Courage is not defined by those who fought and did not fall,

But by those who fought, fell and rose again.

...-()-..

Juniper berries, light breezes, and colorful fauna seem to paint the spring as a time of rebirth from the oppressive winter. However in the heart of the dark woods even the birds that so long chirped there songs in the high trees, now quieted. The wind ebbed and the moist soil dried, the little winding creek slowed to a crawl and then to a stop. Link's fishing line sat limp within the water, and although his eyes weren't open to view the land changing unseasonably, deep within his heart an ache began stirring. Small as it was - like a pebble to a beach; grimly it began to urge the young hero to awake.

His sapphire eyes opened toward the river looking toward the small wooden rod. A tainted silver bell perched to its hilt, waiting to spring into melodious action at the first sign of a fish's bite. Outstretching his arms above his head, Link breathed in and gave a great stretch against the thick tree's base. After a few grumbles, he stood and looked around towards the path leading to depths of the dark woods.

"Eeeeeeeh" Pain surged from his hand, a throbbing weakness that for a moment took all his strength to contain. Gazing down towards the origin of the sting, he looked closely at the back of his left hand. There searing him, was the crest of the triforce.

"Damn it… stop…" Link protested, hoping that the insignia would listen.

Blood began to fall from the deep cutout of the emblem. Link continued watching his hand, feeling the numbness take hold from the pain and gripped his wrist with the other. Lamely he trekked towards the small river and thrust his hand into the water of the stream.

The water wasn't helping and the pain showed little stop even in the cool environment. Not more than a minute had passed, with his hand submerged deep in the water that the water itself began to steam. Links eyes widened, curiously he peered down towards his hand under the steam and stream. It was then that Link saw something different imbued in his skin.

It was dark emerald green filling in a portion of the triforce. Zelda's piece of the triforce was feeding into him with a feeling of sadness, love, and confusion.

"What? What could this mean?" he whispered to himself quietly. Suddenly another burst of pain within his hand overtook him.

A ruby portion of the triforce violently began to fill into Links hand. Power surged through Link, dark hatred, revenge and rage. Link violently grabbed his hand and stared in horror at the two symbols now etched in him. It wasn't for long as his body felt to light to stand and fell. Crumpling to the ground under the pain, blood flowing from his hands, tears from his eyes, his heart and mind unable to accept what had happened.

The bells of his fishing rod left a sweet melody in the air, unfortunately he was passed out.