The Wanderers

[Din Akera]

Okay so this is something I have been working on, the idea popped into my head several days ago. It is based on the TP map (with specific locations from MM and OoT appearing as well) and several years after Link sealed Ganon in the sacred realm.

Rating PG-13 - violence, and suggestive sexuality
I hope you enjoy! :) And please post feedback!

[Din Akera]

(Sorry for the double post, I did that wrong)

Chapter 1 - "Strangers"

The streets were fairly empty at this time of day. Only a dozen or so more people scurried along on their way home from whatever it was that constituted their day. Dusk was heavily set in over the marketplace and the streets of castle town; the stars were beginning to show themselves in the purple blue sky. A man dressed in the clothing of a warrior was walking through the market enjoying the peaceful scene. The man was broad and somewhat tall in stature, with dark brown hair and deep brown eyes. He wore black pants and well-worn boots. His dark long sleeved shirt hid the thin layer of chain mail, but left the silver-plated arm guards glinting in the yellow glow from the street lantern lights. The warrior appeared to be in his mid 20’s and human enough to walk the streets of Hyrule’s market place. Though, unknown to those walking past him, this man was no human, he was a Dragir in human guise. His race was rare and mostly lived in secret only appearing human. The true form of a Dragir did not provoke kindness as first reaction. This Dragir was used to fear and hatred in reaction to his appearance, and this was for the most part a valid reaction.

The warrior heard a disruption in the quiet streets, a loud shouting and whooping was coming from the voices of many men. Looking ahead and quickening his step he put his hand on his belt where the hilt of his blade hung at his side. Once he was closer, the Dragir could see a large purple, collapsible tent in a grassy area lined with flower boxes. Several men exited the tent and passed by the Dragir laughing and smelling of alcohol. They were jabbering about the excitement of such entertainment having been set up in their town. Curious as to what sort of entertainment had these men so aroused, the Dragir entered the tent to see for himself.

Once through the curtained door the Dragir’s senses were flooded with the new environment. The most obvious were the sounds. He was greeted with the harsh crash of metal shaking followed by loud cheers of the men that had overcrowded the tent. A white haze filled the room from the men’s cigarettes and the smell of alcohol and the smoke was overwhelming. Once his eyes adjusted to the dim lighting and the hazy cloud, the Dragir could see a large cage made of crisscrossed metal situated in the center of the tent. The structure took up quite a large amount of space in the tent and reached all the way to the roof. Two men were inside the cage. One on his hands and knees up against the containing metal, he was bleeding from the nose. The other, walking around the interior holding both fists raised in victory, gaining praise from the crowd. The victor was holding a pair of nun-chucks in his right hand. The Dragir smirked, cage fighting. Now he understood what the hype was all about. Looking around he saw a higher place to stand to get a better view. As he was moving to his new location the cheering died down and voice rose above the rest.

“Alright gentlemen, the time has come to close tonight’s tier, our two winners will now fight each other!” Another round of exclamation rang from the crowd and the announcer, dressed in an odd green outfit, waved them back down. “Betting starts now! Who wants to put money on the one-hit-wonder, the man who puts men on their faces, ten seconds into the round? Or who wants to raise the bar and bet on the underdog?!”

The crowd rang out in applause and catcalls at the mention of the last match of the evening. The fighter holding the nun-chucks seemed unimpressed and cocky about his upcoming fight. The announcer opened a door in the bottom of the cage and much to the Dragir’s surprise a women slipped through into the interior of the arena. She was wearing a black tunic with a red scarf wrapped around her left arm and around the body of the tunic. Knee-high leather hunting boots covered her legs and the hilts of two daggers peaked out the tops of the boots. She had amazingly red hair with a purple tinge to it waving down her shoulders to the middle of her back. The women stood just off center of the ring, eyeing her opponent. The Dragir’s mouth fell open slightly, she was beautiful, but most of all he was amazed at her courage. She must be a good fighter to have made it that far into the tiered battle and he guessed she would be only about nineteen years old. He could not take his eyes off of her.

The man in green’s voice broke through the noise of the crowd again. “Alright! Who will bet on the male fighter who has gone four rounds this evening; none of them lasting more than two minutes in length! This fighter is fresh and ready to go gentlemen! Or, who will bet on the little lady having gone six rounds this evening all lasting more than fifteen minutes, she should be tired boys but she is still standing! And boy does she look ready for anything! Come on folks lets see those rupees!”

As the announcer began to take the money from those that were intoxicated enough to pay up, the Dragir looked the situation over. The male fighter was livening up the crowd. He threw his arms in the air and pounded his fist on his chest, his mind set on the fact that he would win. But the woman was standing watching the man, a look of determination on her face. She was assessing him, watching his movements and shifting her own weight from the ball of one foot to the other, testing her own balance. The Dragir knew from seeing this that she would not be taken easily, this lady was indeed a fighter. Shifting his eyes to the funny shaped hat on the announcer’s head, the Dragir saw an elderly man handing over an entire wallet of rupees as a bet. Shaking his head, the Dragir thought he would never understand the point of throwing away money on an event such as this.

A shrill ding pierced through the air of the tent and all went completely silent. The announcer with the funny green hat entered the cage and stood in the center. The two fighters approached and stood facing each other to either side of him. The announcer did not have to yell anymore because the tent was completely quiet, waiting for the match to begin.

“Once again, to clarify the rules. You may use one weapon of your choice. Two daggers qualifies as one weapon due to their size.” He said looking toward the women. “If either of you possess magic abilities, they are not to be used against your opponent in anyway. Do not kill your opponent, a kill shot should simply be indicated by a close hit once your opponent is unable to defend or respond. Good luck.” The man stepped back and out of the cage. A rumble grew in the throats of the observers and the door of the cage clanged shut. Once again the shrill ding shook through the air in the tent and both fighters immediately jumped into a fighting stance. The crowd erupted in shouts, catcalls, and language of ever kind.

The man took the first swing with the nun-chucks, which the woman easily dodged. She hopped out of reach and sunk into her hips. With a flash she launched herself forward with one fist drawn back headed for the man’s nose. This was also dodged through fast movements of his feet. The two fighters danced around the ring for several minutes with no hits, but sweat and effort pouring out of both of them. The woman spared a quick glance at the announcer who gave her a very subtle nod. The Dragir was observant and witness this exchange. The women quickly looked back to the fight, but this moment had left her open to attack. The nun-chuck hit her dead in the chest and swung around smashing into her chin. Both hits landed with a crack as all the force of a one hit fighter made contact with her body. A roar burst from the crowd at the double hit. Falling backward she slumped against the cage but caught herself with her hands behind her back in the metal. She sagged there for a minute, the other fighter basking in his glory from the crowd, not going for a kill shot chance. The Dragir watched closely and witnessed something he did not expect. The elderly man, who had bet all his money, took his hand out of his pocket, reached up and laid his hand on the writs of the young woman through the bars of the cage. Within a second the woman stood up and resumed her fighting stance, completely energized. The fighter with the nun-chucks smirked and lunged at her, his weapon headed in the same path as the first time. The woman bent and pulled both daggers from her boots. The knife in her left hand met the swinging end of the nun-chuck and deflected it. The right-handed knife came upward with amazing speed and hooked a link in the chain that held the two pieces of the man’s weapon together. Caught off guard by this move the man hesitated giving the woman another second to act. Pulling the dagger and now the man’s weapon across her body she drove the blade into the left side of the man’s body armor trapping his weapon. Angered, the man reached over with his free arm and placed it over the back of her neck, head locking the woman. With an instant reaction she hooked her leg behind the man’s knees and pulled them forward, simultaneously pushing the dagger in the side of his armor upward. These two motions used in combination slipped his arm over and off her head and sent his legs out from under him. In the moment of suspension in which the man hovered horizontally, the woman smashed her foot into the center of his chest and brought her entire weight down on him, driving him into the floor of the arena. With a groan of pain the man lay motionless. Squatting on his chest the woman planted the left-handed dagger beside his head, millimeters from his ear.
A moment of silence hung in the air as the woman delivered the simulated kill shot. The Dragir’s first clap broke the silence and the crowd soon followed his lead and gave her the acknowledgement she deserved. The woman pulled her daggers out of their placements and replaced them in the tops of her boots. She stood and looked at the crowd through the cage. She nodded to the bulk of the crowd as a sort of bow and headed for the door of the cage.

After the event was over the men began to file out of the tent slowly, headed home for the evening. The Dragir did not move from where he had watched the match. He was still fascinated with this woman’s performance. He wondered about the two exchanges he saw during the battle. Why did she need confirmation from the announcer and why did the elderly man touch her through the cage? While these questions and the supposed answers ran through his head, the Dragir watched the elderly man approach the announcer and hold out his hand with a smile. The man who had collected the rupees earlier rolled his eyes and shrugged his shoulders. The announcer handed over the man’s winnings after betting on the woman, a rather large sum by the look of it. The elderly man kindly smiled, took his money and headed for the door. The red headed woman also walked up to the announcer, but only once the majority of the spectators had left. He handed her a small purse, which she swiftly stuffed into her boot. She nodded at him politely and went to a corner of the tent where a small bag was laying. She picked up the black bag and removed several items, weapons to be specific. The woman slung a larger quiver and longbow onto her back and tied a two-handed long-sword to her belt. She left the bag where it lay and headed for the exit. The Dragir wanted to know more about this woman. She must come from somewhere special, she was no ordinary girl.

The Dragir followed the young fighter from the tent back into the grassy area of the castle market place. He walked several feet behind her as not to give her notice of his presence. Once outside the Dragir saw the woman talking to the elderly man from inside. Just as before, as with the announcer, the girl took a small purse from the elderly man and stuffed it into her boot. She shook his hand and headed off down the street at a rather swift pace.

Curiosity got the better of the Dragir. He had to talk to her, find out where she came from. He did not know why, but he was drawn to her. Quickening his steps the Dragir followed the young woman down two streets and around several corners. Turing the last corner where she had gone the Dragir found himself on an empty street. She was gone, simply disappeared. Confused for a minute he looked back and forth for any sign of her. Then he heard a small sound from behind him, he knew the sound well, for he had been in many battles, it was an arrow leaving a quiver. The Dragir spun around and drew his blade in preparation for what he might see. He found himself staring into a pair of red-brown eyes glaring at him from behind a strung arrow pointed at his forehead. The Dragir could not believe his eyes. She was even more striking up close. Only slightly shorter than him, he could see the defined muscles of a trained fighter and one or two battle scars on her skin. Her hair flickered under the lantern lights like the flames of a wild fire.

“Why are you following me?” Her melodic voice did not match her current stance, yet it was harsh and accusatory. The Dargir shifted his own stance from an aggressive one to a more defensive position. The woman pulled the string of the bow back father at his movement. Stopping short as not to provoke her, the Dragir spoke.
“I mean you no harm.” He loosened his grip on the hilt of his blade and let it swing to point at the ground. He raised both hands in front of him. The woman’s expression softened slightly, but she did not lower her weapon. The Dragir continued, trying to calm her nerves. “You fight very well and I was curious as to where you trained.” The woman lowered her bow and relaxed the tension on the string. A mixture of relief and frustration swept onto her face.
“That’s the question I always receive.” She said, still rather coldly. The Dragir looked at her waiting for further reaction.
“I…I’m sorry if that upsets you… I…” The Dragir searched for the right words. “I wished to speak with you. I wanted to introduce myself.” At these words the woman’s expression softened and her stance relaxed. She dropped her arm holding the bow, pointed it at the ground and replaced the arrow in its quiver.
“My name is Rad.” The Dragir held out his hand in offering. After a moment of hesitation the woman extended her free arm and took his hand.
“They call me Din.” A quick flash of a smile appeared on her lips. Unsure of how to continue Rad simply smiled back at her.
“Were you headed somewhere? I’m sorry if I am keeping you.” Rad let go of her strong hand and motioned to the street where she had been heading.
Din hesitated, “No…not really.”
“Would you like to join me at 'The Milk Bar,' it's the lounge in town? I was going to have a drink.” A joking smile crossed Rad’s face. “Celebrate your win?”
A single giggle escaped Din’s throat and a smile appeared in full on her face. She thought about the offer for a minute, looking at this friendly stranger with curious eyes. She was unsure why, but she felt as though this man was different from the others that had approached her after seeing her fight. “Okay. Sure.” She said with a small smile.

(end chapter one)

[Din Akera]

Would love some feedback. But with 24 views, I'll keep posting.

Chapter 2 – “Friends”

Loud laughter filled ‘The Milk Bar.’ Several people were enjoying themselves with friendly conversation and banter late into the night. Rad and Din sat at one of the tables exchanging stories that were rather humorous. The two had been talking for a couple hours by this point and were past their first few rounds of drinks.
“So the pike is sticking out of the guy’s helmet! And I’m thinking to myself, ‘oh great, this is only training and one of us is dead already.’ But the lad stood back up, and removed the piece of armor. The thing got wedged in his bloody erring! So of course we never could get him to take it off after that, he believed it saved his life!” Rad was enjoying making the beautiful girl laugh. She had loosened up considerably once they had begun talking about other things than her fighting. After her laughter calmed Rad looked at her with more serious eyes. He was still curious about what he had witnessed that evening.
“So, tell me something Din…”
“What would you like to know?” She snickered.
“What was all that about tonight? I saw you look at the fight announcer partway through the match. And why did the elderly man touch you through the bars?”

Din’s expression changed from the laughter to seriousness. This vanished quickly and was then replaced by defeat. “You really want to know?” She stared him straight in the eyes. “I’m a woman of great morals, Rad, but sometimes you have to cheat a bit to make it anywhere in life. I have a hard time holding a steady job. But that’s mostly because I can’t stay in one place to long without becoming restless. So I make a living by moving around Hyrule and ‘performing,’ so to speak, for money. Cage matches, archery, unarmed combat and even a little magic competition.”
“Magic?” Rad was surprised to hear the word come out of her mouth.
“Yes, magic.” She stuttered a little bit. “I don’t know why I am telling you this. Probably because I am a little drunk.” She laughed and smiled at him.
“What kind of magic, Din?” The man seemed fascinated with her and the mention of her abilities, though she didn’t understand why.

Din looked at him for a minute. She rarely told anyone about what she could do let alone show someone when it wasn’t necessary, but what the heck one won’t hurt, she thought. Din reached over and picked up a lonely napkin. Glancing over both shoulders to make sure no one was watching Din held the napkin up in between them in her right hand. Suddenly the napkin went up in a burst of flame, burning it. The flames went out almost instantly. If Rad had blinked, he would have missed it. Shock rocked through his mind, he had not expected that. She looked at him and grinned. “That isn’t it though.” she added. “Give me your hands.” Din held out both hands, palms up toward him across the table. He looked at them for a minute and then decided to trust her. He placed his hands in hers. Quite quickly Rad’s hands became extremely cold, as if they had been on ice for a period of time. Shocked he jerked his hands away from Din’s. She giggled a little at his reaction. “Hey, you asked” She shrugged.
A little confused Rad wanted an explination. “So fire… and heat?” he asked while rubbing his hands together.
“Sort of. I can create and manipulate fire to some extent. Heat, on the other hand, is more of an energy source rather than ability. I can pull it out of anything that is hot or warm or push it out of me into an object or person.” She explained.

Understanding grew in Rad’s mind. “So, when you were tired in between matches you could pull heat, or I guess energy out of the people in the room?” Din nodded at him once. “And when you were injured tonight and that man touched you threw the cage… He gave you heat as energy?”
Once again the woman smiled and nodded. “He and I have a bit of a deal. You see, he can’t work anymore but he is trying to support himself, his wife, and his son. So he bets on me and gives me energy if I need him, I win, he gets a killing of money, and he shares part of it with me.”
Rad stared at her as he processed what she was telling him. “And the announcer?”
“Oh, yeah. It’s a similar situation. Having a woman beat the guys in an unbelievable turn of events is really good for business. So I play weak until he gives me the signal. Then I go for it. The announcer and the old man don’t know about each other though.” She giggled on her last sentence.
“Well you certainly have things figured out for yourself here don’t you, Din.”
She shrugged. “I guess, but like I said, I don’t stay in one place to long.”
Rad looked at this beautiful woman with disbelief. She was so cunning and such a well-trained fighter. This was something he had never seen in such quantity in a woman before.
“I hope you don’t think poorly of me Rad, just because I swindle men out of their money to survive.” She poked at him playfully.
He laughed at this. “No. No. Not at…” Rad trailed off as loud yells were heard from outside the door of The Milk Bar. Both warriors stopped and looked toward the door at the source of the disturbance.

There was stillness in the space for a moment. Rad and Din looked at each other and back at the door. Rad’s hand found it’s way to the hilt of his sword. Suddenly the door burst open, swinging all the way around and smashing into the wall, the cold night air filing into the bar. The man who Din had defeated in the cage marched through the door with three other men following close behind. All of them were obviously aggravated.

Din and Rad quickly looked at each other across the table, then back at the angered men. Din slipped out of her chair to the back corner of the bar. She hoped they hadn’t seen her. She knew why his man was here, and why he had brought his friends; she had been in this situation before. She looked around for a way out. The bar was set low into the ground. They had come down a full flight of stairs to sit at one of the tables across from the counter. This left little options for escape. There were no windows and only the one visible door, currently blocked by her former opponent and his friends. How was she going to get out of here? She’d rather disappear than start a fight in a bar… Rad straightened in his seat. His eyes swept over the four men, also understanding their motivation. Rad began assessing each of them. Only the man Din had defeated held a sword. The other three had various forms of street weapons. One held a wooden bat, another a heavy metal chain, and the last a piece of pipe. Their leader’s eyes swept the bar looking for the redhead who had humiliated him. Rad stood and turned his back to them hiding Din from their sight.
“Okay, we can make it out of this easy” Rad looked over his shoulder at them.
She looked up at him, staying as hidden as she could behind him. “I don’t like public fights, then tend to end badly. I’m usually asked to leave town.”
Rad snickered. “I know what you mean there. Use the counter to get to the stairs.” Rad turned around and began to walk away from Din. She quickly did as she was told and jumped behind the counter. She started to inch toward the stairs squatting and holding the counter for balance.
“Gentlemen.” Rad’s voice rung out through the bar “We don’t want any trouble here. We are all trying to enjoy a nice social gathering--”
“I don’t care!” The fighter cut Rad off. “I know she is here, she isn’t anywhere else in the town! That redhead is not the best fighter around, and she needs to know it!”
“Well, obviously she isn’t here” Rad gestured around the bar. “So why don’t you all sit down and have a drink and calm down, or be on your way.” The man eyed Rad.
“I think we will.” The man said with a cold tone. He gestured for his buddies to sit at the counter. “Maybe we will have a drink or two.” The man walked over to the counter and leaned on it hard, his expression sour. The man knew this game; it was too easy. He leaned over and saw Din hiding underneath the counter. Within seconds his face turned to pure rage. A holler rang from his mouth as he threw everything on the counter to the ground with one sweep of his arm. Placing both hands on the counter he jumped on top of it, headed for Din.

Before he could make it any farther a set of unusually strong hands grabbed him by the back of his shirt, pulling him off the counter to the floor. Rad threw the man down and drew his weapon, pointing it at the man’s neck. Jumping from her hiding spot, Din ran to the other end of the bar to the stairs leading to the exit. Looking back she saw the other three men descending on Rad. Without hesitation she drew her daggers and raced back. Upon reaching them she leaped onto the back of the man with the pipe. Holding the dagger to his throat and restraining both his arms with hers in a headlock, she threatened them all.
“Move and I’ll kill him or he will kill your leader.” She growled nodding to Rad. The other two men froze, looking completely shocked. The leader lay on the floor, both hands up in a surrender position, with a look of complete hatred on his face. His sword having slid out of reach in the fall was useless to him with Rad’s sword in his face.
“I WILL kill you! And your little friend here too!” The man’s rage was coming out of him in heaps as he yelled at Din.

Din and Rad’s eyes met. ‘Okay, now what?’ Din’s thoughts were racing as she tried to figure out the next best course of action. Planning had never been her strong suit, just winning the fight. Rad’s eyes flickered to the man holding the bat and then back to Din. Very slightly he jerked his head in the direction of the bat. After a moment of thought Din understood. Holding her hostage tight see looked at the man with the bat.
“You should probably get some ice for that.” The man’s confused expression matched the noise that came from his throat. Just then the bat went up in a huge flare of red and orange flame.
“HAAAA!!” The man holding it let go and dropped his burning weapon to the floor. At this same instance Rad swung his sword and shattered the chain in the hands of the third intruder.
“GO!” Rad’s order filled the room and Din responded immediately. She threw the man she was holding forward and took off for the stairs. The man with the pipe stumbled a little but regained his balance quickly. Before Rad was able to get past him, the man swung the hunk of metal. With an easy dodge Rad turned and smashed the side of his blade into the man’s weapon. Rad hit with such force that the pipe left the other man’s hand and flew across the bar. Leaving him holding his wrist in pain, Din and Rad took off for the door at a full run. They broke out into the street and took off down the road knowing that they would be followed. Hurtling around a couple corners and running as fast as they could down the streets of Castle Town they began to laugh. Rad’s words broke through their giggles. “To the field! They’ll never follow us that far.” Din flowed him easily, her legs not much shorter than his. They reached the tall eastern gates and slipped through without a word from the guard standing watch. Once they hit the grass the two runaways slowed to a walk. They were both breathing a bit faster from the adrenalin.
“Well that was fun!” Din laughed.
“Yes it was.” Rad smiled at her as they set into a walking pace. They kept moving until they were well away from the town walls and partway to the Eldin province. After a few moments to catch their breath Din broke the silence.
“Alright, Rad of Manthys, so now you know all about me. How about yourself?” Din asked dancing playfully away from him and looking at the stars. She was in such a good mood, she couldn’t remember the last time she had felt this way. Rad walked over to where she had stopped and looked up as well. The stars were something Rad treasured. No matter where he went, or what he did, they were always there. The same stars, watching over him forever.
“My story is a pretty long one.” He said matter of factly while lowering himself to the ground. He pondered as he looked up at the sky; he didn’t know what to tell her.
“That’s alright,” she joined him on the soft grass of the ground. “Then just tell me what you think is most important, friend.” Rad turned his head fast and looked at her when he heard the last word. That was something he was not used to hearing, he didn’t know how to respond. Din was taken aback at his reaction. “I…I’m sorry. I just wanted to try it out. It’s not something I get to say to often. But that guy said it back in the bar, and I thought ‘well, just maybe.’” She looked down at her hands in her lap, a little embarrassed.
Rad shook his head. “Don’t be sorry. I’m just not used to hearing it.” He smiled at her. ‘Friend.’ It had a nice ring to it. They sat for a moment in silence looking up at the night sky, now beginning to lighten behind the mountains to the east.
“I have lived a very full life. I don’t know where I should start.” Rad’s tone had grown much more serious, but he tried to give a woof of a laugh on the last word. Rad knew exactly what he should tell her, especially after she opened up to him. She had come to his aid too. She could have just left him once she got a break for the door in the bar, but she came back to fight alongside him. What’s more, she wanted to be his friend, which was something that Rad could not take lightly. But if he told her he wasn’t human she might abandon that notion. Yet, he couldn’t lie to her. Din looked at him, her eyes curious.
“Din… I’m--”
“Ms. DIIIIIINNN!!” A nasally male voice rang out and cut Rad’s sentence short. Looking up they saw a man running toward them from the northwest. He wore a white shorts suit, a red hat, and carried a backpack with a large sign on his back. The postman jogged up to where Din and Rad sat. “I have an urgent letter for you from the Desert province.” The man pulled out an envelope from his backpack and held it out to Din.
“Thank-you.” Din reached up and took the piece of paper from him. Before she looked up from it the delivery the man was already jogging off toward the Eldin province. The morning sun, now peaking over the top of Death Mountain, made Din shield her eyes with her arm to see the man go.

Glancing at Rad Din didn’t think see would have any need to save it for later. Looking at the envelope Din tore one end open and pulled out the letter inside, upon doing so a flurry of sand fell out and caught the wind. Rad watched as she unfolded the piece of paper and began to read. Her body stiffened after only the first couple sentences and her eyes grew wide with horror. Jumping to her feet Din franticly began to read faster.
Rad’s concern brought him to a standing position beside her and he laid his hand on her shoulder in a comforting gesture. “What? What is it?”

(End chapter 2)

[Atsuma]

I have read both parts now. The first part was very good, I rarely saw any mistakes there. The second part was also very good, but I did find like five or six typos there, or mistakes if you will. Those do not take anything from this great story, though, and I am not saying that just because Rad, my character, has appeared on both ocassions. No, it's a neat little story you have going here, LinkAndI, keep it up. I do appreciate a good read. :D

I am already looking forward for part three.

[Din Akera]

Thank-you, I appreciate the feedback. If i could get where those mistakes are form you at some point that would be awesome :)

Chapter 3 – “Companions”

Din’s face flashed between many emotions but finally settled somewhere between fear and anger once she finished the letter she had received. She shook her head from side to side as she processed the information. Feeling Rad’s hand on her shoulder she looked at him, disbelief in her eyes.
“My… my home has been attacked.” Her words stumbled out and her eyes glazed over as she attempted to process the news.
“By what?” Rad’s voice was empathetic but serious. There had been little evil in the world since the hero of time banished the evil king to the sacred realm. Rad had witnessed the event.
“The prisoner.” Din whispered looking downward. “The prisoner of Arbiter’s Grounds.”
Rad looked at her for a minute trying to understand. He had never been to the desert province of Hyrule, and he had heard very little about it, other than it was hard to get there. Rad ran through all that he knew about the harsh Desert province. He had heard that even if you did make it there, the desert was a dangerous place where only a handful of creatures could survive. He knew that the desert was the dwelling of the Gerudo and that they allowed no outsiders near their land. He also knew of the fortress that stood in the name of their race and the prison, build hundred of years ago to hold the unbanishable evils of the world.
“Gerudo desert is your home?” Rad’s thoughts were running around in circles. “but, I thought you were--”
“I don’t know what I am.” She cut him off before he could finish, her tone cold. “And it really doesn’t matter. I have to do something.” Din began to pace back and forth thinking hard. “I have to go back, I have to help them. She says the prisoner left the province, but Arbiter’s Grounds and the fortress are severely damaged.” She looked over to him.
Rad looked back at her. “Well, I guess we will need some supplies then, and some transportation. We need to get some stock of food and water, maybe a potion or two, to make it through the desert alive.” Rad began plotting in his head everything that would be required for this type of adventure.
“You… you want to come?” Disbelief broke from Din’s lips as she starred at him.
Rad stopped and looked up at her. “Yes…I’ll help you. That is… if you want me.”
The two looked at each other for a minute. Emotion began to form in Din’s eyes, and she smiled weakly at him. Quickly clamping her eyes shut she forced back everything that was coming out. With a deep breath she spoke.
“Thank-you.”
Rad threw her a smile and lightly set his hand in the center of her back, leading her forward. His mind then went back to business. “Like I said we will need to stock up, and it might be of use to get some more weapons.” Rad began to lead her east, to the Eldin province boarder just up ahead. They had moved just over half way across the field during the night.
“Where are we going? The desert is to the west.” She pointed out.
“Yes, but Kakariko is just in the valley. They have plenty of stock, and I have some friends there.”
Din nodded with understanding. She had never been to Kakariko Village. She knew it was at the base of Death Mountain, but she had never made it that far in her travels.

East Hyrule took an hour or two to cross to the Eldin province on foot, but Din was well aware of when they reach the new area. The ground turned from grass and earth to stone and dust. The mountains rose around them and the valley fell beside them. They continued walking in silence until Din’s senses became aware that the landscape was changing again. The walls of rock on either side of them began to widen and the ground underneath their feet became much more flat. But what she was most aware of was the sound and smell of fresh water. Sure enough, as they rounded a corner in the rocks, buildings appeared as well as people and animals. A small group of children were playing in the center of the well-beaten pathway through the village. Chickens pecked away at the ground around the feet of a donkey and a few horses, and people moved in and out of the houses and shops that were built into the sides of the rock faces.
“Welcome to Kakariko.” Rad smirked at her and headed for a dome shaped building that was the closest building to them. Hurrying behind him Din followed him through the door into a dimly lit one-room building that appeared to be some kind of sanctuary or church.
“Renado?” Rad called into the open space.
After a moments pause a Man dressed in robes appeared through a door in the back wall that Din had not noticed before. The man looked at the two of them and a huge smile spread across his face and he approached quite quickly.
“Rad! Oh it is good to see you again!” The two men shook hands. Renado straightened and looked toward the lady Rad had brought with him. “and who might this be? A special friend Rad?”
Rad glanced at Din. “This is Din. She’s…” He let the thought go. “We need some supplies Ren, we have a quest ahead of us.”
“Ah! So companions then.” Renado closed the thought, sensing the hesitation. “Well, we have plenty to choose from. Though I have something just for you. It seems like something you could use.” Renado walked to the wall and removed a battleaxe from a hanger. “This, will do you well battle.” Renado handed it to Rad and began patting a small leather bag that hung around his neck with the tips of his fingers. “If you know what I mean.”
Rad nodded, “Thank-you.”
“You should stop by Barnes on your way out too. He has some new toys since you last came to town. And of course Malo will have everything you need for a trip.” Renado smiled at both of them. “It was very nice to meet you Din.” The man approached her and held out his hand. She shook it and smiled back.
“Yes, you too sir.”

Rad took Din to the two other places Renado had mentioned. The Malo Mart had stock on food, bottles of water, and potions as well as arrows, slate for sword and knife sharpening, and a variety of other necessities for travel. Barnes, she had learned, was a bomb shop. The man in the wielding mask behind the counter had given her a free sample of his new invention, bomb arrows. Din was very excited for the new weapon, especially because she new she would have no problem lighting them at any given moment. Din had to remind Rad that he didn’t need to purchase matches or lantern oil at the Malo Mart with her around. When the two of them had left the store Renado was standing at the exit to the town with two massive warhorses.
“I was guessing you might be in need of some transportation?” Renado smiled at he two of them and handed the bridles over. Din was stunned at this gesture, two war horses…Rad must have a really good reputation with this guy.
“Well, thank-you Ren.” Rad took grey-black colored horse and mounted up immediately. Din took the reins of the brown horse who had a beautiful black mane and tail. She mounted easily as well.
Rad looked down at the man, “We’ll be seeing you around then Ren, thank-you for all this. It is all very well and very pleasing.” Rad smiled at him.
“I’m glad my friend. Happy traveling.” Renado turned and went back into the building from which he came without another word. Din noticed a different tone in the last sentences the two men had exchanged, but she could not understand it’s purpose or place what the hidden meaning was.
(Chapter continues)

[Din Akera]

Rad kicked his horse into motion and the two set out westward from the village. For the next couple minutes Din explained how to get from Lanayru province into the desert province.
“The path isn’t through Lake Hylia as most people think. They try to go through there with little success. There is a passage that runs right along the boarder of Peak province. It is mountain cliff and desert sand, and by no means easy to navigate, but it is the best way to make the transition.”
The travelers fell into an easy pace; the horses moving quickly across the rocky passage from Hyrule field to where Lanayru and Peak met in the middle. They rode together in silence. Rad, deep in thought about what was to come, and how he could help this girl who he’d just met. He still didn’t understand why he was so drawn to her. All he knew was that he felt he should stay with her. Din was also lost in her own mind, thinking about where she had been, and this man that had become the closest thing to a real friend she had ever had, and in such a short time. She did not understand how she could trust him so fast, but she knew she did.
Nightfall landed almost at the same time that they reached the pass. The two decided not to try and navigate the rock cliff in the dark. They tied the horses and settled down for the night. Both of them lay beside each other on their backs looking at the sky.
“This is becoming our pastime, Rad.” Din giggled as she traced shapes in the sky with her eyes.
“Yeah, sure is…”
Din though about how to approach all the questions she had for him. She didn’t want to upset him. “So…How do you know Renado?”
Rad’s expression did not change, but his thoughts began running at the speed of light. What could he tell her?
“We met several years ago in Kakariko.” He said.
Din was confused with the half-hearted response. “And you became good friends?”
“You could say that.”
Din sat upright and folded her legs under her. She was frustrated with the lack of answers he had been giving her. Not just now, but since they met. He seemed so interested in her. Yet, he rarely answered her questions. Maybe she wasn’t right to have trusted him so quickly. Rad saw the flash of frustration on her face as she moved away from him. A wave of guilt moved through his stomach as her face disappeared from his view behind her hair. He knew exactly why she was upset.
“Din…I…I can’t…” Rad trailed off.
“No, I get it.” She said looking at her hands in her lap.
Rad sat up and looked at the back of her hair as she was slightly in front of him. He struggled with himself for a minute, could he really tell her of all he’d done.
“No. I would like to answer you, I just don’t know how.”
Din looked back at him over her shoulder, waiting.
With a moment of hesitation Rad shifted to one hip to sit beside her, trying to look her in the eyes. Din rotated herself as well so that she was facing him, giving him what he was looking for.
“Din…” He began again. “I haven’t always been a good creat--person.” He cut himself off as the word started to come out. He was too comfortable with her, and he was upset with himself for it in that moment. But he knew that he needed to be on some level, otherwise their friendship would end. “I have done some horrible things, none of which I am particularly proud of. I have been trying to clean up my life and do good.” Rad looked off into the desert for a minute as the thoughts and emotions of the past began coming back to him. Din tilted her head and caught his eye with hers. Slowly she reached out and very gently placed two fingers on his chin. She turned his face back to hers.
“Rad, you are a good creature and person. I have seen it.” She dropped her hand back to her lap. She had caught the word before Rad had been able to hold it back. “So maybe you have some bones in your closet, but… you have shown me good, and only good.”
“I have killed. Killed people, people who did not deserve to die. Din, I am not…good” Anger was mounting in his voice. A deep breath escaped him. “I try to be.”
Din looked him deep in the eyes. “That’s all anyone could ask.”
Rad looked at her with disbelief. Did she hear him? He wasn’t sure. How could she accept that so easily?
“I can’t tell you why” Din began, “but for some reason I feel that I can trust you. Which is something I have rarely found, so as long as you will trust me, I will trust you.” She turned her head to the side and looked up at him.
“I don’t understand it either. But I feel like we…were meant to meet.” Rad looked at her and struggled for the right words. Din smiled, she was satisfied that he had opened up to her, even just a little bit. She valued him on a level she had never understood before. The two went back to watching the stars and eventually drifted off to sleep.

Rad woke with the first peak of the morning sun over horizon. Rad looked at the woman asleep only a couple feet away from him. She lay there sleeping soundly, her hair covering part of her face. Rad reached over and slid his finger under the piece of hair in her face; gently he pushed it back behind her ear. Rolling to his side and sitting up he looked toward the desert pass with determination. He was going to do and be good. He was going to do everything he could to help her. Rad reached over and placed his hand on her shoulder.
“Din. Wake up.” He shook her gently. Din stirred and opened her eyes. She looked up at him, smiled and stretched.
“You want to go home now?” he said quietly.
Din’s expression fell and she sat up. She nodded slowly. “Yes, let’s go.”
The two packed up, mounted their horses and began to pick their way across the uneven and rock thrown path. It took from dawn until just before noon until they hit the soft sand of the desert province. Both dismounted and lead the horses, as it was difficult for them to maneuver on the uneven and shifting ground.
“There is a stable in that rock. An…owl of sorts lives there and takes care of the Gerudo horses because they don’t do very well in the sand.” Din and Rad felt their horses with the owl as she had said and walked the rest of the way to Gerudo fortress. When they reached a low path through two high reaching cliffs on either side of them and the ground turned from sand to rock Din grabbed Rad’s arm and stopped him. “Okay. How do I say this… the Gerudo don’t take too kindly to men. Only one man is born every hundred years and the last one didn’t go over very well, but I think you know that story. If you are attacked, do not engage. They won’t hurt you only restrain you. I will need to explain your presence.” Without further word Din marched down the path between the rocky cliffs and Rad followed her cautiously.
As they got closer Rad could see stonewalls rising above the cliff on the right; large clouds of black smoke billowing out from portions of them. Din began to walk faster as she saw the smoke coming from the place she used to call home. Just then, the sound of rushing air broke the silence. Rad looked up to see two women jumping of the cliff from above him. The first hit him in the center of the chest and used her weight to throw him to the ground. Reacting out of instinct Rad reached up and grabbed her preparing to throw her off of her superior battle position. The second reacted to Rad’s movement and thrust a pike in his face.
“Rad, NO!” Din’s voice broke through his thoughts. “Don’t fight!” Rad remembering only then what she had told him. Raising his hands to a surrender position Rad did not struggle against the attackers. Din was right beside the woman who landed on him and she placed her hand on her shoulder. “Ella, it’s me, Din.” The woman turned and looked at Din, relaxing her stance. Din breathed easy. “He is with me. He is my…partner.” Din was not sure how to refer to him.
This seemed to satisfy Ella and she stepped back from him. “Avail has been waiting for you.” The woman threw a glance at the man on the ground. Din reached down and offered a hand to Rad. He took it and stood. Ella turned on her heels and began to walk toward the fortress.
“Hard part is over.” Din whispered into Rad’s ear. The two of them followed Ella into the fortress. She led them down several different passages and through many doors. Rad felt like he was in a maze that he could never get out of after all the twists and turns. But Din seemed at ease, so he trusted her. As he said he would.
They reached a high ceilinged room that had a large dirt floored open ring in the center, appearing to resemble a training center, complete with seating on both sides of the room. But the ring had bedrolls and assorted forms of living necessities laying in rows within it rather than being cleared for battle. Two guards stood on either side of the seating on the right side of the ring holding pikes with sharp blades on the end. They wore purple Gerudo attire and looked at the group as they entered the room. Sitting in between the guards was a woman dressed in red clothing, creating a huge contrast between herself and all the other Gerudo women. She sat on the lowest seat of the benches with her head in her hands.
“Avail?” Din’s question made the woman look up and toward the source of the voice. Din hurried over and fell to her knees on the dirt floor in front of the leader of the gerudo. They took each other’s hands and looked at each other for a long moment with no words. Rad noted the connection between the two women. They looked completely different from each other, obviously of different races, but their actions showed the relationship of mother and child.
“He grew to strong Din.” Avail’s voice was shaky with emotion. “He broke loose of the chains and brought down the walls of the grounds. He came directly here and destroyed as much as he could as fast as he could. We are sleeping in the training ring for goddesses sake!” She gestured to the bedrolls and tears welled up in her eyes. “Din. He has threatened to release the others…”
Worry creased Din’s forehead at this news. She looked downward for a moment. Looking back up at Avail, she spoke. “Mother, I won’t let it happen.”
Avail looked at her and then over at Rad. “Who is this?”
“This is my friend, Rad. He is a very skilled fighter as well.”
Avail looked at Rad with a serious expression and tears in her eyes. “Ark Mantrios, the great demon, has escaped from Arbiter’s Grounds. He plans to release the other three unbanishable demons from their dwelings…” THe leader of the Gerudo stood and walked to stand in front of Rad. She looked him drectly in the eyes. “Rad, will you help her?”
Rad was taken aback at first. If all three unbanishable demons walked the lands of Hyrule, it would surely become a world of chaos. This was indeed his chance to turn his reputation around. The goddesses had sent him a piece of fate.
“Of course ma’am.” Rad nodded in a bit of a bow. He was not sure how to address the leader of the Gerudo race. Din looked at him with happiness in her eyes and worry on her mouth. “We can do this together Din.” He assured her.
Her warm smile spread across her face. They were certainly going to have an adventure. Four unbanishable demons to deal with…
(End chapter)

[Atsuma]

I just finished reading chapter 3. Again, a few typos here and there but don't worry about it, I enjoyed reading it. I know I've said this like twice already, I will pm you the mistakes in red soon. You can either choose to edit them or leave them as they are, up to you. Can't wait for chapter 4. XD

So Rad, Din and the clique have three demons to dispose of, eh? lol. Cool. I wish I knew more about Gerudo and the game you are basing this on, I really have a hard time imagining a Gerudo and the places and such. Also, I had a hard time reading the story...it's all crowded. Maybe if you separated the paragraphs apart like I do, that would help out. It will make the story look longer but it will be a better read and neat looking, trust me. *Winks*

[Din Akera]

Okay, thank-you very much for the feedback. I will space it out more. You see when I type it out in Word there are tabs, but the type boxes here don't take tabs, so it comes out looking different.
Thank-you! :)

[Atsuma]

Okay, thank-you very much for the feedback. I will space it out more. You see when I type it out in Word there are tabs, but the type boxes here don't take tabs, so it comes out looking different.
Thank-you! :)

I know what you mean. It happened to me too but now when I paste it here it comes out already separated so I don't have to do anything. XD It took me some time to do the separating but it's worth it. Also, just so you can know, the feedback I give is intended to help you, not to hurt you or anything. I make mistakes too, and so any feedback I get really helps me out. So I am not here to criticize your writing, rather help you with it. ^^

[Myriadviper42]

Nice writing. So Ark's coming back. But isn't he in the adult timeline?

[Din Akera]

Nice writing. So Ark's coming back. But isn't he in the adult timeline?

This story is a break off story. I'm not concerning myself much with timelines. The only thing that I'm dealing with is that this is after Acendency of the Last to accomidate Rad. But yes, I had to bend the death of Ark into him being confined rather than killed so that it can be after Ganondorf has been banished. This was explained at the beginning of the thread.

Does that clear it up?

[Myriadviper42]

Yeah, that clears it up. Nice writing, like I said before.

[Din Akera]

Yeah, that clears it up. Nice writing, like I said before.

Thank-you. Pieces of the next chapter have been written but school is in the way right now, so I havn't had time to work on it.
I'm glad you enjoyed it.:)

[Hazel]

It's brilliant. I can't wait to see the rest. Please let me know where and when you post it!!!

[Din Akera]

It's brilliant. I can't wait to see the rest. Please let me know where and when you post it!!!

Thank-you Hazel. I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)
So anyone who is following it know, I have jumped around in my writing a bit, so there are pieces written that do not follow in order yet. Chapter 4 is in progress. I am sorry for the delay, but school and life are busy, as a result, it is difficult to work on it all the time.

I appreciate all the feedback! Thank-you everyone!

[arkvoodle]

:O Wow! That was great! Heh. Ark Mantrios "The Great Demon" *smiles smugly* Heh heh heh...

Great work Din! I can't wait to read the rest of the story!

[Din Akera]

:O Wow! That was great! Heh. Ark Mantrios "The Great Demon" *smiles smugly* Heh heh heh...

Great work Din! I can't wait to read the rest of the story!

lol! Yes, and you are on your way to free your trusty friend Hazel, another great demon. :) I'm glad you enjoyed it friend! lol.

And now I will leave you all with the shock of the middle of this chapter, without the rest of it, because it isn't done yet! lol, enjoy.

---------- Post added at 12:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:43 PM ----------

Chapter 4 – “Teammates”

Rad and Din had made it back to Hyrule field just after dark that day. Avail had seen them off with a word of caution and all the supplies she could give them. The two fighters had collected their horses and picked their way back across the path in exceptionally good time. They stopped in the same spot where they had rested on the way to the desert. Rad sat propped up against a large rock as Din tied their mounts for the night. When she had finished she walked over and sat down beside him.

“So, if I were Ark, I would go and release the demon held in the forest first,” Rad began, “it’s closest and the easiest to get to.”

Din nodded. “I know very little about the demons. All I know was that the hero of time chose to imprison them rather than kill them to make a point of eternal damnation. But other than that…”

“I know quite a bit about all of them.” Rad stated. He had been present in Hyrule when the hero had imprisoned each of them in their supposedly unbreakable cells. The Dragir had lived through many different historical events, but this one was one of the most remembered for him. He had decided to leave the side he had been fighting for and find something better to do with himself. “They are all made from dark magic and therefore cannot be banished to the sealed dark realm. They can be killed though. It won’t be easy by any terms, but it is possible.”

“Are they human in form?” Din asked him.

“The true form of each of them is human-like. But they each have a beast form.”

Din nodded. She was not overly interested in all the details at this point. They had to travel all the way to Faron province in the south. They would have lots of time to discuss what was to come. The two were silent for a long moment, then Din smirked.

“She likes you, you know. You should be very proud of yourself.”

Rad looked at her, confused. “Who?”

“Avail.” Din looked over at him and smiled. “Not only that, she asked for your help. That is probably first time in Gerudo history that a Gerudo leader asked for the help of a man. Well, I guess it would be the second.” She giggled a little.

Rad smiled. “Well I’m glad she likes me.” Rad thought about how to approach the question that had been on his mind since he met Din’s mother. “Din, I know you call her mother, but you aren’t Gerudo…”

Din looked at him, “So, what am I?” She finished his question for him. He looked back at her a waited.
She turned her head and stared into the desert. “You, me, and all the Gerudo’s wonder the same thing. The truth is, Rad, I don’t know what I am or where I came from.” She looked back at him and took a deep breath. “My earliest memory was from when I was about ten. I woke up in a cell in Gerudo fortress. I was alone, cold and hungry. I was so angry that I was locked in, that I thrashed on the bars and grabbed hold of the lock. When I did, it melted in my hands. Avail saw what I could do and she took me in. I was trained as if I was a Gerudo warrior and I learned to use fire and heat to my advantage. The desert and the Gerudo became my home. Avail tells me that I had wandered into the desert from the mountains, but the truth is…” hurt was mounting in her voice, “I have no idea who my family is, or why I was left alone…I was just ten, and was left with nothing…no one…”

As she tried to regain control she pulled her knees up to her chest and placed her forehead on the butt of her hands. Rad reached over and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. He could feel small shakes come from her body.

“Din…” He slid his hand across her neck to her other shoulder and pulled her close to him. She let her head fall and land on his collarbone. They stayed like that for quite some time. He hugged her gently until she fell asleep.

Rad felt sick as he thought about her story. Now he knew why he thought he knew her, because he did. He had met her before…long ago, when he was not fighting for the right side of the battle.

Morning broke and the two were off on their way to the Faron province with good time. They would surely make it there by nightfall, their horses keeping steady pace. The two rode in silence for quite awhile. Rad was trying to focus on what was to come but he couldn’t stop think about what he knew of the past. He looked over at the woman on the other horse frequently, trying to decide the best course of action. Din was mentally in and out of focus. Mostly, she was daydreaming about the last time she had been to Faron performing. And the thoughts of a young girl came to her mind. She burst out in a single giggle, which she controlled and stopped quickly.

Rad looked over at her in response to the sound, “What is it?”

Din looked over at him as they entered the first of the trees at the province boundary. “I was thinking about the last time I was here. Someone that I met.”

Rad’s heart turned and he had a feeling that he had not felt in a long time, “oh…who?”

They got deeper into the forest and the canopy blocked out most of the light. The trees became thicker and the underbrush began brushing higher on the horses legs.

Din looked at him and rolled her eyes, “I’m sure you will see. I would think there would be no way for me to show up here without running into--” Din’s sentence was cut off as a vine swooped down from the trees and seemed to grab at Din. She dodged it and jumped off the horse. Just then a figure swung through the trees and disappeared again. A short smirk jumped from Din’s lungs. She ran forward into somewhat of an open space between the trees. Looking up and between the trunks Din could see nothing. “Awe, come on out!” She called into the forest. Rad was still and surveyed the area, also seeing and hearing nothing. A moment of complete stillness pasted and Din sighed. “Alright, well we can do this the hard way.” Din held up her hand after calling into the forest and a small ball of fire appeared floating an inch above her skin. Din turned her palm and moved to place the flames against one of the tree trunks. Just before she touched, a swirl of movement in the treetops produced a figure jumping down on top of Din. A confident noise came from inside Din’s throat. The flames went out and Din reached up and caught the figure upon impact. She threw her weight sideways and Din and the other person fell to the ground. Din rolled quickly and pinned the intruder to the ground holding her face only inches away from the others.

[Hazel]

DAM DAM DAMMMM....
That is enigmatic, no even more, that's past enigmatic...

[Din Akera]

DAM DAM DAMMMM....
That is enigmatic, no even more, that's past enigmatic...

lol! oh man, you are hilarious! I hope i don't disappoint.

[Hazel]

Thangs you.
So I'm a great demon, eh?
*Straightens and looks around her. Nobody's there except brother; but he doesn't count*
YESSSSS! I AM A GREAT DEMON!!!! MUAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
*Brother looks at her strangely and exits the room.*

[Atsuma]

I read it, Din. Good job, a few mistakes that I will point out for you to correct, but otherwise, great job. Lol@Rad when he says "Oh...Who?"
I feel like he's beginning to feel something deep for this Din of yours.

Anyway, here are the mistakes: The red word is what you forgot to add.

Rad was trying to focus on what was to come but he couldn’t stop to think about

Rad was still and surveyed the area--I think it would look better if you wrote: Rad stood still and surveyed the area.

Anyway, just that, like I said, good job, you are getting better.

[Din Akera]

I overlapped on paragraph so the flow wouldn't be as broken.

Din looked at him and rolled her eyes, “I’m sure you will see. I would think there would be no way for me to show up here without running into--” Din’s sentence was cut off as a vine swooped down from the trees and seemed to grab at Din. She dodged it and jumped off the horse. Just then a figure swung through the trees and disappeared again. A short smirk jumped from Din’s lungs. She ran forward into somewhat of an open space between the trees. Looking up and between the trunks Din could see nothing. “Awe, come on out!” She called into the forest. Rad stood still and surveyed the area, also seeing and hearing nothing. A moment of complete stillness pasted and Din sighed. “Alright, well we can do this the hard way.” Din held up her hand after calling into the forest and a small ball of fire appeared floating an inch above her skin. Din turned her palm and moved to place the flames against one of the tree trunks. Just before she touched, a swirl of movement in the treetops produced a figure jumping down on top of Din. A confident noise came from inside Din’s throat. The flames went out and Din reached up and caught the figure upon impact. She threw her weight sideways and Din and the other person fell to the ground. Din rolled quickly and pinned the intruder to the ground holding her face only inches away from the others.

“Ha! I win that one!” Din smiled down at her victim and laughed.

Rad was slightly shocked. He had drawn his sword when he saw the figure land on top of Din, but Din did not seem uneasy. In fact she seemed almost happy. Rad looked down to the person Din had caught. She was a young girl, who seemed about Din’s age maybe only one or two years younger. Din rocked back onto her feet and stood. She leaned down and offered a hand to the girl on the ground. The girl laughed and took it. As she stood Rad could see more of her. She wore a green dress that hung to her knees. The dress matched the color of her brilliant emerald eyes. Her hair was as long as Din’s but dark drown waving down her back.

“Maybe you won that one, but I’m still way ahead of you in points!” The girl’s voice was sweet and almost childlike.
Din laughed and looked to Rad who was dismounting from his horse. The girl also turned and looked at Rad. She looked him up and down and then glanced sideways at Din.

Din ignored this and spoke, “Rad, this is Kate. Kate this is Rad.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Kate.” Rad offered his hand and the girl took it. Her hand was very small in comparison to Rad’s. The girl’s small hand matched the rest of her petite body.

“It is nice to meet you to, Rad.” Kate let go of his hand and looked pointedly at Din, then back at Rad.

“Rad and I met in Hyrule Castle Market and have become good friends.” Din answered Kate’s silent question.

“Mm hm. …” Kate did not seem satisfied with that answer and she gave Rad and Din both a playful smile. “Well, um, welcome to the forest Rad.”

“Thank-you, Kate.” Rad sheathed his sword and gave her a sheepish smile in return.

Din Looked at Kate and her expression became serious. “I’m sorry Kate, but I come with news that is not so great.” Kate’s expression dropped and she turned to face Din, her eyes questioning. Din continued, “Gerudo fortress was attacked…by Ark Mantrios. Yes, he somehow escaped his prison and tore through everything as fast as he could. Mother and the others are fine, but the fortress and Arbiter’s Grounds are in ruin. And unfortunately that isn’t the worse of the bad news. He plans to free the other three.”

Kate’s look of shock and horror stopped Din’s details. Din knew that Kate understood the depth of this problem. And her words confirmed this, “Din, we have to stop him, and them, all of them! Hyrule will be in ruin if all four roam freely.”

Din looked at Rad but spoke to Kate, “Yes, we are here to try and stop it. Kate, you need to take us to the deep forest. To Hazel Nightingale’s chamber.”

Kate raised one eyebrow. “And do you have a plan miss Din? Hazel is a force to be reckoned with. All the races of the forest have worked together over the years to continue to strengthen her holding cell. She keeps getting stronger and trying to get free.”

Rad looked at Kate, he hadn’t known that. “The Ordonians, Kokiri, and Deku have worked to reinforce her chambers?”

Kate turned to him and nodded. “Unfortunately the walls aren’t thick enough to stop her communication with her pack so we have been making them thicker over the past hundred years and trying different magic spells to stop her.”

“Wait what?” Din confused voice jumped into the exchange, “Communication with who? I really don’t know much about any of the demons except their names.”

Rad looked at Din. “Remember how I said they all have a human and a beast from. Hazel is a werewolf and she leads a wolf pack. Her trade is and assassin and so she will use any means necessary to do her job, including her pack.”

Both of Din’s eyebrows shot up. “Wow, okay…good to know.”

As Din finished her sentence a cold chill blew through the trees and threw the girls hair around. Kate folded one arm over the other to get it way from the cold air. Din looked to where it was coming from and could see something in the trees. She squinted trying to decide what it was between the thick bushes and tree trunks. Taking three steps toward the area she leaned in. It looked like mist, but it was dark. Rad and Kate watched her with curious eyes. Rad looked past her and finally saw was she was looking at.

“Din! Get down!” Rad grabbed Din’s arm and Kate’s hand and pulled them to the ground with him. From the dark mist came three very large black, sparkling arrows. The arrows just skimmed the tops of their heads as the fell to the forest floor.

“Whoa!” Kate’s surprise was quickly replaced by anger, “What was that!”

Din looked back up to where she had been looking as saw the dark mist was moving closer at an alarming speed. “Rad. Rad!” She grabbed his arm and the three rolled out of the way toward the spooked horses. As the dark cloud advanced faster and faster through the trees. I did not slow as if came upon the space they had been standing in. The three looked up as it cleared the thick brush into the small cleared area and they saw him. There was a man inside the cloud. He was quite tall and wearing black and silver armor. His hair was a silver grey and his eyes glowed ruby red. Ark Mantrios flew passed them without a second thought.

The girls lay there for a minute, stunned. Rad cursed into the ground and began to get up. Din looked up at Rad. “Why didn’t he attack us?”
Rad’s scowl was coupled with an angered tone. “He is just clearing a path; a direct one to Hazel’s chambers. He doesn’t know our intentions. We were just in the way of his path.” Rad was now on his feet and gathering the horses. “We had better hurry.”

Din and Kate jumped to their feet and mounted together on Din’s horse. “Let’s go!”

Kate pointed them in the direction of the chambers and slowed them once they were close. Rad put a finger to his lips to signal them to silence. They dismounted and tied their horses to a tree. On foot the three crept silently through the trees towards the chambers. Kate stopped them and pointed through the leaves to a large stone structure in the center of a clearing in the trees. Torches burnt around the edges of the tree line, the grass had been cut low, and the sun shone brightly into the area. The structure was built in the shape of a triangle with four sides coming to a point at the top. It had a large door on the front with the crest of the Sheikah carved in as a seal.

Kate leaned really close to Din’s ear and whispered, “The crest isn’t glowing…the magic barrier has been brought down.” Din eyed the stone chamber warily. Ark must have beaten them here. The three crouched in the trees hiding from view.

A loud bang shook the ground and the stone structure seemed to shake. The crash came again and a large crack split down the center of the crested door. Din, Kate and Rad tensed, all of them putting their hands to their weapons. The door shook violently. Then with one final bang the stone split and burst open. Hunks of rubble flying outward into the clearing leaving a gapping hole in Hazel’s chamber. The sun licked in through the opening and two silhouettes were visible in the doorway.

(Chapter continues)

[Myriadviper42]

Ooooh, I wonder what happens when they go in. Two sihouettes, hmmmn, who could the other one be?

[Hazel]

Probable Hazel, Viper.

Wow, nice story, Din. Like it very much. I'm gonna keep reading it, so don't you dare abandon it!
Anyway, it's nicely written. There are a few typos and grammar mistakes, but all in all it's absolutely fine.

Good job and continue like that!

[Myriadviper42]

I know Hazel's in there, it's the SECOND person I was talking about. Anyway, nice job, Din.

[Hazel]

Hazel and Ark, no? He went inside to free her, didn't he?

[Meego]

Oh wow! That's so cool, with out meaning to (or maybe you did mean to), you have sort of included me, I will PM you and explain! :xd:

[Din Akera]

I"m so delighted that you you guys like it! No i won't abandon it. I'm having to much fun with it.
And Yes, it is Hazel and Ark. Sorry I thought that was well explained enough. maybe I will touch that up. Was it clear?

And Please let me know where those mistakes are. that way I can fix them. :)

Unfortunately you are getting the PG version. I have have been editing and censoring myself to keep it PG. I'm am usually an R rated writer....

[Master Kokiri 9]

:clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::c lap::clap: Bravo! Bravo I say! That's an incredible story you have there. However, I'm saddened that I was unable to sign up for the fic. But it's pretty sweet anyways.

[Din Akera]

:clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::c lap::clap: Bravo! Bravo I say! That's an incredible story you have there. However, I'm saddened that I was unable to sign up for the fic. But it's pretty sweet anyways.

There was no sign up really. After RPing with everyone for awhile I started having this fic being created in my head. I didn't actually ask for sign-ups. But If you would like to appear MK9 let me know I'm sure I can work you in.

[Master Kokiri 9]

There was no sign up really. After RPing with everyone for awhile I started having this fic being created in my head. I didn't actually ask for sign-ups. But If you would like to appear MK9 let me know I'm sure I can work you in.

Well that explains why I never saw a sign up thread! :lol: Anywho, if you'd like I could make an appearance. Just call me Koroko and do what you want with him!

EDIT: If you insist, Din. I shall give Koroko a breif profile.

Name: Koroko
Side: Good
Race: Kokiri
Age: 15
Height: 4' 1"
Clothes: Normal Kokiri attire (green tunic and green floppy hat along)
Hair color: Medium brown
Eye color: Blue
Skin: Fair

[Din Akera]

(again I overlapped one paragraph to make it less broken. Sorry this entry is so short. But I felt like I had to give you more tonight.)

A loud bang shook the ground and the stone structure seemed to shake. The crash came again and a large crack split down the center of the crested door. Din, Kate and Rad tensed, all of them putting their hands to their weapons. The door shook violently. Then with one final bang the stone split and burst open. Hunks of rubble flying outward into the clearing leaving a gapping hole in Hazel’s chamber. The sun licked in through the opening and two silhouettes were visible in the doorway.

Rad whispered and silently drew his sword. “It’s show time.”

The two figures stepped out of the stone structure into the sunlight. The first was indeed Ark Mantrios, the great demon who had past them by earlier in the woods. The other was a woman. She almost seemed to match Ark. She wore a black silk pantsuit and had beautiful long black hair all the way to her waist. The two demons shielded their eyes from the sun as they stepped out. Hazel stretched and took in a huge breath of fresh air. She turned and gave Ark a mischievous smile. “Just like I remember it.” She looked around the forest and they walked together, taking several steps into the clearing.

“We gotta go now!” Kate’s voice was harsh and urgent. Din and Rad looked at her and nodded. With one quick breath Rad took two running steps out of the trees sword drawn. He stood, his eyes fixed on the two demons. Hazel and Ark stopped and looked at him.

“Oh, I see things really haven’t changed Ark. They still try and stop our fun?” Hazel looked at Ark and back at Rad with a smile. “You wish to challenge us?” Hazel began to laugh. “Oh freedom is so, so sweet.” Ark smiled and very slowly drew a sword that matched Rad’s in length.

Kate jumped out of the trees and stood behind Rad. She glared at Hazel and Ark. “You will not wreak havoc on this world again!”

Ark smiled, “Oh I think you are mistaken there.” His voice was deep and very threatening.

Rad lunged and thrust his blade at Ark’s throat. Ark’s blade caught Rad’s and he easily dodged it. Rad slid the blade sides together and locked the hilts of the two swords. The two men seemed mirror images. Shoulder to shoulder with Ark, Rad starred him down. “No, I think you are the one that is mistaken.”

Kate jumped from her position and charged Hazel. The demon swung her arm and threw Kate back onto the gound. “You think you can defeat me little girl!” The words came from Hazel’s throat in the form of a growl.

A whistle in the air split Hazel’s thought and a flaming arrow whizzed past her nose and embedded itself in Ark’s shoulder. Whipping around, Hazel looked up to where the arrow had come from to see Din crouching on a high tree branch stringing another arrow into her bow. Ark’s yell was of anger, rather than pain. He shoved Rad hard throwing him backward and unlocking their hilts. Ark reached up and pulled the arrow from his arm. Throwing it to the ground he rushed Rad and their blades met once again, paring each other’s attacks they drove each other around the open space.

Kate rolled over her shoulder to stand on her feet again. She outstretched her arms and curled her fingers upward, toward the sky. Four large vines grew out of the ground behind Kate and wiggled upward into the air. Kate brought her arms sharply forward and the four vines bent and sped toward Hazel. The demon growled lowly and jumped to her right dodging the first one. She leapt up into the air and flipped over the second. Advancing toward Kate, the demon dove through the third vine’s grasp and launched herself at the girl. Hazel’s hands were only inches from Kate’s throat when out of nowhere the fourth vine smashed into Hazel’s side and threw her back. Another arrow took flight from the tops of the trees and skimmed past Hazel’s face, scratching her cheek and drawing a trickle of blood. The demon roared with anger as she found her footing. Standing, she snarled, “enough of this.” Hazel pointed her face to the sky and outstretched her arms to the side. Her body began to quiver and shake. Her long hair seemed to melt into her back and her silk suit become part of her skin. She demon yelled loudly and the voice grew deeper and deeper until it became the howl of a wolf. Hazel’s face grew larger and her torso fell forward. As she placed her front paws on the ground she curled her lips back and a horrifying growl came out of the muzzle that now replaced her nose. The werewolf’s thick black fur shimmered in the sun. The wolf was much larger than Din had been expecting. She stood facing Kate, her shoulders even with the young girls eyes and the massive head was held much higher than Rad’s height.

The great black wolf opened its jaws and let out another terrifying growl. The demon leapt at Kate, now standing frozen in awe. Din’s arrow smashed into the wolf’s ribs and only half broke through the thick hide. The wolf stopped and turned its attention to Din. Hazel charged the base of the tree where Din had been shooting from and smashed into it with such force that the trunk split and the tree began to fall. Din jumped to the next closest branch and swung from it by her hands. She rounded the branch and landed on the balls of her feet. She jumped again as the wolf followed her movements and broke the tree Din had landed on. Din continued to hop from tree to tree, trying frantically not to fall.

Kate produced two more large vines from the ground and they took off after the large wolf. Both caught her front leg and pulled the wolf to the ground. As the wolf fell, she rolled over her back and snapped the vines. The wolf turned to Kate and dug her claws into the ground. Hazel snarled and pushed herself toward her attacker at full speed. Kate brought more vines from the ground creating a shield. She braced herself for the impact. Kate tightly shut her eyes and heard a loud thud, but nothing happened. Opening her eyes Kate saw Ark lying on top of the wolf’s shoulder to the side of where the attack path had been. Kate looked the other way to see Rad breathing fast. He had thrown Ark into the great wolf.

A flaming arrow shot out of the trees and embedded itself in Ark’s arm. He yelled again, and jumped back to his feet. Another arrow broke though and the hooks barred into the wolf’s hide. The wolf growled loudly and rolled to its feet. Stretching her neck up toward the sky Hazel let out a long and high-pitched howl. Kate was so close to the source of the sound that she had to cover her ears.
Din cringed and jumped down from the tree she was in. “That can’t be good.”

Rad rushed at Ark again and Ark brought his blade up quickly. The two blades crashed together once again. Rad thrust back with such force that the demon nearly lost his balance. In this moment of hesitation Din jumped Ark from behind and wrapped her arm around his neck. Throwing all her weight to one side she dragged him to the ground. Rad swung his sword for the demon’s throat. As the blade was about to make contact Rad was hit hard from the right and thrown over the two on the ground. Rolling to his feet Rad looked up to see his attacker was an average sized grey wolf.

“Oh no.” Rad’s words came out from under his breath and he looked up to the tree line. A dozen different colored wolves were stepping through the trees into the clearing, responding to their leader’s call.

(Chapter continues)

[Hazel]

MWAHAHAHAHA! Your days are numbered, Kate, Din, Rad!

I like this so much! Your writing is brilliant, Din. I wonder when the other ones are going to show up!

[Myriadviper42]

2 demons shown, 1 demon not revealed. Nice job, Din.

[Din Akera]

2 demons shown, 1 demon not revealed. Nice job, Din.

Four demons total.
2 shown (Ark and Hazel) two to be revealed. I edited the number that Avail gives out awhile back. Though maybe I should check it if it still says 'two more to free' Thanks Viper.

And I wrote a lot more tonight, though I don't want to post it until I finish the chapter. :)

[Hazel]

Well, finish it quick! I'm hungry for more!!!
Nah, take your time, you don't want to rush it... Happy Easter everyone!

[arkvoodle]

Excellent...hah hah hah. I and Hazel shall destroy you all! Muhah hah hah! *Gets hit by another arrow* GAH!

Wonderful story, Din. I really can't wait to see the rest of this chapter! As my english teacher would say "You have the writing skills of an acomplished author"

[Din Akera]

(Yay! Final piece of this rediculously long chapter!)

“Oh no.” Rad’s words came out from under his breath and he looked up to the tree line. A dozen different colored wolves were stepping through the trees into the clearing, responding to their leader’s call.

Kate spun around and starred wide eyed at the wolves. With a deep breath she created a sword out of the earth and held it in her hands. The wolf closest to her jumped and landed on her arms and chest, snarling violently and biting at her throat.

Din and Ark were locking limbs, wrestling back and forth in the tall grass. Din drew one dagger and hooked her arm around the back of Ark’s neck driving his face into the ground. She pulled the dagger over and stabbed at his back and shoulders. Ark’s black armor prevented the blade from entering his skin and Din’s arms were to limited by Ark’s hold to swing hard enough to break it. Ark reached up and grabbed Din’s dagger wrist with his hand. He pulled her hold on the dagger over to where her other arm had his face pinned down. He forced her wrist down, stabbing the dagger through the red scarf that covered her neck and left arm, into the ground. Din’s now pinned arm was useless to her and Ark pulled his head free of her grasp.

Kate’s elbow made hard contact with the wolf’s jaw and threw it off balance to the side. The wolf fell and Kate’s earth blade ran up its side. The wolf tumbled to the grass with a whimper. Before Kate could take a breath another wolf jumped at her. Quickly she sidestepped to avoid it. The wolf spun around and crouched, waiting for Kate to make a move.

Rad rushed to Kate’s side where a third wolf was approaching from behind. Rad swung his sword and the wolf fell to the ground. The two went back to back as the wolves surrounded them. The crouched wolf leapt and landed on Kate’s shoulder. Before she could react the wolf bit down hard on the side of her neck. Rad threw the weight of his sword hilt back and smashed it into the wolf’s head. Kate’s painful cry split through the air but the wolf fell to Kate’s feet from the impact of Rad’s sword. The two managed to watch each other’s backs and level four more of the wolves together; Rad keeping an eye on Din and Ark’s wrestling match.

Hazel’s burst of rage came out of her in ferocious roar at seeing her pack members fall. The werewolf charged Rad and Kate. Both fighters dodged to opposite sides and rolled to their feet. Hazel spun around breathing with furry. She looked from Kate to Rad and launched herself at Rad; jaws open for attack. Rad thrust his sword at the great black wolf but Hazel’s razor sharp teeth grabbed the blade and ripped it from his hands throwing it to the edge of the clearing. Rad backed away with two steps and found himself backed up against the right side of Hazel’s previous stone cell. The wolf growled at Rad and snapped her jaws, he jerked his head to the side quickly and she only missed his face by an inch. Kate produced four large vines that wrapped around the animal’s chest. Kate pulled hard, forcing the wolf back from Rad.

Ark rolled and pinned Din to the ground. Sitting up drew his fist back. Din’s eyes widened with fear and she gasped loudly as she saw the force of the demon’s strike coming down toward her face. Kate looked sharply in their direction when she heard Din’s breath. Kate reacted quickly and grabbed Ark’s wrist tightly with two of her vines. Her face showed strain as she tried to hold him and Hazel back. Ark looked sharply at the vines around his wrist and stood, turning toward Kate. He grabbed the vine with his other hand and tore it with the unbelievable strength of his demonic hands. Kate looked at him in surprise and fear.

“You will need more than one element to defeat me little girl.” Ark’s deep voice growled out and a menacing smile appeared on his lips. Holding up his hands a large purple and black ball of magic began to form between his palms. Three more wolves began to descend around Kate and she brought vines to try and stop them all, including Ark. This divide in Kate’s attention relaxed the tension on the vines around Hazel. The great wolf took advantage of this and charged another vicious snap at Rad’s head. The fighter folded his knees and hit the ground. Rolling between the wolf’s legs, he stood and ran for his sword.

Din looked up and saw Ark charging the magic sphere. She reached up with her free hand and pulled the dagger out of her scarf. She quickly stood and ran full speed at Ark’s back. She wound up with the intent to strike him with the hilt of the dagger, but he heard her coming. Ark spun on his heels and smashed the side of his fist into Din’s face. The blow knocked Din off her feet and sent her skidding on her back to stop up against the front side of Hazel’s stone chamber. Ark laughed and drew back the black magic, throwing it at the stunned Din.

“No!” Rad’s enraged yell sent him charging, sword in hand, from the tree line. He jumped in front of the magic ball and it smashed into this armored chest. The fighter flew back and fell limp on the ground. Din looked up and saw him take the hit.

“Rad!” Her voice cracked as she saw him fall onto the ground. She scrambled to her feet and knelt beside his head. She looked up and saw Ark advancing toward them.

Kate also saw the blow and gasped, but Hazel took advantage of her gap in concentration. The massive black wolf swung her head and smashed her skull into the small girl’s body. Kate flew across the open space and landed in heap only a few feet away from where Rad lay.

“Kate!” Din jumped to her feet and looked between them. She looked up and saw Hazel, Ark, and the remaining five wolves from Hazel’s pack coming across the open field at her. “Rad, Kate, you have to get up!” Din’s voice was shaky with worry.

Kate struggled to her feet clutching her side where Hazel had hit her. “Din, we are so done for.” Din looked down at Rad who was pushing him self up onto his hands very slowly.

Rad’s mind was cloudy and every inch of his body hurt. The dark magic was strong, stronger than he had remembered it from before. He looked up and saw the evil party advancing quickly. He knew they were in serious trouble. Ark hadn’t even changed to his beast form yet.

“Psst!” A small sound came from behind the group. Din looked over her shoulder and saw a small boy holding up what appeared to be trap door in the grass on the edge of the clearing. “Come on!” The boy waved madly for them to come to him.

Kate looked back, following Din’s gaze. “Koroko!” Kate took off for the boy and the trapdoor as fast as she could still holding her side. “Come on, Din!”

Din reached down and slid her arm under Rad’s shoulders and he staggered to his feet. Ark, Hazel, and the wolves broke out into a run, seeing their victims escape route. The three fighters stumbled, hunched over and tripping the whole way, but made it to the trap door before the two demons were able to grab them. The boy moved out of the way and the injured fighters dropped down the hole.

The boy reached up and slammed the door shut. “Quick, this way!” The boy scampered down a dirt tunnel that had been dug underground. Moving much slower now, Din and Rad followed Kate and the boy through a steel doorframe into a stone room. The boy grabbed hold of a large steel door and shoved it closed behind them. Using a big bolt he locked it in that position. The boy looked up at Rad, Din and Kate. “Can you go a little farther? I’d like to put a couple more doors between us and those two.”

Kate slid her good arm under Rad’s shoulders on the opposite side from Din and tried to support some of his weight.
Din looked at him with concerned and scared eyes. “Are you alright?”

Rad nodded and took another step in the direction the boy had indicated. The four made it through several more tunnels and steel doors. Each of which the boy locked once they were through. Finally they entered a stone room that resembled that of a one roomed home. The room held a fireplace burning in the corner as well as two beds and a series of couches and chairs. The fire threw orange lighting around the room and created a very warm and comfortable place.

“Here, lay him here.” The boy pulled back the blanket on the nearest bed and patted it. The two women laid Rad down as gently as they could but his weight cause him to fall harshly down onto the mattress.

Din stood over the edge of the bed and looked at him, worried. “Rad?” He opened his eyes and looked at her, but they fell closed again. She lifted her hand and laid it on his breastplate where the magic had hit. She reached up and undid the clasps around his shoulders and pulled it off. He winced a bit at the pain the movement sent through his chest. She then took of his arm guards and laid the pieces of armor beside the bed against the wall. She took some deep breaths and put her hand on his shoulder.

He opened his eyes again. “I’ll be alright.” His voice was strained. Din smiled weakly back at him. He closed his eyes and fell asleep almost immediately.

When Din looked up, Kate was washing her wounds in a washbowl near the fire on the other side of the room. She was talking to the boy who had led them here.

“How did you know we were there?” Kate asked him.

“Well, you make enough noise!” He laughed. He looked up as Din approached them. “How are you feeling? Here let me look at that.” The young boy reached up and dabbed a cold cloth on Din’s face. He appeared to be no more than seven years old. Din really looked at him now for the first time.

He was short, as any child would be, with brilliant blue eyes. His brown hair hung long, past his ears and into his eyes. He wore a green tunic and a matching long hat.

“Th-thank-you” Din stuttered as shock started to set in on her nerves.

He looked back at her. “You’re welcome. I thought I could help you all out and take you through the tunnels. Now why would you think it would be a good idea to take on Hazel Nightingale and Ark Mantrios? Huh?” He looked back and forth between Din and Kate. “I mean... do you even know how to defeat them? For Ark you need at very least three elements, and Hazel…well you will need a lot more strength than your vines there Kate.” The boy rambled in a frustrated tone.

Din looked at the boy stunned. “How do you know all this?”

The boy looked back at her and blinked a couple times. “Well, I do run the tunnels. You learn a lot when people don’t know you are listening.” He looked at Kate then back at Din. “I’m sure Kate has told you about us Kokiri. I know I look young, but I’m going on 16.” He smiled proudly to himself.
Din nodded slowly. She had known that, but had forgotten in the haze of the moment.

“Oh, I’m sorry!” Kate’s voice chimed in, “I didn’t introduce you. Koroko this is my good friend Din. Din this is Koroko.” She smiled and Din extended her hand. He took it and they shook.

“It is a pleasure to meet you Din.”

“No, I assure you, the pleasure is mine.” Din giggled as she rubbed her sore face.

He laughed a little. “Okay, why don’t you all get a few hours rest and we will talk a little later.” Koroko smiled at them.

Din nodded, but before she could offer to take the couch Kate flopped over from where she was sitting and pulled the blanket up over her head. With a little smile Din moved over to the empty bed crawled on top of it. She was asleep before her head even hit the pillow.

***********

“Blast it!” Ark’s curse came out through clenched teeth as he clawed at the top of the trap door. He snapped back to a standing position and wheeled around and glared up at the giant wolf. “What in h*ll was that! They think the can be vigilantes and just up and attack the greatest demons to walk Hyrule!” Ark’s anger was coming off of him in waves. “These brats could ruin everything…”

Hazel’s massive head lowered down to his level and she growled lowly, but he seemed to understand.

“Yes! We have to do something about them now, before they get a better shot at winning the fight. They don’t seem to be magicians, so they won’t even make the mistake of trying to banish us! They will try to actually kill us…” Ark paced back and forth in front of the huge wolf.

The black wolf watched him as he walked back and forth and she snarled softly. She looked from Ark to her pack and back again.

Ark nodded and thought for a minute. “That will probably be a good shot. I know where the trigger is to release the twin demon, yes. I will go and release her, you deal with them.” His voice had a large twinge of hatred as the last word came out. “You are sure you can handle all four of them?”
An offended growl came out of the wolf’s throat. Hazel rolled her eyes and looked at Ark with disbelief. She flickered her eyes to her pack and curled her lips back over her razor teeth.

Ark snorted a single laugh and shook his head. “Okay, okay, I’m sorry. We’ll meet in East Hyrule field, that’s where the twins will arrive from their captivity.”

Hazel turned on her heels and dug her claws into the ground. She sprang forward into the woods, howling loudly. The five remaining members of her pack ran after her, responding to her command.

***********

Din’s first conscious sense was the movement of the bed she was laying on. Opening her eyes she saw Rad sitting on the edge of her bed, looking at her. Quickly she opened her eyes all the way, jolting to awareness. “What is it?”

“Whoa, whoa.” He put his hand on her shoulder and pushed her back down gently. “Nothing’s wrong. How are you feeling?”

Din looked back at him and felt around her body. Wiggling her toes and fingers and stretching out her side. “I feel pretty good. I’m not even that sore.” She glanced around the room, noticing that nothing had changed. The fire was still burning in the corner and the furniture was in place.
Rad looked at her with an expression Din couldn’t name. He looked upset, but more concerned and disappointed. He reached out very slowly and ran the back of his index finger up her cheek, so gently Din barely felt it.

He was looking at the purple and yellow bruise from the impact of Ark’s fist on her face. Rad felt something stir inside him, anger. He took a deep breath and suppressed it.

Din broke his thoughts. “Oh. Right.” She reached her hand up and touched her cheek. Rad took his hand way in the process. “I bet that doesn’t look very good.” She let out a single half-hearted laugh.

“It will heal. You look …fine.” Rad struggled for words. He could feel the heat building behind the skin in his face.

“Hey! You’re awake!” Kate came bounding over from the other side of the room. She jumped up and crawled over Din to sit cross-legged with her back against the wall facing both of them. “So, Koroko has a plan.” Kate looked up and Koroko came over and stood beside Rad.

Din sat up in bed since they were all gathered around her. “Good, I think we need one.”

“Hrm.” Koroko’s snort was full of sarcasm and laughter. “I think it would help out a lot. Even if you just knew what their weakness are.”
Rad, Din and Kate starred at the Kokiri, waiting for an answer.

“You have to understand that it all comes back to our creators; the three great goddesses that created our land of Hyrule, and everything in it, including the demons and beasts. Din, the goddess of power. Farore, the goddess of courage. And Naryu, the goddess of wisdom. The great demons were created by each of them. Hazel Nightingale, the great wolf, is tremendous fighter and was created by the goddess Din. And the only real way to defeat her is to use her own tactics against her. You must defeat her in a feat of tremendous power. She is furious fighter and one big hunk of muscle, strength, and force. And oh those teeth and claws… To defeat Hazel, you will have to beat her with brute strength and force. The other two goddesses created the other two demons, which are probably in the process of being freed as we speak. The goddess of wisdom created the twin demon. You’ll have to think, and think fast to defeat her. It isn’t about the fight; it is about the tactics of the fight. But don’t let that fool you. She is also strong, one or two hits and you are down for the count. And the last, well I’m sure you can guess. You are going to need all the courage you can get…”

Din’s stomach churned. How did they get themselves into this?

Koroko began again, “Ark Mantrios was created by all three. As a result he is considered to be the greatest of them. He will be the hardest one to defeat. He uses dark magic, a strength that can only be used by a chosen few. That magic is deadly, as I think Rad experienced first hand yesterday. Elemental magic is the only way to destroy him but you will need more than one element. You will need at least three, as I said before. If you had all four, you would have a better shot… Short form, if you plan on bringing these demons to their knees, I say you’ve got more guts than me. My biggest advice to you…take the demons on one at a time. Don’t try and pull what you did yesterday with Ark and Hazel.” He looked back and forth between all of them.

Kate blinked a couple times; she was processing what she had heard. Din’s thoughts raced. If that was true, they had to stop Ark from releasing the other demons, and fast otherwise, they would never stand a chance! Rad looked at Din and thought hard about hers and Kate’s elemental abilities. That could work in their favor. He thought hard. He knew of another…but they hadn’t spoken since--

A low and muffled bang interrupted his thoughts. All four looked up and around the room, confused.

“What was that?” Kate asked Koroko calmly.

“I…I don’t know.” Koroko seemed calm, but confused. He got up and walked to the center of the room, looking at the stone ceiling.

The bang came again, but it was much louder. The roof seemed to shift and pieces of dirt and sand fell from the roof, scattering across the cold floor. Koroko took three uneasy steps back from where he had been standing, still starring at the roof. “Guys…” Worry creased his voice.

Another bang shook the room, but this time the small noise of many scratches followed after it. Just then a final bang turned into a crash as the stone roof gave way and a large boulder fell into the center of the room. The four friends looked up at the hole in their hiding place with horror. A large set of teeth covered by a black muzzle pulled back out of the hole and three average sized wolves jumped through the open space into the hideout.

(End of Chapter)

[Hazel]

Hi! I'm Hazel's brother. Nice story, Din Akera. Hazel told me I'd like it! You have some talent there. I'll enjoy reading it.

Killian :)

[arkvoodle]

Woo! That chapter was amazing Din. It was just like watching an action packed movie...in your head...and you're reading it. But anywho, I really like it. Y'know, you should become an author. You could be the next <INSERT FAMOUS AUTHOR'S NAME HERE> Jk. You could be like J.R.R Tolkien or J.K. Rowling.

[Din Akera]

:embarrassed::embarrassed::embarrassed:
Thanks guys. :embarrassed::):embarrassed:

I'm glad you all like it. And That is funny that you compare it to a movie. See I think in pictures, so my writing tends to be descriptions of the pictures I see in my head. That is why my other fic (Which I haven't posted) is very much written just like a movie script. With this one I tried to make it more novel-like.

Nice to meet you Killian. I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)

[Master Kokiri 9]

Incredible story Din. I quite like the use of Koroko and the cliffhanger at the end was absolutely awesome. I can't wait to see the rest! :D

[Din Akera]

It has come to my attention that I need to address something that I should have placed at the beginning of this fan fiction:

None of the characters in this story represent those they were created by or named after, nor do their relationships represent or reflect the relationships held by the creators.

They are simply characters, nothing more. Therein, the character of Din, is a character and does not reflect me or my relationships to the other characters. Hazel is a character created by the forum member who happens to have the same name, etc.

I never intended these characters to represent those that were responsible for their creation. They are just characters in a story, nothing more. Their names could be anything.

(The first piece of chapter 5 will be posted later this evening.)

---------- Post added at 08:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:55 PM ----------

Chapter 5 – (Untitled)

The fighters scampered to their feet as fast as they could. Rad grabbed his sword off the wall and slashed through the first wolf to advance in their direction.

Koroko, not being much of a fighter jumped back and started throwing their weapons to them. “Quick Kate! Close the hole! Don’t let Hazel in!”
Kate threw her attention up to the soil that gaped open in the roof. She opened her arms and the ground started to meld back together. Hazel’s giant paw whipped in through the hole and her claws grabbed a hunk of earth and tore it back, throwing it away into the trees above them. Kate furrowed her brow and closed her eyes, concentrating harder. The earth began to reform faster, but Hazel’s mighty paws ripped chunks that were too big to replace at any rate fit for battle.

Two of the three original wolves still standing, converged on Rad. He slashed at them with his sword between their attacks as they snarled and snapped at him with their claws and teeth.

The remaining two wolves jumped down into the stone room, snarling and growling at the fighters. Din drew her blades and readied herself. The lighter colored wolf lunged and she caught it in the leg with her blade. The darker wolf jumped half a second later and threw its body weight into her torso. Din fell and rolled to a stop beside the fire. The two wolves crept closer. Din looked up at the fire and brought both hands up. She swooped her open palms from the flames over top of her, and threw the fire at the wolves. Both wolves yipped at backed away several steps.

That’s it! The wolves are wild animals; they run from forest fires! These words ran through Din’s mind as she got to her feet and crouched in front of the flames. Din grabbed her daggers off the floor and brought her arms up. The flames jumped from the fireplace to hover over the skin of her arms. The stood and lunged at the two attacking wolves, flames forward. Again the wolves jumped back. With a smirk Din looked over and saw Rad down another of the two wolves attacking him. Din threw the flames and bent them between Rad and the remaining wolf. She advanced toward him and they went shoulder to shoulder. Din threw a ball of flame from the fire at the three wolves and they jumped sideways, dodging.

“Din! You’ll get tired using all that magic!” Koroko’s voice broke through the sounds of Hazel’s claws breaking the roof apart while Kate replaced the pieces being torn away.

“I’m not using magic! The fireplace sustains the flame, I’m just using it!” Din heated both dagger blades with her hands and crouched for battle. Rad and Din attacked the three wolves hard and after several exchanges the wolves fell to the floor, motionless.

Wheeling around Din and Rad looked up at the roof, the hole getting wider and wider. Din looked over at Kate who was strained and tiring fast. “Koroko! Can you get us outside? Quickly!”

The Kokiri hesitated for half a second and then nodded. He waved his hand and they ran toward the bed that Rad had slept in. He grabbed the frame and hauled it aside. A large staircase was hidden behind the headboard of the bed.

“Go up and to the right. There is a trap door. Push on it and you will be in the trees, hopefully behind her. Make sure you close the door so nothing can ambush us down here…but you won’t be able to open it again.” The boy looked worried.

“Hopefully we won’t have to.” Rad’s concentration had him running up the stairs before the words were all the way out.

“Keep her attention here!” Din’s hushed words reach Koroko and he nodded. Din grabbed Kate’s sleeve and she dropped her attention and ran after Din. The three fighters ran up the stairs. Silently they opened the door and crawled out. They were indeed in the thick trees and behind the massive black wolf clawing at the ground.

Din and Rad exchanged a glance. Din could see the fire burning through the hole in the ground; she could still use it. Rad looked around and saw exactly what he had been hoping for. He grabbed Din’s shoulder and pointed. Din nodded, she understood, and Rad took off in the direction he had pointed. Din motioned for Kate to hide. If their plan was to work, then Kate would need to be strong. Din took off in the opposite direction from Rad.
The three surrounded Hazel; Rad and Din on opposite sides, and Kate directly behind her. The massive wolf was still clawing madly at the ground trying to make the hole big enough to fit through. Koroko was running around inside keeping her attention, yet staying out of the line of fire.

Din and Rad locked eyes. Rad counted down with two head nods. On three Din leapt out of the trees and ran toward Hazel. The wolf’s head snapped up, her attention shifting to the fighter. When Din was only four feet away, she dropped to her knees and slid under Hazel’s legs. She opened her hands and pulled the fire out of the hole and up into Hazel’s face as she slid. The great wolf roared in pain and staggered backward. Din stood; now in between Rad and the wolf. Din’s arms were both lit aflame, making her a beacon of light in the night air. Hazel’s attention whipped around to Din. The woman crouched, ready for the wolf’s charge. Hazel did exactly as Din expected. She dug her claws into the ground and leapt forward. The fighter flipped back out of reach and ran in a large swooping half circle toward where Rad was hiding. The wolf charged after her in the exact some pattern.

“NOW!” Din yelled as Hazel approached Rad’s position. Rad drove his entire weight into a large half fallen tree trunk, and sliced through the remaining roots with his blade. The impact snapped the large tree loose from its holding place. The truck cracked and heaved under the force and loss of its support. Din looked back over her shoulder and saw what they had hoped for. The huge tree landed across Hazel’s back.

“Kate!” Rad hollered as he saw the tree make contact. Kate jumped out of the trees and forcefully clapped her arms together. The fallen tree began to root itself again on both sides of Hazel’s back. The wolf fought hard and the new roots began to snap and break. Din ran up and pulled both her daggers out of the tops of her boots. She drove them through the wolf’s front paws into the ground preventing Hazel from getting up or pushing against the tree. The trunk arched over Hazel’s back, creating a wooden lock over her body. The roots on both ends of the tree began to thicken and tarp-down the giant wolf, restricting her movement more and more. Hazel’s massive head snapped at Din as the fighter put the daggers down. The wolf swung her teeth. Din looked up to see Hazel’s jaws coming down on top of her.

Din’s scream was cut off by Rad’s grunt of effort. Din opened her eyes to see Rad holding the wolf’s jaws open with his hands. Kate’s magic tree forced Hazel down into the ground onto her stomach. The great wolf was unable to move, it’s paws anchored to the ground and the massive wooden lock holding her down against the ground. Rad fought hard against the giant head, trying to force her jaws apart and restrain her. Din’s rush of adrenalin forced her forward and she pulled Rad’s sword from its scabbard. The fire on Din’s arms ran down onto the blade and turned it red hot. Rad saw this out of the corner of his eye and shoved all his effort upward, pushing Hazel’s muzzle up into the air. Din swung the flaming sword up the exposed chest and neck of the wolf with all her force. The wolf stopped struggling. Rad let go of her nose and the massive head fell limp in front of him. Din looked down at the black creature, breathing hard.

Then Hazel’s body started to shake and shudder. Rad and Din both jumped back with exclamations of surprise. The giant body began to shrink and change shape. The massive wolf shrunk down into the shape and size of an average woman. She was laying face down on the ground, her black hair waving down her spine. Her hands still anchored to the ground and the large arched tree now high above her small human body.

Rad and Din looked at each other, both of them breathing fast. Din looked frantically over her shoulder for Kate who was walking up beside her. Kate looked down at the demon and shook her head.

“WHOA!! WHOO HOO!!” The three fighters turned around and saw Koroko’s torso sticking up out of the hole, both fists in the air, cheering wildly.
A smile spread across Rad’s face and Kate started to giggle. Din took a deep breath of relief and sighed shortly. Din leaned down and removed her daggers from the demon’s hands and wiped the blades on the ground. Din stood up and Rad smiled at her brightly.

Kate jumped from her position and threw her arms around Din. “We did it!”

Din caught her and smiled back. “Yea…we did.” She was still a little in shock. Kate let go and punched Rad in the arm. “Good shot!”

Rad laughed. “Good fabrication.” He gestured to the wooden arch that now stood in the small space.

Koroko crawled out of the hole and jogged over to them. He held his hands up for high fives and he received one from each other them. “Now that’s teamwork!”

Rad looked at the Kokiri. “Ark didn’t show to help her…”

Din nodded slowly and Koroko spoke. “He probably went to free the others.” After a moment of thought he spoke again, “I don’t know where the twin demon is held captive, but I do know someone who might. He lives in Hyrule market. His name is Rishian. He won’t be easy to find, but he is one of the only remaining Sheikah around. Tell him I sent you.”

Din nodded, they could use all the help they could get.


The morning sun was just starting to break over the tops of the trees and threw the promise of a beautiful day around the forest. The sky was blue and cloudless. The air was warm and carrying only a light breeze. The four stood looking at the giant hole into the tunnels and room that Koroko called home.

“I’m going to stay here and help sort all this out.” Kate motioned to the hole, the tree arch and the lifeless demon of power. Din and Rad looked up at her.

“You don’t want to come with us? Kate, we could use your help. We need the Earth element to defeat Ark.” Din said to her friend.

Kate’s answer came quite fast, “I know, and I will come and help, but I can’t just leave the forest like this. I will come and meet up with you. You go and figure out where the demon of wisdom is, the twin demon.”

Din looked at the girl, slightly confused. Kate nodded in encouragement. There was something in her eyes. She wanted them to go.

“Okay…” Din agreed hesitantly.


After regaining all of their gear and having a bite to eat Rad and Din set off northward out of Faron province toward Hyrule market to find the Sheikah.

(Chapter continues)

[Master Kokiri 9]

Incredible chapter Din. I especially liked how Koroko seemed at the end with his cheering and whatnot. Absolutely terrific. I can't wait to see the rest of the chapter.

[Din Akera]

Incredible chapter Din. I especially liked how Koroko seemed at the end with his cheering and whatnot. Absolutely terrific. I can't wait to see the rest of the chapter.

Thank-you, I'm glad you were happy with the character that you created for the story.

Okay, so THIS IS OUT OF ORDER!!!!! I figured out what I wanted for the prologue, so here it is for you half way through the story. I'm sorry it happened this way, but think of this as being the first thing you read, then going back to "strangers" and having Rad and then Din's intros. :)

So I repeat:
THIS IS THE PROLOGUE!!!

The stone room was dark, cold, and damp. Mold grew in the cracks between the bricks of the walls and water droplets fell in random patterns from the ceiling. A set of ruby red eyes scanned the small dark space. His hands, clasped tightly in shackles, rubbed against the opposite walls of the room. His knuckles had been rubbed raw from the amount of time they spent scraping against the stone. The shackles holding his arms angled awkwardly up above his head held the majority of his weight. This position caused his shoulder to ache. The wooden plank holding his spine straight pushed splinters into his back and held the cold metal bands around his hips and ankles tightly in place. The foot of empty space from the floor to his feet was wet with sweat and droplets of blood from the bondage. The metal collar around his throat had three large spikes that pressed hard into his skin if he even flexed the muscles in his neck. He closed his eyes and hung his head. This crucifixion position prevented any movement except that one. The cell held nothing except the man with the ruby eyes and the restraints. He was growing weaker after all this time.

The man heard something he had not in a long while, footsteps. He tilted his head to the side and opened his left eye to see orange light coming down the corridor. With the light on the other side the bars on the front of the cell threw straight shadows across the floor inside the cramped cell. The light also showed the remaining restraints, ones not visible in the darkness. Two green translucent spheres covered the man’s hands and sealed off around his wrists. The prisoner was surrounded by the green translucent hue. It made a screen over the floor, ceiling and walls of the cell. The light came closer and eventually three Gerudo guards appeared behind the bars of the cell. The women wore the tradition purple of guard rank among the Gerudo and held their preferred weapon, long pikes.

“Alright newby. Go for it, we got your back” One of the guards teased. The guard closest to the door opened one bar in the front of the cell and passed through the green barrier.

The man with the red eyes showed little interest but one corner of his mouth turned up in a smirk. Newby.

The woman approached the prisoner and held up a flask. She put it to his lips and he drank. Once the last drop of the fluid had entered his throat he lurched in his restrains and growled. The guard jumped back and fell to her butt on the stone floor. The man hadn’t moved more than two inches, for his bondages wouldn’t allow it, but he had scared her good. The man chuckled to himself; this would be his only entertainment. Outside the cell the other two women were laughing at the new guard. She got to her feet with a furrowed brow and her head hung low. She exited the cell and replaced the bar. The three left the prisoner, now fed, once again in darkness.

The man glanced down to where the woman had fallen, something catching his eye. He could see something sparkle in the vanishing light. As the light disappeared completely he waited for his eyes to adjust to the blackness once again. The sparkle was a small jewel. Looking down at the spot harder he saw that it was indeed a circular piece of jewelry, a bracelet, which must have slid off of the woman’s wrist when she fell. The bracelet had several beads on it, but more to the prisoner’s attention were four pointed bones, that looked to be the teeth of a beast. Something moved inside the prisoner. Could he do it?

The man looked straight up and concentrated hard. The prisoner’s body began to grow, his neck expanding and pressing into the spikes. The man tried to ignore this pain and focus lower on his body. From between the base of his shirt and the hem of his pants grew a black tail. The man focused hard on the tail and tried desperately to shrink the size of his neck while still grow the tail. The pain was growing exponentially. The man’s tail grew to be quite long. He swung it around the wooden post and brought the tip of it forward. The end of his tail touched the bracelet and began to drag it across the floor, closer. The prisoner angled his tail and pressed the piece of jewelry up against the base of the post. It bent and he got the end of the tail through the hole in the center. He picked it up and carefully wrapped the end of his tail around one of the pointed teeth. He brought the tooth up to the clasp on the back of the spiked collar. By feel, he found the lock. Carefully the man was able to get the end of the tooth inside the lock. He felt around and turned the tooth one way and then the other.

After what seemed like hours the man heard a small click. The man’s stomach leapt into his chest. The pressure around his neck relaxed. Looking down in disbelief the prisoner let the bracelet slide farther down his tail. With the tip of the black tail the man grabbed the collar and pulled. It came off and clattered to the ground beside him. The man’s eyes lit up with determination and excitement. His neck and body grew larger to a point where he was no longer fighting to keep the tail active. The man slid the bracelet to the end of his tail once again and set to work on the lock of his right wrist.
When the lock sprang open the prisoner grabbed his tool with his hand. The green sphere seemed to bend and allow him to hold the tooth with the barrier between his fingers and the tool. He stretched to reach the other wrist and began to work that lock. Once both hands were free the man took a deep breath. His tail retracted and his body and neck shrank to normal size. He used the teeth on the bracelet to open the locks on the metal bars around his hips and ankles much more swiftly now that he was able to use his hands. The man jumped down off the wooden post. With giant stretch the man cracked his stiff joints and sighed. His face turned toward the green hue over the bars of the cell and he looked down at the spheres covering his hands. The prisoner thought for a minute. Around his hands, inside the green sphere, black particles began to form, but yellow sparkles sprang from the inside of the sphere and the black speckles disappeared instantly.

“Hm.” The sound was that of a question. Then, the man smirked and his body began to grow again. The long tail stretched out from his back and wrapped around over to his right hand. The same black particles formed around the tip of the tail. Yellow sparkles appeared from the walls of the cell, but took half a second to cross the space and dispel the black ones. With a confident noise the man stood in the very center of the cell and held the tip of his tail one inch from the outside of the sphere. Quickly the black particles appeared, but before the yellow sparkles could reach them the black ones touched the outside of the green sphere and it popped. The man looked at his hand, stunned for a minute. Realization then dawned on his face. He held his now free hand above the sphere covering his other hand and popped it as well.

A chuckle escaped the man’s throat and a huge smile spread across his face. Crossing over to the bars the man looked as far down the corridor as he could, but could see nothing. Turning to look the other way he could see another cell across the way, on the opposite side of the hall. Straining his eyes hard in the darkness he could see what he had been hoping for.

“I don’t believe it.” His words came out in a barely audible whisper and he shook his head slowly from side to side. The man raised one hand and sharply flicked his fingers upward. Inside the other cell an object jumped off the wall and floated midair. The man bent his wrist slowly and the object floated up to the bars. Turning his wrist from side to side, the object rotated on the spot and was able to pass through the bars. The floating sword came down the corridor and hovered on the outside of the green barrier. The black and silver sword responded to every movement of the man’s hand. Backing away from the barrier the man once again created the black particles around his hand. When he did, the tip of the sword copied this action as well. The yellow particles attacked the black ones on the inside of the cell but not those on the outside. The man moved the tip of the sword to touch the outside of the barrier and it too popped and disappeared.

“Hm.” This time the sound was confident and victorious. The man moved to the bars and reached though grabbing his sword. He strung it to his belt and reached his hand through the bars back toward the other cell. With movements of his hands the man was able to bring each piece of the silver and black armor into his cell and assemble it in place on his body.

The man looked down at himself after he finished tying his second arm guard in place, the last piece of his beloved armor. He smiled proudly, he hadn’t felt this good in so many years. Looking up at the bars, he held up both hands and the black particles turned into black and purple beams. The man wound up and shot one beam from each hand at the bars. The bars and the stonewall opposite them exploded and disappeared completely. The loud bang shook the building and the walls in line with the beams crumbled. Sunlight shone in the now though the gaping hole and the man took off at a full run for the outside world.

(End prologue)
(Should then be beginning of chapter one, but my next post will obviously be the next part of chapter 5. :D)

[Hazel]

This is fantastic. It captures your interest. Who is the man with the ruby eyes? Why was he in prison? What will happen now that he's free?
You managed to set questions that we want to know the answer to. It's a nice, cool start. Keep it up. Post chapter 5 soon!

[Din Akera]

Sorry this is so late coming, here is the end to chapter 5, which is still untitled. One paragraph had been overlapped as usually to try and make the story a little less broken.

After regaining all of their gear and having a bite to eat Rad and Din mounted up and set off northward out of Faron province toward Hyrule market to find the Sheikah.

“So…this could end badly…” Din’s worried voice jumped a little as they trotted across South Hyrule field, the tops of the buildings of the castle and the market visible on the horizon.

“How do you mean?” Rad looked at her.

“Back to Castle Town Market. The place where we were run out of town for brawling in the bar.” A small giggle came out of her throat.

“Oh, that.” Rad laughed too. “Yes, well maybe we should stay away from that area of the market.”

“Any ideas on trying to track down a Sheikah, one that is in hiding?” Din’s voice was doubtful and a little sarcastic.

A single laugh burst out of Rad at her words and tone. “Yeah, that might be a bit of a challenge. I think our best bet is to find someone who has been in the town a long time, maybe they will have some idea on how to find him.”

“If someone doesn’t want to be found, Castle Town is probably the best place to hide; and he’s a Sheikah! Rad, I doubt many people will be able to help us. This might give Ark quite a bit of a head start.”

“We will figure it out. Okay.” Rad dropped the rein and reached over and squeezed her hand. The action surprised Din and she looked over at him. Letting go, Rad kicked his horse forward in a more urgent pace toward the town in the distance. After a second, Din shook her head and followed suit.

The two made it just over half way across Faron province before dark. Both travelers decided that it would be better to rest now and try to find the Sheikah tomorrow. They would easily make it to Castle Town well before midday the next day. Dismounting, Din took the reins of both horses and tied them to the largest of the cluster of trees they had stopped under. She stood stroking her horse’s neck.

“You did really well yesterday.” Rad’s quiet voice was muffled due to his position on the ground. Din looked over to see him lying on his back, knees up toward her, his hands behind his head, watching the stars.

With a smile she patted the horse, walked over and lay down beside him, “Thank-you. First time I ever fought a demon!” Her voice was excited.

Rad smiled but didn’t shift his gaze from the twinkling stars.

Din’s smile faded, “Wait, you have?”

His face grew more serious and he opened his mouth to speak but then shut it again.

A small sigh escaped Din. “I know; you don’t feel like you can tell me.” Her voice was calm, but held the smallest hint of emotion in it.

Rad took a deep breath and rolled to his side, facing her. He propped himself up on his elbow and looked at her. “I don’t want you to think differently of me, Din. I...I want to be your…friend…and if you knew what I had done…I don’t think you could--”

Din rolled and shifted to her elbow as well, leveling her eyes with his. “Rad, after all that yesterday? How could I think anything bad of you? You risked your life. You grabbed a giant wolf’s jaws and pried them open. And for what? To protect the world from what one of the great demons could have done.”

Rad’s flashback came to him quickly. He remembered seeing Din standing there, and the giant set of teeth opening up, turning and moving to clamp down on her. But most of all, he remembered her horrified scream when she realized what was about to happen to her. He couldn’t have let that happen.

“That wasn’t the only reason I did it…” The words came out in a whisper.

Din’s brows furrowed as she tried to understand that, “Rad, you don’t have to tell me, but I want to understand you. Understand what you are, what you want, what you feel, and all the rest of it. All the things in your past are part of that, good and bad.”

Rad looked deep into her eyes for a long moment. The air seemed still. Her words had reached him clearly, but only the first part had registered in his mind. Rad picked up his free arm and moved it toward Din. She didn’t move, not totally aware until his hand reached her face. His fingertips slid lightly over her cheek and under her hair, cupping her face and holding the back of her neck. Din’s heart leapt up into her throat and she looked back at Rad. Her breathing quickened. Searching her eyes, Rad pulled gently on her neck and moved closer to her. Din hesitated for half a second. She took a deep breath and tried to relax. Moving forward with his hand, Din very slowly closed her eyes. Rad saw this and allowed his to also fall closed. Their lips met in a soft and very gentle kiss.

(End Chapter)

[Atsuma]

Well, I enjoyed this part, Din. Good job with it. I think I didn't see any typos, which is good. :P But here is one thing that would look better imo:

You wrote: Rad smiled but didn’t move his gaze from the twinkling stars.

Instead of move, I think if you use one of these combos it will read much better: Rad smiled but didn't shift his gaze from the twinkling stars. OR

Rad smiled, but didn't take his gaze away from the twinkling stars.

The way you wrote it does not look bad at all, but perhaps it will make more sense using those two options I showed you. Up to you, Din. Well, good job, regardless. *Two thumbs up* I like how Din and Rad finally shared a smoochie. ^^

[Din Akera]

Well, I enjoyed this part, Din. Good job with it. I think I didn't see any typos, which is good. :P But here is one thing that would look better imo:

You wrote: Rad smiled but didn’t move his gaze from the twinkling stars.

Instead of move, I think if you use one of these combos it will read much better: Rad smiled but didn't shift his gaze from the twinkling stars. OR

Rad smiled, but didn't take his gaze away from the twinkling stars.

The way you wrote it does not look bad at all, but perhaps it will make more sense using those two options I showed you. Up to you, Din. Well, good job, regardless. *Two thumbs up* I like how Din and Rad finally shared a smoochie. ^^

Thank-you for the feedback, I appreciate it. I have changed it. I agree with you, I like the first one better. :)
I'm glad you are enjoying it.

[Atsuma]

I also liked choice one better, so it is good that you have changed it, it reads much better. And yeah I am enjoying it, Rad is in it. ^^ lolz Anyway, just so you don't have to double post if you wanna update or something. ^^

[Din Akera]

just so you don't have to double post if you wanna update or something. ^^
Thank-you. ^^

--------------------
Chapter 6 – “Newcomers”

The morning sun rose blazing through the sky, throwing orange and yellow light against the clouds high above. Din and Rad had rose early and were coming up on the gate through the southern wall of Castle Town. They rode through the large wooden doors into the city, giving a nod to the guards on either side of the entrance. The streets of the town were bustling with activity as usual in the morning hours. All the people were going about their business, getting a head start on the day’s activities. Din and Rad boarded their horses in the stable to the east side of the market square and walked into the center of the market stopping beside the center fountain.

Rad gazed around at all the faces of the people coming and going from the stores and wagons buying and selling various items. This was going to be like looking for a needle in a haystack. No, worse than that, it would be like looking for a hair in a haystack, and one that was able to run away extremely skillfully. Rad sighed shortly.

Din stood beside him also scanning the faces, she knew this would not help them get anywhere, but she had an idea to get them started.
“Rad, maybe we should go find Talon, the elderly man that I was working with at the cage matches. He has lived here his whole life, he might have an idea to help us out.” Din looked up at him.

Rad nodded, “Good idea. Lead the way.” He gestured with one arm to the town around them.

Din moved through the growing crowd of people toward the west trail of Castle Town. She moved down the allies, Rad following close behind. She came to very small wooden door hidden in between the panes of plasterboard and wood that created the back walls. Rad would have missed it if she hadn’t stopped. Din raised her hand and tapped her knuckles against the door. After a moment an elderly woman opened the door, only two inches, a door chain prevented a larger space. The woman peered at them through the space from behind the door, quite shyly.

“Yes?” Her voice was hesitant and quiet.

“Hi, I’m a friend of Talon’s, is he at home? I was hoping to speak with him.” Din smiled at the woman.

The lady eyed Rad and her eyes landed on the hilt of Rad’s massive blade. She seemed to become more uncomfortable. Her eyes shifted to Din and also looked her up and down. “He should be at Telma’s Bar. It is just down the street and down the set of stairs.”

Din nodded once, “Thank-you ma’am.”

The lady nodded politely and closed the door, Din and Rad heard her slide a deadbolt across the frame from the inside.

Din looked at Rad and shrugged. The two turned and headed down the street in the direction the woman had indicated. They came to a back ally that indeed fed downward as a set of narrow stairs. Din eyed them warily. The stairs lead to a dark corner, set low against the other buildings, and a door scarcely visible to the left of the base of the stairs. The mood between the two of them shifted instantly. Both of their fight instincts waved red flags at the isolation and dark nature of the space.

Rad looked back over his shoulder, there was no one behind them in the street. He nodded to Din and she descended the stairs, Rad followed close behind. When they reached the door, Din looked up and saw the small sign reading exactly as they had expected ‘Telma’s Bar’. Rad reached around Din and opened the door. He placed his other hand on the middle of her back and gently pushed. Din moved through the door quickly, feeling Rad look once again over his shoulder to the empty hollow and follow her into the building.

The room was very dimly lit and the wooden walls held a damp texture to the air, creating a musty odor. The room was shaped as a backwards ‘L’. The longer stretch of the room ran forward from the door, and the shorter arm stretched off to their left. That portion of the bar was almost completely absent of any light. The counter of the bar was to the right wall from the entrance, at what would be the base of resembled shape. Several tables were scattered about the rest of the open space. There were only four or five people in the bar, typical of an early morning bar scene.
As Din and Rad entered, a larger woman emerged from behind an archway on the back wall that led to another open room of the bar. She had wispy natural red hair that was pulled back off her face. She seemed to be in her early forties, but did not dress so. She wore a low cut black vest and a long flowing purple skirt with two slits up the sides of the material. The woman came toward Din and Rad with a curious expression on her face, as she moved her many bracelets and earrings jingled.

“Hello, can I help you?”

Rad spoke first, “Yes, we are looking for a friend.”

“Well, I can probably help you with that. Do they frequent my bar?” Telma asked.

“We were told he would be here…” Din’s voice trailed off as she looked around the bar. It was very dark in several of the corners, but then she saw him. Talon was standing over one of the tables about halfway back toward the left potion of the L-shaped room, away from the counter. The man wore a grey, capped sleeved shirt and black trousers. A blue rag was draped over his right shoulder, and he was using another on the surface of the table in front of him.

“Talon.” Din’s voice was friendly.

At the mention of his name the man looked up and saw her. An equally friendly smile appeared on his lips. He reached around behind him and picked up a large tray stacked tall with glasses and bottles. Holding it on his forearms, he came out from the dark space and approached them.

“Well hello Din.” Talon’s voice was soft.

She smiled back at him. “I have a question for you, Talon.”

The man’s expression became questioning and he slid the tray onto the bar. He looked back and forth from Din to Rad, “Yeah? And what would that be? I will try and answer it.”

Din looked around the bar briefly before speaking. The patrons that were present did not seem to be paying any attention. Two men in the room on the other side of the arch were leaned back in their chairs barely awake, Telma had returned to the back room, and the last man was far enough away into the dark corner that she didn’t think he would be able to hear, and he didn’t seem to be paying any attention anyway.

She spoke quietly to Talon, “We are looking for a man named Rishian. He is one of the last Sheikah around. Do you know where we could find him?”

There was a shift in the air as Din’s words came out but Rad pushed the gut feeling aside and concentrated on the man’s answer.

Talon’s friendly gaze hardened and became defensive at the mention of the Sheikah. Quickly, he tried to cover up the drop in his expression and place a straight face back into the wrinkles that lined his eyes.

“You are looking for a Sheikah? Hrmp. Good luck with that.” Talon crossed his arms and rolled his eyes. “You really think you can find a Sheikah that doesn’t want to be found?”

Din was slightly taken aback at Talon’s reaction. He was always so polite and friendly.

Rad jumped in, “We realize it isn’t the easiest to attempt, but can you help us get on the right track?” Rad was suspicious of the man, and didn’t like the attitude he was giving Din.

Talon starred back at Rad. He shrugged his shoulders, “If you really want to go and hunt down a Sheikah, go to the Temple of Time and pray to the goddesses. Din, a Sheikah is more likely to find you, than you are to find him.”
Rad was becoming more impatient with the elderly man, his fist balled up unwillingly. “Look, can you give us any helpful advice? Or we will be on our way.”

Din placed a hand on Rad’s forearm to try and signal him to calm himself.

“I’d try the darkest, most isolated, and most intricate place you could think of in the town. That’s all I can tell you. I’m sorry.” With that, Talon picked up his tray off the counter and turned around toward the back room. As he spun he threw a direct glance in the direction of the man who had been sitting in the dark corner, draped in shadows, but he was gone.

Din and Rad turned and left the bar after Talon had disappeared into the back room. As they came out from the little entranceway into the hollowed out space between the bottom of the stairs and the doorway, Rad got another eerie feeling. He stopped where he was and looked around. Out of the corner of his eye he saw movement on the ledge above them where the buildings became level with the ground. Rad turned quickly and surveyed the ledge and surrounding area, but saw nothing. Discomfort rose in Rad’s stomach. He placed his hand in the middle of Din’s back once again and urged her quickly toward the stairs, his eyes still on the spot where he had seen the shadows move.

“What? What is it?” Din stopped about half way up the stairs and turned her eyes toward the place where Rad’s were fixed.

“I don’t like the disadvantage of lower ground, and I thought…” Rad’s thoughts trailed off. Now higher up, Rad starred at the ledge, there was a grate in the wall, but it seemed to be completely intact. “I think I’m imagining things.” Rad threw a half-hearted smile at her.

As Rad and Din headed back down the street toward the center square, debating what to do next, a pair of emerald green eyes peered at them through the bars of the grating. The eyes belonged to a man. He seemed to wrap the shadows around himself, becoming almost invisible. The figure moved completely silently backward from the grate and up through a small crack in the stone, to the roof of the building. The figure backed against the stone stack that created a second story on the building and disappeared again from view. The shadow watched them: the man and woman who were seeking the Sheikah. The shadow’s single visible eyebrow furrowed downward. His other eye and entire left side of his face was covered by a white cloth-like material that seemed to resemble bandaging. Short strands of brown hair fell loosely out from under the covering. Pieces of stray bandaging blew in the light breeze away from the dark leather underlay covering his body. The white coving wrapped its way down his neck and around the tops of his shoulders and chest. Wrapped in the shadows, the figure squatted on the edge of the roof, listening to the man and woman from that far away.

“The water-system to the castle would be isolated, intricate and dark, but I doubt anyone could live down there.” Rad was almost whispering to Din.

“I have not been here long, so I can’t really think of any other place to look. Though I think looking during the day is a bit of a lost cause.” Din glanced back at him.

“You are probably right. We can go stock supplies and find somewhere to eat until sundown, then we will search?”

Din nodded in agreement and the two continued off down the street toward the main square.

The man hiding in the shadows let them go, he did not need to hear more or follow them further. With a hard expression he contemplated. Neither of them appeared to be of the royal family or the guard, nor did they seem like hunters or even historians. Why, after all this time would someone be looking for him? The figure wrapped the shadows tighter around him a disappeared completely into the town’s intricate rooftops and stone streets.

(Chapter Continues)

[Atsuma]

Well that was a great read as usual, Din, but you could have written something about last night's kiss between them, you know, their thoughts about it. I felt as if you left us, the readers, out on that lol. :D. Not that it is a bad thing, the story was great, and I am sure you will get to that part soon. It was good to see your friend Rishian appear, also, you keep your description going so well, the places, etc. I wonder what happens next. Again, I did not see any typos, though let it be known that I don't read simply to look for them, if I come across them it is when I tell you. So yeah, two thumbs up again, and with that, I am off to introduce Part 3 of my own story lol. Keep it up. ^^

[Din Akera]

Well that was a great read as usual, Din, but you could have written something about last night's kiss between them, you know, their thoughts about it. I felt as if you left us, the readers, out on that lol. :D.

lol, oh don't worry about that. That will be addressed before the chapter is over. It was meant to leave the read hanging, and wondering. :P
I will bring the reader back to that topic, no worries.

--------------------------

For the rest of the day Din and Rad went about Castle Town. As the sun began to dip behind the wall of the city Rad stood from the table where they had been eating and offered a hand to Din to help her stand. She took it and stood, leaving the right amount on the table to pay for their meal. The two left the friendly half indoor, half outdoor restaurant that looked over the main square of the market place. The water in the fountain was beginning to darken and turn a firey shade of orange under the magnificent sunset. Din and Rad had planned to go to the castle and see if there was anyway to get into the water system from the outside. Their second option would be to go back to Telma’s Bar and survey the grate that Rad had told Din about during their meal. As Din followed Rad toward the castle across the now sparsely populated square, a male voice came up behind her.

“Well, well, well. If it isn’t miss fighter…”

Din stopped mid-step and her shoulders tightened, she knew the voice. Rad stopped in reaction to Din’s freeze. Both of them slowly turned around to see exactly the person they had been trying to avoid. The man was leaning against one of the stone buildings on the edge of the square, one foot bent up against he wall, arms crossed, with a cigarette fuming from his lips. The man’s right cheek and eye had a tinge of green and yellow to the skin, a fading bruise, and his nose seemed to have an unusual bend to the left in bones. The man pushed of the wall and took the cigarette out of his mouth. In doing so the chain between the two sections of his numb-chucks jingled from his back pocket.

Din cursed under her breath and her eyes darted about the square, looking to see just how many people were around.
Rad took a step forward with his left leg, placing himself partially in front of Din. “We have no business with you.” Rad’s tone was even, but low.

“Well sure you do. You have come back to swindle more money and bruise more reputations--oh pardon me, that’s her, not you.” The man’s eyes were threatening and cold. “You, just bruise faces.”

Rad’s eyes turned down into a shallow glare, “And you do any better?”

The man did not respond and turned his gaze to Din. She had not moved and was comfortable standing partially behind Rad this way. She crossed her arms when the man’s eyes landed on her.

“I think you owe me something.” The man’s voice held more anger now.

Din’s expression hardened and she glared at him, “I won that fight, I don’t owe you anything.”

“It is against the rules to use magic in the ring!” He was becoming agitated, and this made Rad more cautious.

“No! It is against the rules to use magic against the opponent!” Din was angry too now. There was no reason for this argument, and they had way bigger problems than this guy to deal with.

The man’s eyes opened wide, “You little witch! You used magic in the ring! That is the only reason you were able to defeat me!” The man’s eyes charged with anger.

Rad put his arm out across Din defensively; he could see what was coming. The man lurched forward his hands going for Din’s throat.

(Chapter continues)
--------------------------
Sorry thin entry is so short!

[Atsuma]

Well, well, well, if it isn't Din Akera, updating her story. :D lolz

Good small update, I enjoyed it. I found a typo: There as no reason for this argument, and they had way bigger problems than this guy to deal with.

Is that suppose to be is or was? lol. If it isn't, then ignore it. XD

[Din Akera]

Rad put his arm out across Din defensively; he could see what was coming. The man lurched forward his hands going for Din’s throat.

Din dodged backward and Rad bent, grabbing the man around the waist with his outstretched arm. Rad pushed forward from the balls of his feet and threw the man backward against the stonewall behind him. The man brought his fingers to his mouth and whistled through them sharply. He then bent and pulled his weapon out from his pocket and began to swing it expertly over his arms and around his body. Rad smirked and bent his knees and hips, both fist clenched, ready for the man. Din shifted the weight to the balls of her feet. What was the whistle for? She looked at him carefully.

The man jumped forward and swung the wooden sticks toward Rad’s head. Rad dodged two swings easily and swung his fist into the man’s gut. With a grunt the man took the hit. Just as the man doubled over from Rad’s punch, a door in the stonewall swung open sharply. Three men came out of the door, and Din and Rad recognized them instantly. Even if they had not, the two fighters would have known who they were by their injuries. The first man through the door seemed in fine condition, the second had both his hands wrapped in ice gauze from burns, and the third boasted a plaster cast around his right wrist.

Din cursed under her breath when she saw the men. The three came running toward Rad at full speed. Rad ducked, dodging the first swing, and landed the metal end of his arm plate in the first attackers back. The man with the cast was next on him. Rad took a small hit in the breastplate, but grabbed the man by the shoulder and threw him backward into the third man. The man Rad had hit with his arm guard grabbed Rad from behind around the neck. Din charged him. She planted her right foot and pivoted on the ball of her foot. Bringing her left leg up she swung and landed her heel in the side of the man’s head. Falling to the ground he let go of Rad’s throat. Din went back-to-back with Rad and looked at the original attacker with the bruised face.

Rad rubbed his neck with one hand and glared at the two already injured attackers in front of him. The one with the cast picked up a stray piece of wood laying in the street and swung hard at Rad’s head. Rad ducked and swung his fist at the man’s gut. He dodged and his partner grabbed Rad by the top of the shoulders. The movement was so fast Rad didn’t have time to react. The man with the board brought the piece of wood down on Rad’s spine. Rad fell to one knee with a groan of pain, the blow knocked the wind out of him.

Din spun around at Rad’s painful sound. In doing so she opened her back to the man with the numb-chucks. He swung them hard and cracked Din in the head. The blow dazed her and threw her off balance. A pair of hands caught her from behind around the throat. Din blinked a few times and tried to clear her head. The man holding her wrapped a strong arm around her arms tightly, she couldn’t move. Looking down she watched the two men who attacked Rad grab him under the arms and throw him up against the wall of the building, pinning him there. The man on the ground that Din had hit in the head got up and picked the piece of board up off the ground. He walked toward Rad dragging it along the street. Din struggled hard against the man who held her, but his hold tightened around her throat.

The man with the board swung and struck Rad across the face. The impact turned Rad’s head sharply. He opened his eyes; he was still trying to take in air. The two men holding Rad against the wall were strong, and they had the advantage of pushing against the cobble stone street. Rad glared at the man holding Din. The man’s expression changed from anger to a horrifying smile. The man twisted Din around, hooked his feet around her ankles and tripped her, throwing her to the ground.

He started to chuckle, “You, little w**ch, need to be taught a lesson, and your boyfriend gets to watch.” The man began advancing toward her.

Anger and adrenalin shot through Rad like a rocket. With an angered yell Rad threw all his weight backward against the wall onto the man with the casted broken wrist. The man screamed in pain as the pressure came down on his injured bone. The release of the hold gave Rad enough time to swing at the man. He hit him in the bottom of the jaw sending him stumbling backwards. Rad reached around and grabbed the man holding his other arm. Rad freed his elbow and planted the end of his arm guard in the man’s face. Launching off the wall Rad smashed all his weight into the man standing over Din. Rad’s shoulder plummeted into his stomach and threw him backward across the street. Rad leaned down and grabbed Din’s arm and hands and helped her quickly to her feet. Placing one hand on her back, he pulled her in the direction of one of the streets off the main square.

The two took off as fast as they could go in their current state. They jogged down the street and around a right corner into a back ally. Rad looked around and saw a dark corner. He motioned Din around the break in the stone and she quickly rounded the edge. Din stopped in her tracks; it was a dead end. It was just a little crevice in between two buildings. She spun around to face Rad who came around the corner behind her to see the wall blocking their path. Turning to go back out, Rad heard shouts in the ally. Rad grabbed Din’s shoulders and pushed her back against the wall of the building that backed onto the main street. He stood with only a couple inches between them, close enough in front of her to hide her from view. Rad placed both forearms on either side of Din’s head against the wall. He hoped the little space was dark enough that he would be able to hide their faces. He ducked his head behind his arms and listened.

Din tried to calm her breathing; she was a little shaky after what just happened. Rad couldn’t hear anything, but wasn’t willing to move for several minutes until he was sure they were in the clear. As the shock of the fight started to wear off and his heart and breathing rate returned to normal, the words of the man who had attacked Din ran through his head, ‘your boyfriend gets to watch.’ Rad couldn’t stop his mind from wandering back to the previous night. His eyes dropped down to see she was looking back up at him. He looked at her lips. Part of him thought he must have imagined the kiss. But, then he remembered how it had felt. He looked her in the eyes, and the word echoed again, ‘boyfriend’. He shook his head slightly.

No, it was one kiss. Did she think that? Did he think that? What does one kiss mean? Well…maybe it did mean more than…

Rad’s questioning thoughts were starting to make him uneasy. He tried to push the thoughts out of his mind and focus on the sounds from the street. He could hear yelling and cursing form down the way.

Din took a deep breath. She looked up at him again. He made her feel safe, standing protectively over her like this. Din struggled with herself. She had never been close to anyone before. Rad’s words cut through her thoughts.

“How’s your head?” His words were a barely audible whisper, but Din heard him, being this close.

“It’s okay.” She nodded more than she spoke.

Rad let out a deep breath. Slowly he leaned down and placed his chin on the top of her head, very gently, allowing him to relax his neck in this small space. Din closed her eyes and let her head fall forward, her forehead landing on his collarbone.

“We have to find this Sheikah and get on with stopping these demons. We really don’t have time for this stuff.” His voice was frustrated. Rad felt Din’s small nod under his chin.

Emerald eyes looked down on them from the shadows of the roof opposite the two of them. Demons? The single visible eye curled downward in a frown.


Din and Rad stood there for several moments hearing the shouting subside and eventually disappear. After a long moment of silence Rad lifted his head and slowly looked around the corner into the alleyway. He turned back to Din and took his elbows off the wall.

“I think we are in the clear.” Rad’s words were at a much more comfortable volume.

Din nodded and pushed off the wall she had been leaning against. The two of them took two steps out into the ally. Just as they walked out into the open space something dropped from the top of the building into the dark shadows the two had just been hiding in. Rad’s Dragir eyes caught the movement in his peripheral vision and he grabbed Din’s shoulder and spun her behind him, putting himself between the movement and the woman.

Rad starred into the darkness, “Who’s there?” Rad’s tone was low and wary.

There was no movement from the corner for a long moment. Din and Rad looked hard trying to see through without light. Then, the shadows seemed to part and unfurl from the center of the space. A man took a step forward to the edge of the little crevice, the shadows hugging his shoulders and arms seemed to melt off of him very slowly.

Rad’s eyes opened wide in surprise, Din’s followed suit, but in awe. The man’s dark leather underlay proved to be a stark contrast to the white wrappings around his shoulder, neck, and face. Finally, the Sheikah took another short step and the shadows melted away completely

(Chapter continues)

[Atsuma]

Once again, superb writing. I found some typos for you to correct, nothing much though. :P

Rad at the man holding Din. The man’s expression changed from anger to a horrifying smile. The man twisted Din around, hooked his feet around her ankles and tripped her, throwing her to the ground.

--Rad did what? Rad performed some kind of action but what is it? You forgot to add the word lol.

He started to chuckle, “You, little w**ch, need to be taught a lesson, and your boyfriend is going to get to watch.” The man began advancing toward her.

--Was that Witch? If yes, I don't think the ** are necessary.
--Would you agree that if you use: "and your boyfriend gets to watch" would sound better?

Either way, good job, these are just minor typos, Din. Keep up the good writing, I enjoyed the update, the fighting, the moment with Din and Rad closely together and the way he throws himself in front of her as protecting her from harm. You did good. ^^

[Din Akera]

Once again, superb writing. I found some typos for you to correct, nothing much though. :P

Rad at the man holding Din. The man’s expression changed from anger to a horrifying smile. The man twisted Din around, hooked his feet around her ankles and tripped her, throwing her to the ground.

--Rad did what? Rad performed some kind of action but what is it? You forgot to add the word lol.

He started to chuckle, “You, little w**ch, need to be taught a lesson, and your boyfriend is going to get to watch.” The man began advancing toward her.

--Was that Witch? If yes, I don't think the ** are necessary.
--Would you agree that if you use: "and your boyfriend gets to watch" would sound better?

Either way, good job, these are just minor typos, Din. Keep up the good writing, I enjoyed the update, the fighting, the moment with Din and Rad closely together and the way he throws himself in front of her as protecting her from harm. You did good. ^^

You never fail me Ats ^^ thanks for reading.

I have changed the typo of Rad's action, and I agree about the man's speech. They have both been changed.
No, the word is not 'witch'. See, this is where my writing style becomes a problem when I try to make it PG. The stars replace the letters 'en', and in the R rated version there is another couple sentences in that portion of the scene. So, it is a little rocky, I tried to make it PG. Which, I'm not so successful at sometimes.

Thank-you for the feedback. :)

[Hazel]

Hey! I missed out on a lot here! It's brilliant working, Din. I noticed a few typos, but that OK. Keep up the good work!
Rad starred into --> stared

[Din Akera]

(One paragraph has been overlapped)

Rad’s eyes opened wide in surprise, Din’s followed suit, but in awe. The man’s dark leather underlay proved to be a stark contrast to the white wrappings around his shoulder, neck, and face. Finally, the Sheikah took another short step and the shadows melted away completely.

“That was quite the show back there.” His voice was slightly muffled behind the white wrappings.

Din and Rad looked at the man in disbelief. Part of Rad had not believed that there were any Sheikah still around, but this man was indeed a member of the race. Din had never met one; she couldn’t take her eyes off of him. After a moment of silence on the part of the three of them, Din realized one of them should speak.

“Rishian?” Her voice was full of many more questions than the one that came out of her mouth.

The Sheikah nodded once, “Why have you been looking for me?”

Din was slightly taken aback by the harsh tone he gave them.

Rad nodded, he understood. The Sheikah had been in hiding for a long time and had intended to have it stay that way; they were interrupting that. He knew this man would help them only on his terms. “We need some information from you. Koroko sent us.”

“Koroko?” Rishian’s tone changed to surprise and recognition. He took another step toward them, his demeanor softening.

“Yes.” Din stepped out from behind Rad toward Rishian. As she moved there was movement in the main street around the corner from where they stood. Rishian disappeared instantly. Din whipped her head around looking for him.

“Come on, let’s go!” Rishian’s voice was urgent and slightly annoyed at their slow pace.

Din and Rad looked down the ally toward the voice and saw Rishian standing next to a ladder nailed against the building. Din jogged down the strip and grabbed the ladder. Rishian urged her and Rad up and followed quickly.

“Come.” The Sheikah turned and lead them between the second story walls along the roves of Castle Town. The sun was behind the wall of the city now, throwing large long shadows over the spaces. They slowed to a walk. Din followed Rishian over several peaks to what appeared to be a crack in one of the stone buildings. Rishian ducked and moved through the space. Din and Rad followed easily after him.

Din was hit with a wall of blackness; she couldn’t see anything. Stopping in her tracks she held her arms out in front of her but didn’t touch anything. Rad came up behind her, he placed on hand gently on her back and caught one of her outstretched hands with the other.

“You okay? Come on.” Rad led her forward, his sharpened Dragir eyes could see easily down the stone passage.

Din grabbed his hand and trusted him, “You can see?”

“Yes.” Rad laughed once.

He led her down the narrow pass and around a corner. He could see that this must be Rishian’s living quarters. The extremely small square room held a single cot against the left wall, a small cabinet sat between the bed and a small stove on the back wall and a couch was pressed against the opposite wall from the bed and had obviously not been touched in many years. Rishian turned around to see Rad leading Din into the room. Rishian’s visible eye narrowed at this sight. He looked Rad up and down. Not only did he fight like one, he had the senses and personality of one…

Din’s eyes were beginning to adjust but she could still barely see anything in the small room. Rishian lit two large candles sitting on the ground on either side of a meditation mat to make it easier on her. He gestured to the floor and couch for the two of them to sit. Din, now able to see in the candle light folder her legs under her on the floor and leant against the couch. Rad stood beside her but did not sit. Rishian looked at Rad again and noticed a bruise beginning to form under the skin on his face. The Sheikah turned and went to the small cabinet and opened the door. Din saw that there was nothing inside on the shelves. Thinking this was odd, Din watched as he tapped the edge of one of the boards and the back wall of the cabinet seemed to spin around, revealing shelves full of potions, wrapping and what appeared to be an array of medical supplies. Rishian took out a small packet and a vile. He walked over to Rad and offered him the vile and moved to place the packet over the skin of his face.

Rad moved away and held up his hand in a halt. “I’m fine”

The Sheikah’s eye narrowed, “Right now, but in the morning…” Rishian pushed the vile into Rad’s hand and placed the packet on Rad’s cheekbone. Reluctantly Rad rolled his eyes, drank the vile and held the cold press on his face.

“You are new to Castle Town.” Rishian looked at both of them.

“Well, not really” Din laughed. “We have been here before and it ended about the same way.” She motioned to Rad’s injuries.

Rishian nodded, these two must have been the commotion in The Milk Bar from a few days ago. “Now, Koroko sent you to find me?”

“Yes,” Din began. “We need some information from you about the great demons imprisoned by the hero of Time.”

Rishian nodded, “I gathered that from the conversation in the ally.” He folded his legs under him and sat on the meditation mat across from Din. The motion was completely smooth and made no sound.

Din looked up at Rad a little surprised. She guessed she shouldn’t be, the Sheikah were bred to be spies.

“Hazel Nightingale is dead” Rad’s voice was serious.

Rishian’s eyebrow rose up, disappearing behind his long brown bangs.

“Ark Mantrios escaped from Arbiter Grounds and freed Hazel. Kate, Rad, Koroko and I brought her down.” Din added.

“I see.” Rishian raised one hand to where his mouth would be if it were visible, he began to think. “But Ark escaped, so you have come to me to find out the locations of the other two demons.” It was a statement, not a question.

Din nodded and looked up at Rad standing over her to gage his reaction to Rishian. The Sheikah contemplated their news for a minute, “Do you know which demon Ark plans to release next?”

Rad spoke quickly, “The twin demon.”

Rishian got to his feet and laid his hand on a brick in the stone wall above the cot. The upper half of the wall moved backward and revealed several stacks of books. Rishian reached between them and pulled out a map of Hyrule. Bringing it back he laid it across the floor between himself and Din.
“The demon of wisdom is one soul split into two entities, hence the earned name ‘twin.’ Each entity was imprisoned separate from each other with the idea that if they couldn’t fuse or collaborate, it would be impossible for them to break free. Which would be true, if they didn’t have help from the outside world, which now they do… The twin demons respective prisons are Death Mountain and Peak Mountain.” He pointed to the two largest mountains of Hyrule on the map. “But the magic that conceals them can be released at the same time from here.” Rishian pointed to north Hyrule Field “The hero was afraid that if they were sealed at separate times, one would be strong enough to break free and release the other, so the doors were sealed at the same time, resulting in the magic chains meeting in the same place underground, half way between the two points.”

“So that is where Ark will be headed” Rad’s tone had dropped to a more comfortable level.

“I would think so. You two need to be able to think on your feet and fight together to defeat the demon. You will most likely have to the two entities at once and then if you start succeeding in the battle they will fuse and you will have the demon’s beast form, which is stronger.”

Din smiled and looked up at Rad, “We can do that.”

Rad looked back down and her and a sheepish smile appeared on his face. “Let’s get going. Ark already has a head start.” He offered a hand to Din. She took it and stood. Rishian stood as well and with one swift movement of his fingers the flames of both candles when out.

Din headed down the dark hall first. She placed one hand on the wall and used it to find her own way toward the crack that would lead her back outside. As she rounded the corner into the passageway Rishian caught Rad by the elbow, stopping him.

“She trusts you, you know.”

Rad nodded, “Yes.”

“Does she know?” Rishian’s tone became deep and defensive.

Rad turned to look at him. “Does she know what?” Rad’s voice was flat and slightly cold.

“Only those who know nothing of your race are fooled by this.” Rishian picked his hand up and flicked a piece of Rad’s bangs. “All the signs are obvious. Dragir.” Rishian watched him closely for a reaction.

Rad let out a frustrated breath, “No, she doesn’t”

The Sheikah looked at Rad’s face. He did not see what he had expected. There was slight fear and even sadness present.

Rad looked at Rishian with slight defensiveness, “So, Sheikah. Are you now my enemy?”

Rishian looked at him through his eyelashes, “I should be. Innocent people did not have to be killed.” His tone was harsh, “But I also understand. You had to do what you did. I probably would have done no better.”

“I’m trying to do better.” Rad’s voice was hushed now and far away.

Rishian looked at him, “I can tell.” He nodded in understanding of Rad’s motivation for the demon hunt.

“And you as well. You have secret all your own.” Rad looked at him from the corner of his eyes.

Rishian was taken aback by Rad’s statement. “I…I don’t know what you are talking about.”

Rad let out an annoyed sigh, “You no longer bear what gives you your name.” Rad nodded toward Rishian’s chest. The leather underlay, dark against the white wrappings, was solid. The Sheikah crest absent from its usual place on any member’s chest.

Rishian’s eye tightened. This Dragir must have been around for a while; he knew much of the past. “Yes. I too have bones in my closet.”

“Tradition does not govern either of us anymore. Now we share a common goal.” Rad turned to face him.

Rishian nodded in response. The two men starred at each other for a moment, judging.

Rad extended his palm toward the other man, “Sheikah.”

Rishian looked at his hand for a moment and then took it, “Dragir.”

They released the shake and headed down the hall after Din who was standing outside the cracked wall on the rooftop. Rishian grabbed a couple weapons off the wall as they went by.

“Everything okay?” Din look at them both curiously.

“Yes.” Rad nodded and smiled at her.

Rishian took the lead again and led them through the second and third stories of Castle Town. They walked through his passages all the way to the eastern gate. Rishian slid through an unoccupied guard porticult and landed lightly on his feet in the grass outside the city wall. Din followed his path and landed beside him. Rad laughed, knowing he could not fit through the small space. He planted one hand on the top of the wall and vaulted over it. The three looked toward north Hyrule Field.

“Cross the bridge of Eldin into Lanayru. There is a rock cliff in North Field with what appears to be an abandoned mineshaft. The shaft leads to the door where the magic chains are protected. There are guards for the door, but Ark won’t hesitate to remove them.” Rishian pointed in the direction he was talking about.

“You’re not coming with us?” Din expression was confused and slightly sad. She had begun to like the man in the short time they had spent.

“No. I’m going for reinforcements. If the demon of courage is released…we are all in big trouble. We will need all the help we can get for the fight.” Rishian noticed Din’s expression, “We’ll meet up again.” His voice seemed to hold a small smile.

Din smiled back at him and then looked back at the city wall. “I will go back and get our horses Rad.” She took off at a light jog for the gate.

“You will be able to fight much more effectively against the demon in your true form.” Rishian stated looking off toward Death Mountain, the closer of the two prisons.

“I know that.” Rad’s tone held anger.

Rishian looked at him. “Then transform and tell her. The truth will come out. It always does. We ancient races try to hide, but even as I found today, the truth comes around to bite you, even this many years later.” Rishian seemed to hold some regret and pain down in his voice.

Rad looked at him with surprise as he processed what the Sheikah said. “You have some part in this?” Rad’s voice was full of shock and mounting anger.

Just then Din arrived behind them with their horses. “Are we ready?” Rishian’s visible eye narrowed a warning at Rad.

Rad’s eyes tightened. After a hesitation he answered her, “Yes, we should go.”

Rishian backed three steps away from them, “Good luck, and I will see you again.” The Sheikah threw his arm down and the crack of a deku nut split through he air. The flash of white light from the nut blinded Rad and Din for a full second. When they looked up, Rishian was gone.

“Wow.” Din seemed impressed.

Rad rolled his eyes, “Yeah, they do that.”
The two warriors took off at a full gallop toward Eldin Bridge. They had to stop Ark. Hopefully they were not already to late.

(End of this freaking long chapter!)

[Atsuma]

That was fantastic, Din, but again, just a few annoying typos for you to correct if you want.
Ignore them if you want, that is up to you. :P

Din, now able to see in the candle light folder her legs under her on the floor and leant against the couch (folded)

Rishian took out a small packet and a vile. (vial?)

Rishian stood as well and with one swift movement of his fingers the flames of both candles when out. (went)

The two men starred at each other for a moment, judging. (stared)

“Rishian?” Her voice was full of many more questions than the one that came out of her mouth. (I actually loved that description)

Good job, Din, well done. I will keep my eyes open for more updates. I am intrigued to see what happens next. Will the twin demons be released, what will happen with Rishian and Din and Rad. Don't keep us waiting long. :P

[Hazel]

Good job, Din. You're awesome. Keep it up!

[Master Kokiri 9]

Pretty good story so far Din. I love the description, and Rad's meeting with the Shiekah was very interesting. I can't wait to see more.

[Hero of Time]

While reading the first chapter I was trying to figure out who the girl was. At first I thought Tetra but then I read about the red hair. When I found out it was Din I did a huge face-palm. I like your story. Make sure to check out mine too :)

[Din Akera]

Oh you guys are all reading my story! :embarrassed::embarrassed::D
You make me all so happy! I'm so glad you are enjoying it!

Yes lol, red hair and the red scarf wrapped around the black tunic complete with the boots, would be my character Din! lol.

Stay tuned there will be another update tonight!

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Chapter 7 – Magicians

Rishian slid a piece of paper into the ‘urgent’ mailbox with a sigh. If this didn’t help, he didn’t know what would. If they would respond to his letter and join them, maybe, just maybe Hyrule wouldn’t fall to the great demons the Hero of Time worked so hard to contain.

The Sheikah closed his eyes and took a few breaths. How could he let himself be tempted all those years ago? He shook his head from side to side. And now what? He would be swayed again! He ground his teeth together behind the white wrappings covering his face at his own thoughts.

He looked at the mail slot and turned away quickly. He would do right. The Sheikah leapt up onto the roof of the nearest building and headed back the way he had come, toward the battle he knew would soon be beginning.

*************

“Hi-yah!” Rad kicked his horse. He and Din galloped over the largest of the sections of Hyrule Field. He could just see the stone structure of Eldin Bridge through the dark night air. Rad and Din pushed their horses hard knowing Ark was a full day ahead of them. Din pushed the gut feeling in her stomach down. She knew there was no way they could stop the release of the demon of wisdom. Ark had to be there by now. They were nearing the stone bridge, more than half way across East Hyrule Field.

Suddenly the ground began to shake and tremble. Both fighters looked at each other with worried glances. The horses slowed and began to dance around as the ground shuttered beneath their scared feet. Rad and Din looked up as Death Mountain and Peak Mountain’s tops exploded upward into the sky in unison. Death Mountain’s explosion sent flying bits of lava, fire, and molten boulders cascading into the sky. Peak Mountain’s winter covered top threw hunks of ice, frost, and snow in every direction and large frozen rocks rolling down the mount.
Din watched in horror as a large figure with a mane of fire rose from the lava pit of Death Mountain’s crater. At the same time, Rad watched a similar figure with an ice crystal for hair rise from the snow of Peak Mountain. A piercing cackle erupted from the throats of each of the figures and they began to fly toward each other, crossing the space between them.

Rad’s voice broke through the cackling, “Twinrova has been released! Go Din! Ride! We have to get to the half way point!”

Din kicked her horse hard and it leapt forward. The two galloped at full speed across Eldin Bridge to the rocky stone ground of the path leading into North Hyrule field.

Din threw a glance over her shoulder as they descended down the rocky path to the grass portion of Lanayru Province. She could see the witch from Death Mountain flying up behind them. Spinning her attention around she looked forward to see the witch of Peak Mountain flying towards them. Both witches rode on broomsticks. The two witches met high in the sky over North Hyrule Field.

Din and Rad hauled their horses to a stop and looked up at the two entities of one demon. The witch with flames for hair spoke to the other.

“Kotake! I believe these think they can bring us to our knees after we have fought so hard to be free.”

“I don’t think that is going to happen Koume, not now that Ark has freed us from our imprisonment!” The witch with crystal ice hair cackled.

“With my fire, I will burn them to their bones!” Koume howled.

“With my frost, I will freeze them to their souls!” Kotake screeched.

Din looked at Rad and he scowled at the two witches in the air. Koume and Kotake turned and looked at the man and woman on the ground. With one swoop of her arm Koume threw a large stream of fire in the direction of the two fighters.

Din reacted quickly. She held up both her hands out of instinct. The beam stopped a few feet away from her palms and disappeared. Quickly, Din and Rad both dismounted, knowing they could call their horses back if they survived the fight. Rad pulled his massive blade from its sheath and took stance, looking up into the sky.

“Oh! It seems we have skilled fighters on our hands Koume” Kotake sounded surprised.

Din pulled her bow off her back and strung two arrows into the string. Taking aim, Din let them go. The arrows cut through the air with amazing speed and accuracy, each one headed for it’s respective target.

Kotake laughed. She waved her hand and both arrows turned to ice. The weight and loss of aerodynamic shape caused them to fall from the sky. “Two on two seems fair to me Koume!” she laughed.

Din and Rad looked up to see both witches charging them from the sky, plummeting straight down for them. Both witches held up a single hand. Koume’s began to glow red-hot and Kotake’s turned icy white.

“Dodge!” Rad’s command grabbed Din’s attention. The two leapt and rolled to opposite sides as their opponents’ fire and ice beams smashed into the spot where they had been standing. The witches pulled up on their broomsticks and flew around Din and Rad, much closer to the ground now. Each fighter turned to face one witch, back-to-back.

“One controls fire, the other ice.” Rad’s voice was low enough that Din heard him without the witches being alerted to the exchange.

“Rad, I can’t take a hit from her.” Din said, eyeing Kotake, “As a fire manipulator, water magic injures me deeply. I can’t fight with her. I will lose to only one or two hits. I can deal with fire, but not ice.” Din’s voice was creased with anger

Din and Rad exchanged worried glances. He grabbed her and spun her around, switching their places, Rad now facing Kotake and Din facing Koume. Rad’s mind raced, he knew the whole point of this fight was to outsmart them. Rad raked his brain frantically for anything he knew of that could help them.

Being this close, Din could see just how big they were. Each witch was easily the same size as Hazel had been. In remembering that battle, Din felt a surge of determination run through her. She pulled her daggers from the tops of her boots and dug the balls of her feet into the ground, ready.

“Fight fire with fire!” Din’s determination erupted from her. Her hands and arms lit aflame and she threw a massive fireball at the fire witch in front of her.

The witch absorbed the flames, as Din would have had fire come at her.

Din leapt forward with her daggers out, hoping the flames and smoke would have blinded her for even a second. Din brought both daggers down and the metal weapons clanged together as they hit nothing but air. Din looked at the empty space where Koume had been moments ago.

Rad twirled his blade in his hand eyeing the ice witch. Rad heard Din’s attack and watched as Koume appeared out of thin air behind Kotake. The two witches stared down at Rad. Din spun around and stood behind him looking up at their opponents.

“Well that wasn’t very nice.” Koume sneered at Din. The two witches began to charge balls of magic in their hands.

Din and Rad shifted their stance, ready to dodge.

The witches threw continuous balls of fire and ice at Din and Rad, the two continuously dodging from side to side. After a time, the exchange became somewhat dance like. The two witches hovered beside each other and two very large balls of the opposing elemental magic began to form in each other their hands. With a cackle they released the long beams of magic at the same time.

The ice beam shot out of Kotake’s hands and headed for Rad’s chest. Rad pulled his sword defensively up in front of him. The swinging motion deflected the beam off into the open field. The hilt became cold but the blade was otherwise unaffected.

Koume’s hands released a beam of flames, which matched Kotakes’s ice for time and speed, flying for Din’s head. Din held up her hands and bent the flames over herself and threw them away. She took in as much heat from it as she could. She could feel her energy was at its peak.

“Oh! It seems the girl uses the fire to her energies’ advantage Kotake.” The fire witch laughed to her counterpart.

“And the boy is strong, very strong Koume.” The ice witch responded.

“Rad! They learn more and more about us the longer we draw this out! We have to do something, now!” Din’s exclamation came between her quick steps avoiding the raining magic.

Rad’s tactile training and strategic planning thoughts were wheeling in his head as he tried to avoid the impact of the ice and flames. Ice and flames… wait! He remembered what Din had said about her magic contacting opposite elemental magic. Rad’s attention shot up and he watched the two witches dance around the sky shooting at them. He saw exactly what he was hoping to see. The two kept an even two-foot space between each other.

“Din!” Rad grabbed her by the elbow and whispered quickly in her ear.

Din’s face turned from surprise to determination. She turned her attention back up toward the sky. “Got it!”

(Chapter Continues)

[Din Akera]

Din and Rad split and ran to opposite sides of the two magic witches. Din charged a small ball of fire in her right hand. Turning her attention she lobbed the ball at the fire witch.

Koume followed her with her eyes, “Let’s see just how much heat you can take!” A massive ball of flames began to form between the witch’s palms.
Rad ran around the other witch. He grabbed a large rock and threw it at Kotake.

The witch held up her hand and the rock turned to ice and fell back to the ground. She burst out laughing, “Well that was not the greatest throw for a skilled fighter” She followed Koume’s lead and began to charge a massive ice beam.

Rad and Din stopped across from each other, the witches above and in between them. They watched as both witches released their magic at the fighters below. A confident smirk appeared on Rad lips. He held his sword tightly, turning his body to make sure he had the right angle. He sidestepped and swung his blade as the beam came close enough. The beam came in contact with the flat side of the metal weapon and deflected back as it had before.

Din grabbed hold of the flames as they came down at her. She pivoted in a circle on her the ball of her foot and swung the flames around herself and threw them back into the sky.

Koume’s redirected flames and Kotake’s deflected ice flew back upward into the sky at the surprised and stunned twin entities. The ice smashed into the fire witch at the same instance that the flames smoldered into the ice witch. The two entities screamed as the opposite set of magic made contact with their bodies. Both witches fell from the sky and thumped into the ground on their sides. They lay motionless for a full second. Kotake was the first to move. She got her hands under her and began to push herself up appearing to require much effort to do so.

“Go Din!” Rad ordered her.

Din ran over and threw her palms down over top of the ice witch. Huge flames ran down Din’s shoulders, over her arms, and out her palms to incase the ice witch in the fire magic. The witch’s screams heightened as the flames began to melt her from the outside.

Rad charged the fire witch, who was now also beginning to get up. He stood on her broomstick for which she was reaching. Rad swung his sword for her neck. The witch reached up with her other hand and twisted her fingers in the air. The metal blade in Rad’s hand turned white hot. With a quick gasp of pain he threw the sword down into the soil, hilt standing straight up into the air. In his moment of hesitation Koume rolled and saw Din killing Kotake. The fire witch held both hands up and sucked all of Din’s flames off of Kotake. The fire gave Koume heat energy and she jumped back to her feet.

Slightly startled, Din gasped as her flames disappeared and Koume righted herself. Kotake looked up weakly and reached out her left hand. She wrapped her fingers around Din’s ankle and forced her ice into the girl’s foot.

Din screamed as the ice licked into her skin and sucked at her energy level. Rad reacted quickly. With a swift stance shift he landed a solid roundhouse kick to the center of the fire witch’s back. Koume fell forward and knocked into Kotake, releasing her hold on the girl. Din staggered backward and reached down, wrapping her warm hands around her iced ankle. Rad reached out and caught her under her arms to make sure she wouldn’t fall.
Koume took Kotake under the arms as well and stood her on her feet. “Come, let’s finish these two!” The two entities hugged each other, Koume supporting Kotake heavily. A flash of black light emitted from the center of their hug. Din and Rad stood side-by-side, Din shaking off the pain in her foot, knowing what was happening. When the black light faded, in their place stood a single lady.

The demon stood as tall as Rad and easily as broad. Overall she was smaller than the two witches had been, somewhat average sized in comparison. The demon was wrapped in a beautiful dress that fell to her knees. The left side of the dress was ice and appeared to be flowing as white freezing mist fell from the crystal. The right side of the dress was made of flame, dancing away from her body and creating a stark contrast between the two halves of her body. The lady had long dark hair that had pieces of fire and ice intertwined between the dark strands all over her head and cascading down her spine. Her eyes were solid black; turned down in the inner corners next to her nose and turned up on the outer edges. She smiled at them and a pair of razor sharp fangs appeared behind her lips. Her fingers curled and cracked. She had claws that extended two inches past the tips of her fingers. Around her wrists hung two gem stones, both large enough to easily take up her whole hand, should she hold them. One stone matched the icy side of her dress the other matched the flames. The demon curled her fingers around the stones and snarled at Din and Rad. Her black eyes darted about wildly like an animal. Her stance and small movements were extremely cat-like. She was strikingly beautiful, but just as frightening.

Rad’s eyes opened wide; he recognized the beast from the stories of old. “Din…don’t let her get close to you. She…she feeds on blood. It gives her strength.” Rad’s mind raced. He knew that most of the vampire race had died out. Twinrova was their queen, but he had never known why until now. She was a demon that possessed the beast form of a vampire as well as the elemental magic of the double witch entities.

Din looked at Rad in shock. He seemed unnerved and that scared her.

Twinrova growled and spoke, “You should listen to your friend. You smell sweet.” Her voice was deep and had a sort of echo effect to it, yet it was still characteristically female. The demon crouched into a fight position ready to pounce. “And now you will both die for opposing me!” The last two words rose into a battle cry as the demon launched itself forward, fangs out and claws extended for their throats.

(Chapter continues)

[Hero of Time]

I really like it :) By the way is Link or Zelda gonna appear? Or is this just a complete spin-off?

[Din Akera]

I really like it :) By the way is Link or Zelda gonna appear? Or is this just a complete spin-off?

Wow, you read that fast. ....did you actually read it? lol
If you read the intro the the story on the first page it sort of answers your question. This story takes place many years after Link destroyed Ganondorf. So no, Link and Zelda have passed away. Din, Rad, Kate, and company (not wanting to name them all and give spoilers) are your heros of this story. :D

[Hero of Time]

I read it all but I read the intro and first chapter a couple days ago. And I'm a fast reader and only had to read chapter 7 because I've been following this but never posted and I don't know why lol

[Hazel]

Well, well. Great story, Din, you should look over your punctuation a little. I saw some commas and full stops missing. But that's all right, all in all, it's an awesome story and you manage to suck us into it. Great job.

[Din Akera]

Well, well. Great story, Din, you should look over your punctuation a little. I saw some commas and full stops missing. But that's all right, all in all, it's an awesome story and you manage to suck us into it. Great job.

I appreciate the feedback Hazel. Could you point those spots out to me? That would be great. :)

-------------------------

Twinrova growled and spoke, “You should listen to your friend. You smell sweet.” Her voice was deep and had a sort of echo effect to it, yet it was still characteristically female. The demon crouched into a fight position ready to pounce. “And now you will both die for opposing me!” The last two words rose into a battle cry as the demon launched itself forward, fangs out and claws extended for their throats.

Din dodged quickly to the side and Rad back-flipped out of the demon’s reach. The battle was now two on one. The demon looked between them deciding her best course of action to bring them both down.

Rad caught Din’s eye and flicked them toward his blade sticking out of the ground, now behind the demon. Din gave him the smallest of nods. Din bent quickly and grabbed her daggers out of the tops of her boots, hollering as she did so. The Demon’s attention snapped to her and Rad leapt for his sword.

The demon spun toward Rad, unsure of his motivation for the movement. She watched him roll, grab the sword by the hilt, and pull it from the earth. Rad quickly wiped the tip of the blade over the material on his knee to clean the soil off. Din and Rad now stood just to either side of the demon, the three creating an almost flat triangle.

Din watched Rad’s eyes, hoping for him to tell her what to do. Rad flicked his eyes to the bow on Din’s back and shifted his sword. Din’s eyes flashed back to the demon; ready to do what Rad thought would work best.

With a grunt and a battle cry Rad charged the elemental vampire. Rad brought the sword down hard, aiming for the space between her shoulder and her neck. The demon reacted quickly and brought both gemstones up, catching the edge of the blade across the front of them.

Din pulled the bow from her back and strung the first arrow all in one motion. She aimed the bow at the evil creature and waited. She needed to make her shot count; she only had two arrows left. Rad swung again and drove the demon back with the force of his blows. She paired each and every attack he made, the blade clashing against the red and blue stones of fire and ice. Rad drove her back trying to turn her back to Din. Din shuffled her feet, trying to get behind her.

The demon was too smart to be outdone this way. She easily paired Rad’s attacks and kept an eye on Din, keeping Rad between herself and the lady with the bow.

Din was getting frustrated. She pulled the string back hard and aimed for the back of Rad’s head. “Duck!” She hollered at him.

Rad threw his head to the left, bent his knees, and Din released the arrow. The demon looked forward as Rad moved out of the way and saw the arrow coming for her face. The vampire threw her torso back and bent her neck toward the ground. She felt the arrow skim an inch over her face and whiz by off into the open field behind her.

Din shifted her bow in her palms, angry with the miss. As she moved it, she heard the tip of her bow clink against a pouch strapped to the belt on the middle of her back. Din reached her hand around, not remembering that she was carrying anything. Her hand landed on another small quiver. Her eyes opened wide as she remembered her purchase from Barnes in Kakariko Village. She pulled a bomb arrow out of the quiver and strung it.

Twinrova saw this and decided on a different course of action. The demon bent her knees and launched herself up into the sky. She hovered there and glared down at them. She held the fire gemstone up above her head and began her attack. Flames flew downward like rain, cascading out of the stone and setting fire to the grass around them. Din opened one had and closed it sharply again putting out the grass fire, but the flames continued to rain around them.

Din grabbed Rad by the sleeve and pulled him close behind her. The fire around them got thick, but a small dome of space between the flames stayed in place as Din protected them from the magic. Looking up, she could see Twinrova’s stone producing the flames, but could not see the demon’s body. Din guessed that meant Twinrova couldn’t see them either. With a smirk she drew the bomb arrow back and aimed just below the firestone. She released the arrow, knowing it would light itself as it flew through the flames between them.

Twinrova glared down at the billow of smoke and flame. She heard a small sound but could not place it as the flames made it difficult to hear. From the center of the flames came the arrow, sparking, as the fuse was about to detonate. The arrow was too close before Twinrova was able to see it, and she wasn’t able to react in time for a complete dodge.

The demon bent back and the arrow exploded half a foot above her chest. The impact of the shock sent the vampire plummeting toward the ground. The flames from the gemstone ceased and the demon smashed into the earth with a loud bang.

Din clapped her hands together and the flames around them went out. When the smoke lifted, the two fighters saw Twinrova crawling back to her feet.

Rad sprinted toward her. He grabbed the demon from behind wrapping his strong hands around her throat. He hooked his elbows over her shoulders and restrained the top of her torso, trying to cut off her air.

Din pulled her last arrow from its quiver and drew it back into the string. Knowing that using a bomb arrow would hurt Rad as well. Releasing the arrow at the vampire’s exposed chest, Din prayed that it would dig through her skin and into her heart. The vampire brought her free arms up and she caught the arrow between the two gemstones. The arrow froze, then melted, and burned in flames between the two stones.
The vampire closed her eyes and felt Rad’s pulse against her skin. She could hear his heartbeat it in her ears and feel it against her back as he restrained her. Twinrova snarled and her fangs came out from behind her lips with a terrifying roar. She twisted her head and sank her teeth into Rad’s shoulder.

Rad yelled in pain and horror as her fangs broke the skin and she began to suck blood from the wound. He had no choice but to release his hold on her and try to fight her off.

“Rad!” Din’s scream of horror pushed her forward at a full sprint. She threw her hands down in front of her placing them on the ground. Bending her elbows she threw herself feet first at the vampire. Her boots smashed into the distracted demon’s head, knocking her off Rad to the ground.
Rad staggered backward holding his bleeding wound. Din threw her hands up and held his face. “Rad! Are you alright?” She was out of breath with worry.

Rad looked at her, a little shocked. He felt her warm hands on his face and looked down at her worried eyes. Rad felt one emotion stir in his mind and heart and he didn’t know what to do with it. She was so--

The vampire rolled to her feet and roared in anger at both of them. Din and Rad’s attention rocketed back to the demon that wanted them dead. The blood had revived her completely as if she had never been hit by Din’s bomb-arrow. She once again leapt up into the air and glared down at them. The demon raised the ice stone above her head and sneered at them both. From the stone shot ice crystals shaped to a perfect point on the attacking end.

Din and Rad both jumped out of the way of the deadly crystals. Din’s stomach churned. If she was hit she knew she was done for. She had also been using a lot of magic; she was beginning to tire. Rad wrestled with himself. If he used his true form, this fight would be so much easier. The thoughts ran through his head as he looked up at the sky.

Din pulled out her daggers, “Rad! Throw me!”

Rad looked at Din and saw her running across the space between them at full speed. She limped slightly on the ankle that Kotake had iced earlier, but she paid it no mind. Rad linked his hands together and bent his knees. Din jumped and stepped on his cupped hands. Rad threw her into the air as hard as he could with his injured shoulder. Din pulled her daggers over her head and yelled as she came close enough to the demon.

Twinrova had not been expecting the attack and did not react in time. Din brought both daggers down and the blades entered the vampire’ s stomach. Twinrova cried out in pain, but the impact did not pull her from the sky.

Din began to fall as gravity pulled her back to earth.

The demon wrapped her hands around the daggers and pulled them from her body. She spun in the air and looked at Din’s descending back with hate. The two daggers turned to ice and the vampire threw them with blinding speed and accuracy at Din’s back.

Din was watching the ground coming up to meet her and was timing her impact with her good leg. About a foot from the ground Din’s felt one of the ice daggers pierce her back. Din screamed as the ice seared her skin and sucked her energy from her body. The impact of the dagger threw her off balance and caused her to land on the ground in a heap. The pain was unbelievable; Din could barely stand it.

Rad wheeled around and saw Din hit the ground.

Twinrova cackled as the dagger inflicted maximum pain on her victim. She held the ice stone above her head and a great beam of ice magic shot out from the center of the stone.

Din looked up as she heard the release and the ice beam hit her directly in the chest. With a scream of pain Din flew backwards and smashed into a large rock sitting in the field. The second impact knocked the breath out of her. She slumped to the ground with her head hung. The ice turned to a pool of water against Din’s heated chest and a painful moan came from her mouth. Din collapsed to the ground and lay motionless as the water dripped down her arms and sides.

Rad exploded toward Din and skidded to a stop on the balls of his feet, crouching next to her head. Rad reached down and placed his hand on the side of her face, moving her hair back. “Din! Din! Wake up!” His voice was full of worry and horror.

She did not respond. She lay completely still.

Rad’s furry exploded out of him. Spinning around on his heels he faced the demon, now laughing at what she had done.
Din could only feel pain coursing through her body, the cold water burning down her skin, her back and lungs desperate for any relief of the compression they felt. The wound on her back screamed. She heard a battle cry that was so powerful she opened her eyes in surprise. She saw Rad crouched in front of her, facing away from her, toward Twinrova. She looked up at him and couldn’t believe what she saw. The man shook from head to toe. Two small spikes emerged from under his hair and seemed to turn it white as they rose. His skin began to shimmer in the sun and two enormous black objects sprouted from his back. Rad launched himself into the air and drew his massive blade in his accent toward Twinrova. Din’s heart skipped a beat and the overwhelming pain replaced her surprise and fear.

Everything went black.

(Chapter continues)

[Din Akera]

Everything went black.

*********************
Rishian ran as fast as he could. He was halfway across the Bridge of Eldin as Twinrova came into view, hovering high above North Hyrule Field. With a grunt of determination he pushed himself harder, keeping his eyes on the laughing demon. He then saw something he did not expect.

With blinding speed Rad flew into the air and smashed into the center of Twinrova’s body. The surprise of his weight caused the two of them to fall to the earth. Rad landed on her chest, pushing all the air out of her lungs.

Rishian hurtled down the stone path to the edge of the grassy area as Rad roared down at the demon in anger. Rad brought his sword down across her neck before the Sheikah could blink. Rishian stopped several meters away from Rad and looked at him with shock. He glanced around the open field, noticing the fighter was alone.

Rad glared down at the body of the demon for a moment then stood. He looked up and saw Rishian watching him. Rad’s attention shifted immediately, paying the Sheikah no mind. Rad ran back to Din, still lying in a heap under the shadow of the rock.

Rishian saw the lady after Rad had gone to her. He ran over to them and stopped beside Rad. The fighter slid is arms underneath the girl and stood. Rad looked at Rishian with worry in his eyes.

“Take her for help. I’ll clean this up and get your horses.” Rishian said motioning to Twinrova’s body. “Go!”

Rad needed no further prompting. He launched himself forward from the balls of his feet. With all the speed he could muster he pushed himself toward East Hyrule Field, toward Kakariko Village, clutching Din against his chest. “Hold on Din! You are going to be fine! You will be fine!” Rad’s called to her, hoping she could hear him. But he knew that his words were an attempt to convince him as much as her.

Rad hurtled into Kakariko village hollering, “RENADO!!”

The shaman burst from the dome shaped building to see Rad coming toward him fast. Renado’s eyes opened wide as he saw Rad. “Master Rad?” His voice held fear, not questions.

Rad stopped beside him holding Din. “Save her! Whatever you need to do, do it!”

Renado placed a hand over Din’s chest and the other over her forehead. She wasn’t moving in anyway. “Quick, bring her inside.” Renado’s voice turned to serious concentration.

The two men carried her swiftly into Kakariko Inn.

(End Chapter)

[Master Kokiri 9]

Great chapter Din. I'm quite curious of what will happen to Din. And also curious of how things will work out now that Din sorta saw Rad's dragir form. There are a couple typos that I'll point out later for you to fix, but all in all, great job and I can't wait to see more.

[Atsuma]

Here are a few I found, Din. Again, feel free to just ignore or correct them. XD

The fighter slid is arms underneath the girl and stood (left out an h)

“Take her for help. I’ll clean this up and get your horses.”

--Take her for help? That sounds too weird. Shouldn't it be like: "Go get her some help" or "Take her, get her some help fast" etc.

Rad’s called to her (Just Rad would work, not Rad's)

Good job, the battle with the witches went well for the Dragir and Din, forcing them to merge into Twinrova, but Din is hurt and so I wonder what will happen next. Keep it going, Dinny.

[Hazel]

Great job, Din. You write incredibly well. I saw the typos above and but then noticed Atsuma had already written so...

[Din Akera]

Thank you all for the typo fixings! How are we liking the story/plot?

----------------------------

Chapter 8 – Betrayer

Rishian sat atop Rad’s horse and held the reins of the other. He cantered into Kakariko Village with the sun setting behind him. It had taken him awhile to calm the two horses enough to pact the fallen gear and mount up. The Sheikah hugged the rock wall that led to the stables. The sun was still throwing orange light around the mountain village. He looked up at Death Mountain. The lava had hardened and the top of the mount had a new shape. He could see Gorons hard at work. They were removing boulders from their city and rolling out new paths with their stone backs.

Rishian dismounted and led the horses into the stable beside Eldin Spring. He glanced across the spring to the dome shaped shaman’s hut and across the path to the Inn. Rad and Din would be one of those two places.

Removing the horses’ gear, he groomed them until the sun had dipped low enough behind the rocks to allow for him to be comfortable in the shadows of twilight. Coming out of the stable, Rishian wrapped the shadows around himself and moved down the wall toward the hut. Peering through the window he could see no light or movement.

He looked up and grabbed a support beam sticking out of the wall and swung himself up on top of the dome. Crouched in the night air, he could see lanterns burning in the halls of the Inn. He looked down into the street; no one was around. Wrapping the shadows tightly around himself he leapt from the dome across the street to the wall of the Inn. He caught the plaster with his hands and grabbed hold of the wooden crossbeam with his feet. Turning, he placed his back against the wall and set his ear next to the window that fed to the upstairs hallway. He could hear footsteps and heavy breathing, a man’s, from the weight of the steps and the size of the breaths. Rishian shuffled closer to the window and peered with his one exposed eye through the open space. It was indeed Rad pacing up and down the hallway.

Rishian grabbed the upright support of the window with both hands and swung his legs through the open space. Arching his back he landed on his feet at the end of the hallway with no sound whatsoever. The Sheikah crossed his arms over his chest and waited for Rad to reach the other end of the hallway, turn and start to pace back. Rad turned on his heel and began his path again. He looked up and saw the shadows hugging Rishian’s silhouette.

Rad let out a sigh that held no relief. “She is sleeping.” They were the only words he could muster.

Rishian nodded once. “I can slow Ark down.”

Rad looked up at the Sheikah.

“I have a good idea of where he will be. I can meet him and slow him down until you two can get back on your feet.” Rishian spoke quietly.

Rad nodded. He knew he should be more focused on Ark, but he wasn’t. His eyes landed on the second door in the hallway, the wooden block lay closed against the frame.

“I have called for appropriate reinforcements. But I don’t know if they will be willing to aid you.” Rishian continued.

A hardened expression appeared on Rad’s face. “You think they will even come if they know I’m here?” Rad’s words held doubt and anger.

Rishian shrugged. “All I can do is ask.” A small and distracted nod came from Rad’s head. He leaned back against the wall beside the door and crossed his arms.

Rishian grabbed the window brace again and threw himself back out the window into the night air.

Rad looked down the hall to see that he was gone. With a deep breath he placed his palm on the door and pushed it open quietly and gently.

Rishian exited Kakariko to the south into a portion of Hyrule Field known more commonly as Kakariko Gorge, due to the large crevice dug through the center of the open space. Rishian slunk from tree to tree making his way to the stone wall on the other end of the gorge. As he neared the tree line he leapt up to the top branches of one of the last trees before the clearing. Peering through the branches he laid his eyes on the location he had been looking for; a crack in the stone.

Rishian looked hard and saw the smallest flicker of orange light behind the little break in the wall. The Sheikah smirked behind the wrappings and shook his head. Demons were so predictable.

He launched himself from the tree toward the wall. Landing on his feet he rolled to stand with his back to the rock. Peaking into the opening, Rishian could see the light was brighter. He turned and entered the small space. The stone tunnel led downward and twisted right and left several times. Rishian walked with complete silence down the tunnel, the light glowing brighter as he went.

Turning another corner, Rishian gazed upon the sight he had expected all along. He leaned against the right wall of the corner and waited to be noticed.

Ark Mantrios was crouched over a chest that sat against the dead-end of the tunnel, his lantern sitting on the ground beside him. Ark stopped as he sensed the Sheikah’s presence. The demon stood and turned to look over his shoulder.

“Ah, Rishian.” A friendly smile spread across Ark’s face. “I knew you would probably show if I made enough of a commotion. How is Twinrova?”

Rishian did not move or answer him in anyway.

“Never much of a talker, were you?” Ark turned to face him completely. “You don’t have to come and question me. A deal is a deal Sheikah, your end has been held up and I will hold up mine.”

Rishian’s eye tightened into a glare. “Just wanted to make sure it was really you.” The Sheikah turned on his heels and navigated the twist and turns of the tunnel back out into the trees around the small opening of the tunnel.

Ark laughed and turned back to the chest. He leant down and pulled another piece of gold from the small box and stuffed it into his belt along with various other weapons and jewels.

Rishian reached the exit and turned around to face the stone wall. Lifting one hand he flicked his hand at the crack in the rock. The stone heaved and crunched and the opening snapped shut. Quickly Rishian pulled a small dagger from his belt and carved the symbol of the Sheikah into the stone on both sides of the crack. The man sliced the tip of his finger with the blade and touched one drop of blood to both symbols and drew a line of blood between them. As this was complete, the symbols began to glow a teal blue in the night sky.

Rishian repeated this process at three other points on the crack. Once he was finished he stepped back and nodded to himself at his work. The Sheikah seal should slow him down by at least five days. Not only would he have to break four seals, he would have to make it through the rock. Rishian looked up and saw a large overhang overtop of the new seal. He grabbed a small rock from the ground and threw it at the overhang. The pile of dirt and rocks came crashing to the ground in front of the glowing seal.

The Sheikah let out a satisfied grunt. Now no one would see the glows and Ark would have to dig even more. Rishian turned on his heels and took off for Castle Town.

************
Rishian looked down at the large metal gate that led from Castle Town’s marketplace to the bridge that crossed over into the castle courtyard. He stood atop the high wall that lined the bridge. The Sheikah was pleased, there was rarely anyone here and the guards were now posted inside the door between the castle and the courtyard. Folding his legs he sat on the narrow wall and watched the metal doors. Very soon, he thought, they should be here…should they come.

Just as the thought made it’s way through his mind, the metal door moved. It opened very slightly and two figures slipped through onto the bridge with minimal sound. The larger of the two figures closed the door and they walked to lean against the opposite wall from Rishian.

The man who had opened the door had long brown and blonde hair pulled back off his face into a ponytail. His black jeans were slightly worn and his white collared shirt hung loosely from his chest and shoulders. A long scabbard hung from his hip where his ring covered fingers rested on the hilt.
Rishian’s eyes shifted to the female figure that had followed the man through the door. She seemed to almost match him, but her long brown hair hung loose around her shoulders. She wore a red dress that flowed away from her body around her knees. A bow was strung around her torso, accompanied by a quiver handing off her back.

The man and woman looked so similar, if they had not been different genders it would have been difficult to tell them apart. Their matching blue eyes darted around the open space, obviously looking for something.

Rishian leapt from the top of the wall and landed soundlessly in the shadows beneath it. He stood and the two figures turned to look at him. They both gave him a small smile as they recognized the Sheikah. The three walked toward each other, meeting in the center of the bridge.

“Good evening Rishian.” The man spoke first.

“Good evening Toan, Sophia.” The Sheikah nodded to the man and then the woman politely.

Sophia smiled at him, “It’s been awhile, friend.”

“Yes, too long.” Rishian smiled back behind the white wrappings, but it could be heard in his voice.

“So, you have a little problem brewing here in Hyrule.” Toan’s voice was flat, but held the slightest curiosity.

“More than little. As I said in my letter, the demons are being freed. There are several working to bring them down and have succeeded with the first two. But as you know, Ark will not go down without elemental magic.” Rishian spoke quietly. Toan and Sophia nodded and Rishian continued. “So, even though you know who is in the party fighting against the demons you came?”

Toan’s expression hardened and he looked away.

Sophia gave him a warning look and spoke to the Sheikah. “My brother is not happy about it, but there must be something different about him if you are willing to fight along side him.”

Rishian nodded, “Yes, he is different from the others. And we need your help, friends.”

Toan looked down at Rishian, as the man was slightly taller. “We will aid you, and the…Dragir-- to save your land. The races of this world do not deserve to perish at the hands of the evil ones.” Toan stumbled on the word as he agreed.

Sophia smiled up at her brother. “Listen to yourself, you are right.” She rubbed his shoulder in encouragement.

Rishian lowered his head in a sort of acceptance and thankful gesture. “We are in your debt.” The Sheikah lead them back into the streets of the market and to the door of the town’s Inn. “I will come for you when we are ready to fight. Enjoy yourself until then, Castle Town is beautiful.”

Rishian left them at the Inn and disappeared into the night. They would have to wait for news on Din before any action would take place. Rad would not move on until he knew her state. Rishian decided he would go and keep tabs on Ark’s current confinement until then. The Sheikah also racked his brain on how they would get to the city. If they had to go to the chamber of the demon of courage, they were going to need a ride.

(End Chapter)

[Hazel]

Great chapter Din. So Rishian used to know Ark? And Ark is locked under stone? And Rish and Ark had a deal together...

[Din Akera]

Great chapter Din. So Rishian used to know Ark? And Ark is locked under stone? And Rish and Ark had a deal together...

wow, you read that fast.
Are you suspicious of Rishian yet? lol
Yes, there is a past to the whole story which has yet to be revealed as I'm sure you can tell with Rad not believing the help would come, Toan, not so happy about it, Rishian and Ark's deal, Din not remembering anything from her past.
....you will just have to wait and see!

I will give a little hint. Those of you that read Acendency of the Last, might be able to figure it out. THe two stories are connected by Rad's character and plot.

[Hazel]

Mm... Now I am, effectively, very suspicious of Rish. Toan obviously hates Dragirs... And both Din and Rad fought for the wrong side of the fight before.

[Din Akera]

Mm... Now I am, effectively, very suspicious of Rish. Toan obviously hates Dragirs... And both Din and Rad fought for the wrong side of the fight before.

Din? Where did you get that impression. Din doesn't know anything of her past. Though yes, Rad did fight 'for the wrong' side, to to speak.

-----------------------------

Chapter 9 - The Beauty and the Beast

The only thing she was aware of was the sound of breathing. Din wasn’t even sure if it was her own. She could hear the breaths coming and going in deep but uneven bursts. She listened for something else, but heard nothing. She tried to shift herself but she didn’t seem to be able to feel her limbs. She searched and found her face. Slowly she opened one eye, the other following half a second later. She squinted as the light caught her, but she peaked through her eyelashes. She could see a window with a light purple curtain hanging from the roof. This was the source of the light. The late afternoon sun shone through the window to where she lay. She glanced downward and saw the matching purple blanket covering her. Her senses slowly started to comeback and she could feel the soft bed under her side and the pillow under her head. She was in a bedroom, one that seemed to have been lived in very little. She turned her head, only slightly, to see the bed, a single dresser and a mirror as the only furniture in the room. Din looked toward the wall opposite the bed where she lay, and saw the source of the breathing sound. Rad was sitting in a chair beside the footboard of the bed. His elbows on his knees and his faced pressed into the heels of his hands. His dark hair was hanging down. Din could not see his face. He had removed his armor but did not appear relaxed at all.

Her first reaction was to be relieved. Rad was with her; she was safe. But then she remembered what she had seen. She looked at the top of Rad’s head full of hair very carefully. She looked down the back of his neck to his shoulders, where only his shoulder blades were visible. Din thought hard, she was sure of what she saw, but she was in so much pain, she could have hallucinated… Unsure of what to do she moved slightly, uncomfortable with her own thoughts. The movement of her hips and legs caught Rad’s attention and he looked up toward her face. Rad’s eyes widened as he saw that she was looking at him, eyes open.

“Din.” Rad got up and hurried over to her. He dropped to the floor and reached to grab her hand lying on the bed in front of her face. Din flinched back from the motion and Rad hesitated. He dropped his hand into his lap and looked down at his legs folded on the floor. He was silent for a long moment.

“I thought I’d lost you…” Rad’s voice was distant and sad yet held a flicker of relief. He looked up at her. “You have slept for two whole days. And I think you sucked the heat out of me entirely at least three times.” Rad looked at her with worried eyes.

Din processed what he said very slowly. Two days? She took his heat while unconscious? Din shook her head slightly. The demon had very powerful magic. The demon! Had she been killed? Rad had killed Twinrova once she had lost consciousness? She had seen him…change. She knew what she had seen. Din looked at Rad, confusion and a flicker of fear appeared in her eyes.

“You…she…” Her voice was quiet.

“She has been dealt with.” Rad’s voice was gentle and reassuring. He looked at her with kind eyes. “You are safe, Din.”

She was feeling much more conscious and her thoughts began to come at a more regular pace. He had been able to Twinrova on his own? She thought hard about this. He had changed! She was sure of it now; that is why he was able to fight the vampire and win. Din looked away and up at the ceiling. Rolling onto her back she pushed herself up to a sitting position. After a moment she turned her head and looked down at him. “Rad, you…had…wings.”

Rad’s eyes widened from their concerned expression to disbelief and exasperation. He very quickly stood and turned his back to her, facing the window. One of his hands flew to his face and covered it. Din saw the anger roll out of his eyes before he got them covered.

Din knew by his reaction that she was right. “And…on your head there was… your hair changed color, and your skin…” Din’s quiet questions trailed off as she saw his shoulders slump and his breaths come much faster and shallower.

She starred at his back for a long moment. She was unsure of whether to be afraid or to trust all that she knew of him. He had looked so ferocious, but he had been so kind and gentle with her all this time.

Rad took two deep and strained breaths in through his teeth. He tried to suppress the anger mounting within him. Rad slowly turned his head to his right indicating that he was to speak to her, but he did not turn around, nor look at Din. “I’m not what you have thought I am, Din… I’m a monster.” He turned his full back to her again and took three angry steps to the window, leaning on the ledge with his palms. Rad was digging his fingernails into the wood as the thoughts ran through his mind. She had seen his true form. In the moment he hadn’t been able to hold the Hylian guise, he had morphed to his stronger Dragir form. He had thought she was gone, unconscious at least, but she had seen the monster that he is, the one he had tried to hide from her. Her voice interrupted his thoughts.

“Rad…”

He flinched a little at his name and closed his eyes, emotion rushing to the surface. He slowly turned his shoulders and looked at her from a profile stance, not wanting to face her, he knew what was coming. Judgment.

“You are no monster.”

The reply did not tap him in the slightest; he knew why she was saying it. Because she didn’t know, she hadn’t really seen, she only saw the beginning of the transformation. How could she feel the same about him now that she knew? He turned to her. “Yes I am, Din. I am a monster, I kill, I steal, I lie, and I look every bit as vile as I am.”

Din cut his words there with a single shake of her head and a furrowed expression. She searched for an explanation in her own mind. How could he be two different people?

“Yet, you saved me, you cared for me, and you protected me.”

Rad looked at her for a moment, trying to process her reaction. She wasn’t upset; she was defending him even. With a deep breath, Rad dropped his gaze to the floor.

Din was silent for a long moment. She knew who he was. He had protected her, helped her, and showed kindness and affection for her. She looked up at him, still standing in the same spot.

“Rad, who we are is not based on what we appear to be.”

Rad was having trouble processing this type of response. This was something he had not been met with very often. Rad stood there trying to sort though it. She was receptive and she was right; he was cleaner now, and he truly did care for her. He had been doing all that he could to fight for what is good. But that doesn’t change the monster…

“Will you show me?”

Rad’s head popped up at her question and he eyed her with disbelief. She wanted to see? Why? How? Rad’s mind was moving at a million thoughts per second now.

Din sat waiting for him.

Rad’s expression was difficult to read, but inside he felt the pain a thousand rejections and so much hate. “You want to see what this horrible monster really looks like? Din, you should be running from me. You should be throwing fear and hate at this creature. Why would you stay? And why would you wish to see?”

Din’s heart pulled at her chest as she looked into his pained eyes. How could she tell him? “Because you are not a monster… and because what I said the night we kissed is true; I want to know you, all of you, the true you.”

Rad looked at her for a long moment. If he revealed himself to her she may run and run fast, but if he didn’t he would only be lying to her more. She wouldn’t be satisfied with that. As Rad struggled with himself his mind produced something he had not expected. How could he pursue goodness and truth, if he hid from his own reality? More importantly, if he did not pursue this, he could not hold it, it would leave him. Rad looked at Din, her deep red eyes searching him for answers, and in this moment he knew he wanted to hold onto her. Rad took in two deep breaths and closed his eyes.

Din watched as the transformation began. Rad did not change in height or weight, but only in features of his body. The mat of brown hair turned to a silvery grey and grew slightly in length, hanging just into his eyes. A pair of dark brown horns about three inches long grew out of the top of his head and curled inward then outward once more at the tips. His eyes changed from the dark brown to a bright shade of red and a great pair of wings developed out of his back and hung down at his sides all the way to his knees. The wings were black and resembled that of bats wings. But the most striking change was to his skin. Tiny blue and silver scales appeared in patches, randomly placed in between pieces of flesh. The scales caught the light and threw little sparkles across him and around the room.

Din stared at the creature for a long moment, he was frightening to say the least, but Din was drawn to him, he was also beautiful. Her lack of reaction frightened Rad, and he dropped his gaze to the floor. Crossing his arms he began to shut down. That was it; he had lost her now. She would not stay with him now that she had seen the monster.

Rad was so busy with his thoughts that he didn’t hear her get out of the bed and move to him. She walked to only half a step away and he saw her presence as she brought her hand up from her side. Her soft fingertip rose to his face and gently touched one of the scales on his cheek. She could feel the difference between the skin and the scales under her own flesh. Rad trembled at her touch, his emotions running wild within him. Part screamed for him to get away before either of them ended up hurt, but the other part prayed that she would accept that this was him, though he knew that was slim.

He looked up at her touch, his head following the motion of her hand and their eyes met. Very slowly Din flipped her hand over and ran the back of her fingers up his cheek. Opening her hand, she laid her palm on the side of his face. She closed her eyes and leaned upwards. She pressed her lips ever so gently against his, and kissed him. He pulled back slightly and looked at her with disbelief. He hadn’t believed she could still feel this way. She ran her hand and eyes up into his silver hair and she touched one of his horns. It was smooth as glass and hard like stone. Her hand continued down the back of his head to his neck and her eyes landed back on his. A small smile appeared on her lips as she waited for a response from him.

His eyes softened and then the emotion took over. Tears of joy, relief, and left over pain welded up and he closed his eyes to stop them from running. He reached out and grabbed Din around the waist and shoulders and kissed her. She accepted his movements and submitted to him. At first it was fast and a gesture of relief but then it slowed and became emotional. Rad broke the kiss and opened his eyes slowly. He looked at her for a minute and let out a deep breath.

“Din…” The word was almost inaudible it was so quite. He leaned forward and placed his nose on her forehead for a moment, then kissed her where his nose had rested. He pulled her closer and nuzzled his face into her neck and hugged her. She wrapped her arms around him up under his arms and between his shoulder blades. She placed her hands on the base of his wings and savored the moment.

Eventually Rad loosened his grip and slid his hands down her arms and caught her hands. “Are you feeling better?”

Din smiled a little and poked his chest once playfully. “Way’da change the subject.” She then noticed the next most pressing issue as her stomach made its presence known and rumbled loudly.

“Oh Din!” Rad’s exclamation was evident. “You haven’t eaten in two days. I will go get you something to eat!” Rad dropped her hands and led her to the bed.

Din turned her back and crawled onto it. As she turned around to face him again she folded her legs and looked toward him. She was now looking at the Rad she had met, one with brown hair, no horns or wings, and perfectly Hylian flesh. She was startled at first, but processed fairly quickly.

“That will take some getting used to.” She said under her breath.
Rad shot her a feeble smile and grabbed the door handle. “I’ll be right back.” He disappeared through the opening and closed the door with a click.

Rad was back in several minutes with a tray of soup, bread, and a hunk of cheese. Din ate most of it but didn’t want to risk the cheese or all of the bread. She felt fine, but just to be safe she wasn’t going to over do it.

“Does it hurt?” Din’s question came between mouth full’s. Rad blinked at her. At first he thought he shouldn’t answer her. But if she knew, why couldn’t he answer her?

“No, it is actually more relieving and more relaxed.” His answer was short; he was a little bit uncomfortable with this. It would take some getting used to. She nodded, completely unphased. He took a deep breath and relaxed, she just wanted to know. “I have to concentrate to hold this form, but over the years it has become easier. I don’t have to think about it hard.” Rad giggled once. This was so new to him, to have someone know and not fear or question. And not only was her reaction not negative, it was relaxed and accepting. He smiled at her as she polished off the soup sitting in front of her on the bed.

Din slid the tray away from her over the top of the sheets toward Rad where he sat in the chair. His brown eyes were watching her. She looked back at him with a soft expression. He got up from his chair and leaned over the edge of the bed, grabbed the tray from in front of her and started to leave. Quickly she reached out and caught his wrist. Stopping, he looked down at her, slightly confused. She reached out with her other hand sliding her fingers over the side of his face and pushed her fingers into his hair. She pulled gently and he leaned over the side of the bed and kissed her gently, still holding the tray in his hand on the sheets. Din kissed him back, but more forcefully. She brought her other hand up from his wrist and twisted her fingers into his hair. Rad left his heart leap, he pressed back into her with equal force and parted his lips. The kiss grew deeper and Rad took in a deep breath as his body began to respond. Din heard this sound and began to pull him closer. She slid her hands down to his shirt and pulled him toward her. He tossed the tray out of the way and drew one knee up onto the bed to submit to her motions. His hand found her side and slid across her ribs to her back. Din took a deep breath at his touch. She slid her hand over his shoulders, down onto his chest and around his sides to the small of his back. Rad kissed her deeper, he wanted to be close to her. Din responded to the change in the kiss. She grabbed the back of his shirt and pulled him down. Their chests met and Din layback, pulling Rad down on top of her on the soft bed.

((End Chapter))

[Hazel]

I though that one moment Atsie said like that she had met her before, when she wasn't fighting for the right side of the battle. And she was in prison.

OK, nice entry, anyway. It's cool. Now Din knows.

[Din Akera]

I though that one moment Atsie said like that she had met her before, when she wasn't fighting for the right side of the battle. And she was in prison.

OK, nice entry, anyway. It's cool. Now Din knows.

Ah, no. Rad met her long ago when HE wasn't fighting for hte right side of battle. Her first memory is in waking up in Arbiter Grounds though yes.

[Hazel]

OHHHH! Well, thank you for clearing that up. I t could have been a problem...

[Atsuma]

Chapter nine was freaking sweet it had me going there for a while XD you know...lol Rad is my boi XD

Rad is about to score lolz, that is so freaking sweet in a story. You did a good job with all the description, like how he went on to show Din who he was, how Din reacted to it and actually made him feel comfortable through it all. I can't wait to read more...I saw a few typos but I wont mention them. Also, Rishian betrayed the demon lolz, that was totally surprising, I thought Rishian was gonna betray Rad and Din XD.

Good job, Din, Keep it coming.

[Din Akera]

lol. I'm glad you all enjoyed it. As you may have guessed, the R-rated version holds chapter nine in it's entirety.

Okay. I know it has been forever since I updated, but I promise to work on it lots tomorrow.
--------------------

Chapter 10 - (untitled)

Din awoke with the morning sun coming through the window and hitting her face. She did not want to open her eyes; the past night still rang in her mind. She could feel Rad’s arms wrapped around her from behind. One arm underneath her bent up over her stomach and the other over her neck, lying between her shoulder and jaw. His hands were wrapped loosely around hers. Rad’s breaths were coming slowly and deeply into her hair and left ear. She had a small stretch in the soft blanket that was wrapped around her. Her bliss was slightly interrupted when she became aware that what she was laying on was not the softness of the bed. It was firmer and uneven. Very slowly she opened her eyes. She could see the same room that she had fallen asleep in. She was facing the window, and seemed to be in the bed. She looked down to what was under her and saw something she didn’t expect. A large black wall, with purple tinted segments, was underneath her and wrapped down around her hips and legs. Confused, Din turned her head toward Rad who was still asleep against her. A similar large black structure lay flat against the bed on the other side of Rad… his wing. Din felt silly for a minute and she looked back to where she had first seen it. Din had coiled the blanket around herself, but Rad had wrapped his right wing under her and was holding her in his arms and his wing. Din giggled a little bit. She looked closely at his wing for the first time now. Black scales covered them, but a slight purple tinge was evident on the scales on the inner side of the extra limbs. She rolled to face him, moving his arms and waking him in the process.

Rad felt the movement between his arms and the weight shift on his wing. Without opening his eyes he squeezed her tighter, not letting her move. A smile played on his lips when she laughed and struggled playfully to get out of his hold on her. She wiggled around to face him and he opened his eyes to see her giggling and smiling back at him. He gave her a blissful smile and closed his eyes again, the smile staying firmly planted on his face.

A small playful gasp came from Din’s lungs, “Don’t go back to sleep!” Her voice matched that of a small child playfully waking up a parent. She clunked her head against his forehead and stared him down.

He opened his eyes again and his smile grew to show bits of his teeth. “And why not?” His voice was crackly with the first couple sounds.

“Because it is morning time!”

Rad raised one eyebrow and snickered. His wing that was free and laying behind him lifted, came over, and laid down over their heads and most of their bodies. The black wing blocked out all the light in the room. Din couldn’t see a thing, but Rad’s voice came out of the darkness. “Nope, not anymore.” He pulled her up against him and nuzzled back down to go back to sleep. Din laughed and pushed on the wing to try and let some light in, but he held it firmly in place, and she wasn’t awake enough to really try. Rad’s lips found her cheek in the darkness and left a very gentle kiss where they touched. Din’s laughter calmed and she closed her eyes, relaxing at his tenderness. His lips left her cheek and somehow found her lips. He kissed her deeply; the action was full of emotion. She returned this emotion to him through the same vessel.

“Rad…” Din breathed his name and nuzzled his nose gently. Rad tightened his arms around her and pulled her closer still as he wrapped both wings around her back and held her. Their moment of euphoria was interrupted by a very small tapping noise.

Rad lifted his wing and peaked under his arm toward the door, in the direction of the noise.

“Sorry to disturb you Mr. Manthys but you have an urgent message downstairs.” The small female voice came through the door slightly muffled.

Din felt a small unhappy groan come from the center of Rad’s chest where it was pressed against her. Din giggled quietly.

“I will be down in a minute.” Rad called toward the door. He pulled his wing out form under Din and propped himself up on his elbow. She rolled halfway onto her back and looked over her shoulder at him. Leaning down he placed a soft kiss on her cheek. Din closed her eyes and smiled back.
When she opened her eyes half a minute later he was standing beside the bed, pulling his shirt over his head and tucking it into the hem of his trousers. His wings were gone, and his hair dark brown once again. Din lay there and looked at him. He turned around and came back to the edge of the bed. He leaned down close to her face and squeezed her hand.

“You, don’t move.” He turned on his heel and was out and through the door.

Din did exactly as she had been told; she even drifted back off to sleep.

(Chapter continues)

[Atsuma]

Um, nice update, short but well written. I did not see any typos, Din, so good job. As usual, I enjoyed it, lolz. :P

[Din Akera]

Um, nice update, short but well written. I did not see any typos, Din, so good job. As usual, I enjoyed it, lolz. :P

I'm glad Ats. Here is more lol.
----------------

Once through the door and down the stairs Rad went to the front desk. As he descended the stairs of Kakariko Inn he made eye contact with the young woman who seemed to run the place. Looking up she turned bright red when she saw him.

“I’m so sorry to disturb you. I know you asked me not to, and I never disobey guests wishes of me. I’m so sorry Mr. Manthys--”

Rad cut her off. “It is alright miss. If it is urgent, it is understandable. What is it?”

The lady handed him a sealed letter envelope, “It is from The City in the Sky. The messenger said that it was of the most importance. He seemed rather flustered.” She looked at him with worried eyes.

“Thank-you.” Rad took the envelope and started back for the stairs. Once he was around the bend in the staircase he opened the envelope and pulled out the letter. He looked to the bottom of the page first. As he had suspected, it was from him. He was now to the top of the stairs. Looking up, he saw Rishian leaning against the doorframe to Din’s room with his arms crossed. Rad closed the space between them and stood on the other side of the door, tucking the unread letter back into the envelope.

“How is she?” Rishian looked genuinely concerned

“She’s…great.” Rad smiled sheepishly, “I think she will be perfectly fine. Renado is a good healer.”

The Sheikah nodded, “We are down in the lounge when you are ready.”

“We?” Rad looked at him.

“Yes, they arrived last night. I brought them over from Castle Town to Kakariko to make it easier on you two.”

Rad nodded, his face turning to a somber and slightly concerned expression.

“Does she know about the reaction yet?”

Rad shook his head, “No.”

“We’ll deal with that later.” Rishian turned and headed for the stairs. Stooping he looked back over his shoulder, “I’m assuming she knows now.” The words were a statement not a question. He turned and descended the stairs toward the lounge without a sound, leaving Rad standing in the hallway. Rad re-opened the letter and began to read from the top this time.

Waking with Rad’s arms once again around her Din’s eyes fluttered open and then fell closed again. He was sitting up on the bed, his back against the headboard. He had pulled her into his lap, her head leaning on his chest. He was stroking her hair and looking down at her. She breathed a deep sigh and let her mind go. She was completely at peace. Rad had thrown the letter on the bedside table. Looking down at Din’s neck, he was focused on something he had never seen. Rad noticed only now the large scar that ran down the side and back of her neck, shoulder, and left arm; where her red scarf had so well covered it all the time he had been with her before. The scar tissue was not from a blade, or arrow, or even a gunshot. It was a large burn mark; her skin had scared from contact with hot flames.

Rad traced a soft finger over the burn mark and felt compelled to ask, though he was sure he already knew the answer. “Din…what happened?”
Din opened her eyes, but did not look at him; she looked toward the floor with a somber expression. After a long moment of silence she decided to tell him. “I had told you my earliest memory was waking up in Arbiter Grounds, in the Gerudo cell… That wasn’t entirely true. I have one memory from before that, but it is hazy. I remember screaming and crying, people running, running everywhere. And I remember fire all around me and a building collapsing.” She paused. “When I woke up in that cell, my skin was charred. I assume it was from the fire that I remember…” She trailed off and fell quiet.

Rad felt the sick feeling move through him again as he put the pieces together. He was right, he had met her before. His thoughts began to wander back.

“What was that about?” Din motioned toward the door.

Breaking his thoughts Rad looked at the door then back down at her. “A couple things. I got a letter back from someone I know who knows about the third demon, and Rishian is here. He brought some…people.” Rad staggered on the last word.

“People?” Din looked up at him with questions in her eyes.

“Yes. Reinforcements, if you will.”

“Ah!” Din sat up. “Well I guess we had better not be impolite and keep them waiting.” She slid out of Rad’s arms and pulled her tunic back over her head. Picking up her scarf, she wrapped it around her neck and down her arm in a flash, covering the scars once again. She smiled at Rad and combed her fingers through her hair. After glancing in the mirror, she grabbed him by the hand and pulled at him. “Come on!”

Rad reluctantly followed her off the bed and to the door. “Din, before we go, you should know something. These…people don’t like Dragirs much. So, don’t be confused if they are unfriendly.” Without giving her time to ask questions, Rad slipped through the door and pulled her along. Rad and Din descended the stairs back into the lobby of the Inn. The lady behind the counter gave them both a friendly smile and watched as they moved around the corner into the lounge.

The lounge was an average sized room. It held two long green couches; that looked as if they had seen better days. There were two long picnic style tables in the center of the room and an open oven fire burning in the far corner. A large china cabinet sat next to it, with several different decorative plates and ornamentals lining its glass shelves. Din looked into the room and saw Rishian leaning with his back against the wall, next to the fire. He was blending into the shadows it threw. A woman was looking at the ornamentals in the glass cabinet and a man was seated on top of the table closest the cabinet, his boots on the seat.

Rad held open the door and motioned for her to go in first. Upon their entrance the three figures looked up and Rishian moved toward them. He came to Din and laid a hand on her shoulder.

“You are better?” Rishian looked at her, concerned.

“Yes. Much.” She smiled back at him then turned her eyes to the man and woman who had moved to now stand behind Rishian.

“Din, this Toan and Sophia.” Rishian’s voice rang through the room.

Din looked at the two standing in front of her. She looked at their faces closely. There was something familiar about them, but she couldn’t place it. She felt a sense of comfort standing with them.

“Toan, Sophia, this is Din, and Rad.” Rishian’s voice was hesitant on Rad’s name and he shot a glance at Toan.

“It is nice to meet you.” Sophia smiled and moved forward, extending her hand to Din and nodding politely to Rad without a large smile.

“And you.” Din smiled back. When their hands touched Din felt a connection. She looked at the lady’s face, trying to understand this. She had just met these two, what was it she was feeling?

Toan extended his hand as well and shook Din’s. He threw a glance at Rad, but did not acknowledge him fully. Sophia jabbed her brother in the ribs with her elbow and he shot her a glare. He looked up at Rad and gave him a nod.

Rad accepted this and nodded back.

Rishian cut through the tension in the air. “Din, you have been asleep for the past few days, so you should know that the people of Hyrule now know about the demons.”

Din’s eyes opened wide. “Oh no. Really?”

“Yes, there has been quite a bit of panic. Hazel was well contained. But when the tops of Peak and Death Mountain blew off, the people noticed. News has traveled fast about you and Rad. There has been a lot said about your heroic efforts.”

Din looked up at Rad, a little shocked.

“Anyway, there will be many willing to help you now. No one wants the demon of courage released.” Rishian looked to Toan and Sophia.

“Our ride to the city arrives just before noon.” Rishian’s voice was even and controlled. The rest looked at him quickly. “With Toan’s help we will make it there easily in a couple hours after we leave. In the mean time I suggest we spend the day preparing supplies, weapons, and all the necessities.”

Din looked at Rishian. “Where is the demon of courage? You said…the city?”

“Yes. His chambers are in the City in the Sky.” Rishian threw a glance at her.

Din’s eyes widened with excitement. She had heard many rumors about the floating city, but had never had the opportunity to go there. Now she understood why they needed a ride.

(Chapter Continues)

[Atsuma]

Well that was a good read. Again a few silly typos but nothing to fret about. So the party is here and they are getting ready to go to the City in the Sky. Cool, I also had a good laugh when Rishian asked Rad about how Din was and he responded, "She's...great." XD Good job.

[Hazel]

Great job Din. I'm really into it. It's awesome. I didn't notice any typos, and I thought it was awesome.

[Din Akera]

Well that was a good read. Again a few silly typos but nothing to fret about. So the party is here and they are getting ready to go to the City in the Sky. Cool, I also had a good laugh when Rishian asked Rad about how Din was and he responded, "She's...great." XD Good job.

lol, yes. I liked that part too. :lol:
I'm glad you are enjoying it Hazel.

For you two, so you know. There was an edit about the time of day of the 'ride' arriving, not in the morning, at noon.
(again, one paragraph has been overlapped to show the transission. And I'm trying to post shorter blocks of text. lol)
----------------------------

Din’s eyes widened with excitement. She had heard many rumors about the floating city, but had never had the opportunity to go there. Now she understood why they needed a ride.

***********
Din was jogging from building to building in Kakariko Village. She was looking for anyone she knew. They had all split up to cover the most ground they could before their ride arrived to take them to The City in the Sky. Din went back to the Inn; it was one of the only places she hadn’t looked. She entered the lobby and found no one, not even the young innkeeper. She moved to the door of the lounge and leaned her torso through the opening. She almost closed the door again in defeat, when she noticed the shadowed figure on the back wall. She stopped short and looked harder.

“Rishian!” She said with a recognition smile. She came in the room, closed the door, and skipped over to him.

Rishian looked up at his name and nodded a greeting to her. He was leaning his weight on his right shoulder, against the wall. He turned back to staring into the flames in the stove.

Din jumped and sat on the end of the table, facing him. “I’ve been looking everywhere for someone.” She giggled.

Rishian woofed a small laugh. “Yeah, that’s what happens when you say that we have to hurry.”

Din looked at him. She had so many questions for him. He knew so much. After a couple breaths Din decided to just start asking. “So, Toan and Sophia seem very nice. How do you know them?”

Rishian turned his body to face her, his back now against the wall. He crossed his arms comfortably over his chest. “We go way back. We are old friends.” The words came with a friendly smile in his voice.

“Where did you meet them?” Din was still fishing as to why she felt they were familiar.

“I think we actually met in Castle Town.”

“So they are from Hyrule then?”

Rishian paused and seemed to look through Din for a moment. “They used to be.” He said hesitantly. “They moved to a land named Aleria”

Din noticed the shift in Rishian’s tone. So her next question came with hesitation. “Why did they leave?”

“You should ask your boyfriend.”

Din jumped at the sudden and harsh tone of the words that came from behind her. She turned and looked over her shoulder to see Toan seating on the end of the green couch nearest the inner wall of the room. She had not noticed him when she had walked in. He sat with one foot crossed over, and resting on his opposite knee, and one fist pressed hard into his turned out thigh. The scowl on his face told Din that her question had hit a touchy subject. She took a minute to regain herself. As she was about to speak, he stood and left the room, closing the door harder than was necessary. Din turned back to look at Rishian, who was looking at the floor.

“I guess that is not a good question to ask?” Din’s voice was a solemn whisper.

Rishian shook his head ever so slightly.

Din thought about not asking the question she really wanted the answer to, but decided Rishian was probably the best person to ask. “Rishian…what part does Rad play in all this?”

Rishian looked up at her and his eye searched her face and the now empty room. “Din, you really should ask Rad…” His voice trailed off. He didn’t want to be in the middle of this.

Din let out the breath she was holding. “Rishian, I just want to know so I don’t cause more trouble like I just did.” She motioned toward where Toan had been sitting.

Rishian nodded in understanding and after a moment of thought, he decided he could give her the overview. “The race that Toan and Sophia belong to, have a long standing grudge and feud with the Dragir race. The two races had a...” Rishian searched for the right word, “confrontation, and the Essencorix left Hyrule and all moved to Aleria.”

“Essencorix?” Din jumped in with her question.

“Yes, that is the name of their race.” Rishian explained. “Sophia is a kind soul and doesn’t want Hyrule to suffer, so she agree to come and help even though a Dragir is involved. And she dragged her brother along. Toan is not happy about helping out a Dragir, but he loves his sister and she asked for his help.”

Din nodded as she took it all in. “So, how do they feel about me?”

Rishian felt his face go white. This was what he had been trying to avoid, and his hesitation showed that to Din. “They…don’t know you well enough yet.” He turned his head to look back into the fire.

Din could tell Rishian knew more than he was telling, but she decided not to push it. “Thank-you.”

Rishian looked back to her a little surprised that she dropped it. “You are also a kind soul Din, but a tough one with a lot of fire.” He laughed a little. “No pun intended.”

Din looked up and giggled. “You know what I can do?”

“It was an educated guess. And Rad hinted at it a little.” His friendly smile creased his words again. “We should go outside. Our ride should be here shortly.”

Rishian pushed off the wall and stood in front of her. Din jumped off the table and stood beside him. He offered his elbow to her as an escort. Din smiled at the gentlemanly offer, and slid her hand through the crease in his leather underlay. He led her around the tables and toward the door.

“Rish, I have one more question. Oh! Can I call you Rish?”

Rishian laughed, “Yes. So two more questions then?”

“Yes, I guess so” Din giggled, “How do you know so much?”

Rishian let out a relaxed breath, “Well miss Din, when you’ve been around as long as I have, you learn a lot. Especially when you are bred to be a spy.” His eye turned up into a smile as he opened the door for her.

“Yes, I probably should have guessed that one.” Din moved through the door and the two left Kakariko Inn, moving out into the early afternoon sun.

(Chapter Continues)

[Atsuma]

Read it, several typos but just forget them, lolz. Good job.

Nice word you used to describe that new race: Essencorix. Did you make it up? Or is it actually from some Zelda game? Just curious.

[Din Akera]

Read it, several typos but just forget them, lolz. Good job.

Nice word you used to describe that new race: Essencorix. Did you make it up? Or is it actually from some Zelda game? Just curious.

Thank-you :) No, I made it up. They are my own race. The race described in this section is a Zelda race though.
----------------------------

“Yes, I probably should have guessed that one.” Din moved through the door and the two left Kakariko Inn, moving out into the early afternoon sun.

Shielding her eyes, Din squinted into the bright street and Rishian grunted with approval. In the center of the street lay a structure that could only be described as a large pod. It was a cube with windows around the entire upper half and a sliding door on one side. It was made out of aluminum and had faded green stripes painted on the lower half. The most striking feature on the pod was four massive propeller blades. They sat, currently idle, on the top and both sides of the pod.

Din’s eyebrows went up, through the windows she could see benches on either side of the pod, but is didn’t look big enough for all five of them.
Toan and Sophia stood between Din and Rish and the pod, they seemed to be talking to someone, but Din could not see with whom.

Sophia turned upon hearing the Inn door open and close again. She smiled brightly at Rishian and Din. When she moved Din could see who she had been talking too, and Din was taken aback. Rishian lead her forward, toward the pod.

Sitting on a little ledge on the front of the container was what appeared to Din, to be a chicken. It’s feet, body, and wings were bird-like and were covered in white and yellow tinted feathers. Its neck was unusually long and led to a chicken sized head. But instead of a beak and the usual structure of a chicken, its face was that of a very young Hylian, other than the feathers.

Sophia spoke, breaking Din’s stare, “Din this is Ooccoo. He is going to take us to the City in the Sky.”

“It is nice to meet you Din,” the little being said in a perfectly Hylian voice.

Din was surprise to hear him speak, and speak perfectly well.

She shook away her surprise and smiled back, still holding Rishian’s arm. “It is nice to meet you too, Ooccoo.”

“Ooccoo is a member of the Oocca race. They are the ones that built and reside in the City in the Sky. Others do as well now, but the Oocca are the primary residents.” Rishian whispered into Din’s ear, and she gave him a small thankful nod.

Din felt a hand glide lightly over the skin of her free arm and she looked down and to her right where the touch had come from. She looked up into Rad’s Hylian face, and he smiled down at her. She gave him a friendly smile back, and looked down to see that he had suited his armor back in place over his chest and arms.

Rad’s eyes wandered to where Din held Rishian. His face showed no emotion, but he slid Din’s hand up to land in the crease of his elbow as well.
Rishian snikered behind his wrappings and hid a smile.

Din stood happily in between the two, one on each arm, completely oblivious.

“Well, are we all here? Can we depart?” Ooccoo chirped at them.

“Yes, I believe so.” Sophia smiled and stepped though the open door into the small pod.

Toan followed his sister and sat beside her with his back to the open door. Rishian unlinked his arm from Din and followed the siblings inside. After he was through the door, Din took a step to follow him, but Rad caught her around the waist. Stopping she looked up at him. He had a playful smile pressed on his lips.

“Oh no, you get your own personal ride.” His smile grew and he grabbed her by both wrists. With a little spin he slung her up onto his back. She grabbed tightly around his neck as she landed.

“Wait, wha--”

Before Din had time to think, Rad let out a relaxing breath and his wings shot out from the holes carved in his armor on either side of Din.
Din gasped, as she had not been expecting the sudden change. She quickly looked up toward the pod. Rishian, Toan and Sophia had closed the door and Ooccoo had started up the blades to pull them in the air.

“See ya there guys!” Rad waved toward the pod and bent his knees. He shot upward into the air, his large wings forcing them upward. Rad dove them forcefully upward with great speed into the blue afternoon sky. Din grasped tightly at his shirt, her arms tightening around his neck. She squeezed her knees down around his hips and buried her face in his neck, a little scared.

Rad slowed his speed at her reaction and placed his hands on her arms. “I didn’t mean to scare you, I’m sorry.”

Din took a couple deep breaths and slowly picked up her head. She looked around, seeing the clouds much closer overhead and empty space all around them. She took a couple more deep breaths. “You just surprised me.” A small single giggle came from her throat.

Rad squeezed her hand. “I’ve got you. I promise. You are safe with me.”

Din smiled nuzzled his ear. “I know.”

Looking down, the two could see the little pod ascending toward them, the propeller blades spinning rapidly. Rad started to move upward as well, without beating his wings harder.

“Oh! How nice of him.” Rad’s tone was slightly mocking.

“What?” Din asked.

“Toan is creating an updraft for us to make better time.”

“What do you mean creating?”

Rad’s face fell to a serious but relaxed expression. “Toan controls the air element. Similar to how you control fire.”

Din’s eyebrows went up. “Really?” Her tone was excited, and she looked back down at the pod underneath them.

“Yes, and Sophia controls water. That is why Rishian asked them to come.”

Din nodded in understanding. Her thoughts began to wander as they flew upward, maybe that is why she felt connected to them, because they had similar magic of the elements. Din thought about the way she felt when she had first met Kate, and nodded to herself. They were similar feelings, and she was fairly sure that was probably the answer to her question.

Rad’s wings carried them up into the clouds, ahead of the pod. Din reached out, amazed, and ran her hands through the white puffy mixtures hanging in the sky as they moved past them. Din wrapped both arms back around Rad and looked down. They were so far above the ground now that she could barely make out the difference between the trees and the grass. Kakariko was lost between the rocks, and clouds were beginning to prevent the vision completely.

Rad began to fall back and let the pod catch up to them. “We need to follow Ooccoo now. It is difficult to find the city unless you know exactly where to look.”

Rad flew beside the pod, following Ooccoo’s lead. Rishian waved at Din through the window and she waved back. Toan, held both hands out, palms up. His eyes were closed and he moved them in an upward circular motion. The updraft continued and they continued to fly through the air toward their unseen destination.

“Din. Look” Rad pointed ahead of them and Din excitedly peered over his shoulder, her hold on his neck not loosening.

The clouds moved slightly and then Din saw it. The City in the Sky was everything Din had imagined. The buildings were made of what appeared to be crystallized stone and metal. The buildings were very large and most of them were dome shaped. The colors were brilliant. Most of the walls were sandstone grey, but many had stripes of green, blue, pink, and purple painted around the bottoms. The buildings had been decorated with various flags, emphasizing the wind speed at this altitude and greatly adding to the visual effect. The great city had propeller blades everywhere. They were underneath the flat bottoms of the buildings, on the tops of spikes protruding form the roves of the buildings, and on the ends of poles that stuck in every direction off the metal paths that created the ground of the city. This was most fascinating to Din. She looked at the pathways. They were simply long stretches of metal and stone that ran between the buildings and created common areas between the structures. The part that was surprising, was that there was no rails, they were just paths, complete with the spinning blades beneath them. The city was very bright, and seemed to sparkle in the direct sun. The great burning ball seemed to be almost even with the city. Din was in awe of the miraculous sight. The city indeed hovered in the sky in perfect balance.

Rad followed Ooccoo’s pod toward a landing dock, where the pod touched down and opened, allowing for it’s passengers to get out and stand on one of the railing-less paths.

Rad pulled up and set down on his feet, next to the open door of the pod. Din let go of his neck and loosened her squeeze on his hips between her knees. She slid from his back and landed lightly on her feet.

“Welcome to The City in the Sky! Please enjoy your stay. Be alert for wind gusts and it is recommended to stay with a creature of flight or air affinity at all times. Thank-you.” Ooccoo chirped happily. The Oocca got back in his pod and waved them good-bye. He took off, bound back to the ground, now many miles below.

The new arrivals looked around. They had touched down at the port that lead to the main square of the city, a large disk of ‘ground’ that connected several buildings, which backed onto the common-area. There were creatures of several different races, most of them having wings, Din noted. The Oocca were in the most abundance, as Rishian had said they would be. But several other beings walked about with large wings growing out of their backs, under their arms, or folded around themselves. Din noticed a couple Hylians and even a Zora, all of which seemed to be with a winged being.

Toan stretched and took in a large breath. “Oh. I like it up here.” He held his hands out and a large swoop of wind ran around his sister and pulled her into his chest. He caught her and squeezed her with one arm.

Sophia laughed. “Yeah I think you are going to have too much fun up here.”

“Let’s go to the temple. They know we are coming, and have prepared rooms for us.” Rishian stated, while securing his wrapping tighter around him as they blew in the wind.

Rad placed a hand in the center of Din’s back and guided her toward the square. Rishian fell into step beside Rad, and Toan and Sophia followed, playfully poking at each other.

Din looked at Rad, and was slightly surprised that he had not morphed back to his Hylian guise, but then remembered what Ooccoo had said, and suppressed the question.

They came to the largest building in the city. The giant door at the front was comparable to the ones on the front of Hyrule Castle, and the mighty tower also stood straight into the sky in a similar fashion.

Rishian and Rad led the group up the stairs. As Rad grabbed hold of the handle to open the door, the opposite door swung open violently. A young brunette girl bounced out of the opening and jumped Din.

“Wha!!” Din staggered backward and caught the girl as fast as she could.

“Din!” The girls voice came out excitedly as she threw her arms around Din’s neck in a hug.

Din began to laugh and hugged her back. “Hi Kate.”

The girls let go and they looked at each other. Koroko appeared in the now open door a second later, smiling at them. “Hey guys.”

Rishian perked up when he saw his old friend. “Koroko!”

“Rish!” The two met in the center of the space and clasped hands. Rishian had to lean down slightly due to the Kokiri’s size.

“When did you get in?” Rishian asked his friend.

“Only a couple of hours ago. We thought we’d meet up with you here. We heard all the news.” Koroko looked at Din and Rad.

Rad rolled his eyes, “I’m sure you have, apparently we are the talk of the land.” Rad seemed unimpressed.

Koroko ignored him and turned a greeting to Din. She greeted him back and went on to introductions.

“Koroko, Kate, this is Toan and Sophia. They have kindly agreed come along and provide us with their support” Din motioned between them all.
Kate moved and extended a hand to Sophia.

As they greeted each other, Din could not help but notice the similarities between the two women. They seemed to be unrelated in family heritage, but their features, body structure, and aura seemed to be the same. Din noticed this as Kate stood next to Toan as well. Toan and Sophia greeted Kate happily, and with friendliness Din had only seen out of Sophia toward herself. Din began to consider why this was.

“Shall we?” Rishian’s voice broke through her thoughts and Din turned to see him holding the door open.

(Chapter continues)

[Atsuma]

That took me a while. Good update, Din, one or two typos but that is all. Good job describing the city, and I had several laughs as well. It was good to see Rad flying up along with Din at his back. Marvelous description in this update, keep it up. ^^

[ChargewithSword]

Finally I have caught up to your chapters and I must say I am impressed. You explore your characters very well and try to get us into their hearts. One thing I seemed to notice is that Din and Rad's hearts seem to be strikingly different. Rad, being the age old creature he is, is lingered on events of the past and chooses to isolate himself from the rest of the world and be careful with his surroundings. Din however is someone who moves on with her life, choosing to ignore what was before and moves on with her life, but this trait also has her being a little reckless and needing control. Both of them need each other in some way or another not just because of love; because without each other they are doomed. Great character decisions.

I still find your fic going too quick though. However I don't suggest slowing it down now because of me; maybe when you are done with it and the stress is off your mind, you can make an "Extended Edition."

Anyways good job, I hope to see more from you in the future.

There's my two cents- Wrath.

[Din Akera]

@Ats. Thank-you. ^^ I'm glad you like the description. Though, I would like to see those mistakes please, I want to fix them in my word document.

@Charge. Thank-you so much for the feedback and the observations. I do plan on doing more drafts of the story and will probably lenghten it once the first draft is complete. I'm glad you can see the thing I am trying to do with my characters.

@ Everyone who doesn't post. Thanks for reading guys. ^^

(One paragraph overlapped)
--------------------------------------

“Shall we?” Rishian’s voice broke through her thoughts and Din turned to see him holding the door open.

Everyone proceeded through the door into the large temple. Din, Toan, and Sophia looked around in awe; having never been there before. The ceiling was easily three stories above them. The room was decorated with ornamentals, suits of armor, and fancy draperies of every kind, which hung open around the large windows to the outside sky. The colors were beautiful and there was a glow of orange lantern lights, mixed with the white sunlight of the sky let in from the massive windows. Aside from the one they had entered from, Din could see three more of the two story tall doors that seemed to be standard for the building. The one to the left was closed, the one to the right stood open only slightly, and the last, across a large open space from the entrance, was propped wide open. Din could see that through the doors lay a large alter.

A small Oocca greeted the incoming party from behind a small desk set off to the side of the entrance. “Oh! You must be the fighters. We have prepared our best rooms for you. Please, right this way!” The Oocca grabbed several keys in his talons and began to flap his small wings. He flew to the right and through slightly open large door.

He led the party down a hallway and up a large staircase. When they crested the stairs to the fourth floor, Din looked up in awe once again. The ceiling hung high above and several crystal chandeliers hung down. The hallway was very long, the large royal red carpet accentuating its great length. One wall held pictures of what appeared to be royal members of every race. They hung in large ornamental gold frames. The other side of the hall was a balcony that over looked the central room where they had entered the temple.

The Oocca stopped at the first door in the hallway. There he set Rishian, Kate, and Koroko in one room, Toan and Sophia in the next, and finally Din and Rad in a third. The doors to the three rooms were spaced far away each other in the long hall.

Rad thanked the Oocca and opened the door for Din. Their room was just as magnificent as the rest of the temple. The king sized bed sat up on a pedestal and was surrounded by a royal purple canopy. The drape was lined with gold tassels that sparkled in the light coming in the massive window. An ornate dresser and mirror sat opposite the bed in the large room, as well as a couch and a several luxurious chairs. Small chandeliers glistened from the center of the ceiling and strew cascades of light onto the ornate red carpet. Din’s eyebrows rose as Rad followed her through the door and closed it silently.

“Not bad.” Rad said jokingly, looking around the beautiful room. “Guess that is what happens when they think you are the ones to save the land from destruction. You think the Hero of Time got such nice digs?” Rad joked as he moved toward the dresser. He removed his blade from his belt and set it on the top of the dresser lightly. With a stretch he sighed and moved toward the window.

Din watched as he pushed on the pane and it swung outward onto a small balcony, which she had not noticed before. She followed Rad’s action and removed her bow and the heavy chain from around her waist. She laid them on the bed and moved out onto the balcony with him.

Rad was looking down at the streets of the city below. He was scanning the area hard with his eyes.

“Everything okay?” Din looked up at him.

“Oh, yes. But… there is someone… we are here to meet…” Rad was heavy in examination of the crowded square.

“Meet?” Din asked.

“Yes, he is… Oh!” Rad reached over and grabbed Din around the waist. Hugging her tightly to his side he spread his wings and leapt off the balcony.

“Wha!” Din reached out and grabbed him around the neck, holding tightly. “Rad!” She yelled at him with slight annoyance.

He descended quickly to the square and smirked at her surprise. Turning his attention downward to a tall figure walking away form the temple, Rad called out. “Kenji!”

The figure stopped and turned back around at the sound of his name.

Rad landed lightly on the balls of his feet and set Din down beside him.

Din had every intent of giving him heck for surprising her with flight again, but was distracted with the man Rad had called too.

“Man! Rad!” The man was jovial and happy to see Rad. “Nice of you to finally show up! I thought you were going to miss the party and I was going to have to deal with the demon myself.” The man smirked as he walked closer to Rad.

The two clasped hands and pulled each others arms, crushing their hands between their two chests. They reached around each others backs with their free hands and gave each other a solid squeeze.

Din looked at the man. He was slightly taller than Rad and just as broad. His hair was a deep blue and hung shaggy around his ears and over his forehead. His eyes were a brilliant shade of gold with flecks that danced around like treasure sparkles. He was clad in heavy dark armor, which almost matched Rad’s, but was tinted green. A long cape hung from under the shoulder plates of his armor to sweep around the heels of his boots on the metal path. The cape had the markings of the three golden goddess imprinted in gold on the deep blue material, matching his hair.

Rad turned and motioned to Din. “This is Din, Din this is Kenji. We are old friends. We go way back.” Rad’s voice was jovial as well. This was probably one of the better moods she had ever seen him in.

Din smiled and offered her hand to Kenji. The man took it and looked her in the eye. “It is very nice to meet you Din.” He threw a sideways glance and playful smirk at Rad.

“The pleasure is mine Kenji.” Din smiled politely back at him.

“You gotten soft on me Rad over the years?” Kenji jokingly smiled at Rad while looking at Din.

Rad laughed and rolled his eyes. “Not a chance. I could still kick your butt in battle.”

“We’ll see about that!” Kenji launched himself forward and slammed his shoulder into the center of Rad’s breastplate. The impact sent Rad staggering backward and off the edge of the metal path. They began to fall into the sky, plummeting toward earth.

With a shocked and horrified gasp Din ran to the edge and grabbed the wall of the building that backed onto the edge of the city. She looked down and watched in amazement as the large cape on Kenji’s back transformed. It seemed to split down the middle and unfold backward. It grew stiff and took the form of deep blue wings, matching Rad’s black ones. Both men spread their great wings and caught the air.

Rad came rocketing back upward toward the city and hovered five feet above Din over the empty space, looking down as Kenji began his ascent.
Kenji came up and drew his fist back with a smile. He swung using the momentum of his wings. Rad dodged easily and swung back at him.
The two began to laugh, and it became obvious to Din, that this was something they did often. She stood, leaning against the building watching their aerial play fight.

“Good show?” A male voice came from above and behind Din. She turned and looked up to see Rishian squatted on a small ledge, about a story and a half up, that Din would have thought a bird couldn’t have landed on. She smiled up at him. He leapt off the ledge, head first, arms extended. He tucked, rolled and stood to his feet beside Din.

“Careful, hey.” He reached out and gently took one of Din’s arms, pulling her away from the edge of the city and the open sky below.

Din smirked. “Yeah that probably wouldn’t be very good.” She looked over the edge and then back at the Sheikah.

Rishian looked over at the two friends throwing and dodging punches in the sky. His eyes were intent on Kenji and Din watched, as he seemed to stiffen at his sight. Rishian nodded toward them and spoke in a perfectly normal tone, as if they were standing beside him. “Hey Rad, you mind if I borrow the lady for a minute?”

Rad continued to dodge Kenji’s playful attacks and laugh loudly as he grabbed him by the wrists and wrestled with his friend.

Rishian smiled. “I’ll take that as a no.” He turned to Din, who was giggling loudly. “Would you like a tour of the city miss Din?”

Din smiled at him, “Yes I would.”

Rishian once again held out his elbow for her. She slid her hand into the crease and looked up into the sky at Rad and Kenji. She shrugged; he would find her later. Turning, she followed Rishian away from the ledge and toward the center of the market.

The Sheikah led her through the busy streets. She was amazed at how many different races she saw about the city, she had always thought that the City in the Sky was a place where very few people came. Rishian showed her the ports where the pods carried those who could not fly, to and from the city. He took her down to the market square and in and out of some of the shops. He led her down a large path, which was off to the side from the rest of the city. The path branched off several times allowing for access to all the residences floating between the pathways. Finally, he walked her down a long pathway that seemed to lead to nowhere. It had stretched off from one of the quieter streets at the rear of the city. The path was covered in heavy clouds, making Din uneasy about the wind gusts. She squeezed onto Rishian’s arm tighter, now much more aware of the altitude of which they were at.

The Sheikah walked her forward and through the thick clouds. “Last thing I thought you might want to see.”

[Din Akera]

The Sheikah walked her forward and through the thick clouds. “Last thing I thought you might want to see.”

****************
Rad and Kenji had landed on the platform after their duel and had begun looking for Din. Rad had become worried that Din may have fallen or gotten into trouble.

“Let’s go ask if anyone saw her.” Rad hurried back into the temple.

Kenji followed easily, still smiling playfully, “I’m sure she just went for a walk, or back to your room to have a nap, maybe to the shops to buy some souvenirs, to the kitchen to get something to eat, or maybe to write a letter home to tell her family about all this.” Kenji was just rambling now and Rad was beginning to snicker at his friend.

“Speaking of letters, you have horrible timing. You really call this urgent?” Rad pulled out apiece of paper from under his armor and shook it at Kenji.

Kenji shrugged. “It’s faster ain’t it? And plus, I didn’t want you to be rushing yourself to get here when Len still hasn’t even gotten back to me yet!”

Rad laughed, “Yes, but hauling me out of bed was not so…well.”

Kenji began to laugh extremely hard and Rad turned and punched him in the shoulder. Shaking his head Rad walked up to the desk where the Oocca who had showed them to their rooms was shuffling paper.

“Excuse me, did you see where the red-headed lady went off to?”

The Oocca looked up at Rad and smiled a friendly smile, “Yes, she and the Sheikah went on a tour of the city, I believe.”

Rad’s worry for Din’s safety disappeared, but another emotion he could not name took its place. “Ah, thank-you.” As Rad turned back around to where Kenji was rubbing his shoulder he thought about what to do.

Kenji smiled at his friend, “If she’s with a Sheikah she is fine!” Then Kenji’s face fell slightly into a confused expression. “Wait, you are traveling with a Sheikah? Where in goddesses’ heaven did you find a Sheikah lease days? The royal family hasn’t had protectors other than their guards since the Evil King was destroyed by the Hero of Time”

Rad nodded, “I know. But the Kokiri knew where he would be, and he has been a lot of help to us, he is quite knowledgeable.”

Kenji’s expression grew serious and he fell deep into thought about what Rad had just told him. Rad looked his friend up and down aware of the change in him. “Everything okay Kenji?”

Kenji nodded, “I think so, but I should really try to get Len to answer again.”

Rad nodded and moved aside. Kenji walked past Rad and gave him a playful elbow goodbye as he walked through the large open doors toward the large alter.

******************
As Rishian and Din moved along the metal pathway Din could see three towers forming out of the clouds. As they moved forward, the clouds dissipated completely and Din could see that the three towers were equipped with long-range projectiles and other sorts of weaponry. The tower in the middle held a giant spyglass. Rishian lead her to the base of the middle tower and motioned her up the ladder. She stepped out onto a circular platform, once atop the ladder, covered with a canopy roof.

Rishian followed her up the ladder and motioned straightforward out into the open sky. “Can you see that?” He leant in and pointed, looking down the length of his arm.

Din looked hard and could see, many miles away, another of the floating buildings. It stood all on it’s own, and appeared to be quite large, but Din could not be certain form this distance. “Yes.”

Rishian motioned to the spyglass. “That is the chamber that holds the demon of courage.”

Din’s eyebrows went up and she immediately understood why he had brought her out here. She bent her head and looked through the glass. With its assistance, Din could see much more of the chamber. It was made of stone and had none of the colors painted on it, as the rest of the city, yet, it was colorful. There were Sheikah symbols carved into the stone, more than fifty of them. Each was glowing with the magical seal that they possessed. The seals were red, green, yellow, purple, teal, and dark blue. Each seal of a similar color was connected with a line of a matching color. The crisscrossed lines created a colorful cage over the surface of the stone and encased the building in its entirety.

(Chapter continues)

[ChargewithSword]

Alright I've gotten a gander at these chapters and noticed that there are some good attention to scenery written here. You describe the City of the Sky perfectly to the Twilight version, though I fear you may be too close. Also when I compare this chapter to earlier situations, we see how Rad has evolved from his gloomier state. He is willing to do battle in his Dragir form and recklessly lets Din get out of his sight when before he was mostly a shadow man who did nothing.

Overall, great chapter and I hope to see more.

[Din Akera]

Alright I've gotten a gander at these chapters and noticed that there are some good attention to scenery written here. You describe the City of the Sky perfectly to the Twilight version, though I fear you may be too close. Also when I compare this chapter to earlier situations, we see how Rad has evolved from his gloomier state. He is willing to do battle in his Dragir form and recklessly lets Din get out of his sight when before he was mostly a shadow man who did nothing.

Overall, great chapter and I hope to see more.

Yes, I have tried to be a true as I can to the Twilight Princess map, without sacrificing anything in my work. I believe when you have a look at the rest of this chapter you will see my own creations of locations.

Character is something I strive to continuously improve. Each character has their own motivations, past, and choices to make.

I appreciate all the feedback Charge.
----------------------------

Din’s eyebrows went up and she immediately understood why he had brought her out here. She bent her head and looked through the glass. With its assistance, Din could see much more of the chamber. It was made of stone and had none of the colors painted on it, as the rest of the city, yet, it was colorful. There were Sheikah symbols carved into the stone, more than fifty of them. Each was glowing with the magical seal that they possessed. The seals were red, green, yellow, purple, teal, and dark blue. Each seal of a similar color was connected with a line of a matching color. The crisscrossed lines created a colorful cage over the surface of the stone and encased the building in its entirety.

“Wow, those are the symbols of your race.” Din noted.

“Yes, when connected with Sheikah blood they create a seal that takes great strength and magic to break. That many ensure the demons containment.” Rishian nodded.

Din pulled her face back from the glass and looked at Rishian. His eye smiled at her and he offered his elbow once again. The two began to walk back along the path to the main portion of the city. As they walked, Din looked around her and thought about all that he had showed her and her thoughts came back to one place in particular they hadn’t been.

“Will you show me what that alter is inside the temple?” Din smiled at him.

Rishian’s eyebrow dropped. “No. I-- I can’t. But I’m sure if you asked Rad’s friend Kenji about it, he could show you. He would also be able to tell you about it, which I could not seeing as…” Rishian’s voice trailed off as he realized he was speaking out loud.

“What?” Din looked at him; knowing there was more.

“I can’t enter alters to the goddesses.”

“Why not?” Din did not sound interested rather she was concerned something was wrong.

Rishian looked at her, he couldn’t believe he had just said that to her. He was too open with her; he had let his guard down. They had reached the doors of the temple once again and Rishian grabbed hold of the massive door and opened it for Din. She walked through the door then turned around to stare at him with concern when he did not follow her through.

Rishian nodded toward the interior of the temple, “You should go ask Kenji for that tour, we can talk later. There is something I have to run and get quick.” Rishian let go of the door before Din could protest. With a deep breath Rishian leaned against the closed door for a minute, the bright sun beating against his face. After a moment to collect himself he push off the door and headed across the square toward one of the little shops that he had taken Din into, just moments before.

Inside, Din stared at the closed door for a minute. She shook her head. She knew Rishian was tied to so many secrets, and that he was having trouble opening up, but she wanted him too. She took a breath and turned around to see the empty temple. Looking toward the alter doors she could see Kenji inside. Thinking it a good opportunity, she jogged toward the doors, the heels of her boots clanking against the stone floor. She slowed when she reached the doors and took a single step into the room. The room was absolutely massive, easily bigger than the lobby of the temple. The room was rectangular, stretching away from the door with great length. There were four ornate stone observation benches on each side of the room right close to the door. The benches did not extended even a quarter of the way to the front of the room. A long royal carpet stretched from the door to the end of the room where the alter stood. The carpet was the three royal colors of the goddesses, arranged in the correct order: blue, red, and green from left to right. At the end of the carpet were four great steps to a higher platform. Atop the rise was rail, stretching from one wall to the other, lined with thousands of candles. The candles all burned a natural orange, but the wax of the candles were colored for each of the three goddesses. Behind the rail stood an offering basin that was easily twelve feet across. But the most impressive feature of the alter were the three statues behind the basin. The one on the right was carved out of solid emerald. The goddess Farore, holding both her hands over her heart, leant backward, with a bevel in her leg. The middle statue was made from ruby. The goddess Din, holding both arms extended down and forward in fists. The third, the goddess Naryu, carved from solid sapphire, she held one hand over her forehead and the other trailing out behind her. The three figures were up on pedestals; Din slightly taller to arrange the three in the shape of the triforce. The roof overtop of the statues and basin was open to the sky; the rest of the roof, composed of stain glass windows, throwing more red, green, and blue light onto the floor and walls of the room.

With surprise at the beauty Din took the step back out of the room; she had never seen anything more brilliant. She could feel a completely different atmosphere from the room and was not sure what it was, but she knew this was a place of great respect. Din could see Kenji standing at the base of the stairs pacing back and forth between the two outer walls of the room. She felt a sense of unease, and did not feel she should simply enter the alter. She began to turn, to leave, when Kenji looked up and noticed her.

“Din, please come in.” He smiled and waved at her.

Din looked at him, and with a nod and a small smile she started down the carpet toward the front of the room. “I’m sorry to interrupt, I was just hoping for a tour…”

“You are not interrupting at all, in fact, I’m waiting.”

Din nodded, not understanding what he meant by that. “Okay. I was told that you were the person to see to have a tour here.” She smiled at him.
He reached out as she came nearer and placed his hand on her shoulder with a friendly smile. “Did you now? Well, then I guess it is a good thing I’m already here. Welcome to the temple of the goddesses. This is a place where people of all races come to pray to their creators, ask for guidance, or simply be in their presence. Some beings use this place to contact the goddesses or their messengers, and other use it as a place to sit or play; just to be here.”

Din looked at Kenji, “Is that why you are waiting?”

He smiled at her and led her forward to stand at the base of the stairs. “Yes, I am waiting for an answer.”

Looking up from this spot, Din could see just how large the statues of the goddesses were, easily sixteen feet tall. “An answer?” She asked him.

“I am one of the beings that can communicate with those that can come a go between worlds. I have a friend who is a right hand messenger for the goddesses and I have been trying to contact him about all this ‘demon release’ business.” Kenji laughed a little.

Din smiled at him, he was so friendly, “I see. Well that is quite the talent.”

“I have battle magic as well. I can create weapons of ice and flame.”

Din jumped away from his hand at the comment of ice. She gave him a sheepish smile as he considered her reaction. “I’m sorry. Water magic effects me greatly. It is my weakness…”

Kenji replaced his hand, “I won’t hurt you. It isn’t in my being, I have to call it forward.” Din nodded and relaxed. Kenji continued, “So you are of fire magic then?”

“Yes” She smiled proudly at him. She was starting to like the fact that others could know about her abilities and not recoil with anger or fear. She giggled to herself; she should have started spending time with beings such as these long ago. “So, does your friend know what is going on?”

Kenji nodded, “Yes, Len is an arc angel and watches the land of Hyrule. He reports to the goddesses, so you could say.”

Din nodded in understanding. Kenji moved, and pointed her at the different pieces of the alter. He explained how each race played a part in the construction of the alter and the history of the magic used within it. Part way through his story the candles underneath Naryu flared brightly and turned a brilliant blue.

“Oh, Din, I’m sorry, but you will have to excuse me, messages have arrived.” Kenji placed his hand on the center of her back and he led her part way down the carpet toward the door.

“Oh, absolutely.” Din jogged a couple steps away and looked back over her shoulder with a friendly smile and wave. “Thank-you for the tour Kenji.”

“Anytime Din.” He smiled back at her, and hurried up the stairs of the alter to the basin. Din left the alter and headed for the door of the temple, her mind focused on finding Rishian. She was still overly curious about his reaction to the alter.

Kenji held up both his hands and a ball of fire appeared in one and a crystal of ice appeared in the other. He threw the pieces of magic into the basin and stirred them together with his hands. Backing away, he looked up at the open roof and called. “Len, I wish to speak with you!” The blue candles flared brighter and Kenji held both palms out relaxed in front of him. Closing his eyes, he waited.

Suddenly a furious gust of wind came through the roof of the temple. Both doors to the lobby slammed shut and locked tightly. A small smiled appeared on Kenji’s lips, but he did not move or open his eyes. A blinding white light shot through the entire room and very slowly faded, the source from the base of Naryu’s statue. A figure appeared sitting on the pedestal under the statue’s feet. The male figure was dressed in long flowing white robes that sparkled in the sunlight. His white hair reached all the wall down his back to tickle the backs of his knees. It was tied together into one piece at his waist. The figure stood and walked forward to the rail of candles between himself and Kenji, his bare feet making no sound on the stone floor. He was slightly shorter than Kenji but was very bit as broad. The man had an aura of power, prestige, and kindness about him.

“Hello my friend.” Kenji’s voice came out in a whisper without opening his eyes.

“Hello Kenji.” The man spoke. He leaned on the rail of candles in a very relaxed stance.

Kenji lowered his hands and opened his eyes slowly, looking at the man. “Len, I have much to ask you.”

The angel shook his head, “No Kenji, there is much I need to tell you first. You do not know what is going on underneath your own nose.”

Kenji’s brow furrowed and he nodded for Len to begin.

Din had opened the door of the temple to something she had never seen before. The sun had begun to set and the sky had begun to turn orange and darker blue. Being this high in the sky, the colors surrounded the city, rather than simply being above it. She paused and looked at the new surroundings for a moment, then set off down the stairs of the temple. Din moved through the majority of the square looking for her friend, but she could not find him. He had disappeared. She shook her head, remembering the old words: ‘you will never find a Shiekah that is hiding from you.’
(Chapter Continues)

[Din Akera]

(One paragraph of overlap to maintain flow.)

Din had opened the door of the temple to something she had never seen before. The sun had begun to set and the sky had begun to turn orange and darker blue. Being this high in the sky, the colors surrounded the city, rather than simply being above it. She paused and looked at the new surroundings for a moment, then set off down the stairs of the temple. Din moved through the majority of the square looking for her friend, but she could not find him. He had disappeared. She shook her head, remembering the old words: ‘you will never find a Shiekah that is hiding from you.’
Just then, a pair of arms grabbed her from behind. Out of instinct Din pulled one of her daggers and swung. The person who grabbed her ducked and avoided her attack. Din pulled the other dagger and wretch out of the person’s hold. She spun and slammed him against the wall closest to them, the first dagger at his throat.

Rishian held both hands up in surrender. “Whoa, whoa! It’s me!” He was surprised at her reaction.

Din blinked at him a couple times and swiftly pulled her daggers away. “Don’t do that to me!” She breathed out held in air. “I’m sorry.” She replaced the daggers and backed off.

Rishian laughed. “No, it’s okay, I shouldn’t have snuck up on you.” He looked at her for a moment then reach up under the wrappings over his chest. He pulled out a small object. “I got you something.”

Din was a little surprised. “What? Why?”

Rishian giggled a little, “Because I think it suits the situation.” He held it out to her.

Din reached a hand out and Rishian dropped a locket into her palm. She looked at it closely. A silver chain held the locket tightly. The pendent, also silver, shone brightly in the fading sunlight. The locket had engravings of three symbols on it, only one of which Din recognized. The Sheikah symbol was arranged to the lower left of the other two. Din looked at the one on the top of the arrangement and then to the lower right; neither had she ever seen before. The locket was beautiful none the less. Din looked up a Rishian. “Thank-you, it’s beautiful.” Her words were genuine.
Rishian nodded. He reached into her hand and took it from her. Moving to behind her he placed it around her neck. Din lifted her hair and let the locket fall to rest on her chest.

As they smiled at each other a large wind gust hit the city. Din and Rishian ducked and shielded their faces with their hands. Rishian pushed Din toward the door of the temple and they ran up the couple steps. Din hauled the door aside and they slipped through out of the wind.

After a couple giggles Rishian looked at the shut doors of the alter, “How was your tour?”

“Good.” Din thought the opportunity was perfect. “Rish, why can’t you go in the alter?”

The Sheikah shook his head, “Din, it’s nothing don’t…” Rishian’s words trialed off as they walked into the large inner room of the temple.

Rad was on the fourth floor leaning on the balcony rail, watching them as they had come through the door. Kenji threw open the doors of the alter and stormed into the lobby with a very angry look on his face.

Kenji did not notice Din and Rishian, he simply looked up to Rad and growled, “That Shiekah has some dam nerve!”

Rishian’s head lowered with a deep sigh and shook form side to side. Din looked at Kenji, confused, then back to Rishian to see his reaction. “What?”

Kenji turned to see the two in the center of the room at the sound of Din’s voice. His brows furrowed and he stormed across the space between them. Kenji grabbed Din by the arms and hauled her away from Rishian. “You! You have no place here!” He yelled at Rishian.

Rishian recoiled slightly from Kenji’s words, but did not move. His eye tightened into a defensive look. “Not here Kenji.”

“Do not tell me what I will or won’t do, traitor!” Kenji moved closer to Rishian, his fists clenched.

Din grabbed Kenji’s arm, “Kenji! What are you talking about? Rish is our friend!”

“Friend! Ha! You should stay away from this one Din if you have any sense.” Kenji’s anger was building.

Rad saw what was transpiring below in the center of the lobby. He placed one hand on the balcony rail and vaulted himself over. Opening his wings, he dropped down across from Din, partly between Rishian and Kenji. Rad faced his old friend. “Kenji, calm down”

Kenji’s glare turned to Rad, “I won’t calm down when we are all in danger and he puts us there!” Kenji pointed at Rishian. Kenji moved past Rad toward the Sheikah with one arm draw back. “Get out!”

Rad moved and grabbed Kenji by both shoulders. “What are you talking about? Rishian has helped us this whole time.”

Kenji glared at Rad, “Think about it Rad! Why doesn’t he serve the royals anymore?” Kenji’s eyes darted to Din and his angry tone continued on, “Why couldn’t he show you the alter?” Kenji turned back to Rad, “Because he is tainted!” The sentence came out in a yell.

Rad’s facial expression changed from confusion to shock. Very slowly he turned to look over his shoulder at Rishian, without letting go of Kenji’s shoulders. The Sheikah looked down slightly, and Rad knew then that it was true, all the pieces fell together in Rad’s mind.

“What does that mean?” Din complained.

Kenji shook Rad’s hands from his shoulders and moved past him to stand directly in front of Rishian. He starred him down but spoke to Din. “It means he made a deal with a demon and has lost everything worth while.” His words were a growl. “You should have guessed it the first time you saw this, Rad.” Kenji planted a finger in the center of Rishian’s unmarked chest. “He can’t even bare the symbol. He is a traitor not only to his own race, but ever innocent being in the land!”

Rishian was trying to contain himself, keeping quiet. He struggled hard with himself, but could no longer contain his words. “Know all before you speak!” Rishian grabbed the wrappings on his left shoulder and ripped them out of the way. He pulled the leather underlay back and turned to show his bicep to the others. Imprinted in his skin was the Sheikah symbol in dark black ink. “I will bare the symbol until I die! I am a Sheikah first and will always be so! I can still perform all actions of any worthy to be called Sheikah! I may have made a deal, but the intentions were true and therefore I will always be true to what is right!” Rishian’s voice rose throughout his words.

Kenji glared back at him, “It does not matter your intentions! You made a deal with Ark Mantrios and now cannot walk on holy ground.” Kenji threw his arm back toward the alter doors. “It is because of you this whole disaster is happening!”

“I did what I could to prevent it once I realized my mistake! Why else do you think I would risk my seal!” Rishian held up his left hand to show the tips of his thumb and forefinger glowing a faint teal color. “I sealed him to keep him a bay while we could rally all the help we could!”

Rad cut through with shock of his own. “You risked your seal on the demon of courage by creating another one?”

Rishian turned to him. “I couldn’t let him run wild while Din was unable to help you!”

“It matters not what you did now! You arranged for Ark’s restraints to be easy enough for him to escape from Arbiter Grounds should he get the opportunity, in exchange for your own life being extended!” Kenji yelled back at Rishian.

Rishian’s anger grew. “That was secondary! The survival of the Sheikah race was number one! And you tell me how that would have happened if any of the demons would have ever broken free!”

“None of them! If you had had Ark’s restraints as harsh as the others!” Kenji’s furry exploded from him.

“Hazel was dam close, even without Ark’s help Kenji.” Rad’s growl came low.

“Don’t you dare defend him!” Kenji snarled at Rad.

Toan, Sophia, Kate, and Koroko appeared from one room on the fourth floor. They could hear the argument and had come to investigate. Kate had a strange look on her face, and Sophia appeared to be comforting her to some extent. The four walked to the edge of the balcony and saw Din, Kenji, Rad, and Rishian in the center of the lobby, engaged in their fight.

“Wait, extended life?” Rad glared at Rishian. “Why in goddesses sakes would you want that!”

“What I want is to prevent the destruction of our land!” Rishian retaliated.

“How can you even say that with what you did! Making deals with demons is the most selfish thing you can do!”

“Kenji! That was a over fifty years ago! He has been nothing but helpful to us now.” Rad was trying to reason with his friend and himself.

“The deal was for the Sheikah to survive to protect the royal family should evil ever rise again!” Rishian snarled back at Kenji.

“You might as well have brought the evil back yourself!” Kenji yelled.

“Why did you help us then!?” Rad protested. “If you knew your race would survive?”

“Because it was the right thing to do!” Rishian moved toward them with his harsh words.

“So now you are noble?” Kenji’s sarcasm was filled with anger.

“Drop the attitude Kenji!” Rad rolled his eyes and hollered.

“Excuse me? Whose side are you on?”

“The side that wants to protect Hyrule!”

“Really? ‘Cause I’d say you are defending a traitor!”

“I’m not a traitor! I have dedicated my life to protecting Hyrule!”

“Yeah, your extended life!”

“BOYS!” Din screamed and pushed her way into the center of the circle they had created. She held up both hands, moving them all away from each other. The three stopped yelling but none of them dropped their glared expressions.

Din’s angry expression drought all of theirs to shame and she gave it to each of them. “You are acting like children! The past is the past! It cannot be changed. We need to work toward the common goal we all have! This means, keeping the demon contained and bring Ark down, to ensure survival of all the races of Hyrule. Fighting accomplishes nothing! Fighting each other makes this situation worse, not better. We are only strong when we stand together.” Her tone and grown more calm and held a motherly component to it. She looked between them all. All three’s expressions had fallen and they were looking downward, taking all she said. “Now, if we are all to survive this, we need to put our differences aside and move forward.” The three men looked between each other.

Rishian nodded slowly. “She’s right.”

Kenji took a deep breath and looked up and to the right seeing the others on the balcony.

Rad let out a breath he hadn’t noticed he was holding. “She is right.”

Kenji looked back at Din and then at Rishian. “I’m sorry. I let my anger get the better of me.” He paused and looked Rishian in the eye. “I have heard great things about you as well as those I accused you of.” Kenji’s voice was quiet and low.

Rishian looked back at him, realizing that he too lost control. “We are both guilty of that.” With a nod Rishian accepted the apology.

A content expression came over Din’s face. “Okay, now it would do us all some good to go to bed and let the emotions calm down. Tomorrow we can discuss and work things out.”

All three nodded and Rad spoke, “I think that would be a good idea.”

As the four turned to head through the door and up the stairs to their room, Rishian hissed in a quick and pained breath. He shook his left hand hard and cringed slightly.

Whipping around the others showed concern and Din reached out to him. “Rish! Are you okay?”

Rishian lifted his left hand and looked at his fingers. They all watched as the glowing teal color on his forefinger dimmed and disappeared completely. Rishian looked up at the rest of them quickly. “Ark broke the seal.”

Rad and Kenji stiffened and the four looked back and forth at each other.

Rishian shook his head and jumped into action. “We do have some time. Ark will have to wait; he will be weak from breaking the seal. Kenji, you should tell your messenger, prepare for battle with Ark. Rad, go send reinforcements out to the chamber of the demon of courage. Din, go get the others and tell them to prepare their weapons for a battle; probably in the morning. There should be armor around that we can borrow too. I’ll go tell the people of the city to buckle down.”

Kenji looked up at Rishian; guilt had started to take form in him. “Sheikah.” Rishian looked back toward him. “Truly, I apologize.” Kenji offered his hand.

The Sheikah considered it for a minute and then decided it better to make friends than enemies. He took his hand and shook it.

Everyone began to scatter. Din ran up the stairs to tell the others, they had heard Rishian and had all set to work right away. People moved in every direction as the word spread. All was being done to prepare the city and the fighters for Ark’s arrival and prevent the demon of courage from being released.

(End Chapter)

[ChargewithSword]

Well I found this chapter to be pretty good though I felt as if it was lacking a bit of the intensity that you'd normally expect from a conflict. Some of the words used in the details didn't strike enough as "hatred." I however did think that your details of the environment were very good as usual.

I also liked how you slowed down the chapters a bit for some filler details, giving your chapters a feeling of realism in them.

[Din Akera]

Well I found this chapter to be pretty good though I felt as if it was lacking a bit of the intensity that you'd normally expect from a conflict. Some of the words used in the details didn't strike enough as "hatred." I however did think that your details of the environment were very good as usual.

I also liked how you slowed down the chapters a bit for some filler details, giving your chapters a feeling of realism in them.

Once again, thank-you for the feedback Charge.
I didn't intend for the fight to have hatred within it, just anger, and betrayl. I'm glad it didn't come across as hatred, but I will take this in to consideration for the second draft and maybe pump up the intensity a little.
--------------------------
Chapter 11 – Fighters

Night had fully set over the City in the Sky. The stars had begun to twinkle, and the moon shone brightly down on the metal and stone city. The white light painted the city with an eerie and ghostly mood.

Rishian stood on the center watchtower, looking out toward the chamber of the demon of courage. The Sheikah stood with his arms crossed. He was deep in though, but watching as the Oocca set up extra guards of every race and established fast track communications with the temple.
“Hey.” A male voice came from behind him.

Rishian turned to see Rad stepping up onto the top of watchtower and crossing the space to stand beside him.

“Hey” Rishian replied quietly as he turned his attention back to the glowing seals on the chamber.

“We seem to be in good shape?” Rad asked him.

Rishian nodded once. “Until the greatest demon ever created shows up…” There was doubt and anger in Rishian’s voice.

Rad crossed his arms over his chest as well and the two men stood beside each other, staring out into the night sky at the chamber.

Rad’s presence caused Rishian’s mind to wander. His thoughts began to flow from the demon and the coming battle to the people he had met in the last couple weeks and the choices he had made. His mind thought about the past and how it was affecting them all now. Rishian looked out the corner of his eye at Rad. He was still focused on the chamber, but Rishian knew his mind had probably wandered off as well.

On the contrary, Rad’s mind was very focused. He stared blatantly at the chamber. He was running through his mind looking for everything he knew about the demon. He knew the beast form was one of the most terrifying beings a person could ever see, let alone battle, though he had never seen it himself. He knew the demon could fly, that is why they imprisoned him in the sky. Rad continued to think hard, to remember if there was anything else he had heard throughout his travels.

The two men stood in silence for a long time and finally Rishian couldn’t contain his thoughts any longer. “Rad, does she know yet?” His words came out quite sternly.

Rad snapped back to attention. He turned his head and looked at Rishian, whose gaze had not moved from the glowing seals. Rad blinked as he tried to understand the question. “What?”

Rishian looked sharply at Rad and his eye narrowed into an almost threatening stare. “She deserves to know, and know the whole story. She is the only one up here that doesn’t.”

Rad dropped his chin slightly and his expression hardened. “She is happy Rishian.”

A snort escaped him. “So ignorance is bliss? Even when it means not knowing who or what you are for your entire life?” Rishian’s voice held heaps of sarcasm.

Rad sighed to himself, “Why try and fix something that isn’t broken?” Rad was grasping at straws. He had avoided telling her for this long, he didn’t think he needed to tell her now.

Rishian turned to face him fully. “Because she has a right to know who she is and where she came from. And it would be best if she could hear it from you. You can’t honestly believe she won’t figure it out. With Toan and Sophia here she may find out the truth any second. How do you think she will feel if she hears it from one of them?”

Rad felt like he was being reprimanded by a parent, but he knew Rishian was right. Rad nodded slightly then looked back out toward the demon’s chamber.

The Sheikah’s eye tightened. “Rad, if you don’t tell her, I will.” The words were as much a threat as they were a promise.
Rad shook his head slightly and he turned around to leave. As he did, Kenji came up the ladder to the platform as well, his cape dragging on the metal behind him.

“Hey.” Kenji said to his friend with a happy smile.

Rad gave him a half-hearted smirk and leapt off the edge of the watchtower, diving into the night sky underneath the city.

Kenji looked back over his shoulder and watched Rad’s wings spread as he left the tower. He turned to look at Rishian’s back. Walking up beside him, to where Rad had been standing, Kenji gave the Sheikah a questioning look. “Is he really that worried about all this?”

Rishian did not look back, “Got a lot on his mind.”

Kenji nodded slowly, not fully understanding the reply. “I think we can do this. We are ready for when Ark shows up. We will stop him before he even makes it to Mas Yheta’s chamber.” Kenji flicked a hand in the direction of the demon of courage’s containment.

Rishian didn’t respond. Kenji’s presence caused his mind to now wander in a different direction. He looked sideways at Kenji, to see him staring off toward the chamber. The glowing seals pinpointed its location in the night sky. Rishian’s questions got the better of him and he broke the silence. “So you seem to know all about me. All I know of you is what I have been told throughout my life.” Rishian turned his head and looked at him. “Some call you ‘guardian’, others ‘messenger’, I’ve even heard ‘divine’. But I know better than that…” Rishian shook his head. “So what are you?” There was an edge to Rishian’s voice.

Kenji looked at him and smirked. “You’ve heard a lot. What I am has very little to do with what I do.”

Rishian frowned behind the wrappings.

“The truth is Sheikah, that I am Hylain.” Kenji responded calmly.

Rishian snorted and shook his head. “Yet you have been around longer than me and haven’t aged a day. Len give you eternal life as well?” Rishian was getting annoyed with him.

Kenji smiled. “Well, if you had let me finish. I’m one quarter Dragir, and as a result have the lifespan of one.” Kenji’s voice dropped. “That is part of the reason I made my wings appear the way they do.” The sentence came out under his breath.

Rishian nodded slowly. He thought the explanation made sense, but he didn’t know whether or not to trust it. “I see.”

Kenji rolled his eyes. “Sheikahs…always so defensive.”

“We have learned to be over the years.”

“Well, Rishian. You don’t have to be defensive with me.” Kenji smiled at Rishian, a friendly smile.

Rishian was tired of the visitors. He nodded to Kenji and leapt up, grabbing the edge of the roof of the watchtower. He wrapped the shadows tightly around him, and knew that he had disappeared from sight completely. He swung his legs up and flipped over the edge of the roof, landing in a squat on the metal grating. Rocking back on his heels he sat on the roof. Relaxing he let one leg slide out and hang off the edge and kept the other bent, his elbow resting on his knee. He took a deep breath and let out a small sigh. He knew he was agitated because of the events of the day and he tried to calm himself. He looked back over his shoulder toward the main buildings of the city. He could see the balconies of the living quarters on the temple. A small orange light burned in Din’s room, illuminating the edges of the balcony in the night sky. A black figure swept up the side of the building and landed lightly on the rail. Rad stepped down and entered the room, folding his wings as he walked through the opening. Rishian turned back and looked hard at the glowing seals on the chamber. Once again his thoughts consumed him.

(Chapter Continues)

[Ooccoo Watcher]

Nice work, Din. Don't tell Atsuma but I think you are the best writer here on ZD. I think this story could go as a published book, if you got the rights from nintendo. ;):);):);):);):);):)

[Din Akera]

Nice work, Din. Don't tell Atsuma but I think you are the best writer here on ZD. I think this story could go as a published book, if you got the rights from nintendo. ;):);):);):);):)

lol, careful, you might get yourself into trouble saying that! :lol:
I appreciate the comment and the feedback OW. NAd I'm glad you are enjoying the story. :)
---------------------------
(One paragraph overlap.)

Rishian was tired of the visitors. He nodded to Kenji and leapt up, grabbing the edge of the roof of the watchtower. He wrapped the shadows tightly around him, and knew that he had disappeared from sight completely. He swung his legs up and flipped over the edge of the roof, landing in a squat on the metal grating. Rocking back on his heels he sat on the roof. Relaxing he let one leg slide out and hang off the edge and kept the other bent, his elbow resting on his knee. He took a deep breath and let out a small sigh. He knew he was agitated because of the events of the day and he tried to calm himself. He looked back over his shoulder toward the main buildings of the city. He could see the balconies of the living quarters on the temple. A small orange light burned in Din’s room, illuminating the edges of the balcony in the night sky. A black figure swept up the side of the building and landed lightly on the rail. Rad stepped down and entered the room, folding his wings as he walked through the opening. Rishian turned back and looked hard at the glowing seals on the chamber, his eyebrow narrowing. Once again his thoughts consumed him.
*******************

“It is beautiful, Din.” Kate giggled excitedly. “The trunk is living and actually growing in that arch shape. They cleared the trees around the immediate area and set torches up. They have two ornate daggers placed in front where you had put your knives into her paws and everything!” The young brunette was almost bouncing beside Din on the large bed as she told her about the monument now set up in the place where the demon of power had been defeated.

“Sounds beautiful!” Din had been listening closely. She was interested in the story her long time friend was sharing. Din’s fire red hair shimmered in the candlelight that illuminated the room. She had tucked Rishian’s locket inside her tunic and could feel it against her skin.

“Oh it is. They had a ceremony there too already. One of the Kokiri boys is working on making a stone carving of our names to place under the archway too.” Kate beamed at Din as she shared her news. “The death of Hazel Nightingale will go down and history!”

Din smiled back at her friend. The two girls had been catching up for the past couple hours. They had been in the city together for the whole day and still not had a chance to talk. Din had been with Rishian and Kenji for the day and Kate with Koroko, Toan and Sophia.

Kate’s expression grew more serious, but remained friendly. “Din, can I ask you a question?”

Din looked at her quickly, her expression falling to a soft and curious one. “Of course!”

Kate looked around the room and stuttered a little. “Have…have you talked much with Toan and Sophia?”

Din paused. That was not the question she had been expecting. “No. Why?”

“Well…they…know a lot.” Kate seemed to be struggling with herself and looked down and the bed rather than at her friend.

Din reached over and put her hand on Kate’s knee. “Hey, it’s okay. You can tell me.” Din’s voice was quiet and friendly. She was growing concerned for her friend.

Kate looked up at her and swallowed, she was searching for words.

Just then, the two heard a small noise from the balcony and both turned toward the open glass doors. Din looked through the long curtain, blowing in the night air. She watched as Rad stepped slowly into view. He looked up at them; his expression was somber. He leant against the doorframe and crossed his arms lightly over his chest, dropping his gaze to the floor.

Din and Kate looked at him for a moment. Kate’s expression held confusion and Din’s was concern. Rad did not move.

Kate turned back to Din. She quickly gathered herself and slid off the bed to stand. “It can wait. I will see you guys tomorrow!” Her happy voice echoed slightly off the stone walls and she scampered along the royal carpet and through the door back into the hallway. The door clicked lightly behind her.

Din watched her go and then turned back to Rad, who had still not moved an inch. Din pushed her concern for Kate aside and rolled over her knee, standing as well. She walked very slowly toward him. “Rad?” Once she reached his side she slowly lifted one hand and traced the back of her forefinger across his cheek. “What’s wrong?”

Rad looked her deep in the eyes, his thoughts racing, Rishian’s words echoing loudly in his head and his heart beating at an alarming rate. He took a deep breath and searched frantically for a way to approach what he needed to tell her. The man looked deep into her red-brown eyes, searching for some semblance of an answer. How could he tell her all he knew of her past when it would only hurt her? Moreover, how could he tell her all he had done when he knew she would be horrified and probably never forgive him? Rad’s mind was running out of control and he knew it showed on his face.

Din looked hard into his confused and saddened eyes. “Rad…is everything okay?”

Rad nodded slowly and dropped his gaze once again. His eyes landed on a shining piece of jewelry on his hand. His eyes widened as his thoughts drifted in an entirely new direction. His gaze moved up from his hand to look at her. “Din, I need to tell you something.”

Din nodded an encouragement.

Rad unfolded his arms and slid a silver ring off his middle finger. He held it up in between them. “I want you to have this. There are not many Dragir left in Hyrule, but all Dragir are loyal to each other, we are all kin. If you show this ring to any Dragir, you will be taken in and treated as family.” Rad held the ring out to her.

Din was slightly taken aback. “Wha…why would I need that?”

Rad shook his head. “Battle is unpredictable and…I...I can’t always guarantee that I will be…” His voice trailed off. “Din, I need to know that you will be safe and taken care of. Please.” He pushed the ring closer to her in the space between them.

Din looked him in the eyes for a moment and then dropped her gaze to the piece of silver jewelry. She slowly reached up and took it out of his fingertips. She slid it into place on the forefinger of her right hand. She looked at it briefly then turned back to see his expression.

Rad had softened slightly, but had not relaxed completely. The real reason he had come to speak to her hadn’t come out and--

“Come on. It’s late.” Din’s voice broke through his thoughts. She took his fingers loosely in hers and led him toward the bed.

Rad let out a breath he wasn’t aware he had been holding. Maybe that was a good idea. Dealing with things in the morning would bring a fresh start and a fresh mind to the whole situation, she was right. Rad knew he was simply putting off the inevitable, but he didn’t want to hit her with it tonight. The day had been filled with enough drama. The two crawled into bed and settled in for the night.

Din looked at Rad lying next to her, his eyes closed and his breathing beginning to slow. “Rad?”

The man opened his eyes and looked back at her, a questioned look no his face.

“You said there are not many more Dragir in Hyrule. Why?” Din’s question was quiet.

Rad took a deep breath and a small sigh came from his throat. He rolled to his back and stared up at the chandelier hanging above them. “It’s a long story Din.”

The girl did not respond; she simply waited. She knew he would continue.

“My home was called Dragiria. It was attacked and destroyed several years ago in battle” There was pain mounting in his voice, but he suppressed it quickly with a deep breath. “Not very many survived.”

Din looked at him with slightly shocked and concerned eyes. “I’m so sorry Rad.” The words came out in a gentle whisper.

Rad was quiet for a moment, but then continued. “Most of us scattered throughout Hyrule, not really knowing what to do or where to go. We had all seen so much and most of us were still young, only a couple thousand years--”

Din made a small surprised and confused sound.

Rad looked at her quickly and gave her an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, I know I haven’t told you much about the Dragir race. Our lifespans are very long. We live to about 18, 000 years old.”

Din’s eyebrows went up as she processed this information. “Wow…I had no idea...” She paused and looked at him. “How old are you now?”

“I’m mid life, about seven or eight thousand. We don’t really keep that close of a track on it.” He shook his head slightly and shrugged, then returned to his story. “Dragiria is now being rebuilt in Labrynna. Many have gone back to see the new city. I think I will wait until it is done before I go back. It will never really be the same I wouldn’t think. Close, but not the same.”
Din nodded in response.

“Enough of all this.” Rad leaned over to her. “There is no use in telling you all this now. Sleep, we will need it for tomorrow.” Rad knew he was avoiding the next part of the story, but he didn’t care, they did need their sleep. He leaned over and kissed her forehead lightly.

Din closed her eyes at the feeling of his lips on her skin and a relaxed breath left her lips. She knew something was going on, and everyone was trying to tell her, but no one seemed to be able too. As she began to drift off on the soft mattress she could feel the weight of the ring around her finger and the locket on her chest.

(Chapter Continues)

[Atsuma]

Nice work, Din. Don't tell Atsuma but I think you are the best writer here on ZD. I think this story could go as a published book, if you got the rights from nintendo.
What? lolz. I don't consider myself good at all.

As to the update, Din, good job, it was about time too. I only found one mistake:

“Well…they…know a lot.” Kate seemed to be struggling with herself and looked down and the bed rather than at her friend (Is it at instead of and? Or perhaps even to) Great job, in any case. ^^

[Din Akera]

What? lolz. I don't consider myself good at all.

As to the update, Din, good job, it was about time too. I only found one mistake:

“Well…they…know a lot.” Kate seemed to be struggling with herself and looked down and the bed rather than at her friend (Is it at instead of and? Or perhaps even to) Great job, in any case. ^^

yes, exactly. thank-you Ats. ^^
----------------------------

Din closed her eyes at the feeling of his lips on her skin and a relaxed breath left her lips. She knew something was going on, and everyone was trying to tell her, but no one seemed to be able too. As she began to drift off on the soft mattress she could feel the weight of the ring around her finger and the locket on her chest.

********************

Ark Mantrios stood in the center of a small island in Lake Hylia. He had crossed the wooden bridge and now stood glaring up at the night sky. He was looking hard for one particular sight, sure he would be able to see it before he sun came up. Glancing to the east he could see the first sparks of orange and purple beginning to show behind the cliffs that held the water into Lake Hylia. Snapping his attention back upward, he scanned the clouds and the fading light of the stars shinning overhead. Then he saw it. Ark’s stomach jumped slightly as his eyes landed on their target. A small glowing ball of red, green, yellow, purple, teal, and dark blue was hovering many miles away in the sky, only a speck of light to the untrained eye. A smile appeared on Ark’s lips and he shook his head in slight disbelief, he couldn’t believe his luck. The goddesses must be smiling down on him.

Reaching into his pocket he pulled out a large, deep red stone. It was translucent and shone in the growing light. The stone took up Ark’s entire hand due to its size. He held it flat on his left palm at eye-level. Glancing back over his shoulder Ark looked for the height of the sun, and could see he had made it just in time.

“Foolish Sheikah. He may have slowed me down, but he gave me ample time to find the gem in the tunnel, and even more time to charge it. The small test dose worked easily on the seal he used to keep me in that hunk of rock.” Ark spoke quietly to himself as he angled the stone upward toward the glowing speck in the sky. “How about we test how many seals a large dose can break?”

As the words finished the first rays of morning sun shot over the cliffs and bounced off the sparkling clear water that surrounded the small isle the demon stood upon. Ark’s eyebrows furrowed with concentration as he looked through the red glass toward his target. He then raised his free hand up above his shoulders, behind his head, making a line from his back hand up past his eyes, up the length of his arm, to the extended gem, and up into the sky.

Ark’s voice rang out and echoed off the walls of the vast lake in an angry summoning. “Brother born of courage! Awaken now and avenge our fallen sisters! Teach this land that they cannot imprison the great and go unpunished! Release your wrath upon them and show them how it feels to live in true fear! Awaken! Mas Yheta, the demon of courage!!”

As the final words grew into an excited furry, a ball of Ark’s black and purple magic formed in his rear hand. He looked back and saw exactly what he had hoped for. The rays of sunlight shone on the gemstone and caused it to glow and emit a small red hue. With a victorious smile Ark released the ball of magic in a black beam. The magic smashed into the stone and it seemed to be absorbed for a single moment. Then, the gem shot out a beam of solid black power, laced with a red sparkle. The magic rocketed up into the sky toward the glowing speck.

Ark slumped over, setting the stone on the ground. The spell had taken much of his energy, but he was able to look up and watch as the destruction of Hyrule made it’s way up into the clouds.

“We’ll see how the hero’s deal with that, now won’t we?” An evil smile held the strained words. The demon struggled to stand but made his way back across the wooden bridge, toward the healing spring, taking the stone with him.

****************

“Can you top me up sis?” Toan pushed a glass across the large wooden table in the center of the dining hall toward Sophia, sitting on the opposite bench.

Sophia looked up at him with an annoyed expression that held a hint of playfulness. She rolled her eyes and looked at Kate sitting beside her. “He’s so needy!”

Kate giggled with her fork in her mouth while Koroko plunked himself down on the bench beside Toan with his bowl of breakfast. The four had woken up earlier than the others and had come to the dining hall to chow down before their guarding shift. The Oocca had decided to rotate of all the warriors in the temple on chamber watch. The four of them were scheduled to start in a couple hours. Koroko had opted to be their contact on the main potion of city even though he was not a fighter. He thought he could easily do the job of alerting the town should the three of them call for help.

Sophia reached her hand out across the table and a stream of cold water poured out of her palm into Toan’s glass.

He smirked and scooped it up to his lips. “It’s not like it’s any trouble for you.”

Sophia smiled politely and continued on with her meal. Before she got her next forkful to her mouth Kenji appeared with a tray of breakfast from the kitchen and trotted over to the rest of them. He slid into place beside Sophia on the bench and smiled at them.

“Morning!” The man did not wait for a reply he simply dove into his food.

Toan looked at him and smirked. “Hungry?”

Kenji looked up at him and then over at the others, realizing they were all staring at him and how fast he was shoveling his food.
“Ha, yeah. A little.” He smiled around a mouthful.

“Would you like some water?” Sophia kindly offered with a smile and filled his glass from her palm for him.

“Oh sure!” Toan complained. “You offer for him, but your brother has to fight you for it!”

Sophia smiled and giggled. “Well, yeah.” She glanced at him playfully.

Toan shook his head and looked at Kate and Koroko. “Good meal?”

“Very much so.” Kate was polishing her bowl with a piece of bread.

Koroko nodded, unable to speak as he sipped the last of his food down with a smile.

*******************

Din leant against the railing of her balcony looking down at the earth. She knew that it was probably only just morning down below, but because they were so high up, the sun had already lit the city completely. Din looked back over her shoulder for Rad. He was still fast asleep in the bed. With a small relaxed sigh she turned back to look out at the seals on the demon’s chamber. Out of the corner of her eye she saw movement and she turned her head sharply sideways to see a man standing on the edge of the balcony leant back against the wall of the building. Din gasped and jumped back in surprise.

The man jumped forward and landed on the railing in a squwat beside her new position. Rishian held a finger to the wrappings covering his face, where his lips would have been. He looked past her toward where Rad was sleeping.

Din let out a sigh of relief and rolled her eyes at him. She looked briefly back at Rad and then back to the Sheikah. Her words came out in a whisper. “I thought we agreed you weren’t going to sneak up on me!” Din crossed her arms and dropped a hip.
Rishian smiled widely behind the covering and it showed in his eye. “I don’t try, it’s just my nature.” Rishian looked down at her from his perch. His eyes landed on the silver ring glistening in the sun around her index finger. He looked up at her, more serious. “Did you have a good evening?” The words were friendly, but he was searching.

Din shrugged and barred a small smile. “It was fine. Something is bothering Rad, but he doesn’t seem to want to share it with me.” Din looked over the edge of the balcony to the solid smooth wall below. How on earth did he get up here? She pushed the thought away, knowing that the Sheikah specialize in that sort of thing.

Rishian growled in his chest, knowing she couldn’t hear it. He wrestled with himself for a short moment and then stepped down off the railing to stand beside her on the balcony. He lifted his arms and placed one hand on either of her shoulders. “Din, you need--” Rishian cut his words off as his ears began to pick up a high-pitched whistle. He turned his gaze away from her eyes and looked over the balcony.

Din moved with him, but couldn’t yet hear the sound. “What? What is it?” She looked over the balcony as well.

“Shh…” Rishian was trying to pinpoint the direction of the sound. It was growing louder. He looked down, toward the earth.

Din looked down as well, she was beginning to hear the whistle. She searched the sky as well, but neither of them could see anything.

“What’s going on?” A deep voice came from behind the two of them. Din and Rishian turned to look over their shoulders, back into the room. Rad was coming up behind them, running a hand through his sliver hair.

“Can you hear that?” Rishian asked seriously to the Dragir, who he knew would have better hearing.

Rad’s expression grew serious and he moved to the edge of the balcony on the other side of Din. He leaned on the rail and listened. He could hear the whistling sound, accompanied by a slight crackle. He nodded and his eyebrows furrowed as he could tell it was coming closer. “What is that?” He looked over at Rishian and the two men’s eyes met with concern.

Din watched the sky as they contemplated. She looked down, past the demon’s chamber, and saw something she had not noticed before. She could see a small black speck. At first she thought she imagined it. Looking again at the same spot, she squinted in the morning sun. The black speck had become a dot in the sky. It was getting larger.

“You think maybe a propeller is going?” Rad asked Rishian optimistically, but there was doubt in his voice.

“I don’t think so. Don’t they just quit? And they have alarmed monitors on them to prevent that…” Rishian answered him.

Din focused hard on the spot, her eyes not as powerful as the Dragir or Sheikah’s. The dot turned into a streak and it was evident to her that it was coming closer. The black stain in the blue sky was moving at an alarming rate and was headed toward the city. Din whipped around. “Rad! Rish! Look!” She pointed out toward the blackness and the two men turned and followed her gesture, both of their eyes landing on incoming streak.

Rad’s expression grew from concern and concentration to disbelief while Rishian took in a quick gasp of shock. The two could now identify the blackness; it was dark magic, laced with a red seal-breaking spell.

“Oh no…” Rad’s words came out under his breath. Din looked up at him with concerned eyes. Her attention whipped around to Rishian who was now leaning hard on the rail breathing very quickly. The magic seemed to accelerate and came rocketing toward the demon’s chamber.

Rishian cursed loudly and grabbed Din around the shoulders, pulling her downward. At the same time Rad spun on his heels and opened his wings shielding the three of them from the open balcony. The three heard the whistling magic smash into the chamber with an ear splitting crash. The explosion sent a shock wave through the air that threw the three of them from the balcony into the bedroom.

*******************

The dinning hall shook violently as the shock wave hit the city. The four fighters who were finishing breakfast gripped the table and grimaced. The impact knocked the small Kokiri off balance and he grabbed at Toan’s arm to prevent himself from falling off the bench. The moment of still silence that followed had the five looking between each other with stone faced worry.

“What was tha--” Kenji’s serious and almost threatening question was cut short when an urgently piercing alarm rang out throughout the entire temple and city. The alarm told everyone that the worst had happened.

The five of them leapt up out of their seats, throwing both benches backwards on the floor in the process. Leaving their dishes as they were, they took off at full runs toward the door that led to the main entrance of the temple.

“Go! Go! Go!” Kenji ordered them and his cape began to transform from it’s loose stature around his ankles into the large dark wings.

Sophia began frantically stringing her bow and tying her quiver to her back. Toan reached up and ripped his white collared shirt from his chest exposing the scabbard and blade on his back. Reaching the massive temple doors first he threw his weight hard throwing them wide open. Kate, Koroko and Sophia ran out behind him with Kenji flying through the space above. The five were blinded momentarily by the bright morning light as they burst out into what they knew would be a coming nightmare.

********************

Lifting his wing, Rad rolled off of Din and Rishian and to the side slightly. The three looked out the open glass doors to see the magic continue upward through the sky after hitting its target. The chamber had a gapping hole on the right side. The concrete was cracked, pieces of metal bent upward and broken, and hunks of rubble fell from the chamber to the earth below. But the most horrifying sight was all of the Sheikah seals fade to nothingness.

“No!” Rishian jumped up and mounted himself on the railing of the balcony staring in rage and horror at the sight before them. He whipped around to look at Rad and Din who had scampered back to their feet as well.

Rad reacted quickly. “Let’s go” He grabbed his massive blade from on top of the dresser where he had laid it the night before and strung it to his belt, marching intently to the edge of the balcony.

Din took hold of her metal chain and wrapped it around herself with familiar speed and jogged after him. She looked down over the edge to see Toan, Sophia, Kate, Kenji and finally Koroko burst from the temple doors.

Rad reached over and grabbed Din around the waist taking one foot up onto the rail. Din wrapped her arms instinctively around his neck. He jumped into the air and opened his wings, flying downward toward the others. Rishian sprang from his perch, sliding and hoping down the wall to land beside the rest of them in perfect silence. The eight fighters looked between each other and clutched their various weapons. They turned one by one to look out toward the gaping hole in the chamber waiting for any sign of movement.

(Chapter Continues)

[Atsuma]

That was a good read, Din, and I think I only found two typos...

sure he would be able to see it before he sun came up. (just add a T and you will be fine)

The dinning hall shook violently (Just remove an N, and you are set) Anyway, good chapter, Din. XD

[Myriadviper42]

Excellent work. Can't wait for the next chapter.

[K4KING]

:lol:

Well, this certainly made my day happy. Me gorging down like a pack of Hyena on a field of Carcasses and antelopes, THAT'S a perfect description for me, due to my REAL LIFE largeness :lol:

Keep up the good work yo!

[Din Akera]

Thanks Ats, i will change those in my copy. ^^
K4 and Viper, I'm glad you are enjoying it. :)

You guys know the deal now. one paragraph.
--------------------------------

Rad reached over and grabbed Din around the waist taking one foot up onto the rail. Din wrapped her arms instinctively around his neck. He jumped into the air and opened his wings, flying downward toward the others. Rishian sprang from his perch, sliding and hoping down the wall to land beside the rest of them in perfect silence. The eight fighters looked between each other and clutched their various weapons. They turned one by one to look out toward the gaping hole in the chamber waiting for any sign of movement.

The fighters all breathed hard, none of them prepared for what was coming. Rishian looked sideways at Din and then at Kenji. “Any information you have would be good to share right now.” Rishian’s voice was a mixture of worry, determination and slight anger.

Kenji nodded and his serious voice whispered between them. “He will most likely be in beast form. You can’t attack his skin. The scales are solid metal. They have been harvested in the past to be used as armor. The weak spot is in the center of his--”

An ear splitting yell of victory came from inside the chamber. Rad’s attention whipped around and he glared at the hole. The male holler shrunk back down to nothingness. After another moment of stillness a very broad figure strolled out of the darkness inside the crumbled chamber. For the first time, Din’s eyes rested upon the demon. The man was very pale will straight long black hair that hung to the center of his spine. He wore a black tunic, which only extenuated the color of his white skin. A long-sleeved purple trench coat hung to what was left of the concrete platform. The demon smirked to himself and looked about the immediate area, his gaze moving over the broken concrete and the beautiful city. He took in a large breath of fresh air and released it with a relaxing sigh. His eyes turned down toward the earth below them and he whispered into the wind. “Yes brother. I will make it so. Then I will meet with you again Ark.” Lifting his gaze back to the situation he turned toward the city. He looked across the gap between his chamber and the bulk of the city to face the group of fighters. His eyes locked with Din’s. She took in a quick gasp. His eyes were the most brilliant and terrifying yellow she had ever seen. The stare made her uncomfortable and sent a shiver through her body.
Kenji’s voice broke through Din’s emotions. “Mas Yheta!” He yelled with furry across the gap in the sky. “Stand down! Surrender now, and no one is injured!”

A wicked smile appeared on Mas’s face. “Oh, but that is no fun Kenji…” the words came out in an even mocking tone. The demon took another large breath and cried out. “This world will pay for what it did to me and my siblings! I will avenge my sister’s deaths and join with my brother to destroy this land!” The words evolved in to rage and the demon’s body began to shake and shiver violently.

“Prepare for battle.” Rad ordered the group. Everyone shifted to the ready and turned their full attention to the matter at hand.

Mas began to laugh while his body shook. His shutters interrupted the vocal pattern. His shoulders began to expand and the man doubled over, clutching at his sides. The fighters shifted, uneasy about what they were witnessing. The demon’s laugh turned into a battle cry, as his body grew larger. The purple trench coat seemed to meld into his skin and turn into dark glistening scales. His hands met with the concrete platform and his nails turned to massive black claws as his legs morphed to match his now front legs. Mas’s neck began to extend and his shoulders flatten out. From the flat spot grew five protrusions and his battle cry turned into a deep roar of a beast. The demon’s face grew into a muzzle, complete with long spiked teeth, while several sets of horns appeared on top and back of his now scaled head and neck. The five new limbs that grew from his back produced five identical heads to the first while a very muscular long tail extended from the back. At the tip of its tail was twelve large spikes extending outward in every direction from a solid spherical mass.

Kate and Din’s stomachs churned as they looked upon the six-headed dragon. The bulk of it was black, purple accent scales were interspersed throughout the main body.

Toan, Rad and Rishian took in all they could of the six long necks and heads. Each one was black, but had a different color accent scale. One head bared green, another yellow, one a silver-grey, a piercing white, deep blue, and finally blood red. Rishian knew what that meant. Each head possessed it’s own ability. He shifted his eyes toward Toan and Rad, knowing they were processing this information as well.

The demon continued to grow in size until it was nearly larger than the chamber it had been contained in. The fighters barely came to its knees in height. Finally the dragon stretched two massive wings upward from the center of it’s back, raised all six noses to the air and released a terrifying roar that shook the city. Everyone understood now why this demon was created in the name of courage. The dragon dropped its heads to look at the eight challengers on the closest platform of the city to the ruined enclosure. It bowed most of its heads and bent it’s knees. A shiver ran down the length of its spine as it opened its wings, preparing to fly.

“Kenji!” Rishian growled. “Finish your flipping sentence! Its weak spot is…!”

“Oh!” Kenji seemed to snap back to reality. “The purple soft spot between the bases of all its necks.”

“Wonderful.” Sophia said sarcastically under her breath.

“Would you care to share what each head’s ability is?” Rishian was tired of having to prompt Kenji and his voice was beginning to show his anger.

Just as Kenji was to open his mouth the dragon pushed off the ruined containment into the sky. Opening its wings and coming in for a landing, claws extended on where the fighters were watching.

“Move!” Rad ordered and pushed Kate and Koroko out of the way before opening his own wings and taking to the sky with Kenji. Toan grabbed Sophia with one arm and threw her back against the wall, standing in front of her, his fingertips wrapped behind him, placed on either side of her. Din jumped to the side to only nearly escape the impact of the dragon on the city. Rishian caught her hand and pulled her onto his back. He grabbed hold of a small stone and hoisted both of them up onto the building out of the way. He gripped the stone and they both turned back to see the dragon smash down where they had all just been and where Toan and Sophia still were, pressed against the concrete.

The impact of the huge dragon rocked the City in the Sky. The propellers momentarily lost their positions in the sky and the side the demon had set down on dipped downward. The devices soon righted the platforms and walkways with much strain and effort at the new weight.

The dragon looked at the scattered fighters with its different heads. Din wrapped her arms around Rishian’s neck out of fear as the silver accented head turned to them with its piercing yellow stare. The Sheikah reacted quickly and grabbed at the small cracks in the wall. Climbing with incredible speed, he glanced back to see the head winding up and its mouth opening.

“Arg! Hold on!” Rishian leapt up into the air, off the wall grabbing at Din’s arms around his neck to hold her. Just as they left the wall the silver scaled head released a massive black spike. It shot out from its mouth and barred into the building where the two had been perched. The massive projectile burst the wall apart and rubble came crumbling down to the platform below.
Rishian landed softly on the narrow metal pathway below with Din on his back. He quickly spun around to look up at the massive onyx spike that had been released from the dragon’s mouth.
Two of the dragons’ heads turned down, looking toward Toan and Sophia, pressed defensively against the wall of the building. The green and blue-scaled heads curled their lips back and wound up in the same patterned as the silver head.

Toan tensed and crouched in swift reaction. Sophia grabbed around his neck and he jumped forcefully into the air. Swinging his left arm in a circular motion, a gust of air swept under them and pushed them up toward Rad and Kenji.

The green and blue heads released a spray of liquid at the spot the two had been standing in. Each one matching the accent color of the head it came from. The deep blue liquid was thick and impacted the side of the building with little force. But then it began to run down, as gravity pulled at it. The steam coming from the deep blue substance was obvious to all the fighters present. The green spray licked the wall behind the first and the stone began to degrade and crumble at its soft touch.

Sophia reached up as Toan’s jump and wind gust began to level out. Kenji grabbed he by the hand and pulled her onto his back. Swooping slightly Rad caught Toan’s wrist and held the man in the air as the two liquids slowly destroyed the face of the building.

The dragon roared fiercely at its double miss. The yellow head extended upward, pointing its nose into the sky. With a deep breath it released a shot of lighting into the sky. The demon was agitated and making sure everyone knew.

“Dear goddesses…” Din’s voice came out under her breath.

Koroko watched with great intent and great fear. He knew he couldn’t fight, but he could study the battle and help with information. “Guys!” He hollered at the scattered groupings. “The blue head is molten tar, green is acid, yellow is lighting, and sliver is onyx spikes!”

Rishian took in all that the Kokiri said and was thankful someone could identify and watch for them. “Watch them Koroko! And holler good if someone doesn’t see the breath coming!” The Kokiri nodded in understanding.

Kate shifted beside him and glared up at the demon. “What about the red and white ones?”

Koroko shuffled away from the battle slightly. “I guess we’ll have to find out…” The worry in his voice was so heavy a shiver ran down Kate’s spine.

(Chapter continues)

[Din Akera]

Okay everyone, I have an announcement that i don' know how you will all take.

The Wanders is going to be reworked. I am starting on draft two. There are going to be some changes to the plot line and characters. Before any of you throw anything at me, let me say, It will be finished, I will not quit on you. But it does mean that it is going to take some time alright. Much you will recognize, but there will some extentions to exisiting scenes, completely new ones, slight changes to some, and extensive changes to others. For now, I say please wait patiently. I have a lot going on right now so I'm fairly busy and therefore slightly behind.

One last thing. I will be making a new thread for it. I will post a link and the title in this thread. Thanks everyone for reading this much of first draft. Your comments are encouraging and will help me greatly with draft 2. ^^

[Zelda's_Child]

Oh, you can NOT be serious. That is just SAD!

I'm guessing that you will be fixing typos when you rework it (grumble grumble) so I won't bother pointing them out! :)

To be honest with you I don't think it needs reworking, and I would just finish it off as it is. I'm sure that the rest of the people reading this fan fic would agree with me. But, as you like it!

(P.S. I'm not new, but I have been keeping up to date. Just not posting! :))
(P.P.S. Would you be kind enough to at least finish our chapter for us? That would be lovely! ;))

[Atsuma]

Oh okay, Dinny. Well take your time, have fun and I will be keeping my eye out. Thanks for letting us know of your plans. ~Atsuma

[Din Akera]

Oh, you can NOT be serious. That is just SAD!

I'm guessing that you will be fixing typos when you rework it (grumble grumble) so I won't bother pointing them out! :)

To be honest with you I don't think it needs reworking, and I would just finish it off as it is. I'm sure that the rest of the people reading this fan fic would agree with me. But, as you like it!

(P.S. I'm not new, but I have been keeping up to date. Just not posting! :))
(P.P.S. Would you be kind enough to at least finish our chapter for us? That would be lovely! ;))

Hey hey! I said not getting upset! It will be finished! I promise, it has to be.
And the reworking part has a lot to do with where the story was going. I am making some changes to how the ending and therefore had to change parts of the beginning. so instead of changing the little things, I'm going to just redo parts of it. I also feel that the beginning is not as strong as the rest of it, so this will give me opportunity to fix it up a bit.

I am so amazed at how many silent fans/reader there are for this story. Please everyone, post your comments and feedback. it gives me encouragement to keep going and helps me improve my writing.

and you are welcome Ats.

The first bit should go pretty fast as there won't be any major new sections so I will just be changing not writing from scratch. So once it starts appearing it should continue fairly fast.

[Ooccoo Watcher]

>:(:mad:>:(:mad:>:(:mad:>:(:mad:>:(:mad: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! Could you at least finish draft 1 for us please??

[Hazel]

Oh, ok, Dinny. Thank you for letting us know, and get us the link quick!

[Din Akera]

Alright so i realized today that I was posting my reworked version of my story and that I had not posted the link here. THis is the new one. It is already up to chapter 7. Please read if you still would like. The story will be at the place it was when I stopped in only one or two more chapters. I hope you all still enjoy. and remember, please, please post feedback. The link is also in my sig.

http://zeldadungeon.net/forum/showthread.php?11512-The-Wanderers-Reworked