Chapter 9: The Mask Festival

The Sanctuary, Sunset

The wounded Gorons lied around the Sanctuary, waiting for their turn with Renado. Link and Sheik went inside, to check on Darbus. Darbus was resting on the floor, and Renado had finished his healing.

"He's going to be alright. You can bring in the next Goron," said Renado.

Hyrule Castle, Morning

Ren warped all of them to Hyrule Castle, and they were greeted by Midna and the rest of the Ylisse shepherds.

"How was your quest?" asked Cordelia.

"We got what we went for," said Robin. "Ren, show them."

Ren pulled out the orange stone, and showed them. They gazed in awe at its ancient appearance.

"Noth Grateau wants this stone. We can keep it in the place that he can't get it: Ylisse," said Robin.

"What's stopping him from going to Ylisse?" asked Midna.

"We can only create a portal to Ylisse if Link opens one with the Master Sword," said Chrom. "Speaking of, wouldn't it be best that we get the stone there as fast as possible?"

"Chrom is right. We should go into the castle and do it," said Sheik.

The group went into the castle foyer. Link held out his sword in a skyward position, and the portal opened beneath them. The Ylisse party, Link, Ren, and Sheik went through. They vanished into the other universe.

Ylisstol's Royal Castle

The group arrived back at the foyer of the Ylisstol Castle. They were greeted by Say'ri, Libra, Yarne, and Yen'fay from the alternate universe.

"You're back! 'Twas only a day ago that you left," said Say'ri.

"A day? We were in Hyrule for almost a week," said Robin.

"But you left only yesterday," replied Libra.

"It appears that your universe's timeline is not connected with this one's," stated Yen'fay.

"What makes you say that?" asked Lon'qu.

"It happened to me, when I came here. For me, it had been weeks after Say'ri's death. When I came here, Say'ri was still alive," said Yen'fay.

"You came through the Outrealm Gate though. That place could have purposely sent you to this time, though your explanation is a valid theory," said Lucina.

"Well, aside from the time differences, we came here to store this," said Ren. Ren showed them the Radiating Stone. "The Noth Grashtas can't get it when it's here. Actually, you'd know them as Twili Risen."

They hid the stone in a storage vault in the castle. They parted ways, with Link, Sheik, and Ren'kir leaving Ylisse and going back to Hyrule. Chrom still had a kingdom to run, as he was absent for a few days (including the first time he went to Hyrule). The rest of the Ylisse shepherds were filled in on the events that occurred in Hyrule, and what was on the other side of the portal. Soon enough, the entire army knew about it.

One month passed in Hyrule and Ylisse. No attacks from Noth Grateau, and no need to crossover. In that time, Link searched for the missing Ordanian villagers. He traced cold leads on possible caves, hidden tunnels, and spelunking in underground caverns.

Eventually, the Ylisstol shepherds decided to visit Hyrule again. Chrom, Robin, Sumia, Frederick, Lon'qu, Lucina, Gerome, Gregor, and Morgan went through the portal to Hyrule. They landed during a Hylian holiday.

The Throne Room

"I suppose you don't know what the mask festival is, no?" Zelda asked. "It is quite odd, since we are celebrating the interlopers. They made masks, and they are the ancestors of the Twili people."

"It's happening tomorrow, and the day after. There's lots of food, music, and everyone is wearing a mask of some sort," said Ashei.

"Yeah, but what's so 'odd' about it?" asked Lon'qu.

"They created a dark magic mask called the fused shadows. The Light Spirits banished them for abusing its power, and trying to invade the Sacred Realm," answered Midna.

"Where's the Fused Shadow now?" asked Shad.

"Somewhere in Western Hyrule Field," replied Midna.

"So you're celebrating the crusade of an invader that used dark magic?" said Lucina.

"It's more to celebrate the creation of the Twili people," responded Ashei.

"Also, you should probably find a mask. There's this one stand in the southern part of town that gives them out for free the day before the festival," said Auru.

Southern Market Street, night

The group followed Link to the market where the masks were being sold. Each of them got a mask. Robin got a mask of a well, a robin; Chrom got a mask of a
Hylian warrior; Sumia go a mask of a Pegasus; Frederkick got a mask of a wolf; Lon'qu got a mask which resembled a demon of some sort; Gregor got a mask of a elk, and Morgan got a mask of a fox; Gerome had a mask of a wyvern-like creature. Link took a mask of what appeared to be a Twili being.

They went into Telma's Bar, where they were cheerfully greeted by Telma and Auru.

"Here for a drink before the festival?" asked Telma.

"..." (Link). Link gave Telma two purple rupees and asked her to give everyone drinks.

"Well, certainly!" said Telma.

Link went to Auru, who was at the back table as usual. He asked if Rusl had come back at all.

"He visited once, with deep sorrow. I asked him what was wrong, and he said that he might have found where the Ordanian villagers are. Unfortunately, he was scared off by two of those Noth Grashta creatures. Poor thing. Right when he was about to find happiness, he gets slapped in the face of defeat," explained Auru.

"..!?" (Link). He was shocked to hear that after one month, Rusl had finally reappeared.

"He's probably at Ordon Village right now, wallowing in sadness," said Auru.

Castle Town, the Mask Festival, Daytime

The town turned into a huge compilation of celebration and festivities. Food vendors opened up in the town square, selling various breads, fruits, seeds, and Ordanian pumpkin dishes. Musicians gathered around the fountain, performing songs about the Twili people and the two realms. A few shop carts were set up as well, advertising handmade clothing and masks.

The group all arrived wearing their masks. Shad and Ashei came, with Shad wearing a sky-being mask and Ashei wearing a yeti-mask. None of them were carrying their weapons because the festival is a time of peace. Subsequently their weapons were locked in the Castle vault. Frederick also took off his large armor, wearing only the white formal shirt, dark blue pants, and a pair of brown boots that Shad lent him.

Everyone was caught up in the festivities, but only Link would be the one that leaves it to look for someone. He was looking for Ren, who hasn't been heard from for a week. Link decided that after waiting, he should check his house. He went to his house, and knocked. A faint voice said "it's open." Link went in, finding that Ren's books were scattered across the floor, along with paper with symbols scribbled on them. He approached Ren, who was at his desk, appearing to be writing something.

"...?" (Link). Link called out Ren's name.

"Link? Well, I wasn't expecting to hear from you during the Mask Festival," replied Ren.

"...?" (Link). Link asked why Ren wasn't at the festival.

Ren turned around, and showed Link a talisman. It had a Hylian "S," written with a strikethrough and a circle over it, and with intricate symbols circling around it. "I've been working on this. An anti-Twilight talisman. Also, nice Twili mask," said Ren.

"..." (Link). Link said that Ren should take a break for once, and come to the festival.

"The villagers are still missing," said Ren.

"..." (Link). Link said that he's been doing it for one month now.

"Fine. After the festival, I'm getting back to finding the villagers," stated Ren.

The two left to the festival, joining the rest of the group. Their rejoice lasted throughout the day, until the sunset, in which the crowd died down a bit. Chrom, Robin, Sumia, and Morgan retired down to the Castle. The rest of them lied against the wall in the center, watching the people go by.

"How often does a festival like this occur in Ylisse?" asked Ren.

"We have a new one, where we celebrate the defeat of Grima," said Gregor.

"It's nice to have a day where we just enjoy ourselves for once. You know, not having to worry about the Twili Risen," said Lon'qu.

"Wow, I wouldn't expect you to say that, Lon'qu," said Lucina.

"Speak for yourself," said Lon'qu.

Castle Town, After Sundown

As per the usual Castle Town, everyone went inside at night. The only people outside were Hyrulean Guards, Link, Gerome, Lon'qu, and Ren. Ren was outside the walls, placing down the talismans that he made. Link, Gerome, and Lon'qu were sitting by the fountain, with Link's lantern lit. The light from the small hung lanterns around the center gently shined around the area, highlighting the closed merchant stands and vendors. Eventually, Ren came back and sat with the three of them.

"The vacancy's a bit, ominous," said Gerome.

"We haven't seen the Twili Risen in two months," said Ren.

"What do you think they've been doing?" asked Lon'qu.

"Evil things. Making more Twili Risen," said Ren.

"How does that work?" asked Gerome.

"I heard that he takes animals and does stuff to them to make them humanoid and a Twili Risen," answered Ren.

"That's mortifying," said Gerome.

"That, coming from the guy who once tried to get his wyvern to eat his father," said Lon'qu. Gerome rolled his eyes under his mask, while Link and Ren looked at him in confusion.

"Long story, and I don't feel like explaining it here," uttered Gerome.

The four sat out at the fountain, for an hour after nightfall. The four decided to go back to the castle when Link's lantern grew dim.

The Festival, the Second Day

The second day of the festival went as it did the day before. There were certainly more people, and a few Gorons were among the crowd as well. The Ylisse shepherds were mixed in all around. Robin was down the southern street, looking for food, accompanied by Lon'qu. Gregor was at the café, as well as Gerome, Lucina, and Morgan. Frederick was talking to some of the Gorons in the Western Street, and Chrom and Sumia accompanied Zelda. Ren went up to one of the balconies of a building, drinking a pumpkin tonic. Link walked around aimlessly, leading him to the Western Street. He passed Ren's house and the doctor's house, which referred to the lousy doctor that didn't help Ilia or Ralis. Link looped back to the center, and to the Eastern Street. He was met with a face that he did not anticipate during the festival.

"..." (Link).

"It's been almost two months Link. I think I know where they are," said the helmet-faced man: Rusl. No greeting, no small talk, just straight to the Twilight Risen. "I see that I've come during the Mask Festival. Is this the first or second day?"

Link answered the second day.

"Ah, so you've been here for the first day. Let's go to Telma's Bar. I can tell you where they are, and-" Rusl said.

"...!" (Link). He urged Rusl to calm down. He explained that the Twili Risen haven't attacked for two months, and that he should just, for this day, enjoy the festival.

"But, we can go right now! I've been preparing to face those beasts," said Rusl.

"..." (Link). Link was hesitant. He could go and rescue everyone from Ordon village, but he'd leave his friends. But was Rusl really okay? He did seem to be a bit delirious, and a bit sick. Rusl did let out a few coughs beforehand.

"Why? Why not? Please, Link, we can find them right now," begged Rusl.

"..?" (Link). Link said that he'd rather go the next day, after the festival.

"I... Link..." Rusl whispered. Rusl walked off in a depressed state. Link followed him a bit, and saw him go into Telma's Bar.

"Who was that guy?" said Robin from behind. "I saw him talking to you earlier."

Link jumped to hear Robin's voice. Link couldn't even sense that someone had walked up behind him.

"Did I startle you? Sorry," said Robin, as he ate an apple.

Link left the Southern Street, and joined everyone else in the festivities. Ren stood up on the balcony for a bit longer, but a sudden headache urged him to go down. These were a special kind of headache. Since Ren was now a mix between a person from the Light Realm and the Twilight Realm, he had an innate sense of who was a Twilight being. Normally, it wasn't very useful, since it was easy to tell who was a Twilight being by their appearance. You don't normally see a seven foot tall black beast with a mask everyday in Hyrule. But the Twili Risen are definitely more humanoid, resembling an average human, albeit a shadowy one.

Ren was a trickster with magic. He made his sword look like a fishing rod. He wasn't the only trickster that Lord Grateau had. With magic like Ren's, a Twili Risen could easily look like a human, without the shadowy radiation. Ren heard footsteps behind him. His headache triggered. He took a quick look at the person coming behind him. They had knife hidden in their boot, which Ren could see the handle of.

He turned around and said "May I tempt you with some pumpkin tonic?" The assailant kicked Ren back, and swiftly pulled out their knife. Ren was backed against the wall, and the assailant tried to impale him. Ren ducked, and smashed his glass tonic on to the floor. The knife got jammed in the wall, buying Ren some time. He took the largest piece of broken glass, and stabbed the Twili Risen's upper chest, killing it. It fell to the floor, and Ren took the knife. Ren started to go downstairs, but his headache came back, as two more Twili Risen entered the building. He turned around and went to the balcony. The fall wouldn't be too hard, would it? If he just eased down. Ren moved over the edge, and grabbed the bottom floor paneling of the balony. He looked down, and he'd land in an empty spot. He let go, landed, and disappeared into the crowd.

"Dammit, they're here. They could be anywhere in this crowd," Ren thought. He looked around, at the hordes of citizens. Among them, the Twili Risen. But Ren could not see them. They've come in, with ease, and with an intent. An intent to kill. To usurp.

And bring the Reign of the Second Usurper King.