"Hurry up! Get her to...st...tion!" a voice cried.

"Move! Get...ut...o..th...ay!" another deeper voice barked out, barely audible, as I dipped in and out of consciousness. My head loosely swayed back and forth - we must have been moving pretty fast - I tried to open my eyes, but was exhausted by the effort. I let myself be carried away into darkness, letting everything go, as the muffled cries faded away.

I took a deep ragged breath, cracked open my eyes, and looked around. Blood soaked rags laid on the floor, weapons tossed and laid haphazardly in one corner, the air smelled faintly of alcohol and soot. There were blood splatters on the floor, and many bandages were soaked through with blood. I laid in one of many makeshift beds set up to accommodate injured persons, and Sera, as well as a few unharmed villagers, I'm told, have been tending to our injuries all night long. They all looked pale and utterly exhausted.

I heared a few muffled sobs, as those who have lost loved ones grieved.

My eyes landed on Rusl, resting in an adjacent bed. Sera told he lost good men - James, Ferrous, and the man who saved my life, Wess, in the battle. If it wasn't for Wess, I would have been dead.

Rusl just looked up at me and smiled, "Hey Kiddo, how are ya doin'?"

I shot him a half-hearted grin, "I've been better, Rusl," I shifted, grimacing as pain shot up my side, "how's that arm of yours?"

"Ah," he peered down at it - it was in a makeshift sling, "It will be fine, Sera said it was just a flesh wound" A pause, and then he continued, "With your injuries, I'm shocked you are awake already, most soldiers would have been unconscious for a day atleast,"

To which I replied, "Well, you know, us Capital folk are made of hardy stock," earning a chuckle out of him.

But I felt like crying. My ankle seared with pain - it was definitely broken - and somewhere along the line I must have bruised my ribs, as they ached badly.

Not even attempting to get up, I allowed myself to drift off into a daze, and eventually, to sleep.

[PAGEBREAK - INDICATE CHANGE IN POV and TENSE]

As the young woman slept, it was discovered Colin, one of the village children, had gone missing. A search party was sent out, and by the time they returned the sun was setting. Colin had not been found, but the party discovered a trail of blood leading beyond the village boundaries. As nobody possessed the strength, or courage, to set out after the missing boy, he was presumed dead, until another search party could be gathered.

Deep into the night, the young woman tossed and turned. She sweated profusely throughout the night, and many wondered if she would survive. Possessing no medication to prevent infection, she was on her own. Or so it was thought.

If one where to look underneath the young woman's covers, they would have seen a magnificent tribal outline of a bird on the small of her back, looking as though it was a scar, glowing a sickly green. They would have discovered this scar was the source of her pain, yet also seemed to heal her, but they did no such thing.

Even if they would have, many would have questioned it, believing it was witchcraft. Not a soul believed in the power of the Goddesses anymore, it was felt as though they were abandoned, as Hyrule was plunged into Twilight.

[PAGEBREAK. INDICATE TERRA'S POV IS BACK, AND rechange of TENSE]

I awoke, the gentle sounds of soft conversation aroused me from my slumber. Surprisingly, I was not assaulted with pain. It felt as though my body had been completely rejuvenated, as if it was an act of the Goddesses themselves.

I sat up in bed and swung my legs over to the side of the bed. I was met with a disapproving look from one of the village nurses.

"You there! Get back in bed! We had a good scare a several nights ago, yes we did, when we all had thought you were a goner!"

Several nights ago? Huh - maybe that's why I feel a lot better. I had almost died, though? All I had was a broken ankle, and maybe some bruised ribs. How would that have been fatal?

Speaking of which, I should not be feeling as though I was able to run a marathon. My ankle is still broken, I should stay in bed. But why do I just want to get up and do something? Anything? Feeling a sense of urgency, I slowly stood up. Surprisingly, my ankle did not buckle underneath my weight. It felt as though it was never broken in the first place.

Feeling disturbed, and wondering if I was dreaming, I took a step. But no pain, it felt normal.

I ran my hands down my body, but felt no pain or discomfort, other than an odd itching sensation on my back. Thinking I have developed a rash, or perhaps an infection, I managed to flag a nurse down and alert her. After lifting my shirt and muttering to herself, she told me there is no rash and it looked like a "perfectly normal back" to her.

Well now. Strange -

My thoughts were interrupted by an enthusiastic shout, "Terra! You are up! Excellent - Rusl would like to see you outside." The voice came from someone whom I did not recognize. I nodded in compliance, and took my first steps outside in what felt like Ages.

I bumped straight into Rusl, in the process of teaching some eager villagers to defend themselves, still in his cast. I mumbled an apology and I scooted around him and to disappear amongst the townsfolk, waiting for my chance to speak with him.

It did not take long. As he sent the villagers away to practice sparring with one another, using wooden swords, he pointed at me, "Terra, there you are! I'm surprised to see you up and walking already," So am I, "Come over here, I would like to teach you a few things about battle,"

I let out a nervous laugh, "I'm not so sure you want to delve into that. I just discovered I'm not a warrior,"

He chuckled and shook his head, "Nonsense! There is a warrior inside all of us, we only have to awaken it," He dove into a lecture, "We can do that by honing our skills, and controlling our emotions during battle,"

As well as practice, practice, and practice.

"-as well as practising every day to ensure we do not lose our skill with the blade, or in your case, the bow,"

"Now," he rumbled, "I understand you have some skill with the bow. Though," a pause and he chuckled, "judging by the barnside, I would say those skills are minimal at best!"

What - hey!

Feeling insulted, I opened my mouth to protest, but he just held up his hand and smiled, "Do not worry, Terra, I am merely joking. I suspect nerves got the best of you, and you were unable to shoot properly. That is why I am here, I will teach you how to calm yourself as an enemy charges,"

And just like that, I was swooped up in military tactics. During the next few days, I was taught how to calm myself during battle, which was especially critical for archers such as myself, although Rusl warned me this will take time and this skill will slowly improve over time. I believed him - he was eerily calm before the battle, almost as though he thought he was invulnerable.

Link still hadn't returned yet, and everyone was getting worried. Even Rusl - who said Link's natural skills with the the sword were legendary was shaken up. It was about this time, I was told about Colin's disappearance by Rusl.

I see where this is going. Seeing as I am the only healthy individual here, I will be asked to search for him.

"Terra, would you please search for Colin at first light tomorrow? Bring him home safely,"

I knew it.

"Terra, I would like to give you these before you go. I made them myself," a quiet voice muttered, Uli. I looked at her and down at her hands. She was holding out a pair of rough dark leather gloves, I picked them up and put them on. I grin inwardly, perfect fit, and Uli elaborated, "They are archery gloves. I hope you bring Colin back soon,"

I smiled, "Thank you Uli, I will do my best."

As the first rays of morning light shone through my small living quarters across the barn, I set out on my journey to find Colin. Feeling a sense of urgency and duty, I shrugged on my pack and quiver, and picked up my bow. It was time to go. As I passed the gates of Ordon, I felt a pang as the thought hit me - I may never return.

I crossed the bridge, following the trail of blood, bow at the ready with an arrow nocked. To my surprise, instead of coming across a clearing leading to Faron Woods, I came face to face with a wall. I looked up, alarmed, and noticed the wall towered above the cliff face. I stared into it, its strange black hue and its soft orange pulse drew me in. My ears pounded in-sync with the pulse of the wall, as I struggled to make sense of it. Why was it here?

I backed away a few steps, unsure and ready to head back to Ordon, when I saw movement beyond the wall. Striking as fast as a snake, something grabbed me and pulled me into the abyss.