The Twilight Princess 2: The Time Forgotten

Twelve

"Please, Aria, let me explain what happened back there—"

"I think you've explained enough." Aria squeezed the rain water out from the rags she had been put into. She and Tom had regrouped back in the forest, out in the middle of nowhere. They seeked refuge there until they could find their way out, as they were completely lost at this point.

"I'm sorry you had to, um, see that, but if you would've known what he's done to my family, I'm sure you would understand."

"Understand what?"

"I don't feel comfortable talking about it right now."

"I can't understand if I don't know."

Tom ignored her as he gathered wood to build a fire. "We'll sleep here tonight under the stars until we find our way back into town."

"What about the emerald?"

"What emerald? There is no such thing."

"Yes, there is. It's my mission to find it. That's the only reason why I'm here. Here with you."

"For a rock?"

Aria paused. "Wait, what?"

"You told me earlier that it's a rock. But that's not true, is it?"

Aria shook her head. She knew she couldn't keep a secret this big much longer. Since she had been around Tom for a while, she figured she could trust him. After all, he was just a random boy who had no connection to the Twilight Princess whatsoever. It was time for her to tell him the truth. Maybe he could help point her in the right direction, as he knew more about this strange new land than she did.

"Tom," she looked him in the eye and he stopped what he was doing. "There's something that I've been hiding from you ever since we met. You were right, I'm not from here. But not just from this town, but from this time and land. I'm from a whole other universe, one created in the future. With magic, bounty hunters, and evil princesses and stuff."

For a second, Tom didn't say anything, looking surprised. Then he immediately burst out laughing. "Yeah, right."

"No, I'm serious. It's true." She hesitated. "Look, I have proof." She opened up her palm to reveal a flurry of magic spiraling out. Tom jumped back. "Woah—who.... what are you?"

"It's a long story. But back in my land, Zerelelia as it's known, I'm known as the Chosen One. My role in this story is to be the hero who creates everyone's happy endings, but the catch is, I don't get one myself."

Tom wore a puzzled look on his face. "Wait—Chosen One?" Aria nodded, looking a bit confused too. "You've heard of it?"

"I read it in a book once."

Aria had a feeling she knew which one. "What was it called?"

"I don't remember. Something about fate, or destiny, or something like that..."

"—The Prophecy."

"Hmmmm?"

"That's what it was called, wasn't it? The Prophecy, right?"

Tom acted as if he had no clue as to what she was talking about, even though it seemed like he did. "Ummmm—uh—like I said, I don't remember."

Aria began to grow suspicious of him. "Wouldn't you remember a name like that? At least, you seemed to remember similar words."

His sweaty face that had been turned red illuminated in the glow of the fire. He opened his mouth slightly to say something but couldn't manage to let anything out.