Fandom In Need of a Hero - Legend of Zelda

[WolfSol]

Character Sheets: Fandom - In Need of a Hero CS - Legend of Zelda
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Out of Character Chat: Fandom - In Need of a Hero OOC - Legend of Zelda

In Need of a Hero

A Legend of Zelda Roleplay
45 Decades Post Breath of the Wild, includes Twilight Princess, Majora's Mask, Ocarina of Time, Skyward Sword, and Wind Waker and Phantom Hourglass knowledge

If only... we had the Hero...​

They say that it started, this awful disease and darkness, when the Hero returned from the Lost Woods... covered in the blood of his fellow men. It was an odd sight, seeing a being that represented such divinity and courage soaked in cold blood, but when asked what happened, he'd fall silent and immobile. Alarmed by the sight of the Hero, the second Royal Army had dispatched a search party then, but the soldiers who went into the Lost Woods never returned.

Yes, that must have been the starting point, because after that day... children began to fall ill and die. The nights became longer. The crops began to wither, and the waters in Lake Hylia began to turn red with blood. And when the Hero was requested to seek out the cause? He laughed. Yes, laughed.

Something is wrong with the Hero, and after a number of events and the Hero's disappearance, Hyrule is left vulnerable. The Triforce is missing, the Sages have been ground to dust, the Goddesses and Spirits are silent, civil unrest has begun to rip political ties and treaties asunder, Queen Zelda has fallen sick, and her child has been forced to take up responsibilities of the throne at a young age. Worst of all, an ancient darkness has been unleashed from the confines of the forgotten prison in Gerudo territory and it's spreading through disease and famine.

Yet the Forbidden Power, a relic from the Twilight Era, remains in the heart of Lost Woods. It is rumored to have ruined the Hero, changed him. However, it is the only thing left to battle against the oncoming darkness that is slowly causing Hyrule to deteriorate and fall into eternal decay. After seeing a prophecy, the child of Zelda shares news to the remaining Sheikah to seek out newly chosen individuals, youth with the capabilities to obtain and harbor the Forbidden Power.

The disease, dubbed Acili, is spreading like wildfire and killing off youth one by one, dwindling Hyrule's chances at a future. If the royal child's prediction is unfounded then all of Hyrule and the world as we know it could cease to exist. Having the mark of Acili means death. You are considered to be on death row, and may experience judgement, exclusion from any and all interactions and activities, and be removed from areas. Once you are marked, nothing will ever be the same again. You are considered lost and will likely lose everything you've ever accomplished and achieved. Some families and villages will exclude or banish you while others may even attempt to kill you for fear of the Acili spreading.

Spoiler: Approved Characters

Adrik Kenway, The Goro-Hylian Criminal ~ WolfSol
Aster Riplin, The Hylian Soldier ~ NothingFancy
Ikoto/Iko Tau, The Shy Zora ~ Ferociousfeind
Leoni/Leo Johnhu, The Hylian Musician ~ Justin93Daniels
Lera Sokk, The Sheikah Bodyguard ~ WolfSol
Mipha/Mimi Urbosa Hyrule, The Hylian Princess ~ NothingFancy
Sukia, The Fierce Fokka ~ Justin93Daniels
Tiehun, The Wise Hylian ~ The Fabulous Emerald
Urooa Teva, The Compassionate Gerudo ~ ithinkcat

Spoiler: Acili Disease

Untreatable, nothing seems to calm the spread

It is said to have started from the red waters of Hylia

How it is transferred from host to host is unknown

Mostly notably caught by those between ages 6 months to mid-twenties

Starts with a bruise, spreads and slowly corrodes over the skin like blackened veins

Hair and eyes age and turn white

Symptoms include dehydration, hallucinations, delusions, dizziness, seizures, high fevers, loss of appetite, muscle failure, and temporary blindness

Death by dehydration, high fevers, or heart failures

Life expectancy after the bruise is discovered and visible ranges from 1 month to 2 years

Some cases of Acili has been reported where the skin has melted off, making bones, muscles, and the like visible for all to see

Spoiler: Triforce and Sword

The Queen had commented to her advisers warily that her visions of the Sacred Realm, dreams of the ancient relic, were becoming darker, as if there was a large shadow creeping along the realm. When the Hero vanished, the Triforce's light withered and died where Courage's shard remained. Then, once the Queen fell ill, the rest of the shards grew dim, and the relic became that of opaque, black stone.

The Master Sword's magic has dwindled to the point where it holds rust on its once glorious blade. It is no longer fit to banish darkness, and so far, none who try to lift it from its pedestal have lived to tell the tale. The blade is immovable and useless as the Triforce.

Spoiler: Forbidden Powers - Fused Shadows

Exact location is unknown, but it was said to have been last seen in the Lost Woods

Rumored to have come into contact with the Hero

Highly influential, its influences surpassing Majora's Mask

Its Chosen are said to have wicked tendencies; however, this is a rumor driven by fear of the unknown

It is said to act like the Triforce in which it answers the bearer's heart... but with an unknown twist

Its true appearance varies, the last record of its appearance being that of a helmet-like crown from the Twilight Realm

Spoiler: Hyrulean Politics

Due to the spread of Acili, the Zoras are struggling to maintain hospitable negotiations, trade, and communications with their neighbors. Hyrule blames the Zoras for Acili.

With a potential threat lying in wait, all of Hyrule looks at the Gerudo race due to Hyrule's history with Ganon.

Prejudice and racism still test the bonds of friendship, trust, and loyalty. Even more so with the spread of disease. It is hard to cross into territories and kingdoms, a fee and passport required as well as a health check up.

With the Queen of Hyrule ill, the kingdom has seen an escalation in crime rate and treason. The princess and the remaining Army has sought out the aid of the Disciples and her royal, personal guard. The Court is trying to take the fact that she's young and use it against her to gain control over Hyrule.

The Court consists of mainly Hylians, but there is a Goron, two Zora, and a Rito present. They offer political guidance to the Royal Family, and act as a modern day Congress and Supreme Court.

There is a rumor that the princess is the child of the Hero. This is both praised and ridiculed by the people of Hyrule as the Hero's reputation has gradually grown worse.

Spoiler: The Missing Hero

Without a doubt, the Hero killed the soldiers that had went alongside him into Lost Woods.

It is believed that the Hero had something to do with the Sages' end.

There have been reports from servants of the castle that the Hero had signs of Acili.

Additionally, it has been reported that the Hero threatened the Royal Family's Queen and princess.

Although the Queen and Court will not admit it, the Hero's sanity has gradually faltered since the events after Lost Woods.

There have been other rumors surrounding deaths around Hyrule, but there is no evidence.

Spoiler: Disciples Faction

The Path of the Sacred Flames, originated from The Disciples of the Sword, is a faction derived of renowned scholars, blacksmiths, and swordsman. A faction dedicated to both replicate the Master Sword in hopes to prevent any further threats to Hyrule and to master any and all techniques that the Hero obtained through his lineage in an attempt to offer protection to Hyrule.

Those of the Disciples are wise, so wise in fact that their knowledge and insight is said to challenge even the Sages themselves. Most of their wisdom surrounds the Master Sword and its origins. Additionally, they are experienced in most weaponry that the Hero mastered throughout his journeys, and have the forgotten ability to speak in Old Hyrulean script.

Disciples are trained since birth, and are often taught how to manipulate Din's holy fire through strenuous training and concentration.

To be one of the Disciples is not an easy task, but since the Hero's disappearance, the young people of Hyrule have looked to them in hopes of replacing the famed Hero.

Disciples are aligned with the Triforce. So your character cannot be a Forbidden Power chosen one and be able to be successful when involved with the Disciples due to their training.

Spoiler: What is Expected of You?

Be mindful and respectful of others and their characters. For the roleplay to be able to progress, it is asked that you refrain from one-liners or paragraphs that do not support efficient detail for others to use in replying. If you have trouble replying, let me know, and I will do my best to help or advise!

Additionally, your character may not be invincible, and you may not have a character who is omniscient (they know what others are thinking or about to do) unless the ability to do so is granted by myself or the character's writer.

Be active.

If you have read this and have read everything else in this first post of the RP, then answer this question somewhere in your CS's appearance: What is required of a person when they try to cross territories or into kingdoms?

 

[WolfSol]

' And when the world needed him most . . . he vanished ,
​

The news was deplorable, its meaning only added a layer of darkness over Hyrule and its neighboring lands. It seemed that the Goddesses had not only fallen silent, but they had turned their backs on Hyrule as well. Truly, the land blessed by the Triforce was no longer sacred, no longer coveted and protected. In fact, many considered the lands that had once been graced by the Sisters of Three to have been cursed. After all, what kind of country allows one man to bring forth such misfortune? Farore, what kind of country allows themselves to be so caught up in a legend, so involved in that one tale, that they lose themselves, lose their ability to fight? Sure, the Hero in green was gracious, courageous, divine, but to place the burden on his shoulders, the lives of so many, and expect his sanity to remain after all these years?

How witty they were. And to think, they allowed such praise and worship to a man in a dusty, old tunic who had killed an entire village. The soldiers, the handful that had decided to run from the master swordsman and the massacre, had claimed he'd went off the deep end when they'd begged for his aid. Acili was relentless in the forest regions, the Kokiri were hit with the begrimed disease the worst. That news was dark, unforgiving, and could not have been believed if the Royal Family had not gone themselves to assess the damage. The greenery had been drained of color, tainted with crimson. They say the sky rained with blood that day, falling from the forest canopy.

That alone had been grave; however, when the Hero vanished after a royal decree had been made to arrest him, the Triforce's magnificent glow fell to darkness. Then the Master Sword began to rust and degrade, and the Sages withered to dust. Yet nothing could be as anguishing as the news that roamed throughout the Hyrulean country. It came like a tidal wave, relentless as it drowned its citizens with an additional misfortune.

The Queen has fallen ill, plagued by an aggressive strain of Acili.
​

Lera Sokk ~ Hylian​

It wasn't particularly "news" to Lera. In fact, every adviser, every member of the Royal Court, every soldier and Sheikah involved in the guarding of royalty knew of the queen's status. The woman, Zelda, had succumbed to the Acili rather quickly. There had been no bruise, no fair warning, and it had come like a thief in the night. It was definitely a shock, but not as shocking as this predicament.

She stood at the young princess's side, Hyrule's next-in-line for the crown, with hands clasped at her back. There she wrung her hands, held them tightly, because the urge to gut the elders before her was making her palms sweat and itch. It had only been two days since the queen had insisted she remain in her chambers lest she be seen by those with dwindling hope, and already the Royal Court was attempting to pluck every ounce of power that fell to the queen's one-and-only child. They spoke as if the princess wasn't in the room, as if she were deaf and stupid, but what she found most irate was the fact that they had dared to drop honorifics.

"I do believe we should put more weight on the law with these taxes." Added another, skinnier Hylian with long, drooping ears. "And during the tax increase, we should usher out any and all who have signs of that Acili. Especially the Zora folk."

"Excuse me? Lake Hylia's waters were not the Zora peoples fault." One of the two Zoras in the Court snarled, a webbed fist thumping roughly into the smooth, glassy table. It shook the silver platters filled with untouched food, and the dark, red wines in the ruby-encrusted goblets splash.

"Fiddle-foddle! Your people are to blame with this. I say we set an example."

"I'm sure the people of Kakariko will benefit greatly from the taxes. I'll see to it that they are raised by two percent. As for the Zora people, why not just imprison those who received the sickness first? Especially those who were around the source of the red taint, where it started coloring the waters. They likely poisoned it somehow." Spoke a rather gluttonous Hylian. He chuckled boldly to himself and adjusted his eyeglass needlessly. "Don't worry, we will take care of Hyrule while the queen rests."

Not unless I take care of your first. The nerve they had! The audacity! Yet her hands were tied, tongue burned and silent. To speak her mind would be out of turn. To the princess, she may have a right to speak, but to them her words would surely fall on deaf ears. Nevertheless, her gaze did flicker, breaking her concentration on the chuckling, obtuse aristocrat, to one of the renowned advisers. There were a few that had taken part, but it seemed that they were wrapped around the Royal Court's finger. All but one, although it wasn't surprising. The adviser had no necessary need for power and wealth, and she'd quickly discovered that he wasn't one to take advantage of dire situations. ( The Fabulous Emerald )

Adrik Kenway ~ Goro-Hylian​

The sun was unforgiving, without a doubt, but it was nothing compared to the fires of Death Mountain. Unlike the Hyruleans waiting in line to enter Castle Town, Adrik wasn't sweating. In fact, he felt rather cold. Even though the quartz scales that crawled up his flesh and the quartz veins that stuck out like sore thumbs glistened brightly in the sunlight, almost blinding those on either side of him, the bright, throbbing sun overhead did little to settle his fallen temperature. If it had, he may have not been so crabby, so hasty. Then again, waiting in a damned line for over three hours usually did put a damper on one's mood.

"For Din's sake." The curse flowed from his mouth in a crisped mutter, a phrase he'd been saying religiously since the first minute he'd had to wait in line. Sure, ever since the bastard Hero had went a bit batty, the lines leading into towns-especially Castle Town-were rather lengthy and time consuming, but this was stupid. It it wasn't for the reward, he would have hightailed it long ago. Do it for the money. Do it for the money. Give it... thirty more minutes. "For Din's sake." Do it for the damn money. This reward better be worth it. Finding this powdery shit isn't easy. I swear, if the buyer isn't there when I get pass the gates... He audibly groaned, his vocal impatience making those around him shift about on their feet uneasily.

"Won'er wha's takin' s' lon'?" A short Hylian in front of him sighed quietly, their bushy, red hair reminding him of a Kikwi after a bath. "Acili? Seems to be more cases showing." Their companion, an equally short Zora with a high, cotton hood whispered in turn.

Adrik grimaced. Sure, the disease in Hyrule was bad, without a doubt, and it was likely the fault of the damned Hero, but for the line to move this slowly? No way in Twilight. Especially since the tolls were favored above all else at stops like this. Tolls helped the world go 'round, and helped the upper class have a cushion for when they fell. Speaking of, do I have enough for it? He fished through his belt pouch, a large leather pack tied to his left thigh. His finger grazed over the paper passport, pausing once on it before digging further into the bottom of the pouch. The goatskin bag that he withdrew did feel rather light, but no problem. Stealing was one of his fortes. He returned the rupee bag to its home, and settled back to assessing his surroundings. It would definitely be too obvious to just move back in line in hopes to find a wealthier victim. The two in front would have to do, but to do it in broad daylight? Challenges were fun, and doing it in plain sight was painfully easy...

"The queen's dead!"

What?

The line stirred, like a swarm of threatened bees in a nest, and the soldiers that remained posted at the gates quickly reprimanded the startled screamer. "No, no, Goddesses forbid it, the queen is ill. Ill, I tell you!" One of the armored men replied, yelling just as loud."

"Wha', wha' di' he say?" Queried the short Hylian, but it seemed the line of onlookers before them had heard quite well. The line itself faltered, a panic beginning to course through the crowd as they began to disperse and scatter like cockroaches to light. "The queen's dying." The Zora solemnly stated, webbed hand gripped the short Hylian's shoulder as if seeking support. "I heard it, a wee bit, past Beetle's, but I thought I was imagining things. They say it's the Acili that's got her."

 

[The Fabulous Emerald]

TIEHUN

Royal Courtroom (not in motion)

Interacting with the general Court ( WolfSol )​

Tiehun was one of the first to know of the Queen's affliction, yet even then it came as no surprise to him. Or if it did, at least, he showed no sign of shock or horror. Still, that was to be expected - the Disciple had a soul of steel, and a mind of iron. He wasn't the sort to break easily under stress, for it was his job - nay, his purpose in life to remain calm under stressful situations, so that he could perform his duties in trying times.

Speaking of trying times, there was a big one forming right now. Out of greed or power, or perhaps just plain old racism, the old fools who had somehow gotten themselves in charge - probably through money or power - was about to cause the land to fall into war. He had enough - it was his job to protect the lands, even if by simply advising the Queen (which, he supposed, would now be shifted to advising the Princess), and these oafs were going to tear the land to pieces. He stepped forward from the back wall, various chains under his simple clothing straining as each step bounced the huge scroll on his back, and moved to the head of the table next to the Princess. He had his sword ready - although, that was no real surprise. He always had his sword ready.

He noticed as the Princess' bodyguard shot him a glance, perhaps asking him to step up using little more than a stare, but Tiehun was about to do that already. Although, he figured, an extra voice of reason might be able to persuade these fools of a Court that their actions will just lead to bloodshed. "That is something anyone could advise against. All banning the Zora will do is cause a war, and a war between the Hylians and the Zora, with the disease running rampant, will surely be the final nail in the coffin. Quarantining the virus is one thing, but it seems to me that you are also trying to quarantine more than just that. I believe our Zora friends here will understand what I speak of."

 

[Ferociousfeind]

(Yeetle skideetle it's my first post)
(Okay but where should I start)
(Hmmmm......)

The Zora border control passed Ikoto his passport, "Alright, fella, looks like you're good to go."

Ikoto took a deep breath. It tasted mostly of... sawdust? It felt weird rushing into his lungs and flowing through his gills. Dry air would do that. But it also tasted of exotic life. He opened his eyes and observed the wildlife. A gentle wind swayed the grass and the trees and felt cold against his damp body. What a feeling. Will it always feel like this? That would be inconvenient.
He took a few steps, letting the sensations of the outside world wash over him. The birds softly chirping overhead, the wild animals galloping in the distance. The grass underneath his feet, the chilly breeze. It felt so cold and dry and foreign and lively and everything. It was very different from much of Zora's Domain, that was for sure.
He continued walking, aimlessly, through the fields of Hyrule. Now that he was out of the relative shade provided by the border walls and the trees, he could feel the sun on his back. It was warm, but not uncomfortably so. Iko's walk slowly transformed into a jog, and then a run, soaking up the atmosphere of the plains. Hyrule was such a vast, open place!
And then he stopped. He looked out in wonder; the castle was entering from around the horizon. What a stunning piece of architecture! He had to go see it. Ikoto began walking towards the structure, when a line of people emerged as well. A line? What for? He decided, what the heck, he'll go through the line. So to the line he went.
There was a commotion further up the line, something about the queen, but he didn't quite catch it. Eh, it's probably nothing.
( WolfSol yer char's in the line a bit ahead of mine)

 

[NothingFancy]

(Mentions The Fabulous Emerald in beginning of Mipha's dialog)

(Mentions WolfSol character a few times)

Mipha watched as what her newest adviser had said sent the court into a frenzy. They were all seated in the Court Room, which resided behind the Throne Room, and the large room began to bounce sound around in a wicked tornado of noise. She was sitting at the end of a long oak table, waxed to the point that it could serve as a mirror, and she could see their angry red faces reflecting like nightmares on it's surface. Ever the image of grace, she gently folded her hands neatly in front of her, and coughed ever so daintily. No one paused in their shouting, and from the corner of her eye, she saw Lera jerk forward, her left hand resting on her short sward which was sheathed on her side. Mipha blinked once, placed a pale hand onto her bodyguard's hand, and moved her head ever so slightly from side to side.

Slowly, the princess lifted herself from her seat, her silken robes whispering in the movement, her blue eyes hardened and from her mouth came a loud, "Gentleman! And lady!" She added with a quick glance at the female Goron who had shot her a stink eye, "Please pause for a moment!"

The firm authority in her voice succeeded in calming the shouts to quiet grumbles, and when she was satisfied with the level of attention, she sat back down.

"What our friend, Tiehun the Wise has said is correct. We can not risk a war with the Zora's at this moment, not when all of Hyrule is in desperate need of help. We should be banding together, not tearing apart!"

"What you say are words of a child! You know nothing of this world and politics, all you know is the wishful dreams of a angsty teenager! Did you honestly think that we would take your words ser --" The exclamation was cut short, as the princess slammed her hand into the table before her.

"I will ask you kindly to retract your rude statement, sir, as I would hate to have Miss Lera escort you out from this court room." The bodyguard unsheathed her sword just enough for the glimmer of metal to be seen and her peridot eyes stared at the old Hylian with cold calculation.

The man gulped slightly, and leaned back into his chair. The princess nodded, and Lera returned back to her natural standing position, her eyes, however, remained on the outspoken man.

"Good. We need the friendship of the Zoras, or have you forgotten that they are the only ones with clean water, and the knowledge of how to redirect those precious rivers to our farmers who need it. We can not use the tainted waters of the lake now can we."

When there was no response, she smiled just slightly enough for it to go unnoticed. She hardly ever got the opportunity to shut these old men down, but she was finding that it was getting easier and easier as the days went on.

"Hyrule is in need of a Hero. We all know that there is power in the Lost Woods, and although it is an unknown force, and has tainted the last hero, I have seen a prophecy."

Hushed whispers flowed through the room, but she hardly paused to acknowledge their response.

"We have always fought Dark with Light, but in my dream I saw a youth, clouded in darkness, who was able to lead our people to the light."

This caused a few of the to shout in out rage, but the guards lining the room, tensed, and the court calmed in a few moments.

"So I propose," She continued as if she had heard nothing, "That we search for this youth, for I believe he or she will be the key to our salvation."

 

[WolfSol]

' . . . he or she will be the key to our salvation ,
​

Lera Sokk ~ Hylian​

The aged and greedy aristocrats guffawed and sputtered at the young royal's bold statement. Without a doubt, it sounded absurd. Imaginary. Yet Lera knew better. It was no secret that, amidst those incredibly close to Mipha, the princess was blessed with her mother's sight, and that she often had visions while slumbering. This vision that the princess had entailed to follow through was one she'd already heard. A vision that made her incredibly wary, but a vision that she knew Mipha had had countless times within the past month.

The drooping eared Hylian stood, chair skidding shamelessly against the marble floors, "Preposterous! Visions, outrageous! That's against the Goddesses! You're but a little girl. Why-"

"Are you questioning her highness, Sir Refreld?" She'd had enough. With narrowed eyes of jade, she leaned against the reflective table. The bangle around her arm chimed, and either the minuscule sound or her movement drew the Court to relative silence, "The queen is unfit to rule. When a leader is unfit to lead, the next in command may take up the leader's duties. I don't remember any of you wielding royal blood. Any act or word against the princess is an act against the queen, the crown, all of Hyrule. If I hear another insult, another whisper of vulgarity or sharp tongues, I will deem it as treason and promptly see to it that you are escorted out of Hyrule itself." Lera's hand shook as she drew back, and she took in an unstead breath that she hoped no one would notice.

Stupid. Stupid. Impa has more power than you over stuff like this, idiot. Your words, yours are preposterous.

Lady Finnis, the female Goron, stood as well. "How dare you, a measly shadow stalker, threaten the Court!"

Heavy doors of pine etched with brilliant silver groaned over the Lady's appalled cry, the movement slow and groggy as the soldiers took their time moving from their posts in front of it. Doors across the expanse of the courtroom opened, revealing a long hallway that stretched and opened further into the throne room. "Her royal highness, queen Zelda." The courtroom's previous tension diminished, much to Lera's surprise, at a solider's announcement and at the guest that greeted them, a thin and wry figure cloaked in royal shades of purple. The cloak's hood was brushed away with a steady hand, revealing a cascade of frosted-gold hair and the flash of a golden crown. The crown itself was slightly crooked, but its myriad of blue and red gemstones still shimmered under the dimmest of lights.

The queen's features were slightly sunken, and the bruises under her eyes suggested exhaustion beyond belief, yet she held her head high as she walked toward the table in silence. Nothing but her skirts offered a break in silence as she rounded the table, took Mipha's side, and looked over her Court and advisers. "The ability of sight in the royal family is common, and shall never be taken for granted or ignored. I too have had a similar vision."

Long fingers gripped the side of the table, and Lera leaned forward to seek out any signs of visible Acili upon the royal. The Sheikah had only gotten to look at the queen once and that time had been in the queen's dark chambers, discussing Mipha's change in responsibilities. At that time, she hadn't spotted any degradation, but it had been incredibly dark. However, now, she could spot a slight tint of white, much more noticeable than before, milking out the queen's golden locks. Although most of the queen is covered by the obtuse cloak, she spots a creep of blackened veins on the queen's left hand, just above the faded mark of her Triforce.

It's faint, but Lera can spot a sort of uneasy shifting in the queen's stance, even with the table as her support. "I cannot believe that I must even bring this to attention, but due to my failing condition, Mipha will take the duties of the crown. Any and all of her decisions shall be met with as much fairness, respect, and dignity as I have received. Now, I may be suffering from high fevers, but I do believe that I declined and refuted all mention of taxation, imprisonment, and exile the other night when Court held a meeting in my chambers." Her voice is unlike her, something akin to a knife scraping on wood. It's drawn out, ragged with breath, and it worries Lera immensely.

"Although I wish the visions spoke of another source of power..." the queen's eyes wander over to Tiehun, her facial features twisting briefly into apology, "it is our only hope. With the Triforce gone and the Sword becoming that of the Sages, dust... we must try, even if it is against the Goddesses. Without a doubt this disease and the loss of our Hero and his tools are only the beginning. I sense a darker presence just over the horizon."

NothingFancy The Fabulous Emerald
Zelda and Court can be controllable by anyone, as long as it matches what has already been said and done.

Adrik Kenway ~ Goro-Hylian​

** Waiting on Nothing's post for her solider-smolder char **

 

[NothingFancy]

(Local: Main Entrance of Castle Town)

(Possible Interaction with WolfSol and Ferociousfeind Adrik and Ikoto)

(Sorry for the length)

The entrance to Castle Town was packed full of people, all different races and ages. The heat of a late Spring sun, beat down on the crowd, and wails of uncomfortable children rang in the dry air. The smell alone was enough to put a tear in the corner of the strongest man's eye, but what Aster really couldn't stand was feeling of desperation that coated the atmosphere like thick honey. The children may have been noisy but the furrowed brows and anxious fidgeting of the adults were driving him insane. Castle Town had become the center point of trading in Hyrule, and as a result the streets were filled with merchant tents, carriages, horses, and people. The fees to enter such a city were steep, and most of the people in front of him were scrapping the bottoms of their pockets and bags, searching for even the tiniest of clinks that would betray a stray rupee.

"Sir, you do not have enough. I'm sorry but we are going to have to ask you to leave."

Aster snapped his attention back to the two cadets he was supervising, to see an old Zora male shivering in fear. He wore a tattered cloak, and his pants had been worn down so that they now reassembled shorts. His scales were flaky from travel and lack of water, and his eyes were gummy and yellow.

"But when I left the Zora Domain a month ago, this was the price... 150 rupees. It's all I was able to bring."

The youth before him crossed his arms and his brown eyes stared with just a glimmer of disgust.

"And since then the good Court of Hyrule has raised the price to 250 due to the influx of travelers."

The old Zora began shaking his head, his long fins flapping, "Please, there was no way of me knowing."

The cadet smirked and Aster felt something coming to the surface of his chest. He hated these ignorant Hylian men. He, himself having been raised by Kokiri, had enormous respect for all races, and when he saw someone acting as this young soldier did, it made him want to... slice off his head and mount it on a spike, cut out his entrails and wear them like a necklace, spill his blood until -- he stabbed the palm of his hand with his nails, the pain and feel of his own flesh beneath his fingers, snapped him back to reality.

Readjusting his beret so that the black locks of his hair moved away from his eyes, he stepped forward, grabbing the Zora roughly by the upper arm.

"I'll handle this," he said in a gruff voice, as the frail man shuddered in his grasp, "Continue your check."

The cadet saluted, the smug look wiped from his face. Aster turned and dragged the frightened man into the watch-post office. Once they were out of view from the crowd, he released the Zora, and turned around sharply, the tails of his uniform flapping aggressively.

"Show me your passport."

The Zora flinched in anticipation, but when nothing happened he looked up at the large youth with confused eyes.

"Wuh-what?" He stuttered. Aster put out his hand.

"Show me your passport." He repeated calmly, his emerald eyes encouraging. The old man hesitated for a moment more before putting his shaky hand into his pocket to pull out some folded documents.

Aster took them and as he flipped through them he asked the Zora questions.

"What brings you to castle city?"

The Zora gulped a little nervously, "To sell jewelry..."

"I see." Aster commented, before carefully folding the paper together again. He handed them to the man.

"You may pay the 150 rupees and I will cover the rest for you. I just happen to have some in my pocket."

The Zora blinked at him, his old face shocked. When Aster didn't make a move or retract what he said, the old man pressed the rupees into the young man's hands.

"Thank you, sir. The goddesses will bless you."

Aster refrained from rolling his eyes at the mention of the silent goddesses. He doubted they would do anything for him, especially since they had already abandoned him at birth, leaving him to rot with cursed voices. He gave the Zora a small smile, "Head through those back doors there, and you'll be able to make your way to the Medical tent unnoticed."

The Zora nodded and hurriedly made his way to the back doorway, but before he went through he paused, and went back to Aster, taking his gloved hands into his scaly webbed feet. He pressed something into the Soldier's hand, and looked him right in the eyes.

"These will help you in the future, give one to someone you wish to protect and keep the other. It will help both of you defeat what is about to come."

Aster's head tipped to the side and just when he was about to say something, the front door burst open as a soldier burst in yelling, "Sir Aster! there's a commotion that's getting a bit out of hand, we need your help!"

Without thinking, Aster stuffed whatever he'd been given into his pocket and turned to the old Zora to ask him to leave, but found that he was already gone. Shaking his head, he straightened his beret and stepped out to settle whatever dispute had been riled up.

 

[ithinkcat]

- U R O O A -​

Urooa pulled back on Rakal's reins, bringing him to a quick stop behind the mass of people in front of the entrance to Hyrule. Rakal welcomed the group of people blocking entrance to Castle Town giving him a chance to catch his breath. Urooa had been pushing Rakal non-stop since they had made it across the border into Hyrule. For some horses it would have been suicide crossing that sort of distance without a rest, but Gerudo horses were bred specifically for endurance. Having your horse run out of stamina in the middle of the desert would mean death for both rider and ridee.

Urooa. on the other hand, was not so thrilled at the delay. A few embers from the incident back at the border gate a few days ago still simmered inside her. She sighed in disappointment. "Spirits, what did I expect?" she rhetorically asked herself aloud. The Hylians loved their laws and rules far too much in her opinion. Sure, the Gerudo had strict rules for some things, but the Hylians made rules for everything. She had never been to Hyrule, but she had heard from some of her sisters how horrible it was. That they even had some laws so absurd as to tell people what times of day they could, or couldn't, enter cities. The congestion she found herself stuck behind had to surely be a symptom of such a bureaucratic people.

She straitened her back, sitting tall, and gave Rakal a couple light pats on his neck to let him know they might be moving again before addressing the whole crowd as loud and authoritatively as she could. "Move out of my way!" shouted the exotic, excessively armed, young woman. The line was large and noisy. Many of the people near the back had heard her and turned to see what they could only assume was the spear tip of a Gerudo invasion, but much of the crowd had been deaf to her command. Urooa signaled for Rakal to move up the line slowly, but only the people near the back, now confused as to her intentions, moved aside to let her pass. Rakal stopped when no one else would move for them. Urooa thought of dismounting for a moment. It would be easier for her to shove her way up to the front of the line without hurting anyone on foot, but she'd also risk brushing her arm against people--possibly spreading the Acili further. It became clear that walking up on foot was out of the question. As much as she may have hated the Hylians, something about making anyone, especially bystanders, suffer the accursed Acili seemed beyond cruel. Something only someone as evil as him would do.

As she contemplated how to proceed without harming the crowd, her ears barely heard a voice from the front. "...Queen's dead..."

Urooa snapped out of her thoughts as people began to nearly rioting. No. It can't be. thought Urooa worriedly. She had placed all her hopes on the Queen knowing how to cure the Acili. Again, her ears caught scattered words from the gaggle of buzzing people. "...ill..." "...dying..." "...Acili..." Which was it? was the Queen dead or alive. Urooa needed to find out for herself. Even if the Queen was infected with the Acili, like herself, she might at least have some valuable knowledge about it. Urooa refused to give up hope. The people were no longer in a formal line blocking passage. Some had moved aside to weep, some remained in place gossiping and shouting, and even a few picked up their things as fled (perhaps to spread the news). For Urooa this meant she could navigate Rakal to the front if she were careful. Fortunately, nearly a decade of riding him every day meant she was more than capable.

Rakal and Urooa weaved their way up to the front before being stopped by the gate guards. "Where is the Queen? I must see her!" Urooa demanded from the gate guards attempting to calm the crowd.

*possibly WolfSol NothingFancy Ferociousfeind *

 

[Ferociousfeind]

The line was barely moving. What was going on up there? Someone said the queen was dead. Could that be true? No way.
Ikoto shifted from foot to foot. The sun above was getting a little warm, and the wind was a little cold, and suddenly there was a horse just... there. He quickly moved out of the way, apprehensive of what could happen.
Though, the rider didn't seem to notice him, as they slowly weaved their way through the line, which had disintegrated in the chaos of the rumors. There was only one realistic action, which was to follow the horse and figure out more about the situation unfolding.
So that's what he did. He loosely followed the horse as it made its way all the way to the gates of city walls. And then the rider called out, to see the queen. Hmm?
He clutched his small satchel (holding most of his possessions) close to his body and shivered a little. Should I speak up? Ask them what they're doing? Why they're here? No, they seem really intimidating.

( ithinkcat Urooa and WolfSol Adrik are both nearby)
(And yeah it seems a bit short to me too)

 

[WolfSol]

' Acili is our sin, it must be . . . ,​

Lera Sokk ~ Hylian​

It was in moments like these that Lera realized just how aged the queen was. The stress of diplomacy, of a kingdom and its people, had surely taken a toll on the woman. Had she always been so frail looking? Perhaps it's just that cloak making her appear skeletal? She drew back in her stance, but quickly jumped out to catch the queen as she turned a bit too quickly to face her daughter. Lera caught her by her arm, the action drawing back the arm sleeve to show a blackened, blistered wrist. Zelda withdrew her hand from the Sheikah's grasp quickly, perhaps a bit too quickly as the queen's body was unbalanced, but she merely placed a hand on her daughter's shoulder. Rubbed her other hand against her offspring's cheek in a way that Lera had never witnessed before.

Usually Zelda's face was a blank canvas, stoic and monotonous, and her eyes resembled a storm. She never showed emotion so it was incredibly alarming to see the way her face softened, eyes like a ship caught in stormy seas. There were no words spoken, but Lera caught the message between mother and daughter. Remorse, guilt, apology, love. "This time, there is no predestined Hero. We can no longer wait for divine intervention." Her voice wavers, the words resonated with a sentiment that Lera can't quite define.

The queen slowly draws away, but a hand still lingers on Mipha's shoulder, whether for support or affection Lera is unsure. "Set up an entourage, post haste. Delaying this is unacceptable, and awaiting a response from the people is undependable. This time, Hyrule will make her move. The entourage will search for candidates that may be chosen by the Forbidden Power." Her gaze lurks over the Court with a hardened expression as if daring them to counter her words. "Due to my daughter's ability of sight, I see it only fit that she partakes in this search."

"B-But your majesty, you are unwell to-"

She cuts the official off with a mere glance, "I am still breathing, still standing. Besides, I predict-and pray-that this search and retrieval of a candidate and the Forbidden Power will not take long. I do not believe I will let the Acili best me anytime soon as is. Now, back to more important matters. If it is called for, Mipha, you will be summoned for royal duties that I may be unable to partake in. However, I will try to reclaim and manage all of my previous duties during this. Although I do not doubt your sight, it may be in your best interest to seek out the aid of wisdom." As she speaks, her attention slides over to Tiehun, "Tiehun, I know this is not the way of Light and it is certainly not focused on reinstating or recovering a Hero of Time, but would it be acceptable to request yours and the Disciples aid with this? Not much is known of the Forbidden Power so I cannot be sure if its Chosen will be ready as the Hero of Time was, with or without his Sword. I would not ask this of you or the Disciples, but with the Sages gone and the goddesses silent..."

( NothingFancy The Fabulous Emerald )

Adrik Kenway ~ Goro-Hylian​

The uniformed line that he'd been a part of for three goddess-damn hours broke. Families with babes stepped off to the side in a stupor while merchants finally let their stuff fall to the ground hopelessly. Elderly quaked while the youth riled up, a sea of voices enveloping the brief, somber air. In a whiplash the news changed from a sick queen to a dead queen, and it only added oil to the rising fire. Those who had waited in line above Adrik were suddenly demanding free entry or answers. Was the queen dead or wasn't she? If she had the Acili then surely the health checkups were frauds, an entirely useless practice and just a twisted way for Hyrulean government to make an extra penny.

A horse carrying a Gerudo pushed past him, nearly knocking him over, and it forced a growl to claw its way up his throat. Patience was definitely not a virtue of his... yet he'd done fairly well, but now? The urge to pluck the dagger from his boot was enticing. The urge to draw blood from the closest, living bag of flesh was enthralling. The urge-

Then a little yellow, bastard of a Zora dared to bump into him. He snapped then, turning just in time to grab a head fin and yank the yellow Zora toward him. "Hey! Your mother not teach you any Farore-damned manners?" Adrik snapped.

The Gerudo on the horse hadn't gotten far, perhaps a few feet ahead of him to where the line was beginning to press up against a few of the soldiers. "Where is the Queen? I must see her!" He almost laughed at the statement, had the desert girl not heard? Perhaps the sun had gotten to her.

The soldiers sputtered, spears held out to cover the expanse of the gates as the frantic civilians pressed against them in hopes to get in or retrieve irrelevant answers. "The queen is ill, we are not allowing any passage to civilians at this time!"

Ferociousfeind ithinkcat

 

[The Fabulous Emerald]

TIEHUN

Royal Courtroom (not in motion)

Interacting with the general Court ( WolfSol and NothingFancy )​

This was news to Tiehun, although he wasn't surprised - he knew that the visions of the Royal Family were spontaneous and vague at best so it was likely that the Princess had just received the vision. Still, the news troubled him - for eons the Hero had fought Darkness back with the power of the Light, and now it is meant to be Dark that fights the Darkness? He trusted the Princess in what she saw, but Tiehun wasn't sure if he wanted to believe it. It went against almost three decades of what he knew, and he was honestly unsure of what to think.

Then, he shook his head. He couldn't be unsure - it was his job, his oathbound pledge and his destiny to never be unsure. And then, in that moment, he knew what needed to be done. He was about to ask the Princess for a private meeting to discuss more about her vision, however, when he heard the doormen announce the Queen's presence. Odd, he thought, what drags Queen Zelda out of her much needed rest? She did not look well at all, Tiehun did not mind noticing, yet something was so imperative that she defied her royal healers to come down to the Courtroom. He watched as she addressed the Court before her, with the same grace and skill that she always had.

Then, she mentioned the same vision as Mipha did - the Darkness that would save them all. "I will get us a meeting with the Triangle as soon as you are ready, but I cannot say how they will react. They are far wiser than me, so I couldn't begin to think what they might say. I can, however, promise they will listen as they always have, my Queen." The Triangle - the three wisest men in all of the Disciples. They make the important decisions, based on logic, reason and wisdom, and it was they who assigned Tiehun to the Castle in the first place. Tiehun had his own thoughts on the matter, but he did not feel ready for such a decision - this needed an answer wiser men than he could only provide.

Still, despite his training and duty in making rational, emotionless decisions, he admitted to himself that the concept of what the Royal mother and daughter's visions brought to the table made him slightly uneasy. He did not falter, as he never did, and remained as stoic as ever.

(sorry for the delay and inconvenience caused - today was college day so i had things that took priority over this for the last few days)

 

[Ferociousfeind]

While quietly observing the trotting horse, Iko noticed the rider. They appeared to be Gerudo, though Iko couldn't be sure just yet. They had something of a regal flare to them, like they were here to discuss politics. They simply marched their horse as far as the line-turned-crowd would allow, and demanded something.

Unfortunately, Ikoto's little journey was cut short as the ground became the sky and he realized, because of the sharp pain in the back of his head, someone was pulling on one of his head fins. He turned around, "O-Oww! What the-"

"Hey! Your mother not teach you any Farore-damned manners?"

Iko didn't really know how to respond. His face filled with surprise and shock. All he could think about for a second was how weird the Godess's name sounded rolled into an insult. And why? Why Farore of the three? "Uhh, s-sorry?" he offered meekly, "Do you n-need anything?" It wasn't like he had anything to offer. It was more of a quick response to a threat. Iko blinked a few times, looking at his attacker.

Was this a Hylian? They seemed to have rocky scales, like a Goron. At least, of what he's heard a Goron looks like, as he has never seen one before now. But they were actually pretty tall, even for a Hylian. And why were they so mad in the first place? It was a... confusing sight. Confusion slowly replaced the surprise on his face, "...What are you?"

( WolfSol Here, I fixed it. Is this semi-acceptable?)

 

[NothingFancy]

(Mipha Urbosa Hyrule)

(Court Room -- Possible interaction with WolfSol and The Fabulous Emerald )

"... Without a doubt this disease and the loss of our Hero and his tools are only the beginning. I sense a darker presence just over the horizon."

Mipha stood ridged, and her throat began to close, making it hard for her to swallow, let alone breathe. Her mother was standing next to her, the purple robe brushing slightly on her left arm. With each movement Zelda made, her scent would flood Mipha's senses. In fact, she was so starstruck, she hardly heard anything her mother said. And when the Queen's thin hand rested on her shoulder with just the whisper of a touch to her cheek, all Mipha could do was hold back tears. She was still young, and the support of her mother -- someone who hardly ever looked her way normally -- was enough to break down the mask she had placed over her true feelings. It was in this moment that she'd realized just how lonely it had felt this past half year of muddling through politics and dishing out orders that went unfulfilled. However, she was a Princess, the acting Queen, and so instead of taking her mother into her arms like she desired, she set her face in a neutral line.

"Due to my daughter's ability of sight, I see it only fit that she partakes in this search."

This line finally proved to snap Mipha from her day dreaming. She realized that all eyes were on her and her Mother, and she quickly tried to assess the situation from the looks on all the attendees faces. Most were disbelieving, some concerned and others ostracized. Then the Goron female spoke up,

"B-But your majesty, you are unwell to-"

Zelda held up her hand, and Mipha could see the tell-tale sign of Acili snaking it's way from her thin pale hand and up her forearm. She half listened as the Queen stated her orders and requests, her mind now spinning with dread. She hadn't realized how bad it had gotten... She hadn't seen her mother up close for a month. As the Queen had gotten sicker, the maids had placed a thin canopy around her bed, and the times that she'd needed to seek her mother's advice for something, she had been placed at the door and made to talk across the room. It was apparent now why. The Queen hadn't wanted anyone to see her state... not even her own daughter.

"I will get us a meeting with the Triangle as soon as you are ready... they will listen as they always have, my Queen."

At the mention of consulting the great Triangle, the atmosphere in the court room defused immensely, and the few Council members who'd still been mumbling and grumbling to themselves, quieted in submission. Most, Mipha suspected, were banking on the Wise men to admonish such an outlandish proposition.

The Queen smiled however, the wrinkles around her eyes, which were usually unnoticeable, became slightly more defined. She lowered her head in the smallest of gestures of thanks.

"Wonderful. Thank you Tiehun. If you could set that meeting up for the soonest date possible, I would be eternally grateful. Please, let me know when you have set the date."

Without waiting for an answer, Zelda turned and placed her hand back on her daughter's shoulder.

"Now, if the gentleman and lady of the court are finished with their addresses, I'd like to dismiss this meeting, and speak with the Princess privately."

There were some grumbles and small objections, but no one dared outwardly disobey the Queen, for even in a weakened state, Zelda still held an air of regal authority that left no room for disobedience.

Once the room had cleared out, a breath escaped Zelda's thin lips. Mipha pondered at them for a moment, she did not share that feature with her mother, just how her eyes were a warmer tone of blue than Zelda's. This, then, brought her to think of her father. She didn't have many memories of him, and the ones she did have, she'd rather not remember. But there was one... one from so long ago, she almost doubted whether it was real or a wishful dream. One filled with a smiling Zelda, and a strong blonde man, whose laugh was like the --

"Dear, please, have you not heard a word I've said?"

Mipha blinked, her sight torn from green hills and sunny skies, and to the reality in front of her. Her mother was sitting, now that they were alone, and Lera was standing next to her.

"I'm sorry... What did you say?"

Zelda's face softened slightly, into an expression Mipha had hardly seen before.

"You've always been a child lost in her dreams. I only wish you had been born into a world that could bring them to life."

The Queen shakely brought herself into a standing position, and when she tettered on foot, Mipha instinctively held out an arm to brace her. Much to her surprise, Zelda took it, and held it in a desperate grasp.

"Mipha, my daughter... would you mind helping me back to my chambers? I'm afraid I won't make it alone."

Mipha nodded, and the royal pair made their way out of the court room, and through a side door that lead to the private family halls of the Castle. At first the trek was silent, with only their steps echoing on the stone walls, and the clink of Lera's small sword as she followed the duo from a respectful, yet safe, distance. Then, as they were passing a window, Zelda stopped. Her arm was hooked with Mipha's, so the action caused the Princess to jerk to a slightly painful stop.

The Queen was staring outside, an odd expression on her face. This window looked out onto the river moat, and in the distance the cliffs which lead up to the Lost Forest, could be seen standing tall and steep. They stood there for a moment, Zelda staring at the tree tops of the forest, as though expecting something to emerge from the leafy canopy, and Mipha staring at the rushing river.

"I've spent longer then a lifetime here... in this place." The voice was a bit broken, and Mipha felt that lump return to her throat.

"100 years... longer still, trapped... the one who'd saved me was your father... I only wish I'd been able to do the same for him."

The mention of her father was enough to make Mipha jerk in anticipation.

"My father...?"

Zelda jumped, as though surprised that there was someone else there. As though she'd been speaking with ghosts. But she turned and looked into her daughter's excited blue eyes, and a soft smile graced her lips. Her arm raised and her thumb gently rubbed just beneath those blue gems.

"Yes..." She said in a whisper, "You remind me so much of him. Your eyes, your nose, your lips... It's as though I am looking at him," the smile flattered and the hand dropped, "I suppose this is why I have avoided you since his disappearance. And for that, I am sorry."

She couldn't help it then, a single tear escaped her right eye, and she turned ever so slightly so her mother would not see.

"I wish I had more time to make it up to you... these past weeks I've thought of it quite a bit. But I fear my time is drawing close." The Queen held back the sleeve to her robe, and the black veins and purple bruises were made terribly apparent.

"Mo-- your Majesty!" Mipha gasped, and brought her hand to her mouth.

Zelda glanced up, her snow dusted blonde hair shimmering in the sunlight.

"There is no one here, you may call me comfortably."

Mipha swallowed and gently took her mother's hand into her own.

"Mother..." The word felt foreign, but sweet, and suddenly she wanted to shout it out like a prayer, but she just stared at the crumbling hand in her grasp and remained silent.

"This is nothing, my dear daughter, of what my citizens are going through everyday. You must find the Chosen one."

Mipha's head snapped up, "Chosen one? You mean the youth shrouded in shadows?"

Zelda nodded, her grip tightening slightly.

"You must go out into the country. First look here in Castle Town, but then spread your search to all domains. Anyone and everyone who has just a glimmer of darkness, you must ask to join you, and you must take them to... take them to the Lost Forest."

The Queen shuddered at the name, and Mipha shook her head.

"I can not. I have to stay here... I have to help keep the country moving... I have to --"

"No. I can handle it... for at least a bit more. This is not something we can wait on. Once we've met with the Triangle and have their blessing, you must go. There is no other choice if we are to save Hyrule. You've seen it for yourself... just as I have."

Mipha stared at her mother. The bruise had yet to reach the Queens face, which was a sure sign of a fast approaching death, and although all her body and mind refused to accept it... She could not disobey. She, too, could not defeat the strength of Zelda' s authority.

Before she answered, however, she studied her mother, wanting to inscribe her image to memory. Her hair fell in loose curls around her face, and her thin lips we are pressed together in anticipation. Her eyes were a pale blue, like that of arctic waters, but held a warmth of care she'd rarely seen in their depths. Mipha closed her eyes, and opened them again to stare at the river.

"As you wish, Mother."

(Sorry guyz for the late posting. Aster will be posted tomorrow. WolfSol please let me know if the direction I took wasn't in accordance to your intentions, and I shall edit it. Thanks!)

 

[The Fabulous Emerald]

TIEHUN

Royal Courtroom -> Uninteresting Window

Interacting with the general court ( WolfSol and NothingFancy )​

In that single moment, Tiehun had completely disregarded the previous conversation about taxes and...well, in truth, he couldn't even remember what he forgot. Like the fisherman who forgets about the biggest catch of his life when he sees the huge tidal wave coming, there were bigger things to dedicate his energy to. And, simply put, this tidal wave was one that he simply could not weather out - he feared that no man, woman or otherwise could. Helping Zelda now was his biggest priority, and the matters of the Court were worthless to him. Besides, Zelda, Lera, Mipha and himself - especially himself - knew that it did not really matter what was said to the Court as their corruption was far deeper than could be removed.

He watched as Zelda replied to him, then eventually left the courtroom with nobody except her daughter and her bodyguard in tow. No matter - he had more urgent matters at hand. While the other members of Court were preparing to leave, Tiehun had already left. Instead of following his Queen, however, he went the opposite direction, stopping a castle servant on the way. "Miss, I need your assistance. I need as much water as possible, as quickly as possible." With a nod, knowing fine well that if Tiehun, the Disciple, was to order something, there was good reason for it.

Fortunately, it didn't take long for the pair to reach the kitchens. Within a few moments, due to the stern manner that Tiehun 'asked' the staff for their help, he and the poor maid he had instructed to follow him both came out with two carrier poles with large buckets of water at either ends, completely full. While Tiehun showed no sign of fatigue, the girl clearly wasn't built for such a heavy load. They had only managed to get to the window that Zelda and Mipha had stopped at, when eventually the girl gave in. "Sir...I-I..." Tiehun just nodded, as the girl understood and gave him the other carrier pole. Now looking at it, it appears that Tiehun foresaw this and had adjusted the large scroll on his back accordingly.

Now with a carrier pole on either shoulder, his body clearly struggling from the weight (yet, he still remained stoic and strong - as if he was ignoring his body's plea to drop the buckets) as his shoulders were starting to redden, even bruise, he walked up to the Queen. He had just missed out on whatever they were saying, and it looked like their conversation was drawing to a close. "My Queen, I presume you wish to speak with the Triangle in your chambers? I can get you an audience now, if you wish." Tiehun's voice remained logical and still as ever, despite the strain he was putting onto his body, with no sign of wavering or whimpering.

 

[WolfSol]

' To bear the weight of Hyrule on one's shoulders . . . I can only imagine the pain that man must have hidden with a smile . . . ,​

Lera Sokk ~ Hylian​

The walk through the royal hall made Lera's skin crawl. Interactions made between mother and child, queen and princess, were not for her sharp ears to hear. It felt as if she were intruding, eavesdropping, but no matter how much distance she placed between her and the pair, the feeling of invading privacy never left. If such interactions were normal between Zelda and Mipha, perhaps she'd feel differently. Mother and daughter rarely spoke on equal terms. A fact that she knew had bothered Mipha in the past.

"But I fear my time is drawing to a close..." The string of words pulled Lera's eyes upward, catching the splatter of bruises and black veins upon the queen's hand. The mark of Acili seemed to have burnt porcelain flesh, the bruises grotesquely blue and black, raw and enraged. Blackened veins were beginning to fray from the thick lines of color, fractals branching out to cover more of the skin. Soon, it appeared, her whole hand would likely blacken and begin to deteriorate. A sight of Acili was bloodcurdling, and the queen's Acili was no exception to the feeling of blood freezing and burning within one's body. Lera visibly shuddered and quickly downcast her gaze.

She'd seen a few brands of Acili, but never ones so advanced as Zelda's. It was almost as if the source of Acili were punishing her... the thought alone made her squirm at her post as she stood across from the duo, back pressed roughly against the stone wall. As mother and daughter talk among themselves, Lera worried her lip. Atonement. She'd heard it before amidst the soldiers, scribes, maids, and even fellow Sheikah. The Acili was atonement for forcing so much on one man, for ignoring the gods, and for failing Hyrule so many years ago. But those are words spoken by a fool. She bit her lip hard, almost drew blood, for some form of assurance. That's right, what had her mentor told her so many lessons ago? Man does not fear the unknown. They fear what they think of the unknown. Was this not the same? The Acili was still unknown, its cause only speculated. The Hero's change in mental stability and purpose was unknown, his change and departure colored in rumors. The-

Lera straightened as a paid of footsteps resounded farther down the hall from whence they'd come. Her hand brushed on the hilt of her short sword as she stepped into the middle of the hall to peer down it. The rush of caution that had pushed her quickly subsided as her green gaze caught the telltale made's uniform and an obtrusive scroll. Zelda heard it as well, footsteps and the noise of sloshing water. The queen drew back from Mipha and greeted the maid and Tiehun with a smile, one that slowly slipped away into formality once the maid and Disciple stopped before her.

"Sir... I-I..." The maid struggled with her pole, knees and arms shaking like a leaf, but her burden was quickly taken by the Disciple in such a way that made carrying four large buckets of water easy. Lera found it impressive, and took the sight before her as a challenge. If a Disciple could do that, so could she. Yet as she glanced down at her arms, a slip of a frown graced her features. Eventually, she would be able to mimic such a feat, but at the moment... her muscles spoke otherwise. Zelda, on the other hand, knew better. It wasn't quite visible, the struggle that Tiehun silently adhered to, but she saw it nonetheless.

At his words, she nodded solemnly. "Yes, let's make haste. Come, my daughter, Lera." Zelda gave a glance to each as she turned, her movement slow as she used the wall for added support. She moved as fast as her ill body allowed, only relying on Mipha's help when the child insisted after seeing the queen continuously rely on the wall for aid. The task of getting out of bed was draining as it were, but when they finally reached the royal chambers of the queen, Zelda's body visibly shook. The seizing moments of her muscles made the visible marks of Acili appear as if they were moving. The sight of that alone made Lera feel queasy and worry her lip once more.

"Mipha, I'm afraid I am too weak to stand, and although it is an honor to have a meeting with the Disciples, I would rather they not witness such an unworthy state. Follow Tiehun's instruction, and please do not show any negativity toward the Disciples. They are the throne's closest ally, and are currently the only faction with enough wisdom to counteract the Sages. We are seeking their approval and aid; however, if they refuse, accept it respectfully." She placed a trembling hand against a bed post, turning just in time to see Tiehun move in with the two poles on either side of his shoulders. "Although I would feel better knowing that the Disciples are on your side with this decision, with or without them, we must find a way to enact the vision. Do not hold any hostility to them or Tiehun if they decline."

"Forgive me, Tiehun, but my memories in meeting the Disciples from such a distance are rather... hard to come by. The water... hm, there is the stone bath. It should be large enough for all buckets, unless you have a better method."

(( The Fabulous Emerald NothingFancy ))

Adrik Kenway ~ Goro-Hylian​

It wasn't the sudden urge to punch the Zora that made his brows furrow in anger. No, it was listening to the Hyrulean fish speak. He stuttered, a trait that tested Adrik's nonexistent patience greatly. "Sorry?" The weak apology drew a crinkle, a flash of a flinch on his jaw.

The nerve of kids these days. Din, the nerve of every body today. First the Gerudo on the horse and then-... Adrik eyed the yellow fish with clear disdain. He's got some balls, or he's just really stupid. Without a doubt, he was pissed. Waiting for three damn hours without any change, any gain, and likely losing the money owed by the job he'd taken... he was actually incredibly vexed. Yet the little shit had the gall to poke some fun at him? He clicked his teeth together in such a way that he nearly bit his own tongue off. That's it, pull his scales off one by one.

Adrik shoved the yellow Zora roughly on the chest, snarling, "I'm the Queen of Termina, you stupid sunflower." Yet he pursued the young Zora, getting right in his face, "What kind of question is that, are you stupid? Do you want to die, because I'll be more than happy to do you the honors. I'll even give you a discount, do it for free." Yeah, scales... rip'em off one by one until the dirt is colored red. "Have you never seen a Goron and Hylian clusterfuck before? They not teach you crossbreeding in fish school?"

He'd raised a fist, prepared to follow through with the tickling thoughts, but then another idiot bumped into him. Adrik turned to the poor, insignificant fellow instead and struck him, a Hylian conveniently the height of the yellow Zora, square in the jaw.

(( Ferociousfeind ithinkcat ))

 

[The Fabulous Emerald]

TIEHUN

Uninteresting Window -> Queen Zelda's Chambers

Interacting with Lera, Mipha and Queen Zelda ( NothingFancy and WolfSol )​

Tiehun looked at Lera's frown with a somewhat confused look - as wise as he was, he could not read people that well - but quickly threw the thought from his mind as his Queen spoke to them all. Nodding, seeing clearly how much the disease has destroyed her body, he followed. His training was so arduous, so intense, that he could override the basic animalistic survival instincts, such as dropping heavy objects or pulling a hand back from a burning object (not that would affect him anyways), to achieve what most people would see as impossible. It wasn't impossible at all for him to bee able to carry such excess of water with seemingly no issue - it was just that the brain thought it was. Still, that did not remove the fact that he was still doing damage to his body - nothing that a day or two wouldn't heal - but he didn't care. In fact, the first thing that his closest allies would probably learn about him was, to Tiehun, he wasn't even worth a copper piece. It was almost sad, in a sense - when asked about it, Tiehun simply states that the Disciples - especially those who take the Path of the Flames - try to carry all the burdens of everyone else, hence why they train for it. It was sad to see such a young man have no value in himself, no cares for himself, no sense of self-preservation.

As he travelled alongside what was left of the Royal Family, and the Princess' faithful friend and bodyguard, he simply remained silent. He had nothing wise to say at this moment in time, and Tiehun had spent over two decades learning that Disciples only speak wisdom and helpful advice, or words that would help him accomplish so. He never told jokes, had idle chatter or anything that would make him...well, almost make him a person...Again, another torture that the Disciples have put on themselves to endure so the world did not have to. After finally reaching the Queen's chambers, he simply stood in the corner waiting for his time to speak. When it came to him, however, he could only ask a question. "My apologies, my Queen, but I was under the impression you wished to speak to the Triangle in your chambers? Is this not the case?" If it wasn't the water was somewhat irrelevant. He only needed it to fireproof the floor, with some left over just in case, as the way to summon involved a lot of fire. The wiser men in the Disciples, such as the Triangle, had the ability to transfer their consciousness long distances to another Disciple by creating fire spirits which they inhabited temporarily.

 

[Ferociousfeind]

(That picture is staring at me, mocking me... wHY)
(And jeez I've been staring at a blank page trying to figure out where to go for the entire weekend brain pls)
(Woe is me)

Ikoto stood silenced by the Goro-hylian's sarcastic snap. Now was evidently not the time for retorts.
Termina? Where was that again? He pondered for the briefest moment, before realizing that there was still an intimidating man with a threatening demeanor mere inches away from his face. It happens sometimes. His eyes refocused on the man's features. They had grown somewhat more exaggerated since he last looked; his eyebrows seemed more furrowed, his eyes promised more bloodshed, and something about his clenched fist made it look like he was ready to throw a punch or something.

And then he went and did it. This poor bloke, just about as tall as Iko himself, received a fistfull of pain straight to the jaw. The sheer shock of such violence right in front of him forced Iko to flinch back a step. It definitely looked like their jaw was broken, possibly fractured along the front, from the enormous impact. This guy wasn't messing around, Iko's life could seriously fall onto the line if he wasn't especially careful with what he said and did. He rarely came under such stress as this. His mind was jumping between shocked silence and a million miles per hour. Too bad all of this happened within a few seconds, giving the poor Zora no time to properly react, "Woah woah, did you have to punch him?"

WolfSol and maybe ithinkcat

 

[Justin93Daniels]

"In this Day and Age, where the Brave do leave their Mark,
an Evil yet arises, with the Legend left in Dark...
But Pray to ye, oh Hylia, that thou shalt ease our Pain,
while Heroes take up arms to save our Hyrule once Again!"

✧"?????? ?? ????????", by Leoni Jhonhu.

????? ?????? ♣ ℌ????? ????
Currently accompanied by: Sukia the Fokka Mercenary, and those near the ?utskirts of ?akariko ?illage.

​

?n ominous wind could be felt as a Leather-Clad Hylian Man approached the Gateway to Kakariko Village, accompanied by an armored bird-like companion. Upon close inspection, one would find that his companion was a female, stood a few inches shorter than him, and appeared to have talons instead of wings... the latter two details being quite uncommon for a Rito.

And in truth, such suspicions would be correct... for she was not a Rito, but rather, a ?okka, who are the wingless Bird-People that occasionally serve as Mercenaries for Hire, should someone come across one of them. Not much information is known about the Fokka, save for the fact that they serve no allegiance with any of the known holds... a detail which can act as both, a blessing and a curse - doubly so for a Mercenary!

However, her race's rarity may also have served her as a potential benefit towards the Rito, and their allies, in the past. Her helmet, of course, being fit for a Rito is even marked with the Rito Crest, as a way to hopefully help her pass as one, despite her lack of wings, and her presence of sharp talons in their stead, in addition to her legs' talons.

The ℌylian, like most of his people, had pale skin. His eyes were a dark bluish green color, and his hair and stubbly facial hair was dark brown. He wore a Green Felt Hat with a White Feather buttoned on its center, a Tunic of the Same Color below his Leather Chestpiece, Light Brown Leggings, Dark Leather Gloves and Boots (both of which rose halfway up his arms and legs), and a Utility Belt. Attached to his Utility Belt was a Shortsword, a Longsword, several Bags and Pouches, a Full Quiver of Arrows and Coatings, and a Hunting Dagger. Over his shoulders were a Shortbow and a thick, metal-enforced Lute Case, with a Lute inside it, made from the wood of a Magic Tree. The Lute's Case would also act as a Medium-Grade Shield, which would protect him from Bladed Weapons (excluding Axes and Maces), a few types of Maces, Some Magic Spells, and several Common Projectiles, while not being very effective against Heavy Weapons, Most Magic Spells, Explosives, Large Projectiles, and Larger Enemies. It would hold no effect against Huge Enemies altogether.

At first glance, he would seem like a nice, trustworthy guy, and his frequent Songs and Musings from several of the local Taverns and Inns at least granted him some Notoriety and Respect among the guards, in addition to some from the Jhonhu Household serving Hyrule as a Soldier. Some rumors even say that one or two of them were Elites, but such rumors have little to no solid evidence, save for those from the Royal Family.

The ?okka, however, would appear far more menacing up close, due to her red piercing gaze, and her dark gray feathers. Clad in Red-Plated Rito Armor (with modified Hylian Armguards that expose her predatory claws), she wore dark gray clothing underneath her armor. Like Leoni, she wore a Utility Belt, but it only held bags and pouches. Sheathed over her back was a rather large Buster Sword made of a very sturdy metal imported from a Foreign Kingdom, with a blade thick enough to also double as a High-Level Shield (Capable of shrugging off blows from Huge Weapons, Projectiles, and just about anything else, although the user would still be vulnerable to Staggering in some cases). She also had a Longbow of the same metal, and a Quiver holstered over her back.

Should she not have been standing next to the Hylian passively, she would likely have been mistaken for a monster... and a dangerous one, at that!

?eoni, the Hylian, casually walked the road; arms crossed behind his head, while he eyed the scenery before him with his usual bright, enchanted smile. Sukia, his Fokka Companion, followed close behind him; her Predatory Gaze observing the area with extreme caution and awareness.

"Not much longer, Sukia! Maybe we can get a refill on our Cantines while we're there!" Leo said, patting said Cantine which was holstered in one of his bigger bags, in an Outside Pouch.

Sukia let out a sigh, before the faintest of smiles could be seen across her beak. "Good... I was wondering if we'd ever make it!"

Leoni nodded his head and added, "Who knows? Maybe Nolgan is guarding again today? If that's the case, then we already know he'll let us in quickly!"

Upon passing by the entrance, they paused when they noticed an unpleasant scene... a long line, and in addition, two guards that looked nothing like the last two that were there during their last visit several months back.

The two travelers let out a synchronized groan, before rushing towards the line, hoping that it wouldn't take them too long to enter the city gates... a hope that would, more than likely, be in vain, if the long line only stepping forward once every five or so minutes were anything to go by.

"Damn, the security's gotten pretty tight here... wonder what's going on?" Leoni asked.

Sukia shrugged her shoulders, before replying, "I don't know... but it doesn't seem good."

A few Hylians would give her a curious look, but her gaze returning to the starers would quickly snap their heads away from her, and their own gazes would avoid meeting her own.

Already, the two of them were starting to feel uncomfortable... as well as the others around them, mostly due to the unknown figure clad in Heavy Plate Armor.

"Well good or bad, one thing's for sure... this is going to take forever!" he complained.

Sukia, however, rolled her eyes and smirked at him. "Patience, Leo... you act like a child..."

With an understanding nod, most notably towards the few annoyed glances around him, he scratched the back of his hair nervously. "R-right... got it!" He then slid his Lute out of its box in a show of finesse, before looking around at the potential audience. "So... anyone up for a song?"

(( Please tell me the Fancy Text is showing up, and not appearing as black boxes, like on my phone! ))

 

[NothingFancy]

(Castle Town Entrance)

(Possible Interaction with WolfSol and Ferociousfeind and ithinkcat )

Aster rushed outside, the scene before him completely washing away any thoughts of the odd encounter with the old Zora. The crowd was in a panicked state and several people looked as though they were close to a riot. To make matters worse, there were shouts and speculations of the Queen's condition, which further caused the people to fall into distress. Several gaurds from around the city had now joined the two cadets at the entrance, and were creating a blockade of bodies to prevent the swarm of people from breaking through.

Aster rushed to the line, his height causing him to tower over most of the citizens and causing a few to back up from intimidation. He quickly glanced over the group of people and easily pinpointed one of the main causes of disruptions. A Gerudo female riding a horse was at the front of the line, her voice booming over the common noise of a riled crowd. Her long red hair was shining like an untamed fire in the sun and her strong face was screwed into fierce determination. She was shouting demands to see the Queen and her horse was stamping its foot, most likely unsettled from all the commotion.

Aster almost wanted to laugh out loud at her audacity. Did she really believe that she could march up to the gates of Hyrule Castle, with demands to see the Queen, and automatically be serviced? The young soldier had seen the lines of people waiting for days to even step foot into the hall which lead to the throne room, and even then, their concerns would not be heard by the Queen, but rather the Princess, who was currently sitting on the throne in place of her mother. It was laughable, the attitude and air with which this Gerudo woman held herself in, and if she wasn't causing such a disturbance, he would have made her go to the back of the line to teach her a lesson. However the most important issue at hand at the moment, was getting her out of sight and preventing a riot from spreading throughout the streets.

"Cadet Casey! Get your ass over here!"

A youth with dirty blond hair and squirrelly features hurried over to him, his eyes nervous and beads of sweat glistening on his forehead.

"Yes Sir Riplin?" He asked, his breath hitching from exertion.

"I need you to gather two strong men, and escort that Gerudo woman over to my office. Take her horse and give it some feed and water, and tell her that she will have to wait for the Knight in charge to speak with her before she goes anywhere. Make sure you have someone watching her at all times until I can get to her. Understand?"

The young cadet saluted him and scurried off to find some bigger, stronger companions. Aster, meanwhile, walked over to another of his soldiers, and pulled him aside.

"I need you to shut the doors as soon as you see that Gerudo women get taken into the office, I'll try to calm the crowd."

The soldier nodded, his face red with the heat of the day and the anxiety of the situation. He hurried over to the sides of the entrance and started preparing the soldiers there to close the doors.

Aster walked over to the side of the wall, and grabbed onto a crate that stood against the stone. Dragging it over to the back of the soldier blockade, he stepped up onto it, and looked out across the crowd. About 30 feet from the entrance, he could see that a Goron and Hylian Hybrid man was causing a ruckus. Besides the Gerudo woman, he was the only other person riling up the people around him in a dangerous way. Perfect. He would use this asshole as an example. Jumping down, he pushed through the crowd until he reached where he'd seen the man yelling, and just as he came into view, he witnessed the hybrid punching a man into the dirt.

Blood rushed to his legs, and Aster took off like a bullet, just barely able to place himself between the Goron and a timid looking Zora, who stood shivering in fear. He grabbed the aggressive man by his wrists, and shoved him to the ground. The Goron hybrid was strong, and if he hadn't caught him by surprise, he was sure the man could've easily fought back. Holding the squirming man down as best he could, he shouted over his shoulder for help. A group of soldiers came running at his call, and took over where he left off.

Rising to his feet, he was satisfied to see that most of the ruckus had quieted down, but there was still unrest worming its way through the crowd. Hurrying back to the front of the line, he again stepped up onto the crate, and cupped his hands over his mouth,

"Due to the unrest we have seen here today, Hyrule will close its doors to any travelers until further notice! If any of you decide to step put of line, you will be arrested and brought before the Crown for punishment."

Loud shouts of protest and anger filtered through the air, but Aster simply nodded at the soldiers on either side of the gates, and they promptly pushed the doors shut with a loud and final boom. Once the sounds of complaints and disapproval had been muted, Aster closed his eyes for just a moment, his breath coming forth in a sigh. This was turning into quite a horrible day. Now, not only did have to deal with two disorderly people, but the paperwork that would come with such an event, would be mountainous.

Jumping down from the crate, he saw from the corner of his eye the Goron Hybrid being dragged off to the small jail cell to the left. It took five large Hylians to move him, and Aster felt a hard cold stone begin to form in his stomach. He would leave the Goron for last. For now he'd head off to the office to speak with the entitled Gerudo. Surely she would be the easiest of the two...

(Sorry if I stepped on any toes here. Please let me know and I will change it accordingly. I am still new to this )

 

[Justin93Daniels]

????? ?????? ♣ ℌ????? ????
Currently accompanied by: Sukia the Fokka Mercenary, and those near the ?utskirts of ?akariko ?illage.

"Din, oh Din, the Goddess of Fire,
Where is thy Might, in these Times of Great Ire?
The Calamity's Passed, with the Damage still Done,
with Death and Destruction 'til Silenced by One!"

"Nayru of Love, we need thy Blessed Kiss,
for the Era of Ganon is all but Amiss!
Thy Blessings before us, all seeming in Vain,
but the truth is that thou shalt be seen once Again..."

"Glory, Glory, to thee, Farore,
whose Life still bears Fruit for the next page in History!
Acili may Curse us, yet here we stand Tall,
and gather our Strengths, for thy People Shan't Fall!"

?s ?eoni finished his song, he was met with comforting silence. The people in the line, once waiting impatiently while a few might've even been on the verge of fighting, were now gathered in a fairly large group. Even a few of the patrolling ?uards stopped to listen to the ?ard sing his song, and smiled while leaning on the mountain, at the ?ylian's mysterious, yet soothing words... seemingly filling him, as well as many others, with a sense of ?????, ?????????????, and most importantly, ?????... three virtues that have, for the past few moments, been all but forgotten... like a calm that would happen before the true storm arises, granting a temporary moment of ?espite.

Even the ?on-?ylians within the line felt at ease, if only for the time being, as thoughts of their races' greatest virtues were planted into their minds.

Then, for at least the next hour of waiting, the people's moods were greatly improved, as ?orale went up. Even so, that they didn't even mind ?ukia standing there, among the crowd gathered near the Bard.

Sukia, in the meantime, smiled slightly beneath her helmet, as she listened to her companion play his Lute once again. That was always one of the things she liked about this man... the fact that his voice could calm so many, herself even included amongst them. Truly a blessing it was, to her, that their paths crossed all those years ago...

Finally, the line started moving again. Several of the individuals actually moved back a little, so that the Bard and his Companion could make it sooner. However, there were still a lot of people ahead of them, likely with important business to work with.

But alas, such was the way of life these days. Leo and Sukia appreciated the kindness of those behind them, and respected the needs of those in front. At the very least, they weren't unfriendly about it.

The guards, however, seemed to notice them, and gave an appreciative nod, while looking through the Passports of their current passersby. It would seem that, without the disputes distracting them, the line was sure to move a lot faster now.

What would've likely taken them, perhaps, three hours turned into one. Finally, at long last, they were granted entry into Kakariko Village... at a halved discount, due to the great service that he did for them. They did have to go through the usual tests, of course, and show their Passports (but to Sukia's relief, they didn't even seem to care much that she wasn't a Rito). Money, of course, wasn't an issue, for they've managed to earn a fair bit more Rupees during their performance while waiting... tips of appreciation by those that could afford it, of course.

They were now in ?akariko ?illage. Their first destination, one might ask? Why, the nearest Tavern, of course, for if the long line were anything to go by, then there was much more work to be done...

 

[WolfSol]

' They'd taken the Hero to shrines in hopes to cleanse him, but they say the walls of the shrines oozed blood and the flames turned red at his very presence . . . ,
*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*
​

Lera Sokk ~ Hylian​

Zelda let loose a ghost of a smile at the Disciple's question. However, the expression never quite reached her eyes as she looked upon Tiehun and the weight that he carried. "Ah, that's right. I did mention that my memory is quite distorted. The summons will happen in the confines of this room, yes," she nodded, "but I will not take part in them. I do not wish for the Disciples to see me in such a weakened state. It's bad enough that I set foot into the courtroom wish such an appearance." If it wasn't for the necessity of checks and balances, she would have rid the Hyrulean monarchy of the Royal Court years ago. Yet it comforted the people, especially those of non-Hylian blood, to know that the power of the Royal Family was, to a degree, split and maintained due to the presence of the Court. It would not be so bad if the Court itself was not contaminated with such... riffraff aristocrats who only seemed to fancy Hyrule's wealth and their own personal estate's reputation. Without a doubt, if she did not word her will in a rudimentary fashion, they'd attempt to take advantage of the throne and its young heir. Quite silly, she admitted silently, to allow such greedy imbeciles to continue to hold a position in Court, but with the civil unrest, self-proclaimed sovereign citizens, and the current unease between races, the thought to renounce a diplomat was far from her mind.

"Mipha will speak for me. I will be over here, out of sight, and out of mind." She gestured halfheartedly behind her to the obtrusive mattress with its royal purple, opaque canopy and thick, wooden bed posts. "Remember what I said, Mipha." Lera stepped to the queen's side and wordlessly helped her to sit down upon the bed. It creaked in protest, but otherwise was quiet. "Now please, let's be quick about this. The dreams referring to the visions have gotten much more vivid as of late. That and I admit that I worry over the state of Tiehun's shoulders..." the comment drew Lera's attention up to the Disciple, and she quickly took the queen's remark and moved to aid him.

The move was likely pointless, but she answered the utterance nonetheless. She rarely spoke to the adviser; however, she had quickly understood that he cared little of his well-being in such a way that she often times saw him as a sort of rival. Yet no amount of training could prepare her to surpass him, sheikahs held entirely different virtues, upbringing, and overall training than the Disciples after all. Lera eyed the poles that Tiehun held, "I can take one if necessary or aid in setting them down." She wasn't as structurally strong as Tiehun, but she was much stronger than the maid prior.

(( I don't want to overstep you Chaos Emerald ( The Fabulous Emerald ), please feel free, if you wish, to have a post explaining the creation and use of Din's fire to do the summon thing! ))

The bright flames obscured the shadows in the farthest corners of the queen's chambers. A myriad of light flourished, forcing Lera to divert her gaze for a moment, before the beacon of Din's flame settled. It was definitely a breathtaking sight, even if the act of conjuring Din's Fire took only the fraction of a second, it would always amaze and disturb Lera. If the Disciples can do that, would they not be better candidates for the Forbidden Power? That and the uncanny ability to control flames in such a manner were rather frightening to her. Fire was incredibly emotion, raw and vengeful. Granted, she was gifted with the knowledge of shadow manipulation, of which she deemed as a deceitful and apathetic power, but it would do little to nothing against such a holy source of light. Especially the rush of heat that graced the confines of the room.

' So many moons have passed since the last communion with the Hyrulean family, pray tell, what is the pretext of this summons ,


*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*
​

Adrik Kenway ~ Goro-Hylian​

Adrik wasn't a fan of many things, and surprises were definitely something he detested. No matter the underlining reason or outcome, surprises were always out of his control and unpredictable. They usually caught him unprepared, and that lack of preparedness, or vulnerability, was inexcusable. He'd definitely let his anger get the best of him, yes. A part of him would like to think that he would have seen the damned Hylian soldier running up to him if he hadn't been to engrossed in expressing himself.

"The bigger they are, the harder they fall," was a rather crude understatement in his case. One second he was turning against the freshly-struck Hylian toward the yellow Zora, the next he was face-to-face with a Hyrulean soldier. His back connected with the ground rather roughly, striking the quartz scales and rock muscles with an uncomfortable shock that lingered on his shoulder blades. It knocked the breath out of him for a moment, rather humiliating to admit. Yet he drew up into a sitting position, and ripped a wrist free from the soldier's grasp. He'd barely grabbed the assailant's forearm before more joined in.

Having been raised by Ophidian, he'd gotten his fair share of scuffles with the soldiers, but such conflicts usually didn't involve him on the ground, unprepared. That and soldiers guarding the gates held a bit more experience and a lot more chain mail and weaponry. Nevertheless, he lashed out. A soldier grabbed one of his legs, another joining in, and they both pulled while another two took care of forcing him down. He cut his knuckles on the rough links of armor, and he managed a successful kick at one soldier but the man nearly took a few steps back from the hit only to return to grabbing at his leg again. He tried again, throwing off a soldier with two consecutive hits to the chest with the butt of his palm, but another quickly came and latched onto his arm. When the sixth one had arrived, the initial soldier stood up and moved somewhere beyond Adrik's sight.

Then, and only then, after two bloody knuckles and a missing boot on Adrik's part, did the situation finally fall under control. It ended rather abruptly, to Adrik's dismay, right when he felt the cold slither of metal at his neck. The short blade cut somewhat beneath his jaw from scrimmage, but it didn't draw blood because as soon as he felt it, he gradually went still.

Five, it took a total of five soldiers to subdue him, a number that he was rather proud of even if it meant that he was most likely screwed now. One civilian, and attempts at harming six solders... not to mention disruption... ah, might be tricky getting out of this one. Not that he hadn't been in even trickier situations. Being a member of Ophidian wasn't a cakewalk, especially when legalities and law came into play.

"Come on, up we go, nice and easy." Instructed the short blade bearer, "I'd rather not let this progress more than it already has." He scoffed at that, but said nothing else as he half-stood up on his own, three soldiers taking it upon themselves to try and roughly pull him up. Once he was standing, Adrik grabbed the short blade bearer's hand and twisted it, lunging into the soldier. Again, the handful of soldiers bombarded him, piling on top of him as the blade fell to the ground beneath them. The second scrimmage didn't last as long, to the pleasure of the soldiers, and when they subdued the Hylian-Goron once again, they quickly ushered him to the castle's border cells. A recent addition to Castle Town's gates due to the influx of travelers.

The jail itself was perhaps the most recent structure built in Castle Town, aged by a mere twelve years, but already it was full to the brim. The five soldiers had to stuff Adrik in the last cell, one that contained well over ten others. One of which had clearly claimed the one and only straw bed by sprawling out on it in the farthest corner.

Adrik was nearly hit with the metal cell door as it clanged and locked into place at his back. He turned on it, glaring through the blackened bars at the retreating soldiers. That first guy, I'll definitely rip his guts out for this.

(( NothingFancy and Ferociousfeind sorry I left you )

 

[Justin93Daniels]

• Kakariko Village Tavern
• "Kakariko Village Outskirts
• ((OOC))

• 
  
  
  
  
  
  ????? ?????? ♣ ℌ????? ????
  Currently accompanied by: Sukia the Fokka Mercenary, and those near the ?akariko ?illage ?avern.​
  
  ?he atmosphere in the Kakariko Village Tavern was fairly dull when Leoni and Sukia first entered. Not a care in the world could be read from the grim expressions of the people, while several ill rumors about the Queen could be heard.
  
  "I'm telling you... I heard it with me own ears! Queen Zelda is on the verge of Perishing! Heard she can barely even get out of bed, now! I may not be a Doctor, but I'd give 'er a few more days, at most!" one of the Hylian men told his friends around a wooden table near the entrance.
  
  "Shh, keep it down, Borris! Who knows, perhaps it's just an old lie to sway the Nobles from their own problems!" Borris's friend sitting to his right retorted, covering his friend's mouth with two hands.
  
  Leoni cleared his throat loudly, before smiling at the people and clapping his hands together, rubbing them gently, while several eyes turned his way. "Gentlemen, how do you do?"
  
  The group at the table groaned, while the man sitting to Borris's left placed his mug on the table before pinching the bridge on his nose, replying, "Ah, jeez... look, mate, we don' have much more money on us. Gregrith here spent all 'is Rupees on Borris's Hylian Ale, so if yer lookin' ta play tha' Lute of yours, ye won' be gettin' much more than a nod an' perhaps even a compliment if ye do good enough..."
  
  Leo waved a passive hand towards them, and shook his head. "No, no, I wasn't here to offer my services for money... not yet, at least. I was just passing through, when... Borris, you say?"
  
  At the obese, bald Hylian's nod, Leoni nodded his head towards him, and continued.
  
  "- When Borris here said something about Queen Zelda being close to perishing?"
  
  Gregrith raised a hand up and pointed at Leoni. "What difference does it make, aye?"
  
  

  Beneficial Trait: "Bard's Tongue" - As a man of Songs and Stories, Leoni can sway a conversation and battle in his, or his party's, favor, at the plucking of a Lute's String. As an added bonus, Diplomats and Guards are more than willing to listen to him.

  
  
  Leoni replied with a casual shrug, "Well, I was intending on visiting Hyrule Castle Town, anyways. If I were to find something out then, and Borris knew the same thing, wouldn't it be better for you guys, that credit be given when due? Or would you rather not potentially get a share of the Rupees I could make off the songs I would sing across the lands?"
  
  They stared at him for a moment, before he turned around, and took a single step away. "Ah, well... more rewards for me, then, am I right?"
  
  "W-wait!" Borris spoke up, pushing his friend's hand away from his chest. "Sorry, you'll have to forgive Gregrith here... he can be a bit jumpy when it comes to rumors and speculation."
  
  Gregrith shot Borris a disapproving look while Leoni turned back around. He then waved a dismissive hand, responding as if untroubled, "Ah, no worries, friend... I was actually just wanting to know what was going on out of genuine interest in the topic."
  
  Borris nodded, before reaching back and pulling an unoccupied seat to their table, patting it for Leoni to take. Forgaz, the man opposite of Gregrith (and the one who tried to shush him earlier), stood back up from his seat, and motioned for Sukia to take it, to which she responded with a grateful nod.
  
  "While you guys are talkin' the Bard's ears out, I'll be headin' home... try not to take too long with your Fairy Tales, though, Borris."
  
  With that, Forgaz began to leave, while the others waved their hands, bidding him "farewell".
  
  As soon as he was out of range, Borris leaned closer to Leoni who, in turn, leaned in to listen.
  
  "It's just a rumor, of course, but you know how Queen Zelda has the Acili, right?"
  
  Leoni nodded his head. His usual playful expression was now taking on a more serious replacement.
  
  "I have, actually... last I heard, she had it in check, though... did something happen?"
  
  Borris nodded his head. "Aye... earlier today, there was a court session. Me cousin was in it, of course... but he said that, once he laid eyes on her, he knew that she was struggling just to stand up, let alone speak. Sounded like she took a hammer directly to the throat, she did!"
  
  "Hmm... definitely sounds serious... and what of Princess Mipha, though? Does she at least have the 'Gift'?"
  
  Borris shrugged his shoulders. "Not entirely sure, actually... court was dismissed before he could even ask about it."
  
  Leoni nodded his head again, before smiling slightly at him. "Thanks for the intel... I'll let you know what I find, next time I'm around Kakariko."
  
  Borris was about to respond, when he felt a bit of weight being pressed into his palm. Looking down, he noticed that Leoni managed to sneak a Purple Rupee into his grasp; worth fifty. It was more than enough for a fairly decent meal, at least, that would feed him and his family for the next few days, if spent well enough.
  
  "Ah... well this is... t-thank you, Fair Bard... and may your travels be safe!" Borris said, while Leoni stood from his seat.
  
  The bard then bowed his head respectfully at the man who gave him a bit of information that, surely, called for someone to look into. Sukia followed suit, bowing her head, before following Leoni outside of the Tavern, and into the village.
  
  "So, I take it we head to Castle Town, now?" she asked.
  
  Leoni looked up, before shaking his head. "Not right at this second... moon's about to be out. Odds are, the gates might be closed when we reach it. And while I have a good way with words, I doubt if they'd sway a door to open on its own whim."
  
  "Ah... then we head to an Inn?"
  
  "You can stay at my place!" came the voice of Borris, who was now exiting as well.
  
  The two turned towards him, and nodded their heads. "Well, if you're offering, then I'd be happy to... that is, of course, as long as your family won't mind."
  
  Borris shook his head, and chuckled. "Nah... my wife 'n kids might even love the company! 'Sides, you're a bard... I'd gladly hire you to put the lil' one to sleep with a good Melody!"
  
  Leoni shook his head. "Nah, least I can do for the information, would be to play for your family, free of charge."
  
  And so, Borris began to lead the two towards his house... a fairly small, yet comfortable-looking cottage near the top of the hills.
  
  
• 
  
  
  
  ?he ?uards near the Kakariko Village Gate sighed in relief, having finally finished the last of the visitors for the time being. It was times like these that they enjoyed the most... when the Paperwork was finished, they were free to relax, after standing around for several hours.
  
  "Might have to visit the Tavern at some point, when the shift is up." the guard at the left said. No doubt about it, that bard helped make the rest of their job a lot easier, without the constant need to keep fights from breaking out between the crowd.
  
  The Right Guard nodded his head, replying, "Heh... gotta admit, I'm surprised you agreed to pay half of the fee for 'em like that. I'd have just let 'em walk by."
  
  "Trust me, I wish I could've done so, but... well, you know how it goes. When one person gets free entry, then they all would start demanding free entry. And then, we're back at Square One again..."
  
  "Yeah..." they both sigh, before shaking their heads. "World's gone mad, I say... what's next, a Deku Scrub moving into Death Mountain?"
  
  As the two guards continued to chat, however, they couldn't help but fight the sudden feeling of unease, while the moon began to show its way over the horizon. Darkness was about to rise... and yet, something felt... off... about it. Almost like an Omen, that something big was about to happen.
  
  
• 
  (( Lemme know if you don't want the bone I threw your way, and I'll change that last little bit about the "Ominous Feeling"... also, what do you think about the Tabs Function? Is it alright if I used them like this? ' ))
  
  

 

[ithinkcat]

- U R O O A -​

Urooa stopped to take in her surroundings. It wasn't like her demands were being met. She wasn't even sure they were being heard with how loud things were getting. This whole situation was getting out of hand. Urooa had always assumed Hyrule to be a boring place, but the commotion she found herself in was anything but boring. All she had wanted to do was go speak with the Queen and yet time and time again something arose to hinder her quest. Normally one would curse the three sisters' fate for such ill luck, but Urooa knew this was not their doing. This was something else. This was chaos, and it was worse than back home. Her mother was strict and decisive in her efforts to purge any unrest caused by the darkness taking hold in their land. Her actions did little other than to keep people silent about their fears, but Urooa knew that fear and anxiety had already taken hold in every Gerudo's heart. By the looks of how the common folk of Hyrule were reacting Urooa thought Hyrule had perhaps been soft in their approach, letting the chaos fester to nearly a breaking point.

She had two options at this point. She could fight through the guards, now holding a spear wall formation to keep the crowd back from the gate, or she could try quelling the crowd. If she could get the crowd to cease then the guards should have no reason to withhold her entry, but the only plan she could come up with to make them stop was to tell them all to literally shut up and stop wining. Social interactions were not her strong suit and she was half aware that her plan probably wouldn't turn out as well as she hoped. Rushing in swords drawn sounded more appealing to her. She could make sure to only kill a few soldiers so that the Queen, spirits willing these long ears don't know what they're talking about, wouldn't be mad during their talks.

As Urooa contemplated her next action a third option made itself available. Three guards approached Urooa on her horse. One was quite small and young, one was a bit heavy set but obviously well built beneath the fat, and the other was a rather average looking Hylian man. Their arrival in numbers spoke loud enough to Urooa. They were threatened by her. Uncertain of their intentions, Urooa stayed silent, glaring down at them, and noticeably placed her right hand lightly atop the hilt of one of her sheathed scimitars. The youngest one looked like he wanted to speak but choked on what were supposed to be words. The largest of the guards bailed the obvious rookie out and spoke for him. "Miss, please dismount your horse and come wait in the office. The knight in charge wishes to speak to you privately while we resolve things out here."

Finally, someone was taking her seriously. Urooa relaxed, removing her hand from her sword, and jumped down off of Rakal. The larger knight motioned with his head for the rookie to take her horse away. "Cadet Casey, go place her horse in the stables. I'll take her from here." he instructed. Casey did as he was told, a bit relieved to not have to deal with the difficult woman, while the other two guards escorted Urooa to the nearby office set into the gatehouse. One walked in front to show her the way while the other walked behind her to prevent her from fleeing. Urooa knew why one of them walked behind her. It was standard protocol for escorting, even for Gerudo guards. It didn't bother her though. Not like everything else seemed to be doing. Stopping her from leaving didn't matter to her. She wasn't going to leave until she had seen for herself the condition of the queen and received aid in her quest.

Once inside the office, the bland Hylian guard motioned for Urooa to have a seat before having a seat himself, seemingly somehow bored despite how excited everyone else was. Urooa sat, and the big one left to continue taking control of the situation outside. It would have been an awkward silence for the brief moment they were alone together except that the open window let in all the ruckus from outside. Without anything else to focus on, Urooa couldn't help but try eavesdropping on the loudest noisemakers. Much of it was the same as before, but then she heard one speak up over the rest with authority. "Due to the unrest we have seen here today, Hyrule will close its doors to any travelers until further notice! If any of you decide to step out of line, you will be arrested and brought before the Crown for punishment." And with that she began to hear the creaking of the wooden gates closing.

That was the last straw. Urooa began to lose it. She picked up her chair and threw it against the office door, shattering the chair, and began shouting every curse she could think of. After her short fit she regained her senses. That's it! If this man's going to ruin my plans I'm going to ruin his. She thought to herself. She looked over at the guard now sitting in shock at her sudden outburst and gave a playful smile. As the door opened and a tall, black haired Hylian man dressed in guard attire entered, Urooa gracefully moved behind the sitting soldier, practically gliding on the rough stone floor. In one effortless movement of her wrist she drew a single scimitar in one hand, resting the curve of it against the guard's unprotected throat, and with her other hand grabbed him firmly by the nape of his armor. He was now her hostage. "Move any closer and this man dies." Urooa commanded the new arrival. "I will see the queen. One way or another. Either by you letting me peacefully walk through those gates or by you arresting me for this man's death." She threatened. She didn't want to kill the man she had captive. He hadn't personally offended her. He was innocent. Hylians were weak to these sorts of tactics though. For now, this man would just have to play his part so she could reach her goal.

NothingFancy Hope this is good.

 

[Ferociousfeind]

Ikoto had braced for an impact when something caused the Goro-hylian to collapse onto the ground.
Oh, that's a Hylian guard. That'd make sense. He stood a little awkwardly, watching the guards struggle to get the man under control. Punches were thrown, and blows were stricken, but after a few minutes a total of 5 guards managed to restrain the Goro-hylian. There was a long struggle from there to the Hyrulian border cells. I wonder where he'll go?

"Due to the unrest we have seen here today, Hyrule will close its doors to any travelers until further notice! If any of you decide to step out of line, you will be arrested and brought before the Crown for punishment," spoke a Hylian guard before shutting the gates. Well, that was that. Where to now?

. . .

Surely there was another way into Hyrule. He had to see it. Sure, he wasn't here for any urgent reason - besides being the guy who pulls Hyrule out of this stupor - but it just seemed like the right course of action. Plus, he couldn't just go back to Zora's domain!

And also, does Queen Zelda have the Acili as some rumors around here suggest? Is she dead? What of the royal family in general?

So instead of moving anywhere, Iko simply stood there some more, wondering how he could possibly get in there.

( NothingFancy maybe I guess since you've got the guards)