OCARINA OF TIME Prologue

OCARINA OF TIME Prologue:

Dark clouds covered the red sky of dusk, telling of the great misfortune that had become of the lands that made up the once peaceful Hyrule. The chill air rustled the leaves of the greenery that swayed in its soft breeze. It was only silent peace that lulled the forest inhabitants to sleep.

The forest was old and wise and despite its calming atmosphere, it was also feared. Many tell of the children and adults who entered its grounds never returned. Though, having known that, it was her only way of escape, for a young woman draped in a black cloak astride a white horse entered its depths, breaking the silence that had crept over the forest. Her eyes were filled with worry, scared of the lingering chance that she was being followed. She pushed the steed to its fullest, whinnying as it felt the whip of the reins she clenched in her pale and fragile hand. In the other firmly cradled the precious reason for her haste. A child, only a baby, wrapped in white cried as the bitter cold brushed its uncovered face.

The woman knew of the dangers that lay deep within woods. But she knew of the spirit that overlooked its secrets, the guardian of the forest, an ancient and wise spirit. Yes, he would keep her child safe for she knew she could not continue. In her escape she had been injured, burning pain stabbed her side from the blow she had received. She knew nothing of her husband, a knight of the Royal Family of Hyrule. Tears rolled down her scratched cheeks as she thought of the possibility of his death. She closed her eyes while thinking of this, not caring about what lay ahead, only relying on her mount to lead her deeper within the forest. She would soon lose the will to live.

A sudden jolt snapped her out of her thoughts as her horse reared, neighing franticly. The woman’s hood flipped off as she held on which revealed long, pointed ears. The animal’s instincts were to not proceed through a large round hollow that appeared in front of it. She controlled the animal enough for her to safely dismount. The woman slid off the horse and with her child cradled in both her arms, she entered, leaving the white steed to do as it willed.

The woman walked quickly and clumsily, nearly tripping. With each step, the pain in her side grew sharper and she let out small shrieks of pain in between struggled gasps of air. She did not think of the distance she could’ve managed to travel. Her only motivation to continue was the thought of giving her child a chance.

It was only time before she finally collapsed to the ground and the baby lay screaming at the impact of the fall. The mother lay as though frozen to the ground, but she knew where she was. Through all her efforts, she made it to where she wanted to be. Her eyes shifted from the child upward. A giant tree stood proud and strong above her.

“Pl…please,” her voice was weak and her eyes went back to her child, her son, “take care…”

Her voice faded before she could finish, leaving the bitter cold of death to envelope her. Her child continued to whine, unknowing of what had happened. But all its screams of discomfort soon faded away as he felt the unfamiliar and tender touch of another…