Beyond the ranch is a canvas of white and blue. The sky is open, clouds absent from sight, the deep blue creating a vast ocean above the ground. Snow sits lightly on the grass, footsteps occasionally breaking the gentle waves. Trees in the distance are dressed in white; only their trunks contrasting from the snow.

Ruto takes a deep breath in and looks towards Kakariko. Beyond the trees obscuring the town smoke can be seen rising into the sky. The staircase which leads to the town is mangled and almost destroyed. Her feet move quickly, not wanting to waste any time in Hyrule field. A shadow moves in the distance, barely out of Ruto's vision. She slows for a brief moment but immediately resumes her trek. Her eyes constantly shift, checking for others who may be watching.

On the stairs before Kakariko the bodies of several residents lie. Their blood and tattered clothes are strewn about; their lifeless bodies remain posed forever in positions not natural. She climbs carefully over each, being sure to respect those who have lost their lives.

Kakariko is in shambles. Smoke rises fast from a building in the far corner, bricks from almost every building are scattered and mixed upon the ground. Soot and smoke cover buildings in a thick dark grey layer. Snow penetrates roofs and creates a cold blanket to bodies tossed to the ground. Dark clouds begin to swiftly roll over the village.

Ruto's footsteps create a deafening crackle as she enters. The snow gives in beneath her feet, screaming at each step. Her eyes scan the wreckage, tears beginning to form. She covers her face to block the scent of death which quickly met her. For a moment she forgets to continue walking and stands motionless, observing. Snow begins to fall once again.

Occasionally movement can be heard. The cluck of a cuccoo pierces the stagnant winter air.

Ruto begins once again to move forward. She looks to the ground, placing each step carefully over the bodies of both soldiers and civilians. Blood and slush create an icy soup drenching the flattened, battle-scarred ground. Many of those dead are men and young boys.

She stops before a building significantly more intact than those around it. The door remains connected to the wall; the windows are in pristine condition, in comparison to others. As she pushes her way inside the hinges creak, their rusted metal arms groaning in agony due to both the cold and lack of use.

Within the building lies mostly food. No bodies are seen and the floor is clean save for an occasional article of clothing or bread roll. A large central table holds rations and bread primarily, and a counter nearby presents wilted vegetables. A pot of semi-frozen water sits in the corner.

Taking a seat in a corner unseen from the door, Ruto pulls out her paper and ink.

"-bodies everywhere

-blood covering the ground

-buildings destroyed

-bricks and tiles everywhere

-no sounds of people

-one building left with food inside

-can't find other people"

She sighs and leans back against the wall. Her eyes shut and her hands relax. The quill quietly falls to the floor and her notebook drops to her leg.

Knocking.

A gasp escapes and she scrambles up from the floor. Her eyes furiously begin to search the room for a hiding place.

The door opens and heavy footsteps become audible. The sound of metal clanking against metal shatters the room's silence. Ruto presses herself against the wall just around the corner from the door. She holds her breath, looking far to the side to watch for who entered.

A tall, lanky figure draped in fabric appears in the center of the room. A hand extends from beneath the layers and grabs multiple rolls from the tabletop. Short, hurried breaths are expelled from it. Ruto shifts and for a moment the figure is still. It freezes in place, hand suspended between the table and its fabric. For a brief second it began to look towards where Ruto was but then quickly returned to collecting food. It brushes its hands off and exits the building.

The Zora remains motionless for many more moments. She breathes shallow and softly, her heart takes time to slow back down.

Eventually she allows herself to relax and she returns to her quill and paper, still moving soft and swiftly.

"-someone still sticking around"

Snow can be seen through a distant window falling heavily. It collects outside on the rubble and windowsills. A chill begins to penetrate the building. Shivers crawl along Ruto's body.

Time passes and after a meal of small pastries from Lon Lon Ranch to calm her nerves Ruto packs her things. She cautiously pushes through the door and enters the blinding white world beyond the building. Small flakes still fall but the wind has died down and the sky has thinned to lighter clouds and patches of blue sky.

Ruto drifts through the village, taking mental note of various things to write down in her report. Upon further investigation she discovered that the smoke rising from a building was in fact from a fire which had been recently extinguished in a back alley. Beside the ashes was a woman still and pale. Breath was not produced from her, and a heartbeat was absent.

Occasionally Ruto looks up to the mountain and remembers Link of the Gorons' letter. He has incredibly valuable information on the attacks, and has offered to relay it to Ruto. The prospect of this creates excitement and a small amount of hope within Ruto. For several moments she considers heading right up to Goron City now, but the nagging feeling of imminent danger pulls her back. Thoughts of protecting her people hold her down beneath the mountain.

Her eyes drift to the sky. The clouds are stained red and orange with patches of crimson blazing through. Small flurries still float down from above.

As night approaches Ruto takes shelter within a building different from that which she stayed in earlier that day. She climbs into a room partially blocked by fallen wood and tile and shuts the door.

Before the last daylight has left she opens her bag and removes once again her quill, ink, and paper.

"-no survivors

-recent deaths still happening

-village salvageable but would take time"

She stops for a moment and begins to draft a speech to be made to her citizens concerning Kakariko's state.

"I'm very sorry to report that Kakariko is destroyed. Fires have claimed most buildings and rubble is everywhere. Smoke and soot cover every building that isn't frozen with snow and blood. Bodies are everywhere, both of children and adults. The town is empty except for one incident where I encountered a presumed soldier. They have food stores in the center of town and I am expecting them to be preparing another attack if they haven't already begun. I do not know how long it will take for Kakariko to become functioning again, if ever. The silence there is a depressing one.

How do I plan to fix this situation and prepare for the next?

I plan to-"

It grows too dark for Ruto to continue writing. She carefully rolls the paper up and packs away her things in the twilight. Deep shadows fall over the room, and occasional snowflakes find their way in through a hole in the ceiling.

Morning arrives as soft as it left. A small collection of snow has appeared in various spots on the floor. Ruto yawns as she pulls herself away from sleep. The prospect of the new day sends anxiety spinning through her body.

Outside snow has started melting where the sun is cast and steam rises quietly through the air.

As Ruto steps back into Kakariko, in the distance can be seen a thick, circular figure.