Chapter 1

A light breeze was gently blowing as I slowly regained consciousness. I felt warmth on my face, and slowly opened my eyes. I was laying at the edge of a large field, with a few hills and trees dotted here and there. The sun was setting behind me in a brilliance of colors. Strange, sunsets weren't usually supposed to be that bright, what with all the air pollution. Confused, I looked more closely around the field, taking in details. It was massive, stretching on for what seemed like miles. The hill I was standing on appeared to be the highest point in the area, so I could see pretty much everything. All of it was beautiful, and it looked strangely familiar.

I sat there for a moment, breathing in the sweet smelling air, before I remembered my friends. Where were they? What had happened to them? I jumped up, looking around again, this time for my friends. I tried calling their names, but there was no answer. I hung my head in despair, and that was when I noticed my clothes. The t-shirt and shorts I had worn to Kris's house were gone. I was now wearing a sleeveless violet tunic, which was being held close to my body with a leather belt. On my legs were white leggings, and a pair of light brown leather boots that went up to my calves. I looked at my arms. On them was a pair of brown gloves with the fingertips cut off, partially covered by dark blue gauntlets that nearly went up to my elbows. Feeling that there was something on my head, I pulled off a round hat that was the same color as my tunic. Putting it back on, I noticed for the first time that there was a sword strapped to my back. I grabbed the hilt, wondering what it looked like, but before I could pull it out I heard a strange noise.

I quickly turned around to see that there was a winding dirt path behind me, carved into the hillside. Straining to listen, I heard the noise again, coming from somewhere further down the pass. It sounded like a faint cry, and it seemed familiar for some reason. Wondering what it was, I started down the path, tense. Rounding a corner, I saw a figure standing in the middle of the road, its back to me. I took a few steps closer, and suddenly it turned around and ran right at me, swinging a club at my head. I instinctively dodged, and saw the thing for what it really was as it passed. It was a bokoblin, a short, blue, troll-like monster from Twilight Princess. It screeched in frustration, and I recognized it as the cry I had heard earlier.

I couldn't believe it! I was being attacked by a monster from a video game in real life! That's when I remembered the sword I had found strapped to my back. Was I really supposed to... I grabbed the hilt again, and drew it out of its sheath. It was a beautiful sword, with a blue hilt and a blade that was a brilliant bright silver, almost white. There was, of course, no time to admire it. This time, when the bokoblin charged, I slashed at it. The sword was perfectly balanced, and the hilt felt like it was made for my hands. The bokoblin jerked back, screeching in pain. I quickly brought my sword back and jabbed it forward, impaling the monster. It fell backwards and exploded into ash.

I sheathed my sword, breathing heavily. Then I laughed aloud. I had always wondered if I would be able to handle myself when confronted with danger, and I found out that I could! I was so excited! But my excitement was cut short when I heard another bokoblin screech, coming from directly behind me. I grabbed my sword, ready for action, but before I could get it all the way out, I felt something hit me in the spine, hard. I fell over, gasping. The bokoblin stood over me, raising its club as I struggled to regain my breath. Screaming, I closed my eyes and put my hands up in a futile attempt to protect myself.

The anticipated blow never came. I heard the monster screech, than explode. A soft boy's voice asked, "Are you okay?"

I opened my eyes. Instead of a monster, standing over me was someone I never thought I'd see in person. It was Link, the Hero of Hyrule. That voice was his voice. I had never heard Link speak before. His voice was softer than I had expected, and full of kindness and concern.

"I-I'm fine," I stuttered.

"Here, let me help you." He stretched out his hand. I grabbed it, and he pulled me up with ease. Wow, he was so strong. It took all of my self-control to keep myself from letting out a fangirl squeal.

"I saw you take out that first monster. Are you a warrior?" he asked.

"Well...sort of," I said. "I know how to fight, I've just...never actually done it before." I really hoped I wasn't blushing.

"You're really good. I've never actually met another swordsman. Well, except for my friend Rusl." He smiled at me. Wow, he really thought I was good. Now I knew I was blushing.

"T-Thanks," I stammered. Link was such a nice person! I had wanted to meet him all my life, but he was just a video game character. Yet there he was, standing in front of me, complimenting my combat skills. A wave of excitement rushed through me.

"Are you traveling alone?" he asked.

"No!" I gasped. My friends! In the excitement of the bokoblin attack and meeting Link, I had forgotten all about them. "I came here with friends, but I don't know where they are! We got separated! Oh my gosh, I hope they're okay!" My voice got higher and louder as I started to panic. Link put his hand on my arm comfortingly.

"Calm down," he said softly. "I'm sure they're alright. I'll help you look for them."

"You will?" I asked. "But you don't even know me."

"Yeah, but I can't just leave you here by yourself. A lot has changed for me recently, but I think it's my job to help people. Don't worry, we'll find them."

I nodded, and my breathing slowed. That's right, he was supposed to become a hero and save everyone. He must know at least a little about his destiny by this point. Wait, this point. This point in the game. Something about this particular moment seemed important, but what? As we started walking across the field, I remembered. This was the part right after he talks to the light spirit. It was also the part where we had stopped playing. The game had gone haywire, and the magical ball of light had transported us here. Finally, something inside me clicked. The strange dreams I'd been having, the messages in the game, the feeling that I knew this place, the bokoblin, Link's existence, it all made sense now. Somehow, we had been transported inside the video game. My friends and I were in Hyrule.