OOC: I know, I'm a music person so, my posts are probably gonna be filled with Music. Hope you all don't mind. ^_^

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xlwyil6 ... re=related

IC:

"Hello? Can you hear me?" Who is that? Why am I hearing voices again?
Nyre seemed to be floating through space, a place of blackness with dots that glittered in the distance.

"I think she's coming around. Better send for the man who brought her in."

What? What were they saying? Who was coming around? Me? No....

Nyre couldn't understand why everything suddenly just changed, the scene shifted, those glittering dots were converging in on themselves, creating one large light. The darkness was getting gradually more and more bright, then she felt herself almost literally moving forward, towards the light.

"Can you hear me? Miss?" Nyre wagged her head slowly from side to side, her eyes opening slowly, the light blinded her. She raised her hands to cover the glare as she slowly became more and more... alive?

'How can I be alive? The poison! What happened?!'

"So you think they'll be coming here before long?"

"Beyond any doubt, Aldo. The city has to be ready. They could be here any day."

"And you believe that they're all after that girl you brought?"

"Yes."

Aldo had become the captain of the watch in Ruto four years ago, and was known in the city for helping Zelda in an hour of need to save that Hero no one hears from anymore, Link. Aldo was wise, and very strong, and new the limits of the city. Everyone trusted him with their lives. He had become a friend of Nogare's shortly after he had returned to Hyrule a few years ago, and the son of Greyblade didn't know who else to turn to here. He could trust him, and he was the one to tell about the ReDead army he found in Moruge.

"So these ReDeads... They don't just stalk like they would in their underground dwellings. They are trackers, and they move quickly."

"Too quickly. It's almost as if they are part of the wind, which they decide the course of. They are one with the swamp."

"Do you think they'll make their way through the Passage?"

"I'm not sure, but I'm not going to bet Ruto on it. I advise fortifying Ruto as if the Servants of Armageddon were to tear this city inside out to find her."

"Nogare, listen, if she's going to cause the deaths of so many of us, you have to realize, there's nothing for it. You need to give her up. For the sake of Ruto, she has to be sacrificed."

The Blade's nerves twitched, and a vein in his head bulged. "I can't give her up."

"It has to be done. Once they have Ruto, what is North Castle going to do?"

"Forget about North Castle, King Harkinian number two, i don't want to hear about him. And don't think I care about the people less than you."

"But you care about that girl more than you care about the people."

Nogare had trouble countering that. "No. It's not affection, Aldo. It's what they'll do with her. You saw her, she's a pure-blood Sheikah. You know of the mysteries of that race."

"Not as well as you, but I know enough to know that they're dangerous to have around. More than a handful of the Servants themselves are Sheikah. What makes you think this girl isn't going to turn against us." Aldo knew that Nogare was half-Sheikan, but he kept his respect for him because his Sheikah side kept him his loyalty to Hyrule and his people, and he believed that any Hylian need be respected, for they were as close to the gods as any race in Hyrule came.

"That is exactly what is going to happen if they get to her, don't you see that? If she is goes back, we may well be finished now."

"... Okay... But what are you going to do with her? Take her in? Or kill her?"

"Killing her will be a recipe for immediate war anyways, I don't have a choice. Besides, she's not one of the bad kinds. I know that much, I sensed good in her. And she will do what she can to counter them. And she's got the ability to. Trust me."

"I do trust you, but... everything you've worked towards all these years... your plans against the enemy... They'll be for nothing."

At that moment the nurse who was taking care of Nyre came outside and spoke to Nogare: "She's awake. You can see her now."

Nogare nodded, and began to follow her as he replied to Aldo: "I know that. I know what it will cost me... But there's just... something..." he didn't finish his sentence, and went to follow the nurse to see how the girl was doing...

-------------------

She was in better shape than when he saved her, which he only expected from the Ruto healers. But she was still as lost as before... What did that do to him...? More pity and remorse...?

"We haven't gotten a name from her yet. She still hasn't spoken. Shall I leave you with her?"

"Please," replied Grayblade's son... only in order to hide from the nurse whatever emotions were appearing on his face.

When he heard the door close behind him, and moreover sensed that she had left, he leaned closer, and, more as a means to give her strength than with compassion, he took her hand. "My name is Nogare. I'm here... What is your name?" he watched over her. ... Was he protecting her? From what, the ReDead weren't here, he made sure of it again and again the whole time he'd been in the city. They were nowhere... then what was he protecting her from...

Loneliness... The thought both hugged his heart with an odd comfort, and in the same instant slapped his self-control cold in the face.

He was already down this road though. Wherever his emotions lead him, he would not forget his Blade honour, and not submit to something as imprisoning as love... He would find out who she was, and guide her. But... that.... was out of the question...

Nyre looked at the boy, her eyes still trying to focus completely, the small amount of light in the room gave her just enough power to focus completely. The first thing she saw about him was his eyes. The most beautiful gray-blue eyes. His hair was cut in an awkward fashion, but then again, what did she know? She's lived with one hairstyle her entire life-- long and straight. His clothes were a subtle shade of brown. Crossed over his chest, over a shoulder and connected at the back, a belt held the shirt on, although it was loosely placed on him, she felt her cheeks go hot as her gaze swept over him.

It took her a second to realize that he was talking to her, "Uh... Nyre. My name is Nyre." His expression didn't show much on the outside, so she couldn't see if he was effected by her name.

She had so many questions, she looked around the room slowly, her torso swayed slightly as her eyes gazed around the room. A couple other beds were placed around the room, all with clean white sheets placed over each mattress. She voice the biggest question in her head, "What happened?" when she got that question out, a whole new round filled her head, and soon she was voicing her questions without pause.

"Where did that demon go?" "Where did you come from?" "What happened? How am I here?" "Weren't we in a swamp earlier?" and the most important question she had in her mind, for her anyway was, "Why aren't I dead?"

Nogare watched her, and held her hand more to calm her down. "It's okay, Nyre. You're in Ruto City. The creature that attacked you is dead, and the poison it put in you is gone. I'm glad you're alive. But this isn't over yet. But for now, rest. The answers are coming. You aren't dead because I brought you here from the swamp, to be taken care of. But what happens from here..." he stopped short, and took the opportunity to understand that question while she comprehended his words... His own questions were pressing but could wait for her to at least understand what he was saying. He watched over her, careful that she didn't pass into sleep again...

"Ruto Town? Isn't that North of the swamps?" Nyre watched Nogare's eyes, she tilted her head to the side and thought to herself.
'What a beautiful blue... I've never seen such a blue before... I wonder if that color even has a name? Probably Storm Blue... yes... he has Storm Blue eyes....'

She was suddenly aware of his hand in her's, she looked down and watched as his left thumb made small circles against her skin, she wasn't sure if he was even aware of the movement, but she wasn't about to say anything, it felt rather... nice.

Another issue came to her fleeting mind, "What do you mean the creature is gone? You mean dead? Killed? Murdered like he did my...." she realized too late she had almost let something very, very personal slip out, and to someone she didn't even know to. She bit down on her tongue and looked down at the white blanket that covered her lower half.

As she thought about all the words he had said to her, she realized how soft and.. very male his voice was. It was... endearing. But mentally, again she shook her head and sifted through the different things he had said to her.

"What did you mean by that, when you said, 'But what happens from here....'? You never finished your sentence, if you don't mind... what were the finishing words to that sentence?" After asking her... i guess question were finished she yawned a big yawn, eyes watering from the stretch between her mouth and the skin around her eyes.

She awaited his reply with a surety that something inside her, a feeling she had never felt before was stirring. Looking up at his silence, she looked directly into those Storm Blue eyes, she sat silently, waiting for this Nogare to say something.

Nogare watched her more closely from her own sentence being cut off. Someone close to her had died from that ReDead. Perhaps they were protecting her from him, or them... he would find out later, not now. Not while she was still in this state.

Her own eyes were watching his a little too much... he turned away, and answered her, facing away. He realized that he was giving her enough strength to speak, and took his hand away. She was fragile, and his presence was throwing it off...

He cleared his throat. "Um, listen. I let you live because of... because you're important to the campaign of the war. But... what was a Sheikah girl doing near Moruge Swamp, being hunted by a species of creature the Hylian Knights have been looking for for all these years? Who are you, Nyre?" He faced her and watched her patiently, letting her take her time.

Who are you, Nyre? She looked down at that question, she had some new ones of her own, and they all revolved around him. Why would he walk away? What did he see in her eyes? Who was he?

Taking a long deep breathe, Nyre readied herself for probably the biggest explanation of her life. "I am Nyre Dian Cazlia, I was born in Saria Town, I was raised by the Zora Tribes in Laruto Falls." Should I mention my parents? No.... She felt her heart twist just thinking of them, she knew then that she would not be able to tell this Nogare without having tears fall. "I was traveling, I was going to to North Castle... I've lived with the Zora Tribes my entire life... well... half my life, and... well I wanted to be with my own kind. With humans." Nyre thought about bringing why she was living with the Zora Tribes, about how those creatures destroyed her home. Mentally shaking her head again, she debated against it, it was far to soon to be telling a complete stranger these things.

"I wanted to find myself, Nogare. I wanted to know more about myself, and I thought the answer would lay in the world where my own kind rested. North Castle." She looked directly in those storm blue eyes and collapsed back onto the bed, the explanation had taken a lot out of her. Now, she just wanted to rest.

But she wanted answers out of him, "I have told you my story, Nogare. Now... who are you?"

"Hmm..." Nogare took this in awkwardly. So they were hiding in Laruto Falls... This was news. They've done well to conceal themselves from the Exiles right under their feet... I just hope they're still on our side... Who knows what has really kept them alive this long...

He took a moment to think before answering Nyre. "... Well... Nyre. I can likely help you find out who you are, but I will tell you this first. You are virtually the last of your kind... Well, our kind. I'm half-Sheikah, which is the race from which you were born. They were protectors of Hyrules in ancient days, but now there are only a few of us left, and most of them are now just protectors of Hyrule or some of its last enemies. I won't fill your mind with more than you can now understand, but for now, know that... you will find no answers within North Castle unless you lose yourself in its libraries. And it will lead you only to loneliness." He felt like shutting up right then. As if he wanted to help her find a less lonely road to find herself.

He continued on, knowing that he was about to miss the beat, and it would be too obvious to notice that that made him feel something out of the ordinary... (even though her Sheikan insight could help her see through it anyway... He just hoped against it).

"I'm the son of Grayblade, one of the Blade Brothers, the guardians of Hyrule. I am the last of my kind too... that I know of. Being a Blade that is... My father is my Hylian half. I never knew my mother. But I came here to try to replace Link while he fights to the west in Calatia (which I'm sure you've seen a bit of from the heights of Laruto Falls...) I lived in Saria Town as well... many of the Blades did... it was the frontline to Ganon's realm, after all..." I'm saying too much... "Listen, um, you're probably a bit hungry... I'll get you something to drink."

He left out of the room, and pressed his back against the wall next to the door, and felt like sinking down against it, if it weren't for his ignorance of feelings. Come on, Nogare, what's wrong with you? You promised... that you wouldn't let love blind you from... what must happen. What must be done. His hope mocked him, and his mind played with harsh fantasies that couldn't just be wished away. He felt something for this pure-Sheikah before he knew her name... when he first saw her in the swamp. Now what? He was now not only sacrificing his own survival, but he would for hers as well... He would resist no matter what... so that nothing would stand in his way... Pull yourself together... She won't get in your way. My feelings are screwed up as it is, avoiding her won't do much more to add to how I feel. I'm already pretty down... Right... She needs something to eat...

.... and she probably could sense that whole thing, through the wall... Sheikahs...

He returned in about a minute, carrying a tray, with a glass of Lon Lon Milk and an arrangement of foods the nurse had suggested, and placed it on her lap. "There, go ahead. You must be starving... Being in the wilds since leaving Laruto, and being in this drought of a canyon, far away from water, even if it is named after the Sage of Water... a bit too ironic if you ask me. Well, um... what are you expecting to do once you recover...?" Somehow he already knew what she was going to say, even if he could have looked into her mind.

Nyre had listened intently to Nogare's entire explanation, picking up little bits in between, she began thinking as he spoke. I am one of the last of my kind? How could that be? Saria Town was filled with Sheikah... what happened after I ran off? After the town...was... destroyed? Nevermind, I already know exactly what happened... the Exiles... they attacked the village and left no one left alive. If that is what happened then... well... I don't know what to think, nothing can be done to bring my people back and, nothing I can do can make the memory fade away. She listened as Nogare went on. He mentioned something about loneliness... her mind became a heated frenzy of thoughts, What does he know about loneliness! Nothing! He doesn't know anything about loneliness! As she stared at him, when he finished talking, she saw him bite his lip, which only told her that he was nervous or feeling like he was saying too much. She hoped it was the latter, You better be thinking you've said to much... Nogare Son of Grayblade....

She put her head down, and soon enough, he started talking again, as he talked about who he was, and how he used to live in the same village as her, she slowly looked up at him again, those storm blue eyes caught her full attention once again.
So he is one of the Blade Brothers... they were famous in Saria Town... I knew his father... well... my father knew him, before... the incident. She saw him pause and bite his lip again, she begged him with her mind to say what he was thinking, she wanted to see into his mind, but she lacked the courage to do so, and the strength.
"Listen you must be hungry... I'll get you something to drink as well." Those words were not what he was thinking, and she felt a stubbornness clench in her stomach, she wanted so much to know what he was thinking, but sadly, she never got to ask, he was already leaving the room.

As she waited for him to come back with whatever food they could bring here, she looked around the room again, and saw a average window sitting on the south end of the room, fixing her eyes on the window she saw rocks, as she stared at the copper colored rocks, her mind wondered.

I don't like this... something doesn't feel right about this Nogare, he seems too... nervous, like he has something to hide, but what is it? And this weird feeling I have inside me, what is that? I've never felt so... odd... around a male before, the Zora boys I knew in Laruto Falls, they ignored me... they wouldn't look twice at me, I guess because they knew I was different, I know for certain I did know that I was from some distant area, but I at least smiled and waved when they walked by... but this feeling I have now... it goes beyond anything I've ever known... I can't name this feeling, and quite simply, for this weird feeling to come out around this... stranger... is even more... odd. Could my life get any more strange?

Nogare returned with a tray of food, a bottle of Lon Lon Milk, and an assortment of other foods were on this said tray, Nyre's mouth began to water, she hadn't eaten in days. He placed the tray directly on her lap, which made her stiffen, completely shocked. He sat down again and took one prolonged look at her and started talking again, about how Ruto Town was located on pretty much the summit of a mountain, and how ironic it was that the Sage of Water was named after a desert like town on the mountain summit. As she listened and watched him, his body language said so much about him, and she wasn't sure if he meant to show that or not, since usually, as she was told while younger, that Sheikah were trained to hide their feelings well.
He asked her a direct question just as she tipped the glass of Lon Lon Milk to her mouth. "What are you expecting to do once you recover?"

Lowering the glass from her mouth, she looked him directly in the eye, and sighed. He should already know what she planned to do, she was heading to North Castle, he should definitely know that, without the questions, but since he looked genuinely confused, she opened her mouth and answered him, "Once i recover and am once again able to walk around on my own, I will head to the destination I was heading for in the beginning. I will be going to North Castle."

Nogare drank from his cup before replying to it all.

"Nyre... You may have noticed that you... see more than most do. You can tell when someone is lying and telling the truth. And you hate being out in a beautiful sunny day, and prefer to stay indoors, and love to gaze under the moonlight into the stars. You were different all your life from others, both in Saria and in Laruto Falls... And..." Am I kidding myself...? "... I am the same way. Our kind are gone from this world. We were nearly extinct over a millenia ago... I wonder... Were you... um... Were your parents also of your blood? Were they Sheikah? My father likely knew them, but I was never introduced, I was still being trained constantly. But... I found myself... over time purpose became my pursuit, and here I am. But... I've never FOUND myself." I speak way too easily with her around.

"... I will go with you to North Castle, and help you find yourself, too. I'll help you once we get there. I was on my way back anyways. I need to report this to Harkinian, the King of Hyrule... When you leave, we should travel together. From there you'll find yourself, and go your own way."

Nyre stared at him, Did he just ask about my parents? That was the one thing in her mind at that second, she could've cared less about what he said about her, which was all true, she mulled over her answer for a second, What should i say? He asked a direct question about my parents... and somehow... i have this urge NOT to lie to him... oh well, I might as well get this over with, it might be better to just get this off my chest.

She looked down, trying not to shed the tears she felt so close to raining down her cheeks, "...Yes, both of my parents were... of the same race as I...." she choked back the raging emotions inside her and looked up into his eyes, she could feel the warm tears edging over her eye lids, she quickly turned away from Nogare, sliding the now empty tray off her lap and placing it at the end of the bed, she turned and pushed herself out of the bed, stumbling a little as she made her way over to the window and looked out into the sizzling earth, scorched from the sun, rock as red as blood rested beneath and around where ever she looked, sighing and looking down upon the green earth below the summit of the mountain, she began talking.

"Nogare... those monsters... the ones you killed? The ones I heard you call ReDeads... they were the ones years ago... who destroyed Saria Town, killed everyone in their path, including both of my parents... and if I can guess correctly... your father as well. They wreaked havoc on the entire town, enslaving few, and killing many. My mother had me hide inside a fireplace... she was killed before my father, who in his last moments of his life, told me to climb and go to Laruto Falls, he had told me before the rampage began that if anything ever happened to either him or my mother, that I should go to Laruto Falls, he told me that the Zora Tribe there would take care of me, that they were too difficult to track, and the water prevented most from entering their domain... I watched my father die... I could see the pain in his eyes, and yet I could do nothing to save him, or my mother... when I knew the house was empty of those vile creatures, I did as my father told me, I started to climb, out of the fireplace, up into the chimney, and out into the town I once knew as a thriving place with laughing children and smiling parents watching with glee... then seeing it, still seeing it in the back of my mind, as a black ruin, chard buildings falling to the ground, this monsters laughing as they murdered another round of villagers." Nyre turned to face Nogare again, she didn't care about the tears running down her cheeks, not anymore, he deserved to know, "I don't remember running so fast in my life, their leader... the big one who you fought? He was the one who saw me running, he was the one I heard calling after me, telling me that I would suffer for being a coward and now facing death like a grown up... that was the last time I ever saw him, until the other day... and that was the last day I ever went back to my village."

She turned back to the window, taking a huge sigh, feeling a little more than releeved to have that issue off her chest, and to someone who was half of what she was... none the less, someone of her race. A Sheikah. "And as for your demand, if that is what it was, for you to come with me to North Castle... I humbly accept, I know not how to defend myself very well in the lands which are filled with those Exiled. I thank you for your help, for earlier, now... and in the future. It is greatly appreciated." Nyre gave a half hearted smile and nodded her head to Nogare, who was still sitting in the chair, cup of Lon Lon Milk still in his left hand, Nyre thought for the briefest moment that he had frozen, in her morbid curiosity, she started to walk toward him, if she had to she would help him come out of his trance, but she didn't have to wait long.

Nogare listened, not making a move. He focused on his thoughts. Rather his memories... He was there too... The massacre was devastating... He wasn't done his training... Everything in his life changed after that fight.

"Nyre... I don't blame you for the deaths of my family. I never will. I will still..." Shut up you idiot! Control your feelings! "... Well... you're making a quick recovery. Walking around won't help, though. Take it easy, alright?" He was urged to sit next to her and hug her, only to have a mental resistance slap him in the face for even think about it.

"I'll be around the city. I won't be far. If you do need me, call the nurse to get me, she knows how to reach me."

Nyre stood there, dumbfounded, Is that all you can say to me? I just told you my entire past! And all you have to say is I Don't Blame You? Get a hold of yourself Nyre, he means nothing to you, then why do I feel so... calm and... safe around him? Why am i feeling this way? What's wrong with me? Nothing is wrong with you, you are perfectly fine. All you need at the moment, is some fresh air. Get out of this room and walk around for a bit, it might help the stress. Her mind raced as she watched him leave the room, his broad back to her. She felt a strange pull as he saw the last of his shadow disappear from the hallway wall.

Soon after he left, a nurse came into the room, "Oh! You're up, what a relief, I didn't think you would make such a quick recovery... its simply amazing what a healing can do, specially with your blood miss. You mus'nt ever ferget that eh? Shiekah are a special breed, with yer' special powers en' all. Bless you miss, you look just like yer father. You're free to go at any time there love." Nyre was taken off guard by two things with this nurse, her accent, and how she knew her father? She simply gave a small smile and a nod to the nurse and walked out of the room, she was heading blindly into a world she knew not what to do, or where to go. She had never traveled so far north, since the Zora Tribe had forbade any travels there, until Nyre herself went to the King of the Zora's and asked permission to go to North Castle.

"Nyre?" someone said behind her, she turned around and saw the nurse. In the nurse's hands was something black and cloth-like. She picked up and corner and saw she was holding an outfit, a woman's outfit. She wasn't exactly out of the building yet, she sought out a private room and changed into the black cotton breeches, which in turn had a skirt over the top, and a lose fitting cotton shirt, she tied the cape around her neck and put the hood up, her hair was still visible from the sides of the hood, and all that you could see of her face was her mouth and her chin. She smiled and walked out, giving the same nurse another nod.

"Thank you." Nyre said to her, as she walked by. She watched the nurse nod and smile. Nyre thought as she walked by, she thought she heard the nurse say, 'Your father would be proud.' She ignored it, and kept going.
As she exited the building, the sun took her eyes by surprise and she had to block the sun, even from the cover of the cloak's hood. She blinked a few times and saw a dirt street, and buildings going down each side, Nyre came to one conclusion first, I must find Nogare. I am ready to leave this wasteland, now... where would a lone Half-Shiekan be... specially in a place like this? Thinking these words she stepped onto the street and began her search.

And here I am. Came a telepathic voice that sounded like Nogare's.

He was there, behind her. His face was exactly as it was when he saw her last. He wanted to keep it that way. He left a note for Aldo, about their weaknesses and how to defend Ruto if it came to an attack for her. He didn't mention how he felt about endangering Hyrule, but he had no choice. He smiled weakly, and looked down. "I've already packed provisions. I tried to ask the Gorons if we could use the caravan, but they wouldn't allow non-members to come along, so we'll have to travel by foot... I'm sorry... We'll be there in a few days. The roads can be dangerous these days, but I'll guard you until you get some new weapons. None are available here, their stock is out, you can only get them at North Castle... I tried to get your weapons from the swamp, but they were left behind, and we had to move... So..." Nogare reached into his bag and handed her a bag of rupees. "Take these. It's not much, but you'd might as well have something on you." He tried to smile again, but cleared his throat and looked past her. "You're not sick anymore, and there are many who would need that hospital bed. We'll leave at first light. You may stay at the inn, I will wait for you outside... I'm not tired..."

He gestured towards the inn. "Use the money to buy a room for the night. I'll be out here."

--the following morning--

Nogare waited turned to see her behind him. "Alright, let's go. I know these lands. Stick close, it's a week and a half travel to North Castle on horse, if you stick to the road (which is what is wisest in times like this for now... especially if you're unarmed and untrained). Come." He gave her a white horse, and he mounted his own gray one. "We're set. let's go." The gate opened for them as they reached it through the Goron District. He kept his eyes out for thieves, who were common in this district, but found none... It was a silent day. Withdrawn. Keeping themselves close to their homes. He looked back, to look at Nyre... as they went through the wastelands...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pItsaCj ... re=related

As they reached the opening of the valley which lead out of the highlands, the whole landscape revealed itself to them. They were along the cliff by the giant windmill, below them to the south was an open field, and far far before them to the east, was the breaking dawn opened before their eyes, peeking over the dread mountains of Parapa, gleaming with hope and wonder, watching their journey unfold... And there, he seemed to follow its gaze; for beyond the forest, under the eye of the sun, came a glowing white piece of majesty he had seen so many times, and knew every corner of.

He was home.

He turned to Nyre beside him, and smiled against the sunlight. "Behold! North Hyrule, the last of the kingdom of Hyrule. The home of the last survivors of the war. The last refuge of all things. It was held in the balance for years, but we have held strong for all these years, with the protection of the adventurers. It has seen its share of war and hurt, but we haven't fallen yet. And if we hold our ground to the end, we'll begin a new age... Which is what so many of us have dreamed of for our whole lives..." he faced the sun again, and continued along the cliff toward home. "You will be safe here, Nyre. A new life awaits you... let's keep moving...