• *Please help me...it's so dark...* a mysterious voice sent telepathicly.

    Mitako kept tossing and turning, for she couldn't sleep. She hugged the blanket tightly around her shoulders, shivering froom the cold night air.

    *Where are you?* she sent back. Mitako could tell the voice was in distress.

    (Author's Note: The song used in this chapter is called "Yours to Hold" by Skillet. Yes it is a christian rock band!)
    The voice began to fade into the darkness. As it slowly disappeared, it said but one last thing.

    *Watch the sky tomorrow night. Follow the light towards the location. There you will find what you seek.*

    *Matte, kudasai!* she sent back, hoping to hear a reply, but the voice had gone.

    ***[In the World of Dreams]***

    Mitako was walking through a forest. It was dark with only the moon and stars as her only source of light. She didn't know where she was going, but she kept walking. Slowly she let out a weary sigh, for she couldn't help but feel lost.

    I see you standing here
    But you're so far away
    Starving for your attention
    You don't even know my name

    She followed the lone path until she found that it split into two directions up ahead. She was confused, for there wasn't a sign saying where each one went.

    You're going through so much
    But I know that I could be the one to hold you

    'Where do I go? I...I can't just go both ways.' she thought, shaking nervously. Both paths looked as if they went to the same place, yet she wasn't sure.

    Every single day
    I find it hard to say
    I could be yours alone
    You will see someday
    That all along the way
    I was yours to hold
    I was yours to hold

    She fell on her knees, buried her face in her hands and cried, for she was scared. "I don't like being alone!" she said sobbing.

    I see you walking by
    Your hair always hiding your face
    I wonder why you've been hurting
    I wish I had some way to say

    You're going through so much
    Don't you know that I could be the one to hold you

    "You're not alone." said a mysterious voice.

    Mitako felt someone wrap their arms around her.

    "Yes I am. Nobody cares about me."

    Every single day
    I find it hard to say
    I could be yours alone
    You will see someday
    That all along the way
    I was yours to hold
    I was yours to hold

    She stayed like that for a while, unsure of what to do.

    "I care about you." the voice said kindly.

    Mitako looked up into the stranger's face, seeing the young man's kind sapphire eyes.

    I'm stretching but you're just out of reach
    You should know
    I'm ready when you're ready for me
    And I'm waiting for the right time
    For the day I catch your eye
    To let you know
    That I'm yours to hold

    The stranger took his hand and wiped the tears from her eyes.

    "It's alright, I'm here with you." he said reassuringly.

    The young man helped Mitako to her feet, wrapping his arms around her in a gentle hug. Mitako returned the embrace, not wanting to let go. She buried her face on his shoulder, crying as her whole body shook in fear.

    "Shh, it's ok, you're safe." he consoled. Mitako timidly looked up at his face, tears still falling down her face. He could see that she was afraid. Slowly, he lowered his face until it was mere inches away from hers. "I promise to never leave your side." he whispered to her. He closed his eyes and gently kissed her.

    After a few moments, he let go of her. "Wh-who are you?" Mitako asked shyly. "I am Prince Marth Lowell of Altea." he said, bowing to her. "What is your name?" he asked. She hesitated a bit. "Um, I'm M-Mitako." she replied timidly, her face slightly turning pink. Marth smiled kindly. "'Tis an honor to meet you." he said.

    I'm stretching but you're just out of reach
    You should know
    I'm ready when you're ready for me
    And I'm waiting for the right time
    For the day I catch your eye
    To let you know
    That I'm yours to hold

    "Come, I will go with you." he said, holding out his arm. Mitako took it willingly, as they both went down the path to the right, as the stars lit the way towards their destination.

    I'm stretching but you're just out of reach
    I'm ready when you're ready for me

    Night had come as the stars shone brightly in the sky. Slowly, Mitako opened her eyes and woke up. She wiped the tears from her eyes with her free hand, carefully getting out of bed. She went to the balcony and sat on her knees. She could feel the heavy burden weighing down on her soul, like heavy iron chains.

    Letting out a heavy sigh, she closed her eyes, bowed her head, and folded her hands. She sat there silently, tears falling down her face.

    "Dear goddesses, please tell me why I am here. I...I just feel so lost! All I ask is for some sign of what I am to do."Mitako prayed. A soft, warm ray of light began to surround her. Three voices began to speak from above.

    "O child of light, do not fear." Din said kindly. "Thou hast been chosen, for a great darkness is spreading." Farore told her. "Thy quest hast begun." Nayru said gently.

    Mitako looked up to the sky, tears still falling down her face. "Thou must go to Lake Hylia. There you will go through the first of three trials. The first is of courage, second is strength, and the last is heart." Din explained. "Go forth Mitako, for there is something which belongs to thee. It awaits thee at the lake." Farore finished, all three voices fading away with the light.

    Mitako sat there silently, staring up at the night sky. She could still feel the tears falling down her face. "I hope I'm not too late." she said shakily.

    After what seemed like a long time, Mitako felt something land on her shoulder. "You alright Mitako?" said a tiny voice. She looked around slowly. "Wh-who's there?" Mitako asked. A small midnight blue colored fairy flew in front of her face. "Hello, I'm Twinkle and I'm your guardian fairy!" said the fairy happily. Mitako smiled shyly. "Nice to meet you, Twinkle." she replied.

    "Goodness, it's late. You sould get some sleep." Twinkle said, realizing the time. Mitako nodded in reply, stiffling a yawn with her hand. "Hai, oyasuminasai." she said to the fairy. Mitako went back inside and layed back down in bed, covering herself up with the sheets. "Oyasuminasai, Mi-chan." Twinkle replied as she flew towards the pillow and joined Mitako, both falling asleep as the night went on in peace.

    The sun began to rise the next morning. Mitako let out a yawn as she rubbed her eyes. She had began to slowly wake up and opened her eyes. She sat up and listened closely. "Good morning Mi-chan!" Twinkle said cheerfully, fluttering near Mitako's face. "Shhh, kikimasu." Mitako whispered. She could hear the faint sound of someone playing the piano. She got out of bed and put on her freshly clean clothes, which to her resembled a school uniform, then her short brown ankle-length boots. Afterwards, she walked out of the room in a trance-like state towards the place where the music came from. As she walked, she began to sing to the melody.

    "Here a goddess of happiness cries,
    an endless timeless lullaby.

    Sings her song of the
    dreams she has,
    the sadness fills her eyes.

    End of love,
    love is gone.
    No more dreams to
    dream about,
    so life is done.

    If it's so,
    cut the thread.
    It's time to let it go.

    Tears they flow to
    the thirst of the gods.
    The oceans roars
    drowned out by rain.

    Blameless wolf
    carries on alone.
    The silence now
    surrounds him.

    Sooner than,
    dreaming ends.
    Morning of the
    dawn will bring
    another day.

    Turn around,
    (and) you
    have found,
    a different
    place to dream."

    (Author's Note: The song she sings is the english version of Nocturne from Castlevania Symphony of the Night.)