The Legend of Zelda: Master of Puppets
(Sorry everyone for the length and backstory in this chapter but come on, we gotta start somewhere)
Chapter 1:
The Puppeteer
Link woke up to another day in the market. Mothers buying food, men buying arrows, and occasionally, kids buying puppets from Link's family's shop. It was very busy in the market today. But of course, it was always busy on the first day of the Great Hunt.
The Great Hunt is a huge hunting expedition hosted by the men of Hyrule. It was an annual hunt that took place on the first week of June. Today was the beginning of the 17th annual Great Hunt, and the first time Link could participate. The first Great Hunt was the year Link was born. It took place because of the red wolves' attacks on villages and markets. The red wolves were a pack of about 47 wolves that were always a danger to the villages of Hyrule. Thanks to the first Great Hunt, the 47 wolves were down to 6, based on the amount of wolf bodies brought back. "Nobody's ever seen a red wolf since," Link's mother would say.
You had to be 17 or older to participate in the Great Hunt. Link had been waiting for when he was eligible for the Great Hunt. He had been training since he was 8 years old. He was a master archer, a clever swordsman, and was excellent on horseback. Speaking of horses, Link was going to the back of the store to find his horse, Epona.
Link opened the back door and was greeted by an eager Epona. Link had a little stable set up behind the shop. Link got Epona for his 12th birthday. That was one of his happiest memories of his parents.
"Hey, girl," said Link. "Today's the big day! The 17th Great Hunt! This is what we've been training for! I'll come get you after I purchase some arrows, okay?"
Link got a neigh of approval from Epona. He gave Epona an apple and went back into his store. Link quickly put on his hunting clothes and hat, grabbed his bag of coins, and exited his store, hoping that the arrows weren't sold out yet.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't the little elf that could," said Gerfin, the archery store owner. "Today's the big day, right Link?"
"Yeah," replied Link. "I just can't wait to get out there."
"You should probably stick with Reggie over there," said Gerfin, pointing over to a tall, bearded man that was probably in his mid-30s. "Hunters seem to have the best luck around him."
"My crew and I will be happy to take this bugger with us."
Link turned around to see Reggie standing right behind him.
"Sounds good," said Link.
"You got a ride, kid?" said Reggie.
"Yes, and my name is Link," replied Link.
"Ok, Link. I have some extra arrows with me, so if you want to come with us, we're leaving now," said Reggie. "Grab your horse and meet us just outside of Taggertine Forest."
"Ok," said Link.
Link started running back towards his shop. He quickly put up the "We're Closed" sign and ran upstairs to get his things. Link grabbed food, water, and a couple puppets. The puppets always seemed to have some sort of magic to them. Link ran out back of his shop. Link hopped on Epona and rode down the alleyway behind the shops. Link rushed on Epona towards Taggertine Forest.
"You got here just in time, kid," said Reggie. "We were about to go in."
"Ok," said Link.
Reggie's hunting team was composed of about 25 men in their late 20s and early 30s. Reggie and his team started moving forward into the forest. Link just stayed where he was.
"You comin', kid?" asked Reggie.
"Yeah," replied Link,"of course I am."
Link gestured Epona towards the forest. Link took a deep breath right as he entered Taggertine Forest.