Unlike the location where Elenina and the others are gathered, this section of North Forest portrays a much darker setting. Although like the clearing, this place is also sunny, it somehow feels much darker than the rest, perhaps because of the tree shade. The air is also chilly and stagnate, a remainder of ill-omens, as it's used to say. The atmosphere was heavy, and most people would simply want distance from this location. In fact, no soul can be sighted for miles, turning this area even more dangerous and secluded than normal. Still, one person, a Sheikah, dares to enter this realm of shadow, perhaps because this area reminds him of his natural element, or maybe because he's in quite some hurry to meet his contact. Whatever the reason, the man would repent his choice... very soon.

Although a few moments ago, it didn't seem to be there, now, a second creature was also present in this part of North Forest. If he was already here or had somehow gotten there so suddenly was unknown, but that shouldn't be the primary question. On top of a tree branch, located exactly in the middle of the area, one could see Tayro looking at a certain artifact... though wasn't the mage apprentice at the gathering a few ways southwest? Still, the oddities were not resumed to that, namely, this Tayro's eyes were pitch black, and his regular blue robe was now of a dark colour as well. And another factor was that the boy's stone, his memento, was emaning a purple glow instead of blue. "Hey Alpha! Over here!" - the boy called to his companion walking under him, smiling... but was it safe to trust that the Hylian resting on the branch was in fact Tayro?...

OoC: Okay everyone: For the meanwhile, this thread is reserved to only Alpha. Anyone else cannot reply.

Alpha walks through the Deku Woods, wondering why the area seems so dark all of a sudden. He has passed this way before, and the sense of dread that threatens to overwhelm him is indeed odd. There's no telling what could be going on in this area, and more than once the Sheikah contemplates simply using the Void to get out of the place and to his scheduled appointment - his scar is already glowing anyways, though now it's color is a bluish tint. But each time the thought rises to his brain, he rejects it; he's given himself enough time to get there on foot, and prefers to use that mystical realm only in real emergencies.

But his eyes suddenly become riveted on the form of the newcomer to this area. 'Tayro?! What? But he was just back there . . .' His view narrows as he takes in the details that adorn his friend - altered clothing, a different color of gem, and the black eyes. But more than any of that, he suddenly becomes convinced that this is an impostor as his scar's light becomes suddenly intense, letting loose a wave of violent pain through his body. He fights against it, but falls to his knees in a matter of seconds.

When he rises again, his hand grips his staff, holding it steadily between himself and this imitation. "Who are you, and did you really think that taking the form of Tayro would help you any?! Absolutely pathetic." His gaze darkens. "I have somewhere to be, so don't get in my way and I won't have to destroy you." He begins walking forward, keeping both eyes on the boy and all senses tuned to his surroundings.

At the mage's hostility, this Tayro only grins, and lets out a rather disturbing chuckle. "But this is my real form, Alpha..." - he speaks again, and it's quite noticeable how this doppelganger's voice sounds exactly like the original. Suddenly, the copycat places his hands on the branch, and shoots himself forward to the ground, and as he's about to hit the grassy floor of the forest, as if by a very powerful force, seems to slow down time around him and land calmly and safely. "Or do you prefer me calling you... Wraith?" - he ends, a menacing grin on his mouth - "Oh, and if I were you, I wouldn't attempt fleeing into that place you call Void... you just never know what dangers you might find, if you get my idea." Although having (in a subtle way) threatened the Sheikah just now, this Tayro walks forward with his hand extended, so casual and normal like nothing had happened. "Well, how do you do, Keyru Varaudo? I trust you're here for the meeting. Yes, I knew I could get you here if I spoke the word 'Hakiems', so I simply mind-controlled someone to do it. A great trick, if you allow me to say. I am, you could say, the informant, even if my information has nothing to do with the subject you desire."

"So, let us speak of business." - the teenager begins. The doppelganger makes a movement as he's about to sit on an invisible chair, and, magically, sits down on air, floating a little higher than Alpha. "Oh, how rude of me. I know your name, still you don't know mine. My actual name is Taro, but I'm mostly known as the Prince of the Dark. Wondered to be acquainted to you." Taro then 'gets up', still floating, and bows to the mage, perhaps in respect, but most possibly mocking. "So, back on track. Unfortunately for you, I have only one information to give, but I'm sure you'll find it a wonderful one." In a continuous mocking attitude, the prince coughs a bit, hitting with his fist on his chest before continuing - "You have been granted the honour of being part of my very own Nightmare Empire's Generals. I hope you accept such gift from my part." - the Nightmare says with a grin.

Alpha points his staff straight at the child. "My name is no longer Wraith, nor is it Keyru Varaudo, kid. I answer to 'Alpha' alone." The Sheikah then raises an eyebrow, considering the kid's comment. "So you're the informant? Well, you should learn to keep your appointments at their designated locations - we said we'd meet in the desert, not the forest." Regardless, he decides to hear this strange Tayro look-a-like - Taro - out to the end, just in case he actually has some sort of use.

Which he obviously does not. "Me? A Nightmare General? I'm flattered!" he replies, irony flowing from his lips like a waterfall. "But I have no intent on becoming a weak pawn of your forces - or a bishop, or knight, or rook for that matter. So sorry, but the answer is no." He turns away with his form, but keeps his senses trained on this 'Prince of the Dark'. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have places to go, people to see, and Nightmares to annihilate." And with that, he begins to walk away.

The Nightmare disregards the Sheikah's comment about the locations, namely because of the confusion that that issue had brought them. Thanks to a certain ignorant Fire General, the mesmerized civillian had given out the wrong information, leading to quite many change of plans. Something undesirable to explain further. "There was an envoy in the desert to bring you to this location, yet it seems that it wasn't needed as you ended here nontheless. A time save, really." - the teenager told the mage, the always-present grin and 'I'm better than you' attitude always present. "Speaking of which, it should be arriving soon."

As soon as the Prince of the Dark spoke those words, a ring of fire appeared to the left of Alpha, from it emerging the man he had fought the previous day - Setze, the Nightmare General of Fire. The fiery Hylian sported a rather annoyed look, as if he didn't agree with his master's decision - which probably was the case. "You're late as always, Setze." - the boy harshly told him, quite differing from his previous attitude. Still, the Hylian must have mood swings, as a moment later he was back to his joking demeanor. Setze, though, started sweating and excused himself for his delay, something ignored by the former.

As soon as Alpha spoke his intentions, the Nightmare opened his mouth wide before imitating a 'bzzt' sound, scaring his follower into having him step back. "Sorry Alpha! Wrong answer!" Taro floated to te ground and walked in Alpha's direction. "You see, this gift is one you cannot turn down... you are going to become one of my minions, wether you like it or not." - he spoke. Without even giving any moment of rest, the Prince placed his own stone in front of him, it beginning to glow in a very bright purple colour. "Here you go! Accept it!" - he yelled, a purple beam coming out of the magical artifact, hitting Alpha full on. The aftermath was strange, and Setze even decide to not look at what was occuring, and turned his back from the event. Sure, he still desired to duel with the Sheikah, but he wouldn't dare disobey his lord's orders... he valued his life higher than that. Around the Sheikah mage, a purple amethyst started to form, and nulling every type of struggle from him. An intense energy surge started to concentrate on Alpha's forehead, as a minor amethyst of the same colour was creating itself at that occasion, sapping him of energy and consciousness. Soon, he would lose his senses, and his last sight would be the boy's maleficent grin.

Alpha grimaces as Setze suddenly appears. 'Well, well, the fire guy's back. I guess we can get this party started then.' His hand subtly disappears into his cape as his scar glows violet once again. But no visible portal appears to where the two Nightmares can see it, and Alpha allows himself a small grin. 'Where is it . . . come on . . .' He focuses harder, until finally, the incredibly faint energies of what he seeks pass by his mental sight. 'THERE!'

His hand reaches out into the portal that has opened on the inside of his cape, finally grasping forth his prize. But he hesitates before pulling it out and into the real world of Hyrule. Long ago he had abandoned this mighty powerhouse of an item . . . can he afford to utilize it again? Will he even be allowed to? His eyes narrow, and as the memory of the previous day's fight against Setze returns, and of the power he had emanated, the Sheikah knows that there is no other option if he hopes to combat these Nightmares - especially if this Taro has the ability to make the fire general fearful.

'Korev, don't abandon me now,' he thinks.

But suddenly Taro takes a step forward, crystal blazing in light. Alpha, having only mentally recorded the words this Prince of the Dark has been speaking, quickly replays the one-sided conversation once again. His gaze darkens as he realizes the boy's intent, and without warning he moves to leap to the side -

No good. The beam of energy ensnares him even as he begins his motion, freezing him in place as a new power crashes over him. His scar's light suddenly glows more intensely than it has in a long, long time - not since the day when he had met both Wyndisis and Shiva at once has it glowed this strongly. Faced with this new furious onslaught of pain, he reflexively lets go of the item in the Void and presses his hand against his scar. "DARK SUSPENSION!" Just like that day long ago when he had encountered those two great evils, the light abruptly fades as the dark magic he has mastered does its work. But there is a price, for his arm momentarily takes on the form reminiscent of a dragon's, from his hand and past his elbow. The suspension spell completed, he realizes that the Void's portal has closed . . . and he cannot muster up the strength to reopen it. His left hand falls to his side, clenching into a fist as he struggles to retain consciousness . . . to find someway to fight against this . . .

Then, belatedly, he realizes it: his staff is still in his right hand. Struggling against the dark pull on his spirit, he changes his previous thought to a different name: "ROHTRIC, don't abandon me now!

"Rohtric, csaldu romes het runeths, nas ga caun serh merant nis ofey, het mer teh haranos caunnuk ras! Recques serhan coustal par na ron, het kema nes sa serhan nisturmantu anhiliactshonus!" And with this magical incantation completed, he eyes raise their gaze upward to the sky . . . and he sees the mercy of Rohtric, the god of storms and thunder, rescinding. The sky, already dark from whatever Taro was doing, erupts in lightning blasts as a storm of epic proportions, thunder crashing in a palpable power.

"ROHTRIC CARRSE!!!" He yells with all his remaining might. This spell, so much quicker and efficient, draws every ounce of electricity down to a single point: his staff. Hopefully, the power of a god will be enough to render whatever magic the Nightmares have cast useless.

It is a matter of debate on how Taro, being as young as he seemed to be, understanding the language the Sheikah spoke perfectly, and thus compreending what the mage was up to. Still, he did not falter in his tranquility, as if defying the powers of a god was something natural. "Never knew you were that desperate, Alpha. I admire your attempts, but I'll have you know they're absolutely futile." - he said, still grinning. As if on a casual attitude, the Prince of the Dark raises his hand, palm extended, as the lightning started to erupt on the dark-torn skies. As the energy starts to converge down, the boy makes a simple movement of his hand to the left, and immediatly the electrical surges change their target... to the Fire General. The man being with his back to the event, was not able to prepare himself to the violent shock that surged through his dark-tainted veins, and fell to the ground upon the completion of the attack. Looking towards his master, he started speaking, looking more scared than hurt - though he must have been damaged as well Perhaps out of fright to his lord he was hiding his pain. "My lord, I-" "Consider it as a punishment for your failure yesterday, Setze. Let it be a remainder of what happens when you are unable to complete your tasks." - the Nightmare interrupted, punishing the man harshly. "Y-Yes, my lord." - the man just muttered.

The boy then walked towards the crystal that contained his 'prize' inside and tapped twice on the magical walls that enclosed the mage. "Nice try, Alpha. To use the power of a god to do your task. Well done. But still, I doubt you'd be doing that little trick again." - the boy told him, back to his usual self. He extended his palm as he touched the crystal once again, and in a matter of seconds, the staff which was once in Alpha's hand now rested on the Prince's hand. "Still, I have to hand it to you. You're the one who resisted this spell further. But don't worry. It'll all be over soon." Taro started to chuckle menacely as he glanced at the amethyst that was almost fully complete on Alpha's forehead. The mage's memories seemed to alter, reality seemed distorted, and despair continued to fill him... and it was only a matter of time before the Sheikah became unconscious.

Alpha's eyes widen to the point of bulging - a position they have almost never been in throughout the course of his existence - as Taro almost casually takes hold of the lightning streams and sends them cascading into Setze. While it is good for a laugh to see the fire general being laid low by the powers of Rohtric, the Sheikah is still shocked by what he has just seen. 'He can overpower a god? - wait, no, that's not the way Rohtric works . . . but still, a power that mighty could not be easily controlled . . . or was it even that much? It is quite possible that he had merely deflected the electric surge . . .'

Alpha allows a small grin to come to his lips. To Taro, it would probably seem like a sleepy grin as unconsciousness closed in on him, but it was more one of triumph to the Sheikah's inward mind. If he could merely deflect the energy - and only energy released from Rohtric's command, not power firmly grasped and controlled - then he was weak. His mind flashes a mental image of the item resting deep within the Void, untouchable by any but himself . . .

"Fine," he says, even as a confused state of mind comes over him. His concentration immediately divides into two, one focused on maintaining his outer calm and one discerning the sudden mental disorder that has been introduced into his brain. Memories falling in and out, convulsing, breaking apart, being . . . manipulated, altered, shattered . . . Alpha can't figure out which. He speaks again, struggling with each word to maintain his calm . . . that is all he can do, with what the other half of his concentration is seeing. Reality twisting this way and that, bending in impossible ways. And a darkness fills within him, a shadowy presence that exudes despair . . .

If the normal state of his mind was not already utterly dark and devoid of emotion, it might have had some effect on him.

"You . . . win for now . . ." the Sheikah manages to say as he allows his eyes to close. It's obvious what the outcome of this will be, but he can make one last attempt at making a small light of hope for himself. ". . . but I hope you don't expect to use darkness to . . . control me. Trust me . . . it won't work well . . ."

His eyes open one last time as the last of his strength is pushed into one final effort. Hands rising before his chest, he claps them together. "Sarra'token!!!" A brilliant flash emerges where his hands meet, the ancient spell letting loose a wave of light that spreads outward in an ever-growing sphere. The wave he has just unleashed is a telepathic signal that emanates outward even now and will continue to do so until it reached its targets: Tayro and the others. Once it reaches them, by the spell's power they themselves will feel the emotion that is driving through his veins even now: pure, unhindered fear. One way to dislodge a small portion of the despair that has filled him for the moment, and he makes use of the opening as best he can. As it disappears deep inside of him, his spirit smiles. They will come . . . they will . . . they . . .

And now, the Sheikah is beyond the realm of awareness and passes on to the realm of sleep, his spirit disappearing deep within the crevices of his mind . . .

The teenager's grin fades after he notices the Sheikah has fallen asleep... thus begin his process of... rebirth. Right now, as the mage rested in a comatose state, could be considered the pupa stage of evolution... and it wouldn't take long until that single cocoon morphed into a butterfly... of death and demise. He looks towards his minion who's still sweating and had hints to be passing through a rough moment. Still, the man was still shocked on how his lord had dealt with the Sheikah opponent. "My lord, why did-" "Silent, Setze. I shall speak about it as soon as we return" - the Prince of the Dark interrupted him, putting and end to the fiery Hylian's questioning. With a momement of his right hand, the crystal started rotating slowly as to leave Alpha in an horizontal position, before fading into nonexistance, the Nightmare-consumed man now lying on the grass. On his forehead a dark purple aamethyst was purely carved, emaning a strange and powerful energy. "Setze, call a few E-Ranks to guard him, I'm leaving." - the boy said, creating a portal and vanishing from the area. Even if he was no longer there, a last sentence of his echoed between the dark corners of the woods. "See you soon, Alpha."

The Nightmare General gulped as he heard that phrase, before actually calming down and start acting more rationally once more. Slowly, he approached the fallen man with a look transmitting disdain. "Pity. I wanted to finish you off myself, but seems I won't have that chance... if I did you anything, Lord Taro would be all over me." As the man also vanished from the area, this one in a circle of flames which scorched the grass underneath him. However, the area was still not completely free from dark manifestation, as certain beings started to crawl there...

-----[A Few Moments Later...]-----

Tayro ran as fast as he could between the tall, slim trees of North Forest. Yes, it was true they were not as tall or as grand as the ones existing in the Deku Woods, but at the same time, these let more light pass and were quite a more comfortable location... though that was not the case now. As the boy continued his dash northeast, the more he felt heavy and with more dark feelings. Fright, despair... all these seemed to infect the area ahead of him. Believing he was on the right path, he continued onwards. Elenina the fairy and the arcane tome were right on his back, and possibly the rest of the people on the gathering were also following. Upon reaching what he believed to be the center of all the problems he did found the source... and was shocked to what he saw. "A-Alpha...!" - the boy muttered. Elenina, on her mad flight eventually collapsed against her Master, the book (fortunately) managing to stop on time. However, on the contrary as what happened to the others on the camp, she was not irritated at all with the fact. "Master Tayro, what seems to be the problem?" - she pondered, though she needed no response as she observed the body lying on the sand. At a very slow pace, the boy started walking towards his friend. Is he... dead? - he thought. By the aura emaning in the area, the boy believed this had to be the work of those Nightmares, to which the gray fairy nodded as she approached the fallen man, perching on his wrist. If that was the case, then his death was all... his fault. The fairy spoke loud and clear after examining his heartbeat. "He's alive." - she reassured the boy - "Though he seems to be unable to wake up." Not knowing what to do, he decided to wait for the others to see what was to be done.

OoC: There. Now, anyone who had posted previously in A Stone or Something More? can now continue here.

Back in the clearing, when the burst of energy had ripped through the gathering, Pyre had been frightened. He didn't understand at first the implications of the blast coming from a certain direction, but when he found Alpha, it hit him in full. At the time when Tayro started running however, he had no clue what was going on.

He knew that he would follow the mage. After all this talk of nightmares, a sudden occurance was too much to be dismissed. The hylian wasn't about to let Tayro face whatever was happening alone. He didn't however simply race after him, but took a route more to his liking. A ranger's path.

They were in the middle of a forest, and the best way of transportation was the trees. He took two quick steps towards the nearest one, and leapt forward, jumping off the trunk of the tree. He stretched his arms skyward, and managed to grap a branch. With this natural anchor in place, he pulled himself up into the foilage. Now that he was in the canopy, the hard part was over. It was time to move.

He ran to the edge of the branch, and jumped, landing in the crown of the tree next to him. As he moved, the leaves were constantly around him. He couldn't see well, but instead depended on the sounds of Tayro moving through the woods. He continued in a similar fashion until he heard the mage shouting. Pyre heard something about Alpha, and the pieces came together. Something had happened to Alpha. He jumped out of the trees, and landed on the ground.

He was rewarded with the sight of Alpha out cold. The fairy confirmed that he was indeed alive, but something had happened to him. Pyralin had a strange feeling that that 'something' didn't bode well for Tayro. The ranger walked forward, and looked at the mage.

"Is he okay?"

He kept his voice soft so not to attract attention. After someone as powerful as the sheikah had been defeated, it was probably not good to call similar unfortune to themselves. The twinges of fear he had felt at the energy burst from before returned. He had no idea what to do, but thought it might be best to try to wake the sheikah up. He said as much as no one else seemed to offer a better plan. Everything seemed thoroughly shrouded in mystery now. The only thing to do was to try to make sense out of it.

Kasei runs into the clearing, to see pyre over alpha...who looked almost dead...kasei looks from alpha-to pyre-to alpha again, then bursts out. "what did you do?!? Why did you attack alpha?!? he was an ally!" clearly getting the wrong idea, kasei pulls out his daggers, and prepares to fight pyre, who apperently could take out alpha, who was easily stronger than kasei...this could be dangerous... he thought...

Nogare looked down at the other Hylian, surprised and anxious. "Alpha!" barked Nogare. He pushed him with the back end of Belegcam. "Wake up!"

Something terrible must have kust happened... prepared to save his friend, he murmured something in Ancient Hylian; "Heal him, goddesses..."

OOC: I preform it, and I want to see if this will work or not...

The ranger was completely oblivious of Kasei. All of his attention was focused on the sheikah. When Nogare came he almost said there was little we could do, but instead stopped, his mouth hanging open slightly.

He watched Nogare begin a prayer to the goddesses. Surely they would be watching over such a catacylsimic event. He made many prayers everyday to the goddess Din, weither in tribute, or asking for the healing of wounds. Almost as often he prayed to Farore, but almost never called upon Naryu.

He decided to join Nogare in prayer, adding his own cry to the vassels. This time however, he prayed to all three goddesses in unity. He had taken out the necklace with three colored stones; one blue, one red and one green. He squeezed it in his palm, and hoped for the best.

Tayro kneeled as well, yet not to pray. Two of his companions were already doing so, and there was no point in doing it as well. Instead, he just stood there, glancing at the jewel incrested on his forehead. He didn't believe the goddesss could do anything to the man, seeing he was of apparently good health... just "In a comatose state." - Elenina completed the array of thoughts the boy was having. Like Tayro had thought, the goddesses did not act upon the Sheikah Mage, Nogare and Pyralin's prayers being in complete vain. The boy did not falter upon that knowledge, and instead called his fairy companion. "Well, since you have information regarding the Nightmares, what on earth is that thing?" - the boy asked, pointing towards the amethyst dimly glowing on Alpha's forehead. "Impossible!!" - the fairy yelled, floating slightly back. Her actions were taken with curiosity by the young mage, who got up while looking at her. "What's wrong? What is it?" - the boy inquired again. Somehow, he felt that he wasn't going to like the answer.

And he was right. "That amethyst... it's a Nightmare Crest!" - she replied, at the same time feeling slightly frightened. "I never thought I'd live to see it..." - she added. Glancing at the group present, rememberig they knew nothing of the fact at hand, began her explanation. "That jewel you see there is a Nightmare Crest... It's what the Nightmare Leaders use... to turn people into Nightmares." - she finished, making slight pauses between every segment of her sentence. Alpha's gonna turn... into a Nightmare...? - the boy thought. This was unbelievable. Since they didn't get him yesterday, they now wanted him to feel sorry for his deeds, by turning his friends against him?! "How can we cure him? How?!" - the boy inquired, desperate to make those dark dwellers pay for targeting his companions. Elenina sighed. "There is, in fact, one way..." - she starts - "But it's quite dangerous, and it may cost your lives in the process. At least, by what the book speaks." Interested, the boy glanced seriously at the Faera. She, although unwilling to make his Master take risks, did it. The boy already didn't know his parents, now losing his friends as well would, quite in fact, destroy him. "You must enter his mind."

"wait, so pyre didn't dso this? and alpha's gonna become a nightmare? we have to enter his mind?" kasei had many more quyestions in his mind, but only stated the more important ones...he starts to kneel in prayer for alpha, but stops, no more than two should be needed here...he thought... instead, he went over to tayro, and asked: "how will you enter his mind?"