🥀Salvaged from the Wreckage🥀

The ceiling dropped low, the hallways pressing them one behind the other for an uncomfortable moment before it breathed easy again, a wide room waded calf-high in rainwater. Natural sunlight seeped in through cracks in the ceiling, a gentle aura shining down on another statue in the center of the standing water. Kiso froze, his third eye bursting alight in panicked red. Even tilted her head.

“And who is that?”

“Hylia.”

Pan shot through the water, making rippling waves around the kids’ feet. Here! Here! Danger!

“Oh!” A woman’s voice echoed throughout the room. Even and Kiso jumped, whipping around.

“Are you here to make an offering to Hylia? Huh…?”

A sharp inhale; The shattering of glass. Luck shattered into a million pieces within seconds.

“JACK, HELP!!”

The kids dove as the woman stumbled back into the hallway, a commotion of voices rising in volume. Even dropped her pile of bananas, tearing through her pockets and pulling out scraps of burned paper.

“No, no, shit!” She stuck two pieces together while Kiso rummaged through his own pockets. Nothing!

“No shot!” Even yelled as she flung the pathetic scraps away. Kiso gasped and grabbed her arm, yanking her down as a bone-tipped spear came hurtling towards them. Even rolled, unsheathing her own sickle and shoving a second one into Kiso’s hands.

“Forget the bananas, we need to leave! Now!”

“Jack, get them! Hurry!”

“Not yet!” Kiso struggled to carry both the fruit and a weapon. No, they were halfway to the goal! Kiso shoved his weapon to Even and continued to hurriedly balance bananas in his arms.

Even jumped from stone to stone, slashing her weapons together with loud sparks. The woman turned and ran again, but the man stayed, moving with Even in silence.

Both were moving away from their loved ones, and neither dared to attack. This isn’t a kill mission, Even thought, but they were trapped. One exit, no magic, they were screwed. She slashed her weapons again.

“Ah, welcome back to the world. Malice-free and just a teeny bit worse for wear, no Yiga-doing this time.”

There were three people in the room. (Four, including Kiso). Kiso blinked back blurriness in his eyes as a hand rested on his knee, another grasping his fingers. “Malice…Fascinating. Can you hear me?” Kurre’s voice echoed, and Kiso made a quiet noise in reply.

Kurre went through with a basic check-up, as Kiso pieced together his surroundings in bite-sized chunks. The room was small, underground; Voices echoed off the bumpy stone walls, illuminated by red-gold paper lanterns. If he had any doubts, the banners of inverted eyes all stared at him inanimate. Boxes and crates, a few brooms and cleaning tools were cast around haphazardly.

Ahead of him, Sooga hunched from an old box, his uniform and hair wrinkled and damp. He massaged his forehead beneath his mask, and Kiso found it hard to look away. He couldn’t tell what had happened, and could hardly remember.

And his eyes flickered away to a very tall and plump Yiga lounging in the opposite corner; He wore gray clothes embroidered with burgundy and red, a flared collar, puffy sleeves and pants; His curly black hair was wrapped up into a tall ponytail, bits of loose curls falling around a sharpened Yiga mask unlike any other Kiso had seen. Whether it was the mask or his extravagant day-clothes, Kiso pushed his back to sit up straighter in the man’s presence.

“No concussion, but one more mishap and you might have a broken bone. Doesn’t it hurt here?” Kurre jabbed at Kiso’s ribs, and he jolted, gritting his teeth and holding back a hiss.

“Mm-hm. It’s making you run a fever, too. Master Kohga?” Kurre glanced over her shoulder.

“Huh?”

“That washcloth. May I have it, please?”

“Oh, sure.” Kohga pushed himself to stand on two feet, swiping a white rag from an empty bucket as he sauntered over to the two of them. Kiso clenched his jaw tightly as he craned his neck up and up, fingers twitching at the pain in his chest as he inhaled.

“You were into quite a sticky situation, wouldn’t ya say?” Kohga asked, tapping his chin. He leaned down in one quick motion, and held Kiso’s chin firmly, lifting his head and eyeing his neck, his throat, and finally his forehead.

“Something sticky, indeed.”

Kiso’s heart beat rapidly in his ears. Kohga must have sensed it; His head tilted the other way.

“Aw, don’t be so nervous, kid. Let’s start easy, nice and easy. What’s your name?”

Uneasily, Kiso whispered his name. His chin was still in a pinched grip. Kohga hummed.

“You’re a lucky rabbit, Kiso. Making it alllllll the way out here, Yiga territory, covered head to toe with malice. But you didn’t make it on your own, didja? You had a little help?”

For half a second, Kiso’s eyes darted towards Sooga, and Kohga laughed.

“Sooga’s always been a soft-heart, I’ll give ‘em that.”

Something finally passed the barrier of pain and sickness, and finally clicked within Kiso’s mind. “You’re the….Chief.”

Oh, he was so dead.

The man waved a finger around, finally letting go of Kiso. “Chief, ultimate-leader-extravaganza…Though I’ve always liked the ol’reliable…Master Kohga.”

Double dead.

“...I didn’t mean to trespass. Not like that…I had nowhere to go.”

“And why’s that, Kiso?”

“....I told my sister that I’d rather die than serve the King. She didn’t like that very much.”

“No,” Kohga let out a bark of a laugh. “No, they usually don't.” He rubbed at his own chin, stepping back. “But what am I going to do with you…?”

Sooga lifted his head, glancing between the others before he tried to stand on uneasy, wobbly feet. “Master Kohga, I-”

“Sit.” Kohga snapped his fingers, his boisterous voice suddenly sharp and serious. “You’re not off the chopping block either, Sooga.”

For a short moment, Kohga hummed and stared down Kiso, and Kiso tried not to fidget under the scrutinous gaze. As chaotic and dangerous as his third eye was, it granted him the ability to read emotions clear as day; Something he clearly struggled with as his eyes cautiously shifted between Sooga, Kurre, and Kohga.

“Lots to unpack here,” Kohga finally said, drawing Kiso’s attention back immediately. “Lots indeed….I need a snack break.”

His hands clapped together and a new Yiga suddenly appeared, a handful of mighty bananas in their grasp. “Master.”

Kohga grabbed a hand of bananas as he spun on his heel, and the Yiga spared a glance to Kiso. Kiso tilted his head, and gave a short wave.

…The Yiga raised their hand and returned a nonchalant salute before disappearing, and Kohga spoke up once more.

Kohga lounged across the single chair in the room, legs kicked over the side, a peeled banana in his hand. He tossed that one to Kurre. “Ladies first.”

He took a second one- “Catch!”

Kiso snatched the banana hurtling towards him at breakneck speed. Kohga hummed in approval with a tip of his head. “You passed the first test. Eat up.”

Kiso blinked slowly, watching Kohga with apprehension still. His heart was waiting for danger, for trouble- His nerves were bundled with the high-strung feeling of escape; He couldn’t let his guard down now, not after all that had happened in the past few days. He turned towards Sooga and silently outstretched the banana to him.

Sooga stared at it, head moving slightly as he looked from Kiso’s hand to his eyes. Confusion, perhaps.

“It is yours.” Sooga said quietly, pushing Kiso’s hand back. “You are starving.”

Kiso couldn’t tell what it meant to starve anymore. The feeling in his stomach and heart ached in his head; It was all the same. Everything was falling apart. Still, Kiso unpeeled the banana and took a tentative bite.

Once Kohga had made it through about four or five bananas, he let out a great sigh and aimed his finger towards Sooga.

“Let’s take it from the top, shall we. Sooga, with you. What’s the whole deal about this ‘investigation’ I’ve been hearing about?”

Sooga heaved to his feet, slow and exhausting, and dropped to one knee with a restrained grunt. It seemed like he had been preparing for this moment.

“Master Kohga, there is troubling news brewing within the castle. The king of Hyrule is preparing to unearth the ancient Sheikah technology from the old texts. He will rip through each region of the land in search of every piece. If the legends are true, the Yiga Village is compromised. We may have to prepare to move. Again.”

Kohga’s feet, lazily kicking before, suddenly stopped as Sooga finished. Kiso was tempted, so tempted to read his aura; Was he nervous? Angry? Scared? But he knew better. Somehow, Kohga had removed the malice on his body, and left only scars behind. Let sleeping dogs lie.

Let the hands remain buried.

“Well, that’s not good. When’s it starting?”

“Soon. I do not know all the answers, but I am handling this investigation. That explains my absence. Most of it.”

Sooga’s head tilted towards Kiso. “I found him after my mission in the highlands. He is no spy. I have confirmed that.”

“Oh, I already know that. I knew the second you had crossed the village lines. The Sheikah don’t spy anymore; It’s Hylians now, and they reek.”

Kohga slammed a fist down onto his leg. “Besides! We are not moving again! Half of our furniture was left behind, you know? We’re running out of places. This is our last time running. Find out what that wrinkled raisin is sticking his nose into. This-”

He pointed a finger at Kiso. “-Is the last time we let an outsider join the Clan!”

Kiso’s eyes widened. Did that mean-?

“You both know what to do about this one. All of that hard work you can handle. I believe in you, yada yada.” He spoke to both Kurre and Sooga, who straightened up at his command.

“Master.” They both nodded, and turned their heads to Kiso. Kiso’s heartbeat was all he could hear drumming in his ears.

“I get to stay?”

“Consider it your lucky day.” Kohga raised from his chair, his shadow stretching and falling over Kiso.

“However! By joining the Yiga Clan now, you hereby forfeit all ties to the Sheikah and Royal Family for now until eternity. No take-backs, no outs. You’re roughed up, banged up, so I won’t make you fight me for initiation. But know this-”

With a whoosh of wind, Kohga was in Kiso’s face. His hand came down, the size of his palm engulfing Kiso’s shoulder entirely. There was nothing Kiso could do but listen, focus.

“I don’t take kindly to traitors. Your sister may have let you off the hook, but you’ll be fighting for your life if you try to pull the hood over our eyes. You’ll go through me. Will that be an issue?”

The words settled on Kiso like ash, scolding and lingering. He shook his head once, jaw clenched.

“Great.” Kohga flicked Kiso’s third eye, ignoring the pained hiss from Kiso. “See me again after you heal up. You too, Sooga. We have some things we need to work on before you kill yourself trying to use those abilities.”

With a wave of his hand, Kohga vanished with a cloud of red, gone in a trace. Kiso still felt a pierce in his chest, a tumbling of emotions he wasn’t sure what to do with.

Sooga let out a long, drawn-out sigh, and Kurre cleared her throat.

“Well- Welcome to the, uh, village, I guess!” She rattled her hands, but no one was excited.

“Look on the bright side. You missed the initiation that includes challenging Master Kohga. That alone would give you bruised ribs and sore joints.”

“I almost died, I think.” Two or three times, but who’s counting.

“Yes, but you made it! And now, you have lots to learn. For now, let’s get out of this broom closet. Please. I’m getting claustrophobic.”

---

“There you go,” Kurre bundled up the oversized clothes in her arms, and brushed a stray lint off Kiso’s new sleeve, secure and snug around his body. “You look fit for the part. Oh, don’t forget this.”

She passed over a familiar piece of cloth. “Until you can make your own.”

Kiso wiggled his toes, feeling the pull and bend of the red tabi. His eyes passed over the cloth, and then up to Kurre. He felt exhausted; Holding up the walls that were slowly crumbling, though not from trust--Fatigue and illness. “You’ve been really nice to me. More than I think I deserve.”

No one else had treated him with such friendliness in the tunnels; It was passing glances, murmurs and whispers. But Kurre had extended generosity beyond their experiment; One that didn’t even work.

“I’m a nurse, it’s in my instincts.”

“I thought you were a doctor. Scientist.”

“Scientist, doctor-in-training.” Kurre said with what must have been a wink; Her shoulder moved up slightly, her head tilted. “Really…I just want to make sure you’re okay. I watched Master Kohga remove that corruption; I saw the monster you described, and then some.

I once helped treat someone bitten by a Lizalfos, but I did not check up on her after she had left the clinic. I don’t want to make that same mistake again. I must do better, so I will be checking on you every now and then. Don’t forget to stop by, too.”

Kiso tied the mask behind his head, fingers running over his hair slowly. “Does this mean we’re friends?”

“If you’d like to be, then yes. Friends.” Kurre nodded. “You should get some rest. Just walk the way we came, you’ll find the sleeping quarters.”

Kiso felt another ache in his chest. It was a goodbye, it felt like losing something all over again. He didn’t dare ask if she’d return; He didn’t want another promise that couldn’t be kept.

And instead of returning the way Kurre had specifically shown him, his eyes followed the way of the lanterns above, strung along lumpy cavern walls. His hands found one another, and he could see the sheen of blue along his bandaged hands as the world warped around him.

His feet landed in cold sand sinking around him. The moon was poised high in the sky, shadows of Gerudo Town sparkling in the far distance. Kiso’s breath came out in shudders, clouds evaporating into the denim night. Kiso trudged through the desert, something wound in his clothes kept him from freezing. It was warm enough that he could empty his mind out, laying out all the pieces of his catastrophic week bare and flat.

He wondered again what Impa would be doing, as he walked the wilderness. He wondered where Vyn would be, and if his parents were watching. He wondered where Pan had run off to, in the midst of chaos. He wondered what this new life was going to be like.

Only whispers, clutching of necklaces, and sneers were made in Hyrule Castle when someone mentioned the Yiga Clan. Thieves, bandits, traitors…Exiles.

But Kiso had seen Sooga; Stoic and of few words, but honorable and dignified. Kurre was eclectic, but kind. Master Kohga, the Chief of them all, seemed rather silly (and yet dangerously deadly).

The Sheikah had the capability to be hospitable, but Impa told many stories of the Shadow Folk; Ghost stories stemming in the farthest basement of the castle. There was an interrogation chamber somewhere beneath the foundation.

Kiso had a feeling he was soon going to learn the true meaning of Shadow Folk.

Isn’t this what he wanted?

…Not like this.

A tall structure stood out in the darkness; An old, fallen building made of carved stone. Sand trickled out until it had blown over into flat ground again, and Kiso shook out the remnants in his shoes as he walked into the angled shadows of the canyon walls and ruins. There was a four-post shelter, a second floor open to the elements. Kiso collapsed in the farthest corner, legs folding.

“I’ll be waiting where the light touches the ground, where the red star burns our enemies.” Kiso let his head drop to his knee as Vyn’s voice haunted him again.

“Where are you?” He asked, no energy left to be angry, to cry. “We were supposed to do this together.”

A shadow passed beside him, and then a shade of lavender entered his vision. Kiso outstretched his hand to Pan, letting her tongue flicker over him and his new clothes. She circled around and began to wind along Kiso’s arm; Her heavy weight dragged his arm down.

“You’ve…Gotten bigger. Have you eaten well?”

It seemed so. Pan rolled off Kiso, and swayed her head along to something behind him. Kiso followed her gaze, and down to the ground.

“What…? Oh. New friend?”

A fat, fuzzy tarantula apprehensively crawled near, lifting its front legs a few times at Kiso and Pan. Pan lowered herself closer to the ground, tongue flicking, eyes focused intently. The spider waited for a beat, and then mosied on to Kiso.

“You made a friend that you didn’t try to eat?” Kiso hummed in disbelief, opening his palm to the creature that tapped his fingertips, and then moved on to investigate pebbles. Pan made a show of curling across Kiso’s lap as if to show the spider that she was brave enough to cuddle, and Kiso chuckled.

And then a woman’s voice like a spider’s fang spoke very closely.

“So. You are the new footsoldier that I saw earlier. I have been waiting to meet you.”

Kiso froze, pulling Pan close. Did the spider just talk?

Pan raised her head up, and Kiso dared to follow; Through a broken gap in the second floor, someone was perched, peering down with a long red scarf flowing above Kiso’s head. Her mask was sharp along the sides, four points on each side, painted orange and black just like a tarantula.

The seconds passed finally moved Kiso to speak. “Who are you?”

“I am Tulsi. That is Stella.” She pointed a spindly finger at the spider. “May I sit?”

Kiso blinked, and moved over to make space. He watched Tulsi fold her legs and slip through the gap, landing without a sound on the floor. She wore armor similar to Sooga, though missing yellow accents on the chest.

“Are all the Yiga really, really tall?”

A strange sound made Kiso’s neck cold; She had laughed. “I am taller than most Yiga, but yes. You still have plenty of time. Eat your vegetables.”

“That’s the secret?” Kiso’s eyebrows knit together.

“Partly. You will find the other secret soon enough.”

Kiso sighed, turning his head away. Tulsi’s head tilted, but she kept quiet. A moment passed in silence, Stella investigating Kiso’s feet with mild curiosity, and Pan slithering around Tulsi with a steadily flickering tongue.

“How…How does this work?” Kiso asked, bringing his legs closer to his chest. Tulsi waited for more. “What do the Yiga do? What are you training for?”

“This is new, this schedule. It did not used to be this way. The village was lively, with children and busy work….A common community. Now all children must be trained, becoming what the Sheikah and Hylians fear. We must rebuild the village from dirt and sand, where no one has quite acclimated. You joined at a difficult time.”

“But…Why? What happened?”

Tulsi’s head turned down to Kiso in silence. “We lived in solitude very far away. The trees were magnificent, the fruit was plentiful, and the rivers were as common as grass. It was not perfect, but it was our home. I was born there, and I was there for its destruction. The royal family found a landmark in those woods, and they needed their princess there for prayer. If there is anything they despise, it’s darkness in any capacity; Shadows give them nightmares. The Yiga are the true Shadow Folk, and they did not like us so close to their holy shrine. With bloodshed, we were driven out yet again. Do you remember that?”

“Me?” Kiso’s eyes widened. His brain reeled, flipping through memories and past conversations, but all he could do was shake his head. Tulsi hummed.

“Perhaps you were not born yet. Or too young to remember. I am too old to remember dates; 25 years ago, I think. The new Blademasters were just babies, now made to grow up in this harsh climate. The old footsoldiers and Blademasters were slain; Master Kohga made a decision then, as we found our new home. If something should happen again, as it usually does, we will be prepared.”

Kiso frowned, his eyes raising to the stars. “You shouldn’t have to do that. That’s not…”

“Fair? Of course not. And fear is all they know, instability and failure to their golden image draws them to harsh actions. That is the way of the Sheikah these days, no?”

“Maybe the old ones. My sister never waged war on anyone. My cousins are researchers with Sheikah technology.” Kiso kicked his feet, throwing up a hand in frustration. “We should be working together! This is stupid!”

“One day, perhaps. The new generation fights for justice, and freedom. I like that of you.”

Kiso bit his cheek, his mind returning to somber places. But Tulsi had been as kind as Kurre, maybe she could give advice, too. “What am I gonna do about my friend?”

“What is there to do?”

“We made a promise. We were supposed to be here together.”

“Promises are easily broken. You have made your loyalty with the Yiga, now you must carry on without them.”

It wasn’t what he wanted to hear, but deep down, he knew it was true. “What if something happened to them? I’ll never know, will I?”

“A prevalence here. Unfortunately. Many orphans, outlaws, ex-prisoners. Shadows sent away by one reason or another.”

Tulsi moved to stand, her long legs folding under her as she rose. “You must move on; No good to chase ghosts. You will go insane.”

“These ghosts are all I’ve ever known.”

“And you will know again. You are alive. Heartbreak and happiness will always come back in waves.”

“...You sound really confident about that.”

Tulsi extended a hand to the ground, to Stella. The spider made a circle, before passing Kiso and Pan to crawl up Tulsi’s fingers.

“I am 300 years old. I have mended hearts and broken them. The journey is never linear; You are so very young, and this is your first loss. But you are alive. That is the best part.”

With her other hand, Tulsi wound her scarf around her neck, and around Stella perched on her shoulder. “Training begins at sunrise.”

Tulsi turned to him, and bowed her torso. She nodded her head towards Pan.

“And goodnight, both of you.”

As Tulsi left, Kiso could hardly believe what had just happened. With wide-eyed realization, he pulled Pan close, looking up to the sky in awe.

Back to Rhoam...He had made a name for himself like many of the royals before; The prohibition of Sheikah technology remained divine law. But his daughter, Zelda Ivy, was more inclined to that ancient history. Sooga had even heard they were instating a new research facility for Sheikah technology. 

"Hmph," Sooga clicked his tongue at his own thoughts--He wondered who the credit for unearthing the buried tech truly went towards; Was the cranky old man having second thoughts, or was his daughter too stubborn to let sleeping dogs lie?

Sooga uncovered another letter, and carefully unfolded it, kicking himself for his messiness in retrieving the letters. He should have killed Rowley a little more to the left. 

Lord Rowley,

I share many of your fears and worries about His Majesty’s decision. Though it’s said that the Sheikah are supposed to protect the kingdom---divine duty, as ours is the upkeep of our divided sanctions. Yet I cannot keep my eyes away--our past king to keep us safe from Calamity. That foul clan is-----if something is to fall, they are surely the reason. I don’t trust the Sheikah….

The letters were faded and ink smeared too much to read.

Sooga poured through the pages again before reluctantly gathering them up into a pile of crinkly paper. As much as he hated the idea of bothering Master Kohga, someone had to make sense of it all. The date of the letters indicated they were received by the late nobleman Rowley two weeks ago. The night that Sooga completed his mission. 

The Yiga would be safe for the next week, it seemed. But time was flimsy and fickle, Sooga knew. What they think is comfort in the night could be the shadow of a trap.

Rubbing a hand over his face, Sooga pushed back from his desk and reached for his swords to tie back to his waist. 

He'd have to fill the rest of the mentors in on his findings. Again. But this time, he realized with a quiet groan, he’d have to talk to Tulsi, the footsoldier mentor. Tulsi always creeped him out. 

“Sooga? Sooga!” 

Elyse stepped into their shared room, and with a sudden fury, she threw back the curtain-door and marched in. “Where have you been?!” 

It had only been a few hours, right? A day or two, yeah? Sooga’s silence as he tried to think back to the last time he had left the Hideout only made Elyse shake her head in disbelief. 

“Are you shitting me? No one has seen you for…For at least three days! You got your new sword and dipped, you dipshit! You have forgotten all of your responsibilities, and you are about to answer to Master Kohga if you do not show up for at least one of them today.” 

Sooga blinked. “Apologies, Elyse. I have been…It is a long story. And I…” He trailed off. He had no idea what he was supposed to be doing, and Elyse took in an explosive breath. 

“You’re supposed to be teaching a class, idiot! Myself, Lareina, Adriel, Tulsi…” She counted everyone on her fingers. “And Adriel’s been covering your spot for every day you’ve been absent. Three. Days. How much longer do you think we can explain this?” 

“Apologies, Elyse.” Sooga said again, wearily. “However, I did not forget that I started something within Hyrule Castle, and I intend to finish it. It involves the entire Clan. That’s where I have been this week.” 

Elyse, hands on her hips, her shoulders slowly lowered. She tilted her head, her annoyance and irritation burning out. “At least you weren’t slacking.” She sighed. “I’m…sorry for yelling. Have you made any progress on it?” 

Sooga gestured to the letters, his mind running to other thoughts. “In an unorthodox way, yes. One that will make sense in the future.” He began. “The five of us. After training.” He decided, and Elyse stared at him. 

“What have you been up to, Sooga?” 

“...It’s a long story. One that we don’t have time for.” 

“So give me the short story.”

Elyse blocked Sooga’s way out, her shoulders tensed again. The two of them stared at each other through their masks. Elyse waited for an explanation, fingers drumming on her waist expectantly, and Sooga was debating on whether or not he should. How could he sum up the past few days without sounding completely ridiculous? Fabricated? 

A Sheikah teenager with uncontrolled powers, eerily resembling Sooga’s, poisoned by a mysterious illness. The “illness” in question are hands, by the way. And the teen is no ordinary Sheikah, but the chosen one of the village to protect the king and princess. Only the Yiga’s most hated enemy. No biggie, Elyse. 

“Well?” 

Sooga pressed his hands together-

“Sooga!” 

-And he teleported away.

"That is all for class today." Sooga lowered the practice sword, and returned a bow that the few students had given him. "Continue practicing your positions; Partner and make use of the sparring room."

A few chuckles and murmurs went around between the six or seven students. Sooga blinked, and pursed his lips, but let it slide.

As the classroom filed out, familiar faces filed in one by one. Adriel swiped a wooden stick left behind, brandishing it at Sooga with a playful jab. "En guard, Sooga! Eh, eh?" He posed like a Hylian knight, snickering at the exaggerated movements. Elyse walked in behind, scoffing.

"Are you going to teleport away again?"

"Ah, he's gotten the hang of it, finally?" Adriel replied. Elyse crossed her arms.

“Sooga’s only been avoiding my questions, like he’s been avoiding training.” Elyse’s disdain could be heard loud and clear. Adriel looked over at Sooga with a grin in his voice. 

“Now, that’s no fun, Sooga. Is that what this meeting is for? To tell us all the gossip~” 

“I will, but-” 

“Did anyone invite Tulsi?” Lareina asked. 

“I did, she scuttled away, said she had to feed Stella.” Adriel responded quickly, before turning his head back to Sooga. “Soooo…We can get started early and fill Tulsi in later. What have you been doing that’s so much more important, Sooga?”

Sooga crossed his arms with a grunt. “You must all swear secrecy. Right now. Hands in front of you.” 

The three of them glanced at each other, and Sooga knew this was not how they envisioned it would begin. But Sooga closed two eyes and opened three; He needed to know they weren’t lying as they promised. 

Sooga took a deep breath, took a seat down on the mats, and began.

“There is talk that the king will begin excavations around Hyrule. For buried Sheikah technology. Knowing the history of the last Calamity, there is buried technology here in the desert.” 

The room was quiet between them. Even Adriel had nothing to say, chin in his hand, attention on Sooga.

“We need guards in and around the village and the hideout.” Sooga explained, and Elyse held up a hand to stop him from going any further. 

“Does Master Kohga know about this?” She asked, and seemingly read his mind. “We can’t keep this from him.” 

“There’s not enough information.” Sooga replied. “Rumors and gossip is all that’s in those letters, but there is some truth in the talk. Infiltrating the castle again is my only hope to gain more insight. To know exactly when, how, and where it’s going to happen.” 

“We can’t have another situation like Faron.” Elyse announced all of their fears, confirmed by head nods. “I didn’t want to pursue it, but…I see now that I need to put my fears aside.” 

Silent footsteps came up behind Sooga, and he closed his eyes to hold back a sigh. “Welcome, Tulsi. Did you finish feeding the spider?”

“Her name is Stella. And…Yes. Sorry for my absence.” She said, and Sooga braced himself for another jab. But Tulsi moved around him, and folded her long legs down to sit on the empty mat between Sooga and Lareina. “I have already heard, no need to fill me in. I will train the footsoldiers.”

Lareina lifted her head, quiet the whole time. “I can handle the investigation.” She looked at Sooga. He almost did a double-take. He had no doubt in Lareina’s abilities, but…

“I thought you said you were not a good liar.” Sooga said. Lareina turned her gaze down. 

“That’s true, but…I want to help. I can learn.” 

“Elyse and I can take up guard duty.” Adriel shrugged. “But that means you’ll have to take up training, Sooga.” 

“Very well.” Sooga nodded. But something lingered on his mind. “There is one more thing that I have discovered. It seems the royals do not trust the Sheikah. And I….I have met one that was exiled from the castle, it seems. The way the old Sheikah was exiled long ago.” 

The others all stared at Sooga, Elyse being the first one to whisper, “What?!” 

“A young kid. I found him far away from the castle, farther than any castle Sheikah has ever gone. They are usually bound to the king or princess, but this one was injured outside of the Highlands.” 

“A spy, then.” Elyse snapped. “Did you ever think of that?”

“Of course I did.” Sooga responded. “But I know how to detect intentions. He shares the same curse as I do. He’s had multiple chances to betray me, and I have had ample times to betray him.” 

“Aaaand you’re friends now?” Adriel guessed, deadpan. 

Tulsi tilted her head, listening intently to Sooga. 

“You know as well as I do that the Sheikah and Yiga are closely related. I am not heartless, Adriel. He was attacked by a monster we’ve never seen before in the Tabantha fields. It has left him with a poison that only grows worse every night. If he were a spy, he’d have returned by now, or been retrieved. No one has come.” 

“I want to see them.” Tulsi spoke up, every word clicking in sound. “If they are Blademaster size, then you two can work it out amongst yourselves. But if they are Footsoldier size, I will be the judge.” 

Oh, no…Sooga held back a long and weary sigh. “Fair enough.” Sooga braced a hand on his knee. “Are we all at an understanding?” 

“Adriel and I will take a few students to begin guard duty. You and Lareina will work on infiltration. Tulsi will continue training, and apparently have one more student.” Elyse rolled her eyes at the last part. 

With that, Lareina, Adriel and Elyse all filed out one by one, to work on their next tasks for the night. Tulsi did not leave, instead unfolding herself as Sooga stood. When she stood, she towered over him with her height alone. The decor of her mask never helped, and neither did the fuzzy tarantula walking across her shoulders. 

“Your son?” Tulsi asked, and Sooga did a double-take on that. 

“Wha- No!” 

“Only a question.” Tulsi giggled- A chalky, gritty laugh, and her spider--Stella--Crawled up the sides of her mask to rest on her head. “I want to meet them.” 

“Why?”

Tulsi stared at Sooga. Better not to ask again. Sooga sighed, and nodded begrudgingly. “Fine. Fine…” 

He just hoped Kiso was where Sooga had left that morning. But something wavered inside of him that hinted otherwise. Call it a hunch, or…

“Do you hear that?” Tulsi froze.

Sooga stopped, and Tulsi cocked her head to the side, farther back as she turned her head side to side. The commotion grew louder; Young voices arguing, shrieking, yelling. 

That bad feeling grew. Sooga and Tulsi glanced at each other, and walked at a brisk pace through the halls. They followed the noise until Sooga rounded the corner, hand on his sword. 

“What is going on here?!” 

Kurre stomped her way past two nervous footsoldiers trailing along, her hand wrapped tightly around Kiso’s wrist with an iron grip that he couldn’t let go of. It didn’t stop him from trying, though, and the sight gave Sooga an immediate headache. Kiso’s feet dug back, but Kurre’s grasp was stronger; She was literally dragging him behind her like a ragdoll, and Kiso growled at the two footsoldiers that unfortunately wandered too close. His face was shielded by a Yiga mask, he was dressed in traditional clothes of the culture. 

He could have fit in seamlessly, if not for the ghastly, glowing miasma on his skin, now coiled around his fingers.

The footsoldiers immediately stopped and bowed to Tulsi and Sooga, nervously announcing their names in respect. 

“Let me through.” Kurre demanded. “I’m going to see Master Kohga.” 

“Can you please explain to me the meaning of this?” Sooga gestured to Kiso, and he tried yanking his arm away again. 

“I’m fine!” 

“He’s NOT fine. He collapsed in the street. His blood is infected-”

“I’m FINE.” 

“-And the corrosion has grown worse since last night. I have no references to treat this, and the other doctors in town are a waste of time. I am taking him to Master Kohga.” 

Tulsi leaned down, watching Kiso’s hand flailing. “How terrifying it must be.”

She raised her head as Kiso moved again, quickly joining his hands to teleport with Sheikah magic. A blue flame erupted from his palms, and combusted with a loud pang, and Kurre flinched- Enough for her grasp to loosen, and Kiso tore away, stumbling back into the footsoldiers.

Everything happened within a matter of seconds. 

“Woah!” They shouted, and caught him easily, and Kiso’s mask flipped up for a brief second. Sooga’s mouth fell open as he saw the corrosion had taken over half of Kiso’s face, turning his left red eye into something monstrous; He saw yellow, red, a sharp pupil and the swirling poison before the mask fell again, and Kiso grabbed at his chest. 

He saw Kiso’s third eye alight.

Kiso’s gaze whipped upwards to the walls in panic, and Sooga followed; There was nothing there, but Kiso tore himself from the footsoldiers grip and scrambled farther into the dim hall. 

“Sooga, it’s-!” Kiso shouted, before his words were cut off with a choking gasp. His back flew to the adjacent wall and was pinned. His head lifted as if something were strangling him. Tulsi snapped at the footsoldiers and they nodded and took off. 

“What is going on, Sooga?!” Kurre shouted, and Sooga quickly removed his own mask as he sprinted forward. 

Sooga closed his eyes, reaching out to Kiso, and finally saw what the Sheikah did.

All the warm lights in the room bursted with a wailing scream; A bloody creature had its long hand wrapped around Kiso’s neck, and the color of the poison matched the creature near perfectly. 

Something like blood poured down from the walls too quickly, taking shape as another hand-like creature, one with a single eye darting around before landing on its fresh target. 

“Help….Me…” Kiso wheezed. 

Sooga tore his gaze away and moved to press his palm against Kiso’s forehead; To make it all stop like the last time. But something unleashed and a flash of red across his vision made Sooga shout, and he felt his body crash into a stack of boxes nearby. 

Someone shouted; He couldn’t tell who. 

Long fingers grabbed underneath his arms and lifted, and Sooga fought against the urge to elbow a monster in the face, but Tulsi’s scarf stopped him from starting a fight. 

He saw Kurre kneel down beside Kiso, hands reaching for his neck. 

“WHAT is GOING on here?!!” 

Kiso let out a gasp, and then a rough cough as he crumpled to the floor in Kurre’s arms. Sooga tried to stand before his legs and brain connected, and Tulsi held him afloat by his arms.

“Ah,” She said with a tense voice. “Good evening, Master Kohga.” 

Oh, fuck. 

---