I've had this idea in my head for a few years. It's changed and evolved along the way. But I think I will accept the outcome once it's finished. The OC in this, is a mere soft reflection of myself. Yet, I hope you enjoy nevertheless.

This has been barely edited because of the lack of a beta, but we die like men I suppose.

(But if you read more, and decide that you'd like to be one, my PM's are open.)


"Lost in the darkness, silence surrounds you. Once there was morning. Now, and last night." -(Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical.)

It was cold, but Niah liked the rain.

If she were to be more specific though - She loathed the idea that there are individuals that prefer the sunny days. Many assumed their likeness to her own, and that mentality made her grow a subtle distaste for the weather. The storms presented a breath of fresh air, brewing over the corn fields, slicking the roads - a melody in it's own right. The wind would tassel her hair, sending a chill down her back. Rain was a want to her. Not a need, and good things came with rain. Puddles filled potholes, men would speak in harsh; seething tenor while they stood huddled; smoking.

Today though, was no good day.

Pallbearer hoisted the casket into the hearse, a slated black to challenge the downpour and grey skies that made the scenery around everyone appear to be a depressing aesthetic. The tombstone was simple.

The skies didn't clear.

~_/\_~

"You've been in here for hours..." a female and familiar voice carried through the small storage room.

"I know." Niah chuckles while taping off a box. "All I have is the rest of the books and most of the damn loose paper. I don't know why the hell he thought it was a good idea to lay things around." Niah had undressed and changed into something slightly more comfortable, a pair of leggings and a ragged shirt. Normal for rummaging through storage. But the seemingly endless amount of loose paper that had almost flooded the desk in the corner was a battle hardly won. She supposed even mere weeks before her father's recent passing - he could never find the opportunity to write of serene and wholesome interest, instead they had both realized not after too long, Andre's preference in subjects to record where derived from old text and conviction. Quite frankly it was a tough subject to describe.

"I mean, c'mon. Folders aren't there just to ogle at."

Lucy laughed, and let her eyes wander. Books were still scattered along the bookshelves, never properly placed as they should be. Andre worked akin to the fact his life was shorter than most. Even from a young age, he never had the inhibition to take a break and enjoy life a little. Andre had carried the same ethic to his death bed.

"You never cease to amaze me." Lucy sat next to Niah. Glancing over but not losing her focus, Niah chuckles. "-You're taking this well. I guess I shouldn't expect anything different from either of you."

Niah shrugs with a smile, "I guess you're right."

A few long moments passed, leisurely taping the same box. But she couldn't get out of her own head. The vociferous screams and the meticulous chance that she might be able to redo her life fluttered into her brain like an avalanche. It wasn't her fault though. She was instructed to run, and she did. It wasn't her that made the mistake of leering past what was meant to be leered at. Niah let her conscious back away for a moment. The shelves reflect the bare room, previously filled with knick-knacks and other small toys. Hobbies thrown askew and words never ending, she would laugh if the energy hadn't vanished suddenly along with her own amusement.

"I have something for you." Muttered Lucy after the small silence. When Niah dragged her attention from the box, the light in her step-mother's eyes were blunt, a little distant. But it had that small glimmer of hope.

She stood, wiping herself of the dust - she left the room for a few moments. It wasn't a long wait, although for a moment Niah did worry she had been forgotten about. But she returned with… a box.

"When your father and I got together, I remember you finding solitude in this. It took some digging and finding, but I found it in the basement."

Niah didn't touch it. She couldn't recall much from her childhood, but from what she did remember, they were not great memories. There can't be anything in the world that could be the cure to her ailment - grieve - it was a tragedy, and nothing could help that but peace and healing.

But she pondered for a moment. There was something quite loose in her memory.

No. It couldn't be.

Snagging at the box, she tore the flap open to reveal the precious treasure that had been hidden away.

It was.

Her escape, her life, her fantasy. Niah was awestruck.

"I know it isn't much. But I thought that-"

"I love it."

Lucy let out a sigh of relief. "I'm glad. You and Andre used to play it through the night. I would get so mad, but I never realize how much it brought you both together."

Niah let her hair fall in front of her face as she turned away with a shrug. She had forgotten about this game. It molded her, it changed her. It was the one thing in her life that had brought her true happiness. How silly is that? A game, changing lives.

But it changed her.

Oh, how stupid she felt to take such a thing for granted.

Twilight Princess, the cover-art was half torn. But like a book, a crease here and there just meant that they were well loved, no one could fault her for that. She took it out the box to fully examine it.

They had to start using a rubber band to keep the case closed, the latch had broken after opening it so often, but even that was wearing thin. The back was fine, terrified to remove the band - she was more than positive the game was still in the Wii unharmed. Niah held it to her chest, if she could conjure the tears, she would weep with joy.

Taping off the last box finally. She realized the final thing she had to do before her departure next afternoon.

Lucy had been kind enough to leave her for the rest of the night. Niah was grateful. It was easy enough to find batteries, set it up. It has been far too long since she has last felt the weight of the controller in her hands.

She let the story begin.

"Tell me… Do you ever feel a strange sadness when dusk falls..?"

The first thing Niah noticed when she opened her eyes was a dim light. Her throat was dry and her head pounded. She couldn't get a good view of anything for a moment before she rubbed the back of her hand against herself. Then she realized softly. It was just the TV. The normal 'connect your Wii Remote', had popped up. She rolled her hazel eyes and scoffed lightly, there was a reason for the headache then. Stupid light, stupid thoughts. But for the first time in days, grief had momentarily rested in the back of her mind.

Bare feet landed on the wooden floor. It was cold and as she walked the more desperate she was to warm herself up, she remembers brewing coffee beforehand to avoid this situation. The game could wait momentarily. Mayor Bo and his iron boots had all the time in the world. The Goron Mines and the children could have a pause to her suffering, as she had even for a second. Alas though, coffee is in order.

The flash on her phone lit the way towards the kitchen, Lucy must be sleeping if the lights are out. Niah shifted her gaze toward the stove clock, rolling her eyes, she expected to be awake at such a time. Half past five in the morning. Even the coffee had given up patience, the warmer had turned off, and when she placed her hand over the pot. It was stone cold.

The microwave heated it up just fine. It would taste the same in the end anyways.

Even as she stood in the dark, Niah would forever feel the chills of ghostly shadows everywhere. When she looked into the back field, there was nothing but corn and grass. Barren from any human or animal. If you listened over the humming of the refrigerator, the day birds slept, as the owls looked for prey. The circle of life continued, even as she tried to block out the annoyance.

'The annoyance of what exactly?' Niah pondered for a second.

Towards the end of his life, her father had found comfort in religion. Never had he been particularly religious previously, but he found life after death frightening, often talking about his fears he held above Niah's head as well as his own. He didn't pressure though. Never pressed, never forced. Somedays Niah wished she had taken her father's path.

The cool May air swept through an open window, drowsiness wearing off eventually. Leaving Niah to be standing idly. Letting off a complacent sigh, Niah turned her attention at the open window to the right. Crickets and cold air, the soft sounds of a light sprinkle, nothing more.

Or perhaps…

A light flared, just outside the pane. Maybe her perception was deceiving her, perhaps she was more tired than she initially thought. But no! Alas, the light began to slowly drift outwards towards the field! It illuminated a small path. A deception perhaps? Drawing her away from something?

No, setting the cup down, she reached towards her phone to turn the light off. She needed to be careful, for whatever her eyes were seeing. Was not normal. Just before she opened the backdoor - she had shuffled on her late father's jean jacket to accommodate her red winter boots she hastily shoved on. Phone shove in the pocket - the light continued to move though, like an invitation. It wanted her. Like she could hear a voice in the back of her mind. Egging her forward, pressuring her into following the small circles of light. They were like stones you step on when crossing a small creek.

As she left, Niah made sure the backdoor hadn't slammed.

She followed the light across the field. The stems from plowed corn illuminated a bright serene light. This made her think that perhaps this is her going to the otherside. Perhaps she died of a broken heart, and decided to follow her delusions elsewhere. That would be the most accepting gift. She could forgive the Wise One her father had spoken fondly of. That is what I had to be!

In the middle of the field was a small desolate wooded area. Niah sprinted, her ragged shirt did little to protect her from the air, she had no time to button the jacket. The light was moving faster, picking up speed. Until she reached a large rock.

It stopped.

The light particles that had ran with her through the fields had moved past her. Slowing down - they suddenly began forming together.

In the end, it turned into…

'A portal?' Niah questioned. Does she step in it?

It flared again, it almost sang through her bones as if it were a way to tell her 'I'm agitated, hurry!'

The hesitation faded as the light sucked her in. Niah closed her eyes. awaiting her fate she stepped on the pedestal, but nothing happened immediately. But particles began to circle around her. The blood in her veins began to tickle, her head spun as the light consumed her.

Then she was falling. It felt like she was falling! But there was nothing to grab onto! No branch, no cord. Niah couldn't even see water at the end of her great fall. Perhaps this was her fate! How foolish it was to follow something foreign so blindly - so haphazardly. Death lied ahead, she chose it long ago. The fate she yearned for was just ahead. But that doesn't mean she could be scared, right?

Niah was asleep though, perhaps there was a chance she could wake up and get away before what would inevitably come. But God was answering her prayer, it was the least he could do for everything he had put her through! But he would need more suffering first. Wasn't her father enough!

Then. Miraculously, the falling ceased. In fact, she felt water surrounding her. There was no splash, dive. There was no resistance. Just a teal color flooding her vision. Parting it's way, another invitation she assumed. And the smell! Oh, perhaps joy would remain in her once more before death. The ocean, the salt water. She could smell the sand of the earth.

But it was unfortunate, because an ominous presence was looming over her. Niah felt it in her bones.

"Hello!" She cried out. The only response received was an echo.

Reaching her hand out, perhaps feeling could trigger something. The water felt real though, when she pulled her hand away - it was wet and the taste was that of salt.

Niah was able to muster a smile, even in the midst of death she could feel joy. The sea! If she weren't scared - she would have no problems throwing herself in.

Fish began to appear, she didn't recognize the species, but it was normal. There was no bad guy, there was no pain except fear, but that left her mind.

But was brought back when she saw something - drifting towards her.

A broach. Glimmering, red. The shape of not a rose, but the closer it got. She realized that it was a… dragon?

Niah was able to grab ahold of it before it floated away, the lightness of the object threw her off guard at first. She smiled though. Thankful for something; anything honestly.

Then, the walls of water caved in.

Niah kept her grasp on the dragon, but she couldn't breath, water filled her lungs, her head was spinning. She closed her eyes, internally praying it would end, she could breathe once more! Why? Why now?! What could she have possibly done now!

"Hey,"

A small voice called out.

"Are you alright?"

The feeling of suffocation left her body, but Niah still couldn't open her eyes.

Gradually, she drifted into unconsciousness.

_/\_

...warmth.

There was warmth, accompanied by the smell of a fire. Niah kept her eyes closed, fear of alerting the voices she heard behind her. Was she kidnapped?

"She'll be fine though, right?" A puerile voice alerted her.

"Yes child, she will be perfectly fine, but keep your voice down, and let her rest." The next voice was wise and calming, still - she slumped deeper into the covers.

"Then I'll stay with her, I now Link said he'll stay but-"

"Then it's best he does." There was rustling behind her, her head was spinning again, where was she? Who was that? And… Link?

Drowsiness overtook her once more.

_/\_

The next time Niah woke up, it was dark, there was no fire. She couldn't tell if there were other people around, leaving her a bit disoriented, her head was spinning though. Consciously, she tried to sit up, the weight of the blanket pooling to her waist.

First, Niah realized she wasn't wet, and when she opened her eyes, there was a small small child asleep in a chair. Their head lolled to the side. Had they tried to stay awake?

To Niah's left. There were small windows, and from the looks of it - it was dark outside. It was the best time to pad herself down. Looking over herself for any minor cuts or bruises. She could have been knocked out for hours, days. Even weeks! But there was only merely a small bruise on her arm. But, her jacket? Her boots? Where was her stuff!? Niah needed her phone to get home, maybe wake her up from this dream.

Speaking of dreams though. What was that? Before the suffocating, before the water and the drowning. After the falling.

And that broach in the water?

Niah realized quickly that she didn't want to wake up the child. They felt familiar to her, the blond hair - bangs felling from his face, rounding his cheeks. This made her realize he was perhaps twelve, at least ten. Alas though, it was none of her concern. But soon, over the dim candles burning - she saw other people sleeping in cots, akin to her own. Was she sick, and where were they sick as well?

All of this information - or lack of it - was concerning. The world was strange, but it was also very familiar. She's seen it elsewhere, a distant answer was so close, how has she become so foolish!?

For a moment she sat there, eyeing her surroundings, hoping to get just a hint of this, a hint of an answer that she could use, and build herself upon just to gain some sort of bearing. Maybe just a simple understanding of where she might be.

There was movement beside her. Niah realized that it wouldn't be wise to sneak herself back under the covers - a motion like that would surely draw attention from her sleeping neighbors.

"O-oh, you're awake this time? For real-awake?" A noise startled her.

Time stopped as she stared at the boy. Blond hair, bangs, the face shape and the outfit of an… Ordonian.

'Colin?'

No, no, no, no! Panic set in. This was no ordinary dream, perhaps this dream was a lucid one. Her eyes widened, pupils shifting around the room, unconsciously she held herself. This wasn't right! Niah had no way back! Home, she wanted home!

Colin's gentle movement startled her. He was slow in order not to set off the alarms in her bones. Instincts kicked in, adrenaline rushed through her blood as Fight or Flight activated in her body. It was merely a child though. A sweet affectionate one at that!

Wearily. Colin rushed out of the room, leaving Niah to the sleeping residents. What was happening? She had no weapon to defend herself!

Soon enough though, before Niah could hide, a man with long-dark hair and dreads, walked in leisurely. The Shaman, Renado.

Internally, Niah was grateful he hadn't attempted to make eye contact. Almost sensing her grievance and rush of adrenaline. What she appreciated the most though, was his quiet leisurely pace. He also didn't want to draw attention to her.

"I apologise," He began hushed, "-that I was not able to give you more of a private room." It was seldom that she ever witnessed such empathy towards her. Perhaps she could use this.

Niah didn't directly look at him, keeping her gaze elsewhere to avoid any eye contact. She rubbed the quilt between her fingers. "Thank you. This is enough." Her voice was croaked from neglect. "Thank you though."

Renado presented a cup, "Please drink some water, your throat must burn." It was an exaggeration, it of course didn't burn, but it was irritating enough that perhaps a cup of water was a splendid idea. And when she took the wooden cup from his hands, she took several sips. Oddly - it warmed her and even started making her drowsy. Niah was tired of sleeping though.

"Yesterday afternoon, the beasts let up, and Link had found you in the spring. Do you know where you are?"

Niah hesitated for a moment. Should she tell the truth? 'Yeah, Kakariko Village…' or 'No, please tell me where I am.' Niah didn't feel like going through the whole spiel of the village. She knew what most of it was, she's played the game multiple times over.

Nodding. Renado looked relieved. "I had forgotten to introduce myself though, I am Renado, I run the village with my daughter Luda. And you.?"

Niah gave the cup back to the Shaman, his eyes almost drilled into her skull making her fidget.

"My name is Niah." She responded bluntly. "-and my stuff? Had I cros-came over with a jacket?" She asked wearily.

"Yes." Renado stood from his seat, "I have those things set aside for now, along with the other two items. But please, the Spring water has made you drowsy. Sleep. I bid you goodnight."

After his footsteps faded. Niah had made herself comfortable again under the sheets. The room still felt dull, drab even. But it would do for now. Though, if she had a slight bit of privacy - she would scream. She would yell like a toddler! Niah was not meant to be here amongst these strange people. Niah was never meant to affect any prophecy, it made her sick. Things were progressing naturally when she played it. No hiccups, no glitch. Forcing her way into something that had absolutely nothing to do with her. Before her suffering though, at the very least, God would allow her to mourn in peace.

Closing her eyes tight, the spring water was washing her conscious thoughts away.

A tear slipped from her eye. And she mumbled.

"There's no place like home. There's no place like home. There's no place like home.."

Niah finally fell unconscious once more.


I've started writing chapter two! I'm very excited to see where my own mind is headed for this fic. I have several plans, and some of them not many people may enjoy. But we get to there when we get to there!