Refuge

Ages ago in a country long forgotten, there were many legends and tales. Among the most famous is that of the rise of the King of Thieves to power over the entire nation, as well as his downfall at the hands of two very special children. These 'children of destiny' embarked on separate journeys to overcome various hardships; or at least that's how the most widely accepted telling of the story goes. However, there is another...one that describes the children of destiny as a rallying force for the ordinary citizens who, together, were able to make a difference in the fight against the villain. Like every other incarnation of this timeless legend, the story begins on a grim and fateful night.

In the midst of a terrible war, a mother flees alongside her young, blonde-haired blue eyed son. They are being hunted by a mysterious and terrible creature in heavy armor, serving under the command of a despicable villain. As they run, the mother is well aware of the fact that she can not outrun the horse that the creature rides. That being so, she turns to face the mounted threat, choosing to fight so that her boy has a chance to escape.

"Link, run!" The mother desperately cries out. In response, the confused, scared boy whimpers. When the mother doesn't hear the footfalls of her son fleeing, she reiterates,

"Now! I mean it! Run!" Link still doesn't move. Having turned to look at his mother, he comes face-to-face with the pursuer, and freezes in fear.

"Link!" The mother yells, tilting her head to look at her son. At that moment, the monstrosity on horseback readies its mighty ax to strike. The mother braces herself, holding Link close as the attack closes in...an attack that never reaches them. When Link's mother opens her eyes, a familiar knight on horseback is what greets them. He uses his own weapon to fend off that of the being that had been chasing Link and his mother. The knight looks at Link and smiles before lowering his visor.

"My son." He says solemnly. "Take care of your mother. Seek refuge in the Forest of Fairies." Link looks at the knight, his own father, and tries to approach his horse as he cries,

"Daddy!" The knight shakes his head, however, and as he brings his steed to rear he says, "There's no time Link. Go. Do it for me." Link sheds a tear, but no more after hearing his father say,

"Take her to the forest! As a child, you should be able to find the way! I leave her in your capable hands Link!" Instead of more crying, Link gives an 'okay', and takes his mother's hand before running into the distance. His father, meanwhile, whispers,

"Good luck kid." Before spurring the horse on into the fray once more. That is the last anyone saw of that brave knight. Meanwhile, Link guides his mother along a path that he somehow knows. A path engraved in his soul. It leads them, unimpeded, to the edge of the Forest of Fairies, a place long held as forbidden to outsiders. The edge of the forest was formidable enough to look at, but neither Link nor his mother was to turn back at this point. To do so would be a disgrace to the knight's efforts. No, they press into the forest, readying for whatever would be waiting...