Hey all. It's been awhile since I last did this...welcome! Finally coming back to the fan fiction world, having some fun writing something after a long time...well, having not ^^;. Been writing this story here for awhile, contemplating it even longer. So using it to exercise my writing skills once again! I'm pretty far already, and will post regularly until I catch up with where I am on Ao3 (also been posting this there for a time, if you're impatient!). Then I'll post once a week until the end (orr I run out of chapters. Unfortunately I've had a bit of a hard time with where I'm currently at...for awhile ;_;)! You get a lucky start with the first 3 chapters getting post right away though!

But anyway, hope you enjoy! R&R if you would, any comments or suggestions will surely help me in the future!

QUICK ADDENDUM: As of Feb 25th, 2017 (Last post being the 49th chapter), I've been re-uploading chapters, edited and worded a lot better. So If you're re-reading, enjoy the smoother ride, and if you're starting fresh, know things are better than they were! Right now, Chapter's 1-5 are currently updated

*As of March 12th, 2017, up to Chapter 10 has been updated

*As of April 16th, 2017, up to Chapter 18 has been updated

Darkness. For a moment, all that existed was the darkness. Then a man appeared.

He was a crisp man, with dark, green-hued skin and vivid red hair. He had a strong stride and narrow, focused eyes. He was walking down a hallway, now lit in the darkness. Once he reached the end of a hall he knelt and placed a fist on his chest. Before him on a pedestal and throne sat a regal king.

The cold man, seeming to stare at the ground out of respect, instead sneered, king oblivious. Suddenly he noticed and glanced to the side, out a small window. Two children were watching. He glared at the noble girl and simple, green clad boy as they scampered away, out of his intimidating stare.

Once again the darkness returned.

And once again it broke.

There was a…creature, a man? He stumbled outside into an odd world; a place which looked as if the sky was locked in twilight. This creature-man fell to his knees and pounded the ground in an anguished tantrum. All seemed lost, whatever that might be…

Then it came. An indescribable force, some sort of dark wave of magic. It enveloped the creature-man, who had just begun to stand and stare at it in awe…

A face emerged. A face made of anger and shadows and scalding light. Larger than life, it was the man from the hallway, the one with red hair and narrow eyes. He spoke in a resounding voice directly into the creature-man's mind.

"I shall house my power in you," the thunderous elemental spoke, "If there is anything you desire, then I shall desire it, too…"

And once again the darkness came.

And once more it broke.

He was grown this time, the boy in green; a lean young man. He stood before a crouching figure, his sword drawn and ready to continue. Their battlefield was among the clouds, which raged in a storm around them.

The red-haired man had taken yet another form, though he was unmistakably the same person-yet no. His hair was fire and eyes aglow, skin scaled and gleaming. No, despite looking defeated at the hand of this simple warrior, he held the air of a terrible god. The god was sneering at such between laboured breaths. He continued.

"My hate…never perishes. It is born anew in a cycle with no end! I will rise again!" He slowly rising a clawed finger and pointed it at the warrior. "Those like you… Those who share the blood of the goddess and the spirit of the hero…they are eternally bound to this curse. An incarnation of my hatred shall ever follow your kind, dooming them to wander a blood-soaked sea of darkness for all time!"

The demon god roared out his last words and then began to laugh. It started low but quickly turned into bellows of pain. He slowly fell back and dissipated into ash and nothingness.

Once again the darkness returned. But this time it wasn't empty.

"So," said the same smooth voice from behind, not filled with pain, but contempt, "If that's the truth, why are you here?"

The sound of a blade unsheathing rung in my ears, but I was frozen.

I woke up.

I yelped as I shot up, tangled in blankets wet from sweat, actual darkness fooling me a moment that I was still in the dream. I scrambled around, confused and trapped before a moment later and-thud! I had, quite painfully, fell off my bed onto the hard wooden floor. That at least helped me regain my senses. I sighed, recognizing finally that I was in my room and realizing it had all only been a dream…a nightmare.

I began to untangle myself from my bed sheet so I could get up. Somewhat succeeding, I managed to be able to free my arms and sit. As I did so I grimaced. Geez, that fall had hurt! I rubbed my sore leg and lent my head on my hay-filled mattress, thinking back.

Man, that had been one intense nightmare! So freaky… The man in all those bits, if I could even call him that, was terrifying. I shivered. Where had my subconscious found him?

I didn't have time to dwell on it though, because a moment later a quiet knock came from my door. "Sarah?" A familiar, homely voice called, "Are you okay in there? I heard a thump."

"I'm fine," I replied to my mother, redoubling my efforts on untangling my legs, "You can come in if you want."

Mom opened the door and stepped in. She'd obviously just come up from the middle of making breakfast, her apron already smeared here and there. It might not be sunrise yet, but being farmers we always got up before the Cucco's crowed. Though mom always managed to be the first one up and running out of the lot of us. I could just picture my dad still lollygagging in bed. Next stop mom would probably snap at him to get out of bed or she'd feed his breakfast to the pigs.

She frowned when she saw me unhooking the last bit of my sheet off my foot, sitting on the floor. Her eyebrows elevated. "What happened?"

I scratched my head with a sheepish grin. "I had a bad dream is all…juuust sort of decided to wake myself up by falling out of bed."

Mom tittered back. "You are a strange one sometimes hun. But can't stay and hear the details, finishing up breakfast. At least you're up now. You get changed and get downstairs as soon as you can, can't be late to get chores done. Especially today!" She smiled brightly at the thought before turning to leave. Before closing my door shut she stopped. Poking her head back in her eyes went full mom-mode. "DO try and pull your father out of bed on your way down, would you?"

I giggled as she left. Yep, dad was such a heavy sleeper. Sometimes I even found him taking naps on the job. He'd always bribe me not to tell mom but I knew she caught him herself a few times. Then he'd get a lecture.

I stood so I could start getting ready for the day. I began by opening my window. The sun wasn't quite peaking yet but the horizon was getting brighter. It felt warm already so I put on a lighter set of clothes. Though with all the muck I would still need to wear long pants and leather boots. I sighed internally at the prospect of boiling in them. Well, that's why it was better to start early! I finished by clipping my knife to my belt and was about to leave my room before I realized I forgot my riding gloves.

I turned and saw I'd left them on my desk. I grabbed them and with a light grimace glanced at the reason why I always liked to wear them.

On the back of my left hand I had a birthmark in the shape of a set of triangles. I gave it a scratch. Dad had always raved it was a sign of good fortune, since triangles were the symbols of the Triforce the great Goddesses created, the most powerful and sacred item in, well, existence really. I just found it a pain… When people found out about it they either raved about it like dad or made fun, stating a farmer's daughter wasn't fit to be blessed with such a thing like it was a matter-of-fact. So, the riding gloves went on everyday to cover it. Besides, it's not like the gloves didn't come in handy for my work anyway.

All ready for real this time I left my room. Before heading downstairs I deviated into my parent's bedroom, tempting my dad awake with the promise mom was making bacon. Leaving him to change I went downstairs to grab my own breakfast.

Mom was busying herself in the kitchen, just finishing off morning prep and beginning what would be the daylong process of cooking a big dinner, humming to herself all the while. I nearly giggled watching her glow as she glazed a ham. Finishing spreading jam on some fresh-made bread, I poured myself some of our own Lon Lon milk before sitting down with my food. I knew why she was so excited for tonight, since I was too.

"So, do you know when brother's supposed to get here today?" I asked mom through a mouthful. She kept working as she answered.

"His note said that his clan would arrive around mid-afternoon, but to Castle Town. After they're all settled there he said he'd be coming back home. So he should be here just before we sit down for dinner." With one last flick she brushed on the last of the sweetness to the now-shining cut of meat. It would make the house smell delicious all day. Then, at dinner, our patience would be rewarded.

"It'll be nice to see him, after all this time…"

It'd been about a year since I'd last seen my brother, Sebastian, at the annual Element Ceremony. Since he'd found out three years ago at the Ceremony he had rare Spiritual magic, he'd had his pilgrimage to the Gerudo Valley and had decided to stay and live there. He was currently apprenticing as an Amulet Maker, a respected though magically complex job, but he loved it. However, since we couldn't just leave Lon Lon Acres on its own to visit, and he was pretty much tied down there with work, the only time we really got to see him was around the Ceremony. That's when almost everyone from each of the Sacred Area's came to find out who of age had the magic of their area, and would be coming back with them on their own pilgrimage.

The Ceremony was a huge celebration, still over two weeks away, but Gerudo Valley was far and Inn space limited for those who needed it. So many people travelled to Hyrule Castle Town early for it. Brother would be staying here at home of course, and we were all excited to see him again and hear how he was doing firsthand rather than just in letters.

Thinking about the celebrations excited me, but gave me a small sense of dread too. I was old enough this year that I would be Tested. My birthday just fell after the Ceremony, so while I'd be 17 soon, I wasn't 16 and old enough last year when it came to pass. I'd never shown any magical talent before, unlike my brother before he was Tested, and I kind of hoped I didn't have any. I liked it at home with mom and dad on the ranch. If I did have magic I'd have to live away from home for a year. Granted, after that I could come back if I so chose, but well, mom and dad wouldn't be the only ones I would miss…

I finished up breakfast just as dad ambled downstairs. He looked around bleary-eyed, and then turned his gaze to me. "Where's the bacon?"

Springing up from my chair I walked towards him with a mischievous smile. Giving him a peck on the cheek as I went by I whispered, "I lied," and scooted out the room towards the door before he could fully process my reply. "See you outsiiiide!" I called from the entrance in a singsong voice. I giggled as he clumsily cursed me out of the house.

Out the door I inhaled a long, heavy breath. Smelt like farm, as always…smelt like home. I walked through some Cucco's clucking around looking for remnants of last night's meal, careful not to step on them. I headed for my first morning chore, toward the stables.

"Good morning everyone!" I announced, pushing open the stable's entrance. Some of the early risers snorted in hello, most just waking up. "Time for breakfast!" I went toward the first stable on the left and opened the top of the gate to greet one of the horses now poking their nose excitedly through the bars.

"G'morning, girl. I wouldn't forget about you," I cooed at the horse, giving her some pets. She helped by rubbing her head up and down my hand. Then she booped me on the forehead with her nose. I chuckled.

"C'mon Epona, I just saw you last night! Clingy, clingy…" I tutted. But I was just as glad to see her too.

Epona was my own horse. She was the first horse I'd helped out with when her mother, Melody, birthed her, about 8 years ago now. Father said from then on she was mine, and my responsibility; we'd hardly left each other's side since. Sometimes mom joked that we were more like sisters since we were so close. I frowned. She'd be one I'd miss most if I had to leave. Personal effects weren't allowed on a pilgrimage, especially, I assumed, a living animal. I gave her one last rub.

"Well, let me feed everyone first now girl. Then we can go out and start the day." She whinnied a bit as I scratched around her right ear like she loved. I turned and walked down through the stables to where we kept the food.

After filling everyone's troughs and going outside to give feed to the goats and Cucco's too (who nearly ran me down when they realized I had real food), I returned to the stables to see everyone done breakfast, and Epona impatiently waiting in her stall. I got her saddled and then off we were to let the cows out to pasture.

Daylight broke as I continued my morning routines, riding Epona to and fro in every corner of the ranch to get everything done. It was just about midday, and as I'd expected it was a hot and hazy one. The blinding sun made me quickly realize I'd left my hat inside the house. So after setting out some of the horses to exercise in the paddock I decided I should double back and grab it.

I was riding Epona at a trot toward the house when I noticed in the distance dad standing out the front, talking to a man in a black cloak. Couldn't be one of the ranch-hands-they would be dying working in something so stuffy. Dad noticed me coming and waved. I waved back and headed in their direction.

"Hey dad, what's up?" I glanced over from him to the stranger from atop Epona. Now closer I noticed the cloak, which was long and elaborate, was covered in odd symbols. Most notably, a large eye in the center of the hood. It covered all of the man's face except for his mouth. Then I understood.

This man must be a Sheikah, one of the shadow folk, known for guarding the Royal Family. I turned my eye back to dad for an explanation of why a Shiekah was here, of all things.

"This here is Sheik," dad introduced, and the man bowed his head to me. A common Shiekah name, I mused. It was said it was the name of one of their famed warriors from ages ago, though I didn't know the details.

"And this, as I mentioned, is Sarah, my daugh'er. She's the most knowledgeable one here on all our horses," he explained to Sheik. He simply stared up at me…or at least I think he did, behind his hood.

I slid off Epona to be eye-level with everyone. "What about the horses?"

"Sheik here is looking for a horse. Says a friend is in need of a good horse, prefer'bly a purebred. So he's looking 'round for him at the moment," dad clarified, pointing towards a foreign horse tied to the fence and currently drinking out of a water bucket. She must of who been who he'd ridden in on, and was a beautiful Hylian Royal, like Epona was, except pure black. I turned to Sheik and gestured to his horse.

"May I?" I didn't want to approach her if he wasn't comfortable with it.

I think I took him by surprise with my question. In a mild voice he replied, "Of course."

I walked forward. Noticing me the horse looked up a moment and surveyed me closely. I stopped and let her watch me. A moment later she looked away, seemingly satisfied, and I went up the rest of the way and gave her neck a good rub. I heard Sheik walk up too.

"What's her name?"

"Elizabeth," he said shortly. Elizabeth seemed to be enjoying the attention I was giving her so much that she stopped drinking to relish it. He smiled. "She seems to really like you."

I turned and grinned back. "Like dad implied, I'm pretty good with the horses." I looked to dad at the front of the house, watching us from the shade. "I let most of the purebreds out in the paddock just before getting here, should I round them up?"

Before dad could reply Sheik spoke up. "Oh, no. It is all right. If it's fine with you I will observe them in the paddock for now. I think it best to see them in a more natural state anyway."

"That's fine wit' me," dad agreed, about to go back in the fields. Before leaving he gave me a double-thumbs up. "Knock 'em dead, sweetheart!" He turned and walked away with a booming laugh.

My face flushed in embarrassment. I was sure he was trying to get back at me for this morning. I had, in fact, been becoming more in charge of negotiating the livestock as of late, especially the horses. I had a few good sales under my belt, and though it was sad to see them go I was glad thinking on how much they were helping their new owners.

I turned to Sheik, face still a little pink, I'm sure. "Shall we?" He nodded, and with Epona's reins in hand we all started walking toward the paddock around back.

"So…" I began, trying to break the uncomfortable silence, "You're friend looking for a horse, they like purebreds? I guess they've handled them before?"

"Yes. They used to have a wonderful Holodrum horse. But he passed away. " Sheik spoke in level voice and few words, hard to read and kind of making my job harder. But a Holodrum horse, well, at least that was a start.

"I'm sorry to hear that. It's always hard to loose a horse." The thought od how empty I'd be if I lost Epona drifted by… I-I tried not to dwell on it and continued. "We do have a few Holodrum's here though. But I must say, I'm a bit surprised. Didn't you're friend want to come with you and meet the horses themselves?"

Sheik smirked under his robe. "Actually, I sort of meant it to be a gift for him."

"…You're getting your friend a horse as a gift?" I stopped a moment, dumbfounded. I gave a low whistle. "That's a pretty expensive gift."

Sheik's odd smile never wavered. "He definitely deserves it," was all he replied.

I frowned. "I hope you know your friend very, very well." I was a little unsure about this now. "To be able to pick a horse he could befriend without him here…"

Sheik turned his head towards me a little, mouth slightly open. Then his grin came back. "You're very considerate to be worried about the well-being of the horses. I appreciate that but you needn't worry. I know my friend extremely well, and this is why I'm only looking today."

"Fair enough." But I was still a bit wary. Though, if he noticed I was concerned about the horses, he probably was at least partly… We continued to chat a bit as we went, Sheik only offering little bits here and there as I tried to figure out which horse might suit his friend. He seemed nice enough, and well, I knew the 'shadow folk' were famous for being a mysterious group, but still…

Finally we got to the far-sided paddock. We watched the horses gallop and play as I pointed out a few, giving names and personalities and the like. After narrowing it down, I rounded them up one-by-one to introduce them and give more information, technical specs (that was important information to most looking at purebreds), and to see how he treated them. Some horses seemed shy at first, but respected their space. He seemed very interested in a Holodrum stallion named Asher by the end.

It was definitely midday now. The sun was high and I was sweating (once again having forgotten that hat). I'm sure Sheik was too under that heavy cloak. We agreed to sit at the farm edge by the fence for a bit, in the canopy of some tall tree's peaking over the perimeter. I sprawled out in the dark shade, trying to cool off everywhere. Sheik even fanned himself a little. I thought about it a few moments, and then spoke up.

"Hey Sheik?" I sat up and looked out toward the paddock, watching Epona, who I'd let in with the other horses run around with some friends, "Can I ask you a question?"

"What is it?"

"You…work at the Castle, right? Most Sheikah in the area do."

"Oh, uh, yes, I do."

"What's it like?" I turned my gaze onto him now. He cocked his head. "I mean, like," I started a more in-depth explanation, "I do deliveries there sometimes of milk and staff letters and such. I work part-time for the Post Office in Castle Town, for some spending money… I've seen it from the gates but that's as far as I go. I guess I've always wondered if the insides were as magnificent as the out."

I could picture the Castle clearly in my mind. It was enormous, and even from the outpost gate I went to you could see some things. Like the wondrous, intricate stain-glass windows or the enchanting shapes the peaks and gallows of the towers made. I didn't know anything about construction but just by looking at it you could tell expert craftsmen put all their skill and passion into it.

Sheik thought a moment. "The inside is wonderful and elegant too, but after awhile it sort of gets…boring."

That wasn't quite an answer I'd expected. I was about to ask him why when I heard an odd sound.

It was a few yards away, by the fence. At first there was a crack like a whip. Then a fizzle. Afterward a bunch of high pitched chattering, followed by lower rumble. Then…

SMASH!

Through the high fence broke a thrashing Bullbo. Sitting on its back was a Bulblin Leader, larger than the rest, this one with a long scar on his right arm. Behind him four normal Bulblin scampered past the broken fence, chattering menacingly as they looked towards the spooked horses and oblivious cows.

Bulblins, here? It was rare enough to see them in this area; but not only did they break past the fence, somehow they broke past the wards on the outside, blocking those with ill-will from breaking in. That must have been what the first crack and fizzle sounds were- But no time to dwell on it, they were approaching the horse paddock!

I ran forward, anger flaring. I wasn't about to let those monsters kill any of our horses! I sprung up and unsheathed my knife from my belt, deaf to Sheik calling me to come back from behind.

"Hey, you!" I called out to the ogres. All the Bulblins' eyes simultaneously turned to glare at me.

Suddenly I felt cold; I…hadn't thought this through. I had no practice with my knife, especially against monsters that knew how to fight back. I wore it more for helping around the farm, to cut things like thick pumpkin stalks and such. I'd never had to actually use it. The Bulblin Leader took one look at me, and, seeming to sense this, laughed. With a guttural sound to his soldiers, he waved his hand to me and they started scampering over.

Panicked, I ran. My mind began racing, and suddenly I remembered. Dad always said you had to think with monsters. Every one had a weakness; you just had to use your head and find it. While running I looked around to the Bulblins again.

They had wooden clubs and were having a hard time keeping up with me. While I didn't want to get hit with one of those clubs, I didn't know how to get past them!

Sheik bolted into the fray. He had a sabre in hand, and before the slowest Bulblin could even turn around and face him he slashed it in the back. It stood still a moment. Then it evaporated into dust.

He turned to me and yelled, "Aim for their backside!" as one of the remaining Bulbins' noticed their comrade had been killed and charged towards Sheik with a squeal. The other two stayed on my tail. With that info I got an idea.

I began running in circles. The slower Bulblins couldn't keep up or turn quite as well. When I was sure neither could swing in time I went in, slashing one and stabbing the other.

Both fell and faded away. Feeling momentarily proud, I looked up and saw Sheik had just dispatched of his last Bulblin too.

The leader on the Bullbo, who had been taunting the horses at the fence, looked up. He suddenly realized he had no more followers. His eyes narrowed and his dark gaze landed on me. With a grunt he kicked in his heels and his boar squealed. They charged towards me.

I had no time to think, move, brace. An instant before getting trampled I-

A large, bright ball of light slammed into the side of the Bulblin Leader and his steed, sending them flying towards the fence. Both croaked in pain as they crashed into the ground. The Bullbo, mortally wounded, faded away. The Bulblin Leader was still moving though. He shakily stood, holding his bleeding side and going for a horn on his belt, presumably to call for reinforcements.

"I wouldn't if I were you." I turned and saw…

It had been…Sheik. He had another of those balls of light floating over his hand, ready to throw it at the leader. They stared each other down for a moment, because with the force of his last magic blast Sheik's hood had fallen off.

The Bulblin Leader turned and limped away through the hole he had made in the fence. I stared in shock as Sheik's muscles relaxed. After the Leader was out of sight he seemed to use his ball of light instead to create a barrier, which flickered to life for a moment before fading into place.

"We should go tell your folks. You need to get a new, stronger ward spell and-" He stopped talking when he noticed how I was looking at him.

"Um…P-Prince Kagen?"

Hello and welcome to your introduction to Fast Facts!

This is something I'm adding to some chapters with my editing. They are in no way needed to understand the story, so just ignore if you want! In Fast Facts, at the end of chapters, I'll be explaining some reasons I added certain things to the story, how some previous incarnations of chapters might have gone, my interpretations of some lore or ideas, and just overall juicy tidbits that might interest some of you on my thoughts and writing process! All for fun, and 'cause I like ranting sometimes. Anyhow, now that you know, be sure to look out for them!