An eerily familiar laugh rang out through the misty forest. The young boy held his breath as he glanced in all directions, his eyes wide with terror. A shadow flitted in the corner of his eye. Whirling, the boy held his sword in a defensive position, his heart pounding.

“_Come on, Link. Get a grip! You just defeated Ganon and saved Hyrule!” _The boy thought, chastising himself. Though Link had endured extreme hardships and had fought countless enemies, the sensation of fear spiked through his heart. He shuddered as the haunting laugh rang out again.

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_I remember what Saria told me about that sound: it’s the laugh of a skull kid. Skull kids are the remains of children who have wandered and have gotten lost in these woods. These woods are protected by an ancient magic intended to allow passage to the goddess Hylia’s chosen knight alone. And for those who enter unawares or unworthily—_

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Link’s thoughts ended abruptly as he felt a tap on his shoulder. Turning, he was suddenly staring into the black, lifeless eyes of a skull kid.

“Are you **lost**, little boy?” It asked, grinning like a Cheshire cat. The swirling fog that surrounded them began to thicken; and as the fog obscured Link’s view, the skull kid laughed again, fading into the mist.