"Find him-"

"What?" I said, dazed. I couldn't see anything, and whenever I tried to turn my head, it felt like I was swimming through molasses. "Where am I?" I called out into my dark surroundings, hearing a ghostly echo reverberate back in my direction.

"We don't have much time. Find him. The Hero. You are Hyrule's last hope! Go!" The feminine voice called back at me. I felt the weird sensation of being spun around in a circle, it made me sick, and just as I was about to pass out, the world seemed to shatter around me, like thin glass. The darkness peeled away and the contrast burnt my eyes, pure light filling my vision.

In the distance, I saw a shadowy figure. It seemed to have a built figure, broad shoulders and a bit of a hunch in it's back. It turned to me, and it's eyes flashed a bright red, like flames dancing inside it's head. It roared, like an animal, and started bounding towards me. I turned to run, but I once again felt slow, like every muscle was a hundred pounds heavier and I was sinking to the bottom of the ocean.

It was no use. I tripped, and fell in slow motion towards what I thought was the ground, although I just continued to fall through. My stomach dropped as I started spinning again. I saw the monster leap after me, falling faster than I had, gaining on me. I was ready for it to tear me into shreds as I woke up in my bed, sweat soaking the back of my clothes and my pillowcase.

Breathing heavily, I sat up, and tried to massage my temples in an attempt to get rid of my burning headache. My right hand was glowing with the indication of a golden light, the triforce.

The golden triangle pulsed on the back of my hand, like a second heart. Well, significantly less gross than a second heart, but I digress. Anyway, this wasn't the time to be thinking about that.

"Shiiit…" I groaned, rubbing my hand. That wasn't exactly the most ladylike princess word to choose, but desperate times call for desperate measures, I guess. Usually the light fades away in a few seconds, but this time it felt different. I can't explain it, really. The triforce appeared whenever I was scared, or really sad, or even angry. I had gotten used to it, though, because I can't remember a time when I didn't have it. Every princess of Hyrule is born with it, but everyone assumes it's just something like a weird birthmark. I don't blame them, because when it's not acting up it just looks like faded and brown.

But whenever it glows, I feel smarter. Like nobody knows as much as I do, like they wouldn't make the choices I would. I feel like it enhances my reflexes, and I feel like I'm lighter and more agile. I haven't really gotten time to test my abilities, being in a castle most of my life. Also, the triforce only shows up at important times, and I couldn't trigger it like some sort of on switch to being able to perform better in high-school gym class. Which is a joke, by the way. I've never been to high-school gym class. I've never been to highschool. I've had like, really, really pristine homeschooling.

I hopped out of bed, and walked out into the upper halls of the castle. There were no guards out tonight, and even if there were, they usually don't patrol up here. I made my way to my father's room on my tiptoes, not making a sound.

I stopped before his door. Would he believe me if I told him about my dream? It didn't feel like a dream, it felt more like a vision. Whoever was calling out to me, that wasn't just in my head. It was almost, otherworldly, godlike even. If I told my father, he'd just send me back to my room and tell me that it was a bad dream and to go back to bed. He was a kind man, don't get me wrong, but nobody is an angel at 1:37 in the morning.

I turned away from his door quickly. I didn't need him telling me to go back to bed. I could figure this out on my own.

A wave of confidence overcame me as I flew back to my room, sliding the door closed behind me. But, as I stared into the darkness outside my window, looking past the silhouettes of trees and bushes, all of that confidence fizzled out, and a sick feeling took it's place as I realized the hopelessness of my situation. Find him? Him who? Who am I supposed to find? I had heard about the heroes of legend, who had saved this kingdom over and over again. I had read that whenever Hyrule was in danger, a new hero was reborn to take action and conquer evil, fighting against impossible odds and defeating the greatest monsters the world had ever heard of. But that was exactly the problem. Hyrule wasn't in danger. At least, not that I know of. Was there something coming? Something here to tear apart our kingdom once again?

When I realized I was freaking myself out again, I flopped onto my bed, triforce pulsing more than it had been before. I needed to go, I thought. Where? I don't know. But I needed to leave, now.

I had the strangest feeling as I slipped on my workout sneakers and old hoodie and took off out the door. On one hand, I had no idea where I was going, yet on the other I felt like I knew exactly where I was going as I took random turns into different alleyway and roads. I ran through the city, watching the buildings of the city get less and less rich and clean as I moved farther away from the castle. That's how Castle Town worked. Aside from a few tall buildings on the outskirts, the poor lived far away from the castle and the rich lived close to it. Nobody had really ever complained, though, that was just the way things were.

I stopped when I came to an alleyway. It wasn't like someone was calling me towards it, but I decided to go in. I felt like it was the right thing to do.

In fact, it was, because as soon as I took a few steps in, I heard voices. I immediately ran and slid behind a dumpster to eavesdrop.

"Why'd you have to do that, man? I think you killed that guy!" Shrieked a voice. It was a low voice, yet it seemed to waver around, like it lacked confidence.

I heard another voice. "Have you ever heard of self defense? He would have killed you if I hadn't done something!" This voice was a bit higher, and gravely.

I peeked over my cover, to see a large, heavily built, dark skinned man leaned against a wall. Across from him was a Goron, whose rocky arms and round stomach seemed to shake with every breath. His yellowish-tinted skin seemed to contrast his beady, dark eyes.

"Seriously, Link would've-" The large man started again, before stopping. "Did you hear something?"

I tensed up and leaned against the wall, but it was no use as the man slowly came over to me. When he saw me, I screamed, but my terrified expression was mirrored in his face. He screamed also and fell backwards. I got up slowly and started to back away.

The Goron looked down at him, startled, and then looked up at me. His wide face contorted into a confused expression.

"Who are you?" He asked.

I opened my mouth to answer, but was cut off when somebody else walked through the alleyway behind him.

"Keep it down, willya?" He said, angrily. "What are you two shitheads doing any-" He froze when he saw me.

Now that he was closer to me, I could see his features better. He was Hylian, with blue eyes, not unlike me, but they seemed to look deep into my soul, yet were somehow warm and comforting at the same time. He had a lot of dirty blond hair that hung an inch or so above his eyebrows, and was parted off in the middle. He was built, with broad shoulders, although not as much as the other guy was. He was good-looking, with sharp, elf-like facial features. He wore a dark green hoodie, with the hood up over his pointed ears.

"Who're you?" He asked, nervously.

"I'm-" I stuttered. I couldn't blow my cover, could I? If they hadn't recognized me, they must not pay attention to the castle or the royal family. Granted, I did look different in the middle of the night with an old grey hoodie, bedhead, and without makeup. Still, it didn't seem right. "Do I know you?" I said, avoiding his question.

He cocked his head to the side, almost like a dog would, and tried to speak. "I-I don't, I don't think so? Why are you here?"

"I just-" I was stunned by the sheer awkwardness of this conversation. "I don't know!"

I thought he would be angry, but instead, he just raised his shoulder and shrugged, letting out quick laugh. He shook his head and held out his hand. "I guess that settles it. I'm Link, by the way. Nice to meet you."

I smiled, and slowly reached out to shake his hand. But then, almost instantly, he grabbed it and threw me onto the ground, pinning me down with his arms.

Goddesses, was he strong. I tried to escape, but out of shock I wasn't able to find the strength. After a few moments, he lifted me up and pushed me against a wall.

"How much did you hear?" He leaned in close to me. "Who are you working for? Are you a spy?"

"Link! Dude, chill! She's just a little girl!" The Goron called to him.

Link didn't acknowledge him, and kept his hands on my shoulders. Really, he didn't need to do that. His icy glare was enough to keep me frozen.

"I-Seriously! I heard you guys talking so I came in here!" I croaked. I felt my triforce start to heat up again. Link seemed to notice too, his eyes widened and he immediately let go of me.

So he's scared of me? I thought. I held my glowing hand up to his face, in attempt to scare him away further, and did my best impression of an intimidating face.

For a second, I thought it worked, but I just watched him shudder. I lowered my arm, feeling bad all of a sudden. I shouldn't use my triforce against people, really. I stood there, unable to speak, before realizing he was holding his left hand. I couldn't see through his glove, but I thought I saw a faint glow emanating from it. I opened my mouth to speak, but he collapsed on the ground before I could say a word.

I looked at his limp body on the ground, suddenly becoming aware of my triforce burning. It felt like it was melting. A bright flash shot across my vision, and I fell to my knees, before collapsing next to him. The pavement was cold, but I felt like molten lava was shooting through my veins. I closed my eyes, finally unable to cling on to consciousness, and passed out.

A little bit of a lengthy chapter this time, but hey, if that's what it takes to get the ball rolling I'm all for it. Thanks for reading! The next chapter will go up either later today or tomorrow, depending on how many views this brings in. Remember to write me if you feel the need to, because I'll be reading every review I can. I'm sure they would really help, and if you have ideas or anything I'm totally up for reading them and thinking about adding them in! Thanks again!

-platinummantis