Tails headed back into Ordon first, if nothing else to let them know what was happening.
The first stop was Rusl's house. Rusl was recovering on his couch, seeming to be asleep, but looked up quickly when Tails came in.
"Tails! You're alright!"
"I'm fine, thanks. I heard you got hurt?"
"Bulbins. Nasty green creatures. I'm glad we don't seem them here often. They took the kids, and the sword I was going to deliver."
Tails looked a little embarrassed and drew his sword, "This one?"
"You found it? How did you manage that?"
"Well, to tell truth... I kind of borrowed it a little actually." Rusl looked curious. "Did you know there's these light spirits living in Ordona and Faron springs?" He nodded. "They got me to help them drive off the creatures, and get rid of an evil in the Forest Temple. My own sword wasn't exactly doing much against them..."
"So you borrowed it. I understand."
"You don't mind?"
"I would have preferred you asked, but given the situation... I can't deliver it to Hyrule Castle anyway. The postman warned me of an impassable black wall blocking off much of Hyrule Field. That, and my injuries need time to heal."
"Would you mind if I kept it? It was useful in the Forest Temple."
"Go ahead. I can forge a new one next time the Gorons stop by with materials."
"The who?"
"They live on Death Mountain, just above Kakariko Village in Eldin province to the west of here. They're basically rock people."
"That kinda reminds me. Faron mentioned something that said I'd find Colin, Ilia and the other children there."
"Be careful then, Tails. You don't know this world." Then Rusl seemed to notice something. "When did you get those clothes?"
"Ordona gave them to me. Something about being the Hero chosen by the gods."
His eyes widened, "Really? Ordona called you that?"
"It's important?"
"Of course it is... there have been others called that in the past. The one called the Hero of Time, for example, who defeated the evil
Gerudo king, Ganondorf. Would you mind showing me the back of your hands?"
Tails looked puzzled, but pulled off the gauntlets. On the back of his right hand were three triangles, one centred above two others. One of the glowed brighter than the others faintly.
"The Triforce of Courage." Rusl identified it. "There's no doubt about it. You're their Hero, alright." He looked straight at Tails. "I don't know what the threat to Hyrule is, but if the gods have chosen you, then I have full confidence in you. Good luck, Tails. Take the sword with my best wishes."
"Thanks... I guess."
"It's a great honour, Tails. Be proud of yourself."
With those words, he remembered the giant creature that seemed to have been the boss of the Forest Temple, and his pride at defeating it.
He nodded, pulled on the gauntlets again, and left Rusl to rest.
Mayor Bo was next. He seemed to be mourning for Ilia, and didn't notice him come in.
He came up behind Bo, and put a hand on his shoulder, "I'll get them back."
"Huh? Oh, Tails. How did you know?"
"Faron told me where to find them."
"Faron? In the spring?"
"He also told me I'm the Hero chosen by the gods."
Bo reacted the same way as Rusl. "Really? He said that? We've got to see Rusl, he can confirm it."
"I already went to see him, he's already done it." He showed Bo the marking on his hand.
"I believe you. I know you'll bring them back, even my Ilia."
"Don't worry about it. I'll get them back, safe and sound."
"If you ever need some help from me..."
"I'll be sure to come by."
Bo nodded. "Go. Bring them back. I know you can do it."
He stopped by Sera's and let her know the same thing. She cheered up instantly, and topped up his bottle of milk with fresh milk before he left.
As he left, he thought over what Bo and Rusl had said. Tails was touched by their trust in him. Not even here for a week, and the words of the light spirits had already caused them to trust him and wish him best luck possible.
"You know, they seem awfully concerned about your doing well," Midna observed.
"I think it's the whole 'Hero chosen by the gods' thing."
"At least that explains why you turned into a wild beast in the twilight?"
"Wild?" he objected.
"You were until I tamed you," she teased. "Most people from this world just become spirits, like those soldiers you saw back at the castle. Zelda wasn't affected because she still rules Hyrule, even if it is under Zant. Though, I don't see how being raised as a pampered brat teaches proper duty."
"It doesn't sound like she does a bad job of it."
"That's not the point. By the way... you were really brave back in the temple." It seemed like it was hard for her to say it.
"It's not really like me."
"Oh?"
"Normally I'm a little timid. I don't really like getting into fights."
"You didn't do bad back there. Even as a wolf, you fought well."
"That was because I had to. I'm proud of what I've done, but I'd still prefer not to get in a fight."
"You're going to have to, you know. Faron was right – Zant will realise there's something up before long, and then he'll start sending things after you even more. You'll really have to watch out then."
"I'm not looking forward to it."
"I thought you weren't afraid of anything, wolf boy."
"I'm not, I'm just not looking forward to it." He shifted slightly, adjusting the scabbard of the sword so it wasn't so uncomfortable. "You might want to disappear. Coro's up ahead. I think you might frighten him."
"He can't see me."
"No, but I'd look crazy if he saw me talking to thin air."
"Guess you got a point there."
Coro was tending his fire, his mind elsewhere. He looked up as Tails' shadow passed over him.
"Oh, hey! It's the fox kid. I like the new clothes."
"Thanks."
"Heading out to the field?"
"Yeah, going to Kakariko village."
"I heard Rusl say something about an impassable unnatural wall out that way. You want to be careful."
"I will, thanks. And I'll remember to stop by if I need lantern oil."
"You do that, I'll always be around here."
Tails walked on, heading along the path to Hyrule field.
"I guess making as many friends as possible has it's benefits," Midna commented, not bothering to appear.
Up ahead, two bokoblins spotted him. Like the rest though, they didn't last long.
Then Hyrule field stretched out before him. It was vast, but not as vast as the curtain of twilight that still stretched across much of the land.
There were large birds flying through the air that resembled the shadow birds atop Hyrule Castle. Perhaps as the keese had their twilight counterparts, these were the same.
There were also a few small... things on spindly legs that ran around.
None of them seemed to be much of a threat for now, so he headed along the path until it forked, and from there to the west.
As he drew close to the area near the wall of twilight, he heard someone shout, "Heeeeey!"
Up ahead, an oddly dressed person was running toward him. He wore white, with a red cap and a huge red flag on a stick strapped to him. He stopped nearby.
"Go no further! A vast wall of darkness blocks the way. I tried to deliver some letters, but it seems impassable. I am the honourable and dependable postman!" he declared.
"He seems a bit nuts," Midna whispered, causing Tails to fight a wave of laughter.
"Now I have introduced myself... take this bag, and this letter. You may store your mail in the bag, and read the letter at your leisure. Farewell!" He ran off again.
The letter was simply another introduction from the postman, asking him not to run from him. He stowed it in the pouch the postman had given him, and attached it the belt of the tunic, then continued on.
"You're going to have to stop making those comments when no one can hear you, otherwise I'm going to look like I'm laughing at them."
"He is insane though. Or at least he sounds like it."
"Maybe he's just a little obsessed with his job?" He glanced up at the looming wall of twilight, with the creepy patterns on. "I think we're here."
"So soon?" She finally showed herself. "It's moved further than I thought." She turned to him. "You know what this means? I let you through here, and you could be a wolf for some time."
"Only until we restore Eldin's light. How hard can it be?"
"Don't get cocky, wolf boy. It'll get you in trouble."
"I think I already am... go on then, lets get this over with."
"Don't you like being a wolf?"
"It's got it's good points, I'll admit, but I'm kinda used to being like this."
"Aw. Don't worry wolf boy, I'll take care of you."
Tails stared at her for a moment, then rolled his eyes skyward, and threw up his arms, "Why me?" he asked despairingly.
"The gods chose you."
"But why me, of all people?"
"How should I know? Coming?"
"Just as soon as you draw me into it. Preferably without the sudden grabbing and pulling me in."
"You're no fun!"
He felt disoriented as he felt himself change back into his wolf form, but as it was more familiar to him this time, he adjusted quicker.
"Ah, back in the twilight again. This must be Kakariko Gorge. You have to admit, the twilight does make it look a lot nicer."
He nipped at her.
"Be nice. I can hear shadow Keese up ahead, and there's probably some Bokoblins too. Or their shadow versions, anyway. Come on, wolf boy. Let's go save your friends."
He ran down the gorge, realising he liked running like this. He felt like he could run tirelessly.
Midna was right. There were shadow Keese and Bokoblins, but neither was much of a match for him.
Along the way, he spotted a wooden sword. It was familiar.
It was Talo's.
He could smell Talo's scent on it clearly with his wolf senses, and realised he could see the scent leading from it.
"Isn't being a wolf much more convenient? This trail will probably lead you right to them. Isn't that perfect?"
The scent seemed to follow the path, so he remained on normal senses, checking his wolf ones occasionally to ensure he hadn't lost the scent. A few more Bokoblins attacked him, and another of the larger shadow birds he'd battled above Hyrule Castle. Midna identified them as Kargaroks.
They posed little threat if he dodged them and lunged back at them, so continued on until the path ended abruptly at a canyon. It looked like had once been a bridge crossing it, but it was gone now.
Another familiar scent caught his nose. He turned, growling.
"What's up?"
He looked up, Midna following his gaze. A red portal had appeared in the sky, dropping three more shadow beasts, then vanishing. The familiar stone posts, with their semi-transparent barrier also appeared.
One landed right beside him, which he took care of easily. The remaining two fell to a dash after Midna held them in place for him.
Like the ones before, the drops of shadow they left behind flowed up and reformed the portal in green.
"You know, I could use those portals. I wouldn't have to use so much power, using ones that are already there." She looked thoughtful.
"We need to find a bridge anyway. There doesn't seem to be one here. We could use them to warp to either north or south Faron woods. Which do you think?" Tails couldn't tell her, so instead pointed southwards with his muzzle. "You know you won't turn back just by leaving." He nodded. "To south Faron it is then."
When he view cleared, he saw the familiar surroundings, and started looking for anything that could be used as a bridge.
There didn't seem to be anything here, so he headed north, not wanting to go into Ordon and disturb the residents.
Midna guided him safely through the area with the purple fog. He paused at one point, spotting a strange floating blue light.
His wolf senses revealed what looked like a spirit child holding a huge scythe.
As he drew close, it ducked down, swiping at him. It missed, and he pounced, tearing away as only a wolf could.
It threw him off, so he repeated. The second time though, it fell to the ground, and a small purple ball appeared, beating as if a heart.
"That's a Poe soul. I hear there's someone who collects them. You'll have to tear it free to collect it, I'll keep it safe."
He did so, and the Poe vanished as he pulled the soul free. Then he continued onwards.
In the clearing he'd saved Beth when they'd gone after the monkey – the same area the northern portal would have dropped them – there was a bridge, almost upright, leaning against one of the rocky walls.
"Well, isn't this an interesting find? I wouldn't be surprised if this is the original bridge and all. What do you think, should I warp it back with us?"
What other choice was there?
This time, when he could see clearly again, he was already on the replaced bridge, crossing the gorge.
"Isn't the power of twilight amazing? You let me know if you need it again, it'll help us both find what we're looking for, don't you think? Let's go."
The scent of Talo lead them to an elaborate, but crude gate guarded by yet more shadow bokoblins.
"What are they doing here? For a gate like that, they must be trying to keep something out. Or in. Worth out time to dig in, maybe."
Tails dealt with the two shadow bokoblins, then sniffed around the base of the gate. He found a spot he could use to dig under, while Midna just floated through as she had done back in the sewers.
He continued along the path, eventually arriving at what looked like a town from an old western movie, but without the sheriff and guns – they wouldn't exist here yet, he reasoned.
He could see shadow Kargaroks flying high above, but ignored them. Directly ahead was a spring like the ones at Ordon and Faron. A light spirit, only just managing to put out a little light, was glowing in it.
"Hero chosen by the gods," it's voice came faintly. "I am Eldin, the protector of these lands. But my light has been stolen. Retrieve it in this vessel... but beware, the darkness is hunting for you."
A vessel like the one Faron had given him dropped down, which Midna caught.
"Same again?" she asked him. Tails nodded. More shadow bugs.