Link turned around, hand touching the hilt of his sword. He was greeted with the sight of a young man in black robes. His hair was jet black, and his eyes were the color of amethysts. It took Link a few seconds before he began to comprehend what the man had said. Bypassing the usual questions one asks a man who has entered your home unannounced, Link blurted out,

"How? How do I fix this?"

"The price to turn back time is a costly one, but if your will is great enough, and your heart strong enough, you may." The man then reached into his robe, pulling out two items. A slender dagger, and a vial filled with a green tonic. "you must cut great gashes across your arms, then pour this mixture onto your arms. The mix is of dark magic, and the magic will give you the strength to bend time to your will, for a very short period of time."

Link looked at the man for a brief moment, before ripping the knife and vial from his fingers. He cut two deep cuts along the inner part of his forearm. He then pulled out the cork of the vial with his teeth, pouring the green liquid onto the cut. It hissed as it made contact with his skin, bubbling like it had been dropped on a burning surface. The mixture then disappeared into his bloodstream. Link repeated the process on the other arm.

Pain then tore through Link's body. He struggled to his feet.

"You've poisoned me!" He growled, drawing his sword.

"No, not at all, My friend! Did you expect shadow magic coursing through you to feel pleasant? You now have the strength to save your wife and child. Will yourself to the time!" The dark man shouted.

Link thought of the moment the guard had knocked upon their door, and forced himself to that time. A purple slit appeared in the air in front of him, like the cut of a razor blade. The gash then spread open, revealing a swirling purple void. Link dove through the portal.

The room was no longer dark, but bright and filled with warmth. Cara was lying against him, dozing. Excitement coursed through him, pushing the pain of the magic aside. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly. She looked up at him, confused.

"Everything okay, darling?" She asked.

"More then okay, my dearest." He said, eyes shining with joy. Cara then began to grin, and climbed on top of his, so her face was level with his.

"What's on that mind of yours, huh?" She asked, mischievously.

"I'm sure you have no idea." he said truthfully.

"Oh...but perhaps I do." She replied winking. He hand then began to snake down Link's face, his neck, his muscled torso, and lower. Link smiled in mock surprise.

Then a knock came at the door. Cara sighed, and dread filled Link's stomach. She groaned and rolled off as he sat up, and went to answer the door. It was a knight of Hyrule.

"Link, His royal majesty, the king, has summoned you to the castle for a mission that could upset the balance of the kingdom." The knight said in a formal tongue.

"Tell the king that my family is in great danger, and I can not desert them at such a perilous time. I apologize deeply, but if he sends knights to the headquarters of the rebels, he'll find none."

"Uh...what?" answered the knight, any semblance of formality gone.

"I am unable to inform you of details, but deliver this message to the king. It should only take you two days to make it back the castle, perhaps three." Link commanded.

"Um, very well Sir!" The knight answered before leaving the home. Link returned to the bedroom with Cara, laying down on the bed.

"What was that about?" She asked.

"Oh. Just a man of the kingdom, requesting advice for a possible military operation. You know how that king can't make a move without me claiming it's safe." He lied.

"Link, You've always been a horrible liar. Tell me what's going on?"

"Fine...It was a knight, asking that I go and check out a group of insurgents in Hyrule. I declined, saying I'd rather be with my family." Link said. A look of confusion came over Cara's face.

"Well, why didn't you go?" She asked.

"As I said, I'd rather be here."

"All right, dear heart" Then the look of confusion turned to one of devious attention, "Now...where were we?"

The assassin broke into the house two days later, in the dead of night. Link was lying in bed with Cara, sword leaning against the bed. He had not slept since he had come back to this time, and dark rings had come under his eyes. As he was starting to fall into sleep, he heard the front door open, marked by the hinge he had arranged to squeak whenever the door opened.

Knowing the time had come, adrenaline fueled Link's body, and he sprung from his bed, grabbing hold of his blade, as he flew out of the bedroom. Cara jumped in surprise at her rude awakening, and called out to him, asking what was happening, but he did not answer.

The assassin was garbed in tight-fitting black clothing, with an upside down triangle symbol painted blood red on his chest. His face was covered, nose down by a black cloth mask. Black cloth threads bound down his dark hair. He was four feet from the bedroom door, and his eyes widened upon seeing Link. He drew two daggers from his belt, throwing one. Link swiped it down in mid air, and rushed the assassin.

Link started attacking the murderer furiously, and the assassin went on the defensive. It's blade moved lightning fast, deflecting every strike Link made. The assassin leaned in, and cut Link across his ribs. Rage and frustration filled Link, and he held out his hand. A pitch black beam of energy appeared and left Link's hand. At the last second, Link weakened the strike, which otherwise would have removed the killers head. The blast struck the assassin in the skull, sending him flying backwards, through the front door, and out into the night. Link rushed after, diving, and landing on him, knee driving right into his solar plexus. Link ripped the mask from the man, only to find it wasn't a man.

A woman with pale hazel eyes glared at him, short brown hair now clung to her face. She was gasping for breath, and Link moved his knee, but remained pinning her against the ground.

"Who are you!" Link shouted, spit flying from his mouth and peppering her face.

"I am...I'm Selness" She gasped out.

"Why are you here!"

"I was assigned to kill the wife and child of the hero of hyrule." came the answer.

"By...who?" Link said quietly, placing deadly emphasis on each word.

"My tribe...the Eckren...We are a tribe of assassin's that dwell in the forests. I'm the finest." She said with a sick sense of pride. "We got a request days ago to slay your family."

"Who gave the order. Who told you to kill everything I love?" He asked roughly The woman looked away, uncomfortable.

"You don't want to know." She said clearly, her air now back. Link brought a hand to her throat and squeezed tightly.

"If you don't tell me, I'll squeeze you until you pop like the ugly blemish you are!" He then let go, and she coughed and sputtered.

"Fine...Fine...Fine..." She looked away again, before saying, "If you must know...the one who gave me the order to kill your family was Richard Lyrhue"

And then Link's jaw dropped. The name was woman had said, was the name of the king of Hyrule.