A Cherry Blossom - The Necklace

Chapter 6

I didn't know where I was going until I ended up back in the log shelter near the southern swamp. Since it was already dark, I decided to stay here for the night. I took a rest inside by sitting down and laying my head onto the wood, thinking about how I was ever going to break the curse, stop that moon, and get back home. But I shook it off when I needed some light, and set out to find some firewood.

Monsters were out and about, and I used my bow and arrows to shoot them all down before they could get to me. From Chu-chus (monsters that were blobs of gunk) to Keese (dark bats with red eyes), I shot down every one of them so that they wouldn't bother me. I found a lot of firewood as well, and stormed back into the log when I knew that I had enough to keep me warm. I found a spot inside the log that wouldn't burn when I started the fire, and proceeded to light it with two rocks that sparked. The sparks created a small flame, and I blew onto it to make it bigger. It quickly grew into a hot circle of flames that danced and brightened the whole log.

I sat down, taking in the heat. Right now I should be back in the castle with Zelda and maybe even Malon, preparing for what that mask could do to us. For what I've found so far, not even all of the castle guard would be able to take what that mask's power had. We would have needed someone who uses strong magic.

I held my knees in depression, and hid my face in them. I really wanted to be back home...

That's when I heard the familiar footsteps that I really didn't want to hear at all at the time. Or did I? It was about two hours since I saw him, but it was like I wanted him to find me. I looked up at him for a second, keeping a straight face while he leaned against the wall of the log with his arms crossed and a straight face himself. I then took out my loaf of bread, and broke off a piece to munch on.

I looked up at him again. "Do you want some?" I smiled slightly, and he gave me a look of surprise.

"Uh...sure." He pushed off of the wood, and hesitantly sat down next to me. I broke off another piece, and handed it to him. He took it without any complaints.

"I first arrived in Termina earlier today," I started. "I was on a mission to try and see what exactly an evil presence was in Hyrule. So, I packed up my stuff, rode my horse into the forest, and found..."
"Skull Kid," he finished.

I nodded. "I was way too careless. I know that Stalkids were not dangerous at all, and that's what confused me so much. The only thing that was different about him was his mask."

"Why did you investigate?"

I smiled then. "Do you know who Princess Zelda is?" He gasped in shock, and I smiled wider. "I'll take that as a yes. She gave me the mission." I lost my smile then. "A mission that was supposed to last only one day. But then...well you know."

"Yeah. How is Zelda?"

"She's great. She's been my best friend for four months now. Wait, is she a friend of yours?"

He looked down, at his piece of bread that he never touched. "Yes. She gave me the ocarina I have. Skull Kid stole it from me, but I managed to get it back. I met Zelda about a year ago, when Hyrule was in danger. But, I saved Hyrule and brought peace." He decided to taste the bread, and nibbled on the small piece.

I suddenly was confused. "Wait, what? What do you mean you saved Hyrule?"

He looked back into my eyes again, and contemplated on something for a while. "Do you promise to believe me if I told you?"

I gave him a look. "Trust me. I've seen a lot of crazy things today."

He was convinced. "I'm the Hero of Time." He explained when I creased my forehead. "I journeyed through time to defeat the Evil King, Ganondorf."