Quick reminder that the only reason I write is for random strangers to leave reviews telling me how brilliant I am.
Once the sun rose, the old man went to the temple. "My, my, it looks like you had a rough night."
"You," Lysithea spat. "Why didn't you tell us that the dead rise at night?"
"I thought you already knew," the old man said. "They have risen from their graves every night since the Calamity. You must really not be from Hyrule."
Lysithea tried to charge at him, but Claude held her back. "No, we really aren't," Dimitri told him. "Perhaps it's best if we ask about other dangers now."
"Yes, that would be best," the old man agreed. "May I see the map again?"
Link handed him the Sheikah Slate, and he marked two points on it. "These two places are the territory of a Stone Talus and a Lynel. I have been watching them for any signs of moving, but they seem to be content where they are. Avoid them both. You aren't equipped to fight either. Maybe you could survive the Talus if you get lucky, but you would be slaughtered fighting the Lynel."
"We'll go the opposite direction for food, then," Claude said. "Anything else?"
"The ruins of the military outpost may still have partially-functioning Guardians. One of the shrines is there, so you have to go there. One advantage you have is that Guardians have no concept of object permanence. If one of the red targeting beams starts targeting you, hide behind something.
"Also, clearly you aren't dressed for the cold. I would offer you my warm doublet, but it wouldn't fit any of you. Except maybe you," he pointed at Raphael. "Luckily for you, Hyrule is a place with magic deeply ingrained within the land. The spicy peppers that grow here, for instance, will ward off frostbite if you cook and eat them."
"That sounds like an old wives' tale," Edelgard said.
"Is it more absurd than the dead rising at night?" Link asked. Edelgard conceded the point.
"Well, that's all I can think to tell you at the moment," the old man said. "Best be on your way."
Edelgard had seen that Claude was considering trying to get his claws into Link, and had quickly insisted that he ensure the camp remained in good condition and to acquire food. Meanwhile, she and Hubert would accompany Link to investigate the shrines.
"Monica" had also volunteered, and Hubert was watching her closely to ensure she didn't try anything. Leonie had also volunteered, and, to her immense annoyance, so had Ferdinand and Lorenz. Sadly, Ferdinand and Lorenz had felt Link needed a long lecture on the duties of the nobility. Argh.
"...and the superior physical and magical prowess is not the only sign of the superiority of Crest bearers, such as ourselves," Lorenz droned on, looking extremely pleased with himself as he explained what seemed to be some inescapable truth to this unenlightened soul, "As individuals bearing the blessings of the goddess, it is the responsibility of us Nobles to shepherd, guide and protect the common folk from any that may harm them."
"The heroes' blood that runs through our veins makes it our solemn duty to govern and lead those less fortune to better lives," Ferdinand concurred wholeheartedly, "Our gifts and our positions in our society mean it is imperative that we hold ourselves to a higher standard! It is our obligation, our duty, to be better because of the natural boons granted by our Crests."
"Indeed. Every noble must carry out their sworn duties to the best of their abilities. If we do not, how can we expect the common man to do the same?" Lorenz declared.
Edelgard wasn't the only one getting annoyed by Ferdinand and Lorenz apparently, as Leonie decided to cut in. "Sworn duties like sitting around drinking wine and feasting while their people go hungry?"
Lorenz reacted with shock. "That's completely absurd! A proper noble would never be so irresponsible!"
"Then I have yet to hear of any proper nobles," Leonie commented. "Because from where I'm sitting, the nobles don't do anything but get rich off the labor of the common folk."
Apparently that was the wrong thing to say, because Ferdinand and Lorenz went back into their lecture, this time directed at Leonie. Edelgard tuned them out, and tapped Link on the shoulder. "Sorry about that."
"It's fine," Link told her. "Actually, I thought of something. Do you mind trying to use this?" He handed her the Sheikah Slate.
"Not at all," Edelgard said, but as soon as she tapped the Slate, the screen locked. "USER NOT RECOGNIZED. SHUTTING DOWN."
"Hmm. So if you can't use the Sheikah Slate, why can the old man?" Link asked.
Edelgard's eyes narrowed. "Good question. Perhaps you knew him before you lost your memory."
"Maybe I did," Link agreed. "Maybe he was a friend who was waiting for me to wake up so he could help me."
Edelgard thought that was an optimistic idea. She didn't try to challenge it, though.
As the group approached the shrine, Edelgard took note of the ruins in the area. They didn't seem to be the ruins of the military outpost the old man had warned them about. She said as much to the others.
"Indeed not," Lorenz agreed. "In fact, between the abundance of rusted crates and the remains of a road, I would guess that this was once part of a trade route."
"One abandoned in haste, it would seem," Hubert noted.
The impostor wearing Monica's face pointed out something. "This is the thing, right?"
The shrine, carved out of a dark stone-like material with glowing glyphs etched across its' surface, was clearly related to the tower and cave from before. It was the size of a small house and a 'door' similar to the one they had allowed them to leave the 'Shrine of Resurrection' earlier clearly marking where the entrance was. Although the intricate stone entrance was currently shut, another pedestal also identical to the ones from before waited just beside the door.
"This 'shrine' does not seem very big," Lorenz called out confidently arms crossed over his chest, "If there is treasure here, it will not be hard to get to."
"That is assuming the shrine does not have a basement. Do you not remember on how we were trapped underground?" Ferdinand reminded the other noble, "I sense getting the treasure that the Old Man spoke of will be more difficult than simply opening this door and walking in."
"I hardly think that any challenge in an old tomb will be a challenge for esteemed nobles such as us," Lorenz maintained, "and this is especially true for the Heir to House Gloucester!"
"What do you think, Link?" Leonie asked.
"Well, let's see," Link said. "If this shrine is like the tower, then I just have to hold the Sheikah Slate up to this pedestal, and it'll open." He did just that, and Blue glyphs suddenly lit up on the pedestal's surface.
"Nice to know these things are consistent at least." Edelgard agreed, only to gave a short yelp when the circular pattern she was standing on her also bit up in a blue glow. In fact, the glowing lines across the entire Shine had changed from orange to blue.
"Lady Edelgard, get back!" Hubert exclaimed as he quickly grabbed Edelgard's arm and retreated off the platform in alarm.
"Travel Gate registered to map," A ghostly voice echoed through the air, "Access to shrine granted." With that, the entrance to the Shrine opened... only to reveal something perplexing.
"Hang on. There is nothing in there," Lorenz blinked in confusion upon seeing how small the interior of the Shine was, "There is just this small alcove. There isn't a treasure at all!"
"Are there any stairs?" Ferdinand asked, looking torn between wanting to approach to investigate further and staying back for his own safety.
"I don't see any stairs. Just a glowing blue circle on the floor on the inside." Link replied inquisitively.
"Maybe it's a warp pad," "Monica" theorized.
"Maybe," Link agreed. "So, I guess we just stand on it? I think there's room for three of us to use it."
"I'm going with," Leonie insisted. "I don't want to spend another minute with these two."
"I'd be happy to, if you don't mind having me." Edelgard volunteered, much to the shock of the other nobles around her. However Just as she did so, Edelgard felt Hubert's hand tap her shoulder.
"Are you sure this is wise?" Hubert asked. "If you are that adamant this should be investigated, it would be much safer for me to do so for you instead."
"While the offer is appreciated, I believe now is the time for action," Edelgard said resolutely.
"Did I not just tell you to exercise caution?" Hubert muttered in exasperation.
"I will not allow myself to be cowed by the unknown, nor allow anyone else to make my decisions for me," Edelgard insisted stubbornly. "I will chart my own path, Hubert. You know this."
"...I understand, Lady Edelgard. But please, do be careful." Hubert relented with a long-suffering sigh, and stepped back to allow Edelgard to proceed into the Shine. The pair both gave her respectful nods as she joined them, and the trio wasted no time in standing beside each other atop the blue circle. As Link had predicted, it was a bit of a tight fit, but the three of them managed.
For a moment, nothing happened.
"Huh," Link said with a frown, "That was a bit of a let dow-"
The circle flared with light and suddenly, with a rumble, the entire floor seemed to descend on its own into the earth.