Link's Awakening Story

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"Though you fulfilled the Hyrulian [sic] prophecy of the Legendary Hero and destroyed the evil tyrant Ganon, the land of Hyrule enjoyed only a precarious peace. "Who knows what threats may arise from Ganon's ashes?" the restless people murmured as they knitted their brows and shook their heads. Ever vigilant, you decided to journey away from Hyrule on a quest for enlightenment, in search of wisdom that would make you better able to withstand the next threat to your homeland.

Months of difficult travel passed. After a long and fruitful voyage, you breathed deeply the sea spray from the deck of the ship that carried you home to Hyrule. But your homecoming was not to be. Suddenly a squall struck your ship, and though you valiantly fought the waves, a lightning bolt reduced your ship to splinters.

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Your world faded to black as you sank into the darkness of the storm-tossed sea with the remains of your craft. But in the cold darkness of the deep, you heard a comforting voice that reminded you of home. It was the voice of Princess Zelda!

"You're going to be all right!" the voice said. "What a relief!"

You opened your eyes to find Princess Zelda standing over you - or was it?! Actually, it turned out to be a woman named Marin. She explained that you had drifted with the wreckage of your ship to the shores of Koholint Island. This mysterious island was unique for the gigantic egg which crowned its central mountain. It was said that a mythical creature, the wind Fish, lay asleep inside the egg.

You set out in search of your sword and other gear that might have washed up on the beach with you. As you stood in the surf with your recovered sword, a strange owl suddenly appeared and hooted this riddle:

"Awaken the Wind Fish and all will be answered."

"What is the Wind Fish?" you wonder... And what did its awakening portend? Your most mysterious adventure yet, following the riddle of the Wind Fish though the uncharted island of Koholint, is about to unfold."

— Prologue from the Instruction Manual

A shipwrecked Link lands unconscious on the beach of a mysterious island. A local of the island's town, Mabe Village, finds Link and takes him back to her home. When he awakes, he initially mistakes her for Princess Zelda, but she reveals her name is Marin and that he is on Koholint Island. Link takes back his shield from Marin's father, Tarin and heads to Toronbo Shores.

Link recovers his sword on the beach and then encounters a mysterious Owl. The owl tells Link that the only way to leave the Island is to wake the Wind Fish, who is sleeping in an egg on Mt. Tamaranch in the Tal Tal Mountain Range. Link sets off to his first destination, the Mysterious Forest.


Spoiler Alert! This section describes a subject that is sensitive to plot development.

After sprinkling some Magic Powder on a strange raccoon - who turns out to be Tarin - Link gets the Tail Key from a chest in the woods. He then goes south once more to enter Tail Cave, the first dungeon. After defeating the enemies inside the cave, including a giant Moldorm, Link finds his first Instrument of the Sirens, the Full Moon Cello. Upon exiting the cave, the owl tells Link that with a complete set of instruments he can finally leave the Island. Link, now knowing what needs to be done, goes in search of the other seven instruments and the Nightmares which guard them.

After collecting two more instruments, saving a dog from a group of Moblins and recovering golden leaves from Kanalet Castle, Link finds his path to the Yarna Desert blocked by a giant walrus. Told by the Chef Bear in the nearby Animal Village that only Marin's singing will wake the walrus, he finds her in a cove in the east of Toronbo Shores. There, she tells him about her dreams to see the world beyond the island, and agrees to go with him to wake the walrus. With him out of the way, she is about to say something to Link, when a Rabbit comes by and begs her to sing in the Animal Village, where she stays for some time.

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As Link's adventure continues, more and more of the Islands' secrets are revealed to him. In a shrine located in the south east part of the Island, Link discovers a tablet with a shocking revelation inscribed on it. The tablet speaks of the Island as a dream on the 'sleepers eye'. When the Wind Fish awakes, the Island will disappear forever. Unsure if what the tablet tells of is true, and so close to the end of his journey, Link presses forth.

On his way to Turtle Rock, he finds Marin trapped on a dilapidated bridge, placed there by monsters after singing the "Ballad of the Wind Fish" in front of the egg for fear she might awaken it. When Link hookshots across and saves her, she again wants to tell Link something, but her father interrupts and the moment is lost.

With the final instrument collected from Turtle Rock, Link makes his way towards Tal Tal Heights and the Wind Fish's egg. Playing the 'Ballad of the Wind Fish' - taught to him by Marin - in front of the egg causes it to crack open. Link goes inside to reveal a maze-like structure.

Link works his way through the maze to find The Shadow Nightmares. These Shadows caused the Wind Fish to sleep endlessly so they can remain in control of Koholint Island. Link fights the Shadows, who changes into many different forms. Some of these forms are Zelda enemies from previous games, such as Ganon and Agahnim from A Link to the Past. With his final form defeated - known as DethI - a staircase appears. This leads Link to the Wind Fish.

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The Wind Fish has the body of a whale, with a set of wings on his back. He reveals to Link that he is also asleep and must wake up. Link plays the eight instruments again and a giant spout of water carries Link off screen.

With the 'Ballad of the Wind Fish' playing in the background, Koholint Island fades into the horizon. Link, floating on the remains of his ship, wakes up. The sun fades over head, causing him to look up. He sees the Wind Fish blotting out the sun above him. Link sits and stares at the spot Koholint Island used to be as the credits roll.