The Green Labyrinth

[Zelda]

Acres of churned up soil greeted Muse. It spread outwards with clumps of grassy knolls, fields of yellows, browns and greens, and finally, the groves that parted way into a nigh impassable canopy of trees and their roots. The thickets weren't so broad this close to the Gateway, but a keen eye could place that further within, only fractured rays of the sun could pierce the Tangles of Green. A person could pass through and disappear into the forest after a few minutes of walking, but she lingered for moments, briefly shifting back to examine what had hastened her arrival: the Arch with pure energy at its precipice.

From this viewing, it reflected the endless spans of bark, stem and leaf, but with a squint, she could make out the Void in the murky shimmers that she had departed from: the Nexus. Despite all the unknown dangers of exploring a new World, Zelda much preferred this realm to that of the White where Omni had first summoned her. At least it felt real to her, and the air not so thin upon her chest. Thankfully, she appeared to be alone for the time being. Yet, she had made that assumption and been in error only a few hours prior. It would be best to have some means of defense.

Omnilium gleamed in a palm once more. She stared at it, concentrating on the shape she wished to form. Slowly, the sphere extended in bright flashes of light, and in many colors. Without so much as a footfall onward, she allowed some of that precious source drain from her. Glimmering behind her the Portal fluctuated, reacting to the sudden influx of power, but thereafter stabilizing. As a few minutes passed, she now stood armed grasping tightly upon a familiar blade. Simply put, the brandished Rapier slid into the sheath at her side - a perfect fit.

Sure enough, the equipped and the ready for trouble: find it. A voice first hummed to the West. Not far, but not so near that it drowned out the breeze that blew, and the wildlife that beckoned from deeper in. As such, it wasn't really threatening per say, just odd. A soft lyrical cadence if anything at all, and then, words - surprisingly not in a foreign tongue as Muse expected.

Rend the mane stay the flesh.
Take the sharp toss the dull.
Break the tooth and carve the ear;
But, watch where puss spews.
If infected burn the corpse;
Pour acid on its bones;
Bury the dust where none dare tread.
The Blight will not take me.
The Plague will not save me.
Lies. Lies. All lies to draw us in.
The Fair Lady seeks an end.
But, foolish as so many lost;
Among them I am not.
Scorn those that Hunt.
Purify those that return.
Talanniel will not.

All the while as a woman sang, Muse approached. At first merely curious, but she soon feared for the singer. The lyrics were not those of a sane mind. Nor was the melody anything that urged her to feel welcome. However, she needn't convince herself to press on. The way onward and to the West, crept towards an enclosure surrounded every which way by life, but at its center leaning against a boulder was anything but.

A humanoid of discolored skin and pointed ears rested; half her face eaten away and rotten with holes that burrowed inwards, concave into chunks of flesh. The spared side still had a bright eye that could look upon where the footfalls of a visitor fell. While alive bits of purple skin (that which had yet to turn utterly black and decay), prickled into goosebumps. She watched, tilting her head as Muse parted between thick blades of grass. Thereafter, she fiddled with the dagger in her hand.

Muse pulled back her hood as she drew near. Her golden locks fell unevenly into a mess along her back. It clumped for a second, but then, she shook it out. At any other time that might have been a playful greeting. But, honestly all she felt was the hot sweat that had gathered during her travels. She too observed with a stern face. The suffering of the individual before her, that much she could tell.

"You have beautiful voice." Muse began. The cackling deep laughter stirred birds from their nestling. Taken aback by the response, she cautiously slipped a firm hand around the hilt of her blade. She didn't need to be a telepath to understand pain, but she felt it all the same. Something was quite literally tearing into the very fabric of this person's existence and rewriting it. The fact that the former Night Elf could still communicate at all was amazing.

"Have they sent you then, she-elf. Sentinel? No, I think not! Such an odd thing. Your skin's wrong. It wants me to kill you." Whispers and shouts, the way this lady spoke made little sense. "You should strike first, before the Blight takes me. I've wandered so far from them all - thought I could escape; there's the Portal that way, but death is coming. And, I but am mortal."

"Mortals have names, like anyone else, what is yours?" Coughs replied. Blood trailed from the Elf's lips; even the armor was corroding, and morphing to suit the needs of the disease. Muse frowned. It wouldn't be long now.

"I am - was - Talanniel. Tali to friends. The High-Priestess bade me to go, so off I went. Scouting she said. I met death instead." She laughed then, far more naturally - it almost sounded fully filled with life. Like her voice, that too was a type of beauty. "It's ugly, by the way, in case you're curious."

"Is the forest ill?"

"Yes and no. The Fair Lady will see it saved. And, soon - others helped. But, many were lost." For the first time Muse noticed the hair: naught but straw and strings nearly all fallen out with the Rot. She wanted desperately too turn away, but she didn't have the heart.

"Do you wish for me to stay?" She would stay regardless, but the question still needed to be asked. The answer would be a testament to the last refuge of sanity to she who would be yet another lost to senseless chaos.

"Yes."

"Do you still desire to end me?"

"It does, yes."

"Will you though?"

"No." The dagger fell from her hands and stuck into the earth. Its rusted steel bore marks of a terrible journey through rushing waters, and the faintest hints of blood of all manners lingered around its edges. It did kill, but not now and never again.

Muse hummed quietly, at first to herself. She knelt down breathing deep and allowed the tune to bolster. She sang. Not a lullaby, that would be too sad. Instead, she sung something half-remembered. In a veiled memory of a far of distant time, when the Goddess still protected the realms, and evil could not be named. Zelda hoped that the departed found peace in the Omniverse, but she had no other way to ease the passing.

She remained until the ballad finished. When it ceased, the Night-Elf breathed no more. Muse stood again, she let her hand fall away from her blade, and with it, she brushed hair that had fallen astray out of her eyes. An affliction that feeds on death, she resisted attacking, but, the body wanted to. I pray that this 'Blight' is almost over, as I believe I've learned what an Elf is (was). As her thoughts swirled ever on, she walked on beyond the clearing and into the nearest Grove.

[Remilia Scarlet]

The symphony of nature was the first thing that struck the Scarlet Devil. Compared to the dead silence of the Nexus behind her, the buzzing of insects, swaying of vegetation and branches in the wind, and far off and cautious animals stalking though the undergrowth, it was deafening. The sun bared down through the clearing surrounding the gate, the little bit that could penetrate between the canopy of leaves, and Remilia was grateful she had equipped the umbrella when she did. Nothing was more uncomfortable than getting caught directly in the sun's harmful rays for the vampire. Almost painful, very closely so, but the greater impact was the lost of her power than the irritation in her skin. The forest itself, beyond the clearing, was as warped and as suffocated as the name of the verse implied. It bared a striking parallel to the Forest of Magic that took so much space in Gensokyo, a place that was so much a home of the strange and wasteland of magical energy that even following your own steps could lead you into a different part of it. Only youkai and one Marisa Kirisame lived within its confines, the humans keeping a safe distance from the twisted trees and monsters that live within, and Remilia suspected this would be the same case. She would be surprised if she found a human here.

What she would find here are predators. That's fine with her. Her smile spread as she revealed herself to the world as the apex predator.

That was a thought that was thrown out the window when the particular sound of a insect grew loud beyond reason, and a quick glace to her side found an armored flying insect as big as her head.

"Ugh, bugs" Remilia yelled in a grossed voice. Although something so petty should not bother a creature so powerful as a vampire, Remi could still be caught off guard by the suddenness of the being's arrival and her first reaction was just to backhand the large insect and watch it scatter into many pieces and left a sticky fluid on her hand.

"Gross" the scarlet vampire was happy that she was prepared with a handkerchief, if less than excited about having to use it. Engrossed with getting her hand completely clean, when she heard a similar insect buzzing she ignored it and decided that perhaps it would be best to avoid having to waste any more time with pest control. Which only made it stranger as the sound grew closer. Where previously the insect sounded like a whiny moped, this was comparable to a raging helicopter. An apt comparison, as when Remilia finally looked towards the source of the noise a helicopter sized mantas like monster, armed with a horn almost as long as it's body, had gotten between the "apex predator" and the portal.

So, like anyone in her situation, Remilia bolted right for the treeline.

Her wings may have been a boon against those unable to fly normal, but the creature the locals called the Seltas had no problem keeping up with the vampire. The vampire hunter was ultimately an idiot who attempted to fight something stronger than him even with the Omniverse's nerf, but this monster was not limited in its ability and Remilia was still recharging on the one spell card that survived the trip. After all the times she had been on the high food chain, now she was the prey and is felt horrible to consider that she might be this insect's snack! She ducked and waved through the trees and used her smaller size to keep her distance, but glances over her shoulder told her that the Seltas had no problem keeping up. In fact, it lowered it's horn down as if it was aiming, and surged forward with a sudden burst of speed.

Remilia only had one chance to dodge this. He sensed through the weave of fate, seeing the red chains that connected action to the future, and in her brief window of opportunity she zagged down and let the bug sail over her, which it then embedded itself in a large tree, completely impaling it through the entire trunk. the Scarlet Devil managed to get to a safe distance before it managed to free itself, but when it did it simply headed back towards the gate rather than further pursuit.

"Well, if I wanted to go back, can't now" Remilia panted out loud, loosing a fair deal of her lady like charm after her sudden retreat deeper into the forest. Now the sounds of nature were much louder, and she was in the middle the realm. If she wanted do something other than stumble around in the forest for the rest of eternity, she would need to find civilization, or at least a close approximation. Limited in her senses, the scarlet devil closer her eyes and listened for fire maybe the smell of human flesh.

What she heard with a beautiful voice singing a peaceful song in the midst of the forest cover universe.

There was something so calming about what she heard, and Remilia was now stirred to find the singer out of need to find who it was and hear it at their best. While she knew of many mystical creatures that enticed other with siren's songs, this was genuine and from the heart. The vampire traveled deeper into the woods, hoping to find this mysterious voice.

The Scarlet Devil would find her, a purple and white clothed bard, kneeling close to a body. Remilia kept her distance, trying not to call too much attention to her self until she was sure it was safe to reveal herself. the other person was dead, she could tell just at a glance. The singer could not be the assailant, as it seemed the deceased had fallen to disease rather than assault. But why the singer sang, if there was a reason at all, the vampire could not grasp. Eventually the song ended, as they all do, and the bard left to travel in lonely existence. Remilia still followed, attempting to see the bard's fate and perhaps find out their future. What she saw stunned her. The red chains that tied themselves to the singer where great and many, waved together in intricate patterns, her fate tied to both many and something astronomical. Only the greats could claim to have such influence and value within the universe. Now Remilia did not simply want to find there person, she wanted to know her.

Remilia stepped forth, revealing herself with single loud flap of her wings. She landed down, watching as the masked bard turned and the two locked eyes. There was a moment of fear and uncertainty, but it was dispelled when the vampire curtsied, showing respect and her characteristic charisma. A proper lady of the night under her pink umbrella.

"Hello, fair singer. I am Remilia Scarlet, and wish to ask: are you a god, or merely mortal?"

[Zelda]

Between the treeline-span, the pair stood on even footing; the soil upturned and went onwards, leading into some far off trail. All around, the shades of filtered green light fell upon them. Not in a gloom per say, rather a flicker of beamed, but breaking, rays that parted and split the layers of leaf and branch high above. No doubt still quite early in the day, despite the time when she departed the Nexus. There seemed to be some leeway in its passage within the Realms of the Omniverse.

The air, thick and humid would have made it hard to breathe on a hotter day. Thankfully, a breeze blew. All the trees bent and swayed, and along the path, thickets, shrubs and flowers all quivered in the brief galeings. Colours of many bright hues, decorated the barks of several tones, and the rises and fall, which marked the ends of the open fields, shivered; the blades of brown and green buckled at their tips.

"I'm no more mortal than you, I suspect. As a Prime, the Curse of Immortality flows in my blood." Muse answered. Although, she wondered if she had been a goddess. She could remember forgotten times in Hyrule's past now that she was linked to it directly. All those past lives told stories. And, once upon time, she had been the incarnation of the Goddess Hylia, who kept all the world in balance, before the dark times and before evil could reign over anything.

Beneath her veiled mask, she smiled. "You may call me Muse." To show equal respect in turn, she bowed her head, closing her eyes for a moment. When it rose, she continued: "There is nothing so fair about a minstrel that sends the dying to their rest, but, she didn't want to be alone; I couldn't leave."

Muse's gaze fell in a minor remembrance of what had passed upon her arrival. The Blight worried her, but it hardly seemed real here - in a place so vibrant and filled to the brim with life and shadows that lurked within lost forms, where civilization laid no roots among the glades. In fact, much of the Tangles were tied with vines and littered with growths of moss and plant - tendrils clinging to one another for support. They could be climbed. However, there would be no need.

In the distance yet more to be seen and heard: cries of unknown predators, and the cracklings of fires doused by pouring showers that tumble, mostly though, the flowing of interlaced waters that ran deep and shallow - wide and narrow. From beyond, there were shouts as well, in an foreign tongue not pleasant to the ears. Footfalls slamming into rock and earth, that tread on. Kilometers off and still the tremors quaked. A party of hundred strong perhaps, or maybe more. The Unknown Horde nowhere near, but presently one of the dangers that laid in wait.

"What of you though?" Muse spoke a final time. "Did Omni call upon you as well?" Her hand favored the hilt of her blade; a hint of reservation at meeting a strange person in an even stranger land. Grasping it tight, she stepped forward. "Either way, I hope we are well met." She lowered her head once more.

Her wings, I wonder where she is from? They're lovely.

[Remilia Scarlet]

The small nook in the great green labyrinth provided some comfort as the two primes were at least no longer just staring at an endless wall of tress and shrubbery. The light filtering through the thick layer of leaves left patches of wild flowers, deep red petals that intricately folded around one another where what little sun could be taken from the suffocating canopy. Around these little botanical clusters the grass and weeds kept itself alive and well enough that it covered all of the ground in a smooth carpet until it reached back into knotty roots of the surrounding trees, and once again turned into tuffs of harder stuff and brambles. It was a beautiful and peaceful scene, a place that Remilia would have loved to set shop and have a little picnic with her friends and sister when she could have. For now it was only a slight opening that she could rest her wings in.

Outside of the patch of land, the insignificant creatures either moved on with their own little worries and little lives, and those with some capacity of ambition watched and waited to see what would happen between the elf like being and the undead monster that stood before her.

A little smile appeared on the Scarlet Devil when the stranger answered her question, both in its humbleness and yet in it's proof that the stranger didn't quite know who Remilia was. The vampire was already, as the other put it, "cursed with immortality" and was actually quite fond with eternal life. Omni's promise to revive them so long as they were "entertaining" was just a perk on top of everything else. Well, "everything else" once she's gotten everything else back. The humbleness itself seemed pointless to Remilia, as from her own world gods and heroes were common enough that one could cross paths and have a pleasant conversation without much need to worry for being beneath their station. Not that that was something the Scarlet Devil ever worried about.

"It is still a noble thing to do, Muse" Why the woman chose to hide her name was beyond's Remilia guess, but it was likely the same reason the bard hid most of her face. The vampire would at least respect her privacy, and chose to not pry into the fates to find her name. The death of the other seemed to have effected the Muse, which Remilia found admirable but needless. People live, the strands of their life eventually end, and they move on to the afterlife. That was just how it worked, at least for the mortal beings that pass in time so quickly. It did not occur to the vampire that it was WHAT killed the passed that was bothering the singer.

"Omni seemed to have also taken a liking to me, so fortunate for the both of us" The Scarlet Devil looked into the uncovered eyes of Muse, seeing a wisdom beyond that of a simple entertainer. Remilia liked to think she could read a face, having 500 years to practice. But Zelda too could see deep into the vampire's eyes, and see the cunning but predatory mind behind the childlike face.

The reach for the sword bothered the vampire little, as she had no intentions to attack. Although it did mean that the singer was not fooled by her supposed appearance. Wise indeed. If fate was to lead to confrontation, then Remilia would just attempt to ease tension until she could just escape without threat of harm. She had nothing to loose here aside from pride, which would mend by itself anyway.

"We are, of course, well met, but I think that a chance meet is too short for us." Remilia floated back up into the air with a single flap "We should be going, after all, or we'll be late"

"We? But- late for what?" Muse asked, and Remilia flew right to the bard's side. When the Scarlet Devil wanted something, there was little force in the world that could stop that, and in her mind she saw the great trees and the movement of civilization as opprotunity.

"Why, late for wherever we're going, of course"

[Zelda]

They were bound deeper within the Tangles, where the forest grew thick with only a few steps. The path that they took curved downward. Then upward - a trail barely etched into the soil - along several rises. The tumbling declining drops led them away from the sunlight of day, and brought them into a sheltered staying of shade and cool breezes. The wildlife preferred the refuge from the heat, and after several minutes of traveling in silence, Muse rested against a tree turning back to her Companion; Remilia's wings had only stilled just now and her feet touch back unto the ground.

"Will you follow me until you grow weary of the effort?"

"Silly, I'm bored now. There's only more and more green, and with those trees only more bugs to swat at." They liked to buzz right around the Vampire's ears and land every so often on her paired wings. Rather discomforting and annoying, but given their size, they weren't really harmful. Pests of a sort that liked to suckle blood, sweat and mostly salt from their victims. "I know!" She suddenly exclaimed. "You could sing another ballad - at least until we find something else to suit our fancies."

Muse glared unmoved by the declaration. She parted a few locks of her hair with her hand. Time went on and she turned again treading onward with only a blade at her side. Well, a blade and a Vampire flapping her wings in the daylight. "You shouldn't mind really; you're an entertainer - or am I mistaken in that regard?" A hint of an accusation that struck a chord. Muse stopped, said nothing and lightly hummed to appease the Company. Melody came soon after, but never too loudly.

"There see, not so hard." Apparently amused, that sated the situation, at least for a time. Then, there was something more concerning to pay a mind to.

Drumming. A beat that was ever so NOT consistent with the Bard's tempo. It ended the song abruptly. Kilometers of travel had brought them to a clearing. Although, calling it that wouldn't be entirely accurate. The Wood had caught aflame and been made ash. The remnants remained in the air: thick, hazes, and constraining, and they smoldered blocking the otherwise pleasant beams from the bright orb in the sky. Where there had once been green and browns with lovely yellows, purples and pinks (of those flowers planted along the trail), now there were grays, blacks, and scorched grounds. Bark crumbles, corpses and life extinguished, parted way into a loathsome crowd of armored monsters. They gathered around an area of blackened stumps, and some rested upon them.

Yellow teeth, lithe, and light plated mail, with daggers at their side, the Green-Skins hadn't failed to notice the Newcomers. The Scorched Grove didn't leave much within its span hidden. The fires had tended to all potential venues of privacy. It may have combated the Blight, but none present would know of such facts. Least of all fledgling Primes venturing forth into the Verses for the first time. The Goblins trekked, advancing towards them. The gleam of dark steel shone horribly with each passing footfall. And in distance, drums still thundered. A horde moved on.

"She-Elf," one of the group cried out. "With an unnatural friend." Seemingly a leader took position his place ahead of the with a terrible grin. His gaze lingered on the wings mostly but his eyes darted back quickly to the 'Elf.' After all their kind were tricksy, too clever to be trusted, and liars as well no doubt. He already had his blades drawn; couldn't take any chances.

"They have ears like you, but morphed. Pale and sickly green flesh." Remilia blurted out floating around Muse almost as though she danced in the air.

"Silence, this is not the time. They believe I am of Elven blood. Besides, if you haven't noticed their number is great."

"Should you be fretting over the local monsters? Best to just be done with them. I'm sure there must be civilization waiting for us." She peered longingly past the entire burnt-out Grove back to where the tree-line-span went ever onward once again. Even at such a distance as this, the flow of water could be heard, almost in tune with the ceaseless thump, bump, bump, thump of drums.

"What is it that the wretch said? We serve Orc Chieftain Azuk. We aren't like the feral ones, we search for a beast that attacked our tribe." Steel flashed. The gathered grew anxious. Perhaps out hunting for too many moons. They were lusting for action. An excuse as weak as an Elf threatening them, would be enough to turn the embers into a raging inferno. A few among the scouts were already whispering how to divide up the spoils of their victory.

"No no no, I didn't mean KILL you when I said that!" Muse turned at that, as even she had assumed that violence had been implied to an extent. Striding forward the Bard stepped across the threshold sheltering Remilia whilst she still hovered about. Their encounter appeared to not be going well. With that in mind, Muse bowed her head lowering herself out of a mutual sign of respect (not that she knew that they had similar customs). Regardless, she attempted the parlay all the same.

"I don't believe you truly wish to let your rage out on us; please do not allow us to delay your search for that which harmed your kin." She retreated a foot back (nearly bumping into her vampire 'friend'), and softly spoke in a tongue no doubt foreign to all present. "Gomi. Biankag taz danokve. Look to the River that flows further ahead. Any creature must rest after the Hunt. You might find its trail there."

The Minstrel only hoped that an offer of aid would be enough to stay their desire for bloodshed. If not, perhaps Remilia would offer another solution.

OOC: Translated Hylian: "I'm sorry. Look to the River."

[Remilia Scarlet]

Patience was never a virtue that the older scarlet sister ever took seriously. It was not that she simply didn't know it, after all a centuries old youkai would need it unless they go insane from the tedious day to day over their long lifetime. But one who had been as gifted with willing followers and the power of domination, Remilia was never in need to wait for anything. Moments of inaction were deliberate, done for effect to uphold her image. When you saw and tugged at the strands of fate, she was always in a position to get what she wanted and waiting was merely a formality. A simple walk from point A to point B. Even when she was between schemes and parties, she always had some novelty in reach to keep her entertained. Even if all that amounted to was drawing pictures with her sister.

Now without her servants or vast powers, only a pink and frilly umbrella to her name, and the only normal person she was companion with was a mysterious masked woman. Remilia was now in a metaphorical realm of complete uncertainty she had not know since she was first turned. She had a lot to figure out with little to work with. She thought back to all the times she had mocked Reimu's tendency to solve problems by bumbling through them, but she wished she had the shrine maiden's "intuitions" .

Travel down the path felt like an eternity, although the vampire's wings flew effortlessly above the ground, for the only distraction from the road was the ever persistent bugs that buzz and bit and bite and otherwise be annoying pests. It got to the point that the scarlet devil had started to make a game of how many bugs she could splat, but by the time the two had finally stopped to rest she only manage to get eight of the little monsters.

It was still far more interesting than the silence between the Muse and Remilia.

While it seemed a bit early for small talk, the scarlet devil had thought there would be a bit more comradery or merriment to the singer's travel. But the two had said nothing since the two agreed to travel together. Or rather, Zelda relented when she figured that the vampire was not going to give her a choice in the matter. It wasn't until after a line was thrown to question her legitimacy did she finally bite, and the youkai was pleased with the small hums. Forced? Sure, but she hoped something better will come of it.

Their first encounter had been been with natives as they moved through the burned out ruins of the forest, a freshly scored wound in the landscape that had not even begun to heal. Despite the strange look to these new monsters, Remilia was more focused on their potential destination and would be happy to move on.

Unfortunately, an innocent enough turn of phrase turned first opinions sour, and the two travelers now found themselves in front of advancing spears.

Muse was quick on her feet to get between the hunting band and Remilia, although the vampire could tell it was not to protect her from harm as it was to "cut her off" from the sight of the angry hunters. They largely seemed unconcerned with their offer of aid, but the much more levelheaded leader of the horde held them back when he held his hand up. He had reached the age where rage fed battle and senseless violence no longer held value to him, and he was willing to let the elf woman and the obvious vampire pass by so that the hunters could go back to the task at hand.

Unfortunately for all parties involved, one hot blooded youngster in the goblin's ranks wasn't about to let them go without at least some parting words.

"Heh heh heh, scared children. Go back to your mother's milk, and let the grown ups be" It taunted, wicked and toothy smile split it's face in half.

Remilia couldn't let that go, her pride would not allow it. She stuck her tongue at the offending little blighter. The wiser soldier would have let such childish antics slide, but it was the slight that those that wanted conflict took and the first javelin soared. Muse dodged to the side away from it, and the vampire barely had enough time to drop out of the air and let it sail over her. She bared her fangs in a threatening scowl, and then lost it instantly as the other greenskins followed suit with their own weapons.

"What now?" Muse questioned, her sword half drawn at the advancing horde. She was willing to fight, but it was ultimately down to her "comrade" if that was possible. Remilia didn't need to see fate to know that they would lose that fight, and decided what was the most likely solution to save their hides.

"RUN!" Both bolted immediately as the call went out, and cut a path to the side. Going back they way they came sounded safe, but even the heavily armored of the goblins were light on their feet, more so that they would look at first glance. The path back had nothing to hide behind, and would come down to a game of who tired out first. And neither of the women were built for stamina.

Theirs choice seemed to be left to chance, but the scarlet devil wasn't about to let her fate decided by the fickle fingers of luck. Her mind reached out, in an instant of real time she read the red chains that connected the present to the past and future, and to each person to another in patterns unseen to all but a few gifted. Although her power to manipulate fate has been severely hampered, by observing it she could still change it in small ways. She saw the river that Muse had mentioned before, deep and wide enough that the short and armored creatures could not follow them.

"That way!" Both Zelda and Remilia yelled at the same time and pointed in the same direction. A eyebrow raising coincidence would have been more noted where the severity of the situation prevented anything but survival of the moment, and they zipped across the burned lands before the army could surround them.

The river itself was not far away, though the dead sprint (or flight) was still a great drain on both the young vampire and the hidden princess. The river was a sight to behold, a raging current that carved its way through the middle of two shores. It was long enough that each second stared at the otherside disheartened the two primes as they wondered how they would get both of them across. They had been lucky to have not been craved up when they zigzagged through the stumps and rocks to avoid the hunters behind them, but now they were trapped if they didn't find a way over.

Zelda let her mind whirl as she thought of every possibility, of every factor and tool she had at hand. Much as she regretted the situation she was in, she knew that it would be useless to lament it or chastise her companion when a split second's time could be the difference between safety and at the mercy of the goblins than encroached on them. Swimming was suicide, as the undertow would be a challenge for even experienced swimmers, and there was a lack in stepping stones that would give an agile jumper a way through. That didn't even consider the hidden threats under the surface, shadows that lurked in the dark that waited for an easy meal. Both travelers locked eyes as they both saw the last option at the same time, and were reminded by the hoots and howls behind that there was no time to debate it.

"Can you fly me over?" Muse asked, and put her faith in the little vampire as much as she wanted not to.

"Yes" Remilia answered in a rare moment bluntness, and moments later both had grasped the other's arm as hard as they could and in a flurry of beating wings the two were over the water's edge and quickly flying over to the other side. It would be a comical sight to behold of a ten year old in a dress with wings than any scientist would deny being able to hold up herself let alone the full grown adult, both of their faces strained in effort to not fall. Were it not for the arrows and spears that barely missed them. The hunting pack were left behind, whom jeered at the two before order was restored via several blows to the head upon the rambunctious curs that broke order.

When they managed to get across, after a few terrorized moments of nearly dropped into the waters underneath their feet, Remilia dropped the bard onto the shore and then crashed into a nearby bush. The singer pumped her hands as she tried to get the feeling back into her arms while the vampire breathed heavily and brought in air in big gulps. She felt she she just ran around Gensokyo a hundred times with a rock around her neck, though the distance was nowhere that far. She really was weaker than before, in every aspect. Three times today she was had close calls, and she just want to sit down with some tea. Not quite depressed, but sure was getting there.

"Is every moment with you like this?" the Muse finally asked after both of them recovered at least most of nerves back.

"Well, I did save your life at least" Remilia was too tired to be angry at that accusation. While the situation was the youkai's own fault, it was also true that the little girl did save her. Zelda, if nothing else, did not want to become ungrateful.

"Yes, you did" the Muse picked the vampire out from the bush, and the two staggered downstream.

[Zelda]

They recovered on the other side of the embankment. Letting the waters of the Animus River flow right-on-by, rushed breathes became whispers in the winds that blew, and the swaying tumble of leaves, crumpled unto the ground all around. Muse - at first - leaned upon bark, slumping and panting against it. Looking at her unlikely Companion, she sighed - ever so sorry that this had happened at all. While blame may not rest on her shoulders, that didn't stop the sinking feeling of a loss. Momentarily she shut her eyes, arching a hand out until a sphere of rainbows formed: Omniliumn.

"Are you hungry?" Muse asked, scooting forward away from a tree. She began to arrange what sticks and brush laid about, but then paused, realizing how silly of an effort that would prove. With such a force of change already in her palm, there was no need for manual practices. It sapped some strength from her sure, but in time that would return. Now that they had left their pleasant encounter trapped across the River, they had needn't worry for quite awhile. In fact, their Goblin friends would most likely continue their own quest.

"You want to eat at a time like this?"

"You're tired, and I am as well. If you wish to brave the Tangles on an empty stomach, by all means, go on ahead. Or, if you'd like we can talk for awhile - catch our breaths before traveling onward?"

Muse flipped the Orb in her hand as it began to glow. It almost vibrated before she let it fall forward and onto the dirt. There it shone brightly for a couple minutes, and then instead flickered to life in ever burning embers: ashes that crackled and smoke that rose by the Animus' trickling flow. Above the flames, a pot (quite steaming hot already) boiled all manners of goodies that brought tears to the eyes with smells so deliciously tender and wrought with juice, that all but the most reserved of folk, would be unable to resist the temptation to scarf down what they could. Her stomach growled. There were ceramic containers provided on either side.

As Muse churned the panned pot, Remilia ceded to the 'logic' as it were, but defiantly demanded more than just a 'false' name. "Let's start with something simple then (shall we) - where are you from?" The Vampire fluttered over flapping her wings a few times, and thereafter spreading her legs forward (wrapping her arms around them) and drawing in close to the campfire.

Since their little escapade, the heat had dispersed; the sun had sunk below the tree-line span, and surely enough that intense temperature began to lower for the upcoming 'eve. Although not pitch black, Twilight would approach soon enough. And, the Canopy of endless Green Tangles, gently tumbled and shook in the breezes that swept right-on-through. In other lands it may have been the onset of a storm. Here, barely any clouds to blot out the beamed rays of light that spanned outwards in all directions. Soon, they would falter entirely.

Wildlife beckoned with their cries, and mating calls. The beating Drums had long since faded, and Muse stared longingly into the scorched logs. A spoon had been provided, and with it, she stirred lightly. "Hyrule," she replied after a few moments, already well aware that the name wouldn't mean much to another in these Realms.

"Never heard of it."

The Hylian giggled at the blanket statement. "As though I expected you had?" Her laugh certainly lightened the tension, and through the curves in her mask, it was clear that she was smiling. A rare enough treat so far within the Wilds. "I fear not many that wander these Realms will. It's a Name for a forgotten place, and most likely (now), great loss." And to herself she thought: Perhaps it best stay that way. Ganon, gone, myself gone...the Triforce meant to keep Balance, stolen from its home. That knowledge of impending doom weighed down her very soul. It troubled her. However, nothing could be done yet.

"Were you a Bard there, as well?" A hint of devilishness in Remilia's eyes flashed. The barred fangs within her mouth flashed at it. Thereafter (in no seconds at all), gone - such as a trickster playing the long, and hard of it: a game that is not really meant to be won, rather, enjoyed. At her query she inched closer, sniffing at the contents of what would be her dinner. Certainly not better than that which her Staff could conjure, but it would suffice.

"Yes." A simple answer. Muse continued to stir, gripping the ladle tighter. The stew began to bubble and the aroma rose ever up in steam. It lingered passing the life that crept up bark, frolicked in grasses and thickets, and mostly intertwined with the smoke from fire's fair burnt embers. "Almost ready." She stated blankly. Her free hand reached down and detached sword and sheath. Then, she placed it beside herself.

"Liar, Liar!" Remilia chanted. The words flung out and intruded, tearing down the walls of what otherwise would have been a pleasant meal in the early evening hours. "You can fool yourself, and the feral, green-skins all you want. You're not an Elf - whatever that is - and you're no vagabond."

Zelda glared while pulling her mask down and revealing her facial features for the first time to the Vampire. The grimace that stretched upon her face, did not suit her. "Bagu nashas Zelda, Queen of Hyrule, and bearer of the Triforce of Wisdom. Now will you please stop pressing." She lifted the mask again and covered her face once more. "To you, and to everyone, I'm Muse. Nothing more than a bard. There are those that will wreck havoc across entire realms simply to find me. And, that is something I wouldn't wish to happen anywhere."

The twisted thoughts of Remilia Scarlet were already turning.

Grabbing a bowl from aside, Muse dipped the ladle once, and then twice into the pot, retrieving some for herself. She dished it out and repeated the same actions again. Raising the counterpart, she extended it to Remilia whom had briefly fallen silent. Although the Vampire did take the offering. "What of you, Remilia? There are tales - in songs that are sung (others dared not) - that tell of the Power within Blood. Immortality granted to those that will pay the price."

After tilting her head, Muse blew softly on the contents of her own. Then, she began to sip at it slowly, and tentatively for that matter. She sighed in relief as she found the taste much to her liking. Soon, she would grab seconds for herself. Apparently, she had failed to notice a simple fact: she was starving.

OOC: Hylian Translation: My name is....

[Remilia Scarlet]

With her short term victory swelled up in her chest, Remilia took her bowl of soup and was happy to slurp the warm meal while the campfire threw light across the small fire's form. She had thought to summon some proper silverware so she could uphold her ladylike image, but she dropped that idea immediately once the bowl was in her hand, and she set upon with a very unladylike hunger that left stains on her face. In the cooling night that clung to her skin like morning dew the warmth in her stomach was like liquid happiness. While it was not up to the standard she was so used to with Sakuya, it was still a wonderful yet simpler taste that that left her with a want for seconds despite the first had already filled her.

All the while the scarlet devil thought over the secret identity of her companion. She saw through the lies easily, although it still took her by surprise by who she was in reality. A queen of a land not known to the vampire, and one founded by unknown forces across the universe. One might feel betrayed that they would be lied to, or even intimidated by the blade that the Hylian had hung over head, but the vampire found this all the more intriguing and gave her all the more reason to watch where this twisted path lead. Remi would play along with the story of the wondering bard that called themselves "Muse", but still held a mischievous thought as she now held a valuable power, the secret of another was something rarely held and a valuable asset.

And yet, Remilia felt a sliver of empathy for the hidden princess. 'Zelda' is too beautiful a name to keep from the world.

Once both had their share of dinner, it was Muse's turn for curiosity. Although it was never stated explicitly or even put as a question, the scarlet devil knew what the not-quite-a minstrel wanted to know: was the winged girl who sat beside her was a creature of darkness, who preyed upon people and drained their blood to prolong their eternal life. The powerful masters and mistresses of the night, and all that jazz. A vampire, or whatever name Hylains would attach to her particular type of undead creature. Remilia certainly took no effort to hide the fact that she was, but it could be unheard of in Zelda's own world.

"If you're asking if I had paid that price," It was a needless point, Remi had already figured that was exactly what Muse asked, but the vampire was ever a showman and willing to talk about herself "then yes. That power of blood pumps through my veins. Metaphorically, anyway, my heart has not pumped anything for centuries. You have nothing to fear, though. I am in control of my needs" Not that Zelda feared the little girl any more that she had any stranger she has met. That Remilia was so quick to run from the goblins assaulter before told that she had been weakened just like everyone else.

While the scarlet devil was happy with her well spoken spoken answer, the bard was not quite done. It seemed odd that the vampire had learned two things through her pressing while the Hylain queen was given only one, and she resolved to equal that out.

"So then what of your own world? You asked of mine, and it would only be fair to ask in turn" Zelda pointed out, and the vampire nodded in silent agreement. Remilia thought back to the day before, when she still lived to the misty lake in her mansion, surrounded by friends allies.

"I come from a place called Gensokyo. The Land of Fantasy" The scarlet sister told, a slight upturn of her lips as she thought back nostalgically. "A dimension inside a dimension. It was not my original home, but the world outside had changed. There was no place for monsters anymore among humanity's cities. But Gensokyo welcomed me and my friend, in its own way, and it became my home. Never a dull place, at least" Remilia leaned back until she laid on the grassy floor, and looked up as the sky turned orange and blue from the setting sun.

The two remained after that, as both became engrossed in thoughts of home and only the sounds of unfamiliar beasts reminded them they now wondered a path far from where they once were.

----

Eventually camp was broken down once the last of the soup was eaten. The fire was thoroughly put out, what wasn't needed was turned back into Omnilium, and the duo left the their wayside campsite with only disturbed grass and a damp soot spot where the fire once was. They left in silence, once again back to Muse barely acknowledging Remi's existence and the vampire slowly lost her excitement and was bored once more.

Not for long, thankfully for the little youkai. Their path soon segued into a true road, a gravel and dirt trail that had been pounded relentlessly into a flat surface by constant use and the lanterns at irregular intervals. Both traveled quickly on it, neither wanted to be out in the dark. Zelda for the more normal reason of all matter of dangers that crawled out from their holes when the moon was over head, while Remilia was not worried for those dangers and was more concerned with a warm bed.

Their walk was eventually passed by a heavily laden wagon pulled by a single horse. A man of great girth and gaudy clothing, one hand held the reins in a loose grip while the other held tightly a sack of an unknown contents, though neither of the primes needed a hint to know what the opulent rider held. He passed by and out of sight with no word offered to those he felt beneath them, but his mere presence was comforting for the travelers: it meant they were on the right direction to something resembling civilization.

But whatever joy and comfort they found was quickly forgotten when a mighty crash was heard ahead of them. Wood splintered and a horse neighed in fright before it was suddenly silenced. The bard and the vampire stopped, realized that an accident had occurred. Zelda rushed forward to see if help could be given, while Remilia who saw the true reason in the strands of fate merely smiled and flew after fer companoin

[Remilia Scarlet]

With not a whole lot of thought into what happened down the road, the two women zoomed down the path to where they heard the accident . Muse rushed to the front with a conviction and need to help those hurt, a real caring deep in her heart. Remilia, by comparison, floated lazily behind the queen in hiding with a devilish smile. She had seen the future before them already, and was far more interested to see how the events unfurled. As the the trees grew thinner with each bound and flap of wings, they crested over the hill and saw the scene before them. Or they did after they dodged away from a runaway horse.

The wagon had crashed, as one could figure from previous clues, but the reason was in no form left hidden once everything was in sight. Dotted around the splintered and ripped remains of the transport were men, darkly clothed and face obscured with cloth. Bandits. Even in new realms, there was always those who wanted a quick buck through violence. They plundered through the remains, dragged crates of goods out into the open and moved them off to the side. The merchant that had given the duo little attention was now under foot of the largest thug of the gang, the merchant's bag of gold now in the arm of the large criminal. The merchant fought weakly to throw the man off of him, but to no avail.

The usual, really.

Zelda and Remilia looked down from their little spot, neither of them spotted yet by the band of thieves. The Hylian took a knee, examining everything to an excruciating detail. Certainly what happened here was a grave injustice, an affront to good and order, but to rush in sword drawn and denounce evil with a mindless charge was a fool's errand. Although she did once know a man who did just that and did great thinks with that courage.

"Well?" the queen's/princess' focus was broken when the scarlet vampire poked her thought bubble "Aren't you going to help them?" That would seem like a fact to anyone else, but Remilia just gave her little fanged smile in anticipation for an answer.

'Muse' was beginning to see how the diminutive little creature of the night's mind worked. Remilia liked to push people's buttons, see what happened and enjoy the spectacle. It wasn't out of malice, although if misfortune was caused from it then all the better. Rather the scarlet devil drove people like an imp on one's shoulder: mischief and havok was her goal. Unfortunately for the tri-force wielder, she wasn't about to leave someone in need just to get back at the vampire.

"Yes, but neither of us can face such forces. They have the advantage, to ignore that would only do us harm and we can't just run like last time. I will need your help, and I need you to take this with the seriousness it deserves" She couldn't trust Remilia to do that, but she didn't have much of a choice.

"Okay" Remilia replied. Unfortunately for Zelda, she didn't think this was something to be serious about at all. She did want to help, she did want to help the man (even if only to spread her own reputation), but she took in stride as most youkai did: with an extreme overconfidence in their abilities. Either way, the Hylian would have to do with what she got, and the both of them moved in closer.

Their presence was immediately noticed, the thieves looked from their loot to watch the new arrivals. Each side sized the other up, the bandits not quite sure how to react to what looked like a wondering bard and what was clearly a child vampire with a pink umbrella. They didn't look much to be a threat, and some even relished the idea for more violence, but those who traveled the Tangled Green and lived were never to be underestimated. Eventually shouted out for a "boss", and something inside the broken wagon popped out.

A lean man, wearing a flamboyant outfit with leather boots, poofy white shirt covered in a colorful vest, and a fire red cape and matching floppy, massive hat with feather stood upon the wagon's end in a heroic pose, completed with a foil at his hip. Compared to his thuggish and grim companion, this man stood out as more something from a story book than any real criminal.

"Ah, hello ladies! Care to see this rogue commit his greatest crime yet!" He shouts, the tone as heroic as his pose and just as cheesy as well.

Zelda stood there, stunned, and tried to stay clam and casual as she tried to smooth out the new wrinkle in this plan.

Remilia couldn't, she was too busy laughing.

[Remilia Scarlet]

The flop was left rather deflated as he found his grand entrance left in sad shreds by the laughter of a child. A child whom obviously had the curse of Dracula of her, but a child none the less. His demeanor was quickly recovered, either because previous experience of being the end of someone's joke or just being a fool, and he stood tall once again to face the two women. Unfortunately, his thuggish companions had taken the scarlet vampire's uproar to chuckle at their boss' expense. No respect among thieves, it seemed. At the least Remilia had finally started to get her composure back together, although this hadn't stopped Muse from trying to distance herself, emotionally and physically, from the pint sized brat.

"Clearly you have not heard of me before" The rogue said a little louder on the idea that louder equaled more understandable "I am the one who they call the night man of Asberdil, the one who stole the pockets and hearts of the men and women (respectively) of Henvile, and bane of the constable Kone Greyhand. I am he who laughts loudly in the face of danger. I am Heldaro!" He then struck a dramatic pose, and one could perhaps hear the exotic guitar and maracas play in the background.

Color neither Remilia or Zelda impressed, the duo had a rare moment of mutual agreement as that thought the man as a clown. At least the vampire had experienced these kinds of people before, and it came to a sudden realization why she didn't feel as nostalgic for the Renaissance as one might have.

"No," Remilia said as she walked down the hill towards the roving band. In an instant the bandits reached for their weapons, but did draw them yet as they waited to see what this diminutive vampire did. The scarlet sister, however, revealed in the attention. It was practically her element. it may have not been the company she preferred, she gave no less that the perfect lady like walk as she neared them, the umbrella twirled in her hands "you're a fool who's about to learn his place in life"


That tone of voice. Zelda had heard it before, when the two had first met and the noble child had decided the two would be companions without the the queen's decision on the matter. There was an edge of finality to it, that what Remilia said in that moment WILL happen. The muse thought it just merely an extension of her pushy personality, but now that she knew of the power Remilia had... was this the power of domination?

"And what, fair maiden, makes you think that I will not end victorious in this confrontation, like many who've fall to my sharp tongue and sharper blade?" The rogue said, although there was now a serious in his voice as he saw ahead of him really was a predictor of the night rather than just some kid in a dress.

"Well, for one thing: Where'd my friend go?"

It was true. While the bandit's eyes were drawn on the vampire, the muse had disappeared from sight and was ready to strike. The finally drew their weapon, fear spread across the group as the threat of battle came to realization. They weren't warriors, just armed men who's tool was the fear of violence than violence itself.

But the man in the floppy hat gained a wide smile.

"Ah, finally a challenge" he yelled, and pulled his foil and leveled it at the child. His confidence soared as he took to his stance, ready to lunge "Let us tango"

Remilia pulled a card from within her dress and raised it up to the sky. A magical pentagram appeared for a second and when it flashed the card disintegrated and a red staff extended in from the same hand until the iconic spear came fully formed.

"I prefer to waltz"

[Remilia Scarlet]

The first of the grunt to take their chances with the scarlet devil was also the biggest one, who had previously held the merchant under foot. He surged straight for the punitive unread, sure that an overwhelming attack would have sorted the tyke without incident and they could have chased off the other stranger without missing a beat. But in the blink of an instant, the magical spear in Remilia's hand flew through the air like a bullet and didn't so much hit him as it did punch through him. It didn't kill him or even left a mark, danmaku had been design specificity to avoid casualties and collateral damage. But it HURT. He clutched the spot on the chest where he was hit as he was overtaken by unbearable agony and collapsed into the dirt road in a crumpled pile.

The other crooks were stunned by such a display of power. Their dreams of a easy job were now as shattered as the wagon they stood around. Remilia Scarlet stood over them, at least metaphorically, confidence and charisma oozed from her. Everything was as she wanted, a master of fate and darkness.

Or that's what she tried to make it look like. But used her only spellcards and still against a lot of bulky bandits and their flamboyant. Maybe she could stall with a bit of posing and menace, but they're figure it out eventually and Remilia needed to keep their attention from their flanks until her companion dropped back into the fight. The only thing she could do left was to get stuck into the thick of them. Let it never be said that the youkai couldn't get her hand dirty.

"Well, I'm spent. Tea?" Remilia announced and gave a shrug, as if her previous attack was just an accident that could be smoothed over with a drink and snacks. Sadly the Omniverse and the people in it were not as friendly as Gensokyo was and the criminal element in particular were happy to cave her head in of the slight. The next guy brandish a sap and moved in more cautiously against their target, but this was only a determent to him. The scarlet devil zoomed in with inhuman speed and rocketed into her foe like a red missile, her shoulder impacted into his stomach and he tumbled across grass with the wind knocked out of him and a few more scars to add to his collection. He should consider himself lucky, if he fought Remilia at full strength that blow would have sent him on a one way ticket to the other side of the forest.

With the pint-sized terror in their face, the robbers collectively decided it wasn't worth it. Neither the pain or the humiliation of being beaten by an eight year old. They bolted for the treeline, where repeated thumps announced they had forgotten Remi's companio. Haldaro, despite his bravado, wasn't an idiot. He knew a losing fight when he saw one, and the merchant's gold was already in his pocket. Violence wasn't his goal, and neither was getting punched in the face.

"Well, I might have been beaten, but not best. So long, vampire, until next time!" And with a swipe of an unknown object in his clothes he blinked from reality, Leaving an annoyed Remilia to help pick up the pieces as Muse dragged the unconscious bandits to the roadside.

----

 
"I thank you, madams, for offering to help me carry my goods" The merchant said as the trio neared the city gates. The scarlet devil looked miserable, partly because they had to carry these goods for several miles, and she took the lion share of it on her back. Sometimes greater strength wasn't as much of a boon.

"It would have been unsightly of us to leave someone is such trouble" Muse answered with her own pack. Remi rolled her eyes, as the queen in hiding was the one who offered their help. The little vampire didn't even get a say in it. Once they reach the gate, they dropped the supplies off, and the two wondering primes glanced back to each other. "So, is this the 'adventure' who had hoped for?"

"Not quite," Remilia shrugged. The guards supciously looked over the obvious vampire, but otherwise just watche,d "but I think I need to be else where" That raised an eyebrow from the hylian.

"You were the one that wanted us to travel together. Why the change in heart?"

"I'm so....WEAK. I think I need to build some power before I do any adventuring. But don't worry, I'm sure we'll find each other again"

"Oh...great. But where are you going to go?"

Remilia looked around, hoping that an idea might drop in unannounced, before she saw the notice board near by.

"I'm sure I'll think of something"