I. THE PIRATE'S INITIATION
Amidst the salty air and creaking decks of Tetra's pirate ship, Niko, the seasoned seafarer, took Link under his wing. The sun-drenched sea stretched before them like a vast canvas, ready to paint the tale of a new sailor.
Niko: Oh! Well now! Ahoy there, swabbie! As of today... EH-HEH-AHEM! I am your superior... Niko! Now, I promise I'll go easy on you so you do as I say, OK? Right! Now, first off, you have to take the test all new pirates have to take. It's a bit of a doozy, so get ready! You watch everything I'm about to show you real careful-like so you can cram it into your no doubt mushy swabbiebrain!
Niko: First off, you gotta press this switch. This is the only easy part. Just walk up to it and tilt D-Pad Up to step on it. Presto! Switch pressed!
(Niko steps on the switch.)
Niko: Now, check it out! After the platforms rise up from the floor, you gotta jump on them.
Niko: OK, so I was able to jump on the first one myself... but the next one is too far, right? That's when you gotta do THIS! If you jump right at the rope, you can grab onto it and use D Pad Down/Up to swing. Swing until you get close enough to the next platform then press A to let go and jump to it! So, you think you get how to do it? You have to swing from platform to platform and try to get to the entrance of that room over there! Here's the problem though, swabbie! The platforms only stay raised for a little while, so if you don't get there by the time they drop you have to start over! It will probably take you at least one year before you're good enough to make it all the way here. One rough year. One tough year, full of bumps and bruises. Of course, if you manage to do it faster, I'll reward you! Now, give it a try! This ought to be good for a chuckle or two!
(Link completes Niko's test.)
Niko: Whaaaat!? You did it already? ... I... I... I'm proud to have you as... As my... As my... underling!
(Niko thinking: I... I wonder if it's OK to just give that to him... ...I don't see why not... I doubt I'll get busted...)
Niko: All right, swabbie! I'll tell you what! You can have the treasure in that chest over there! It's your reward from the great and generous Niko! Hurry and take it before someone comes!
(Link opens the chest.)
Narration: You got the Spoils Bag! You can keep the items you get from enemies in this handy pouch. It can hold up to 8 types of items. Press Y, Z, or X on the Items screen to see what's inside. Press Y, Z, or X again to set and use one of its contents.
II. THE FATEFUL VOYAGE
With the Spoils Bag securely in hand, Link's gaze turned to the horizon, where the Forsaken Fortress loomed in the distance, a cursed isle shrouded in mystery and danger.
Tetra: Hey! Link! We've reached the Forsaken Fortress! Hurry and get up here!
(On the deck of the pirate ship.)
Tetra: Hey! Link! Here I am! Up here!
Tetra: What were you doing with Niko? Don't tell me you were playing some stupid game for treasure... were you? Well, whatever! There's something you need to see! Have a look over there... That's the cursed isle known as the Forsaken Fortress.
(A view of Forsaken Fortress is shown.)
Tetra: There are all sorts of strange rumors about this place. What I do know is that long ago, it used to be a hideout of a no-good group of pirates we used to compete with... But they were just small-time. Now, the place looks like it's pretty dangerous. Ah! I knew it! Look! Over there! By that window! Have you ever seen so many seagulls flock like that before? I'll bet you anything that's the place where they've got your sister locked up! ...But it looks like the whole place is under really tight guard. This won't work... We'd be spotted before we got anywhere near landing there. Hmmm... What do we do now?
(Link is placed inside a barrel.)
Tetra: Look, don't struggle. If you really want to get into a dangerous place like that, this is the only way to do it. Trust me. We pirates do this all the time. Don't worry about it! It will be a piece of cake! Is everyone ready!? Never you fear, kid. We're pros. We're going to launch you good. 3 2 1
(Link flies from the catapult and into Forsaken Fortress.)
III. THE FORTRESS OF SHADOWS
(Inside Forsaken Fortress.)
Tetra (via the pirate's gem): Your sword landed all the way up there? Shoot! I'm sorry! I apologize! I guess my aim was off a little bit. Heh... Heh... The look on your face... Priceless! Heh heh... I slipped this stone into your pocket just before we fired you over there. It's no ordinary stone, either. I can see what you're doing through this stone, and obviously you can hear me through it. So... if you see A, you'd better press that button! I put the stone on your Quest Status screen. Press START and use L or R to scroll around. It's pretty basic. Hey, but listen carefully! I need this back after you save your sister, so don't go losing it, you understand?!
(Inside Forsaken Fortress.)
Narration: You've got back the Hero's Sword you've dropped! Now you're in business! Take care not to drop it again!
(Inside Forsaken Fortress.)
(Link sees Aryll in a jail cell.)
(Link tries to run to Aryll.)
(The giant bird falls through the ceiling.)
(The bird grabs Link and flies through the hole in the ceiling.)
(The bird takes Link to the top of the fortress.)
(A man in a black robe, Ganon, orders the bird to throw Link.)
(Link is thrown into the ocean.)
(Link floats around in the ocean.)
(A boat takes Link out of the water.)
IV. A WATERY AWAKENING
King of Red Lions: Link... Link... Wake up, Link! Pull yourself together, Link!
(Link wakes up inside of a boat.)
King of Red Lions: Well? Have you come to your senses yet? You are surprisingly dull-witted...
(Link falls back in surprise.)
King of Red Lions: Did I startle you? I suppose that is only natural. As wide as the world is, I am the only boat upon it who can speak the words of men. I am the King of the Red Lions. Do not fear... I am not your enemy. Link... I have been watching you since you went to the Forsaken Fortress to rescue your sister. I understand how your desire to protect your sister could give you the courage to fearlessly stand up to anything... But such a bold attempt was foolhardy! I suppose you saw him... The shadow that commands that monstrous bird... His name is...Ganon... He... who obtained the power of the gods, attempted to cover the land in darkness and was ultimately sealed away by the very power he hoped to command. He is the very same Ganon... The emperor of the dark realm the ancient legends speak of... I do not know why the seal of the gods has failed, but now that Ganon has returned, the world is once again being threatened by his evil magic. Tell me, Link... Do you still wish to save your sister from him?
(Link nods head.)
King of Red Lions: And will you do anything to save her?
(Link nods head.)
King of Red Lions: ...I see. In that case, I shall guide you as we go forward... advising you on what you should do, and where you must go. Ganon cannot be defeated by human hands, let alone by what little strength you possess. The key to defeating Ganon is locked away in a great power that you could wield after much toil and hardship. Do you understand?
(Link nods head.)
King of Red Lions: In that case, we depart! To the Great Sea! ...Ah, but I am getting ahead of myself. This is actually a bit embarrassing for me to admit, but... although I am a boat that possesses the power of speech... I possess no sail. And a boat with no sail can sail no seas. I have brought you far to the east of the dark gaze of the Forsaken Fortress. On this island is a town of merchants who deal with a wide variety of goods. If you search hard enough, surely you can find one who will sell you a sail. I am sorry to ask this of you, but without a sail, I will be useless to you. This island of merchants is home to many valuable goods. While the sail must come first, do not feel limited to buying only it. Once you have it, feel free to stock up on anything else you think you may need. But remember: there is no time to play. Come back immediately as soon as your errands are done.
V. ON WINDFALL ISLAND
Upon the bustling Windfall Island, where tales were spun as swiftly as the sea breezes, Link encountered a peculiar traveler named Zumali. The winds of destiny had brought Zumali from a distant land, his ship ravaged by a tempest that left only his prized possession unscathed.
Zumali: My story is a strange one... I came across cursed seas from a land far away... a land where the blizzards blow violently... heading for this town called Windfall. But dear me! As I traveled, a terrible storm descended and tore my ship to bits... yet mysteriously only that escaped without so much as a mark on it... From the looks of you, I would say you are a traveler as well. Oh, yes indeed! ...Could you not purchase that from me? It is my one and only heirloom from home. The people in this town do not seem the least bit interested in that, despite the fact that it would help them travel the dangerous seas about their town... Please! I beg of you! I wish to open a business here in this town, so I am in desperate need of finances. How does... 80 rupees sound?
(Link says I'll buy it.)
Zumali: Yes, yes! yes! Thank you very much, indeed! I have received precisely 80 rupees for it. I can use these funds to finance my new business! Oh dear me, what a happy day! Very well, young master... As I promised, please! Take that!
Narration: You got a boat's sail! Set it to Y, Z, or X, then use it while on your boat to sail across the sea. Press A to put it away.
Zumali: Yes, yes, yes! You have made a good purchase today, my young master! You have saved my life and business as well! Treasure it dearly! It is the finest sail in the world! Treat it as such!
Having secured the sail, Link's gaze shifted toward the horizon. The crimson hue of the setting sun reflected upon the sea, mirroring the adventures that awaited him.
King of Red Lions: Oh! That look in your eye... So, you've found yourself a sail, have you? Very well! Then I shall teach you the art of sailing! Come next to my hull and press A to climb aboard. Set the sail you've got to Y, Z, or X, and press that same button to hoist it. The sail will catch the wind, which will push the boat forward. The Up button that appears behind me indicates wind direction. Use the joystick to steer. If you wish to move quickly, you should keep the wind blowing directly into the sail. You can always press A to put away the sail. Try it when you want to adjust your speed. Did you understand all that?
(Link says yes.)
King of Red Lions: Oh! One more thing. When you are out at sea with few landmarks to go by, you will be at the mercy of your Sea Chart. I have marked the place we should currently be heading for on your Sea Chart. If you get lost at sea, simply press D-Pad Up to open the chart and confirm your position. Now! A westerly wind blows! Hop in and let it carry us to the east!
As Link set sail, the rhythmic creaking of the boat's timbers resonated with the whispers of the wind. The crimson sea unfolded its vast expanse, embracing Link on a journey into the unknown.