Shadow of the Fallen Lands

~Time~

We were trudging as quietly as we could through the unfamiliar forest that reminded me so very uncomfortably of the Lost Woods. It left a prickling feeling at the nape of my neck and a tingling in my fingertips, an itch to feel the bark of the trees, to hear the rustic tones of Saria's ocarina. But this wasn't the Kokiri Forest, as much as the friendly air felt like my hidden childhood home. After the Master Sword, or Fi, as Sky had called it, had bestowed our new nicknames on us back when we first met, we hadn't rested our blades. Part of me was still skeptical, however the lingering ache of my ribs and head, as well as glancing to watch Sky's relaxed walk a few paces behind me told me everything I needed to know, that I wasn't hallucinating, That I really was walking behind another of those chosen by Courage, however I also now had the feeling that the Goddess was toying with us like the mean ranch cat Malon keeps in the cowshed plays with the mice. I certainly felt like a mouse, my old heart was pounding in my chest for no reason whatsoever. But I just thought to myself that the air here felt... off somehow. Pushing that unwelcome thought aside, in a companionable quiet, we explored our surroundings. I placed a hand on Sky's forearm, shushing him quickly with a finger to my lips when he opened his mouth to ask me what was going on. I had a bad feeling. It was strangely, eerily silent here. I strained my long Hylian ears; I could have sworn I heard something. 

"Sky," I hissed under my breath, watching as he caught on and nodded in reply. "We're being followed. There's someone here." 

"I can hear something too," Sky's airy reply landed like lead, hard and dampening. The confirmation that I wasn't just hearing things felt like a punch in the gut, hard to shake off.

 Now that I'm thinking about it, I thought I heard the sound of a sword being drawn," My companion put his own smaller hand on my arm as I'd done to him, biting his bottom lip nervously. "I've got a bad feeling."

A slight rustle snapped my attention to the undergrowth across from us. Whatever was following our every move wasn't just following, no, we were being hunted. 

"There's something in the bush."

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The blur in the bushes chose that moment to rush out, stance aggressive, brandishing a simple sword that looked like really had seen better days, hurling himself in my general direction. The way he moved was almost predator-like, reminding me of the Wolfos and how they hunted. Sending a quick signal to Sky to stay moving, I began to mirror our attacker's movements. He was a young man, rugged and honestly quite feral looking. His hair was a dark brown, eyes a steely grey-blue. He had a black wolf pelt tied around his neck, a show of strength. 

As the wolf boy decided he'd had enough of stalking us, he lashed out with his blade as an extension of his already muscular arm, just nicking the back of Sky's legs. The blow sent Fi's wielder sprawling onto the ground with a cry, the force behind the blow evident. This man was strong. We'd have to be careful about fighting him. Rushing to Sky's side like a horse, I janked my younger friend back to his feet, giving him a quick look over. My momentary distraction, however, proved to be my undoing. A sword pommel nailed me in the back of the head, pushing my to the ground. Because of my barely healed broken ribs and just how quietly he'd moved, I failed to dodge his attack. I hit the ground knees first, groaning softly as I got up. Sky though was unburdened; he could still swordfight. He drew the Master Sword, rushing our attacker, who only barely got his shield up in time to block the Hero's swing. Fi's sharp edge against the planes of the wooden shield collided, thudding hard against one another. Sky's next swing would have hit, but his blade flashed with a blinding white light and he threw it down, wincing as he quickly tore his glove off. Moving to his side, I narrowed my eyes. His fingers were burned and blistered where he'd been holding the hilt of the Master Sword.