"I am the way into the city of woe.

I am the way to a forsaken people.

I am the way into eternal sorrow.

Sacred justice moved my architect.

I was raised here by divine omnipotence,

Primordial love and ultimate intellect.

Only those elements time cannot wear

were made before me, and beyond time I stand.

Abandon all hope ye who enter here."

- Canto 3 of Dante's Inferno

Ket opened her eyes, groggily staring at the wall in front of her. She tried to place her surroundings, but her memories eluded her like small, darting fish. She furrowed her brow in concentration, grasping at her thoughts. Giant trees, ancient children. Recollections of the past greeted her and she wondered if she had been dreaming before she went to sleep. Nothing seems normal anymore, she thought as she let her head flop back to the floor.

Sunlight filtered through the windows of Mara's home and Ket wondered how long she slept. Feels like a century, she thought, pulling her aching body into a sitting position, letting the warm quilt drop in folds around her. Arching her back, she stretched, feeling bones and tendons pop in protest. Heaving a sigh, she pulled her legs under her and stood up, weaving for a moment when the blood rushed to her legs.

Regaining her balance, she headed for the door, absently rubbing her neck as she walked. Pushing open the small, oak door, she stepped into the brilliantly green meadow, still feeling amazed at the sight of the small houses made of tree trunks, or the faeries that flitted about, their crystal hues adding to the emerald green of the vegetation. Kokiri were scattered all over, some sitting by the creek, relaxing with their feet dangling in the cool waters, others deep in conversation by their houses.

Ket hesitated by the door, unsure of where to go or what to do. As if her distressed thoughts called him forth, Rill came into her line of vision. He stopped when he noticed her watching him, a queer expression on his face. Then a wry grin spread across his mouth and he walked to her. "Something the matter, outsider?" he asked, coming to a stop before her.

"Where's Mara and Zephyr?"

"Who's Zephyr? Another outsider you want in here?"

Ket scowled slightly. "No, the horse I was with."

"You mean the palomino. He's grazing around here somewhere. You can't expect him to wait three days for you to wake up before he eats."

"How long have I been asleep?"

"Three days."

"Wow," she breathed. "I didn't think it was possible to stay asleep that long."

"Yes, well outsiders have a tendency for laziness."

Ket glared at Rill, staring down at the smaller boy with a belligerent eye. "Don't make me drop kick you from here to the Gerudo Valley."

"Where's that?"

"Gah! Never mind." Ket paused, then said, "Do you know where I could get something to eat?"

"Can't cook?"

"I would if I knew where any of the food was located," she answered in a voice dripping with sweet sarcasm.

Rill ginned broadly. He swept his hand, encompassing the whole forest. "This is where all the food is. You just have to know where to look."

"If I knew, I would have left by now, instead of staying here and listening to you blather on."

"With an attitude like that, you can kiss any help from me good-bye."

"I'd rather go hungry then apologize to you, pip-squeak."

Rill opened his mouth to retort when a voice from behind stopped him. "Rill, you promised!"

Turning, the boy saw Mara coming towards them from the direction of the Deku Tree's meadow. "I didn't promise to allow her to insult me."

"It doesn't matter. You gave your word and you have to stick with it. So leave her alone."

Rill scowled. "Fine then, I'm gone." With that, he turned on his heel and left, heading to a cluster of Kokiri seated by a house on a small rise.

"I'm sorry if he bugged you," said Mara, a concerned expression marring her features.

"Nothing I can't handle." Her stomach rumbled deeply just then. "At least I can if I can get something to eat."

Smiling, Mara said, "Follow me and we'll get something."

Ket fell into step at her side. Noticing the stares of the other Kokiri, she forgot for a moment why they truly watched her avidly, and glanced at her clothes. Her once brilliantly white shirt and soft, brown skirt were covered in mud, hanging in tatters over her battered body. She was also acutely aware of the dirt that covered her and the scent of dried sweat apparent to her nose. Fingering her frayed sleeve, she asked Mara, "Is there anywhere I could clean up too?"

"Oh! Of course." Mara turned an appraising eye on her. "You need clean clothes as well. I think I can scrounge up some old clothes from Bearen. You should be able to fit into his, though it'll be tight. I can see about getting some your size made up later."

Relieved, Ket said, "Thank you very much, Mara. You're a life saver."

Mara blushed from the praise. "Do you want to eat first, or bathe?"

Although she knew she stunk, the call of her belly was stronger. "Eat first, if you don't mind."

"Not at all."

They continued along the main grassy lane that separated the meadow into two halves. Coming to the creek, Mara followed it upstream and reached the end, where the cool waters bubbled up from their source under the great, ocher bluff that towered above them. "You can drink from here. I'll be right back with some food."

Nodding in agreement, Ket watched her leave, smiling in gratitude. When the little Kokiri disappeared, she dropped to her knees and plunged her head into the clear waters of the shallow stream. Her throat was parched and the icy liquid felt delicious against her dry tongue.

Submerging her head completely, she drank deeply while allowing the creek to wash the dirt off her face. It did not remove all the debris that covered her, but it was a start.

When her lungs began to burn for oxygen, she came up, tossing her head back as she gasped. A startled yell alerted her to the presence of others.

Squeezing the water from her sopping hair, she turned and saw that a small group of Kokiri had congregated around her while she drank. Most now bore splotches of water from her rising to the surface, and all wore an expression of fear mixed with curiosity. She smiled hesitantly at them, not bothering to get up or move. She had a feeling any startling gesture on her part would frighten the Kokiri away, and this was her chance to prove she was not the monster they believed her to be. "I'm sorry if I got you wet," said Ket, trying to break the awkward silence.

The Kokiri exchanged apprehensive looks. Finally one, a boy with auburn hair and a scarlet faery, grinned shyly. "It's okay, we needed a bath anyway."

Ket returned his smile, feeling warmth spread throughout her body. "You're not the only one," she said, motioning to her own soiled garments. "I could spend a week in the water and still feel dirty, with all this muck on me."

The boy's grin widened. "My name's Aves." Motioning to his faery, he continued. "And this is Teio."

The scarlet faery, Teio, flew up to her. Pausing in front of Ket's face, the faery studied her face, then giggled. "I like you," she said. "What's your name?"

"Ket."

"Ket," repeated Teio, a studious look on her pixie face. "Ket, Ket, Ket. It suits you. Whoever named you did a good job. You should thank them."

Ket smiled darkly, thinking of her long-forgotten parents. "If I ever find them, maybe I will."

The faery read her emotions and quickly switched topics. "How long are you going to stay?"

The other Kokiri peered in interest, waiting for her answer. "I really don't know," said Ket. "I guess until I can leave."

Disappointed, Teio said, "I was hoping you could stay for awhile."

Aves nodded in assent. "We all were."

Ket looked on them with consternation. "But I thought you all didn't like strangers, and you wanted me to leave as soon as I could."

"Well, at first," conceded Aves. "But our faeries convinced us that we have nothing to fear from you, and I agree. We've never seen an outsider before and if you don't mind, we'd like to hear about the vastness."

The other Kokiri nodded, agreeing with Aves' words. A little red-headed girl piped up, saying, "What's it like, being outside the forest?"

Ket frowned slightly, trying to put her thoughts into words. "It's like...Well, what part of the outside do you want described?"

"The best part!" cried a Kokiri boy from the back of the group.

Smiling, Ket said, "All right. The best part..." She thought back, trying to find her favorite memory from outside. An image of wide grassy plains met her inner eye. "My favorite place would have to be Hyrule Field. The land stretches for miles in every direction, and no trees decorate the grass."
"No trees," interrupted a blond girl, her eyes wide. "Is that possible?"

Chuckling, Ket said, "Yes. The treeless areas are called plains and they really are beautiful. Tall, lush grass sways gently in the wind, like ocean waves-"

"What's an ocean?" interrupted Aves.

"Um, it's like a huge field of water, that goes on for hundreds of miles."

"Bigger then a plain?" queried the blond girl.

"Much bigger. Ocean sunsets are the most spectacular, too," said Ket with a sigh, remembering. "But I like the plains better."

"Why?"

"Because there are hundreds of flowers that blossom all over, adding splotches of color to the dusty greens and browns of the grasses. Birds fly overhead and small animals like rabbits and foxes use the grass for shelter and food."

"Sounds lovely," breathed Teio, hovering near Aves' head.

Ket nodded. "Yes, it is." I just hope those Dalitian vermin do nothing to harm the land, or her people, she thought angrily.

Aves had just begun to fire off another question when Mara appeared, carrying a wooden tray of food in one hand and a pile of garments in another. She stopped in surprise when she caught sight of Ket surrounded by the curious Kokiri. She smiled in response to Ket's own wry grin and stepped closer. "All right, everybody, shoo! She needs to eat and clean up, then if she wants, you can ask more questions."

The Kokiri grumbled, but got up and walked off, waving good-bye to Ket, who returned the gesture. "I think they like me," she said to Mara as the other set down her burdens and sat on the mossy ground.

Mara flashed a dazzling grin and said, "I knew they would, they just needed time." Motioning to the tray, she said, "Here's some food. I hope you like it."

Picking up the laden tray, Ket studied the offerings laid upon the rough bark. Bunches of crimson berries adorned one corner, a pile of fleshy roots, another. The entire tray consisted of fruits and edible plants indigenous to the forest. Trying one of the berries, she bit into the soft skin and savored the tart taste that exploded in her mouth. "Very good," she said, experimenting on a handful of dry nuts.

Mara smiled in pleasure. Motioning to the garments by her side, she said, "You can try these on once I get you to our bathing pool and washed up."

"Mmphf," Ket said, cramming her mouth full of the food, finally feeling the bite of not eating for over three days.

"Do you want anymore?" asked Mara in concern, seeing Ket devour the whole tray in seconds. She had no idea the girl was so hungry.

Swallowing her last bite, Ket shook her head. "I'd really rather clean up, if you don't mind."

"Not at all." Mara stood up, gathering the clothes into her arms. "I was afraid you'd eat the tray, too," she said with a giggle.

"I just might if I get any hungrier," Kat said, wiping her mouth with her tattered shirt sleeve and rising. "Where to?"

"Follow me, it's not that far of a walk."

Leaving the shelter of the meadow behind, the pair entered the forest and turned right, entering a thicker part of the woods. The trees grew taller here, their branches rising to the sky, nearly rivaling the Great Deku Tree.

Faery lights lit the gloom, providing luminescence instead of the hidden sun. An unnatural hush hovered over the woods and Ket felt a chill run up her spine. Mara's faery hovered closely to her, her green glitter blending into the foliage. She seemed apprehensive, sensing whatever Ket felt. "Mara," said Ket, breaking the silence. "Is there something wrong with these woods?"

Startled, Mara glanced up at her. Then she looked at her own faery, who appeared miserable, her diaphanous wings shivering slightly. A frown spread across her small features and she said, "I was hoping I was imagining it, but if both of you can feel it too, then I must be right."

Nonplussed, Ket said, "Right about what?"

"We're not that far from the Lost Woods, the area of forest that leads to our sacred Temple for the forest spirits. Lately the area has begun to feel tainted, as if a dark poison has spread across our land, disturbing the delicate balance of life.

Usually the Lost Woods will disorient people, keeping them away from the Temple since only the spirits may dwell there. But lately the Woods are full of malevolent beings, and just last week, a Kokiri went in there on a dare and failed to return.

The Great Deku Tree forbade us from going after the lost boy. I think he knows what's happening, but he refuses to tell me. Even the faeries, who usually love the Lost Woods, are afraid to enter."

"We're not going in, are we?" Ket asked with a sense of foreboding.

"No. I may be adventurous, but I'm not idiotic," said Mara with a tight smile. "But the bathing pool lies near the Woods, so we must venture a little closer."

Traces of unease crawled over her skin, but Ket pressed further, even while she wanted to follow the faery's example and curl onto Mara's shoulder, hiding under the curtain of blonde hair, safe from any danger.

The feelings of anger and fear pervaded the forest, chasing away all the wildlife and leaving the woods abandoned and silent. They came upon a pond hidden in a copse of willows when Ket began to wonder if she should return and wipe herself clean with a rag instead of heading any deeper.

The crystal clear water showed the shallow bottom, devoid of any fish. The lack of life unnerved her further and she resolved to bathe quickly, instead of lazing about like she had planned.

Mara motioned to a clump of reeds growing next to the back and said, "These are soap plants. If you break open their stems, you can use the sap for soap. Just remember to plant the seed that falls from the flowers so they can continue to grow."

Ket nodded, taking the pile of clothes offered to her. She walked past Mara and entered the grove of willows, blocking her uneasy emotions from her thoughts.

Setting the garments on a nearby rock, she stripped off her soiled clothes and stepped into the chilly water, enjoying the sensation as it slid over her skin. Breaking off a hank of soap plant, she split open the stem and liberally applied the gooey sap over her skin, using the water to work up a lather. The pale blue sap smelled vaguely of lilacs, and she inhaled the scent deeply, feeling the aroma chase away her fatigue.

Once she finished, she swallowed a lungful of air and submerged herself completely, washing off the last vestiges of soap from her body and hair. She swam a bit away, watching the muddy floor of the lake pass by beneath her.

When her lungs demanded air, she broke the surface, treading water near the middle of the lake. If only the tense feelings would disappear, then she could fully enjoy the beauty around her.

The willows were beautiful, their droopy branches dangling into the water, reminding her of mourning souls trapped forever within the gnarled branches. Small patches of violets blossomed along the banks, drinking up the meager sunlight that filtered from between the oaks and pines that towered above. The light that did penetrate sparkled across the waters like precious jewels, their brilliance adding to the beauty around.

But still the tension in the air pervaded, preventing her from enjoying nature's wonders. Instead she swam back to the shore, using an uncolored piece of cloth to dry off her sodden body.

That task completed, she donned her new clothes. The green tunic fit a little snuggly across the chest and hips, and the brown pants came slightly past her knees, but they were clean.

Gathering her destroyed apparel, she headed back to Mara, eager to leave. Breaking from the veil formed by the willows, she looked for the Kokiri girl. Only empty forest met her gaze, the twilight woods stretching for miles. Not even a glimmer from a faery broke the perpetual gloom. Uneasy and beginning to feel the cold touch of fear, Ket shouted, "Mara! Mara, where are you?"

Silence returned her calls. Suddenly a shout split the quiet asunder. Recognizing the voice, Ket raced in the direction the call for help originated from. Passing through a particularly dense stand of alders, she found Mara cornered against the trunk of a giant oak. A giant pig-like creature faced her, its ruddy coat turned the color of dried blood by the shadows.

From her vantage point, Ket spotted enormous tusks jutting from the creature's giant maw, and a row of spike-like projections rose from its humped back. The creature's shoulders were massive, making up most of the animal, and its head hung from a sloping neck, its beady eyes fixed on Mara in drooling hunger.

Mara was white, her own eyes fixed on the beast. Her faery hovered close, not knowing how to protect her charge from the monster. Looking over the situation, Ket reacted. She raced to the spot where the two faced off. Using all the force she could muster, Ket plowed into the beast, catching the great animal unawares.

While it regained its balance, Ket grabbed hold of Mara, pulling the dagger she spotted from Mara's belt. Hearing the beast bellow in rage, she turned, keeping herself between Mara and the creature. The monster rushed her, its piggish eyes intent, its quivering snout lusting for the scent of blood.

Ket reached behind and pushed Mara, flinging the girl out of the way, leaving herself unhampered and more able to fight the oncoming menace. Right before the beast's giant tusks ripped into her soft flesh, she used all the agility she possessed and darted to the side, bringing the dagger up in a deadly arc, the glittering blade biting into the beast's hide.

Letting loose an enraged roar, the beast pressed on, determined to bring down its prey. The next rush proved unlucky for Ket. Before she could dart away again, the creature used its razor sharp tusks to catch hold of her tunic, pulling her back to it. In a second, the beast had its teeth sunk deep into the flesh of Ket's free arm.

Burning lances of pain swept over her, and Ket suppressed a scream. Instead she smiled. The beast made one mistake, she thought with macabre mirth. He didn't grab the hand with the dagger in it. She brought the blade down, burying the steel up to its hilt in the yielding eye of the beast, feeling the ball pop, releasing a stream of oozing fluids and enter the soft tissue of its brain.

The beast cried, its high pitched keening echoing against the boles of the trees. In its death throes, the monster jerked its head and yanked Ket into the trunk of the tree at her back. Her head hit the solid wood and stars danced before her eyes. Forcing the oncoming blackness away, she watched the beast die, a grim smile on her lips.

When the creature screamed for the last time, Mara approached it apprehensively, kicking at the dull hide with the toe of her boot. Once she assured herself it was truly dead, she focused on Ket, her sea green eyes wide in alarm.

Ket leaned her head against the comforting texture of the bark, cradling her wounded arm to her chest. She knew the wound was deep; the hot flow of blood had not abated. She felt a gentle touch on her arm and she looked into Mara's eyes. "I finally get clean, and this happens," Ket joked feebly.

"This is bad," said Mara, ignoring her attempts at humor. "We need to get this fixed right away."

"I can help," came a piping voice from above them.

Both Ket and Mara looked up and saw the emerald green light of Mara's faery. "That is, if you want me to."

"By all means," said Ket. "I certainly won't stop you."

The faery flew to her injured arm and carefully alighted on her knee. She stepped closer, putting her tiny hands on Ket's wounds. "Close your eyes and concentrate on healing yourself," commanded the faery.

Ket obeyed, feeling a wave of dizziness wash over. I'm losing too much blood, she thought. I'll never survive at this rate.

"Your not doing as I told you," snapped the faery, breaking Ket from her musings.

"Oh, sorry." Okay, focus on healing. How do I do that? Just tell my body to heal? Fine. Body, do as I say. Heal, damn it!

As if in response, her body began to grow warm. A sensation of complete relaxation spread over her, and now she could not open her eyes even if she wished to. The pain in her arm began to lessen, finally disappearing completely. She sighed deeply, enjoying the floating feeling that pervaded her body. A tiny hand prodded her in the face, forcing her to come back.

Opening her eyes, she saw the pixie face of the faery, a pleased expression lighting her features. "All better," she caroled as she flew back and returned to her orbit around Mara.

A quick glance at her arm confirmed the faery's proclamations. Although the blood still remained, the skin on her arm was smooth and unbroken. "Amazing," she said, unable to take her eyes off her once wounded arm. "Is that magic?"

"Yup," confirmed the faery.

"Thank you." She looked up at Mara and asked, "Are you all right?"

Mara only studied her, her eyes searching Ket's face.

"What?"

Mara shook her head. "Nothing. It's nothing. We should be getting back before another Bacarak finds us."

"Is that thing always that hostile?"

Mara did not answer, but her faery made up for her lack of communication. "No. They usually only attack small prey, like rabbits. But ever since the Lost Woods have become tainted, all the forest creatures are acting mad."

Ket waited for Mara to add something to her faery's words, but the Kokiri stayed silent. Not knowing how to breach the silence, she followed after the two, wondering what had made Mara become some quiet.

They returned to the Kokiri village without another incident, though Mara still refused to talk to her. Ket was baffled by her actions. She had saved her life, and while not expecting a parade in her honor, she had hoped for at least a thank you.

When they entered the village, Mara headed off to the Deku Tree, leaving Ket alone. The sun had begun its descent a little while ago, and the twilight deepened into night. The faeries, accentuated by the glow of fireflies, lit up the velvet sky. For a moment Ket forgot about Mara's sudden mood change, and reveled in the beauty and feel of magic that hung across the meadow.

Mara made a beeline for the Great Deku Tree, a thousand questions vying for supremacy in her mind. Reaching the behemoth tree, she said, "Great Deku Tree, may I speak with you?"

Of course child, came the guardian's reply.

"I thought you said there was no magic left outside the forest!"

There was silence, then, What makes you ask this question?

"My faery healed Ket! You told me only those with magic inside them can be healed, since a faery manipulates the energy of the magic within, using it to heal their wounds. But how is that possible? Ket is from outside our woods, she shouldn't have any magic."

My child, when I spoke of this to you, I meant that the magic is dying in the world outside, not that it has disappeared completely. Some still possess magic, especially Hylians like Ket. Even areas in the vastness still bear the marks of magic, but they are few and far between. It is rare indeed to find an area or person with magic, but it is not impossible.

"But what does that mean? Why do some harbor magic while others are barren?"

That is a matter to bring to the Goddesses, not I. It is not for any of us to truly comprehend their workings. It might be that those with magic need the extra power because they will lead harder lives than those who go without.

Mara frowned at the Deku Tree. She had lived with him for hundreds of years and knew when he hid something. He was keeping something from her now, and it irked her to no end. But she knew better then to ask. The Tree never revealed all, and no amount of pestering would force him to divulge his secrets.

Does that answer all of your questions?

Grudgingly, Mara nodded. She headed for the glen's exit, then stopped just before it. "There's another reason why Ket's here besides being lost, isn't there?"

It is as the Goddesses will it, the Tree answered cryptically.

Mara sighed and walked from the glen, thousands questions still whirling around her mind.

Ket sighed deeply. She sat by the creek, watching the moonlight that forced its way past the tree canopy dance on the water. Faery light accentuated the pale silver, and Ket enjoyed the way the glitter sparkled on the inky liquid.

Zephyr stood beside her, contentedly munching a patch of reeds. She had found the stallion wandering around the meadow, visiting other Kokiri or finding spots of grass to nibble on.

He seemed anxious when he caught the scent of her blood on her body, but relaxed when he discovered her unharmed. He had followed her to the stream where she washed as much of the ruby liquid off as possible, and then stayed with her, keeping her company.

The warm summer evening lulled her with its peace and beauty. The last of the bird calls resounded through the trees as they settled for their rest, eager to wake up and start the next day.

Her body already exhausted from the day's adventures, Ket leaned back in the lush grass, using her arms for a pillow. Fatigue stole over and she instantly fell asleep, Zephyr standing guard over her.

Eerie quiet filled the land she stood within. The fields that surrounded her lay barren and fallow, only dusty earth meeting her gaze, the wind whipping the grit into the air, forming a haze that turned all the colors bland. She walked across the fields, a sense of foreboding filling her heart.

The scene faded and a new one spread before her. Now a village appeared, and Ket felt a wave of misery arise from the houses. The buildings where in shambles, most fallen to the ground ages ago.

Trash littered the streets and she caught sight of a pack of starving feral dogs that slunk across her path, their burning eyes challenging her as they passed. She did not want to see anymore. She knew more horrors awaited her if she did, but she was caught up in a tide of motion, unable to stop herself from going further.

Her feet involuntarily started up the dirty streets on their own, exposing her to the terror within. Passing the houses, she spotted faces of the sick and starving. The smell that rose from the shacks overpowered her senses, and she retched, unable to fight the nausea the putrid odor caused.

Reaching the end of the boulevard, she froze in place, unable to move or think. The road ended in a square and in the middle of the town stood a hideous sight she hoped never to witness again.

Staves of wood, numbering in the hundreds, stood erect in the earthen square, and on top of them sat the severed heads of men, women, and children.

One particular head held her attention. It was a baby girl's, her eye sockets blank and staring, her mouth open in a silent scream of agony. Hot tears sprang to Ket's eyes at the sight, and she wished desperately that she could leave this place of horrors.

"Fascinating, isn't it?"

Ket nearly screamed, wondering if one of the heads had received the ability to talk after death. She whipped her head around and came face to face with a man her age. At least that was how he was supposed to look, but Ket felt an aura of timelessness around him. He had hair the color of blood, the wind causing it to blow back from his face like a banner. Eyes like a hawk's peered at her from under hooded lids, and a twisted smile disfigured his features. "Something the matter?" he asked conversationally. "You look like you've seen Death."

"Who-, who are you?" Ket forced out past a suddenly dry throat.

"Just a visitor in your dreams," he said, shifting the ebony cloak he wore behind him. "Do you always have such pleasant nightmares?"

Ket only stared, unsure of how to react to this. She had not realized she was in a dream until he mentioned it. But how did she explain why everything seemed so real? Most dreams were vague and fuzzy, but this one was different. Here she could smell the stench of death, hear the moan of the wind in the cracks of the houses.

"Why are you here?" she finally asked him.

"Visions of death always call me. Helps break up the monotony of my life."

Ket arched an eyebrow. She felt like the man was laughing at her from within, toying with her, and she did not like it one bit. She needed to regain control of the situation. It was her dream after all, not his.

"Quite right."

"What?"

"You know, I truly love the smell of death," he said, avoiding her question. "So cloying, so full of emotions lost." He inhaled deeply. "Better than any bouquet of roses."

"Whoever you are, tell me why you're here, or leave and let me think in peace. I want to figure out a way out of here."

"Why would you desire that? This is paradise."

Ket stared into his golden eyes, boring hers into his. "It is my dream and if I want you out of here, you will leave."

For a moment his image wavered, then he solidified back, a puzzled expression on his face. He returned her stare, his more searching then challenging. He seemed to be looking for something deep within her.
At last he found it, for he reeled back, his face contorted in fury. "I should have known," he hissed, a look of pure malevolence on his face. He took a step closer to her, and Ket instinctively backed away.

"Do you think you can accomplish this task?" he asked, the look of rage never leaving as he continued to approach. "Do you actually believe you can finish what so many have started and never completed?"

"What are you talking about? What task?"

He did not expect that answer. He stopped coming forward, puzzlement overriding the anger. "How can you not know?" He leaned forward, looking back into her eyes. "You have the look; I can see it plain as night. How can you not know?"

"Know what?" she snapped, becoming tired of his cryptic questions.

A sneering smile spread across his face like poison. "If you do not know, then who am I to divulge what the Goddesses keep hidden?"

Ket threw up her hands in exasperation. "Fine, then if you have nothing worthwhile to say, leave."

He bowed mockingly to her, his cape sweeping forward grandly. "As you wish." With those final words he left. Faded into nothing would be more correct. His body grew in transparency and his image finally winked out of sight, leaving Ket alone with the severed heads for company.

She stared about, wondering how she could force herself to wake up. Nothing seemed real, or unreal now, as if she were neither in a dream or awake, but rather in some intermittent state. She began to wonder if she would ever leave this town of horrors when she heard a voice call her from behind, this one recognizable to her no matter where she may be.

"Impa?" Ket said, unable to believe her own ears. She searched the deserted square with its grotesque trophies, but nothing alive met her gaze.

"Look to your left."

She obeyed and there stood the Hylian warrior, looking exactly as she had the day she met her for the first time in Bevry's. Ket froze, her brain unable to comprehend what she saw. "How's this possible?"

"Anything's possible while you sleep," said Impa, coming towards her.

A dream. For a moment when she had seen Impa, Ket thought that this was reality and Impa had come back from the dead. Only a dream, she thought, disappointed. "Well don't look so happy to see me," kidded Impa, commenting on Ket's crestfallen face.

Ket smiled. Even if this was a dream, it felt real to her. Impa was talking to her once again. "Now that's more like it," Impa said, smiling in return. She stopped before Ket. "Goddesses, child, it's good to see you again."

"So you're really here? I mean, as real as it can get in dreams."

"Yup. But I haven't come here for only a social call. I was asked to come talk to you."

"By who?"

Impa chuckled. "Always curious. I was sent by a Sage, who was obeying the orders of the Goddesses."
"What about?"

"To continue your lessons with the sword."

Ket stared at her. "The Goddesses sent you back to teach me how to fight? Are you sure? Why? I mean, why me? What good would that do?"

"More good then you can fathom right now. Of course, you can refuse, but if you do I can't see you anymore."

"How would you teach me? In my dreams? But how would I remember all of it when I awaken?"

Impa held her hands up, staving off any further questions. "Give me a moment to explain," she said with a laugh.

Ket subsided, unfailingly curious about this whole idea. "I would teach you while you are asleep," Impa began. "The Goddesses agreed to let me come to you in your dreams. While in those dreams, it'd be like you were awake. Your body will become tired as you practice, and you will begin to grow stronger and more assured while fighting. It will give you practice and radically hone your talent."
"But why?" interrupted Ket, unable to hold back any longer.

"You plan to find Elias, don't you?"

Ket nodded. "Well, how to you expect to find him if you're unable to defend yourself from wild beasts, be they human or animal? You have to find him, Ket. It's incredibly important to give him the Ocarina and join up with him. If you don't, Hyrule may never be free again."

"In other words, no pressure, huh?" cracked Ket.

Impa smiled. "I'll be there to help you as much as I can, to prepare you for your journey."

"That's still about as clear to me as what that man said."

Impa looked at her, a puzzled frown on her face. "What man?"

"There was another person who visited me. A man, near my age, but he didn't feel like it. He had red hair and yellow eyes."

Impa's mouth dropped open. A surprised and agitated expression unfurled over her face. "How is that possible?" she said to herself.

"Do you know who he is?"

"No," snapped Impa, closing the discussion then and there. Switching topics, she said, "We'll begin your training tomorrow. That all right?"

Ket wanted to push her further to get an answer about the stranger, but only nodded in acquiescence. "Until then, child, Goddess bless," said Impa, fading like the man from before, taking the whole dream with her. A wave of pure exhaustion crested over Ket, and she faded into the true oblivion of sleep.

A/N: Thanks so much to everyone who's read, and especially for those of you who've left comments. Any critiquing is greatly appreciated. :) Also, thanks again, betas, Tori. You guys helped so much.