The Heir to the Sword

Chapter 1

Just a Casual Day

"Erith!" Malon yelled out to the ranch.

There was no response. Malon looked around for a while until she stumbled across a note in the barn that read, "I went to town to hang out with Zeepha. I'll be back for supper I promise."

Malon thought to herself, "Where does she get the nerve to just up and leave like this? She must get it from her father."

Castle Town was rather lively on this day. Packed enough that hardly anyone could see the small 11 year old girl trying to find her friends in this chaos. Erith was an adventurous child, you would never find her sitting still. She had blonde hair with red streaks down a few strands on both sides.

She ran through the market with grace, barely coming in contact with anyone. After about 10 minutes she finally spots her friend Zeepha. Who she ran up to and hugged. Zeepha was hesitant to do the same back.

Erith asked her friend, "How have you been? I haven't seen you in like a week."

Awkwardly Zeepha replied, "Well, my parents have kept me busy and stuff. So I haven't had much free time."

Erith was confused, "Don't you just come out and do stuff anyways? What your parents want had never bothered you before, so why now?"

"Well my parents are keeping a really close eye on me lately. I don't want to get in too much trouble."

Erith looked around, "Are they here, in town then?"

Zeepha replied, "No, I managed to slip away in between chores."

Erith gave a small chuckle and said, "Well done, you're already trained to be a stealth spy."

Zeepha awkwardly imitated the small laugh and smiled.

Erith saw this and said, "You just smiled. I've never seen you completely smile before, just small grins. Something has to be wrong, so what is it?"

Zeepha sighed and said, "Fine you got me, my dog just died today so I tried to cover it up by acting happy."

Erith turned straight to her companion and said, "I'm sorry Zeepha, you want to get some ice cream? That always makes me feel better when I'm down."

Zeepha shook her head no and said, "No, I should probably stop running away from it and go home."

Erith nodded and said, "It is getting close to supper time. So I should probably go home as well."

Zeepha asked, "Home?"

This caught Erith off guard, "Yes my home, the one on the farm in the middle of Hyrule field." She responded sarcastically.

Zeepha laughed, "Just kidding, calm yourself."

Erith smiled and said, "Alright, see you later!"

Erith left town and straight across the bridge leading to the vast Hyrule Field. It was an hour run to get to her home in time to eat. Her mother always required her to be home for supper so they can spend quality time together. Erith's father, Link, hardly ever seemed to be home. He helped out around the house when he was home but he was a knight in the Hyrule army. Upon him joining he was already given the rank of general, for reason's Erith didn't understand. This led to "Daddy issues" since she was 8 years old. Link and Malon were inseparable when they were together but functioned very well independently as well. Malon managed the farm, with Erith's help, whenever Link was away doing whatever he did as a general.

Erith made it home a little earlier than expected and her mother was waiting for her at the door.

Malon had her arms crossed and said, "Really Erith? A note is all you leave? I would have said you could go if you had just asked."

"If I would have asked, there would have been a possibility the answer would be no." Erith responded as she ran up and hugged her mother.

Malon wrapped her own arms around the child and picked her up laughing as she said, "You know this means you have cow duty tomorrow right?"

"I refuse, refute your logic and insert my own, I get to ride Hailey all day tomorrow." The girl responded with a smile.

Hailey is Erith's pet horse, the daughter of Link's horse, Epona. She was a Clydesdale like her mother. Hailey and Erith grew up together and love each other dearly. Occasionally Erith would stay out in the stables with Hailey at night and sing her to sleep. Hailey also once protected Erith from a group of muggers outside of Castle Town. The two were practically sisters.

Malon laughed and set her daughter down. "Can you help me prepare food?" She asked politely.

Erith nodded and came inside. The two cooked up a vegetable stew and cuckoo eggs for some protein. They set the table and sat down to eat when Erith saw something out their window. A man dressed in green riding on a horse near their house. She smiled and said, "Looks like it won't be just us two eating tonight."

Malon looked at the window and was overjoyed to see her husband trotting up to the farm house. "Wanna go greet him?"

Erith nodded and smiled as she got up from the table and sprinted out the door. "DADDY!" She screamed as she ran to him.

Link got off the horse and ran over to pick up his daughter and spin her in the air before bringing her into hug her. Malon came out as well and when Link put Erith down he hugged his wife.

Malon asked, "I thought you said you wouldn't be home for a couple of weeks?"

Link smiled back and answered, "Zelda gave me the day off as a reward for gathering information on Termina."

Malon kissed him on the cheek and said, "Well it's always nice to have you home."

Link turned to Erith and asked, "Hey, could you do me a favor? Could you put Epona in her stable for me?"

Erith took Epona's reins and started walking over to the stable saying, "Don't eat without me ok?"

Malon replied, "Don't worry dear, we won't"

Erith walked across the farm and horse track to the stables. She went into Epona's stable to put some hay in her bale. She rinsed off the aging horse and cleaned her. When she started to clean the legs though she noticed something. The horse was missing her birth scar on her front right leg. "You're not Epona!" She exclaimed. Then she realized a horrible stench emitting from the bag on the horse. She opened it quickly to see what was inside. Upon seeing it she gasped and threw up. It was a bag full of dismembered limbs, and at the top was her best friend's, Zeepha's, head. She stopped everything and sprinted towards the house screaming, "MOM THAT'S NOT DAD!"

She ran straight to the door and threw it open, tears in her eyes. Inside she saw a pale man dressed in a purple cloak, a hat with a red gem over his forehead covering grayish purple hair, and red eyes standing there. His body was surrounded by a dark aura. Behind him was Malon, floating in the air hopelessly trying to break free.

Then the man spoke in a menacing tone, "Why hello there, my child. Do you want to play a game?" The man smiled and began to laugh maniacally.