[EDITING] The Legend of Zelda: Goddess of Secrecy

Mini Dungeon 2 - Path To the Master Sword

...and into a dark room that waited beyond. There was a light source somewhere, but Link couldn't find it, always dancing out of his line of sight when he would get close. Nothing else to see, he continued on down the dark corridor.

Something screamed behind him. Screech was more accurate. Link dropped to the ground as a massive bird flew overhead. Its crimson wings looked like a fire as it dove down. Link pushed himself up to see the huge bird land.

Link said, "You're a Loftwing..."

"Yes, and you're a Hylian. Are we stuck on the obvious?" the Loftwing asked coyly. Link's eyes widened as the Loftwing responded. The Loftwing sighed, saying, "Don't be so surprised. You have passed into a place between. The laws of your realm don't apply here."

"Who are you...? I..." Link asked, something nudging the back of his mind. This bird was familiar to him but he didn't know how. He'd only heard of Loftwings from the stories.

The Loftwing flapped its wings twice before folding them against its sides. It said, "I am the Goddess's Messenger to you. You may call me Shade. I am supposed to lead you to the Master Sword, if you can keep up." Turning its head, Shade gestured to the corridor with its left wing. He went on, "Here begins your journey. Don't fall behind."

Shade took flight again, and dove down through the passage. Link scrambled to his feet and raced after the bird. The walls expanded, and suddenly Link found himself on the edge of a cliff. He slid to a halt as Shade dove over. Link took a step back, before taking a flying leap over the edge.

Clouds rushed by his head as he dove towards the ground. He caught up with Shade, grabbing the bird by its back. Shade shrieked, before rolling and sending Link tumbling into the ground.

Link rolled a few times before he got his footing again. Shade flew over his head, flying across an open field. Link shoved the Ocarina of Time back in his pouch and drew his blade. Creatures roamed across the field, but as Link went across it, he found that the monsters had no interest in him.

"Keep up!" Shade's voice called from above. Link looked up and watched the bird dive into a stump. Confusion crossed Link's face as the bird disappeared. Link jumped onto the stump, and looked down. Suddenly, he began to fall. He reached for something, but it was too late. He hit a mushroom and a leaf, and then found himself on the ground. And still Shade flew on.

Continuing to chase after the bird, Link raced after Shade as the Loftwing flew uphill. There was a flash of light, and suddenly there were four of Link. He looked back and forth at his three counterparts. And almost before he knew what we going on, Shade snatched him up. "You don't have time to get distracted."

When Shade dropped Link, Link rolled back onto his feet and continued running. He found himself in a huge temple. Black and white tiles were patterned beneath his feet as he ran along the seemingly endless building.

Shade landed atop an empty pedestal, pausing for a moment as Link caught his breath from the sprint so far. As the Loftwing landed, three gemstones appeared beneath its talons. Shade gripped the green stone in his claw, and tossed it to Link. "Return them."

Link caught the green stone in his hands. He looked at the emerald, and its spiral-like golden setting. A door materialized behind Shade. The Loftwing looked back, before taking off down through the door. Wind pulled through the door, sucking Shade through the opening. Link clutched the green stone and raced through after Shade.

The world he found on the other side was deep within a forest. An empty pedestal was behind Link as he came out. Shade was waiting for him on the edge of the light. Beyond Shade, the forest darkened in an evil way. Shade spread his wings and took off into the darkness.