A/N: Man, it's been forever since I've had anything to do with this story. I've been away from The Legend of Zelda for too long. I just recently started getting back into the game.

Disclaimer: I own nothing, only the OCs

The Master Sword fell from limp and tired fingers, clattering to the ground. Luminita sank to her knees, displacing the fog around her and gasped for breath. The astral realm seemed unnaturally hot. Straining to lift her head, Luminita glanced up at the Hero's Shade in front of her. She didn't know how long she had been in the astral realm training, but Luminita knew that she had to leave soon if she wanted to save her father. However, the old Hero didn't seem to be in much hurry. In fact, he raised his shield in a defensive position and spun his sword once.

"Again," he commanded.

Knowing better than to argue, Luminita picked up the Master Sword and struggled to her feet. Her legs shook, barely managing to bear her weight. Luminita tried to tighten her grip on the sword's hilt, but her hand was numb.

"Attack!" the old Hero ordered.

Taking a deep breath, Luminita launched herself forward. She raised her sword as if to strike, but as soon as the Hero's shield went up, Luminita slammed her shield into his, knocking him off balance. She jumped into the air and dug the edge of the sword into the Hero's back as she landed on her feet behind him. The old skeleton laughed as Luminita pulled her sword out of his back. He turned to face her, his eyes glowing under his helmet.

"You have grown stronger since we first met," the Shade commented. "You are becoming every bit the Hero that your father was."

Luminita smiled tiredly. "Does this mean I can rest, now?" she asked.

The Shade nodded. "Yes. Return to your camp. Rest. We will continue your training as you get closer to your father."

The astral realm faded to be replaced by a small camp nestled by a river. Epona was grazing off to one side and the campfire had burned down to embers. Luminita sighed tiredly. She had been away longer than she thought. She got to work on lighting the fire once again. When the fire was burning, Luminita rummaged through her packs until she pulled out a food packet. Before she left Castle Town, she had made a trip to the local store and stocked up on food and supplies. Luminita gazed around at her surroundings. She had left Hyrule behind days ago. She was in unknown territory, now. However, no matter how far away from Hyrule she got, the Hero's Shade always managed to find her.

As she ate, Luminita thought back to her mother and brother and wondered how they were doing. She also wondered how her father could have gone off on an adventure and left everyone and everything he knew behind. Sure, he had been reunited with them when everything was said and done, but he must have been lonely and homesick sometime during his quest to vanquish Ganondorf. Luminita was brought out of her thoughts when she heard the sound of galloping hooves. She looked up to see Epona running towards her. Luminita grabbed her sword and shield and sprang to her feet. Epona charged past her, clearly frightened by something. Luminita quickly discovered what that something was when an arrow struck the ground by her feet. She yelped and jumped back. Looking up, Luminita saw five bandits ride up on fierce looking steeds.

One of the front riders shot another arrow. Luminita expertly deflected the arrow with her shield. She ran to face the bandits, away from her camp. She slid to a stop and waited. When they got closer, Luminita gathered up her strength and spun around. Her energy transferred to her blade and she was able to knock the bandits off their horses. With their riders gone, the horses ran off in a panic. The men got to their feet and pulled out their own weapons. Panting after spending most of her energy, Luminita backed away slightly, raising her shield.

"You ain't from around here," one of the men noted.

"What's a pretty thing like you doin' all the way out here?" another asked. His eyes roamed up Luminita's body. "Pretty thing like you shouldn't be playin' with swords."

"Neither should little kids," Luminita shot back.

The others laughed while their friend turned a dark shade of red from embarrassment. One of the men noticed the sword and shield. His face became thoughtful.

"I once heard of a guy who used a sword and shield like that," he said. "Some Hylian guy."

Luminita's heart began to pound. She swallowed thickly. Maybe these men knew where her father was. The man grew deep in thought.

"What was that guy's name?" he asked.

"What guy?" one of his friends asked.

"The forest guy," the first man replied.

Another bandit turned to face Luminita. "Don't matter," he said. "We have work to do."

Three of the men pinned Luminita down while the other two ran to the camp. Luminita tried to fight off the three men keeping her away from her camp, but they attacked relentlessly. She looked over her shoulder to see the other two men rummaging through her belongings. Anger flared within her and Luminita yelled out, slashing at the three men. They all cried out and fell back, each sporting a sword wound. Luminita turned around and charged at the remaining two men. One of them pulled out a club and swung it over his head. Luminita tried to dodge, but she was too late in moving. The club connected with her temple. She collapsed to the ground in an ungraceful heap, sword and shield clattering to the ground. She vaguely heard voices around her. Luminita struggled to open her eyes. One of the men had picked up the box her mother had given her before she left Hyrule Castle. He pulled out a strange stone with veins of amber glowing throughout the rock. A leather string was embedded in the top. The man called the rock worthless and threw it to the side.

The rock landed by Luminita's head. It began to glow, the amber deepening in color. Luminita reached out and grasped it. Almost instantly, her mind cleared and a strange sensation washed over her. Veins of lights snaked up her arm. Luminita gasped as she felt her body began to shift. The men turned when they heard a low, menacing growl coming from behind them. They stiffened when they saw a black wolf with dark amber designs on its forehead, sides and belly. Its eyes glowed like the full moon and when it growled, dazzling white, razor sharp teeth were revealed.

"I think we're in trouble," one of the men said.

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