A/N- Well, finals are finally done so you know what that means: I'm going to be having a lot more time to write, so updates will be much more frequent. As usual, thanks to all of you who continue to read this and especially to those of you who review: Yacob, Surviving Sheikah, The Silent Orion, MiyaChama, Darkide, Player4, and Victoria-Blackheart! Anyone else who reviews will be added to this list as well.
The lone light of a lantern lit up the dank room as Zant sat at a solitary desk. Poured over the wooden structure were piles of manuscripts and ancient documents, each detailing forgotten secrets and forbidden magic that had long been thought lost. Each held a piece of vital information, and it was his job to piece them together to attain his ultimate goal. He sighed mundanely to himself and placed another stack of papers to the side, detailing old war outcomes and strategies. He looked at the dank cavern that served as his temporary headquarters and rolled his eyes; hardly befitting for one such as him. Besides the desk, there was nothing of significance about the room beside the entrance on the opposite wall. His nose twitched with the stench of must. The cavern itself was unbearably hot, and would have annoyed him if he wasn't so focused on the task at hand. His gaze returned to the next stack of documents when his ears honed in on footfalls approaching the doorway.
"Zant," a woman's voice called out from across the small cavernous room as she entered the doorway. The voice belonged to a tall athletic woman with flowing black hair. On her dark skin were strange red markings; placed identically on her cheeks and the back of her hands. Her piercing amber eyes looked keenly at the man, whose attention was still directed at the stacks of ancient documents before him. Polished midnight black armor covered her chest and ran down to her knees, while sturdy leather boots covered her feet and met her armor. A small necklace hung around her neck with a dragon scale attached to it. Her long fingernails tapped impatiently on the stone wall she leaned on, waiting for Zant to acknowledge her presence.
"What is it, Atrayu?" Zant replied irritably, not bothering to look up from his work. "I am assuming you have something important to say to disturb me during my meditation." He scribbled down some notes, and rustled through some of the documents cluttered on the small wooden table.
"I have a report from Castle Town. It is about the Queen," Atrayu remarked casually, as if the information meant little to her.
Zant raised an interested eyebrow, and looked up. "Is that so? Continue," he urged.
Atrayu smirked and pushed away from the wall. She rolled her eyes, expressing relief that she could finally accomplish her purpose for coming to this goddess-forsaken mountain. "I thought you might want to know the Queen is aware of our plans to attack Death Mountain. She recognizes we presently have no intention of striking the castle. This very moment, she is amassing troops to launch a counterstrike." The mercenary paused a moment, allowing Zant to absorb her words. Satisfied, she continued: "Furthermore, she has met with several of Link's friends, and relinquished to them everything she knows about us: including your identity."
Zant nodded, clasping his hands together in confident arrogance. "How amusing. She is quite skilled if she saw through our ruse. However, her troops are of little consequence." He leaned forward, the cogs of his insane mind beginning to scheme. "However, these friends of Link have me interested. Perhaps we can use them to our advantage." He rose from his chair and began pacing around the room, a menacing smile rising to his lips. "Yes, I have it." He looked at Atrayu. "I have a task specifically tailored to your skills." His eyes twinkled mischievously at her. "Of course, you better not prove to be a failure. You know what I do to those."
Atrayu felt sweat beginning to form on her brow, but she did her best to hide it. She casually wiped it away and stared at Zant confidently. "As long as I receive my pay, nothing is too difficult for me." She leaned forward, cupping a hand around her pointed ear in mocking sarcasm. "I'm listening, oh Wise One."
Several minutes later, Atrayu emerged from the cavern with a smirk on her face. Her head was spinning a little, but Zant had made the purpose behind her mission clear. She still couldn't understand why she couldn't accomplish it another way, but she would carry it out nonetheless. As long as she was able to obtain her goal, she wouldn't complain if she got to keep her skills sharp as well.
Rusl's head was still spinning as he sat amongst his old comrades at Telma's bar. It had been several days since his conversation with Zelda, but her words weighed no less on him than when they had first been spoken. Unbeknownst to most in Ordon Village, Rusl was involved in an underground organization that fought to keep the peace in Hyrule. It was this group that had played a role in freeing the kingdom from twilight seven years ago.
The reports he heard from his old friends only confirmed the ominous predictions the Queen had forewarned. Monster sightings were increasing everywhere, especially at Death Mountain. Furthermore, rumors of encroaching war were spreading like wildfire, but no one could pinpoint their origin. For the past few days, the group had been meeting regularly to decide on a course of action. He listened carefully as they discussed, keeping his promise to the monarch not to divulge the information he knew unless circumstances absolutely demanded it.
"We've been meeting here for three days now and we haven't settled anything," Ashei said. The young mountain woman glared at each of the other three members, allowing her green eyes to flicker from each person sitting by her at the circular table. Her black hair moved with her gaze, adding intensity to her urgent manner. She was dressed as a knight of Hyrule, although with much less armor. At her side was a small rapier, used mostly in self-defense.
"We are aware of that, Ashei," Auru replied calmly from her right, his words glossed over with the patience and wisdom years of experience had bestowed upon him. He tweaked his gray beard and hair as he spoke, more out of thought than habit. He wore simple trousers, boots, a shirt with the symbol of the Triforce embedded on it, and gloves; simple attire for his laid back personality. "We can't be hasty in this matter. If we're not careful, we could start a war that should've been avoided."
"I'm in agreement with Auru," Shad added quickly, adjusting his spectacles as he spoke. His dashing red hair and handsome facial features often scored him jokes of being a lady's man. However, his passion was dedicated to the vast collection of Hylian lore and history. Unlike the rest of the group, he had no experience in fighting; his mind was his greatest weapon. None of his attire was particularly noteworthy with the exception of his glasses and a book of ancient languages he always held in his hand. He looked quickly at Ashei. "Her Majesty is sending troops to Death Mountain to quell the monster outbreaks. The situation needs to be handled delicately."
"How long do we have until they set out?" Rusl inquired, leaning forward in his chair. "Ashei has a point. We can't keep meeting like this without deciding on a plan. We need to act before the soldiers depart."
"Don't you worry about those soldiers, hun," Telma, the bar owner, spoke from across the room. "What you're doing here is more than any of those cowards do in a lifetime. Take your time and do things right."
A rather large woman, Telma's imposing figure was contrasted by her flirtatious personality. One might think her red hair matched the color of roses she hoped to receive from suitors often thought about. However, beneath her shallow exterior was hidden a tender heart willing to bestow unconditional kindness to those in need. She wore a simple blue skirt covered by an apron and sandals on her feet. As her keen eyes looked around the bar, they were greeted by empty wooden stools and tables. Late afternoon was never a good time for business; towards dusk and onward is when the place became a circus full of the troubled folk of Castle Town. As her fluffy white cat, Louise, jumped onto the table, Telma couldn't help but place a large hand on the cat's back and stroke it gently.
Rusl nodded. He looked back to his comrades and placed a firm hand on the table. "So what else do we know?"
Ashei rolled her eyes. "We've asked this question every night. Nothing has changed!"
"Ashei," Auru reproached her. His leer caused the boisterous young woman to lean back in her chair.
"I'm just saying-" Ashei replied defensively, softening her tone. Her hands were held up, as if ready to catch any further reproach aimed at her. "I'm just saying we don't know enough about the situation. We should stop discussing and go investigate for ourselves."
There was a silence as everyone tossed the idea in their minds.
At last, it was Auru who spoke. Although there was no leader, the others turned to him for guidance. All hung on every word that passed from his lips. "At this point, I'd say that is our best option. It is time for action." Auru paused for a second. "In addition, I would advise traveling with the soldiers should we discover something unexpected. I'm sure they wouldn't mind if we came along." A sly smirk appeared on his lips. "I have several connections after all."
No one dared disagree. The decision was unanimously ratified.
"Say Rusl," Telma's voice rang out once again from across the bar. This time, she was polishing a glass in her hand. Rusl turned in his chair to listen. Telma continued when she was sure she had his full attention. "Where's that friend of yours? The swordsman with the green clothes? I haven't seen him here in ages. It sounds like you guys are planning something dangerous. I think he could be a lot of help."
Rusl felt his heart skip a beat and was silent. He was at a loss for words. Thankfully, Telma continued talking.
"Have he and that girl Ilia gotten together yet? By Din, they'd be perfect together." Telma put down the glass she was washing and rested her head on one arm, lost in thought. "I'll never forget the first time I met that young man. You should've seen his eyes when he realized Ilia didn't recognize him. Poor thing. He really helped us out too. More courage in that young man than all the soldiers of Hyrule, I tell you."
Auru cleared his throat and caught Rusl's attention with a light tap. They both ignored Telma as she continued babbling to herself. "Would you happen to know where he is? Link, was it? He spoke quietly and solemnly. "We could really use a man of his caliber, and he's already an honorary member of our group here."
The truth pulled at Rusl's heart like an anchor. He felt his heartbeat race faster as he struggled for the words to say. His eyes diverted to some lost corner.
"I don't know where he is. He left the village a long time ago." The words screeched in his ears like nails on a chalkboard.
There was a pause that felt like an eternity to Rusl.
"That's a shame," Shad commented at last, disappointment evident in his voice. "He was a swell lad." He readjusted his spectacles and looked at the remainder of the group. "So can we declare this meeting finished?"
"Yes. There's nothing left to discuss," Ashei said. She looked to Auru for reassurance.
Auru nodded and stood up from his chair. "I will speak with Captain Nadal and see if we can join them. If not, we're on our own. Is everyone in agreement?"
Once again, the decision was unanimous. Everyone rose from their chairs and bid each other farewell. After saying goodbye to Telma, they each went their separate ways, walking out of the empty bar into the stormy afternoon.
As Rusl stepped outside, the chilly air tinged his skin like a splash of water on a summer day. The torrential downpour fell upon his face without ceasing, quickly soaking his blonde hair and dirty clothes. Lighting flashed occasionally in the distance, followed closely by the clapping of thunder; a manifestation of nature's fury. He walked slowly down the stone streets, relishing the chance to be by himself. In the past few days, his mind had been burdened with more than it could bear. Now that he was alone, his defenses crumbled as his tears grieved in unison with the weather around him over the loss of his beloved friend.
"How did things come to this?" he whispered to himself, staring down at the soaked stone below him. Water was forming puddles in the crevices, creating pools for his sandal-clad feet to wade through. Though he normally didn't talk to himself, he found speaking aloud helped alleviate some of the grief tearing him apart from the inside.
Rusl made a tight fist with his right hand and punched the closest thing he could find: a stone building to his right. He didn't even flinch as his knuckles cracked. "We can't even bury him." he muttered. "How am I going to break the news to the rest of the kids?"
The warrior continued walking through the rain, speaking no more of his thoughts aloud lest Colin or one of the others overhear him. He paused when he arrived at Malo's house, looking up to the window where candle light displayed the vague outlines of silhouettes. His thoughts turned to Ilia. She hadn't eaten or slept in the last couple of days; most of her time was spent at the stables with Epona. He walked once again, heading for the one place he was sure to find the young woman.
Just as he suspected, Rusl found Ilia inside the stall where Epona stayed. She was leaning against the horse's neck, mumbling inaudibly to it and staring off into space. Rusl walked through the dirt-floored facility and leaned on the wooden gate that served as the entrance to the stall. Epona nudged him gently with her nose and let out a soft whinny. Ilia awoke from her daydream and gave Rusl a quiet stare.
"Oh, it's just you, Rusl," she mumbled disinterestedly, as if in another world. She leaned her head against the horse's neck once again, letting her hand flow through Epona's silky mane.
"Who were you expecting?" he asked quietly, already aware of how she would answer.
She was quiet for a moment, hesitating over whether to answer truthfully. "I was hopin'-" she paused, sighing deeply before she could finish her sentence. "-hopin' he would come back for Epona. And- and then I could see him again." A small tear escaped her eye, but her hand wiped it away instinctively.
Rusl looked at the hay in the corner to distract himself. After a brief moment of hesitation, he opened the gate, and gently closed it behind him. He placed a strong hand on Ilia's shoulder and gave her a reassuring squeeze. "It's been several days, and nobody's seen him." He couldn't bring himself to articulate the rest of his thought.
"He has to be out there somewhere, Rusl," Ilia raised her voice, turning around and jerking violently so that Epona and Rusl were taken aback. "I refuse to believe he would just disappear without good reason." She calmed once again, and looked down at the dirt floor. "I know it's crazy, but my heart tells me he's still out there."
Rusl was speechless. He wanted to tell her that it was impossible; he wanted to tell her that Link was never coming back and she needed to be strong. Yet, he found a small part of himself desperately wishing he could believe as she did. What he did tell her surprised even him: "Whether he's out there or not, he's still in your heart and your memories. Never forget him, and never give up hoping. I know it hurts, but there is no victory without pain and sacrifice."
The two gave each other a quick embrace. A small smile spread on Ilia's lips. "I won't give up. Thanks, Rusl."
Rusl nodded and forged a half-smile. He was glad he could comfort Ilia, but he couldn't shake the feeling he had given her false hope. He leaned against one of the stall walls as his face curled into a solemn expression. "Ilia, there is one other reason I came to find you." The smile on Ilia's face began to fade. "I'm going away for a few days. I'll return soon, so don't worry about me."
Ilia brought a hand up and was about to say something when Rusl placed a gentle hand over her mouth. "This is something I must do alone. I don't want anyone coming with me. I need you to look after Colin and the rest in my absence." There was an awkward silence. "More importantly, you can't tell them about Link or Epona. I haven't figured out how to break the news to them just yet." A single brow of suspicion raised on Rusl's otherwise stolid face. "What do you tell them when you come here, anyway?"
Ilia raised her eyebrows. "That I'm gonna be with the horses, o' course. They think I'm infatuated with a stable hand, though."
Rusl chuckled to himself. "I would've thought the same thing if I didn't know any better."
Neither said anything more for several more moments. Finally, Rusl opened the gate and walked outside the stall. He motioned towards the door. "Coming?"
Ilia shrugged her shoulders and sighed. "I suppose. I've been here since morning anyways. If I stay here much longer, Malo might accuse me of stinkin' like a barn and kick me out of the house." Ilia gave Epona one last gentle stroke. "I'll be here tomorrow, girl. I promise." The horse let out a soft whinny and protested mildly. Ilia smiled solemnly and hopped over the gate to follow Rusl out of the stable.
As Ilia stepped out into the rain, Rusl gave her a sly smile. "At least the rain will help clear some of the smell off you," he joked, shaking some of the water out of his sandals.
Ilia glared at him. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Rusl took a mock step away from her, pretending to hold his nose because the odor was intolerable. "What do you think it means?"
Ilia's face reddened. "Rusl, when I catch you!" She began chasing after him in the rain, running along the main streets of Castle Town and laughing with every step. They had almost completely circled and returned to the stable when the two stopped in their tracks.
Sprawled out on the road ahead of them was a mass of soaked fur. As they approached, they recognized what appeared to be a large dog.
"Aww, the poor puppy is wet," Ilia said. She began to approach it, but Rusl grabbed her shoulder to stop her. She looked at him, but his stern expression silenced any remark she might've made.
"That's too big to be a normal dog," Rusl said. He reached for his sword but felt nothing but the back of his soaked shirt. "Nayru's love, I left my sword at Malo's." He drew steadily closer, motioning for Ilia to stay behind. The animal showed no acknowledgment of Rusl's presence. "By the goddesses, it's a wolf! What's it doing here in Castle Town?"
Suddenly, the wolf raised its head and stared at him with its large blue eyes. Rusl froze as it got up and shook its silver fur of the rainwater that had accumulated inside of it. The wolf gave a soft whimper and looked pleadingly at Rusl.
"It don't look dangerous," Ilia called from a distance. "In fact, it looks like its beggin' for some help."
Rusl looked back at her. "Well, it can continue to beg," he said coldly. He began walking away from it. "Let's go, Ilia."
Ilia reluctantly walked with him, but she couldn't help but glance back in compassion at the starving animal. "Aww, he's following us, Rusl. We should at least give the poor thing some meat and shelter from the rain,"
The swordsman said nothing in response.
As they walked briskly back to Malo's house, Rusl ignored Ilia's incessant pleading. He looked back occasionally, only to find that the wolf still pursued them. When they finally arrived, Rusl ushered Ilia through the door and closed it quickly behind him. Both were breathing heavily by the time they were greeted by Malo.
"If you think the rain tires you out, you should try business," he remarked slyly ."I have a special customer you two will have to meet someday."
"Very funny, Malo," Ilia said with hands on her hips. She began rummaging through nearby boxes. "Where do you keep the meat?"
Malo raised a brow. "Meat? That's an odd gift to give to your boyfriend, isn't it?"
"For the record, I don't have a boyfriend," Ilia responded.
"Why am I not surprised?" Ilia froze at the remark, clenching her fingers into a tight fist. "Though you could've fooled me with how long you spend at the stable."
Ilia turned around, her eyes ablaze with fury. She spoke slowly with venom in her voice."You didn't just say that!"
"That's enough, Malo," Rusl chastised him, exasperation in his tone. He looked at Ilia with disbelief in his eyes. "You're not serious about giving that thing meat, are you?"
Ilia tapped her foot impatiently. "It's not a 'thing,' it's an animal. And yes, the least I can do is give it some food." She stepped into the back storeroom.
"What's going on? How come Ilia suddenly has a craving for meat? I thought all animal lovers were vegetarians." Malo said, raising his short arms in puzzlement.
Rusl took a deep breath and calmed himself. "The meat isn't for Ilia. There's a wolf roaming about Castle Town, and it followed us home. It's currently sitting outside your doorway."
Malo peeked out the window to check for himself and shuddered. He folded his arms in disgust. "Great! First Tingle, now this! At this rate, I'll lose all my customers." He stomped to the front desk and sat down, wincing as he heard Ilia whip through his storage room. "Oh well, business is slow during the rain." He looked around the shop disinterestedly. His eyes met Rusl's and brightened in inspiration. "Oh, Rusl, before I forget, one of your weird friends came by to look for you not too long ago. You know, the old guy."
"Auru?" Rusl replied interestedly. "What did he need?"
Malo rolled his eyes. "He didn't specify. He just told me he'd be back later." Rusl nodded, slightly surprised that his friend had worked things out so quickly.
Finally, Ilia emerged from the room with a box of Kakariko Fried Cuckoo, or KFC for short. She walked towards the door when Malo's voice stopped her.
"That'll be fifty rupees," he stated casually. "Business is business."
Ilia shook her head and ignored him. Before Rusl could act, she opened the door and walked outside. Rusl groaned to himself, grabbed his sword from a nearby shelf, and ran outside after her. He was surprised by the sight that greeted him.
Lying down on the wet stone road was the wolf, along with Beth, Talo, and Ilia. Of course, they all kept a cautious distance from it, but none of them were even the slightest bit scared. In fact, they were all smiling with glee as they watched the soggy wolf hungrily devour the cuckoo meat. They paid no mind to their soaked clothes from the rain or the danger that was so evident to Rusl. Talo had one arm on Beth and leaned on her for support. Ilia knelt by the wolf, an arms length from actually touching it. The swordsman watched in a disbelieving stupor as he turned to Beth and Talo. "Where did you two come from?"
Beth gave him a quick smile and redirected her attention to the wolf. "We were bored so we went to go find you two. When we didn't, we walked back here and found a wolf outside our house."
"You two act as if it's perfectly normal. You're not even scared?" Rusl asked with incredulity.
Talo looked at him somewhat surprised, as if the answer was obvious. "Scared? Why would I be? This is the wolf I told you about; the one that saved my life in the forest." He looked endearingly at the creature. "Sure, it looks a little different than I remember it, but it's definitely the same one."
"There are a lot of wild wolves in Hyrule," Rusl countered.
Beth looked at him inquisitively. "Are you sure this is the one, honey? Rusl may have a point."
Talo kissed her gently on the cheek and smiled. "Of course. I can never forget those piercing blue eyes. Plus, it's not everyday you meet a wolf as intelligent as that one was. You would've seen him in the forest too, but he left when he heard everyone approaching." Using Beth for support, he knelt down and began petting the wolf's back. It glared at him, but didn't move a muscle. Rusl sighed in relief when the wolf didn't attack, and loosened the grip on his sword.
Ilia looked at Rusl. "We need to find it shelter. Do you think Malo will be okay if it stays with us?"
"Absolutely not!" Malo protested from the doorway. Everyone looked at him in surprise, startled by his sudden appearance. "That beast is not getting into my crates of precious merchandise. It can sleep in the stables with the horses for all I care."
"What's all the commotion?" Colin's voice came from inside the house. He pushed Malo out of the doorway, and nearly froze when he saw the wolf standing there. "W-why is that there?"
Malo crossed his arms and grumbled. "They want to keep it like a common house pet. But they're not keeping it in my house."
Rusl nodded his head. "I agree. It'd be unwise to treat a wild animal as if it were domesticated, no matter how nice it may seem."
"We can't just let it stay out here soaking wet," Ilia protested, directing her pleading gaze to Talo and Beth. She knew they would sympathize with her cause.
Talo stopped petting the wolf, much to its relief, and looked at Beth. "I suppose there's always the basement, where we keep unwanted merchandise."
Beth's voice became excited. "That'd be perfect!" She looked at Malo. "I don't see any problems with that, do you? There's nothing but junk in there anyways. We could just keep the door locked."
Malo looked at Rusl, who shrugged his shoulders in indifference. "Not a chance. If I so much as see that feral beast in my house, I'll skin both it and the person who brought it." He stepped back inside the house, but his voice carried to the others. "And don't try anything behind my back!"
"Rusl? Colin?" Talo, Ilia, and Beth pleaded together.
Rusl shrugged his shoulders in resignation. "You are all capable adults now. I just want to make sure everyone's safe. If that animal hurts anyone, I can assure you it won't live long enough to injure another."
They all smiled at one another. Talo stole a quick glance to the doorway. "What Malo doesn't know won't hurt him. Besides, are we seriously going to take orders from a thirteen-year-old?"
Beth glared at Colin. "This is our secret, right Colin?"
"Don't worry, Colin," Ilia comforted. "Everything will be fine."
Colin dropped his eyes and let out a sigh. "I suppose. I just hope you guys know what you're doing."
Several hours later, everyone was reclining in the second floor of the house. Talo, Ilia, and Beth had successfully led the wolf into the basement through an open window. The door from the basement to the store remained locked so it wouldn't escape into the house. The windows were left open for fresh air and doubled as an exit should the canine want to leave. Fresh water and meat were laid out by the window so the dust from the basement wouldn't sully them.
The layout of the house made Malo oblivious to his unwelcome guest. Storage and unwanted items were allocated for the basement. The first floor served as the storefront and was usually empty on a day like today. The second floor contained the living quarters. It was cramped, considering it currently accommodated six people instead of the three it was designed for. However, all were content (excluding Malo). Everyone reclined by the burning fireplace and listened to the crackling of the fire and the soft patter of rain against the roof.
"Do you think our friend is alright?" Ilia inquired after a lapse in conversation. 'Friend' was the codeword they used to address the wolf.
"Your boyfriend?" Malo chimed in. Ilia didn't reply, and the room was quiet once more except for the tapping of the rain.
Suddenly, everyone jumped when there was a large pounding on the door downstairs.
Sitting closest to the window, Ilia peeked out to see who might be knocking, but all she could see were the gray hairs of a man standing by the door. After a short pause, the knocking resumed, this time louder and more urgent.
Rusl jumped out of his chair and raced down the stairs, followed quickly by Malo and Colin.
"Was that from the basement?" Colin asked worriedly as they ran, his hand gripping the rail so he wouldn't fall down the stairs.
"No, that sounded like someone at the front door," Rusl replied thoughtfully. He looked at Malo, who shrugged his shoulders. Their step slowed as the adrenaline subsided. Malo placed his hand on the knob, and opened the wooden door.
"Hello, welcome to Malo Mart, but we are-" his voice stopped. "You again?" He stared at the figure in front of him.
"Auru!" Rusl exclaimed. "What brings you here on a night like this?"
Auru's body was tense and he seemed out of breath. He had a pack draped over his shoulder, as if ready for a long journey. Lucky for him, the rain had stopped. "Rusl, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to find you in time. There's been a change of plans."
Rusl narrowed his eyes in anticipation. "What happened?"
Auru closed his eyes and shook his head. "Death Mountain is under attack. The Gorons have requested help, and half of the Royal Army is leaving within the hour to aid them. Gather whatever you can and meet up with Shad and Ashei outside Hyrule Castle. We leave as soon as you're ready."