Alright, the first fanfic I've ever written for Legend of Zelda. The chapters will be long, the gore and violence well described, and I cannot promise how often I'll update.

Disclaimer: I do not own Zelda or its characters, naturally. I do however hold over the characters that I've created.

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Chapter. 1

Blood dribbled from her bottom lip, an aching limp slowing her down considerably. Her long hair of the darkest ebony shade was matted with dirt and grime; blood not the only thing staining her features. She had to keep going. There was no question…even if they were far behind her. Another foot is placed and her step falters, resulting in her collapsing in the grass. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, green eyes shut tightly as she breathes through her teeth. This couldn't keep up…she just couldn't flee any more. Sorrowful gaze lifts, all her will drained now. There was nothing more she could do…and soon darkness claimed her.

Ah, there it was, Hyrule in all its glory. The sun was soon to be up and Link couldn't help but feel mildly pleased with himself in the night's travel. He'd made good distance in the last while, and soon he'd be among others in good spirit. Seated upon Epona, he turned his gaze towards his mount.

"Shall we then? I'm sure you could use the rest."

Of course, the horse could not reply, though she tossed her head and set into a smooth walk as if she'd understood. Patting her neck, Link drew closer towards the town, falling back to silence for the time being. The crisp feel of the early morning felt good against his face, and those blue eyes of his hood lightly in his temporary contentment. He'd been away for nearly half a year now, traveling the lands and whatnot. But now, he had returned. As for if he was to stay this time? Eh, trouble had a funny way of finding him. So only time would tell.

All that which had taken place a few months before was still a constant haunting in his mind, and every so often the memories consumed him. Twilight, monsters, and corruption laced with sacrifice. So much had happened in such a short amount of time it was amazing that Link could keep it all straight. Six months ago, he'd wandered all over the lands and had done more in his travels than most men could even dream of doing. Six months ago, he'd fought Ganondorf and triumphed. He'd thought that it would be a pleasure to escape from the constant fights and wandering. And yet, he found that he yearned for it. He missed those eventful times…he missed the challenges and being of good use. But most of all, the company he'd found often time in his shadow was what he longed for. Midna was gone, the mirror that lead to her realm also shattered. And Link couldn't help but wonder at her reasons behind it all.

She'd been irritating and demanding, but he'd seen the softer side of her. A friendship had been forged and he'd become very fond of her companionship. And now…she was gone, likely forever, and never again would he see the banished realm of Twilight. Suddenly, Link shook his head as if to rid himself of such thoughts. He couldn't stand the loneliness that crept into him when he thought of such things, and so he sensibly blotted them out and tried to focus his attention back upon the near dawn around him.

The steady beat of hooves against the gravel of the road was a soothing sound…so peaceful and a very welcome break from more corrupt matters. One by one, the above stars had faded out of sight, biding the heavens farewell until the moon reclaimed the skies. In the east, the glow was a warm reminder that the solar disc was soon to rise. Hyrule field was still, hardly a thing stirring other than the traveler. A slight smile and he glanced to the brightening east, where there was a spider's thread thin line of a bright golden hue stretched across the horizon where sky meets the earth.

Though, as he ascended a steeper hill, a slight movement snared his focus. Epona showed no signs of nervousness, but Link got the feeling that something was in the grass up there. Very well ready, he slowed Epona a few yards off, and then dismounted silently. His head cantered to the side as he approached, his calculating blue eyes scanning over the lump. Definitely not a rock, but its shape was distinctly wrong to be a monster lying in wait. Kneeling, he parted the blades and leaned in closer, but suddenly he jerked back. That smell….it was of blood and infection…a stench enough to make anyone recoil. However, Link leaned forth, nose wrinkled in his distaste for the odor. What he saw didn't surprise him too much, for once the smell got to him he'd half expected it to be something dead.

A light sigh and he stood, eyes staring down at the raven-haired woman that lay motionless at his feet. She'd been hurt badly, and the only wonder was which one of the many wounds had resulted in her death. Shaking his head sadly, he debated what he should do with her when, most unexpectedly, the body at his feet moved. A hand clutched his booted ankle, and Link's eyes shot open wide in alarm. The woman hacked and blood splattered his boot, her having trouble lifting her head it seemed. Again, he was on his knees and he held her, amazed that her abused body could still move. She turned green eyes towards him, her haggard breathing uneven and her words broken by it.

"Please…my sister and….son…you must go to them. Please…they'll die."

Link's brows furrowed, and he spoke gently to the battered female in his arms. "What do you mean? Where are they?"

"To…to the north…passed the mountain you call Snowpeak. A village is there….my people…" She hacked again, cutting her sentence short before she clung to him tightly. Tears now started to run down her face, and her eyes were pleading with him. "You have to…before my son…my sister…please."

Link could only nod in silence, his mind surprisingly blank. He shouldn't just be sitting here…she was dying. And yet, his heart and mind felt numb for some reason, and she slipped a necklace slowly from around her neck. He blinked in wonderment of what she was doing when the item was put around his neck now. A slight glance to it told him that it was a stone of some sort, secured to the tough string where it hung against his chest. She placed her hand over the necklace and a strange glowing emitted from her palm, a blue light fringed with gold dancing around her touch.

"This…will aid you…my power is now your own. Just wear it…and you'll always have my gift. Go there…find my village…and save them…"

One last shudder from the woman and she fell limp in his arms, her eyes staring blankly towards the sliver of sun that had just appeared. The change in temperature was slight, but noticeable, the sudden warmth from dawn washing over Link. For a moment, he didn't move, just kneeling there in silence. He was oblivious to the beauty around him, his eyes locked on the lifeless face of this perfect stranger. Again, he was summoned to help. And again…it appeared that it was completely up to him. Gently laying her down, he rose to his feet, only now turning his gaze to the north. Going passed Snowpeak? That meant cold weather…and leaving Hyrule well behind. Brows knitted closer together, and then he turned away towards Epona once more.

He mounted his horse, thinking heavily on the matter before glancing back to where the woman lay dead. Definitely, he'd go. But the question was where he had to go. Deep into the mountain range he guessed…but the exact location was a mystery to him. Spurring Epona into a steady trot, Link faced the castle yet again. This time though his spirits were grim and determined. Time to go and gather what information he could, for surely the Princess knew something about the lands around Hyrule. Right? Filled with new purpose, he drew closer to town in the morning light. Looks like he'd gotten that new challenge he'd been looking for.

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