Chapter I

Disclaimer: All characters belong to Nintendo. I didn't make any of them up. They're all from Ocarina of Time.

Chapter Song: Creeping In My Soul - Christine Lorentzen

I see your face before my eyes
I'm falling into darkness
Why must I fight to stay alive?
Heroes falling

The rain fell angrily from the sky, beating down upon me. It plastered my tunic to my body, and the mud sucked on my boots. My blond hair stuck to my face, but I was frozen. I stood still, unable to move, standing there in the field with a blank stare as the draw bridge of the castle slowly lowered, which was lit by the dim glow of torch lights. Thunder roared violently in the distance.

A horse leaves the castle once the drawbridge is completely opened. It carries a women, and a small girl wearing a dress, her face white with fear.

She looks straight at me, with blue eyes that pierce right through my soul. Suddenly, at that moment, I feel like everything has completely frozen. Only for that moment.

But soon the horse gallops away, speeding down the field. The girl had only time to glance at me as they passed, and then they were gone.

Another horse, jet black, soon followed. I turned from watching the white horse, and there he was. A sinister looking man road the horse, heavy armor covering his entire body.

He slowly turned his head to glare at me with two terrifying, ember eyes.

Wake me can't you hear me calling
Out of darkness they come crawling

"You!" He barked, his voice filling me with panic. "The white horse- which way did it go?"

I just stood there, staring at him, as I felt I had lost the power of speech. He raised his palm to me, and I opened my mouth to scream.

"Hey!"

Link didn't stir at the fairy floating above him. He turned over, and shivered with fear.

"Hello, Link! Wake up! The Great Deku Tree wants to talk to you! Link, get up!" The fairy shouted, irritated. She moved back and fourth, up and down. "Can Hyrule's really destiny depend on such a lazy boy?"

I jumped awake, my body soaked with sweat. I could feel my heart racing, pounding against my chest, but I quickly looked around to find myself home, in my own bed.

Here I am, I am lost in your land
And I hope you will be - creeping in my soul
Shadows fall, let me out, hear my call
And I always believe - creeping in my soul

My eyes still tired and worn from sleep, I began to yawn, but jumped when I noticed the fairy floating over my bed.

"You're finally up! I'm Navi the fairy. The Great Deku Tree asked me to be your partner from now own. Nice to meet you!"

I stared at the fairy, puzzled.

"The Great Deku Tree has summoned you! So let's get going, right now!"

I was still extremely tired, to the point where I head no concept of anything going on, so I allowed my face to drop back on my pillow.

"Get up!" Navi shouted.

"Alright, alright." I pushed myself up and, with my new fairy hovering my shoulder, left for the Great Deku Tree.

I fade away into the night
My eyes are closing in
Shadows are fleeing from the light
My nightmares can begin

The fresh forest air was still cold with the light of dawn. My boots became wet from the morning dew. As I walked, I heard Saria's voice.

"Link! Hey!"

"Hey, Saria," I said with a warm smile. She noticed the fairy that floated besides me, with bright, astonished eyes.

"A fairy! Finally, a fairy came to you, Link!" She exclaimed. "Now you're a true Kokiri! I'm so happy for you!"

"Yeah, I just woke up about two minutes ago, and I've already gotten a fairy, plus the Great Deku Tree summoned me, apparently."

"Seriously?" Saria asked, surprised. "It's quite an honor to talk to the Great Deku Tree." She smiled. "Go see what he wants. I'll wait here for you."

--

Wake me can't you hear me calling
Out of darkness they come crawling

"Great Deku Tree!" Navi called as we drew near. I smiled, recalling the hatred that had just burned in Mido's eyes. "I'm back!"

"Oh... Navi... Thou hast returned..."

I stood silently before the Great Deku Tree, staring up at him in awe.

"Link... Welcome... Listen carefully to what I, the Deku Tree, am about to tell thee... Thy slumber these past moons must have been restless, and full of nightmares... " It explained. "As the servants of evil gain strength, a vile climate pervades the land and causes nightmares to those sensitive to it... Verily, thou hast felt it..."

I nodded quietly, my thoughts returning to the nightmare I had last night. It was the same one. Again. For the millionth time.

"Link... The time has come to test thy courage... I have been cursed... I need you to break the curse with your wisdom and courage. Dost thou have courage enough to undertake this task?

"Yes, Great Deku Tree." I immediately answered, hoping the fear I felt was not reflected in my voice.

A hairline fracture appeared in the Tree's bark and grew until it had formed a mouth-like opening large enough to enter through

"Then enter, brave Link, and thou too, Navi..."

Here I am, I am lost in your land
And I hope you will be - creeping in my soul
Shadows fall, let me out, hear my call
And I always believe - creeping in my soul