Over the last few centuries the land has remained in peace. The land and its people prosper everywhere. Even the driest of deserts hold lushes amounts of spoils, and even the most frozen tundra holds sweets and goods waiting to be found. Though with every time of prosperity, one of poverty must follow, for you cannot know one without the other. A dark cloud covers the skies of Hyrule. It brings with it plagues and darkness. Hyrule’s land has become infertile without the shining rays of the sun. It has been two decades since the dark clouds came. Some blame Termina and its pollution of its own skies, but others can tell the clouds are different from the smoggy ones above Clock Town. Other blames the people, saying that they have been ungrateful of the Goddesses mercy upon the land. Most agree and have turned to prayer and worship of the Three Golden Deities. Sadly no matter how much one prays, their prayers are unanswered. Famine has struck Hyrule now, food prices are high and unbearable. Villages and towns form angry mobs. Thieves steal from the weak, families hoard what they can to try and stay alive. It is the perfect time for a wolf in sheep’s clothing shall come to the rescue….

He came in the night like a thief. With one swift foul swoop he covered all of Hyrule. This man was brother to some, but would become the father of many. H was Father Thallus, leader of the Order of the Templar’s. Churches were established in every town, spreading the new faith, the faith that there was only one true god, and he was simply known as God. They claim him to be above the three puny goddesses, and guided them to the land of Hyrule to help their brethren who were still blinded by the lies of the Goddesses. At any other time, the people of Hyrule would have called the Templar’s heretics and drove them out of Hyrule, but it has been so long since the Goddesses have showed any sign they still watch over the land or answered anyone’s prayer. The thoughts of the Templar’s has even penetrated those of Termina, The Templar’s have promoted their god to be one of acceptance of all people. wizard or inventor, Hyrulean, or Terminean, it does not matter. The Order of the Templar has spread across both lands like the flu, within a week all knew of the Templar’s and already thousands have joined the Order, and thousands attend the churches on every 7th day .

With their leader, Father Thallus, the Order of the Templar’s has dug its claws into the politics of both Hyrule and Termina. Neither the Royal Family of Hyrule or the Mayor of Termina can dare resist Father Thallus‘ advice without the chance of riots. But who would want to resist? With Father Thallus‘ help, Hyrule instead of declining into poverty is inclining back to its regular state. With his prayers the skies have all but cleared, the once infertile land has become fertile once more. Templar Knights protect the villages and farmers from thieves, they maintain order, and promote closer communities. Termina and Hyrule have never been on better terms, even the Gerudo welcome Father Thallus into their homes. No one can hate such a loving man, a man who spends his time working only to give his rupees away to the poor, a man who spends his spare time helping the illiterate children learn and still has the strength to fight off the creatures of the night. None dare oppose or want to oppose Father Thallus and the Order of the Templar’s and their benevolent god.

It has been several years now since the Templar’s first came to Hyrule and Termina. The temples once used to worship the Goddesses have now be torn down and replaced with temples built to worship God and his saints. Few statues remain of the Old Goddesses, mostly falling apart and covered in overgrowth. Those couple who worship the Goddesses must do so in secret out of fear of being punished by the Templar’s who have made the worship of other god’s illegal. They have been labeled heretics in their own land, and to survive they have formed their own cult of the Goddesses. With each passing day though, the Templar’s catch more of the Goddess Cultist and “clean” them of their sins. Many have fled to Termina, where the Templar’s influence is not as strong and religious tolerance has been established by the Mayor. Though not as much can be said for Hyrule, who’s Royal Family cannot make a decision without Father Thallus’ approval. The State of Hyrule has become a slave to the Templar’s out of their own will and soon will for eternity. Hyrule has been having some bad misfortune, famine has struck the crops this year, moblins attack trade caravans with more force, and crime is escalating. Plague has struck the youth of Hyrule killing 1/3 and the others in critical condition. Father Thallus blames the Goddess Cultists, directing the people’s anger at them. He says their use of black magic has poisoned the land and that God orders them to cleanse it in his name, and to eradicate the Cultists all together.

The Purges have begun; Templar’s have the freedom to arrest, execute, or come into anyone’s home they want without fair trial. Witches are burned before the public, most not even witches. The Templar’s threat to invade Termina in a crusade of cleansing if it does not give up its cultist and get rid of its religious tolerance policy. As well as to turn its back on its own deities and to have all of Termina convert to the Templar’s religion or face a purge. Father Thallus will have order, he will keep the land safe, he will do so and whatever else he wants as long as he is the puppeteer of Hyrule….

Hyrule has never faced such a threat as this one. It is a new form of evil never combated before, but there is a first for everything. This is no job for the Chosen One of the Goddesses to take on, this is one only the one who can see through Father Thallus’ sheep disguise. For the one who does not walk with the crowd, but against it. For the one who does not cower in the face of danger, but jumps feet first into it. You decide whether you are one of those heroes or if you are one of Father Thallus’ puppets.

THE LEGEND SO FAR: (Working to add more to this section)

Our unknown heroes have become the most wanted enemies of the Templar Order, because Father Thallus has uncovered the identities of the heroes to be in his visions of what is to come. The heroes have been saved from the clutches of Father Thallus’ hands by the ancient and forgotten Sage of Time Demoko. With Demoko’s help, our heroes know of their destiny written in the Book of Legends and Prophecies, to help Link the chosen hero of the Godessess’ to vanquish the greatest threat Hyrule and the world has ever seen, Thallus and the Templar Order. Link is not so sure of his abilities; he has much doubt in himself, and is very afraid of his dark powers he cannot control. Link is not like his predecessors, he is troubled, confused, doesn’t fit in. Demoko and the others have tried to reassure him that he is to be a great hero, but at the same time the Happy Mask Salesman seeps into Link’s mind, fuels his dark side powers and causes the young hero to be much frustration.

With Thallus growing more powerful by the day, Demoko tries to hold the group together as they made their way to the Forest Temple to save Saria one of the last remaining sages from Thallus’ forces who are not far behind. Demoko and the heroes pick up a few more additions to their group and before Demoko’s eyes the prophecy changes, it seems there are still more to become great heroes of Hyrule, and some who are meant to wither away from history. The group barely makes it to the Forest Temple and they are able to access its hidden chamber with Demoko’s help. The group arrives to see that Regol, Thallus’ Twili assassin and right hand man has already stolen her life source. Though when all hope seems lost a large hound like Deku creature comes onto the scene and absorbs Saria’s life source and some of Regol’s dark energy powers. The heroes are barely able to defeat the large and powerful beast with the help of Link’s dark powers which he was only able to control with the Mask Salesman’s help. They recover Saria’s life source as well as put the beasts’ spirit to rest who in return gifts Link with a rare an ancient Arcane Crystal. Demoko is badly hurt from the battle and is mechanical nightmare to look at, for the man is made of metal not flesh. Regol allows the heroes to escape through an unknown portal believing they fought honorably against the beast and he earned his respect this time around.
Demoko takes them to his personal dimension or domain which houses the doorways to the other split timelines of the Zelda Universe. Demoko allows them to rest in his sanctuary or his personal slice of paradise. Demoko talks to some members of the group personally to give them the answers they seek for Demoko has much knowledge. Nayrin the Sheik from a snowy mountain village learns of Demoko’s terrible fate that happened long ago and his curse to be a machine forever, and his betrayal by Thallus a brother and fellow sage of the first era of Hyrule. He talks to Kalama the draconic shifter next, an evolution of dragons to become more nimble and sleeker. Demoko reveals that his ancestors were the once great Guardian Dragons that Demoko had created himself with Thallus. Dragons were timeless, because of Demoko’s input, and they were strong in fire because of Thallus’ input as the Sage of Fire. When Demoko was cursed by the Goddesses’ for a crime Thallus had committed and exiled from his once proud pedestal as Grand Sage, and Thallus as well fell from his former glory as a master sage, the dragons purity faded away and they became fearsome creatures and terrors of the sky. The draconic shifters were the small amount of good that still existed and had slowly evolved its way into the Draconic Shifters. Demoko informs Kalama once their quest is done he must take Thallus’ place as master fire sage.

After this, Demoko uses his last bits of immortality to revive some of the fallen heroes who were slain in battle on the journey to the Forest Temple. The group next set off on an adventure to the Pirate Fortress in the Great Bay to find the Spirit Sage in hiding from the Templars. Along the way the Happy Mask Salesman bothers Link once again, and tells him that no matter what the heroes do that the end of the world is upon them. They will fail, Demoko will die, the world will be covered in fire and there will be a hell on earth. Though to humor Link, he gives him the ability to control his dark side powers a little more by giving him a black tattoo on his arm. Next the Mask Salesman harasses Demoko and turns him into a bumbling fool stricken with fear. He makes Demoko reveal to the group that an entire era in Hylian history is missing because it was erased from everyone’s mind by the Goddesses’. He reveals that there once was a great Link, the greatest to have ever lived, the most pure of all and the most courageous. He set out to destroy the source of evil the Tetraforce, created by the Goddesses’ evil brother Kaiden. Link was consumed with power when he acquired the Tetraforce and brought about destruction across the earth and Hyrule and he became known as the Fierce Deity. The current Link now sees that there is a chance for him to become evil and is afraid to use his dark powers. The Mask Salesman though is repelled when Nayrin plays a magical flute which fuels Demoko with power and brings him out of his bumbling state.

Now the heroes have reached the Pirate Fortress which is a well-fortified city inside of a city. The men are thrown into the pit or dungeon where all men go when they are captured and duel it out with Regol who was waiting for them. Link and the heroes are able to defeat Regol and his massive clone army, but even though Link dawns the Master Sword, it did not vanquish Regol and Demoko believes there is more to him than meets the eye. The women of the group have been placed under Fiona’s wing for training to become part of the Gerudo’s society of women superiority. Fiona is secretly a Templar agent herself who is among Thallus’ inner brotherhood of Templars with Regol. Now she works to gain the heroes trust so that she may strike down Demoko and steal his life force and kill Link ensuring Thallus’ plan to obtain the Tetraforce himself without any worries.

THE LEGEND SO FAR (again)

Our heroes have been released from the dungeon and have found the Spirit Sage Nabooru. While talking with Demoko in private, Nayrin has discovered that Nabooru is Link's birth mother and that Demoko is his genetic father. However their visit is cut short when the fortress is attacked by the mighty General Onyx, yet another of Thallus' members of the Inner Brotherhood. Demoko beings to conjure a spell that will transport them all to safety in the Gerudo Desert, a long way from the Great Bay. The heroes are tasked with stalling the Templar forces, but meet a Templar controlled dragon and are force to go head to head with it. After its weakness is discovered, Link's inner darkness rises up and is harnessed into a controlled state with the help of the Happy Mask Salesman. The dragon soon meets his end, but his spirit thanks them for releasing him from the Templar's grasp and rewards them with another crystal as well as a dragon scale shield. As the full force of the Templar army attacks, fortress succumbed to overwhelming odds, but thanks to the brave heroes everyone escaped safely through the portal. In the battle however Regol had been betrayed by Fiona and spent his last few seconds of life staring at his target before dying.

With everyone in the Gerudo Desert at the Rebellion's main headquarters, the last safe stronghold in Hyrule against the Templars, Demoko tells everyone that the spell took too much out of him and that he is dying. The group decides to travel to the Arbiter's Grounds to look for a place called the Trials, a Sheikah Legend said to hold a great power source, perhaps the only way to restore Demoko. After a three day journey on giant beetles the group arrives at the Grounds and find their way to the Trials, which turns out to be the Happy Mask Salesman's own realm. There he tries to split the heroes by revealing dark secrets and truths about them. Link finds out the truth about Demoko as well as other secrets he had been withholding from him. Demoko's life source runs out and he becomes as stiff as stone. Kalama is possessed by a Twili demon and attacks the heroes. Nayrin plays her flute and recalls Regol from the Death Realm unintentionally with its powers. Regol seperates the demon from Kalama and saves his life. The Mask Salesman is contempt with the heroes passing most of the Trials and allows them to enter through the portal to the power source.

The power source turns out to be not to be a power source, but Hylia herself. The heroes have travelled back in time to the Golden Age of Peace in Hyrule. Hylia explains to the group what is going on and how that the Happy Mask Salesman is not their enemy, but a friend who has been testing them along their journey. At this time Regol pledges his loyalty to Nayrin for restoring him to life, believing that he is to serve her for some reason as the calling of his god. Hylia restores Demoko to his former self and more, giving him back his full range of powers as well as his long lost armor gifted to him by the Goddesses. During this conversation Link finds himself talking to a human Demoko who tries to help him feel better about himself. Not knowing who Link is, Demoko allows him to change his destiny and placed it into a medallion which can be reset in three days time. Hylia talks in private with Nayrin asking her o look after Demoko for her and giving her the option along with Aadab to change their fate as servants to the Goddesses. She then sends the heroes back to the present, and they awake in the desert at some old ruins. At this time Demoko wakes up and forges the group new weapons with his new powers and they set off to leave the desert, as to where only Demoko knows.

Once the knights had finished setting up the explosives and Gaios checked them, he checked them again to be extra positive. When satisfied he looked to Gaios. "I am not fond of using explosives either my brother, I prefer an honorable death for my opponents and do my best to give them one or to show mercy to those that plead for it. However Father Thallus' orders to line the bridge with explosives. He us to capture the one Sage. The others fate however is for them to decide. Die by the blade, run like cowards, or beg for parley. Though however this goes down we must not let them cross this bridge, that is our number one priority if all else fails." Onyx said to Gaios and patted him on the shoulder. It was a bit hard for him because he stood at 10 feet tall and Gaios was well under three feet shorter than him. He couldn't help the fact he was a mammoth of a human, but it did add to his career as being a great goliath of a warrior.

---

After a long journey across the many dunes of the Gerudo Desert the group started to approach what looked like a long wall of rock that stuck up for as far as one could see in each direction as the sun rose up above it. The strange rock structure was a canyon that stuck up like a mountain range in truth. The Zora River ran through the canyon in the middle and the bridge they were moving towards was their ticket across it and back to Hyrule Field. Demoko slowly came to a stop on his beetle and the other bugs soon followed his lead. The bridge they was up ahead where the mountain of canyons had a small slit in it. However since they had come from an angle they could not see what awaited them on the bridge. Demoko turned to Nayrin and Aadab, "This is your time to shine my friends, go and use the gifts I have bestowed upon you and see what lies in waiting. I sense something is amidst and best we scout it our before running head first into something." He said to them as he dismounted his beetle. They would no longer need them now they had arrived at their destination.

Thankfully the heat of the desert was countered by their speed, creating a pleasant breeze even in this arid place. For Caelan it was awfully difficult to enjoy any bit of it seeing as he was on the back of an imposing beetle. For his own sanity then he closed his eyes for a good portion of the trip, seeing as the creature was really just leading itself with the rest of the pack. It took a fair while to be out of the Gerudo Desert, probably an hour or two easily by the time they'd crossed the threshold. Wait waited for them was hardly an oasis though, as the high stone walls could attest. From a barren desert to an eclipsing canyon, they had quite a ways to go until they were going to be back in pleasant territory. At the very least though they could be rid of the beetles, a fact that Caelan quickly embraced, scampering off of his mount and stepping off to the side from it. When it turned its head in his direction he smiled uneasily, taking a tentative step forward and reaching out a hand slowly. "Nice beetle... Nice big... Scary beetle." he mumbled, trying to touch it and be done with it. When it gave a sudden jolt at his touch he yelped and pulled his hand back, giving all of his "nopes" as he stepped away. Just as well, he really didn't want to be around it any longer anyways.

Caelan was more than ready to get a move on and continue their trip, eager to see what places and treasure might await them. There seemed to be a hitch in their group though as Demoko stopped them, apparently feeling something off about where they were. It would fall to Nayrin and Aadab then to scout on ahead, likely meaning the rest of them would wait here. Frowning a little the mage lifted his head up, gazing at the tops of the cliffs to either side of them. There could be concern about someone being above them he supposed, or possibly even further inside the canyon itself. Even if that was the case though wouldn't it make more sense to stick together as a whole and move on? He didn't wholly agree with sending two people off, but it was out of place of him to speak against it, as Demoko seemed to be the pseudo-leader of this group of theirs. Looking over at Link curiously he decided to check up on his new teammate, seeing as he was potentially the only healer here. "How are you holding up...?" he questioned, trying to come across casual, though he felt awkward. "Any better?"

Gaios's shoulder tensed a bit as General Onyx patted his shoulder, but he was just glad that the mammoth of a man didn't accidentally tear his arm off.It was certainly a possibility. "If it is the will of Father Thallus, I suppose it is not our place to question his judgement or his methods. Especially since this group has caused us so much trouble. Yes...I suppose it is for the best that they are dealt with in the most efficient way possible." He was relieved that General Onyx didn't like the idea of using explosives either, but it was true that neither of them could do anything about the order. This group was far too dangerous to pull any punches against. They had to be fought with full force if there was any hope to stop them. However, at the same time he wondered exactly what this group was planning. Were they trying to kill Father Thallus? It was a logical goal, but Thallus would be guarded by the greatest Templar Knights....unless a good portion of them died trying to defend a bridge in the desert.

While there was no way for them to have known they would be ambushed here, Gaios felt his blood chill. He couldn't help but swallow back some spit as fear of the upcoming fight grew inside his chest. He knew for a fact that there was at least one significantly powerful mage among them, if not more. The portal they created, as well as the mysterious bursts of arcane energy that killed many aerial knights, meant that there were likely more than a few, and some were skilled in Time and Space magic, perhaps one of the most deadly kinds, if only for the user's ability to manipulate reality at their will. And one of them was Sophos. Sophos...Sophos....what do I do...? Can I really kill you...?

After dismounting from her beetle and helping Link off, Nayrin stiffly stretched her limbs out before running her fingers through her hair. Grains of sand blew away with the wind as she shook her hair out, but the sun's hot rays were unrelenting on her skin and she found herself groaning.

Her moaning and whining was interrupted by a command from Demoko, instructing that both her and Aadab use their new gifts to scout the bridge out. It would be a decent place to set up an ambush, though she had to wonder, if there was anyone waiting for them, how long had they waited? The sun's heat was suffocating during the day, and the nights were frigid. It wasn't optimal weather for anyone to be poised in and ready in, so hopefully that would help them somewhat if there was anyone waiting for them.

With a soft nod and a quick farewell to Link and her companions, Nayrin draped the sheer cloak around her and began to make her way towards the bridge. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, at least until she peered towards the wooden bridge. That large man from the fortress was there, standing next to a much smaller man, on the far side of the bridge. It seemed that they were deep in conversation, and there were other grunt-like men staring at the bridge and towards her side of the bridge. It honestly was a little unnerving standing where they could possibly see her, especially since one of the soldiers seemed to be looking at her, but his unfocused eyes let her know that he didn't see her.

Nayrin quickly tucked herself back behind the safety of the rock wall, hands fisted on the insides of her cloak and heart pounding. She quickly relayed what she saw back to Aadab with a few mental images, and she hoped the elder Sheikah would get the message, or at least understand what she was trying to convey.

The trip to the bridge had left a lot of contemplation for Link to the largest degree that he could right now, his life having taken a pretty big turn for now and only Nayrin had any knowledge about it. If Demoko was expecting a battle out here or any sort of ambush, Link would be fresh out of luck when it came to fighting. He didn’t know how he would put up a fight if one happened, he couldn’t even lift his own sword and his only other one was in the void right now. It was a fairly worrying time for Link, he had so much on his mind yet so little at the same time. If he could hold out for a few more days and see how he managed completely on his own, then hopefully he would be able to prove to himself that he was still a warrior without his predetermined destiny and dark powers.

Reaching over to Nayrin as she kindly helped him off the monstrous beetle, he let out a sigh as he touched down on the ground before he slowly began to move to lean on the creature, getting a little bit of a fright when it moved as he touched it. He was still fairly on edge, it wasn’t a very good place to be when everyone still relied on you being half-way normal. Waving a little to Nayrin when she set off, he let out a sigh as worries began to build over whether she’d actually be okay or not. The hot sun didn’t bother him that much despite how weakened he had become, but rather his own messed up genes were giving him just that little bit of extra tolerance towards the burning sun.

Feeling just that little bit under the weather still, his eyes slowly moved to Caelan who was attempting to spark up a conversation with him while Nayrin was off doing her scouting business. While he was feeling a little confused over how to respond to the question, he knew that it only seemed fit for Caelan to ask him such things when he was by far the weakest out of the group now, “…Uhh, I-I guess I’m doing okay…I mean, that potion, it’s still making me feel okay”, he spoke, feeling a little doubtful for a moment over his own words, “I can stand on my own two feet, but…well, I still feel really heavy. Can’t help but feel scared too, like something bad is going to happen…”

Aadab had plenty of time to meditate during the trip, and the smooth motion of the shelbug helped her keep her concentration. When they arrived, she drew herself out of her meditative state and slid off the bug, not saying much as usual. When Demoko asked her to scout ahead with Nayrin, she merely nodded and pulled on the boots she just received. They easily fit over her existing footwear, which made things much easier for her. After testing them, and finding that no sand crunched beneath her feet, she nodded with satisfaction. While Nayrin focused on the road of the bridge, Aadab herself checked out underneath, since she had no hiding spots or invisibility. When she received the mental images from Nayrin, she sent a feeling of acknowledgement her way and responded with her own images, including some of what she saw. Her sharp eyes easily picked out the explosives within her field of vision, which worried her. Were the Templars really so desperate as to destroy a bridge just to stop them? That was good, because it meant their little group was posing a real threat. For now, she awaited Nayrin's response to what she found, and she found herself wishing she could send images directly to Demoko.

So the potion was doing it's magic, that was good. Unfortunately that medicine only went so far as to mend a tired body, there was nothing that could be done for Link's obvious tepid desire to be here. He looked rather out of it, and Caelan didn't think that was from the ride over here. "Well... Have you had plenty of water to drink? We were just in a desert, so part of your exhaustion could be dehydration?" With the little he knew of medicine the mage opted to assume the role of healer, however minute and temporary that post may be. At the very least he could help watch over the sloth that was Link until the more experienced members got them moving again. With a kind smile he grabbed the water skin off of his belt, popping the cork off the top and offering it over to the blonde boy. "Just in case you are dehydrated take little sips. And be sure not to drink too much, even if you still feel thirsty, or you might get sick." Of course water only did so much good, nutrition was needed just as much. Being in a near barren canyon made it difficult to find any sort of nourishment, and admittedly Caelan wasn't overly familiar with the terrain. A cursory glance around found nothing that might serve as food, only woody shrubs and a few animal carcasses, or skeletons rather. Not the most welcoming of images.

Caelan gave Link a funny look at the mention of something bad happening, only because he had felt it too. The water mage had chalked it up to exhaustion making his mind jumpy, and it still could be just that, though what were the chances of the others sharing that sensation? "Hey... There's no reason to be scared. Look at who we're with, there are some capable people here, am I right? Nothing's going to happen that we can't handle." Hopefully not, he was really taking a shot in the dark at everyone's capabilities. Scuffing his boot against the dusty ground he glanced further down the canyon, putting his hands on his hips and exhaling softly. "Wouldn't mind getting paid for my trouble though..." he added, mumbling mostly to himself. Whether this was a permanent gig was still up in the air, and if it wasn't he had to make some sort of profit during it for his own sake. A rather small part of him had already debated on borrowing a few items if he should leave, just enough to sell off and keep himself afloat. That bridge would be crossed when and if the time came though, no sense in plotting so far into the future now. Taking a glance back at Link he smiled, holding out one hand for the skin to take it back. "Feeling warm too? I can cool you down with some magic. Figure if I'm going to be here I might as well be of some use."

"There is nothing to fear my friends. While I should still conserve my energy as best I can, if we do find ourselves against a Templar ambush they will most likely be unprepared against my rejuvenated powers. I doubt even Thallus himself would be caught off guard. However all in all, I pray to the Goddesses that we can have a somewhat smooth trip from point A to point B." Demoko said as he scanned for Nayrin or Aadab to return. They had telepathic powers from their Sheikah heritage, and while he himself had telepathic powers, they didn't derive from any Sheikah heritage. The Sheikah were Hylia's creation and thus he had no connection to them. If either of the Sheikah did however get into trouble or danger he would at least be able to sense that much and for now that would be good enough. He had to trust in their abilities as well as let them put their skills to the test. All of them would be put to the test nonstop, they had to be ready for when they confronted Thallus.

As he stood there waiting patiently he heard the sounds of a roaring dodongo in the distance. Turning his head he saw a caravan was approaching from behind. It looked like a band of merchants to him. He sensed no hostility in them which was a relief, they didn't need any other problems for now. They were heading in their direction, very slowly of course, their carts pulled by the giant lizards which were brimming with silks and other treasures. "It seems we have company, they look like merchants from the kingdom of Holodrum, the kingdom west of the Gerudo Desert." Demoko commented as he examined them.

---

"Keep a close eye out for any signs of them Brother Gaios, there may not be any signs of them, but for someone such as myself who is a master of the winds. I can easily smell their scent carried by the dry winds of the desert. They approach fast, let us finish this quickly for Father Thallus, less he assign that wretch Sister Fiona to aide us. If you wish to lay your eyes upon one with no honor then look no further than her. She claims innocence in Brother Regol's death, but I saw her deliver the final blows myself. She is truly a wolf in sheep's clothing thy brother, if you pray for nothing else, pray that she stay at least as far as the East is from the West from thyself." General Onyx said grumbling his thoughts about Fiona. There was something dark about her that he did not like. He had been a good friend of Regol's as had Gaios, it made his blood boil at memory of Fiona shooting him several times in the back 'trying' to kill some kid he couldn't even remember now.

Sophos watched on as Demoko gave commands and the others followed them. At the moment he was examining his new wand and trying to conserve the newfound energy and relative peace of mind that Hylia had granted him. He was still worked up, of that there was no doubt, but it was at a controllable level. He could work with this. Caelan and Link were talking while Nayrin and Addab went out to scout. As he looked at Demoko, the elderly man was awe-inspired. Now he was truly rejuvenated. Restored to his rightful glory as the true Sage of Time. Smiling at his recently made friend, he spoke a few words. "Gaios...my...my wife's lastborn son is out there, fighting for our enemy. Will I recognize him? Or will one of us kill him before we realize it? Or...will he kill us?" Swallowing, he looked on at the expansive desert. "We'll see, I suppose..."

---

Gaois closed his eyes and lowered his head slightly when Onyx mentioned Brother Regol. "He was a good, pious man. I know not whether Fiona was instrumental in his death, as I was not in Termina at that time, but I do know this: there is something different about her. I feel that she has some...other goal...one different from our own, General. I would not care, but if your claim is true, and I've no reason to disbelieve it, then she is a dangerous woman. A dangerous woman indeed..."

The images Aadab sent over nearly sent Nayrin over the edge, and with a few quick breaths the girl righted herself. They were planning to destroy the bridge and everyone else along with it. Link's image floated in the back of the Sheikah's mind, and with another quick breath Nayrin sent a strong flare of urgency to Aadab before taking off back to the group. It'd been a while since she had to exert herself like this, and the shifting sands were nothing like the crunchy snow she'd grown up with, or the springy floors of the forests. She had to catch herself several times before she ripped the cloak off of her form and presented herself to her comrades. Her eyes were wild and she fought to catch her breath, and she instantly righted herself and nearly tore her blade out of it's sheathe once she heard a beast's roar.

"What in Hylia's name is that? No, I don't have time for that..." Nayrin coughed a bit before clearing her throat, and then looked to her group members again. "There are men waiting for us at the bridge, lots of them. The scary man from before, the one who could bend the wind, he is there with a younger man. I saw no sign of the devil woman, though. From what Aadab showed me, there are these things tied to the legs of the bridge... I think they plan to destroy it while we cross, or prevent us from crossing. I am unsure."

Nayrin took a moment to look over Link's form, and a sick knot of worry nestled itself in the pit of her stomach. What if she couldn't protect him? What if someone got him? What if he d-- . 'No, I won't let that happen. He is far too important to me.' She reassured herself, and the only comfort she could find was the dagger she was now palming nervously.

Link would probably want nothing more than to just have a sleep right now and forget that all of this had to happen, especially with Nayrin out there risking her life for a little bit of scouting. If they were out in the desert for a couple of days without having to fight, he wouldn’t be so nervous about what the amulet had done to him. If the whole process of becoming normal hadn’t made him feel so drained and empty, he might had somewhat enjoyed the feeling of being normal for once in his life minus the fact that he still looked like a Gerudo boy. Slowly raising his hand to his head, he ran his hand through his hair slowly before looking back up to Caelan at the offer of water, staring at him for a moment before shaking his head, “Uhh, no I-uhh…”

Before he could protest, the water skin was held out to him in a kind manner with the intention of him taking it, his eyes wandering up to Caelan. He probably should have some water, but he was just feeling guilty when he truly didn’t need it as much as everyone else did. Taking the water skin from Caelan, he nodded a little and took a few sips from it, feeling greedy just from taking it, “…Thanks, I-I’m fine now”, he spoke, holding it up to Caelan, “I’m just not used to the desert, that’s all…”

He was actually okay in the desert, it wasn’t as bad as it might had been for anyone that wasn’t from his ethnic background; speaking of ethnicity, he was certainly confused over what he really was. If Demoko was his father, how was it possible to make him when he was a construct at the time and not flesh like he saw in the past. The very thought of being a creation just to house a hero’s spirit made him a little depressed, but knowing his Gerudo inheritance could had been avoided by Demoko choosing someone else made him wonder what kind of life he might have had if that element had been removed from him instead. He probably wouldn’t be able to last very long in the desert for one, but he also wouldn’t have to put up with so much grief throughout his life for being different.

Frowning, he let out a sigh and lowered his head, his eyes looking around slowly before they wandered back to Caelan, staring at him for a moment before he looked away again, “I guess so, but still…I probably can’t fight so that’s one less fighter”, he sighed, frowning a little when he mentioned getting paid, “You should be happy that you get money for things like this. I had to work hard for my food…” He was definitely a little worried, but his worry was being directed to the future more than what they had to deal with just now. He knew Nayrin could handle it, but if they had to fight then he was probably either going to die or let everyone down. Gazing off in Nayrin’s direction, he soon looked back when Caelan spoke again, instead giving him an offer to cool off, “Uhhh, I-I’m fine, just…my gear is a little heavy, that’s all”.

While he didn’t fear his items being taken away from him too much, he didn’t particularly want to part with it when it was the only things that were going to keep him safe incase something did happen. Worrying a fair ton about what was happening, he gasped a little when Demoko spoke up, his eyes going to him quickly before he lowered his head again, raising his hands to his chest, “Oh, yeah sure, your fancy powers…” he mumbled, feeling a little bitter about it. Everything had gone to the opposite spectrum where he was practically useless while Demoko was able to stand up for himself and others. Scratching his ribs a little, he got a fright at the noise in the distance as he turned around to see what it was. The sight of the large beasts was a little curious, they were awfully far away from their home to be travelling through the desert. He wasn’t completely sure about them, but as he turned to Sophos as he talked about his son only to frown in response, lowering his head as he was reminded of his own adoptive father out all alone back in the village.

"Indeed you may recognize him for he will have the same face you have on now, confused, struggling, curious, and worried. I mean no offense by these words, but that you will find that he is just as unnerved as you are. However if we are lucky you will not have to fight him, or anyone else, because I wish for us to get by without a fight." Demoko said patting his friend on the back. He noticed that Link didn't want to take the water Caelan offered him, while his connection to Link had been severed for some reason he still had the ability to read facial and body language. "Do not be afraid to take water from Caelan Link, his water pouch has as much water in it as the ocean. It could flood this entire desert before running out." Demoko said in a joking manner, but he couldn't do it that well. His old powers may have been returned to him, but his emotions, his ability to feel joy, happiness, fun, and want he longed for most, love, were still unavailable to him.

Nayrin returned and revealed herself to the group by throwing off her cloak, indeed he had given her a fitting gift. Demoko listened to Nayrin's scouting report. Blowing up the bridge was a bit far he thought, but they were beginning to reach the end game, Thallus was now taking extra precautions incase they somehow did find a way to stop him. General Onyx was with them and from what she had said about a smaller man, he guessed it was Gaios, a man known as simply the Swordsman to many. Regol sprung up from Nayrin's shadow and stood next to her. He had formed an attachment to her ever since his return from the dead, as to how this transpired he did not know since he was not present during the Trials for the most part. However Regol kept referring to Nayrin as his guardian angel, which Demoko could care less about as long as Regol proved himself a member of the team, his assistance would no doubt come in handy. Regol though could not speak directly to them, he had to write down what he wanted to say or whisper in the tongue of shadows to Aadab and Nayrin.

Demoko looked to the merchants who were know upon them, "Greetings strangers! I am the leader of this merchant troupe we have travelled fair from the kingdom of Holodum to trade in the great land of Hyrule!" A gold robed figure said with large glowing white eyes. Demoko looked at the trading caravan and back at his group. He had hatched an idea.

"Well let me be the first to welcome you to the land of Hyrule stranger, and let me be one of your first customers. Though what I'm looking to buy is not merchandise, but transportation." Demoko said as he bowed before the individual in a polite manner as he welomced him. The figure raised an eyebrow or at least Demoko thought he did, he couldn't tell since his eyes were so large and glowing.

"I feel there is more to this than simple transportation stranger." The figure said.

"Well let's say my friends and I have run into some trouble and we're trying to fix it but some people are trying to prevent us from fixing..."

"If you can make the payment my troupe will be happy to provide any services..." Demoko pulled out a handful of gold rocks and watched as the figure's eyes grew twice in size. He look at the gold ore chunks and back at Demoko. "You are knowledgeable on Subrosian culture I see. I will be happy to help you in your dilemma stranger." the figure said reaching out and taking the gold ore chunks. "Climb in the far wagon cart, and let us continue not as strangers but friends!" The figure hopped back into the lead wagon. Demoko turned back to the group.

"Nayrin recall Aadab, let us climb aboard." Demoko said as he held his hand up and let glowing blue dust spring from his hand and fall upon him. His shape transformed into a small wrinkly old man with a walking stick, the same figure he had met Sophos, Link, and Regol in at the beginning of their quest. He took some silver rings from his pocket and held them out to the group. "Take one of these and put it on, they will slightly transform your appearance and body. Enough hopefully to fool the Templars."

As soon as Aadab laid eyes on the underside of that bridge, she immediately saw the explosives strapped to the supports. Her vision had, once again, not failed her, as it never did as far as she could remember. She sent the images, but stayed behind a moment longer to catch as many details as she could. Time must have flown, because she soon felt Nayrin calling for her return, at which point she swiftly returned. Having spent most of her life in deserts, Aadab was all too familiar with remaining unseen even in the openness of a desert. She returned unseen, and climbed into wagon. She took a ring and slipped it on, which caused her eyes to become a dull grey color, the Eye of Truth tattoo over one of her eyes to fade out of sight, and her clothing to appear wiped of all signs of being Sheikah in origin. Even that little was enough to hide her, to remove those telltale signs of being of Sheikah descent and removing the Eye of Truth from her clothing. Aadab slipped into a meditative state, and waited for either battle or safety.

Kalama, however, remained silent most of the time, doing his best to keep his hatred of Templars from making him do something stupid. As much as he wanted to charge in there and slaughter them all, he realized after hearing about the explosives that charging in would be exactly what they wanted. He dismissed the fiery wings his harness gave him, which he used to keep up with the others rather than being stuck on a Shelbug again, and slipped into the wagon. He could have shifted, but he took a ring anyway to try and do something easier. After slipping it on, an illusion of being one of the merchants slipped over him, a far more drastic change than Aadab's was. He wasn't so calm and collected as Aadab, though. He fidgeted excessively, his nerves raw from the anticipation of a possible battle.

It was a welcome sight to see Link having himself a few droughts of water. By traveling as much as he did the treasure hunter knew what over-saturation could do, he'd spend many nights hunched over a bush as testament to it. Caelan was spared having to say anything though as he was handed back the water skin, reflexively taking a peek inside of it to check the levels. Sure enough as Demoko had stated before the contents remained unchanged, an infinite supply of water. Was such a thing possible? If this was true then he was elated, there was so much he would be able to do with this item. Before his magic was largely limited by the water available to him in the immediate area. While pulling moisture from the air was always possible it was a bit more tricky, and often times such as in the desert it left the air feeling heavy and uncomfortably hot. This water skin though, it would enable him to use his spells whenever and wherever he pleased, a welcome change.

"Well yeah... I get money for my work, but that's because..." Caelan paused, choosing his wording carefully. "Because I get paid to do it."

That was a lie, and he regretted having to tell a false tale to Link. Nothing against the other boy, but somehow he didn't think coming out and saying he plundered ruins and tombs was going to sit very well. Especially not when he was trying to gain the boy's trust, as well as the rest of the group's. Thieves were not typically known to be the most welcome of sorts, often stabbing people in the back and taking their precious valuables with little remorse for their victim. In a way he fit into that threshold, though he stole from the long since dead, or undead in some cases. Point being that even if he was a cut above the rest in terms of morality he was still one of them, that was a fact the mage couldn't change. As part of him found himself wanting to make some sort of connections with this group, particularly those close to his age, he was afraid to jeopardize that. Traveling alone for so long really wore on you, and if this was a chance to change that, even for a bit, he'd take it.

"Don't worry about fighting, really. Everyone hits a low point now and again, it's nothing to be ashamed of." Caelan tried to offer his reassurances, giving Link a small pat on the back accompanied by a smile. "You had a tough time of things, we all get it. So just get your strength back and let us handle it from here, we don't mind. There's no reason to feel bad."

Breaking up their conversation then was Nayrin, with some rather big news of her own. According to her there was a mass of men waiting for them, and they were trying to eliminate the group no less? Caelan took a moment longer than most to register this, blinking in surprise and looking between those around him. He'd been told there were people after them, sure, but thus far there hadn't been anything to really drive it home. Now here he was, potentially going to be blown up on a bridge just for being with these people. Well, he felt like he definitely chose the right side in terms of morality, but now he was beginning to question if this little quest of theirs was worth it. What good was making riches if he was going to end up dying for it? When he raided places before, alone or with others, he'd never been beset on another and nearly killed by them. There had been some nasty guards, but they were relatively harmless and easily fooled. Explosives, a mass of armed men? That was a different story.

Before he could even voice his uncertainties a set of rings was presented to them, Demoko urging them each to take one. Considering that the only other option available to him was head back into the desert by himself he really didn't have much else of a choice but to go along with it. Reluctantly then he stepped forward, taking one of the rings and turning it over in his fingers carefully to examine it. It was an unremarkable piece, not any distinguishing marks or gems to make it look any different than a normal band. That was probably the intent though, especially if it did what Demoko claimed it to do. No use in having a disguise if it made you stick out like a sore thumb. Sighing in resignation Caelan shrugged his shoulders, lifting his left hand and sliding the ring over his finger carefully.

"Man... This is going to suck..." he grumbled, waiting for the change. "I'm not going to make any gold out of this..."

Sophos shook his head as Demoko spoke to him. "No offense is taken, none at all. I'm not proud enough to deny that I'm in a bad shape right now, my friend." However, the Sage's plan to get by without a fight made him curious. What did Demoko have up his sleeve now? When he remembered the amazing gifts he'd given everybody in the group, such as Caelan's infinite waterskin or his own perfect recipe book, the elderly mage couldn't help but put his trust in Demoko. Whatever they would have to face, Sophos was sure Demoko could handle it. Even...blowing the bridge up?! That...that would be a problem. A horde of Templars they might be able to fight through or get past, but...the Templars destroying the bridge? Now that was something that they had almost no defense against.

Turning to Demoko, Sophos listened attentively as he started to speak to the newly arrived merchants. So that was his game, eh? Hiding out among a group of travelers, under a simple disguise spell? That was a good plan. A good plan, indeed. Taking one of the rings, Sophos put it on, his appearance shifting to that of a man younger than he, but by no means youthful. His hair appeared to become darker, with flecks of white sprinkled within it. Climbing into the back of one of the wagons, "Now this is a plan, Demoko! We'll sneak right by, and they'll not have noticed it was us if all goes well! They'll be here another day while we make our way into Castle Town! Hahaaaa!"

Demoko watched everyone climb into the cart and sat next to Sophos. "You'll be surprised what you can create with the powers of Time and Space. These rings are paradox rings, they actually shift the wearer into what they would look like if one had a different parent, was born a different race, different time, etc. Think of them as 'what if' rings if you will." Demoko explained as the cart began to move forward as the merchant snapped the reigns and the large lizard, the sworn enemy of the Gorons reduced to pulling carts, moved forward. The caravan slowly approached the bridge at the gap in the canyon wall. To say the plan was full proof would be too ignorant, but it had a pretty high success rate.

"Halt by order of the Templars. State your name and business stranger." A Templar soldier said as he step up to the side of the lead cart. Demoko could hear the two conversing, the leader saying they were merchants from Holodrum here to sell their goods in Hyrule. The Soldier sounded convinced, but ordered a searching of all the carts as a standard precaution. Demoko remained calm and collected and just acted as an old weak man that he appeared the be. "Who are these fellows here?" The soldier asked as he flipped open the back flaps on the wagon to see the group of heroes in disguise.

"We are just pilgrims heading far east to Labyranna from Holodrum. We are merely catching a ride with these merchants who would take us as far as Hyrule." Demoko said in a raspy voice and smiled. The soldier eyed him and the others for a second before nodding.

"Sorry to inform you, but your stay in Hyrule may be prolonged, the pass to Labyranna has had a road block for some time. A rock slide fell on the pass and our miners have been working at fixing it for a few months now. Though on in the mean time let me be the first to welcome you to Hyrule sir. I am sure your stay won't be too overbearing." The soldier say in a friendly tone. It was surprising how friendly the Templars were when you weren't the number one enemy of the state.

"Well no worries, I am sure we will have a pleasant stay in Hyrule until we can progress forward with our journey. Thank you for the hospitality." Demoko replied returning the kind tone the soldier had given them. The soldier left and mumbled to the leader to continue on. Demoko was relieved that they had managed to slip by. The carts were rolling again and all seemed well. He peered out the front flap to see if they were across the bridge yet, they were halfway there, the bridge seemed so long, but perhaps that was just because he was worried something would go wrong.

"General Onyx, no sign of the Sage or his companions aboard the caravan sir." The soldier said as he reported in to Onyx and Gaios who were off to the side of the bridge watching the carts go by. Onyx watched with squinted eyes at each cart that went by. It was odd, he could have sworn he had smelled them coming, but now the winds coming from the desert carried no scent and there was no scent to be found among these carts as far as he could tell.

"What was in these carts anyway soldier." Onyx asked curious.

"Mostly trinkets and valuables from Holodrum sir, only one contained passengers."

"Only one soldier?" Onyx asked raising an eyebrow.

"Only one sir. The last cart. It had a couple young maidens, a few young men and a couple of older gents sir."

"Stop the cart one last time. Brother Gaios inspect the passenger cart one more time. If you find nothing give them my sincere apologizes and give them another warm welcome to our land. Find anything suspicious do the same and give me a signal so that I may know." Onyx said to Gaios. He trusted the young Templar, the swordsman had a keen eye from years of training to perfect the skill, Onyx would continue to watch the entrance for any other travelers coming their way.

Link was definitely feeling a little conflicted over this whole problem he had, but the support he was receiving was somewhat nice. He really found it hard to say if he had a problem and where the problem lay if it was something that was incredibly life-changing, but it was nice to feel no darkness in his heart for once. Giving Caelan and Demoko a glance each, he gave a little nod and sighed as he was reassured that his abilities wouldn’t be needed when there was none in the first place, “If I ever live long enough, maybe I should become an adventurer…” he mumbled, slowly scratching his chest in contemplation.

Soon enough, Nayrin arrived back and Link felt that little spark of happiness; that was until he saw Regol pop out of her shadow, that is. He really hated that guy, considering the man tried to kill him several times and now he was too close to Nayrin for his own good. Frowning a little, he looked away, his eyes slowly wandering to the merchants with waning interest. He didn’t care what happened now or what the plan was, he had his own concerns right now and none of them included hoping the future would turn out a lot better than this.

Waiting for Demoko to cease his talking to the troupe, he looked around slowly with some interest towards the possible ambush that they might have encountered and what could had possibly happened. It would have been reckless to fight on a bridge, so there must have been other plans instead of that. He was so close to his home in terms of distance compared to where he’d been not long ago, a frown appearing on his face at the thought of going back to his father. He was still really worried about him, but maybe it was for his own good that he wasn’t anywhere near him through fear that he’d be captured and tortured mercilessly.

Once Demoko turned his attention back to them, he stared at him before Demoko changed his shape again, this time into the form that he had used to trick Link in the first place. He was still a little sour about that, but at least that time he got some food to eat before his life was threatened and changed forever. Frowning, he looked to his hand as a ring was given to him, one that didn’t look very impressive except for being silver. He didn’t quite understand how it managed to possibly change his appearance, but with a rather doubtful look to Demoko he slowly slipped on the ring only to see his appearance change immediately.

Link’s appearance had taken on the form of a fair skinned healthy youngster with black hair and green eyes, his clothes well fitted and in the style of traditional traveller clothes. The first difference he noticed immediately was his skin colour; it no longer the dark tan it was before. Staring at his hands, he gasped a little when he quickly looked to the others, only to nervously climb on into the cart with all the others.

This had suddenly become nerve-wrecking. He didn’t know what could possibly happen next and was a little worried that he would blow the hiding game by acting too much like the cowardly runt he really was. He just had zero courage with everything inside the pendant, or rather at least the little sliver that was there before. Being stopped by a Templar didn’t help at all, his eyes going to Nayrin before he lowered them quickly, trying to act as normal as a kid like him could. He still felt incredibly odd about his appearance, but the more he thought about it the more he could get upset that he wasn’t born this way instead. Letting out a sigh one last time, he hiccupped when the cart began to move again and quickly snapped out of it, his hand reaching over to scratch his ribs in a nervous twitch.

Gaios was surprised when no heretics came across the bridge. It was...a trade caravan? How...strange. There was no way this wasn't related to their quest, and both he and General Onyx seemed to be convinced of that. His suspicions were confirmed when Onyx ordered him to inspect the caravan's last cart again. Onyx had smelled them on the wind. That meant that they were there. But now he couldn't smell them, and suddenly this trade caravan with only a few passengers appeared? Impossible. Reports had pegged Sophos Ailred as a powerful mage of Space and Time magic. It was certainly possible that some illusion was at work here. Onyx likely knew this, and knowing Gaios's...knowledge of Sophos, sent him to search for any signs of his magic at work.

So search he would. He calmly walked to the final cart, peering inside at it's inhabitants, looking each one over slowly.

---

Sophos was only more impressed when Demoko explained the rings to him in further detail. "That's amazing, Demoko...simply amazing!" As they crossed the bridge, Sophos was confident that this plan would work. He couldn't think of a better plan. The thought that Gaios...the son of his late wife...was among their pursuers hurt him, but he would have to give up on making peace with him. There was simply too much at stake to reveal himself, and thus the others, to make up with a man who had no actual relation to him. As the first soldier inspected the group, Sophos smiled warmly and bowed gently to him, silently praying for the Templars to just let them pass. Once the cart started to move again, he breathed a sigh of relief, only to gasp when they stopped once more, and none other than the figure he'd seen in the Mask Salesman's torments looked into the cart.

---

Gaios carefully looked over each man, woman and child in the cart, inspecting them for anything that could identify them as one of the heretics. He could see nothing on any of them, until he turned to the last man, who appeared to be middle-aged. His face was wrinkled, and his hair was dark, but had patches of small white bits, as if somebody had glued salt to his hair. When he met the man's eyes, his own widened in shock, then his brow furrowed and he sighed. Drawing his sword, he called to Onyx, resignation in his voice. "Sir...I think I've found something. I...I can't be sure."

---

No. No, this wasn't happening. Gaios was turning them in. He'd seen through the disguise somehow. What sort of power did he have to detect him, even through Demoko's paradox ring? It must have been something bestowed upon him by Father Thallus. That made the most sense. As Gaios called to Onyx, Sophos clambered forward, whispering to the Templar nervously. "Please, sir, your compatriot already checked on us...we're only a group of travelers looking to make our way through Hyrule to Labyranna."

---

That voice. What was it about that voice that seemed familiar to him? A scene flashed through his mind- a bar. It wasn't long before, in Castle Town, when this chase had started. It was him. One of the heretics who had escaped from a bar in Castle Town through a portal. He'd heard some of their voices when they escaped, but only one stayed with him. He'd found Sophos. Found him finally. Leaning his head in as Onyx approached, Gaios shook his head sadly. "I'm sorry, Sophos...but General Onyx is nearly here. Your fate...your fate is sealed...I just wanted to help the people, so why did you become my enemy?!"

---

Sophos reeled back in shock when Gaios identified him, then sighed as the Templar accused him. "Then our goal is the same. Your Father Thallus seeks to plunge the world into ruin! I don't know all the details, my mind is so far gone sometimes, but you cannot trust him! Please, your mother...your mother wouldn't want this. She wouldn't want us to fight and kill each other. She was never devout to the Goddesses, but she shared my faith in them. Gaios...please, give this up. You don't have to help us, but just get Onyx away from here."

---

Gaios stopped when Sophos brought up his mother. Right, she was his wife once...he could barely breathe. "I...he's already almost here....he...I can't. I can't do this." Turning to Onyx, Gaios's voice started to falter. "G-G-G-General...t-there's nobody...nobody of suspicion. I....I was wrong" Bowing deeply at the waist and falling to his knee, Gaios had to stop himself from crying in frustration. "The other soldier was right. These are simple travelers. We need not bother them any more." He could only hope the General would accept his betrayal. If not, this would be the fight of his life.

Demoko had overestimated how well his plan would work. He figured that the rings would have worked 100%. He had not foreseen the fact of Gaios being able to recognize his father through disguise. More was at work here than he had originally thought, or that his new body and its powers were still foreign to him. "Prepare yourselves it's too late! Nayrin and Aadab see if you can arm the explosives, we have reached the halfway point, that means we can blow a part of the bridge up and make it so we aren't sandwiched between two attacking forces. Caelan cover them while they activate the bombs, Kalama partner up with Link and protect him. Sophos..."

---

Onyx began coming over at the first signal from Gaios. He had found something it seemed. The other carts were rushing to get through which was of no concern to him. As he drew his giant sword and approached the wagon cart Gaios began saying there was no problem, becoming more or less a bumbling fool. Onyx was now hovering over the wagon since he was so tall. With one hand he rip the whole top of the cart off and threw it off the side of the bridge revealing the group. "Foul sorcerers! Release brother Gaios from your hideous grip!" Onyx shouted.

"Sophos..." Demoko looked up as Onyx ripped the top of the cart off. Demoko immediately transformed into his new original form and tried to grab his sword. "Let us go General Onyx, we mean you no harm!" He said standing up to face Onyx. The behommeth's eyes lit up as he saw Demoko. He was the Sage Thallus wanted, but he was different than before. That mattered not, he would capture the Sage.

"Surrender to me and your friends go free Heretic Priest! Fatther Thallus wants you, and... and..." Onyx stared at Link for a moment, his medallion lit up and sparkling dust that only Link could see flew around Onyx's head and disappeared. "And only you! All the others shall be free to go unless they retaliate at which point their fates could be far worse..."

"I would surely sacrifice any day for my compatriots, but to give myself to Thallus would mean death for them without a doubt!" Demoko jumped up and out of the cart to attack Demoko with his sword, but midjump a powerful hand grasped around his waist. Onyx had the speed of a whirlwind it seemed. "The rumors are true then..." Demoko said in shock a bit. Onyx turned and threw Demoko with great strength. He slammed hard into the bridge and slid dozens of feet, flipping over and over.

"I will take care of the Sage..." Onyx said to Gaios before walking off with thundering steps. Templar knights began charging forward from both sides of the bridge while the archers on the canyon cliffs pulled their bows back and loaded their crossbows. Demoko got up half dazed, when the world stopped spinning he watched as Onyx came barreling at him. He teleported to the side of his kick, only to still be elbowed in the face and sent flipping backwards a few yards away. "Your powers of teleporting are to slow compared to my attacks Heretic Priest!" Demoko shook his head and held his sword out in a taunting manner.

"Then let us fights as knights, and die by thy sword!" Demoko said to Onyx. Onyx smiled as he pointed his sword at Demoko. This was now turning out to be a bad idea for his sword was the size of Demoko if not bigger.

"I am glad to see that you have some honor Heretic!" Onyx replied.

---

The archers fired off a volley of arrows at the cart, as they were about to hit their marks Regol leapt for from the shadow of Calean and grabbed one of the arrows headed straight for his face. He jumped forward and grabbed another two about to hit Kalama and Link before finally landing in front of Gaios and taking one to the chest for him. Regol absorbed it into his body and shot it back out in the form of a black arrow and watched as one of the men on the ridge tumbled off and landed in the river down below. He turned toward Gaios, who would no doubt be surprised to him alive. It was a strange days for reunions, between father and son, and friend and not dead anymore friend.