Chapter 11: The Sacred Hiding Place

Hyrule Field, Night

Link and Ren walked to the middle of Hyrule Field, to make sure that they weren't followed by Twili Risen that weren't in Castle Town. They didn't have any weapons, and Link didn't have any of his equipment on him. His equipment was still in the castle, where his sword and shield were. Though, that wasn't of any thought to Link at the moment. The two of them were focused on finding a safe place.

They didn't have a Link's horse call, but he could always just get a horse reed that grew from the ground. He plucked one out, and played Epona's song. Epona came to them, riding from the south. Link and Ren mounted on, with Ren in the back. They rode back to Ordon Village without any interruptions.

Ylisstol Castle, Night

Everyone arrived in Ylisstol safely. Everyone was distraught and saddened from abandoning Hyrule.

"We shouldn't have left them there," said Lucina.

"Ren said it himself. We couldn't have taken on that creature with the meager weapons we had," replied Robin.

Lucina let out a sigh with anger.

"He's right, you know," said Lon'qu. "We'd be dead or worse."

"Well Link and Ren are probably dead, or worse," Lucina uttered.

"Ren, maybe, but not Link," said Robin. "Link knows where the Master Sword and the Radiating stone are. The Twili Risen will probably interrogate him, and keep him alive."

"Also, if we wanted to go back, we'd have to warp in outside of Hyrule. Going inside would be a death trap, with all of the Twili Risen walking around," said Morgan.

"Regardless of whether they're dead or not, we aren't leaving Hyrule like that. We've fought worse. Grateau isn't going to win," said Chrom.

The room grew silent after Chrom spoke.

"Anyone care if I interrupt?" said Zelda. Everyone turned their heads to her.
"I know everyone wants to go back, but we can't be too hasty. Rushing in would be foolish. Although, we have more than enough to defeat Grateau, as Chrom said," said Zelda. "For the rest of the day, everyone should rest."

"She's right. We just escaped," said Chrom. "We can plan an attack tomorrow."

Ordon Village, Morning

Link sat up to a calm morning. The sunlight crept in through the slightly ajar door. He was still groggy, so it didn't bother him that the door was open. The fire was burning in his fireplace, and a small stack of kindling lay next to it. The sun was still shining, and the bright light shined through the top window, on to the top platform, where Link lied. He covered his eyes as he sat up. He stood up, and put his other hand in his hair and rustled it. No hat. He looked down to an empty house.
Everything seemed too normal. No Chrom, no Robin, no Twili Risen trying to attack, and no Master Sword.

Too normal it seemed... until he looked down.

...The Hero's tunic. He let out a gasp. Dammit, Link thought. He's still in the middle of a battle with the Noth Grasthas. He finally recalled the events of the past two days. They attacked Castle Town during the Mask Festival, and took over Hyrule. Zelda, Midna, Chrom, and the Ylissean shepheards escaped to Ylisse. Link and Ren were the only ones that remained. Wait, where is Ren, Link thought. He climbed down from the platform and called out Ren's name. He looked at the door and found his hat on the handle. Link put his hat on and went outside. Ren was in the front plot, throwing darts at Link's scarecrow.

"You're awake. You were exhausted when we got back," said Ren.

"...?" (Link). He asked where Ren got the darts.

"I have three of them hidden in my scarf. That's the one place that they forget to look," answered Ren.

"..." (Link).

"I don't know what to do. We have no equipment, and we're two men against an army of a hundred or so. Unless we can find other people," said Ren.

"..." (Link). Link suggested that they go to Kakariko Village and see if they've been attacked.

"Man, I forgot about Kakariko Village. And what about the Zora's Domain?" responded Ren.

"..." (Link). He assured Ren that there was a small chance that the Twili Risen could maneuver north to the Domain.

"Alright. I guess Kakariko Village is our only option," said Ren.

Ylisstol, Night (On the same day that they arrived back)

Robin sat in the barracks, drawing out a crude and simplistic map of Castle Town and the small area around it. His eyes grew dark bags under them, to a point where he started to look like Tharja. His hand sagged a bit as he drew, and his breathing was blatantly heavier and tense. He started marking down names of people in the army in certain places. He marked down Lon'qu at the Western entrance and Gaius at the Eastern entrance. Virion was marked at the southern entrance. Three archers had to be spread out to kill any Twili Risen guards on the walls.

He was about to move on to people who would lead each group, but he dropped his quill at the sound of Chrom's voice.

"What are you doing up here this late?" asked Chrom. "Seeing how everyone else is asleep."

"I can't sleep. Too anxious," answered Robin. "How are Sumia and Lucina holding up?"

"Sumia's tending to Lucina. Wait, uh, Lucina as in the one from this time period," answered Chrom. "Are you still hung up on leaving Link and Ren?"

"Yeah. I can't find anything to take my mind off of it," replied Robin.

Chrom glanced at the map, and asked "What's this?"

"A map of Hyrule Castle. And the beginning of an attack plan."

"I appreciate your studious actions, but you should really find a way to get some sleep."

"I've tried every home remedy that I know."

"Not even a spell, or any other kind of magic?"

Robin paused for a moment, and replied "Actually, I haven't thought of that. Though I'm not sure that I could do a spell on myself."

After Robin responded, Tharja interjected. "I can help you with that." She came out through the dark and closed entrance in the back.

"How long have you been listening to us?" Chrom asked sternly.

"Long enough to know that my Robin has a sleeping problem."

"Please, don't call me that," Robin said as he gripped tightly to an arcfire tome. "Although, how effective is this spell of yours?"

"Oh, very effective. I've tested it out on a lot of creatures," she answered.

"If it puts me sleep, I guess we can try it out," Robin responded.

"Alright," Tharja said. "But uh, Lord Chrom, you should leave. I have this handled-"

"No," Chrom responded.

"Fine." Tharja whirled up a dark gray puff of dust within her left hand. She flung it at Robin's head in a singular stream. It moved and twisted around his head, putting him to sleep. "See, it worked. Now, to teleport him to his room-"

"Alright. Go, you're done here," said Chrom.

Kakariko Village

Link and Ren rode across Hyrule Field on Epona. They stopped at the exterior gate, which appeared to be untouched. There were no Goron guards, and the gates were wide open. The two of them got off Epona, and felt uneasy at the sight of the empty gate.

"No Gorons, and no Twili Risen. Should we be scared or relieved?" asked Ren.

Ren walked in first, and on to the pathway that leads to the village. He looked back at Link and motioned his hand for Link to come in. Link grabbed Epona's reins and led her in. The three of them slowly made their approach into the village. And then, there was... nothing. Instead of a tumbleweed, there was a chicken walking around. Not a sound stirred as the wind howled through the air. No one was seen outside, or holed up on one of the rooftops.

Link looked to the sanctuary. There wasn't any immediate damage, or anything of the sort. It looked as vacant as the rest of the village did. His eyes wandered around the outside of it, until a minor detail caught his sight. The torches. Both of them still had embers burning bright. Link tapped Ren's shoulder and pointed it out. Ren in response went up tried to open the door. It was locked from the inside. In response he went and knocked on the sanctuary door.

"Hey, Renado! Open up!" said Ren. "It's Ren and Link!"

A clicking sound was heard from the inside. Ren pushed the door, and it was ajar. Ren and Link slowly entered the sanctuary. They were both met with a whack to each of their faces. They stumbled backwards, and from the sides, Renado and Shad revealed themselves. "Damn, it really is them," both of them thought. Renado lowered his spear, and Shad lowered his makeshift club, made out of a two wooden poles tied together. Link and Ren looked at the two of them in relief.

"My apologies, Link. We were uncertain of whether or not this was a ploy by the Twili Risen," Renado said.

"We're glad to know you're still alive. Shad, we thought you and everyone else were still in Hyrule. Who else is here?" asked Ren.

"Ashei, Auru, Renado, Luda, Telma, Barnes, and Rusl," answered Shad.

"...!" (Link). Link's mind jumped when Shad said that Rusl was there.

"Yeah. He got us out of Castle Town when the Twili Risen started to come in," said Shad. "He's downstairs right now with the others."

The four of them entered the basement area of the sanctuary. As of Castle Town's takeover, Rusl, Ashei, Auru, and Shad were using it as their base of operations. Telma's bar wouldn't be a discrete place, with the Twili Risen helping themselves to its food supply. Everyone in the Hyrule "Resistance" gathered in the main room, containing the dominion statues. They were lifted when they saw Link and Ren.

"Link?! I thought you were trapped in Castle Town!" exclaimed Rusl.

"..." (Link). He and Ren escaped, he told them.

"And who is this man with you?"

"Ren'kir, Ren for short. I've been helping Link and everyone else," answered Ren.

"Speaking of, where is everyone else?" asked Ashei.

"Safe, back in their Realm," said Ren.

"What about the Hyrule Army?" asked Rusl.

"Probably rounded up underground in the prison chambers. The Twili Risen wouldn't kill them yet," said Ren.

"Why's that?" asked Auru.

"He wants an audience first. One that has me and Link in it," answered Ren.

"We're just a few people against hundreds of murderous crusaders, aren't we?" uttered Shad.

"That's the current situation," said Ren.

Later...

Link approached Rusl, in the circular room of the sanctuary basement. The only things in the room filled with patches of weeds were a large chest and a larger cabinet. The ornate design of both were made by a carpenter in Castle Town. The dark brown color was in contrast to the desert color of the earth surrounding the room.

"..." (Link). Link called to Rusl, and asked what was in the chest and the cabinet.

"Just a few weapons," he answered.

It certainly wasn't just a few weapons. Rusl opened the chest, and there were at least a dozen knives and a short-sword. The knives had a wavy shape, and would give off a bright shine if Rusl held it in the sunlight that peered down from above. Link opened the cabinet, to find more much longer swords, a bow, and a quiver full of arrows.

"...!" (Link). Link felt that "just a few weapons" was a complete understatement.

"Either way, help yourself. I noticed that you didn't have any gear. Where is all that stuff anyway?" asked Rusl.

"..." (Link).

"Nothing left? Well, hopefully they aren't helping themselves to the Hylian Armory."

"...?" (Link). Link asked why he gathered all the weapons.

"I told you in Castle Town. I found them. Colin, Malo, Beth, Talo, everybody. In the one damn place that we didn't think to look: The Sacred Grove," said Rusl. "I didn't think that they'd be able to get over there, but they managed to build bridges, and avoid all the traps."

"...?" (Link).

"Well, that's where I need your help, and that Ren fellow. You're much more experienced with these guys than I am. I'd be dead a few moments after going there. They're running a tight shift," Rusl explained. "I want to get them out as soon as possible."

"..." (Link). Link stated that they could go later, before nightfall, while they still have daylight.

"Alright. It's been a few months already. I don't want them sitting in there any longer."

Ylisstol, a few days later

Robin felt a light flick on his forehead. His eyes were still closed, and he barely opened them up enough to make out the shape of Morgan's face. The bright sunlight liberally shined through the large windows of Robin's room. Robin averted to the other side, and lifted himself to an upright position.

"Wake up sleepyhead," Morgan said. "It's nine o clock."

"Nine?" Robin said quietly. "Wait, where am I?"

"Um, your room," she answered. "You don't remember going back to sleep last night?"

"Um, sort of. Tharja had to use a sleeping spell on me again because I haven't been able to sleep these past few days," Robin said. "Oh man, what happened after last night?!"

"Chrom and mother carried you here."

"Whew, I was scared that Tharja used me as a-"

"All that matters is you got some shut eye, father."

"Is Say'ri at the barracks?"

"Mother's there with everyone else. Chrom is holding a meeting for people who didn't go to Hyrule. He wants you down there, which is why he sent me."

"Alright, tell him that I'll be there quickly."

Robin sharply rose from his bed, and looked for his tactician robe. In his wardrobe, he took out his Levin sword and sheathed it to his belt. He closed the wardrobe and faced Morgan, who was waiting be the bedroom door. She let out a small chuckle, to Robin's confusion.

"Father, is that a blood stain on your shirt?" she asked.

He looked down, and saw a small splatter of a maroon liquid on the bottom of his shirt.

"Um, one moment please," he responded.

Shepherd Barracks

Every Shepherd in Ylisstol was in the barracks. It surprised Robin that everyone could fit in there. The commanders of Ylissean army were attending too. Chrom really wanted everyone to be there. Chrom was finishing up explaining the current situation in Hyrule.

"We're not going to leave them behind. Once we have a plan, we're going taking Hyrule back," said Chrom.

"Dismissed," said a general standing next to Chrom.

The crowd broke apart, with everyone flowing out of the barracks. Out of the many that left, two came forward: Khan Flavia and Basilio.

"Hearty speech Chrom," said Basilio.

"I saw you come in before we started. I wasn't expecting the Khans of Regna Ferox to be here," replied Chrom.

"It was quite the tale that you were telling. To think there would be another kingdom out there," said Flavia.

"True to every detail," said Robin. "Although, what brings you to Ylisstol?"

"Word sent out quickly between the Shepherds. A flight by Pegasus and Wyvern brought us to Ylisse," answered Flavia. "We want to help."

"We can need all the help we can get. We're dealing with a group that could take over the capitol of a Kingdom," replied Robin. "Though first, a plan has to be established."

"Which you are in the works of?" asked Flavia.

"I've got it mostly figured out," said Robin.

"Kid, you're forgetting one thing: Do we know what the inside of this town looks like? We can't charge in half-assed. Not like our first attempt to kill Gangrel," explained Basilio.

Robin looked down in deep thought. He never considered how powerful the bulbin leader was, or what their numbers were. His hastiness caused himself to make a few errors in his plan. The Twili Risen also probably helped themselves to the Hylian Armory

"Don't get down, kid. You've got support from me, Flavia, and Regna Ferox's best soldiers," stated Basilio.

"Ylisse and Hyrule express their gratitude for your support," said Chrom.

After their short conversation, they took note of how they were the only ones left in the Barracks. Robin said that he would get to the plan for Castle Town's invasion, but Chrom suggested that they do it with the help of Zelda and Midna. Soon after, Chrom, Robin, Zelda, Midna, Flavia, and Basilio were in the barracks, planning their takeover.

North Faron Woods, Afternoon

Link, Ren, and Rusl reshaped into Faron Woods, from the Twilight portals that floated up above. All three of them had their swords sheathed, and on their backs with their wooden shields. Ren had his darts in a pouch that hung from his shoulder. Not only were his regular darts in there, but darts that were hastily made from wood branches. They looked cheap at first, but not so much when there is a giant wooden splinter in your shoulder blade. Link brought a wooden bow, and a quiver of thirty arrows. Rusl only had the sword and the shield, but he held a battle ready stance with his helmet on.

"It looks like there are four of them. Two archers, and two swordsmen. Get the archers first," said Ren.

Link and Ren, hid behind the rock terrain, on each side of the opening that led further into the woods. Link readied his bow with an arrow, and Ren took out a dart. They leaned to the side, and took aim. Their partially exposed bodies didn't attract any attention. Both of them fired with simultaneous timing. Two down, each in one shot. The swordsmen jerked their heads to the three of them. Ren and Link hid back against the wall. Link put back his bow and took out his sword and shield, as did Ren. The three of them charged out of cover, only to stop and see that the two Twili Risen were gone.

"Dammit. They're probably on their way to alert the others right now," said Ren. "This just got harder than it needed to be."

It's been a while since I updated, hasn't it?

-Kaz