The Kingdom of Hyrule...the streets were always crowded with people, some from distant lands. They were fascinating to observe; they usually left a nice and friendly impression. No sight of any monsters there.

Ever since I was born, I never went outside the castle gates. My mother always told me that outside of Hyrule was the birthplace of dangerous monsters. I'm not sure if I believe her words or not, but unfortunately, I cannot prove it to be true since I'm forbidden to leave Hyrule.

Dressing in my usual garments, I went outside of my house to start training again. My desire, besides seeing the rest of the world, was to be a Hyrulian Knight. They were brave, vigorous, and did whatever they could do to protect the people, and Princess Zelda. After one swing to another, I was improving. Yet, I knew that if I didn't stop soon, my mother would be furious. She hates it when I use my sword that my father gave to me before he passed away. I laugh every time I think about...her secret.

She was a Knight herself. Her weapon was small, but packed a powerful punch. It glowed like the moon, but had the destructive power of lightning. Nothing stood in her way. But, since my father died, she never picked up her weapon since. I don't remember much of him; I was only five years old when he died.

"Arissa, I see you are practicing again." I turned my head to see Agitha standing there, watching me. Agitha was strange, collecting bugs all the time. I'm surprised she hasn't got all of the species yet.

"Hi Agitha, are you going to find some new bugs today?" I asked her, stabbing my sword into the ground.

She giggled, showing off her usual smile. "Yeah, as always. I'm going to search outside the west wall. Want to come?"

Do I always have to remind her of my mother, I thought. Although, she was busy right now, maybe this would be the perfect chance, and my only chance. I looked around, finding any sight of my mom. "Sure, I'd like to."

"Don't worry, it won't take long." She said cheerfully. She started skipping on the street, I trailed behind her, taking my sword with me just in case.

My sapphire blue hair went in front of my face as the wind picked up. Some villagers passed us, some saying hello and some just simply stared. Shops were crowded, kids were playing games...

"Arissa, here we are!" I snapped out of my trance as Agitha and I proceeded outside the gate.

No words could escape my mouth as I saw the beautiful sight. I didn't know how to describe the scenery right in front of me. The green grass glistened as the sun shined on the dew, the flowers looked and smelled so tenderly, it was perfect. And there wasn't one monster to ruin it.

I slowly walked on the grass, admiring everything around me. Agitha was chipper, finding another bug for her collection. I don't know what my mother was talking about. I saw nothing evil about the outside world...something this extraordinary could not have possibly been touched by any evil.

I stopped where I was, and noticed that Agitha was frantically running towards me. "Quick, hide! I saw Everlyn on the way here, and I think she saw us!" I took her advice and hid among a tree's branches. I never liked Agitha calling my mother Everlyn, her real name. But, Agitha did always know what my mother was like. She's one of the few people who really knew her.

"Arissa, where are you?" I heard my mother yell. Agitha was right once again...

"Hello Everlyn." Agitha politely greeted.

Everlyn, my mother, looked very angry. "Agitha, I know my daughter was with you. Now, where is she?"

Agitha kept quiet, not saying anything to her. My mother looked all around, getting closer to my hiding spot. When I thought she would discover me, she turned away, and ventured back inside the Kingdom.

"Maybe it was just my imagination..." She said to herself, rushing back inside.

"Bye!" Agitha shouted.

Making sure she was gone, I hopped down from the tree, feeling secure again. Agitha started laughing, and I plopped on the ground, gazing at the light blue sky.

"You know Agitha, I'm glad I came with you."

"It feels good being outside the castle walls, doesn't it?" Agitha asked me as she captured more bugs.

"It does. I don't see what is so evil about this place. My mother must be crazy."

But, as I kept looking at the sky, its blue color started turning to an orange color. I took nothing of it and knew that I should get back home.

"Is it already that late? Oh man..." Agitha groaned.

"Don't worry; I'm sure you'll get more bugs tomorrow." I assured her.

I started walking back inside the Kingdom, Agitha following me. I decided to walk with Agitha to her house, making sure she made it home alright. But, something wasn't right...

"Arissa...where is everybody?"

I wondered that myself...It was packed with people, and now, the streets were completely deserted.

"Agitha," As we were right at her front door, I put my hand on her shoulder. "Get inside, now. And, don't come out."

"But, but-"

I pushed her inside and slammed the door shut, leaving Agitha to hide and be safe. I took off, running towards my home. Before I could even reach the door, I heard a loud noise coming from the castle.

"Wait, could it be...?"

I ran around the corner, heading towards the castle. As I got closer, guards were on the ground, unconscious or dead. Something was very wrong. I had a bad feeling about this...

I made it into the throne room, but what was in there...

Black creatures, giant and ominous...picking off the Princess's guards off one by one...the guards were outmatched. But what I feared the most was who was standing in the center of the room. He showed a high stature, yet he carried an eerie presence.

"It is time for you to choose: surrender or die." I crept closer, holding my sword in my hands. "Oh yes, a question for all the land and people of Hyrule..." I looked at the Princess and she stood her ground. "Life...or death?!"

The guards standing by the Princess's side turned to stare at her...and that's when I knew the Princess was in trouble. Then, she did something that I thought she'd never do. Her sword dropped to the floor, showing her surrender.

"Watch out!" I heard the Princess shout.

Suddenly, one of the creatures grabbed me with its giant hand, and caused me to drop my sword. My heart started to beat even faster when the strange man approached me. His mask was done strangely, like a fish head. His long and dark outfit cloaked his body. A few more of the creatures came to me while the others mess with the guards, not worrying about them at all.

"How strange..." His head was only a few inches away from mine. "...To think someone actually thought that they could sneak in here without me knowing." The terrifying creature's hand started to crush my torso. "But, it's just a curious and stupid child."

I gave him a small and quick glare. Although I could not see his face, I could tell he was smirking underneath the mask.

"What to do with you..." Just when he was about to choose his action, I heard a noise coming from behind me. It sounded like lightning crackling in the sky. I suddenly hit the floor as the creature holding me disappeared.

"Get away from here, you monster!" My eyes opened wide as I saw my mother at the castle's entrance. My mother...she's...

My mother raised her luminous weapon in the air and the room grew bright. The creatures, once big and threatening, grew small and cowardly. The darkness started to die as the light from her weapon shined even brighter.

"Arissa, get out of here! I'll take it from here!" My mother commanded.

"But, mom-"

"Hurry!"

I took one last look of the throne room. Zelda didn't move an inch, seeing as how she surrendered...and my mother was defending herself as the creatures that were left charged at her.

I grabbed my sword, but I didn't run away. I was soon surrounded as more creatures appeared. There was no way my mother could take them all at once. My mother spotted me, and she didn't look too happy. Her glance went from me to the man as he came closer.

"Who are you?" My mother asked the man. The creatures ceased.

His head turned to her. "I am Zant, your King."

Her teeth grinded together. I could see the pure hatred in her eyes. "You are not our King! You will-"

A creature let out a loud shriek, causing myself to cover my ears. My mother tried to shut the noise out. The sound was terrible in my ears. To my surprise, the screech had some type of effect. I realized that we were both rendered paralyzed.

"Damn it..." I whispered to myself.

Zant lift his arm, pointing towards my mother. My mother howled as a powerful light struck her. She was soon on her knees.

"MOM!!!" I screamed. Finding out that the effect only worked for a short time, I charged at the beasts. My blade went right through them, and they all vanished. But as I went to aid my mother, more of those beasts came.

I noticed that the Princess was captured and was soon gone, most likely being locked up in a cell. Zant laughed hysterically. The sound of his laugh made chills run down my spine.

"Arissa, run...Escape from here...seek help."

"...But, you never wanted me to go to the outside world."

My mother looked at me. "...Daughter...go, hurry, before it's too late."

I gasped when my mother turned into a sphere of light. What's happening?!

I held on to my sword and dashed through the beasts. As I was escaping the terror, I saw more spheres of light, and the town was turning dark. Hyrule Castle was soon to be fully consumed in twilight.

I was finally out, and entered in the unknown world that was "the outside".

The sky was turning black from its twilight state as I ran around aimlessly searching for any signs of a town, village, anything. So far, I found absolutely nothing.

I finally realized that I traveled an unknown path. Yet, there were none of those weird beasts. I felt a little sense of relief...but what I truly felt...made me absolutely hurt inside. All of my loved ones, gone. Hyrule Castle, my home, seized by Zant. And what did I do? I ran away because my mother said so. I was weak, and outmatched.

A few tears slid down my face, and I was soon at the end of the path. I saw some light, hoping it was from a house. I gathered the energy I had left, and found the location. It was a small, cozy looking house...and someone was there.

But, I collapsed to the ground... my body was exhausted and I knew I couldn't go on for the night. The last thing I saw was a young man, coming to help me. I shut my eyes, leaving myself in the darkness.