Ryu darted toward the Lost Woods. 'Hah! After all this wondering around and wasting time I finally have a lead that seems accurate! Saria, Sage of Forest. You will be brought down by my blade!' Ryu leapt up the cliff covered in vines and approached the entrance to the Lost Woods. He took a moment to catch his breath before entering then continued.

He walked in and at first all he could hear was the sound of fluttering fairies and squeaking crickets. But then he thought he heard something else behind it. Something very distant and not so clear but he knew it was there. Before he could think about what it was he caught sight of another Kokiri girl, with blond hair, coming from out of the giant hallowed log to his left. She didn't seem as curious about him as the others were. Perhaps she had more experience with Hylians than most of the forest children. She casually walked up to him. "You know, Mister, you really shouldn't come into this part of the forest. If you don't have a guardian fairy and stay here for too long, the woods will turn you into a nasty Stalfos, for sure." She said while swaying back and forth a bit.

"That's an odd thing to say. The woods will turn me into a stalfos? Explain." There was definitely something very off about this place and Ryu felt as though anything could happen here so he thought he should get some information.

The girl just shrugged. "I don't know how it happens, but I know for a fact that it does. I thought it might just be a rumor but one time, not too long ago, there was really pale, skinny man who came here from outside. I saw him change and it was REALLY scary!"

"You saw him change? What was going on?"

"Um… Well, he was picking mushrooms. I came by while he was sitting by a tree stump. I thought I'd go over to see him. When I came closer, I noticed something strange in his hand. He had this little blue cucco on his lap… He just looked… so happy to be with it."

"Happy?"

"Yeah. But right before I could get close to him, his body looked like it had frozen up and he looked really scared. Like he'd see a ghost or something. Then, all of a sudden his eyes burned green! His eyes literally had fire in them! Then his body… began to morph. I think he knew what was happening... You could see it in his eyes… But there was no way he could protect himself from this sort of thing… When he fully transformed… Well… Ugh, the point is you shouldn't be here! Turn away and don't come back unless you find someway to convince a fairy to be your guardian."

Ryu looked at the ground, deep in thought. Then he looked back into the blond Kokiri's eyes. "Turning back isn't an option. How long can I be in here before I am turned into a monster?"

"Well… I don't know. But there WAS one person who went in the forest without a fairy and without turning into a stalfos. Yeah, I think he said his name was… Sheik or something. But don't take chances. You've got to turn back."

"Not a chance. I must continue." Ryu quickly said. He slowly turned to the hollowed log to his right. Before he went through it he turned his head back to the girl. "…What happened… after he transformed?"

"What? Oh. Well… After he… you know… became a stalfos he stood up really quick… I fell backwards from shock. The bird he had on his lap was thrown aside… But the bird didn't run… it kept coming back to the man's feet… It seemed desperate to get his master to remember him and come back. But it was no use…"

Small tears formed in her shining, blue eyes. "That guy… He picked up the saw that he had with him and… he… he did away with the poor bird. I was so scared… But then… the strangest thing happened. After he killed it… he just stood there for a long time. He just looked at the dead body with this blank look on his face, which is odd because stalfos always look so angry. Then, I'm not sure but, I thought I saw tears coming from his eyes… Deep red tears… Then I thought I could hear him almost speak… He was saying 'Co…jiro… C… Cojiro…' I slowly got to my feet and started to back away. Then the guy raised his saw, with blue feathers still stuck to it. He pointed it to his chest and then jabbed it in. I still don't understand why… but then all of his bones came crashing down, then just burnt away in green flames the minute they touched the ground. He was gone… Nothing was left of him. Not single trace of him being there. Only his saw was left. It was sticking up from the ground. I… I remember crying… I could just imagine what he felt… I took the remains of his little blue friend and buried it near the stump where they were both sitting so happily just five minutes earlier…" The little girl hiccupped and hid her eyes with one arm.

Ryu could only speculate. He found this to be quite a fascinating story, but it motivated him to hurry up and get out of there. "Well, I have to leave. Your words show me that even my soul is at risk right now. I cannot afford to waste any more time." Ryu turned to leave, but looked back over his shoulder at the blond Kokiri girl. "Before I go… tell me your name."

"…I-It's Shira…"

Ryu nodded and turned his attention to the giant hollowed tree on his right.

Ryu could hear that sound a little clearer now. It was a melody. It sounded like it was being played using some kind of flute or ocarina. He decided to follow it. Perhaps it would lead him to where he wanted to go. With any luck it would lead him strait to the Sage of Forest. After much wandering, he came upon the long-lost sanctuary. The Sacred Forest Meadow…

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I know that wasn't very long, but the next one will be longer and have better content. Please don't forget to review.