Today's feature goes to the first fanfiction I read on this site, almost a year ago: Merciless by NeonDystortion!

www. fanfiction s/7685346/1/

~And now, onto the story!

~ Chapter 1 ~

~ Nayru ~

.:.

Nothing.

That was the only thing Link was aware of. He couldn't even feel his own body. He was simply a floating consciousness, barely aware of its existence.

'Chosen Hero... Accept our quest!'

Unaware of anyone or anything nearby, he looked around. Still nothing. He suddenly felt himself falling, until suddenly he became aware of something solid beneath him. He opened his eyes and looked around.

His first thought was to assess his surroundings and take cover or defend himself if needed. He began going through his mental checklist:

Environment: Large clearing, underbrush too thick to penetrate in most directions. Possible path to the north.

Cover: None easily accessible if there's an ambush in the forest.

Defense strategies: Fight if necessary, run if possible.

Enemy strategies: Archers have the advantage. Overall element of surprise. Easily barricaded escape route.

Weapons available: None...

That jolted him from his thoughts. He was unarmed? He'd had his sword moments before! He never left the house without it! No food, water, or any means to defend himself or hunt. He knew he wouldn't be much use in a fight with his fists alone.

The grim realization set in further as the moments passed. He was completely helpless, despite years of learning how to handle the wilderness on his own. There weren't even signs of any life nearby; He couldn't even ask for help.

Link fell to his knees as he fought the urge to cry. He'd always been prepared. For the first time, he was completely vulnerable. He allowed himself a few more moments to collect himself before deciding that nothing good would come of sitting in the open. After pulling himself to his feet, he headed in the only direction he could: north.

.:.

After a few hours of navigating the underbrush and other natural hazards—he glared angrily at a root he'd tripped over a moment ago—he felt even more lost than he had been. He'd been leaving trail markers often, and he'd already rediscovered seven of his old ones. He let out a groan of frustration as he rediscovered the eighth.

He heard a sudden growl, which made him glance around in panic. Seeing nothing, he soon realized it was his stomach. If he didn't find something besides trees soon, he'd probably end up starving to death eventually. The plants here were completely unfamiliar, too, so he couldn't rely on them for sustenance. As he was resting and thinking on this dilemma, he heard a scream.

He jumped up and ran to the source of the noise. Even unarmed, he wouldn't—couldn't—forgive himself if he made no move to help someone, even if he lost his life in the process. He stumbled through the underbrush into another clearing.

His eyes immediately registered the source of the scream: A middle-aged woman who looked like the kindly sort to run a soup kitchen. Within the same half-second, he'd registered three octoroks. Not particularly formidable opponents; he could take them. Running forward with a shout and a stick he'd grabbed at the last moment, he was surprised when the octoroks turned their attention to him, but didn't attack. Instead, they fled.

"Wh-what?" He stuttered, bewildered. He then turned his attention to the woman. "Are you hurt?"

She looked up at him, surprised at the sudden appearance. "Just a scratch. I'm just thankful you arrived when you did."

"I aim to please," he said, with a overdramatic bow. "May I see your wound?"

The woman laughed at his antics, knowing he was trying to lighten the situation. "I'd hardly call it a wound, but if you must," she rolled her eyes and smiled.

He looked it over carefully. "You're lucky this just grazed you. If their rocks get stuck in the skin, it usually causes a pretty painful infection. Only way to get them out is... not pleasant, either," he shuddered. He ripped a scrap of cloth from his tunic and began wrapping the cut.

The silence that followed unnerved Link. "What's wrong?" he asked. Then he saw her face properly for the first time. "You! You're Zel— I mean, Princess Zelda's caretaker! I recognize you from the war! I must be closer to the castle than I thought!"

She chuckled. "No, unfortunately. She sent me here to take care of some important business."

"Er, where is 'here'?" he asked nervously.

"These are the outskirts of the southeastern colony, Labrynna."

"...I see," his heart fell at the words. Though Zelda had promised not to involve him in the skirmishes that she'd foreseen, it seemed that the gods had other plans.

"Well, once my business here is concluded, why don't you just come back with me? I'm not exactly sure how you got here, young man, but I'm pretty sure you're supposed to be at the castle right now," she winked. He jumped at the sudden interruption to his thoughts, but smiled and agreed to this proposition.

"If I may ask, what is your business in Labrynna?"

"Oh, I'm just supposed to fetch some Noble girl and bring her to Hyrule. The Princess said she wanted to meet with her as she's apparently vital to Labrynnian politics."

Link got the impression she wasn't giving him all the details, but he also hadn't expected even this much information. What happened in Zelda's courts could stay far away from him, as far as he was concerned.

Suddenly, Impa stopped walking and ne almost walked right into her. "Ah! Why'd you stop!?"

"There's a boulder in the way. My leg's bothering me too much to climb over it..."

Linked looked at the boulder. It wasn't too big, but the brush surrounding it would make it difficult to traverse for Impa. "Don't worry, I've got this." As he walked up to it and rolled it to the side, he failed to notice the insane grin on Impa's face.

.:.

They'd arrived at the home of the girl named Nayru, whom Impa was supposed to meet, but found it vacant. Link was surprised at the location: they were still in the forest, albeit a much less dense area. It seemed like an odd place for a Noble to reside. His long ears then noticed the sound of a female's singing voice to the west. He turned to mention it to Impa, only to see that she was already heading in that direction. Shrugging, he followed.

They arrived in another clearing soon, to find a gorgeous girl singing, with a young man nearby. Around them were various woodland animals. Link was vaguely reminded of a boy he'd encountered in Hyrule who played his ocarina for the local wildlife. After she finished her song, she turned to Impa and Link, and smiled. Her silver-blue hair flowed around her in a way that accentuated her curves, as did her blue dress. It wasn't an extravagant dress by any means, but Link thought it was more beautiful than anything he'd seen in Hyrule Castle. 'Is she really a Noble? She looks so... plain.' he wondered.

"Welcome, Impa and Link. I was expecting you both a few hours ago. Were you waylaid on the way?"

Link looked at Impa, confused. Miss Nayru was expecting him, as well? Impa's face was focused on Nayru's, however, and he went ignored.

"I suppose you've come to take me to Hyrule for my 'safety'?" She sounded almost bitter.

"Yes, that is why I have come. Princess Zelda would like you to come to Hyrule for as long as it takes to sort out the recent uprisings."

"Now wait just a minute!" The young man standing near Nayru suddenly jumped in. "Nayru is needed here! She's the Oracle! You can't just take her away from Labrynna! I'll protect her right here, thank you very much!"

Link knew this could turn into a heated debate pretty quickly, so he decided to intervene. "Um... I don't know what this is about, but can't you just come to Hyrule too?" Evidently, that was the wrong thing to say, because this made the young man even more upset.

"I, the great Ralph, am the sole protector of Nayru! I don't need to listen to a nobody like you!"

Impa cut him off, saying "Actually, Link here is a hero and veteran of Hyrule's military."

"Oh yeah? Think you can beat me in a fight? Prove it!"

"Um... do you have a spare sword?"

"Hah! Some 'hero' you are! You don't even have your own gear?"

Link didn't know what to say to that. He couldn't exactly tell this guy he was teleported here by the Triforce. He wasn't even sure if the colonies knew about the sacred relic, for one thing. He had no response.

"Yeah, that's what I thought."

"Ralph," Nayru tried to intervene. "Please try to calm down. I was not going to accept their offer anyway."

"Damn right you won't!"

The group looked around in alarm at the voice, trying to find whoever had spoken. Then Impa collapsed without warning, and a misty cloud floated out of her partially open mouth. This cloud soon formed a humanoid shape, which took solid form.

A well-defined female figure stood before the group. She might have been beautiful if not for the sinister vibe she exuded. "My name is Veran, Sorceress of Shadows! Look upon the lovely face of one who would tear your world asunder!" With that, she blew a kiss and disappeared.

Nayru suddenly winced in pain, and Ralph ran to her. "Are you alright?"

"Yes. I'm fine, ahahaha!" Without warning, Nayru somehow flew up to the top of a nearby plateau before disappearing.

It took a moment for Link to register what happened. "Lady Nayru!", he screamed, looking around for any sign of her. Ralph was nearby, apparently in shock.

"Ralph, what's going on?! What just happened?! Ralph!"

Ralph fell to his knees, too shocked to respond.

Hope you enjoyed :) I'll try to have the next chapter up soon :)