RPG The Legend of Zelda: Prophecy of Fate

[Zidargh]

OOC: You know if you're in or not by referring to the list, congratulations. And stay committed! You know what to be doing in your first posts as I have hinted towards it. Don't leave for Lake Hylia until I give the signal.

[center][b][u]The Legend of Zelda: Prophecy of Fate[/u][/b][/center]

[color=navy] All was well in the forests of the Deku. The darkened sun was nearly at it's peak, as it shone down it's dimmed rays upon the woodland tops and a few beams penetrated the natural canopies here and there, allowing some form of light into the closed woodland. Ever since the first day of the disastrous changes that took place in the land of Hyrule, the forests began to settle into the new climates and hostilities. Standing tall and disciplined, the woodland did not let these sudden changes hinder their duty, to protect and hide it's inhabitants.

The fire flies that lived inside the plants and bushes floated around, eminating their lights occasionally. Fire flies were treated with great respect by the Deku as they were thought to be descendants of the race of the fairies. Every year, an annual event would be held in which the fire flies would be lured from their homes and into the Deku villages to be celebrated. However, it was nowhere near the time of this event yet.

The air inside the forest was cold as usual. Before the changes it was a lot warmer, however this was another thing the woodland and inhabitants would have to grow accustomed to.

Everything was the same, and that's how Teepo liked it.

Holding onto five little logs that had been cut to contribute to the construction of the tribes, Teepo walked along the soft grass alongside his house and placed them down into a box with hinged doors. [i]There[/i], Teepo thought.

If a young Deku had spare time, it would benefit the family name to help those who were in need, and this was what Teepo was doing. Adjusting his large green hat that most Deku found strange, Teepo turned around and ran back to the location he had obtained the logs from.

After arriving at the location, Teepo examined the building in front of him. It was a normal Deku-hut. It's roof resembled a very shallow cone, which was painted red and the wooden structure stood upon a raised wooden platform. The door was completely round, a circle a few inches from the base which was about twice Teepo's size in circumference and was also painted red. Some moss had started to grow on the moulding walls, but it merged with the natural colours and seemed deliberate.

Walking up the creaking steps, Teepo neared the door and pushed it open. There was no need to knock, as the owner of the hut was always happy to see beings like himself.

[b]Teepo:[/b] Hello?

There was no answer. As the door shut, Teepo stood in the round, silent hut. It had a very simple interior. A hammock with a small pillow resting on it, a small counter with many wooden shavings on it and a fireplace in the center.

Teepo walked forward and then realised it was a complete mistake to do so.

[b]???:[/b] Yargh!

A mysterious voice roared and Teepo was met with a hit to the head, knocking his hat clean off. Rubbing the spot where the blunt object had hit him, Teepo looked up to see another Deku standing over him with, hands on his hips and laughing his head off.

[b]???:[/b] Well, whad'ya know? Little Teepo still hasn't learnt the 'sixth sense'.

[b]Teepo:[/b] And what would this sixth sense be?

[b]???:[/b] Har Har. To see danger before it sees you! Heh heh heh.

The being in front of him was around the same height as Teepo, but wider and seemed to have a beard that consisted of dried leaves. The being's eyes were much more beadier and he also wore a red construction hat crafted out of a large Deku nut. It was Bokoton, the Deku's construction manager.

Offering a hand which Teepo took, the being laughed and patted the young Deku on the head. However, Teepo was grasping his crushed palm. Bokoton was infamous because of his immense, yet clumsy strength.

[b]Bokoton:[/b] So, it seems you got the job done, eh? Good lad. I'll tell the Chief as soon as possible.

[b]Teepo:[/b] Okay then. Any more work I need to do?

The stout Deku stopped walking around in circles and tapped his head with a finger in thought.

[b]Bokoton:[/b] Let's see. You repaired my gate, you placed my letters in the Post Office and you added to our material stock... Nope! So I guess I better be brewin' up some of my famous stew.

Bokoton thought his 'stew' was famous for it's 'delicious taste', but in fact it was famous for removing Moblins' blood quicker than any substance known to Deku. Backing away to the door, Teepo tried to think of a way to get out of this situation without being rude as much as possible.

[b]Teepo:[/b] Don't worry, I'm not that, erm, hungry.

[b]Bokoton:[/b] Well ya' missing out! Bah. Alright then, I'll head over to the Chief's House in a few minutes. Oh, that reminds me! Har Har. This ole' brain's tickin' it's last minutes I tell ya'! One of the village guards told me that the Chief needs to speak to you. Must be pretty important to be summoned by the Chief himself. So head on over there right away!

[b]Teepo:[/b] Oh? Alright I'll go there now. See you Bokoton.

[b]Bokoton:[/b] Bye now, ya hear?

Self-consciously cheering himself, Teepo pulled open the door and ran down the steps to meet with the Chief. It was very rare to be actually called upon by the Chief. Only Emissaries were need very often in order to keep communications with other races, however, no one ventured outside the woods ever since the world became [i]darker[/i].

Running off towards the Chieftain's house, Teepo accidentally caught his foot on the just-repaired, small gate and ripped it from it's hinges only to hear Bokoton roar in frustration...[/color]

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

OOC: There we go. Just do what you should be doing, heh. If you have any questions just IM me or PM me. Let's have fun.

[PiroMunkie]

[size=1]A lone, magenta-glowing fairy danced hurriedly throughout the small Kokiri village that was constructed inside the Lost Woods. No one was supposed to return to their original home in fear of being preyed upon by the darkness that had come to consume it. All the homes were very small, only the size of a large tent.

The fairy darted to a certain hut and began spiraling around it toward the top, finally entering through a small ventilation hole where there was a dispersed amount of smoke seeping out. The inside of the hut was dark. Such is the way when the shutters are closed and there is no fire lit. The only source of light available were the glowing red coals of a dying fire in the center of the hut.

The fairy's glow pulsed a new light as she found her way to a sleeping boy and landed right by his ear.

[b][i]Fairy[/i]:[/b] [color=magenta]Hey![/color]

The boy did not budge. The fairy became irritated and began flying all around the boys head and running into it repeatedly shouting at him to wake up. The fairy hovered in front of his eyes and grabbed one of his eyelids. She flew backwards slowly trying to pull his eye open. The resisitance became to much, though, and the skin snapped out of the fairy's hands as she slammed into the wall behind her. The boy flinched and reached up with one hand rubbing his eye. He sat up in his bed moaning.

[b][i]Fairy[/i]:[/b] [color=magenta]How can it be that the Sun's up, and you're not? C'mon, get out of bed![/color]

The boy groggily stepped out of his bed and hobbled his way over to one of the closed shutters. He opened them lazily as the soft forest light illuminated his hut. The woodland canopy prevented any direct sunlight from getting through, which gave the entire setting a very muted feel. The boy rubbed his eyes as they began to adjust to the light. His long, straw-yellow hair was in a wild mess and his eyes were droopy. He sighed tiredly and began making his way around the hut and opening the remaining shutters. Soon it was easy to see one's way around his hut. He pulled an elastic-like band from a pocket of his and put his hair up.

He walked over to a small table containing various items on it. He grabbed a hand-crafted mask and put it over his head so it was held on by a string with the mask hanging on his back. He then retrieved a belt containing a number of attached items: a flute, a small pouch, a bottle and a four-winged boomerang. He made his final stretches and made his way out the door with his fairy following close behind him.

The village was already stirring with a good handful of Kokiri going about their daily morning chores.

[b][i]????[/i]:[/b] Mago!

The excited and familiar voice obviously caught his attention. Mago Gale-Gale turned around to witness a Kokiri girl with orange hair trotting toward him. This Kokiri above any was the most infatuated with his tales. She was still relatively young and naive, but he held nothing against her. Her names was Evian, Evian Sprout.

[b]Evian:[/b] Do you have any stories to tell today, Mago?

Her eyes were wide with anitipation. Mago was a little overwhelmed by this request, he had [i]just[/i] woken up. However, he responded without missing a beat.

[b]Mago:[/b] [color=indigo]You've heard of the Deku, yes?[/color]

Evian did a little hop, excited he was telling a story ... not like he had much of a choice. She nodded in agreement.

[b]Evian:[/b] Yes! They are wise. Perhaps the most in tune with nature between all the woodland inhabitants. I have heard they are even more mysterious than the Skull Kids.

Mago face perked as if he had just had a revelation, or was about to reveal one.

[b]Mago:[/b] [color=indigo]Ah, not neccesarily. The Deku are mysterious, for we know about them, but we hardly rarely ever see them, let alone interact. Skull kids on the other hand: we know about them, but they do show themselves to us, but interaction is still a little shady. Which holds more mystery: one who you have never seen or spoken to, or one who you [i]have[/i] seen but never talked to? Things are always more mysterious when your proximity is close.[/color]

Evian was already absolutely enthralled and enveloped in Mago's words. He, himself, seemed very wise as well; at least when separating the difference between two like things.

[b]Mago:[/b] [color=indigo]So, the Deku ... yes, I can say that I have once seen one. It was a couple years ago when I was roaming these woods alone. The sun had begun to set as I began to make my way back to our village, so the lighting was dim. Eerie shadows were cast everywhere. Why, I was walking with my boomerang ready in hand for defense against even the smallest threat. There was a slight breeze rustling the fallen leaves. It always sounded as though something was moving around, following me. Under each footstep twigs snapped and leaves crunched. It got to the point where I would nearly flinch every time I took a step, thinking the sounds were not my own. After a while I began to think, "Well this is just silly. What am I afraid of? Shadows?" Then a full grown Bokobaba plant sprouted up right in front of me, knocking me back with its large, bulbous head-[/color]

[b]Evian:[/b] Were ya' scared?!

[b]Mago:[/b] [color=indigo]Oh, I was petrified! Its initial blow had knocked my boomerang out of my hand. At this point in time, my spells were not nearly as developed as they are now either. I was left defenseless against a creature of that size. I scrambled for my boomerang which had landed far behind me as the Bokobaba made its first lunge at me. I felt its "lip" nip at my heels as I had barely made it out of reach. I rolled along the ground and managed to grasp my boomerang. Immediatly I launched it through the air and made a direct hit on the stem. Of course, in my peaceful ways, I only stunned it. As soon as I did this, several more Bokobaba plants unearthed around me. It was as though I had run into a field of them. I was severely outnumbered. A blinding flash took over the area just as I was about to lose hope. I could not see a thing and I felt something grab at my waist. I then felt like I was flying. That was when I blacked out.[/color]

Evian face was in awe, confusion and disappointment at the same time. She put her hands on her hips and huffed.

[b]Evian:[/b] What does [i]that[/i] have to do with the Deku?

Mago chuckled a bit.

[b]Mago:[/b] [color=indigo]You must let me finish, Evian. I wasn't done with the story.[/color]

Evian blushed in embarassment as she interlocked her hands behind her back innocently and listening intently to the rest of Mago's story.

[b]Mago:[/b] [color=indigo]As I was saying, I blacked out. I was completely alone when I finally came to ... or so I thought. I was in a different part of the woods, near the exit that would lead from the Lost Woods to our old village. I got up and looked around. Nothing. I figured whatever happened would have to remain unknown and began to walk back to our village. I saw a bush move just as I was about to turn, or at least what I [i]thought[/i] was a bush. It had [i]feet[/i] and an entire [i]body[/i]. It blended in extremely well with its wooded surroundings. I never would have seen it if it hadn't moved. It took off in the opposite direction as soon as it became aware I had seen it. It left as fast as it came, but I swear it was a Deku. You see, it saved me. The bright flash was caused by a Deku Nut, or maybe even a series of them for how bright the flash was. It then must have swung down from a tree by a vine and grasped me out of the way of danger, and put me in a safe and familiar place. It then stayed incognito until it saw that I was okay. The odd thing about the Dekus is that it is hardly ever sure what side they are on, if they have a side, but they are always there when you need then most.[/color]

Evian's mouth was gaping open. She was astounded.

[b]Evian:[/b] That is so exciting! I wish I could be saved by a Deku! I have never seen when before, and know very little about them of course. Though, I have never really been in such impending danger in order to make one of them act, but that's a good thing I think.

[b]Mago:[/b] [color=indigo]Heh, indeed. Now, run along. I must go fetch some water.[/color]

Evian nodded and trotted off. Mago then began pacing his way through the woods towards a small reservoir of water the Kokiri had found. He came to the clearing after a while and filled his bottle with the water. He would have to boil the impurities out of it before he drank it. He believed his spells cannot function properly when his body is contaminated. He corked the bottle, strapped it back to his belt and turned to walk back to the village. Mago noticed a small tree sprout in the ground 0that had not been there before. "Very peculiar," he thought. He swung his mask around his neck and put it over his face. He approached it cautiously, tip-toeing in an over-the-top and almost comical manner. He came very close to it and brought his masked face down right near it. The sprout then grew a few more inches right before his eyes. Mago stumbled back surprised and fell on his butt. He looked at it with a wondering eye as he rose to his feet. After a few moments he just giggled excitedly and began doing a silly little dance to celebrate this exceptional tree sprout. As he did this, the sprout began growing more little by little until finally it just skyrocketed to an enormous height and size. Mago stopped at once and was taken in by its enormous size. The trunk of the tree then began to morph a bit, it developed a what looked like ... a face?

[b]Mago:[/b] [color=indigo]Great Deku* ... ![/color]


*[i]"Great Deku" -- said as an exclamation, similar to "Good god!" as though taken by complete surprise.[/i][/size]

[Sakura]

[COLOR=Navy]Sara got out of her chair, she stretched her tall frame and stretched her limbs. It was time for patrol. She picked up her sword in it's sheath and strapped it across her back before reaching for her dagger and thrusting it into her belt. Sara ran her fingers through her chocolate brown strands.

Sara looked around the common room in the Guards Head-Quarters. She wondered where her brother was. Sometimes they went on patrol together, Sara frowned at the thought of Chris leaving without her.

Sara walked outside into the sunlight. She looked around and saw Chris' messy mop of hair. He grinned as he stood next to her.

"Hey Sara, sorry, I'm late, I needed to do an errand." Chris said. He looked her up and down, seeing she was ready. "I see you're ready, let's go." Chris finished.

"Yeah, let's go." Sara said, agreeing with her older brother.

Sara and Chris walked off to the area they were assigned to patrol for the day.

"So where'd you go?" Sara asked.

"Hn? Oh, to the Market District. You weren't worried were you?" Chris teased.

"What?! Of course not.." Sara replied with fake laughter. She was worried, worried that something had happened to him, or if he left without her.

"I'd never go without you if we planned to go together." Chris told her softly, reading her mind like an open book as he usually did.

Sara smiled at him and replied, "I know you wouldn't."[/COLOR]

[B]OOC:[/B] Sorry if it's short, I gtg.

[Domon]

OOC: Aiyaa!! I meant to post last night and didn't get a chance too!! *faints*

[COLOR=RoyalBlue][SIZE=1][I]Nen stood in his regular position in the throne room. Next to the king and always stiffer than a board. At first when he had started this job, Nen hated standing so still and paced for days, and when he was off duty he would practice standing still and he just hated it. But now that he was a high ranking knight, Nen had to be a model knight for the younger ones.

His fingers rapping lightly on his rapier's hilt, Nen thought back a couple of days ago. A man with black armor and ugly looking skin appeared before the king. Something hadn't seemed right about the man, he was too confident in himself and he just seemed wrong in so many ways in Nen's eyes and mind. Just the feeling Nen got from the man, or the Gerudo as Nen should say.. What was his name again? It was Gannandorf, he just seemed evil. Mentally snapping out of it, Nen decided he was just being paranoid.

As he looked over at the king he noticed that the king was starting to look anxious too. But Nen really didn't care anymore about the king, simply because the king started acting greedy since that damn Gerudo showed up. Now Nen was starting to get pissed, and usually when he got pissed the only two things that calmed him down, he couldn't do at the moment until his replacement for the next shift appeared. Damn that lazy guard who sleeps in. Late as usual, Nen's replacement showed up with a glazed over look on his face. Once the replacement stepped up to Nen he made a sloppy salute and as Nen shot him daggers from his eyes, the replacement was either half asleep, being a smart off, or he was drunk off his butt. Nen kindly saluted back and as he walked past the oaf he made sure that his head fins smacked the guard in the face as he walked by, successfully Nen was glad to hear the loud smack across the incompetent Zora's face.

Leaving the throne room, Nen stood over the large waterfall that gave good scenery to the Zora's Domain. As he looked down he sighed and jumped off and straight into the pool without much of a splash. Kicking lightly, Nen drifted downwards towards the bottom and near the channel to Lake Hylia, but he didn't feel like visiting the lake for now. Instead he just floated on about the middle level of the water and just lay there, his rapier in its scabbard just hanging as an arm would if you let it go limp. The water felt cooler than it had yesterday, it seemed as if day by day the water was cooling off. Shrugging off the feeling, Nen floated up to the surface and let the water lap over his body. Zora's were made to blend into the water, but with his markings, Nen stood out like he was in a crowd of Hylians.

Finally after having relaxed himself off enough, Nen climbed out of the water and headed into a small tavern and pulled up a seat at the bar and the bartender looked at Nen and clicked his tounge.[/I]

"Tch tch.. Nen you really look like you need some of your usual. Luckily I have some fresh off the fire so here ye go." [I]Grabbing a bowl and ladling out some of the bar's infamous seafood blast stew. Nen was practically watering at the mouth at the aroma of the food, he hadn't eaten for at least two hours and he was famished. As soon as the bowl was placed in front of him, Nen simply grabbed the spoon from the bar tender's hand and started to wolf down the stew like mad. The bartender smirked and started to serve some liquor to some of the other customers, though most of them were here for the stew as well.

Once the tender was done he came over to Nen and leaned against the bar and looked Nen dead straight in the eyes.[/I]

"Okay, now that you look like you are a lot more happy, mind telling me what had you so angry?"

"Just my replacement is such a boob, I mean in the sense that he's a sloppy knight. I'm amazed that the king even knighted him.." [I]Shaking his head slowly Nen stared at the empty bowl and then back at the bartender who sighed and filled the bowl up again. Obviously Nen just wanted to be left alone for a little, while he enjoyed his relaxing bowl of stew.[/I][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Zidargh]

OOC: Sorry for the out of character post but I just wanted to say a well done everyone. However, I must make one thing clear. Now that the Light World has darkened, there is not much sun left, so just bear in mind that these are dark times in Hyrule. Everything is going well it seems though. ^_^

Let's keep at it.

[JJ]

OOC: Sorry I couldn't post earlier. I had to finsh a school project.

[COLOR=royalblue]Glik couldn't belive it. He had just made a break through in the design of his water arrows when a knock at the door interupted his concentration.

Random Zora: Glik, the King asks to see you right away. He says it is urgent.

Glik thought to himself "If this isn't worth the time I spend there I feel I will burst"

Glik: OK I'm comming.

Glik stood up from his position on the floor. He then proceeded to hide not only his bow and arrows, but the seat he used. He feared that if the others discovered the mat they would either make fun of him, or scorn him. Glik wanted neither of those things so he kept all his items safely hidden. He then proceeded to tidy up the area he was working in. He had been working with some new wood and the shavings were all over. He quickly summoned a small moving steam of water that carried the shavings to an area he had desiganted eariler for scraps and trash. After all that he then left his room and headed towards the throne room. As he walked he began to notice the change in the Domain. It had gotten considerably murky since the sun had dimmed. When he arrived the King began to talk

King Zora: Glik, I need your help. I was thinking about the riches of the world and I wanted to know if you had ever seen a purple rupee.

Glik: No your highness, in my travels it was the one thing that elduded me the most.

King Zora: Well, what if I were to tell you that I have one?

Glik: I would say you were either crazy or very rich.

King Zora: Now, you know it's not the first one or the second one. I found it floating in the basin where the falls are. It was left there carelessly and I was more than happy to find it. I had been walking down through the rover area when I was spotted by a passing monster. It swam towards me and dropped this.

He pulls out the purple rupee, which shines with an almost unholy sheen.

Glik: Wow. I never thought that it would be so shiny.

King Zora: Me neither. Well Glik I just wanted you to see my new treasure. You may leave.

Glik quickly excused himself and he briskfully walked back to his room. He closed the door and pulled up a plume of water. He cast the thought of the rupee into the water and observed it again. It was incredibly shiny, but Glik thought it just because of the dimness envoking Hyrule. He then pulled back out his map and bow. He silently worked pulling plumes of water up from the ground. He encircled the plumes around the arrow and watch their reaction. This combination didn't work well mixed. He tested the arrow with out water. It moved fast and aimed well, but he had to find a wood that does not only that, but also can be mixed with the water. Currently, he held his queve in half. One side with the non-mixed arrows, and the other with the mixed arrows. He silently cursed dimness as he sat just idling time. If only there could have been a chance of that boy winning. Oh well. There wasn't any point to dreaming when serious work was to be done. He got up and left heading for the lab. He had to help find an antidote to fish poisoning.[/COLOR]

[Desbreko]

A bit of steam wafted up from the earthenware mug in Leif's hand as the Kokiri took a sip of his morning tea. Brewed from dried deku leaves, the tea was becoming a rare luxury around the Kokiri encampment as fewer and fewer deku trees could be found from which leaves could be gathered, and as fewer people dared to venture outside the village to gather the leaves. Anymore, Leif was the only one that did, occasionally spending his free time in search of the elusive deku trees. The pun of one called Leif being the one to gather leaves had long since lost its humor on him; right now he just wanted to savor the sharp, almost-bitter tang of the tea. It would be his last mug of it for a long time.

[color=royalblue]"For all the trouble you get into, you sure are lazy!"[/color] The teasing voice came from Leif's fairy companion, Kailyn, as she darted into his tent. Pulling up the window flaps with some effort and letting the faint light of morning add to her own illumination of the tent, Kailyn softly alighted on Leif's head.

Leif looked down at her reflection in the steaming mug of tea, yawning. [color=darkgreen]"At least I don't doze off during the night watch. I've got an excuse for being lazy this morning."[/color]

[color=royalblue]"Hmph, well, half the camp is already up and going about their business by now. Hurry up,"[/color] Kailyn said as she flitted out of his tent once more.

Yawning again, Leif stood up and shrugged his cloak about his shoulders as he upturned the mug and swallowed the last of the tea. Gathering up his equipment then and stowing it about himself, he ducked out of the tent and into the musty forest air. The darkening of the skies only further added to the perpetual twilight under the forest canopy, and there was little light in the mornings and evenings. Leif shivered and raised the hood of his cloak, setting out.

Abruptly, Kailyn zipped up and darted into the folds of Leif's hood. [color=royalblue]"Mido at two o'clock!"[/color]

And just as abruptly, Leif turned to the side and stepped behind a tree, continuing on in a completely different direction. It wasn't that he particularly disliked Mido, it was just. . . . He wasn't especially pleasant to be around normally, and being asked a barrage of questions about the "current situation" wasn't something Leif liked to start his day off with. The leader of the Kokiri was plenty serious about protecting his people, however; Leif had to give him that.

[color=darkgreen]"Good work, Kailyn."[/color] He heard a giggle from inside his hood. [color=darkgreen]"Let's go get some breakfast."[/color]

[Domon]

OOC: Gah! being sick and taking an AP exam are not good things, my apologies for the shortness.
[COLOR=DeepSkyBlue][SIZE=1][I]As Nen finished off the remaining bit of his stew and slapped down two Blue Rupees and stalked out of the bar. Looking around, Nen headed towards his home.

Entering his dimly lit house, Nen walked towards his fire place and started up a small fire and put his rapier on his bed and headed towards his bathing room. The room consisted of two large pools, they were about six feet across and about twenty feet deep. But the differences about them was that one was heated from an underground heat source while the other was a basic temperature. Sighing, Nen slid into the warmer pool and drifted down to the bottom of the pool. Touching the smooth tiled bottom, he opened his eyes and stared up at the top of the pool, but his mind was elsewhere. Nen still couldn't believe how the king had become obsessed with material items and not worried about his daughter and the welfare of his people.

Silently muttering, Nen laid down on the bottom of the pool and let the warmth of the water surround his body, not really knowing what he should do besides just that. His next shift wouldn't be til tomorrow morning, so he had the rest of the day to himself. Finally deciding he'd been in the pool long enough he shot up out of the water he jumped onto the ledge of the pool.

Reaching for a towel, Nen quickly dried the excess water off his body and wandered towards his bed and fell into a deep slumber.[/I][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Shinmaru]

OOC: It's about time I got my act together and posted in the RPG lol. I apologize for being so late with this, heh. I've been a bit busy lately and I had to ask Zidargh a couple questions pertaining to my post.

---

The door opened and a lone knight rushed into the room, torrential rainfall pouring over the land behind him, lightning silhouetting his shadow onto the far wall. The knight closed the door and leaned against it, as if he was trying to keep something out of the guard's quarters, which, of course, he was. Several other guards surrounded him and began to prod and question him about what was the matter. He took off his helmet and ran a hand through his wet, matted red hair, sweeping it out of his eyes.

"What's the word, Jacob?" one of the guards asked hopefully. Jacob threw an exasperated look towards the door and turned back to the other guards.

"The ReDead and the Undead are still out there in full force," Jacob replied. "We're stuck in here for the time being." A loud groan made its way around the room, but the other guards decided to disperse and attempt to break the news to the survivors lightly. A guard walked up to Jacob and they struck up a conversation near the door Jacob had just come through.

"How many do you think are out there?" the guard asked.

"I don't know," Jacob replied. "Hundreds, at least. I couldn't get an accurate count, because the devils are walking everywhere, without any coherence. They were coming out of windows, walking through the alleys, pacing around, waiting for some unlucky soul to emerge so they could have their way with them." Jacob spat bitterly onto the ground.

"I know how you feel," the guard said. "I wish there was something we could do."

"All we can do right now," Jacob replied. "Is make sure that the people of the town are safe. Hopefully, news of our seige will catch wind in the other areas of Hyrule and we can get some help. I think that's just about all we can hope for right now."

"Damn it," the guard replied. "I feel so helpless."

"Yeah," Jacob said. "But I can tell you one thing: it's only going to get worse." Jacob walked up to a chair and sat down, trying to at least get a bit of comfort in these troubling times. He took out his longsword, which was filthy with dirt and grime and began to clean it and sharpen it diligently. Jacob knew that, eventually, the Royal Guard would have to fight the ReDead and the Undead and he would be ready for them.

This was what Jacob had been waiting for. The chance to prove himself as a Hylian Knight had finally come.

[Shanghai]

[COLOR=DarkRed][SIZE=1]
OOC: This maybe short, but its just a small intro so we can get to business. ^_^

???: So, you two, are the ones?

A voice was heard deep within one of the many forests that the Deku lived in. In this certain area of where the voice came from, two Lizalfos stood, one cradling an oddly shaped deku nut under its armpit. From behind a tree, walked a small deku, who was known as Kasai Mokuzai in his village. The little cloth that he wore slowly flowing in a small wind that was picked up by the trees. The eyes of this deku quickly scanned the area, seeing the oddly shaped deku but being held by the Lizalfos.

Kasai: So you [b]are[/b] the ones?if you can understand me, hand over the Deku Nut, or else I?ll be forced to take it from you.

Kasai was only answered with a swing of one of the Lizalfos?s weapon, the deku quickly moving out of the range of the weapon. The eyes of Kasai seemed to be one with enjoyment, taking a few steps forward with one hand hovering over his Wakizashi. Once that hand clasped around the hilt, Kasai swiftly turn around, doing a full one-eighty. The sword was masterfully pulled from the sheath, and swung vertically, cutting the Lizalfos who attempted to attack him in the chest.

The Lizalfos fell to the ground, defeated, the small Deku sheathing his Wakizashi before turning around to look at the other Lizalfos.

Kasai: And then, there was one . . .

And yes, there was only one Lizalfos left, who was about to unsheathe his own weapon, until he was promptly defeated. Being taken out by the sharp ends of Kasai?s Kozukas. It fell to the ground with a load thud, the oddly shaped deku nut rolling over to Kasai who picked it up. A long stare came from Kasai, he thoroughly examining what he was sent to pick up. The elders had sent him off to grab a small deku nut that two Lizalfos had taken from them, within this nut; there was supposedly a deku who was in the form of a dog.

That was what the elders told Kasai, and also added that it would take more than a cycle of the Great Deku Tree?s life before this dog-deku would be seen. With a sigh, Kasai slowly turned, in the direction of where he came from and began a small walk. It was back to where the elders would be, giving them back the dog-deku but they spoke of. And maybe, this time, they would have to get even better guards to protect something as valuable as this. [/color][/size]

[inti]

[size=1][color=sienna][i]Darkness...[/i]
*RUMBLE*

[b]Timbre:[/b] Wha?! Who's there?!

The 19 year old Goron unrolled himself and sat up, taking a swipe at the air, then reaching for his hammer.

[b]Timbre:[/b] [i]Whoa...I'm way too stressed...[/i]

Timbre stood up, wondering what the huge 'rumble' was, and where it was coming from. He turned around a few times (on the spot), then went to put on his large hat, which had two eyeholes cut so he could see out of it when it slipped forward and covered his face to his nose.
He stopped when he felt the ground beneath him begin to shake, then heard the mountain growl.
*RUMBLE*

[b]Timbre:[/b] Where's it coming from I wonder? Oh well, not my problem anymore...

[b]Darunia:[/b] Oh yes it is!

Suddenly a huge shadow enveloped Timbre and his surroundings. It was none other than Darunia, Goron leader, fierce warrior, and humongous.
He was so musclebound that there were huge lumps of muscle sticking out freakishly every which way.

[b]Darunia:[/b] You aren't going anywhere, you young rockheaded Goron! I have a task for you! Your brains must have been turned to mush at birth if you think you're leaving the mountain today!

[b]Timbre:[/b] Aww! But I've been waiting to leave this place for 2 years! I have to leave at some point!

[b]Darunia:[/b] Then you can leave tomorrow. If you can wait 2 years, you can wait 2 years and 1 day. Don't speak. Let me finish. What I need you to do is go along with another young Goron, Taggard, and find what's made Death Mountain so angry. I must attend a meet at the current time, or I'd do it myself. You can meet Taggard at the foot of the mountain, at the gate to the village. Travel upwards, checking every nook and cranny you can find! And if you still haven't found anything, I'll make you nooks and crannies to search through!

Darunia curled up and rolled off down a floor or two, to wherever it was he had to go.
Timbre had heard of Taggard, the goodie-goodie apprentice of Darunia. Apparently he was a pretty good fighter but Timbre didn't really care. He disliked Taggard for being such a 'teachers pet'.
Putting up with Taggard for an entire day seemed like hell, but the mountain would probably erupt if the rumbling continued for long, creating a hell on earth. As much as Timbre had wanted to leave, he couldn't leave Death Mountain in such a state of unrest.[/color][/size]

[PiroMunkie]

[size=1][b]Mago:[/b] [color=indigo]Great Deku ... ![/color]

The tree had a face?! Were Mago's eyes deceiving him or was this really happening? An out-of-place, warm breeze swept from behind him, as if it was trying to coax him closer to the gargantuan tree before him. He followed the wind's bidding and moved closer to the base of the trunk. The roots alone were taller than he was.

[b]Mago:[/b] [color=indigo]Espri ... tell me I am not the only one seeing this ...[/color]

Mago's fairy flew out from behind him and orbited around his head.

[b]Espri:[/b] [color=magenta]I see it too.[/color]

Gale-Gale placed his hand on the wood of the trunk. It was like steel. He knocked on it, kicked it, ran all sorts of basic physical tests on it ... it was as real as could be. A slight rustle was heard above him. He looked up. The branches far above him were shaking, as if on their own. They stopped. Mago paused, and shrugged it off as he began to examine the tree again.

[i]SMACK![/i]

Mago sharply fell to the ground holding his head, his mask now ajar on his face. He took it off and placed it behind him once more.

[b]Mago:[/b] [color=indigo]Ow ...[/color]

He rubbed a spot on his head where he was for sure a bump would later develop. He looked around with curiosity and spotted an abnormally large Deku Nut. It was about double the size of a normal one. Mago lifted himself to his feet and stumbled over to the nut. He retrieved his pouch from his waist and emptied out two of his normal Deku Nuts and placed this queer one in their place. He mumbled to himself as he restrapped the pouch to his waist.

Just then a chilling, and violent wind pierced the complacent atmosphere. The canopy grew darker. Mago eyed all around him. The leaves of the mystical tree were dying. They would fall from their branches and slowly combust into ash before they would reach the ground. The wood of the tree became sunken, warped, decayed. It began collapsing in on itself until there was absolutely nothing left: no dead wood, no ash from the leaves, no trace of its existence what-so-ever. The freezing wind stopped.

Mago backed away slowly before sprinting back to the safety of his village.[/size]

[Desbreko]

Strolling into the mess hall, a larger tent equipped with a kitchen facility for cooking, Leif waited in line for breakfast; Deku seed flour pancakes and bacon, with fresh forest spring water to wash it down. He sighed, looking around for a good place to sit at the few long tables set up in the section of the tent not used by the kitchen area. The pancakes were good, there was no doubt about that, but there was such as thing as having too much of a good thing, and this was one of those times. While having to live a nomadic life in the Lost Woods and not being able to grow crops, wild deku seeds, ground into flour, were the best alternative to normal grains. At least there was bacon to go with them though. And accompanying the hunting party that had killed the wild pig had been fun.

Walking down the aisle between two tables, Leif spotted one of the younger Kokiri girls sitting alone, off in a corner. Dressed in a dark green shirt with a lighter green tunic over it, the outfit perfectly matched her beautiful green hair. She looked like she was about twelve or thirteen years old; pretty soon she'd have to start beating off the young Kokiri boys with a deku stick, Leif thought slightly amused.

[color=royalblue]"You're staring,"[/color] said Kailyn, breaking into Leif's thoughts. He had sat down near the girl, but not close enough to be noticed, and Kailyn was sitting next to his plate on the table, snatching a bite of pancake every now and then. [color=royalblue]"I hope you realize she's much too young for you."[/color]

Leif quietly snorted at his fairy's comment. [color=darkgreen]"I know that. She just looks kind of . . . sad,"[/color] he said as he glanced up at the Kokiri girl again. She seemed to be holding something in her lap, clutching it as if it were something very dear to her, though Leif couldn't see what the object was. The breakfast in front of her was half eaten, and she didn't look very inclined to finish it. [color=darkgreen]"I wonder what's wrong."[/color]

Kailyn just shrugged her tiny shoulders and tore off another bit of pancake, popping it into her mouth.

A few minutes later the girl got up and left the hall, the mystery item still in her hands. Leif's curiosity was sufficiently aroused by this time, though he wasn't about to follow her when he got done with his meal. Instead, he made a mental note to find out the girl's name. Kailyn would probably know who she was -- or at least who her fairy was -- though getting that information out of her might prove to be a bit difficult. Leif's fairy had a tendancy to be somewhat exasperating at times, which was no doubt a result of Kailyn being just as mischievous as Leif himself.

For now, Leif contented himself with a little walk through the nearby woods. He didn't have anything in particular he had to be doing quite yet; maybe he could find some more deku leaves suitable for tea making.

[Zidargh]

[color=darkblue]The Chieftain's house wasn't much different architecture-wise compared to the average Deku's house. However, it stood out between the two murky green guard huts that sat on either side of it. Over the windows hung what seemed to be rugs of different shades of greens, reds and golds. Torches, clasped to the cylindrical walls, blew their flames adding light to the dim forest interior.

As Teepo approached the building, he noticed a Chieftain bodyguard leaning against the rug that covered the entrance. The guardsman held a dried Deku Baba that had obviously been cut from it's stem and seemed to be armed with it as a weapon. He also appeared to have developed a huge sack on it's head, possibly to induce fear into his foes.

Wearily walking towards the relaxing guardsman, Teepo stood a few feet away from the guard and spoke.

[b]Teepo:[/b] I was called upon by the Chief.

There was no reply, but instead the guard just walked to the side and pulled the rug, revealing a dark entrance way.

Teepo walked in without making eye contact with the guard and upon entering, he became aware of the rich scents of burning incense. The one roomed house was dark, save for a glowing blue light that formed a ring in the centre of the floor. After taking a few steps forward, Teepo was blown aback as an explosion erupted from the light.

[b]Chief:[/b] Hello, Teepo Yggdrasil.

The Chief needed no introduction as his old voice could be recognised even by a stranger.

Staying on the ground and feeling his heart's beat increase, Teepo gulped and noticed the room brightening as three candles were lit. The Chief sat on a tree trunk between two individuals, each looking exactly like the Chief, except for their different coloured beards. The three Deku had their legs crossed with leaves coating their bodies and beards covering their faces. The beings also held a staff embedded with a jewel that matched the colour of their beards.

The Chief in the centre had a dark green beard that revealed a pair of eyes and a mouth as he spoke.

[b]Chief:[/b] Don't fear Teepo. Instead, let me introduce two of my greatest friends.

Teepo eyed each of the Deku before him that stared blankly towards his direction.

[b]Chief:[/b] The blue bearded fellow to my left is named Ryu and the red bearded fellow to my right is named Erie. Now let me begin.

A pink puff of smoke appeared, resembling a map of the forest.

[b]Chief:[/b] As you know, we have been recording your marvelous talents through the Academy. Therefore, we have a quest for you.

Teepo sat up keenly at the thought of an adventure.

[b]Teepo:[/b] A quest!? Please. Tell me what it is my Chief.

[b]Chief:[/b] Ho ho. I told Erie and Ryu of your excitement at the thought of such things. Anyway. You may have heard of quite the talented Deku in our village, his name is Kasai Mokuzai.

[i]'Kasai?' Teepo thought hard but could not place a face to the name. Finally he was interrupted as he forgot that the Chieftain was capable of hearing thoughts.[/i]

[b]Chief:[/b] Yes Kasai! What are you? A parrot!?

The Chief was also capable of losing his temper.

[b]Erie:[/b] Enough. This Deku has been out on a little quest himself, he appears to be finishing up and on his way home.

The red bearded shaman halted his speech and allowed Ryu to continue.

[b]Ryu:[/b] Erie and myself are from the depths of the forest to the East. We came here in the hope that we could recieve the special herb, [b]Jusakin.[/b]. It's capable of many healing powers and gossip tells us it is quite common around here. However, as you can see, we do not have the ability to venture into those forests unescorted. So we want you to...

Teepo had already picked up on what they wanted him to do.

[b]Teepo:[/b] Meet with this other Deku and obtain the herb to return to you.

[b]Chieftain:[/b] Exactly! Just wait for him outside and explain everything to him, then get on with the quest. Try to be back before late.

And with that, Teepo nodded his head in obediance and turned his back to walk outside. Upon exiting the Chieftain's house, Teepo found a little tree stump and sat on it to wait for this Kasai Mokuzai. [/color]

[Desbreko]

[color=royalblue]"Why do you want to know?"[/color] Kailyn asked, flitting around above Leif's head as he walked leisurely through the woods.

Leif sighed. [color=darkgreen]"I'm curious, okay? Is a name that much to ask?"[/color]

[color=royalblue]"It's none of your business."[/color]

[color=darkgreen]"Look, I know you're wondering about her just as much as I am. Don't try and hide it; we both know it."[/color]

Kailyn made a face at Leif as she zipped past. [color=royalblue]"Hmph. Fine, it's--"[/color]

[color=darkgreen]"Wait! Listen. . . ."[/color]

Kailyn was looking annoyed now. [color=royalblue]"Look, do you want me to tell you or not?"[/color]

Leif motioned for silence and strained his ears. [color=darkgreen]"Shhh. . . ."[/color] He could just barely make out the sound of . . . an ocarina? [color=darkgreen]"Do you hear that?"[/color] he whispered.

Comprehension dawned on Kailyn's face as she stood silently on Leif's shoulder. [color=royalblue]"Hey, yeah,"[/color] she whispered back into his ear. Looking around for a minute, she finally took to the air again. [color=royalblue]"It's coming from this direction!"[/color] she said as she flew off.

[color=darkgreen]"Hey, wait up!"[/color] Leif called as he ran after his fairy. Dodging around trees and jumping over fallen logs, Leif was barely concentrating on where he was going in his hurry to try and keep up with Kailyn. As he ran, the music got progressively louder, until he didn't have any trouble hearing it over the sound of his footsteps. Then Kailyn stopped abruptly, and he almost tripped over himself while trying to stop.

Panting, Leif finally looked around at his surroundings, and his eyes widened in shock. [color=darkgreen]"Kailyn. . . ."[/color]

[color=royalblue]"I know,"[/color] she replied, equally astonished.

Unconsciously, Leif's hand crept up to the scattered scars on his face, his fingers tracing the lines of each one. This was the Sacred Forest Meadow; he had received and later avenged those scars on the very spot he was now standing, years ago. He hadn't ever thought he would return to this place, but seemingly by chance, here he was. Almost eerily, the ocarina song continued, carrying on the breeze from over the walls of the maze before him.

Stepping forward cautiously after a moment, Leif unsheathed his sword and entered the maze, Kailyn following just above and behind. Looking around each corner, as if expecting another Wolfos to attack at any moment, Leif made his way along the same route he had found through the maze upon his last visit. He knew his way perfectly; the path he had taken was etched permanently into his mind along with all the other memories of the Sacred Forest Meadow.

[color=darkgreen]"It's all the same,"[/color] Leif murmured as he reached the foot of the long staircase leading up to the courtyard where he had found his Hookshot. [color=darkgreen]"Time hasn't touched this place."[/color]

The music was crystal clear now; whoever was playing had to be in the courtyard ahead. Creeping through the long hallway of steps as quietly as he could, Leif stopped and stood in the archway, staring out into the stone walled clearing. . . . He almost dropped his sword when he saw the meadow's occupant: There, sitting on a tree stump, playing an ocarina, it was the girl from the mess hall.

Leif froze, not knowing what to do. Then, with no other sound besides the pounding of his heart in his chest, he finally stopped and really listened to the song. It was a merry tune, only it was being played slowly . . . mournfully. Tears were coursing down the girl's face as she played, squeezing out from behind tightly shut eyelids. Finally she ended the song with a long, piercing note, as if sounding a final bugle of passing.

Lowering the ocarina from her lips, the girl opened her eyes, and they instantly fixed on Leif. Both sets of eyes went wide, and neither Kokiri moved. Finally Leif realized he still had his sword in his hand, and quickly sheathed it before taking a slow step into the courtyard.

[color=yellowgreen]"You're the one from the cafeteria,"[/color] the girl said, wiping away her tears.

Leif opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. Blinking, he finally managed, [color=darkgreen]"You noticed me watching you?"[/color] The girl nodded. [color=darkgreen]"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude. I heard the music while walking through the forest, and. . . ."[/color] He trailed off, not knowing what to say.

The girl stood up from the tree stump, putting away the ocarina. [color=yellowgreen]"It's okay. I don't mind."[/color] She swallowed a lump in her throat. [color=yellowgreen]"My name is Saria."[/color]

[color=darkgreen]"I'm Leif,"[/color] the older Kokiri said. [color=darkgreen]"The song was beautiful,"[/color] he added after a moment. Saria just nodded again and sat back down on the tree stump.

[PiroMunkie]

[size=1]Mago kept his speed through the woods and could see the dim lights of his village in the distance. His legs were getting tired, but he still felt the need to keep running. That chill he had felt back in the clearing made him not want to stop. He felt as though he was being chased. The first victim was the tree, and he felt he was next. He had witnessed the magnificent power that was behind that frigid breeze.

Just then something struck him in the chest and Mago was tossed backwards. He landed face-first in the shrub, his lungs nearly collapsed from the hit. He coughed out the bit of dirt and greenery that had planted itself in his face as he turned over to see a large silhouette blocking his path. A familiar, mocking shrill was uttered from the object. From that along, Mago knew what it was. He could see it bobbing in front of him, waiting for him to come closer. Mago kept his distance. He grabbed his boomerang with one hand and put his mask on with the other. A steady aura began emitting from him, only evident in the waving foilage near him. He crouched back with one step preparing his boomering as his arm tensed up. The boomerang began to tremor as it became enveloped in a pale yellow light, burning bright like the morning sun which had so long been unseen. With one strong thrust Mago launched the boomerang forward as it left a glowing trail along its path. Upon contact with the object, a blinding flash filled the surrounding area. Mago caught the boomerang when it returned. He waited until the light had changed back to normal and moved forward until he had reached the object which was now laying across the ground as stiff as a board. It was a Bokobaba plant.

He crouched by its mouth and set his boomerang down. He grabbed its upper lip with one hand and forced his other arm into its tightly sealed mouth. He struggled to search around inside it but finally placed his hand on what he wanted. Mago jerked his hand from the monster holding one of the monster's seeds in his hand. He resheathed his boomerang and trekked his way back to the village with the seed in hand.[/size]

[Shanghai]

[SIZE=1][COLOR=DarkRed]
The small footsteps could be heard in the distance, they being loud enough for even Teepo to notice that Kasai was coming up the path with that Dog-Deku nut being held under one of his armpits. The small cloak that he wore swaying in the upraising wind that came by. Both his eyes would lie on the boy deku who seemed to be sitting in front of the Chief?s house. The boy looked as if he were waiting for someone.

So, as Kasai walked passed him, he would ignore the boy?s attempts to try and get his attention. Not even knowing that he was suppose to listen to what the young deku wanted to say. While walking pass the guard, Kasai smacked him in the head with his straw hat.

[b]Kasai[/b]: Stand up straight, and be on guard better. I don?t want another thief to come and steal something.

[b]Guard[/b]; Y-y-yes sir!

Nodding in satisfaction, Kasai continued to walk into the hut. That was, until Teepo stood right in front of him. Being a bit confused, Kasai took a step back.

[b]Kasai[/b]: What is it that you want?

From there, Teepo went on to explain what they needed to do. Go and get some Jusakin for two ?elders? named Erie and Ryu. It seemed like an easy task that Kasai could have been able to do on his own. And now, they are sending him with this deku whom he had not received a name from! That was when Teepo gave out his name to Kasai. Teepo Yggdrasil, one of the deku?s who were following his Kasai?s footsteps.

Knowing this now, Kasai could come to ease with his thoughts. Now knowing that this boy was very skilled and probably could be relied on. With a small nod, Kasai spoke: Alright then?Teepo, we shall be leaving immediately, unless, you wish to go to the store and but some supplies?
[/color][/size]

[Shinmaru]

OOC: I've put off replying to this for long enough...I'm sorry for procrastinating for such a long time, but I've been a tad busy lately.

---

People shuffled out of the mess hall and spread out all over the guard's quarters. Each person had just received a small portion of the food that was left. Due to the attacks on Hyrule Castle Town, and the uncertain nature of the people's escape, it was decided that food would need to be rationed and that each person would only get the bare minimum needed to survive the day. It was reasoned that the food and drink needed to last as long as possible, since nobody was certain how long they would be stuck in this area.

Jacob, whom had elected to skip the meal, sat in a chair, waiting for the report of a scout that he had sent to the outside to ascertain what was happening in the outside the world. After a few moments of waiting, the scout stumbled back into the room, soaking wet, coughing and shaking uncontrollably. Jacob slid his sword, newly shined and sharpened, back into the holster that he carried on his back and he approached the scout cautiously.

"Did you get attacked?" Jacob asked.

"No," the scout gasped in between breaths. "But I might have been seen." A loud gasp of disapproval emanated from the small crowd that now surrounded Jacob and the scout. "I ran as fast as I could, because I didn't want to give them a chance to follow me and discover a way in here."

"So, they're still out there?" Jacob asked.

"Yes," the scout nodded. "And their numbers are growing as time passes. I saw many more reinforcements making their way into the city through the front entrance of the town. Given more time, I think that Ganondorf could soon amass an army big enough to crush our little shelter." Jacob emitted a sharp hiss of breath between his teeth. This was not good news in the least. There were not that many soldiers left and, though the ReDead and the Undead were lacking in speed, if their numbers were large enough they could easily claim victory over the Hyrulian Knights.

"We'll have to act as soon as possible," Jacob decided.

"But how?" the scout asked. "We don't have a plan!"

"Not yet," Jacob admitted. "But we have to come up with one as soon as possible. We can't stand privy while Ganondorf's army grows in strength with each passing day!" Jacob stood and walked to the back room of the shelter. He needed to be alone with his thoughts.

[PiroMunkie]

[size=1]Back in the safety of his hut, Mago set down his accessories but kept hold of the [color=yellowgreen]Bokobaba Seed[/color] and [color=deepskyblue]Bottle of Water[/color]. In the small fire ring in the middle of the area he began gathering kindling and wood over the still-warm coals. He set it alight when he finished, the smoke filtering through the strategically-placed hole in his roof. He removed a medium-sized metal box from underneath his cot. It had several holes all over the sides, with one open end. He placed the open end over the fire and set the [color=deepskyblue]Bottle of Water[/color] atop.

Over at a small table there was a spread out Deku Leaf where he had placed the [color=yellowgreen]Bokobaba Seed[/color]. He snatched a nearby, hand-made hatchet and gave the seed a good whack, splitting open its shell. Mago used his fingers to remove the jello-like goo from inside. It was soft, but stuck together really well; more solid than liquid. With a clean stone not too much bigger than his hand, he began grinding the insides which was now sitting in a jiggly mass on the Deku Leaf. He continued this process, as well as mashing it with his hands, until it was in a bunch of smaller pieces. It was easier to work with this way.

He dipped into a bag on his floor and removed a couple of small, corked flasks. He put a majority of the goo in these two containers, recorked them and set them on the table. He peered back at the [color=deepskyblue]Bottle of Water[/color] which was now boiling. Mago retreived his Mask and put it on.

With the goo in hand, he loomed over the bottle and held his hand in a fist over top. His fist began shaking a bit from tensity as the goo began seeping out the bottom with a bright green glow to it. It dissolved immediately upon entering the water as it mixed in through the convection currents from its boiling. The water then became more of a very thin syrup holding that same green color. Mago left it alone to mix a little more while he washed his hands in a bucket to the side he kept just for that purpose.

Then there was a light knock at the door, and the visitor let herself in without any acknowledgement. It was Evian Sprout.

[b]Evian:[/b] Hi Mago! You look a little beat, what'cha been doin'?

Mago stood still wearing his Mask, which made him appear like a deer in the headlights to this sudden interruption. After a brief hesitation he removed the Mask and walked to place it on his cot.

[b]Mago:[/b] [color=indigo]Well, I saw some weird things in the woods ... really peculiar. I had a run-in with a Bokobaba Plant which was grown closer to this village than I have ever seen before ... that was odd. I also just finish making some potion for magic with the seed I took from it.[/color]

A smile shot across Evian's face. She certainly did admire Mago's courage. She knew she could never take on a Bokobaba, never in a million years. And to be able to remove one of its seeds without actually killing it, as is Mago's style, was truly amazing to her.

[b]Mago:[/b] [color=indigo]Yeah ... I imagine that plant is probably waking up right about now ...[/color]

[b]Evian:[/b] So what did'ya see in the woods that was so weird?

Mago paused. He glanced over at his pouch of Deku Nuts which held the special one he had found from that gaint, mysterious tree.

[b]Mago:[/b] [color=indigo]I'm not sure ... Perhaps it was spiritual intervention, an omen so-to-speak. I have had them before, of course, but never so real and definitely as large. I am scared, frankly, for this little village we have made. I do not think we have much time left ...[/color]

A stinging silence fell over the room. Evian had hardly ever seen Mago so full of angst and anxiety.

[b]Evian:[/b] ... W-what did you see ... ?

[b]Mago:[/b] [color=indigo]There was a tree, a huge one. It had a face ...[/color]

[b]Evian:[/b] Like the Great Deku Tree!

Mago froze. That revelation had never occured to him. Of course ... it was a premonition for sure, and by the gods it was not a good one in the least. He bit his lower lip and lowered his eyes.

[b]Evian:[/b] What an honor to have an intervention from the Great Deku Tree! What did it say? What happened to it?

Mago looked straight into Evian's eyes, his expression full of sadness.

[b]Mago:[/b] [color=indigo]It decayed, and burned to the ground. It was wiped out. No trace of its existance was left. It was swift and silent. It only took a matter of moments ...[/color]

Evian choked and stumbled back into the wall of the hut sliding down to sit on the ground. Her eyes began to well up with tears as she buried her face in her arms. Mago wondered if he should have told such a young Kokiri something so devastating ... She was not as naive as she appeared to be, though. She understood what the sign meant without Mago having to tell her.

[b]Evian:[/b] [i]W-we ... don't have a ... a chance ... do we?[/i]

She spoke brokenly through her sobs and sniffling. Mago was never one to say that there was no chance left. As dark as the future was, even compared to the present, there always has to be some light able to make its way through.

Light! Of course!

Mago leaped over to his cot and reached into his Deku Nut pouch retreiving the over-sized nut which had fallen from the Great Deku. It was a gift. Evian looked up from her crying and saw Mago looking at the object in awe. Mago placed it on his cot and put on his Mask taking a closer look at it. He immediately fell to his knees. Through his Mask he could see the magic from it was absolutely radiant. It was humbling to even such a reknowned Sage as himself. He took his mask off and buried the nut back in the pouch. He stood up and turned out finding Evian standing right behind him. Her eyes were dry not, but the evidence that she was crying still remained.

[b]Mago:[/b] [color=indigo]It would be best if you went home now.[/color]

Evian nodded several times and ran lightly out of his hut and to her own.

Mago cleaned up from his potion making, kicking the metal box out from over the fire since touching it with his hands would be a bad thing. He rolled up his Deku Leaf and set it aside. He placed his tools in their respective locations. He once again put on his gear, his mask hanging on his back, and sat on his cot placing an open hand over a fist and resting his chin upon it. He stared at the fire intently.

A frigid breeze swept through the room and blew the fire out, leaving the coals cold.[/size]

[Zidargh]

OOC: This is where it starts to get good folks. As K.K.C hasn't posted, he/she is not in the RPG. Domon, I do not think you're going to be able to catch up with your own RPG and this one, so I'd like to have a chat with you. JJRiddler seems to have stopped posting, so I guess we can sort of forget about Zoras. Ohkami has yet to post again, therefore I will allow Shinmaru to just kill her off. Inti should also forget the quest and actually head towards Lake Hylia (If they're still with us) I apologise for being cruel, but decisions must be made. The Kokiri should now be getting attacked now by the way. ^_^ Enjoy.

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

[color=darkblue]Teepo looked down at the grassy mound he was standing on and shook his head.

[b]Teepo:[/b] Listen, I did not agree to this job in order to be bossed around. You also seem to underestimate me. Let's just get this over and done with.

Teepo led on towards the village gate that led into the depths of the forest. The air was beginning to cool at a considerable rate, and the canopy-like trees overhead rustled with the strong gales.

Upon arrival at the wooden gateway, Teepo turned around and broke the awkward silence that had fell upon the two Deku.

[b]Teepo:[/b] I apologise for my rudeness earlier, it's just... I don't like the way today is turning out.

[b]Kasai:[/b] Not at all. I see what you mean, have we ever had wind pick up this fas?

Teepo tried to trace back through all of his memories, but there was no event in his mind that involved a huge gale.

[b]Teepo:[/b] No I don't think so. Anyway, let's get going. And stay close, I don't want to lose another--

The hat-wearing Deku stopped talking and allowed a small tear to fall out of his right eye. Kasai on the other hand, being unaware of why Teepo had suddenly became down, peered under the head of the Deku and placed his hand on Teepo's shoulder.

[b]Kasai:[/b] Hey? You okay?

Teepo shook out of his trance and turned to face the depths of the forest.

[b]Teepo:[/b] It's nothing.

The Deku duo headed under the gate and into the mazes of the woodland. Everything was silent except for the rustling of the leaves and brances as they snapped off from their hinges and fell to the dirty ground. With every step the two Deku took, it appeared as if the forest was darkening.

Teepo looked back to the gate which now looked like a minature hole in the distance. Torches appeared to be being lit, just as if it was night time. But this was not possible, or so Teepo thought, for it had only been morning a couple of hours ago.

Kasai looked up and staggered back in confusion, trying to make sense of it all.

[b]Kasai:[/b] Wha...? What is going on?

[b]Teepo:[/b] I fear we are not the only ones oblivious of what is going on. Come on, let's get this over and done with.

[b]Kasai:[/b] But we are surely to just lose our way in this darkness!

Teepo looked down once more, he couldn't even see his feet upon the ground now. It was as if the whole world was darkening, becoming tainted, or even worse, meeting it's end. However, his pondering was soon interrupted when he heard a large, grumbly shout coming from the distance.

[b]Teepo:[/b] What was that!?

[b]Kasai:[/b] Look!

Kasai pointed ahead between what looked like two tree trunks with a shrub in between. Small flames, flickering on wooden torches could be seen marching to the left, as if they were heading past the village. Once of the flames suddenly fell, followed by a grumbly, vicious voice to scold it.

???: [i]Idiot! Want to give away our position? I bet there are archers all around these woods that could kill us in one wave. [/i]

???: But sir, we're at least one hundred and fifty strong.

What seemed like a rather powerful punch could be heard after a smaller, huskier voice spoke in reply.

???: [i]Fool! You dare to speak up amongst your commander!? Order the march towards the Lost Woods. We'll reinforce the front line there. By my watch it appears the attack has just been launched. Enough dawdling! March on![/i]

A vicious war cry sounded and the flames gave off a large flicker this time, revealing a monster clad in armour and armed with a spear.

[b]Teepo and Kasai:[/b] A Moblin!?

Teepo listened to the metallic footsteps clang against the ground as the torches carried on their march just past the Deku village.

[b]Teepo:[/b] Something's not right.

[b]Kasai:[/b] Let's go.

With adrenalin pulsing through the Deku's veins, they reached the village in a matter of minutes, only to stand mesmerised at the sight they saw. In front of them were literally hundreds of Dekus, all armed for combat and standing in file as if they were in formation. Standing on a pedestal was what seemed to be the two mages that wanted the herb, the chieftain, and about ten other seemingly important officials.

The speech being made from the officials halted at the sight of the two out of breath Deku.

[b]Erie:[/b] Here are our last two warriors!

[b]Teepo:[/b] What is going on!?

[b]Ryu:[/b] Ah yes. Well, you know we sent you out for that herb? We put a spell on you to see what you saw. Our visions were true, the [b] Day of Darkness[/b] is upon us.

[b]Chieftain:[/b] In summary, you heard them speak of the Lost Woods correct? For ages we have had an alliance with the Kokiri and the Skull Children, and now is not the time to break it. They are in dire need of our help, in combat right now in fact. We, the Deku race, are there to banish all evil from this world once and for all!

Every single Deku roared and cheered at the sound of this. For such a short calling, morale was certainly high. Suddenly, including the two mages and the Chief, all of the officials called out, and in a flurry, each Deku warrior ran silently into the woodland. Using the forest to their advantage, the Deku were to head off under the cover of the woods, until they could surround the battle and take part in it. And so the Deku armies did so.

Deku just graduated from the academy, Deku heroes, Deku veterans, every potential combat artisan was ready for war.

Teepo and Kasai looked at eachother.

[b]Teepo:[/b] Look at these families. I'd expect half of them aren't going to see their father, brother or husband again.

[b]Kasai:[/b] Well that's what we're here for!

Teepo smiled and nodded. Checking his equipment and weapon, he scurried to the nearest trunk and hurriedly climbed it. Kasai seemed to follow the men to the left flank and both headed towards the Lost Woods.

[i]This one's for you Lunar.[/i][/color]

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

This is going to be good.

[PiroMunkie]

[size=1]Mago had not budged. He sat in wait, for he knew it would come soon. With every gust of wind that passed through his humble home, he began to tremble more and more. Each gust became colder and colder, as well as stronger. It was getting noticably darker.

[color=indigo][i]And to think it is still morning ...[/i][/color] he thought. He closed his eyes.

Just then he was interrupted by a commotion outside. The Kokiri people were beginning to stir in worry. He could hear Mido's voice above everyone's trying to organize them and calm them down. Mago open his eyes and turned his head toward his window. Mido had himself up on a severed tree trunk illuminated by torches, with the Kokiri people gathering around.

[color=green]Everyone stay calm! These are dark times. I am sure it will lighten up soon[/color], he said. The crowd moaned. Many of the Kokiri huddled together to try and stay warm. Mido was lying, but he did not know any better. It is not as if the Kokiri were a wise race of people. Mago rose from his cot and walked calmly out the door. He caught Mido's attention right away.

Mago looked around as he made his way toward the "podium." All around people were lighting torches and lanterns. By now the forest around them was a void. One could hardly even see the first tree had it not been for the light from the fire. A depressing orange-red glow was all that enveloped the village.

[color=indigo]Step down, please[/color], Mago said. Mido looked at him scornfully, as if [i]he[/i] would have anything worth saying. [color=green][i]Oh, let him fool himself[/i][/color], Mido thought, and he hopped down as Mago climbed up. Mago looked out over the crowd, which was now curious. Sitting against a hut, a ways behind the crowd, with her knees pulled up to her chest ... was Evian. She hid the lower half of her face behind her legs, but she watched Mago intently.

[color=indigo]The forest will not become any lighter, only darker if that is even possible.[/color] The crowd stood quiet and had no reaction. It seemed they already knew that much, and awaited greater detail. [color=indigo]The Skull Children have called it the [b]Day of Darkness[/b], according to their Deku contacts ... I have known of it for some time. I have had disturbing premonitions of its coming. That day, that [i]dreadful[/i] day ... has come.[/color] It seemed as though the entire crowd sunk right there. Eyes lowered. The Kokiri held each other tighter. Not for more warmth, but to console against the inevitable.

[color=indigo]We all know as well as the next our chances our extremely limited. We Kokiri have never been a military race. Sure we can defend against the occasional Bokobaba plant, and possibly a one-on-one with a Lizalfos. There have even been tales of few who have stood up to Wolfos, and at least lived to tell it. But I tell you, they will come in hordes, and there will be waves of them. We shall be lucky if Lizalfos are they best they have, but my doubt is strong.[/color] For one reason or another, morale seemed to perk up at this moment. Maybe it was merely pride. No Kokiri wanted to see their homeland destroyed. They would die trying to save it, and it was unfortunate that it was the most probably option left.

[color=indigo]Arm yourselves now if you wish to fight. If not, find a safe place to hide. Though I must tell you those places will be limited once they arrive.[/color] Every Kokiri scattered neatly to their homes and came back out shortly thereafter. Some armed with small swords, some with knives, small bows, boomerangs, slingshots ... Shields were of plenty as well, all of them wooden. It was unfortunate, Mago thought, because the enemy would come like fire.

Boys and girls alike were all armed. Even Evian was wielding a bow. They by themselves began to organize in a logical manner, the hand-to-hand Kokiri in the front, and the rangers in back. Mago put on the Mask of Gale-Gale, and retrieved the Flute from his side. It was just in time.

A flaming arrow shot out from the darkness and stuck into the thatched roof of a hut setting it alight. Monsters stalked out of the shadows from all sides...[/size]

[inti]

[SIZE=2]OOC: I was wondering where KKC was. I would have continued to post were it not for the whole 'group-of-Gorons-finding-the-source-of-earthquakes-on-Death-Mountain' thing.

IC:
[COLOR=Sienna][b]Timbre[/b] [i](mumbling)[/i]: Why do they always send me to the the dirty work...I'll show them...

Darunia rolled up alongside Timbre as he was climbing up the steep slope of Death Mountain, searching for any clues as to the sudden earthquakes in the mountainous region the Gorons called home.

[b]Darunia[/b] [i](muffled)[/i]: Timbre, I have returned from the meet I had to attend, only to bring you bad news. It seems the quakes of our beloved mountain are being caused by something bigger, something darker than anything we could have expected. I do not want to send the most curious of this Goron tribe to an almost certain death. Instead, I ask of you to go and see what has been happening over the rest of Hyrule. Your long awaited journey may start today, Timbre, as you had hoped.

Timbre was completely shocked. Not only was this an unexpected turn of events, but the events had turned in [i]his[/i] favor! And who ever thought that Darunia could possibly be so accepting?

[b]Timbre[/b]: B-but I...but th--

[b]Darunia[/b]: Timbre, do not wait for me to change my mind. Already, our best fighters are being sent to ward off whatever may be angering the mountain so. Your bag has been packed with provisions and the likes, and we feel you should leave immediately. The sooner you leave, the less harm will come to you, and the sooner you can come back and tell us of your tales from the outside world. Travel across the land, passing Hyrule castle, and over to Lake Hylia. Travel nowhere past the farthest point of the great Lake, nor deeper into any forest than about a mile. We want you coming back to us with many a tale, but we still want you back alive. With all of your limbs intact.
Now go.

Timbre knew this was not a time for arguing or speaking back at the Goron chieftan.
He bowed low, curled into a tight ball and rolled as fast as Goronly possible for his living area.
He picked up his pack, made sure he had everything he needed, hefted his trusty hammer over one shoulder and made his way slowly down the side of Death Mountain.

[b]Timbre[/b]: Come on Hyrule! Show me what's out there... Now, let's see if I can have this purse filled and this pack empty by the time I'm done.

--- That afternoon ---

Timbre trudged slowly down the last few steps and into open land, not realising what night might have in store for him if he didn't find shelter, or stick to the main path...[/COLOR]

OOC: Sorry it's a little bit short. Not quite sure how fast Timbre should get to Lake Hylia. I'll figure something out though.[/SIZE]

[PiroMunkie]

[size=1]Some of the Kokiri shrieked at the sight of the burning hut. The roof, thatched of sticks and vines took fire quickly. The creatures emerging from the woods were illuminated more. They towered at least twice the size of the child-like Kokiri. Clad in primitive armor, and armed with spears just as basic, these creatures, hog-like and hairy, lurched forward. They were intimidating, but had yet to be agressive. The only hostile behavior was the flaming arrow, but none of these creatures wielded bows.

[color=indigo][i]Moblins ...[/i][/color] Mago thought. They were strong like a log, but just as dumb and clumsy. The Kokiri showed very little fear of these creatures. The front line was the most anxious of all.

They stalked forward until they were looming right over the front line. The Kokiri drew back in a defensive position. One would have to make the first move. Mago observed still from the tree trunk. He licked his lips, wetting them before placing them ready on his flute. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a Kokiri shuffle. The next thing he knew a brief flash engulfed the area, followed by three sounds: [i]fwip[/i], [i]thuck[/i], and a sickening wail.

The light subsided. A single Moblin stood with a Kokiri arrow embedded under its left eye. Everyone and everything stared at it as it stumbled back trying to maintain balance continuing its wailing. After a brief moment, it fell flat on its belly. The back of the arrow struck the ground and broke off, leaving the remains in the beast's skull. The tip must have barely struck the brain judging by how long it lived after being hit. It was a lucky shot at best.

Mago glanced to his side and saw Mido slipping back into place; he was the one who had thrown the Deku Nut. In the back line, Evian reloaded her bow. Mago's body shivered inside. She was not even phased by the gore.

The rest of the Moblins turned to the Kokiri race, snarling. One in the back, armored the most -- the leader, bellowed a deafening roar. The burning roof collapsed. Cinders flew about. Moblins lifted their spears and brought the shaft across the Kokiri defense throwing many through the air with the sheer strength of these monsters. Chaos erupted.

Kokiri arrows showered down among the beasts. Stones from slingshots sailed through the air not always hitting the right target. Boomerangs whirled about stunning their target Moblins temporarily, along with the constant flashing of Deku Nuts.

The Moblins shattered the front line. Their sweeping blows were devastating to the small bodies of the Kokiri. Very few actually attempted to impale their child-like foes.

A sudden melody interrupted the battle. Everyone paused, confused. It was Mago. He had begun playing his flute. It started off fast-paced, but gradually became slower and slower, until Mago finally stopped. He lowered his flute back to its sheath and grabbed his boomerang.

One of the Moblins let out a brief chuckle. It lunged back with its spear and snapped it forward at Mago. The Kokiri gasped, but Mago stood unaffected as the spear cut through the air toward him. It became peculiar though. It ... it began to slow down. Mago snatched it effortlessly out of the air with his free hand before it had a chance to hit him. The Moblins were dumbfounded. Their mouths dropped ajar ... slowly. The began to notice they had fallen victim to the same effect. Many of the Kokiri giggled at the slow-moving monsters who were trying to figure out what was going on.

A dull yellow, circular blur broke the humor as it passed through each of the Moblins' spears, cutting off the spearheads. The blur returned to the hand from which it came, Mago's. The Moblins slowly looked at the severed ends of their sticks in shock. The Kokiri kids developed a fiendish look about them. The archers and slings loaded their weapons, the swordsman readied, and all at once delivered the coup to the group of Moblins. It was quick, and swift. When the last Moblin fell, all the Kokiri took a deep breath and exhaled.

Mago lept down from his pedestal, as it was a rather conspicuous spot. He walked about the Kokiri Village ... or at least what was once the Kokiri Village. What it was now was nothing but stained earth. It was a war ground. Mago watched some of the Kokiri get carried off into what was once the mess hall. Injuries were of plenty. Some were stubborn and decided to try and stick it out, but others were left to be aided. He was not sure if anyone had actually died yet.

[color=darkorange]Is that it?! Is that all of them?[/color] asked a truly naive Kokiri to Mago.

Mago lowered his Mask and look at the Kokiri sternly. [color=indigo]I said they would come in waves. This was merely the first of who knows how many? And if Moblins are their front line, we may be in a lot of trouble if we make it much farther. It was fortunate that Moblins are not intelligent, and thus have very little, or no resistance to my magic. We might not be so lucky next time.[/color]

[color=darkorange]What could their possibly be more threatening than a Moblin?[/color] ... Mago sighed disdainfully. He could hardly believe these were the one's fighting for the survival of their race.

[color=indigo]You forget, we do not know what lies beyond the woodland area. And we do not even have to look at far. Lizalfos may not be as strong, but they are certainly more intelligent. Had it not been for my spell intervention, we definitely would have taken higher casualties. And do not leave out the larger Moblins. Those at least double the original size, and armed with large clubs. They are just as dumb, but incredibly stubborn and strong-willed. So this is no take to claim victory.[/color]

[color=seagreen]Where are your friends, Mago? Where are the Skull Children? And why not the Deku?[/color] Mago dropped his attention to the ground, almost as though he was trying to avoid that question.

[color=indigo]I ... I'm not sure. They have promised to aide our humble selves when this time came, but they could very well be fighting their own battles, or still be on their way.[/color] Unnapproving jeers scattered about the crowd. Mago scoffed and put his Mask back on. The next wave could come at any time.[/size]

[Shinmaru]

OOC: One short PM to Zidargh later, I come back to post.

---

Jacob emerged from the back room of the guard's quarters still in argument with another one of his fellow guards.

"But we simply cannot take that chance!" the guard shouted.

"We have no other choice!" Jacob retorted. "If we don't take advantage of this situation [i]right now[/i], who knows when we'll get another opportunity to escape the village?!"

"I know that," the guard replied. "But you can't deny that you're putting the villagers at risk if we go ahead with this."

"The villagers are in a continual risk if they stay in here," Jacob reasoned. "The ReDead and the Undead [i]will[/i] break through our forces eventually and they [i]will[/i] keep us under siege unless we [i]act[/i]!"

"Fine," the guard said. "But how do you propose that we go about acting?"

"We'll attack them on both fronts," Jacob said. "It's highly risky, but it's the only choice that we have. We can't concentrate the full brunt of our forces on either side, because that will leave the villagers open for attack on the other side. We'll have to go for the full lot of them all at once."

"Agreed," the guard replied. "Which side will you be taking?"

"I'll be taking the front end," Jacob said.

"Then, I'll lead the back end," the guard replied. "Let's hope that we're able to emerge from this ordeal with our lives intact."

"Yes," Jacob said. "In the end, we can only fight our hardest against the enemy and hope for the best."

[i][center]Later...[/i][/center]

Jacob stood at the front door, with about ten soldiers in tow. Soon, they would come crashing through the door, hopefully catching the ReDead and Undead by surprise, and fight them. Jacob was fully prepared to give his life so that the villagers would be able to escape the village, but, secretly, he hoped that it would not come to that. Jacob tightened the string on a small bag that held about five Deku Nuts and strapped it to the right side of his belt.

Jacob took out his dagger, examined it for a few seconds and, satisfied with the sharpness of the blade, stuck it back into the hilt on the left side of his belt and drew his sword. He was extremely nervous, but his face did not give away any of the anxieties that he was feeling inside.

"Men," Jacob said. "Be prepared to die for Hyrule. Most likely, none of us will live to see the light of day, but it's our job to make sure that the same is true for the ReDead and the Undead...we will fight to the last!" The soldiers threw the door open and ran out into the wet streets of Hyrule Castle Village. The ReDead and Undead were in full force, gathered around every area of the village and the soldiers attacked them as swiftly as they could.

"Don't look into their eyes!" Jacob shouted. "They will freeze you if you catch their gaze!" A soldier had fallen prey to the ReDead's steely gaze as Jacob was shouting his warning, but was freed when another soldier sliced the head off of the ReDead. Jacob stabbed his sword into the ribs of one ReDead, threw his dagger at the head of another and kicked away the ReDead caught in his sword.

A swarm of Undead ran towards Jacob and he was caught on all sides. He swung away with his sword, decapitating one of the Undead, but he was surrounded still by four others. Just then, a dagger plunged through the chest cavity of one of the Undead, while the other three were taken out by swift strikes of the sword from other soldiers. One of Jacob's comrades plucked his dagger from the chest of the fallen Undead and handed it back to Jacob.

"Sir," he said. "I believe that this is yours."

"Thank you," Jacob grinned, then set his gaze towards the ReDead and Undead and gritted his teeth. He and the other soldiers ran towards this group of evil, bellowing a Hyrulian war cry. Swords clanged against decrepit skin and fragile bones, but no matter how many creatures the guards felled, it seemed that there were far too many for the soldiers to handle.

"There must be some way to incapacitate these creatures!" Jacob shouted hopelessly. Soon, the soldiers were surrounded on all sides. Their end seemed imminent.

[Desbreko]

Silence pervaded the courtyard then, only the sigh of the wind blowing softly through the trees disturbing the absolute tranquility of the scene. Each Kokiri stole a quick glance at each other during the silence, but both were reluctant to resume eye contact, neither sure of what to say. Leif looked up to the sky; it was as if the trees around the outside of the stone walls formed a frame in the forest, through which the sky was plainly visible. In the depths of the Lost Woods, not many places like that existed.

This truly was a beautiful place, Leif thought as his gaze wandered about the sacred meadow. But it had been tainted in his mind; he doubted he would ever be able to come to the place without reliving the horror of his first visit. His eyes fell upon the great doorway looming above the ground at the back of the courtyard, a single dead tree overhanging the small ledge in front of it. It looked as if there had once been stairs leading all the way to the ground, but the ravages of time had crumbled them away.

Just then, a chill breeze made him shiver, and he pulled his cloak a little tighter about himself. Shadows grew darker, and his thoughts returned to the present as he heard Saria stand up from the tree stump.

[color=yellowgreen]"What's happening?"[/color] she asked with a tinge of concern in her voice.

[color=darkgreen]"I don't know,"[/color] Leif said as he looked back to the sky. The overcast sky was getting darker, and what few patches of blue that had shone through before were now completely gone. And it was colder. [color=darkgreen]"A storm may be brewing. We should get back to the village."[/color]

Saria nodded and the two started for the steps leading back down to the maze, and the meadow's exit, their fairies hovering above. Then, before he ever saw or even heard it, Leif felt it. He felt it through his boots, rumbling up from the ground, a deep vibration growing steadily more intense. Both Kokiri stood stock still, until the rumbling could be heard.

[color=royalblue]"This isn't good . . ."[/color] Kailyn trailed off, putting voice to what each was thinking.

[color=darkgreen]"Let's go! Now!"[/color] Leif all but yelled, taking Saria's hand and dashing towards the steps. If monsters came now, they would be trapped in the courtyard with nowhere to go. As Leif's foot hit the top step, a roar echoed up through the corridor; Moblins were swarming into the meadow. . . . It was too late. They were trapped.

Stopping at the top of the stairs, Leif released Saria's hand and drew his sword and Hookshot. Another roar echoed up to them from the maze below. [color=darkgreen]"Saria, get back! Don't let them see you!"[/color] He motioned for her to move to the side, so she wouldn't be visible from the corridor, and she quickly complied.

As soon as he turned back to to the steps, a Moblin appeared at the bottom of them, spear in hand, and charged. Quenching his panic, Leif forced himself to aim carefully, sighting his Hookshot at a beam of the wooden ladder across from the stairs, which gave access to the top of the maze walls. He squeezed the trigger, the hook shot out on its chain . . . and it caught!

The Moblin was suprised that its intended target was now flying straight through the air at it, but only for a split second. Sailing by over the Moblin's shoulder, Leif swung his sword as hard as he could, cleaving the Moblin's head cleanly off, both body and head falling to the ground to disintegrate into white mist. Catching himself on the ladder, he barely managed to hold on as he was confronted with yet another Moblin, rounding the corner with its spear raised. Leif jumped backwards off the ladder as the Moblin's spear came down in a deadly arc just in front of the ladder, and before it could attack again, he killed it with a quick shot to the head from his Hookshot.

Then, what he feared became reality, and one of the huge, club wielding Moblins appeared from the corner, letting out a great bellow of rage. Leif ran as it raised its club high, dashing back up the stairs before the club came crashing down where he had just been standing.

[color=darkgreen]"Saria!"[/color] Leif called up the stairs as he sheathed his sword as he ran.

Saria appeared at the top of the steps, and her eyes widened. The great Moblin had moved to the bottom of the stairs and had its club raised into the air, Leif only a few steps in front of it. She froze in terror, and time seemed to slow as the huge club fell to the earth, sending a shockwave up the steps to chase after Leif. He ran as fast as he could, but the shockwave was gaining on him, and still her legs were frozen to the spot as she could do nothing but watch.

Then it all became a sudden blur as Leif reached the top of the stairs, his right arm looping around her waist and his left raised with Hookshot in hand. He fired, sending the hook to thud into the large tree branch overhanging the ledge in front of the doorway. A blast of air shook them as they were lifted just barely clear of the shockwave rending the earth beneath them, and then they were on the ledge, safe.

Releasing her, Leif let out the breath he had been holding. [color=darkgreen]"Are you . . . are you okay?"[/color] he panted, trying to regain his breath.

[color=yellowgreen]"Y-yes. I'm alright,"[/color] Saria said, shaken by the sudden attack.

[color=royalblue]"Well, don't just stand there!"[/color] Kailyn shouted at them from above. [color=royalblue]"Into the temple!"[/color]

Without another word, Leif took Saria's hand and they ran through the doorway in front of them, the roars of the Moblins driving them forward.