*From Dark Realm /Gate Mesa ~Gate of Light~\*
From the Gate of Dark stepped the Demon King. Instantly, orders were being rushed about the keep for information on the present state of the Light Realm to be delivered to Malladus. He needed to know what places were under attack and likely were next to be absorbed into the Dark Realm. It seemed that searching locations as they fell would be an excellent method to searching for his body... He could get both the realm to fall at his hands and complete his restoration simultaneously.

Very soon, the ceiling of the massive chamber distorted into an inward spiraling blue and red vortex. From the vortex came to bolts of magic and arrived two twin Demons. Normally mischievous, the two held completely serious looks on their faces as they bowed to the Demon King. "An honor, Your Majesty." "We couldn't be more pleased to be those to deliver-"

"Just deliver the report. I care not for these addresses." Malladus growled.

The two stared, then blinked at each other. Then they spoke once more. "Of course..." "...My Lord. The southern swamps of the western country are still under attack..." "But we believe the location is about to fall to our forces." "We were not at the battle itself, but traveled at a nearby location, scouting out the future target." they said. Unsure of their responses, they looked to Cole for sureness, but found no sign of it. The Demon Regent himself looked distracted.

They looked back to their king, who sighed. It seemed he had expected a more elaborate report. "Very well. Then we shall head to the targeted location." the Demon King intoned, not giving the twins a choice in the matter. Cole, the twin Demons, and Malladus vanished in bolts of shadow energy that entered the vortex in the ceiling that soon after vanished.
*To Lost Woods ~Edge of the Woods~*

*From the Lost Woods*
Malladus arrived in the keep, his power writhing about him. Here, the Demon King would keep his eyes on the entire world, ready to interfere at any time he needed.

The Demon King stood before the Gate of Dark, his eyes shut as he held his vessel's gloved hand near the portal, its fingertips brushing against its surface lightly. His reach extended far into both realms as he searched far and wide for a hint or sign of where what he sought lay hidden.

Quite suddenly, he opened his eyes. A tendril of consciousness reached out upon his own. It was distant, but still a Demon's and one that was familiar. He frowned very slightly, his eyes unmoving. He lowered his vessel's arm, exhaling in the silence of the chamber as various Demons proceeded about their usual business. Within moments, swirling Darkness wrapped about his form, and Malladus vanished.
*To ????*

*From Subrosia*
The Darkness gathered in the chamber before the gate, and Malladus reformed. His vessel's body and clothing was scorched and heavily burnt. The Demon King stumbled forward almost but held himself up.

He spread his Darkness throughout the area, summoning forth a number of Demons, mostly Dutahblin that focused on healing the wounds their king had suffered. Though their mask-like faces were unable to depict expressions, they nonetheless were able to display their awe that Malladus had chosen to enter combat himself and that he had been so badly wounded. The Demon King did not stop them from speaking so, for though he knew he was the god of the Demons and absolute ruler of the Dark Realm, he was not all powerful, especially in this horrendously weakened state.

He silently seethed in fury, knowing that he needed to reclaim his body.

*From Clock Town*
A black cloud of smoke materialized within the chamber, and from it formed Demon Regent Neseige. The Demon fell forward upon a knee, gasping in pain. Burns etched over the being's form. He took no notice of his king on the other side of the massive chamber and unleashed a howl of rage, striking down any nearby Demons, sending some to their deaths. He rose a clawed hand, summoning forth a small number of Dutahblin and ordered them to heal him.

Later...

Neseige sat upon one of the claw shaped forms at the top of one of the pillars surrounding the pool. The blue orb composed of Darkness that it had supported had vanished and there was now a navy-black aura covering the Demon. The Demon Regent sat upon the claw as though it were a sort of throne, but paid no mind to his surroundings. His eyes were shut and there were some Dutahblin finishing up his healing on the third floor platform before him.

Suddenly he opened his eyes and grinned very slightly. Neseige stood upon the claw, gazing up towards the center of the chamber where his eyes rested upon his king. He listened as orders were delivered and willingly accepted them, deciding that he would enjoy this upcoming mission. With that, the Forze del Oscurita dematerialized into a cloud of black smoke and vanished. As he did so, the blue orb reformed within the claw upon which he had sat.
*To ????*

*From Tree of Order ~Treetop Canopy~*
Black smoke descended into the gateway's chamber once more. The orb upon the claw-like throne faded away into nothingness as the smoke neared it. Then it gathered and upon the throne formed Neseige where he stood. On the third floor walkway just below the claw came another tendril of smoke to form Roselynne.

The Dark Realm's Demon Regent grinned up at the form of Princess Zelda, who hung suspended in midair above the center of the chamber with a dark aura about her body. "Mission fulfilled, Your Majesty. Regent Aeshra's coordination paid off after all. The barrier fell," Neseige informed the Demon King before sitting upon the claw throne. "I'd say more, but I suspect that woman will want her say and will interrupt me soon enough." He chuckled softly to himself in amusement and sat back against one of the claw appendages without another word.

*From Tree of Order ~Treetop Canopy~*

Roselynne did not like the feeling she got from being teleported with such demonic magic, but of course the lady did not show anything of the sort. Her bright eyes quickly adjusted to the new place, so this was the lair of the beast? She had been told the demon king was using the princess body and it appeared he had not been wrong around that piece of information. But...Rose could see right away that there was nothing left from the princess inside of that shell, no she was not in there. Or if she was Malladus was keeping her hidden deeply inside.

She was not sure what they actually wanted her to be doing in this place. Her eyes glanced to the demon that took her to this place, then the attention moved to the floating demon king and around the chamber itself. But no, there was one thing she had to deal with before anything else.

"Remember our deal, if you want my help with whatever you need call back your forces and leave the people alone."

Neseige grinned as Roselynne recalled their 'deal.' He agreed to her desire, but knew that ultimately the decision lay within Malladus's decision. He ascended his gaze up from Roselynne and watched his king.

As silence rose in the Gate of Dark's chamber, the Demon King opened his eyes to gaze down at Lady Dragonheart. Then his gaze ascended to the Demon Regent on the throne as if there was an unseen conflict between the two, but even then Malladus's eyes moved back to Roselynne with a satisfied glance without even a word passing between the Demon King and his regent.

"So it shall be. Regent, call back the most destructive forces first. If their comrades fall behind, then they can deal with the problem or be dealt with," Malladus commanded. The Demon Regent of the Dark Realm nodded and vanished, leaving his king and Roselynne alone.
*To Southern Fields*

The vessel that contained the Demon King descended from the air, landing a yard away from Rose upon the platform.

Roselynne could not help but be both surprised and glad when the demon king agreed to the deal to, at least the demons was able to keep a promise. Or it could be because they no longer had anything to gain from fighting at the tree, the barrier was down. But at least this way the warriors could get away, the loos of lives would not be as big.

The demon regent disappeared and this left Roselynne alone in the large chamber with the demon king in his shell. She watched as the king lowered himself and landed on the platform not far from where she was standing. Rose examined the possessed body of princess Zelda, she did not know this princess...but she looked very much like the past princesses of legend.

"I take it I was not take here as a social call?"

The tone in her voice was not at all rude, it was not even angry. No it had a polite distant tone to it. Roselynne thought it might be best to stay neutral and not try anything stupid right now. She alone could not take on the demon king even if she wanted to do so.

Malladus wasted no time getting to the point. "When I was last defeated, the accursed Spirits of Good tore my being from my body before ripping my to pieces and sealing me away. I now seek my body in order to fully complete my revival." The Demon King paused to unleash a small burst of Darkness, calling upon a Demon. It would take time for her to arrive so in the meantime...

"I want you to help find my body. While I have those attuned to myself already searching for it, I find that it would be advantageous to also have one attuned to Light- such as yourself -searching for it as well," the Demon King said, informing her of her presence.

Roselynne listened, she did not move and made no signs to attack or otherwise try to run away from the demonic master. But at that moment her mind was taking in everything, it was obvious now why the demon king wanted her help. The forces that took away his body from the start must have been connected to the spirits of the gods, or the forces of good. Most likely both...

"Your minions wont find your body. It would be impossible for anything attuned to your powers to locate where it has been hidden. After all, it would ruin the purpose to keep it away from you if it was that easily found."

Her voice slowed down towards the end, her gaze glanced around the chamber and then it returned to the demon king.

"But what makes you think I would have any idea how to find your body?"

Soon, in the pool of water in the center of the room, a form emerged. Her black wings flapping rapidly as Dominicia flew upwards, once she reached the top platform, the demoness landed. She gave Malladus a respectful bow. "Did you call me, Your Majesty?"

Malladus gazed at the woman for several moments as the Demoness arrived. Then he gazed at the arriving entity, enough answer in his vessel's unnaturally red, gold, and yellow eyes. Even then, he said, "Yes, Regent Dominicia." Then the Demon King stepped towards the edge of the platform, gazing downward into the waters of the pool below. "Oh, but if the Spirits of Good had any ideas about the location of my body..."

Malladus rose a hand, gathering up the natural darkness that had formed within the waters below, leaving a glowing Obscure Sphere in his hand. Then the Demon King released the magic, dropping it into the massive pool below, igniting the water's entire surface with Dark energy. From the pool of water emerged what appeared to be the massive form of an enormous snake that shined dimly with Holy energy, with a thick aura of Darkness constricting the Light Spirit and holding it within the Demon King's grasp.

"Do you not think I would already have my answer?" With that, Malladus released the magic and let the Light Spirit fall from the air and descend back into the evil pool at the bottom of the chamber, where Roselynne could now more easily detect the spirit. It seemed that its essence was very slowly fading away.

The Demon turned to gaze at Roselynne. "You have powerful Light within your arsenal. That is as clear to me as anything." As he spoke, it would grow apparent as to why he had summoned the Demon Regent.


On the lower levels of the chamber formed a few wounded Behemoblin along with their riders. Several more Nomadoblin appeared there as well along with one of the rarely seen Acuablin. As they did so, the Dutahblin present on the low floors began to work on healing them.


Dark smoke gathered upon one of the vacant thrones once more, forming Neseige. He raised an eyebrow at the sight semi-below him and sat upon the claw-like throne, resting one leg on the other while resting his chin on a fist. His eyes paused briefly on the lowest floor before looking back up to the three with a small smile.

"How about we add one more to that party of two? I think I can have someone come soon enough," he offered. Malladus glanced up to the regent with a dismissive response. He made no indication to caring if Neseige chose to send another Demon with them.

Roselynne did not speak, her eyes watched what the king did...her gaze followed the light spirit. How dared the demon king do such a thing...no she should not be surprised, he did not care for anything but himself. Also Dominicia was there to, which seemed a little odd...after all she did not know much about the womans doings and dealing. Either she was here as a way to fool the king, or she really was a traitor. For the moment she could not say which and was not going to risk anything by assuming.

Her attention returned to Malladus.

"No, I do not think the spirits that protect Hyrule and it's people would ever reveal anything to you even if they knew Malladus. You clearly have forgotten the true power of those seeking to protect."

She made a pause, letting the words sink in before she continued. Maybe it was good the princess did not see what horrible things her body was forced to do...

"As horrible as it is you showing me the spirit does not explain what you think I could do in order to find your body."

Malladus considered Roselynne's words. Then he responded, "How unfortunate for them. If they had at least some knowledge they would even share, the lands might have the possibility of lasting longer." Then he turned back to her. "That unfortunate reason is why you were chosen. My body is composed of pure Darkness. It stands to reason, only one consisting of purest Light would be able to locate it in return.

"Yet the Light Spirit cannot and will not confide such information, and the other great carriers of Light would resist enough that they would be nearly dead before I could use them." At this point Malladus fell silent.

Neseige chuckled from his throne. "You on the other hand, complied as my other side's memories suggested you would."

Roselynne took in what the demon king and his servant said, she did not understand about his other half. But that really did not matter much right now, it was something she would need to dig into at a later time.

"I see, well that would explain it."

She fell silent and did not speak for around five minutes. Going though everything in her mind, so they wanted someone close to the light in order to find the body of the demon king. That was in all useful to know, but not much she could do in here. Well for the time being she might aswell do what she could to find out more about their plans.

"But why the all out invasion if all you wanted was your body? Would it not have been easier to...I don't know, sneak in and look for it from the inside instead of going all out war?"

There had to be more then just the body...

Malladus gazed at the woman for a moment. Then he turned away, looking down into the darkened waters below. "If that knowledge is not already present to you, then you need not be told now," was all the Demon King said before dismissing himself, floating back up to the center of the chamber.

Neseige gazed at his king for several moments before leaning forwards. "Why don't you see to your last party member? I'm sure it should be nearly prepared," he suggested.


As the Dutahblin worked to speed up Invidio's healing processes, they determined something that led them to take the Demon to the Gate of Dark and lay it by the, reaching into the gate's dark feed.

Dominicia watched as the demon king and the woman talked, with the eventual interruptions of Neseige. She looked upon Malladus with a curious expression. "Where shall we start our search, Your Majesty? Surely there must be locations where it will be more likely for us to find your true, imposing vessel."

The demons would find a lingering effect on Invidio that slowed down the healing, it was as if the energy from the blast he had been attacked with earlier was eating away on the demonic healings, making them slower. Of course they worked, but imagine what damage if could have done if the regent did not step in?

------------

Roselynne found Malladus words to be odd, but she was not going to give up that easily. No she just needed to work quickly, but with thought. She was not going to let the demon lord have his vessel, no that could be a key in taking him down. Her eyes moved to glance at Dominicia, but she did not speak to the woman. To be fair Roselynne might have an idea where to start looking, but she could be wrong to assume that was the right place. Best was to see what Malladus might reply to Domi.

Malladus gazed down at Dominicia. Then he responded slowly, "Throughout the progress leading to my restoration, Regent Cole and his foolish agent visited five sanctuaries and the very tower that served as my prison, which served as the haven of five of my mothers' servants, and slay these agents. Though there was no sign of my body at the time, there was no active search in place either," Malladus informed her.

Then he proceeded to speak again, sharing some unsaid information through the link that existed between him and the Demoness. "Though I encourage you to examine these sanctuaries and the sources of the chains that once bound me, there is one location I believe may hold a key to finding my vessel.

"When I first conquered this realm, an altar that praised my powerful mother was discovered, hidden within the burning depths of the mountain of fire. Now largely under our control, it is only a short matter of time before the location where the altar once was- if it is no more -is located." The Demon King then fell silent.

Neseige held his eyes shut in thought, pondering what he knew. Abruptly, his eyes snapped open and the Demon Regent gazed up at Malladus. The king was not looking at him and had shut eyes, but the dark being could feel the impatience of his king through the Demonic connection.

Neseige gazed at Dominicia and Roselynne, making a downward motion towards the circle of magic-using Demons below, indicating for the two to join him below. The Demon Regent then vanished from his 'throne' and descended to the lower floors.


The Demon Regent of the Dark Realm reformed at the base floor, stepping up to the Dutahblin and observing their process. He frowned very slightly before stepping around them up to the Gate of Dark.

Neseige extended a hand onto the surface of the portal, placing his fingertips onto its vortex-like surface. Then he accessed the Darkness and overflowing power joined the Dutahblins'.

Roselynne took in all of the things she was being told, it might not seem important, but maybe the clue to everything would be found with time and effort. Her gaze moved to the demon regent when he motioned for them to join him down below. The lady did not speak and just turned to make her way to the lower circle.

She watched in silence what Neseige was doing, she was not familiar with demonic magic. But this looked like some kind of healing spell. Her eyes watched the circle of wizard demons before they returned to the regent.

Dominicia listened to all Malladus spoke and nodded. She gave the Demon King one last bow before observing what Neseige wanted of her and Roselynne, and so she began to fly down, landing near the Regent. She could understand less of demonic magic than she should, but she knew that dark energy was invariably dark energy. And so, she also reached into her mana reserves to add power to the healing spell.

In spite of the Demon's relatively little physical damage, it appeared to be growing more stable by the minute. The Dark aura about the Acuablin grew less erratic and the strange traces of power that resisted the Demons' magic were fading away. Another sign of the Dutahblins' work succeeding rested at the end of the fin hanging from Invidio's head.

The sphere at the end of the fin was reforming and the dull red glow within it began to restore itself. Before long, the entire casing was restored, glowing as though a large flame were lit within it. All across the Demon's body, its black scales rose very slightly, forming a layer of weaponry upon the Demon's body. The scales upon its head rose as well, forming what seemed almost like a helmet.

The scales then returned to their usual position and Invidio's eyes were revealed once more, his red gazes descending upon Neseige, Dominicia, and Rose. As the Demon appeared fully recovered, the Dutahblin Demons that had been focusing on it edged away from the Acuablin to work on healing the other Demons present.

Steadying itself carefully, Invidio rose from the ground and stood, holding his gaze on the Dark Realm's Demon Regent for several moments. Then he carefully looked over Rose and Dominicia once more. "We have a mission together it seems." The Demon paused, reaching behind its head with one hand. Then it lowered its arm once more, continuing, "Are there any preparations you need before Demon Regent Neseige sends us to the assigned location?"

Roselynne gave the question a few seconds of thinking before she replied, her voice was still calm and she did her best to remain neutral in her tone.

"Nothing I don't already have."

Dominicia stopped her spell once Invidio stood up. She crossed her arms and shook her head when the demon asked. "I'm just as ready."

Invidio turned one of his eyes to gaze upon the Demon Regent. Neseige held up a hand, surrounding the trio with the Darkness that whisked them away to the fiery land of Hyrule's mountains.
*To Death Mountain Summit ~Path to the Altar~*

*Death mountain summit: Path to the altar*