Alpha walked through the town at night, heading to the Ornery Cucco, feeling a need for a good glass of Lon Lon Milk. It had been nearly two weeks since his encounter with Master Zaris, and he had spent the time frequenting the bar for information about his master. In fact, he’d hardly had five minutes to himself in the past few weeks, save when he was sleeping.

Alpha spotted a back alley that would save him several minutes, and entered into the dim passage. The shadows did not scare him, for as a Sheikah he had spent his life blending in with the darkness. As he turned a dark corner, he noticed his scar begin to glow. It was extremely faint, but still…he kept his senses tuned to any and every movement or noise, ready to attack or dodge at a moment’s notice.

Suddenly seven Sheikah appeared around him. Their clothing consisted of black hooded robes that reached from head to foot, much like his own cape. He could not see any of their faces. He also noticed that they each had long swords held out in front of them, six of which were pointed at various places on his body, mostly his head. The seventh was rushing forward, sword at his side, ready to slice Alpha’s stomach open…

The seventh Sheikah stopped in his tracks as Alpha vanished. All of them faltered for a second before realizing that it was just Shadowmeld. The seventh continued his attack, slicing through…air. Alpha had already jumped up to one of the rooftops, and now leapt down at the Sheikah, staff in hand. Within seconds each and every one of them were immobilized, at least temporarily. Three were unconscious.

Suddenly a new figure appeared at the entrance to the alleyway. Alpha could barely make him out through the darkness. A voice came from the newcomer. “Seize him,” he commanded in a loud, gravelly voice. The remaining four rushed to carry out the man’s bidding, surprising Alpha. He had thought they would be in too much pain to do anything. Indeed, several still clutched their stomachs and heads, fighting the pain to carry out their orders. ‘Interesting. They must be very afraid of him.’ He decided to play along so as to find out more about this man.

As he walked out of the shadows, Alpha was able to get a much better look at him. He was also a Sheikah, and stood a head taller than all the others. His robe's hood was down, showing a short brown beard and pitch-black eyes. His robe bore several markings in blood red colors. It showed a vertical version of the Sheikah eye, with a cut right down the center. Alpha recognized it instantly. “So…the Hakiems tribe has finally found me.”

“So we have. And we have a message for you,” he said, bending over so that his and Alpha’s faces were mere inches from each other. Alpha grimaced. “And why should I care about what you have to say? You destroyed my home, killed all who I loved, and ruined my life!” With that he spat on the leader’s face.

The Sheikah stood back, wiping his face off with his robe. “As much as I would like to have you killed for that, my orders are clear.” He took a more solemn stance, hands together behind his back. “You are to go to the southwestern corner of the lake surrounding the North Castle one week from today. At that time you shall meet my master, and will tell him the location of your master, Zaris.” He took a look at Alpha’s face, one of defiance. “Oh, you will come. You see, my lord happens to be a Zora…one renown for his flute skills…” He trailed off as he saw Alpha’s anger come to the surface. “So you do remember him. Good.”

He turned to leave. “He is most eager to see you again.” He bowed his head at Alpha, then turned partially away. He looked back. “Oh yes…I don’t like other people’s germs.” He turned swiftly, smashing the back of his hand against Alpha’s cheek. What would have been a mere glancing blow from anyone else felt like an anvil being thrown from a cliff and smashing into Alpha’s face. The Hakiems walked off into the darkness, leaving the unconscious Sheikah lying facedown on the ground.



Fifteen minutes later, the only sign of what happened is Alpha’s unmoving body. No one has bothered to use the passageway, but on the roof above sits a lone girl. Her long brown hair is in a braid that reaches down past her waist, and she wears Sheikah armor. With the moon to her back, she ponders what she has overheard. Several times she has considered going down to help Alpha, but cannot risk exposing herself to the Hakiems. With a troubled sigh, she takes one last sorrowful look at the sleeping Sheikah and fades away into the night.

While strolling through the vast maze of alleys Julian spots an unmoving body centered in an unused passage. He walks toward the shadowy figure and finds that it is Alpha. "I don't trust you, but I can't let you die without having a fight with me," Julian thinks o himself as he kneals next to Alpha's unmoving body. Julian removes a strange red elixer and tilts itinto Alpha's mouth.

Alpha coughs as the potion restores his consciousness. "Ohhh, my head..." He finally looks up to see who was helping him. "What...Julian! What are you doing?" He finds it almost impossible to believe that Julian would actually help anyone.

"Is that all you've got to say. I restore your consciousness, and I don't even get a thank you," Julian says and then scoffs. "I couldn't let you die. I mean, then I wouldn't be able have a match with you." Julian says as he cracks a grin.

"I see. Well then, thank you very much, Julian." Alpha slowly raises himself with his staff. "The Hakiems tribe...so they're back." He bows his head in sorrow. "This isn't going to be pretty." He turns back to Julian. "Have you any idea where a Sheikah named Zaris could be found? I seriously doubt it, but I would sure like to talk to him right now."

OOC: No, I don't expect you to know where my master is.

"I don't believe I have met this Zaris that you speak of. Is he of any importance?"The zora questions as he stands up, the nearby oil latern giving his skin a reddish glow.

As Denning walks through the streets, he spots Alpha, he rushes over to him.
"ALpha? What happened? Are you hurt, need help?"

"I'm alright now. Julian helped me out." He turns back to answer the Zora's question. "Zaris was my master. I know he's in Hyrule, but I've no clue as to where. I would very much like to speak to him, now that I know the Hakiems tribe is here as well."

"And the Hakiem. Who are they?" Julian asked as he takes a seat on a nearby barrel. His curiosity growing as every moment passes by like a raging fire feeding on the trees around it.

Alpha's face becomes sorrowful. "I...I'd really prefer not to talk about it. My life was ruined by them...not many fond memories there." He slowly returns to Hyrule, and sighs as his memories threaten to overwhelm him again. "What I will tell you is that they've been trying to kill Master Zaris for years. During my training they were after me too, so I suppose you could call us sworn enemies."

"I see. Well then I will join you in your quest to find your master and I will stop at nothing to kill the Hakiem." Julian says, his voice filled with concern. He straightens himself and smiles."Let us hope, that we will be triumphant when we take down this tribe that has caused such tribulation in your life."

Alpha looks at Julian wearily. He pauses for a moment, unsure as to what to say. He does not trust Julian at all, yet here the Zora stands pledging to help him find Master Zaris. 'Perhaps this is just like his allegiance to Wyndisis - a front. Yet he seems so genuine...' He nods as he makes up his mind. "Thank you, Julian. I will happily accept any help you can offer me." He considers telling him more, but decides against it. 'No one must know of my meeting with the Hakiems leader. It won't be safe for them, and besides...

'This is personal.'

OOC: Master Search Part 3 is up now, in area f33. That's two areas east of Lon Lon Ranch.