The crisp autumn air filled my lungs as I took in a breath of freedom. Today is when I finally leave Akkala, and my old life behind. I'm 18 and at last, I can do as I've always wanted and explore all of Hyrule with my horse Eva. I soaked in all of the scenery not knowing when I'd be back here to see it again. The beauty of this land, I've always admired how stunning Akkala is but it's time for a change. I pat Evas' neck and smile. "We're in for quite the adventure girl." I tell her. "No more messing around at the stable."

We keep trotting along up the hill and passing the newly built Terry Town. I've only been to it a few times but it's a lovely little town. I continue admiring the views around me, the mountains and hills. Enjoying every little detail, every passing breeze, and every slight scent.

I was so wrapped up in my world I didn't realize I was heading straight into a pair of Bokoblins scouting the area. Their wretched squeal took me out of my daydreams and my brain froze. Shit. I speed up Eva's pace and scramble to get my bow and arrow from my bag. I could hear their arrows whizzing by us causing me to panic even more. I finally managed to grab it but shooting it off the back of a running horse was my next challenge. I aligned my arrow and pulled it back to shoot it. I carefully aimed but with the movement of Eva galloping I wasn't getting a clear shot. Goddamn it. I take a deep breath and aim once more before releasing the arrow and missing my shot. I curse at myself as I try and find another arrow. My sweaty hands fumble through my quiver for an arrow. As I pull one out Eva jumps over a fallen-over log making me lose my grip on my bow as I try to grab her reigns. "Ahh shit." I nervously snickered. "I'm so screwed." I heard Eva whinny in pain and realized she must've been hit. "Eva you got this! Get us to safety." I pet her neck again encouraging her to keep moving.

I can still hear the arrows whizzing by and in a frail attempt to defend us I grabbed an arrow and attempted spearing it at the monsters to no avail. Before I could realize what was happening Eva lost her balance and I felt my stomach drop as we came hurdling to the ground. I braced myself for the impact and shielded my face with my arms. I felt the weight of the world as we made contact with the ground and my body thrashed against the hard dirt and slid for what felt like miles. Once I had stopped moving I looked up and saw Eva sprawled on the ground huffing in distress. "Eva!" I scrambled to her petting her face. "Eva you gotta get up." I told her trying to pull her up but she wouldn't budge. "Eva please!" I felt my heart racing as I heard the Bokoblins getting closer. I looked down at Eva before standing up. My heart shattered realizing I was going to have to leave her here. "I'll come back for you, I'm just gonna get them off our trail." I tell her as I start running down the trail away from Eva. I was sprinting as fast as my legs could take me, my body was being powered by pure adrenaline and determination to save Eva. I could hear the monsters catching up to me but I needed to get them as far away from Eva as possible. I could hear their arrows landing at my feet and a few flying past me.

I could hear them practically on top of me now, their horses snorting right behind my head. My legs were starting to give out but I had to keep pushing. Even if it meant I'd get trampled I was going to lead them away from Eva. I began hearing another set of hooves galloping, but these were coming from in front of me. Could there have been another monster scouting ahead and now they're regrouping? I kept sprinting and then I saw it, another person on horseback. A cloaked figure holding a bow and arrow. My beacon of hope. I watched as time slowed and the person pulled their now up, arrow already aligned, and shot it. I heard a monster behind, me fall to the ground and in another swift movement they shot again and another thud behind me was heard.

I felt like I could breathe again, even as I gasped for air the immense dread was lifted off me as I collapsed onto my knees and gasped for air. "Are you ok?" They asked. I looked up and saw a young man around my age. Silky golden hair and ocean blue eyes. I nod still gasping for air.

"Thank you so much," I say in between breaths.

"Are you all alone?" He asked holding a hand out for me. I shake my head and take his hand as he helps me up.

"They shot my horse and she collapsed back there. I was trying to get them away from her." I hated that I left her alone. I can't imagine how scared she must feel.

"Ok, I'll take you back to her." He says and grabs his horse's reigns to lead it.

"Thank you," I say and take another deep breath. He walked beside me with his large horse close behind.

'I'm Link by the way."

"(Y/n)." I reply.

"(Y/n)?" He says. "Don't think 've heard that name before. It's nice."

"Thank you."

After what felt like hours of walking we finally reached Eva who was still lying on the ground huffing in pain. "Eva!!" I ran toward her and knelt beside her. "I told you I'd come back." I pat her neck and face.

"She's in pretty rough shape."He says and I tear up realizing the gravity of this situation. I can't lose Eva before our adventure even starts. I look down at her legs and see an arrow sticking out of her rear left leg. "Let's uh, let's try and stand her up." I nod and get up. ''l'll push her and you try and pull her up."

"Ok." I nod and he gets down and tries pushing her up as I pull her up by her reigns. She tries to steady herself only to fall again.

"Oh come on girl, you gotta try harder than that." He pats her. "Let's try again." He says and we do so. "Keep pulling." He grunts and Eva scrambles onto her feet. I laugh relieved to see her standing.

"Eva.. I'm so sorry." I hug her.

"Alright, let's get you two to Terry Town for the night."

"No, no you've done enough. Thank you."

"I insist." He says. "it's getting late, there's wolves and you've got a wounded horse. I wouldn't feel right leaving you alone." He smiles. I nod.

"Ok, thank you." We both lead our horses down the road to Terry Town. Eva was limping but walking, as long as she wasn't lying on the ground I was happy.

"Are you from around here?" He asks.

"Yeah, I grew up on the stable over on that mountain." I point to the stable lights.

"Have you ever traveled anywhere outside of here?" I shake my head.

"That's what I was attempting to do today," I say and he chuckles.

"Well then, welcome to the life of a traveler." I scoff. "Akkala is one of my favorite spots. It's so serene here." He says. "I've never seen you at that stable though."

"Yeah, I was usually in the back," I say.

We finally reach the entrance to the town and walk down the long path into town. I could hear wolves howling around the area so I'm glad he stuck around. We walk over to the Inn and hitch the horses out front. "Thank you again for everything you've done," I say.

"You can thank me after I bandage up her leg." He points to the arrow sticking out of Eva.

"No, I can't ask you to do that," I say. "You've already done so much, I don't know how to repay you."

"I don't need compensation. I like helping."

"No really, I'll bandage her." He grins.

"Ok then, bandage her up." He looks down at me and steps aside for me to do it. I stay still. I don't know how to do it, and I know pulling the arrow out would only hurt her more. "Exactly." He says and walks over to his horse shuffling through the saddle bags. I watched intently as he broke off the arrow and slowly took it out, disinfecting and sewing up her wound before bandaging it. I watched in awe, how many times has he done this?

"Thank you so much again. I can't begin to express my gratitude." I tell him.

"I'll stick around for another few days. Someone's got to switch out her bandages, and with your experience, I don't think you're capable. No offense."

"None taken but that's a lot. I can't accept all this help."

"Like I said. I like helping people." He says. "Go rest up inside." He points to the Inn. "You both need rest after today." He says.

"Thank you again. I really can't begin to express my gratitude." I tell him before walking inside the Inn where a Zora is standing at the front desk.

"Good evening, bed for 1?" I nod and give them 20 rupees before finding a bed and laying all my stuff beside it. I exhale a deep breath and lay back on the bed as I kick my shoes off. I stare up at the ceiling until I hear the door open and see Link come inside. He pays the Zora as well and lays two beds down from me. I rolled onto my side and faced away from the light.

"Goodnight." Link says.

"Goodnight." I reply. I close my eyes and pull the sheets over me. Am I really cut out for this life?