#after the great plateau and all the ways he helps you I don't have it in me to hate him

[margindoodles2407]

In Defense of King Rhoam

okay so before I start this I just want to say, before you go dissing me in the comments just hear me out. I know that some people absolutely despise Rhoam, and I'm not trying to change their minds because I completely understand why. I just thought I'd offer my perspective on his character and why I don't hate him as much as other people do.

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I will defend King Rhoam to my dying breath.

Not his actions. Of course not. The way he treated Zelda was a way no parent should ever treat his or her teenage daughter. But even though we focus so much on Zelda's pain- as rightly we should- we tend to forget about her father's.

As far as we, the players, know, Zelda was an only child. Unless she was a miracle child conceived in old age, that means that Rhoam and his wife were married probably at most two years before she was born. Therefore, if she was six when her mother died, then Rhoam and the Queen had been married probably at most eight years. They were newlyweds. And, let us also not forget that the Calamity's return was prophesied very shortly after Zelda's birth.

Imagine being the head of a huge country, home to six major races and thousands of people. Imagine that your wife has just had a baby girl and that whole country celebrates. Imagine that, on that occasion that's supposed to be so joyous, an evil so old that everything about it but its name has been all but forgotten is said to return soon.

Imagine, then, that that wife whom you love throws herself and her sacred power into the work she must fulfill, because if she doesn't, those six races and all those thousands of people could die in a heartbeat.

Imagine that, one day, she suddenly dies.

Imagine that your six-year-old daughter doesn't even cry.

(We know why Zelda doesn't cry. We can't forget that Rhoam doesn't.)

Rhoam's in grief. He mourns his wife, and as everyone knows, when you're in grief you become blind to the pain of others because yours is so intense. But he also knows that his kingdom is still in danger, and that his wife must have passed her sacred power onto their daughter.

Zelda didn't cry. But she's six years old. She doesn't know how to tell him why. So he jumps to conclusions, and assumes that she's just mature- because she's SIX, and she doesn't know how to express her emotions- and so he sends her away to start her training.

Zelda tries, and she tries, and we KNOW that she tries; we know she tries her hardest, we know that she passes out in the freezing water of the Sacred Springs because she's trying so hard and nothing's happening. But we also need to remember that, because of this, she's away from home- where Rhoam is- all the time. Rhoam only gets to see her when she's at the Castle- which isn't often- and when she's there she wants to do the things she loves and not worry about her destiny. She's sixteen. She she still doesn't tell Rhoam how she's feeling, and since he can't see her trying her hardest, he once again jumps to conclusions and assumes that that's all she does when she's gone, too.

And Rhoam is running out of time. It's been ten years, and he doesn't know how seriously the princess takes her duties, so he keeps pushing her because he also has six races and thousands of people to look after.

He has to sacrifice being a father to be a king.

And we can see the whole picture, so we're quick to judge him. And to be clear, yes, the way he treats Zelda by jumping to conclusions isn't a model of parenting that any parent should ever follow. But, unlike us, Rhoam can't see the whole picture.

Not until it's too late.

Rhoam probably dies first when the Calamity hits, and then suddenly, as a ghost, he can see his daughter. He sees her flee the guardians with her knight, he sees her slip her hand from his, he sees her sob in wretched agony as she chokes out that the terrors around them are her fault because she couldn't access her cursed power. He realizes that she did take everything seriously, that she cared so much- that she probably cared more than he did.

He loves his daughter, he always has. But he realizes that he never showed it.

He realizes that he was a terrible father, and that is why he is stayed to the earth as a poe.

Ghosts are the souls of people with unfinished business. Rhoam's was that he was a bad father- and so, by extension, a bad king. So he haunts the plateau where his devoted Sheikah bodyguards buried him, and 100 years slip by like sand in an hourglass.

Link awakes from the Shrine of Resurrection, and Rhoam decides to atone for his past mistakes. He as a ghost can't save his daughter, but Link's alive. Link can. And so he becomes like a father to this boy he knows but who doesn't remember him, guiding him along his way, providing him with direction, food, and shelter, and he tries to fix all the mistakes he made in his life.

And when Link completes the shrines and meets him in the bell tower of the Temple of Time, Rhoam provides him with the Paraglider and the story of 100 years ago. He pleads with the boy to save his daughter, to be the man he never was.

When Link agrees, Rhoam can finally pass on.

He can't tell Zelda that he's sorry. Not yet, not until her time comes and she peacefully passes over into Hylia's realms of light. But he can send her someone, someone to care for her like he never did.

He can only pray that she forgives him.

[fledbeast578]

Lostbelt Servants Often Don't Work as Chaldea Servants

I've reached a conclusion on why I dislike servant x Ritsuka pairings so much, and ended up spending a few hours thinking about some other thoughts.

When it comes to the gacha game format, you don't have enough time to develop every character equally, and certainly not the way fgo goes about it (Oh boy another lb6 centered event? You really shouldn't have Nasu...). As a result, oftentimes servants only ever get interludes (and sometimes events, but even those are shaky) to develop their bond with Ritsuka, and this is even worse for lostbelt/singularity villains, because they have to shed an entire dynamic and replace it with a new one. Sometimes this can work fine, or even improve the character, such as with characters like Cu Alter, Hessian Lobo, Jeanne Alter, Jason, and even arguably Avicebron, but oftentimes they can sort of... flounder.

Cu and Jeanne Alter succeeded because fundamentally there was that initial gap that comes from an enemy, not only because they were a villain but because we simply haven't developed a bond yet. So they showed us it, they showed Cu Alter learning to trust and rely on us in his interludes, we saw Jeanne do the same across multiple events. They didn't just abandon their old identity they had to built a new one off the corpses strewn by their old one.

Characters like Anastasia... don't get that, they get a facsimile of a bond developed because they don't want to restart from the very beginning of the relationship pole or be obligated to use all of their lostbelt characteristics.

So rather than showing Ritsuka and Anastasia growing a close bond and her developing a crush on him, we get one dream sequence where Anastasia confided in him that she kind of hates the people who killed her parents. Then it's just... "oh my master is utterly adorable" from her and then "Why don't you kiss her, master?" from Medea

None of this was earned or developed, at best it was implied because other people say similar stuff about Ritsuka, but notably, none of those scenes include Anastasia. They're writing this interlude like it's an alternate timeline where Anastasia was a main servant who watched you grow and develop similar to Mash (Thanks to @300iqprower for making me realize this). There is no unique relationship, there's no event where they were forced together, we just have to assume that at some point Anatasia and Ritsuka hungout a bunch and she got a crush on him.

It feels more like a filled in template for a servant-master relationship than anything actually developing. Why does Anastasia like Ritsuka? Because he's nice, trustworthy, and strong. Great, the same applies to Mash, Ushiwakamaru, Melusine and so so many other servants. There is nothing to me that says she would love Ritsuka for any reason unique to Anastasia, in the same way I can look at her and Kadoc and see why they love each other in the crypter manga. There's no Ritsuka discussing how he can relate to having his opportunity to grow into an adult ruined, there's no Ritsuka having to fight by her side for an extended period of time, there's no Ritsuka helping her come to terms with her family's death, it's just... nothing. It's Anastasia having a crush on Ritsuka because it's Ritsuka.

And like... we have to see this this with so many servants. As much as I love Barghest and find Melusine interesting, to a massive degree they were made worse after lb6. The desire to protect Fae Britain and Aurora respectively was an intrinsic part of their character, and when none of those exist, there's just a big hole in their motivations and relationships. But rather than write elaborate depictions of what changes in their personality there is, Melusine decides that Ritsuka is their lover and Barghest does... cooking? And also wants to fuck Master sometimes.

Worse than remaining stagnant a lot of lostbelt characters actively plateau. Stuck in a hell where all their characterization is dependent on the unique setting of a lostbelt, but also being physically unable to do anything with that setting because then they have to deal with the baggage associated with it.

This is to the point where the only characters who become better or remain well written after their lostbelts are overwhelming the ones who completely sideset this issue. Yu Mei-Ren and Qin? Popped into throne of spirits. Percival, Habetrot, Aesclepius, and Gareth? Literally completely different characters. William Tell, and Odysseus? Lostbelt fuckery. So they develop a new character from scratch and are forced to deal with that.

But a lot of servants don't get that. We know Melusine's past and generic character traits, the game implies (doesn't show) how they grow to like Ritsuka, so we don't get to see any more of that develop. Rather we get to see whatever they decide they would fit best for the present, which typically is uninteresting and repeated.

[blueskittlesart]

i would love to hear how youd want to do a botw manga

YEAAAAAAHHHHH ok ok ok so. i would have the manga follow largely the same structure as the game, beginning with link waking up on the great plateau. he would go through the opening segment almost the same as the game, but with a little more emphasis on the physical toll that the shrine has taken on him (notably i'd frame the old man's baked apple as his realization that he's HUNGRY, that his body feels physically weak and untrained after 100 years of sleep.) i would also place a lot of emphasis on the eeriness of the plateau and the fact that link feels he SHOULD remember these locations but doesn't. the plateau segment would otherwise be very game-compliant, including the shrines, tower, temple of time, and the old man's cabin as spotlighted locations. the key difference here would be that instead of the gameplay mechanic where shrines give link something physical that makes the game easier for the player, they would instead be framed as training exercises which, while lacking material reward, would help him retrain his body and regain the strength he lost in the 100 years he was asleep.

after leaving the plateau the general structure of the game would be loosely followed, (impa > purah > divine beasts & memories > ganon) with a few key pieces of worldbuilding/side quests spotlighted along the way. the first major event after leaving the plateau for link would be his discovery of the dueling peaks stable, the first real indication of human society he's seen since waking up. this would be an important introduction to the society of hyrule post-calamity, and link would also get his first horse here, finding that he's strangely good with horses and perhaps getting a quick flash of a warm feeling, almost like an old friend :)

The memories would still be initially revealed to link via images within the sheikah slate, but unlike gameplay i wouldn't have link specifically seek out memories, instead i would have him stumble upon familiar locations while exploring, which i think is closer to the original intent of that feature. he would find each memory in order and they would play out very similarly if not exactly as they do in canon. the divine beasts and their quests would also play out largely like canon, with the exception of me retconning the transphobia out of the gerudo quest line. I also might like to spend a little more time on the legacies of each champion and how their losses are felt in their respective communities. they all have very strong characterization already and i would love to take the time to expand upon it a bit more!! the same goes for the NEW champions (sidon, teba, yunobo, and riju) i'd like to take some more time to expand upon their characters as well!

the sword-claim is the one thing that i don't fully know how to deal with. i think logically, it either has to come before all of the divine beasts, or after all of them. if i put it in before all of the beasts, it would require some gratuitous shrine training montages to convey how much work it takes link to get to the point where he's able to handle the master sword, which would break up the flow of the story and imo isn't very true to the gameplay which usually just has you explore shrines as you find them during your journey. the only other option, though, is to put it in AFTER the divine beasts, which may lessen the impact it has on the story if the only time he ever ends up using it is to defeat ganon. it sort of makes it into a deus ex machina instead of a pervasive element of the story in the way it is in the game. the way that i think i would deal with this is to have link hear about the master sword's legend from npcs as early as that first stable, and have him stumble into the lost woods BEFORE he has trained enough to be able to handle the sword. he finds it, learns what it is and that it's waiting for him, but he isn't able to claim it in his current state. this gives him a tangible goal to work towards for the rest of the story--a reason to continue entering shrines and growing stronger while he's doing divine beast quests. it also allows the master sword to remain present and active in the narrative without forcing link to get too strong too fast. THEN, when he's finished all the divine beasts, he can have a moment like, "i think i'm strong enough now. i'm prepared" and he can go BACK to the lost woods and successfully pull the sword and then go straight to ganon.

aside from the main quest line there are a few really good side quests i want to include as well, notably the kakariko yiga shrine quest and the hylian homeowner/tarrey town side quests. the former i just think is a very impactful storyline and nicely sets up the yiga as villains later on in the gerudo quest, and the latter is imo thematically important as a physical example of link rebuilding his life and watching hyrule continue to grow and heal despite the wreckage of the calamity. ideally this would be the last thing link does before facing the calamity; the wedding scene would end with link deciding the time has finally come for him to face ganon again, having found hope and community, knowing that no matter what happens hyrule will never be broken beyond repair.

the final battle would go similarly to canon, with callbacks to pieces of training link would have received earlier in the story--perfect parries, aerial archery, shield surfing, and all of the champion abilities would be highlighted during the battle, which would come to a triumphant end with ganon finally defeated and link and zelda reunited.

sooo yeah! largely canon-compliant but with certain aspects adjusted for readability. botw has such a strong narrative that it would actually be super easy to adapt imo but that might just be my opinion because i never think about anything else lol

[nightttoon]

Hello friend! I have a request if you’ll take me up on it!

How would things go if reader tells Daruk they were in love with him?

Please & thank you 💕

Hell yeah! Wanted something sweet but didn't know what to write, I guess it's time!

The green valley shines under the rays of the midday sun, the leaves of the trees rustle because of the light breeze, and the flowers dance, shining with bright colors. And it was the day that you and your dear Goron decided to meet at. Daruk rarely left Eldin, but it's summer, which you've been so happily talked about. The sun is shining in the sky, making him squint.

He was used to the heat and the bright sun, but Death Mountain had never been so full of colors. Although he genuinely liked some of them. They reminded him of people he knows. Although he still thought that a good lunch would be nicer...

It wasn't too far to your meeting place anymore, he was already approaching the forest near the Great Plateau. Daruk had no idea why you choose this particular place to meet. Beautiful views are also can be seen from the mountains of the Eldin region! Why climb the plateau? But the warrior also knew that the Hylians were uncomfortable so close to the volcano, so he agreed. And to be honest, Goron understood that it was a long way from your village to here, too, so he could only guess how important it was for you. Maybe something happened and you need help? Or did you find something on the plateau and want to show it to him? Well... He won't know until he gets there.

Having already climbed the Great Plateau, Daruk looked up at the cliff in the middle of the plateau. You were sitting there, the sunlight enveloping your figure, forcing Daruk to cover his eyes with his hand. You always seemed soft to him. Well... Compared to him, all Hylians seem small and soft, but that didn't make him think of them as weak. Both you and Link, and even Princess Zelda herself, have shown him that the people of Hyrule are not as weak as they seem at first glance. But now, looking at you in your moment of piece, when you are so calm, just looking at the blue sky, enveloped in sunlight, he wants to cherish you. Just like the Hylians cherish their gods, how the Gorons sing of their heroes.... But unfortunately, it's time to interrupt your trance....

Oh... Your goron has come. Understood you when a shadow fell on you from behind, blocking you from the scorching sun.

"Hello, gemstone" Daruk said, sitting down next to you and looking at the landscape. He can see his home from here, Eldin...

"Hello, Daruk..." You whisper, looking at the landscape in front of you...

"So what did you want to talk about? I was worried." Goron said, turning to you. Your eyes are shining like the most beautiful gems he's ever seen....

You nervously bit your lower lip. Will he understand...? How to answer? And what if you ruin everything...?

"It's a beautiful view, isn't it? And you can see the Death Mountain..." You squeezed words out of yourself, calming your shaking hands.

Daruk chuckles, "It's really beautiful. But I don't think you dragged me out here to look at the landscape."

Doubts have always been your enemy, but under his gentle gaze they seemed to melt away.

"I am... I wanted to confess.... I know we've been friends for a long time, and you're practically like family to me, but... I.. I love you..." You could tell, you were blushing like a boiled crab.

Daruk froze. Now he looks like those little animals you saw in the forest, as if his heart stopped in his chest for a split second.

"I'll understand if you don't feel that way about me... I don't want to force you to do anything..." You added, seeing the nervousness on his face.

The great Daruk is not afraid of monsters or people, his only fear is dogs, and his weakness is you. Or can this be considered his another strong side? After all, he never considered you weak. At your first meeting, you quite successfully rebuffed a couple of bokoblins...

Daruk has never been too experienced in a serious relationship.... Same with declarations of love. He has experience with women's needs, but it didn't last longer than a couple of weeks... But you. It's different with you.

He knew that he loved you, he knew that he was ready to fight the most big dog for you.... But he didn't come to this right away. Without the help of his friends and fellow warriors, he would not have realized how he felt. But he loves you. Now he is absolutely sure.

Anyway, when you turned away, he couldn't help himself. Daruk grabbed you by the waist, and a bear hug crashed on you.

Pressing his face into crook of your neck, the Goron warrior began to speak with a wide grin.

"You know... I'm not very experienced in such matters, such serious feelings are rare among Gorons... But it feels right with you. As if that's the way it should be. So I think I love you too!" Goron proudly announced, hugging you like a plush toy, his voice and warm breath sending goosebumps down your spine.

You're laughing. "More than Rock Roast?"

"More than the juiciest rocks in the whole Hyrule!"

Write me if I didn't get it right and you meant that reader was into him some time ago, and now not... I am sorry if I misunderstood. I am open for requests.

[bigfrozenfan-fanfics]

Chapter 73 - Surprises and a nomination

Links: Chapter overview, Character list, Map, Glossar Rating: M over all Publishing cycle: around every 2-3 weeks

Remarks: all my chapters contain carefully selected music tracks (try to use headphones). It’s your own decision if you want to use them or not while reading. The purpose is to musically support the respective mood of the plot. If you can please use a browser for reading (not the Tumblr app) due to the text formatting and music.

“Alena, are you awake yet?” asked one of the men in the lavvú camp, standing in front of one of the tents. For the noaidi, one of it had been dismantled from Kolgrimr's former camp and rebuilt right next to those of her twenty men especially for Alena. “We need to speak to you urgently,” he said somewhat impatiently.

          There was nothing to be heard inside, but the next moment the tent’s canvas was pushed aside and Alena stepped out into the fresh air of dusk.

          “I'm awake, I've been awake for a while actually, because I was meditating. What's up?”

          “We smell winter approaching and so do our reindeer. They are getting impatient and are ready to migrate to the winter camp with the other herds. We need to get back to our families, Alena. It's time.”

          The noaidi nodded. “Yes, you are right about it and I too feel it is high time. Many families who have a further way to go than you and I will surely already be on their way north. However, I'm afraid I must stay here in the Northuldra camp for another day and night, for there is something very important for me to do. Therefore, if you do not mind, I would like to ask you all to ride ahead. Dismantle the lavvús and get ready to leave. I will see you on the plateau in two days.”

          “Árnason is staying here too? We could take him with us.”

          “No, that's all right. I'd like his company on the way back and he can help me on the road. Tell his family that it will be a little late and everything will be all right. They don't need to worry.”

          “We will. Please take good care of each other and good luck.”

~~~

Elsa had left the kota early and was strolling leisurely through the camp, looking for Yelana. She felt very well this morning, although she had hardly been able to sleep last night after what had happened. It had also become quite chilly and she was looking forward to these temperatures. “I don't mind the cold … finally, it’s here again,” she muttered to herself and, just for fun, let a few big snowflakes form on her hand and float above it.

          I wonder where the nature spirits have gone, Ahtohallan is free again now; she thought and looked around to see if she could spot Bruni or Gale somewhere, but saw nothing that pointed to them. Nokk hadn't shown itself yet either and the earth giants preferred to stay among themselves anyway, along the river to the north. She shrugged her shoulders, perhaps she would summon them later today.

          There were hardly any Northuldra on the way yet, she really was an incorrigible early riser, as Anna sometimes joked. But then she did run into someone, just as she was turning around one of the huts. Suddenly Honeymaren was standing in front of her and they both just smiled at each other silently at first. Then, for a change, it was Elsa who took the initiative, taking Honeymaren completely by surprise. After a quick sideways glance to make sure no one was watching, she stepped forward and gave her a gentle kiss on her full lips.

          “Good morning, Maren,” she wished her softly with a smile and that made Honeymaren beam. She immediately fell around Elsa's neck and kissed her back, with passion. Elsa returned the embrace and even played with Honeymaren's tongue because she was doing the same to her. It was a situation she could never have imagined before last night. It felt great to taste Honeymaren's lips and tongue, to feel her body heat and to breathe in the scent she gave off so soon after getting up.

          Maren has made a different person out of me; Elsa thought with amazement and at the same time great satisfaction and they smiled happily at each other as they parted again.

          “Why are you out so early in the morning?” asked Honeymaren.

          “I could ask you the same thing. You probably couldn't sleep, could you? I, on the other hand, am just an early riser and wanted to see if Yelana was awake yet. I want to talk to her about what brought us here in the first place because of her.”

          “And that would be?”

          “I don't know, that's the thing. She acted very secretive and we supposedly really needed to see it before we could talk about it and decide.”

          “Strange … I can't even think what it could be.” Honeymaren mused strained. “Except …” Her eyes widened. “It can only be one thing really! Yes, I'm pretty sure of that now, but …”

          “But?”

          “It's a Northuldra secret that no outsider has ever been privy to. It was even whispered to me once by Ryder that Yelana specifically did not invite you to it then because of … because of the danger you posed to our people when Kolgrimr had not yet shown himself but the effects caused by him were already being felt. Everyone was pretty scared.”

          “Wait, it has something to do with Kolgrimr? What is it that Yelana has been keeping from us so far?”

          “No, nothing about Kolgrimr, it's about our Ting place.”

          “Your what?” Elsa was completely taken aback and stared at Honeymaren with big question marks in her eyes.

          But Honeymaren suddenly shut up and said, “It's probably better Yelana explains it to you. I'm not allowed to talk about it and I've actually already told you too much.”

          “I see …” Elsa looked at her sadly and put a hand on her shoulder. “I'm revealing something to you too, but it's something I'm not really supposed to talk about to you either.”

          “What?” Honeymaren looked at her uncomprehendingly.

          “Just this much … maybe you will make these kinds of decisions all by yourself in the future.”

          “Well, that … I guess that's it then. I've suspected it for a while now, ever since Yelana made those hints to me, but then said nothing more about it. At the time, my mind was also elsewhere.”

          Elsa nodded, no longer seeing any reason to keep it from her when she already suspected or thought she knew anyway, “You're right about that. Yelana feels she is too old to lead the Northuldra and wants to nominate you as her successor officially.” They strolled on as they spoke without taking any particular direction.

          “Well, I knew it. But for that she needs all the Northuldra and the remaining elders, and that can only be done in one place. All right, if she has already earmarked me for this, then I might as well tell you the secret and about our Ting House, where all important decisions are made that affect us all as a people. Actually, the assembly is called Norting and apparently goes back to centuries of tradition when we had a noaidi and a grand council of elders. There is even a separate entrance for her and I know from Alena that her assembly tent, her big lavvú, also has such an entrance. It's comparable to your council meetings in Arendelle, only with us it's not just a few but almost everyone who votes at the end.”

          “That makes sense,” Elsa mused, “and yet Yelana is planning something that will affect all of Arendelle and she also spoke of great changes and a new opportunity with many new possibilities.”

          “Hmm … I wonder what that could be. You've really got me curious now. Come on, let's look for her together, because last night she wanted to talk to me urgently and I want to bet it all boils down to me and the Norting. Incidentally, that would be something I would change first and foremost should I become the new leader. And I'm not even sure about that yet, by the way.”

          “And what do you want to change?”

          “Until now, only men of a certain age were allowed to participate in our Norting, with the exception of Yelana as our leader, of course, but otherwise no women. And yet we do so much for all our people, not only taking care of the little ones and raising them, cooking, making clothes for the men and all that. Even our healer hasn't been allowed to come so far and she really takes care of everyone. That has to change and become the way it used to be and where among our council of elders there were also many of us women, so we had an equal say. After all, this concerns all our people here in the forest!”

          “That's a really excellent resolution, Maren, and …. hey, we've arrived at the beach after all, I wasn't paying attention to where we were going,” Elsa said in surprise as they suddenly stepped onto sand.

          “Neither did I. It's interesting that we both keep being drawn to the same place. Maybe that means something, who knows “

          Surprisingly, they found Yelana sitting there on their tree trunk and Honeymaren remembered that she too liked to get up very early and seek the peace of nature. What better place to do so than this place and they both exchanged meaningful glances.

          “Excuse me, Yelana, but may we disturb you?” asked Elsa quietly as they both stepped behind her.

          Yelana startled slightly and wheeled around.

          “You two, and together … interesting.”

          Elsa and Honeymaren looked at each other questioningly. Elsa in particular wondered at this remark.

          “You're not interrupting, of course, so please come closer and sit with me.”

          They both settled down to the left and right of Yelana, and the first thing they did was to wish her a good morning.

          “How can I help you both?” asked Yelana.

          “You know why, or surely you can already guess,” said Honeymaren.

          “You mean because of what I told you yesterday, when your family and everyone else arrived from Arendelle, that you and I had something important to discuss?” Yelana turned her head once to Elsa and then back to Honeymaren, then cradled it gently. “Could you two perhaps sit down next to each other, so I don't have to keep looking back and forth.”

          “But of course, Yelana, sorry,” Elsa said, switching sides to sit close to Honeymaren on her right.

          “Well, actually I wanted to discuss this matter with Honeymaren alone first, before announcing the event to our people, and with it the surprise for you, Elsa, why I wanted you and the queen to be there. But looking at you both and how close you seem to have become since yesterday, I might as well speak frankly.”

          “Nothing escapes your notice, does it?” asked Honeymaren, amused.

          “Only rarely, Honeymaren, that's true.” Yelana had to think back at that moment to one of the few deceptions in her life, when Gyda had lied to her about her son Kolgrimr and she had foolishly defended and taken the old liar's side at the Norting as well.

          However, her expression must have reflected her feelings because Honeymaren asked, “Are you all right?”

          “Yes, yes, it's nothing, just a sudden memory.” Yelana's face brightened again. “Well, I'm sure you can already guess that I want to put you forward as my successor in front of all the Northuldra, and I also assume that you've already spoken to Elsa about it. And that I can only make this announcement in a special place has probably already been told to you, Elsa, by Honeymaren as well, hasn't it?”

          “How …”

          “Experience, Elsa, good judge of character and powers of observation. Something you still lack a little, by the way, Honeymaren, but that will come in time.” Yelana sighed. “But I feel there is more … and it's between the two of you. And before you ask, Elsa, I've known about Honeymaren's love for you for a long time. I'm just surprised that despite my advice to her about the far-flung locations and the vast difference from you of royal blood, you two seem to have found each other after all and are, shall we say …. together as lovers.”

          Elsa's jaw dropped, something that really happened to her only extremely rarely, but she could not reply because she was too perplexed. She had already realised in the castle of Arendelle that evening from Yelana's look that she knew about Maren's feelings for her, but the fact that Yelana had now also seen through their fresh relationship was something completely different.

          Yelana grinned slightly, “But are you sure about the consequences and the difficulties such a relationship entails? You are the big sister of the queen and you have a lot of duties in Arendelle, Elsa, besides the big responsibility. As for you, Honeymaren, know exactly how our people feel about such a union, If they ever discover your secret, you and Elsa would face severe consequences, you may even be banished. You will have to lead them all in the future and make decisions for our people.”

          They both nodded and nevertheless looked at each other unabashedly in love in the presence of the old, wise Northuldra.

          “We know that, Yelana, and I am grateful that Maren has shown me a side of life that is completely new to me. Besides, Anna would even approve this relationship and she has suspected it for some time. As for Maren and her people, we're already paying attention.”

          “Maren then, very nice that name … I'm happy for you and after you saw the secret place and my ideas about it as far as Arendelle is concerned, I now even see a new way for you to be together. At least for a certain time. But more about that tonight under six … er …” Yelana counted briefly, “… no eight eyes, because Anna has to be there too, and by the way, it's good that she probably already knows. Right?”

          Elsa fussed a little. “Well, not really yet. I … we still have to tell her.”

~~~

Anna woke up with a shudder and pulled the reindeer skin up a little further to her chin to snuggle in tightly. She blinked and realised by the light from above and from the light coming in through the gaps in the hut's flap that it was already daytime. She just didn't know what time it was.

          It had become quite cold, so cold that she was shivering slightly, and she had no nightgown with her this time, so was lying completely naked under the fur blanket. Stupidly, her clothes would hardly protect her from the cold today, for she had not expected wintry temperatures, at least not so soon.

          She glanced to the side where Elsa was supposed to be lying, but of course she wasn't there and had probably already got up hours ago. How long had she been asleep, she wondered, and peeled herself out of the covers to dress and look outside.

          As she pushed the flap outwards she heard two pairs of boots clap together in salute to her left and right as the guards stood at attention and placed the outstretched fingers of their right hands to their temples to salute their queen, looking at her freely, courageously and with a decent face.

          “Take it easy, boys, we're not in Arendelle,” Anna muttered as she stepped out and gave them a quick, smirking look. “Good morning, by the way. Do you know where my sister Elsa is?”

          One of the guards replied. “She left the hut hours ago, but asked not to be followed, Your Majesty.” Anna nodded, pondering.

          It was indeed an advanced morning and the cooking fires with small cauldrons on them for breakfast were already going everywhere. Or was it already noon? Anna couldn't tell as she glanced up shiveringly at the overcast sky with no visible sun.

          “Why didn't Elsa wake me,” she muttered to herself, trudging through the camp in search of her, slightly annoyed. “Well, maybe it's because she didn't think about the fact that, unlike her, I do mind this cold?” she scolded herself, holding her hands over the flames of the nearest campfire to warm them. “I really need something warm to wear around my neck.”

          She was still wondering if it was time for breakfast, or worse, lunch already. Elsa had been awake for a long time and was off somewhere in the camp. If Kristoff were there now, he would surely give me a loving hug and rub my back and arms nice and warm; she thought. “I miss him already, even though it's only been a few days,” she then whispered, looking into the flames in front of her, but seeing into an imaginary distance where Kristoff was walking towards her, waving at her with a smile.

~~~

A few hundred kilometers further south …

“A wonderful good morning,” Karl wished his two guests good-humouredly as they came down the stairs, “Please sit down, breakfast will be ready in a moment.”

          “You too, Karl,” Kristoff said with a smile and looked for an empty chair at the table.

          Kai hugged his brother briefly, holding him at a distance again to look him in the eye and said, “It's so nice to have breakfast together with you and your sweetheart after so long. You even changed almost nothing in my old room. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to go upstairs last time. When I look at my old things and think of the past …”

          “I know, because I always firmly believed that you would return to visit us one day! Please sit down in your usual place opposite me.”

          Kai settled down and looked around the rustic living room curiously.

          “I don't see much that's new here either, Karl, except that painting over there, which I haven't seen before.”

          “That was painted for us by the neighbour's daughter. She's very talented and often walks across the plateau with her easel. We really like this view of the valley and we told her so. She wouldn't let it go and just gave it to us the next day when it was finished.”

          “I know this viewpoint, I stood there once too many, many years ago and a little further away from it we both stood when I was here last time, when we had our big reunion after so many years and looked down into the valley. That was really nice to experience with you, Karl. So I see you and I still have the same taste.”

          At that moment Karl's wife came in with a full tray and put it on the table to serve everything for breakfast.

          “Good morning,” she said cheerfully to the group and then looked directly at Kristoff. “I didn't know what you eat in the mornings in Arendelle, Your Highness, so I have prepared what Karl and Kai always like. It's just simple country produce, of course, but I hope you like it anyway,” she added apologetically after sliding a plate over to each and placing the rest in the middle.

          “My personal tastes are not that different, because I love fresh scrambled eggs and country bread with lots of butter on it,” Kristoff said, his mouth already watering at the sight of the steaming plate. “Thank you very much, and please just call me Kristoff, …um…”

          “Hanna, my name is Hanna.”

          “Hanna, yes … We don't have to be so formal here with Kai's family.”

          She poured tea into the waiting cups and sat down.

          They enjoyed their breakfast in silence and could hear a few chickens clucking through the half-open window outside and a barking dog in the distance, still very small from the sound of it. He seemed to be romping around with some small children, because bright laughter also came from them.

          As Kristoff finished eating, took the cup, sat back contentedly in the chair and took a sip of herbal tea, he said, “I like these happy, rural sounds. It's very different in Arendelle. It's always a bit noisy there because of the sounds at the harbour, the market and the rattling of the horse-drawn carts on the cobblestones. And you can't miss our big tower clock either.”

          Just as he had said this, a longcase clock near the stairs struck not exactly quietly. Kristoff startled a little and everyone had to laugh at that.

          “Sorry, Kristoff,” Hanna said, “but as for the latter, we have something like that too, only a little smaller.”

          “It's okay, I just hadn't seen it or I would have been forewarned.”

          “It's eight now, so why don't we go on a tour of the village and ask the farmers about the supplies they can spare for Arendelle. We can also ask the two bakers here for flour,” said Karl, looking at the large clock face.

          “And afterwards, please don't forget to ask the baron if he can spare some time for me,” Kai added and Karl nodded at him.

          “But of course, I haven't forgotten.” He glanced at Hanna as she stood up. “Is there anything else we can help you with, dear?”

          “Leave everything, I'll clear the table by myself. You'd better get going, because this is all going to take a lot of time, I'm sure. See you later,” she said, already starting to put everything on the tray.

~~~

In the far north, Anna was sitting at one of the larger campfires in the Northuldra camp, also enjoying her breakfast. She was glad that it wasn't as late as she had feared, but she hadn't discovered Elsa, even though she had searched the whole camp. Instead, a Northuldra could help her with her problem because she was so cold. She felt much better now and the hot soup that had been made from the leftovers from last night did the rest.

          Just then, Arendelle's stable boy Lars walked by with Árnason by his side, engrossed in conversation, and she greeted them both. Lars didn't recognise Anna right away, but then was all the more startled and bowed deeply before continuing on with his new friend, who only waved at Anna with a smile. At that moment, Anna spotted her sister stepping out of the forest with Yelana and Honeymaren and coming closer. As they were about to pass her, Anna rose.

          “So there you are Elsa, been looking for you all morning. Good morning, Yelana and Honeymaren.”

          Everyone immediately stopped their discussion, for Anna had the impression from the gestures that it was one, and looked at her in some amazement.

          “What's that strange thing you're wearing?” asked Elsa with raised eyebrows, looking her up and down. The other two could only grin.

          “Well, I was freezing and had a woman make me a poncho out of reindeer fur. All that's really missing is a belt to hold the monstrosity together.”

          Elsa laughed, “Oh, sis, you're always good for a little surprise. But I guess we can have something better made for you, can't we Yelana? Something that would go well with Kristoff's leather outfit. That's what you like so much about him, isn't it?”

          “That would be great, Elsa. This one ruins my figure a lot, but I just couldn't think of anything better and I needed something to warm me up real quick.”

          “You poor thing,” Elsa commented, stepping towards her to wrap her in her arms. “Got rather surprisingly cold, I agree.”

          “If you'll let me sit with you later, I'll get us something from yesterday too, Elsa, and see where Mum and Ryder are while I'm at it,” Honeymaren remarked.

          “Of course,” Anna and Elsa said almost simultaneously.

          “And I'll go ahead and inform everyone,” Yelana added, nodding at them and making off with Honeymaren.

          “What does she mean by that?” asked Anna as they both sat on the long wooden log in front of the fire.

          “It's about what Yelana wants to show us and about a special gathering of the Northuldra because of Ma … Honeymaren.”

          “Ha, gotcha!” exclaimed Anna. “You were about to say Maren again. That's how you addressed her last time here in the camp a long time ago, when we had to flee from Kolgrimr.”

          Elsa twisted the corner of her mouth and looked at her sister with a slightly lowered gaze. Anna raised her eyebrows in response. “Is there something I should know, sis?” she added, somewhat stretched.

          “Well … er …,” Elsa swayed her head uncertainly, as Anna had seen Yelana do occasionally.

          “Now tell me,” her sister urged, nudging her lightly.

          Elsa expelled the air. She just had to confess it to Anna and hoped she wasn't too scared about it. “We've been together since last night, Maren and I.”

          Anna's breath caught and she could only stare at Elsa for seconds. Then she hugged her tightly.

          “Really now? Like, really as a couple?” she then asked as she held her sister by the shoulders a little away from her and looked deep into her eyes. Elsa nodded bashfully.

          “But that's great! You've finally found the courage to do it. I'm so happy for you! What did you do? Did you kiss her and all the the romantic stuff?”

          “Anna!”

          “You can still ask your sister about it, can't you? I'm so curious how you experienced it and how it came about so suddenly. Tell me … come on … please, give me some details …” Anna was all excited and had to think back to her conversation with Elsa under the radiant night sky, with the soft background music from the field camp.

          “It kind of came naturally and by the way it was more than just a kiss, Anna. It was … beautiful with her and … exciting,” Elsa replied softly.

          “You had really made love to each other and you … even down there … caressed?” Elsa nodded.

          “But only she me.”

          “Wow, I experienced the same thing with Kristoff … In the bath and later in bed too.”

          “But not with the … I guess.” Elsa pointed tentatively at her mouth.

          “Oh yes he did! He did and it was fantastic. Now I know how you must have felt.”

          Elsa smiled dreamily. “Yes, I'll never forget that either … my first time. She was so gentle and tender, Anna, but then also so tempestuous, you can't imagine. Next time I will try to do the same for her if we get a chance. After all, here with the Northuldra, unlike in Arendelle, it's taboo.” Anna nodded in understanding.

          “You amaze me, sis, that you were able to jump over your own shadow and finally put your heart and soul to a great love. I'm proud of you and very delighted you have found someone who loves you for what you are.” Anna hugged her again and out of the corner of her eye saw Honeymaren coming towards her, balancing three guksis in front of her.

          “I'm back and I brought you something warm,” she said as she sat down next to them and handed over the bowls.

          “Thank you,” they both said, and while Elsa began to eat, Anna unintentionally looked at Honeymaren a little more closely, looking at her with different eyes than before, now that she was her sister's lover. But Honeymaren noticed these glances immediately, paused with the spoon in front of her mouth and lowered it again in surprise to look at Elsa reprovingly.

          “Elsaa? You've been chatting with Anna, haven't you?”

          Elsa almost spluttered the stew out of her mouth and looked at Honeymaren from the side, caught. All three women now looked wordlessly into each other's eyes in turn, not quite knowing how to react. The secret was out now and there was no turning back.

          “Don't worry, Maren … I can call you Maren, can't I? I don't mind at all, really. Elsa and I have no secrets from each other and I can only say it's nice that you two have found each other and are happy. Because I am too, for my dear sister who has finally discovered love for herself,” she said smiling with an affectionate look at Elsa.

          Honeymaren breathed a sigh of relief. “It's all right then. Elsa already told me that you wouldn't mind such a relationship.”

          No one said anything more and instead contentedly spooned the delicious stew into themselves. A little later, Elsa stood up and asked for the empty guksis.

          “I'll go to the camp and take the bowls right away. I'll also make sure with Yelana that you get something better to wear, sis.”

          When she was gone and out of sight, Anna moved a little closer to Honeymaren. Her expression darkened as she did so and when she had her face just inches from Honeymaren's, she raised her index finger in the air in front of her in warning.

          “I can promise you one thing though, Honeymaren. If you ever harm or hurt my sister and make her cry, you will bitterly regret it. Because if you do, I will finish you off.”^

          Honeymaren took hold of Anna's index finger and slowly pushed her hand down. She smiled in understanding and nodded slightly in response. Then she replied in a low voice, "Anna, I know you care deeply for your big sister and I will protect her with my own life if I have to, you just have to believe that. I will never hurt Elsa, because I love her more than anything."

~~~

In the afternoon, Anna wore a gakti tailored for her and, except for her strawberry-blond long hair, was hardly distinguishable from the Northuldra around her. She found the clothes very comfortable and they also warmed much better than her royal traveling clothes with the short bolero over the thin dress. She was especially taken with the comfortably warm fur boots, which looked confusingly like Kristoff's.

          It was a long procession across the forest, always heading north. They walked for almost an hour between first light birch trees and then through increasingly dense vegetation. When they finally arrived in front of a wide brook, the way seemed to go no further, because on the opposite side high bushes blocked the way. At least that's how it looked at first glance.

          But Anna and Elsa only had to follow the others and waded across a shallow ford to the other bank. Where just a green wall prevented them from going further, a narrow path suddenly opened up as the Northuldra bent the branches to the side in front of them.

          What they saw then, as they stepped into the almost circular large clearing beyond, took both of their breath away. There was something magical about this place and the unusual, large building in the middle of it.

          Yelana stood waiting not far in front of them, facing them.

          “How did you guys build this?” asked Elsa, impressed, as she stood in front of her. “It looks like the birch trees grew through the roof and are supporting the whole building. And then there are these straight as a die tall birch trees all around the outside. Even our best builders in Arendelle can't get that right. You have indeed not promised too much, Yelana.”

          Anna, too, stood open-mouthed and finally looked up at the open spire, which had a pyramid-shaped little roof above it. Someone was standing up there looking down at them.

          “I'll tell you my idea for this a little later, after I've made the proposal to my people and it's been voted on. Why don't you go ahead inside? I have to meet someone first and I'll be right up.”

          The sisters followed the others through a large double doorway inside into a large hall that was already well filled. Both looked up in amazement at an impressive, free-hanging construction of a winding staircase that led up to the top of the tower. The crowd in front of them made way and let them through to the front, to where Honeymaren was already standing and waiting at the foot of this staircase with an equally astonished face.

          Behind them now the entrance was closed audibly loud and it became quiet in the hall. Everyone was waiting for something, or rather someone, because shortly after Yelana, followed by Alena, entered through a side door and went forward to join the three of them.

          She stood in front of them, while Alena went to Honeymaren's side and nodded to her. The noaidi had her drum in her hand and the young Northuldra already guessed what she was going to do with it.

          “Thank you all for coming. I will now share with you why I have called a Norting,” Yelana began. “Today will change many things for us and I hope for the better. Today is also a very special day because for the first time in many decades, a noaidi is present and will look into the near future for us.”

          All eyes then turned to Alena and Honeymaren nodded imperceptibly.

          “I have to tell you today that I have grown too old to remain as your leader and will be leaving you shortly.”

          A murmur went through the crowd and many a person shouted “But why?”, or “We want you to stay, Yelana!”, “After all these decades you want to leave us? We need you, Yelana!” and other voices. The old Northuldra gave them a pass and felt grateful for these heartfelt reactions.

          When things quieted down again, she continued speaking. “The danger from Kolgrimr and his allies is finally over, our people are safe again and we see the open sky above us. We, the people of the Sun, will have a new leader, someone who has courageously proven herself and significantly helped to banish this danger at the risk of her own life and even had to suffer a heavy loss. You all know and love her, because I am talking here about Honeymaren Nattura!”

          There was actually almost no one in the hall who was not astonished by this and this could be clearly read in the faces. But no one started the grumbling or cried out.

          “You must be wondering if it's the right choice, and even though I'm firmly convinced of it myself, in a moment Alena, who was actually just visiting and got dragged into the tragic story, will look into the future for us.” Yelana waved behind her, beckoning the two to join her. “Please both step forward.”

          Honeymaren and Alena complied, the young Northuldra keeping her head down and her hands crossed in front of her.

          “Alena was an instrumental ally in the outcome of the war, for she discovered and uncovered a fifth monolith and guided Elsa, our fifth Spirit, to the spiritual plane, where she was ultimately able to free Ahtohallan and, with whose help Kolgrimr and his evil mother Gyda were banished forever. You can all imagine what our future would be like if this had turned out differently. Ryder Nattura and his new friend Indu from the far north, together with Honeymaren and Elsa, fought our enemy Kolgrimr at that fifth monolith and together they were able to drive him into Ahtohallan's trap.”

          She paused for a moment. “Ryder, Indu, please step forward and show yourselves. And you too, Elsa, please.”

          As everyone stepped beside Yelana in amazement, she smiled and raised her voice.

          “Please now honor our liberators, all of whom stand beside me!”

          It took only seconds for applause to erupt, many in the hall clapping their hands, and all who had a battle staff with them stamping it rhythmically on the floor. A little later, the first ones sang a joik of honor, testifying to their great gratitude. Yelana also stomped her short birch staff on the ground and sang along loudly.

          It went on like this for minutes, and many a tear and a grateful smile appeared on the faces of the honorees. Anna had gone to one of the upper steps to see everything better and clearly showed pride in her countenance, for Elsa, but also for the two Nattura siblings.

          When it was finally over, Yelana asked for a vote on whether Honeymaren was accepted as the new leader at all. The vote was by a show of hands and no hand was seen not to go up.

          “Do you accept the election, Honeymaren Nattura?” asked Yelana.

          The addressed was moved, but still felt uncertain, especially because a plan was going through her mind since the conversation with Alena. And this one had also become difficult, because now she had a relationship with her beloved Elsa.

          Honeymaren was unsettled, so, surprising many, she replied, “I want Alena to look into my future, because I need certainty about a particular thing.”

          Silence returned and the noaidi stepped forward. She first looked deeply into Honeymaren's eyes for a few moments before she began beating the drum, walking slowly around her and singing a joik. At some point Alena stopped, closed her eyes still standing upright, and had fallen into a trance. The joik and drum fell silent for seconds.

          “I see Honeymaren. Very clearly, as if from far away. She will go on a long journey. I see her moving with the great herds of reindeer, in ice and snow, and I see a journey of experiences and discoveries. She is finding herself, learning new skills, and meeting lots of people of the People of the Sun who speak many languages. In the process, she travels far up into the cold north, to where the reindeer migrate each year. This journey will take a whole year and when she returns down to the summer camp with the great herds of reindeer, she will be a new person and ready to become the new leader of the Northuldra. She will usher in a new era and take the first step into a new future.”

          Minutes later, Alena opened her eyes again, lowered her drum and looked at Honeymaren in surprise. Then she spoke to Yelana and everyone else present.

          “And it will begin with me, for she will accompany me to the great reindeer camp on the plateau, along with the captured Northmen and some Northuldra who will follow her willingly.”

          She paused for a moment and turned to the young Northuldra, “I am surprised myself by what I saw, Honeymaren, but there can be no doubt. It is true, and I believe you have already toyed with the idea of accompanying me, haven't you?”

          Honeymaren nodded sadly, for she had to think of the great love she had to leave behind for this journey. “Yes, it is so and I was very unsettled. But now you have seen it and through you I know which way to go … for all of us.”

~~~

---

Remark: I hope you have enjoyed this chapter! Please leave a comment if you liked the story, I would be pleased to read your opinions, even criticisms. If you want to be tagged as soon I publish the next chapter please let me know, except you are already tagged :-)

Tagging: @true--north @annaofthenorthernlights @dronning-formynder05

[links-in-time]

Links in Time : The Beginning of Something

Part 11

Notes.

I am so loving writing this fanfic. In truth I've almost finished it and I'm just resisting posting the whole thing in one big dump! I have fallen in love with my OC and their relationship with Wars is going to begin to develop a bit in this update so if you are a Warriors Stan there is a lot more of your boy to come.

"You know if it was just me I would have climbed up Mount Hylia and paraglided down into Gerudo Canyon Pass," Wild informed the others as he crunched down on an apple. "Much quicker than this." He said through a mouth full of apple.

They had left Gartan and Karu on the plateau. Gartan had said that there were more old hideouts where Yiga could still be operating from. He and Karu wanted to eradicate the Yiga from Hyrule as much as possible. Before Maari and the boys left camp however, Gartan clutched at Wars sleeve as he passed by.

"You will all keep her safe, won't you. I trust my daughter too look after herself, but she can sometimes be impulsive. Will you try and protect her?"

Wars looked down at the hand gripping his sleeve, then up at Gartan's face. He didn't know much about familial love, or the concern of a father for his child. But Wars could see it in the man's face, his eyes imploring.

"We will. I will try to keep her safe. I promise." Wars assured him, nodding his head.

Walking back down from the plateau the way they had come Wars thought about the promise he had made. He hadn't told the others yet. He would have to wait for a moment when Maari was out of earshot. Something told him Maari wouldn't appreciate the idea of being watched over. But her father was right. She was impulsive. But Wars kind of liked that about her.

"Except you're not on your own and none of the rest of us have gliders, so we have to take the long way around," Time replied to Wild's earlier comment.

Wind groaned at the thought of more walking. Sky patted him on the back comfortingly.

"I'm sure it's not much further to the desert," he said brightly.

"Oh no it's still a long walk. We have to get around the north side of the plateau. Then cross the suspension bride, then make our way along the canyon. And then cross the desert," Wild replied.

Wind's face fell and his head dropped.

"Come on kid," Twi slapped him on the shoulder. "Just one foot in front of the other and we'll be there in no time!"

Spirits were high as they followed the roads leading to the canyon entrance. Wild pointed out the colleseum on top of the hill where he had fought a great Lionel. As well as the construct camp where newly repurposed constructs were helping to build a new stable.

As they approached the suspension bridge the day was starting to drag behind them. Midday was approaching and Wild knew they still had a long way to travel.

"Once we reach the canyon, how far to Gerudo Town?" Four asked.

"It'll probably be night by the time we reach the desert gateway. There's a stable at the end of the canyon. We could spend the night there." Wild suggested.

"I heard it's better to travel the desert at night. It's cooler at night and I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't have any elixers with me to help with the heat." Maari pointed out.

"Is that right?" Time asked. Wild paused in his tracks.

"I didn't think about that. I usually change clothes or use elixers to deal with the desert heat. I hadn't thought about the rest of you, sorry" Wild apologised.

"It's okay," Twi remarked. "Maybe it would be a good idea for us to travel at night."

"You mean, no sleep?" Sky groaned.

"You saying a knight of skyloft can't go a night without sleep?!" Legend teased.

"Hey, just because I like my sleep doesn't mean I can't go one day without it. I only meant that without rest after all this walking we might not all be on top form." Sky reiterated for the others.

"It's only one night of walking. We can rest when we get to Gerudo town," Wild assured them.

"It might still be a good idea to stop at the stable. Someone there might have seen the Yiga come through recently." Maari suggested.

They agreed to stop at the stable and take a short rest before nightfall. Maari couldn't wait to see the desert. She had read many tales about the Gerudo women and the vast sea of sand which lay beyond the mountains. She had heard about the terrible Molduga that roamed the sands stalking their prey from below. The amazing sand seals and how the Gerudo would ride them. Mostly she was excited to meet the Princess Riju. She had heard a lot about her from Paya, but the clan leader had only spent a short time with the princess and only had a few tales to tell.

"Wild, you've met Princess Riju haven't you?" Maari asked, as the group meandered along the canyon.

"Met?! We fought together against the Demon King. We went through a lot together. Riju is extraordinary." Wild replied, his eyes turning wistful with memory.

"Do you think she'll let you all into her city?"

"Hmm, hard to tell." Wild lowered his voice so only Maari could hear. "Don't tell the others but I ussually to have to disguise myself to get into Gerudo Town."

"You mean you dress as...? Maari asked, but Wild hushed her.

"Shh, not so loudly. They'd only tease me relentlessly."

"Well I think that's cruel. You found an ingenious way to sneak in without being detected. I'd say that's pretty smart," Maari encouraged him.

"Thanks," Link uttered, a slight blush flushing his ears.

"I bet you're looking forward to seeing Zelda again. How long has it been?" Maari asked cheerfully.

When she turned to look at Wild however his smile had disappeared.

"You okay?"

"I'm fine," he said curtly.

"Are you?"

"It's nothing. It's just... You're right it's been a while since I've seen Zelda. A lot's changed in a short amount of time. I don't think I'm the same man I was a few years ago. And I'm not sure Zelda is the same anymore either. I guess..." Wild seemed to struggle to find any more words.

"Are you nervous about seeing her?" She asked, laying a hand on Wild's shoulder.

"I guess so."

"Do you mind if I ask, we're you two... We're you ever a couple?" Maari asked cautiously. Link sighed and turned his gaze skyward.

"After we defeated Ganon and saved Hyrule from the calamity, we were just so happy to have each other back safe. We did a lot together after that. Then when Zelda disappeared again, I nearly fell apart. My quest kept me going and so did my friends. But when I got her back again something was different. I don't know how else to describe it. I just, I hope we can still be friends."

***

There were a few travellers at the stable when the group arrived. Some researchers looking to deliver some more items for Zelda, a hunting party who claimed they had been paid handsomely to slay a Molduga and come back with its teeth, as well as other travellers on the road.

Since there were still a couple of hours until sundown the gang decided to take the weight off their feet and rest around the stable until nightfall. Wild cooked up some supper for them all while Maari went to talk to the stable keeper.

"Excuse me Sir, I was wondeiring if there have been any Yiga sightings recently. Or stories of anyone nearby going missing?" She asked, leaning against the counter.

"Yiga ey? Hmm, can't say I've seen any myself. Then again they could have walked right by in disguise and I wouldn't have known it." The man replied, stroking his goatee as he thought.

"I suppose that's true," Maari sighed.

"Though some folks came through a couple days ago, said one of their party had disappeared on the road. Walked into the woods to relieve himself and never came back again. Damn shame if you ask me. Hyrule was just starting to feel safe again. Now there's talk of monsters lurking about too," the man shook his head in dismay.

"Hopefully my friends and I can do something about it and make you feel safe again Sir," Maari tried to assure him.

She thanked him for the information and strolled away from the stable. Wars, sky and Twi were sitting on a collection of boulders a short distance away. Maari walked over to join them and watch the last of the sunlight disappear into the west.

"Hungry?" Twi asked, holding up a few slices of bread filled with cheese and salad leaves. "Wild made you a sandwich, or that's what he calls it. He said you would probably be vegetarian so he didn't put any meat in it."

"That's very thoughtful, thank you Twi." Maari took the sandwich gratefully and took a few bites.

Sitting down between Sky and Wars on a sandy boulder Maari gazed into the hazy light filling the canyon. The sun had almost disappeared but the heat of the day still radiated from the sand beyond.

"Any of you ever crossed a desert before?" Asked Maari.

"I have, couple of times," Sky replied. "Didn't like it one bit. It was unbearably hot, sand gets in places you don't even want to know about. And don't get me started on the crazy monsters that like to live there."

"Sounds charming!" Maari replied sarcasticly.

"Good thing you suggested crossing at night Mar," Wars remarked. "You were right, hardly any of us are equipped for desert travel. I've already ditched my armour and mail. Feel cooler without it already."

"Heck of a lot less safe though," Twi pointed out. "We get attacked by something you better watch your back."

"Wind barely wears any protection, I don't see you fretting over him," Wars replied, gesturing in the younger hero's general direction.

"Yeah well Wind isn't as clumsy as you. He's smaller and nimble too," Sky pointed out. Wind or Maari could out manoeuvre Wars or a bokoblin any day." Sky nodded.

"You reckon?!" Asked Wars, raising an eyebrow as he gave Sky a sly smile.

"What do you think Maari? You've fought beside the Captain, do you think you can take him?" Twi asked, barely disguising the eagerness in his voice as he joined their conversation.

"What d'you say Mar? We've still got a little time until sunset."

Wars turned his teasing gaze on Maari and for the first time she clicked the nickname he had given her. She wasn't sure she liked it but she didn't dislike it either. Perhaps a little friendly bout would help her decide.

"Alright pretty boy, you're on. Come and show me what you've got!" Maari encouraged him, getting to her feet and walking over to where there was a more open space away from the stable.

"Wait, what?!" Wars stammered, a little taken aback that Maari had actually accepted the challenge.

"You heard her Cap, go show the lady what you've got," Twi teased, punching Wars on the shoulder.

Wars looked to his left at Sky, but the other hero just shrugged. Wars sighed, but quickly hardened his expression. He drew his sword and shield, leaving the reast of his gear with the others.

"Alright then, what are the ground rules?" Wars sighed, as he approached Maari, adjusting the straps on his shield.

"First to draw blood?" Maari suggested, only half joking.

"How about we avoid shedding any blood and just try to disarm the other or get inside their defences?" Wars suggested, trying to be a little more pragmatic about the situation.

"Agreed. Don't hold back Captain, I certainly won't."

Maari drew her sword and held it out to the side, lowering her stance as she waited for Wars to be ready. As the light began to fade and the lamps around the stable were lit, Maari and Warriors faced off against each other. Time, Wild and the other heroes joined Twi and Sky to watch what was happening.

"What are those two up to?" Time asked, taking a swig from his water-skin.

"Maari challenged Wars to a duel," Sky announced.

"He goaded her into it s'more like it," Twi corrected.

"Suppose it's good for us to have a little friendly competition from time to time," said Hyrule.

"How about a friendly bet too?" Legend suggested.

Though some of Wars' moves were predictable, Maari wasn't used to facing an opponent with a shield. It made him much more difficult to attack, and he kept using it to try and knock her off balance. He was surprised by just how quickly she could move. One moment he was about to swing his sword at what he thought was an opening, then she would duck and spin away from his attack. And each time she would retaliate with a strike of her own that he would barely have time to block. Lunging attacks were no use as she parried them easily, however he found that if he kept his shield up and his weapon tighter to his body, he gave her fewer opportunities to attack.

This technique worked brilliantly. Until Maari decided she had had enough of Wars slamming his shield into her back. Dropping low she kicked upwards and to the side, knocking Wars' shield from his grip and sending it spinning across the sand.

"Damn it!" He shouted.

Maari's move earned some cheers from the crowd which had gathered to watch the fight. The other Link's were all rooting for their favourites, shouting out suggestions for moves and counter moves.

"What's the matter captain, can't hide behind your shield any more."

"Dont need it," he huffed. Suddenly remembering the promise he had made to Maari's father about keeping her safe. He wasn't sure if this counted or not. "I don't need it to beat you."

"We'll see about that."

Wars now held his sword in two hands, throwing extra power and precision into his swings. Maari had to adapt slightly and also used both hands on her katana. So far as the audience could tell they were pretty well matched. They came together with a clash of steel, blades grinding together as they battled for control of the lock. Their faces were inches apart, eyes locked onto each other's.

"You want to surrender know and save yourself the embarrassment of me beating you?" Maari asked between breaths.

"I'd rather you beat me fair and square. Wouldn't you?" He asked.

Maari noticed he asked the question without his usual note of humour. Wars was being serious. He was taking this fight seriously, which meant he took Maari seriously too. Maari smiled a little but the surprise change in her opponents deminour distracted her enough that Wars managed to hook his hilt under her guard. With a quick twist of his wrists Wars flicked the blade out of Maari's grip and it went spinning away before clattering to the ground. Wars grabbed her right arm and held her close as he brought his blade up to her throat.

"Close, but I'm afraid I think I win this one Mar," he sighed, smiling as he tried to slow his breathing.

"I think I'd call it a draw," Maari replied.

Wars frowned then Maari glanced down at his chest. He followed her gaze to find one of her ring daggers in her left hand, pointing straight at his heart.

"Ah, I see your point. A draw?"

"A draw," Maari agreed.

Carefully they each withdrew their weapons and collected their fallen items. Maari sheathed her sword while Wars checked for dents in his shield. They returned to the crowd and were surprised to hear people clapping and congratulating them both.

"So not even a Sheikah warrior is a match for a legendary hero," Legend boasted, crossing his arms and beaming from ear to ear. "Alright, all those who picked Maari, pay up!"

"You placed bets?" Wars asked, wishing he was surprised by the Vet's behavior.

"And now five of them owe me money," Legend confirmed.

"I'm afraid it was a draw Legend," Maari informed him.

"Wait, five?" Wars asked, also crossing his arms. "Five of you bet Maari would beat me! Alright, who are the traitors?"

Maari watched as Wars visibly put back on his mask of brovado and questioned his friends in his usual joking manner. Bashfully, Twilight, Sky, Four, Time and Wild raised their hands.

"Really?" Wars whined.

"Oh come off it," Twi countered. "You thought she was gonna beat you. I could see it in your eyes."

Wars looked a little bashful and a little flush rose in his cheeks. Maari decided to save him from any further abuse. She laid a hand on his shoulder and addressed the gang.

"It was a very close fight. I've rarely fought anyone outside Kakariko, so it was a challenge for me. The Captain is a skilled fighter. I'd certainly rather have him by my side in a battle than on the opposing side."

At last the sunlight faded and the group stood silhouetted by lantern light, preparing to make their nightime desert crossing.

< Part 10 : Part 12 >

[skyloftian-nutcase]

Link's Parents play Breath of the Wild Pt2!

(@goosekee @artisticgamer)

Summary: Ten years after the Great Calamity, Link's parents have to save their son from death while also fighting to save the princess.

<<Previous // Next>>

The Great Plateau - The Sheikah Tower

Tilieth gathered all the Hyrule herbs she could from her small garden outside of their home, mashing them into a paste with a mortar and pestle. Abel had gone on patrol - having Link outside the shrine, exposed for the entire world to access already left him on edge, let alone seeing him slowly bleeding to death. They had done what they could to stop the bleeding, packing wounds and applying pressure in other areas.

Link didn't awaken through any of it.

Tilieth pulled back the gauze on some of the wounds, seeing blood oozing but not pooling as it had been. Was that enough to help him? To save him?

Goddess, please don't let him die.

With trembling hands, Tilieth applied the herb soaked dressings to the wounds and then sat vigil at the bedside.

They'd spent ten years trying to protect their boy, and after all that...

Footsteps caught her attention, and she immediately grabbed the nearest weapon she could find, knowing full well she probably couldn't hold off an intruder with the cooking knife she'd grabbed.

She'd die trying, though.

Abel entered, pale and exhausted, and held up a hand to appease her. "It's just me, Til."

"Anything?" she asked breathlessly.

Abel shook his head. "The great tree in the center of the plateau got knocked clean over by the Hinox's little rampage, but aside from that and--and the shrine, the plateau is no different than usual."

He paused a moment and then stepped towards the bed, asking, "How is he?"

Tilieth sat back down in dismay. "He's bleeding less, but he's paler and... and he won't wake up."

Abel was silent and still as a statue, his face dark. He slowly reached out, his hand resting on Link's forehead, and then he took a deep breath, walking away. "I'm going out."

"Again?" Tilieth asked, rising. "Link needs us, where are you going?"

"To find some way to help him!" Abel argued. "I'm a knight, damn it, I can't just stand here and watch him die. I won't. There has to be something."

"You think that's what I'm doing? Just watching him--" Tilieth cut herself off, her throat closing up.

They'd already lost so much. They'd lost her father, their daughter, their country...

She couldn't lose Link too. He'd been her ray of sunshine, her last hope. She'd been able to live here on the plateau and find peace and happiness because she knew he was safe and would someday wake up.

Abel sighed and walked back to her, pulling her into a hug. "You know that's not what I meant. But I..."

Tilieth sniffled and then got a hold of herself as she felt her husband tremble. Pulling away, she put a hand on his chest, unable to meet his gaze but offering what comfort she could. "I know."

After a moment's pause, she stepped away and reached for the strange device that had been sitting forgotten on the table. "Here. Maybe you can make this work. It might be able to help. I'll keep an eye on him."

XXX

Abel patrolled the entire perimeter of the plateau once, twice, three times. On his morning hunt he'd found a couple bokoblins and picked them off easily, but that was what had awoken the Hinox in the first place.

Well. The fire he'd started had awoken the Hinox.

He wished he'd died in it. He wished he'd died in the calamity. He wished anything that he hadn't been on the plateau today to ruin what little chance Link had.

Pausing from his brisk walk, he sat on an fallen tree, staring at the Sheikah slate helplessly. His reflection stared back at him, chiseled and worn and weary.

And... a yellow spot?

Abel rubbed the screen of the slate. The spot was still there.

What was that supposed to mean?

Sighing, he hung the slate on his belt and started walking back towards the house. There was no point in hiding from the sight of his son dying right in front of him. And it wasn't fair to leave his wife suffering alone.

About halfway back he glanced at the slate again, curious if the strange spot was still there. It was.

But it had moved.

Squinting, he noticed more details on the dark surface. Strange dark blue grid patterns with uneven borders and--

Wait a second. He knew these borders, these shapes. They were like the maps of Hyrule.

"A map?" he muttered to himself. Since when did the slate display a map?

And that yellow spot, then... a point on the map? For what?

Abel turned, and as he did so he saw the spot move as the map reoriented to his movements. This was bizarre.

Exiting the forest, Abel found himself at the edge of the plateau, nearing some ruins of stone outposts that had once lined the plateau's perimeter. The stairway they had climbed to get up here had long since collapsed along with these structures. A few guardians, the husks of what they once were, lay dormant.

Well. At least these were dormant. There were a couple that still caused problems. Abel enjoyed cursing at them on bad days.

Looking at the map again, Abel finally realized that the yellow point correlated with the small Sheikah structure that was buried in the earth.

Ah. Well I suppose that makes sense. It probably hones in Sheikah technology.

Wait. Sheikah technology. Abel had always thought this was just a little gazebo structure, but if there was technology on it, then perhaps it could help Link!

Approaching the structure with bated breath, the former knight examined the area, and it quickly became apparent what had been attracting the slate. A pedestal stood in the middle, an orange glow indicating that it was awaiting activation.

On the pedestal was a slate shaped indentation. A mechanical click sounded, and in small letters beneath the indentation were the words Place the Sheikah Slate in the pedestal.

Examining it, he slowly did as instructed, marveling at the technology and praying that this might provide some help for his son. The pedestal immediately reacted, taking the slate and flipping it over before rotating it. A bright glow emitted, and then more words appeared.

Sheikah Tower activated. Please watch for falling rocks.

Abel blinked, bewildered. "Tower? Falling wh--WHAT THE HELL--"

The entire earth shook as if a talus were arising nearby, and then Abel was slammed to the ground as the earth beneath him shot upward, pushing him into the sky. When gracity had finished smashing him into the ground below, he caught his breath, slowly sitting up and gasping at the sight.

How did--when did I get this high up?! He could see all of Hyrule from here, and--

What were those spires in the distance? Was that... was that what he was...?

Looking around, Abel found that the little Sheikah styled gazebo was not, in fact, another piece of rubble from the calamity, but an entire tower humming with energy. Abel stared at the pedestal, mouth agape in awe and shock.

Distilling local information... the pedestal announced.

The overhanging stone above the pedestal started to glow blue and sang with power, making Abel take a hesitant step back. A tiny little droplet of what almost looked like water dripped off the stone and landed directly on the slate, which glowed blue in response, before the pedestal essentially seemed to spit the slate back out into its original position, awaiting him.

Hesitantly, the former knight pulled the slate from its slot and saw that the unmarked map was now filled in the region of the great plateau, showing contours, trees, water, mountains, and the location of the shrine and the tower.

"All of that just to draw the regional map?" Abel muttered. That seemed like an awful lot of damage and danger for something he could have done with pen and ink. Maybe there was more to it.

More to the point, though... how the hell was he going to get down from here? And how was he going to explain the earthquake he'd just caused?

Tilieth was going to kill him.

[thegeminisage]

the inside of the shrine is sooo different...all the sheikah tech has just been SCRUBBED from this game it's so weird

the water here heals me like a hot spring though 😭

and there's a hole to go deeper in!

YIGA BANNER IN HERE??? HELLO????

HOLY FUCK

there's a lone banana in the middle of a room and a cowering construct who won't talk to me bc it senses an enemy this IS a trap. PLEASE be master kohga

okay lame it was just one guy. that could have been epic my heart was fucking jackhammering

this construct told me to visit the great abandoned central mine and it's the second one that did so. i think maybe thats how i get autobuild? ugh i'd love to find it but the map down there is so big and scary......

i suppose i should be looking for this gate...i KNOW i used to know...

could it be where that big pond was??? that's where the biggest chasm is, maybe i'll head there first...

oh my god there's a PERSON here?

lmao i thought it was a cece fangirl but it's: you guessed it: a yiga

died to a nearby bokoblin and had to refight her lol

man this all looks SO different, it's nuts....

i think i'm at the agte but i don't see a way to help anyone trapped underwater...this is creepy, the whole plateau kind of swings between nostalgia and uneasiness

oh! there's rocks down at ground level! you can drain the pond to get in aaaaa

this must be bc there's no fast travel points i've found so far lol

i found a statue that looks like the poe statue and it wants me to go BACK to the temple of time? bro i just walked all this way lol

WILD to be at the bottom of this pond tho.

oh my god i almost WENT IN THE CHASM without doing this quest. the statue wants me to check out all the holes!

it wants me to drop one of its EYES into each hole. yikes

aww my old paraglider fabric is in the chest where i got the original paraglider

wasn't really sure what these eyes were supposed to look like but they glow so you cant miss em

i was gonna go in and check it out, but...maybe i'll drop all the eyes first :/

unreal that there's not a single fast travel point or shrine in this whole place. fucking crazy

weeeeird to be in the abbey without the guardians. i don't like it

found another yiga lol

oh no the old man's cabin!!!!! taken over by monsters :(

it's weird how much i hate king rhoam but feel fond of the old man even though theyre the same. fuckign guy. dissonance.............

no omg by YIGA!!!!!

holy shit. if i hadnt had two sages and some defensive food i wouldve been done for

awww they had a hostage! i saved him and he gave me a yiga mask lol

oooh a map of yiga hideouts...i took a picture for later >:) i won't get ambushed again

a yiga clan log...theyve developed new vehicles lol gloomdredger and HOVERDOOM mk 3. yes, with caps! lol i forgot they were doing the chasm thing now...

rude drawing of link on the door. REALLY good

oh wah another rainbow...right after it vanished farosh flew by. fuckin metal

three eyes down, one to go.......

the monument is still on top of the mountain 🥺 lol and of course there's a korok seed up here. glad i didnt make the climb for nothing at least

last eye down. apparently now i jump, and carry them to their owner :|

[likeabxrdinflight]

I'm pretty far into tears of the kingdom now and by and large I can't help agreeing with what I've seen a lot of people say- it's going to be hard to go back to breath of wild after this. totk really does make botw feel like a demo, a first draft if you will.

but that said, there really are things I think botw overall does better, and it's those things that might make it have some replay value, even with totk existing.

for one, the great plateau is better than the great sky island. the sky island was very obviously a tutorial, and it was so much more linear. I spent most of my time up there going through the motions and waiting to get off of it so I could get down and explore hyrule. I've played through botw at least three times now and never had that feeling on the plateau. I adore the plateau, it's got such a free roaming, survivalist kind of vibe to it that totk just doesn't quite replicate. and though that feeling extends out to the entirety of hyrule in botw, it's strongest on the plateau when you're just a weak baby link still trying to get your bearings.

I'm gonna argue there's something else botw does better too, and that's the atmosphere of the game. totk is a little bit more standard in terms of story and atmosphere. people in hyrule know you now. the world feels more populated and there's so much more stuff to do. you're back to being link the hero. you're the knight to the princess and you're on a clear mission that many npcs reference. even when you're engaged in side plots, everything just feels more driven and goal oriented. the plot feels more urgent and it leads you in specific directions. everything ties back to what is, functionally, a linear-ish story. and I can tell it's meant to be more linear than botw, because I did things pretty out of order in totk's main plot and it was very noticeable to the point of distraction, frankly. I saw several of the geoglyph memories out of order in a way that ruined the big "mystery" of the main plot far too early. I stumbled onto the fifth dungeon by accident and got the master sword back well before I was supposed to. these were both mistakes, as they severely affected the impact that the narrative of the game had on me, and not in a good way.

nothing like this happens in botw, it can't, because botw doesn't do this. the story is minimal, it's non-linear almost to a fault, and the pacing is leisurely. this allows for the atmosphere of the game to shine more to make up for the lack of story. link barely knows who he is. most of hyrule doesn't either. to most, he's just some guy. so you get to be just some guy bopping around hyrule for kicks. the main quests don't feel especially urgent, and the story doesn't intrude much if at all on exploration. the game feels quiet, almost empty even, and contemplative. you're very alone in an abandoned, post-apocalyptic world. it can be haunting, and little sad, but still peaceful. it's a rough world and you're trying to make it on your own, but it's beautiful too. the story never intrudes on this, and no matter what order you do literally anything, it never will.

totk just doesn't feel this way now that hyrule is recovering. it's not so quiet or empty anymore, it doesn't feel like a post apocalyptic wasteland largely overtaken by nature. It feels like an actual kingdom that's coming back to life. that's not a bad thing exactly, I wouldn't have wanted totk's hyrule to feel the same way botw's did. but there's no denying, to me at least, that the emptiness allowed for the atmosphere in botw to have a much stronger presence to it. totk is more about story and plot and to a lesser degree, even character. exploration is still huge, but it feels more purposeful, like you're exploring with a certain end goal in mind at all times and not just for its own sake. in botw, exploration is the entire game, and it feels more driven by curiosity than anything else. it's an intrinsic motivation, and not nearly as goal oriented as in totk.

and while the gameplay of totk is vastly superior to the point of making botw feel almost irrelevant, I think that the atmosphere botw has might be strong enough that I'll still revisit it someday.

[purplenimsicle]

I don't usually post anything personal stories here, but I want to share this one. So this week I was really struggling with my weightloss journey. I've consistently since the start - about 6 months ago, have lost 5-10lbs a month through hard work - change of eating habits, healthy diet, and exercise. However, this past month I haven't lost any weight at all - eventhough eveyone tells me how great I am looking and that "you're gaining muscle". Which is great to hear, and I thank them profusely, however the scale is such a mental wall to overcome, that it will melt the best confidence you have. And to add more to the fire I'm at the same weight I was last time I did this where I plateaued. I was extremely frustrated and anyone I vented to didn't seem to care or give advice that was in any way helpful. So to help me feel better I decided to watch some TxT videos on YouTube. They always have a way of calming me, making me smile, and just let all stress disappear. After watching live performances and solo covers, I happen to land on Yeonjun's choreography/practice video on Studio Choom for his AotM video. I've seen his AotM a thousand times. But somehow this video never popped up before - surprisingly. So here I was happily watching when this happened.

The motivation I needed. Who knew a quick blip in a video could change my whole perspective and wash away all my doubt. After hearing those lines I actually stopped the video, put my workout clothes on and went out and did one of the best workouts of my journey so far. I couldn't believe it. The sequence of dialogue has become my lock screen now and whenever I feel down or lose my confidence, I just have to look at it quick and get my motivation back. Knowing that if Yeonjun could tackle that choreography and practice over and over till he finally got it right - for us MOAs that is - then I could get my butt out there and do what I need to for myself and improve my life and prove myself wrong. That what I'm doing and my journey is 100% worth it.

So thank you Yeonjun for the inspiration and motivation to keep going, improving, and being a better me. You and Tomorrow x Together will forever hold a special place in my heart. As your music continues to fuel my workouts and my soul daily.

[variousauthors]

Metroidvania

I remember standing in the videogame section of a department store in downtown Vancouver, BC as a child. It might have been Sears or Eatons or The Bay... the toy section had legos, and transformers, and then a pedestal with a couple of old game boy handhelds set up so that you could play them. I remember standing there playing Metroid II: Return of Samus. I had played Metroid at Laser Illusions, an arcade in Brentwood Mall in Burnaby, BC. It wasn't just an arcade, you could also rent videogames there. I didn't own any consoles until I was a teenager but on the last Saturday of every month my dad would drive me down to Laser Illusions in Brentwood Mall, sometimes alone or sometimes with a friend, and we would stand there browsing the wall of videogames. Sonic & Knuckles was a favourite. One time I rented Phantasy Star for the Sega Genesis and brought it home only to discover that our tiny CRT monitor wasn't wide enough to display the whole UI. I cried a lot: so great was the build-up to that once a month videogame rental. Actually, videogames made me cry a lot. Having to take turns. Not getting a turn. Dying on level 3-1 had me crying unconsolably, big heaving crocodile tears. My dad pointed out that if the game made me so sad, maybe I shouldn't play it. I don't resent that comment, but to this day it boggles my mind. Once at karate class a girl cried after taking her brown-belt test. She had done well, and passed, but she cried a lot. I commented that I thought it was because she was young, but my sensei (Gilbert Chung, 6th Dan) stopped me and said "When you really care about something, you cry. That she's crying shows me she's care about karate." I know my dad had cared about things, and he'd probably cried about things, and now I'm a dad and despite knowing all this I still somehow made the same comment to my child when he was crying unconsolably, those big heady crocodile tears after losing progress due to a bug. There are bugs in videogames now. One time I woke up in the morning, ran upstairs and declared "let's go to Laser Illusions!" my mother said no, and I cried deeply gasping for breath. She explained "it's Friday" and I recovered immediately "oh, I thought it was Saturday!" I had had trouble memorizing the days of the week. My parents standardized the meals to help me remember: Friday was pizza night, Saturday was French toast, and Sunday was croissants fresh from the bakery on Granville island, Vancouver, BC. I don't know if it helped, but it helped me decide to stop hanging out with my friends on Friday nights, because I have a kid now and Friday is curry night. On the way home from Laser Illusions my dad would take a detour and drive me down this hill in Burnaby. It was so steep, it went down, then plateaued briefly at an intersection, and then plunged down again... he would take it at speed and our stomachs would lurch. It's strange to remember because he wasn't the type, which means that he must have been repeating some deeply lodged memory from his own childhood of his dad driving him around, or maybe reliving an experience from his college days when he'd been a student of Robin Blaser up on Burnaby Mountain.

I never had a birthday party at Laser Illusions. Or maybe I did and don't remember, but I think I never did. The way I see it my birthday parties were always simple affairs at home: I would get to rent a videogame console and the rule of taking turns would often be temporarily suspended. I was not self-conscious about this, but Chris Beaver was: one year I rented Earthbound for the SNES, a deeply single player game. We sat on the green sofa that had belonged to my grandmother, everyone bouncing and laughing but only me playing Earthbound. I must have been old enough to read. Certainly old enough that we had rented the game from Block Buster on Oak street, not Laser Illusions. I needed to pee, so I put down the controller and declared "don't play for me!" And went to pee. Later on in life, I'm not sure exactly when, Chris Beaver has confided in me that he had in fact played: he had picked up the controller and demonstratively walked the character around, in defiance of my orders. Tristan had had more than one birthday at Laser Illusions in Brentwood Mall, Burnaby BC. Batman, in the black rubber outfit of Tim Burton's 1989 re-imagining, had attended one of them. I was born in 1983 so that gives you some idea of how old I was when, at one of Tristans birthdays, I had muddled my way through a few mysterious screens of Metroid for the NES. The CRT monitors and controllers were embedded in wooden cases, screens tilted back, some kind of arcade button situation pressing up through the table. I don't remember playing it on a controller. Metroid II: Return of Samus was released in 1991, ahead of its Japanese release. I was first made aware of it in Issue #31 of Nintendo Power which arrived at my door monthly. I remember reading Nintendo Power cover to cover every month: it arrived at my door and I would go bonkers. I read about the different Metroids in the car, on the way to the coin laundromat we used to go to on Cambie and 14th, and then sitting on the metal framed chairs in the laundromat while waiting with my mom for the laundry to finish. The laundromat on 14th is right across the street from the bench on which I would later sit and explain to my future wife that I wasn't a party-boy or a one-night stand. Tipsy on that bench I would ask her to be my girlfriend, and she said "I'll think about it". The bench didn't exist yet in the 90s when I was reading about Metroids in my Nintendo Power magazine while waiting for the laundry to finish, and I wouldn't play Metroid II until that day in the department store downtown, but I remember tracing my finger along the walls of what might have been a fold out map of a cavern, following the path I expected I would take with the spider ball. I couldn't understand why the spider ball appeared on this fold out map again and again, like Samus had been cloned a thousand times and hung from every wall like torches in a Minecraft base. The map was stitched together from screenshots, so Samus was on every screen. It wasn't a map of space so much as an unfolding of a 3D journey through time-space into the plane. I may never have owned Samus II but my best friend Patrick owned a big grey game boy and I played many games with him, taking turns. We played Wario Land, Links Awakening, Mega Man… but I don't remember clearly if we ever played Metroid II: Return of Samus.

Much later in life, in 1994 (remember, I was 8 years old in 1991 so almost half again my entire life passed between 1991 and 1994), I must have finally owned a Super Nintendo. That must have been the year I rented earthbound for my birthday. It was also the year that I purchased Final Fantasy II from a bunch of college students living in an old house on the east-side of Vancouver, BC. I had found the listing in the Buy & Sell Weekly, a thick newspaper you could pick up at the 7/11, which I poured over in search of treasure at every opportunity. I had called someone advertising a "Sega Master System" one time and asked what that even was. "It's the first Sega console" they said. I thought about this for a second and said "but doesn't genesis mean first?" This guy must have been really interesting, I never met him and I can only imagine what kind of life he must have lead. "Yeah, in the Bible" he replied with so much emphasis on "bible" that I felt compelled to end the conversation. The Buy & Sell had put me in contact with all kinds of interesting adults, and on that day in 1994 on the east-side of Vancouver, BC one of them had opened the door and revealed to me a sight I could only have dreamed of. Four of these guys were hanging out on a couch playing the most gorgeous videogame, a vision of deep blues and purples, clearly an RPG. I gave the guy his money and he gave me Final Fantasy II and I asked "what's that?". It was Final Fantasy III. I asked him "can I buy that too?" he told me no in a way that is only possible for an adult to tell a child, a kind of knowing smile, a laugh, probably he had made eye-contact with my dad standing behind me though I wouldn't have been aware. I just knew I had poked the edge of the thin film, the bubble separating adults from children. That same year Super Metroid had been released (this time in Japan first, then North America). Again Nintendo Power had heralded its arrival. I definitely owned that game, and played it a lot but never beat it. I can count on my fingers the number of videogames I actually beat as a child, and I only have ten fingers.

So tell me, if I made an action-platformer focused on guided non-linearity and utility-gated exploration and progression… what genre would it be?

[mahayanapilgrim]

From the life of Patrül Rinpoche (1808-

1887):

* PATRUL RINPOCHE AND THE WIDOW

While Patrul was traveling on foot across the vast plateaus of Golok (Eastern Tibet), north of Dzachukha, he encountered a woman, mother of three, whose husband had just been killed by a "changthang dremong", the huge bear of the Tibetan steppes, a beast much more dangerous than the dremong of the forests.

Patrul asked the woman where she was going, and she told him she was headed to Dzachukha with her three children to beg for food, as the loss of her husband had left them destitute. Then she began weeping. "Ka-ho! Don't worry!" said Patrul. "I'll help you. I'm going to Dzachukha, too.

Let's travel together."

She agreed, and so they walked together for many days. At night, they slept outside beneath the sky. Patrul would nestle one or two of the children into the folds of his sheepskin coat, and the woman would similarly hold the rest. During the day, Patrul would carry one child on his back, the woman would carry the second, and the third would walk along behind.

When the woman begged in villages and nomad camps they passed, Patrul would beg right alongside her, asking for tsampa, butter, and cheese. Travelers they met assumed they were a family of beggars. No one - least of all the newly widowed woman - guessed the identity of her shabby companion.

Eventually, they reached Dzachukha. That day the woman went off on her own to beg for food, and so did Patrul. In the evening, when they returned, the widow noticed that Patrul had a dark look on his face. The woman asked,

"What's wrong? You seem annoyed." Patrul brushed it off, saying, "It's nothing. I had a task to accomplish, but the people here won't let me finish it. They're just making a big fuss about nothing." Surprised, the woman asked,

"What work could you have around here?"

Patrul replied, "Never mind, let's just go." They came to a monastery on the side of a hill, where Patrul stopped. He turned to the widow and said, "I have to go inside. You may come, too, but not right now. Come after a few days."

The woman said, "No, let's not separate; let's go in together. Until now, you have been so kind to me. We could get married. If not, let me at least stay at your side. I'd benefit from your kindness."

"No, that won't do," replied Patrul, adamant.

"Up to now, l've done my best to help you, but the people here are troublemakers. We mustn't go in together. Come back in a few days; you'll find me inside." So Patrul went up the hill to the monastery while the widow and her children stayed at the bottom of the hill, begging for their food.

As soon as he was inside the monastery, contrary to his usual habit of refusing offerings, Patrul ordered that any provisions offered to him should be kept and put aside for a very special guest he was expecting who would be needing provisions.

The next day, everyone in the valley had heard the news of the great lama's return. "Patrul Rinpoche has come!" people said. "He'll be giving teachings on The Way of the Bodhisattva!"

Men and women, young and old, monks and nuns, male and female lay practitioners, everyone went hurrying to hear the great Patrul Rinpoche. People began to gather into a huge crowd, bringing along horses and yaks that carried their tents and provisions.

When the widow heard the news, she was thrilled, thinking, "A great lama has come! This will be my chance to make offerings and request prayers on behalf of my late husband!" Along with everyone else, she climbed up to the monastery, bringing along her three fatherless children.

The poor widow and her family had to sit at the far edge of the large crowd to hear Patrul's teachings. She was so far away that she could not see his features clearly. At the end of the teachings, like everyone else, she stood in a long line, waiting to receive the lama's blessing.

Eventually, she moved up in the long line till at last she came close enough to see that the great lama, Patrul Rinpoche, was none other than her shabby, kind, faithful traveling companion.

Moved by both devotion and amazement, she approached Patrul, saying, "Forgive me for not knowing who you were! You are like the Buddha in person! Forgive me for making you carry my children! Forgive me for asking you to marry me! Forgive me for everything!" Patrul brushed off her apology lightly, saying, "Don't give it a second thought!"

Turning to the monastery attendants, he told them, "This is the very special guest l've been expecting! Please bring all the butter, cheese, and provisions that we have been setting aside especially for her!"

[lets-curse-each-other]

"Money doesn't stink", or analysis of Mei Mei

Mei Mei's second name is "paradox". Almost every scene with her is a mixture of socially accused features and humanly approved virtues. We're getting acquainted with her during the Goodwill Event with Kyoto and our character perception changes within a few seconds:

she praises Maki - positive attitude:

she is actually corrupted - negative attitude:

The "simplicity" of Mei's aims and reasons could seem so petty 'cause they don't inspire, don't raise moral or aren't dramatic after all. She loves money, she works for it and does extra tasks only if she's well paid - nothing more. Similar situation was with Nobara:

I didn't like living in the middle of nowhere so I came to the city! This was the only way for me to move to Tokyo.

In ch. 5 Itadori represents the readers; he awaits to hear about tragic circumstances and grand higher purposes and gets ordinary wishes, human desires. "I'm not a hero, I'm a jujutsu sorcerer", remember? Gege is perhaps mocking (with respect of course) at the great anime titles (you know these guys, Naruto, Bleach, etc.) where the majority of characters are pompous in their achieving goals, usually these goals have dark and tear-jerking bases. It's not very human actually. I don't attempt to say that people in reality can't possess noble motives, however usually (USUALLY!) we're striving for common, necessary (or not), nice trinkets, not for "I WILL SAVE ALL THE PEOPLE BECAUSE I'M THE AMBASSADOR OF THE GOOD". Let's be honest, as well as we, Mei is just a human who is happy as fuck when sees her bank account has been replenished.

Nevertheless, she later helps the students with promotion by her (!) initiative. Mei doesn't take advantage from it, she's just admitted their skills without any prejudices and does them a favor. It could be the action of kindness or pragmatism because it's better for the sorcerers to accomplish missions according to their abilities and not stay on the plateau. Perhaps there was a possibility that Mei felt some kind of solidarity to Maki because their sorcery paths were alike, in a way. However, let's not forget her dogma: service potential is life itself for me. So for her courtesy she probably would expect from Maki reciprocal benefits.

She, surprisingly, isn't arrogant. Mei easily accepts others' suggestions (like with Utahime in Gojo's flashbacks), positively reacts to different plans and ideas, admits achievements and pays compliments:

"The Shibuya Incident" also shows Mei's contradictory character. We're getting used to her practical interests (even in her own family) and view on life as the goldmine of possibilities to get profit from everything and everybody, that observing such sincere empathy of her is really beyond our understanding. It's suspicious and confusing. Nice of Gege to not focus on one bright trait but to extend the personality further. That method helps readers always be a little bit shocked when there's this kind of a sharp transition: from "interested only in money venal person" to "caring, attentive and trustworthy fellow".

As far as concerned her past, Mei is likely from some minor jujutsu clan if taking into account the info from databook that the enrollment method was family lineage and Ui Ui's words about her "using family for employment". Howbeit, she inherited the cursed technique too weak to use alone, that forced her to train her physical abilities and develope skills of enhancing the body with cursed energy. Unfortunately (or luckily), she faced obstacles again: her body had a limit. She found strength to get back to basics, to her worthless at first sight inherited technique. Ironically, the thing that was useless at the beginning helped her to become a grade 1 sorcerer. It is necessary to admit how her highlight, main attack, reflects her life mottos in the best way. Are you ready to imperil yourself for me? Could i gain benefits from your sacrifice? Is your life able to help me in my aims?

Here there is a gist of her sympathy to Maki during the Goodwill Event. She realized how much effort, stubbornness Maki put into her achieving such excellent results without cursed techniques, not talking about mockeries and disrespect that the girl has to endure. In this aspect they are similar.

While on the subject of family and the Goodwill Event, I've been rereading ch. 40 (Mei's first appearance) several times and only now, as an afflatus, i realize that she could mean the connections between relatives/family traditions and its members. For her these formal bounds don't make sense at all. Everything should have its value, everything has a price. The idea is hard-nosed and unsentimental, but, you know, i like it in some way. I think you're familiar with a situation when you're obliged to do something for people just because these people are called your relatives. Mei's credo denies it. No profit, hence no efforts. Fair.

The battle between her and Kenjaku remained behind the scenes. And next time we see Mei (ch.133), her "betrayal" is obvious. I'm using quotation marks because, honestly, she acted logically, didn't change her businesslike habits. Mei Mei and her brother somehow could escape from Kenjaku, survived, and she immediately calculated the situation, grasped the outcomes of the Shibuya Incident and its winner and took the steps. Mei left the battlefield and her comrades fighting, but she and Ui Ui stayed alive. Therewith, her predicting the final, Mei saw no point in endeavors that would put her and her brother on the line.

Despite this, Mei does not avoid tragic consequences, in chapter 190 it is said that Ui Ui (most likely by the order of the elder sister) helps sorcerers in the colonies. I like how Noritoshi describes this type of relationship between Mei and the jujutsu society:

Risk diversification is the process of investing across a range of industries and categories. This ensures that even if some assets perform poorly, other areas can completely or in part cover the loss (source).

Diversification of risk is, therefore, a tactic to balance between maximising returns and minimising risks (source).

The siblings don't be in a hurry to jump into the deep end, despite the fact how tensed the situation is. They keep the distance, carefully help from comfortable positions, contribute gradually and cautiously. They will venture only when the game is worth the candle. Having such controversial characters on the side of good adds this very side more human features and realness. So I'm looking forward to see these guys' next actions.

[minty-mumbles]

BotW after the Calamity

I think they settle in Hateno, simply for the fact that Link already has a house there. They live together for a while. People draw their own conclusion about that, but they don't really care what people think. They need each other, especially in those first few years, just to remind each other that their 100 year battle is over now.

Zelda took of the job of being Hateno's mortician at some point. Probably because people kept asking her to pray over their dead relatives- since she's a descendant of the goddess- and that eventually bleed into helping with the body itself.

Since the kingdom is in shambles, there are very few people who actually have the time to learn and practice medicine. Zelda, who's always been really into biology, and already deals with bodies a lot, becomes the de facto local doctor. She's is the one who people go to for medical help, because she’s the one with the best understanding of human anatomy in the town.

Link starts tutoring kids in swordpaly. Children in Hateno, and other places he travels. Because I like to think he keeps traveling often not really one to be tied down to a certain place.

Along with that he takes up a couple kids a year as personal students. They live with him and he tutors them. Subjects range from fighting, wilderness survival, cooking, to applied physics (That's a new headcanon of mine as well- He can figure out how much force he's going to need, in which direction, to get where he wants to go with the stasis rune. If Zelda is the Bio nerd, Link is the physics nerd) Anything that is applicable and relevant to what they're doing that day. Zelda also swings by, because she eventually moves to one of the hoses that Bolson built just down the hill. She teaches the students biology, history, and shiekah tec. He doesn't end having any kids, but his house is constantly filled with former students swinging by for a spar, his current students, Zelda, Paya and Purah, Bolson, the champions if they have time off from running their respective towns. I also like the idea that he might take on boarders. Possibly travelers form Gerudo town, who are looking for work/a husband- they can stay with him. Or random travelers or merchant who are staying for just a few days, and need somewhere to stay while the inn is full. His tutoring is highly sought after, so he could charge a high rate, but his prices are actually very low- he charges for housing them only, and board/tutoring is covered by the kids helping out around the house, hunting for food for dinner, helping him cook, all while they are learning how to do these things. He's a little bit of a tough love teacher, but his students all love him, and all turn out to be very helpful, competent members of their community after they leave.

One of his favorite things to do is right when the kids get there, he takes them to the Great Plateau, and leaves them there for, like, a week. He's like "If I did it with no memories and monsters still running around, you can do it too." It always teaches the kids a lot. (He checks up on them every night, of course, not that they ever see him)

He always has the ultimate "When I was your age, I had to walk up hill to school! both ways!" kind of stories.

Student: "Oh, man, my day was weird."

Link: "Oh, really? Let me tell you about the day I defeated the reincarnation of evil-"

[greyknighterotica]

I could use your opinion please...for those of your followers that have little kids, yes to COVID vaccine? I feel so ignorant and so confused on what articles to believe are accurate. I was happy to get mine, however to make that decision on a really young person feels like a huge responsibility I don't want to screw up. Normally I say yes to every vaccine possible without question. But this one feels so much more confusing. I really trust your research and opinions on this matter. Thank you truly for sharing any insight and opinions you may have. 💋

Yes to Covid vaccines for kids.

I appreciate it can be scary, but I want you to remember that you were vaccinated at a young age many times over, and your parents and grandparents were vaccinated many more times over all with "experimental" (new) vaccines.

A little segue:

A funny thing I came across is that in the 1800s a man in the US challenged the medical norms at the time. He insisted better treatment could be rendered to people with cayenne pepper, warm baths, long walks than the current established treatment in the US at the time by licensed doctors--blood letting.

That's right, blood letting, something we presume to be medieval was not only practiced by US doctors in the early 1800s, it was the standard procedure.

The funniest thing about this guy? He wasn't a doctor. His entire sense of treatment came from a non-medical perspective, and that helped him see beyond what treatment at the time could.

To be clear, medicine and statistical knowledge has advanced a great deal since then, but it's a way better story than the one you always hear about the first guy to suggest washing your hands.

Why did I take you on that four paragraph sojourn? To say that even though I throw rocks and curses at the current medical system and establishment? There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that it's better to have a vaccine than not. All of the evidence points to a single conclusion, it is better to have the vaccine than not, even in the rare case of side effects.

It can be so intimidating. First it's only a trial, then it's only older adults, then it's generally lowered, then the vaccine is available for YOUR kids what do YOU do, I get it.

But that's how every vaccine that was ever injected into you or your kids so far has worked. It's a process. Inoculation isn't perfect, it's just far, far better than disease.

In far less words like the first sentence:

Yes, the vaccine for 5-11's is basically a must if you're traveling, sooner the better, boosters for the adults too, flu shots if you're willing--that could help out a ton.

Very early next year I think Covid vaccines will be approved for six months and up. Inhale through your teeth all you want, but that's when you started getting them, too.

One more thing about the 1800s and the battle for medical knowledge?

The antivax movement didn't really start up until the mid 1900s, but before that, there were plenty of pushback on waves of health information. When Aspirin was introduced people assumed it must has caused the Spanish Flu, after all, it came from Bayer, which was a German company, and who are we fighting!?!? (The Kaiser, just about any American of the time will tell you).

Yes, a hundred years ago, people were really screaming and wailing that it was Aspirin that was killing people and not some new disease, so take your mask off!!!

And just imagine how difficult the conversations with your child would be back then, given that you, your kid and the person berating you all knew that nobody could consult a higher authority.

Frankly? I think the worst has yet to come. I don't know when or if this wave, but I said earlier that we'd decline and plateau and even I am surprised at the uptick that we experienced after.

If you're going to travel for the holidays in the US this year, get your vaccines, every single vein you can, boost it up, whole thing.

We've ALREADY had two major airlines shut down service during non-peak travel times. We're already seeing a massive spike in the US, it will be worse and underreported next week as people don't test in order to travel (it just keeps happening, country after country, holiday after holiday, a huge testing dip followed by a spike).

Vaccines, N/KN-95s (strap them around the back of your head, look it up), rapid tests after you arrive, whole thing.

And that's not to help anyone else, this time. That's all just the defensive list of measures. Frankly, there's nothing that's going to stop this wave from going around, from being a seeding event for AY.4.2, so everything I said is mere to mitigate chances and damage.

Sorry if that sounds bleak, but it's the only outcome I see available on the board. So now, we do our best to prevent damage.

Good luck.

[khaosgaming22]

Expunged- Part I

The radio crackled in Chao's ship as he flew toward the location of the distress signal at light speed, he could just barely make out what it was saying but he was able to decipher the coordinates. He jolted out of light speed as he passed by the atmosphere of Jupiter, the titanic jovian cast a shadow on him so dark that if he didn't have lights he would not be able to see much. He looked over at another green colored moon that orbited the planet, Io was lost to the Darkness now. As he kept going the navigation system told him he was getting closer to the signal. That's when he realized where it was coming from and why there was so much static. The icy moon of Europa slowly orbited on Chao's left.

Chao was apprehensive as he was pulled into the planet's orbital gravity, the last time he was here was not pleasant. He had come here on a mission to scope out a new arena for his Crucible, all he found was a ship frozen in ice, broken in half and a Clovis Bray machine gun prototype. Along with a heap of trouble, it was a notoriously bad place for his kind. He couldn't leave now though, he'd already come this far and wasn't backing out if he could help whoever it was on the radio.

The ship sat down on a snowy plateau, the wind was blowing it everywhere and Chao could barely make out where he was going, not only that but the armor he wore was not fit for this type of weather. The cold didn't effect him of course, he was an Exo but the snow was so deep and his helmet had no thermals. He took off the navigation system from his ship and clipped it onto his belt as his Mark blew in the wind. Then he set it to where it would alert him if he was at his destination. For now he grabbed his pulse rifle, No Feelings and trudged through the snow following the lights on the other side of the ridge that shone through the blizzard.

He made his way toward the lights and the radio static began to come through a little clearer. Though the howling wind still made it hard to tell what was being said, he knew he was close, he saw the remains of an old facility captured in the icy surface. The front of it seemed like it was torn open by someone... or something. He proceeded with caution and kept his weapon close by as he descended down into the cavern that used to be enclosed but was now at the mercy of the treacherous weather. He turned on the light on his helmet to see better as he walked down the stairs and out into an area that reminded him of Titan's Arcology. Golden Age maybe, sleek designs. It was a miracle this place was still running after all this time. He stepped through the hallway and the door mechanism showed a green light before sliding open. The blinding light from the next room poured in and Chao's blue eyes whirred as they adjusted to let less light in. Pointless for Exos other than having to keep them as accurate to humans as possible. Chao stepped through the door to the giant room and he looked on what he saw with worry. First thing he saw was the logo. Clovis Bray Exoscience. Second thing he saw was the Crux. The loudspeaker gave a three toned trill before he heard a voice.

"Welcome home my robotic savior. I trust that you... recognize where you are now." Chao gave a nod, though it was small.

"I am the one who sent the distress signal, however I am not in any danger no, on the contrary I am perfectly content right where I am."

"And where might that be?" Chao tried seeing if he could figure out what was going on.

"Not sure... I seem to be surrounded by late uh- experiments of what this facility studied back in our Golden Age. All by the great Clovis Bray the First, father of Clovis Bray the Second and grandfather to Ana and Elsie Bray. One of the greatest minds of our time, for you see he was never afraid to do what needed to be done for the betterment of humanity. You were once researched here to travel the cosmos and beyond, however we all know that is not possible with the means you attempt now... shame. Instead you were created for something more dire, you Chao-5 were built for war." Chao didn't hear the door lock behind him as the voice monologued.

"All Exos were built for war, but that doesn't mean we all followed what we were created to do." The voice laughed at that.

"Really? So toting around high powered weapons and wielding Light and Dark against those that seek to win isn't for war?"

"I serve to protect the last of humanity, I do not use my Light with reckless abandon, I use it to shield those who cannot carry one of their own." Chao said firmly.

"Your track record says otherwise." The voice challenged. "Chao-4, Vanguard reprimand: War Crimes. Quote: Using Striker powers against enemy force innocents. Chao-4, Vanguard reprimand: Misuse of power and broken Crucible rules. Quote: Blatant disregard for teammates lives, four injured, 2 killed." Chao stood still, he couldn't speak.

"Sounds like that fight is still inside you. It hasn't gone anywhere, no maybe how many times you try to reset yourself you were created to do battle. You are an Exo, it is your prime directive, the Clarity that Clovis used still remains after all this time." The voice was behind him now it Whispered in his audio sensors.

"You've merely directed your fighting toward a different cause. Now I am going to do the same." Chao couldn't move, he was trapped in an overshield of shadow that encased him. The voice came into view, a Warlock draped in shadow, Awoken, his hair almost looked like Ken's. He fired a round from Chao's own pulse rifle into his chest plate and it shattered. The Warlock hooked up a cord to one of the nearby work stations and began to scroll through Chao.

"Don't worry, just like you've lived your whole life... you won't feel a thing. You will fight for us now Chao-6."

Hey everyone look content! Soo I know I haven't written in a while, school has been really rough and honestly it's just been kinda a sucky time in my life right now so writing some darker stuff hasn't been on my list but Beyond Light has been super fun and I got a ton of new ideas in the works now that I've read the lore, starting with Chao here soooo yeah idk how to end this but uhhh something something Stasis Go Brr