempting the fate of the Kingdom; but he didn't care.

Years ago, during his childhood, he remembered hearing a story from his mother about a fierce demon with incredible power, one that visited the land years ago. She said it was a god like figure that came from the heavens taking the form of a handsome man, but he was by far a gentle being.

Apparently the people were plagued by a foul and intimidating beast that seemed to derive from a faraway land shrouded in mystery. This creature came upon them seemingly from nowhere, devouring their people. Over time the people feared this creature that called herself Majora, and eventually, as soon as the monster had her fill of humans, she departed back to whence she came.

The old king so many generations back, ordered all the men of age to slay the beast, but none ever prevailed nor returned. The women who were left behind cried and pleaded to the Heavens for the Goddesses to save them, but their plea went unanswered.

Eventually a god from the Heavens appeared before them, his hair as white as any fallen snow they'd ever laid eyes on and his skin just as fair. This man bore an identity unknown to anyone at the time, and they mistook him for a blessed Moon God. However, he called himself the Fierce Deity, claiming to have heard their constant and pitiful cries so many light years away from his private domain, past the millions of stars and galaxies that separated him from any other.

"I never would have thought…such a small galaxy to emit pitiful cries such as this…But though you are without protectors, I shall aid you for a time…"

The people fell to their knees at his feet, crying and begging for their salvation, and he took it upon himself to relieve them of their great distress, on one condition however. It was simple. There always had to be a price, and though it brought great distraught over the citizens, they were willing to sacrifice anything in order live without fear.

There had been no hesitation when the people agreed to this, and therefore, the Fierce Deity departed from them to slay the beast, and it was said that after the fourth day, peace returned to the lives of those who had suffered. All the men and sons, who had gone off to battle and had been devoured, returned to their respective homes and families. They had no recollection of how they had survived, but they had woken up, healed of all injuries.

Before the fierce god returned to the Heavens, he left them a Sacred Script that if they ever needed help, to summon him, only in dire need. If anyone were to abuse this, consequences would become the result.

The Moon God had demanded only one thing, but Igos couldn't seem to recall what that one thing was, only that it was terrible. It was so terrible, in fact that the people swore never to abuse his powers of aid ever again, unless such a catastrophe were to transpire upon them.

Over the years, the script was kept safely within the house of the Royal Family, never to be touched.

That was until that fateful day...

As the King continued leaning against the large window of the Palace, he turned to look down the hall way. The halls were empty, dark and void of any others. Those that remained awake were no doubt the servants and guards going about their regular duties. By now he was sure his daughter was well asleep in her chamber.

Sighing, he pushed himself from the window and turned to stare out into the dark night. As he thought back, he remembered that the ritual to summon the beast god, Fierce Deity had been quite simple. But for every wish, there resulted in a cost, but Igos never imagined that losing something precious in order to gain something much greater would pain him so terribly.

Flash Back

Shortly after sneaking into the Keeping Room and summoning the Devil God, the night sky seemed to part, and a bright light crept from the sky and onto the balcony of his Chamber Room. It seemed that no other person outside keeping watch had noticed His presence, and for that Igos was most thankful.

The Heavenly being that called himself the Fierce Deity looked upon him with his pupil less stare, his eight foot stature aglow in a mystical white light. He looked every bit like his mother had described from her story. Dressed in a silken white tunic with a blue hue to the mystic cloth, Fierce Deity appeared to him as a warrior prepared for battle. Upon his chest and traveling down to a point at his pelvic was a metallic breast plate baring the symbols of a golden moon and triangle. Silver gauntlets adorned his mighty hands, and he wore black leggings beneath his attire.

As Igos lowered himself to bow before the being, he couldn't help but allow his eyes to travel along the contours of his face. He looked every bit like a warrior god would, with facial markings of red, two stripes on each cheek curving just beneath his eyes but ranging no further. Upon his forehead where his white bangs parted, revealed a blue marking that joined together into his hairline where it seemed to represent half of a curved diamond.

He carried with him a large, double-edged Helix sword, which was told to deliver impressive beams of light at any opponent, capable of even destroying a town in one blast. The more Igos looked upon him, the more he felt the tremendous power radiating off the god like being.

"You summoned me, human…" His deep voice resounded.

Trembling at the mere sound of his voice, Igos bowed his head respectively, swallowing nervously as he attempted to raise his voice. "Y-yes…" Igos didn't know how to properly acknowledge a god, but seeing him face to face brought him great fear and anxiousness.

"What purpose have you to call upon this Fierce Deity?" He asked, this time with a little more impatience.

Almost stuttering, Igos lifted himself upon his knees to stare the being in the eye. "I-I…want p-power," His shaken voice said aloud, but it was much too low for a normal person to hear, but for Fierce Deity, it was more than just a whisper.

"Tell your heartfelt desire, and I shall grant whatever wish you ask," He explained, and as a delighted smile graced the courageous human bowed before him, he went on to continue. "You seek power? Are you not the son of King?"

Igos nodded. "Yes," He replied more confidently. "But my chance for absolute rule has been taken from me!" He exclaimed as he tightened his fists, a picture of his brother clear in his mind, mocking him.

For a moment, Fierce Deity regarded the human Prince silently, noting the anger radiating off his aura. Fierce Deity knew much of this world, the anger created from wars, jealousy and betrayal, even so far as to acknowledging the hate between brothers as that toward their once blessed Goddesses. "Explain."

"He stole my opportunity. I don't know why father chose him instead of me!" Igos exclaimed angrily. "My brother isn't fit to rule! It should be mine!"

Fierce Deity wanted to scoff at the brazen human's impertinence. So the human thought he could summon him for such a lowly wish to demolish that of his own blood? He crossed his arms and tilted his chin upward as he acknowledged the lowly being at his feet. "I presume your kind is aware of the consequences for such exceeding and loathsome desires?" Fierce Deity asked with an arch of a brow.

Igos nodded repetitively. "I want to be King. That's all I want. Nothing else matters!"

End Flash back

The King, Igos Du Ikana couldn't help but wince at the memory of his first encounter with the Heavenly being. His wish had been granted, but at a cost too great yet enough to sustain his remaining years upon the throne.

It was shortly after that a plague swept over the lands of Nimtera, and a great many in the land had fallen due to sickness and death. Many of their soldiers had lost their lives, and the strength of Ikana weakened drastically from their fallen civilians.

The loss of his mother had proved too great, and Igos mourned for days while his brother and father slept on their death beds, stricken with a terrible illness. His mother had been the only source of comfort through his hardships in the Castle. She loved him unconditionally, and without her support, he didn't know what to do. Somehow, out of all the Royal Family members, he was the only one not afflicted.

For three days, the Kingdom was without a ruler. Igos felt the tremendous power of the Fierce Deity hover over his shoulders; he was not a god to reckon with, he knew that, and it seemed that his wish was about to be granted. The Kingdom could have completely crumbled because of his selfish desire, but fortunately it had not, and it could be salvaged with time.

The moment his father and brother breathed their last breath, Igos took control of the throne and the Kingdom. He managed to restore order into the land, and after so many years, he raised a powerful nation, one under absolute rule and power. It would become a prosperous land, he knew for sure, like no other Kingdom.

At the beginning of his enthronement, Igos Du Ikana conjured up an order that all the women of the nation to be brought to the Palace. In order to live as a King, he needed many suitable concubines; ones that would bring forth new life into the Royal Family so that he would have a successor one day take his place.

Eventually he did marry, but unfortunately his wife could not give birth and stricken with an irritable resentment toward the woman, he no longer had any use for her. After which, he then frequented the rooms of his many concubines, yet none brought him happiness like that of his former lover.

It wasn't until one fateful day while walking about the Palace Gardens that he stumbled upon a radiant beauty, of one he'd never seen before. Her name was Everlene, her flowing, golden hair curling about her slender form, and she was dressed in simple attire that seemed somewhat belittling. He knew not from where she had come from, only that she had just arrived to this Palace that very morning. Though, not completely against her will, and unlike the many concubines he had visited so late in the nights, he accepted her and only her. Everlene learned to accept her fate as a loyal and personal mistress to the King since their first meeting in the gardens. Strange enough, her kindness and beauty reminded him of his deceased mother, and she brought him great comfort while he ruled the land.

On that same year, she gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl, both baring the same face, the same blonde hair and blue eyes. They looked every bit like Everlene and quite rambunctious, taking after their father. The children grew up happily, confined within the walls of the Palace, safe and loved by their parents.

Unfortunately, after two years since their birth, that happiness did not last…

Igos Du Ikana had wanted more power. Though a great many of his people protested against his laws, the ones that dismissed that of the Goddesses. He ordered for the construction of a tower to be built, and Igos hoped that the neighboring regions for miles would see the dominating power.

But on one fateful night, he had made the mistake of summoning Fierce Deity for a second time in his life. On the night that the demon arrived before him, menacing in appearance, Igos asked for a power unrivaled by any others in the lands. Though Igos knew he was plenty strong enough what with his Kingship, he feared future wars and the safety of his family. He wanted his empire to last for many generations, unperturbed by any outside forces, and he knew that the only way to achieve this was through the god he called upon.

Flash back

Upon his second summoning before the young man, Fierce Deity said nothing, but looked upon the King with great pity. There was no doubt in his mind that he knew the reason for his second arrival in Ikana. One would think that after the first wish, he'd learn from his past mistakes, but that did not seem to be the case…

Humans were such greedy beings…

This time, without fear, Igos Du Ikana held his chin high as he stood before the heavenly being. No, he did not bow or show any respect, but instead allowed himself to feel completely at ease before him. If he knew anything, it was that he foolishly believed this creature from another world would do him no harm.

"Are you not satisfied with your rein over this land?" Fierce Deity questioned with crossed arms. When the young man dared to scoff, the god narrowed his eyes.

Igos Du Ikana smirked. "Quite the opposite. I am very much pleased, but I must confess that this Kingdom seems to be lacking something of great consequence."

Fierce Deity remained silent for a moment, taking note of his indifferent attitude and brazen personality. "Is your army not strong or capable enough to deliver their blows to their enemies during war?" He questioned.

At this, Igos took a step back, his eyes widening in surprise. Had the being read his mind? Approaching him with an air of suave, the King lowered himself upon one knee, his green eyes resting on his boots. "I wish for you to lend your power to the captain of my guard," He replied.

Allowing himself to lean back against the stone balcony behind him, Fierce Deity regarded the knelt King at his feet. So it was more power that he asked for… "Was the throne not enough for your selfish greed?" He asked, narrowing his gaze when he noticed the tiny man flinch at the raised tone.

"I-I…excuse…me?"

"I warned your kind, long ago, that such abuse, I shall not tolerate! I came upon you creatures when you asked for help from a vengeful sort…and this is how you repay me?" He questioned, as he removed himself from the railing to tower over the shocked King. "Yet you have the audacity to call upon me on the same year, yearning for more…"

The King nervously swallowed before slowly bringing himself to stand before the Heavenly being. This was not what he had imagined after summoning the Fierce Deity. Why was he…so angry? Wasn't it his duty to grant wishes, no matter what, just as long as the one receiving them understood the consequences?

Fierce Deity scoffed. "Know this! I shall grant your selfish desire…but you shall suffer not just from your own greed, but you shall lose far worse," He explained as he extended his arm, his palm against the human's forehead.

The King stiffened upon the contact. He felt something burn from the Moon God's hand, surging into the cranium of his skull. It was so hot that he tried to pull away, and a sound of protest escaped his mouth. It was then that he felt something snap inside of him, his bones twisting and turning and he fell upon his side in extreme discomfort and pain, like no other.

"Think wisely before calling upon this Fierce Deity again…or I shall show this entire land the true might that has never been seen before!"

End Flashback

Something inside the King had burned, so hotly that he felt his bones would suddenly melt, but that did not happen. Instead, he felt his bones grow and expand, almost as if they were reconstructing themselves. From this, his flesh seemed to stretch, and after awakening from the excruciating pain, he found himself in the form of what appeared like a frightful sort, towering dangerously higher than that of the normal folk of his Kingdom. His bones had reassembled themselves, and he appeared before everyone in the form of a giant.

"Behold, the gods have sent their blessings upon your King!"

Igos Du Ikana remembered how his people had rejoiced, and because of his new stature, the Castle was rebuilt, tall enough to accommodate his own size. His army, under the command of Captain Keeta, had grown largely over the years since the King's rein, and he knew that without a doubt, that no other could topple his own.

Captain Keeta was a friend to the Royal Family with a wife and many children of his own living peacefully within the sanctuary of Ikana. Just like the King, the captain too fell beneath the same fate that held the King rooted to his castle. Though the sheer size was enough to cause many to scurry from their lands, it was lacking the extraordinary might of the Fierce Deity himself. The King didn't understand why the god had raged against him and cursed him for such desires, but he welcomed it without remorse.

It was after this cursed blessing, that the King instructed for a specific mask, The Giant's Mask, to be crafted and stored safely within the tower that was still some years away from completion.

Perhaps, the mask had been a memory of his wish granted to him by the devil god or perhaps it had been crafted for a new age, an age in which the worship of new deities would be revered. The Four Giants. Whatever the case, the mask was blessed by his magicians and kept safely away from any prying hands. It was then that Igos Du Ikana decided that the Stone Tower would become a house of worship toward the Four Giants, and only those of the Royal Family would be allowed passage within.

The sound of rushing footsteps brought the King out of his long reverie of the past, and he turned his attention away from the Stone Tower in the distance and to the guardsman striding toward him. His men's faces were contorted into a dreadful look, their eyes widened and their breaths haggard from running so far in order to seek their majesty.

Igos Du Ikana turned to them in curiosity. Judging by their expressions, something must have gone wrong. When he awaited his guardsman to stop and catch their breath, he narrowed his gaze. "What's happened?"

"T-the script! It's been s-stolen!" Cried one of the soldiers.

The King's eyes grew wide. "What?!" His roaring voice reverberated throughout the halls, so much so that even the walls shook.

The soldier next to him suddenly spoke up, his stutter just as worse. "T-that's n-not all..." He quickly rummaged through his armor and produced a small piece of parchment to the King, who took it away swiftly to read:

Long live King Igos Du Ikana.

"T-that's not all your m-majesty…it seems our fair P-princess…has been k-kidnapped…The note was left exposed upon her bed and her chamber window left open," One of the guards exclaimed frighteningly.

Angrily, he crushed the note within his palm and instructed his men to locate his missing daughter at all costs, as well as that of the Sacred Script. As his men formed together different groups to scout out the kidnappers, the King felt the blood drain from his face. His Kingdom was slowly crumbling, and he was not deaf to the cries of those rebelling against him.

"What have I done?"

OOO

A few hours after Kagome and Link's capture by the mysterious tribe known as the Garo, twilight blanketed the land of Nimtera. Shadows from the flickering flames of the torches, situated around all corners of the small town, danced off the walls, lighting the narrow streets in which a few wandered so late at night. A group of Garo ran the patrol down the streets, their intimidating characters frightening a few of the townsfolk who quickly scattered upon sight and behind closed doors.

Standing outside was one of the Garo who kept watch over the rickety shed behind him, his eyes keeping watch for any suspicious behavior around him. There was nothing. The town had quieted considerably since this morning, and he was standing there in the shadows as the cool breeze swept past him.

Some time back, his tribe had arrived to Nimtera, sensing an ominous power surrounding one particular land, and that so happened to be the Kingdom of Ikana. Their village was kept secure and hidden over the mountains from Ikana in a thick part of the forest, and it wasn't but a month ago that they saw a strange tower looming over the canyons. Men had been sent to investigate the questionable structure, and after climbing the nearly impossible mountains, it was then that they discovered a roaring settlement of a population raging over at least a good couple thousand people.

If that hadn't been surprising, then it was the massive architectures there and many others being built. Never before had they witnessed such a peculiar sight. Even the looming Castle was surrounded by powerful walls, with a great many soldiers inhabiting the large settlement. Houses were built out of the canyon walls, some even built from wood with hay roofs, and they seemed quite advanced than their own tribe.

As he leaned back, popping his shoulders achingly, he heard something from inside the shed behind him clatter noisily, and he immediately turned to the door. For hours, he had heard the two tied inside whispering amongst themselves, and he had the notion to rebuke them for such distracting behavior, but he hadn't.

Before he could bring his fist to pound on the rickety door to silence them, a sudden feminine scream drove him into action. As the door swung open, almost springing from its hedges, his eyes landed on the couple situated on the floor. The young man with the strangest blonde hair and blue eyes he ever did lay eyes upon, dressed in clothes similar to that of the town folk was collapsed upon the floor, unmoving. Beside him, the priestess was on her knees, shaking his shoulders frantically, calling out to him to awaken.

"Link! Link! Please don't do this to me!" She cried. When she heard the fast footsteps approaching and the sudden shadow of the Garo member looming over her and Link, she glanced up with tear filled eyes. "He's not breathing! What do we do?!" She cried before throwing herself onto the boy, her shoulders trembling as she sobbed.

Kneeling down beside the couple, he accessed the injuries the young boy had, and when he saw the stains of blood upon his clothing, along his upper arm and torso, he narrowed his eyes. Well he had known from the start that the boy had gotten injured, but he hadn't cared to acknowledge it. From the looks of it, it didn't seem too deep, but did it really matter to him? Looking down at the young raven haired girl crying on the fallen boy, he placed his hand upon the boy's neck, feeling around for a pulse.

Kagome lifted herself off her fallen comrade. "It must have been his injuries from earlier…when we were attacked before being imprisoned here," She replied. "My poor Link…and we were to be…married soon!"

When he felt a pulse, the Garo looked at the girl suspiciously. Something was definitely not right with this picture. When he glanced back at the boy, with his face facing away toward the far wall of the shed, he grasped his chin and turned his face so as to inspect him. From the looks of it, the child was deeply red in the face. Perhaps it was a fever that had caused him to collapse. Was the child sickly before sustaining such wounds?

Was there really a point to allow their prisoners to die before questioning them?

Before he could ask how the boy had sustained such injuries, he suddenly took notice of something peculiar and alarming. Their wrists and ankles were unbound. "Wait…weren't you two tie—" His harsh whisper was cut short the moment he took notice of the young girl's shadow overlapping that of his own from behind him. Before he could turn around and stop her, something struck the back of his head, and soon after, a dizzy spell overtook him, and he fell with a loud thud upon the old floor.

Link immediately lifted himself, and regarded the priestess smiling cheerfully before him, holding an old container. "I'm impressed…" In a way she was pretty good at acting, if not a little too overly dramatic. Why had she said they were…married? Link blushed at the thought.

"Don't underestimate the power of an actress!" She blushed embarrassedly before flashing him a Peace Sign.

Link blinked. Why was she holding up two fingers? "What are you doing?" While he pondered on the strange way in which she had showed him her two fingers, Kagome quickly lifted the Garo to lean upon her shoulder as she attempted to stand with shaking legs, but it was proving difficult. "Kagome?"

"Help me out here."

Obliging, Link hefted the older man, with one arm positioned around his waist, just as Kagome, while the Garo's arms drooped about either's shoulder. His limp body was dragged across the floor until they both stood at the open-door way somewhat awkwardly.