I woke up in a white room. There was a small pool in the center with three waterfalls coming down into it. I slowly stood up as I realized that my sword and shield were sheathed. I was looking around again as a woman walked out of the waterfall. She was simply stunning. Her skin glistened with droplets of water, but she didn't seem to get wet at all. Her dress was smooth and flowed off her form like a cascade. It looked like a solid white, but in the right light, shimmered a very light blue. Her long dark hair flowed behind her like the waterfalls behind her. Her beauty simply was amazing. I hadn't seen anything like it in my entire, sheltered life. Then she spoke. "I am Nayru, goddess of Wisdom. Welcome, young hero."

"Wait, so this… and you… I thought you were just a myth."

Nayru looked somewhat sullen. "Yes, I know about that game that you played. I remember the first time you had come. It was also through a cave in the woods. I believe you called yourself… Miyamoto back then."

"Wait, so Miyamoto's idea of Zelda…"

"Was based off his own adventures as a child? Yes, yes it was. Many more heroes have since come and gone. And now… it is you."

I was taken aback. "Wait, me? I think you've got the wrong person."

"Destiny does not lie. Come, look for yourself." Nayru gestured to the pool in front of me. I looked at the pool, and I saw that I was wearing a long green hat at the back of my head.

I was stammering like crazy. I was dressed like Link in the games "Wha…but…how?"

"As I said before, destiny does not lie. You now have the garments of the chosen hero. And now for the business I called you for." The compass that I had in my pocket had suddenly appeared in her hands. "This is the Compass of Secrets. In ancient times, it let your people to this world. To prevent anyone from misusing its power, we sealed away its powers. However, the boundaries between our world and yours are weakening, and both worlds are becoming more and more dangerous. You must find the other two and reassemble the Compass of Secrets."

"Wait, I have a few questions."

"Proceed."

"First, what do you mean 'my people?'"

"You are no ordinary human. You are a Hylian; a person born of Hylian blood is more resilient, more powerful, more adaptable than any ordinary human."

"That explains why I wasn't hurt as much as I should have back there."

"Your skill with a sword and shield is no accident. Now, time is short. You must leave. Talk to your friend, she plays an important part as well." As she spoke, the world faded again.

When it came back, I was lying next to Laurel as she woke up. "Laurel, are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm okay. I met someone. She said that I was of a different race and that the compass that you have can lead us to someplace called 'Hyrule.' She gave me this." She took out a shining blue gem. "She said that this is Nayru's Sapphire. We just need to place this in the compass." I gave her the compass and she placed it in a slot in the side. The compass and the gem shined a bright light and the compass's needle spun like a madman until it pointed a certain direction. "This should point toward one of the other gems! Come on, let's go!" Laurel started walking in a certain direction. Laurel suddenly took a double-take at me and remarked, "Whoa, Link? When did you change into that?"

"Well, I was told that I was some legendary hero and that these were here to prove that I was."

"Well, you were always legendary to me…" Laurel blushed for a few moments and then turned around. "Well, which way does that compass turn to?"

I pointed in the right direction, "That way."

Laurel pointed the same way. "Well, it looks like we're going back to civilization, then." There was a small town at the bottom of the ridge.

"Great, I just left society, and now I look like I'm late to a cosplay convention." I replied.

"Well, don't worry about them. If we're looking for gems like this one, they're probably going to be in some kind of abandoned building or cave."

I shrugged. "I still won't feel comfortable looking like this. People are going to make fun."

Laurel waved a hand back, "Don't listen to them. They're not a legendary hero." Laurel started walking back toward the town.

"Yeah, lucky them." I went and followed her. When we entered the town, I saw a couple of posters of missing children. There was one that had my picture and Laurel's picture. I promptly tore it down and put them in my pocket. No one needed to find us.

"Hey, Link." Laurel beckoned. "Listen."

I listened closely. "So, any news about the water plant?" one guy asked.

"No, that thing is still running amok. I heard that it got Bob." Another guy asked.

"Aw, really? I liked Bob!"

"Yeah, I heard that it's like one of them survival horror games in there. I heard that it gets your scent, and then without warning, it grabs a hold of you, never to be seen again."

The second guy shivered. "It's enough to give me the chills."

Laurel walked over and asked, "Excuse me, where's this water plant you're talking about?"

"It's down by the river, outside of town."

"You'd best stay away from there, little lady. Too pretty to be wandering around there."

I quickly stepped to her side. "Yeah, too pretty. Now, come on Laurel, let's go!" I dragged her to the side and whispered, "What are you doing?"

"I'm getting another one of those gems, for you. Take out that compass, it's got to be pointing to there!"

"So what if it does? I'm not going in there, there's some kind of monster in there."

"So? You've fought those monsters in the cave!"

"That was different, this is... it's dangerous!"

"Listen, you're…"

"A hero, yes, I know. Thanks for reminding me within five minutes!"

"Do you know what heroes do?"

"No Laurel, I don't. Please, enlighten me!"

"They help people! They risk their own lives for the good will of others. They're selfless, strong, and brave. They can take on anything that comes their way! Now that thing has been terrorizing these people for who-knows-how long! So what are you going to do?"

"I'm going to go to that plant and get rid of that monster!"

"Yeah, that's the Link I know!" Together, we walked to the abandoned plant, while I still had a hint of fear in my eyes.