Hurried footsteps, hushed voices, branches breaking and leaves scattering.
These sounds echoed through the empty woods as a group of people ran, swatting branches and bushes out of their way.
Swords drawn, arrows whistling, dogs howling.
Behind them, following them, hunting them.
One tripped, fell to the ground with a cry. Another stopped to help, and was rewarded with an arrow through the chest. This spurred the rest on, moving with more desperation than anyone thought possible.
The group reached a small clearing, paused, then swiftly and quietly split up.
She ended up in a dark, eerie part of the woods, being tugged by a young man. He turned and smiled, went to say something, and his eyes widened with fear even as she heard the whistle of the arrow.
He dropped, and she screamed.
She shot up, chest heaving, limbs twitching, panicked eyes sweeping around the room. After a long moment, she sighed, ran a hand through her hair, and swung out of bed.
"Been a long time since I've had that dream," she muttered. Rubbing her eyes, she peered out the window.
Through the trees, a sliver of moonlight gleamed, the forest leaves silver tipped. It was a silent night, which she appreciated.
Especially after that dream.
Padding to the water basin, she splashed some water on her face. The cool droplets took away the last vestiges of fear, and she slipped on a pair of shoes and quietly left the house.
Rappelling down the twelve feet to the ground, she leaned against the large tree that held her home-a small house, nestled in the branches. No ladder, but then again, she didn't need one.
She looked around with a slight smile at the emptiness that surrounded her.
There were plenty of houses built into the trees, but they were all deserted. Plants had taken over, creeping slowly over the windows and up the walls. She had no idea how long this place had been empty, or what had caused it, but it pleased her. It was far better to be alone nowadays.
Moving softly to the small lake, she paused and peered at her reflection, illuminated by the moon.
Short, black hair.
Yellow eyes.
Pointed ears.
Her pondering was cut short as she heard a small bell chime, and she was instantly back at her house. Grabbing a bow, she glanced at the bell; there were multiple hanging on thin threads. Confirming which had rung, she dashed to the edge of the forest and took a deep breath to calm her nerves.
Slowly leaving the abandoned village, she moved silently, taking side paths and hidden trails with practiced ease. She paused, realizing she was at the edge at of the woods, and listened.
Then, she heard it.
A quiet sob.
"Go away," she called, in her most ominous voice. "Those that trespass into these woods wander until death."
The sobs turned into hiccups, then silence.
She sighed with relief, then realized that whoever was there hadn't moved-just quieted down. With an inward groan, she decided to leave them be-it's not like she was obligated to do something.
That having been decided, she twirled a bit of thread around a nearby tree, then retreated back to her empty home.
The morning came, much to her chagrin. Rolling over and covering her eyes, she groaned and sat up. Peering at her bells, which had remained silent through the night, she smiled. Pulling on a dark green tunic, brown pants, and settling into leather armor, she grabbed a weathered cloak from a hook and gently draped it over her shoulders. That done, she took her bow, two knives in sheathes, and a short sword before deeming herself ready.
Exiting the village, she moved quietly, listening closely for any noises. All she heard were birds, mice, and other forest animals skittering about.
Reaching the edge of the woods, she heard rustling. Pulling her bow in a practiced motion, an arrow appearing almost out of nowhere, she nocked it and slowly advanced.
Peering around the corner of a large tree, she was startled to see a small girl-about seven, maybe eight?-sitting quietly, knees clutched to her chest and her blue eyes red from crying.
"Oh, for Din's sake," she muttered, lowering her bow. The arrow disappeared as she sighed, walking around the tree.
The girl leapt up, startled, then swayed as her legs buckled. She held her hands over her head in protection, a small squeak of terror escaping.
"Come on, don't make me look like the bad guy."
Yellow eyes flashed in annoyance as the girl peered up at her.
"P-please, don't," the girl whispered.
A large sigh, then the small girl was lifted from the ground.
"What are you doing here, Chibi-chan?"
"My name is not Chibi," the small girl said indignantly. "It's Asachelle."
"Asachelle? Sounds properly Hylian."
"I am a proper Hylian." This was met by a proud shake of her head, her long blonde hair waving around her.
"Then why are you trying to enter the Lost Woods?"
"I…didn't really know where to go, so I just…ran."
Raised eyebrows met the tiny girl's quiet, confused statement.
"It's gotten so much worse," she whispered, shaking in fear. "I don't know what to do anymore."
Asachelle was set gently back on the ground, and her tone was curious.
"What's your name, onee-chan?"
Golden eyes met blue, and a sense of understanding shot between them.
"I'm Caira."
Introductions complete, Caira eyed the small girl. Whatever she'd been running from, it hadn't been long. Her honey blonde hair was still smooth, gleaming in the sunlight, and her pale blue dress was neat and well-kept.
"Where are your parents?" Caira inquired, shaking her head. The difference between the two was night and day, height notwithstanding.
Asachelle's chin quivered, but she stood up straight.
"I don't need them."
Caira raised an eyebrow, and the petite child looked at her feet.
"They don't need me. I don't need me."
Her quiet tone, filled with resignation, caused Caira to kneel so they were eye-level.
"That's not true, and you know it."
"It is true!" Asachelle said, voice rising. "They can't-they don't-"
Realizing she was about to burst into tears, Caira swept the child off of her feet and trotted back into the Lost Woods.
"Where are we going?" Asachelle said, alarmed. "No one leaves once they get in here!"
"They can get out…usually." Caira's grin and matter-of-fact tone simply scared the small girl even more.
Noticing Asachelle's increasing flailing, Caira simply sped up, taking twists and turns so rapidly that the tiny girl had no idea where they were.
They stopped at a large tunnel, in which Asachelle couldn't see past.
"What's in there?"
Curiosity outweighed caution by this point, and Caira sighed as she rubbed her face. Was this a good idea?
Shaking her head, Caira took Asachelle's hand and led her into the tunnel.
They emerged at a small bridge, an overgrown meadow beneath it. Caira paused, then knelt and looked Asachelle straight in the eye.
"You have no idea who I am, where we are, or what you're getting into."
Her tone was serious, and Asachelle nodded with wide eyes.
"Are you sure you want to do this?"
Asachelle paused, rubbed her eyes, and her head bobbed in resolution.
Caira sighed quietly, then led the small girl into the village.
Asachelle's face lit up in wonder as she stared around the desolate town, then took off.
"Hey, wait-"
Caira's protests were drowned out by Asachelle's shrieks of excitement, the small girl running around as Caira slowly followed.
"What is this place?" Asachelle asked, after she'd done a self-tour. "It's amazing! How did you find it? Why aren't there any people?"
The black-haired girl groaned as Asachelle continued to barrage her with questions, and held up her hand.
"This place…let's just say I grew up here. As to why there aren't any people…"
Caira trailed off, then shrugged.
"Most people can't get here."
"I see." Asachelle pondered that for a moment, then rocked on her heels. "Where do you live, onee-chan?"
Caira pointed to the house in the tree, and Asachelle peered intently at it.
"How do you get up?"
"That's not important," Caira said brusquely. "The question is, what are you going to do now?"
Blue eyes blinked as Asachelle stared at Caira-the small girl had obviously not thought very far ahead.
"Can I live here?"
Now it was Caira's turn to blink, but she then sighed.
"Not much choice, is there? Why else do you think I brought you here?"
"You might have been lonely," Asachelle said wisely. "It's too quiet here."
"Quiet is good," Caira said wryly. "It lets me keep an eye on things."
"How did you know I was out there?" Asachelle asked curiously, and Caira groaned.
"So many questions," the golden-eyed girl grumbled. "I'm regretting this already."
Asachelle cocked her head to the side, then skipped to a house near the entrance. Peering inside, as there was no door, she disappeared with a whistle. Caira slowly followed, unsure of what to do with the energetic girl.
"I shall live here!" the blonde announced, sweeping her arms around grandly. It was a small house, with two beds and a tiny table. "This is now Asachelle's Palace!"
Caira stared blankly at the petite girl, who was humming as she cleaned the plants away.
"Ooookay then."
"What do you do for lights?"
Caira paused, then shrugged. "I don't really need it. The moon is bright."
Asachelle's face fell, and Caira groaned.
"We can probably catch fireflies or something. Or I can go get a lamp."
The blonde's face brightened instantly, and Caira couldn't help but smile.
After a long moment of Asachelle cleaning and Caira watching, the blonde's stomach growled. She looked at Caira shyly, face red with embarrassment.
"I…haven't eaten for a while," the petite girl admitted. "I'm sorry."
Caira raised an eyebrow. "What are you sorry for? Everyone has to eat."
"I just feel like I'm being a bother, that's all."
The short-haired girl shook her head as she tugged Asachelle's hand.
"Come on, let's go get some breakfast."
A while later, Caira had gotten a rabbit and two quails that had wandered too far into the woods. Asachelle marveled at her ability to find things so easily and Caira just shrugged, staying quiet as she brought the animals to a small stream.
"You might want to go away for a while," Caira warned. "I need to prepare these."
Asachelle paused, considering, but her face turned stubborn.
"It's okay. I'm not afraid. Not anymore."
Caira was about to ask what had caused such a young girl to have such weary worldviews, but sighed and turned her attention back to the task at hand.
Animals done, cooked, and the fire extinguished, Asachelle stood and turned in a circle.
"That was delicious, and fast," the small blonde said in amazement.
"I've done it before," Caira pointed out, and Asachelle thought about that for a long moment.
"I guess so." She skipped around, pausing every so often to stare intently at the water, then turned to Caira with bright eyes. "Now what?"
Caira blinked. Usually, she'd go into the woods, or around the field. There wasn't much to keep a child occupied.
"How about we go to the meadow?" Caira said finally, and Asachelle's eyes lit up.
"There's a meadow? Are there flowers?"
Caira nodded, and Asachelle whistled happily as she followed the dark-haired girl.
After a bit of walking, Asachelle's pace had slowed, and Caira caught her in the midst of a giant yawn.
"I haven't slept a lot either," the petite blonde admitted. "I'm sorry."
"Again, sorry for what? I've been awake for days on end." Golden eyes twinkled with mischief as she skipped ahead of the small girl. "You're not too tired to walk, are you? Because I can hoist you over my shoulder."
Asachelle let out a squawk of protest, then ran after the dark-haired girl, who kept just enough ahead that Asachelle could see her, but not catch her.
"We're almost there," Caira called, slowing down. Asachelle, however, couldn't be stopped and ran right into her with a squeak.
"Come on, it's just over the hill."
Asachelle's eyes widened with wonder as she stared at the meadow; flowers of all colours, shapes and sizes covered almost every available inch of grass. As she ran down the slope, she heard a noise and Caira's shout.
"Asachelle, duck!"
Asachelle instinctively obeyed, throwing herself onto the ground and covering her head as a missile flew over her. She heard the sound of a sword drawn, whistling, and a crunch, and cautiously looked up.
Caira was standing near the back of the meadow, near a ring of trees as a blue flame erupted in front of her.
"W-what was that?" Asachelle asked, voice trembling.
"Deku Scrub," Caira said with a sigh. "I didn't realize there were any in this part of the woods."
"I…see." Asachelle shivered, slowly standing, and Caira's eyes widened as she threw herself at the small girl, shoulders hunched as another whistle rang through the clearing, but this time Asachelle heard a thunk.
The sound of a bow being drawn, and then silence. Asachelle sat up, then stared in horror at Caira.
There was a massive skull covering her back, and it was what had shielded the small girl.
Caira paused, gave Asachelle a wry smile, and bowed, undoing her cloak and letting it fall to the ground.
"Well, Chibi-chan, you now know. I'm a Cursed One. A Skulltula, in fact."
Asachelle shivered, slowly backing up, but didn't run.
"I know about that," the blonde whispered.
"I get the feeling you don't know all of it," Caira said, but sat wearily down. "Go ahead, tell me your story."