A chilly winter gale swept through the woods. Powerless branches waved back and forth to the wind's indecisive nature, watching helplessly as it plucked their few remaining leaves and dropped them carelessly to the ground. The branches looked skyward with pleading hands, beckoning anxiously for the deliverance of the morning sun from the uncomfortably frigid air. The moon silently acknowledged their struggles as it shone in its full glory, looking down solemnly at the barren land. Its radiance transformed the landscape into silhouettes and silver light like a black-and-white painting. It knew the land below was slowly preparing for winter's hibernation. The crickets and owls that normally filled the air with their lively sounds had abdicated in favor of shelter and warmth. Squirrels were safely tucked in their burrows for the night after a long day of gathering nuts, and many of the birds that slept in the barren branches were preparing to escape south. Only the occasional howling of a lone wolf rose above the blowing wind to pierce the night air.
The animal seemed to have no awareness of its surroundings. He sat on the crest of a small hill bordered by trees, howling at the luminescent body from a gap in the forest canopy. His tail was tucked between his legs, and his front paw shook weakly as the animal tried to keep balance. Stains of blood and dirt marred the wolf's majestic silver coat. Deep blue eyes held a sorrow and regret beyond what any word or sound could express.
He tilted his head back, ears tucked downward, and closed his eyes. With snout pointed to the starry sky, another long, mournful howl echoed into the night. The celestial body of the heavens listened in empathy as Link poured out his soul once again. No human words could express the swirling emotions inside him; the self-directed anger, the debilitating guilt, or the gut-wrenching hole in his heart filled with sorrow. He released these emotions the only way he could; through the anguish-filled song that soared towards the horizon.
As the howl reached its end, the wolf collapsed to the ground in fatigue. The animal's exhausted panting created puffs of steam in the cold air, his tongue hanging loosely from his mouth as he tried to regain his breath. The wind bristled against his blood-soaked fur, whistling up his back and brushing past his face. If only his spirit could be as light and free as one of the silver-streaked clouds floating gently in the starry sky above.
Link had stumbled upon this refuge after wandering aimlessly through the woods. Here, he had spent the remaining hours of the night alone with the full moon. Even after pouring his soul out to the night air, a dull pain gripped his chest. That pain carried the failures of everyone he couldn't protect, the regrets of all the choices he wanted to redo, and the guilt of all the blood shed by his hand. Forced to the ground by his own fatigue, he was confronted one after the other with the mistakes and losses of his past.
The death of Rusl still weighed heavy on the hero. Although his skills had surpassed his mentor long ago, it had been comforting to have someone to depend on for advice; someone who understood the way of the sword and the burden it placed on its wielder. Link fondly remembered the first wooden sword he had ever received. Roughly around the age of ten, Rusl had given it to him and laughed as he watched the boy swing excitedly with a weapon that was almost as tall as he was. Colin, only a young child at the time, had hid behind Uli as the two watched from a safe distance away. Still, Link had gotten better as he aged, and Rusl had gradually entrusted him with other responsibilities. At fifteen years, his adoptive father felt he was finally ready to inherit the home that once belonged to his parents. The necessary renovations were many, but the two worked diligently for weeks until it was livable once again. Even then, it was mostly to sleep. By this point, the would-be hero had started his work on the ranch and spent most of his leisure time playing with the village kids or spending time with his foster parents. When he finally did have to sleep alone in that big, empty house, his thoughts often turned to what his real parents were like. However, even those thoughts didn't last long, for sleep would soon claim him.
He never would forget the day Rusl entrusted him with the responsibility of delivering the sword to the Royal Family. It was his unspoken recognition of Link as an adult. Even though things didn't go as planned because the kids got captured, the swordsman understood when Link left to go find them. As they crossed paths several times during his quest, such as Telma's bar and Faron Woods, the man never asked questions. He only trusted. By the time Ganondorf had finally been slain and Midna had shattered the mirror connecting their two worlds, Link had become a changed man. The innocence of his youth had been lost to the blood of monsters and the pain of heartbreak. The last time he saw his mentor, his father, he had told him he was leaving on another journey and would not return for some time. Rusl, in his typical fashion, had crossed his arms and nodded, wishing him a safe journey wherever the goddesses might lead him. They shared one final embrace before Link hopped on Epona and left the village for good.
That was the last time he had seen Rusl alive.
To receive the tragic news upon his return, seven years later, from another friend he had left behind had taken his breath away. The man that had raised him, taught him, and given him everything was no longer in the world of the living. He had not said goodbye; he had not told him how much he appreciated him. And to make matters worse, he could not even properly mourn him.
And yet, Link's losses did not end there. If Geroshida was to be believed, the entire village of Ordon had joined Rusl in the afterlife. Never would he eat another Ordon pumpkin. Never would he hear the sound of the goats that used to wake him in the mornings of his youth. Never would he return to the home built by his parents. Like his innocence, they were distant memories now, lost to the cruel winds of time and circumstance. If only he had known that by accepting the mantle of the hero, by taking that first step out of Ordon, he would lose everything.
And yet, could he even call himself a hero anymore? After all, what kind of hero murders dozens of Sheikah in cold blood? What kind of hero arrogantly chooses combat over the lives of those close to him? What kind of hero deceives his closest friends because he's afraid they'll discover his secret and reject him? The more he thought about it, the more he felt the crushing weight of failure against his back. He didn't deserve the title of hero; he wasn't even sure if he wanted it anymore.
The only bright spot in his life was Midna. The moment they shared earlier that evening shone like the full moon amidst the doubt consuming his mind. The smell of her perfume and the moisture of her lips against his sent a tingle of excitement through him.
And yet, he could feel an urge within him to push even her away. If something happened to her, if she left him again, his heart wouldn't be able to endure the loss.
The wolf's ears perked as he heard a twig snap from the ground nearby. Suddenly, adrenaline started racing through his system. His heart beat against his chest like a drum and his mouth dried. He slowly rose from the ground, his nose sniffing furiously to catch the scent of whatever animal lay nearby. After a few seconds, his senses honed in on a small, injured possum struggling across the hill. Like him, its leg had been injured in some previous encounter.
Link felt the hunter's desire begin to consume him. All of the doubts and uncertainties of his human life suddenly became insignificant. The complexities and troubles that had bothered him to this point now boiled down to a simple dilemma: catch the prey before it fled. The weight off his mind was unbelievable as Link gave the wolf more control. Slowly, he forgot all the burden of being a hero.
He approached slowly and stealthily, using the trees' shadows to hide himself from the moonlight that threatened to expose him. The possum, with its back towards him, seemed too occupied with its own injuries to notice the predator creeping closer. Slowly, with a limp, Link closed the distance between him and his prey. Just as the possum turned to notice him, it was too late. The wolf had already sprung and sunk its teeth into the animal's neck. Blood spattered all over the wolf's face as it chomped furiously. Its tongue savored the flavor of this forbidden meal.
And there, Link realized that for too long, he had been fighting the animal inside him. For too long, he had separated the life of the wolf from the life of the hero. He had struggled in vain to deny the instincts inside him that screamed for the wild and the untamed. The only reward he had ever gained for his restraint was a never-ending cycle of duty, pain, and sacrifice. For seven years, he had wandered the countryside as an empty shell, looking for something to fill the hole in his heart and tame the restlessness inside him. Only exploring the wilderness as a wolf or partaking in the heat of battle did he feel truly alive. He was still unsure if he deserved to be called a hero. He was tired of all the pain, sorrows, and complexities of his normal life; being a wolf seemed much simpler. Even so, the life of a hero was his destiny whether he liked it or not. However, one thing had become clear to him this evening. Hero or not, he would no longer suppress the animal inside him.
Perhaps Atrayu had been right and he had been wrong all this time; maybe he really was like her.
Snow? Already? But it isn't even winter yet.
She looked around her and sure enough the snow was falling…and quite a lot of it.
The fragile, white powder continued to float down to the ground. The particles glided lazily through the sky from the clouds that birthed them, changing directions at the wind's beckoning. There was a stillness and peace to the snowflakes as they slowly melted into the white blanket already on the ground. There seemed to be no end to their numbers. The purity of their white color was hypnotic.
As Zelda squinted her eyes and looked into the horizon, she noticed the silhouette of a small spire sticking above a nearby snow bank. Compelled by her curiosity, she trudged towards it. Her small feet, covered in warm fur boots, crunched through the field of white, making imprints that extended deep into the tundra around her. She tugged her cloak close to her face as the wind nipped at her cheeks. The deep snow made the trek longer than she anticipated, but she finally reached the top of the bank after significant effort. Her breath created short puffs of steam as she leaned on her knees to recover her wind. When she was ready, she stood up straight and looked out to the horizon. The sight took her recently acquired breath away once again.
The silhouette she thought was a spire was much bigger than that. Although partially obstructed by the falling snow, a large, white tower clawed at the sky. It was tucked safely in a small valley surrounded by larger hills and mountains. Large stone arches formed a ring around the entrance, while the tower itself was made of a brick she had never seen before. It seemed as if crafted by the goddesses; the shape of the structure was elegant and refined, withouta single deformity on the exterior that she could distinguish. There were no windows that she could see; the only entrance into the massive structure stood at the base surrounded by the ring of arches. Strange markings glowed with an eerie blue light through the falling snow, lending a magical aura to the mysterious building.
Surrounding the base of the tower stood black smudges that polluted the landscape. It was an army prepared for war. As she looked closer, she recognized the shapes of moblins, stalfos, darknuts, lizalfos, and bokoblins among others she didn't recognize. It was as if she faced the same foe that had once besieged her precious country. The monsters waited patiently like statues outside the tower entrance for an enemy that hadn't come yet.
She took a few steps closer to get a better view. As she looked harder, she noticed those shapes she hadn't recognized belonged to animals. Lions, tigers, coyotes, and other feral creatures mingled between the other monsters, although the two groups seemed to mix like oil and water. Birds of prey such as hawks, eagles, and falcons braved the snow-infested skies. What a strange sight!
Suddenly, a great cloud darkened the ground around her.
WOOSH! WOOSH!
The monarch's attention was grabbed by a large black dragon hovering just above her. Its shadow engulfed her, and the flap of its wings stirred up wind pulses comparable to a blizzard. She crouched just to stay on her feet. A shiver of fear crawled down her spine when she realized she had been spotted. The dragon halted midflight and descended. The ground shook as the beast landed just in front of her, kicking up a large cloud of snow and causing Zelda to fall headfirst into the ground's cold blanket. She quickly looked up to see the monster's scaly, black head looming over her. Yellow, reptilian eyes stared at her shaking frame. The dragon snorted clouds of hot smoke and let out a terrifying roar. Her heart was beating faster now; she began to hyperventilate as she struggled to her feet. She tried to dash away but her legs sunk in the snow like quicksand. She looked back; a ball of flame was already building in the dragon's mouth. Her eyes widened in fear as the flames left the dragon's mouth and consumed her body.
Zelda's head jumped from her pillow as she awoke with a start. Her chest heaved up and down from her frantic breathing. Cold sweat drenched her fingers as she touched her forehead. She looked quickly around her room but noticed nothing unusual. She held her breath and listened but was only greeted by silence. The room was different than the one Atrayu attacked her in. Even so, the room looked exactly the same as when she had fallen asleep.
So it was just another nightmare.
She wiped the sweat off her forehead with a brush of her hand and pulled back the damp covers. Turning to sit at the edge of her bed, she pondered the scene she had just witnessed. Dreams were nothing new to her; over the years, she had learned to tell the difference between common dreams and prophetic visions. This was clearly the latter. However, it was startling how immersive and brutal it had felt. Nothing about it seemed familiar; the tower stirred up no dormant memories, nor did she understand the significance of the dragon. The only thing she could remember was an awful sense of foreboding—like the army she had seen awaited her in some other land.
She glanced out the window and saw the sun had already risen. It was hard to believe two days had passed since Scorpio's attack on the castle. No one had seen Link since the night of the ambush, so the responsibilities of explaining what had happened fell to her. It took quite a while to calm Ambi after she saw the state of her throne room, but learning that no one had been seriously injured helped ease her anxiety. Still, her troubles were far from over. Having learned from Kari about Mudora's attack on Ilia, worries arose in the Hylian monarch about what their enemy might do next. Geroshida's words about the ruin of Hyrule haunted her thoughts especially. She felt a rift forming in her loyalty; part of her was drawn to return to her country, while the other side felt obligated to stay and see this quest through to the end. The potential loss of Ordon weighed heavy on her heart, further complicating the inevitable decision lying before her.
Luckily, not everything was doom and gloom. Yesterday had brought an unexpected visitor in the form of Balthasar, Ambi's sea-faring lover and captain of a benevolent group of pirates. His ship had unexpectedly landed on Labrynna's shore, and he and his crew had burst into the palace. Fortunately, the excitement of Balthasar's presence made Ambi completely forget about the damage to her throne room, at least for the time being. It was uncertain how long he intended on staying on land, but Zelda saw his arrival as a gift from the goddesses.
Tired of her sweat-stained clothes, the monarch walked over to the bath connected to her room. Steam rose from the water licking in the basin; she figured the servants must've readied it for her while she had slept. After bathing herself, she dried off and slipped into a modest azure dress. After spending half an hour fiddling with her hair and applying a small amount of make-up, she felt ready to exit her room.
Shutting her door behind her, she walked with purpose to Link's room and gave a solid knock. After waiting for a minute, there was still no response. Feeling a hint of resentment, she decided to take a risk.
Closing her eyes and turning her back to the door, she thrust it open.
"If you're in there, Link, it's time for you to wake up!"
She stood there awkwardly for several seconds but heard no response. Not even a rustling of sheets or the rhythmic sound of snoring. Gaining some confidence, she slowly turned her head and peeked through the doorway. The sheets were neatly made as if they hadn't been used for several nights. Some of his stuff, like his Hylian Shield, were scattered throughout the room, but there were no other signs that he had been there recently.
"I thought it was Hylian tradition for the man to pursue the woman. I did not know it could also work in reverse."
Zelda let out a squeal of surprise and turned around to find Kari staring curiously at her. "I—I can explain. No, this isn't what it—I'm not actually looking for Link." Her face turned red as a ripe apple. "Well, I am looking for Link, but not in that way."
The Sheikah folded his arms. "I fail to understand. You are looking for him but you are not as well? Is this some sort of riddle?" He nodded. "Yes, it must be a riddle. I will certainly solve it then."
Zelda quickly shook her head. "No, Kari, Link's been missing. His sheets haven't been disturbed and his room is empty. He hasn't shown up for meals and no one has seen him. Do you know where he is?"
Kari scratched his chin. "Hmm, let me think."
Zelda stepped out of Link's room and quickly closed the door. "Anything you know would be helpful."
The Sheikah began to draw in the air with his finger. "The fact he hasn't shown up for meals must indicate a hunger of some sort, but not for food. He must be hungry for something else. His bed is empty must mean he's not in his bed. But that doesn't exclude other beds." He pounded his fist into his hand. "I've solved it!" He paused. "I am not familiar with your Hylian customs, but is this riddle appropriate for one of your stature to tell? I feel the answer is a little…morally ambiguous. And of course, there still lies the question of with whom."
The monarch's cheeks turned three shades redder. "Kari! That's not at all what I was asking!"
The Sheikah's confident smirk deflated. "So I didn't answer the riddle correctly?"
"Goddesses! Kari, I was asking you a normal question. What's so hard about answering if you've seen Link at all?" Zelda asked, placing a hand on her forehead in exasperation. "There's something I need to talk to him about."
The wind tamer shook his head. "Of course not. No one has seen him or even knows where he is." He paused. "If that's what you wanted to know this whole time, why did you bother starting with a riddle?"
Zelda sighed to herself. "Forget about it. Just come with me." She walked briskly down the hall.
Kari effortlessly kept up with her. "Where are we going?"
The monarch paused before responding. Why was she so impatient all of a sudden? Were all the problems thrust upon her taking their toll?
She took a deep breath and calmed herself. "If things work out, all of you are going to Termina to look for the remaining sages. We just need to talk to Balthasar about getting his ship to take you there within a day or two."
He raised his eyebrow. "But did he not just get here? Will Ambi be alright with that?"
Zelda continued to walk with purpose. "I don't think so. That's why you're coming with me to act as my bodyguard."
When the two finally found Balthasar, he was sharing a moment with Queen Ambi in the garden. They decided to wait it out. When at last the couple emerged, Zelda tactfully invited them to dinner with her and Kari. Later that evening, the four sat down for a "double date" and Zelda told them her request. Surprisingly, Balthasar was all for the idea, even offering to leave within a day or two. Of course, his reaction both shocked and angered Ambi; the poor captain had dug himself a hole. The rest of the evening passed with high emotions as Zelda and Ambi negotiated what was to be done in the coming days. Kari watched in silence as tensions ran high and arguments rose and settled. At last, after a long debate, a compromise was reached. Ambi would spend as much time as she wished with Balthasar for two days, but by the third day, he would head for the seas once again. On that day, the group would set sail for Termina in their quest to awaken the remaining three sages.
Ilia's fingers tapped anxiously on the polished wood of her armchair. She sat by the crackling fireplace, staring blankly at the clouds rolling through the sky outside her window. Her legs swung idly beneath the chair.
Her room had been transformed into an arboretum. Tifa had adopted a daily routine of picking new plants and flowers from the garden and placing them in pots scattered throughout the room. On the dresser, window sill, bookshelf, and night stands were pots full of petals with an assortment of colors. She said it reminded her more of the forest. Currently, the Kokiri girl and her fairy were not in the room; they were likely already outside by the boat. She had left used linens scattered about her half of the room as well as an unkempt bed for the maids to take care of. The few belongings she had, including the ocarina, were gone.
The ranch girl sighed to herself. The rest of her companions were probably already packed by now as well. Labrynna had been like an oasis in the desert. Although she didn't care for the more extravagant luxuries, it was the closest thing she had to a sanctum since leaving Ordon. There was fresh food, comfortable beds to sleep in, and clean clothes to wear. Although she normally loved the outdoors and was physically fit from her ranch work, the rough life of an adventurer was taking its toll. Her hair was longer than when she left Ordon, and she was lucky if she would be able to wash it again once they left. Her hands and feet were covered with blisters. Her skin was dry from the constantly changing weather, and the handful of clothes she had packed would be unusable by the time this quest was done.
She glanced at her own unpacked belongings lying around the room; she had no desire to leave again. However, her hesitation was not due to physical hardships of the journey. Her pain ran deeper than that.
A small rapping at the door caught her attention. She turned around and looked over her shoulder. "Who's there?" she asked dryly.
"It's Colin," came the muffled reply.
There was energy in her voice now as her expression brightened considerably. She sat forward in the chair and quickly combed her fingers through her hair. "Come in."
The door opened with a small squeal as Colin slipped quietly into the room. His hand lingered on the knob for a second, unsure if he should leave it open or close it. He decided on the former. His eyes slowly swept over the room, lingering for several seconds on all of Ilia's unpacked belongings. However, he said nothing. He walked over to the flower-pot filled windowsill and leaned on the wall beside it.
"What's on your mind?" Ilia ventured when Colin didn't say anything.
The swordsman seemed distracted. He looked absently at the fireplace, blinked a few times, and finally registered her question. "Oh, just wanted to come by and see how you were doing. My stuff is ready to go, so I wasn't sure if you wanted help packing." He paused for a moment. "Oh yeah, Link is finally back."
Ilia folded her hands in her lap. "He is? Where is he? Is he alright?" She purposely avoided bringing up the idea of packing.
Colin's eyes shifted to the ground. "I think so. His clothes had dry-blood on them and he had a bunch of burns all over his skin. Plus, his shoulder seemed to be bothering him." He paused, biting his lip. "He seemed really out of it though. He won't look me in the eye when I talk to him. And even when he does talk, he doesn't say much."
Ilia looked down at her knees. "His shoulder? Maybe I should take a gander at it." She looked up at him. "Well, you heard about what happened, right? With those crazy thieves tryin' to kidnap Zelda again? He might still be a bit upset about that."
The youth clenched his teeth. "Trust me, I know what you're talking about. She was working for them."
Her hands folded on her lap. "Who? You mean Atrayu?"
Colin grimaced at the name. "Yeah, her. She attacked Zelda." His fist punched the wall. "I tried to stop her but, once again, I wasn't strong enough.." He looked up at Ilia and saw the concern in her eyes. He slowly lowered his hand to his side and shrugged his shoulders. "Oh well. I guess there's no point in getting worked up now. She's gone. I haven't seen her since."
Ilia smiled weakly. "And hopefully it stays that way." She looked around the room, folding and unfolding her fingers as she tried to change the subject. "You know…I never got to thank you for takin' me dancin' the other night. I really had a blast."
Colin's cheeks turned the color of old wine. He smiled sheepishly. "Well, I didn't really know what I was doing. You looked like you wanted to join them…so I figured I'd ask."
The smile on Ilia's lips became more genuine. "I didn't know what I was doin' either. But the gesture was really sweet."
Her remark took Colin off guard. He folded his hands behind his back and began to rock on his feet. "Well, we'll have to do it again sometime. The way I see it, we can only get better."
Ilia scowled playfully. "Are you makin' fun of my dancin'?"
Colin clasped his hand over his mouth and shook his head furiously. "I'm sorry, Ilia. I wasn't trying to say that at all."
Her smile reassured him. "Relax, Colin. I was just playin' around with ya. I know I'm not that good a dancer."
The youth nodded understandingly. "Oh. I thought you were serious for a second." He shuffled his feet and directed his embarrassment to Ilia's assortment of stuff scattered throughout her room. "So, did you need help packing? I have two good arms waiting to do some work."
The ranch girl's smile quickly disappeared. She hugged her knees to her chest and averted her eyes away from him.
"What? Did I say something wrong?" Colin pressed further, leaning forward only to see the side of her cheek.
"I-I won't need help packing. Thanks though." She said softly.
Colin walked over and picked up a bag containing her medical supplies. It seemed a lot lighter than he remembered. "Are you sure? It doesn't even look like you've started."
Ilia closed her eyes. "I don't think you understood me, Colin. That won't be necessary." Her voice was slightly more forceful.
The swordsman set the bag on the ground and walked to the fireplace so it would be difficult for her to look away. Leaning against the brick chimney, he noticed the pain in her facial features. "Really? How come?" he asked gently.
She fought to meet his gaze with hers. "Because I won't be going with you. I'm staying here."
The words took his breath away like a blow to the gut. He stared at her in silence while his mouth hung open. He raised his hand to say something, to say anything, but it felt like the air had been sucked from his lungs.
"I know I should've told you sooner," she continued, sitting upright and placing her hands anxiously on her lap. "But I didn't know how. I'm sorry this took you by surprise."
Slowly, Colin's lungs refilled with air and he found his voice. "Is there anything I can do or say to change your mind?"
Ilia shook her head. "Sorry. I thought a long time, and this is the decision I've made."
A sharp pain in his heart robbed the youth of his words once again. He looked at the flowers and curled his hand into a fist. The pain quickly built up anger in his chest that he couldn't contain. "But you're a sage! We need you!" He paced towards the window. "How can you just leave me?" He paused. "I mean…how can you just leave us?"
The words pained Ilia but she stood firm in her resolve. Her eyes sharpened. "Colin, this journey turned out to be a whole lot more than I asked for. I volunteered to go with Link because…well…I thought I could be useful. I thought it'd be easy. But things are more difficult than I thought and I just don't have the strength to keep up with you all."
Colin whipped around in shock. "You think this has been easy on any of us? You think it's been easy on me? Do you think I enjoy being humiliated time after time by the woman who killed Papa?"
Ilia rose from her chair. "Of course not! But you're not listening to me! This isn't about you!" She paused. "I don't have any fighting skills like you or Link. I can't use magic like Tifa or Zelda. I'm just a simple ranch girl who's in way over her head!"
Colin looked at her crossly and folded his arms. "So you're a quitter and a coward?"
Ilia stamped her foot, causing the youth to cringe. Her eyes were ablaze.
He quickly realized he had gone too far.
"Do you know what it's like to be the only "sage" who can't use magic? Do you know what it's like to suddenly have the world thrust on your shoulders? Especially when you didn't ask for it?" She clenched her fist. "Do you know what it's like to have your body taken over by a madman, turning you into something horrible against your will? Maybe when you do, you'll understand how I feel right now!"
Colin grunted. "Is that what this is really about?"
Ilia's breathing was heavy now. She grabbed a pillow leaning against the chair and hurled it at Colin as hard as she could. He ducked out of the way, causing the cushion to hit one of Tifa's jars and send it crashing to the floor. The ranch girl hollered in frustration.
"Goddesses! You are so dense sometimes, Colin!" She clenched her fist and stormed to the other side of the room. "If you haven't figured it out, I don't want to go through that again! That's why I'm done with this stupid adventure!" Her voice began to choke with fear. "How could you possibly understand the pain of becoming a monster and attacking your own friends? To have this overwhelming anger and hatred take control you. The bitterness, the confusion, the isolation. No matter how much you try and stop yourself, you just can't. It's the biggest violation I've ever experienced."
Colin shuffled his feet on the floor. He wished he could melt into the wall and disappear. "Ilia, I am so sorry. I had no idea."
A stiff silence hung in the air like a dense fog while Colin awaited a response. Her back was to him as she stared out the window. Her arms were folded across her chest with one finger tapping impatiently against her shoulder. She took a deep breath and continued to keep him waiting in suspense.
"Ilia?" he asked once more.
Again, his plea was met with silence. The Ordonian hung his head in shame. Why couldn't he just keep his mouth shut?
"I should apologize too. I suppose none of this is your fault." She said at last, turning around with a solemn face. "There's just so much frustration inside me, I need to let it out somewhere. However, if this is goodbye, then I don't want there to be sour milk between us."
Colin picked up his head and smiled tentatively. "I agree." He took a few steps forward and extended his hand. "Still friends?"
Ilia stared at him silently for several seconds. The anger and hurt was still carved into her features. Colin felt awkward with his hand hanging in the air; all he wanted to do was offer a gesture of friendship. He was ready to whip his hand back to his side when he saw the anger finally start to dissolve from her face. Her scowl softened into a genuine smile and her eyes looked at him benevolently.
She walked towards him and moved his hand to the side. Standing close enough he could feel her breathing, she gently turned his head with her hand and planted a small peck on his cheek. She stepped back and smiled bashfully. "Still friends."
The youth's face flushed like he had spent too long in a hot spring. He fidgeted nervously with his hands. "Well, that was unexpected."
Ilia looked away, her face turning red now. "Don't think too much into it. That was just for good luck so you'll come back safely."."
Colin laughed nervously. "Well, it's fine." He quickly turned to the door to hide his embarrassment. "We should probably head to the port though. I know you're not going, but you should at least say goodbye."
The ranch girl nodded. "Good idea. If you want to wait down the hall, I'll catch up once I change into something warmer."
"Okay."
The swordsman placed his hand on the door when Ilia stopped him with her voice. "Colin, thanks for listening."
He nodded. "I should say the same. See you in a bit."
Similar to his entrance, Colin slipped out of the room and quietly shut the door. He stood with his back to it for several seconds, trying to take in all that had happened. He felt a rush of excitement race through him. He gently placed his fingers on his cheek and felt the warmth of his skin. Keeping his hand there, the Ordonian walked casually down the hall with a joyful whistle on his lips.
The port of Labrynna was little more than a beach with a stone platform jutting into the ocean. Unlike the bustling port of Holodrum, there were no merchants selling fish or sailors manning their cargo vessels. The only permanent residents were the seagulls that flapped through the air, eying the sandy shore for scraps of food they could scavenge. The salty water advanced and retreated with the coming of the waves, pushing seaweed and rocks closer to the shore with each attack. Shells of differing colors and designs decorated the sandy landscape, serving as camouflage for the shellfish that made the beach their home.
A large ship stood in the water, a resounding wooden island far too big for the tiny port that tried to hold it. The large steel anchor held the powerful vessel firmly to the shore. The expansive sails on the fore mast and main mast were rolled up to prevent catching the wind prematurely. The bowsprit pointed out to sea like the needle of a compass, showing the ship the way to further adventure. The hull creaked slightly as the waves slopped against the ship's sides. Crew members ran hurriedly above and below deck, performing maintenance they had procrastinated on and preparing for the upcoming departure. A gangplank extended from the side of the ship onto the makeshift port where everyone was gathered. There, Link, Zelda, Kari, and Midna waited with Ambi and Balthasar to depart. Tatl watched Tifa play in the sand on the nearby beach. Despite the tropical beach setting, the air possessed a cold bite to it, causing those on the port to bundle up in warm clothing.
"I do not care if the world is in danger. I refuse to get in that…that floating death trap. I would rather travel on foot." Kari protested, looking up at the pirate ship. His face was pale as a snowflake. "How do I know that boulder is even safe?"
The ship's captain didn't take too kindly to the insult. A man who was one with the sea, Balthasar's temperament was usually easygoing and relaxed. A fair but strong leader, he took great pride in the quality of his ship and the temperament of his crew and would tolerate no insult to either. His face was long and skinny, with blue eyes matching the color of the seas he sailed on. He was clean-shaven, but the sharp angle of his cheek bones and the hardness of his eyes suggested a man not to be taken lightly. His frame was tall and lanky. A proud blue pirate hat sat atop his head, decorated with a copper-colored skull emblem beneath the hat's white brim. A navy-blue captain's coat with matching boots covered his maroon collared shirt and pants.
Balthasar folded his arms. "Argh! Ye wouldn' know a good ship if it hit yer face. This be one of the finest in the world. Ya say that again, and I'll tie yer s'rry carcass to the mast fer the whole trip."
The Sheikah glared at him and twisted his mouth into a mocking grin. "You are more incoherent than a moblin with its mouth full of food. I did not understand a word of what you just said."
The feisty captain took a step forward and raised his fist. "Ye can bet yer life ye be eatin' those words before I be through with ye."
Ambi locked her arm around his, causing the seafaring man to calm considerably. All though the sea had hardened him, there was always a soft spot for the Queen.
Kari spit disgustedly in the direction of the ship. "Why do we have to travel by sea? I am useless there without solid ground under my feet.
Midna smirked at the Sheikah. "Maybe not completely useless. I know of a perfect job for you."
He stared at her blankly. "Once again, I fail to understand your humor."
The Twili pointed to the large sails still rolled up at the top of the mast. "See those? The wind isn't really that strong today. We'll need some help getting things started."
For several seconds, Kari looked blankly at the tall masts. He couldn't figure out what Midna was hinting at. Then suddenly, it clicked. He glanced at the wind waker hidden in his sleeve. He scowled at her. "I hate you right now."
Everyone laughed, even Balthasar.
Midna gave him a sly wink. "Just wait until we have to turn the ship. You might want to keep your little instrument handy."
Kari muttered bitterly to himself. "Only thing I hate more right now is the ocean. How am I expected to be agile with so much blasted water around? What if our ship goes down? I can't…" he quickly cut off his thought lest he give more material for Midna to use against him.
"Hey Link! Look what I found!" Tifa's excited voice caught everyone's attention. She held out a brightly colored seashell for all to see. "I'm glad I got to come to this 'ocean.' It's so big! And there's so much stuff to find!" She placed the shell by her ear. "Listen! It sounds just like the real thing."
The hero had washed the blood off his tunic and placed his dislocated shoulder in a makeshift cast for the time being. He fully intended to rip it into place later. Burns still scarred his cheeks from his previous battle, and his weapons remained on him. He truly looked like a warrior prepared for battle; the stormy blue of his eyes masked a predator ready to strike if necessary.
He faked a smile as Tifa offered it to him. "That's neat, but maybe you should hold onto it. Take it as a souvenir."
She tried to mouth the word. "What's a soo-ven-ear?"
Tatl perched on her shoulder with a grin on her face. "It's something used to remember a place you've visited. It's special…so you should take good care of it, you silly girl."
The Kokiri nodded in amusement. "Okay. I'm gonna go look for more then." She dashed off back to the beach.
"You're awfully perky, Tatl," Midna commented. "Any reason?"
The fairy quickly looked away. "Not that I can think of." She watched as the forest sage ran back to the beach. "I better get back to Tifa. Don't want her pinched by a crab before we even leave." The fairy flew back to the beach, hollering something to the Kokiri about not drinking the water.
The Twili stretched her arms in boredom. "So who else are we missing? When can we leave?"
Kari pouted on the edge of the dock. He refused to lose the staring contest with his reflection in the water. "I am okay with never."
Zelda ignored his comment. She looked at those present and counted in her head. "There should be seven plus the captain and his crew. I think just Colin and Ilia are missing."
Link performed a count of his own. "Does that include Tatl? If you did, I think you're one short."
Zelda shrugged her shoulders but said nothing.
"In that case, make it eight. I'll be joining you as well." A voice called from the beach.
"Well, I weren't planning on that many, but I..." Balthasar paused when he looked at the stranger standing at the edge of the dock. "Shiver me timbers! Look who crawled out of the bung hole. Who might this scrumpet be?"
Atrayu walked onto the dock, quickly drawing all the attention. Zelda fidgeted nervously, casting a sideways glance to Link. The hero looked slightly surprised but kept his hands on the pommel of his sword. Kari's apprehensive fingers reached for the Wind Waker. The monarch looked to the others but sensed no fear from them. Midna looked the shifter up and down and gave her a disapproving shake of her head. Ambi and Balthasar looked more confused at this stranger's boldness than anything else.
"The name is Atrayu. You could call me a traveling mercenary." She shifted her weight to one side and placed a hand on her hip. Amber eyes leered at the hero. "I have an agreement with Link we need to discuss. And as for food, I can take care of myself."
Ambi stepped beside Zelda and whispered in her ear. "Were you expecting her?"
Zelda cast a dirty glance to Link. "Were we?"
The hero stumbled for words. "I-I am a little surprised myself." He addressed Atrayu. "And why are you coming with us again?"
The shifter grinned mischievously. "Because we have business to discuss. You should know what I'm talking about." She looked to the captain. "And if you are worried about supplies, I said I can provide my own food."
Link swallowed guiltily. "I suppose I do."
Balthasar laughed heartily. "Well, if you can feed yerself, there be no problem from me then."
Zelda's heart jolted when she saw Ilia and Colin turn the corner towards the port. They were walking heartily down the beach, laughing with one another. They didn't notice the shifter right away. However, there was no mistaking when they finally did. The smile faded from Colin's lips and anger ignited in his eyes. He reached for his sword and shield and approached cautiously towards the port. Ilia followed a safe distance behind, her eyes filled with concern for her blonde friend.
"Wasn't satisfied with kidnapping the Queen? Now, you're trying to hold the rest of my friends hostage too?" Colin spat bitterly, moving the shield in front of him. "Well, this time, you're outnumbered. You won't leave here alive."
Atrayu turned around and smirked. "Aggressive as ever, aren't we, little boy? As much as a fight appeals to me, I am here strictly for business. I have no interest in starting a conflict." She turned her back towards him and directed her attention back to Link. "Now, where were we?"
Colin took a fighting stance. "Like you expect me to believe that." He turned to Link and Kari. "If you attack her from the sides, I'll come from behind. There's no way she can defend against all of us."
Link shook his head. "Wait, Colin. I think she's telling the truth. She's done nothing but talk since arriving here." He looked towards the monarch. "Zelda?"
She shook her head. "I'm staying out of this. She did try and kidnap me after all. I don't care if she was working with you to take down Scorpio."
The Ordonian slowly lowered his guard. "You mean…you actually worked with her?"
Link nodded. "Well, it's hard to explain. But she's on our side now. She helped us fight Scorpio."
Colin pulled his lip up. He scrutinized Link's face. "But she kidnapped Zelda. I fought her myself. And now you want her on our ship?"
Link inhaled the salt air and exhaled. Gulls cried in the distance. "Look. I know it sounds bad, but that was for Zelda's own safety. I promise." He glanced quickly at Zelda, whose lips suppressed a skeptical frown. "But we are talking about having her come with us. At least just for the voyage."
Everyone on the dock was silent. All eyes turned to the youth to see how he would respond.
The veins on Colin's forehead were bulging now. "Are you crazy?"
The hero took a step forward and tried to reason with him. "No, I'm not. It's a long story, but she's not our enemy anymore. She's on our side now."
The shifter crossed her arms. "Let me make this clear. I have no interest in whatever adventure you're having. I just came to speak with you about fulfilling your end of our agreement."
"Can't we just discuss that now?" Link asked.
Colin stood there as the rage built in his face. His brows sloped inward and he pointed his sword threateningly at the shifter. "I've had enough. If she wants to come on our ship, then she can take my spot. After all, she already took Papa's life. But I won't go anywhere near her. I'll stay here with Ilia instead." He sheathed his blade and stormed back to the town without looking back.
"Colin!" Ilia called after him. She cast a dirty glance at Link and raced after the swordsman.
Zelda looked quickly between Link and Atrayu and then followed Ilia. She had a feeling it would take the both of them to calm the youth down. The waves licked at their heels as they chased Colin up the hill towards Lynna Village.
Atrayu smirked at the boy and stretched her arms. "Aren't you all the happy family? I guess I'll make myself comfortable on the ship while you settle your disputes."
"Wait Lady, I want to show you something," Tifa tugged on Atrayu's hand. A look of surprise flashed across the shifter's face. She hadn't even sensed the girl's arrival. The Kokiri gazed excitedly at something cupped in her hands. "See this. It sounds just like the ocean. I wanted you to hear it, but I couldn't with all the adults shouting."
Atrayu pulled her arm away and scowled at her. "Do you realize I could kill you right now? Are you sure you even want to be near me?"
Everyone on the dock tensed.
Tatl hovered nervously around the Kokiri. "She's right, Tifa. This woman sends chills down my spine. We should stay away from her."
Tifa shook her head and took a sniff of the air. "But she smells like animals. Anyone who smells like that must be a nice person on the inside."
Atrayu smiled in amusement. "Girl, you truly are unique. If you want to show me your shell, then I will be on the boat. You can show it to me there if you wish. " She began to walk up the gangplank.
"Okay!" Much to everyone's dismay, the forest sage raced up the plank with the shifter, twirling around like a dancer with the shell in her hand.
Everyone was stunned with silence as they looked towards the top of the gangplank. The waves continued to roar rhythmically with each rush and retreat. A few gulls cried hungrily in the air, landing near the travelers and walking around like they were statues.
"Someone should go with her," Kari said, his voice disturbing the sea rats and causing them to fly away.
"Are you volunteering?" Link asked snidely.
The Sheikah cast a nervous glance at the boat. "I refuse to step on that death trap until I have a reason."
Link looked towards Lynna village. "And I guess Tifa's safety isn't a good reason? I just hope Colin will be okay. Otherwise, it's going to be a difficult voyage."
Midna rolled her eyes. "I think it's going to be difficult regardless as long as she's on board." She chuckled to herself. "But I guess I'll go on the boat. I don't see what the big deal is. If she's just here for business, then so be it." Without waiting for a response, she walked up the gangplank to the ship.
Link placed an exasperated hand on his head. "Why do these sorts of things always happen to me? I just wanted to get on the boat. Does he think I planned it this way?"
Kari walked up to him and placed a hand on his bad shoulder. The hero grimaced in pain. "You think you have it bad? Try being forced to not only go on that floating shack but having to move it. At least you can retreat in your cabin when this is done."
The hero's eyes twinkled. He could retreat to his own world once they set sail. And he knew just how to do it.
"What am I supposed to do, Kari? I feel like Colin hates me." He brushed the Sheikah's hand off him. "Of course I feel the pain of Rusl's loss. More than he knows. But I have to be strong for everyone else. Sometimes, leaders have to make tough decisions."
"What were your alternative options?"
Link scoffed. "What alternatives? She either goes with us or we still consider her the enemy. Personally, I'd rather have her where I can see her."
The Sheikah nodded and inhaled deeply. The salt air left a bad taste in his mouth. "You know the saying…keep your friends close…"
Link looked blankly. "Actually I don't. What is it? Keep your friends close and your shield closer?"
Kari shook his head. "Never mind. It's not worth it."
Ahem! Ambi cleared her throat. She quickly caught the two warriors' attention.
She smiled when they were finally looking at her. "Much better. Now what exactly is going on? Why did Colin react so…violently?"
Link tapped his boots against the harbor. "Well…it's kind of complicated."
"That woman killed Colin's father, kidnapped Zelda, attacked Link, and aided the enemy. There is some slight apprehension in letting her travel with us." Kari answered with a straight face.
Ambi brought her hand to her mouth. "Oh my." She turned to Balthasar. "And you're still letting her on your ship?"
The pirate captain laughed aloud again. "If she don't eat me food and drink me rum, there be no complaints here."
Ambi's face grimaced. "Balthasar, I think you and I need to have a chat. A very serious chat." She turned to Link. "If you will excuse us, we might be a little while."
The captain's jovial smile quickly disappeared. "Pray for me, lad. This might get ugly as a Big Octo." He walked tentatively back towards the castle as Ambi pulled him furiously by the hand.
"Well, that was awkward," Link said when he was sure they were out of ear shot.
The hero looked anxiously to the sky. On any normal day, he would have appreciated the weather. Although the late autumn air still chilled his skin, the sun was shining and there were only a few clouds on the horizon. A small wind tugged on a couple loose strands of his blonde hair. Though he didn't know much about sailing, he imagined there couldn't be better weather. Unfortunately, he couldn't enjoy it as long as this issue loomed over him. He wished he could escape to his cabin and transform into a wolf again. All of these problems were making his head hurt; he didn't want to have to think about them anymore.
Kari pointed in the distance. "Look. Here comes Colin and the two girls."
Sure enough, the three of them were walking back towards the ship, but Link didn't like the expressions on any of their faces. Colin's mouth was a grim line sitting below cold, emotionless eyes. Zelda and Ilia's was a softer expression, but the aversion of their eyes and tight shoulders hinted at news he didn't want to hear.
Colin stopped between Kari and Link without looking at either. He looked straight ahead with a tone that was frighteningly detached.
"I'll tolerate that monster for your sake." He clenched his fist. "But if that woman steps out of line or gives me any reason to suspect her, I'll kill her or die trying. I hope you know what you're doing." Link didn't even have time to respond as Colin marched up the gangplank and boarded the ship.
Link's eyes lingered on the boat's entrance. He glanced back at Ilia and Zelda. "What did you say to him?"
Ilia fiddled with her fingers. "Well, we reminded him of your friendship and everything you've been through together. We convinced him to trust you, and that if anything unusual happened, you'd be able to take care of it."
"I can help too," Kari muttered under his breath. Everyone still ignored him.
Link let out a sigh of relief. "I can't thank you enough. I feel like I'm walking through a field of bomb flowers with a torch right now. That situation could've really gotten ugly."
Zelda shook her head. "You're not in the clear yet. To elaborate on your metaphor, I wouldn't put your arm down anytime soon."
Link nodded. A gentle breeze pulled at the locks of his hair. "I know." He glanced back at the boat when suddenly a thought struck him. "By the way, what was that comment he said about staying here with you, Ilia?"
"About that." Ilia glanced at the monarch as she shuffled her feet on the stone platform. "Can you tell him? I don't think I can bring myself to say the words."
A knot of dread dropped in the hero's stomach like he had eaten a large rock. "Tell me what?"
Zelda swallowed hard as she chose her words carefully. As the Queen of Hyrule, she was no stranger to declaring the truth her listeners didn't want to hear. She had been tempered by the resistance of the nobles and commoners alike. In a way, Durian Anarvi had made her a more resilient queen. Now, the monarch drew on those skills as she faced a hero whose connection with her spanned ages.
Zelda placed a hand on her chest. "Link, there is no easy way to say this, so I'm just going to say it. Ilia and I are staying here. Neither of us will be joining you for the rest of the journey."
The hero placed his hand on his forehead and looked to the ground. "Well…that was kind of sudden. Couldn't you have broken that to me a little easier?" He took a step or two to let his mind process, turning his back to them. "Where did this decision come from all of a sudden? Did you cook it up overnight?"
Zelda continued. "Actually, it came from a lot of thought over a period of several days. Ilia came to the realization that she just couldn't endure this journey any longer, physically or emotionally, especially after what Mudora did." She let a sigh pass through her lips. "And I…well…I have been neglecting Hyrule for far too long. Scorpio's attack made me realize this. My people need me; Hyrule needs me."
Link stood with his back to them in silence for some time. Ilia fidgeted nervously with her fingers, clasping and unclasping her hand and scraping at the dried mud on the dock with the toe of her shoe. Zelda clasped her hands in front of her, steeling her resolve for what was sure to come. There was something in the hero's voice and mannerisms; an arrogance and feral nature that reminded her more of Lieutenant Ordona than the savior of her kingdom. Whatever burden he carried, it was beginning to crush him.
Link laughed mockingly. A wolfish smile crept on his lips. "Too much to endure, huh? What would I know of that? I've climbed Death Mountain and fought against pounding heat. I've blasted to the very heavens and slain dragons. I've faced the King of Evil in battle and barely escaped with my life. But you…you've done so much more than me, so you deserve a rest. I'm sorry you've been placed with such a horrible burden." He paused, his voice more sinister. "Even though you did volunteer for it."
Ilia clasped her hands in front of her and pleaded. "Link, please don't do this. Can't we just say goodbye on good terms?"
The tension in the air was so thick it could be cut with a knife. Goosebumps ran up the Sheikah's spine. Going aboard the ship didn't seem so bad anymore.
"You know…I should prepare for the voyage myself," he said. Once again, no one paid him any mind as he scurried onto the ship.
The wolf man turned around sharply, his lips curled into what resembled a wolfish snarl. "And you…Zelda...have you ever thought that Hyrule will be destroyed anyways unless we stop Mudora? You both are Sages now; you can't just turn your back on us!"
Zelda's face was impassive. "Link, you know I bear Wisdom's mark, so do not mock me. Of courseI've thought of that. Neither of us have abandoned this quest. However, Hyrule needs my immediate attention. Without the strength of its people, I fear we will not succeed. We will meet again, but for now, we must divide and conquer. You and the others must awaken the other Sages, while Ambi, Ilia, and I take care of things here."
Link grunted. "Those are bold words to say to the man who single-handedly saved your country." He crossed his arms. "To me, it sounds like you're running away from responsibility."
The ranch girl's face was flush red. "What in Ordon has gotten into you, Link! You're certainly not the same sweet ranch boy I used to know. Do I need to slap some sense into you?"
Foolishly, she approached him and raised her hand to strike him. He caught it long before it reached his face. With a vice-like grip, he squeezed her wrist until it turned white.
"Link! You're hurting me! Let! Go!" Ilia pleaded with him, turning her arm to yank it free. His wolfish eyes gazed at her, refusing to let her free.
"Link, you will let her go." Zelda said sternly, her eyes ablaze with indignation. "Or I will tell Ilia and everyone else about the secret you guard so carefully."
There was a savage quality to his gaze. "You wouldn't dare."
Her cerulean eyes were hard as stone. "You know I wouldn't bluff."
Immediately, the hero released the wrist of his friend. "Fine! Do whatever you want. We'll do just fine without your help," he mumbled quietly. He turned around and stormed up the gangplank. He halted halfway when Ilia's voice called out to him.
"Link!" Ilia pleaded.
He scowled. "Get out of here if you want to leave so badly! I can't stand the sight of your traitorous faces." With that, he pushed a crew member out of the way and went below decks.
The two women stood there for several minutes in silence staring at the ship. Ilia stood in shock, a tear or two strolling halfway down her cheek before being wiped away.
Zelda continued to wear the impassive mask of the monarch as she too gazed at the wooden vessel. But inside, she felt like her heart had been torn out and stuffed back inside her chest. After days of deliberating, she had finally chosen her kingdom, but at what cost? Was it worth the potential loss of an invaluable friend and the greatest asset to her kingdom? She shook her head. As Hyrule's queen, she would forge on anyways. She had no other choice.
"What's going on over here?" Ambi asked, finally returning to the port with Balthasar after their lengthy "discussion." "Did I miss anything?"
Ilia was silent and Zelda shook her head.
"No Ambi, you didn't. The ship is ready to leave," Zelda replied mechanically.
"Well, shiver me timbers!" Balthasar said excitedly. "No need to wait any longer then!"
Ambi looked longingly at her boyfriend. "Do you really have to leave so soon, Balty?"
The captain smiled. "It be necessary, Ambi. The cold be rearin' its ugly head soon and freezin' up all the water. Arr, if these folks be needin' to go to Termina, this ship needs to leave."
She sighed. "Then I suppose I cannot stop you. But remember what we talked about. And come back to me safely, my noble captain." Ambi handed him a small bell and kissed him. "Please take this and think of me on your voyage. And remember, I will always wait for you here. Even if I must build a tower to the heavens to guide you home, we will meet again."
Zelda only shook her head and sighed. She could sense a dark and ominous cloud brewing over the vessel. Her fingers shivered and her head felt hot. It was not Scorpio or Zant or even Mudora that worried her. It was a fear for her companions. Aboard that ship were fuses waiting to be lit by the heat of conflict. If that happened, the whole quest could be obliterated in an instant, and everything they had fought so hard for could disintegrate to nothing. Indeed, she feared one wrong word could destroy the last hope the world had.
A/N- We are getting into the homestretch now. I know this is a long story with long chapters, but thanks so much for sticking with me and reading this far! Seriously, I really do appreciate it! We are getting into the homestretch now. I anticipate 10-20 chapters left before the end (I don't want to reveal exactly how much is left to go…gotta keep you guys in suspense) I guess that can be a long time, but considering this is chapter 41, it doesn't seem quite as long. Next update won't come for a little while with school starting soon, but I can guarantee it will come before the end of February. I hope you guys can hold on. Once again, thanks to all of you who read this consistently, favorite it, reviewed, and have stuck with me this long. I have some fun things in store for future updates so look forward.