Link walked further into the cave, the shadows slowly covering him. The golden wolf, glowing a ghostly yellow color, watched the hero carefully with its one good eye. Link's fists tightened as he approached. Something in the wolf's growl unnerved him. Was it angry at him?

"I haven't seen you for a long time," the hero ventured. He stood and awaited an answer.

The wolf stopped growling and let its silence speak for itself. Its gaze scrutinized Link as he shifted his weight uncomfortably.

"Is something wrong?" Link asked. "Normally you transform by now."

The hero looked around at the small cavern. It was just the two of them. Light from the cave's entrance illuminated the floor, stopping just short of the golden wolf's paws. Rocks of various sizes had collapsed from the ceiling, littering the floor in random arrangements. The air was damp and significantly colder than outside. Water dripped from the ceiling into small puddles on the floor.

As if to finally satisfy him, the golden wolf let out a long howl. Just like their previous encounters on Link's first journey, the Hero's Shade appeared. With bluish skin and a pallid, decaying appearance, the skeletal face looked him right in the eye. He carried a rusting sword and shield and wore ancient armor, sections of it covered in leaves. A ghostly mist, rather than flesh, seemed to fill the armor. His sword's scabbard was belted to his waist.

"Your skill with the blade has increased since our last encounter," the Hero's Shade said calmly, his voice sounding like a hoarse whisper.

Link nodded. "I couldn't have done it without everything you taught me."

"Then why have you already forgotten your first lesson?"

The warrior's words took Link by surprise. "What are you talking about?"

"A sword wields no strength unless the hand that holds it has courage. Do you remember those words?"

Link stiffened. "Of course I do!"

"Then why did it take you so long to come?"

The hero folded his arms. "How was I supposed to know you were expecting me?"

The warrior pointed the tip of his blade so it was only inches from Link's neck. The hero flinched and held his breath. "We crossed paths in the woods. You knew it was me. Yet, you made no effort to find me. Did your fear get the best of you?"

Link finally let out a gasp of air. He glanced nervously at the blade by his throat. "Why would I be afraid of you?"

The specter returned his sword to his side. "You fear leaving this island. You fear returning to your world and facing the pain that awaits you." He paused. "You fear me because I've come to expose your weakness."

Link scowled. "Are you calling me a coward?"

The hero's shade stared at him, letting the silence carry his answer.

The specter's lack of response were unnerving. His words bristled beneath Link's skin. They couldn't be true…could they? The hero paced around the cave, his voice rising in the process.

"Why are you even here? I thought you departed for the afterlife after you taught me the last hidden skill!" Suddenly, he stopped and his face turned pale. His finger gently touched his chest. "Wait…am I…dead?"

The specter shook his head. "You are not dead yet. This island is a strange place, but it is not the afterlife." He looked at Link sharply. "But if you continue on the road you're traveling, you will arrive at your grave soon enough."

Link looked towards the cave exit. "Is that why you're here? To scold me?"

"I came here to equip you for the task at hand."

Link shook his head. "And what task is that?"

The Hero's Shade glared at him. "Have you lost so much courage that you cannot even remember? Or do you choose to block it from your mind?"

Link kicked the ground with his boots. "If you're talking about Mudora, there's no point. My hands are stained with blood. My friends won't even talk to me. The world is in ruins. There's nothing out there for me." His shoulders dropped and his eyes fell to the ground. His voice quieted like a mouse. "Even if I wanted to go, no one wants me back."

The Hero Shade's voice echoed firmly and authoritatively through the cavern. "I see plenty of reason for you to go back. There's unfinished work to do. I don't recall the life of a hero ever being easy or self-motivated." He paused. "Besides, how long do you really think you can be content here?"

Link looked away. He didn't have an answer.

The Hero's Shade continued. "I cannot help you regain your lost courage. Only you can do that. However, I have valuable information that may help."

Link looked up. "What sort of information?"

"I can tell you who Mudora is and what his past was like. After all, he and I, and you by extension, are all connected."

Link slumped onto a rock. Its moist surface gently dampened his pants. "How is that supposed to help?"

The Hero's Shade looked at him disapprovingly. "To defeat your toughest enemies, you must first know them and understand them. Only then will you find victory."

Link yawned. "You're speaking to the wrong person. That's no longer my concern."

The Hero's Shade shouted at him so loudly, Link almost fell off the rock. "Do the lives of your friends mean nothing to you? Colin? Ilia? Zelda?" He paused. "Midna?"

Link leaned forward. "Of course they're important to me!"

"Your indifference says otherwise. Do you realize what Mudora will do to them if you don't go back?"

The hero shook his head.

"He will either kill them or mutate them into monsters. Either way, you will lose them forever."

Link was speechless.

The Hero's Shade continued. "Do you really want to let your friends die so painfully?"

Link jumped to his feet. "Of course not!"

"Good. That is the true attitude of a hero. If you desire to help them, you would do well to listen to my tale."

Link sat back down. "If that's what it takes to save them, then so be it. Go ahead and begin."

The Hero's Spirit looked up to the cave's ceiling. "Now we're getting somewhere. First, to understand Mudora's powers and what sort of being he is, you must first understand events that took place before this world's creation. You see, before there were humans, there existed beings much more powerful than your kind. Translated into your language, we were called the First-Borns. Mudora is one of them. Though not as powerful as the three goddesses, his power is greater than anything you've ever encountered.

Link looked up. "So you are one of them? A first-born, I mean."

The Hero's Shade nodded. "I was."

"What happened to the rest of your kind?"

The specter's face darkened. "We killed one another in a long and brutal war. There was a being named Demise who thought himself above the Three. His greed and selfish ambition consumed him and drove a split through our people. Those who followed him became demons. The rest of us opposed him. The war lasted a long time and took many lives, but Demise and his army were defeated. The goddesses created a planet and sealed him deep within it, in a place you call the underworld."

"The underworld? Isn't that beneath Hyrule?"

"Precisely."

"Then isn't our world…"

"I'm getting to that," the Hero's Shade explained.

Link leaned back against the rock. "I see."

The Hero's Shade continued. "Though the battle was won, only I remained along with Mudora and Hylia. The goddesses grieved over how their creation had destroyed itself, and decided to start anew. They brought forth life onto the planet that sealed Demise, and so the world was born as you know it. Before they departed for the heavens, they wanted to be sure their new creation would have a way to fight back if Demise ever broke free from his prison. And thus, they created the Triforce."

Link nodded. Ganondorf's evil smirk flashed through his mind. "So that's why the Triforce was created? If only they knew how much trouble it would cause later on." He looked up at the specter. "What about the rest of you? Did you go back with the goddesses?"

"We had the opportunity, but Hylia came to love the humans. They worshipped and revered her like a goddess, so she dwelt among them. Mudora and I remained on the new world as well. Though we were also revered as gods, the people deeply feared us. As a result, we chose a life of solitude. Mudora studied the new creations from a distance, observing their patterns, interactions, and ways of thinking. I chose to wander the earth, searching for any sign of Demise's return."

"In all that time, you guys never spoke with each other?"

The warrior from the past shook his head. "Of course we did. Hylia and I had a close relationship and spent much time together when she was not with the people. At the time, Mudora was also close to us, though him and I did not always see eye to eye."

Link leaned forward. "Why's that?"

"I was a warrior born for the chaos of battle. Mudora is a scholar skilled in knowledge and the arcane arts. He detests violence. I lived for it. You can see where we had our disagreements."

The hero nodded. "I can definitely see that. But all three of you still got along?"

"All we had was each other. As the centuries passed by in peace, we adjusted to our new way of life. That is, until the day the earth broke open, and Demise and his armies once again walked the earth. It did not take long for him to learn about the Triforce. He crushed villages and scorched the earth in search of its power. Fearing for her people, Hylia gathered them on a large rock and sent them skyward, sealing the Triforce along with them. The three of us then took our stand against the demon king and his forces as in the days of old, this time aided by the remaining races of your world."

Link leaned over on the rock like a child hearing a bedtime story. "What happened?"

The Hero's Spirit continued. "We sealed him away again, but at the cost of our own lives. Hylia and I were gravely wounded, and even Mudora could not heal us. Knowing the seal on him would not last, Hylia devised a plan to slay him once and for all. She gave up her mortality and chose to be reborn as a mortal. That mortal you know as Princess Zelda."

Link smiled. "I know she's beautiful, but that doesn't make Zelda a goddess."

The specter shook his head. "I meant that literally."

The hero's mouth dropped. "You did?"

The Hero's Shade nodded. "I did. But that's not all. For Hylia's plan to work, she needed a hero with an unbreakable spirit. She asked me to be reborn along with her. Knowing I would not survive my wounds, I accepted. Before I gave up my immortal form, I asked Mudora to seal my power within a mask if I ever had need of it. That mask has come to be known as the Fierce Deity's mask."

Link ran a hand through his hair. "So I understand how Hylia was reborn. But what about you?"

The specter's mouth curled into a wry smile. "I was reborn as you. And your ancestors. It depends on which incarnation we are speaking of."

Link looked down at his hands. "But how is that possible?"

"I am the Spirit of the Hero. I lived in the Hero of Time, his predecessors, and now I live in you."

Link looked around. "The Hero of Time? Then those dreams…?"

"Those were from me."

Link looked up at the specter. "But why?"

"There will be time to explain later. First, you must hear the end of my tale."

Link nodded, still looking down at his hands. The fact that he was part of a long line of heroes hadn't quite sunk in yet. "Sorry for the distraction. Go ahead."

The Hero's Shade looked towards one of the cavern walls. "As I mentioned, we were eventually reborn as humans, but not until many years later. By then, Demise had resurfaced as Hylia had predicted. Her plan was set into motion, and the fight began anew. After a long and difficult journey, he was finally slain for good. Yet, before he died, he placed a curse on us; an incarnation of his hatred would follow us for all eternity. And so, the cycle you've become familiar with came into being."

Link looked down at the ground, trying to figure out what that meant "So does that mean he appears each time a hero is reincarnated?"

"It is exactly as you have said. As does one who carries the blood of the goddess. In this era, it is your Princess Zelda. Your spirit and hers are inextricably linked and have been for ages."

Link cradled his head. "This is an awful lot to take in. Things are much more complicated than I thought." He looked up at the specter. "Why do I have no memories of this? Why wasn't I aware of it?"

The Hero's Shade looked back at Link. "You've always had this knowledge inside you. It isn't until now that it's come to the surface."

Link nodded. "But how can that be?"

The Hero's Shade pointed his sword at Link once again, this time from a much safer distance. "You were born with the essence of a hero. It is a part of you. You were once connected to it, but your struggle with your inner wolf has thrown that connection out of balance. If you are ever to regain your courage, you must first bring the wolf and the hero into harmony with one another."

"Do you think I haven't tried?" Link asked. He stood up again. "It's just not possible!"

The hero's shade returned the sword to his side. "Sounds like excuses to me."

Link tore at his hair. "Everything is so straightforward with you, isn't it? If you know the answer already, why don't you just tell me?"

"Because you must discover it on your own," came the ghost's reply.

Link wanted to scream. He wanted to shout and throw rocks at this ghost of a swordsman. But he knew it would do no good for either one of them. So he took a deep breath, calmed himself, and sat back down.

"Let's move on," he said. "You haven't said a thing about Mudora? Where was he in all this?"

The Hero's Shade nodded. "Mudora was greatly distressed when he learned that Hylia and I would give up our immortality and be reborn as mortals. He was vehemently opposed to it. I suspect it was fear of being alone that propelled him."

"So how did you calm him down?"

"Hylia devised a way to regain her memories when she was reborn. She assured him he would not be forgotten. In fact, he had a vital role to play once Demise was successfully destroyed. She understood that in accepting mortality, she would no longer be able to guide her people as she once did. So she asked him to be their guide during her absence. He cared deeply for her, so he agreed."

Link blinked a few times as the words registered. "So Mudora actually cared for someone? That's hard to believe." His feet kicked against the rock he sat on. "So what happened once Demise was destroyed?"

"In time, Hylia made good on her promise and all of us were reunited after Demise's defeat. With Mudora's help, Zelda and I established the kingdom of Hyrule. As our lives ended, we both passed away with the kingdom entrusted to him as Leader of the Sages. He did much in our absence. Hyrule grew to be prosperous under his watch. He acted as an adviser to kings. He also had the foresight to seal the Triforce away in the Temple of Time."

Link shook his head. "But that doesn't make sense. The Mudora I know is trying to destroy the world and get revenge on the goddesses. That doesn't sound anything like the person you're describing."

The Hero's Shade shook his head solemnly and looked down at the ground. "That was before he went mad. Unfortunately, my memories after Hyrule's founding are very weak. As you know by now, Hylia and I are confined to a repeating cycle of death and rebirth. Our memories only span during the times our incarnations are alive."

Link looked curiously at him. "I guess that makes sense. So what caused Mudora to go mad?"

The specter looked away. His voice was softer. "To be honest, I am unsure. Whatever happened, it occurred during my absence. When I was finally reincarnated, the world was a much bigger place than when I had left it. Not only had Hyrule grown as a kingdom, but other nations had sprouted up as well. By then, Mudora had left Hyrule for the kingdom of Ikana. I don't know what he experienced during his time there, but it drove him mad. He lost faith in humanity entirely. His rage and frustration consumed him and he became a monster just like Demise. He destroyed that kingdom in a single night."

Link shook his head. "How does one simply become a monster?"

The ancient warrior looked back at Link. "First-borns are highly attuned to spiritual energy. I suppose you might know it as positive and negative emotions. As long as things are balanced, there is no problem. However, if overwhelmed by negative or evil emotions, it changes and transforms us. That's how Mudora transformed into a monster." His eye darkened. "Humans are not as susceptible to this transformation. However, I suspect since Mudora went mad, he's learned to manipulate that energy in humans. How else could he transform your friends into monsters?"

Link shook his head. "For someone who hates violence, he indulges in a lot of it."

The Hero's Shade shook his head. "You must understand that Mudora is a very complicated being. His motives are not easily deciphered. Some things he does appear evil but are actually meant for good. Other times, it is the opposite. You would do well to practice caution around him. Not everything he does is as it seems."

Link spit on the ground. "I think destroying an entire kingdom speaks volumes." He got up off the rock. "So what happened to him after that?"

The Hero's Shade looked at the ground. "The world became a place full of monsters shrouded in darkness. Being confined to a mortal's body, I was a fraction of my former strength. Neither Zelda nor I could stand against him. All of us would have lost hope if it weren't for the help of a small race called the Picori. With their gifts, the Picori Blade and the Light Force, I was able to stop Mudora and free him."

"Free him?'"

"As I said, his inner darkness had consumed him. We were able to expel it from him and trap it in a mask. That mask contained all his wrath and dark energy. As for Mudora, although he was finally normal again, we were forced to seal him away along with his remaining power to prevent such a disaster from ever happening again. He was stripped of his title of sage and thrown in the Underworld, the same prison that once held Demise."

Link furrowed his brows. "What about the mask?"

"Mudora's Mask, or Majora's Mask as it later came to be called due to its evil nature, developed a will of its own. For centuries, it waited until it fell into the hands of an unsuspecting owner, a lonely skull kid. Taking possession of his body, it sought to destroy the entire land of Termina and free its master from the underworld. But the goddesses had other plans. They lead me there, as the former Hero of Time, and I eventually destroyed it with the Fierce Deity's mask."

Link leaned forward. "I didn't know our history was so tied with Mudora and Zelda." He blinked a few times as he tried to process the information. "What was it like being the Hero of Time? What was his life like?"

The Hero's Spirit sheathed his blade. "That is a discussion for another day. What matters now is what you do with the information I have given you. Will you answer the call of the hero and face the challenges ahead? Or will you leave your friends to die while you cower on this island paradise?"

Link looked away. He couldn't give an answer. Nor did he want to. He knew others were depending on him. But at the same time, he had grown attached to this island. He had grown attached to Marin. The cost of leaving this place behind to face an uncertain reality didn't seem worth it.

The Hero's Shade looked at him. "I see you still need time to think." He walked past Link towards the cave exit and stopped just before walking out. He spoke without looking at Link. "If you do find your courage, there is a cave similar to this one on the north side of the Mysterious Woods. There, you will find the sixth instrument of the Sages: the Conch Horn. Once you obtain it and find a way off this island, come find me in the Temple of Time. I will wait for you there."

When Link turned around, the Hero's Shade was gone. He could only hear the soft rhythm of his own breathing and the dripping of water from the cavern's ceiling. The hero closed his eyes and sighed.

What was he going to tell Marin?

Kari twirled the Wind Waker restlessly in his good hand, eying one companion at a time. He hoped for the sake of their friendship that they would comply with his request. He had no desire to fight any of them; fighting Link had been painful enough, both physically and emotionally. If he lost these friendships as well, then there truly was no reason for him to remain in this time period.

"What do you mean we could never reach him?" Colin asked.

Kari shook his head. "I do not know. There is no point in asking any further."

Rishu shrugged his shoulders. "If you say so, Minish." He looked around. "Now excuse me while I go get my guitar. Where was it at again, Tatl?"

Midna stopped the Zora with her hand. "I wouldn't go anywhere just yet, Rishu. There's something Kari knows that he's not telling us." Her face softened as she turned to the Sheikah. "Kari, I just want to know what happened to Link. Is he alright? Why didn't he come back with you?"

The Sheikah didn't have the heart to tell them of his betrayal. He didn't want to tell them he had made it possible for Mudora to capture Link. These people had been among his few friends in this age. Kari wanted their last memories of him to be positive.

Kari shifted from one foot to the other. Nervous sweat trickled down his neck. "Link…he…was injured. He was…err…he could not come with me."

Tifa's eyes shot wide open. "Then we should go help him, shouldn't we?"

Kari looked away. "He was injured in a place that…well…that no one else but I can reach. I…couldn't help him, so I came here."

Tifa walked right up to him and looked at him with innocent blue eyes. "Then why do you need my ocarina, Mister? Aren't you the one that got it back for me when it was stolen?"

The child-like trust she gave him tore at Kari's insides. As he looked into her eyes, he felt a sharp pain in his chest. He didn't realize the strength of the bonds he had formed with them until he was about to sever them.

"I need it for personal reasons," he muttered, looking away.

"Could you say that again?" Midna asked, her tone rising. "I think the stones were shouting again." She placed her hands on her hips. "And while you're at it, explain how an instrument is going to make a difference if you couldn't help Link before. Do you intend to serenade his wounds away this time?"

Kari stomped his foot. Pain shot through his dislocated arm, causing him to wince. "I need it! I don't have time to argue like this! Just give it to me!"

"That ocarina belongs to Tifa." Tatl said crossly. "I hope you have a good reason for needing it."

Colin stepped forward. "Give him a break, guys. If he needs it for a little bit, what's the big deal? Especially if it'll help Link. I'm sure he'll give it back."

"Colin, think about this for a second. None of his story makes sense," Midna cautioned, turning to look at him.

The youth's hands flew into the air. "What doesn't make sense? Link's in trouble, and Kari wants to rescue him! The longer we argue, the more danger Link might be in!"

The Twili shook her head. "Do you honestly think that stupid instrument is going to heal Link? And what about Kari's injuries? Did he lose a fight with a cuckoo? And isn't it a little strange he shows up the same time as Mudora? There are just too many things that don't add up!"

Colin scowled. "Well, maybe it's all a coincidence."

Midna pointed right at the Sheikah. "Or maybe Kari isn't on our side anymore! Maybe Link gave Kari those injuries! And maybe Kari is the reason Link isn't here right now!"

Colin's whole body tensed as he crossed his arms. His voice rose. "How can you accuse him like that? Kari would never betray us!"

The Twili's hands returned to her hips. Her fiery gaze bore right through him. "Just like you never break your promises?"

The youth understood the meaning of her words instantly. A fresh wave of guilt washed over him.

Rishu held up his hands. "Hey guys, no reason to blast the air with negativity, right? Why don't we all get off this crazy mountain while we still can and enjoy a nice hot soup?" No one paid him any mind.

The youth backed down. His muscles relaxed and his hands returned to his side. He took his gaze off the Twili and looked pleadingly at the Sheikah.

"None of that is true, right Kari?" the youth's voice quivered.

Kari's eyes dropped to the ground. The longer he lied to them, the more agonizing it became. Would it just be easier to tell the truth? Midna had already caught him in his lie.

But then they might not give him the ocarina! Then he would have to fight them for it! Was it worth the risk to tell the truth? The indecision tore at his insides.

The silence that filled the air was thick as smoke. All eyes were on the Sheikah. He shifted from one foot to the other, adjusting his arm in its cast and twirling the Wind Waker nervously in his good hand. His mind worked furiously to reach a decision.

"Midna is right," he said at last. "I have chosen a different path than the rest of you." He looked off into the distance, where the setting sun greeted him. "I do not serve Mudora, but I do not belong here either. I have chosen to return to my own time. But I need the power of the ocarina to do that."

Tifa nodded slowly. "You want to go home, Mister, don't you?"

The Sheikah nodded. There was sadness in his eyes. "Yes, Tifa, I do."

"Why?" she asked.

A sad smile came to his lips. "Because I promised I would return to someone dear to me. Unless I have the ocarina, I can't do that."

The Kokiri pulled Tatl to the side and the two whispered in a fury while the rest continued the conversation.

"But that's nonsense, Minish. You're one of us!" Rishu said, giving the Sheikah a thumbs up. "Why don't you come back and I'll make us a delicious meal? I promise it will blow your taste buds off…err…I mean away."

Kari shook his head. "I thank you for the offer, Rishu, but I must decline. If I can just have the ocarina, I will be on my way. I do not wish for a conflict, but I will not leave here without it."

Midna scowled. "While you're being truthful, why don't you enlighten us on what really happened between you and Link."

Kari met her gaze head on. Now that he had decided to tell the truth, he feared nothing. "Link tried to convince me to come back but failed. We fought and he lost. We parted ways after that."

His response left Midna temporarily speechless.

Colin shook his head in disbelief. "I can't believe you're leaving us. What will we do without you? Who will awaken the sages? How will we defeat Mudora?"

Kari shrugged his shoulders. "The Goddesses will come through somehow. It just won't be through me."

Midna found her voice again. "Now you sound like a coward! What's happened to everyone lately? Am I the only one with a backbone anymore? Has everyone given up already?"

The Water Sage lifted his hand in protest.

Midna quickly finished her thought. "Yes, Rishu, I am quite aware Zora are born without backbones. It was a figure of speech."

The Zora lowered his hand and relaxed.

Colin stepped towards the Sheikah. "But we're so close! We already have five instruments! We only need one more!"

Rishu started fidgeting with his fins. "Speaking of instruments, I would really like my guitar right now."

Kari shook his head. "I have faith you will succeed. My prayers will be with you."

Colin pulled at his hair. He was desperate. "You can't do this to us, Kari! Do you remember when we first met?"

The wind tamer nodded. "I do."

"Before I met you, my world had completely collapsed. I had given up on myself and everyone else." He eyed the others, watching carefully to see how they would respond to his words. He chose them carefully. "I was even ready to do something extremely stupid. Do you remember that?"

Kari nodded again. "Of course. What is your point?"

Colin stared intently. "I know what you're feeling right now. I know what it feels like to be consumed by despair. I've experienced how it sucks you in and how hard it is to get out. But you stopped me from making the dumbest mistake of my life; something I couldn't take back if I went through with it." He tightened a fist. "Now it's my turn to help you! You think running to the past will make everything better, but it won't. If you go through with it, you will regret it every day for the rest of your life. I promise you that."

Kari didn't respond. Clearly the words struck a nerve.

Midna took a deep breath. "Even if Link couldn't bring you back by force, we have no choice but to try. Colin, Rishu, I'll need your help. Tifa, hide in a corner if you want. This could get messy."

Colin nervously clenched and unclenched his fists. Rishu stepped forward, the awkward grin slowly disappearing off his face. Tifa was nowhere to be found.

Kari bent his knees and prepared to fight. "I am sorry, my friends. But this is how it must be."

Colin and Rishu rushed the Sheikah together. Not wishing to hurt them, Kari easily sidestepped Colin's grapple and tripped him. Rishu came at him, locking hands with the Sheikah. They struggled against one another, grunting as each tried to overpower the other. Although Rishu had more leverage from his longer arms, Kari had more training. He spun around, twisted the Zora's arms, and tripped him as well.

"You cannot hope to defeat me," Kari said. "My training is vastly superior."

Suddenly, the Sheikah felt a sharp sting up his arm. It quickly spread through his whole body. He tried to move, but it was futile; he was completely paralyzed.

"We don't have to beat you," Midna said, concentrating her shadow magic on his body. She had him completely bound. "We just have to knock some sense into you."

Rishu jumped to his feet and seized the opportunity. He grabbed the immobile Sheikah in a shoulder hold. Currents of electricity began to generate through his body.

"Sorry, Minish. But this is in everyone's best interest."

The current from Rishu's electric shield passed from his body to Kari, giving the Sheikah a light shock. Kari's body convulsed on its own, and then dropped limply into the snow once the voltage had finished its work.

Colin and Rishu looked at the unconscious wind tamer. A few of his muscles continued to twitch from the electricity, but he was unharmed nonetheless. Though they felt bad about attacking him, they knew it had to be done.

"Good work, everyone," Midna said, giving them a nod of approval. "He'll come around sooner or later. Now let's grab him and get out of here. Hopefully, Alpha hasn't yet realized we've escaped."

They were about to pick up his limp body when Sharlo transported directly in front of them. He still wore his mask, and his signature cleavers extended from his hands.

"If you lay one hand on my son, I promise to cut it off," he threatened.

Midna's face hardened. "Zant…why in Din's name are you here?"

Rishu looked up curiously. "Whose son are we talking about here?"

Sharlo heard Midna's voice and looked in her direction. "Ah, Midna. I see you're still prostituting yourselves with the Light Dwellers. I would love to settle our score, but we are in quite a hurry. Just give us the ocarina, and we'll be going."

Midna spit at his feet. "I'd be happy to give you the ocarina. You just have to figure out where I put it."

Sharlo scraped his cleavers together. The high pitch shriek it made sounded like rusty nails scratching a shield.

"Well, I'll just have to force it out of you then," he responded. "How will you fight me without your precious Fused Shadows?"

She looked to Colin and Rishu and knew they would help her. She beckoned him closer. "Come and find out."

"STOP! PLEASE!" Tifa's voice shrieked at the top of her lungs. Her voice echoed along the mountainside, causing everyone to freeze. "NO MORE FIGHTING!"

Everyone turned their attention to her. No one had noticed her and Tatl slip away in all the chaos, but in her hand was the Ocarina of Time. She was huffing and puffing. Her face was completely red from the cold.

The Kokiri looked around with big, pleading eyes. Her voice sounded like she might cry any second. "Please. No more killing." She walked over to Sharlo and offered the ocarina as a gift. "Please. Take this."

Colin couldn't believe his eyes. He rushed over to stop her but Sharlo's cleaver pointed threateningly in his direction. The youth stopped a few feet short, his eyes fixated on the Kokiri girl. "Tifa! What in Din's name are you doing?"

Tifa looked at him with a solemn expression. Despite her childish body, the resolve in her eyes made her appear older. "If Mr. Serious misses home, then he should go there. I know how he feels. I miss home too. So if this ocarina will help him get there, then he can have it."

Sharlo pulled the instrument from the girl's hands. He turned and looked it over with admiration. "Little girl, you've done both Kari and I a great favor."

"This girl has more wisdom than the rest of you combined," Mudora's voice carried through the air. "With one simple gesture, she was able to prevent the seeds of violence from growing any further."

The deity appeared in a bright flash of light beside Sharlo and Kari, causing everyone to shield their eyes for a moment. Colin rushed forward and pulled Tifa away, his eyes never leaving Mudora. The deity seemed to be in good spirits, smiling especially wide as he looked at Tifa. There were bruises and scratches dotting his face and even tear marks on his robe. Was this god more vulnerable than they thought?

"M-mudora?" Sharlo stuttered, quickly tucking the ocarina away in a safe place. "Did you finish so soon?"

The deity nodded. "I've accomplished what I came here for. We can leave this place now." He looked down at Kari. "Hmm, it seems your son has met with some misfortune. But not to worry, he will recover soon enough."

Colin scowled. "W-what are you doing here, Mudora?" He put Tifa on the ground and reached towards his back. He cursed when he realized his sword was still with the rest of their equipment.

The deity seemed amused by Colin's question. "What am I doing here?" He paused, as if wondering whether to answer the question or not. His face eventually brightened as he decided to humor him. "If you must know, I am laying the foundations necessary to improve this wretched world."

Rishu smiled. "A better world, huh? If I were you, I'd build a gigantic rock stage with free concerts."

Mudora shook his head. "While I appreciate your humor, Water Sage, I'm afraid the problems of this world are not so light-hearted. As you've no doubt seen, there are those like Alpha who use strength and violence to oppress others. But they are not the sole problem. It is people like you and everyone else."

Midna crossed her arms. "What's that supposed to mean? Are you saying we're like that monster?"

The ancient sage looked at her patiently. His voice was smooth like honey. "You creatures are inherently selfish, and your desires reflect that. Anyone who stands in the way of those desires becomes an obstacle to you, even if you don't realize it. You try to deny this fact, or you hide it from others with a fake smile or flowery words. But the resentment still lives and grows inside each of you. From this, the seeds of chaos and violence sprout. Given enough time and allowed to multiply in each person, it is hardly surprising to see the arguments and wars that sadly characterize this world. Sheikah against Hylians, Ikana against the Garo, shifters against non-shifters. The history of bloodshed extends from the past and continues into the future. When will it finally end?"

Colin shook his head. "You're wrong! There are those of us who try and choose the right thing."

Mudora raised a brow. "You've hit on the very cause of the problem, what I call the moral dilemma." His face darkened into a scowl. "Unfortunately, too many people make the wrong choice. And even those of you who do the right thing must exert an enormous amount of effort to do so."

Midna folded her arms. "So what do you plan to do about it? Are you going to destroy everyone and build a whole new world?"

Mudora shook his head. "What good would that do? If I destroyed the world, then I would be no better than the ones I was trying to destroy. I would merely be exerting my power over weaker beings. Besides, I detest violence. I have something far more fitting in mind."

Colin gulped. "What's your solution? I'm not sure if I like the sound of it."

Mudora's face grew solemn. "There is a realm, once known as the Sacred Realm, which exists separate from this one. You could say it has unique properties. These properties reveal the heart of any within that realm and transform them appropriately. For example, someone with a noble heart might become a bunny."

Midna slowly nodded. "Or someone with an evil heart might become a monster."

Mudora nodded. "Precisely. I intend to fuse the power of that realm with this one. There will be no more hiding; everyone will be revealed for what they truly are. You could think of it as finally lifting the curtain over everyone's eyes. It is similar to what I did to your friend Ilia, except this will be on a much larger scale."

Colin's mouth dropped. "But if what you're saying is true…then this whole world will be filled with monsters! Even if not everyone transforms into one, those that don't will quickly be killed off!"

The deity shrugged his shoulders. "It is no different than what already happens in this world. The added benefit is that there will no longer be any pretense to hide the corruption inside everyone. After all, you must first find the monster before you can kill it."

Midna stepped forward. "But how could your plan possibly lead to peace?"

Mudora smiled knowingly. "Well, that depends on how your golden goddesses react. If they decide to do nothing, which is what they usually favor, then this world will continue to rot and decay. You see, I have long told them the source of all this corruption lies with the problem of choice. If they had just listened to me and created everyone to follow the rules, then many of the disasters you currently suffer could have been averted. Instead, they foolishly gave everyone the divine right of choice. Because you inferior beings are so foolish, you almost always make the wrong decision."

The smile on Rishu's face disappeared. "What happens if the goddesses decide to intervene?"

Mudora closed his eyes and shook his head. "Either way, I'm afraid this world is doomed for destruction, by your hand or theirs. It is a failure just like the last one. The goddesses will be forced to recognize that they were wrong; this world is beyond redemption. They will have no choice but to destroy it and start over. If they listen to my advice this time, then there is hope for the next world they create."

Tifa looked to Colin. "I don't understand. What is the bad man saying?"

Colin clenched his teeth. "He's going to wipe us all out. That's what he's saying."

"Is that bad?" she asked innocently.

"It's very bad," Colin replied. "Think of all the violence you've just seen. It'll be even worse than that."

Tifa's eyes opened wide. "And Kari is helping the bad man?"

Colin looked to the unconscious Sheikah and shook his head. "I don't know anymore. All I know is that Mudora is insane."

The youth's comment seemed to amuse the deity. "Am I? If you've seen and experienced as much as I have, you would arrive at the same conclusion." He looked at the sun. "In any case, I have lingered here far too long. But before I go, I have one last thing to tell you."

"And what's that?" Midna asked bitterly.

Mudora looked up to the mountain. "Your friend, the mercenary, I did my best to heal her. She is stable for the time being. But now that I am gone, there is no guarantee Alpha will allow her to live, especially in his current state. It would be a pity to see a sage die before she fully awakens."

"You mean Atrayu is…"

But Mudora and the others were gone in another brilliant flash of light, leaving Colin and the rest of his companions once again by themselves.

"Kari…" Tifa sniffled. "Why are you helping the bad man?"

"Now's not the time," Tatl chastised. "We have to figure out what to do next."

"That's an easy one," Rishu said. "We grab our stuff and get out of here. No reason to linger longer than we have to."

No one protested. They followed Tatl's lead and quickly found their things thrown in a pile in a small cavern. Everything was still intact, including Colin's sword, Rishu's bow and guitar, and most importantly, the Spirit Pipes.

"Is everyone ready to go?" Rishu asked. He was already outside the cavern and heading down the mountain. Several of the others were close behind him.

"Wait!" Colin called after him.

Midna turned around, not bothering to hide the annoyance in her voice. "What is it now, Colin?"

The youth hesitated, looking back up the mountain. "I can't get what Mudora said out of my mind." He clenched his fist and kicked snow into the air. "We need to go back for Atrayu."

Midna's expression became neutral. She crossed her arms. "Why the change all of a sudden?"

Colin looked away. "I don't know. I still can't stand her. Nor do I trust her." He circled his gaze back up the mountain. "But it's also my fault she's there. I've made a lot of bad choices. It's about time I start making the right one."

Midna glared at him. "That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard you suggest."

Colin looked away sheepishly. "I know it's stupid. But I believe that's…"

Midna cut him off, this time with her lips curled into a sly grin. "I wasn't finished. I said it was a stupid suggestion, but that's if we care only for ourselves. What you suggested is the right thing to do. It's what Link would do." She waved Rishu, Tatl, and Tifa back over. "There's been a change in plans, everyone. It might be suicidal, but we have a flea-bitten mercenary to save."

Took me a bit longer to edit this than I expected. But it's finally done

I want to clarify a little bit of Mudora's backstory and also about the Hero's Shade. First, the Hero's Shade. Technically, the Hero's Shade is only the Hero of Time's spirit, according to Hyrule Historia anyways. But many of the games talk about this Spirit of the Hero, so I thought it would be fitting to tie it all together and make the Hero's Shade the spirit of all the heroes.

Second, many of the events of Mudora's back story have a specific placement in the official timeline. Many of the events occur after Skyward Sword, but before the Minish Cap. The Minish Cap includes a prologue talking about how the world was filled with monsters, so I thought it fit perfectly with Mudora going berserk. According to Hyrule Historia, this gap is also the time period where the Triforce was sealed away by Rauru using "power stronger than both time and the Master Sword." In my story, Mudora is the source of that power. Also based on Majora's Mask, the kingdom of Ikana would probably have been in its prime during this period, so I wanted to explore a little bit of that kingdom's backstory. More on that in future chapters. I hope this helps clarify a bit. One of my favorite challenges in writing this story is weaving it into the already known mythos of Hyrule. This is my best attempt at it. I hope you all enjoy it. See you all next chapter!