The hot afternoon sun beat down on the Sheikah with waves of merciless heat. The salty sweat dripped from the tip of his short black hair, tracing a wet path as it traveled down his cheek. Just as it fell from his chin to the ground, another drop soon took its place. The shadow warrior breathed heavily as he tightened his sore leg muscles, exhausted from another day of intense training. With a quick wipe of his cloth-wrapped hand, he brushed the sweat from his forehead and narrowed his red eyes in concentration. The heat was unbearable, but he pushed forward anyways. He was used to training under such extreme conditions.

"You'll never crush the enemy by staring at them," Sharlo barked as he bent his knees closer to the ground, his split-toe boots digging into the rocky ground.

The village chief's bald head glistened with the sweat from a hard day of training. His red eyes watched his son carefully. The battle scars on his pale cheeks stung from the salty liquid flowing down his brow. Luckily, his special trousers made of black cotton fit loosely on his legs to allow freedom of movement and provide relief from the sweltering heat. Double-ties fastened his pants at the ankles, knees, and waist so they remained secure. A jacket stitched with the eye of the Sheikah covered his chest with overlapping lapels tucked into the trousers.

"A dirty Hylian won't hold back, so why should you?" Sharlo's sweaty brows narrowed as the village chief twirled the Wind Waker in his hands. "If you're going to take this from me, then show no restraint."

Kari's eyes squinted to mere slits as he studied his father. Sharlo's position was deceptively open, but he knew better. If he attacked directly, a swift dodge and a merciless counterattack awaited him. His father was well known among the Sheikah clan for his unorthodox fighting style, but few could find an effective way to counter it.

That wouldn't stop him from trying now.

With a swift push off his right foot, the future wind tamer rushed at his father. The village chief's eyes narrowed as he watched his son carefully, scrutinizing his movements to discern his intentions. His mouth curled into a knowing smile as he watched Kari's hands reach into a pocket and pull out a handful of Deku Nuts. He instinctively moved a hand to protect his eyes. Meanwhile, the young Sheikah ran straight at his opponent, tightening his grip on the lentils as he approached. When he was no more than a few feet away, he threw one to the ground and disappeared in a brilliant flash of light.

Without warning, Kari reappeared behind his father and attempted a swift roundhouse kick to his ribs. Sharlo, anticipating the attack, twisted to the side and let his son's leg slide swiftly by him with a rush of air. Not to be discouraged, the young Sheikah landed on both feet and launched a series of jabs—all expertly blocked by Sharlo's calculating mind and lightning reflexes. Finally, grabbing one of his son's arms, the village chief twisted Kari over his body and slammed him to the ground. Kari landed with a thud, wincing as his back made contact with the rough rocks below.

"You're too predictable, boy. I can read you like a map." Sharlo reprimanded. He looked at his son with a parental sternness. "Hide your movements. Don't flail your arms so much."

Kari closed his eyes. "Looks like I have a lot to learn."

Sharlo slapped him hard across the field. His cheek flushed red where the hand made contact, but he refused to open his eyes. Frustrated, Sharlo raised his voice. "Don't close your eyes on me, boy. A Sheikah never gives in to self-pity."

"It's not pity that closes my eyes."

"What foolishness is it then?"

The village chief's question was answered almost immediately. Soon, sparks of blinding light exploded all around the pair as Deku Nuts rained from the sky and popped against the ground like small firecrackers. Sharlo threw himself back as he brought his hands to his eyes to alleviate the blindness. If only he had known that the earlier deku nuts were only a distraction; a window of opportunity that allowed Kari to throw the remaining nuts high into the air without them being noticed. Then, he could force his father into a position that would catch him unaware when they landed.

Kari's eyes honed in on his objective: the Wind Waker. Swinging his legs for momentum, he jumped to his feet. He stumbled a little as his knees nearly buckled from under him but quickly gained stability. His legs felt like rocks, but he took comfort that his goal was in sight. He stepped forward and reached for the Wind Waker, now in Sharlo's chest pocket. His hand was deftly stopped as Sharlo grabbed him firmly by the wrist. Kari twisted his body around his arm to quickly grab with the other hand, but it too was halted by the village chief's vice-like grip.

"Never underestimate your opponent," Sharlo said wearily through blood-shot eyes. His son was still just a vague blur, but it was enough to faintly distinguish his movements. Besides, it took little thought to know Kari's objective.

Kari said nothing. He used Sharlo's arm as a pivot to swing his legs up and deliver a powerful two-legged kick to the torso. The village chief stumbled back as he coughed up spit, but his iron grip remained true. Using his powerful core muscles, he flipped Kari over his head by his arms and slammed him once again into the ground. Kari's body crashed against the hard rocks, stabbing his back with pain. There, the young Sheikah lay, too exhausted to continue the fight. The duel was over.

The pain plaguing Kari's wrists and entire torso seemed to melt away as he took another small sip from the bottle of red potion in his hands. Due to the intensity of their lifestyle, the need for quick but potent medicine made such an invention possible. The shadow folk could train for hours until the point of near exhaustion one day, take a red potion, and still be ready for a mission the following morning. Of course, Kari took the marvel for granted like the rest of his people, but any outsider would consider it a miracle and no doubt be inspired to create a substance with similar properties.

Kari and Sharlo sat on a small cliff overlooking the village of Kasuto with red potions in hand. The place they called home stood carved into the cliffs at the foot of Death Mountain—far enough to avoid conflict with the rock people above but hidden cleverly enough to avoid the prying eyes of the Hylians to the west. The houses were simple in design: wooden structures with red thatched roofs and glass windows. The shadow people had been able to make a living for themselves despite the rocky landscape. A well dug deep underground provided a source of fresh water for the villagers while a few hardy conifers and mountain shrubs grew amongst the house to provide extra shade. Small Sheikah children played close to the well. Their shouts of laughter carried across the shallow valley to the cliff above as they performed games designed to sharpen their bodies and minds.

Towards the back of the village stood an ominous cave that only a privileged few were ever allowed to enter. Sharlo often explained more than once that it led to a sacred place known as the Shadow Temple. The other Sheikah villages formed by various clans also contained their own passageway to the temple hidden deep in the mountain—placing an emphasis on the communal structure of the race and doubling as an escape route for times of war and trouble.

Sharlo stared emptily at his red potion as words eluded his tongue. He stole a glance at his son and wanted to say something, but exhaled deeply instead. How do you express a feeling you can't even name? His son continued to gaze down at the village from their lofty perch, the viscous red liquid tapping gently against the glass bottle as he moved his hand to his mouth for another sip.

"You know, you did okay," the village chief managed at last. His voice was deep but soft as he spoke the words awkwardly. He didn't have the inner strength to fix his scowl into the smile he wanted. "I mean, your little trick there wasn't too bad." He paused for a moment. "You may have even fooled a Hylian."

Kari's muscles loosened a little as the medicine worked its magic. He glanced at his father from the corner of his eye. "Do you think so?"

Sharlo's brows furrowed. "Don't get overconfident. I said it wasn't bad, nothing more." The village chief chastised himself inwardly. Why did he always have to sound so harsh?

Kari shook his head. "I will keep my pride in check." The young man closed his eyes as he recited something from his memory. "A Sheikah's training is never finished."

The village chief nodded, evidently pleased. His pride in his son ran deeper than the ocean, but he was never good at showing it. He could only wish his son understood how he felt. Perhaps some encouragement would help. "Live by that, my son, and you may just become the next Wind Waker."

In truth, Sharlo had no doubt that Kari would succeed him in future years. He trained with an extraordinary diligence and passion even by the standards of their people. As a boy, when he wasn't training his body, his son was sharpening his mind by studying the ancient legends and texts. This constant search had developed a fiery passion for serving the Goddesses within the young man. He still had a bitter tongue and a knack for impatience-no doubt Sharlo's own demand for perfection had nurtured that—but it was nothing a few years of maturation couldn't iron out. The village chief felt a twinge of guilt for pushing his son so hard, but it was soon crowded out by the immense pride he now felt at watching his son journey towards his potential.

Kari's eyes darted quickly to the gleaming silver instrument tucked carefully between Sharlo's fingers. He let a stray thought roll in his mind for a little while. "Father, what's it like being the Wind Waker?"

Kari's father took another large gulp from his glass bottle as his feet dangled loosely against the cliff. He looked pensively at the activity in the village below as he formulated his response. "It carries both great privilege and great responsibility." He looked to his son. "As you know, I'm not only entrusted with the safety of the village, but I serve as our race's representative to the Goddesses."

"That sounds tough." Kari relented. "I don't think I would be capable."

Sharlo let out a sigh. His son was more than capable, but he didn't voice that thought. "It is not for the faint of heart. That's why only one worthy of the title is chosen from the Sheikah clan—one who is able to lead our race in service for the glory of the Golden Goddesses. As the Wind Waker, it is my role to ensure that our people remain loyal to the Goddesses by worshipping them and obeying their divine will. That is the decree that was given to our forefathers by Her Grace when she entrusted our people with the Wind Waker and Dominion Rod centuries ago."

"Dominion rod?" Kari asked.

Sharlo shook his head in disappointment. "Your studying is lacking." He paused for a moment and returned his gaze to the village below. There he went again; criticizing instead of encouraging. "The rod was given originally to our people centuries before you and I were born, back when Hyrule was first founded. Back in those days, Her Grace still walked the earth, and we were her loyal guardians. She had descended from the heavens to live on the surface, but some of her people still chose to live in the sky. The Wind Waker and Dominion Rod were given to us so that we would maintain contact with those people of the sky. However, it was captured over a century ago by the cursed Hylians. We have spent years in vain attempting to recover it, but it is tucked safely within their capital city inside one of their blasphemous temples. One day, we will get it back, and the 'Wind Waker' will become the true 'Messenger to the Heavens' once again."

Kari scowled. "Dirty Hylians. Why would they sink so low?"

"Because their greed knows no bounds." Sharlo hissed. "They are not satisfied with holding the keys to the Sacred Realm. To further their own lust for power, they want nothing more than all the secrets the Goddesses have entrusted to us." Sharlo laid an affirmative hand on his son's shoulder. "That's why we must win this war as soon as possible." His eyes narrowed expectantly. "Have you finished preparing for your mission tomorrow?"

Kari's eyes diverted to the ground. "As much as I can. It's my first mission. How do I know when I am truly ready?"

Sharlo's hand returned to his side. Here was his chance to give some affirmation. "You have prepared as much as you are able, my son. Even so, you will be in good hands. A man by the name of Sheik will accompany you. He's a strong warrior from one of the neighboring villages. Anything you need to know you can learn from him."

Kari nodded slowly as he took another nervous sip from his red potion. "So I just have to find Lieutenant Ordona? How will I know what he looks like?"

"You will know." Sharlo's voice grew ominous. "Of the entire Hylian army, he is the most dangerous. He mysteriously appeared a few months ago and dispatched an entire squad of Sheikah singlehandedly. He has quickly risen through the Hylian ranks since then, and none of us have been able to stop him. If we want to win this war, you must find out as much as you can about that man. Failure is not an option."

Kari nodded. "I won't fail you or the village, father. For the glory of the Goddesses, I will bring this monster down."

Sharlo grunted his approval but became serious again. "Kari, whatever happens, do not fight this man. You can't win."

A bitter scowl crossed Kari's lips but he restrained himself with a deep sigh. "I understand."

Sharlo rose to his feet and placed the Wind Waker safely in his jacket. "It is customary for Sheikah men to embark on dangerous missions to prove their worth. Return from this, and you will be among them."

Kari rose to his feet and placed the empty bottle on the ground. Placing his other hand over a closed fist, he bowed curtly.

The village chief nodded and motioned towards the village. "Come. Get some rest. The journey ahead will be long. You and Sheik depart before first light tomorrow."

Trees and grass raced by as the two shadow warriors ran through the field leading to the Hylian capital. Death Mountain loomed behind them; a beacon of hope reminding them of family and friends that awaited their safe return. A faint halo of gray clouds floated above the mountain in a slow circle. It was said they reflected the state of Hyrule; the faint gray clouds were supposed to mean the land was at peace. Kari rolled his eyes in disbelief. It certainly didn't seem like it.

Their departure had been swift and uneventful. No pomp and circumstance, no tearful goodbyes, no crowds to see them off. Although it was Kari's first mission, there was nothing unusual about it. His people were at war, after all, and had been for as long as he could remember. He had awoken before the sun rose and prepared for the task ahead. Sheik had met him at the well, and the two departed with relatively few words said.

Sheik was a man of few words and many mysteries. A strange cap made of cloth covered his hair although several long strands of blonde sagged down to cover his forehead. His clothing covered all of his dark-complexioned face with the exception of his right eye. His garb of choice was standard and unremarkable save for its focus on blue and white—perhaps an indication of the clan he traced his lineage from. It certainly wasn't the Sheikah's physical appearance that gave Kari a sense of unease.

Kari couldn't quite articulate in his mind why this stranger made him feel so anxious. Perhaps it was just his nerves playing tricks with his mind. Or maybe it was his hidden disappointment that Sharlo wasn't here to accompany him on his first mission. Either way, the feeling wasn't going away. Every once in a while, Sheik stared at him intently from the corner of his eye when he thought Kari wasn't looking. The young Sheikah felt as if he were being evaluated. His strange companion also carried a uniquely decorated harp. Whenever they stopped to rest, Sheik took it out and looked at it longingly. He never played it; only focused on it as if his mind was transfixed in another world. When their break was over, he would put it away and the two would continue. In all this time, they had said almost nothing to each other since departing, communicating only vital messages through the use of pointing and body language.

Suddenly, Sheik screeched to a halt and dropped to the ground. Kari followed suit as the two crept through the grass to the crest of a large hill.

"We're here," Sheik whispered his first two words since the journey's beginning. Kari was slightly surprised by the warrior's seemingly gentle voice, but quickly turned his attention to the city in front of them.

A massive stone wall rose from the field like a formidable juggernaut. A moat of clear water from Kakariko gorge formed an additional protective barrier and separated the wall and the field like a knife. A large wooden drawbridge extended over the moat to provide the only entrance into the city. It was watched vigilantly by a few guards who stood by the opening mechanism as well as several more stationed in watch towers. Even from their remote station, Kari could hear the bustling of dirty Hylians within the market. Far off in the distance, he could barely distinguish the silhouette of the enemy castle. This was the city that caused his people so much grief and pain. It looked every bit as formidable and imposing as he imagined.

"Let's go." Sheik directed quietly.

Kari didn't move. He glared at the shadow warrior who was supposed to be his ally. "Not until you tell me why you're really here. I've seen the way you've been looking at me, judging whether I'm capable of fending for myself."

Sheik was speechless. Kari's hostile gaze continued to penetrate his defenses.

At last, the blonde warrior spoke with surprise in his tone. "You noticed?"

Kari gritted his teeth. "Of course. You planned on abandoning me, didn't you?"

Sheik let out a deep sigh. "Where would you get an idea like that?"

The younger Sheikah didn't back down. "Because you didn't come here to help me. You had another reason for coming, didn't you?"

Sheik paused for a second and directed his gaze to the castle. "You're right. I do have another reason for being here." He looked at Kari intently. " But I never had any intentions of leaving you."

Kari's voice became venomous. "Then tell me! Does it have something to do with that harp you always carry?"

"If you'd just give me a chance to explain."

"Then explain!" Kari snapped, his voice rising sharply.

Sheik placed an urgent hand over Kari's mouth to quiet him. "Calm yourself. You'll get us caught." The younger Sheikah tore it away and crawled a few steps backward. Sheik pulled his cap back below his eye and grunted. "If you must know, this harp was given to me by someone very dear to my heart. Right now, that person is being held in captivity somewhere behind those walls and I intend to free him."

Kari quieted significantly as the words hit him, but the embers of mistrust still smoldered in his eyes. "I'd like to believe you, but I'm not sure if I can." He threw his hands in frustration. "But what choice do I have? The sooner this is finished, the better."

FWIP!

Without warning, a flaming arrow stuck the ground where Kari had been only seconds earlier. The young Sheikah looked ahead and his heart sunk. He could hear yelling from the castle wall and the steadily growing sound of horses galloping on the drawbridge.

"We've been spotted!" Sheik cried, snapping Kari's attention to the situation at hand. "We must retreat!"

The two wasted no time in sprinting as fast as they could from the deadly barrage. Arrows fired from the castle wall nipped at their heels like piranhas. Sheik jumped and twisted his body to dodge the dangerous projectiles, stealing an occasional glance at Kari. Luckily, he noted the young man had been trained exceptionally well, and he dodged the arrows with experience that defied his age. As the pair ran, they spotted a medium-sized boulder in the distance they could use for cover. The dangerous projectiles screeched by the Sheikah multiple times, but none were able to land a clean hit. At last, the pair jumped behind the boulder and stood in silence. As if realizing the futility of their actions, the barrage of arrows stopped.

"I think we're safe." Kari spoke after a moment of silence. "But how will we get in now?"

Sheik motioned with his hand for Kari to remain quiet. "I think that's the last of our worries. Do you hear that?"

To their utter dismay, they heard the thumping of hooves against the hard field quickly approaching.

"That must be the infamous Lieutenant Ordona I've heard so much about," Sheik said dryly as he peered over the edge of the boulder. Galloping straight towards them on a black horse was a figure covered almost entirely in silver armor with four riders behind him. A majestic sword with a blue winged cross-guard bounced gently in his grip. When Sheik saw his weapon, something registered in his mind and his heart dropped.

"I-it's impossible." He turned urgently to Kari. "Run!"

Kari didn't need to be told again. The pair bolted from their rocky shelter as fast as they could. Despite their best efforts, the cavalry were soon hot on their heels. The only saving grace was that none of the riders wielded bows, forcing them into close combat.

"Kari! Let's split up! I'll see if I can lure some of the riders away so you can escape."

Despite his earlier mistrust, Kari couldn't help but feel a new bond of kinship with Sheik. Perhaps he had been hasty in his judgments. After all, despite their differing goals, they both shared a common enemy.

"But you'll never make it!"

"I'll be fine! Just go!"

As much as Kari hated to admit it, Sheik was right. They would both be captured for sure if they stayed together. They had to risk it. As Sheik forked to the right and he forked to the left, Kari couldn't help but feel that this war had claimed yet another of his newfound friends.

"You four get the boy! I'll take care of the older Sheikah!" Lieutenant Ordona shouted orders from atop his horse. The other soldiers complied and galloped after Kari while Ordona chased after his more experienced prey.

Despite their best efforts, Kari was soon surrounded by the other horsemen. Forced to halt, the Sheikah took in his surroundings and evaluated his opponents: two axe wielders, one swordsman, and one armed with a spear. If he was to survive, he'd have to dismount the man with the spear first.

Not giving his enemies time to think, Kari immediately reached into his tunic and slammed a Deku Nut against the ground. Taken by surprise, the soldiers covered their eyes in pain while their horses reared on their hind legs. Taking advantage of the confusion, Kari delivered a kick to the horse's side while it was off balance, causing it to collapse. The spear wielder toppled to the ground, nearly impaling himself on his spear by inches. The other horses continued to rear violently and the two axe wielders were thrown off as well. The Sheikah rushed over while they were down and disabled them as well by exploiting their pressure points.

Just as the two axe wielders collapsed numbly to the ground, Kari noticed the soldier with the spear charging at him. He flipped out of the way in time, but readied for another assault. The spear-wielding Hylian looked at him with hatred that amplified his bloodshot eyes. He muttered curses in his own language but stood his ground. As long as he held his spear, he could press his advantage and hold Kari at bay. If the Sheikah managed to somehow get close enough, his weapon would be useless and the man's defenses would be penetrated.

Kari never got the chance. While he was focused on the spear wielder, the swordsman dismounted and snuck behind him. With the hilt of his blade, he blunted Kari in the back of the head and knocked him to the ground.

Everything flashed white and a persistent ring echoed in his ears. The Sheikah watched as the boots of his attacker seemed to spin with everything else. Then a sharp pain stung his face as the boot made contact. He rolled over from the impact and felt his mind border on the brink of unconsciousness. He vaguely heard a few last words before sleep claimed him.

"Take this piece of filth to the prison! Lieutenant's orders!"

Cold. Why was he cold? The ground felt unusually cold.

As Kari opened his eyes, he nearly choked on the dirt and dust scattered on his face from lying on a cold stone floor. He moved to raise his head, but quickly hit it back against the ground as a sharp but instantaneous pain ran down his neck. He coughed once again as his body stirred up more dust. He rolled over and felt the back of his head and neck with his hand. There was a bump there for sure. He must've gotten socked from behind.

"Welcome to our humble home. Sorry we forgot to sweep the floor."

The voice startled Kari so much that he jerked and smacked his head against the stone ground for a third time. He pulled himself off the ground and into a sitting position to see the owner of the voice.

She's pretty.

Those were the first thoughts that came to his mind. The Sheikah didn't really know where they came from or why that was his reaction given the circumstances, but he couldn't help it. The speaker was none other than a young Sheikah woman somewhere around his age. Vibrant red hair colored like fall foliage ran behind her neck. Her reddish-yellow eyes looked at him in amusement as she lent a hand to help him up. As he took a second look at her, he saw the scrapes, bruises, and dirt covering her hands and arm. From the lines on her face and the thinness of her figure, he assumed she hadn't eaten much for days. Her clothing was plain and in tatters—a simple tunic that clearly didn't fit and pants with holes at the knees. Whoever she was, it was evident she had been here much longer than he had.

"Thank you," Kari uttered at last, his cheeks turning a slight shade of red. He looked away to hide his embarrassment and observed the prison cell he had been thrown in. Some stale hay served as bedding against the far wall, though Kari doubted he would ever want to sleep there with all the mites crawling around. He saw a rat in the distance gnaw greedily at some leftover crumbs but decided to leave it alone. The cell had no windows, no other furniture; just iron bars that kept them contained like cattle.

"My name is Midna," the young woman spoke softly, drawing Kari's attention back to her and causing the flush to return to his cheeks. Midna pointed to a younger girl hiding behind her that he hadn't previously noticed. "This is Impa." The young girl stared hesitantly at him with pained red eyes and pale white hair. The dirty prison clothes she wore were as motionless as she was. Bags under her eyes indicated her intense hunger and malnutrition.

Midna looked back in his direction. "What are you called?"

The young man hesitated for a moment. "My name is Kari."

Midna's eyes darted to the ground as she placed Impa affectionately on her lap. "That's a nice name." A short paused. "Were you just captured?"

Kari nodded hesitantly. "I was. There wasn't anything I could've done." He glanced at Impa and back at Midna. "What is this place? Have you been here long?"

The young woman looked around the cell. "This is Lon Lon Prison. War prisoners are taken here once they've been captured to rot out the rest of their days." She looked at little Impa sadly. "The two of us were taken when the Hylians raided our village several years ago. We've been here ever since."

"What village was it?"

"Kakariko. How about you?"

Kari was silent for a moment. "Kasuto."

Midna's eyes perked up suddenly. "Kasuto? Isn't that where the Wind Waker lives?"

The young man twirled his finger on the stone floor. "I'm his son."

A new vibrancy echoed from Midna's voice. "Maybe the Goddesses heard our prayers after all. Surely they'll come looking for you."

Kari let out a deep sigh. "If only my faith were as strong as yours. It feels like the gods have already abandoned me."

Midna opened her mouth to respond, but she stopped short as the metal clanging of a door echoed in the prison. She held Impa tightly in her arms as she watched the iron bars like a hawk. Kari shifted nervously as he followed her gaze.

"What's going on?" he asked.

Midna's voice was a hushed whisper. "Probably an execution. Whenever the guards are bored, they take one of the prisoners not valuable for information and kill them for entertainment."

Kari gasped. "Monsters."

The three prisoners were silent as the rhythmic clomping of boots against the cold stone ground grew louder until two men stood before their cell. The first man placed a torch on a nearby wall and stepped into the light. Kari recognized him to be Lieutenant Ordona based on the silver armor and unique sword he held. That probably meant the other was just a lesser officer sent to accompany him.

The lieutenant grasped two of the bars with his chaliced hands and leaned his head towards the cell. His armor prevented the prisoners from seeing his face. "So you are Kari from the village of Kasuto."

A nerve-tingling chill ran down his spine. How did this man identify him so easily? Had Sheik betrayed him after all?

"Do I know you?" he replied.

Ordona smiled to himself. "Indirectly. Don't worry. I assure you we will get to know each other very well as time passes."

"Where is Sheik?"

The lieutenant ignored his question. "Have you and your friends been cared for?"

Kari bit his tongue. He wouldn't give this monster the entertainment he wanted.

Ordona turned to the soldier. "Get them clean food and water right now. That's an order."

"Lieutenant?"

Ordona's voice carried a threatening tone to it. "I gave you my orders, soldier." Fearing the possible consequences, the man ran off to complete his task.

The lieutenant looked back towards the imprisoned Sheikah. "I'm sorry you all have to suffer for this. If I could stop this war, I would. But I'm afraid it's bigger than I am."

"You could set us free!" Midna spat bitterly, shielding Impa from his gaze.

Ordona's smile turned to a solemn frown. "If only I could." He grabbed the torch he had placed on the wall and turned to leave. "If there's any way I can help you, don't hesitate to ask. I will return later."

As the prison returned to its usual darkness and silence, Midna turned to Kari in utter shock. "Well aren't you special! We're lucky to get a moldy piece of bread a few times a week and you get us a meal within a day of being thrown in here."

Kari shook his head. "Don't believe him. He's either trying to bribe us for information or deriving a sick enjoyment from his trickery."

Yet, contrary to their initial expectations, Lieutenant Ordona was true to his word. Every day, fresh bread and clean water were brought to the three of them. The lieutenant even came to visit them occasionally. Though they were initially suspicious, the man never asked for anything in return. As the days passed, they even conversed casually of things they had in common beyond the war. No matter how hard he tried, Kari couldn't reconcile this kind man with the ferocious monster that had captured or killed Sheik. Every time they conversed, the perceptions he had acquired as a child clashed with the reality before him. He did seem genuinely remorseful for what he had done, but there was still blood on his hands that couldn't be overlooked. He even began talking about plans to help them escape, which the wind tamer dismissed for a cruel joke.

Over that same time period, he had grown closer to Midna and Impa as well. As far as he knew, they were all the family he had now. Though conditions in the prison were inhumane and hazardous, they persevered by bonding together. Stories from their childhood and prophecies telling of the return of Her Grace kept their spirits alive. Kari found the more time he spent with Midna, the stronger his feelings became for her. Whenever little Impa was asleep, they stayed awake leaning against one another for support while they conversed for hours until sleep finally claimed them. Perhaps the Goddesses hadn't left him after all.

One day, however, the food didn't come, and neither did Lieutenant Ordona. Instead, the rhythmic clomping of the footsteps brought with them half a dozen armed guards banging on their cell door.

Kari was leaning against a wall with Midna asleep on his shoulder when he heard the cell door screech open. His instincts jerked him awake, but he was too late. Strong, chaliced hands bound and blindfolded him before he could react.

"Looks like we found our entertainment for the day, boys." One of the guards laughed arrogantly. "He looks to be a lively one. We'll quickly fix that."

At this point, Midna realized what was going on and struggled to get up. One of the other guards threw her against the wall and quickly closed the cell gate.

Sensing Midna's sadness, Kari attempted to comfort her from his blind state. ""They're coming for me. There's no escaping my destiny."

Midna refused to be consoled. "They can't take you, Kari. I won't let them."

Kari let out a soft sigh. He knew struggling was futile at this point. Though he didn't want any of this, he was at peace. He had known a small happiness for a little while. "It's okay, Midna. Once this sentence is carried out, I will be home at long last."

Sensing the peace in his voice, the Sheikah woman said no more. She looked on with helplessness as Kari was led out of the prison. Another person she had come to love was ripped from her grasp.

Since he was blindfolded, Kari couldn't see where he was being led. The feel of fresh air and the warmth of the sun told him he was outside for the first time in many days. He continued to walk blindly at the guiding of his captors until he was forced to kneel. He felt a rattling and a strong tug as his hands and feet were chained to a stake so he wouldn't escape. Yet, despite his impending doom, a single prayer rolled through his mind.

"Din…"

"Archers! Into positions!" The sounds of bows being readied.

"Farore…"

"Ready your bows!" The sounds of arrows being notched.

"Nayru…"

"Aim!" The creeking of strings being pulled back.

"My life is in your hands. If this is your will, then I humbly accept it."

"Fire!"

Present Day

Kari whipped his head off of the pillow as he awoke in a cold sweat. His breathing came to him in spurts as he looked frantically around to survey his surroundings. He was in a house of some kind; one apparently fond of animals and a ranching lifestyle.

"Hey, mister! You're finally awake!" Tifa's energetic voice greeted him as her large energetic brown eyes stared at him with innocent energy. Kari looked at her with a baffled expression but said nothing. "I'm gonna' go get Link now, but afterward, maybe we can go play with the animals." She beamed proudly. "I know what a goat is now!"

As she left to go get the hero, Kari was left alone with his thoughts. At first, he wanted to believe that what he had dreamt was only that—a dream and nothing more. Yet, he knew with a chilling reality that he had literally relived his memories. He had heard of people's lives flashing before their eyes, but this was different. Since he had first awoken from his long slumber, his memories had never been so vivid. This time was different—something had stirred in his spirit that made his past come rushing back. The thought both exhilarated and sobered him.

The Sheikah didn't have to wait long for Tifa to return with Link. The hero seemed out of breath when he finally stumbled over to Kari's bed, but there was no hiding the relief in his blue eyes.

"You're finally awake." He let out a small sigh but was hollering again in excitement soon after. "I don't know how you do it, Kari! One second I fear for your life, the next you whip out this crazy tornado that destroys Zant's entire army!"

Kari tilted his head in puzzlement. He was touched by the hero's enthusiasm, but his words made no sense. He cleared his throat and focused all his effort on talking. He had little mental capacity for much else after reliving his memories. "You make no sense."

Link's mouth dropped open. "You mean you don't remember?" He looked at Tifa in bewilderment, but she merely giggled at the hero's silly expression. The hero returned his gaze to Kari with a more serious tone. "You mean you don't remember? But you summoned a giant tornado! I saw you do it with my own eyes. You were glowing and radiant. You seemed like a different person."

At last, Link's message clicked in the Sheikah's frazzled mind. "Ah, I see now." He swung his legs over the bed. Link stepped forward to help but Kari waved him off. "I'm fine." He paused to ensure he had Link's attention. "You see, Link, that wasn't me, at least not my spirit. That was the power of the Goddesses acting through me to protect me."

Link eyed the Sheikah skeptically. "Power of the Goddesses?"

Kari nodded. "Precisely. Just as they intervened in the past when my enemies were ready to kill me, so they protected me against Zant and his army." He looked at Link with a wholehearted seriousness and formed a loose fist with his fingers. "You see, I cannot die until I have fulfilled my destiny as the Wind Waker."