[EDITING] The Legend of Zelda: Goddess of Secrecy

Overworld Chapter 5 - A Lively City

...into the hustle and bustle of the lower city. The roar of the trainyard went on somewhere off to Link's right, down a smaller road than the main boulevard.

Link tried hard not to shove his way through the thick crowd, but it proved difficult as he made his way further into the city, Yore not keen to way. A few people veered out of his way when they saw him coming, perhaps noticing his equipment and mistaking him for a knight. Either way, he found his way over to the edge of the road to avoid having to push his way through the rest.

Lining the wide street were hundreds of little stalls selling all kinds of wears, save on the corner where there were larger shops and businesses. Link looked down some of the other roads that broke off from the main street to see houses of increasing quality the further he went into the city, smaller shops, and a few parks filled with people. So many people, more than he'd ever seen together in his life. And from all walks of life.

As he reached the center of Castle Town, the street opened up into a huge circle with a fountain in the middle. Restaurants lined the sides of the row, their smells blowing down across the roads to lure in more customers. A few vendors were peddling around the fountain, but the edge of the fountain was mostly lined with artists painting the citizens as they went by.

It was here in this open place that Link finally noted the different races in Castle Town. A Goron nearly plowed him over in their rush to get somewhere. A few Zora were soaking themselves to keep from drying out in the hot afternoon sun. Several Sheikah passed by, only identifiable by their red eyes compared to the humans and Hylians all around.

"I understand the allure of the city, but I do need you to press on now."

Link continued north under Yore's direction. The noble's district was laid out around him. Not even the quality shops along the street could hide the tall buildings. The upper class lived here, a place Link didn't think he could ever enjoy. The houses may have been huge and beautiful, but they were too open and empty for Link's taste. His tree house still looked better to him. In fact in the sea of people, he was starting to miss it a little.

As the wall of the city appeared again, Link noticed that Yore had disappeared. He paused and looked around for the bird. But the crowd surrounded on all sides. Even with a hawk like Yore, it was hard to keep up with the city so full.

Instead of finding Yore, Link found a cloaked follower. They kept, if not clung, to the shadows, but Link knew they were following him. A speciously large dog trotted at their heels, its silver pelt dulled by the shadows its master clung to.

Link turned around and went on towards the wall. It was nothing. Just a chance passing. Yet they were still following him.

As he went under the high arc out of Castle Town towards the castle, Link briefly glanced back. They were still there, still a good distance behind in the shadows. Link turned around, only to have to stop as he stared across at the sight before him.

A few locals laughed at him as they watched Link gapping at the huge sight ahead. There was a long, white stone bridge spanning across the rest of Zora River to the bank on the far side, where a white castle stood, taller than a grown Deku tree. It was probably as big as his village in its entirety. It was breathtaking! Maybe the trip was worth it after all.

"Move!"

Link jumped out of the way as guards plowed their way through across to the castle. He watched as a dark cloud formed over the castle, and storm clouds rolled overhead. Something wasn't right.

Pushing the crowd, Link raced after the guards. He looked up at the air above the palace, and saw Zeal with her arms out wide, casting some kind of spell into the air as she remained suspended there. Link hesitated. He knew he wasn't a match for Zeal yet, but someone needed his help in there. He could feel it.