>>683758
The figure has disappeared into the night, and you’re feeling somewhat tired yourself after that ordeal. You start moving towards Kakariko, going over what your plans are mentally.

The Shadow Temple is your next goal. Impa said she was going there for a reason. With any luck, you will find her again there. That... Sheikah following you might mean there’s more involved here than first seems. In any case to head there immediately might not be the best idea, all things considered.

You could stay in town, you know a few people there, and rest up for the following day. Maybe Madas’ place, you could rest up there, then get stocked up on supplies in the morning. Compare notes if he’s willing to discuss things.

At the same time... you find yourself reaching for your house key. Home. The place you’ve thought of as it for years now, at least. It might not hurt to return there for the night and get some real rest, sleep in your own bed again.

>A. You will be fine, head to the Shadow Temple
>B. Get some rest at Kakariko, maybe go to Madas’ place
>C. Find an Inn at Kakariko and sleep there for the night
>D. You know what? Might as well spend the night at home
>E. Something else?

>>683765
>B. Get some rest at Kakariko, maybe go to Madas’ place

>>683765

D. You know what? Might as well spend the night at home

Let's get a good night's sleep then tomorrow we can go shopping and stock up before we head to our next destination. We have two empty bottles so a Red Potion or two couldn't hurt. Plus didn't we want to see if Viol still has that discounted Hookshot?

>>683765
>>D. You know what? Might as well spend the night at home

>>683765
>>D. You know what? Might as well spend the night at home

>>683765
>D.
Woot Zelda time

>>683765
>D. You know what? Might as well spend the night at home

BTW welcome back, Kato from >>683812

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTm4xNjKs5Q

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>>683836
Glad I actually could be back. Was worried I might have to push things back another week, but help came when I needed it.

>>683765
You look at the key in your hands, a smile coming across your face. Impa said it herself, “come back when you need to.” And it wouldn’t hurt to spend the night at home again. You head through the town quickly, giving the guards a quick tip to watch out for any other monsters that might pop up tonight. You hopefully dealt with the worst of it, but better to be safe than sorry.

You arrive at home quickly, familiar sights and smells filling your head. You put up a small lantern as you settle in for the night, organizing your equipment, polishing your blade, checking your crossbow, and doing what maintenance needs to be done.

You also take some time to mentally go through all the people you’ve met so far on this journey to save Hyrule. Specifically, the ones who helped you conquer the Temples afflicted by the man with masks. Aveli, Lynna, Horon. You wonder if there are others who will come to your aid in times to come. Something tells you that there will be. Finally you head to your bed and get some well-deserved rest, letting your mind drift away into the land of dreams.

Part of you wishes you hadn’t.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p49R7D056dY

In your dreams you spot a looming figure once more, and you know damn well who this being is. Ganon. Demon King, born of a desire for vengeance against... the crime your father committed. But worryingly... it seems to almost reach out to you, the slightest hint of desperation upon its shadowy face. The figure fades once more, body first, until only the shadowy face is left.

Looking like a mask of pure darkness. And a silent, horrified expression left on it before it vanishes too. And following that... that laugh. That damnable laugh you heard last time.

Morning can’t come soon enough. You catch the dawn through your windows, your poncho just about dry from the cleaning you’ve done the last night. Though... maybe you should switch this up a bit.

>A. Stick with the Poncho
>B. Go with the Tunic this time

>>684020
>A. Stick with the Poncho

>>684020
>>A. Stick with the Poncho

>>684020
>>B. Go with the Tunic this time
I don't remember what this looks like!

>>684020
>B. Go with the Tunic this time
Was never too into the poncho, myself.

>>684020
>A
I like the idea of Zelda running around in a cool poncho. Say, any other outfits we could get any time soon?

>>684020

B. Go with the Tunic this time

What a nightmare. Try to remember the details of this one. These things can be prophetic in the Zelda universe.

>>684020
I don't suppose that we have any armor?

>>684106
Sure, we'll just climb inside Zas

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>>684070
Sure, you could get something in town.

>>684106
Not at the moment. You've got this poncho and a pink tunic.

>>684020
>A. Stick with the Poncho

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>>684020
You smile slightly at the poncho. It’s not much, but you’ve grown a little attached to it. You’ll give it a shot again, save the tunic for another time. Ah, but perhaps it would be a good idea to see if you could get some more equipment soon. Proper armor. Getting dressed, the dream you just had weighs heavy in your mind. Ganon... reaching out to you like that. Why? What is it trying to tell you? Your mind comes up with a few answers... and you’re not sure you like any of them.

As you gather your equipment together once more... you hear something outside. A familiar tune, being played on harp.

[spiler]https://youtu.be/xzJ7AJmnxQk[/spoiler]

That song... but why? You cautiously take a peek outside to see who’s playing it. Your eyes focus on a person standing under the shade of a tree near your home. You exit your home, locking the door tight... and the person’s voice calls to you.

“Might not be the best song for the early morning. But I hope this makes my intentions clear.” they state, then immediately kneel to you. “Princess... do you really wish to go to the Shadow Temple today?” their voice... your ears are picking up feminine hints, but it's as if they're doing a very good job at making it ambiguous.

>A. Yes, of course
>B. Are you suggesting I shouldn’t?
>C. Tell me who you are first, then you will get my answer
>D. Something else?

>>684295
Ah damn it, messed that up. Oh well.

>>684295
>A. Yes, of course
>B. Are you suggesting I shouldn’t?

>>684295
>B. Are you suggesting I shouldn’t?

>>684295
Well hello
>B.

>>684295

B. Are you suggesting I shouldn’t?
D. Who are you?

>>684295
>B. Are you suggesting I shouldn’t?

>>684295
>C. Tell me who you are first, then you will get my answer

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>>684295
You look over this person curiously. “Are you suggesting I should not... ah... my apologies, I do not know your name.”

“You may address me as Sheik, Princess. I am like others of my tribe, a humble, and loyal servant to you.” they reply, bowing their head. “...and I come on Lady Impa’s behalf, to ask you not to.”

“You’ve been spying on me, then.” you give in a grumble.

They... no, it’s definitely a “she,” now that you’ve gotten a good look at the individual, keeps her head lowered as they answer you. “Lady Impa asked for one of us to see where you would be going after the completion of the Temple of Din. She... had a hunch-”

You sigh. “Of course she did.”

>A. I will be going there today. I have my reasons, Sheik
>B. Give me a good reason not to, and I will consider it
>C. If Impa is so adamant about this, then I will respect her wishes and head elsewhere (where?)
>D. Something else?

>>684487

B. Give me a good reason not to, and I will consider it

Let's hear the Sheikah out: she might have a valid point.

>>684487
>B. Give me a good reason not to, and I will consider it

>>684487
B.
The diplomatic option. Zelda should be diplomatic.

>>684487
>B. Give me a good reason not to, and I will consider it

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>>684487
You cross your arms, standing tall. “I shall hear you out. Sheik, give me one reason why I should not head to the Shadow Temple today, and I will consider Impa’s request.”

She looks up at you with her crimson red eyes, filled with... this mixture of ernest determination, and clear concern. “Very well, Princess. As you are... you are not yet ready.”

“Pardon?” you ask with a raised eyebrow.

“Lady Impa has done much work to guard the Shadow Temple against the darkness creeping across the land. But it is still not enough. As you are now... your life would be in grave peril. Lady Impa does not wish you to risk your life by entering the haunted domain of the Shadow Temple. Both as a Sheikah, sworn to protect you... and as the woman who raised you for most of your life.” the young Sheikah explains. There’s something in her voice that seems to waver slightly from the ambiguity she’s trying to make of it. You can sense some personal concerns for your safety as she tells you that.

>A. I shall respect her wishes, then
>B. Perhaps if I had some assistance. Do you know the Temple, Sheik?
>C. And as the girl she raised, I too care for her safety. I will head there today, she will need my help
>D. Something else?

>>684693
>B. Perhaps if I had some assistance. Do you know the Temple, Sheik?
>D. Something else?
"You know well I have other allies I might call upon as well, would that not be enough to secure my chances? Or do I truly need to bridge a wide gulf of power first?"

Also ask what an alternative to the shadow temple could be, as the next most accessible challenge for us.

>>684693
>Supporting
>>684782

>>684782
Yeah this

>>684782
Oh and I'd like to strike that second "as well" from the sentence, to make it sound better.

>>684693
>D. Throw a Deku Nut and run off.

>>684822
...Can we outrun her?

>>684842
Mounted, probably.

>>684842
You would need to roll really high.
Several times.

So....

Is this our chance to get sheika training? because hello giant swords.

>>684966
Horon proabably needs it more.

>>685005
I thought we told them to reforge it more reasonably

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>>685005

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Sorry about that, had a late dinner.

>>684693
You give her a skeptical look. “You know well that I have allies I can call upon. Would they not be enough to secure my chances?”

She shakes her head. “Miss Draggai and Mr. Horon would not be enough. Miss Lynna as well would... not be a good choice either.”

A fair point. “And what about you, Sheik? If I could gain your assistance, could I be able to manage this? I assume you are aware of the Shadow Temple’s layout.”

She... hesitates in response, bowing her head again, though you could see a hint of red on her face. “I am... not anywhere near skilled enough to protect you, Princess.”

“Assist, not protect.” you clarify. She shakes her head once more. You feel a little frustrated. “Okay. Then where would you suggest I head to prepare properly for it? What should I focus on?”

“The Spirit Temple.” Sheik responds. “It... in some ways exists as the Shadow Temple’s mirror. The Gerudo have cared for it for well, and their strength can be of great value to you, Princess. I would suggest you head there before you consider taking on the Shadow Temple.”

>A. I will heed that advice, then, and travel to the Spirit Temple
>B. I thank you for that advice, but I feel confident in my abilities. I shall go to the Shadow Temple
>C. Sheik, perhaps it would be helpful for you to come to the Spirit Temple, if you have difficulty with the Shadow Temple yourself
>D. Something else?

>>685195
>A. I will heed that advice, then, and travel to the Spirit Temple

>>685195
>A. I will heed that advice, then, and travel to the Spirit Temple
>C. Sheik, perhaps it would be helpful for you to come to the Spirit Temple, if you have difficulty with the Shadow Temple yourself

>>685195
>>A. I will heed that advice, then, and travel to the Spirit Temple
>C. Sheik, perhaps it would be helpful for you to come to the Spirit Temple, if you have difficulty with the Shadow Temple yourself

>>685195
>A. I will heed that advice, then, and travel to the Spirit Temple
>C. Sheik, perhaps it would be helpful for you to come to the Spirit Temple, if you have difficulty with the Shadow Temple yourself

>>685204
Adding to this: Ask her what she knows about what may be a danger specifically to us in both temples. Forewarned is forearmed, and it would help us gauge when we're ready for the shadow temple.

>>685195
>A
>C
She should come with us, more allies the merrier

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>>685195
“Thank you for this, Sheik. I will heed this advice, and travel to the Spirit Temple.” you tell the young Sheikah with a comforting smile. You can hear a small sigh of relief escape her lips. “That said, it may be advantageous to you to come with me to the Spirit Temple, if the dangers of the Shadow Temple are so great that even you have difficulty with them.”

Sheik’s eyes jolt up towards you nervously. “I... I am humbled by that request, Princess. I shall... serve you well.”

You kneel yourself, making direct eye contact with her. “This is about more than just me, Sheik. We will work together, for Hyrule’s sake. Though I thank you greatly for what you have told me, and you agreeing to work with me.”

“I am honored, Princess.” she states, bowing her head. Her voice, for a brief moment, gains a bubbly enthusiasm atypical of the Sheikah you’re used to.

You stand. “Then before we head out, I have one last question. What specifically should we focus on? What is the greatest threat the Shadow Temple poses to those who enter it, and how will we prepare for such a threat in the Spirit Temple? To be forewarned it to be forearmed against coming danger.”

Sheik stands, hesitating answering. “...the undead. The Shadow Temple is a necropolis, home to Hyrule’s deceased. The Spirit Temple, likewise for the Gerudo... though its phantoms are easier to quell, due to the Gerudo’s diligence and the skills of those who care for it. It... may be ironic, given where the greatest phantom of our age comes from. Or perhaps because of that, it is the more peaceful of the two. R-relatively.”

You give the young Sheikah, clearly younger than you now that you have a better read of her, a confident nod. “Then we shall quell these restless spirits, Sheik. Together. Let us be on our way.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5W_bFLwB0WY

>Secret Princess Zelda Quest #22 END
>Twitter account is @KatoQm, will have status updates there
>Got some questions for the QM? Suggestions? Throw them at ask.fm/QMKato and I'll try to answer them as best I can

All right folks, that's it for this thread. I'll be around for a short while for questions and such. Did y'all have fun with this one?

>>685454
Always boss, thanks for running

>>685454
Thanks for running! Surprised that Sheik is likely younger, how old is Zelda again?

>>685454
Oh boss, giant sheika sword training when?

>>685454
Thanks for running mom. So Spirit Temple and Shadow Temple are gonna feature undead enemies, but are we talking Poes, Stalfos, Redeads, what?

>>685454
Thank you for running.

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>>685474
>>685509
Thanks for playing! And soon, maybe. Sheik isn't as skilled as Impa, but she's got a few surprises of her own. We'll see if that's one of them.

>>685478
Thanks for playing! Zelda is 16, more or less an adult in Hylian society at this point. Sheik is 15.

>>685556
>>685610
Thanks for playing!

And all of the above, plus some Gibdos, and some other surprises. We'll see when we get there.

Aww man, I missed the whole session. Serves me right for sleeping so long I suppose.