realmofmirrors | Princess' Shade | WW-era Hyrule Castle

[This is but one of the legends of which the people speak...

Long ago, a princess tried desperately to save her kingdom and make those who mattered most to her happy. She failed, ultimately, and disappeared into obscurity along with the remains of her precious kingdom.

The remains of which you have found yourself in.

Deep beneath the waves of the Great Sea, the Kingdom of Hyrule lies in stasis, untouched by time or the ocean bearing down upon it. The grand castle the princess of legend built stands absolutely still and quiet, surrounded by a barrier of unknown origin, cutting it off even from the rest of the sunken land.

The interior of the castle is no less solemn, with fallen pillars and broken banisters as evidence of the ancient battle that led to the country's sealing. Yet a statue still stands tall and inspiring in the hall's center, framed by portraits of the old kingdom's ruling family on either side. But the battle is over, and the world silent and unmoving.

Except, perhaps, if you catch the ghostly melody echoing within the castle's stone walls. But then again, perhaps you are only hearing things. For all intents and purposes, this place is abandoned.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[So Tetra didn't stay in the basement, she didn't see how it was a big deal. "This room isn't known to Ganon." blah blah blah. She wanted to see more of where her ancestors used to live so here she is, peeking into different rooms and tripping over her dress.

And then that song.

It's familiar but it sounds... wrong.

Pushing open another door, revealing a spacious bedroom, Tetra looks around with more caution than before she heard the song.]

[Ah, the heiress to her kingdom (and her mistakes) is up and about. The Shade apologizes for the lack of quality to her voice, but being little more than a lingering spirit does not lend itself to the kind of tone she had in life.

Explore on, however, little princess. And don't mind that feeling of being watched, or how the song's volume seems to remain steady no matter where you go. Her following you is entirely benevolent.]

[She'll just have to practice more, won't she? Tetra can sing with her.

Until she knows what the shade of her ancestor is the one singing and following her though, she'll be nervous and jumpy. Tetra will even consider heading back to the basement but no! She's the Great Pirate Tetra and she's not supposed to be afraid of an empty castle. Or rather, one she thinks is empty.

Entering the room, it's a very pretty room, suiting royalty.]

Maybe this was the princesses room...

[And a moment after Tetra muses idly to herself, the song changes into spoken words.]

Not quite. This is where her guests stayed.

[Oh hey, that ghostly woman standing nearby wasn't there earlier, was she?]

[ABANDON SHIP! That's the sight of Tetra jumping a foot or two of the ground in fright, almost thinking Ganon had found her. Except that was a girls voice ~~unless Link kicked him somewhere tender since ditching her down here~~.]

Where th'heck did you come from??

[Okay, yeah, she could have made her entrance a little less sudden, but hey, she hasn't seen another living being since Daphnes brought Link down here. Perhaps her social skills have suffered alongside her voice.

Still, she doesn't appear malevolent at all, and she remains in her own place even if Tetra cowers away.]

A mother and a father, same as any other mortal being.

[Which is good that she isn't coming close yet or tetra might dive under the bed. No matter how ineffective that would prove to be, Tetra just isn't thinking clearly.]

Funny...

[Arm crossing and being COMPLETELY UNLADYLIKE.]

I mean you appeared. There. Like a ghost. And you look like one. Who are you?

[The Shade simply seems... amused by the young pirate princess' apparent irritation, though it's only really evident by the slightest quirk of her lips. She isn't cruel about it, however, rather... fond.]

I am who and what I appear to be. ... I understand my current form is not one inspiring comfort, but I assure you that I mean you no harm, young princess.

[So yeah. Definitely a ghost. Have fun with that?]

You look kinda like the princess in one'a the paintings.

[But that's not right. Why would Princess Zelda's ghost stick around here? There was no one here, ever, until just a little while ago. Well, the best way to find out was--]

How come a ghost would stick around this dreary place for forever?

[Ah, now that's the million rupee question, isn't it. The Shade smiles, knowingly, thought it is without mirth or joy.]

Promises. Regrets. Life presents a few to everyone - some greater than others.

[Unfortunately, direct questions don't work that well on century-old spirits. And she is quick to redirect the subject.]

Is it truly so dreary? That is not the adjective I had in mind when it was constructed.

[That kind of confusing. She's a kid, Zelda. Oh well, she'll focus on what she knows!]

It's quiet and empty and lonely. Ain't that dreary enough?

[Going over to the bed on hopping onto it to sit comfortably.]

And there's no food. King Daphnes and Link didn't think of that when they ditched me here.

[HUFF!]

[Off-handedly, as thought speaking about the weather:]

Hm. Perhaps I have simply grown accustomed to it.

[A kid who will suddenly find the weight of a world on her shoulders. There's no time for hand-holding, heir to Wisdom.]

Is there truly? I cannot say I have had reason to look.

[But y'know, since all of Hyrule was pretty much frozen in time until fairly recently...]

[She doesn't want that weight, she wants to go back to being a plain ol' pirate with just stories about the Hero of Time and Hyrule and Princess Zelda. It's easier.]

That's kinda sad. If your a ghost, why don't ya go up above the sea? It's pretty great up there! That's why we call it the Great Sea.

[No it's not, Tetra, but nice try.]

Well, I ain't found any.

[She actually hasn't looked. And it doesn't occur to her that the food wouldn't have spoiled.]

[Destiny is cruel to its children. And notoriously difficult to run from.]

Such a world is not for me. I am a relic of the past; my place is here.

[Perhaps there are reasons beyond that as to why she remains on the mortal plane, but she won't be revealing them so easily. They are not pertinent to Tetra's current situation, after all.]

Surely you will not give up so easily?

[C'mon, girl, you have her blood in your veins!]

Princess' Shade | WW-era Hyrule Castle

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