Hyrule - Southern Hyrule
The southern half of modern Hyrule is a place ruled by thick forests and swampy passes, roads connecting the few towns that lie here. A wilder, more untamed part of the continent, the people here constantly fight against the forces of Ganon, who routinely descend from Death Mountain to terrorize the countryside. Nevertheless, staying to the roads makes for safe travel, though the passes to the north and east are often blocked by landslides. The towns of Saria and Mido lie here, the latter built around the massive graveyard that makes up the eastern side of the continent. Ferries carry travelers from Mido across the sea to Eastern Hyrule.
Contents:
Fairy Spring
Obvious exits:
East leads to Hyrule - Eastern Hyrule.
North leads to Hyrule - Northern Hyrule.
South leads to Hyrule - Death Mountain.
Fairy Spring
A small fairy floats in the middle of this spring, and with a whirling of red hearts, you'll find your wounds healed and your powers replenished.
Deep within the confines of the forest, lies the spring of fairies... Now bathed in newly risen moonlight, and the glow of its twinkling occupants as they flutter across the surface of the small pond, the secluded spring is serene and welcoming.
A figure sits along the side of the spring, under the constantly shifting shadows cast by fairies and trees.
Making ripples in the pond, a woman washes wounds with the clear water, splashing it up onto her shoulders. Lady A has seen better days, perhaps. Her top shirt is removed, soaking in the water to wash off blood; her dark pink sleeveless undershirt remains on her person. Her paddle is also removed, sitting at the side of the pond while she washes a wound that was on the arm beneath it. A fairy alights there, and starts to give her a little help, dropping sparkles of magic onto the cut to heal it while the grateful Gamemaster works to wash it.
While he was punked out by Amon, he was also helped out by Cube, so Link is out and about and makes his way toward the fairy spring. Of course, he's not alone, as he carries his princess with him, in his arms. It just goes to show how much he cares about her, since while he's not unconscious, he's not in great shape, and has a tendency to stumble from time to time as he walks. But he perseveres, until he comes across the spring and the Gamemaster present.
The Hylian princess is, for all intents and purposes, quite incoherent. Such is the price of being dropped from the heights of Doom Island. As such, her form lies quite still, blonde head resting solidly against Link's chest. Every stumble evokes a small whimper from her and a slight stirring. However, that doesn't mean she's capable of anything other than that. Long story short? Zelda's in pretty bad shape.
Lady A looks out across the spring as the hero and his lady approach, and rises to her feet. The fairy that was sitting on her arm flickers away off the pond, leaving the wound as if it had never been, though the Gamemaster still looks tired and decidedly unkempt. She offers Link a weak smile as she recognizes him through the flickering light off the water, and steps forward around the pond, slowly. She reaches out her arms, even though she is sure she won't be able to take the princess away from Link until he is all the way to the side of the spring. "I'm glad you made it," she says to Link, almost whispering, as she nears. It's as if she doesn't want to wake Zelda, or disturb the quietness of the pond.
Link doesn't make any sort of response. When he gets close enough, he reluctantly holds the princess out for Lady A to take, since he wouldn't want to drop her or anything. That would be bad. He looks about ready to collapse, himself, just from trying to make it through the forest in his current condition.
Lady A's eyes wrinkle into a worried expression. Link must REALLY be exhausted. She does as she offered to do, taking Zelda from his arms, and carefully walking the few remaining steps to the side of the spring, laying her down on the grass. A small fairy immediately takes notice of this, fluttering over to alight on the Princess' nose, and blink at her closed eyes.
"I'm sorry," Lady A says, to Link, turning back to look over the pond.
Link collapses to his knees, only keeping from going further by planting his hands on the ground and pushing himself back. "I... am going to hunt down those Sinistrals..." he promises softly. They just continue to get on his bad side. After taking a few breathes, he tries to climb back to his feet once more.
Zelda is traded from one hero to another, only a small groan to note her recognition of it, easily cradling into Lady A's arms. However, as the fairy lands on the princess's nose, there is a slight furrowing of her brow.
The Fairy flaps her wings a few times, then begins to spread small, glowing hearts, over the Princess, doing her best work to wake her.
Lady A nods at this, then turns back to the pond, checking her own wounds, rinsing out some bite marks that remain on her shoulders. "You can't do it alone," she says to Link. "Not if they continue to travel in a team. They will have to be caught seperated, somehow."
Link moves over to Zelda's side and drops down into a sitting position on the ground. While he watches the fairy do its thing, he replies, "Yes... If you ever run across them, do me a favor? Hit Amon in the knee..." It pisses him off, and that's good enough for the Hylian.
Due to the ministrations of the fairy, the female Hylian begins to stir from her spot on the soft grassy shore, though they are fairly conservative movements. Slowly, her cerulean eyes begin to blink open. Even the dim light of the area seems almost painful at first. Zelda... feels herself on the much softer ground than that of the hollowed town of Rauru. "...Link?" The name is called softly, searching for some confirmation that at least he's about.
Lady A glances over again as Zelda wakens, and the fairy flitters away across the water. Lita offers nothing but another smile, then goes back to looking at the pond. These two probably need a moment.
Link leans toward Zelda and reaches out to place a hand on her arm. "I'm here." he replies, glancing down at her prone form. "Don't worry... Everything will be all right." Except for anyone who lived in Rauru, that is.
Liza arrives from Hyrule - Northern Hyrule.
Liza has arrived.
"But... Rauru Town..." was obliterated. She got to watch. As increased awareness comes to the princess, Zelda's body tenses and winces. She feels like hell. The hand opposite the arm held by Link crosses over her body, resting upon Link's. Her blue eyes look up, devestated, to those of her hero. It's not okay. The town is gone. And it's her fault.
Naoya Toumou arrives from Hyrule - Northern Hyrule.
Naoya Toumou has arrived.
Lady A is kneeled at the side of the now moonlit Fairy Spring, deep in the woods, just a few feet from where Zelda and Link are talking. Her wounds now cleaned and dealt with by the fairy denizens, she stands up to retrive her overshirt and paddle, where she left them by the side of the pool. She straps the weapon on first, with diligent care, then flings the shirt over her shoulder. "There will be another day, Princess," she says, evenly, as she walks back. "Another day, and another fight. That's all we can hope for. I saw to it that as many of the citizens as possible were able to escape the attack."
Aah, moonlight. Liza had managed to give over the reins of the makeshift field kitchen that she had set up to one of the various villagers, and had gone for a walk - the reason for giving those reins over were twofold. One, exhaustion, and two, knife wound to hand, deriving from exhaustion. But there's supposed to be a 'healing spring' around here, and if nothing else, it would be nice to look around - this didn't stop her from bandaging up her hand, which now looks rather mummified, before setting off along the path.
Link doesn't comment on the attack. There's nothing he can say about it. He just gives Zelda his best reassuring look, which doesn't amount to a whole lot right now, before glancing toward Lady A, "Thank you." His attention quickly returns to the princess, however.
A last tender look is given to Link before Zelda takes a deep breath. Covering the signs of distress as best she can, the Hylian turns her head to look at Lady A. She didn't realize there was someone else here. "Of course," she concedes. "I thank you for what you did for us and my people." Officiality rearing it's head in the princess's demeanor, she begins her weak attempts to sit up.
Street Fighter Ryu arrives from Hyrule - Death Mountain.
Street Fighter Ryu has arrived.
Lady A shakes her head at Zelda. "It's my job. I just wish I could have done more...fought harder." She pauses. "But I think we all wish that."
The Gamemaster gazes over the moonlit healing spring, seemingly deep in thought. Then, she looks over toward Link. "There is a sword that might help you. Have you heard of it?"
The crunch of twigs snapping alert the Link and company to the presence of another in the area. From the shadow of some trees steps Naoya, not that he can hide very well in his predominantly white school uniform. "Hello, everyone. Glad to see all of you made it out of there..." He doesn't mention Tails, whether from ignorance or otherwise is unknown.
Link does not approve of his damaged princess sitting up and applies a /little/ pressure to her arm and shoulder, "I don't think you should do that..." While he attempts to physically sway her away from that course of action, he glances back at Lady A, and furrows his brow, "What sword?" Now this is interesting...
Tromp tromp tromp tromp tromp. Good lord!, Liza thinks to herself, that boy is everywhere. This is in regards to Naoya; the others in the clearing get a cursory look, particularly the Gamemistress, but the sight of the spring with a fairy in it draws her attention. Tromp tromp snap rustle tromp; Liza is rather visible herself, wearing only moderately stained chef's whites at the moment.
Lady A smiles, and salutes Nayoa, then Liza. "Maybe someone should start a fire, while I explain," she says to Link, noting the growing crowd with interest.
Gameshark arrives from Hyrule - Death Mountain.
Gameshark has arrived.
Princess Zelda is pushed back down to her reclining position with minimal effort. Point made. Okay, so she's far from 100%. Even from her position, she easily suggests, "Once the fairies have done their work, I can offer the shelter of Hyrule Castle for further discussion." Zelda makes as if she's about to continue, but she decides against it.
Street Fighter Ryu enters in from south, the slow stride more from easy nature than injuries from last night. In fact he is just about at a hundred percent, save a few minor burns on his chest. Still, the reason why he is still in Hyrule is from the fact he was blown to a remote area of the land.... It's taken him an entire day of walking no stop to get him this far. Stupid wind spell. He doesn't seem to notice the group yet, walking a short distance away from everyone unknowningly.
Link doesn't move from his spot next to Zelda, and replies to her, "I think we'll stay here for now." That settles, he glances around at those gathered, and comments, "If someone could build a fire..." He has something a little more important to do. Namely, making sure his princess doesn't try anything rash while she's in her broken state.
Naoya Toumou nods in agreement to Lady A as he moves through the nearby underbrush, picking up various pieces of deadwood for tinder. A few minutes later, he's collected a sizable armful, which he dumps nearby, then immediately heads back in. He saw a fallen tree around there whoch could make for some nice wood...
A couple *chop chop*s later, he brings an armful of logs to the clearing, and begins setting up a fire ring. Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires.
Liza moves up to the fairy's spring - and then reaches out towards it at the feeling of a faint tingling in her cut hand. *sparkle! heart!* Well, you see something new every day, don't you?
That being done, Liza's head turns, and she calls out, "What brings .. all of you here?" while undoing the bandage on her hand and peeking underneath it - yes, what was a nasty cut is now just a faint pink scar.
"The same that brought you here," Lady A says, settling down around the new fire in an effort to begin a makeshift circle. She's more than used to camping along the road. "Rest." She pauses, as she settles into her seat. "And a chance to pass on what I've learned so far about the Sinistrals."
Zelda is about to protest to staying here, but she realizes Link's looking out for her. However, more and more people are beginning to show up. And there are appearances to maintain. Yes, the princess of Hyrule is doing just fine, thank you. She sets her jaw, determined to put up her little charade. The Game Mistress and her hero know the truth, and that is all who need to know it. "Link," she whipsers. "Please, help me sit up."
A small breeze seems to pick up slightly, followed by what appears to be a voice that speaks, "Interesting... Not very often I have the chance in seeing heroes licking their wounds, especially along side the road. Oh, how the mighty have fallen."
Street Fighter Ryu stops his walk to check his newly regained duffel bag, setting it down to open it. After pulling out some ointment for sore muscles, he puts some on his arms and chest. Closing it after he puts it back, the Street Fighter is about to move on when he notices there are quite a few people near by from the sounds of conversation. The White Wearing Warrior moves over to the crowd, to check things out if nothing else. He pauses as he overhears the word Sinistrals, narrowing his eyes faintly.
Link looks down at Zelda and opens his mouth, to protest, then clamps it shut again. With a quiet sigh, he moves to gently prop her up into a sitting position. As he does so, he shifts, so he can sit closer and hold her up, if need be.
"Oh, well," Liza says as she draws nearer to sit down next to the fire, "I suppose that I'm about halfway in agreement, then." Plop. She lets out an audible groan of pleasure as she gets weight off of her feet, and promptly takes off her shoes, stretching out her legs and wiggling her toes, saying nothing for a good long moment. Clearly, the part she's agreeing with is the rest.
Naoya Toumou quickly finishes the preparations for the firepit, then arranges the wood within. Since his usual methods of fire-making would be a bit overkill, he pulls out a Judgement 1999 matchbook and strikes a flame, setting the tinder ablaze. Quickly, the night begins growing warmer with the fire.
Lady A's eyes shoot open immediately upon hearing the echo around her. She stands, glancing from side to side, around through the trees for the source of the odd, taunting breeze. She then says aloud... "If only we could find a safe place to speak..."
Keeping himself hidden within the trees above the encampment, Travis merely lies there, chewing on a piece of straw. The Gamemaster makes no immidiate motions to make his presence known. Rather, Why spoil all the fun when so much is to be had at the expense of others. The villainous GM stretches in the trees above and continues to lie comfortably in the trees listening to the quiet conversation of the heroes below. Though at this rate, he may even fall asleep.
Princess Zelda appreciates the support as she finds an upright position, a set jaw attempting to mask the pain she feels. Still, it's better than being dead. She likewise appreciates Link's willingness to aid her in masking the full damage. "This isn't the best place," Zelda confesses to Lady A. Turning to Link, she continues the conversation. "You know that getting back to the castle is our best bet."
Street Fighter Ryu doesn't seem too concerned about the remark of injuried heroes from an unknown source. If there is a problem, Ryu figures he can handle it... Or at least try to. And in the end, trying is what's important to the Street Fighter. He merely stands at the edge of where all the conversation is taking place, figuring it best to be the silent strong type for the time being.
"Or we could find whoever's tried to eavesdrop on us, cut their tongue out, and pull their stomach out via the throat." Link remarks, glancing around at the trees, trying to find out where the voice came from. No, he's not a happy man.
"What's wrong with talking here? We just built a fire," Liza says, in earnest ignorance. She points at it, and adds, "We're in the middle of the woods... who's going to hear us?" Is she being whiny because she doesn't want to stand up again? Maybe. Although, she gives Zelda a long look, and gestures slightly to Link, wanting him to come a bit closer so she can say something.
Lady A sighs. Maybe she panicked too soon... But Link's reaction worries her. She looks at him, and says, "You can speak to Megaman about the sword. He knows the details of the situation, from research." Then, still standing, she says to Liza. "Nothing wrong...I will be staying here for the night." Her voice raises slightly in this sentence, as if she's issuing a challenge to anyone who might be listening in.
Gameshark continues to keep his eyes closed and begins to speak, still chewing on that piece of straw, "Actually Princess.. in yer condition, this place is quite safe."
The Gamemaster doesn't move a muscle cept a simple turn of his head to spit out the straw, "Damn things, even in Videoland they are never grown like they use to." He takes in a deep breath and then exhales a deep sigh before looking up into the night's sky, "Ya know.. I never really gazed upon the Hyrulian Sky until now... Its rather... interesting."
Princess Zelda squeezes Link's arm. She heard that 'mysterious' voice, too. And it is vastly unsettling to her. If she could stand, she would. The situation as it is, however, limits her to merely aiding Link in peering into the darkness through narrowed lids. "Who goes?" A glance is given to Lady A, hopeing that the Game Mistress might know more about it.
Naoya Toumou can hear the unknown voice as well... But he has yet to determine the source or nature. He'll let the others handle the identification right now... He's got a fire to tend.
Link gives Liza a look and tries to lean closer to her, making sure to keep a hand on Zelda at the same time. He doesn't say anything, either. He's already said what he has to say about the 'voice'.
Street Fighter Ryu merely folds his arms and leans against a tree, seeing undisturbed as well. A trained eye would notice that he is a little tense though, as if ready to move into action at a moment's notice.
"Videoland," Liza says with a tinge of bitterness, as she looks up - yes, she figures it's another one of those game-master types, this time one of the 'bad' ones. "As if we're all just pictures for you to play with." She folds her arms and glares up towards that voice, mouth curving into a frown and eyes narrowing.
Lady A squints up into the trees again. At least spotting the shadow sitting there, she smirks... Then sits down. "Don't worry," she says aloud. "He should know enough to know when he's outnumbered." She taps the edge of her paddle into the fire, her own version of tending it. The pure white weapon is completely unharmed by this gesture. "You can come closer, Travis, but further would be preferable."
Gameshark chuckles from within the trees, "As a matter of fact you are all indeed, pictures for me to glimpse upon and on the contrary Lady A, do not underestimate your surroundings. These trees who harbor you shelter could also be the reasons for your own demise. As for the young princess, You are right the lady knows quite abit about us, especially 3d0 whom she humiliated quite good. That was indeed a lovely sight to see. Haha."
Travis merely grins and replies once more to Lady A, "Nah.. I figure I will stay here in the darkness, where is comfortable.. not to mention the view of the sky is most glorious this eve.."
For some reason or another, the Hylian princess has a problem settling down when there's an evil game master in the trees above. Zelda looks about the small gathering of heros, trying to find some comfort in the simple reality of the numbers involved. It's not working. "Why are you here?" comes the suspicious follow-up question.
"Talk in circles..." the lady Gamemaster mutters, then she looks up at Link again. "As I said, find Megaman in the palace. This isn't a place to discuss strategy anymore, not for now."
"You had better watch your mouth or I'll come break it," Liza says calmly, standing up - she may be barefoot, right now, but for her that's practically an -advantage-. After all, how does one train in a dojo? Barefoot. But she doesn't do anything beyond standing up, loathe as she is to relieve herself of comfort; this is an -actual- threat, not a potential one. "Who -are- you, anyway?"
Link settles back and holds onto Zelda quietly. The others can taunt Gameshark. They're doing a fine job if it, anyway. He'll just sit there and wait to see if the villain will show his face.
Gameshark says, "Can a man not simply go out and enjoy a night out without being asked who, where, what or why? Tsk tsk heroes, you make it sound like I am some sort of demonic being that has come to enslave you all. For shame for people to judge a book by its cover."
Travis turns his head in the direction of Liza and just simply grins, reveiling a slight bit of his chocolate skin by the firelight, "You make it sound like you might be a challange miss. Unfortunately, I do not want to waste precious energy on battling a whelp like you. So be like your friends and learn yer place, sit and be a good girl."
Gameshark says, "If you want to know who I am so badly, ask Lady A."
Lady A stretches. "He's Gameshark," she says, as Travis begs the explanation. "One of Mother Brain's Gamemasters. But you can just ignore him, as I plan to do." She steps away from the fire, and balls up her extra shirt as a pillow on the soft ground by the pool. Then, she lay on her stomach, looking out over the water, seeming perfectly serene.
Gameshark says, "Wiseass as usual.."
"If you want to have respect, you must learn to give it," Ryu offers firmly, still leaning somewhat causally against the tree. He looks at Lady A as she lays out, hrmming as he looks back to Gameshark. Unlike the 'Gamemistress', Ryu decides to take the 'cheat' a bit more seriously.
Naoya Toumou hums for a moment. "He has a point. He's not technically threatening us right now, so we really don't have to be exchanging unpleasantries... yet." He sits back, allowing the fire to do what it does best. He's uncertain with Gameshark looming overhead, but as he's not being threatening as of yet...
Liza grinds her teeth for a moment... but, Lady A's words keep her from flying off the handle and leaping up to inflict screaming death at this 'Gameshark' person. "Hngh." She sits back down, still staring daggers up at the approximate location of the mocking voice. "Is he some kind of Mystic? Did he just appear here?" she asks, fists still clenched in her lap. "And doesn't he have babies to eat or something?"
Princess Zelda gives up. She's trapped here, and her guardian won't take her back to the palace. Furrowing her brow and closing her eyes, the Hylian curls up as best she can and rests her head against Link's chest. She's not going to keep hiding pain for long. Make the evil one shut up, someone.
"Just succinct," Lady A says to Gameshark. "And I'd appriciate it if you keep that lovely sky right where it is." She doesn't explain to Liza the meaning of any of this... if she still has questions about Gamemasters, she didn't read the introduction material.
Link shakes his head and inquires, "Am I the only one who doesn't think we should just let evil beings be if they aren't actively killing anyone?" He glances around, to see what everyone else thinks.
Naoya Toumou says, "If we just indiscriminately attack anyone that we deem evil, that wouldn't make us any better than them."
Liza glances at Link - she's rather tense. "He's probably doing something, but --" But she's going to follow the lead of Lady A on this topic, at least. She did read that darn manual; by implying that Gameshark is a dirty windex-blooded Mystic, and that he eats babies, she's blowing off some of her own steam! "--we can't tell what. At least we know where he is." Sort of. 'That - uh, patch of darkness over there' is a location.
Gameshark says, "How violent you all are... and you people say that we are the savages. Pity."