Chapter Twenty: Articulation Point Part 7 of 8

Day 191

There is a whole six-page report written in Hylian that is passed to every stable. According to the tally marks on the top of the page, it's been three days since it was released. Yin listens with a kind-of detached emptiness and can only think at least it wasn't us.

Seven humans, all in the Tabantha region, kidnapped in one night.

"Why would the Yiga do this?" Cain asks, aghast. It is confirmed to be the Yiga. The few humans they kidnapped from Rito Stable went willingly, exchanging their lives for those Hylians who wrote up the report on what transpired. The account of missing only went up when travellers and merchants mentioned they saw humans being knocked out and dragged away while they crossed the plains.

There are many theories being tossed around about 'why' they did this. Everyone is cautious that the Yiga may be going back into silence or, worse, triggering attacks without rest. All they can do is wait to hear any news.

Yin's interested in why now. She pulls up plants while throwing ideas out to Twi. "Do you think it's because the Rito were distracted with the Loftwing?"

'No,' he answers instantly. 'That couldn't have been going on all month. And don't you dare.'

"What?"

'Don't blame yourself. Don't find ways to blame yourself.'

Yin pauses, not glancing up from her fist around the Hearty Radish's stem. "I don't do it on purpose."

'I know. The Loftwing has nothing to do with this.'

"Why do you think they attacked that region?"

'Location; it's not too cold for them in Tabantha. Population; the humans don't stray far from the villages. It would be a matter of time before a large group appeared that fit their criteria.' He hesitates. 'There would be no chance of interference. Link said he's been searching the other sites of his map, the Rito don't normally leave their set territory, and the roads can be dangerous so not many travel them.'

"Why wouldn't they come here?" It bothers her because, as grateful as she is they are safe for now, Faron region would be an easy place to take humans from. Their corner of the map is forgotten about often. Even Highland Stable is considered out of the way. The only thing she could consider a risk would be how spread-out the humans are.

Yet, Twi smiles with perfect teeth and hard lines brightening as he seems proud. He hands over the items he's gathered with a look that makes her heart pound hard and almost steals her breath away. 'No one would risk facing the monsters on your side.'

Yin chuckles with a nervous smile, ducking her head to slip the mushrooms and wheat into her pouch. "That's exaggerating. None of them would fight for me. None of them should."

'You are Power, Yin,' Twi tells her with a bitter twist to his smile. She doesn't understand what he implies, but reaches out a hand to lightly brush his covered arm. He closes his eyes with a sharp grin. 'By just being you, the monsters here have come to respect you. An attack on you or your people could start something the Yiga are not prepared to face.'

"You do realize I'm not going to try gathering allies or-" she makes a displeased face, "lead people, right?"

He smiles like he wants to reach out for her. 'And if you had no choice?'

"I hear Eventide Island is a great h**lscape this time of year."

Day 192

"Aww," Yin coos and rubs the thigh-high Chuchu on the head. "I missed you too."

Chu'thulu purrs and looks smugly at the non-wolf skulking behind the human.

Day 194

Twi stills, makes an aborted motion towards her, and then exudes predator. Yin looks up, confused. "What's wrong?"

He is sharp lines barely held back, and growls. 'Just a ghost.'

Yin follows his gaze. She twists and narrows her eyes, trying to force the outline of a person into definitive features. A half wave with one hand and pulling out mushrooms with the other. "Hello."

They wave back.

"Sorry," Yin says as she gives up and shifts so she's leaning against Twi's legs. "I can't see who you are."

'He doesn't have enough strength to manifest solidly,' Twi explains, voice low and warning as he stares down the hesitant spirit. Something makes his hackles rise, and he twitches like he's talking but doesn't let her hear.

"…Can I-"

'No,' Twi growls and the only reason he doesn't move to block her is because he doesn't want to cause her to fall. 'Just ignore him. He'll leave eventually.'

That's mean, Yin frowns disapprovingly. She sits forward, and he shifts to block her from the ghost. Yin tilts her head to see through his legs. "Twi…"

'Don't encourage him.'

"What does he want?"

Twi sits down heavily. He keeps his back to the ghost so Yin will lock onto his eyes. 'Don't.'

Whatever it is, she'll want to do it. That's why he's being stubborn. Curiosity is interesting in that she doesn't want to know, but can't stop from asking, "What do I have to do?"

'Nothing.' At her unimpressed look, Twi sighs sharply and glances back at the ghost. 'He wants you to look for the missing.'

Yin blanks. Slowly understands. The people. Seems fair. "Does he know where they are?"

'They were thrown off of Gerudo Tower.'

Yin winces. "Any chance of using Lake Tower as a shortcut?"

Twi tenses like he's been shocked. 'You're not going after them.'

"Pretty sure I am," Yin purses her lips together and shifts to view the fuzzy ghost. "Do you know what places they were thrown too?"

Twi mutters out a list like each word's a curse.

"Cutting through the tower system would probably be the best bet," Yin muses, leaning back and covering one of Twi's fists. He switches holds and laces their fingers. "If possible, I would think going through a cannon to your Gerudo Desert," Yin nudges his foot, "would be the easiest."

She discusses it with the other humans. Isabella doesn't like it. Cain doesn't like it. Yin looks between them. "If it were you, I'd do it in a heartbeat."

"But we don't know them," Cain says, much to Isabella's discomfort. "We owe them nothing. Yin, for goodness sake, they're on the other side of the map!"

Star and Twi watch the proceedings from against the fence, the Sheik glancing at the ghostly wisp every now and then. Twi throws out with a snarl towards the unknown figure, 'They could already be dead.'

"Don't say that," Isabella snaps at him. Twi looks unimpressed but doesn't go to speak again. Still not satisfied but with a better moral compass than the others, she turns to the woman. "Yin. You're talking about getting shot from a cannon into a desert. And that's if the fall from wherever Lake Tower leads doesn't kill you." She looks pleadingly. "Don't try and be a hero. This isn't our fight."

"It could be," Yin replies softly, holding the girl's gaze and wondering. Just how often does Cia talk to Isabella? "I don't want to be a hero. I don't want to do this."

'Then don't,' Twi whispers to her mind only.

"But whoever that is," Yin points to the wisp, "They came here asking for help. Twi can hear them and tell me where I should look for the missing." She turns to the wisp. "How many other ghosts are out looking to help?"

Twi tilts his head when he hears the answer. 'Two.'

"So it's possible others are doing it," Cain replies. "What then?"

"Well," Yin throws a look at him. "It's not like the Yiga will be sitting around waiting, will they."

It takes a long moment for him to understand what she means. Meanwhile, Isabella is protesting. "Just another reason why you shouldn't go! What if you run into the Yiga Tribe?"

Cain looks to Twi. "Are you going with her?"

'I can't.'

"The towers and shrines block them from entering," Yin says, still staring at Cain. The man glances curtly back, are you sure you want to do this? She nods. "So you all better be nice to each other." While I'm gone.

"We'll set limits and checks," he argues, tapping the table. "That way we know you'll come back say… within a week?"

"Enough supplies to last the desert there and back, and enough for a week," Yin responds. Twi stands abruptly and marches over. "Time moves faster here than it does there, so that's already limiting me."

'You're not going along with this?' Twi demands.

Cain turns and glares. "I'm not keeping her here against her will. Besides, I trust Yin to be cautious and safe." He sends the woman a grim look.

She nods. "I'll come back." Even if she has to fight the whole Yiga clan to do it. "Help me get everything in order."

"You leave in two days at the earliest," Isabella demands. "We're bringing Ms. Minowa the blueprints tomorrow, and no take-backsies."

That gets a laugh from the humans.

"Do you know who it is?" Yin asks Star quietly as she stacks wood around the back of the stable.

"No," the Sheikah replies, not even glancing at the wisp who hovers away from Twi. "I'm surprised they have enough power to talk, but if it's a version of the Hero then it explains why Twi can see and hear them. My counterpart in Kakariko Village is less together than me, but he and I can communicate." They smile at her intrigued glance. "It's only the two of us, as we were separate from the princess."

"Huh," Yin makes a silent noise of frustration. "Um… if you don't mind me asking… your memories. How far back do they go?"

They smile wider. "The first time I was my own fighter, when the princess didn't transform into Sheik, was the first time I started gaining memories of you players. Sumo says that finding your Amiibo makes the memories clearer, but I'm doing fine with what I have so far."

"So, if I were to ask what move I always started with you…?"

"You load the daggers," they snicker, flicking their wrist and showing off a shuriken. "Though, if I were asked about you when you weren't around, I wouldn't be able to answer so easily. It's easier to focus on the memories when I can see the face."

Twi asks for his Amiibo back that night. He stares at it for a long while, white lights twinkling in and out around his hands. He hands it back without an explanation, and Yin doesn't ask.

In her dreams, he sits them on his bed in the room of the castle his Zelda gave to him. He holds her close, twisting so her legs go across his lap. When he finally speaks, he nuzzles the words against her collarbone. 'When you get back, we're going on an adventure.'

"Alright," Yin replies easily.

He hums, and she leans into the vibrations. 'I wanted our first, real adventure to be together. One where neither of us disappears. Where we both return home.'

"It will be."

'You'll be without me,' he sighs. Twi leans back and starts playing with her hair, eyes focused on the ends of the strands. 'I never wanted you adventuring Hyrule by yourself. Too much can go wrong.'

Yin lets the silence stretch as she tries to come up with the right words to say. "I will follow all the instructions." No unnecessary risk. There's also a lot of heroes running around Hyrule; she doesn't need to step up. Someone needs to get food and water to them, at the least. "And I won't be without you. We've got to travel through Lake Tower together."

He gently pokes her head and turns his head, looking flatly into the distance. 'The figurine is just a bundle of memories. It isn't me. It isn't real.'

"It is to me," Yin shifts an ankle back to nudge him into looking at her. Ice-blue eyes are stiff and hide his emotion as she looks unreadable back. "Memories make up who we are. Do you think we'd be having this talk if either of us forgot about the other?"

He smiles, cool and crisp. 'I'd find a way to make you remember.'

Her stomach churns because Yin knows her fears and knows how she'd react to familiar strangers. Knows how she'd react to strangers familiar with her. "I probably wouldn't let you try."

'Then I would start over as your friend.'

Like it's that easy. She almost shudders at the conviction he holds. As though the pain at restarting a friendship has no leg to stand on. This is why he's the Hero and…

And…

Yin leans into an awkward side-hug and rests her head against his shoulder. "I'll never forget you."

There's an arrogant smile in his voice. 'I know.'

"Our adventure is going to be epic."

His mood switches to almost pained, as if he really hopes it won't but knows something probably will butt in and go wrong.

At this point, Yin's just crossing her fingers she'll survive Lake Tower.

Day 195

The letters are all written up and ready to send. Explanations on how to get the missing people back. It doesn't reveal someone is going, just lets others know of the possibilities.

"All set?" Isabella asks from atop her horse.

Yin huffs and places the letters for Lakeside Stable and Lurelin Village in her pocket dimension. Twi comes to help her on Arashi, but the world seems to pause at the sound of Link arriving to a shrine.

"Great timing!" Isabella laughs and waves at him. Yin thanks Twi once she's up and scoots forward for him to sit behind her. "We're heading past Faron Tower if you want to come!"

Link looks at the riders with light interest on his face. 'Just let me get a horse.'

Yin huffs and leans into Twi's chest. "I feel short." Because Link is barely taller than her and he's smaller than most everyone. On top of a horse really puts it in perspective. Twi just chuckles and wraps his arms around her stomach, putting his chin on her head. Jerk.

"How have you been?" Yin asks Link as they trot.

He smiles back. 'Alright. I've been working my way through Vah Rudania and needed a break.'

"So you thought you'd do more work by getting a tower?" Isabella asks, aghast.

'It's something to do,' his eyes slide to Yin and then blankly at Twi's chilly stare. 'And it's a different warmth than being surrounded by lava.'

"Yikes," the ladies wince. Isabella smiles, "Well, you can stick around with us! We're going to Lurelin after this! Have you been there yet?"

Link shakes his head and Isabella gets Yin to describe the village. Link looks pleasantly entertained, yet his eyes never stray from her as she talks. Twice, Yin has to break story to shoo off monsters who recognize her and Isabella, yet want to go after the current hero.

Isabella breaks in at the end. "We're going there to get building designs."

Link looks over to her, curious. 'Building designs?'

"Yah! We're going to make a village right behind Highland Stable!"

Whatever he wants to say, Link shakes off and starts again. 'May I buy a house when it's built?'

"Probably," Yin says when Isabella puffs up with pride. The girl deflates and glares at the woman stealing her thunder. "No promises until it's all built, though. We barely know if Cain, Isabella, and I will be sharing a house with others or having our own."

'I would be fine sharing.'

Twi's hands twitch to pull her against him for a moment, ice in his eyes sharpening. Yin doesn't notice the last part as she shrugs. "We'll let you know."

Isabella takes over detailing her plans until they get to Lakeside Stable. Then they send Link off to the tower, promising to wait until he comes back. Simoné and Yuki read their letters with growing resignation. In the end, Yuki sighs. "I didn't even think about the lack of Yiga in the area, you know?"

Simoné frowns further and bites her lip, turning to Yin and Twi. "What do you think the chances are they come here next?"

Twi assures her, 'Not likely.'

She turns to solely Yin. The shorter woman shakes her head. "I think we've got at least a week before we need to be on look-out. The Yiga have proven they do one all-out and then let things calm down, haven't they?"

"I guess you're right," Simoné shuffles over and leans against Yin, not noticing the woman stiffen. "Who gave the instructions for this plan?"

"We don't know," Yin glances over to Twi. "A ghost, but we didn't get his name."

Isabella snorts.

When Link's back, all talk of missing people flees. They won't be the ones to explain it to him. He might be able to hold off the Yiga, but no way can he bring back the missing. They won't send the hero against the whole tribe. Not when they remember he had to stealth around them in-game.

Yin doesn't mention she's going to help. Just says she won't be able to come by for a while. It's not the first time and won't be the last, so Simoné and Yuki don't question it.

"Congratulations on getting all the towers," Yin tells Link before they head out once again. She gives him the food she was forgetting, and he relaxes, small smile making her grin back. Whatever he goes to say is interrupted by Twi sidling up and nudging her towards the horse and helping her up. "Oh, thanks Twi."

He bares his teeth in a grin as he follows her up, cool eyes watching the other Link with a challenge. Link's face blanks (challenge accepted).

When they get to Lurelin Village, everyone goes their separate ways. Link goes off to explore, Twi is shooed to go see Suzy for the first time since he's become Hylian, and Yin and Isabella get to be huddled over a table to discuss blueprints.

Kiki Minowa is a blessing, "Oh, ladies. Take out a piece of paper and start writing this down. We're going to be here for a while."

Some parts of the blueprints need to be redone to help the buildings stay structurally sound with the added notes of no electricity and increased room space. There needs to be flooring, colours, defined rooms versus flexible storage space. Max occupancy, hobbies, are they families or will it turn into a frat house? What's the possibility to have more separate housing versus larger shared spaces? Inclusive, or exclusive.

They could probably spend days in Lurelin and not be done set-up. Good thing this is just to get feet wet and thoughts rolling. Kiki keeps her favourite blueprints and promises to go over them, to ask around for any old furniture in Lurelin and compare them to Earth designs. She waves the ladies away as the sun sets. Isabella goes to the horses while Yin walks around to see the others.

"Look at him," Casey says in greeting, glaring where Link talks to Max and Zack. "Do you think it's a Link thing? That people just feel comfortable talking to random strangers in green?"

Win chuckles. 'Hi Yin!'

"It's definitely a Link thing," Yin smiles softly at the two. "He's got a face like yours, Win. Where I just want to smother you with blankets and hot choclate." Or good soup. She doesn't know the ghost-boy well enough to say that, though. Grandma's soup may be a touchy subject.

He rolls his wide eyes anyways and assures her she's got a face like that too while Casey scowls harder. "He's not like that," they say, meaning Breath of the Wold Link. "It's like he's cold. Don't you wonder how messed up he'd be after the death-nap?"

Yin wouldn't say he's cold, not when she knows Twilight Princess Link. In order to hide predator he becomes like an ice sculpture. Maybe if she knew bright, lively Wind Waker Link then she'd think differently. Breath of the Wild Link? He's going through some things, and the end-game hints he never stops going through things. "I do wonder, but the best I can do is try and be here for him. I'm not qualified to do any kind of help besides not disappearing on him."

Which she's going to. Wow does Yin like an awful person.

(I'm sorry.)

Yin says her goodbyes, ending on Suzy. The woman-turned-teenager stands overlooking the water once again. She barely turns when Yin comes up. "What do you think about Twi staying here while you're gone?"

Because of course he told her. Yin tries to ignore the pang in her heart as she thinks through the question logically. "You'd look after him? Make sure to keep his mind off it?"

"Of course," the teen cracks a smile. "Though he'll worry about you every day."

"I know," Yin whispers, running her hands over her hair with a sigh. Why is she doing this again? Because no one else here knows what it's like to keep going back in. And someone needs to play distraction. "Thank you, Suzy."

"Don't thank me yet," she throws a broken smile. "We have to get him to agree not to see you off."

The sun has set by the time Twi agrees. Link's gone off to Eventide island, much to the shock of the humans who warned him of the dangers. In the darkness, Twi tries once more to get Yin and Isabella to stay. To put off leaving for the stables and be where he can keep an eye on them.

They don't. Yin hugs him goodbye.

'Stay safe,' he doesn't beg and doesn't command.

"I will," try, she adds in her mind. I will try.

He is warm even with a cool gaze, watching them until they ride out of sight.

"Simoné is going to win at this point," Isabella grumbles. The world bleeps out her swear word.

Yin raises eyebrows. "I don't know what your talking about."

But Simoné does send pointed grins around the fire that night as they bunk in the stable. The women lean next to each other, discussing shirtless Twilight Princess Link and shirtless Breath of the Wild Link.

"We need to see it in real life," is the conclusion.

Good times.

Cia is not as impressed when Yin shows up across the table at night. "So, you're going out into the big, wide world tomorrow."

"Don't you already know my plan?" Yin asks calmly, folding her hands.

It's then Cia remembers who in the room doesn't want to be a hero. However, only Cain has guessed the plan. Yin's almost disappointed Cia hasn't thought about why she would leave her comfort zone for stangers. The purple eyes widen, not knowing whether to be impressed or discourage this shift from her narrow world view. "Of course I know you plan. I can't read minds, however."

Yin smiles. (Forces herself to wakeup.)

The headaches from these talks are the worst.

Day 196

The monsters all know she won't be around for a while. It's touching they are here to see her off.

Yin gives a scoffed laugh as she looks down over the edge of the tower. "This is crazy."

She's crazy. They're crazy, all huddled on the ground to catch her if she doesn't disappear. They don't quite understand the fall would kill her. Nice effort though.

I hope this is worth it, Yin thinks as she steps back. Sets her feet, scared but knowing it's just like jumping off a dock or board. Once she's in the air, there's no stopping it. I hope they'll forgive me.

Because, barring Cain, everyone who knows believes she's going to be doing this solely to save the others.

Yin runs and throws herself off the tower. She disappears into thin air.

The world is quiet.

A/N: Lost my notes for the end of this arc so the next chapter may be a bit shorter than expected. Thanks for reading!

Thank you, YingWhiteyWolf, for your review! I'm so glad to hear that! All of it will be revealed in one of the coming arcs… still working on which one. I really hope you enjoyed the chapter, and thank you so much for your review!

I hope people enjoyed the chapter