Finding their way out of the forest the next day proved a simple task. No more fairy magic getting in their way, preventing them from leaving. It wasn't long before they reached the mouth of the forest and found themselves at a crossroad. One trail went east to Lynna Village and neighboring capital Lynna City, according to a nearby sign. The map said they weren't that way, so they headed north.

"A dragon and his mage…" Agitha mused aloud. "What do you suppose they look like?"

Zelda shrugged. She'd ended up surprised every time she tried to imagine her heroes so far. In the end, it was best not to ponder over it too hard. She couldn't even tell whether she ought to take her visions literally or not. After all, a dragon? Those had been extinct for years. Yes, it was better not to think on it too hard.

In the distance, there was a something large. A close silhouette, perhaps? From this distance, it looked to be the size of a man. But then wings sprouted from its form and he took to the air.

"A dragon!" Agitha screamed.

Zelda couldn't believe her eyes. A dragon with a flaming mane was actually flying their way. It opened its mouth and screeched at them. Its long pink tongue unfurled from its mouth like a whip. Smoke began to billow from the corners of its mouth.

Fire. This thing – this dragon – could breathe fire. It could set the carriage aflame if it wanted to.

But it was a dragon, and her vision told her one of the Labrynnian heroes was a dragon. Who else could it be but this?

Zelda jumped out of the carriage and stood before it, arms outstretched. Behind her, the horses stamped their hooves and breathed panicked, heavy breaths. Agitha and Ganon watched in silent fear.

Only Zelda dared speak. "Wait, please!" she yelled, trying to keep her voice from shaking. "We mean you no harm!"

A low, deep voice came from the dragon's mouth. "Then why are you here?"

"We're looking for someone."

"Who?"

"A dragon-"

"You must mean me."

"Yes, and a mage."

"Why?"

How much truth could she tell the dragon? Whose side was it actually on? Zelda remembered bedtime stories with both evil and noble dragons. They all valued bravery, honor, strength, and truth. She had one truth that carried weight in all those areas.

Fine. Desperate times called for desperate measures.

"I am Princess Zelda Harkinian, true heir to the throne of Hyrule."

"Sheik, what are you doing?" Ganon hissed.

Zelda ignored him. He would just have to trust her.

She continued speaking to the fire dragon. "I am seeking heroes chosen by the golden goddesses to help me overthrow the tyrant king Link and reclaim the kingdom which is rightfully mine."

There. The truth was out in the open. Zelda had done all she could. Now it was up to the dragon. It could choose to believe her or not. It could set them ablaze or not. It could kill them or not.

But the dragon was silent. The smoke had stopped, but he still flew above head.

"Well?" Zelda said. "What said you?"

He answered her with a question. "Lana, what do you think?"

A figure sat up on the dragon's back. Even with the distance between them, Zelda could tell one thing about this Lana. She had strange blue hair. A sign of her being a magic user, perhaps?

"She's telling the truth. You know that, Volga."

"But is this what you want?" the dragon – apparently named Volga – asked.

The girl nodded. "It's what's right."

Zelda was sure there was a depth to their conversation that she couldn't understand as an outsider, something she couldn't know. Not without knowing them personally. What she could know was this: these two were on their side. That was enough for now.

The dragon landed on the ground before them, keeping his serpentine body low to the ground so that Lana could hop off his back. Zelda could see them more clearly now.

Their appearance – a fire dragon and a mage in flowing, skimpy clothes – did not surprise her. What surprised her was when the dragon transformed into a human. The laying dragon shifted to the form of a kneeling man coated in armor reminiscent of the scales and flaming coat of his draconic form. Her removed his helmet – his dragon skull – revealing a man's face. His hair and goatee were ashen blonde. The top half of his face was covered in black. Whether it was a tattoo or natural Zelda couldn't tell, but she did see how it contrasted with his golden eyes.

His fiery look contrasted with that of his friend – partner? mistress? - and her cool, gentle look. Up close, Zelda could see her violet eyes and flowing clothes. She bared her midriff with pride like the Gerudo, but the blue and white outfit with its puffs, ruffles, and cape reminded Zelda more of the Zora or Hylian nobility.

So these were the heroes of time and fire, their mage and dragon. This was Lana and Volga.

"Forgive me for my rudeness," Volga said. He bowed his head. "Milady has been in danger for the last three years. It is my duty to keep her safe."

"Has the tyrant really caused such trouble out here?" Zelda asked.

Lana giggled nervously. "Not Link, per say."

"Then who?"

"Let us find a place to sit and talk," Lana said. "I'd rather not stay out in the open too long."

Zelda lazily lifted a shoulder. "That's fine," she said. She gave one last look to the map. Yes, Volga and Lana were definitely on their side. The map said so.