"I... erm yes. Quite. A Keaton Mask. The red-eyed man sent you?" he lowered his voice, once Khritov affirmed (assuming you do!). "I... errr... I've been making a way out and into castle town, since I live on the edge... my father built a house on the other side of the wall, and our basements line up. If you'll follow me, you should be able to squeeze through now, and I'll widen it later. But you absolutely mustn't tell anyone about it; it's a secret to everybody."
"Are you calling me fat?! I'll show you, Sheikah bastard!" Riza spits on the ground and whips her spear around, holding it out in front of her for balance. Taking a deep breath, she steps onto the chain and crosses as fast as she can without running or jostling the makeshift tightrope beneath her feet.
"No. I am calling myself weak." the Sheikah corrects, even as the chains seem to wind and coil of their own volition back into his sleeves, now that Riza is across. "For example, I couldn't have held you with the chain alone as you swung across, however, the displacement of force due to using a perpendicular point to gravity increased my capacity." The voice sounded nervous now that they were both on the same side of the chasm.
Riza's so blinded by her anger that it takes her a moment to realize she's made it to the other side. When she finally does, the anger dissipates as quickly as it had appeared. "Would you look at that? I'm still alive."
Turning on the Sheikah, she gives him (her? it? Definitely 'it'.) another withering glare. "What's the big idea cutting the bridge? And what are you doing trespassing in Gerudo territory? Your kind usually know better than to step foot on the sands." The Gerudo didn't usually have to do much to keep people away; the desert did most of the work on its own. The blazing heat, scouring winds, and leevers killed most would-be invaders long before they found their way to the Gerudo fortress.
After a brief pause, the Sheikah continued, "What brings you to the land of the Hylians, Gerudo?"
Khristov nods in agreement and heads into the man's house and tunnel as prompted.
Khristov will have to crawl through, but he won't be in any real danger as he does. On the other side is a house almost precisely matching the one he just left, if mirrored. Another old man stands before him wearing a Keaton mask... the new man immediately heads upstairs, happy-fox-face being his only welcome.
Well. Thanks for letting me use your home, I'll not trouble you by staying longer than I need to. Show me out?
Khristov heads down along the path, not worried about being too inconspicuous, but not looking for trouble either.
It is a bad sign, indeed.
As you walk across a precipice, you see a human dressed all in blue and white. It seems to be resting atop a rock, overlooking the world below. It is sweating profusely and breathing hard... presumably from the climb. It has been a few years since you personally witnessed a human anywhere nearly this high on the volcano.
There is a small chasm between you, with a cutback leading around to the stranger. To your right is the cutback and the mountain's face. To your left is a view that goes miles into the distance. You can see forest and sand and city, fields and lake and sea stretching like a patchwork on into eternity... Or at least until the sky begins.
What do you do?
Walking up he would pull out a Gourd that had been hollowed out and would hand it to the youngling. Within it fresh water the mountain had provided. If you knew how to look. Then without saying anything gently places his hand on the back of their neck. The first thing they will notice is the coolness of his rocky skin despite the heat of the area. Then he moved to block the heat from the churning fires. His own rocky protrusions mimicking the glowing fire underneath.
He didn't say anything for there was no need. A human would only come this high if they were running for something, or wished to impart something important.
After a few moments of resting in the Goron's shade,and drinking the clean water, the Sheikah appeared to be doing better. He pulled the mask back over his mouth before speaking.
"Thank you, Brother Goron. I certainly required your aid."
It felt as though the Sheikah was having a difficult time choosing the proper words... which was not at all uncommon at this height for humans. After a moment, though, the Sheikah spoke. "I am seeking a guide for my friends. We sit, now, at either World's End, or World's Beginning. And I am to decide which, with my choices. I... have done my best thus far. But I believe that they, and I will need all the help they can get." The Sheikah goes silent for a moment.
What do you do?
If you want to assume it is always active, or is currently active:
You, surprisingly, feel as though you are in control of the situation. While the Sheikah has wit, they seem to be using it as a defense mechanism. They seem nervous, and frankly, a little afraid of you. This is assuredly not a warrior of the Sheikah people.
Listening to the words he stood there looking down his kind eyes studying the Sheikah's. Patting her head gently and taking great care it wasn't to hard. They were soft folk after all. It was a long time before his old voice rumbled out like that of a mountain waking.
"No such thing as World's end or World's beginning. Just cycles long ago still remaining. Before our time and beyond. They will keep repeating even when we are gone. You wish to influence the change in the Goddess's favor. That is a thought you must savor." The statement rumbled out slowly. "It is not only your choices that matter, but the choices of all, be they big or small, effect all in their clatter. It is wise to band together. Everyone needs each other." Silence filled the air before the ground rumbled slightly. "Change is coming, mountain is thruming. The path we walk today, will influence in ways only time will say. Guide I am and guide I will be. Maybe this path will take me to the sea."
"Well... that was considerably simpler." the Sheikah responds. "Than what I expected, I mean. There will be others... traveling up Death Mountain soon. They cannot walk the ways. At least not yet. They will be seeking ancient ruins that will be the key to the Goddesses' victory over hatred. While I understand you probably do not need money, I prefer to pay for services." The Sheikah pulls a red rupee from her pouch, and offers it to you.
What do you do?
His fingers carefully take the red rupee and put it into a pouch.
"For rupee's I have no need. Though they buy me things I need indeed." He would gently pick her up in his arms. "Ground is rumbling, so move you must or go tumbling." His feet walked a steady rhythm as he slowly made his way down the mountain holding the human.
"Rest and relax, your journey did tax. Let to earth hold you in your sleep. Her dreaming council you can keep." He said taking her to a safer and easier path down the mountains.
"I will await them at the foot. Below Death Mountain's thick soot."
"Thank you. They... shouldn't need to come this high, though they may wish to."
As you make your way down the paths you know to be safe, the Sheikah eventually separates from you. "Thank you for your assistance, but I need to return home... I'm likely expected." Once goodbyes were said, she would vanish into the darkness of a crevasse.
Wait, is 'it' working for Ganondorf? Riza tenses for a moment but realizes that it's unimportant. If he didn't know already, Ganondorf would surely hear of her defection soon. And even if this Sheikah was his stooge, it posed no threat to her. Lying is pointless. "Ganondorf is a monster and needs to be stopped."
Riza is surprised at how good it feels to finally say it. After years of living under his increasingly oppressive rule and watching him flaunt and abandon his sacred responsibilities as guardian of the sands, she wanted to shout the truth from the top of Death Mountain itself. How many of her sisters failed to see how he corrupts the mantle of King? How long had she been forced to endure in silence since Nabooru had opened her eyes to his transgressions? The bastard was using black magic, and he'd turned it on his own second-in-command to shut her up. That's why Riza went to the Spirit Temple. That's why she had taken the spear. And that's why she left. She finally realized that she wasn't running away. She left to stop him. And if this Sheikah decided to get in her way, it would just mean one more Hylian offering blood to the sand.
"Yes, he is. Yes, he does. Don't tell him I said that." the Sheikah shrugs a little helplessly. "And if you wish to stop him, you will need the aid of others. One cannot do this on their own. He has gained significant power since leaving your people, and I'd hazard that he's no longer Gerudo at all. You won't be able to face him, just yet, but I'm working to change that." the Sheikah said, rising to full height, even as it took a step back. "If you truly wish to stop him, then I can help to set you upon your path." the Sheikah pauses to try to gauge Riza's thoughts on the matter.
Glaring again at the Sheikah, Riza snorts. "Well aren't you a shifty weasel." Never trust a Sheikah. Is Ganondorf really that stupid? "I don't trust you. And if Ganondorf does, then he really isn't Gerudo."
Brushing past the Sheikah, Riza starts walking off in the general direction of Hyrule. "You want to help? Walk and talk. If not, stay out of my way."
The Sheikah shrugged, but did not argue. It took up pace a small distance away. "The short version is, that it's dangerous to go alone. No singular person could ever hope to defeat him. What I know of him makes this certain. I have seen him command the old monsters, and cast magic far beyond mortal ken. Without the tool designed for righting the balance..." the Sheikah shakes its head. "We'll need the tools to remove balance from the equation. My people created an object that could be used to remove certain pieces from the equation... and there will soon be others searching for this. Your journey begins at the foot of Death Mountain. You will meet many others that will help you towards your goal."
Riza keeps walking at a brisk pace as she listens. "Go to Death Mountain. Join the resistance. Remove balance." Though outwardly she was bold and strong, inside Riza was starting to worry. She'd never seen moblins or any of the other monsters, but she'd heard stories from the war, and she wasn't excited for the task ahead. "How far is Death Mountain from here?"
"Quite distant. It will take a pair of weeks to travel, but there will be a ranch along the way. A kind man previously owned it, before Ganondorf stole his birthright and gave it to another." Sheik said as they continued to walk. But the overland trip will be less dangerous, just now, than what lies ahead; Your kind are rarely welcomed outside of your lands. People will likely assume that you mean ill, simply because of your appearance. I... am fairly certain that the reverse is true as well. Your travels to death mountain will take you through Kakariko Village as well... which will carry nuances. You may wish to travel quickly through the town and not linger."
The last part was obviously some sort of warning. An obvious one, at that.
"I think I'll be able to handle myself just fine. But the sooner we get to Death Mountain, the better. Since I'm doing you this favor, tell me something: why are you working for Ganondorf?"
"With. Not for. His pride tells him for. And that's the only reason I am not dead. The difference is in things such as the bridge. He told me to ensure that the bridge was destroyed before anyone could reach out to your people for aid in the coming days. He said nothing of ensuring that no one crossed it. As a matter of fact, I fulfilled his order to the letter. I reached out to your people -after- destroying the bridge. Not before."
A weasel, indeed.
Riza snorts and spits on the ground as she walks. "With or for, doesn't explain why."
M-my name is Remia, She lowered her bow slightly, "I have never seen one of your one of your kind before, what brings you here?" She wondered about the woman's friend, who could she know that knows Saria?
"Actually... I'm here looking for help. Things are changing in the outside world... like with the Deku Tree. Things are being warped and twisted around, and we need someone's help. Especially, perhaps, yours. Someone that can survive the woods and guide others safely will be impossible to do without." The sheikah said, as the wind blew the grass of the field around in visible lines. "I was specifically hoping to find Saria... my friend told me that that helped him to talk to her... but she hasn't answered."
Riza's brow furrows, which is to say her expression doesn't change it all. "Is there any active opposition against Ganondorf, or has he really taken over?" If he's got Sheikah doing his bidding, this could be worse than I thought.
Hycorerox watchings the Sheikah disappear out of sight and doesn't move for a long time. People were coming. This would be news to the council. Staring down at the red rupee he nodded to himself and started walking back to the Goron village.
His first stop was the council. "The mountain is rumbling, the people from below are grumbling. Change is coming soon, mayhap as soon as noon. People will come to seek, a new way to not be meek. I will guide them on their journey, for only together do we hold the key." With his slow rumbling speaking he would finish up and then makes his way out to the store.
There he would purchase two more spears (10) and two sets of bandages (10).
Riza falls silent, apparently having received all the information she needed. She'd never been a military strategist or commander; they always told her she didn't have the head for it. But even with all the extra information, things didn't seem that complicated. The situation was dire, but not complicated. "Unless there's something else I ought to know, we should pick up the pace." Once the talking is over, Riza breaks into a loping run.
"Only a few things. If all goes as expected, you'll meet up with a Kokiri, three Hylians, a Zora and a Gorgon at the foot of Death Mountain. Look for a ruby-colored Faerie if you're having trouble picking out the Hylians... and a follower of Naryu."
"They'll have the things you'll need to make the trips into a success. I suspect everyone will frequently go their separate ways, and will try to have things in motion to keep everyone moving. East-northeast to Lon Lon, then north-northeast to Kakariko. I won't be going with you, as I have a Goron Guide to find. Do you have any more questions?"
"No," Riza says unceremoniously.
"Then I have little else to share." the Sheikah reached into his pouch, and withdrew a red rupee, tossing it to the Gerudo. "Should you find a way to spend it, this will likely aid in your journey." It said before throwing a deku nut to the ground. There was a dazzling flash of light and a cracking sound as it struck the ground. When the light cleared, the Sheikah was gone.
"Your... friend, what was his name?, was he of the kokiri?"
Remia was unsure whether or not to trust Sheik, but she knew that if the world was warping in outside world just as it was in the woods then she would do whatever it takes to stop it.
"I'm not sure I fully trust you but I wish to help the land in whatever way possible. Make no mistake though," She firmly adds, "If you turn out to be a liar I won't hesitate to shoot you, just because you are one of the big folk doesn't mean I fear you nor I am I alone," She whistles for Yami and Shadow and they come out of hiding, staying silent but wary. "That said, I do wish for you to be telling the truth as none wish to end this blight more than I."
"He has actually gone by many names. I'm not sure what the Kokiri may have called him, but where I'm from, he was called Link." The Sheikah said, slowly lowering the harp.
"Then I'll make no pretense; I am a liar. It is a necessity of the times. I have yet to lie to any of those I am gathering, however. I have no other recourse. If you do not wish to work with one who must lie, then I will find another... and hopefully quickly." And the harp slowly rose back into position as if to begin playing.
Meanwhile, in a hidden Mausoleum...
As Muse flits off into the darkness, Shyrin follows quickly after... the lack of dark spirits emboldening her.
Torillin's reminded that his god is not a god of dark and disgusting, but of pure, flowing water. He realizes that perhaps prostrating himself in a disgusting cave, while enthusiastic, isn't proper. He heads out of the caverns to seek fresh flowing water.
Which leaves Anya... What do you do?
Anya would follow after Muse hopefully not going too far as that Shyrin wouldn't be able to regroup with them soon.
As Anya presses forward, keeping up with Muse is difficult in the dark. There's a lot of squelchiness about the footing. There's a lot of solid stone, but then something akin to mud. Shyrin, who followed immediately after has a much easier time. After a few corners are turned in relative darkness, Anya begins to hear Muse begin to sing. One-by-one, all of the torches light, starting in the east and moving to the west. She also hears a grinding sound. With the lights on, Anya becomes aware of what exactly the smell was... And perhaps some of the squelch. Nasty looking green goo is everywhere, in the cracks of the floor.
Following onwards (if she does!), she discovers a staircase, where a wall has moved out of the way, marked with the same symbol the Sheikah Stranger had worn. Shyrin is nowhere to be seen, but Muse is dancing around a relief that shows a sun rising and setting, followed by a moon rising and setting. An old wooden chest in remarkable condition, with no lock, rests at the foot of the relief.
Anya moved carefully as she followed the fairy, trying to avoid the goo is possible, when they arrived at the relief she spent a few moments inspecting it
Bardic Lore: Legends of Heroes Past, How is the symbol related to the area?
before trying to find something that would let her open the chest from a distance, if none was found she would try to kick the box open hoping to minimize and trap effects.
The Sheikah eye directly represents the watchfulness of the people, their knowledge, and their wisdom. The three triangles directly correlate to the three goddesses, and the heroes that they have supported throughout the ages: As a direct result, it seems that the Sheikah are suggesting that they are watchers or perhaps guardians of heroes. More likely, however, is that the Sheikah believe themselves to be watchers of secrets as a whole. There have been many Sheikah heroes throughout the ages, and picking one specifically would be difficult; their legends are interwoven and flowing in order to prevent their secrets from ever being fully realized.
That their symbol would appear upon a wall, as you would presume, is that it has either to do with their service to the royal family, their vigil to secrets... or their service to heroes. It is difficult to know which. What is important, is that the eye is missing the tear drop, meaning that it predates the recent civil war.
The only thing that Anya could use to wedge the chest open is her own sword, which will by her a little space from the chest as she opens it. There's a click as she does so, but nothing happens. Levering it the rest of the way open, its lid thunks against the wall unceremoniously, and awaits her curiosity.
Once she looks inside, she discovers an incredibly stylized Large, Blue shield. While there's no way to be certain, you know the style from which this shield has grown... and it dates back centuries. It's a shield gifted to the greatest of heroes of the Hylian family, and it has a very storied past.
The second Sheik mentioned details about her friend Remia knew that she was telling the truth, She knew this boy, but had only met him in passing, mostly with Saria.
"Fine, I trust you, What will you have me do?"
The Sheikah paused for a moment. Head tilting, and eyes narrowing in a gesture of confusion, but then nodded. "Far to the north is a great mountain, at the foot of that mountain is a village known as Kakariko. There, heroes are gathering. Go there, meet with them, and simply be yourself. They'll need you to guide them should they ever come to this forest; their adult minds will likely be unable to entirely comprehend what is occurring here, as not everything is exactly real. They will be seeking a solution, though I'm uncertain of which solution will be settled upon. There will be a goron, a zora, and several humans... I suspect they will decide to either climb the mountain, or travel to Zora lands... I haven't met all of them, just yet." the Sheikah explained. "If you do decide to go, I will offer payment for the trip." the Sheikah withdrew a red rupee, and held it in the sun, for the Kokiri to see.
Anya examined the shield for bit, not really her style but no point in leaving it here. She'd strap the thing onto her back before looking back to the fairy. "Alright now where?".
The fairy paused in its singing and dancing... and chirped up the stairway. If she was asking it to lead, it was going to!
Riza catches the rupee, slipping it into a pocket. The flash catches her off-guard and she jumps back, shielding her eyes. "Hey!" She shakes her head around, angrily looking for the Sheikah until realizing that it was gone. Sheikah bastard... Riza rubs her eyes to get rid of the spots and starts running in the direction of Death Mountain.