"Link…? What's with that outfit?" Fado asked, tilting his head slightly. The young man stared at his friend, dressed entirely in green, a sword and shield hanging from his back. The young hero before him drew in a breath.

"I'm…gonna be taking off again," Link said. The two of them were standing by the Great Tree. The early sun was shining brightly overhead. Around them, the village was alive as its denizens scurried about. Fado frowned and crossed his arms, watching the blond haired boy.

"Again huh? The last time you left like this you were gone several months. What was it, about half a year ago?" Link nodded, not saying anything. Fado then snorted and shook his head, smiling softly.

"Well…you never were one to stay put too long, I'm surprised you lasted this long actually. I guess it's just in your nature," Fado grinned.

"Well, alright then. Take care out there, and make sure you bring me something back when you return," Link smiled and nodded.

"Yeah, thanks," He said. Fado laughed.

"The girls around here sure will be sad. Oh well, I guess that means there's less competition for me!" Link laughed along with his friend. Suddenly a loud thump was heard.

"Owwwwww!" Link cried, clutching his head. A snort was heard behind him.

"Running off to goddess knows where again are you?" A grumpy old voice said. Link, still rubbing his head turned around.

"Ah…Gramps…" Jiro frowned.

"Feh, don't expect to have a job when you get back," The carpenter said. Link said nothing, removing his hand from his head. Jiro glanced and him and scowled.

"Che, you might as well take this with you," He added, throwing a small package at the hero. Link blinked as he reached out and caught it.

"Hmm?" Link slowly unwrapped the cloth surrounding the item. The dark material fell away, revealing a light blue object.

"Eh? An ocarina?" Link said, surprised. Jiro huffed and nodded.

"It was your mum's," He said, "She wanted you to have it when you were old enough to leave home. I didn't give you too you last time because you just ran off without telling anyone," Link smiled and closed his fingers around the instrument.

"Thanks Gramps," He said. Jiro just snorted and turned and started to walk away.

"Yeah yeah," The old man said, waving, "Just get outta here already. Maybe now I can find a useful assistant," Link grinned as he watched the old man go. Smiling, Fado put a hand on his shoulder.

"Take care Link. See ya later," Link nodded, still smiling.

"Yeah," The hero said, turning toward the village's exit. He waved over his shoulder as he walked.

"See ya! Make sure you take care of my house!"

"Yeah yeah!" Fado called back, "I gottcha!"

"Don't use it get any girls!"

"Damn..."Fado muttered, "Fine!"

It became much quieter as Link left the village. The sound of people faded as he headed deeper into the forest. Soon, all that was heard was the soft whistle of the wind and the wildlife around him. Link glanced around, looking down the path surrounded by tall trees.

"Geez…didn't think I'd be doing something like this again so soon," he muttered. Reached behind him he stuck his hand into a pouch on his belt. After rummaging through it he pulled out the strange device he had found earlier. He looked down at it as he walked.

"A tournament huh…?" He repeated.

I still can't believe I'm doing this…

"Huuuuuuuuhhh…"Link sighed, closing his eyes, "I guess Fado's right, this kinda crap's just in my nature…"

Still…

"When you've made your decision, I'll know."

How will he?

"Rather…I'm starting to wonder why I left the village in the first place. I don't even know where I'm going…"

Suddenly his eyes narrowed as his instinct raged. He quickly dropped into a battle stance and clutched his sheathed sword. Not a moment later a ridged white line appeared a dozen feet before him. It was if someone had torn the very air itself. Purple energy pulsed out of the rift, causing the trees around to sway. Link gritted his teeth and covered his face with his arm.

Ahg! What the hell!

The rift widened. Nothing but pure white could be seen on the inside. Peering over the top of his arm, Link's eyes widened when he saw a shadowed figure within the rift.

Something's coming…

A person calmly stepped from the pulsing rift. It was a woman. She looked Hylian, only her ears were rounded instead of pointed. She wore what looked like black light battle armor with dark purple outlines on the edges. Her long hair was pure white and she wore bandages across the top of her face, concealing her eyes.

As soon as the last part of her exited the rift it slowly contracted until it was nothing more than a white line. With a flash it dissipated, breaking into small particles. Link narrowed his eyes at the young woman before him, not moving from his battle ready stance. Calmly, the woman walked forward, seemingly watching him through the cloth covering her eyes. She stopped just a short distance in front of him.

"Your name is Link," It was more of a statement than a question. Link simply nodded, relaxing slightly but not taking his hand off the handle of his sword.

"Who are you?" Link replied.

"My name is Star, one of the officials for the tournament," Star's emotionless voice said. Link's eyes widened slightly.

"You're... from that tournament?" Link asked, surprised. The woman nodded slightly.

"My Master sent me here to collect you,"

"Your…master?"

That man…

"I look forward to meeting you in person, Hero" The strange man said.

Link narrowed his eyes slightly.

How did he know I was going to accept this tournament…and so quickly…

Or is it…

He expected me to…

"My Master is waiting for all the participants to be brought to him," Star told him. Her head shifted slightly.

"I see that you are prepared," She said, looking at Links sword. Link nodded.

"Yeah,"

How can she 'see' anything?

"Very good, that will save some time," She said, "We should not keep my master waiting. Come with me," She raised a hand.

"Wait," Link said, "Where are we going?" The woman paused.

"To my master's realm," She said, "That is where the tournament will be held. It is a place only my master and those under him may go. That is why I've come to bring you back. You are one of thirteen who were selected to participate in this tournament. You should be honored." The corners of her mouth suddenly twitched downward, "You can stop waving, I can see you…" He said in an irritated voice. Link paused and slowly lowered his hand.

Scary…

"Are you ready to depart?" Star asked, irritation gone. Link blinked and then nodded.

"Ah, yeah," He said.

"Then let us go," Star raised her hand again and snapped her fingers. The rift suddenly appeared again. As it widened Star turned around and headed toward it.

"Follow me," She said. Link hesitated for a moment before deciding to follow.

Gannon's face sneered down at him.

"You're nothing compared to them! You are weak!"

Link's fist clenched. His steps became more determined.

"The greatest fighters, from world you've never even heard of…"

Link narrowed his eyes.

"Let's go," He said to himself.

Authors Note: All I can say is please review.