A new day in Hyrule

[Cralex]

The late morning sun shone brightly across the wide expanses of Hyrule Field as a Kokiri girl dressed in green ran out of the Kokiri Forest. Finding herself out from under the cover of trees for the first time ever, Tila came to a dead halt as her green eyes tried to adjust to the sunlight. Once she could finally see, Tila looked around in awe at the beautiful fields of Hyrule, which stretched on for as long as she could see. Amazed at this sight, Tila could only whisper "So this is what the outside world is like!" to herself. As she continued to look around, she began to feel the call of adventure all around her, irresistibly drawing her away from the forest she was born in, and out into the world.

Not knowing where to go first, Tila simply chose a direction at random and started walking, her bare feet resting lightly on the grass underfoot, while continuing to drink in the rich sights and sensations all around her.

Suddenly it occurred to her that she was no longer under the Great Deku Tree's protection. "So... This means that Kokiri don't die outside the forest?" Tila had not even thought about the legend that Kokiri die when they leave the forest. She had heard that Kokiri would die if they ever left the forest for as long as she could remember, and she could only wonder why the legend was wrong. Tila stopped to think about the forest, her friends, and the Great Deku Tree that she was leaving. Although an actual adventure was a new thing for her, Tila was determined not to back down easily.

Remembering that monsters live outside of the Great Deku Tree's protection, she swapped the boomerang hanging on her belt for her trusty Kokiri Sword, and continued her walk, with her fairy partner, Ting, following just behind her.

[venusflytrap]

Sitting cross-legged in the grass, Keran made a short mental debriefing of his previous mission. The more he thought about how things had gone at the ranch, the more he felt grateful that it had ended without any blood shed. If you didn't count the Moblins. Well, at least both he and Kino were still alive...

Mmmh...I should focus on my next mission, rather than wasting my time with idle thought.

Then, he realized he was not alone. Somebody was approaching.

[Cralex]

Tila didn't even see the young man in the distance at first because of all the other new sights around her, but Ting pointed him out to her. Tila was immediately curious since this was the first person that she had ever seen outside the forest. Plus, none of the few travelers that had come into the forest over the years were dressed like he was. Sensing nothing monsterlike about him, Tila calmly approached the man with a friendly smile on her face, hoping to get a better look at him.

[venusflytrap]

This was the first time Keran had ever met a Kokiri, yet he had no trouble identifying Tila as such. Sheikahs were supposed to know about the various races inhabiting the country they had sworn to protect, after all. He eyed her with interest.

How queer. For a kokiri to venture outside the Deku Forest...

He stood up, bowed politely, and simply said:

"Hello, fair lady."

[Cralex]

Tila, on the other hand, had no clue what race the red-eyed stranger belonged to. She eyed him with equal interest.

He must be some kind of warrior, though. He carries weapons, and his poor ear looks like it was badly hurt some time ago.

However, his friendly attitude encouraged her. She walked up to him, still barefoot and with her Kokiri Sword hanging in its small scabbard from her left hip. She addressed him pleasantly:

"Hi, mister!"

[venusflytrap]

What a carefree person...she isn't wary about me at all ! Or maybe she has already met a sheikah before...

He gave her a disapproving look:

"Now, I do not mean to be rude, but I recommend that you should be more suspicious. For all you know, I may very well be a dangerous bandit. Yet you approached me without even letting a hand rest on the hilt of your sword..."

[Cralex]

Tila's cheerful mood quickly became more serious.

Darn, he's right! I may be able to take care of myself, but I've got to remember that I'm not in the forest anymore. Looks like I've still got a lot to learn...

"I suppose you're right, mister. Thanks for the tip. Back home, the Great Tree would always keep people with bad intentions away from us Kokiri, but his power doesn't reach out here. I've only been away from home less then an hour."

A smile appeared on Tila's face.

"Guess I've been in the forest too long, eh?"

Serious again, Tila suddenly took a more appropriate cautious stance. Mimicking Keran's polite way of speaking, she said:

'Now, I don't mean to be rude kind sir, but are you suggesting that there's a reason for me to be suspicious of you in particular? If so, then I have to warn you that I will defend myself in necessary. Although I'm smaller then you are, I assure you that I'm stronger then I look, with or without my sword."

Holding her stance but not quite drawing her sword, Tila awaited the sheikah's response with her eyes and fairy's attention fixed on him.

[venusflytrap]

Oh. I've offended her...it looks like she hates to be underestimated.

The sheikah rubbed his chin thoughtfully and said with a smile:

"That is better. With such a determined look on your face, anyone would think twice before attacking you."

He made a short pause.

"And to answer your question, I am not a suspicious person. In fact, it is my duty to protect the inhabitants of Hyrule. Including you..."

He mused for a few seconds.

"Oh, and you said that you were stronger than you looked, with or without your sword. Does that mean that you know...magic ?"

[Cralex]

Seeing the unmistakably sincere look in Keran's eyes, Tila relaxed.

"Ok, I believe you, and you're right about magic. I guess I kind of gave it away, but you still did a good job figuring it out. I do know a spell or two, but I don't know that much about magic as a whole. It's my favorite hobby and I'd LOVE to learn more."

Taking another look at the sheikah, she said.

"To tell you the truth, I wasn't looking forward to messing with you. You look pretty strong already, and I don't know anything about your skills. If you don't mind me asking, why is it your duty to protect the people of Hyrule? Do you want to be like the Legendary Hero, mister...?"

Tila paused, not knowing his name.

By the way, my name is Tila, and this is my fairy, Ting. Who are you?

[venusflytrap]

"My name is Keran. And to answer your other question...it is my duty because I have sworn an oath of fealty to the Royal family of Hyrule. I don't wish to become a hero...I am just a soldier after all."

He eyed Tila with interest and asked her mischievously:

"What about you ? I am curious to know why you've left the forest...do you, perchance, want to be like the Legendary Hero ?"

[Cralex]

Tila replied warmly and then modestly:

"Pleased to meet you, Keran. Oh no, I could never measure up to the Legendary Hero. However, ever since he appeared in the forest and saved it from darkness many years ago, I've been trying to learn how to fight like he can just in case something bad ever happens again. I left the forest to prove that I'm strong enough to take on a real adventure, even if I can't grow up."

Tila paused thoughtfully, as her thoughts turned inward upon herself.

"Actually, I never would have left if I didn't want to know what was out here. I've been curious about what the outside world is like for as long as I can remember. Sure, I have fun being around my friends at home and I love the forest, but I just want to know more. To see more. More places, magic, everything. I've hardly been away from home for any time at all, and just look at all this!"

Tila enthusiastically swept her arm out, indicating the land around them.

"I've already seen more out here then I have seen in the forest for my whole life."

Tila suddenly seemed to remember that Keran was standing there listening.

"Kind of an unusual thing for a kokiri to do, isn't it? Not too many of us have ever left the forest. What about you? What brings you out here, Keran? You looked like you were thinking about something."

[venusflytrap]

He nodded.

"That's true but...that's not important. I have a question to ask you. Have you ever heard of somebody called the Legion Hero ? My current mission is to find this person..."

[Cralex]

Tila didn't think so, but she pondered the question anyway.

"No, I'm afraid that I've never heard of him. I've heard of Legendary Hero, but never Legion Hero. If any word of a Legion Hero had ever come to the forest, then I would have heard about him for sure. Sorry."

What's a Legion Hero, anyway?

[venusflytrap]

Keran rubbed his chin reflectively.

"I see. Well, that means my business here is over. I was planning to go to the forest to ask the kokiris about it, but apparently it won't be necessary."

He thought for a few seconds and then said:

"Why not accompany me ? I think that, to accomplish my mission, I'll have to travel the length and breadth of the world. And a courageous companion who can use magic would be welcome."

[Cralex]

Tila remained calm on the outside, but the look in her eyes betrayed her excitement and made it more or less obvious. She already wanted to see the world, and the benefits of traveling with another person were clear.

"Do you mean it? I'd love to travel with you! That would be the perfect way to see the world, and I'd be happy to help you find this Legion Hero."

Tila took Keran's hand and shook it.

"So, where were you planning on going next?"

[venusflytrap]

Keran gestured toward an imposing mountain in the distance.

"I think we should head for the Death Mountain. I doubt the Gorons know more about the whereabouts of the Legion Hero than we do, but Kakariko Village is a good place to stop off at to gather information."

[Cralex]

Tila looked toward Death Mountain.

Looks rocky. Guess I'll have to wear my boots then...

Sounds good to me. When do we start?

[venusflytrap]

"Immediately. Let's get going."

And soon, they were off.



OC: do you want me to open a new thread in Kakariko village or do you prefer to do that ?

[Cralex]

"Alright, let's go!"

Tila walked along beside Keran toward Kakariko Village.

OOC: I was wondering about that myself. I made this thread, so I'll let you make the next one unless you want me to do it.