A/N: Thank you Kaos for beta-ing this chapter! :)

Chapter 24 - The Next Step

Isha's yearning stomach finally won over her need for sleep shortly before the dawn. The cold soup at her bedside was hardly her first choice for a morning meal, but she was hesitant to leave her room in case she ran into Telma or anyone else who'd been present when she stumbled in the night before.

Isha wasn't ready for more questions from Telma, not yet. The woman may mean well, but rapid-fire questions while Isha was under stress only served to upset her further. Only extreme fatigue had kept her temper at bay the night before.

Bare feet had just reached the cold wood floor when a knock at the door made Isha's heart sink. She considered falling back into bed and faking sleep, but feared Telma might hear her movements and call her bluff anyways. That woman seemed to know more than she should, and it made Isha nervous.

"Hey, Isha? Are you up?" The soft voice that called her name was not Telma's; not feminine in the slightest.

Isha ripped open the door to see Koto's familiar face. He was dressed in his day clothes already.

If she hadn't been so worried about Link and Midna, Isha might have thought to be embarrassed that she was only in a slip. "Koto!" she exclaimed. "Where is-"

"Shh," he urged and pointed to the room adjacent to hers. "Civilians. Meet me outside the gates? We can talk."

Isha nodded. "Give me a few minutes."

When she turned to shift through her things, Isha was surprised to find that she had more than she'd left Zora's Domain with. Three outfits, three new pairs of shoes, and a blanket - purchased at Sera's back in Ordon - were laid atop her things with a note:

Came in for ya right after you left for Zora's Domain, from a gal called Uli in Ordon. Said you'd left a few things behind. Her husband is one of us, you know!

Thinking of Ordon brought a smile to Isha's face. She would need to send a letter of thanks to Uli.

And I need to write the Zora! Isha recalled once more that, in all the chaos, she'd been unable to reconnect with the Zora who fought alongside her at the bottom of the lake. She'd never found out how bad their injuries were, nor thanked them properly for all they'd done. She'd have to make time for that later.

The sun was still hiding beyond the horizon when Isha joined Koto on a terrace outside the southern gates, dressed in Uli's borrowed clothes and holding a blanket tightly about her shoulders. She had yet to shake the chill earned from walking hours through a fierce rainstorm. The morning was incredibly frosty, to boot.

The gardens around them had already browned and been trimmed down for winter, and the shade trees had long lost their leaves to the biting wind. Ornate stonework formed borders and curbs between the flowerbeds and intended pathways. Isha supposed that, in the warmer months, this place was quite lovely.

She joined Koto on one of several stone benches by a fountain that had been drained for the winter. He greeted her with a smile.

"I was able to get your friend to the princess. Her Highness recognized him instantly, thank the Goddesses. I wasn't sure what I was going to do if she didn't believe me…" he said as Isha took a seat beside him.

"Is he okay?" Did Midna make it? Isha desperately wanted to ask.

Koto shrugged. "I really don't know, I'm sorry. I wish I could tell you for sure. Princess Zelda sent me away after…."

Isha noted that his face had flushed as he trailed off and cocked her head to the side. "After what?"

"Uh… nothing," Koto turned away. "She turned me away at the door."

"Uh-huh." Isha pulled her blanket tighter against a gust of chill wind. Well, she was keeping secrets too.

Link had made it to the princess, at least. That was comforting. Did that mean he'd be returning soon? The thought brought Isha some warmth.

"So, you have access to Hyrule's elusive princess," Isha said, realizing they'd both fallen silent for quite a time. "How'd you manage that? Weren't you on your way to join the knights when we first met? It hasn't been that long, has it?"

"How about I tell you if you tell me how you wound up in Castle Town looking like you'd been struck by lightning?"

Isha snorted. He wasn't too far off the mark with that comparison. She looked out over the hibernating gardens. "Koto… what do you recall about our meeting?"

"Ah. Well, I…" he trailed off. "There's been a lot that's happened since then. I-"

"Do you remember talking about the ancient legends?"

He nodded. "I do."

Isha sighed. "You believe in 'em, don't you?"

"Don't you?"

Isha pulled the blanket over her nose, as if she were a turtle trying to hide in her shell. "I'm afraid I've not been given much of a choice in the matter," she said quietly. "One is being written as we speak."

"It's Link, isn't it?" Her sidelong glance chased off what little doubts Koto had left. "I mean, he did seem fond of wearing green."

"He's not just wearing it as a fashion statement," Isha said. "That tunic is the same one from all the old paintings. It was worn by a legendary Hero once. The light spirit Faron gave it to him when he set out on his journey."

"Are you telling me I should have talked to that Light Spirit in your village before I left if I wanted to be a hero, too?"

"I can assure you from personal experience that praying to that useless bird gets you nothing unless they have an agenda of their own," Isha remarked with a roll of her eyes.

"Link has the mark of the hero," she continued on. "The Triforce is on his left hand. It's not a tattoo or a simple birthmark. I've seen it. I've seen him fight. I think.. I think I've seen the very spirit of the Hero in him, once or twice. He's a completely different person when he gets serious."

Isha moved a bit closer to Koto, and had the thought that perhaps some things weren't hers to tell.

There were some secrets that were hers to tell, though, and what did it matter if she told those to anyone and everyone who'd listen? She wasn't exactly planning on continuing down whatever path they'd set her on.

"He's not the only one who's been harassed by the Light Spirits," Isha began. "I… I was told to join Link by Eldin, after the shadow beasts destroyed my home. Eldin gave me his blessing and claimed there was a destiny out there waiting for 'someone' to step up and take it. At the time I just… took that at face value. Whatever," she added with a shrug of her shoulders.

"Then I met with Ordona. Ordona said something about my true spirit awakening along the way. Maybe I'm truly as stupid as Mi- as a friend of mine claims, but to me, that sounds distinctly different to what Eldin said. I didn't have a whole lot of time to think about it at the time or even ask any questions, because we were attacked by kargaroks. I still don't understand why, but it sure was convenient timing."

Isha continued with a sigh. "A lot happened and I decided I would keep playing along. I wound up at Lanayru's spring, and she promised her blessing only after I went on what I can only describe as a suicide fetch-quest for her. The details of that don't matter. But she said some things that conflicted Eldin and Ordona, too, and I didn't even think much of it. I was too wrapped up in the idea of proving myself as a fighter. I thought… Lanayru might be different, I don't know." Isha put a hand to her temple.

"I did as she asked, went back to her, and I didn't get a chance to speak with the damn spirit at all. Link and I were attacked at the spring by that same bastard that's been responsible for everything going wrong in the world, and we weren't prepared in the slightest. Never laid so much as a finger on the fucking piece of shit!"

Isha had tried to hold back her anger, she really had. The memory of Zant in all his confidence and vile words lit a new fire in her. Tears flowed freely. "That's why Link came back with me as a wolf. He was cursed by the same evil that haunts Hyrule Castle. Lanayru dropped us somewhere north of town and told Link to go to Princess Zelda for help. Gave us fuck-all else to go on. Now I'm here, waiting for Link to come back as the Hero he's supposed to be. I have no other direction, no idea which of the Light Spirits have told us truth, if any. I don't even want to be a part of this shit anymore."

Koto put an arm around the weeping woman. "It'll be alright," he soothed. "The gods know what they're doing. We're supposed to put our trust in them, Isha."

"The gods chose a goat herder from a mountain village to be their chosen one," she laughed dryly. "And then teamed him up with a wannabe archer who should have died along with the rest of her village. None of them have a fucking clue."

"Isha, you shouldn't-"

"Enough about all of that," she cut him off, wiping her face with the blanket. Isha wasn't interested in talking about the damn gods. Her mouth was getting away from her. "Your turn. How'd you get to the princess?"

Koto considered all that the woman had told him. His gut had been right about Link - that man was something else entirely. Judging from Zelda's reaction, his gut was right again when it told him to listen to Isha and lend his aid.

Now, his gut was telling him something new.

Zelda's sleeping sage and Isha were one and the same, he could feel it. The Kakarikan woman's experiences with the Spirits more than confirmed it. But with her doubts and obvious dislike for the deities that put all of them on this path to meet, how could he convince her to seek out that shrine and keep doing what the Gods wanted her to do?

For now, he determined, I just need to give her my trust and earn hers completely. Then she'll take it as advice from a friend, not direction from the Gods.

Koto spared no details in his recounting of his first excursion to the Castle, though it was hardly an exciting tale. Zant's puppet soldiers never spoke and always walked the same patterns every day, as though they were set on some sort of automatic routine. Once he'd gotten the stilted movements down and found some armor scuffed up enough to match the rest, he simply incapacitated one of the puppet guards and took his place.

Even obtaining the keys to Zelda's tower had been little issue. Koto had picked up a few pick-pocketing tricks in his youth, growing up in struggling port town. He was a bit ashamed to admit that he was considered a problem child, but Isha chuckled at this tasty secret.

"We really aren't so different, you and I," she said. "I'm certain I was seen as a problem child by many in my village, too."

Isha looked like she wanted to say more, so Koto hesitated to reply. Finally, she took a long breath. "Guess Mom was on to something, after all. She was real convinced you and I would make a good match."

Koto looked towards the rising sun. Its first rays were cresting the distant mountains. "Like you said, maybe in a different life."

Isha threw her head back and smiled. "A very different life, indeed. Please, continue. Do you have to do all of this every time you go see the princess?"

Koto shook his head. "After our first meeting, Princess Zelda showed me another way into the tower, one that was unguarded. That's how I've gone to see her since, and where I took Link."

"The tunnels at Telma's?" Isha asked.

Koto seemed surprised that she knew. "I guess Telma mentioned it?"

"Of course. She sure does like to help out wherever she can."

"Don't I know it."

They watched the sun rise, a comfortable silence falling between them. The wind calmed as time passed, and Isha's grip on her winter blanket loosened just a bit. Talking to Koto had been the right move, she decided. She was feeling much lighter.

"Is it true what they say about the princess?" Isha asked after a time. "Is she really the most beautiful woman in the world?"

Koto tried to keep a straight face. "I-I'm sure many have said so. Why ask me?"

"Just curious. Your face is as red as Telma's hair."

The soldier rose to his feet and clasped his hands behind his back. Isha smiled to herself made no effort to follow.

"…She is," he said after a while. "She really is."

Isha giggled. "Too cute. Do you think I could get an invitation to the wedding?"

"Why, so you can dramatically object at the final moment and profess your undying love?"

"You got me, I can't help it." Isha held up her hands in surrender, then quickly tucked them back under her blanket. "'Most beautiful woman in the world' sounds like just my type."

They shared a laugh, one that was cut far too short. A buzzing noise filled the air around them. Isha leapt to her feet, fearing they'd somehow disturbed a nest of sleeping hornets. A violent crack pierced the sky and shook the earth. Isha and Koto grabbed at each other and dropped to the ground, clamoring for stability.

As soon as it had begun, the world fell still and silent. Even the morning birds withheld their melodies for hours afterwards. Isha looked to Koto, but his eyes were staring beyond her. She followed his gaze and felt her stomach drop.

Against a pastel sky, rising far above the tallest spires of Hyrule Castle, was a crystal bathed in the sickly glow of the Twilight Realm. It was translucent, with ripples of power shimmering across its surface and distorting the image of what lay inside. The entirety of the castle was encased within, save for her outermost watchtowers.

The scraping of boots from behind Isha pierced the eerie silence. Koto shot past her, little more than a blur. Isha remained on the ground, fighting to keep her heart from bursting from her chest.

Her thoughts darted from Link to Midna to the princess and the knight who had gone running for her. When Isha looked at that crystal, she got the same feeling in the pit of her stomach that she had when she'd seen Zant the day before.

Had that vile creature fled back to Hyrule Castle after his encounter with Lanayru? Did he know that Link and Midna had gone to the castle? Had Zelda already helped Link? What about Midna? Was it possible they'd already left? How long ago did they leave, if so? What had become of Hyrule's princess, who was supposed to be the key to returning Link to his former self? What are we going to do without the Hero?

Isha couldn't pull the blanket tight enough around herself to escape her gnawing concerns. Knowing she would drive herself insane with these questions, she drug herself to her feet and forced one foot in front of the other. She needed to be anywhere but out here alone with her thoughts.

People were already spilling into the streets to investigate the strange event by the time Isha made it back inside the city walls. Residents, shopkeepers, and guards moved together in a slow pilgrimage towards the square. Isha moved alongside families with young children who were whimpering, crying, asking what happened; couples who clung to one another in terror; scarred veterans with grim expressions.

Isha did not stop at Telma's alley. Nor did she stop when the crowds grew into a tight mob standing shoulder-to-shoulder, talking over one another in terrified voices. She had reached the edge of the square, on the far side from the castle. Isha kept her eyes on that ominous diamond in the sky and forced her legs forward, pushing her way through the mob. The voices and bodies swirled around her, but nothing could compete with the storm already raging in her heart.

Isha was finally forced to stop when the long arm of a poleaxe was placed across her chest. She'd made it to the bottom step that led up to the main castle gates. Faint buzzing could be heard just beyond the closed gates, where the barrier loomed. "Ma'am, I need you to step back. We can't allow citizens past this point."

"My friends are in there," she said plainly, her mouth dry. "I have to save them."

"Please, miss, I can't let you get any closer." He put a gloved hand on the dazed woman's shoulder. "This is a restricted area. Return home. We will have a formal statement posted-"

"No, you don't understand," Isha's voice cracked. She tried to push the soldier's hand away. "I have to -"

"Stand down, soldier. She's with me," a voice commanded. Isha turned to see Ashei waving the soldier away.

"Apologies, Captain." He saluted and allowed Isha to pass.

Ashei grabbed the younger woman's wrist and pulled Isha up to the gate, well away from the line of soldiers keeping the masses at bay. "Isha, yeah? Right, I remember. What's gotten into you, woman? You're pale as the snow. You need to take a deep breath. Breathe with me, yeah?"

Isha allowed the soldier to coax her through a few deep breaths. As Isha followed Ashei's lead, her throat felt a little less tight.

"Gods above, girl, what are you doing out here so early?" Ashei asked after Isha seemed to calm. Her voice was hushed, yet harsh. "You should be resting."

"Link was in the castle last night."

"Yeah?" Ashei's eyes narrowed. "What does he know?"

"What?" Isha blinked. "I don't believe he had anything to do with the barrier, if that's what you mean. Look, I just… I need to know if he's still in there. It's really important. I need to find a way in."

"We've already had one idiot try to get through the barrier, and it didn't end well for him. They just hauled him away. I wouldn't recommend touching it, yeah?" Ashei sighed.

Just another thing to add to Isha's growing list of things to panic over. Her heart sank. "Oh, no, it wasn't Koto, was it?"

"Oh, right, he did say he knew you. Yeah, he's going to be down for a few days. Seems the barrier is made of magic beyond our understanding. They said he's paralyzed from the shock, but he was still yammering on when they carried him off. He should be fine, yeah? I've seen lesser soldiers bounce back from worse. If you want to visit him later, I was going to drop by once I'm off duty."

Isha looked back at the crowd gathered in the streets. There was hardly a hint of road to be seen from the steps to the buildings surrounding the square. Some were even climbing atop the main fountain to try to get a better view. "I assume that won't be for a while…"

"Bingo, kid. Hey, I'm serious about you resting. You still look pretty rough, yeah? You should go back and try to get some sleep. Maybe your friend will show up by then." Ashei patted Isha's back. "I'll keep an eye out while I'm stationed here and if I see your friend on the other side, I'll send word. Until then, maybe trust he made it out, yeah? Assuming the worst ain't always great for the morale."

Isha pulled the dark-haired woman into a hug that caught her off guard, but the soldier returned the embrace. "Thanks, Ashei. I really appreciate it."

Ashei chuckled. "Soldiers' brats like us oughta stick together, yeah? Telma said you're likely joining us along with your little hero-friend. You should know I'll have your back if you do." Ashei pulled back and pointed down the stairs. Her armor shone in the sunlight, aiding the commanding tone she took with her next statement. "Now, go get some rest. I'll see you at the bar."

Faron Woods was well-known as the largest forested area for hundreds of miles. The thick canopy of trees had often been a familiar comfort to Link, and their trunks had built a great many of the homes in Ordon and the surrounding villages.

This return to familiar forests did little to comfort Link today. His mind and heart were heavy with the knowledge of Princess Zelda's fate. Her passing had been discovered at an alarming speed. Link had scarcely set paw outside the city when the barrier went up. Had they stayed any longer to mourn Zelda, certainly they would have been caught and Zant would have finished what he started at Lanayru's Spring.

World might've been better for it, Link couldn't chase the thought away. Maybe the next "Chosen Hero" will do a better job than I have.

What kind of Hero let the Princess die?

Between thoughts of Hyrule, Zelda, and the sword he was tasked with finding, Link thought of Isha. She'd hardly been able to hold herself upright after that doomed encounter, it was a miracle she'd stayed awake long enough to make it inside Telma's. No doubt she would be shell-shocked alongside the rest of the town when she awoke to find Hyrule Castle imprisoned in a crystal of dark magic and Link nowhere to be found.

Would she still wait for his return after seeing such a miserable sight? How long did Link have before Isha assumed this disappointment of a Hero had gotten himself imprisoned, and moved on with her life?

Well, Link wouldn't find out the answers to his questions until he found the sword first. Acting on instinct, the wolf made for the ancient forest temple. If any place housed a blade of myth, it would be a creepy old temple like that. Brittle vegetation and evergreen pines flew by in a blur as he continued to try to outrun his nagging thoughts.

Link tried to focus on the miniscule successes they'd had. Midna had survived, at least, and had cut several days off this first part of his trip with a simple snap of her fingers. The portals she'd reversed during their travels were still coming in handy.

The imp still chose to hide in his shadow, though Zelda's gift had given her a new protection against the light. Midna's desire to remain unseen remained as strong as ever. He didn't mind - Midna was close to him this way. Alive. This was a good thing.

Even in this, Link felt conflicted. Midna's survival was a thing to celebrate, for sure. The familiar feeling of the Twili in his shadow brought Link comfort, made him feel the slightest bit less alone.

But Midna was also another reminder of his failures. She shouldn't still be here, in this world of Light. She should be back home, free from the man that plagued both their worlds. The Fused Shadows were supposed to be the key to beating Zant, all Midna needed was a few seconds to don them. Link, 'Chosen Hero', was useless even as a distraction for those few key seconds.

Early morning sunshine warmed the ground beneath his paws. The forest temple was coming into view, looking much like it had the day he'd first come here, when Talo was taken hostage by some monsters. Back when the evils Link faced were strange and terrifying, but manageable.

A circular stone doorway was set in a massive hole in the rotted-out trunk of the largest tree in the forest, the only indication that something interesting lay beyond. The temple descended deep into the earth below the tree, hiding its haunting beauty from the world.

The monsters that once infested the temple were long gone, now. Their unnatural screeches had long been replaced by the excited chitter of the monkeys that made their home in Deep Faron. Even today, Link could hear the primates swinging high above from branch to branch.

As he drew near to the path leading into the temple, a golden light from within the dead brush drew his eyes. Link slid to a stop and turned to face the strange apparition. It looked like a wolf made of liquid gold with a pearly mane. The patterns on its fur were near identical to those on Link's. It stared him down with glowering crimson eyes. Link's ears shot forward and his tail straight back, his fur standing on end.

The golden wolf looked wholly unbothered by the hero's display. It turned and began a lazy trot through the trees, then stopped and looked back at him.

"I think you should follow him," Midna's voice nearly made Link jump out of his skin. "Unless you have any better ideas?"

Link did not, so he pushed onwards at her direction. The golden wolf led him to the side of a gorge that fell away to a steep drop not unlike the one at Faron Gap. At the distant bottom, pointed stones worn down by centuries of weathering reached for the sky, as if to pull him into their embrace.

Link pressed his body as far to the other side of the trail as he could go, dislodging dirt from the natural shelf next to him. The golden wolf continued ahead, leaping across gaps in the stone where landslides had worn away the trail. It practically flew over the gaps.

At one crossing, Link struggled to push forward. A huge landslide had washed away so much of the trail, the blue-eyed beast doubted even Epona could clear the jump. Midna hopped from his shadow and drifted across to the other side.

"Jump to me!" she called, spindly legs touching down on solid ground at the other side. "I'll catch you!"

If he'd been capable of it, Link would have groaned. Maybe even cried a little. He dared another look over the side of the gorge, and regretted it instantly.

"Come on, Link!"

He took a few steps backwards for good measure. Even with a proper running leap, as soon as his paws left the ground, Link knew he'd never make that jump.

Maybe it would be for the best that he die in such an unimpressive way. A suitable final failure.

Midna's oversized fist closed around his middle, carrying the hero to safety just as she'd promised. His legs were still shaking when she retreated back to his shadow. Link staggered onwards.

The golden wolf had stopped ahead in front of a particularly dense cluster of trees. Link hadn't noticed before thanks to his fear, but the forest on this side of the gap was green and full of life, as though it were still summer. Warm-weather birds chirped and cicadas buzzed high in the boughs of the evergreens and oaks. The sunlight was stronger here, warming the air and Link's fur.

Ahead, the tangle of trees and underbrush was so thick that Link could no longer see any path forward. It might as well have been a solid wall before them.

The golden wolf sat on its haunches and threw its head back. Its howl filled the forest with a haunting solo. All other creatures silenced, and the monotonous howl began to dip and turn. Link realized this golden wolf was singing.

The melody wrapped around him, tickling a part of his mind that felt as though it had been dormant for a long, long time. Like trying to recall the name of a long-lost childhood friend in the golden years of one's life, the song's name and origin danced at the edge of his memories.

All too soon, the song was over. The golden wolf stood, its panting breaths the only sound between them.

Then, it turned and walked through the thicket. The strange wolf passed through the vegetation as though it were made of air. Its golden shine disappeared into the darkness beyond.

Link jumped to his feet to follow, but quickly became tangled in the vines and thorns that did not give him the same passage. He snarled and chomped at the plants that held him captive, but they did not yield to his fangs.

"I think you were supposed to howl first," Midna sounded irritated, but her usual verbal lashings did not follow. It was almost a relief. Once she'd pulled him from his foolish entanglement, Link sat where the golden wolf had before.

Howling as a wolf came as naturally to Link as speaking when human. The song was still echoing in his mind, and he had little difficulty repeating the simple melody. When he lowered his head and opened his eyes, the thicket ahead had disappeared, revealing a thin trail. The shadows surrounding the entrance abated just a bit.

Wolf and imp followed the trail deeper into the woods. The trees around them grew impossibly taller and impossibly thicker. Some of the trunks they passed by or walked over were larger than a building. Hardy vines encased tree trunks like winter coats and climbed high into their branches, blending with the bountiful canopy. The ground beneath his paws was spongy with moss and leaf litter, and thousands of little leaf-hoppers went flying from every step. The golden wolf was nowhere to be seen.

Link stuck his nose to the ground, searching for anything that might tell him where he should go next. He hardly made it a few steps before a buzzing like a swarm of gnats came from somewhere high above the trees. The world around him shifted, a blur of lush greens and hardy grey trunks. His paws crossed and tripped over one another.

The buzzing stopped. The world stopped. Link found himself standing back at the thicket he'd entered through, several steps back from where he'd just been.

"Ee hee hee! Nope!" a childish voice mocked from somewhere unseen. Link and Midna whirled around, searching for the source. Link sniffed the air, seeking anything that stood out. Only the smells of the forest greeted his senses.

There was no indication that anyone besides them walked this forest.

Link took a few cautious steps forward, veering left this time. He brushed past oversized ferns that recoiled when touched, folding their leaves and shrinking closer to the dirt. Ahead, two near-identical trees with near-identical green growth on them loomed, their roots entwined between them and pushing up from the earth.

As Link drew near, the branches rustled and down fell a figure of brown and grey with a face frozen in a too-wide grin. It bobbed just above the bushes, swaying towards the hero and swiping at him with jagged talons. The monster rattled and squeaked with every motion, and its eyes gleamed red with evil joy.

Link tripped over one of the tree roots in his hasty backpedal, and Midna had to suppress a snort of laughter. The wolf crouched and snarled at the intruder.

"Wolfy, calm down," Midna admonished, placing a small hand on his neck. "It's not real."

What Link had mistaken for some sort of malicious forest spirit was nothing more than a wooden doll, suspended from what appeared to be fishing wire. Its twisted grin was nothing more than finger paint on wood, its claws little more than torn, dried leaves glued onto rocks to form the hands. A flat wooden collar around the thing's "neck" was the source of its strange rattling. Though it was the size of an adult man, it was entirely harmless.

His ears fell. "Chosen Hero" and I continued to be a joke. Link looked up to where the doll had fallen, half expecting to see a child not unlike Talo or Beth hiding in the canopy, playing pranks on whatever wandered into this strange, cursed land.

Nothing moved among the greenery, but that snicker from earlier was still echoing on the wind.

Link looked at Midna, who shrugged. "Pretty creepy place for such a beautiful forest."

The wolf was inclined to agree. He turned from the doll and tried a new direction. He took three steps before the buzzing started, the world shifted, and he was back at the entrance to this strange place once more.

Link growled his frustrations. That doll still taunted him from its place above the tree roots. The rattling made his head feel dense.

The weight of all he'd been through in the last day came boiling up all at once, and the wolf snapped. That doll was the perfect outlet for the violence roaring in his heart. Link lunged for the rattling toy, for its ridiculous grin and its fake claws. The wood splintered between his teeth, but he didn't pay the pain any mind. The only complaints from his prey were in the form of that incessant rattling.

Link was covered in woodchips and scratches from his own carelessness when he finally stopped his assault. Midna, leaning against a nearby trunk, looked on with a slight frown. "Did that make you feel better, Wolfy?"

He snorted, then pressed on through the tangle of roots. Link passed through them with no issue, no world shifting or strange sounds. The roots grew thicker and closer together the further he pressed on. This wooden tunnel twisted and turned for what Link felt was far too long to be natural, leading him further and further from the light.

Why am I even doing this? Was there any point? The Princess was gone, the castle sieged. They stood no chance against Zant, whether Link was a man or a wolf. There was hardly any point in continuing on. Would there even be a Castle Town to return to by the time he got out of here?

Just as it seemed the root tunnel would swallow Link in darkness and bury him along with his doubts, a faint blue light flickered into being at the other end of the tunnel. The wolf kept creeping forward, forced to crawl on his belly through the tightest spots.

Finally, the roots began to lift, and he was able to walk a bit more comfortably under their shade. The blue light ahead gave way to a clearing on the other side. Link stepped out back into the mystical sunlight. A small pond nearby reminded him of just how dry his throat felt.

He wasted no time in plunging his face deep beneath the cool waters. The wolf drank his fill, then rose to see Midna hovering just above the surface, arms crossed. She tapped under his dripping muzzle. "You really should be more careful, Wolfy. It looks like you can't walk just anywhere here."

The wolf shook his head, dowsing her. He didn't bother trying to convey any sort of response. The imp wouldn't understand him, anyways.

Now, where was he going next? His paws ached. Maybe it was time for a break. The wolf flopped beside his pond and gazed into the water.

"Do you really think now is the best time for a nap?" the shadow kept on yapping.

The wolf curled his lip. Why wouldn't it be a great time for a nap? He shot a warning glance to the imp, and Midna's face fell from irritation to one of genuine concern.

"Hey, get up! Come on, we don't have time for this, Link." Midna hopped onto his back and pulled his ear.

Link shook his head and rose to his feet. Right, he was looking for that sword. Because he was supposed to be a Hero, according to everyone but himself. What was that about?

Link looked over his shoulder to Midna, who was eying him closely. "Unless you want to wander this place forever as a wolf, I suggest you start figuring out where to find the Master Sword." She kicked his sides.

Link nodded and focused on his senses, observing the clearing around him. No, he did not want to stay as a wolf. He had so much left to do for Hyrule, for his friends, for the kids who still waited for him to bring them home. …Right?

His ears picked up an unusual sound. It was almost like that of a trumpet, coming from somewhere distant. Link couldn't hear enough to make out any sort of melody or pattern, but it was something. Something new, different. It required investigation. He launched forward, following its call and ignoring the imp pulling at his ears.

Running through this forest felt amazing. How dare she try to stop him? The wolf knew he could easily outlast her incessant whining if he kept running. She would get tired and leave him eventually.

He weaved through the vegetation and dipped back into the tree line. One paw in front of the other, until music cut off and the buzzing started again. The world shifted. Paws flailed in open space, desperately seeking the ground.

When the scene around Link settled, he found the shreds of a wooden doll spread about a cluster of strange, conjoined roots.

"Ee hee hee, watch your step!" The childish voice sang upon the breeze. "Why don't you start over? I'm sure you'll get it this time!"

Given the sorry state Isha had been in when she'd stumbled into the tavern the night before, Telma figured she would be waiting quite a while before the girl was ready to talk at length about whatever had horrified her so. The barkeep had resigned herself to giving Isha space until she was ready to speak. Telma was left to suffer her millions of questions alone, and found herself waking quite early.

She busied herself with tidying up an already-clean dining area. The already-straight chairs got a second pass-through to make sure they were really straight. A clean rag was dragged across the top of every table. It found a few cat hairs to collect, so it was a productive use of her time.

Telma, like the rest of the city, was drawn to the streets when a resounding crack split the morning. As she gazed over the high rooftops at the ominous crystal that encased Hyrule Castle, the barkeep felt her heart sink. So much for their princess on the inside.

Had it been a hundred years ago, perhaps Telma could have done more, could have guaranteed Princess Zelda's safety. Alas, she was not her ancestors, and in no place to aid the royal family. That connection had been severed long ago, for reasons that were never explained to her or any who were not part of that fatal decision. Telma was lucky to know what little her family had kept preserved over the years through beloved bedtime stories.

She wiped her sweaty palms on her apron and returned inside, deciding to prep early for the day. No doubt this latest round of strange happenings would drive even more people to seek solace at the bottom of a bottle. Perhaps she'd call in an extra guard for the night to help manage the expected crowd.

Telma was deep in her pre-open routine when the front door opened slowly. Isha's blonde head poked through the doorway. Tired eyes scanned the dim-lit room and stopped when she locked eyes with the barkeep. Isha tried to smile, though it looked more like a grimace.

"I take it you've seen it too?" The barkeep placed a hand to her hip.

Isha nodded and closed the door behind her. "Koto was hurt trying to get through the barrier."

"Lock that door for me, will you?" Telma sighed and gestured for Isha to sit at the large wooden table where the Resistance usually met.

The young woman did as she was directed, but not before casting a longing look in the direction of her room. When she took her seat, Isha crossed her arms upon the table and laid her head down. Telma swept the dividing curtain closed. "How is the poor boy?" the barkeep asked, taking her own seat across from Isha.

Isha shrugged. "Ashei said he was hurt pretty bad, but would get better. We might visit him once she's off duty."

"Gods above," Telma mumbled. It was all well and good that he'd recover after some time, but Koto was supposed to be Telma's guard for the remainder of the week. Another thing to sort out later. "And what of the swordsman?"

"I don't know." The younger woman buried her face in her arms. "He hasn't come back. Maybe he's still inside. Maybe he isn't, and has decided to go his own way. I wouldn't blame him if he gave up. Ashei said don't assume the worst. Life has not given me reason to assume anything but the worst, lately."

Telma crossed her arms over her chest. "Well, let's assume the worst for a moment. The man marked by the goddesses is stuck in Hyrule Castle, or has otherwise abandoned us. Now what?"

Isha lifted curious eyes to Telma. "… I really don't know," she finally admitted.

"What do you want to do?"

The younger woman did not answer. She began to pick at the skin around her fingers.

"What do you think you should do?" Telma tried once more.

"I don't know," Isha spat. Her dull gaze met Telma's. "These are questions for Link, not me! What can any of us do if there is no Hero? What can any of us do when the gods we've relied on for our entire history do little to protect us from evil? Why send a man from a backwater village to the heart of the kingdom on some grand quest to save the entire realm? Why do the gods themselves do nothing but shove their problems off on mortals who are even less capable of facing them?"

Oh, what Telma wouldn't give to get answers to some of those questions herself. But she could answer the first few. "What did you do for your whole life without a Hero to tell you what to do? Did you simply lock yourself in a room?"

"No!" Isha's tone was defensive. "But that's-"

"Did you need a Hero to tell you to mentor your village's children?"

"No."

"What about when you rescued the ones from Ordon? Needed a Hero for that?"

Isha shook her head.

"Sounds to me like there's plenty we can do without a Hero's presence."

Isha opened her mouth to argue, but stopped herself and looked away, cheeks flushed.

Telma hummed. "So, let's try again, honey. There is no Hero, let's assume that's the case until we're proven otherwise. There's still a barrier around the castle, a mad-shadow-man on the loose, and a hostage princess who thinks all but the little Resistance group has given up faith in her. You know better than anyone in our group what we're up against. What do you want to do about it?"

The young woman sighed and looked everywhere but Telma. Isha shifted her weight, straightening her back just a bit. Her death-grip on the blanket about her shoulders eased just a bit. Telma gave her all the time she needed.

Finally, Isha's gaze returned to Telma. Her eyes were just a bit brighter. "The least I can do is share what I know."

Telma was pleasantly surprised at how freely Isha spoke of all that she'd gone through since the shadow beast attack on Kakariko. She explained her experience with the Light Spirits, meeting the Hero and learning of his mark. Telma learned of a false king of a realm of Twilight named Zant, and every part he played in Hyrule's latest string of mysteries. She learned of Link's wolf form and how he worked alone to rescue the Light Spirit in every province. Isha told her all about her visit with Lanayru, and the lakebed temple.

She only briefly mentioned the aid of a third party, and refused to give further details surrounding them.

The growing daylight outside told Telma she would not be able to continue this conversation for much longer - it was almost lunch time when Isha finally reached the end of her explanation of events. The tavern would need to open soon.

Isha's tale finished. Telma regarded the little fighter before her and smiled. "I knew there was something special about you, honey. Let's call a meeting tonight, and catch everyone else up on what you've been through. Maybe we can work out a new direction, or help you understand what's going on between you and the Spirits."

Telma rose to leave, but Isha stood first, shaking her head. "Just… don't worry about that part of it right now. I still haven't spoken to Faron, and there's this part of me that hopes someone will finally give me a straight answer." She sighed. "I'll stay another night and attend the meeting. If Link doesn't show up by tomorrow, I'll take Epona and travel to Faron."

Telma raised an eyebrow at this. "You sure about that horse?" Epona had been a handful, even with Telma's regular visits and plenty of apples to appease her. It was all Telma could do to keep the stables from throwing her out when she nearly broke down a stall door…

"Well, I'm certainly not walking the whole way there," Isha laughed, though there was little humor in her voice. "I know she's difficult, but maybe getting her out of this busy place will help calm her. If Link hasn't come for her by then, we can assume he's trapped in the castle and…" she trailed off.

"And then we'll see what we need to do next," Telma finished for her with a smile. "It'll be alright, honey. There will always be something we can do."

Isha nodded, and then surprised Telma by holding her arms out for a hug. The embrace was readily welcomed.

"Don't you worry about the end of the world any more. We'll take Hyrule's fate into our own hands, if we have to," Telma departed with a wink. "As long as we stand, Hyrule stands."