Deliver the Sword to the Captain

Your adventure begins with a rude awakening! After a rather persistent dream, Link is roused from his slumber by Gulley, the Blacksmith's son. Head downstairs in your house and speak with the Blacksmith. He'll give you a simple but crucial task: deliver a newly forged sword to the Captain of the Royal Guard at the Sanctuary.

Journey to the Sanctuary

Exit your house and begin your trek. Follow the path east, then north. You'll pass through the charming Kakariko Village. While it's tempting to explore, your immediate objective is the Sanctuary. Feel free to chat with the villagers if you wish, but don't get sidetracked for too long. Continue north until you reach the Sanctuary, a peaceful-looking building nestled in the northern part of Hyrule.

The Captain's Predicament and Yuga's Arrival

Upon entering the Sanctuary, you'll find the Captain in a state of distress, along with Seres, a young maiden. Approach them to trigger a pivotal cutscene. Suddenly, the enigmatic sorcerer Yuga makes his grand, unsettling entrance. In a shocking display of dark magic, Yuga transforms Seres into a painting and then turns his attention to the Captain, trapping him in the same two-dimensional fate. Link, caught off guard, attempts to intervene but is swiftly knocked unconscious by Yuga.

Awakening and Your First Gear

You'll awaken back in your house, having been brought there by the Blacksmith. After a brief conversation, the Blacksmith will present you with your very first set of adventuring gear:

Sword: Your primary weapon for combat.
Shield: Essential for blocking enemy projectiles and attacks.

This is a critical moment, as you now have the means to defend yourself! Before heading out, you'll want to equip your new items.

Equipping Your New Gear

For new players, understanding how to manage your inventory is key. To equip your new Sword and Shield:

Press the X Button to open your Item Menu.
Navigate to the "Equipment" tab (usually the leftmost tab).
Select the Sword and assign it to either the Y or X Button for quick access during combat.
Select the Shield and assign it to the remaining available button (Y or X).

Having your gear assigned to these buttons allows you to quickly switch between your sword for attacking and your shield for defending. Practice swinging your sword and raising your shield to get a feel for the controls.

Heading to Hyrule Castle

With your new equipment in hand, your next destination is Hyrule Castle. The Blacksmith will instruct you to inform Princess Zelda of the dire events that transpired at the Sanctuary. Exit your house and head south, then west towards the castle town. Along the way, you'll encounter your first enemies, such as Green Soldiers. Use this opportunity to practice your combat skills with your newly acquired sword and shield. Don't be afraid to experiment with different attack patterns and shield blocks.

Meeting Princess Zelda

Once you reach the castle gates, proceed inside. Navigate through the castle until you find Princess Zelda. Speak with her to relay the alarming news about Seres and the Captain. After hearing your account, Princess Zelda, recognizing the gravity of the situation and your burgeoning courage, will entrust you with a significant artifact:

Pendant of Courage: A sacred item, one of three Pendants of Virtue, vital for your quest to save Hyrule.

This marks a true turning point in your journey. With the Pendant of Courage in your possession, you are now officially on a quest to thwart Yuga and restore peace to Hyrule.