Princess' Shade | WW-era Hyrule Castle

[shadeofaprincess]

[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.]

Comments

[lostandforgotten]

[Nautilus stops at the appearance of the ghost of a woman, and stares her down for a few moments before addressing her question - he starts by bringing the anchor down from his shoulder, and letting it rest on the floor with a heavy clunk.

When he speaks, his voice is deep and rumbling.]

I seek the owners of this anchor, those who left me to die in the sea.

[shadeofaprincess]

[There is no flinch when the heavy piece of metal hits the floor, and while she distantly recognizes the kind of fear such a deep and intimidating voice would inspire in a living creature, she is but a spirit with nothing left to lose.

Quietly, she observes the anchor, taking in the craftsmanship of it, before shaking her head.]

The end of your quest lies not within Hyrule. The world above might offer greater insight, but this land has been abandoned for longer than anyone living can remember, and I have never seen such craftsmanship during my time here.

[lostandforgotten]

[There's a low rumble - almost like a growl of frustration. Nautilus hauls the anchor up, bracing it on his shoulder once more with a clank, and lets out a heavy sigh. It's both angered and weary, indicative of yet another fruitless discovery.]

Very well... Then I carry on, forever forward.

[He shows no intentions toward thanking Zelda, and turns to lumber back the way he came.]

[shadeofaprincess]

[Once again, the Shade is motionless, but she does speak up again before the armor man is out of her sight, and thus out of her domain. Perhaps it is not her place, perhaps it would be best to let the only living soul she has seen in decades pass without incident, but...]

If I may offer one grain of my observation before you go: your determination is admirable, your perseverance, rare. But take care of allowing one thought to consume your entire being.

[Her voice, though still airy and echoing, grows quieter, almost wistful. A rare display of barely-there emotion, an uncommon glimpse at who the spirit might have been.]

... Such devotion can lead to things even the most tenacious would not expect.

[Like being caught between this world and the next, unable to move on.]

[lostandforgotten]

[At that, Nautilus pauses, and turns just a bit - enough that his eyes can be seen again, though they stare in a general forward direction.]

Your advice is wise, but it is unfortunately too late. All I have left is to carry on. To find those who abandoned me, and make them pay.

[He's already quite consumed, Princess - first by darkness, then by anger, though it's not his fault.]