The Winds That Howl... [Snowpeak TP, Saria/Ya Boy Clooby]

Julius covered his eyes behind his shield as the flash illuminated most of the surrounding area. In the next moment, he heard the pained howl of a Wolfos. He uncovered his eyes almost immediately -- in just enough time to see her blade's gash in one of the dogs.

An icy javelin pummeled into his armor. The Chilfos. Julius unleashed a Spin Attack, injuring one Wolfos and destroying a javelin on its course to him. Julius brought his shield to the same one, slamming it in the snout, as he continued to the Chilfos. He ran -- and kept running, executing Helm Splitter on one.

It impacted deep into what was its head. He landed behind it, and almost immediately laid into it with a series of strikes. It was stunned, confused, and dazed -- it had almost no time to react before Julius' sword cleaved through its torso. It was like scissors snipping twine -- if the twine were an animated ice statue.

The other, however, was still ready for battle. It materialized -- perhaps grew? -- a spear, much longer than the ones he'd already had tossed at him in one day. A Spin Attack, and the pole of ice was broken -- but that only seemed to give the creature two of the same javelins, which promptly met his shield. He charged the creature, his shield still raised. In perhaps a second, he rammed himself into the creature, continuing into it with his shoulder.

He spun around, kicking it in the process -- his foot melted through its torso. He wasn't expecting this. The expression on his face was priceless. It was the perfect mix of anger and shock -- in fact, he was so angry that he headbutted the creature, helm and all. The dent in the ice of its dome was impressive -- but some mild shock blew back into Julius, causing him to stumble and fall. But... it seemed like the Chilfos was dead. He had seemed to succeed at his task, at least.

"What kind of contraption is this?" Julius wondered loudly as he the walls continue towards them. How long had such a thing been running? Where were all of its walls coming from? He stopped for a moment, thinking. It was impossible to tell where exactly they were coming from, from where they stood -- and the only way to change that would be to . . . jump through the hoops. Julius steeled himself as he got a dashing start to maneuver through the first hole. It was a meter and a half from the floor. It was of little effort to him, as he dove through it, quickly righted himself, and pulled himself up to the next one -- this one was about two meters above the ground, to the right side of the passage. The other had been on the left.

Julius raced down the corridor, if it could be called that, and swiftly pulled himself up and over through the hole. The next one, he could see, was particularly low. It was in the center. He ducked and crawled his way through; it was hardly three feet tall. It had always been uncomfortable, doing things like this in full armor. But Julius was not a wimp, like some of his compatriots were. That is to say, those who lacked finesse and physical strength, at least. As he came to the other side, he saw one of perhaps three gaps along the walls -- he kept progressing through the puzzle, or test as it should be called, seeing as how it would likely force him to start from the beginning.

Another hole. It was at the top -- almost two and a half meters off the ground. Julius leaped, almost desperately, before managing to toss himself to the next one. This time, it was one that could be easily stepped through. Excellent. It was easy -- but at the same time, trying to step through something moving while you're also moving wasn't as easy as it seemed. He stepped through it all the same. He was about halfway done, he figured. He kept advancing through the holes.

He came to the otherside of the room. He chose to wait for Navina as she went through the challenge -- it was an excellent time to rest either way.

"Of course," he wheezed out, struggling for his own breath. Plate, no matter its origin, was not designed to have someone do aerobics in them. Either way, they would both regain their composure soon, and enter into the next chamber.

As they continued to progress through the chambers, the architecture seemed to get more and more odd. This room, however, most likely served a more obvious purpose: a freezer, it seemed. Why did this estate necessitate a freezer when the outside rarely exceeded zero degrees Fahrenheit? That was an excellent question, but no one knows the answer. Regardless, they would notice several large, frozen blocks. They were nearly totally transparent, almost like they were made of glass.

They all floated atop a layer of ice, somewhat appropriately. More than a chill wafted through the air. There was a hole in the cieling, it seemed. It was... colder, here, than it was even in the courtyards. This place grew more and more curious as they explored.

Julius was the first to descend the few steps to the slick floor. Looking through the blocks he could see food, bottles... even some creatures, it seemed. He noted the poor Keese, frozen solid in a block, as he contemplated summoning his own. Oh well, it was only a Keese.

However, as he continued to search, he found something curious: a single silver key frozen in one. That key, he figured, was their best bet as to getting into that room. He looked at the cieling. There was definitely a hole.

"Navina," he began, returning her gaze through the slits in his helmet. It seemed magnified in intensity. "If you knew the true nature of these missions, and those which I have been frequently departing upon as of late, you'd ask no such question. It is true that I've put ethics, and indeed even the law aside for a select few individuals. You do not understand, girl. For what skill you have with a blade, you lack in wisdom. You see, the fate of Hyrule at large is at stake. It is why I have journied to a city that rests in the skies, the tombs of those without names, and a myriad of otger locations. If I fail in this endeavor, I only pray that the goddesses are truly benevolent to our people." He contemplated going on about a schpiel for a while more, but decided to sum it up in a few short lines.

"If a few roam free, then so be it. I just desire you to know that they serve a greater purpose -- even if they are a bit self-centered. It matters not, as they serve the populace as well as you or I." He turned away from Navina. "Now, as to how to get this key... I believe," he began to kick at the block of ice. With every hammering kick he delivered, it thawed ever-so-slightly. "That this," he continued, obviously strained by the sheer force of his kick, "should do," once more, he was straining. He needed to tone it down -- but Navina had riled him into a state of anger, somewhat. He wasn't angry at her -- he just wished she knew what was at stake.

His foot broke through the ice. The key was mostly thawed at this point -- no, not enough to retrieve it. Not yet, anyways. Again, he was at it. With a series of kicks he retrieved the key. He looked at Navina again, though this time his gaze was much more forgiving. "I apologize if I might have upset you," he spoke, placing the key in his Adventure Pouch. "Just know that there is a very fine line between what is lawful and what is good for the people. And, to answer your question in the first place, it was nearly three days ago. We had, for a long time, been getting reports from Mido -- children, going missing. I'm not going to mention the rest of the details. Just know, Navina, that he got what he deserved."

He moved from Navina, exiting through the door again. Ahh, he had meant to salvage a hide -- and so, before they entered into the heart of the mansion again, he drug the Wolfos he had beaten to death with him. Such a shame -- they were invariably loyal, provided you raised them right. Perhaps, he thought, he might get one himself.

Regardless, he proceeded to skin the beast in the same fashion he had skinned the Dodongo -- he would see about giving this to Sienna as well, next time they met. It was just as good in quality.

"Navina," he turned towards her, from the Wolfos. It was, at this point, organs and muscle. "You speak as though you grasp what I am saying, yet it is clear you do not. You do not consider the good of the people being put above the law. You do not consider how you, or anyone else may suffer. Yes, I am aware of the many issues within our own organization, but they are exaggerated beyond belief. Even if you've done you're own research, there are many things you do not know. I do not operate this as a parade. I do not sit by and wait for opportunities to present themselves. Tell me, after the freeze, what did you expect to occur? For everything to return to peace amd prosperity? For everything to suddenly, without reason, go back to being as happy as it all once was? No. People died. Froze, starve. People killed, simply trying to survive. It is true, we are still recovering from such a calamity. And, even now, with Nihil and Onox gathering forces to reclaim the south, Ganon's forces are stronger than ever before. If we let this unseen threat slither by, there would be no more sense of "justice"; no more sense of "right" or "wrong". In fact, in more than half of Hyrule, there already isn't." He finished the conversation. Navina was hardly aware of the many factors at play here.

Wordlessly, he climbed back up the crates, to where the door was locked. It was a small horned chain, seeming to imitate the appearance of a frightening adversary of some sort. The horns, particularly, struck him as something a Stalfos or Moblin would have. Regardless, he jammed the key in, twisted, and watched the lock fall to pieces. There was now only a door. "Regardless, we can finish this discussion after we finish our job here."

He opened the door, noting its unusually... durable? appearance. It was strange. As he walked into the room, he plainly saw a prison. There were bars, benches, and... an armored goliath, swinging the same ball and chain that had crashed into the Chilfos just a bit earlier in the day. Abruptly, it loosed the ball. "Watch out!" Julius yelled, rolling to the side. It was struggling, now, to retrieve the ball. Excellent. Sprinting to the creature, he leaped over it, executing a flawless Helm Splitter. He smashed bis blade into the creature's helmet. It was dazed, confused... Julius landed directly behind it, noticing its unarmored tail. It seemed to be... a Lizalfos? Dynalfos, perhaps? Regardless, he spun into it within an instant, the slicing vortex of energy slashing into it. It seemed to recover especially quickly, picking its ball up with little effort as adrenaline pulsed through it. It began whirling its weapon again.

That voice. It was Wiki. Julius put his hand to where his cheek was, as he looked on in embarrasment. Even the Lizalfos had ceased its attack. "I'm so sorry." He knew he should have decked her right then and there in the City. It would have been legal -- no one had jurisdiction there. He swore to himself that he'd set that cockroach aflame the next time he saw her. As the Lizalfos resumed swinging its weapon, he muttered under his breath, "Let's do this, then."

The message continued to echo through the room as the beast launched his chain once more. Julius tried to block it with his shield -- it was of no use, however. The force of the item burst into him. It felt like he'd just been hit by a bomb -- and, in truth, he effectively had been. It clashed and slammed into his shield with more force than it seemed capable, in fact. The Lizalfos pulled it back effortlessly this time. It seemed that sheer endurance would not be the key to this fight. Thankfully, it was nothing like the abomination he had fought in Arbiter's Grounds.

For one thing, it didn't seem to possess the exteeme agility, speed, and raw power it had possessed. It was certainly a target that could be defeated -- easily, even, perhaps. It was already whirling its wicked weapon again. It locked eyes with Julius and loosed it again within an instant. Quickly, he summoned a Keese -- it wasn't expected to do anything, but a "distraction" could certainly help, he supposed. This time, he dodged under it, ducking just as it sailed over his head.

He performed the same procedure as last time: a quick Helm Splitter, followed by several blows to its unarmored tail. It seemed to be a fairly routine foe, at least.

He tuned out the rest of the inappropriate fiction. Regardless of how Wiki felt, Julius had no such urges towards any of his companions. The Ball and Chain sailed towards him once more, only to have the same result as it usually had. It still hadn't managed to his Julius.

With a final stroke, his blade tore the helm from the beast -- it was definitely a Lizalfos, and it was just barely concious. Julius poised his blade at the creature. It was exactly threatening, since they were of comparatively similar height.

One of its eyes were scarred over. Its head was flat, almost like a cobra's. There was a sibilance in its voice as it answered, "Surrender is for cowards!" It launched a punch towards Julius. It carried considerable weight, but was easily guarded by his shield nonetheless. Its other hand was still grasping the chain. With a final maneuver, Julius leaped over the creature, striking it hard in the back of the head.

With the beast taken care of, Julius sat against the bars. Wiki, of course, still read smut involving himself and Buzzari while ge recovered. His arm ached, but it definitely wasn't broken. He was exhausted. The muscles in his core ached, and his legs almost doubly so.

He took off his helmet. His face, dripping with sweat, was met with cold air. It felt refreshing.

"I suffer because of my own decisions. But it's true. I'm old, tired. I just hope that some day, someone will care about the people -- all of them -- as I do. Perhaps, one day, my time will come. Today, though, is not that day." He got up, replacing his helmet on his head. It was comforting, to a degree. Idly, he wandered through the halls of the mansion. There were many things he wished he could do. Sleep was most likely at the top of that list.

Julius smiled a bit at the sight of the pups tumbling atop each other. Their mother soon came from behind a half-broken crate. It was likely they had been domesticated at some point -- you could still see the spots of gray patterning their fur. Their ears weren't as pointy either. He observed the movements of the mother. She was tired. Old. The same as him. He grimaced at the thought. She was probably ready to move on. He wondered, how had she managed to deliver? He looked at the pitiful numbers of the litter. The rest must have died being delivered.

"It's alright girl," he spoke to the Wolfos, calmly. He removed his helm again, sheathed his blade, and took of his shield, unbuckling its leather strap from his forearm. He even took his gauntlets off. "It's alright, I say," he repeated as he neared the Wolfos. It stopped growling as he extended his hands to her muzzle. She took a pensive sniff. And then another. She began licking his hands, happily. "How long's it been since you ate, huh? Sad little girl," he said, beginning to pet and scratch the dog-like beast as one of his hands reached into his pouch, pulling out dried meat. She wolfed it down without issue. The pups began to whimper, seeing their mother being fed.

"Alright, alright," he'd always been just a little good with animals. He pulled out more meat, feeding one to each pup. He didn't want to see them all left here... "Wait here," he said, leading the group out of chamber, back to Yettez. The 'trip' went without incident.

He was back in the warm kitchen, the giant still slaving over the equally giant cauldron. "Yettez!" Julius greeted warmly.

"Ahh, Julius! You are leaving--" he stopped, noticing the Wolfos he brought. He raised his hands defensively.

"Ah, no Yettez! They are friendly. I think they used to be pets," Julius talked, still scratching the old mother behind an ear. "I would hate to see them succumb to whatever else lay in wait here. Can you watch over them?" The giant eyed the unarmored Hylian carefully.

"I will trust you, and watch these hounds." Yettez smiled. It was obvious to Julius that Yettez was friendly, charitable, even. Character judgment came preternaturally to Julius, at this point. He had known since the Yeti had first spoken to him.

He gave the mother a final scratch behind the ears before leaving. He watched as the aged mother rested in front of the log fire, turning onto her side. Her pups began to suckle. It was heartwarming, to Julius at least.

He made his way back to Navina without issue, again. He put all of his gear back on: his gauntlets, helmet, and shield. "Now then," Julius said, heaving a cannonball. "I don't suppose you'd be interested in adopting a pup?" He knew Navina would probably think of it as a waste of time. He placed the heavy iron ball into the cannon. It fired, without much issue. The doorway shattered. "What was that?" Julius asked, grinning behind his helmet. He knew he could get her to accept. He began to look over the design of a blade, before putting it back. Its craftmanship was mediocre.

"Oh, it's quite alright. I understand the opinions of the individual and all that. Any how, just be sure to spread the word, alright?" Julius smiled beneath his helmet. He knew she was embarrassed. He didn't know why she happened to like floor masters so much, however. "Well, anyways," he eyed the icy entrance, "I think we're almost done here."

Upon entering the chamber, they found themselves standing atop an almost mirror-like layer of ice. There wasn't an innate use for tge room -- it was incredibly spacious, however. Near the top, Julius noted, were panes of stained glass... perhaps a cathedral? The entire room exuded an air of unease, either way. It was strange how devoid the room was. Perhaps that was what gave them the sense of unease.

As they slid around the suspiciously spacious room, an odd... crackling sound filled the chamber. Julius stopped, as easily as he could. Obelisks of ice erupted from the ground, ominous spires of impending danger. A final spire arose in the center of the ring. It was an icy casket, housing the form of Yettez! Julius had just seen him, though. He wondered what fate awaited the friendly giant as he drew his blade, accustomed to the peculiar dangers Hyrule was capable of.

The details were intricate; more intricate than Julius thought even Goron smiths capable of. It began to slide around on the ice, obviously propelled by some unseen force.

Julius sprinted and dived out of Yettez's path. It was like playing some deluded form of checkers, where everyone was totally bonkers and no one cared about the rules. It was like he was a piece, but a mentally handicapped child kept chewing on him and spitting all over the board while their caretaker smoked a cigarette.

Regardless of whatever handicapable child may be directing his movements, he found himself no less able to deal with the spinning block of death. As he slid on the ice, Yettez came flying towards him. He knew what to do. He knew he had to use his socks. He snapped a single time as Yettez came tearing down the ice-slick floor.

And then, he leapt over the giant, though his typical Helm Splitter maneuver was a little exotic, disorienting, and... rather tiring, as his boot tore into the ice, sparks and flames melting through it. At the same time ge connected, however, an interstellar portal opened: briefly, just briefly, a flickering orb of green came into existence, stabbing towards the ice cube that held the yeti firm with an enormous helical blade. It was green and twisted.

Regardless, as Julius looked for Navina, he found himself wondering what else they could do. "Navina! Your enchantment! I'm sure that would do some damage!" He wasn't sure if it actually would, but he knew they had gained some leeway in the fight.