Isa

I sat outside the forest of my parents' lawn, head down and looking at my feet.

I had failed the Smash Exam.... For the third time.

It wasn't fair... I had done all of the things the proctor wanted me to do. I did them the same way my twin Nico did.

But he got whisked away. I had to remain in Altea - because apparently I didn't meet some arbitrary requirements.

It wasn't fair.... The other royal teens got to go to Smash Manor - because they passed the test. I did not.

Will I have to remain here....

With the other teens left, who hated me?

.....

I hated Altea.

I was always left out - no one seemed to care for me, the outsider. The adopted daughter. The one who didn't follow the training of a lady. I dreamed of escaping, but I had to wait until I was 18.

"There is another way...."

I jumped off the ground and pulled out my katana Blue Samurai. "Who goes there?"

"Enter... The forest...."

I narrowed my eyes but did as the voice said. Some part of me was worried about what could happen....

The other part urged me forward.

I walked past all the trees, looking for anything suspicious. Nothing seemed to pop out though. It wasn't until I was near a pond that I heard the voice once more.

"Show me how you fight....."

I waited for an enemy to appear, but none did. After a few seconds, I sighed. Maybe I should just do some moves....

I swung my katana forward as I grabbed its scabbard. Swinging them both around, I imagined that I was surrounded by hundreds of enemies, each of them falling to my blade.

"You fight better than expected."

I stopped and turn around. A girl - about 18 or so, if I had to guess - stood there in a black robe that covered her eyes and hands. A white triforce was embroidered on her robe.

I aimed my katana at her. "Who are you?"

"Peace, Viktoryia."

I blinked. "No one calls me that."

"Then what do you go by?"

"Isa."

She smiled. "Well then Isa.... I'm surprised that you haven't sliced me in half yet."

"I have no reason to at the moment," I replied.

"I have an offer to make..."

I lowered my katana. "I'm listening."

"I need a warrior with your skills and.... Ability to break into a temple."

That sounded interesting. "Go on."

"You must do so in a disguise. If you succeed.... I'll allow you to escape Altea without anyone realizing it.

I gasped. "How can you do that?"

"I have my ways. You will be able to visit your family but will be free to do whatever you wish."

I thought about it for a second. "How can I be sure that you'll do that and not eat my soul?"

She frowned. "What do you mean?"

"You're a demon." I pointed to her robe. "That is not a normal robe of a Hylian monk. The color is wrong. And I can see your eyes. They're red like demons."

"You're quite perceptive."

"When you pretend to be others, you notice the tiniest details. However... I won't always remember them."

The demon nodded. "Oh dear... Good thing you caught mine. Except for one thing."

"What is it?"

"I'm not your average demon. When I make contracts, I expect service - not souls."

I nodded. "Alright. I'll do it."

The demon smiled. "Thank you, Isa. Before you do anything, I need to let you know about two things."

"What?"

"One. You may call me Alice or Alicia."

"Fair enough."

"Two. I need to put a contract mark on your body. This done so that I can locate you."

I blinked then nodded. "Alright." Holding out my left hand, I muttered, "Do it."

Pain seared on the back of my hand, and I gasped in pain, closing my eyes. When the feeling subsided, I opened my eyes and looked at my hand.

It was a red Triforce. On the inside of the sole non-red Triangle was a black dragon with a yellow eye.

"Come, Isa... It's time for you to steal that object."

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Reina: This is part of what happened to Isa prior to her joining Smash Manor. However, where should I put this part of the story? In a dream that Isa has? Should she remember it when she finds something that Alicia gave to her?