An Unexpected Visitor (Open)

[Dark Link]

The clouds of New Hyrule were an angry grey as they unleashed heavy buckets of rain upon the land. Lightning jumped from cloud to cloud, occasionally coming down to strike the ground and light up the mostly deserted plains as thunder rumbled after the flashes had disappeared. The creatures of New Hyrule had either taken cover or moved out of the plains area when the rain came in, but there were still creatures like Moblins that lurked around in the rain looking for people that might have strayed out in the weather.

The Moblins wouldn’t find much for most people were smart enough to stay inside on a day like this. The people knew that Moblins were loose along with thieves that could hide easily in the tall grasses of the plains. No one wanted to take chances when it wasn’t necessary; however, despite this danger, there was one person moving through the plains at a leisurely pace. Wrapped in a black hooded cloak, the figure walked alone through the tall grasses going towards the town of Lanayru in the distance.

The person looked like it was unarmed, but the Moblin and thieves that roamed the plains did not go near the figure. In fact, they seemed very frightened to approach the traveler. Many would run deeper into the plains or hide in hopes that the figure did not see them, but the figure saw everything.

The figure heard each movement and saw each being as it hurried away, but the figure did not attack as it kept walking at its casual pace. Eventually, the figure reached the gate that marked the entrance into Lanayru. As the figure took a step forward, two lightly armored guards wielding spears stepped out to block his path.

“You’re not welcome here, shadow,” the guard to the figure’s left said.

“Yeah, so go on and leave you,” the other guard to its right said. The figure, who had stopped, did not budge as he listened to the guards speak, the fear and nervousness in their voices very clear.

“I do not wish harm upon this place. I simply want to pass through,” the figure replied calmly as it kept its head bowed so its eyes remained in shadows.

“W-well that is not happening,” the guard to the left said as he tried to puff himself up and look brave and intimidating. The show had no effect on the cloaked figure. The smaller guard to the right was nodding in agreement as he held his spear tightly in his hand. The figure sighed under the cloak before raising its head slightly revealing the pale face of the hero from the past.

“It’s Link! He’s come back from the dead!” the one on the right exclaimed. Clearly, unnerved by the look alike under the cloak.

“No, you fool! It’s the shadows trick! Hold your ground, we must not let him pass!” the other guard said, but the guy was not listening. With a held back shriek of fear, the man took off running back into the village no doubt to alert the others, leaving the first guard alone.

The figure known as Dark Link simply watched quietly as the man looked back into the village for his friend before turning nervously back to Dark Link and stepping between him the village, his face set and determined. Impressive, but how long could he stand there and block the shadow’s path?

“Step aside,” Dark Link told him in calm tones as his deep red eyes locked onto the man. Despite his fear, the man shook his head as he gripped his spear tightly, his knuckles turning white in the rain. Still holding his ground, hmm? Well then how about this?

A slight smile appeared on Dark Link’s face as he took a step towards the man. In fear, the guy backed up. Another step, the guy backed up some more. One more step and the guy couldn’t take it anymore. Turning tail, he ran into the town of Lanayru not wanting to be in Dark Link’s presence any longer. Sighing, the copy of the hero moved through the gate and entered the town of Lanayru. He didn’t plan to stay. He just needed to check out a rumor he heard about a ghost in an abandoned house within Lanayru that held some information he was looking for.

[arcturus]

As the young Sheikah boy in a dark black tunic and brown pants wandered through town, surveying the area, his thoughts were on adventure and glorious combat! His idea was to use the travelers in the nearby inn and their stories, to find a suitable trial for his swordsmanship.

Leaving his house with nothing but his 2 swords crafted from wood was easy, saying goodbye to his home and family was the hard part. He reminisced about his final goodbye as if it happened months ago, even though it was earlier that morning. His mom of course thought he was being silly and foolish! The idea of leaving home with the very intention of looking for a fight was too much for his mother to understand. Though his father understood his need to prove himself, he too was in disagreement with Arct. While Arcturus was deep in thought, a guard came running through town. He seemed startled and perhaps a little confused. Excited by this, Arct started off at a jog toward the town gate where the guard had come from, hoping to atleast find a horde of moblins… But boy was he about to find more than he ever bargained for!

As Arct came closer to the gate he watched yet another guard run in what seemed to be fear! While he was still excited, he started to become a little worried as to what he was getting into. However he marched on with steel resolve!

As he turned back towards the gate he noticed another figure. This one was obviously not a guard. He was wearing a black cloak and hood and Arcturus immediately got a bad feeling about this guy! But he knew he dare not draw his sword preemptively, as that could raise hostility. Sure Arcturus wanted a trial of his swordsmanship, but he wasn’t about to be the cause of a fight with another human being, that may or may not wish to cause any harm!

[Dark Link]

With the guards running like wounded dogs, Dark Link made his way into the town of Lanayru. His mind was focus on finding the house where the ghost was said to be. He didn’t expect help for just like the guards the people would avoid him like he was the plague. He’d have to find the place himself. Not really a problem in such a small space. It just took some patience is all. With the rain pouring down heavily still, the cloaked warrior moved further into town, stopping only when he heard someone running towards him.

Towards him? Now that was a shocker. Had the guards decided to send one of their tougher guards after him or perhaps alert the bravest of the travelers in the inn to chase him away? It would be no surprise if this occurred. After all, the fearful always ran to those that they assumed were brave or stronger than themselves. So it was at the entrance of the town that Dark Link waited for whoever it was to appear. When the potential enemy came around the corner, Dark Link raised his eyebrows in mild shock.

This wasn’t a guard or traveler at all. No, it was simply a boy from the town. Why he had decided to come running in his direction was beyond the ancient shadow and quite frankly he didn’t care. What he did care about was the vibe he got from him. The boy was wet behind the ears, not yet a warrior. He owned wooden weapons, the most basic of items that could save one from enemies if it was wielded well enough, but to kill the enemies? No wooden weapons were unsuited for that. It would take too much time to beat something to its death.

Yes, the boy was just a child, but a clever and eager one. He wanted to prove something, the energy of that desire wafted off the boy like a heavy perfume. You could nearly taste the excitement under the calm and yet the boy did not take his chances by attacking him. Smart and impressive for one his age; however, Dark Link did not have time for this trivial play. The boy was in his way and he wasn’t exactly pleased by it.

“Step aside,” he said loud enough to be heard over the rain. His tones were calm and serious. There was no friendliness or hostility there. The words were simply flat and to the point. As he waited to see what the boy would do, he tilted his head slightly revealing his face slightly and one of his red colored eyes that seem to be able to see straight through the boy and see what he really was.

[arcturus]

As Arcturus looked on at the cloaked figure, who seemed shocked by Arct's appearance, the figure called for him to stand down and let him through. Arcturus stepped 1 foot behind the other to turn sideways and said "Of course,". However looking at the eyes of the figure who finally showed part of his face, Arct abruptly moved into a ready stance blocking as much of the too wide path as he could, finally continuing "As soon as you explain who you are and what you're doing here! Also, why are your eyes red?!" His voice rang loud yet smooth, with a confidence to it.

Arcturus knew those guards weren't coming back from under the rocks they'd crawled under to snivel in fear. Making himself the only protection for his town! How could he let a hooded figure with a red eye into his home!? If nothing else, he was gonna find out who this guy was and watch him!

Arcturus wasn't fearless, he feared he had meddled into something he would be unable to handle. He simply didn't show it on the outside or through his voice or actions. He was an absolute stone, no way to read his feelings. You would never know it, but fear was there. Arcturus always believed fear is a necessary element in combat. Fear shows that you care, that you aren't heartless. Fearlessness is not the same as courage. Fearlessness can only be achieved by forsaking what you care about. No kind of noble man dedicated to good can achieve fearlessness. It's courage that a noble man needs. Courage is the ability to overcome your fears. Courage is what you need to protect what you care about.

Arcturus feared for his family and their safety. However Arcturus was courageous!

[Dark Link]

The rain continued to pour down heavily upon Lanayru, so much so that even through his thick cloak, the ancient warrior was beginning to feel the dampness of the rain soak into his skin. He had already been stopped by guards and now this boy was in his path; however, it seemed that the boy was going to the smart thing and simply get out of the way, but then upon seeing his face the boy changed his mind and placed himself firmly on the wide road. Granted, he could walk around the boy, but the hero’s shadow was not one to step around anything. You either got out of the way or he’d make you move; however, the more forceful of the choices didn’t seem like it would work on the boy before him.

No, this boy was firm in stand his ground, showing bravery that the guards had lacked. A trait that reminded him of a certain hero he looked like. The warrior was quiet for a bit longer as he sensed older blood running through this boy’s veins. Not Geurdo or Hylian, so that must’ve meant Sheikah. Interesting to see one so far away from their main home in the forest. Perhaps one of the families had decided for the more open life instead of a secret one, opting for this town instead. A wise choice. At least the child wouldn’t be sheltered. On top of this, the boy seemed to want to protect the place and the people in it.

When the boy spoke, he spoke in clear confident tones, but the boy was scared under it all. He could smell it on the boy and yet he held his ground. Farore must’ve been on his side this day….along with luck. Dark Link was much too focused on his task at hand and had become irritated by being in the rain for so long, so for the most part the old warrior simply wanted to be out of the rain and done with his task. As a result of this the warrior’s agitation showed a bit, but he did not attack the boy.

“You’re quite rude,” Dark Link said in a voice easily heard over the rain. There was a bite to the word that suggested his patience was very thin, but nonetheless he wouldn’t attack. “You dare to ask a stranger his name and business without first telling him your name and giving him a reason to answer your questions?” the words were cool and strong. He would not take disrespect or rudeness. If the boy wanted information, he’d have to take another approach.

[arcturus]

As the two perplexing individuals went back and forth, the rain persisted. Making the conversation seem all the longer... Arcturus started feeling the rain through his tunic as well, but it didn't bother him... From the tone in the red eyed man's voice, Arct guessed that he was getting wet as well as impatient.

Arcturus may have been getting wet, but he didn't mind it in the least. He was never one to complain about the weather. Hot or cold, wet or dry, it was his idea of nice weather.

The man, eyes all the brighter the longer Arct looked into them, was completely calm, even when treated as a danger! Which made Arcturus even more suspicious.

This man called out to Arcturus over the rain. Arct called back, "Rude?? Well I apologize. However you are the one attempting to enter my home and scaring away the guards. Not that that's hard... Though I do believe it entitles me to a few questions. I don't have anything to hide, my name is Arcturus Lagol... And... I can't force you to answer to me. I don't have any official authority. So, would you like to get out of the rain?" He pointed behind him towards the town. "I realize this is not a good place to talk. Why not get something to eat?" Arcturus realized he was becoming transparent but he had already decided, he was not going to let this suspicious red eyed man go unwatched.

[Dark Link]

The calm shadow’s patience grew thinner and thinner the more he got rained on and it seemed this boy wasn’t going to budge. Maybe it would’ve been wiser to cut the boy down instead of let him live. He was certainly proving to be a nuisance; however, it would seem that once more luck and the goddesses decided to save the boy. As he spoke, the shadow listened.

He was apologizing and giving valid reasons for why Dark Link should answer his questions. The shadow smiled inwardly sensing the boy’s eagerness to find out information and perhaps even escape this little town. What the boy was proposing to do seemed like a friendly gesture to a stranger in the rain; however, the ancient warrior was no fool and knew that this simple guesture was to gain more information; however, the shadow was not going to be an easy target to pry information from.

In any case, he would take the boy’s offer and go somewhere dryer. He’d talk as much as he saw necessary to talk and give only what he wanted to give. He had a mission after all in this village. Maybe the boy could point him in the right direction and maybe even prove useful in the end. He’d just have to see, wouldn’t he?

Anyway, the boy gave his name willingly enough. Arcturus, huh? Well, that would be a name to remember. Perhaps he should return the favor. Play nice for a while, no? Yes. That is what he would do.

After the boy had spoken, the dark warrior closed his eyes for a moment and let the earlier agitation drain from him before focusing on the boy again, the bright red eyes watching him carefully. The boy was concerned about his being there, but the shadow did not mind being watched by the boy as long as he didn’t get in his way, so for the time being he simply nodded at the boy’s words before he began moving towards him.

“Forgiveness given. My name is Link, I’m a traveler of the world and a bit lost I’m afraid. I’ll take your offer to go somewhere dryer and more comfortable to talk in. I’ll tell you my reason for being here there. So please lead the way,” Dark Link replied his voice gentler before. Watched or not, maybe he could gain this boy's trust...and in turn an ally.