They must have been going in circles for what seemed like an eternity. The same ancient oak tree, the same log, and the same dirt path camouflaged their way out. The only thing that changed is what they wished had not, the light. Darkness mossed The Great Hyrule Forest. A mist of light radiated from three torches. Brigo declared the map useless and stuffed it into his pocket hiding the sweat that stained the parchment. He wanted to hide his fear from the group particularly Nat. She insisted they stopped for the night and settle by campfire, but Brigo's stubbornness stopped him from heeding her advice. He wanted to blame Ser Baumar for this whole ordeal. It was his idea to bring him and Nat on this adventure, it was his idea to go through this forest, and it was his idea to take this path. Brigo snatched the map and decided to take the lead. Ever since Baumar lagged behind hanging his head low in shame. As a knight of the Royal Guard of Hyrule, he dishonored not only himself but the Royal Guard as a whole. They were suppose to protect the people of Hyrule and now he put his dearest friends at the mercy of the forest.
An archaic bronze bird settled beneath the Triforce of Baumar's armor. Before the sun set, the golden crest sparkled in all its splendor. Baumar had been christened a knight at the age of twenty and for five years proudly served the Royal Family in the name King Hyrule. He never saw the man outside the sanctum in the central tower of Hyrule Castle. Lossing both a wife and daughter, the king isolated himself in his chamber. Not even to grace the King or Queens of the noble families at the coliseum where all races gather for a bout of friendly competition. This was the reason why they were lost in the forest to begin with. Baumar's childhood friend, Link, and comrade been chosen as the youngest anointed knight and one of the Heavenly Soldiers of Hyrule Despite the age difference and experience, Link surpassed Baumar and adults alike at an early age. Baumar prepared himself his entire life for such an honor, but the Gods taught him humility in choosing Link. He wanted to congratulate Link and support him at the upcoming tourney that proved Link's ability. Now that the sun set, the crest on Baumar's armor faded into the darkness.
"Ugh," Nat complained, "this is terrible!" She stomped her foot and faced Baumar. "This is your fault!" Baumar almost rammed into Nat, startled. "Why couldn't we just take the scenic route on Hyrule Ridge!"
"Because," Baumar explained while walking past Nat, "those thunderstorms are dangerous. My armor will attract lightning."
"You didn't have to wear it!" So frustrated Nat was willing to find a way to blame Baumar for anything.
"Are you serious? More and more monsters have been roaming the land. I need to wear it to keep you two safe. Besides, you two are useless without me." Baumar's anger got the best of him and wished he bit his tongue before he said that.
"Useless!" Nat screeched, "Who are you calling useless. You're the one who got us lost in the first place."
"Why are you yelling at me then? I'm not the one leading the way."
"We should have never came along on this trip. I just wanted to see the Zora. I never seen one before."
"You didn't have to come!"
"I...mmmm...fair enough," Nat now wanted to distracted herself from Baumar and again helplessly suggested that they spend the night by campfire. She turned to Brigo who was no where to be seen, "Brigo?" She looked around and saw nothing but the encroaching darkness. "Brigo this isn't funny." She drew closer to Baumar. The sun had completely set. "H-hey, Baumar, I can't find Brigo."
Baumar looked around and saw that Nat was right, "Brigo?!" Baumar yelled.
"Brigo!" Nat yelled but heard nothing.
Nat thought she heard something rustle in the bushes. Maybe Brigo wanted to hide in the bushes to scare them, but his prolonged absence betrayed any sense of security, "I don't see him," Nat said. "Baumar, I think we should get out of here."
"Sounds like a plan."
The two ran haphazardly deeper into the forest. They yelled out Brigo's name, but to no avail. A bluish mist hovered above the ground so thick Baumar sliced through it. Nat held Baumar's hand tightly. Everything looked the same no matter how far they went except for the trees. Faces formed from the bark. Laughing, twisted, sneering faces that jeered their futile attempt to escape. They said, Run! Run! Run! Heh, heh! Did they actually spoke? Did the forest? Did it breathe? Baumar thought. No, that was something else. Something ravenous. Heavy rasping breathing heaved from the throat of an unknown animal. Baumar thought it might have been a wolf a rather large wolf to produce such an ugly noise. He ran faster almost pulling Nat's arm from the joint. She did not know if she wanted to complain of the pain or of whatever chased them. Nat wished she never came here. She wanted to forget about the tourney and go home. Baumar eventually stopped. Large thick bushes formed a wall that encircled them. Baumar turned both of them around to go back the way they came, but the bushes were now behind them. The bushes rustled. Baumar kept Nat behind him and drew his royal guard sword. The rustling came from all sides. He kept turning hoping to catch whatever stalked them. A blood curdling scream came from Nat. Baumar turned around to face her but she vanished. Brigo's gone, Nat's gone, and now it was Baumar's turn.
"Show yourself!" Baumar commanded. If he died, he wanted to die a warrior's death.
A grayish blur jumped from the bushes. Baumar evaded too late. A giant wolf snatched his sword from his grip. It stood taller than a large bear. It was more of a monster than a wolf. It bit down on the sword and broke it into many tiny pieces. Baumar took out his shield. Suddenly, many wolves of the same size ambushed Baumar. He looked around waiting for the first wolf to strike. Then, they all relaxed. Baumar heard large footsteps nearby getting closer. A honeyvore bear on its hind legs emerged from the bushes. It got closer. Baumar smelled its putrid, moist breath. It got heavier until the bear stopped about a couple feet away. It got on all fours when Baumar realized someone ridden it. It looked like a younger woman with ragged dirty blonde hair. She wore a heart shaped leaf large enough to cover her face. This woman lifted the mask to reveal a face smudged with fresh red paint. The woman lifted her sword like a warrior charging into battle on horse back. Baumar saw nothing but hate on the woman's face.