Ch. 18

Ruto and Midaylia immediately jumped out of the window and climbed to the ground. They stared up in awe at the legendary bird before them. Zelda started down herself, but turned back when she realized Haeda wasn't following. He wasn't even there. A puzzled look swept over the princess's face and she went down to the others. "Did you guys see where Haeda went?" She asked them hurriedly.

Ruto looked back to her and then to the window. "Um…no…wasn't he there a second ago?"

Midaylia was rubbing the stubborn cuff on her wrist and gazing at the Teota bird in interest. "Teota says he might know."

Before the princess and the boy could turn back around, the giant bird had lifted into the sky. It flew up to the tower that Ganon had been on when Vaati had caused the castle to fall. The bird circled around the top a few times, and then came to hover for a moment. Then it flew back down to the ground. Haeda was perched at the base of the bird's neck; an odd mixture of irritation and horror on his face. Before the bird even touched ground, he vaulted off and ran up to his friends. "Ganon's gone!"

Zelda nearly fainted. "What?!"

Haeda growled. "I went back up to the tower to see if he was still there. He wasn't!"

Ruto kicked a nearby stone. "Figures. He probably ran away as soon as the castle stopped falling."

Midaylia shivered. "Couldn't he have just you know, poofed himself away?"

Haeda looked at her and scratched his chin. "…You're right. He must have never wanted to leave the castle. Yet."

Ruto looked up at the huge fortress suspiciously. "But why?"

Zelda shook her head. "Who knows? We might want to get out of sight, then."

The Teota bird, silent until know, shifted its wings and projected its voice: I could not carry all four of you. I must fly back to my mountain. More of those dreaded Wizzrobes could appear. I am sorry, but you will have to travel on foot. Or, the bird swung it's massive head to the north, You could mount your steeds. They've finally made it here.

Sure enough, the persistent Etota and Pellopa were trotting toward the group eagerly. Pellopa practically squealed when she spotted Ruto. They boy automatically smiled and ran up to his beloved horse. "Pellopa! You've been with Etota this whole time?!" He looked to Haeda as if he would have the answer.

He laughed and stroked Etota. "Pellopa stuck to me and Etota no matter what. Unfortunately, I had to leave them at Teota's mountain."

Receiving puzzled looks from all three teens now, Haeda dove into the explanation of his short adventure between Zelda's kidnapping and Ruto and Midaylia's rescue. "That explains it." Ruto cooed; patting his horse on the neck. Pellopa seemed to almost sigh contently.

The Teota bird looked down at them and made a slight nod. Farewell, Haeda and friends. May we meet again. It spread its huge wings and took to the sky; buffeting the teens below him with a gust of wind. They all watched the elegant bird fly farther and farther away, back to its ancient home…

When Teota was out of sight, Haeda sighed. "Do you realize how dark it's gotten?" He asked.

The other three looked up and suddenly realized it was true. The sky was almost black because of the spreading cloud. There was no patch of blue or even sunlight at all. All was deathly silent. It was like Hyrule was holding its breath.

And then it exhaled.

A strong wind suddenly sprung to life. It tore at the forest nearby, and tried to rip the grass out of the ground. The gale howled thunderously; attempting to knock the teens and their horses over.

Zelda shrieked and clung to Haeda tightly as the wind tugged at her dress. He planted both feet firmly on the ground and clutched Etota's reigns before the spooked horse ran off. She looked down at Haeda and stood close to him then. When she stood firm again, Haeda curled his arm around the horse's neck. He heard someone shouting over the wind repeatedly, and he turned his face to the wind. Midaylia was blindly flailing wildly and Ruto was holding her by the waist; struggling to keep a hold on her. "Midaylia! Midaylia! Calm down – what's wrong with you?!"

She seemed to only struggle more when she heard Ruto's voice. She was trying desperately to free herself. Midaylia screamed relentlessly and strange emblems on her skin appeared out of nowhere. They glowed eerily and their light fluctuated; as if two forces inside the girl were battling. The emblems and different lines and shapes covered the whole of her skin. Midaylia's struggling suddenly stopped and she slumped to the ground as the wind still howled. Rain started to pour down upon them as she fell to her hands and knees.

Ruto was staring at her in fear; and he touched a hand to her back. "Midaylia, what's going on?!" he shouted through the storm.

She turned her head to look at him. Her eyes were lit with the same glow as the strange emblems. Her expression was that for killing and blood. It was horrible to look at. Her breaths were heavy and ragged; as if a beast inside of her had won an exhausting struggle with her own mind. In a flash, Midaylia had unsheathed a hidden dagger. Mocking laughter snaked through the torrent of the storm. Clearly, someone's plans were coming to life.