Trials Of Royalty - Act X I I I

[Ryuu Atrineas]

Ryo, Zelda, Rebé and Eye leave the safe walls of Clocktown. At first, Ryo was a little hesitant to step on the sands of Ikana. He remembers what happened to him months ago when he stepped on that land previously. But seeing as he isn't becoming sick like he first did, he steps on the sand. Nothing happens to him this time. He can't help but smile and now lead the women into the canyon grounds.

The place feels cold, though. Very unlike itself. It's a little windy, but the chill is not one of low temperatures, wholly; it is the feeling of creeping fear. Fear that says danger is always lurking where you cannot see... Ryo holds out his arm for Zelda to cling to.

"This feels familiar... does it not, Zelda?" Eye asks.

[Princess Zelda]

Zelda looked down awkwardly upon stepping into the Ikana region, like scratching at a healing wound. She shut her eyes and dismissed previous memories that occurred here, and then clung dearly onto Ryo's extended arm.

"All too familiar Eye..." she muttered in response.

[Ryuu Atrineas]

"But this time, I'm right here," Ryo assures, placing his hand on hers as she hugs his arm.

"Looks like not much has been done since we were here last..." Eye says. "The fences are still broken even after all this time..."

"It'll be easier to pass, then," Rebé shrugs. "When I came here to help Kafei out, we took advantage of the rails being in ruins."

"Perhaps the cliffsides will still be climbable," Eye says with a small grin.

[Princess Zelda]

"Well.. nothing seems to have changed drastically" Zelda said while looking around, "I don't see why they wouldn't be climbable."

[Ryuu Atrineas]

"I don't think your shoes and gloves can take the climbing, though," Ryo points out. "So I'll have to do it for the both of us, eh?"

He winks at her.

[Princess Zelda]

"Is that okay with you love?" Zelda asked with a small grin, "after all, I highly doubt you would just leave me here"

[Ryuu Atrineas]

"It is very much okay," Ryo nods.

"Ah! What do you know?" Eye calls out, picking up a little object. "One of the darts I threw at Brutus on our first meeting."

[Princess Zelda]

"Well I never!" Zelda gasped lightly, "what a find."

[Ryuu Atrineas]

They come upon the cliff, indeed still climbable now.

"Eye, you first," Rebé says suddenly.

"Why me?" she asks, more curious than anything.

"You're always fast about climbing," the Gerudo responds.

"And if you fall, I'll be down here to catch you," Ryo smiles.

"Assuring," Eye nods. "Very well."

Eye walks to the cliffside and then starts shimmying her way up. Her motions seem to just flow up the side of the rocks.

"You next, Rebé," Ryo smiles. "After all, you wouldn't want to be the one to try and catch me now, would you?"

Taking his hint, Rebé - less gracefully, but not badly - scales the climb. Eye helps her up once she reaches the top ledge.

"Me next..." Ryo says. "Ready, love?"

[Princess Zelda]

"Mhm" Zelda uttered softly.

[Ryuu Atrineas]

Ryo lowers himself and brings his arms back, ready to help Zelda on.

[Princess Zelda]

With a tiny laugh, Zelda took the hint and stepped up to hold onto Ryo from behind. Her slender arms were held securely about his neck.

[Ryuu Atrineas]

Ryo smiles, liking Zelda on him like this. He begins to climb up the cliffside, but a couple of times, a rock would slip out from his foot or hand, due to how heavy he is and how loose the cliffside is. but at last, he makes it to the top.

Up there, normally boulders roll about willy-nilly, but today, no rolling rocks are present. A loud crash of thunder crackles through the skies.

[Princess Zelda]

The crashing of the thunder made Zelda flinch just a little.

"The skies just seem to be getting fiercer by the moment..." she uttered.

[Ryuu Atrineas]

"It's because we're heading right for the source," Eye says in responce. "They'll get worse as we venture deeper."

"They seem to be collecting right where Stone Tower is..." Ryo observes, letting Zelda onto her feet.

"Now for another challenge..." Rebé brings up. "Getting above yet another cliffside across water."

[Princess Zelda]

Zelda was quick to cling to Ryo's arm as soon as she was put back on her feet.

"How... thrilling." she said awkwardly, "but surely, there is a way across, yes?"

[Ryuu Atrineas]

Ryo flexes his arm as Zelda clings to it.

"We can use my longshot again," he suggests.

[Princess Zelda]

With a pleased smile on her face, Zelda proceeded to nod,

"Yes. That seems the best way, unless there is an alternative?"

[Ryuu Atrineas]

"The only alternative for you is to use Farore's Wind," Eye says. "But that won't get us all."

[Princess Zelda]

Zelda tilted her head, not answering immediately. Her lips then formed a sweet smile,

"That may be so." she answered, before looking up to Ryo, "but I prefer not to travel alone"

[Ryuu Atrineas]

Ryo shows his Longshot with a smile. He picks up Zelda with one arm, but when they get to the river, they two large Octoroks guarding the way.

"That's unexpected..." he says.

[Princess Zelda]

Zelda looked at the Octoroks for a moment, and then to Ryo,

"I could... try to freeze them with ice arrows. Would that help?"

[Ryuu Atrineas]

Ryo suddenly starts laughing, as if he hadn't thought of that. It's so simple, it's funny!

"That would be perfect, love!" he nods.

[Princess Zelda]

Hearing Ryo laugh made Zelda smile further, she then gave a nod and drew her bow,

"Then it shall be so." she confirmed before drawing an arrow from her new quiver. Before setting it, she ran her index finger across its wooden spine, empowering it with the ice element as it began to faintly glow blue, she paired this enchanted arrow with the bow and pulled it back towards her, as she did this, the element burst into an icy blue aura which ran across the arrow from the tip.

She was quick to take aim at the first of the two Octos, the iced tip of the powered arrow pierced and froze the squishy creature's body into a solid block of ice. After freezing the first, Zelda retrieved another arrow and repeated these actions for the second Octo.

[Ryuu Atrineas]

Just like that, the Octos were, for the moment, nothing more than ice blocks.

"Well, looks like we just have to hop across," Eye smiles, dashing over. She jumps onto the first Octo and slides a little before jumping off it and landing on the dock on the other side. Rebé seems to feel that she needs to show off, so she dashes over and jumps high, sticking her swords into the block of ice. Using the swords like poles, she flips her body to now going feet first and using her weight to pull out the swords as she lands on her feet on the dock.

"Want to hold onto me again?" Ryo asks, looking a tad unsure, but willing to go. Must be because it's ice he's having to jump on.