OOC: If Kasei was in charge, we'd all be dead. XD

IC:
Rose stood there, with her arms crossed, waiting for Nogare's decision. She favored going around, even if it took longer. She didn't think she could handle 20 L2 Hakiems. Even 20 L5's would seem a bit much when you added in the fact that once one of their own is killed they seem to get a tad bit stronger. Don't pull a Kasei, Nogare, Rose thought. We won't be miuch use dead.

OOC: Hurray! I get to choose!

IC: Nogare, being a Hylian Knight, knew the sign language (OOC: Seriously; they use that sign language in the Legend of Zelda, the Shadow Prince, which I own ). He was taken slightly aback, though the news hardly surprised him.

Which path should we take? We need to choose quickly...

It was then that Noval pointed and spoke to him. Me? Nogare was slightly astonished. Even after he had had that fight with Noval, the general seemed to forgive him. Why would he ask me?!He bowed his head in respect. As his eyes looked from path to path, he could feel the gazes behind him.

Were they to take on the enemies, and reach the king quickly and fight the twenty enemies, or take the longer way... He knew that he could strike down the enemies if he had allies... But would the others survive it? The other way would be longer. And they would likely be attacked from the other way anyway. They could reach the king quicker if they just took the deadly way...

But they are as much my duty to protect as the king is. the knight considered. What is the point of sacrificing my friends for saving something that is also valuable? There are others protecting the king... but he had to defend his company, he knew... And he knew he couldn't make a fool of himself again by making the same mistake he made before, which caused the anger between him and Noval.

"We will take the long way around!" He exclaimed at last. "If it's to be longer, then so be it. We will reach the king nonetheless. We must not just throw our lives away."

He turned to nod to his company, and then made his way down the hall.

"Very well then," Noval says as he turns to follow the Hylian Knight. "We shall travel the longer route." Inwardly he lets loose a sigh of relief, glad that his words appear to have penetrated the Vassal's mind after all. It is much better to play it safe rather than sorry; although, he truly is curious about what level the Hakiems in that room are. 'Perhaps when this is all over,' he thinks to himself, 'I can thoroughly inspect that area. Maybe there will be a clue or two left behind to indicate which they were.

The corridor Nogare has chosen is similar to the one they just left, only with both walls filled with paintings. No windows exist in this place, and because of that fact very little light as well. After walking for some distance, Colonel Veldam, closest of the three higher ranked Hylian Knights to the front of the pack, motions to a doorway to their left. "Through there, if memory serves," he says calmly.

* * *

Through the tiniest of peepholes, the man gazes upon the group in satisfaction as they turn away to leave. He then turns his head to position his ear over the hole, listening until their footsteps can no longer be heard. Certainly, he knows, they move away with all due stealth. But with senses like his, when the sound fades it is doubtful that they would be able to hear his own movement.

Turning back to the twenty Hakiems L2 that he has gathered in the room, he holds up the strange staff his employer had provided him. It was proving to be most useful after all. Holding it up into the air, a wavy golden light emanates from it, causing all twenty Sheikah to turn towards him. By Din, mind control certainly is something else. "Return to your posts - quietly," he says in a commanding tone. "Once you have returned to the exact spot where you began serving me, you will awaken from this trance with no memory of what has transpired."

The twenty men snap to attention and immediately shuffle out into the corridor. The man takes one look in the direction the group had traveled down, satisfied when he sees they are out of sight, probably out of hearing range as well. Then he turns and reenters the room. It's time to get things ready to go; Wraith will be along shortly.

Dogura smiled. Way to think Nogare... He had been reading the man's thoughts, and was surprised at how sensible the man was. "Very well thought Nogare." Dogura commended, just before Fang commented "Aww, come on, we could take them out! I dont feel like taking the long way." Dogura appeared in his face as quick as lightning. "Fang, you will be patient and follow orders!" His voice was raspy, and he was obviously fed up with the Mage's attitude. A bead of sweat rolled down Fang's forehead, and he was clearly frightened to an extent.

"Jeez, alright lay off me will you?" Fang turned, and exhaled. How hard has Dogura been training?! His power! I felt it! Well, that will soon be irrelevant, as soon as I can get my hands on that stone... Everyone will bow before me. He turned, and examined the situation. I suppose he made a good choise. He thought, looking back on what he said. He didnt quite have the power to take out that many Hakiems, and he was already injured. He decided to keep quiet until the time called for him to act.

It was at that moment, that Noval announced that they would follow Nogare's decision, and continue around the other way. Dogura and Fang followed the group down the cooridor. Dogura was impressed with the castle's divine beauty, even in the thick of night. Dogura had an advantage over the enemy during the night, as he was a shadow master. Fang, on the other hand, could draw fire from the sun's energy, and command the tides of water more easily with the light of the moon. As they walked, they each considered their options, and stepped quietly. It seems that Colonel Veldam still knows his way around the castle... Thought the smaurai, walking closely behind Raven, who was directly to the right of where Fang was walking. "Exactly how long is this way around, Colonel Veldam?"

Pyre let out a heavy sigh when Nogare made his verdict. It was not however a sigh for something anticipated that slipped away, but a sigh of relief. If the knight ordained that they should fight, he would do so without question, but he had no idea to take part in such a large, and potentially fatal battle.

He followed the rest of the group down the corridor. He had only one question: How long is the long way? It seemed that Dogura had the same line of thought, and vocalized the inquiry he himself was about to add. He watched for the responce. The longer the path, the more chances for Hakiems to attack them. If 20 Hakiems were gathered in one room, who knew how big their patrols were. The party might find themselves in the same prediciment they just faced.

The hylians dagger was once again at the ready. He admitted that he was rather paranoid. Every moment, things were getting more and more uncertain. Eventually the choice of paths may be a very difficult one. Hell, there might not be a right choice; mabye the group was going to have to fight against the odds no matter what. When this happened, Pyralin wanted to be prepared. He wasn't going to be caught by suprise, and become a hinderance to everyone else.

While he walked, his sense of dread worsened. As the party moved through the eeriely quiet halls that were usually filled with life, he couldn't help but think that something ominous was waiting for them; the ranger didn't like surprises like that.

Zelda Veteran wrote:He had been reading the man's thoughts, and was surprised at how sensible the man was.

OOC: I don't know if I should take that as a compliment or an insult ...

IC: Nogare smiled to Dogura for the compliment, but it quickly faded. He looked along the walls of the hall ahead.

He waited for Veldam to respond to Dogura before speaking. "This hallway's painting are rather new... not even a generation previous. This is Estragon, Zelda educator." He pointed to a painting with a man in a brilliant suit, fitting for a teacher. He had short, gray hair, which fell behind his head. He bore a thick book in his left hand held against his chest, and a pointing stick in his right, held low. His forehead was bold. His wrinkled skin was on his face, above each end of his broad smile.

"If it weren't for Estragon," Nogare explained, "both Zelda and Link would be dead at this moment; Zelda killed by Conly of Ruto, and Link in a trap of crystal and ruby."

OOC: Seriously, this is from The Legend of Zelda, the Crystal Trap; book 9 of the Nintendo Adventure series!

Is my constant reference to official Zelda-ness annoying ?

IC: After He had finished explaining about the scholar, he continued on, without bowing in the manner that he had before.

"Come!" Nogare said. "If we are to take that long in reaching the king, we had best not waste anymore time."

OOC: Was Nogare an idiot there at all?

Leth walked down the hallway with the rest of the group. The color in his face was coming back; he had gone pale when he heard about the twenty Hakiems. He was glad they were not going that way. Drom, however, had other ideas. "Why can't we stay and fight, Leth? I alone could take on ten of them all by myself." Complained Drommlin. Leth sighed exasperatingly and turned toward the whiner. "We're going this way because Nogare said so. Now come on." Drom rolled his eyes and sighed. About thirty seconds passed. Suddenly, a yelp was heard. Leth whirled around. "Drom! Shut u-" Then he saw. Karuna was holding Drom by the ear. "He was trying to go back there by himself." The Goron said. "I caught him in the act. Do you understand you could have gotten killed?" He says to Drom. Drom, in turn, huffed and said quietly, "Cowards". Leth was furious. "Drommlin, if you yell like that again, so help me I will send you straight home. Do you understand? You could've just alerted the guards to our presence! Be quiet!" And with that, he strode off.

OOC: Didnt mean to insult you at all Nogare And no, I thought you were reffering to games I hadnt heard of I was going to ask you where you got them.

Veldam shrugs in response to Dogura's question. "I can't say for certain. It would normally take us about five minutes if we'd gone through that room back there; this path will most likely be twenty. But, of course, both those times assume that we don't run into any Hakiems." Brandishing his pilfered Iron Sword and twirling it around in his hand a few times, he adds, "I say it'll still be about twenty this way; those Hakiems'll take no time at all to . . . remove."

Walking beside Pyralin, Alpha puts a steady hand on his shoulder. "Relax," he says calmly, apparently having noticed the uncertain air that hangs over the Hylian. "Otherwise, you'll only become so tense that you can't even focus on what's ahead of you. Enjoy the silence while it lasts."

Listening to Nogare's explanation of the hallway paintings, Noval allows himself a small chuckle. "You certainly have been keeping up with events, haven't you Sir Blade," he mutters to himself, not loud enough for Nogare to actually hear him. Turning into the next room that Veldam had motioned the others to go through, he allows himself a small grin. They've entered into one of the many gathering rooms of the castle; all that decorates the area is a large, ornate, blue carpet and a few shelves of books along the walls. A table and chairs sit off to one side as well.

But that smile fades quickly as his ears prick up as another sound enters them. Quickly he draws his sword again, signaling to the others to prepare as well. It seems that Drom's desire for battle will be satisfied - at least in part - for moments later, from a doorway on the opposite side of the room, three more Hakiems emerge, each one sporting a black handkerchief.

Hakiems L2 x 3

Tayro shrugged as he followed the others away from the room filled with twenty of their opponents, the Hakiems Tribe. Not knowing what they were going to face, he agreed with Nogare in this subject - better take the safe way. No way was he going to get himself killed to save such a creature that in fact deserved what was happening to him. Still, the man could be the Golden Hylian, and Zaboorak getting his grubby paws on him was not an option. Still, this wasn't the only reason of the mage apprentice's previous reaction.

Firstly, he had found out - thanks to Pyre - that the General was a mind-reader, similar to Dogura, and the prospect of him finding out his hatred for the king was quite unappealing. He could get into nasty fights with him, and this would only go for an internal battle within the party, something that they didn't have the time to do (not that that vile monster of a king's safety was a priority, but...). And unfortunately, he knew not if he could match the General and his companions (including Nogare)'s strength. As a safety measure, the boy's hand was hovering near his weapon, ready for the beggining of a duel.

Secondly (and for now, lastly), he wasn't able to take out those Hakiems at the previous battle for he was... distracted, due to a certain individual that decided to sneak aboard with him. The teenager sighed, and looked towards the small silver orb of light following him. Indeed, Elenina the fairy had snuck up with him without his knowledge, hiding in one of his robe pockets. During the battle, as soon as he was pouring his energy into the magical glyph to cast one of his Elemental Bursts, a multi-colored beam resembling an icy aurora hit him from behind, replenishing all the magical power he had put into the rune. Tayro quickly nulled the spell to observe what was behind him, and due to their following argument, he didn't do anything during the whole battle. He recalled himself asking about how and why she had come as well, and tried to convince her to leave, but all to no avail. Man, when she gets something in her head, nothing can stop her. Indeed, the mythical creature was following the mage apprentice, fluttering around as she observed her surroundings. "Nice architectural design." - she muttered. Her tone of voice was indefinite, so it wasn impossible to say if she was true to her words or just being cynical.

The boy's attitude when the Vassal spoke about Zelda's tutor was one of not much attention, yet still, perhaps unvoluntarily, he stashed all that information on his brain, as he continued onwards. What most interested him was how someone was able to trap a person inside a crystal. Nice ability. - he thought. As soon as Nogare Blade was finished with his little speech, the boy continued to the next room, finally finding something of interest - three opponents on the other side of the room. "Finally, a battle in which I shall participate." - Tayro muttered, drawing his wooden weapon. Observing their handkerchiefs, he knew he that this fight wasn't going to be easy at all. From the information he had acquired from the time he was locked in their fortress, he knew that these L2 Hakiems were quite tougher than the regulars... but still, considering all the foes they had defeated in the past, they could also take these down. He raised the staff and spinned it slowly in a circular pattern, creating a white symbol in front of him. Nextly, he began to 'draw' a five-pointed star on the center, the places in which the staff hovered gaining a white tone, much like painting a drawing. Placing the tip of the weapon on the center, he began focusing his energy to his staff. However, he charged iy with less energy than the usual amount normally required to make the spell work, as a certain magical aura was filling the rest needed. He glanced back to his fairy companion with a grin. Although this is dangerous, I'm glad Elenina's here - he thought, the light emmited by the glyph getting stronger. Finally, he let the energy surge forward. "Elemental Burst! Light!" - he yelled, as the rune started getting smaller and more circular, turning itself into an orb and shooting forward towards one of the Hakiems L2.

He wasn't sure that he could trust the two that he had freed from the kitchen. The muteness Lion combined with the hood over his head made him suspicious and wary of him. The last encounter with a Zora was not a happy one, especially since it was a Zora with Goldforce powers.

He didn't trust Lion but with no-one else making any decisions and him seemingly knowing where to go he didn't have much choice in the matter and wasn't about to go off on his own in an area full of Hakiems. He also had his hand by his dagger all the time they wandered down the castle halls.

They stopped and his hand closed slowly round the hilt of his dagger and he began to slowly pull it from his belt. Learning that there were - apparently - 20 Hakiems up ahead he waivered in drawing his dagger. When the decision was passed to Nogare he wondered what Noval was doing. An attempt to make it feel that we involved in the decision making process, perhaps?

So by Nogare's decision they chose to take the longer route walking down yet another dimly lit corridor. Would've thought they could get some decent lighting for this place. What do they spend their fortune on? The paintings it was ordained with, although impressive, were much to big to be... shared with other art lovers, for lots of rupees.

Arriving in a room for a long time since they stared this mission he was looking forward to having a rest on one of the chairs and maybe check out the titles on offer on the shelves. However, such respite was rarely offered and it would be the same tonight. As three level 2 Hakiems made their way into the room. 'They say no rest for the wicked. However, for you it will be eternal.' He says drawing his dagger as Tayro's light burst shoots forth.

Zelda Veteran wrote:OOC: Didn't mean to insult you at all Nogare And no, I thought you were referring to games I hadn't heard of I was going to ask you where you got them.

OOC: Happy to hear it ! And... they aren't exactly games. They're the Nintendo Adventure Books. They actually are really good. Very interesting. Good RPing . Book 10 is easier to come by than #9, though even #10 is still hard to get. No site that I know of has put it up yet. Mabe Village may soon. I will scan it for the site. But I only got them because way back when I was visiting my grandma in a very small town 4 hours from our house, we went to a used-book store. We got it. I wasn't even a fan of Zelda back then; it was my brother who was the fan (now, he's anti-Zelda:(). We also got #10, but then he was walking along a side-walk, reading it, and tripped, dropping it into a sewer hole ! I bought it on ebay 7 years later, 6 months previous to the present day. They're short, but cool. A LOT of my story will be based on those stories.

IC:

Alpha wrote:Listening to Nogare's explanation of the hallway paintings, Noval allows himself a small chuckle. "You certainly have been keeping up with events, haven't you Sir Blade,"

"Aye," he agreed without turning to face the general. Though he told himself in his thoughts, Perhaps a bit too caught up...

He walked on, and is alarmed by Noval's warning. Nogare saw them himself onlu moments after. He shouted the words required for the Jump spell, and a flash almost blinded all in the room. It disappeared quickly, and he leapt at the closest Haikem, with the added force of the jump spell.

OOC: Is that possible? Like, there will be a chance of me missing of course, but will there be more damage done to them if it doesn't miss?

[Dodge Check]

Pyre let himself relax, and nodded at Alpha. Then the Hakiems showed up. He nearly laughed out loud at the irony of it all. He still didn't quite understand the stratum of Hakiem strength, but knew that the black ones were pretty dangerous. He watched as the others attacked, but stayed back behind the rest.

He built up magical energy inside him, concentrating it in his hand. It took a while for him to build up the amount he wanted, and he had little control over it. He didn't know what element would be released.

Despite all of this, he shoved his palm in the direction of the attackers, releasing the magical energies, and a Elemental Burst. [elemental burst L1.... i just said it] He aimed it at the nearest of the Hakiems; the most present danger to those standing in front.

Rose hung back, unsure of what to do. But she finally decided to also use her magic to get in her first attack. She formed a ball of flames and sent it after the closest Hakiem, thinking along the lines of Pyre. Why is it that everytime I try to help someone, I have to fight someone else? she thought to herself.

The three Sheikah are momentarily surprised by the sudden appearance of newcomers to the area they are in charge of patrolling. Although it has been barely more than three hours since the hostile takeover of the castle was completed, it was thought that all resistance had already been squashed. Even as Tayro's Elemental Burst of Light slams into the second Hakiem (6+6[Roll+SPI]), the realization that new foes have arrived registers in their minds. While the man hit by the attack recovers from the powerful 16 DMG, the other two draw their Gilded Swords, ready to battle.

Elenina, Tayro's fairy companion, helps out in her own way, casting her own special spell over all her master's companions. Her Spell Abode ability reduces the costs of all spells to 3/4 of their original value, rounded up to the highest value.

But they aren't expecting Nogare's sudden lunge forward either. The closest Hakiem, the third one, is caught completely offguard by the bright flash of the Jump Spell's activation, as well the Vassal's following assault (17+5[Roll+AGI]). Knocked to the ground, the attack only deals as much DMG as the Son of Greyblade has STR, 3 DMG. The Hakiem wastes no time in retaliating, launching an Elemental Burst (L3) of Shadow from point blank range even as Nogare and he fly through the air towards the ground. His Dodge Check fails (10+4+5[Roll+INT+AGI] vs. 20), and the Grunt has no chance to escape, hit for a mighty 21 DMG (2+1[Roll+SPI]). The third Hakiem rebounds against the floor however, knocked back even harder by the force of his own attack. But he swiftly gets to his feet, ready to strike.

The lone unharmed Hakiem turns away from his grounded companions as Pyralin launches his own Elemental Burst. The Hylian's burst comes up with the best possible attribute, that of Light, and flies on a direct path for the man, sending out a mighty explosion as it impacts. But when the smoke clears, the man is nowhere to be seen . . . for roughly half a second. Then the blade of his sword suddenly smashes into Pyre's back (19+7[Roll+AGI]) The Hakiem has avoided damage completely (20+6[Roll+SPI]), but the same cannot be said of Pyralin, who has been dealt a good 15 DMG.

The good news? He is still finishing up his attack when Rose's Fire spell drenches him in searing flames (4+6[Roll+SPI]), dealing 13 DMG. But when the flames die down, the Hakiem is only enraged, the fire he has just survived mirrored in his crimson Sheikah eyes. Utilizing his own Jump Spell, he launches himself forward, deftly maneuvering his arms so that they intertwine with Rose's arms. With a swift move of his elbows, he knocks her sword right out of the woman's hands (18+3+5[Roll+INT+L3 Bonus]), sending it flying to the far side of the room [Disarm L3].

His fist then drills into her Jerkin, not injuring her but knocking her backwards as he leaps away from a new attack: Shada's own Twin Daggers. But the Sheikah manages to still catch the Hakiem right in the stomach (12+7[Roll+AGI]), dealing 11 DMG. But he has left himself open on purpose, for it gives him the chance to stab at Shada as well (16+7[Roll+AGI]), subtracting 15 HP from her total.

In the midst of the sudden confusion, the second Hakiem appears right behind the young lad that had injured him earlier - Tayro. Shadowmeld has served him well, allowing him to sneak up on the boy without being noticed at all. His sword slices through the air, but Tayro is able to sense him just before the blade hits and dodges (4+7[Roll+AGI]).

From beside the Mage, Koura jerks back as the Hakiem suddenly appears out of nowhere. "Shadowmeld . . ." she mutters to herself, angry at her lack of defensive measures against such an ability. But even as Tayro slips away from the trap, she sees an opening in the Sheikah's stance. Lunging forward with her dagger, she attempts to slash away at him. But the opening has already passed, and the Gerudo can find no way get past his now reinforced defense (1+3[Roll+AGI]). The man immediately draws his sword over his head -

Only to have it stolen right from above him (13+5[Roll+INT]). His shocked eyes look upward to find the Rito Calla having taken it with her talons: a Talon Snatch.

Talon Snatch – Calla can disarm an opponent, then attack with the pilfered item for one turn (only Base DMG is applied). Item returns to owner at the end of turn. Requires a successful Innate Check to perform.

And she is already in mid-motion of that attack portion of the Talon Snatch. Rotating herself in midair to build up speed, her talons release the Gilded Sword and send it hurtling towards the Hakiem, stabbing him square in the arm (14+2[Roll+AGI]) and sending him into a series of spins before he crashes to the ground. He pulls the blade from his arm as he rises again, ready to go at it again . . . albeit with 11 less HP.

Hakiem L2 #1: 26 HP, 40 SPL
Hakiem L2 #2: 23 HP, 40 SPL
Hakiem L2 #3: 47 HP, 34 SPL

Fang: 41 HP, 10 SPL
Alpha: 46 HP, 33 SPL
Shada: 20 HP, 19 SPL
Rose: 41 HP, 9 SPL
Koura: 20 HP
Noval: 71 HP, 15 SPL
Tayro: 33 HP, 13 SPL
Nogare: 50 HP, 10 SPL
Pyralin: 26 HP, 8 SPL