OOC: Yeah, well, I usually check in here a few times a week. And nothing was going on. So I thought, "What the heck, lets make a topic reflecting the current state of Hyrule." So I did. And it's not quite as deserted as I thought it was. It seems as if only the RG's are missing... it would sure be nice if we could contact them.

IC: What Leth saw unfolding before him was, without a doubt, a miracle. In this world that he so often walked, the world of silence and dreariness, devoid of life, there suddenly appeared before him so many of his old friends and allies that he had to pause a moment and calm his mind so he could take it all in. He took a deep breath and turned to Sovelis. "A pocket dimension... I had not thought of that. Although it would take a very powerful mage to shunt us through time and space into a different dimension. But that begs the question... If we are all in a separate dimension, then that means Hyrule, the real one, is left without us..." Leth's face grew pale. "Now this is beginning to make more sense." He paused a minute to think, and continued, this time speaking a bit louder so more people could hear. "If this is a pocket dimension then my guess is that someone wanted us gone. If we, the heroes of Hyrule, are gone, then who knows what may be happening back in the real Hyrule. They could be under attack at this very minute! This is more of a crisis than I realized. We have to find out how to get back, as soon as possible. If anyone has any ideas, please speak your mind. Any information at all would be helpful." He stopped speaking and waited for someone else to say something.

OoC: Hey just so you know, if any of you guys try warping to another dimension, you will find that it doesn't work. For future reference.

OOC: I hope i'm not misinterpreting Dogura's remark. If I did, I'm sorry >.<

Kasei begrudgingly turned his red eyes a bit to glance at Dogura Shadowclaw. The samurai, though secretive and shrouded in mystery, had always seemed to do what was right, even if it seemed to be against the morals of the society. Still, something about the man made Kasei distrust him; the two had, as far as he was concerned, never traveled together on any notable occasion; the battle against Gohma was the only occasion where he remembers fighting alongside the samurai. In addition to that, the Samurai's rude comment just now did not improve his standing's in Kasei's book at all, and the Rebel Flame looked at him in with distaste. "Thank no one, for if I had known that such a reprobate would be in this assemblage than I would rather I had not come at all." He sneered.

He turned to Leth as he repeated Sovelis' words. "A pocket dimension...a powerful mage indeed would be required to force us here, as we were scattered throughout Hyrule and, indeed, places not quite in Hyrule. Perhaps there are other options as well? Still, in regards to ways through which we can return to our homestead, I personally know no way to escape a pocket dimension, though I understand how one is forced inside; my Ankokutairiku forces it's victims into such a dimension, but I've known none who could escape the world after they've been sucked in. One is capable of escaping the pull before they are completely immersed, but alas, I doubt that would aid us in this situation."

He turned to Sovelis and Alpha. "I can assume that you both are familiar with dimensional travel? Do either of you have a proposal?"

Pocket dimension?

Dogura's thinking changed with these words. An interesting proposal. He listened to what had to be said before making a proposal of his own.

"I doubt any one man or woman would have the power to fling multiple people into a separate dimension. If anything, I would figure it would be a group of people focusing their magic unto one spell."

The samurai turned his eye to the sky. "If anyone was wondering- No, I don't believe we've all died. This isn't hell, and if it's heaven, I don't know how I made it here." This was all wracking his mind, but he decided to relax and not let it bother him too much. "If something wanted all the heroes of Hyrule gone, I shouldn't be here. Cowardly as he may be, Darkin could be considered more of a hero than I, and yet he remains absent among us."

Kasei's remark hit the vagabond's ears, and he turned with a sly smile. "Reprobate..." He paused as if in thought. "Not a bad word to describe me, but I'm sure you were holding back. In any case, if you really don't want me around, deal with it." He smiled warmly at the man, and raised a fist. "Besides... With no guards around, we could have an actual fight." He sighed, and folded his arms again. "Tempting as it sounds, however, I think we can both agree that this isn't the time."

The apprentice scribe known as Simon Grendel turned to Azador and answered. "I'm doing curious today, Azador. I'm doing very curious." He realized it made no grammatical sense but it got the point across. He didn't have too much time for trivialities, and, even though he would return the same question to the mage, it was obvious that the current state of Hyrule's appearance were plaguing his mind. He had an affinity for proper grammar, just like his master. Clearly, he was highly concerned.

"How you do today, Azador?" asked Simon in reply, with a chipper smile, as to show that nothing was wrong. But then, he gave a small frown, realizing that he needed to interject something into the other converstation. He held up his index finger as to tell Azador "one second" without actually saying it, hoping he wouldn't offend the mage, then he made his remark.

"I like Leth's theory, I really do. And I'm not above the whole 'wanting all the heros out of Hyrule' thing, but I noticed what Dogura just pointed out as well. I'm not really that much of a hero. And there are even more famous heros who should be here right now, but who apparently aren't. But, then again, perhaps the enemy of that scenario didn't do their homework and they just collected whoever they thought to be heros without doing to much research. And, as for the whole pocket dimension concept, I agree that it is highly feasible, but I also agree with Dogura in the fact that it probably wasn't one person but a group of mages. After all, to collect us from ALL around Hyrule and to trap us in an almost perfect look-a-like would've taken a considerable amount of skill if it had been one person, and mages that powerful are also EXTREMELY rare."

He then turned back to Azador to take the man's answer to the scribe's question.

Leth nodded. "These theories all make sense. It could very well have been a group of people... IF, that is, we are correct in assuming that we were transported here for that purpose in the first place. But if we were, then yes, it also would have taken an exceptional amount of power to do so. Maybe to much to send every hero of Hyrule. My guess is, whoever is behind this tried to send as many people as possible, hoping for maximum success and sending everyone. Or maybe we were all in a close enough area to each other that we were all sent here, and no one else. I don't know; the possibilities are practically endless with the right amount of magic power. Suppose this is some sort of new Southern battle tactic? Who knows what is going on. All I know for sure is that I don't want to hang around here any longer than necessary, and that period of time ended about two months ago." He paused to reflect on his statements, and waited for other comments.

Kasei gave off a ghost of a smile at Dogura's words. It was true, he did indeed desire a chance to battle Dogura, not only because he believed that such a wild card could never be trusted, but also because of his own, selfish desire to silence the Samurai. However, he held back a reply, because Dogura did have a point; such a battle would be counter-productive at the very best, and The Rebel Flame would rather not waste his time with such a pointless endeavor.

He turns to listen to Simon and Leth's own words, and smiled a bit more, their theories behind this whole incident made as much sense, if not certainly more than, his own botched explanation. It did not even occur to him that multiple mages might cast such a spell. Still, the effort would be phenomenal, and still required much effort.

Even with all that tugging at the back of his mind, there was even more to add to the pile. He spoke up after a fair bit of musing finally; "If this is a pocket dimension, a mere imitation of Hyrule, then certainly it has bounds. We might find that, if we head too far in a certain direction, that we hit a barrier of some sort, or we find ourselves turned back to our point of origin. Certainly there must be something in here that our captors failed to copy properly...surely they would not be able to know every text in the castle library, for example...I think that one examining the triforce chamber would find multiple mistakes. Why don't we try and find these mistakes, and see if there's a way to use them to our advantage?" He suggested.

"Perhaps if all of us focus our energies into one of the more... Experienced travelers, we will be able to find a way out." Sovelis pointed his pipe at the others, leaning against the wall of one of those empty buildings. "If we did that, the one guiding the whole group's power might be able to track the source of who or whatever has trapped all of us here."

The Tempest puffed on his pipe after looking at the empty sky with a frown of worry upon his youthful face. "I suggest myself of coarse, due to my knowledge of spells and things like this. Or Kasei, perhaps Alpha even. Both of them are certainly powerful enough to hold that much power needed to find the source of this trap, but I'm positive that when that much power flares up we may bring our captors down upon us." He smiled, rubbing his free hand along the curved blade that hung at his hip.

"But perhaps we'll get some answers if we attract some attention, no?"

Kasei wrote:"If this is a pocket dimension, a mere imitation of Hyrule, then certainly it has bounds. We might find that, if we head too far in a certain direction, that we hit a barrier of some sort, or we find ourselves turned back to our point of origin. Certainly there must be something in here that our captors failed to copy properly...surely they would not be able to know every text in the castle library, for example...I think that one examining the triforce chamber would find multiple mistakes. Why don't we try and find these mistakes, and see if there's a way to use them to our advantage?"

Dogura had listened to many theories, and had been debunking them in his head as he listened. But one theory, he felt he should touch upon vocally before anyone agreed. He cleared his throat before speaking, and stared off into the distance. "If our captors truly created this world for us, then I would agree completely with Kasei. However, there is a lot of terrain to cover in Hyrule if we were to look for these 'bounds'. It would take more time then we might have. It's possible that our captors might not have created this dream world, but rather mirrored Hyrule completely. It would take far less time, effort, and spell power to simply mirror an image on a wide scale." The samurai sat down in a cross legged position, and ran his fingers along the stone road. "To create this world- they'd have had to accurately affect all of our senses, and leave no error that we can see. Near impossible even with a genius of a mage."

Dogura never liked being confused. He preferred just about any feeling over confusion. Pain, sorrow, agony, regret. He always liked to have the upper hand when it came to knowing what was happening, and that being said, this world was like his mental hell. "I like your line of thought, Kasei. However, try to think more practically. Not even Ganon himself harnesses the power to create a world. This may in fact be work of the Goddesses, or the beings that parallel them, if any." He ran his fingers along the stone again, and marveled at how real it felt. If this world had been created from scratch, it would have to be by the hands of a being untainted by imperfections. Something so perfect that it need not stain its eyes with Hyrule. "Sovelis, that's an interesting idea you have. I'm not sure what we'd be hoping to see, but if all else fails, it's a possibility. If this world was created by magic, then certainly it can be torn apart by magic." With that, he let his words hang in the air as he looked down at the road. His mind worked furiously as he focused. As a man of science, the samurai could only continue to loop one sentence in his head.

But what if... Magic isn't a factor at all.

Somewhere else in Hyrule...
..............................................................................................................

A group of figures huddled around a pool of water in a room as dark as midnight. The pool showed all of the travelers and their current predicament. Their voices came flowing softly from the scrying pool and one of the figures at the side of the pool spoke up.
"Hmm... they are beginning to grasp their fate already. They are smarter than I realized."
"I told you, these are not to be trifled with. Why do you think I had them shifted here?"
"Hmm, yes, now I see the genius of your plan, hmm."
"It would have been much more genius if you could have gotten every one of the ones I named."
"Well, y'grace, we did the best that we could, hmm!"
"Bah, stop cowering. Its unbecoming. We'll just have to make do with what we have. My greatest fear is they will realize how to get out. We cannot have them interrupting our plans."

A new voice speaks up.

"Perhaps, master, it would now be wise to engage them in combat. Before they can figure out anything else."
"These people are dangerous. Extremely dangerous. You know what they did to Ghoma and the entirety of the south plains. A fight with them would need to be well planned and thought out. Any mistake could mean death."
"I am aware of this, master. I believe my special... abilities will keep them at bay."
"And if it is not?"
"Then I die protecting the great plan."
Silence. Then,
"Very well. Do as you see fit. Just... try not to die."
"Thank you, master."
Then one of the figures at the scrying pool bowed, and walked away.
"Permission to go with her, sir?"
"No. Should she fail, I will have need of your abilities here, with me, in case they make it this far."
"Understood..."
The figures all turned back to the pool and proceeded to watch the rest of the events unfold...
..............................................................................................................

"Well," Said Leth at length, "Dogura's Theory is sensible. A mirror world be be much more sensible, although I'm not sure you should call it mirrored. If it were a mirror dimension, everything would be completely inverse. Left would be right, and things like that. Perhaps it is an alternate dimension? Something that they - our dubious group of mages - didn't have to create? What if they only had to locate this dimension and then send us here? It's food for thought..."

Azador clapped his hands in exaggerated manner.
Though this movement did not fit his icy stern gaze, he was just making clear that he had something to say. He had remained awfully silent, until he heard Leth's words.

"Excellent...I believe we are getting close!" He spoke loud enough for the rest to hear.

"Though I'm not familiar with space-time magic in any form or way...
My master on the other hand has done some travelling through dimensions, during my time spend with the old man, he often told me about these little 'trips' he made."

As he spoke his gaze drifted of the surrounding buildings and the motionless sky.
"Once he described a situation much like our own, a world where time had stopped and completely devoid of any life...."

"Though he does not have some sort of evidence, he believed that it was a testing ground for the gods...to see what their absolute powers could afflict upon the physical world, without having to bring any mortals in danger."
He abruptly finished....expecting a response from the group.

OOC: A week later...

IC: Kasei waited with patience when the other's began speaking, and smiled a bit when finally, after a bit of debate from some, the discussion was over. "Well, it really doesn't matter either way," He stated, "For now, it doesn't seem like standing here and talking is going to get us anywhere, and I'd hope some of you would agree with me on that." He said, in the most calm voice he could muster, despite the steadily worse situation he was finding himself in. "In any case, I'm off to look around, simply standing here and discussing 'how' we got here seems irrelevant, because finding a way out is a necessity."

After this, the Rebel Flame promptly nodded at the individual group members, and turned to leave. "Azador, do you feel like accompanying me?" He asked the mage, before beginning to walk up the road.

Azador was getting tired of this commotion, and was actually more interested in continuing his research rather than investigating this strange dimension. Although it seemed that he didn't have much of a choice in the matter.

He let out weary sigh.
'Indeed it seemed the Kasei was right, we could speculate for hours and not find an answer. We should investigate this matter thoroughly and see if there is a way out of this place.' The mage thought.

Azador nodded to Kasei, and without as much as uttering a word he followed him.
Curious to what the Rebel flame was planning this time.

Dogura let out a heavy sigh as Kasei turned to leave. "Well, I can't say I expected anything else from Kasei," he noted in a playful manner. "Going off on his own in a world we know nothing about... It's completely reckless, and illogical." He paused, and faced the direction Kasei was headed in. "It's dangerous and adventurous- and I don't know about you guys, but that's the way I like it. The closer I come to death, the more I feel alive; And I won't let an old friend go off alone like that." Azador had been kind enough to follow the rebel, but those two alone may not be able to successfully stand up to the challenges that may lie ahead. "I urge anyone who doesn't follow to stick together..." He closed his eye for a moment before staring back at the group.

"I don't like this..."

He uttered before taking off after the two who'd decided to take initiative. After catching up with them, he walked alongside Kasei. "You're like a six year old child, Kasei." Dogura stared ahead keeping his guard up. "A six year old with weapons." He added as he kept pace. "But you seem to be the only one bull-headed enough to take initiative around here. I won't let you and Azador do this alone." Suddenly, the samurai's heart skipped. He'd forgotten that he wasn't supposed to know Azador's name. I hope he didn't notice that. Sheesh. He thought as he scanned ahead.

[Awareness Check]

The mage's eyes glanced to Dogura when uttered Azador's name.
'I'm quite certain I haven’t met this samurai before, yet he seems to know me by name....' He pondered for a moment.
Azador had been making a name for himself as a mercenary, but still... he didn't enjoy for complete strangers to call him by name so casually.

"I would rather be a six year old with weapons to fight with...than a dead man who preferred his peace...." The mage noted while speaking in a gravely manner.” Anyone can join the ride if they’dd like to, including you 'mister samurai'."

"And by the way... I did not catch your name, care to share that with me?"

OOC: I don't like to post after my last post without a few in between, but I'm bored, and there's a question directed at me.

IC:
- - -

Dogura mentally agreed with Azador. "Yeah... As one who can speak from first hand experience," he stated in a similarly grave tone, "A dead man could only wish to keep all the peace he could find, if he were by some miracle reanimated." He spoke almost in a riddle, as he turned his one good eye on the man next to Kasei. "I don't know if anyone is watching or listening, but if you'd like to find out sooner than later, I'll tell you my name." The truth was that the samurai had grown a bit bored with this lifeless world. If mentioning his name could by any possibility bring color to the dimension they found themselves in, then he'd rather not keep quiet. "My name is Dogura Shadowclaw." He stated, now completely alert for anything that may snap to attention.

"I'm a wanted man by the Knights of Hyrule Castle, by the many monsters that lurk the forest, and by Ganon himself. My tale is a strange one, if you'd even believe it; but I'll not stray to petty details." Dogura coughed, and turned his attention to his hand. With a disgusted look, he wiped his hand on his armor, and continued onward. "I've been around the block a few times. I'm a legend to some, and nothing more than a tiny fish in a big pond to others." He felt that this would be enough information to divulge for there to be a sudden change. If anyone had been watching or listening, they would be displaying their amount of intelligence in these next few moments. If they were simple minded, they would understand that there's a price on the samurai's head, and if they managed to turn his body over to Ganon, they'd come across a pretty penny. Dogura looked to the sky at the unmoving a sun, and an eerie symphony began playing in his head. No doubt more spirits playing mind games with him. He thought hard about the situation.

If nothing happens, it could mean either of two probable situations. It's possible that they know that Ganon would simply smite them after they turned over my body for the "reward". That or, they're intelligent enough to foresee this, and realize that I'm not actually worth anything but a swift death. If they're not minions of Ganon or treasure hunters at all, then we're dealing with a dangerous type.

The music in his mind wasn't going away, and it was making it hard to concentrate. That's when it hit him like an angry Goron on steroids. He stopped walking, and turned anxiously around. He looked back down at the ground, and then back up at the sun. He gritted his teeth at the new possibility. What if they were under some form of hypnosis? What if each of them was experiencing something completely different? Was he with Kasei and Azador, or simply illusions of the people he knew? A bead of sweat rolled down his brow as he turned his piercing eye on Kasei. Could it also be possible that they were all in the same dream world, but Kasei was an illusion simply to split the group up? Divide and conquer was the oldest tactic in the book! In a world where the sun stands still. In a world seemingly devoid of life and activity. In an inescapable nightmare that could last for as long as the creator wished.

Dammit... Dammit... Dammit...

The samurai rested a hand on his blade as he casually spoke to Kasei. "Well it's nice to meet you Azador," He began. "Kasei. Exactly how old are you? Just curious..." Dogura knew that Kasie was a just a little bit older than one would expect him to be. If he was an illusion rather than the real Kasei, he might just answer this question wrong. The samurai was keeping a close eye on the man, and was watching for any signs of uneasiness. "Twenty? Mid twenties?"

OOC: In short: Dogura and I still have no idea what's going on.