Today was supposed to be a simple day for Captain Rimus. Patrol the streets, organize his men, and enjoy the celebration. He had just gotten back from the front only a few months ago, and Rimus could say he had grown accustomed to being in charge of a small regiment of soldiers that guarded the eastern half of Castle town. Finally able to put aside the horrors of battle that still sometimes clouded his vision, roused by all too familiar sounds or smells.

Now was one of those times...Rimus clutched his side as he ran. His heart was pounding in his chest as his vision blurred.

Just moments before, he and his men were alerted by screams from one of the side streets, and they rushed to the source only to be met with a blood-curdling, gut-wrenching sight.

Crimson speckled the cracked cobbles. The once hulking figure of goron was tossed aside into the street. They were bent and twisted beyond what is naturally possible. Another poor soul slumped against a wall, his arms dangled by the little remaining sinews of flesh and fabric on him. A girl on her knees, gasping, fighting in vain against the white devil who held her life in his hand.

The captain was no stranger to the demon before him. Those monsters were nothing but bloodthirsty savages who took the greatest pleasure in the countless slaughter of humans. It seemed that one had slipped through the cracks. He had ordered his men to usher any civilians to safety before he engaged the threat.

Its...no his...laugh still echoed in Rimus's ears. He gritted his teeth as he pushed himself onward. He needed to get to the castle...it was the only way to capture and kill the monster.

Blood trickled down his fingers, plipping softly and leaving a trail behind him. His side burned with each agonizing step. The demon had snatched the captain's weapon away only to use it against him. The blade cut deep but missed everything that would have killed him. It was toying with him like a cat playing with a mouse, but this mouse was not going to go quietly.

Something whizzed past his head and struck stone. The dance begins.

One. Two. Three...

Drawing a sharp inhale through the nose, Rimus whirled around, swinging his arm off his side. His hand connected with a wet slap on the devil's face. The demon reeled back, but not enough to avoid the fist that soared at his chin. Rimus scurried back; the devil nursed his jaw. Those smoldering eyes simultaneously sparked and blazed with fury yet sharpened to cold, vengeful slits.

"Is that your best?!"

The captain cried, his figure soaring down the street. His heart pounded, and blackness crowded the edges of his vision. Hopefully, that worked; if not, blood-curdling screams would banish any shadows of his doubt. Rimus would soon have his answer.

People scattered behind him once they realized why the captain was fleeing for his life. As the white devil advanced, yelps followed as those who failed to move fast enough were tossed aside to the cobbles. Rimus felt his limbs lighten with restored vigor as he pushed himself to his feet.

The outer castle walls stood tall, beckoning, waiting to receive the captain. No doubt, the guards pacing along the walls were already ready, ready to spring the trap. Rimus caught glimpses of metal hidden just out of sight, unnoticeable by the unknowing eyes. He could not help the grin that spread across his lips.

A twinkle of magic sang behind him, and Rimus ducked left, then right, and then left once more. Streaks of black arched past his head hissing hot air into his ear like deadly serpents. He could not bring himself to look back as he darted, weaving across the street like a hare fleeing back to his hole, hoping to seek sanctuary from the wolf who hunts him.

The sky even seemed to darken, and the air trembled, quaking, shivering, even starting to creep towards the castle in hopes of shelter. The castle gates were still open with today's ceremony, and, once under the shadow of the archway, Rimus spun around to face his foe, and at that moment, the air seemed to shriek, unable to contain itself any longer. It swept Rimus up, and the white devil lunged with it. Rimus's vision swam as he flew through the air before striking and skidding across the courtyard. He grinned as his eyes locked with the demon's who was pinning him to the stone with its blades to his throat.

The hare had been caught, but not before trapping the wolf.

Soldiers wielding all manner of weapons appeared, forming around the pair, spears pointed to the devil's neck. Crossbows clicked and bopped as they all pointed towards the enemy. Rimus watched those charcoal eyes break away from his for a moment before flashing with profound realization.

"Don't move!" said a soldier.

"I win, demon." hissed Rimus as darkness crept in further across his eyes. His form sagged against the stone, but his glare remained on the creature. The white devil leaned down closer to the captain. A scent of death and smoke burned the man's nostrils, and Rimus could have sworn that the devil looked almost impressed.

"The game is not yet complete."

The devil's voice was dark and proper but tight; it elicits shivers to travel down Rimus's spine. There suddenly was a bright shine of light, and everyone's eyes turned upward. A figure appeared in the sky, a purple and blue one, descending towards them fast. Rimus would have wondered what it could have been, but his eyelids could not stay open anymore. Darkness swallowed him, but his ears did pick up on a cry of pain and the sound of blunt metal hitting metal before he fully slipped away.

Elsewhere Link, Zelda, Impa, and Fi gathered in a small drawing-room inside the castle above. The room belonged to Zelda. She decorated it with plush, pastel pink sofas, cherry wood end tables, and a similarly colored coffee table. Servants had pulled aside the curtains to allow anyone to step out on the balcony if desired.

Link was helping himself to some fresh pastries, noisily chopping them down, much to Zelda's amusement. Impa even seemed to shake her head after allowing herself a small smile. Fi stood off the side, out of the way, just quietly observing. The trio came here after the ceremony to discuss the recent discovery. Fi was here to offer input if needed, but something else was off. She could not put her finger on it, which bothered her more than anything though she never showed it.

Zelda had finally said something about searching for any remaining monster cells and where to start looking for them, but Fi missed the words as her eyes were drawn to the balcony door. There was that aura again. A familiar sense of evil tickled her mind. It was much closer now, and that was more alarming than ever.

"Fi! Hey! Are you ok?" Zelda called, pulling the sword spirit from her thoughts. Fi brought her eyes back to those before her and nodded.

"Affirmative."

"Ok...you just seemed distracted there for a moment. Anyway, we were asking you if you had figured the best place to start searching for where the possible dark force still is."

"There is an upwards of 48% chance that the monsters find the secluded forests and mountain ranges of both the Eldian and Farone provinces suitable for their needs. Both can provide equal protection against foes, supplies, and have access to crucial resources needed to stage a possible counterattack." Fi said.

Impa nodded in agreement as her fingers drummed against the arm of the sofa. Fi quietly listened.

"I agree that both are similar and share pros; however, I think the mountains and volcanos of the Eldian province are where they are most likely hiding."

Impa added. Zelda threaded her fingers, and her eyes turned skyward in thought. Link waited patiently for her thoughts on the matter.

"I think that is best. The Gorons can help us look, too, since they know those mountains better than anyone. I am hoping you agree, Link."

Link nodded, and Fi made a note of everything said as Link stood up and stretched. He had changed back into his regular clothes to get ready to set out as soon as possible. Fi suddenly felt the unmistakable pulse of magic in the direction of the courtyard as well as the concerned aura of a soldier as he burst in and dropped to a knee. She was finally able to recognize the dreadful presence she had been picking up all this time.

"M'lady, a demon has chased Captain Rimus into the courtyard."

Impa was already standing as the soldier gave his report. Zelda cast a worried look towards Impa and Link.

"Don't worry, Princess. It'll be handled."

Impa gestured with her hand.

"Make sure that the demon does not leave the castle courtyard!"

She commanded; the soldier affirmed her demand before rushing out with Link in toe. Zelda was about to turn to ask Fi if this was the dark feeling she was picking up on but was surprised to see the sword spirit had vanished from her place.

"Fi?"

Zelda asked, just as a ripple of blue and purple caught her eye. She hurried out on the balcony just in time to watch Fi leap off the railing and into the air.

Fi knew that the castle guard, despite their prowess and skills, would not be able to contain the threat laid out before them. This was an old advisory that Fi herself thought was long gone. Just like her, he was a relic of a Sky era. More importantly, how he survived and reemerged was beyond her, but these questions could be answered later. She soared through the air; the shawl draped over her arms acted almost like wings as she glided down. Her magic sparked under her heels as she further steeled herself. Fi could see all the guards gathered around, their eyes cast upwards at her. The guards stepped back as her figure neared. Her gaze locked with his, and she could see the air shimmer around him. Moments before his figure was lost to blinding light, Fi twirled, and her leg swung out, coming up then down. Her left heel cracked across the demon's face. Her toes kissed the ground before her right knee collided with his chin. The familiar face cried out and staggered back. His weapons clattered to the stone floor as his hands came up to cover his mouth. Fi lunged again, and her form began a blur as she soared towards him, faster than he could react.

Time slowed as she leaped forward, outstretching her hands towards the demon. His eyes went wide, and they even tremored slightly. Fi spoke a command, a word in an old tongue long forgotten. The spell fell from her lips, and the words were quick to act. The demon reeled as if struck again, and he turned in a desperate attempt to flee only to collapse to the stone with a thud. Fi relaxed as the sound of footsteps caught her attention. Link and the soldier from before appeared, both mouth agape as they took in the scene before them.

"That will only keep him unconscious for 30 minutes. I suggest we make haste."

Fi stated. Link blinked and hesitated for only a moment before the sight of Fi in his face doing that little floating move of hers with a small smile pulled him out of his shock. Link gave the word, and the castle guards went to work.