Pearl leapt from the cliff, glider above her, and aimed for the blue flame on the opposite hillside. Scrambling up to the top before the newly regenerated Moblin saw her, she passed the two braziers still burning brightly and climbed on top of the furnace. "Right. If I glide down to... there, I should be able to easily reach that spot there, and can glide over to the shrine." Nodding, she pulled the glider out.

Landing near some round boulders, she saw something moving below. Switching to the camera rune, she examined it. "Ugh... a Blue-Maned Lynel..." Looking around, she turned to her right. "If I keep to the edge here, maybe it won't see me..."

After touching the flowers in sequence and putting the box of Korok seeds away, she ran up the nearby slope and stopped. Using the Stasis rune, she sighed. "Okay, not active..." she nodded, stepping forward to check the damaged guardians for parts.

Finally, she stood on the edge of the cliff looking towards the shrine. "Why would anyone put it there?" she shrugged. "Well, whatever. I'd better get over there and start climbing before it starts to rain again or something..."

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

Pearl stood on the shrine's platform with a sigh. "I don't know where the day even went... I didn't take that long searching those guardians, did I?" she glanced up at the night sky. "Well, I guess I can spend the night here."
Walking to the edge of the stone pillar, she went to sit down, but paused. "What's that light down there?"

Gliding down, she landed not far from a hot air balloon that looked handmade. A strange creature seemed to be looking at her, and she paused briefly before realising that the person was wearing a bizarre hooded monster-theme clothing and had their back to her. Umm... Hello? she called warily.

The man turned abruptly and stared at her. HOOOOOOYAG! he screamed.
Pearl took a startled step backwards. "Errr..."
The man caught his breath and looked at her. Hmm? Oh. It's just a Hylian. he sighed, slumping in disappointment.
Pearl sighed but let it go. Sorry for startling you. I was just wondering what you're doing all the way out here...
The man tilted his head. Me? My name is Kilton. I suppose you're here because you heard I was opening a monster shop, and you wanted to see it for yourself.
Pearl raised an eyebrow. Monster shop?

He nodded. Yes. I'm opening a monster shop called Fang and Bone. But I'm still preparing for my grand opening. Here's my business card... he reached under the counter and pulled out a rough piece of thick paper.
"Fang and Bone... Come and see ol' Kilton for the most monstrous deals in all of Hyrule!" Pearl read. Huh. Pretty interesting.
He smiled. I'm... going to need that card back. It's the only one I have.
Pearl nodded and handed it back, watching as he slipped it back under the counter.
Anyway... Do you, uh... Are you into monsters?

Pearl raised an eyebrow. "Don't tell me he's a... Oh my stars..." she sighed. I'm not a fan, no...
Kilton sighed. I see... That's unfortunate, but not entirely unexpected. Although, it saddens me to know I truly am all alone in this world.
He fell silent, and Pearl sighed. Well, admittedly, those Bokoblins can be kinda cute, when they're not attacking me...
Kilton brightened up. You really like them?
Pearl shrugged. Yeah, they can be pretty cool, at a distance...
I LOVE MONSTERS MORE THAN YOU DO! he screamed, and Pearl took another nervous step back.

He seemed to gather himself. I... uh... Sorry! I did it again. I just love the field of monster research so much that I decided to open a shop all about monsters! I travel all around Hyrule in search of rare and exciting monster parts. But I'm not sure which village I should visit next. Kakariko Village or Hateno Village? Though Rito Village and Zora's Domain are also good options. Hmm... I suppose I could go all the way to Gerudo Town or Lurelin Village. But Lake Akkala is much closer. RAWWWWWRGH! he growled loudly. I'm so excited I can hardly contain myself! I just can't sit around while there are monsters to be studied! I'm off! I'm sure we'll meet again in some village during the night. Fare thee well!
He tossed a small bottle on the ground at her feet, and thick purple smoke surrounded her. Coughing, Pearl moved back, waving her hands to clear the smoke. When it cleared, the balloon and its owner were gone. Glancing up, she saw the balloon drifting up, Kilton frantically working the onboard furnace.
Pearl sighed. "Of all the people I could meet in such a weird place, and it had to be Hyrule's resident monster-fucker..." she shook her head. "That's it, I'm done for the day. I'm going to swap out these orbs, have something to eat and go to bed." she grumbled, taking out the slate.

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

Pearl appeared at the shrine and pulled out the glider. Soaring down, she landed near the statue with ease.

As the few small bruises healed, she heard a commotion and turned, watching the guards outside Impa's house.
I can't believe this! one moaned.
Pearl walked over. What's going on?
Dorian shook his head. Someone snuck in and stole Lady Paya's most prized possession...
Beside him, Cado sighed. We were standing guard the whole time, and yet this awful thing still happened. How could we have let someone sneak right past us?
Pearl walked up the stairs, knocking briefly before pushing the door open. Excuse me? Lady Impa?

Inside, a young woman sat on the floor, sobbing. Pearl glanced at Impa.
The old woman sighed. Paya has been like that ever since the Sheikah heirloom was stolen... To think that it would be taken, just like that. We would like your help, of course, but we understand you have an important mission to complete. I'm only here to guide you...
Pearl nodded and stepped aside, kneeling next to the young woman.
I swear, I only took my eyes off it for a second! What should I... What should I do? she sobbed. The heirloom has been stolen! And just when I had finally discovered the heirloom's secret! she burst into louder sobs, burying her face in her hands.

Pearl glanced at Impa.
The hero, as chosen by the Sheikah heirloom, will be gifted the blessing of antiquity. she sighed. Paya thinks that the 'hero, as chosen by the Sheikah heirloom' is Link, so she stayed up all night researching the heirloom. She came to the conclusion the 'the blessing of antiquity' refers to one of those ancient shrines. And that the heirloom is the key that opens the shrine. And just before we were able to tell you this, the thing is stolen! she grumbled.
Paya sniffed loudly, lifting her head. I had been cleaning the heirloom regularly every day from morning to dusk. Someone must have stolen it during the deepest hours of the night. This place is off-limits to outsiders... And no one from the village would do such a thing! W-would they? she shook her head. Someone with evil intent came into this sacred place. I'm glad Grandmother is safe, but I still feel so... violated. she shuddered.
Impa spoke up. Pearl... Paya is afraid that the thief may still be nearby. Would you please stay by her side today?
Pearl shrugged. Okay.

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

The next evening...

Pearl, thank you... I see now that crying and feeling scared won't help us get the heirloom back. I checked with Dorian and Cado, but they said they didn't see anyone other than villagers around. I'll try again to remember all that I can about the night the heirloom was stolen, but the thief may still be hiding nearby. I have a bad feeling. If you spot any suspicious movement at night, don't approach...
Pearl nodded.

Outside, Pearl glanced around. "Alright... if I was a thief... well, I was, but not the kind that stole from innocent people anyway... where would I hide?" she mused, walking down the stairs and standing near the goddess statue pond. "So, the guards didn't see anything, but there's places where someone could get behind them, if they're good at climbing..." she looked up at the shrine above the village. "I need a different viewpoint here..." she muttered, pulling out the slate.

Looking down on the village, she saw several people wandering away to their homes for the night. As the night went on, she sat on the shrine's platform, sighing. "Well, this is exciting..."
I have to do something...
Pearl sat up. 'Someone's coming...' She quickly moved to hide behind the shrine. Peeking out, her eyebrows rose. 'One of the guards?'

As she watched, he jogged up the hillside and past the shrine. Cautiously, she crouched down and followed him, staying just out of sight.
The man seemed to be moving towards the fairy fountain, but turned and went right instead, following another path.
Pearl kept at a distance as he unknowingly led her around a bend in the path and towards a wooden bridge.
On the other side, he stopped. Show yourself! he called, and for a moment she thought she had been spotted.

I know you're there! Show yourself! he shouted, drawing his sword.
With a puff of white smoke, a tall masked man appeared, long spiralling blade already drawn. You don't have to shout. I'm right here. he chuckled.
The guard glared at him. So you're the ones who stole the heirloom!
The man laughed. Heh... Such anger. It seems this village is truly special to the fools of this village.
Impa's guard growled. Why would you steal it?
Don't play dumb, Dorian. the man sneered.

Pearl sighed softly. 'Of course, an inside job...'
You knew what you were getting yourself into when you decided to leave the organization. You forfeited your life the moment you left.
Dorian flinched. Hnng...
The man gave a laugh. You did well to tell us about the heirloom. Unfortunately, your usefulness has come to an end, as must you. But first... he nodded towards Pearl, crouching behind a tree. It appears we have an audience!

The man turned and started to approach her, blade at the ready. Pearl stood and warily drew her sword. I don't want to fight you...
He swung, and she barely dodged. That's a shame. Because I want to kill you. And it would be so much more enjoyable if you put up a fight.
He lifted the blade and swung down, and Pearl barely dodged the fierce gust of wind that blew forwards, parting the grass in a straight line. Reaching into her bag, she quickly drew out her Thunderspear, jabbing it towards him the second it had a charge.
He barely made as a noise as he jerked and trembled, his sword dropping to the ground. All too quickly, the shock wore off, and he picked up the sword so fast she almost thought it had jumped into his hand at his command. She tried to jab again, but he dodged and swung again.
Pearl switched to her Frostspear, managing to get a hit in. He froze in place, and Pearl yanked out her Cobble Crusher, grimacing as she swung it into him.

It made contact, the ice around him shattering as he was knocked back. Before he could recover, Pearl jabbed the Frostspear again, following up with the Cobble Crusher. As she swung it the third time, his eyes widened, and he jumped back, dodging the blow. He glared at her. You may have won this battle, woman. But, you have invoked the wrath of the Yiga Clan. That was a mistake. Reaching into his pocket, he brought out a small orb, throwing it to the ground. With a puff of white smoke, he vanished, leaving behind a large glowing orange orb, and Pearl's eyes darted around warily.

Behind her, Dorian sighed. I can't believe I was being followed. he shook his head. I'm sure you've figured it out, but all of this is my fault... there's no point in trying to hide it. I am... a member of the Yiga Clan. Or I used to be, anyway. But then I met the most incredible woman who blessed me with two amazing children. And so I tried to change my ways. Tried to leave the clan. But the Yiga..." he sighed deeply, eyes filled with sadness. They took my wife's life as punishment.

Pearl's eyes widened. They killed her?!
Dorian nodded sadly. I couldn't let them hurt my children, so I used my position as gatekeeper to gather information for the Yiga. I... I told them about you and about the village in exchange for safety.
She looked at him, his face clearly filled with shame and remorse and nodded. That's fair. You did it for your kids, anybody would understand.
He smiled faintly. But my grief over losing my wife consumed me, and I finally decided to cut ties with the Yiga completely! I decided I could protect my children from the Yiga. I wasn't afraid of them. But the Yiga are pure evil. They told me they would kill both Impa and Paya if I didn't play along! he pointed down at the orb between them. Paya figured out that this heirloom is the key to opening an ancient shrine. We weren't able to make it work, but Paya thinks that maybe you can. Something about having been chosen by the Goddess... he looked up at her. Paya... and all of us, are devoted to helping you in your quest. Now, please restore this heirloom to its pedestal.

Pearl nodded and picked the orb up, dropping into the hole in the middle of the glowing orange pedestal nearby. Immediately, both turned blue, and she quickly dropped to a knee as the ground started to shake.
The shrine! Dorian gasped as the shrine rose up from the ground. As the shaking subsided, Pearl stood up.
Dorian shook his head. So the heirloom WAS the key to opening the shrine. Incredible... he sighed. I... I'm very sorry for all of this. I know it's a selfish request, but do you think you could keep what really happened a secret? I truly don't deserve mercy, but I don't want my children, Koko and Cottla, to suffer anymore. I know it doesn't make up for what I've done, but I pledge to protect the village and my family from now on. No matter the cost.
Pearl nodded. Okay. You'll have to speak with Impa privately about the issue though... She can help make sure your girls are safe, even if this Yiga clan does get to you.
Of course. I fully intend to. he nodded as she stepped onto the lift.