Atrayu felt a twinge of melancholy as she sat on the shore watching the waves advancing and retreating by her feet. The cold water felt refreshing and crisp slipping between her exposed toes while her boots rested in the sand. She couldn't remember the last time she had leisurely soaked in her surroundings like this. The roaring of the waves, the crying of the gulls; it all provided therapeutic rhythms that calmed her mind and let her thoughts soar wherever they pleased. She matched her breathing to their steady beat and slowly relaxed her muscles. Her dragon scale hung loosely around her neck, swaying side to side as she shook the sand out of her hair. Her exhaustion had finally caught up after battling the Big Octo and swimming to this forgotten beach with an extra passenger. All of her limbs felt like dead weight. She didn't have the strength to transform. Even sitting there was exhausting. Her only option was to rest until she recovered.

Her eyes watched as the clouds rolled by over the ocean. Sitting by the beach was unusual in her homeland, part of why she found the scenery so captivating. Large cliffs surrounded a majority of her country's coastline like a fortress. Located at the northernmost tip of the continent, the few beaches not covered by cliffs were frozen over and filled with rocky spires. The water was freezing to the touch.

The shifter closed her eyes and reached for the dragon scale by her neck, imagining how Nevkah would look at this very moment. In her mind's eye, she could picture the snow as it fell gently from the clouds into the valley where she had grown up. The pines would don their winter caps. The ground would cover itself with its seasonal blanket. The mountain peaks would glisten white. Young pups would play in the fields, wetting their noses on the white powder for the first time. All of it was only a prelude to the real show which occurred at night. It was then that the northern lights would stretch through the sky, lighting up the heavens before a thousand-star audience. Everyone would gather outside, watching in astonishment at the dancing colors of the celestial show.

Some nights, when the sky was especially cloudy, it would be possible to see the reflection of another light. Up in the mountains, there stood an ancient tower that had been built well before her country's founding. She had gone there several times herself as an adventurous pup. It was a day's journey from the valley, but the sight was worth it. No one knew what it was built for or why it was there, but the divine architecture and strange blue aura invited the locals to create their own myths about the structure's true origin.

Atrayu heard rustling and moaning behind her. She groaned to herself; Colin was starting to come around. The quiet had been nice while it lasted, but she knew it could only last for so long. Sparks were about to fly; too bad she didn't have the strength to fight back at the moment.

The youth's eyes slowly opened. His head pounded and his hand burned like it had been soaked in acid. He shifted his position and was surprised to feel the grainy sand against his back. The last thing he remembered was sliding out of the hull into the frigid ocean. He had gone under shortly after that.

"How did I get here?" he wondered aloud, his eyes adjusting to the light. He watched the clouds float lazily in the sky. "Am I dead? This isn't what I imagined the afterlife was like."

"Yup. You're stuck in the underworld with me," Atrayu shouted over her shoulder, still sitting at the edge of the waves.

That voice was all Colin needed to hear to jolt his head from the sand. He turned his body towards the ocean and groaned when he saw the shifter sitting by the sea. Why did it have to be her? He felt the familiar anger burning in his chest and pulling on his insides.

He brushed his sandy hands on his shirt and wiped the dirt off his forehead. A scowl covered his face. "What are you doing here?" he asked.

Atrayu didn't bother looking in his direction. "We were on the same boat. Are you really that surprised?" She grabbed a rock and threw it into the water. "Do you realize that's the first thing out of your mouth every time we meet? Not a hello or even a thank-you for saving your life. I'm kind of getting sick of it."

Colin spit into the dirt and rose to his feet. The coast spun around him, threatening to throw him back to the ground. He closed his eyes so the dizziness would pass. "I don't feel obligated to say hello to animals."

Atrayu sneered to herself as another crest washed on her feet, wetting her leg armor. The beach seemed so peaceful compared to the tension between them. "That's not what Link tells me. You do work on a ranch after all."

The youth bit his tongue. Thankfully, the dizziness lasted only a few seconds. He opened his eyes and looked around for his sword. A sigh of relief passed through his lips when he found it stuck in the sand not far off. His approach scared off some gulls, which had used the hilt as a convenient resting place. "Well...at least those animals have more soul than you ever will. They don't kill every living thing they see," he replied as he stumbled over to his weapon.

The shifter glanced in his direction before grabbing another pebble. The small rock rolled around between her hands like a boat on the waves. "And neither do I. Otherwise, you would've been dead a while ago."

Colin finally reached his weapon and steadied himself on the hilt. His breathing was harder than it should've been. He didn't realize how tired he felt until now. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Atrayu gave the pebble a good toss and watched it skip on the waves. "Think about it. How many times have we crossed paths and you've walked away with your life? I've had more than one opportunity to let you die."

The weapon stuck a little as Colin pulled it out of the sand. It was heavier than he remembered as he dragged it towards the shifter, creating a small trail in the sand along with his footprints. He finally managed to slog it and himself in front of the shifter. "Like when?" he challenged.

Atrayu looked up to the youth standing in front of her. It amused her how the sword gave him the illusion of power. One of his hands leaned on the hilt, the other on his hip. His lips were curled into a smug grin. However, she could see the exhaustion in his eyes and the slight trembling of his arms. His façade was quite thin indeed. "Well, there was that time in Labrynna. And who do you think dragged your sorry, sinking hide out of that ocean?"

Her words left Colin speechless for several seconds. The time between when he'd blocked out and when he'd woken up on shore was a blur. But he had to have gotten here somehow. "Let's say you're telling the truth. Not that I believe you, but I'm curious. Why spare me? Why not just let me die?"

Growing tired of the youth obstructing her view, Atrayu shifted herself sideways in the sand so she could gaze past him. She could see an island in the distance. A dense fog obscured much of it, causing her to wonder what was out there. "Because I don't believe honor is a dead practice. I was forced to learn it a long time ago." She paused, directing her gaze to a wave washing over her feet. "When I fought Rusl, he gave me one last request before he died. He told me to protect you no matter what. And I have done what I could to honor that request."

The youth's chest tightened as if someone were pinching his lungs. "Papa…" he whispered softly. He kicked away at some of the mud beneath his boot, creating a small hole that was quickly filled by the waves. The shifter waited in silence, expecting some sort of angry response. But there was none.

"Well, aren't you going to say something?" she asked, lifting her eyes expectantly at him.

Colin slowly lifted the sword with his good hand and let the blade rest on his shoulder. "So you only do it to help ease your guilt? Well, I hope it helps you sleep better at night. Because it certainly won't put things back the way they were."

Atrayu smirked. "Guilt? Why would I feel guilty for something I've done my whole life? Fighting is all I've ever known. There is nothing more satisfying than the adrenaline of facing a worthy opponent. You should feel proud your father was such a man."

Colin's grip on the sword tightened. "I almost feel sorry for you. Is that all you live for? Do you even have any family? A sister or anything?"

The shifter hesitated, tucking the dragon scale back beneath her armor. There was a solemn sadness in her eyes. "No...I don't."

The swordsman took a bold step forward. "Then how could you possibly understand my pain? You're so blind! You can't see the consequences your actions have for others!"

"Consequences?" Atrayu asked.

Colin's anger got the best of him as his voice rose. "Yes! Consequences! Because of you, my brother will never see his papa again! And my mama will have to raise two boys by herself! And there will always be one empty seat at the dinner table!" His boot stomped in the sand and a tear snuck down his cheek. "And because of you…you monster…my papa will never see the man I become! If you even knew what loss was, you might understand!"

Atrayu's leer bore right through him. "Do you want to kill me?"

Colin didn't even have to hesitate. "Yes! More than anything!"

The shifter hugged her knees to her chest. "Then do it. I'm too exhausted to fight back."

The youth's face slowly hardened again. "What are you up to? It can't be this easy."

Atrayu shrugged her shoulders. "Well, you either do it, or shut up and listen."

Colin spit into the sand. "Listen to what? Are you going to talk about how your own country didn't want you? Link told me about that. Can't say I'm surprised."

The shifter quickly got up. "You insolent little..." However, her strength left her before she could finish the sentence and she plopped back into the cushion of sand. "Valoo's breath! I'd make you pay for that if I could!"

The smug grin returned to Colin's face and he took a step forward. "Looks like I hit a soft spot. I guess the invincible warrior can bleed after all."

Atrayu snarled through bore teeth. "Don't ever talk about Nevkah like that again or I will rip your arms from your sockets! I swear it! I know more about loss than you'll ever know, kid!" Her voice began to quiet. "My homeland…my status…my honor. I only became a mercenary because I had to."

"And why should I care about how you've suffered?" Colin said, leering at her while he approached. Swinging his leg back, he planted a firm kick to her face.

The shifter's head twisted back and her whole body twitched. She grunted and grasped at her face.

Colin felt his courage build with his anger. He placed his sword on the ground and jumped on top of her. He ripped her hands away and looked her in the eyes. Despite her injury, there was still a proud defiance behind those pupils. The youth brought his head inches from hers, his breath steaming her face. "After how much you put me and my family through, you deserve this."

Colin pulled his good hand back and delivered a firm punch to her face. A small crack resounded as skin met bone. He brought his hand back again and delivered another punch. And another. Her head twisted back with each blow, grunting and twitching as the youth unleashed his hatred and frustration. Blood trickled from her lip and onto the youth's skin, but he didn't care. This was for all the loneliness and pain and agony she had made him suffer. His fist continued pummeling until exhaustion forced him to stop.

His work complete, the youth looked at his bloody and bruised adversary and spit in her face. "How does it feel to be helpless for a change?" he taunted, sweat dripping down his forehead as he tried to catch his breath.

There was still no response except for her heavy breathing and the occasional groan.

"Feels great, doesn't it?" he mocked.

Colin grabbed the shifter by the hair and lifted her head to face him. Her cheeks were puffy and her forehead was swollen red. Black rings hung around her closed eyes like poorly applied war paint. A small river of blood dribbled from her lip down to her chin. Between the facial reconstruction and the painful groaning, Colin felt like his message had been delivered. Satisfied, he shoved her head into the sand and got up to walk away.

"Is that all?" Atrayu laughed, lying helplessly on the beach. "I thought you wanted to kill me. Now might be your only chance."

Her words froze Colin where he stood. He slowly picked his weapon off the ground and turned towards her. "Is that really what you want?"

There was a knowing smile on the mercenary's lip. "Shouldn't you be asking yourself the same question?" She paused as she coughed up blood. "You've talked tough this entire time about getting your revenge. Now's your chance. Will you go through with it?"

Colin's eyes looked to the sword and then to Atrayu. "But it would be too easy. Plus my hand."

"Stop making excuses! Either stand by your word and do it or walk away!" Atrayu challenged. "Nothing is stopping you but your own hesitation."

The youth's eyes darted nervously around, almost as if looking for a place to hide. "But I…" His heart raced a mile a minute, pounding against his chest. Breathing became heavy and full of effort. He felt the weapon tremble slightly in his hand. "Fine. I'll do it. It's about time I ended this."

The Ordonian hovered over the shifter, holding the sword just over her face. All he needed to do was swing his arm and the weapon would slice clean through her neck. Atrayu stared at him expectantly, her amber eyes boring into him. The waves seemed to egg him on with each splash against his legs.

In his mind, Colin couldn't believe the moment that had haunted his nightmares had finally arrived. He had always imagined this moment arriving after a strenuous battle, not being given to him on a silver platter. He felt something inside freeze his hand and hold him back.

His face curled into frustration. Why was he hesitating during such a crucial moment? He'd been anticipating and savoring this for months! This was his chance to bring justice! To finally find peace!

And yet, there was no peace to be found. He couldn't escape the thought he was about to end a person's life. A person like him. He even felt a tiny drop of empathy for Atrayu. He could only guess how much suffering she had endured in her lifetime.

"What's stopping you? Get it over with already!" the shifter challenged, snapping him back to reality.

Colin tightened his grip. No, she wasn't human. She was a monster. And monsters need to be killed.

The youth hesitated for a moment while he drew in one last deep breath. He stole one final glance at his adversary before raising his weapon in the air. It was now or never.

The sun's reflection gleamed on the weapon's metal as it sliced through the air. Gravity helped the blade along its irreversible path.

THWICK!

Colin let out a sigh as the weapon rested at his side. Sweat poured down his forehead as he looked at the shifter's body lying before him. An incoming wave washed away some of the blood dripping from her face. Defiant amber eyes looked right through his soul.

"I guess you didn't have it in you after all," Atrayu said. "Glad we finally made that clear."

The Ordonian looked at the ground where the blade had cut a swath through the sand instead of his opponent. "Well…I…it would've been too easy," he mumbled to himself.

Atrayu groaned as she lifted herself back to a sitting position, wiping the blood from her lip and holding a hand to her cheek. The bruises on her face were turning a nice shade of purple. "Well, you had your chance, so no more moaning about it. We're stranded on this beach together. We might as well work together for the time being."

Colin's eyes wouldn't leave the ground. "Why should I work with you?"

Atrayu grunted in disgust. "What else were you planning? Are you going to explore the beach on your own?" She swatted him away. "Then go ahead and be my guest. Have fun with that hand of yours."

The youth scowled. "I have you to thank."

The shifter rolled her eyes. "This again? I already told you it wasn't me."

"Obviously it wasn't you. Because we have wild animals roaming on the ship," Colin said dryly, tossing the sword to the side.

Atrayu grunted in disgust, turning her attention back to the shore. She grabbed another rock and began rolling it between her fingers with her free hand. "I'm not going to waste my breath on this anymore." She tossed it into the water. "But let me give you something to think about. What color eyes did your mystery wolf have?"

Colin paused for a moment, looking around as if his surroundings held the answer. "Blue…I think."

"And what color is mine?"

The youth didn't know off hand. He tried to steal a glance at Atrayu, but she was facing away from him. "Not blue?"

The shifter sneered. "Then that should get your little brain thinking. If it wasn't me, then it must've been someone else. While you figure that out, I'm going to take a nap and get my strength back." She laid her hand on the sand, wincing as the fine particles stung her bruises. "I guess I'll see you when I wake up. If you decide to stick around."

"We'll see about that," Colin muttered before sauntering off to where his sword had landed. He plopped down in the sand next to it and groaned in frustration. He glanced in the shifter's direction, but she was already headed on the next wave to dream land. The youth ran an exasperated hand through his hair, brushing out small grains of sand in the process.

Why didn't he do it? The chance had been right in front of him! What had stopped him? Was it fear? Pity? A sense of debt? The more the youth tried to figure it out, the more exhausted he became. He felt the weight of his eyelids slowly pull them shut. He got up and splashed some cold water on his face, but there was no shaking off the nagging sense of exhaustion plaguing his body. He sat back by his weapon.

Where did he go from here? If there was another chance for him to get his revenge, would he be able to do it? Was that really what he wanted? There were so many questions and uncertainties swirling through Colin's mind that his remaining strength was soon used up just thinking. His fatigue soon won, and the youth made a pillow out of sand before sleep finally claimed him.

A soft melodic plucking of a guitar slowly tugged Colin back to the waking world several hours later. The melody was a soft, soothing acoustic tone that blended with the rushing of the ocean waves. Colin opened his eyes and lifted his head; at first, he couldn't tell where the music was coming from. Atrayu didn't play the guitar, did she? If the Ordonian wasn't awake before, he soon snapped to reality when the strong odor of food grabbed his nostrils and ignited a hunger in his stomach.

He looked around for the source of the music, and hopefully the food, and spotted a Zora standing by the waves with instrument in hand. Atrayu was with him, looking away with arms folded but listening intently nonetheless.

Colin rose to his feet and grabbed his weapon. The nap made his rested muscles feel stronger, but his hand still burnt something fierce. He ignored it, more concerned about the empty feeling churning in his stomach. Hopefully, this stranger would be able to offer some aid.

"Well, it looks like this Chu Chu decided to finally wake up," the Zora greeted. Short, yellow earrings dangled from fins that resembled ears. Black star tattoos covered his chest and lower torso, while a concentric diamond pattern on both arm was colored more brightly. The musician had a tall, athletic build to him; his arms and legs were strong but not bulky. The guitar he held was made from the skeleton of a large fish with the bones modified to hold the strings. His fingers plucked at his instrument with skill and precision, producing music effortlessly as he tapped his foot to the rhythm of the waves. A basket rested by his feet with something inside: Colin hoped it was food.

"Chu-Chu?" Colin asked, specifically avoiding eye contact with Atrayu. Instead, he decided to focus on the Zora. "Umm…who are you again?" He looked down at the basket. "And what's in there?"

"The name's Rishu, my blonde, seaweed wearing friend." He stopped plucking on the guitar for a moment. "You might want to clean out your hair. And feel free to help yourself to whatever you want in the basket. It was originally for my girlfriend, but I'm sure she won't mind."

Colin didn't hear much except for the part about helping himself. His eyes honed in on the basket and his hands dove in to grab a sandwich. Without even looking at it, he stuffed it into his mouth. He got about two bites in when suddenly his tongue lurched in his mouth. It took all the effort he could to swallow.

"What the heck is this?" he asked, throwing the rest of whatever it was on the ground.

The musician looked disappointedly at the wasted food. "Aww, come on man, don't do that. That's a good clam and onion sandwich you're wasting, sprinkled with just a dash of garlic."

"Clam and onions? Who taught you that recipe?" the youth exclaimed, searching around for anything he could use to cleanse his tongue.

Rishu chuckled to himself. "It was an experiment. What's life without a bit of adventure and mystery?"

Colin gagged. "I wish I'd known that before I tried one of your experiments."

The Zora stopped playing and put his guitar down. "I don't see what your problem is, Chu Chu. Dodongo over here hasn't complained once."

The youth looked him over. "What's with the weird names?"

Rishu shrugged his shoulders. "Well, I don't know your real ones, so I had to think of something. Her name's Dodongo 'cause she smells like one, and I call you Chu Chu 'cause you had the same stupid grin while you were sleeping that they have. Although, I think now I might call you Deku Baba since you have a big mouth that doesn't stay shut."

Colin was not amused. "Or you could call me Colin, since that's my actual name."

Rishu shook his head. "But where's the fun in that? Learn to live a little."

The Ordonian rolled his eyes. "Fine…then I'll call you…uhh…Tingle."

The Zora's smile turned upside down. "Dude, that's not cool. That balloon-riding hippy is stranger than a boat in Termina field. Can't you come up with something different?"

Atrayu grunted and changed the subject. "Did you make the guitar yourself? It looks like you killed a fish and strung it."

The Zora clutched his instrument close to his chest. "Hey, don't knock my instrument, Dodongo. I'm not making fun of that strange make-up you're wearing right now. This thing has got some rad history to it. From musician to musician, it's been passed down for generations."

Atrayu nodded in disinterest. "I see. While that certainly blows my mind and I'd love to talk about it more, I'd rather not be stuck on this beach much longer. Rishu, don't you have somewhere to be?"

The smile returned on Rishu's face. "Thanks for reminding me, Dodongo. I've got a concert in Clock Town in a few hours. You guys want to join? It'll be mad rad."

"Clock town?" Colin asked.

"Yeah," Rishu replied. "It's the capital of Termina. That place has got the gnarliest shops, mad places to hang out, and a stage that is the envy of every musician in the country. Everyone goes there from miles around."

Atrayu crossed her arms and looked at Colin. "We should consider going. You might even find your precious friends there."

Colin leered at her. "I didn't ask for your opinion."

The shifter shrugged her shoulders. "Fine by me. Just don't ask me to save your life again."

"I'll be lucky if I don't have to talk to you again once this is over."

Rishu grabbed his guitar and began walking. "Are you two a married couple or something? Because you fight like one."

Atrayu looked in the youth's direction but just smirked knowingly to herself. "Well, he did try and kill me earlier."

The Zora raised a brow and walked a little faster. "So that's what married life is like? In that case, I'm more than fine waiting. Hope Lola's okay with that."

Clock Town, the central geographic and economic hub of Termina, was a lot larger than either Atrayu or Colin expected. The city boasted some of the most advanced technology in the world and thrived with an economy that rivaled Hyrule Castle Town. The country itself used to be impossible to access from the rest of the continent, but recent advances in magic and technology opened up its borders to new trading possibilities with the other nations. However, even with these advances, the country was still difficult to travel to, resulting in very few foreigners entering within its borders. Most of Termina's prosperity came internally, where the diligent scholars in Clock Town developed surprising new technology over the centuries that contributed to the nation's wealth. Due to its isolated nature, little of it ever leaked beyond the borders.

Legends spoke of a time when Clock Town was far from prosperous, when the very moon itself threatened to obliterate it and the entire nation centuries ago. However, it was stopped by a hero from a far off land who summoned their guardian deities, the Giants, to protect them. None ever knew what happened to that hero, but a statue was placed in the central square in remembrance of that day. As the years passed, the stories eventually became legends, and the legends eventually became fairy tales. Few actually believed those tales anymore, but the weathered statue still stood as a testament to that youth's brave deeds.

Colin was overwhelmed by how large the city was. From what Rishu had explained, the city was broken into five major sections: North Clock Town, East Clock Town, West Clock Town, South Clock Town, and the Laundry Pool. They had entered the western part of the city, where many of the nation's vendors came to sell their products. The street was alive with the calls of merchants coaxing potential customers to their stores, the idle chatter of the local gossipers in their doorways, and the dozens of people that traveled along the main road. As the trio walked past the stalls of many colors, the youth was overcome with the various trinkets available, ranging from lamps that ran on the power of lightning, to colored picture boxes that could capture a moment in time and print it on paper. The buildings stood three or four floors tall, all of them were equipped with these "electric" lights. Even the weapons were different than what Colin was used to; swords and blades were considered outdated in favor of weapons that worked like bomb arrows where a small projectile was launched out of a barrel using gunpowder.

Even more overwhelming than the market was the soaring tower that marked the center of the city. It was a combination between a lighthouse and a clock tower, with a large, opulently decorated clock sitting at the top that had been there since the city's founding. According to Rishu, the clock tower only opened once a year during a festival known as the Carnival of Time. This festival was a celebration of the harvest in which citizens from all over the country gathered together to listen to musicians, enjoy entertainment, eat food, and watch fireworks. To the Ordonian's dismay, this year's festival had already happened several months ago.

As they meandered through the southern part of Clock Town, they walked right by the base of the tower. Staring straight up at it, Colin appreciated just how tall the building really was, hovering over him like one of the giants from the legend. At the base of the tower was the city square, where much of the Carnival of Time festivities took place. Also on the south side was the statue Rishu had commented on, the one of the hero from a foreign land. Since it had become one of the city landmarks, he took them over to see it.

Colin was stunned as he looked at the sculpture depicting a young boy on a pony. What was so strange was how similar the young boy looked to pictures he'd seen of Link as a child. The strange hat, the facial features, the shield and sword on his back. Even the foal he rode on resembled Epona to some degree. The statue was showing its age, as it was clear several of the pieces had previously broken off and been restored. The initials of mischievous youngsters were carved into the stone slab serving as the foundation.

"Hmm, I feel like I've seen this kid before," Atrayu said. Apparently, even she noticed the similarities to Link. However, she quickly lost interest and the trio moved on.

Rishu led them out of the southern part of the city and over to the eastern section where his concert was supposed to be. This section of the city was the residential district, with a few shops thrown in for good mix. Again, Colin couldn't get over how advanced this city was, with everything brightly lit up by these electrical lights. The houses were crammed next to each other like Castle Town, but they were more pleasant to look at with flowers and small shrubs decorating the fronts. After passing several houses on the main street, they stopped at a restaurant. A simple, rusted sign swung over the door showing a picture of a cow and the name of the establishment: "Latté."

"This is where you're playing?" Atrayu grunted. "It looks like a dump."

There was a twinkle in Rishu's eye. "Appearances can be deceiving." A pair of eyes opened a slot in the middle of the door. The Zora whispered something to the person peering through it, and it soon opened. "Come inside."

Colin and Atrayu hesitated, but followed at the Zora's insistence. The two hadn't spoken a word to each other since leaving the beach, and neither had any intention of starting now.

As they entered the door, they found a ring of truth to Rishu's words. Despite a rough-looking exterior, the inside of the building was ritzy and well-furnished. A pleasant, upbeat tune greeted their ears from a jukebox in the corner as they walked down the steps into what appeared to be a cross between a bar and a performance hall. A stage lit by several brightly colored lights commanded their attention. A bar with dozens of glasses filled with milk was tucked to the side, manned by a balding man with an extravagant mustache. Customers chatted jovially amongst the several tables scattered over the checkered black-and white marble floor.

"This place…is nicer than I thought," Atrayu admitted. "Far too classy for someone like me."

Rishu lead them over to the bar and motioned for them to sit down. He slapped a hand confidently on the table. "Romanov, I'll have two Chateau Romani's for my guests."

The barman gave the Zora a hard look. "And how do you intend to pay for that?"

The Zora smiled and shrugged his shoulders. "Put it on my tab. I'll get it later."

The barman was not amused. "Your tab's already higher than the ceiling."

"Then Lulu will get it. Gotta get ready for the show. Thanks, Romanov!" The Zora grabbed his guitar and jogged towards the stage.

Romanov tried to get a last word in, but it was useless. Reluctantly, he grabbed two glasses of his bar's signature milk and slid it on the counter in front of his two customers. "That boy is going to put me out of business one day. How does Lola put up with him?" He walked away, mumbling beneath his breath as he found a glass in need of polishing.

Colin popped the cap off and let the milk slosh around his mouth. The flavor felt incredible as it hit his tongue. As he swallowed it, he felt a renewed strength circulate through his body unlike any milk Ordon had ever produced. Even the pain in his hand felt better. Whatever they fed the cows here, it really worked. He looked to Atrayu, who stared at her glass but refused to drink it. Her loss.

The sound of a few stray guitar notes echoed across the bar as Rishu tuned his guitar. The chattering of the bar's residents slowly died down as the musician prepared to give his stage performance. The Zora grinned from ear to ear as the spotlights shined in his direction. With a few taps of his foot to gauge his rhythm, he began playing. The strings bent to the will of his fingers, producing a melody that was upbeat and peppy. He soon found his groove and launched into his song.

Colin was impressed. The Zora clearly loved his music and was good at it. Much better at it than cooking. He couldn't quite understand all the lyrics, but the melody was catchy. His hand tapped to the tune as he took another sip from his glass. That was some good milk! He stole a glance at the shifter and was surprised. Was that a genuine smile on her lips?

Atrayu saw him looking at her and the smile quickly vanished. "What are you looking at?" she challenged. "Can't I enjoy music? Oh wait! That's too much to expect from a monster I suppose."

The Ordonian said nothing. Either the milk or the music seemed to have a calming effect on him. He just shrugged his shoulders and looked back at the stage.

The Zora played through two songs before the audience started returning to their food and conversations. It was clear from the smile on his face and the enthusiasm of his movements the Zora enjoyed what he did regardless. Customers casually chatted with one another over food and glasses of milk while Rishu played in the background.

Halfway through the performance, the lights began to flicker. Atrayu thought she heard a low rumbling in the distance. She closed her eyes and listened carefully, but heard nothing else except Rishu's guitar and the chattering within the tavern. None of the other guests seemed to pay attention, so she kept her thoughts to herself. Perhaps it was a common occurrence around here.

As Rishu ended his song, he momentarily placed his guitar down and bathed in the ensuing applause. Taking a drink of water, he nodded in Colin and Atrayu's direction before picking up his instrument again. He stretched out his hand for a second before preparing to start his next song.

BOOM!

The whole tavern shook from a nearby explosion. Glasses and plates fell to the ground and shattered. Guests were tossed from their chairs. Screams and shouts filled the air. Atrayu and Colin ducked beneath the bar for cover from the falling debris. The youth groaned as he saw his glass of delicious milk burst open and spill onto the floor. Such a waste.

KABOOM!

Another blast exploded even closer to the tavern. The resulting shockwave shook the establishment even more violently as more dishes broke against the ground. Tables tumbled over and lights crashed to the floor. The tavern's occupants ran from their tables, crunching on broken glass as they scrambled up the stairs towards the exit. Colin's heart raced and the adrenaline pumped. What in Farore's name was going on out there?

He felt a strong pull on his wrist. He looked up to see Atrayu motioning for the door.

"Come!" she said sternly.

Colin had no intention of resisting. They pressed into the crowd rushing towards the exit. Shoulder to shoulder, the two shoved themselves into the hot and cramped rush trying to vacate the building. Fear filled the eyes of those around them as they pushed and shoved against each other to escape. The youth had to pity them as he and Atrayu slowly edged towards the door. He could literally smell the fear in the air.

After several more seconds of frantic pushing and shoving, they finally escaped from the confining bar. A wave of fresh air washed over them; it was much more refreshing than the cramped, overheated space they had just come from. However, what awaited them outside was far from comforting. Flames consumed the buildings around them. The people around them scattered in all directions, running for their lives like mice from a cat. Screams and shrieks filled the air as fireballs rained from the sky, destroying and devouring anything in their path. Smoke rose to the sky like smog from the underworld, and the heat from the flames soon became unbearable.

ROAR!

The angry cry of a large two-horned dragon filled the sky as it hovered over the town. The monster's blue eyes scanned the city in search of something. Its large wings, longer than three men from tip to tip, pushed through the air with power, creating strong wind currents that seemed to only fan the flames of destruction. The monster's heavy frame landed on a house, crushing the roof with its sharp claws. Its long, lizard-like tail whipped behind it, tearing through walls as if made of straw.

Atrayu stared at the beast awestruck. She moved over some debris to get a better look. She caught the monster's attention, and the two looked each other in the eye. For a brief moment, the monster ceased its rampage and moved its head closer. Atrayu could see her reflection in the creature's pupil.

"I don't believe it," she muttered to herself. "Here of all places…"

Something else soon caught the dragon's attention and it pulled its head away. With a great flap of its wings and a deafening roar from its mouth, the beast took to the sky. The roof it had been standing on collapsed completely. Atrayu stood spellbound as she watched the creature fly away and continue its assault on a different part of the town.

Colin shook her back to reality. "Atrayu! Pay attention!" He pointed to the eastern entrance. "Monsters are heading our way!"

Sure enough, a wave of monsters crashed through the gate, making short work of the guard posted there before storming the rest of the city. Lizalfos, Stalfos, blue and red bubbles, and even the occasional ReDead; it was as if Ikana Valley had released its horrific inhabitants onto the unsuspecting city. The creatures came by the dozens and spread out around the city, crashing into windows and breaking down doors to the houses that hadn't been burned yet. The rest tore through the streets, stabbing and murdering those unlucky enough to cross their path.

"What's going on out here?" Rishu asked, finally managing to escape from the bar after salvaging his instrument. "These things are ruining my concert."

"Wake up!" Colin yelled. "The city's under attack!"

"Wait? What?" The Zora stuttered. "By who?"

No one had time to answer the musician's question. The monsters, taking no prisoners, came after them as well. Preparing for a fight, Colin withdrew his sword with his good hand. Atrayu shifted into her wolf form.

The monsters sprang upon them like a tidal wave. Atrayu lunged viciously at a bubble, pouncing on it and killing it with a snap of her jaws. Two Stalfos soon followed, but she jumped to the side before their blades could cut through her. She shifted into a falcon and flew out of reach from their weapons. As they looked up at her, she came diving down, slashing at their skulls with her sharp talons. Before they could counter, she flew once again out of their reach and repeated the process. Soon, they were nothing but a pile of bones. She continued her aerial assault until the scream of a ReDead paralyzed her mid-flight, sending her spiraling towards the ground. As she crashed to the ground and became human again, she found herself surrounded by two Lizalfos and half a dozen bubbles. As the paralysis wore off, she extended her claws and licked her lips. It was time to draw blood.

Colin had his hands full dueling two Stalfos. Without his shield, the youth barely managed to block their attacks. The youth slowly retreated as the two skull warriors took turns slashing at him. Before long, the wall of a house pressed up against his back and Colin found himself trapped with nowhere to run. He attempted to fight back with a well-placed stab, but the monsters easily deflected his frail attempts with their shields. The youth clenched his teeth, ready to fight until the end.

It was Rishu who came to his rescue. Two fins flew through the air like boomerangs, momentarily stunning both Stalfos before returning to him. This gave Colin the opportunity he was looking for, allowing him to step forward and spin slash both monsters. The attack was enough to penetrate the monsters' guard and reduce them into a pile of bones.

Rishu launched his fins again, this time killing two of the bubbles around Atrayu while she sparred with the Lizalfos. Two more of the bubbles flew at him, their demonic eyes filled with malicious intent. The Zora surrounded himself with a shield of electricity, shocking the demonic skulls into oblivion before they dissipated into a pile of ashes.

"There's too many of them!" Atrayu shouted. She saw in the corner of her eye one of the Stalfos she defeated earlier start to rebuild itself. She ducked as a Lizalfo slashed at her and countered by skewing it in the face. "I love a good fight, but this isn't how I want to die!"

"That's a shame!" Colin spat back, piercing another Bubble in the eye. "How about you stay and we leave?"

"Aren't you the funny one!" she said, blocking a weapon with her claws.

"What a drag!" Rishu said as he attacked a ReDead with his fins. He was careful to keep his distance. "I didn't even get to play my last song."

"We have more problems!" Colin said. "That dragon's back! And there's no end to these things in sight!"

The dragon hovered back over the eastern section of Clock Town, its eyes once again scanning the ruined cityscape in search of something. It didn't seem to care that half the buildings around it were covered in flames, or that the smoke covering the air was suffocating. The beast let out another angry roar and launched another fireball only a few feet from the shifter. The Lizalfos near her were incinerated.

Atrayu was thrown to the ground by the explosion. The heat from the blast agitated her bruises, stinging her face like a hive of hornets. "We have to retreat!" she shouted as she jumped back to her feet. "We owe this city nothing! When I say so, we make a break for it!"

"So you're just going to leave the people to die here?" Colin asked incredulously, dodging as a bubble flew straight for him.

"You can stay behind if you want," Atrayu said. Her eyes searched diligently for the best means of escape. "I could easily fly out of here by myself, but I'm trying to help you two out."

"That's a new one," Colin said, narrowly dodging another swoop by the persistent Bubble.

"Now's not the time to argue, Little Deku Baba. I think Dodongo's got the right idea. I don't want to leave the people here anymore than you, but there's nothing we can do for them." Rishu said as he threw his fins one more time to kill the ReDead for good. "We can head to Zora Hall if we make it out of here alive, we can still warn them."

"Din's fire," the youth cursed, killing the monster with a well-placed stab. He looked to the fleeing victims all around him and then to his companions. "I don't like this. But I guess I don't have a choice." He joined Rishu and Atrayu. The three stood in a circle, preparing to flee from the city under siege.

"Ready?" the shifter asked, taking charge of the group.

"Ready!" they replied.

"It's all or nothing! Let's move!"

A/N- Well, glad to see I'm finally able to update quicker than I have been. Don't' have a lot to say. Thanks for reading this far! As usual, reviews are encouraged and greatly appreciated. See you next chapter!