Welcome to Gaia! ::

Link chuckled to himself as he led the two bickering women down the path to the village. Through the woods, past his house, and to the left, Link walked quickly and with a purpose. To his dismay, the gate that led to the village was broken and splintered, barely hanging on to the hinges. He was about to dash in to see if there was anyone left, but conversation drifted up through the short passage. He grinned sheepishly back at his two visible companions. "Here goes nothin'." he said, and trotted down the steep slope with ease.

Once Link had reached the village, he found himself facing almost a dozen swords and spears. He immediately put up his hands, signaling that he meant no harm. He was soon swarmed by the villagers, who had recognized him as one of their own. Hands patted him on the back, shook his hand, and ruffled his head. In spite of the dire circumstance, everyone was soon laughing.
"So, Link, where'd you get those clothes?"
"Who's that with ya?"
"How did you escape?"
"Are you hurt?"
"Have you seen the children?"
THe last question dragged Link back into reality. "You mean the children are missing?" he asked worriedly. Solemn silence greeted his words, until Rusl, who was bandaged almost past recognition, spoke up. "Yes. We were hoping they would be with you."

Andarlo followed the others into the village and was surprised by what he found. When he first came through he had noticed a silence that pervaded throughout the town, but this was different. He watched as link was swarmed by villagers and family friends. He decided not to say anything so as not to interrupt Link's reunion with his friends. He looked over at the princess then walked over to her and said, "My lady, not to be intrusive but what exactly is going on? I can tell the story would be a long one so please just give me the specifics." He whispered.

(Not to upset the editor, but... Dioji should look at her posts.)

"I'm not too sure myself..." Zelda whispered. "Zant had something to do with it, though. I think he might have taken the children somewhere else that's still covered in Twilight."

Midna moved quickly into Zelda's shadow. "Exactly," she muttered. "Anyone happen to know a good-sized town- big enough for people to know the name, but small enough to be overlooked? That's the next place- though the Fused Shadow comes first."

Several guards came barreling down the road. Each one carried sharp swords and spears, though the spears were mostly for show. They arrived at Ordon Village's gate.

"Not at all." Zelda smiled. "As long as it's helping save Hyrule, it doesn't much matter if it's in my hands or yours. I'm better with a bow, anyway." She recalled Midna's question. "Is there a village that's small enough to be overlooked, but big enough to know?"

Midna shot out of Zelda's shadow. "Not to sound insensitive or anything, but they're kids! There's probably someone with them! Where is Kakariko, anyway? If it's out of our way, they can wait!" She was not heartless. She cared about the kids, but she cared about the Twilight and her own humiliation more.

Zelda checked a nearby map. "Near.... Faron Woods."

Ordona stiffened. "Faron! You won't be able to get to Kakariko, then... You'd need at least two pieces of Fused Shadow..."

Midna folded her arms like she'd just won an argument. "There's a piece of Fused Shadow somewhere in Faron Woods. I rest my case."

"We would have to go through Faron Woods to get out of here anyway... I don't like it when she's right." Rayne whined. If he had the power, he would rip Zant's head off for causing such a mess. Then he would clean the helmet out and sell it. That had to be worth something, or perhaps it was too unique for anyone to want. "Wait, if a spirit needs help... Don't tell me we're going to have to hunt for more bugs..."

Coremean looked from Rayne to Link. As much as he agreed with Link, little progress was better than no progress.