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**Z64** · 02-11-2014, 11:54 PM

Luther became a bit curious when Leo called Ryli 'Mom', as they seemed close in age, but shrugged it off. He also felt uncomfortable about approaching the Gerudo Fortress. He hadn't been here, but he had heard stories.

"I'll go to the side farthest away from us. Anyone want to come?"

Drake, not really wanting to be around Kairu, decided to go with Luther. Maybe he'd learn more about him.

"I'll go with you." Drake said, volunteering.

"Alright, does anyone else want to come?"

**HyrulianBlackcat** · 02-12-2014, 12:04 AM

Malina had slowed Zylan until they were close to the rest of the group, the other horses following behind her on lead reins. Entering the Gerudo Fortress had an unsettling affect on the trio of beasts and she could sense they didn't like the atmosphere. Something had happened here, and the horses could sense it. She rubbed Zylan's shoulder. "If you want to split up, I'll stay here with the horses. They don't really like this place, and you'll need somewhere to meet back up anyways." Zylan snorted and shook his mane, as if trying to deny any uneasiness, but Malina simply smiled and patted his neck. "I know you, big fellow. Don't deny it."

**Kairu** · 02-12-2014, 12:12 AM

"Okay, Drake and Luther you two go to that side," Kairu said pointing to where the two guys had pointed where they said they'd go. "Ryli, Leo, and I will all go to the other side, sweep through and meet up in the center and head back here to Malina. Naroh, you stay here and keep Malina company and safe. Nothing, and I mean nothing is to harm her. Hopefully there are survivors and we can help them out. Any questions?"

**Z64** · 02-12-2014, 10:08 PM

Luther and Drake exchanged glances, then looked back at Kairu and shook their heads, telling Kairu that they didn't have any questions.

As Luther and Drake headed to the far side of the fortress, Drake thought it was kind of awkward, so decided to started talking with Luther.

"So...do you know what might be in here? I don't really know anything about this place...at all." Drake asked, having no clue.

"Yeah, more or less. The people who live here are the Gerudo. They're similar to humans and Hylians, but they're all dark skinned and all of their population is female. However, according to legend, every 100 years a male is born, and he becomes leader, or king, or whatever title they use. I doubt it is actually 100 years, as they would've died out by now. Anyway, the current one is Ganondorf. He's the one who attacked Castle Town. The relationship between the Royal Family and the Gerudo has always been a bit tense. But if the old evil from the legends has returned, then Ganondorf is most likely dead."

Drake didn't know how to react. It was just so strange to him that a race could be all female. It was confusing.

"So....are they good fighters? Because if they are, I probably won't be much help."

Luther nodded. "Oh yes. They are very good. If we have to fight any, I'll handle it. I should be able to protect you. Do you not know how to fight?"

"Yeah, pretty much." Drake said, a bit embarrassed.

Luther laughed a little, seeing Drake's embarrassment. "Hey, don't worry about it. After this, I start training you. How does that sound?"

"Great." Drake said, not sure if he wanted to be excited or annoyed.

**HyrulianBlackcat** · 02-13-2014, 12:01 AM

Malina scowled. "Why does he have to stay with me?" she grumbled as she pulled her book from one of Zylan's saddlebags. I'd rather if you left Leo. At least he and I can get along." She hadn't forgiven Norah yet for nearly attacking her and Ryli. If she was forced to endure his presence, she'd simply ignore him and see if she could learn this potion. How fun it would be if she could learn how to turn him into a fluffy little kitten.

**Kairu** · 02-13-2014, 01:02 AM

"Okay, I don't see the harm in that. Leo, trade with Naroh and watch after Malina. Again, no harm is to come to her. I don't think I need to remind you how important she is. Naroh, you're with Ryli and I. Let's go." Kairu led the way to the opposite side of the Fortress from Drake and Luther with Ryli and Naroh in tow. As the three of them entered, Ryli did her best to keep from staying with the group. The last time she was here wasn't on friendly terms, in fact, she disapproved of the Gerudo lifestyle of thievery, hence why she left. Kairu noticed Ryli was lagging behind so he stopped and turned to ask her a couple questions.

"Ryli, I know this is the last place you want to be, but is there anything you can tell us that can help locate any survivors or supplies?" Kairu asked with genuine concern. The Fortress' emptiness began to make him feel uncomfortable.

"We have secret chambers under certain gathering rooms that we used. They're essentially hideouts and cellars that's likely where we can find spare supplies. As for the people, if anyone is left, I would have noticed something of an indication. A code or signal of some sort... even if they all left to take Hyrule Castle something would have been left behind."

"Could there be a journal or note someone left? If so, where could we find one?"

"The living quarters are on the other side of the Fortress. If the two boys search thoroughly enough, they'll find them. That's most likely where a journal could be found. It's possible a note is somewhere on this side, also."

The prospect of no other living Gerudos was discomforting for the couple.

"Okay, how far is it to the closest storage room?"

"Just a few turns down the hall."

"Okay, lead the way."

Ryli stepped forward, apprehension, doubt, and even suspicion on the forefront of her mind as she began leading the two outsiders through the winding corridors. She was vigilant to stop any ambush that may be waiting for them.

**Z64** · 02-14-2014, 11:22 PM

Drake and Luther entered the fortress, Luther going first. The first room they entered had jail cells, obviously used for keeping prisoners. There wasn't anything in the room except for Drake, Luther, and a few pots.

"Alright, nothing here. Move on." Luther said, going to the exit on the other side of the room.

"Do you think anybody is here?" Drake asked.

"Not likely." Luther replied. "Ganondorf most likely brought everybody to take Hyrule."

What Luther said calmed Drake. He really didn't want to fight the Gerudo if they were good fighters as Luther had said earlier.

**Kairu** · 02-15-2014, 12:33 AM

Kairu, Ryli and Naroh continued farther into the Fortress. They passed by several large rooms containing empty tables, unlit fireplaces, and general chill from the shaded rooms. Ryli led the two men accompanying her next to an oven. She felt around behind the large clay dome of the oven and found a button. It reveal a secret passage where food stores where. She stepped inside only to have Kairu and Naroh trapped on the other side of the doorway when it shut unexpectedly. Ryli didn't hesitate summoning her magic ability. Both hands spawned flame balls that she would use to defend herself. The light illuminated a small area around Ryli and the door, but there were many dark corners around the shelves. Stepping out of the shadows was a Gerudodorf.

"What are you doing back?" The woman said in a low tone, her blades gripped tightly in hand, ready to strike at Ryli at any moment.

"We're here not by my choice. We are leaving Hyrule and my companions wanted to trade and resupply." Ryli was defensive, matching the tension from the Gerudodorf.

"You know our laws, Akilah. No outsiders! Especially now more than ever! We're so few in numbers that we may not even be around in the next 10 years!"

The Gerudodorf was clearly angry at Ryli and the rest of her group.

"I don't want to be here any more than you want me here! In fact, I suggested that we not come here! My companions felt it would be better to burn up in the Desert than freeze in the mountains!" Ryli was clearly becoming more angry as the women traded words. Ryli's fireballs kept increasing in size and intensity in tandem with her temper.

On the other side of the door, Kairu was slamming his fist on sealed door, yelling for her.

"Get lost, Akilah! We want to live out the rest of the Gerudo lives in peace from you and other outsiders! The Great King promised victory and instead shut his own people out of what we sacrificed ourselves for! Now we're down to less than 30 of us and nowhere to go! We need as much of our supplies as we can get! Now leave before I slice you in two!"

Ryli's temper spilled over causing her to lash out at the woman.

"Don't you dare horde the supplies! You all are thieves! It's what you all were raised to be! Go out and steal more supplies like usual. Rob passersby and mug them like the scum you all are!"

"You're one of us, Akilah, whether you like it or not. You're a Gerudo and were raised like us to be a thief. I should have expected you to try and steal from us when we are at our weakest. You hoped that none of us remained so you could take over and murder us! You're the epitome of Gerudo. A true sneak-thief, striking when one's guard is lowered. Well bad news, sister, but you picked the wrong day to strike at the Gerudo!"

The Gerudodorf brought her blades up and lashed at Ryli quickly, only to have Ryli dodge, throwing a fireball at the Gerudodorf who dodged just as fast as Ryli had. On the other side, Kairu heard the battle starting and his pleas turned into determination. He did his best to mimic Ryli's actions, reaching behind the oven feeling for anything that stood out. He kept sweeping his hand back and forth in a systematic pattern until he found what he was looking for, a small pressure button that he pressed. The door slid open and Kairu drew his blade, Naroh copying Kairu. When enough space had opened up, Kairu charged in. When he entered, the Gerudodorf disappeared in the distraction Kairu created. On Ryli's face was a cut going down her cheek, her crimson blood falling slowly down towards her chin. Kairu and Naroh stopped when they realized that the fight was over.

Ryli then addressed Kairu in a low, aggravated tone, "Get what you need, Kairu and be careful. That's not the last we've seen of her."

Kairu nodded, both men sheathing their blades. As Ryli walked out of the storeroom, the men began grabbing what they recognized and could carry.

**Z64** · 02-22-2014, 03:55 PM

Drake and Luther emerged from the middle of the fortress after having found some supplies, which was just some food and two red potions. They walked over to Malina and Leo, and Luther set down the bag with the supplies in them next to the horses, not knowing what do with them.

"Hey, we're back!" Drake said as he and Luther approached Leo and Malina. "We didn't find much, though. Just the supplies in the bag. It was also kind of weird in there. We tried going to the living quarters, but the door was locked. Almost as if they didn't want people breaking into their rooms, even though they were all gone."

"I guess the others are being more successful than us, if they're still in there." Luther said.

**HyrulianBlackcat** · 02-23-2014, 06:21 AM

Malina looked up from her book as Drake and Luther returned. She'd spent the entire time reading, every now and then mentioning one of the magical brews to Leo. It amused her that he didn't believe in magic. What world did he come from that there was no magic? "Well, hadn't they only left with Ganondorf? They might have been expecting to return, so they'd still have a chance to come home, right?" She'd actually been thinking about that. If Ganondorf had been a sorcerer, what sort of magic did he wield? Were there any tomes here that could teach her that magic? She'd almost asked Leo if he thought so, but decided it wouldn't matter. Even if there were, none of the others would think to grab them for her, and she had promised to stay put.

**Kairu** · 03-21-2014, 12:01 PM

The two former Hylian soldiers and Ryli left the storeroom and resumed their sweep of the giant fortress. They passed through many different rooms, many of them locked. Ryli was silent the entire way, only checking behind the group every so often. They rounded another corner and the Gerudodorf was back with two Knuckles in gold-plated armor.

"Well that's new," Kairu said recognizing the Knuckle's armor design but not recognizing the material.

Ryli recognized the armor designs and mere shouted, "Run!"

The three backed off and turned back the way they came, running as fast as they could, both Gold Knuckles in close pursuit. The Gold giants would occasionally get close and swing their large axes, missing and letting the trio recover lost distance. The trio felt like they were running in circles for the whole day with the Knuckles chasing them.

"Follow me! We're going to jump!"

Kairu took a glance out the window and could see they were three or four floors up from the ground.

"I really don't think that's a good idea, Hun!"

Ryli stopped and stepped on an open balcony. Kairu looked down and there was a roof only two floors down. He heard the Knuckles getting closer and took his leap of faith. As he fell, he did his best to angle his fall to the least damaging, his legs arced and ready to take the land. As he touched down, he felt his leg break and he tumbled forward. Naroh and Ryli followed suit, doing better than Kairu. The Knuckles had reached the balcony and casually leaped over, landing squarely on their feet, fracturing the roof they were all on. When the second Knuckles jumped, he broke the roof and everyone collapsed into the room. Kairu tried to get up, but his leg was throbbing in pain.

"Naroh! Get him out of here and back to the others! If any of them can fight, bring them here! I can hold them off for a bit, but time is imperative!"

Naroh nodded and helped Kairu out to the group waiting at the edge of the settlement.

"Ryli needs help! Leo go help her! Luther, if you can fight, go with her! Naroh will join you and you all should be able to beat them!"

Inside the damaged building, Ryli's magic flared up ready to attack and defend where needed.

**Z64** · 03-22-2014, 12:54 PM

Luther drew his sword and followed Naroh to where Ryli was. When they got there, Luther looked at his opponent. It looked like the Iron Knuckles his father had told him about, but they seemed....different.

"Is there a specific weakness that thing has?" Luther asked, looking at Ryli.

Back outside, Drake wasn't sure if he should be worried or not. Sure, Kairu had gotten hurt, but the threat wasn't immediate. Well, it wasn't immediate to him, or the others outside of the fortress. It was very immediate to those inside.

**Kairu** · 03-22-2014, 01:22 PM

"Gold Knuckles are our best soldiers. They are created without weakness or mercy. Do not let them even get close. Their only real downside is how slow they are. If you get too close, you can expect death."

Leo and Naroh drew their weapons, Leo his sword and Naroh his bow, readying an arrow. Ryli looked at Naroh's arrow and came up with an idea. She threw a fireball at the tip of the arrow, igniting it to become a fire arrow.

"Shoot him!"

The first Gold Knuckles charged at Leo, forcing a sidestep from Leo and presenting a close, but clean shot from Naroh. Naroh released the fire arrow square into its arm. The Knuckles snapped the flaming arrow in half throwing the broken end at Leo. The broken end pierced right into Leo's chestplate, puncturing part of his skin. Leo fell to one knee receiving the blow. The second Knuckles approached Leo attempting a grab. Ryli threw some ice at it, hoping to chill it enough to be slower, but it didn't work. She charged at the Knuckles and was grabbed instead. The second Knuckles threw her at Leo, causing the two to topple. Naroh, retreated back towards Luther, hoping the two of them could best one of the Knuckles.

Meanwhile:

*Joarm enters from Beginning of the End*

Outside with Kairu, Malina, and Drake, a phantom-like horse rider approached the group in a hurry. Initially, the rider wasn't headed towards the group, only meaning to pass by, but the skirmish inside with the Gold Knuckles was enough to get him to stop. Kairu looked in disbelief at the man who seemed to emanate darkness rush towards the fight. He wasn't going to try and convince him from helping. Joarm raced towards the Knuckles summoning a powerful, magic trident from thin air.

Joarm jumped, launching himself above the building and released a powerful bursts of electricity on the Knuckles. The Knuckles stopped, becoming immobilized by the purple lightning. Joarm finished the spell, using the gravity to physically fall towards the soldiers with his Trident. Joarm then lifted his open hand up from the ground and six Stalfoses were summoned to assist in the fight. Leo and Ryli stood up and joined Luther and Naroh as Joarm and the Stalfos joined them too to fight the Knuckles.

**HyrulianBlackcat** · 03-22-2014, 02:48 PM

Malina watched as Norah and the others hurried to help Ryli and Kairu. Drake stayed by her, the pair standing in the middle of a deserted compound. Zylan shifted beneath her, and she bobbed with his step. The utter silence of the desert was starting to become too much for her. The stallion shook his mane, feeling the same restlessness she suddenly was. She glanced down at Drake. If she just left, he would come with her, she was sure. She'd been through hell to help Kairu and Ryli, and it felt like all she'd received in return was to be caught in the middle of their fight. She was tired of it, tired of being a source for turmoil between them. She could just leave now, avoid having anything more to do with the pair and let them work on their relationship on their own.
They were in trouble now, she knew. But Norah was a skilled warrior, and while she didn't know for certain, she was pretty sure Luther and Leo were as well. Whatever they were dealing with, they'd be able to handle it, otherwise Norah wouldn't have risked leaving the pair alone to deal with it. Not that they'd be much help anyways. A farmboy who likely would only get in the way or killed, and a princess with next to no combat training who would only distract those who knew her identity with keeping her safe.
"Do you want to just... go?" she asked Drake. "They'll be fine, and they might be better off if they're not having to worry about keeping us safe. And then we won't have to deal with them either. Kairu getting mad at everyone, Ryli fighting with him, Leo making some stupid comment about how it's different in his world." She dismounted, after putting her book back in the saddlebags. "We've got enough supplies. If you know the way through Termina, we'll be fine on our own."

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