Live Your Own Story in Hyrule

Irina covers her mouth and coughs, trying to see through the smoke.

She looks around the room, trying to understand how big it is at the moment, the material of the moving walls, what they can see on the low ceiling, if there is anything special on the floor…

Red hears the grinding of the mechanism, entrely uncertain of what it might be. Not much else was getting through to him. He skirted around the building, looking for control mechanisms, gears, something that might stop the grinding.

All he could figure is that if that grinding wasn't for the doors, it was for something far worse.

The room is quite large as it appears to be the main room of this temple. The walls become visible as they compress, grinding slowly together. The room is otherwise unremarkable, save for the hole in the center of the low ceiling that seems to lead up the tower that rises up. A bright light can be seen from the hole, as if something from the tower was illuminating from above.

Link shouts again, this time standing under the hole. "Red! Do you hear us?!" He projects his voice into the opening, hoping it somehow makes its way out.

He looks around the room again and says, "I don't see anything obvious here. I have a feeling whatever controls the wall is somewhere else."

Irina can barely hear anything with the walls closing in on them. She moves to the center of the room and tries to see what is beyond the hole, but the bright light blinds her.

Without many options left, she pulls an arrow from her quiver and nocks it, aims up the hole, and shoots.

The light above intensifies when the arrow flies upward. Earlier, the light was faintly visible from the top of the tower, but now it momentarily illuminates the surrounding plaza in a bright flash.

Irina looks at Link and Revali, clearly confused. "Should I do that again?" Her focus is still on the closing walls.

Irina blinks. “The light…” She calls out to the Rito hoping he can hear her. “Revali, can you shoot a bomb arrow through the hole?”

Red saw that flash of light and went to investigate it. When he drew close enough, he could make out voices below. "Hey! What's going on in there?!" He calls into the tower, equally hopeful he can be heard. "I couldn't find anything out here to stop what's going on in there!"

Alright, so the walls are bomb arrow proof. Fair enough. It was worth a shot. Now that he knows that, he can focus his attention on other means of escaping. "It'd be just my luck to get stuck in here and skewered. Unfortunately, I don't plan on dying in here anytime soon and neither should you two, either!" His eyes go up towards the ceiling, eyeing the opening.

It seems Irina had a solid idea in mind, even if the outcome wasn't predicted. He shielded his eyes from the light using his wing and as it dispersed, he prepared a bomb arrow. "Now you're starting to get it!"

He could hear Red, just enough to bring him some relief and let him know his other half is safe. But now... "Red! Take cover!!" He'd waited, giving enough of a window for his message to reach him before firing the bomb arrow at Irina's request.

When the bomb arrow makes contact an explosion can be heard across the land followed by another bright light, this time even more blinding than the first.

A large orb also falls from the ceiling of the tower, which has now partially collapsed, and sits on the floor next to where Red was standing a moment ago.

The orb appears as a big bright sphere that hurts the eyes when it is gazed upon. The light dissipates, however, and goes back to normal. It appears to be made out of an obsidian stone, polished black and covered with glyphs like the ones that they saw earlier. They also glow a soft blue color, pulsating with the charged energy in the air.

Link shields his eyes with the explosion and the bright light. “Red! Are you okay? The walls are closing in on us! Do you see any way we could stop them from crushing us?@

The commotion appears to have awakened something. Noises can be heard in the distance and they are getting louder, as if approaching.

Irina does not see the orb but can tell the tower has partially collapsed. “Did anything happen out there?” The walls certainly didn't stop moving.

Red flew off, creating some distance between him and the tower. After hearing the explosion and following collapse, it became clear that's why he was told to move. "I'm alright!" He pauses. "The walls are closing in on you?!"

There had to be something around here to stop them. He scanned the plaza, looking for anything that might stand out as a mechanism of some kind. "What was that flash? That was brighter than a bomb arrow!" In his searching, he caught on to a strange droning in the distance. "Whatever you guys did in there, I think it might have turned some heads!"

"I feel something, but I was just assuming it was the influence of this place. And something feels off with the scale.... like a strange pain. It's hard to explain." She watches Link's hand and then looks at the tower. "Do you think we should go there?"

"Whoa... That powerful." Redvali whispered aloud to himself. Not even Fi could tolerate being out here? "I can feel the weight of the darkness, but I'm not sure it's affecting me the same way."

It's palpable, really, the way the darkness feels. Almost like a thin sheet or cloak. "I didn't even think it was possible to affect the sword like that. Changing its light into dark? Is...that what her words meant?"

"Hmph, it'd be just our luck that they found a way to do something like this." Revali looked around the area, trying to determine what this...contraption? Setup? Was all about.

"So, these things..." He approached one of the holes to get a better look at it. "Looks pretty important to me." He flicks a wing down towards it. "Those glyphs mean anything to anybody?" In fact, he thinks this is the first time he's seen anything of the sort here like it.

Irina is surprised when Revali leaves the cover to look at the holes and glyphs. But at least nobody has tried to attack him... for now.

She follows him, approaching the area curiously but cautiously, and a takes a better look at the glyphs.

Link follows Revali. He examines the glyphs, looking at them blankly. "This script... I have never seen before." He looks up at the sword. It seems to be fused with the stone of the statue that is holding it. He touches the statue and his expression suddenly changes to one of pain.

"There is some kind of curse here. Some kind of dark magic at play."

He points again at the temple and his hand glows. "I have a feeling that whatever we are searching for is in there."

The look on Link's face is a clear warning to everybody. Nobody should not touch in its current state, especially Link.

Irina's gaze turns to the temple again. She nods to Link's statement before looking back at the group. "Understood. We should go, then."

The sound of Link's boots echo across the barren plaza as he walks up the stairs of the temple. He looks at the stone door that seems to be covering the entrance. As he reaches to try to open it, the door opens automatically, sliding slowly across ground. The door is so heavy that it causes the ground to tremble as it moves. He looks around carefully then slowly walks inside.

_Over where the others are on solid ground, Gatu is praying quietly for Link, Irina, and the Revali's safety with every fiber of his being once he sees they made it across to the Goddesses, and felt his heart skip a beat when he saw that huge fish thing that tried to eat his fellow party members as they flew across. From here on the other side with Impa, Mipha, and Kala, even he could feel something was wrong. Like butterflies in your stomach, or that metaphorical pit in your stomach. He wishes he could help the others and had gone with them- but Link and him were right._

_If the party needs a quick way to escape back across, he can cast Ice-based Magic while Mipha uses Water-based Magic to make a stable bridge for them to run across. When Link went inside, he felt a tight ball of sorts in his chest that was making it hard to breath a bit, but he manages to shake it off for the time being. Now, it was simply a waiting game... He hopes his Red Potion that he split with everyone gives them all the edge they need to get through this..._

has renamed the channel from "shadow_temple" to "twilight_realm_ground_level"

(repose)

The cold expression in Kala’s eyes softens slightly as the Sheikah approaches.

She follows her gaze to the area by the riverbank and says, “Please follow me, Lady Impa.”

She slowly walks the path up a hill where the cave she mentioned comes into view. She remains expressionless but the manner in which she sat on a stone slab near the entrance suggests that she is still weak from her previous actions.

She looks out at the islands floating in the distance. They are higher up so they can see slightly better from this vantage point.

“My people know very little about your tribe.” She says in a soft tone

The island in the distance briefly flashes with a bright light.

Kala turns her attention to the islands in the distance.

_Gatu also turns his attention back towards the island, breaking out of prayer._

"Something's happened... I hope they're alright."

_With the moment passed, the young warrior adjusts their bunny hood on top of their head after putting his hat back on and fixing their hair. Since loitering wasn't allowed in town, he'd have to go to the graveyard to rest there. Hopefully Dampé was going to be alright with it. They have in the past the few times he came and there wasn't any available rooms in the inn._

_Gatu proceeds, unknowingly, towards the <#C9UT1C3BQ>_

(See <#C5FAAGN80>)

Suddenly, a black crystal slams into the ground at high speeds, with a sudden flash of light in the form of a beam slamming into it, setting it off. Once the dust settles, one can see a Fog begin to form.

Another day, another round of looking for odd jobs to keep body and soul together. -.- It's better now than when John first started at least, he's gotten used to approaching folks at random to ask for work and they've gotten used to the idea that there's this guy around who can save them some trouble in exchange for a few rupees. Still, it's wearisome having to _hunt_ for employment all the time.

"I'm tellin' ya Johnny-boy, ya oughta just sign up wi' the castle guard," Scruvo remarks, guessing John's thoughts. "Gals love a chap in armor."

John rolls his eyes, trying to remember how many times they've had this conversation already. "And what do you think will happen when they ask about past experience and references? 'I was part of the army in the Dukedom of Loranis until I was banished for insubordination.'" e.e

"Cor blimey, an' you think _I_ take liberties in recountin' stories! At least I add stuff IN instead of leavin' all th'good parts out! Tell y'wot, why don't I tell 'em wot happened an' then you can just shoot down the embellishments, that'll get th'full story across AND show 'em you're humble ab--CRIKEY, INCOMIN'!!!"

John dives for the nearest cover, the corner of a building. He hears a dirt-spraying impact followed by an explosion, accompanied by a brief flash brightening the surroundings. After a moment, he straightens up against the wall and takes a peek around the corner, assessing the situation and looking for casualties and at-risk civilians. &gt;.&gt; Maybe nobody's _paying_ him to be a soldier, but the trained response doesn't stop to think about things like that.

In the distance, between the mountaintops, glides a yellow object. It takes note of the strange object that just flew into the town. The young messenger Rito swoops down on the town to take a closer look.

Not too far from the town, a royal guard sees the fog and hurries to ensure everybody is safe. Upon seeing the fog, Kagetora stops before he reaches it. He is aware of what will happen if he touches it... and frowns.

"Everybody, step back! Do not touch the fog!" He warns lifting his arms, stopping any villagers that attempt to approach the area.

The young yellow bird was near the fog but perched slightly above it on a stone chimney. He hops down to the roof and asks the soldier, “What is happening?”

Kagetora looks up to see the Rito while he tries to block people from entering the town. “This fog contains dark magic and is similar to that in Castle Market Town. Those who touch it will be cursed and turned into poes. Please warn everyone to stay away!”

The young Rito squawks in affirmation to the warrior's command, and then hops a few times before taking flight over the town. He begins to call out, "Beware! Beware! Everyone abandon the village! Avoid the fog!"

Ohhhhhjoy. &gt;~&lt; John pushes off from the wall and runs over to the building's door, yanking it open. "ANYBODY IN HERE, GET OUT FAST!!! THERE'S A POISON FOG FILLING THE TOWN!!!" John of course actually doesn't know if the fog _is_ poisonous, but it's a decent assumption based on the bird-man telling people to avoid it and it gets across the desired action quick and easy. A few confused townsfolk come tumbling out, including an old man with more wisdom than speed. U~U; John grabs his arm and throws it over his shoulders, trying to hasten his hobble toward the edge of town.

Meanwhile, the resident sky-watcher who's always hanging out on that roof is still rubbing his eyes from witnessing that sudden bright beam come down from Death Mountain. :dizzy_face: By the time his vision clears, the building he's on top of is already surrounded by fog, and it's starting to creep up the shingles toward him. He waves his arms up at Kanali. "HELP! I CAN'T GET DOWN!"

Over near Kagetora, a dog darts forward to bark and growl at the encroaching phenomenon. &gt;O A small girl runs after it, wrapping her arms around its neck and tugging fruitlessly. "No no Duke, get back!" &gt;n&lt;

Kanali pauses, catching a glimpse of the curious man that is standing on the roof. He looks around, watching the fog rise. He sees a woman holding a cucco and both are transformed immediately into orbs of light as the fog touches him.

"Oh no... this is terrible." the bird mutters under his breath.

"Hold on!! Stay away from the fog!" he shouts at the man on the roof as he hops up and takes flight, being careful to put some height between himself and the encroaching haze. He swoops down and grabs onto the man, already struggling to keep aloft, but says, "I got you! Hold on to me!"

At that, he kicks down on the roof to give himself a boost, breaking several roof tiles in the effort and sending them tumbling into the fog. Kanali takes flight with the man and attempts to carry him to safety, although his piloting skills are rough with the added weight.

Kanali crashes off to the side with the man, away from the fog. "Quick! Run away from the fog!" He dusts himself off, then picks himself up and flies back to the rooftops to see if he can spot anybody else.

Kagetora moves quickly through the edge of the fog, intercepting the small girl and her dog before they can get any closer. He drops to a knee just long enough to steady her, guiding both back with firm but careful hands.

“Stay with the others,” he says, voice calm but urgent. “Do not approach the fog under any circumstance.”

Rising immediately, his gaze looks around the village. He tracks the spreading fog, the panicked movement, the flashes of light where people vanish into it. “This is the same phenomenon reported in Castle Town,” he calls out to those nearby. "Everybody, fall back now! Move to higher ground and keep distance between yourselves and the fog!”
He pauses only briefly, weighing the situation—then the decision is made.

He turns toward the direction of the road leading out of Kakariko, expression resolute. “I need to inform the castle,” he says, more to those who can hear than anyone in particular. “The Princess must know at once.”

Without hesitation, he breaks into motion, moving swiftly and silently along the outer edges of the village, leaving the evacuation in capable hands. He needs to carry the warning now.

Kanali watches Kagetora and hears him. He checks on the man he just helped one last time, then says, "Sorry, I must go. Please keep people away from the fog."

He jumps into the air and takes flight, catching up to Kagetora. "Sir!" he calls out from above. "Sir!. There is a similar fog near the castle. I can help you get the message to the castle if you want."

heads for the stairs leading up to the gate to Death Mountain with his burden. &gt;_&lt;; As they make it up the first flight and turn toward the north exit, the old man glances down worriedly and sees the spreading fog rising up to the ledge they just surmounted. &gt;.&gt;; "J-just leave me, we won't make it--" "Save it!" John snaps, tightening his grip on the man's arm. They stumble forward together, walking a deadly tightrope between going too slow and losing even more time by pushing too hard and falling down. Fortunately, the higher the fog goes, the more space it has to spread out in, so it moves outward slower...but it's definitely creeping along the ground behind them now.

In fact, it's also coming from their right. &gt;.&gt;; John watches tendrils form along the second set of stairs, cutting them off. Well, just have to hope they can hold their breath and withstand a little--

"Up here!" The gate guard kneels on the ledge on the left side of the stairs, holding his arms out urgently. o_o John quickly leans the old man against the wall, then crouches down and wraps his arms around his thighs. With a grunt of effort, he lifts the man upward. The guard grabs hold of the old man's arms and pulls from above. With the weight partially relieved, John switches hold and grabs the old man's feet, pushing him the rest of the way up just as the fog closes in around him.

After a tense moment of blindly following the wall to mount the stairs with eyes closed and breath held, John turns around and chances a peek. -xo The fog appears to be paused in its ascent, coming no higher than midway up the stairs. Whatever was releasing it must be running out. John exhales and trudges over to the old man and the guard. "Whew...that was a close one."

The old man doesn't look around. "He should've saved himself," he says sorrowfully. "He had so much life still ahead of him." v_v

John gives a short-breathed guffaw. "Hey, I think I'm gonna be okay. Stop moaning." X)

The guard peers cautiously over the ledge. "He just...disappeared. I can see the ground below us through the fog, but I can't see _him_. It's like it _dissolved_ him." o.o;

John furrows his brow. "Hey, I'm over here! Behind you!" John goes to put a hand on the guard's shoulder -- and it passes right through. o.o;