Do you wish to see a real magic trick?

It all moved a bit too fast for Archer, gathering his cards still, to follow with any sort of coherence. Some haughty voice chiding from somewhere beyond the corner of his eye, and the cracking of a whip: separated from his nose only by his brother’s intervention. A gentle waving of the hand, a gust good for a few steps back.
Whatever had happened, Archer didn’t like – and he didn’t like that whoever had tried to strike him was still talking, either.

"The masked person isn't…”
Archer felt his ears ringing, as the blood in his gut came rushing to his head. In his palms, heated fists burst into calcium flame, gloves of ragged fire crackling and spitting about his hands.

“Sorry, pal – can’t quite make out what you’re sayin’ on account of all the teeth I’m about to punch down your throat,” he replied, cracking burning knuckles against his live palm and motioning to step forwards, “Speak up, open wide for me.”

Zephyrus was between them before Archer had covered half the ground, face straight, eyes full and judgemental.
“I think that’s far enough, brother. We aren’t here for a brawl.”
"Relax, I’m just gonna show him a magic trick.”
“Archer.”
"It’s like fire swallowing but in reverse.”
“Archer...”
"’cause I’m gonna ram it up his a—”
“That is enough. We are here in company, including that of children.”
"Can I at least shove him into an open grave?”
“Please find your centre.”
"I’ll only bury him a little bit. Like, the bare minimum of burying.”
“Bare him no mind, and retain your dignity. Magic is no toy, and is worthless without discipline. ”
"How about just a really shallow hole?”
“Archer. ”

A tense moment passed between the two, before Archer murmured bitterly under his breathe, and unclenched his fists. The fire tethered therein dissipated, leaving nothing but the residual heat behind. Archer felt it throbbing in his palms.
"What good is a trained Sheikah warrior that doesn’t fight, anyway?”
“I fight when I need to. That’s the difference between a trained warrior and a conman.”
"I always figured it was my ability to smile. Laugh. Feel emotions in general, really.”

Zephyrus opened his mouth to riposte, when a new voice drew his attention. A voice which chimed distinctly. Zephyrus was pleasantly surprised to find it was a fairy: small and agile. Radiant, and wise.
He had a great respect for them, size aside. He had heard many a legend of fairies guiding children through the woods, and heroes towards their conquest.
Archer, however, had great respect only in the monetary sense. He knew a fairy sold well in the darker recesses of Castle Town.
As she spoke, he cursed himself silently. Not a net, not a jar. Not even a water skin.

"Today of all days, I leave my water bottle at home…”

"I am here to tell you that Ganondorf is coming." gαηση∂σяƒ ιѕ ¢σмιηg... _{gαηση∂σяƒ ιѕ ¢σмιηg...}
"Mmmwhat now?”
"--but the Hero of Time... is not." нєяσ σƒ тιмє ιѕ ησт... _{нєяσ σƒ тιмє ιѕ ησт...}

"Buh-yyyye,” Archer turned on his heel, and walked briskly past Zephyrus, before being caught by the sleeve of his jacket.
"Wh- I- c’mon Zeph, this isn’t spooky enough yet?”

"I’m not going to lie to you. This will be a dangerous undertaking and I cannot promise your survival. The choice is, as always, yours.”

"You hear that? Optional! Let’s go get some grub and some shuteye.”
“I can’t. My duty is to the royal family and their Kingdom.”
"You can’t expect me…”
“No. Just as I can’t ask the river to run uphill. You are welcomed to whatever path you should feel best suits you.”
"But?”

Zephyrus tilted his head forwards, indicating to Griz as they stepped forwards to swear themselves loyal to the cause.
"Oh, that is dirty.”
Zephyrus released Archer’s sleeve, and folded his arms. Archer looked longingly towards the gates, and Kakariko village, before slumping his shoulders.
"Fine. But I’m your favourite brother, right?”
“You’re my only brother… but still no.”
The two smiled wryly at one another, before Zephyrus stepped forwards, and bowed humbly to Lethe’s tiny figure.
“There is no death better befitting a Sheikah, than in the line of duty.”
"I’d just like to make it clear now that I intend on living forever.”

Ignoring the others that had gathered (Easy enough to do really), Magus honestly did consider just walking away then and there and letting this world die because he honestly didn't really care if it did or not. However, a stray thought dashed across his mind which caught his interest...

Looking at the fairy, when Magus spoke he seemed more... curious than anything else. "Your 'Goddess' knows full well that I don't give a damn about this light forsaken world or the people in it and that I would be more then happy to watch it burn even if it means my own death out of petty spite... She knows this, but she took the time and effort to invite me to this little gathering anyway. That would suggest that she has something to offer me to make me reconsider my position."

"So tell me Sparkles... what is your boss offering in exchange for saving her world?"

@Baklava

There was dark hat robe. Didn't seem to engage much, other than fighting with other person and talking with small person ghost.

The ghost talked about things that Lange didn't really understand. ~How does a pyramid scheme?~

Hidden fairy didn't do much at first.

Fisher lady entered and yawned.

Loud robe man entered and yelled.

"Yeah, it's real surprising when a family is named after their most obvious hereditary trait." Veitaru apparently heard Archer, and responded right back, but Jaege seemed not to notice or mind.

Talky ninja with friend kinda-talky ninja talked with silent ninja and loud yelly robe man.

Fairy then revealed all the things. Silent robe man volunteered.

Dark hat robe found this funny, and apparently had a beef with the goddesses.

"Well, this sounds like fun! I'm in. It's not every day one gets to save the world. Maybe they make heroic painting of me!" Jaege stepped forward with a similar lack of hesitation to Griz.

Veitaru was a bit more reluctant, but stepped forward, staying close in Jaege's shadow, not liking the venue much of any. But her mouth made up for her shaking knees. "Honestly, I'd say this is actually a bit of a step up from normal Goddess plans. I mean, usually it's just: 'In time a great hero will come forth to save Hyrule' 'But how will we know who this hero is?' 'A test perhaps?' 'Yes! A contest!' 'A challenge!' 'Ah, but what challenge?' 'Yes...' 'Hmmm...' 'What indeed...' 'BOXES.' 'Boxes?' 'Yes! Little Boxes!' 'Pushing little Boxes!' 'Boxes for the Chosen One!'"

"This way, when half of us conk over from pointy stab wounds and bolts of eldritch eeeevil magic, there'll still be plenty of warm and in some cases cold bodies to scrabble to pick up the Master Sword and rush onward again. You guys first."

When the poe bopped her on the back of the head Jillian laughed again, the chuckles coming to her easily.

"There. I wouldn't want to tarnish my kind's image, now would I?"

The skullkid grinned beneath her mask, this poe by far was the chattiest one she had ever met. Actually maintaining a sense of humour as well! She wondered briefly just how much trouble they could get into using their invisibility to it’s full potential. Chuckling hehe’s as she listened to the new voice of a fairy, Lethe.

"There have been rumours circulating these past few months-- rumours that the King of Darkness will soon return to the land of Hyrule and that he will seek revenge for his imprisonment. Suffering will flood the land with pain and sorrow. Talk of the Hero of Time has also been stirring. They say he is on his way to vanquish the Evil King once he breaks free."

Jillian all but rolled her eyes, fairies were all the same. Listen to me, do what I say, stop trying to take our ocarinas! Lethe didn’t seem very different, but she came with her fair share of attitude.

"I am here to tell you that Ganondorf is coming." gαηση∂σяƒ ιѕ ¢σмιηg... _{gαηση∂σяƒ ιѕ ¢σмιηg...}

Jillian was uncharacteristically still as she listened to Lethe speak, hearing the same words echo through her ears by the very same voice that guided her here.

"--but the Hero of Time... is not." нєяσ σƒ тιмє ιѕ ησт... _{нєяσ σƒ тιмє ιѕ ησт...}

"The fall of Hyrule is nigh and we few have been chosen to stand in the Hero’s place. Without us, all life will cease. Whether or not you think yourself qualified is irrelevant. The Goddess has chosen each of you for whatever reason and your decision to take on this task will be crucial in determining the fate of us all. You have been chosen by the Goddess Farore to save Hyrule, just as I have been chosen to guide you on this vital quest. Destiny has brought us all to this graveyard at this moment in time. Everyone here was meant to be here. It is part of Her great design. History is being written as we speak.

The skullkid sat in a few moments of silence staring at the floating light of the fairy. She lifted her mask taking a stand on the tombstone, pointing indignantly at Lethe ignoring the roiling anxiety in her stomach returning. “That is the most made up thing I have ever heard!” She stomped her foot glaring at the purple fairy. "I know for a fact that ain’t true. The Sacred Realm is in the woods. If Ganondorf was actually coming back, I’d be the first to know.” She stuck her thumb on her chest.

Fixing her hat with a turned up lip, “Just to prove you wrong, I’m gonna go on this stupid journey and show your stupid face just how wrong it is. I’ll even prove the Goddesses wrong. ‘Cause…” Jillian was starting to lose steam, her fear mixed generously with her anger. Taking a deep breath she puffed up her chest, “’Cause I’m right! The forest is fine!”

The others were wrapped up in their own decision making having heard the fairy’s announcement. Jillian gripped her lantern then fixed her mask on her face again, fidgeting. While the stumbling and clearly intoxicated man grappled with the Hylian lady behind them, shouting about catching the fairy in a bottle, which admittedly was fun to do… It did little to distract her from her growing fear. Even the shadow man snapping at Lethe seemed to be the most emotion that stirred out of the group. Jillian eyed the other skullkid looking for a similar reaction, something (anything) to validate and put her worries to rest.

It was going to fine, maybe with enough warning and maybe they could just stop Ganondorf from coming back period. Spare the forest of the terrible demon king’s arrival.

"Sparkles?" Lethe mouthed as the ignorant creature continued to press her. Even more confounding than her curious new nickname was his question. Was this creature really asking what was in it for him?

"What does anyone get for saving the world?" Lethe blinked irritably, mostly because she wasn't sure how to to respond, "Fame, fortune, experience, wisdom, ...power?

"I mean, clearly NOT DYING isn't enough for you," she was starting to get angry, "If I have to sit here and explain all the reasons why you should save the land which you currently inhabit I honestly think--"

...you'd be better off leaving, she stopped herself and finished the sentence in her head. She was supposed to be convincing them to stay, but would entertaining the infuriating ignorance of this cloaked thing endanger her chances with the others?

She watched as one of the Shiekah, two Hylian men, and a child stepped forward. She half smiled-- it was nice to see some people who weren't so hell bent on dodging destiny. Of the two skull kids, she watched as one walked wordlessly towards the graveyard's exit. The other suddenly jumped atop a gravestone, defiantly announcing Lethe's claims to be false, but also confirming her decision to join the group regardless-- if only to prove Lethe was wrong. She had an idea of what to say then. If he didn't accept it, she wasn't going to waste anymore time trying to convince him to stay. They were on a tight schedule, after all.

"Look, Spooky, why don't you join us for a bit? If you find it isn't worth your time, you're welcome to leave. But don't forget, I'm just a fairy. I'm not a Goddess-- nor do I profess to be one. You can join us and possibly find some answers to those burning questions of yours, or leave... and not be any closer than you were yesterday to... whatever it is you seem to be after."







Just as Lethe finished speaking, the ground suddenly started to shake. The earthy wall behind Lethe slowly began to collapse into stairs, which led directly to the Shadow Temple's entrance. More fog crawled from the Temple's mouth and down the steps.

"Either way, it's time to choose," Lethe said with conviction, floating up above the middle portion of the stairs, "Step forward, state your name, and I'll brief you on the way."

As you step forward to the Temple's threshold, you encounter a curtain of darkness, through which you can see nothing. You curiously reach an arm through and an unnatural coldness overcomes your skin-- like sticking your hand under a freezing cold waterfall, but without the wetness or pressure of the water. Stepping through, you find yourself in a large room, at the head of which is a massive ornate stone door. Several torches surround a circular design on the floor.



Lethe waits to join you until all those who desire have entered.

If there ever was a fairy that was a prime candidate for alcoholism, it certainly was Lethe. The fairy, as small as she was, did not seem especially thrilled about being the shepherd for the assembled group, particularly Brown Cloak who seemed to be quite belligerent about the Goddesses apologizing to his people. This struck Lev as a particularly odd thing, considering in his experience absolutely no one had ever spoken to, or been acknowledged by the Goddesses, unless you were an individual who got back to life to fight the same King of All Things Really Truly and Spectacularly Evil, Including Puppies more times than that overly ambitious Postman ever delivered letters in his life. Well, until now, when the gathered people here all apparently were told to come meet in one of the creepier graveyards in all of Hyrule apparently were spoken to directly by Farore, according to Should be Drinking Lethe. Who knows? Maybe Spooky Brown Cloak would get his answer. Lev wasn’t counting on it.

So the volunteers who agreed to enter the temple formed up, looking less like a group of heroes and more like a menagerie of misguided tourists, and entered the mouth of the Shadow Temple. The mouth of a Hellish beast! Lev thought, scribbling down notes all the while.

At Lethe’s prompting to state their names, like some cultish initiation Oh Goddess, is that what this is?, Lev floated up to the threshold, turning to the group.

”Uh, hi. Name’s Lev… short for Levitation. Nice to meet you squishy flesh breathers.” He said, reaching tepidly into the black veil behind him. While he was more or less immune to the cold, the sensation was a very uncomfortable tingling, like everything unpleasant in the world was mixed into a slurry and came cascading down like a very ill advised fountain. ”Ecchhh!” he said, bracing himself as he covered his lantern and charged through the portal, feeling utterly disgusted with the whole ordeal. The outside world had vanished; what was in front of him was much less pleasant.

The Shadow Temple was somewhere that Lev, and indeed most Poes, made a point to avoid entering because there were certainly forces at work in its haunting corridors that were by their very essence far more evil than anything had the right to be. The entire place gave off the aura of a cadaver, the remnants of an ancient colossal dead beast that was repurposed for the sinister purpose of housing some Unknowable Evil. Of course, Unknowable Evil for Lev happened to be a being that bartered for Poe souls, but he was somewhat certain that’s not what he’d find here.

Somewhat? My, aren’t you confident. The Poe thought glumly, looking at the putrid looking stonework and the torches, lined up in a circular pattern, rather invitingly. He held up his lantern, and glanced back and forth between the lantern and the torches. It all seemed far too inviting.

”This is a trap, isn’t it? Like a flaming sack of cow dung on a porch?” He asked no one in particular.

A line that distinguished one sort of person from another had never been drawn so surely as it was when Lethe beckoned her uniform of unfortunates forwards, to take a leap of faith into a veil of yawning shadows.
Zephyrus spoke as he walked, unflinching: his people were of darkness, after all. Perhaps not in so literal a sense as Magus’, but there were still few others so very prepared to delve into the maw of secrecy, of uncertainty.

“I am Zephyrus Anders, sentinel to the citizens of the crown.”

He’d passed through on his final syllable, an effortless forwards fall into the innominate. He emerged with his head held high, and levelled stolid eyes, immediately, at the stone-slab door that headed this new room.
Sheikah eyes upon a Sheikah eye. He stood in the hall of his forefathers: but one which had been left to rot since time immemorial.
That sent chills up his spine far more tangible than those the curtain had offered.

Archer was less enthusiastic, and stood around for a good few seconds waiting for Zephyrus to reach out and drag him scrambling through the veil.
No such luck. He would have to fight his unwillingness himself. For his brother, for Hyrule.
For Griz.
A deep breathe. Hot air in the beds of his lungs. The pulsing heat of fire still reverberating through his palms.

"I’m Archer Anders, brother of… a magic… ah, screw it.”

He turned, and- with his head lowered- charged full-force into the stygian veil, almost hoping to fail.
He collided with his brother’s towering form, and sent himself sprawling as Zephyrus stumbled forwards, a new, sharp pain in his lower back.
“Archer.”
"Me!”
“Have you any respect?”

Archer took a few instants to climb back to his feet, and dust himself off. There was a dull, thudding pain in his forehead, now.
"I have a newfound respect for your lumbar.”
Zephyrus’ lips curled ever so slightly downwards, which Archer knew- in the case of his thoroughly inexpressive brother- was essentially a grimace.
"Flattering. And yet I, tragically, have learned nothing new about your thick skull. ”

Archer laughed it off, "Be like water!”, before the two lapsed into silence and began, finally, to drink in where it was they were.
To Zephyrus, this was a warped, caliginous mecca: a testament to his people’s history and knowledge, and also their folly. To be here now spoke to his kind’s endurance, and longevity… but there was a reason they had sealed this place away, so long ago.
A reason they lived a Cimmerian lifestyle, destroying and abandoning relics such as these. Because they contained the unknown, the unknowable. Things which even they could not rightly understand, steeped in blood and misery. The legends were many, and far-fetched: but to the Sheikah they were more than mere phantasms. More than Poes passing in the night.

Archer thought this place looked sort of spooky. He hoped to leave very, very soon and still be very much alive if at all possible.

For a long moment, Magus was silent. Milling over the words that Sparkles had said to him. Somewhat grudgingly, he had to concede that she had a fair point; There was much more to be gained from going on this little... expedition then there was wandering around alone. Right off the bat he would already be gifted with a decent number of meat shields! It was the little perks that helped make the arrangement more appealing after all.

The fact that step one of this little adventure would take them closer to the source of the magic that he was currently enhancing himself with was also a consideration. It was different from his own breed of magic, but similar enough that it was worth investigating on the chance that the source might have been a relic of his ancestors that had been sealed away during or after their banishment. As annoying as the little ball of light was and how dirty the idea of possibly aiding the Goddesses who banished his people might have made him feel, the possibility to recover a lost artifact of his people was simply to important to let slip.

Without the concern or dread that the others seemed to feel, Magus strolled forwards as if he was simply walking down a normal road in the village"Magus." Was all he said as a means of introduction as he avoided the hyrulian pile up in order to look at the stone door before them. As tempted as he was just to magically blast the thing open in order to get this show on the road now that he was committed to the idea, he begrudgingly acknowledged that it might have been a better idea to let Sparkles handle the door so he didn't break anything important.

@Baklava@Captain Jenno@Dervish

Jillian stood on her toes to see past into the oily well of darkness that lay as the entrance of the Shadow Temple, with no luck it was as dense as a tree trunk. She swallowed a large knot in her throat. Hiking her meagre belongings over her shoulders freeing up one of her hands, the other still clutching the unlit lantern.

The shadow guy, Magus if she heard his name correctly, was just hanging out by the entrance so she took a few steps back, unseen under her mask her tongue was sticking out. She took off at a run hopping off a nearby gravestone to gain enough height and leapfrogging over Magus's shoulders. Announcing her name as she went, "Jilliiiiannnnnn!" Breaking down into giggles shortly thereafter.

Passing through the portal of the temple and deftly landing next to Lev and the Sheikas Archer, Zephyrus, and Griz. She dusted herself off then gave Magus a thumbs up.

"I wanna point out here, that now that the goddess mumbo jumbo has been sorted out. Why exactly are we here, Lethe? Why do we gotta-" She waved her hand at the assortment of torches then generally in the surrounding area, spooky stone carving of eyes seemingly watching their every move. "Go through this? Can't we just y'know chop chop and head over to check out the woods, maybe I don't know stop Ganondorf from showing up in the first place? Save us some time here."

She held up her lantern to Lev and asked, "Mind lighting me up here, ghosty? I lost my flint and stone on the way here, some dumb moblin stole it."

"I am of the wondering, do we need to state our name again if we already said it before? Ah, nevermind, better safe than sorry, perhaps it was not heard among the disputes of the moment, I am Jaege of the Lange family." Jaege seemed relatively unaffected by the spooky chill of the place, standing tall and unwavering. It was simply not enough to overwhelm his composure. Though, he did notice it, even if his reaction was not the same as a normal man's. "Mmm.. Is very chilly. Should have brought a sweater."

Veitaru on the other hand hesitates, clicking her tongue once. On one hand, she wasn't afraid of anything. On the other hand, this was the thing she was afraid of. Grr... She didn't like being afraid of this one glaring weakspot. She had just talked big and didn't want to damage her "rep". And saving the world, and finding Ilam. And there were people. Yes, totally she could do this.

"Is it convenient to be clutching my leg? I could carry you." Jaege asked.

"I'M FINE." Veitaru hissed back. Glancing around from her "hiding" spot, she noticed all the unlit torches."So, did the Sheikah have a thing for torches? Seems a bit excessive, and messy." Yes, sass. This was how to distract herself from the hungering shadows. Endless sass.

The whole idea was so ludicrous. Terrifying, too. She couldn't really be expected to go along with it all, right? This slab of metal at her hip was just that. A slab of metal. She didn't actually know how to use it-- not like Derek had. Just as much as she felt darkness pushing her away, however, she felt an ominous pull. What did she have left to lose? A failing business? An empty fishing hole?

She remained still as the poe floated forward-- Lev.

I feel like I should go, Felicia scratched her shoulder and chewed her lip, But I don't think I should....

Next went a silent Shiekah man-- or she thought he was a man. He held a small piece of torn parchment out to Lethe, who floated slightly closer to see.

"Griz?" the fairy read. Felicia could mentally picture her raising an eyebrow. She was definitely an expressive little thing. Not that she'd known many fairies. "Alright... fine. Whatever."

Following him were two men-- one of them another Shiekah. The Anders brothers, she mentally noted. Surprisingly, the disagreeable cloaked figure-- Magus-- stepped up next. Though he was quickly superseded by "Jilliiiiannnnnn!" the skullkid. The large man and little girl she'd followed into the graveyard entered next-- Jaege and Veitaru.

If a child is going to help save Hyrule, you have little reason not to, she chastised herself, propelling her body forward. Just GO!

"Not so fast," a large blue fireball crashed and sizzled on the steps before her. Lethe floated down in front of Felicia's face-- close enough for her to see she had her little arms crossed against her purple petal dress.

"You were the one that said you wanted to bottle me," the fairy said. Her eyes narrowed accusingly.

"M- me? I- I didn't-- I mean, I would never--"

"You don't think the Goddess would choose just any fairy to lead a group of crazies like you to save everyone in Hyrule, do you?"

"Well, I--"

"Of COURSE not! If you think you can bottle me up just like that, you've got another thing coming. Now tell me your name and get inside."

"F-Felicia Reid," she stammered before scurrying up the steps. She had seen the dark curtain give everyone else pause and she was no exception. She hesitated before walking through the thick darkness that had swallowed up everyone else, tentatively placing a hand through.

Cold.

She quickly withdrew her hand and rubbed it fearfully. It wasn't just cold, it was unnatural.

"I said," Lethe chimed behind her, "Get inside~"

A light but purposeful shove from the impatient purple fairy guide sent Felicia staggering through the threshold. She tripped over her feet, bumping into something hanging from the ceiling and covered in rough fabric before landing on her rear. Looking up she realized it wasn't a something she'd bumped. Her eyes widened-- it was Lev, the Poe.

"Uh... sorry," she all but whispered, readjusting her hat.

Lev regarded the Skullkid that yet again approached him without any sign of hesitation or caution with amusement. Ghostly? My word. he thought, regarding the offered lantern not unlike a parent would regard a toddler's piece of "art"; humour the little gremlin so it doesn't feel completely disregarded. Jillian was something else, alright.

"Sure. I'll start you off with a free sample, then I'm going to charge you once I have you hooked," Lev replied, holding his own lantern aloft and willing a projection of its flames into the cradle of Jillian's lantern, which brilliantly illuminated within mere moments. The Poe retracted his lantern and gave berth to the Skullkid. "Now try not to burn the place dow-"

Lev was suddenly, and rudely, interrupted by something crashing into him from behind, forcing him down and out of the way. The thing about being a largely immaterial spirit meant that you weren't inclined to carry much mass, and he gave way easily to the collapsing Felicia, who had came through the ghastly portal that had swallowed them all. Lev's eyes narrowed; today was turning into a series of events that were far more intimate and touchy-feeling than he was strictly accustomed to and comfortable with. People tended not to bump into ghosts or ask them for favours; such people were usually regarded as mentally ill and resigned to the darkest dungeons one could imagine. Lev was still deciding if the mortals gathered qualified for such an exclusive accommodation.

He stared down at the Hylian woman, who looked utterly like a fish out of water, and felt rather surprised when she apologized to him. That was a new feeling; it usually didn't occur to, well anyone, that they were capable of inconveniencing a Poe.

"It's, ah... fine. I'd offer a hand to help you up, but I'm pretty sure that would go about as well if you tried to do the same for a Goron. No offense." Lev said with a facsimile of a shrug. "Not to say you're large or anything. You Hylians kind of carry the crushing weight of looming mortality with you, and I'm just not that strong. I can pretend, if that helps."

More blurs, more burbles, more hallucinations. Graham was slowly but surely becoming acutely aware of the bean's effects, even if he could do nothing to stave them off. He caught bits and pieces of Lethe's explanation amidst sounds his drug-addled hearing found far more worthy of his attention, such as the slight clinking of the metal parts on Lev's lantern, the dull thud of Jaege's lumbering footsteps on the ground, and the bickering of the two brothers over some such tomfoolery. It would appear that he had finally worked through the most vivid of the visual effects of the bean; no one's face saw fit to melt as he finally sized up the rest of the group, something that he was quite thankful for giving how visually unsettling some of his would-be companions turned out to be. Most of what remained was a general vibrance of color and blurry afterimages accompanying fast images, as if his mind was struggling to keep up with the many visual stimuli around him.

He took particular note of the other hooded figure who, despite being very suspicious himself, was even more suspicious of Lethe's warnings and even had the gall to ask what the Goddesses could offer him for this undertaking. Although Lethe treated this question as a ridiculous interjection, Graham felt the inquiry was more than justified given the circumstances. Inviting yourself into someone's head to deliver cryptic messages and then expecting them to embark on an epic quest for you without any promise of compensation up front sounded like a horribly unfair arrangement to the business-minded Subrosian, although he wouldn't dare speak up about it so directly in his current state. He would certainly make an effort to get to know this "Magus" fellow a little better, at least in the interest of staying chummy with the shadiest character there should the metaphorical shit hit the metaphorical fan. I mean, at least he looked like a Subrosian.

He immediately became disenchanted with the Poe and the skull child, whose respective strange visages did little to offset the sudden rush of total spookage Graham had encountered upon finally contextualizing the implications of hanging out in a graveyard and venturing further into the even spookier Shadow Temple. Subrosians were very superstitious about all things undead and occult, and had always been incredibly wary of evil spirits in particular. When a Subrosian died, it was customary to cremate their remains within an active volcano's crater to remove any possibility of reanimation further on down the line. This also lead to the widely circulated myth that eruptions were caused by restless spirits stirring within the volcano's base, a belief that Graham still held to this day. At the very least Graham made note of their potential value should this whole thing end up being a bust; in his line of work, he knew of several collectors who would pay top dollar for both Poe Souls and the petrified wooden heads of skull children.

Graham kept mostly to himself as he stumbled forward, absently following the others down the steps into the shadow temple's antechamber. The Subrosian had now entered into the second phase of the bean trip; a euphoric afterglow in which he felt as though everything was going to turn out okay. His glowing white eyes had softened to a delightful rose pink shade to signify his unexpected comfort with his surroundings. Even as the ghostly cold and dismal decor enveloped him he remained absolutely calm; had he been sober, he likely would have nope'd out of this whole affair hours ago, but the bean's calming influence pushed him forward with inscrutable aplomb. He shuffled up next to Magus as he looked over the room full of unlit torches.

"Magus, was it? I'm Graham. I am absolutely thrilled to make your acquaintance," he began, introducing himself in a hushed but enthusiastic half-exclamation so as not to attract too much attention in their direction. He extended his hand for a handshake, and although one might expect Graham's ghastly appearance to be accompanied by a similarly cold and lifeless handshake, Magus would find the Subrosian's hand to be freakishly warm as a result of his naturally high internal body temperature. "To be honest, big cat, I'm completely with you on this one. A businessman with his head on straight should never enter into a deal without knowing the terms up front," noted Graham, shaking his head in feigned, sarcastic disbelief.

"I'm mostly sticking around because of that Poe over there," he continued, leaning in close to whisper a bit more discretely. "I know plenty of collectors who pay upwards of a thousand rupees for 'distinguished' Poe Souls, and that guy seems to fit the bill. If you help me catch him, I'll give you half of the reward. But that's only because I'm such a nice guy, alright?" he offered. Did he actually plan on slaying the Poe? Probably not, he wouldn't risk the possibility of being haunted for eternity. But he might as well show this other spook that he was worth keeping around; it would stand to reason that one might wish to endear themselves to the kinds of people who are crazy enough to argue with the will of the Goddesses.

Day. Unknown. Month. Unknown. Year. Unknown. Chronometer status: Missing.

There was a monolith in the graveyard unlike the stone memorials. It stood upon a ledge opposite the entrance. A dull and dark figure made of hammered plates. It looked ancient older than all the stones around it. Leaves had piled up on the pauldrons and even a bluebird had decided to rest there. It wouldn’t be hard to overlook among all the tombs. Even then it was far from what it appeared. Beneath the shell lay the lost ingenuity of bygone peoples.

While it had gone undetected it has seen all who entered the graveyard. Actual Hylians, a goron, sheikah, and then stranger things. Ghastly beings and strange humans that it knew not of. The fairy was certainly peculiar. In his time fairies were quiet and kind yet this one was brash and loud. As a matter of fact most of them seemed highly uncouth and uncivilized. Back in his day all bowed before hylia and would die for her, and yet these lot were cowardly and greedy. The hero was a legend from even before his time. To deny his task was to cast off the gilded yolk of destiny. The machine whirred to life blue energy coursing through the sigils on its armor.

It would be impossible to not hear it. A low hum filled the air. Then there was thunder. The monolith fell forward dropping down into the main cemetery landing on its hands and knees. What could only be presumed to be its head snapped upward towards the fairy.

“Target: Acquired.” It bellowed in a cold inhuman voice.

The metal monster pushed itself to its feet and lumbered forwards. It towered over the graves and those gathered there. The giant stopped just before the few who had remained.

“Designation: Lanayru Desert Dash “N” “O” One, Noi. Sentinel class." The voice was entirely flat no emotion or soul behind it, but something clicked and the voice became ethereal and distant "Directive: ¢σмє тσ тнє gяανєуαя∂.¢σмє qυι¢кℓу.тιмє ιѕ σƒ тнє єѕѕєη¢є.....”

Noi stood there waiting for a response. While he had heard most of the fairy's claims they didn't all make perfect sense. Firstly Noi pondered who Ganondorf could be. It wasn't entirely relevant as anything the goddess' wished would be done, but it worried Noi that his database was incomplete on such an important matter. Second why were such monstrosities here. Up close Noi gained an even better view of the freaks that had gathered. If the goddess needed an army why were creatures the first called. If this battle was to be anything like the ancient war then there should be knights and rangers and wizards not grotesque children and spirits. Either way Noi would stand alone if needed. He was used to being alone.

¢σмє тσ тнє gяανєуαя∂.

¢σмє qυι¢кℓу.

тιмє ιѕ σƒ тнє єѕѕєη¢є....

Her hand halted in the middle of its track, before being retracted back to safety again. Shining amber eyes studied the back of the fat merchant moving away from the safety of her shadows and Navi sighed, before shaking her head. In truth the Gerudo had already recouped most of her traveling expenses an hour ago -- this had been simply for sport and practice, but the moment that voice entered the equation?

All bets were off and more important things were placed on the menu.

"Next time, my fat friend." Naviela whispered to herself, before turning her back and rounding a few corners here and there. The step of her stride changed, as did the stoop of her shoulders, people saw what they wished to see in her experience and a hunched, lazy walk was the first feature you ignored. Soon enough the Gerudo was back on the main street of the village, walking in the direction of the graveyard.

There were people all around. Shouts filled the streets of merchants peddling their trades, children playing their silly games and their mothers shouting them down for some peace and quiet. She passed a fish stall, only one tanned boy standing behind it. The lad tried to hide his look, but Navi knew what she saw.

No time, girl, no time. The Goddess of the Sand calls.

One wink was sent his way, before the journey continued.



If there was one thing you learned in the desert it was to follow your instincts without fail.

Just a few moments ago her instincts had told her to watch and observe, then wait, before actually approaching the group gathered together by the graveyard. It was all wrong. Why would the Goddess of the Sand call for all these... individuals? The Skull Kids, a Poe, Hylians and... Sheikah.

From the safety of the shadows she hissed to herself.

But as one by one they stepped up and bound themselves to the quest ahead -- The King of Darkness was returning. Her liege... was he not? Navi found herself walking, her stride taking herself out of the shadows and into the gloomy light of the lanterns. The scarf came undone and was pushed down.

There were soft ticks announcing her presence as the spear was used as a walking stick.

"Naviela of the Gerudo Tribe." She proclaimed simply as she passed the strange Graham and his Twili consort, and stepped before Lethe herself.

At least a woman leads. I suspect that's the most I can expect right now.

"It's, ah... fine. I'd offer a hand to help you up, but I'm pretty sure that would go about as well if you tried to do the same for a Goron. No offense." Lev said with a facsimile of a shrug. "Not to say you're large or anything. You Hylians kind of carry the crushing weight of looming mortality with you, and I'm just not that strong. I can pretend, if that helps."

Her face went visibly white, instantly wondering what crossing a Poe might result in for her. Instead, however, he simply told her it was fine and prattled on about why he couldn't help her up. It was as if she'd bumped into... well... anyone on the street, really. Minus the inability to help her up, apparently. Something she found comforting-- in that he'd thought to help her up at all.

"N-no, that won't be necessary," her voice faltered as she got up. She mindlessly dusted off the back of her thighs and fell back into her age-old habit of trying to eliminate that pesky scratch on her shoulder. She took a deep breath and pursed her lips.

Oh, no. Her thoughts raced during the millisecond her lungs were full and her eyes lingered on the glowing eyes of the Poe before her. Entranced. No... not entranced... intrigued? Confused? Scared? How long had she been holding her breath?

Don't make things awkward. You've already crashed into him-- don't make it worse. Don't make him uncomfortable. Don't cause any trouble. Don't-

"I'm Felicia," she blurted, extending her hand. Somewhere inside the the cluttered recesses of her mind, a tea kettle screamed in disagreement.

"Lev, right?" she attempted a cheery smile, but just looked tired, "It's, uh, nice to meet you."

Lev regarded the offered hand with surprise before hesitantly reaching out and taking it. Her hand had five fingers, was warm, and just felt wrong. This was his first real time having physical contact with the living in such a way in as long as he could remember. He could only imagine what Felicia felt when she looked at him; the only expression he could make was with over exaggerated gestures and shifting eyes, her face was a fireworks display in comparison, only much easier to set off than the barrel back in Kakariko Village with that damn dog.

"Got it in one. And so cordial, it would warm my heart if I had one. Pardon my awkwardness; as you can imagine, conversations aren't something I come across on a daily basis. So, uh... what exactly made you decide to listen to voices in your head?" He asked, genuinely curious. He was undead, what did he have to lose by going into a spooky dungeon? Felicia on the other hand, didn't even look like she could figure out what side of a sword to grab onto.

Cold. Her hand slightly recoiled in Lev's grasp, but she didn't want to be rude. She'd never shaken hands with a Poe before. Cordial? A nervous smile flickered on her lips. He was surprised she was being cordial?

" Well...," Felicia found herself not wanting to answer Lev's question. But, of course, she did anyway, "I guess I just... don't have a whole lot holding me back? Let's just say that." Her face became difficult to read as she averted her eyes, pensively feeling her flask through her pocket. A drink sounded pretty good right about now, but there were too many people... to much to focus on... or maybe just enough.

Lev regarded Felicia for a moment before glancing at the other gathered figures and returning his attention to her. "Here's a cheerful thought. What if everyone here is a loser? Like, literally disposable. At least you wouldn't be alone! You gotta be better than, I don't know. That Skullkid?" he offered, feeling pleased at his ability to reassure in the face of adversity. In truth, the whole Temple gave him the creeps, and he was all too eager to distract himself from the crushing reality he was thrust in.

Felicia offered a half-hearted smile out of politeness, but she found Lev's words anything but cheery. If anyone here was a disposable loser, it was probably her. She chuckled out loud, readjusting her hat. "Yeah," she nodded, "Well, I don't know about that."

"Cheer up, dear Felicia. I'm here, I'm going to make you all famous." Lev said confidently, looking at Lethe, who finally deligated to join them along with some absolutely baffling contraption of metal and another Gerudo, only this one was old enough to drink. "Y'know, I've lived for a long time, and I have never been as confused and off put as I am right now."

With everyone being accounted for, Lethe floating into the room. As she emerged from the black curtain-like entrance, her glow visibly darkened-- though it was only for a moment.

"Alright," Lethe clapped her hands together as she approached the center of the room. "Now that everybody knows everybody, let's get going."

The purple fairy hung in the air for a moment, as if expecting everyone to do something.

"What are you all staring at? Stand back!" Lethe commanded impatiently. Right, she forgot to explain how this all worked. Oh well. They'd figure it out. She extended her limbs and began her spell.

"DIN'S--"

Blue flames. in the form of a hollow orb, surrounded her tiny body. It pulsated and flickered, growing slightly bigger and bigger.

"FLAME!"

The ball of flame expanded at a steady pace, engulfing all the torches in the room and thus forcing anyone who didn't want to get fried up against the walls. As soon as the sphere had ignited every torch, it dissipated. The entire Temple shook so vigorously it knocked anyone without something to hold them steady onto the cold hard ground.

Lethe exhaled, opening her eyes to see many of her newfound heroes lying down on the job.

"Really, guys?" she flew to the door, hovering there for a moment, "Come on." Almost as if on cue, the door, instead of sliding open, crumbled to the ground in a heap of stone chunks.

A long, dark corridor stretched before them, illuminated only by the Lethe's purple glow and the lanterns of Lev and Jillian.

"All of you should know your basic history, but just in case anyone's been living under a rock, I'll explain," the fairy's voice echoed against the walls as an unnatural chill wafted through the air-- washing over everyone in a continuous stream and feeling quite similar to the temple's entrance (though to a lesser extent). And so Lethe began her story...

Long ago, an evil man by the name of Ganondorf stole the power of the Triforce and spread darkness throughout the land. Hyrule crumbled beneath his rule and the blood of her denizens soaked the earth while their cries echoed across the fields and forests.

A young boy dressed in green was chosen to embark on a quest to save the land. Navi, a fairy chosen by the Goddesses Three, served as his guide so he could fulfill his destiny. With the held of the beloved Princess Zelda, the boy defeated the evil that was Ganondorf and sealed him with the Blade of Evil's Bane.

The boy became known as the Hero of Time and we now all revere him as the one who saved Hyrule from certain doom.

Finished with her tale, Lethe went on to address them, "As I have already explained, Ganondorf is coming. He will break free from the his imprisonment at any moment and there is something within this temple that we must retrieve in order to defeat him."

The group had now entered a spacious room with three passageways before them-- each so long they became swallowed by darkness. She stopped and twisted the the small crescent-shaped charm on her belt and a flash of purple smoke erupted from the ground around her, revealing a petite young woman, barely an inch above five feet, with a purple tea-cup dress, long purple hair, pixie-like facial features and almond-shaped eyes of amethyst.

"The object we're looking for is a special keystone," she continued as if nothing had changed, "I'm assuming everyone here has an idea of what that is? We'll be needing to split into three different groups in order to find it."

Jaege didn't fall over. He was a skilled wrestler with an adept sense of balance, his legs automatically bending and weathering much of the shock. At the peak of it's intensity, he went into a near-kneel to get a third limb on the ground to make certain he'd stay upright. Then, afterward, he simply straightened up as though nothing had happened.

Veitaru, on the other hand, had a Jaege to hold onto.

Jaege responded to Lethe, "Why would you make key out of stone?" He paused for a moment, "I kid, I kid, this is like stone at top of arch, yes? How is it special? Would be silly if we all got tricked by decoy and you had to send us in again."

Veitaru meanwhile was just staring from behind Jaege's legs at Naviela, thoroughly distracted from the task at hand. Poor Noi, giant robot is upstaged by little desert woman in the eyes of a child, what is the world coming to?

Jaege continued, "Also, any reason we should not retreat and prepare properly for this? Torches and lanterns for those who do not already have them? Weapons for those who left them at home?"

Noi looked over all of the strangers gathered there and added them to his databanks. Most of them seemed entirely useless for this task. He had only limited files remaining on sheikah. He recognized the crest and remembered their alliance to Hylia, but not much else. Perhaps their actions in this quest would fill in his gaps. Others were entirely missing. The living shadow and the ghastly child were extremely bizarre. He especially did not trust the shade after its comments about Hylia’s actions. The just goddess would only act if they had deserved it. If he was lucky this quest would gain him redemption. Noi lumbered over to the ghastly child and began to poke and prod it without another thought.

“Databank four. Observations. Being appears dead and desiccated, but functions. Further examination shows being does not crack like desiccated specimen. Will compare.”

It was now that the fairy joined them and moved to the center of the room. Despite a command to step back Noi stepped forward. He had questions for the fairy that were not to be delayed. Then the fireball exploded outward washing over him. Noi’s plating glowed orange for a moment before returning to normal. He didn’t even flinch. When the ground began to shake his programming kicked in. He reached up to support the ceiling from cave in. Three loud sirens echoed out of him, an evacuation call. When the shaking stopped Noi slowly went back into standard mode.

“False alarm. Days without error reset. Previous record: two.” Noi announced with the slightest hint of disappointment.

He followed the fairy when it headed into the passage. The story she spun was like a fire spreading in Noi’s memory.

(Flashback)

---

“There we are. Perfect.” A calm man’s voice said.

LD-No1’s sensor array came online. A hunk of metal bits and wires and crystals somehow connected to create something far greater than the sum of its parts. Before him was a man in ragged clothing somewhat akin to what a blacksmith would wear, but there were hints of long worn decorations on the clothing and apron.

“Do you know who I am?” The man asked.

“...” It remained silent.

“Just call me Dok. Do you know who you are?” The man continued.

“LD-No1.” It replied.

“That won’t do you need something better. Can’t have something so boring. You can come up with something better can’t you?” He tutted scratching his bearded chin.

The sensor array proceeded to scan the room for input. It found its blueprints hanging behind Dok and read them.

“Noi.” He responded.

“It’s not brilliant but that will do. Noi you have a glorious fate ahead of you. Just a few more adjustments.” Dok smiled and nodded.

Noi shut down again.

---

Glorious fate. The task ahead sounded familiar even if Noi didn’t know why. He stowed the new information and continued walking.

The large room only added to the issues facing Noi. Three tunnels and yet only a handful of worthy followers. Perhaps it would be best to organize the most efficient team, that way if the others failed one would be almost assured to come back. It would be slower, but safer. Noi again scanned the beings gathered and selected a few possible candidates. He started with the most capable. The metal giant moved towards the largest hylian and made a final up close observation.

“You possess multiple positive traits that would be the most useful for the task at hand. I request your assistance. Respond.”

@DearTrickster @The 42nd Gecko

Jillian took several steps back away from the torches she was messing around with when Lethe started glowing all firey and blue. She inevitably lost her footing and fell to her knees when the ground shook. When the light show dissipated she approached one of the many long tunnels holding up her lantern to the one of the far right. Through her mask she looked at the approaching extra large and extra tall robot. He loomed over the small skullkid. How did she miss seeing him in the graveyard? This thing was huge.

She puffed up her chest and jut her jaw at the big machine, “What’re you lookin’ at?” He then proceeded to poke her, each time the robot poked her she slid back a few inches in whatever direction he was poking. Sometimes an iron prod to her stomach or her shoulder bursting the puff of air she held in to make herself look bigger.

“Databank four. Observations. Being appears dead and desiccated, but functions. Further examination shows being does not crack like desiccated specimen. Will compare.”

Pushing her hands against the iron poker still being moved as if she didn't weigh a pound. She snarled, “I ain’t dead! I’m skullkid!” When the robot’s attention was pulled away by Lethe’s story and even her transformation held Jillian’s attention. She adjusted her shirt and hat with her free hand tuning out most of what the now regular sized fairy was saying.

"The object we're looking for is a special keystone," Lethe spoke again this time catching Jillian's attention, the Skullkid perked. "I'm assuming everyone here has an idea of what that is? We'll be needing to split into three different groups in order to find it."

“Ooh! Ohh!” Jillian waved her hand about standing in the entrance of the far right tunnel now. “I’m really good at finding lost stuff! People pay me all the time to find their junk.”

Her worries of the forest all but disappeared now entirely focused on the game. She’d leave all these losers in the dust!

“Whoever is on my team we’ll find the keystone first. I’ve got a lantern and I can guarantee we’ll win!” She proclaimed to the others, stomping her foot. “I’ll even get my puppets to help!”

She put her lantern down by her feet pulling up the book off her back, she had memorized the spell and could recite it in her sleep. In the wake of all the light shows and magic she wanted to show off a little bit. Her excitement had her nearly bouncing in the spot.

Reciting a string of hylian scripture her fingers wiggling about, not necessary but again she wanted to show ‘em. The dredges of magic from deep in her toes and to the top of her head tingled then a dark pool of purple spread out before her. Up through the portal the head of her puppet appeared, string shooting up to the ceiling of the cave. Two appeared out of the summoning circle clicking, the wooden puppets wore painted grins and eyes that blinked if you stared too long at them. They wore cloaks of leaves similar to Jillian, their long sharpened wooden fingers whittled by well practiced hands. They stood just a little over six feet above the Skullkid suspended by twine strings. Twitching occasionally, the odd click, the only real evidence of them being animated.

Jillian replaced the book on her back beneath the cloak of leaves. Lifting up the lantern again, she beckoned. “C’mon, who wants to win?”