The skies were dark filled with ominous clouds billowing over a strange but familiar land threatening to unleash torrents of rain. Lighting flashed and a low rumble of thunder rolled across the sky like a huge monster lurching in its sleep...

Zelda woke with a start. Sweat ran down her face and she was breathing heavily. That nightmare had plagued her each night for the past month. She couldn’t figure out why this was happening and began to fear that it meant something.
Out of the silence of her room came a shrill ringing that made her jump out of her skin. After a second she realized that it only her alarm clock signaling her time to get up. She controlled her racing heart and turned the alarm off.
She looked around her large bedroom trying to recall her dream and calm down. In the grey predawn light she could see nothing out of place. From her open window came the chirping of birds’ stirring from their sleep. That added to her growing calmness. She shook off the remaining from her nightmare, climbed out of bed, and got ready for her first day of senior year.

. . .

The front of the school was filled with chatting teenagers. Groups of friends stood in circles and miniature mosh pits. There were old friends greeting each other after a long two months, people who looked half awake, and a few teachers talking among themselves.
Yellow school buses or Loser Cruisers (as the upperclassmen called them) lined the sidewalk opening their doors spilling out scared looking freshman and loud sophomores trying to look cool in front of the people they were just last year.
Zelda walked through the throng of students waving or saying hi to a few of them. She was looking for her friends. She spotted the first one, Link. He was standing next to his younger cousin, Laurel who was looking around wide eyed.
”Hey Link!” she yelled while running over to her friend. He waved back and smiled. It almost made her trip.
“Hey Zelda long time no see.” He joked since they had just seen each other yesterday. She looked over at Laurel whose eyes couldn’t stop darting around.
“So Laurel, how are you feeling about being a freshman?” Laurel looked up at the older girl with bright green eyes. She started to answer but Link interrupted her.
“She’s scared out of her mind. I had to drag her all the way here.” He informed her.
“You did not! I’m not scared, I have no reason to be...” but even as she said that she looked up at the school uneasily.
“Laurel!” Came a yell from down the sidewalk. Another freshman was calling. Link and Zelda could tell she was because she was wearing a backpack.
“Sarah!” Laurel cried and ran over embracing her friend. They stated talking rapidly about how they didn’t want to go to school. Zelda laughed.
“How cute.” She said mostly to herself, “I remember when I was like that. It doesn’t even seem that long ago...”
“Yeah.” Apparently Link was listening. Just then a boy and a girl walked over. The boy’s name was Phoenix and the girl was Raven. Phoenix had spiky red hair that almost seemed like fire coming out of his head and amber eyes. He was wearing a red t shirt and baggy jeans with black boots. Raven had black hair but at the moment was died purple, her eyes were naturally violet. She was dressed in a black tank with a skull on it with a purple plaid skirt and black combat boots. Out fit courtesy of Hot Topic. The four teenagers made an unlikely group of inspirable friends.
“Hey guys, ready for our final year of Hell?” Raven asked the two.
“No. Let’s just get this over with.” Phoenix said cramming his hands into is large pockets. He sauntered up to the front entrance.
“I wasn’t talking to you jackass.” Raven said but followed him anyway with Zelda next to her. Link looked over apprehensively to his cousin. She was now with a good sized group of friends and looked less afraid. He decided she’d be fine and followed his friends into the building.

Link, Zelda, Raven, and Phoenix climbed the stairs to the third floor of the high school. They had been hanging out in M hall every morning since they were freshman. Sometimes a few of their other friends would join them, but most of their friends chose to leave M hall for the more exciting lower level halls. It may not have been the most interesting of halls and it was definitely lacking life forms but it had grown on them.
“Ugh what’s that smell?” Zelda crinkled her nose.
“It’s the smell of M hall!” Phoenix answered. “C’mon take it all in.”
“It’s the smell of this whole school,” Raven said. “This building is so ancient, it’s falling apart.” She cocked her head over to a bucket sitting on the floor next to a row of lockers. It was under a leak in the ceiling filled to the middle by brown water. The spot in the ceiling was also brown. The center was the darkest brown and got lighter as it seeped out. “Don’t you think they’d fix this place? Or maybe tear it down?”
“I hear they’re gonna make a new school after ’08 graduates.” Zelda informed her.
“Yeah right they’re too cheap,” Raven complained. They got half way down the hall and sat down, their backs to the narrow lockers. After a few moments some people came up the middle stair case and joined them. They sat around until the warning bell rang or croaked sending the teenagers into their own directions. Zelda and Raven had the same home base that happened to be in M hall. One of the reasons they all stayed up there. They said good bye to their friends and headed down the hall.
“So what is your first class?” Zelda asked.
“Dunno. I uh “lost” my schedule the day they sent it to me. Guess I’ll find out when they give us them in home base. What about you?’
“Latin.” She answered.
“Fun.” Raven said sarcastically. They walked into the chem. Lab and found some seats in the back row. The intercom cracked to life and a way to perky voice for the first day of school made the morning announcements. Zelda and Raven talked quietly until they got their schedules, the bell rang and they left for class.
. . .

Zelda sat in the shade of a large maple tree out side of the cafeteria reading through the supplies she would need for her first three classes. Binders, pencils, pens...all the usual things. She had them all at home anyway. She took a bite out of her sand witch wondering if any of her friends got the same lunch as her.
Before she could even finish that thought, Link plopped himself down next to her. “Hey, I was wondering where you were. What took you so long to find me?” Zelda asked. He took her candy bar from her lunch bag and took a bite earning himself a bonk on the head. He rubbed the spot looking rather cute to her.
“Thanks. I was held up behind about twenty freshmen. You never knew how hated you were as a freshman until your not one.” He said still trying to get her snickers. She held it away from him.
“Yeah. Where are the others?”
“Raven and Phoenix? They have first lunch. And I dunno about anyone else I didn’t ask.”
“Oh.” She leaned back against the rough bark of the tree and closed her blue eyes. She listened to the sounds around her. Nothing much. It was mostly the conversations going on around her all meshed into one giant unintelligible sound. Link continued to talk to her.
“So, you have soccer practice after school right? You made the team didn’t you?”
“Ugh, I completely forgot about that. I’m not in much of a soccer playing mood I mean it’s the first day of school! Why can’t they just give us a day to rest before they practice us to death?” she opened her eyes to find Link munching on her snickers. “Hey!” she yelled but he already shoved the remainder of it in his mouth. “You jerk, thanks a lot!”
“Ah calm down. I’ll buy you another one. Besides you need to eat healthier what with your big soccer workout after school.” She wasn’t sure if he was serious or not.
“I can’t work out without energy and you just ate It.” she put her hand on her forehead, “How will I ever go on?”
“Wow that was rather dramatic,” he said clearly unconcerned.
“Whatever. Hey what’s your last class?” she asked finally over the candy bar.
“Gym. I think Phoenix has it too. What about you?”
“Same here. That’s cool that the three of us have a class together.”
“I thought you were mad at me,” he said trying to look hurt
“Oh I’m over that.” Suddenly everyone out side started clearing their things and slowly making for the doors. “Did the bell ring? I didn’t even hear it.”
“I guess. C’mon just one more class to deal with and it’s not even hard,” he got to his feet and held out his hand she took it and he pulled her off the ground. She through her paper bag in a near by barrel then walked next to Link in the hall.
The hallways were clogged with people at their lockers, couples kissing which was kind of gross to watch, and lost freshman looking at their maps trying to figure out where to go next. Link got smacked with one of their backpacks. “Gah! Stupid kid! Watch where you’re going!” The boy looked up at him. He looked like a deer in headlights.
“Uh, sorry. Umm d’you know where H hall is?” he asked uncertainly. Zelda answered him.
“Yeah. Don’t mind Link he’s just stupid. You go down this hall and take a left.”
“Thanks,” he took off down the hall. Zelda looked up at Link.
“That was nice. Way to scare the poor kid.”
“Hey he needs to learn how to survive. Not every one is nice like you.” They finally made it to the gym in relatively one piece. There were other people here too sitting in the bleachers. Zelda and Link made their way to the top row and looked around for any familiar faces when they heard someone call them.
“Zel, Link! Hey same class as me huh?” it was Phoenix he took a seat next to them.
“Well yeah remember we talked about this in math?” Link asked.
“No. I wasn’t even awake then.”
“Maybe you should stay awake, then maybe you won’t fail this time,” Zelda said.
“Nah, I’m just an idiot. Your smart that’s why you always pass stuff. But I could never do that.”
“Oh please. You just have to try.” He said something but he couldn’t here because the bell rang and it was right above them. The four gym teachers tried to call attention to the class. After about two minuets it was quiet enough for them to talk. Ms Doe, a tall lady with curly hair pulled into a pony tail spoke. Her voice rang clear through the large gymnasium.
“Juniors and seniors. Welcome back. I trust every one had a good summer.”
“We had a great summer Ms. Doe!” a suck up preppy girl in the front row answered. A few of her friends said similar things and then laughed in the annoying way they do.
“That’s good. Coach Donavan and I will be teaching seniors and Mr. Gerber and Mrs. Miller will teach the juniors.” Phoenix mumbled
“They make it sound like teaching gym is a real job.”
“What was that?” Coach Donavan had apparently heard him.
“Oh nothing coach. Please continue Ms. Doe,” a ripple of laughter ran through the bleachers. Ms. Doe began the role call. Zelda listened until her name was called then she decided to zone out since she had done this three times before. She sat there letting her mind wander vaguely aware of what was going on around her. The conversations and gym started to fade out around her until she was engulfed in the dark. She assumed it was because she fell asleep...

...Gradually the world materialized back around her. She wasn’t in the gym anymore. She was in a large building made of stone. She began to walk and could hear the footsteps of someone next to her but for some reason she couldn’t turn to see who it was like she was in someone else’s body. There was an alter at the end of the building with script carved in it but she couldn’t read it. Suddenly there was a blinding light emitting from the wall in front of her. Zelda stood there frozen with eyes wide waiting to see what came next...

“Zelda? Zelda?” a voice from far away brought from far away brought her out of her daydream. Her world became clearer. The gym came back and she could once again hear the chattering of teenagers. “Zelda what’s wrong? C’mon it’s time to leave,” it was Link. He was looking at her with concern written on his face.
“Uh well nothings wrong. Is it really time to go? Already?” all around her people were making their way down the bleachers and to the exits.
“What d’you mean “already”? We’ve been hear almost an hour and a half.” Phoenix was suddenly talking. She hadn’t even noticed he was still there.
“Are you sure you’re okay? I mean you seemed out of it.”
“I did? Well I don’t think there’s anything wrong. I was just zoning out I’m fine now. I gotta get ready for practice.” She meant to go by herself but Link followed her across the gym anyway. When she got to the locker room entrance she turned to Link, “Really I’m fine. You don’t have to worry.”
“Alright I guess I’ll see you later.”
“Yeah bye,” she said quietly and went into the locker room. He stood there for a little while before finally turning to leave.

. . .

“Erin I’m open!” Zelda yelled. The defensive player kicked the ball up the field. Zelda received it and kicked it in the goal. The coach blew his whistle signifying the end of the scrimmage. The team ran p and gathered in a circle around him.
“So is practice over?” a girl name Rachel asked.
“Yeah girls that’s enough for today. I have a feeling this is going to be a good season. Well get home and rest up. Practice tomorrow same time same place.
The girls dispersed some forming small groups walking towards the sideline where their stuff was waiting for them. Zelda walked on her own to her pile and began drinking her Gatorade.
“Zelda,” she looked behind a small maple tree and there stood Link. Some of the girls looked over some whispering and giggling. He wasn’t there for them and ignored what they were doing.
“Link what are you doing here?”
“What a greeting. I was just bringing you the snickers I promised you,” he tossed it to her. She caught it a little surprised.
“Thanks,” she told him stuffing the candy in her bag, “I thought you would’ve gone home by now.”
“Well I waited around,”
He smiled making her heart skip a beat. She was happy that he would wait three hours after school was over just for her. He hated school.
“Do you think you could wait around a few more minuets for me to get my stuff? Then we could walk home together.”
“To who’s home?” he asked playfully, “Yours or mine?”
“To our designated houses,” she laughed, “you know that.” She picked up her bag and they walked across the field back to the building. Zelda went to the locker and stuffed her school clothes into her gym bag. They walked across the student parking lot and into the woods. They always went home that way. They walked in silence down the path. The sun was setting bathing the woods in an orange color and the trees cast shadows in the dirt making everything seem peaceful. For the first time in days Zelda felt at ease.
“Hey, what’s that over there?” Link was pointing off the path into some thick brush.
“Woods,” Zelda said.
“No look.” She looked to where he was pointing. At first all she could see was brush. But when she looked closer she could see a path. It was very small and nearly overgrown with brush but it was there. Link walked towards it. “Let’s see where it goes,” Link said his eyes bright for an adventure. Zelda’s easy feeling was gone by now.
“I don’t know Link. It’s getting late and it’ll be to dark to see.” The sky was fading into the twilight hour and the first stars were already starting to come out. But Link was already on the path. “Oh great now we can get lost in the dark. Why not I got nothing else better to do,” she mumbled to herself and pushed her way onto the path.
“It was even smaller on it then it was looking in. branches kept slapping her in the face and getting tangled in her hair. She had to crouch down from some low hanging ones and at times she had to climb over fallen trees. This wouldn’t have been so bad if she could see where she was going. But it was getting dark and the trees were blocking out what little light there still was. Link on the other hand seemed to be having no trouble at all.
Gradually the path began to get a bit wider and Zelda could walk up next to Link. “Well this is pleasant,” Zelda said, “where do you think this goes to?”
“Uh over there. Hey it’s opening to something!” Link ran up ahead.
“Hey wait!” Zelda took off at his heels. They ran down the path until it fanned out into a small clearing. Stopping to look around they didn’t see anything at first but then they both saw it. “What is that?” it was a building. It was as tall as any of the trees in the woods, maybe bigger. It was easy to miss at first because it was over taken by vines, trees, and other forms of plant life. Zelda walked to the crumbling steps. There was an entrance that wasn’t cover by anything...
“It kinda looks like a temple. How do you think no one found it until now?” the two shared a look.
“Let’s go in.” Link suggested. Fine. Zelda thought. Things couldn’t get any weirder.
The two climbed the steps and into the temple. Surprisingly the inside looked untouched by the destruction its exterior had. The stone floor and walls looked brand new. It was huge and empty save for a spot that rose up from the floor and an alter at the other end of it. Zelda had seen this place somewhere before.
Then it hit her. This was the place she’d seen during her daydream! Well it was more then a daydream now. She decided to do what she did then and walked up to the alter. Link came with her.
She looked down at it. There were those inscriptions she couldn’t read. But there were also notes inscribed there. I wonder if... “Link! I’ll be right back!” she turned and ran out.
“Wait! Where are you going?”
“There’s something in my bag I need to get! Hold on!” she yelled as she disappeared into the night. Link stood there bewildered then saw her running back holding something in her hand. “Here!” catching her breath she held out a little blue instrument. At least Link though it was an instrument. It was egg shaped and its surface was polished and glossy. It had seven little holes and a mouth piece with a marking on it. The whole thing seemed to glow.
“What is this?” he asked her.
“It’s called an ocarina.”
“And you just carry it around with you wherever you go?”
“My mother gave it to me before she died. She told me to keep it and always make sure it was safe so yeah.”
“Sorry. But what do you want me to do with it?”
“Play it,” she stated obviously. “see those notes right there?” she pointed to the one’s on the alter. “Play those.”
“Wait why me? It’s your ocarina why don’t you play it?”
“I don’t know. I can’t really explain it but I have this feeling. I think you’re supposed to play it.” she looked at him seriously.
“Well okay. But I’ve never played one of these so don’t get mad at me if I suck.”
“I won’t just play it.” Link put the ocarina to his lips and tried to play the first note. It came out as a high pitched shrill. Zelda cringed. Link looked embarrassed. “Try again,” she reassured him but more unsure of her feeling this time. What were they doing?
Link played again this time it came to him more easily and sounded rather nice. But nothing happened. Zelda was disappointed. But she wasn’t exactly sure why. They were both thinking about leaving but something happened.
There was a symbol on the top of the wall that neither of them noticed before. It was the same as the one on the ocarina. It began to glow. Then in a blinding light it turned from stone to what looked like gold.
And what they thought was a wall wasn’t. it was a door and it was opening. The two stood there frozen in their spots. It was just like Zelda’s vision.
The door stopped with a loud slam. The room behind it was too dark to see what was in there. Finally Link spoke up, “Well let’s go in and check it out.” They walked into the room. It was quiet all they could here were each other’s footsteps. Zelda tried to look around but it was too dark. All she could see was the silhouette of a shape in the middle of the room. She was glad when Link grabbed her hand.
“What is that?” she felt like that question had come up pretty often.
“I dunno It kinda looks like a...sword?” They had made it close enough to see what it was. It was sticking out of a small block in the floor.
“Well um pull it out then.”
“What do I look like? King Arthur?”
“Link you opened the door. Maybe you can pull out the sword.” He hesitated a second then said,
“Alright then at this point pulling out a sword makes sense.” He grabbed the hilt with his left hand and pulled. There was a slight resistance but it came out easily enough. What came next neither of them would’ve expected. There was a blue light that surrounded them. A blast of air seemed to come from the floor that almost blew them off their feet. They didn’t know what happened next because everything went black.

Link opened his eyes to find himself lying on his back. There was a dull pain thudding in the back of his head where he must have hit the floor. He sat up rubbing the spot trying to remember what had just happened. Then it hit him. The temple, the door, that sword, which he was still holding in his left hand. Geez this is weird he thought.
Then he remembered someone else was with him. Zelda! Was she okay? He looked around frantically. He didn’t have to look far; she was right next to him out cold. He shook her. “Hey Zelda, are you okay? C’mon wake up.” She grumbled in protest then opened her eyes.
“Ow what happened?” she began examining her surroundings. It was the same place she had been before the weird blue light. “Link? Oh yeah you were with me. I remember now.
“Yeah that was fun.”
“Maybe we should get out of here,” she said. She really wasn’t in the mood for investigating this place anymore.
“Yeah good idea. Uh what do I do with this sword?” she looked over at him. She had forgotten about the sword.
“Well bring it with you. We can hide it in the woods or something.” yeah hide a sword in the woods there’s a good plan. But she couldn’t think of anything else. The two pulled themselves off the floor and headed where they had come in. When they left he building they were expecting to come out into the small clearing of the woods but that’s not what saw.
Instead of the woods they were in what looked like a small yard with bushes and dead trees. The stairs lead down to a lawn of brown grass. Where there was another set of stairs that lead to a town behind a wall. Zelda spoke first “Where are we? Link are we dreaming?”
“I don’t think so,” he said pinching his arm, “What if when I pulled the sword out we were transported to a different world? I know it sounds kinda crazy but...” Link didn’t have to finish. She knew what he meant. This day had gone from normal to the complete opposite in such a short period of time.
“Well maybe we should check out the town. There’s not much else we can do,” Link agreed and the two set out towards the street.
The town was in ruins. Buildings were collapsed and the ones that were still standing were barely intact. There were holes in the coble stone road, windows were broken, and plaster was pealing from the once beautiful city walls. Somehow they both felt that this was once a prosperous city, but something had happened to make its citizens flee and leave it to ruins.
There was something else about this place. A forbidding terrifying feeling that Zelda felt in her heart. It didn’t have to do with the creepy ruins, or the deafening silence from lack of life forms. It was a feeling that they didn’t belong here. It seemed to be strongest down the road right to where they had entered.
Link tried to lighten the mood, “Hey this place kinda reminds me of a ghost story,”
“Not now,” her response was quick and filled with a little irritation. A ghost story was not what she needed. The two walked into the town looking for any sign of life. The wind began to blow through the holes of the houses making an eerie howling adding to their unease.
They found a store or what they thought was a store from the old sign above it. They walked through the doorway hanging from the wall. Inside was a good sized room. There was a counter and behind it were shelves with weapons strewn about them. The wooden floor was filled with scattered debris and there was a flight of stairs next to them.
“I’ll look at the weapons. I have a feeling that we’re gonna need them,” he told her.
“Good plan. I’ll go upstairs and see if there’s anything we can use.”
“Okay,” he was already browsing through the swords and shields, “but be careful. If you need me just yell.”
“Mm hmm,” she said climbing the stairs. She was careful to test each step before putting her weight on it. they creaked underneath her but they were safe. She finally made the assent to the second floor.
There was a hallway and three rooms. She searched the two smaller ones first. They were both bedrooms with nothing really useful in them. She did find a tan rucksack that she decided to swipe. Well whoever owns this won’t need it now, she thought. She found a blanket and put it in the bag. Next she crossed into the biggest of the three rooms. She assumed it was a kitchen from the jars lying on the floor and the food in the open cabinets. The second floor must have been were the storeowner lived.
She picked up three bottles and stuffed them in her bag. She looked in the cabinets for some food. There were glass jars and ceramic pots filled with various fruits, nuts, and berries. She made sure they were good and took them. In the next cabinet there was a first aid kit filled with herbs and linen bandages. She knew that it was a good idea to bring that with her as well.
Meanwhile back on the first floor Link was still looking through the weapons. He had found a shield that he decided to take with him. He was still looking for a sheath to put his sword in. He found one the right size and strapped it to his back. He found nothing else he need and went to go see what Zelda was doing upstairs.
Zelda was still looking through the cabinets when she heard Link come up the stairs. He looked in the kitchen and found her. “Hey, what the-“
“What is it?” she asked frantically.
“Your ears,” he said pointing to them. They saw each others’ expression in the others’ face. There ears were...pointy. How had they not noticed this before? Zelda put the dusty rucksack on the dusty table. She pulled a chair off the ground and sat in it taking trying to drink all of this in. link was staring somewhere into space.
They were both snapped out of their trance by an ear piercing scream coming from outside. They ran to a window overlooking the town square. At first they couldn’t see anything but then some movement caught the corner of their eyes. It was a brown corpse dragging its feet across the ground. “What the hell is that?” Link asked.
“It looks like a mummy or something,” Zelda guessed, “I really think we should get out of this town,” though she didn’t know how. If there was one of these things then there were bound to be more.
“Yeah,” Link agreed, “it’s moving slow. I think we can sneak past it.” Zelda pulled on the rucksack and Link pulled out his sword. They quietly went down the stairs and looked through the open door. The zombie had its back turned to them. They ran in the opposite direction of it. They only got a few feet when Zelda had to stop. “Zelda what’s wrong? Come on we have to get away!” but Zelda wasn’t going anywhere.
“We can’t go this way. We can’t!” she was on the verge of tears. Link held her at arms length. She was really scared of something.
“Zelda, what is it?”
“There’s something that way. I don’t know what, but it’s bad, and if we go there we’ll die.” That evil forbidding feeling was tugging at her heart and running through her whole body. She clutched her chest trying to get her hear under control.
“Alright. We’ll go this way,” he grabbed her hand and attempted to head back but now there were three of them. “Oh no, maybe not,” he tried to move but he was frozen to his spot. Zelda couldn’t move either. Somehow the zombies had paralyzed them and they were getting closer. “Damn it we’re in trouble now.” The zombie thing got to them. It then jumped on his back coiling its decaying arms around Link’s neck. It dug it’s teeth into Link’s flesh sucking out his life energy.
Link could feel the energy draining from his body. But he soon gained back control over his paralyzed body and slashed the thing with his sword. It fell to the ground dead, or more dead. He took out the other two as well.
They thought that was the end of their troubles but it wasn’t. They heard spine tingling moans. From the rubble emerged dozens of those monsters. Link and Zelda ran but it wasn’t them they were interested in. they walked over to the fallen one’s and began devouring them. Zelda felt her stomach heave. What were these disgusting creatures? She didn’t want to stick around and find so they used this opportunity to make their escape.
They made it to the exit of the city and stopped to catch their breath. “ink are you okay?” he looked like he was in pain from the attack. He looked up at her.
“I’ll be fine I just need to rest for a second.” He sat down with his back against the wall. Zelda sat down next to him. She looked towards the bridge leading out.
“Alright then we should get out if your not hurt to badly.” As she said that the door next to them burst open. A man in a dark hooded robe emerged. He had one glowing read eye in the middle of his hood.
“Not so fast,” he said his voice coming from the darkness of his hood. “Come in here,” he pointed his long cane to the room he came from. The two teenagers hesitated then got up and went into the house. It was empty except for a bed and a fire place with a large pot full of boil liquid.
The man closed the door and walked over to the cauldron pouring some its contents in a cup. “Here drink this,” he told Link. Link looked at the read liquid wondering if he should. “Trust me Boy. This’ll help heal your ailments.” Link took the cup. The first mouthful was hard to swallow because of the bitter taste and it burnt the back of his throat. “Drink it all,” he commanded then he turned to Zelda, “You there Girl, do you have any bottles?”
“Yes,” she answered and pulled out the three bottles from her bag. He took them and filled with the liquid. Link finished his own and even though it tasted bad he was starting to feel better and regain his energy. The man handed Zelda the bottles of potion. “What were those things that attacked us?” Zelda asked.
“Redeads,” the man stated, “they’re monsters that manifested after the evil King Ganondorf took over Hyrule. Other monsters have also taken over the land. I only stay in this town because poes appear and I collect them.” When Zelda and Link heard the name Ganondorf, chills went through them. They had heard that name before but couldn’t remember where, and they knew it was bad. Zelda didn’t want to know about him though.
“So we’re in Hyrule?” Zelda asked.
“Yes.”
“What’s a poe?” she asked.
“It’s a type of ghost that is manifested hatred.”
Link asked next, “Well why did those redeads wait to attack us? Why didn’t they just do it when we walked into the city?”
“It’s that sword of yours, Boy,” he gestured to the sword on Link’s back, “legend has it that’s the Sword of Evil’s bane. Evil creatures don’t like the sacred aura radiating from the sword. My guess is that they were afraid at first but got curious and came out to see it.”
“Wow,” Link said amazed, “what else is there to know about this sword?”
“I’m afraid I can tell you no more. You two must leave now you’re in grave danger,” the hooded man told them. He opened the door. Link and Zelda walked out the door. Zelda remembered she had manners and stopped to face him.
“Thank you,” Zelda told him.
“Heh heh. You’re welcome and good luck,” the strange man closed the door.
“Well we should go,” Link said uncertainly. They crossed the drawbridge into the night of Hyrule.

A/N: hey if u were acually left in suspence sry bout that. I got distracted and well yeah hope u liked this chapter and I'll try not to get distracted and update sooner.

Link and Zelda wandered through the dark for a few hours. Link was sure to keep his sword ready in case anything attacked (though he wasn’t very sure what he would do if something did). As they got farther away from the city they began to feel more at ease and eventually the clouds in the sky cleared up and the stars came out. In the glow of the moon they could see a small grove of trees next to a brook. They decided to rest there.
They drank from the stream’s cool water and eventually got a fire going. The two sat in the fire’s warm glow eating the food Zelda brought. It was dry and hardly had any flavor. “You know, I wish I had brought that snickers you gave me,” Zelda joked. This was the first time all night she had not been serious. Link laughed and felt a lot better then he had. He laid down in the grass looking at the night sky. Zelda laid down next to him.
“I wonder if all the people back home are worried about us,” Link said.
“Well I’m sure your family is. But my father probably doesn’t even notice I’m gone. Right now he’s probably in his study or at work or even in bed and won’t even notice I’m gone until tomorrow.”
“Sorry.” He couldn’t think of anything else to say.
“Don’t be. Sometimes I exaggerate. I’m sure he’ll be worried once he realizes I’m gone.”
“Or he’ll think I kidnapped you or something.”
“No he won’t.”
“Yeah, he hates me. I’m just that poor hooligan corrupting his high class daughter.” He was only half serious but she agreed.
“Don’t feel bad. In his eyes no one will ever be as good as us. Well except for the people he likes,” she was quiet for a few moments, “let’s not talk about my family any more. It’s depressing me.”
“Alright,” he agreed, “I’m tired anyway.”
“Yeah me too.” She snuggled up close to Link and was a out in a few minutes. Link stayed awake a little longer looking at the stars of this different world. Gradually his breathing became slow and steady. He had finally fallen asleep.


Zelda woke to the chirping of birds. She opened her eyes to an unfamiliar place. Then she remembered where she was. Link was still asleep next to her snoring softly. She laughed aw how cute. She didn’t want to wake him. The sun was coming up so she thought she should go look around. She climbed a small hill and was amazed at the sight.
It was a large field of green grass as far as the eye could see. There was all sorts of vegetation like trees and shrubs that occasionally dotted the ground. She had never seen anyplace like this. But she had. It took her a second then it hit her. This looked exactly like the place in her nightmare! That is what the dream meant. What else explanation could there be? “Hey I’ve seen this place before.” She jumped. She hadn’t heard Link come up.
“Really? Where?” She asked him.
“In this dream I had.” He had the dream too? She decided to tell Link about her nightmare. It was the same one he had.
“So we had the same dream about Hyrule?” she sighed, “that’s the least surprising thing I’ve heard so far.”
“Yeah. So maybe we should start looking for whatever it was we’re supposed to find. D’you have any idea what we’re supposed to go?” he asked.
“No. I have no clue.” Link shrugged and walked back to their little camp ground and Zelda followed. They ate what was left of their food and put out the last of the burning embers on the fire then headed out.
They still had no idea where they were going so they just wandered around all afternoon. The sun rose higher in the sky and started beating down on their heads. They found shade under a large tree. While they sat there resting they heard something rustling in the branches above. Then a hoot. They looked up to see a big brown owl looking down on them with intense yellow eyes. “Hoot, I’ve been waiting for you two.” The two were startled. A talking owl? He laughed at their astonishment. Or hooted.
“A talking owl,” Link said. “He’s talking?”
“It’s not so unusual. There are many people in this land that have the ability to communicate with animals, hoot. But that’s not important now. I’m here to tell you where to go, hoot.
“Really where?” Zelda asked. It was only strange for a minute then it jus felt like she was talking to a person. The owl tuned his head upside down and bobbed his head back and forth while talking to them.
“Hoot, there is a village due east. It’s called Kakariko and there is someone waiting for you there, Hoot hoo. They will explain everything to you. If you want to know the way, then follow my path Hooo hoot, I shall see you there.” And with that the owl beat his great wings and took to the sky.
“Done resting?” Link asked and took off running.
“Like I have a choice.” She said and ran after him. They ran tirelessly following the owl until it became just a dot on the horizon and gradually disappeared into the haze. They continued to run in the direction of the owl until they became too tired and collapsed from exhaustion.
“I,” Link said gasping for breath in between words, “don’t...think that...it was such a...good idea to run.”
“No really? I feel like I’m gonna die. They never even had me run that much in soccer.” They lay there resting in the grass. The sun was already beginning to set. “It’s almost night time.”
“Really? That was fast.”
“Time flies when you’re chasing a talking owl,” she said getting up. I think we should get to that village before dark. Or at lest not wait around.”
“Alright, but I’m not running again.” He got up. “I wonder what’s in that village.”
“Who knows? So far we keep finding people, well not really people, they lead us onto something then leave us. Hopefully that person in the village will be able to explain all this to us.”
“I hope we’re still going the right way.”
“I’m pretty sure we are. The owl said it was due east. The sun sets in the west so we just have to walk away from that.” She looked back there were storm clouds gathering in the sky. She could see flashes of lighting and already hear the faint rumble of thunder. “Uh oh, it’s probably not a good idea to get caught in that in the middle of an open field.”
“That would be bad wouldn’t it? We’d better get going then.” They quickened their pace and headed in the direction the owl disappeared. To spite their efforts the storm was catching up with them rapidly. “Wonder if that village is any closer? There’s a tree over thee I’ll climb it and see if I can spot It.” he ran up to the tree and climbed to the top and scanned the field.
“Can you see anything Link?” Zelda called from the ground.
“No...Wait I think...” he squinted his eyes and looked ahead. He wasn’t sure at first but then he knew what he was looking at. “It’s the village! We’re almost there!” he jumped form the tree.
“Alright let’s go!” Zelda said suddenly excited. The pair took off finally happy that something was going good for them. Zelda was suddenly in the mood for a race. “Hey Link, I bet I can make it there first!”
“Oh really? You’re on!” They raced across the field. Kakariko was now coming in to sight .Not even the dark sky and approaching storm could bring them down now. Zelda was in the lead.
“Ha! I told you. I’m gonna win!” Zelda laughed.
“We’ll see about that!” Link wasn’t going to lose. They were just yards from the village when a voice rang out.
“That’s as far as you go!” The two came to an abrupt stop and looked around. Where had that voice come from? “You’re lucky I let you come this far. I could have done you in when you first reemerged,” the sinister voice laughed. Reemerge? Zelda thought, how could we have reemerged of we’ve never even been here?
Link found his courage and called out, “Who are you? Show yourself!” he unsheathed his sword and looked around. Zelda marveled at his bravery. She didn’t think she could do what he was doing. But Link was just as afraid as she was.
“Ha! You’re a fool for challenging me Boy! But if it’s a fight you want, it’s a fight you’ll get.” The wind began to circulate around them. It seemed to be forming a tornado in front of them. A black mist swirled and a shape manifested. At first they didn’t believe what they were seeing. A dark shape was in front of them. It looked like a shadow. A shadow of Link.
“What the hell are you?” Link asked.
“I am yourself.” Link was confused but he didn’t ask questions. Without thinking, he charged forward his shadow did the same. Zelda didn’t see what came next. All she could hear was the clang of metal and a scream of pain. Then she saw blood. Link’s blood.
“Link no!” she shouted. But he was only hurt superficially.
“Don’t worry Zelda I’ll be fine,” he said getting off the ground, “I wasn’t you to head for the village. You’ll be safer there.”
“But Link...” she didn’t want to leave him.
“No Zelda go! I mean it!” he wasn’t going to let this thing hurt her. Zelda knew protesting would get her nowhere so she ran. It had began to rain and she ran blindly. What if she never saw Link again? She began to cry from feeling so scared and hopeless. When she was at the entrance she heard Link yell again. No! she had to go back. She dropped her bag and sprinted to Link.
What she could see was the dark figure charging towards Link. She ran trying to get him out of the way. The shadow smacked her to the side causing her to hit her head on a rock. Her vision blurred then she slipped out of consciousness.
“Zelda! You’ll pay for that!” he swung his sword blindly. The next thing he knew he was on the ground blood flowing from his arm. The dark form loomed over him. His red eyes glowed with hate. Oh no, he thought, now what am I going to do?

A/n: muhahaha suspence. If you stay tuned I'll give u more.

Oh no now what am I going to do? The dark Link held his sword over his head. Link knew what was coming next but before it could swing its sword it dissipated. The figure went up in a black mist floating into the dark sky. A dagger was left where it was standing. He pulled himself over looking for his invisible savior. From out of nowhere a tall man jumped in front of Link. “Great,” Link mumbled, “now what?”

“Come on get up,” was all the stranger said. He bent over picking up the dagger then walked over to Zelda.

“Hey wait. What are you doing?” the guy stopped and looked back at him. By now it was poring and there was hardly any light so Link couldn’t see what he looked like.

“Calm down kid, I’m just going to help. Hurry up and get to the village it’s dangerous out here.” Yeah I noticed, Link thought. He wasn’t sure why but he figured he could trust this guy. He sheathed the sword and pulled himself to his feet. By the time he got to the entrance the guy was next to him carrying the unconscious Zelda. “Do you have any red potion?” he was asking.

“Oh uh yeah,” he responded dumbly, “Zelda’s got some in her bag.” The rucksack was now resting on the guy’s shoulders. Link went behind him and pulled a bottle out and handed to the guy. Wow he needs a name.

“Well don’t give it to me. Drink it! Geese no wonder you couldn’t beat the shadow monster!” ok this guys a big jerk, Link thought but drank the bitter tasting potion anyway it immediately healed his wounds. They walked silently for a few more moments. Link assumed they had entered the village judging by the silhouettes of houses all around them. Link asked the guy’s name.

“It’s Dacra,” he replied simply. Well aren’t we chatty.

“Well I’m Link, and that’s Zelda,” he said.

“Well isn’t that nice?” Dacra responded. Wow this guy really is a jerk. They stopped at the door of a large house. “Open the door,” Dacra commanded. Link really didn’t like this guy but he was helping them and it was better then sleeping in the rain so he did what he was told. Inside there was a large room with a couch and two chairs sitting in front of a fire place. There was a counter off to the side and a door behind it. there was also a set of stairs leading to a second floor.

“Well this is homey,” Link said looking around. From behind the counter came a plump lady. She took one look at Zelda and immediately ran over.

“Oh my, Dacra bring her up to my room I’ll be up there in a second. I don’t think she’s seriously injured but we need to get her out of those wet clothes. Well hurry go, go!” Dacra obediently nodded and disappeared with her up the stairs. It was amazing how he could bark orders to other people but was completely obedient to this harmless looking lady. Until now she took no notice of Link but now she turned to him. Oh boy. But she smiled. “Well I suppose you thought I had forgotten about you? No, I just get preoccupied. I suppose we should get you some dry clothes as well. Just hold on a second.” With that she disappeared through the doorway behind the counter. Link didn’t know what he should do so he stood in the middle of the room looking around. In a few moments the lady remerged from the door way carrying some folded green clothes. She handed them to Link. “Here you go. Now I’m going to go see about that friend of yours.” She went through the other door way. He could here her steps going up the stairs. He unfolded the clothes he was given.

“What the heck? This looks like a friggin dress,” he said.

“What, there not to your liking?” Link was startled. It was Dacra. He was leaning against the door way. “It’s not a dress; it’s a tunic so calm down.”

“Yeah ok fine. Now where can I change?”

“There’s a room in the back,” he cocked his head past the door.

“Thanks,” Link mumbled and walked past him. When he came back in the lady was back talking quietly with Dacra. “Um where do you want me to put these?” he asked holding his wet clothes that were now rolled up in a ball.

“Oh I’ll take those dear. You can sleep on that couch over there. I’m going to turn in now and I suggest you do the same. Goodnight.” She left the room. Dacra walked over to the door.

“Hey where are you going?” he asked him.

“I’m going home if that’s alright with you. I’ll be back tomorrow though. I’ve got a lot to teach you.” He opened the door and left. Can’t wait, Link thought. He went over to the couch where a blanket was put out for him. He laid down looking at the ceiling. He wanted to go see Zelda but knew he could wait until tomorrow. It took a few minuets but he finally fell asleep.

. . .

Zelda woke early. She’d had another nightmare. In it the shadowy Link had knocked her down and she was powerless to help the real Link. Then the shadow thing took Link down and was coming for her next. But she wouldn’t have cared if he had killed her since he took Link away.

She woke up crying and sweating in a small bedroom in someone else’s bed and her head resting on someone else’s pillow. The sunlight was streaming through the window. She sat up quickly but that wasn’t a good idea. Her head was killing her. Her hand wandered to the spot where the pain was strongest a few inches above her left eyebrow. There was a large lump where she had hit the rock. Then she remembered last night wasn’t a dream and quickly shot up making her head hurt even worse. She ignored the pain and got out of bed. But she couldn’t ignore the fact that she was wearing absolutely nothing. “What happened last night?” she looked around the room looking for her clothes. She found them draped over the back of a chair and there were clothes folded for her. They were a light blue skirt and a sleeveless top. The skirt went just above her knees and there was some type of pattern around the hem and it came with a belt. The top was pretty much the same. There was even a pair of tan boots. She put on the clothes and headed down stairs.

Somehow she knew that Link was alright so her sense of urgency was gone. She just needed to see him. Downstairs she found a room with a hand full of people. No one really noticed her but one plump lady with dark red hair in a bun looked over. “Oh you’re awake!” she exclaimed, “We thought you would’ve been out longer judging by that bump on your head.” Zelda put her hand over the lump. It must’ve been bigger then she thought.

“Well uh do you know where my friend is?” she asked. The middle aged woman smiled and walked over.

“Oh you mean Link? He’s in the back eating. That boy has an appetite!”

“Oh sorry about that, we haven’t eaten a lot in the past few days.”

“Don’t worry about it. Come with me you can have some to.” She led Zelda down a hall.

“Oh by the way my name is Zelda.”

“Yes I know Link told me. And you can call me Rosa.”

Rosa brought Zelda to a small room with a brick oven and a table. And who was sitting at the table stuffing his face? None other then our hero, Link.

“Link!” she yelled happy to see him unharmed. He looked up from his food and smiled.

“Zelda, you’re alive!” well Link aren’t we blunt. He got up an took her into a hug.

“Yeah you seemed real worried about me,” she said sarcastically.

“I was, but I was hungry too.” Zelda laughed into his shoulder. They were still hugging forgetting that Rosa was still standing right there.

She coughed, “I think I’ll leave you two love birds alone.” They broke apart but she was already gone. They could here her laughing down the hall. Link was blushing madly but was relieved to see that Zelda was just as red.

He tried to lighten the mood,” well do you want to eat?”

“Yeah sure.” They sat down and ate in silence for a few moments.

Then Link broke the silence,”So are you okay? That lump on your head is the size of a golf ball.”

“Yeah I’m great,” Zelda said slightly irritated. She didn’t want anymore people pointing out the huge thing protruding from her head. “So what happened last night?” she asked changing the subject.

“Some guy named Dacra came and saved my sorry ass,” Link seemed a little mad from that. That must’ve hurt his ego, Zelda thought.

“It wasn’t you who saved us?” Zelda teased.

“Nope that was me,” came a voice from the door. It belonged to a boy that looked around their age. He had shaggy black hair cropped above his shoulders. He had white spiky tattoos under each of his scarlet eyes. Wow he has red eyes, Zelda thought, cool. He was pretty cute but not really Zelda’s type. More like her friend Raven’s type. She wondered how every one back home was.

“You’re Dacra?” she asked

“Yeah, and you’re Zelda.”

“How’d you know?”

“I know things. Well if the introductions are out of the way I have a lot to tell you guys. It’ll explain why you’re here and what you need to do.” He turned through the door, “let’s go some place where we won’t be interrupted.” Zelda got up.

“Are you coming?” she asked Link.

“Yeah yeah.” He got up and followed Dacra with Zelda at his side. Finally they were going to find out what was going on.

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well wasn't that fun. not really. oh well it's not like any one is reading this anyway. but if you are i'd appreciate a review. ya know just to let me know someone is actually reading my story....

A/N: I’m gonna have to apologize to all you hard core Zelda fans who are reading this there is all that legend stuff about the Triforce and Ganondorf. But it kinda needs to be on the story. The part I made up will be new though... well yeah
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Link and Zelda followed Dacra out of the large house. Zelda looked back at it. It was the largest house in the whole village. There were other houses in the village all with red roofs. There were a few trees growing from the grassy ground and people around milking cows and feeding chicken. A few children ran up to their mothers when they saw the two unfamiliar pair walk by behind Dacra but other then them no one else took much notice of Zelda or Link.

Dacra took them to a quiet part of the village. There weren’t any buildings here except for a windmill turning lazily in the light breeze. There was also a well where Dacra stopped. “We can talk here no one really uses this part of the village.” He took a seat on the edge of the well. Zelda and Link did the same. She looked down in the dried up well.

“Why isn’t there any water in her?” she asked Dacra.

“This well’s been dried up for years. The villagers dug another one in a different part of the village. Besides the purpose of this well was made fro greater things then holding water.”

“So explain how we ended up in Hyrule,” Link said.

“Well this is a long and complicated story. Some of it you’ll find hard to believe but you need to listen and save questions for later.” The two nodded in agreement and waited for him to go on. “well it all started in a land far to the west called Gerudo Valley where a large band of thieves live. They are all female with the exception of one male born every one hundred years. It is said that the male is to become king and rule over the Gerudo.

The male that was born to lead the Gerudo his name is Ganondorf. But he had his sights set for bigger things then ruling the Gerudo. He came across the legend of the Triforce. It is said that the three golden goddesses who created Hyrule put their powers in it and anyone who can find it, any wish they want will be granted. He decided to come to Hyrule to obtain it.

He told the king of Hyrule that he wanted to form an alliance with the Hylians to gain the kings trust. But the princess of Hyrule didn’t trust him from the second she saw him. She was right not to trust him because he got to the Triforce. But when he laid his hands on the Triforce it split into three separate pieces. He was only left with the Triforce of power and became the King of Evil. The other two parts, wisdom and courage went to the Hero of Time and the Princess. Though Ganondorf was now the Evil King he was still not satisfied. He went after the holders of the two other pieces.

He nearly succeeded but the Princess teamed up with the Hero of Time and together they managed to seal Ganondorf in the Evil Realm. For a time Hyrule was at peace,” Dacra paused and looked at the two.

“But what does that have to do with us?” Link asked

“You see when the princess and the Hero of Time sealed away the Evil King he still had the Triforce of Power. And seven after he was sealed he was able break out. And his first targets were the one’s who imprisoned him.”

“The Princess and the Hero,” Zelda finished his thought.

“Right, and the Princess and Hero of Time are none other then you two.” Link and Zelda looked at each other dumfounded. This didn’t make any sense yet it sounded so familiar to them.

“But how that can be? I mean don’t you think we’d remember if some deranged guy came after us trying to kill us?” Link asked.

“Well before you sealed him you had to awaken six sages in order to defeat him. Then when Ganondorf escaped they summoned all their powers and transported you into another world where you were reborn. But then Hyrule was left defenseless.”

“Why would they do that?” Zelda asked.

“There was nothing else they could do. When Ganondorf remerged he was much more powerful then he was the first time he came to Hyrule. If he you were gone long enough he would eventually stop searching for you.”

“How long have we been gone from this world?” asked Zelda

“Seventeen years on earth. But you haven't been gone long to us. In our time it's been a year. Don't ask me to explain how all i can say is the Goddess of Time made that possible.”

“Has Ganondorf stopped looking for us now?” Zelda asked

“Not completely. He isn’t as relentless in his search as he once was but he still sends his minions every now and then looking for any trace of you two. That’s why that monster attacked you last night, and why I had to kill it. If it got away it would’ve went back to Ganondorf and told him you were back.”

“But I still don’t get how we got here,” Link said.

“What’s to get? You found the Temple of Time and pulled out the Master Sword and that transported here,” he gestured to the sword on Link’s back.

“This is called the Master Sword? Some creepy dude with one eye said it was the Sword of Evil’s Bane.”

“Well would you rather want to say all that or just simply call it the Master Sword?” Dacra asked regaining his wise guy tone. Link felt his dislike for this guy coming back as well. Zelda ignored that.

“What happened to the six sages after sending us to our world?” Well it really wasn’t their world.

“They used up all their life energy sending you there. But they were reincarnated around you two. In other words they could be your friends, your family, even people you haven’t met yet.”

“And we’re gonna have to awaken them right?” she asked.

“You guessed it. But trust me it won’t easy.”

How d’you know all this?” Link asked

“I’m a Sheikah, and I was told these things since I was younger. It’s part of my destiny to help you two.” He was quiet now letting Link and Zelda take I all in. After a few moments Link spoke up.

“So, what now?” he asked.

“I teach you how to use that sword correctly. If you try to take on Ganondorf with the skills you showed last night then we’re all in trouble.” Zelda saw clench his fist. She suppressed her laugh as a cough.

“What about me?” she asked.

“You’ll be relearning your magic. My sister is going to teach you that,” Dacra answered. He got up from his seat and walked off. Link looked at Zelda.

“Magic?” she asked.

“Should we believe him?”

“I do. I don’t know why but it really doesn’t seem that weird to me. And besides I get to learn magic that’s pretty cool.” She smiled up at him.

“Well this should be fun.”

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woo two chapters up in the same day. i might even have another posted by tonight or tomorrow...well leave a review cuz i know u love me:)

A/N: If anyone cares I made a small change in the last chapter. Nothing major though.

For the next few days the sound of swords clanging could be heard ringing through the village. Dacra and Link trained near the old well clashing swords for almost an entire days at a time. Sometimes small groups gathered a few yards off watching the two fight. By now word had spread through the village that the Hero and Princess returned and people became curious. Of course if word left the village they would all be in danger so Dacra forbade anyone from leaving. There was plenty of food and supplies in the village to live off of. And if a traveler came to the village, no one was to speak of what was going on.

While Dacra trained Link his sister Libby taught Zelda magic. Libby was younger then Zelda, fifteen to be exact. She had long black hair that she pulled into a ponytail. Her eyes were the same color red as Dacra’s. And she knew so much about magic it amazed Zelda. She brought Zelda to a path through the woods one day. She said she knew a good place to teach her magic. “Where are we going exactly?” Zelda asked scanning her surroundings.

“We’re going to the graveyard. No one’ll come watch us like they are with Link and Dacra. Magic really isn’t something to be speculated like sword fighting. It’s far easier for something to go out of control and hurt someone. Plus it’s hard to concentrate when there are a bunch of people staring at you.”

“Oh I see,” Zelda said. They reached the graveyard and got started on the magic. Libby told her that she had to search deep inside her to bring out. But once she learned how to do that it would become easier each time she used it. Libby taught her a few basic magic spells like how to gather energy in her hands. The first time she was able to do that she felt a similar thrill she had when she scored her first goal in soccer, or when she got her first hundred on an algebra test (her worst subject). It was real cool.

But at the end of the day Zelda was exhausted but felt a sense of completion. Around sunset the girls sat down at the edge of the woods looking at the graveyard. The sun spilled an orange glow over the markers it was actually a very peaceful feeling. Well it was kinda supposed to be peaceful since they were surrounded but dead people. They heard footsteps come from behind them and turned around to see Link and Dacra walking up.

“Hey watcha doin?” Link asked

“Just chillin with the dead people,” Zelda responded. The boys took a seat next to Libby and Zelda. Link put his arm around Zelda, she knew that it was just a friendly thing but in the past few days he had been getting pretty close to her. Maybe it was because they were now sharing a room in the inn. Rosa told them that they needed room for business and they couldn’t afford to give up two rooms so she stuck them in a small room with two beds up near the attic. She left the two their alone saying “I know you’ll both be good kids.” So maybe that was the reason. Who knows?

“How is your fencing thing coming along?” Zelda asked Link. He looked over towards Dacra who was sitting on the other side of his sister.

“I’m not sure. Why don’t you ask my teacher,” he said this with hardly any resentment. Over the past couple days they’d learned to respect each other. Though they still hadn’t gotten as far as forming a friendship but they were coming along.

“I won’t be your teacher for long, you’re coming along better then I thought you would,” Dacra told them. I think he just complimented me, Link thought.

“What about the magic training?” he asked Zelda.

“Ugh, don’t ask.” Even though she was happy with the progress she made, she knew that she wasn’t as far along as Link was in his swordsmanship. But Libby didn’t agree with her.

“That’s not true,” Libby said, “You’re coming around faster then I expected you would. And like I said, once you know how to bring out your power, it’ll become easier every time.” Zelda smiled. She knew that she’d get better but she also knew that Link was going to be the hero of this. The group grew silent watching dusk fall over the grave yard.

“We should get back to the village,” Dacra said, “ghosts come out after dark and we don’t want to deal with them.”

“You mean you don’t want your little sister to save you from a poe again,” Libby said with an evil little smirk. Dacra tried to ignore her.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said trying to get away. But Link had to know what she was talking about.

“What do you mean, Libby?” he asked her. Dacra was already on the path leading back to the village.

“Well,” she said, “a few years ago we were in the graveyard and a poe came out and he was afraid so I had to get rid of it. he’s not a big fan of ghosts.” She giggled.

“Shut up will ya!” they heard Dacra yell from down the path. Link seemed very happy to learn this new piece of information.

“It’s really not that funny Link,” Zelda said, “A lot of people are afraid of ghosts.”

“Yeah but to see the Great Dacra squirm like that is funny enough for me.” Zelda sighed and got up heading back to the village.
. . .

The four teenagers were in the dining room eating the food Rosa served them. When they were done they went to sit outside. “So do you guys wanna go home yet?” Dacra asked. The two looked at each other. They had almost completely forgotten about getting back there they’d figured there was no way.

“Yeah we want to go back,” Zelda started.

“But we don’t want to explain where we’ve been the past five days,” Link finished her thoughts. If they told their families the truth they’d never believe them or think they were crazy.

“You won’t have to,” Libby piped up.

“What?”

“Well even though days have passed here, hardly any time has passed back on earth. I’m not sure how that’s possible but that’s just the way it is,” Libby explained.

“Kinda like in the Chronicles of Narnia,” Zelda said.

“The Chronicles of what?” Link said clueless.

“It’s a book. These kids go in a wardrobe and end up in a different world. But when they get back to their own only about five minuets have passed,” she informed her illiterate friend.

“Well you know I don’t do much reading. I thought you were talking about a Good Charlotte song.”

“Why would I be talking about that?” Both Libby and Dacra were now beyond confused. They gave up trying to follow them and let them have their little argument. When they finished Libby continued.

“So anyway, you understand that hardly any time has passed in your world?” they nodded.

“But how do we get back?”

“With this.” From out of nowhere Libby pulled out a small blue mirror.

“Uh where’d that come from?” Link asked. She ignored his question.

“This is a magic mirror. It allows you to travel through worlds. All you have to do is find a place that is in both worlds then look into the mirror. That will open up a portal and you can travel between worlds.”

“So will we be able to travel back to Hyrule as well?” Zelda asked.

“Yes”

“Wow cool. But how will we know what places are in both worlds?”

“With this,” this time Dacra pulled out a map.

“I wish you guys stop doing that,” Link said. He was once again ignored.

“This is a map of both earth and our world. The things that are part of Hyrule are in green. The places that are part of your world are in red. And the places our worlds have in common are in blue.” He handed them the map. They could see their school in red and the village was in green. There were various places in blue they were mostly spread out in areas away from the village. “That’s pretty much all you need to know. We’ll let you figure out where you’re going to open the portal. Just don’t open it in an obvious place.” Dacra and his sister got up. They said their goodbyes and left for their home. Link studied the map.

“So where do you think we should open this portal thing?” she looked at the map for a good spot. She didn’t have a good judgment of good areas. She knew her own world, but she still hadn’t seen much of Hyrule. It was weird because the world she had lived in her whole life really wasn’t her own world. Hyrule was and she was supposed to be the princess of it. She wished that she knew more about it.

“What about the old well where you and Dacra trained? No one goes there that often and I think it’s in the woods in the other world so no one will be able to find it. Hopefully,” she added.

“Sound’s good to me. It’ll be like in that anime where the girl goes down the well.”

“Sure Link,” she laughed. Now with that settled she just wanted to go to sleep. “I’m going to bed. What about you?”

“I’m gonna stay out here a while. I’ll be up in a few minutes,” he answered.

“Kay, good night.”

“Night Zel.” She left him alone with his thoughts. Silently he pulled out the master sword. Its blade gleamed silver in the moonlight. It was strange how he had learned how to fight with it in such a short amount of time. It had been hard at first but then the skills came to him like second nature.

After a few moments he came out of his thoughts. He sheathed the sword and got up. By the time he made it back to the little attic room Zelda was already asleep.

The next morning the two woke to Rosa shaking them. “Come on wake up you two,” she said, “Dacra wants you to meet him outside.” They got up and went outside where Dacra and Libby were waiting for them.

“Did you decide where you’ll open the portal?” he asked.

“Yeah the well.”

“Good choice,” Libby said cheerfully. Sometimes Zelda wondered if she and Dacra were even related. “Let’s go then.” The four set off towards the old well. When they got there Libby spoke. “Do you have the mirror?” Zelda held it out. “Alright then, now go down in the well and look into the mirror. That will open the portal.” Zelda pulled on the straps of her rucksack and Link gazed down the dark tunnel apprehensively.

“Wait,” Dacra said, “I want you two to come back here every few days so we can train you some more.”

“Train us for what?” Link asked.

“You’ll have to fight enemies while awakening the six sages. You didn’t forget about your task did you?”

“No,” he didn’t want to start a fight now, “ready Zelda?”

“Yeah let’s go. Bye guys and thanks.”

“Don’t mention it,” Libby said,” See ya soon,” Zelda pulled out the mirror and the two descended the latter into the bottom of the well. When they made it they looked back up and saw Libby and Dacra peering down at them.

“Ready?” Zelda asked.

“Yeah, let’s go.” With that they looked onto the clear surface of the mirror. At first all they saw were their own reflections staring back at them. Then it showed the ground of the well. They felt a rush of air then the mirror disappeared. They looked up where they could no longer see the heads of Libby and Dacra but the stars of a dark sky. They climbed the latter back into their own world.

There was no more village just a small field surrounded by woods. It wasn’t daytime either. It was the same hour it had been when they left the world. “I guess it worked,” Link said. He looked around. “Where do you think I should stash this arsenal of weapons?” he asked indicating his sword and shield.

“I think there’s a hollow in that tree over there,” she pointed off to the woods. He walked over and hid it out of sight. After that they found their way back to the road. A car drove by them. They were defiantly back. “We should get back home,” Zelda said.

“Guess so...hey that was kinda fun...finding those sages should be pretty interesting.”

“Yeah well see ya in school...”

“Bye,” he turned and went down the street towards his house. She stood there in the glow of a street light for a few moments then walked to her own home. She made it to her large house on the hill and walked in. she was a little worried about the reaction someone might have to her. But then her father walked in

“Hello, Zelda, how was school?” well it really was the day the left. Zelda had to think about this question since school was so long ago to her.

“Um...it was fine...same as always,” he seemed satisfied by that answer.

“That’s good. I assume your going to bed now?” he always needed a play by play.

“Yeah, goodnight,” she said even though she wasn’t tired at all. She ascended the staircase and went to her room. She took her first shower in days and emerged feeling better. She put on a baggy shirt and soccer shorts and sat on her bed thinking of the past events for hours trying to find sleep. Finally a little after midnight she closed her eyes and fell asleep.
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kay sry i think that chapter really sucked but im way to lazy to do any re reading and editing but yeah.....next chapter i'll make better and hopefullly i won't take so long

The ringing of Zelda’s alarm clock woke her up. Not bothering to open her eyes she felt around her night stand for the noisy object. Instead of turning it off she knocked it off the table. She rolled out of bed and hit the floor causing her cat to scurry under her bed. “Sorry,” she mumbled and found the alarm clock. Ugh what happened to not being tired. Now it was like she had jet lag. I guess traveling through worlds will do that to you, she thought.

She finally found the alarm clock and pulled herself off the ground. Then she got ready for school. After she was dressed she looked around her room for her school bag. Wait where’s my...oh no I left it by the temple. She put her shoes on and ran out of her house. She had to get to the temple before school started.

She got to the woods and found the little path that Link had found. Her bag was just where she had left it. She grabbed it then crashed back through the woods until she made it across the street from the school. When she heard the distant sound of people talking she knew it was alright to stop.

“Hey Zelda!” she heard from behind her. Raven was trying to catch up to her.

“Raven!” she yelled and through her arms around her friend. Raven laughed surprised.

“Geese Zel, I knew you loved me but this is taking it a little far don’t you think?” whoops, Zelda forgot Raven had seen her just yesterday. Well in this world.

“Sorry I um missed you...” she said trying to sound like she was kidding.

“Sure I missed you too.” She laughed. With that behind them they walked towards the building. It was strange being back in this world after being in Hyrule for so long. She wondered how all this interworld traveling would effect with her life here. She would find out soon enough.

During her classes she could hardly pay attention. Her mind kept wandering to the little adventure she had. And she was worried about finding the six sages. How was she supposed to know where they were? Twice the teacher had to warn her about paying attention. But how could anyone pay attention in a boring class if they had traveled to a different world?

She was relieved when lunch came. She could now space out without anyone interrupting her. Anyone except for Link of course. He came over and sat next to her.

“Hey I didn’t see you this morning. Did you come in late?”

“Yeah Laurel got pissed at me cause I made her late two. So how are you adjusting back in this world?”

“I wish I could say I’m doing better then you. My mind is just off somewhere else. And Dacra wants us to go back there, how are we going to deal with this?”

“Who knows? And we still gotta find those sage people. Oh well my aunt said that I should get into some extra curricular activities, think this counts?” she laughed

“Sorry Link I don’t think so.” They saw Laurel coming over. She sat down next to them.

“Hey guys guess what?” she asked them.

“What?” they said in unison.

“I joined the environmental club. Now I belong somewhere, Cool huh?”

“That’s my little tree hugger,” Link said patting her on the head. She knocked his hand off.

“Don’t listen to him Laurel. That is cool.”

“I never do. Thanks Zelda,” she got up, “well I just thought you’d like to know, I gotta get back to my friends now. See ya.” They said bye and she left. Zelda was quiet for a minute.

“Hey Link. Didn’t Dacra say that the first sage was the sage of the forest?”

“Yeah but...you don’t think that she’s one of the sages do you?”

“Well I have a pretty good feeling she is,” she could tell that wasn’t the answer he wanted to hear.

“I don’t think so. You’re wrong.” They sat there in an awkward silence. Zelda was afraid she offended him somehow...

“Link are you okay?” she asked

“I’m fine. I gotta go. see ya round Zelda.” He left her sitting there alone and confused.

Link walked away from his friend. He didn’t want her to think he was mad at her because He was more angry with himself. He just couldn’t accept the idea of his little cousin being one of the sages. She was like a sister to him and he didn’t know what he’d do if anything happened to her.

He decided to go to the gym and wait there alone. He snuck past the teacher guarding the cafeteria lobby door and headed for the gym. He opened the door and went up to the bleachers sitting alone with his thoughts.

A few minuets later he heard the bell ring. Then students started walking into the into the gym and towards the locker rooms. He saw Zelda come up to him. “Link I’m sorry if I said anything wrong. Please don’t be angry with me I didn’t mean anything.”

“Don’t worry Zel it’s not your fault...I gotta go change,” he went to the locker room. Zelda went to hers as well. Ten minutes later the middle of the gym was filled with teenagers sitting and listening to their teachers talk. Well not really listening.

“Link tell me what’s wrong,” she whispered to him.

“Not here, later,” he was trying to use Phoenix as an excuse but he was to busy looking at a girl to pay any attention to what they were saying.

“Fine when we get out to the track tell me.”

Ten more minutes

The gym classes were walking around the large track. Zelda persisted Link, “Ok now tell me what wrong. Come on we’ve got three more laps to go.”

“Nothing, I’m okay trust me.” Zelda didn’t want to push for an answer anymore. She decided to take a risk.

“Link will you at least check her out. I’ve gotta good feeling she’s a sage.” She didn’t have to say her name. He knew who she was talking about.

“Ok fin,” he gave in, “But I don’t even know what I’m looking for.”

“I’m sure you’ll find it,” she said and they continued to walk around the track in silence.

. . .

While Zelda was at soccer practice Link walked home with Laurel. They went through the woods as usual and he looked for any signs of her being the Forest Sage...wait what was he looking for? He had no idea how to find a sage.

They emerged from the woods into the small park and he stopped. “Go on home Laurel, I gotta go get something I forgot.”

“Whatcha forget?” she asked

“Uh, a book,” he answered clumsily and turned around. He walked over a few yards from where they came out. He made sure no one was looking and went down the small almost hidden path. There he came out into the small field with the well. He went over to the hollow in the tree and got his sword out. Then he made the hardest decision of his life. He went down the well to ask Dacra for help.