Author's Notes: Okay, here it is: My very own Zelda-fanfic. It includes original characters, though no self-insertions. Nothing else to say about it really, except enjoy!

Disclaimer: The Legend of Zelda and all related characters, places, names etc. belong to Nintendo. Everything else belong to me.

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The Legend of Zelda: The Master of Darkness

Chapter 1: Lost in the Woods

Trees.

Trees, trees, trees.

Trees to my left, trees to my right.

Trees behind me and everywhere in sight.

Okay, I've never been a great poet. But I had to keep my mind busy or I was going to go nuts in here. I was walking in a forest, as I had been for only the deities know how long. I figured some time ago that if I just kept walking in the same direction, I was bound to get out at some point. The problem was I hadn't gotten to that point yet.

Then, suddenly, I sensed something. Like I was being watched. Don't ask me how I do it, because I don't even know it myself. I just get a feeling when something's about to happen and that feeling was going crazy right now.

I slowly reached for the sword in my belt and laced my fingers around the handle. I was frozen for a second while my eyes searched the dim forest, and that was all the time I got. In a split second it happened: I performed a 180 degree spin as I drew my sword, only narrowly blocking the attack from behind. My blade was only inches from my face, but at the same time it was the only thing keeping my head from being cleaved in two by my attacker.

Standing there face to face with my attacker, I got a closer look at him and realized he – or rather it – wasn't human. It was a pig-like creature on two legs with a massive sword in its hands – the same sword that at the moment was trying to split my skull in two halves.

I quickly removed my blade from the creature's, spun around and slashed at my enemy from the right. The creature blocked my attack and went for a hit at my head. I find it worth to notice that my attacker was a head or two taller than me, so the only thing I could do was to duck and cover my head from above with my sword.

Our blades clashed and the blow almost knocked me off my feet. The creature held me down with all its strength, leaving me absolutely no chance to escape. It was clear that I wouldn't be able to hold it for long, so I desperately looked around for … I don't know, something that could help me. And then I found it: A small rock on the forest floor.

I slowly released the grip on my blade with my left hand, making it even harder to hold it in position. I reached for the rock and threw my best shot at my enemy. It hit the creature on the side of its face, distracting it for just a split second. But that was all I needed.

I quickly rolled out of harm's way and launched a blow at the creature's legs. I only left a little cut, but if the creature had been mad at me before, it was absolutely furious now. It swung its blade in a rage down at me and I rolled away again, but this time I had spotted an opening: I rolled between the creature's legs, rose to my feet behind it and made a deep cut across its back.

The creature howled in pain and retreated into the woods again. I sheathed my sword while panting and looked around as the truth became clear: I had completely lost sense of direction in the battle. I was lost.

"Oh, dam…" was all I managed to say out loud before being cut off by a deep, thunderous voice:

"What business do you have here in the forest of the Kokiris?"

I spun around, for the voice seemed to come from everywhere.

"Wh-who is that?" I asked, my voice sounding more panicked than I would have preferred. I'm not easily frightened, but I prefer to be able to see who I'm talking to.

"Answer the question."

Figuring being afraid would get me nowhere, I centered myself and spoke as calmly as I could:

"I'm searching for the Kingdom of Hyrule. I have been sent to find a man named Link. Do you, by any chance, know where to find him?"

"Link, you say, eh? Okay. Follow me, then. But keep your hands where I can see them. And no tricks."

"No tricks, got it."

I wondered who "I" was and what "Kokiris" were, but I didn't see any other choice but to follow orders. Besides, if this person could lead me to Link, he was better to have as a friend than an enemy.

I stopped and whirled around at the sound of a twig snapping behind me, only to be met by a little kid in green clothes with a mischievous grin on his face.

"Really scared you there, huh?" he exclaimed playfully.

"Why, you …" I started, ready to launch at the kid, but I was quickly broken off by him.

"Hey, hey, if you wanna get to Link, you better behave. I could change my mind, you know!"

I grumbled, but I could see that the kid had a point, so I did nothing but stare at him, grumbling.

"I thought so," he said triumphantly. "Now, I believe you would like to meet Link?"

"Please," I said stiffly, still struggling to hold back my urge to strangle that little punk right at the spot.

"Then let's go," he said and quickly ran off into the woods.

"Hey, wait up!" I shouted and ran after him.

He was clearly used to getting around in the forest and I had a hard time keeping up with him. At last I could see light ahead, and soon I found myself looking at a small village in the middle of the forest.

"Welcome," he said, "to the village of the Kokiris."

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Author's Notes: There! Hope ya like it, folks. And please leave reviews, they make me happy.