Pure luck, bad or good I have yet to decide, but luck all the same…. I wasn't trapped as my entire Zora family was. The spell cast over Zora's domain was as frozen as the heart of whomever cast it. The only family I ever knew is frozen still underneath me, I have to do something about it.
"I wish…" My hands clenched into tight fists as I shook in rage, "I could have stopped this…I could have done something…" I forced a sigh out in hope of some, if only a little, relief. My gaze fell upon my traveling bag, it was clear I could no longer live here. Not until I melted the ice. I sling it over my back absentmindedly muttering, "If only he were here…"
A though then popped into my mind; what if he was? Surely he wasn't ignoring us, and who knows how long my home had been coated in ice. I had been gone for a while, perhaps he had come already! No, he would have found me… No matter, I must find him, he is my only hope…
With a heavy heart I gathered the rest of my belongings and slung my quiver onto my other shoulder, I must begin my journey now.
"Link… May the Goddesses guide you to me…"
In my first day of travel I quickly made my way to Kakariko village, not very far to go. They had some information, he was last seen headed for Lake Hylia.
However, despite it being my first day I had ended up arriving late at night. Since I was busy prior to the freezing of Zora's domain I had little sleep on the way back and had gone without. So after heading to Hyrule Castle Town to futilely gather information I retreated back to Kakariko for rest.
Now though, I wish I was back in the village.
"This sucks." I grumbled as I trudged through the muddy path to the lake I spent my childhood exploring. "I never realized how big Hyrule field was…Rain sucks, this field sucks." I started off into the distance and saw a quickly approaching dot on the horizon. I scowled at it, "That dot sucks too…" I stared still, further examining the moving thing, it was a person on a horse.
And not just anyone!
"Link!" I yelped as I bolted full speed in his direction. The closer I got the more confirmation I received, blond hair, big blue eyes, green tunic. It was him!
He slowed his horse and stared as if I was a rabid beast. However I continued to smile dumbly, unable to form coherent words other then his name.
He had certainly changed over the years. Not so much in style but in build. He was still lean, yet I could tell he was toned under that shirt. And his ears were pierced, his face also looked so mature, he had really grown into a handsome young man. His eyes held a certain power to them as well, the power and desire to want to do good in the world.
"Link…Its me! Yumiko!" I was now yanking on his arm, trying to get him down from the horse. His face immediately lit up, as he jumped off and into my arms. I hugged him tightly and smiled. "I missed you so much!" "Ack!" He grunted. "You're gunna miss me a lot more if you crush my ribs."
"OH!" I blushed, embarrassed in my actions and said, "Sorry! Just really missed you, its been seven years." He frowned.
"What brings you out here on such a day. You're soaked!" Link made a point of this by taking strands of my hair that had been stuck to my face by the rain and letting them fall back.
I brushed my hair out of my face and stared into his eyes with seriousness. "I-It's-" I coughed, to keep my voice from cracking any more, "It's Zora's Domain…. You haven't visited there recently, have you…?" Link shook his head slowly, his mouth slightly agape. "I…It…."
"What happened" He urged. I shook my head and with a heavy heart I said, "It's been frozen over, Link. Zora's Domain is nothing more than a sheet of ice with my family trapped in it. Some sort of dark magic is the cause, I'm sure. I can sense it."
It was now that Navi made herself known, "Oh Yumiko…" She fluttered over and nuzzled my shoulder. I give her a faint smile and say, "Hey Navi, I missed you too."
"Yumiko," Navi flies back to float around Link's head, "Is there anything we can do?" Link's expresion matched the concern in Navi's voice, yet his eyes held undertones of anger in them.
"I came looking for you, I need your help Link."
"Yumiko… Of course I will help you." He rubbed my back soothingly, I smile and watch as he resumes his position on his horse. He outstretches his hand and smiles, "Come on, we have your family to save."
It was hard to tell due to the rain, but it took the rest of the day to reach Zora's Domain and get inside. I couldn't tell what was worse, being in the pouring rain or freezing inside my own home.
The look Link had upon his face was that of utter disgust upon seeing the actual state of Zora's Domain. I watch as his gaze travels from the once warm pool of water that is now a solid sheet of ice, to the motionless waterfall that we once played games for Rupees on.
Once he caught sight of the condition of the Zora King he gasped and let out an enraged snarl.
"He is encased in red ice and the only way to melt it is with blue fire" I scowled and crossed my arms over my chest. "Sadly the only source of blue fire that I know of is in the Ice cavern, however He is blocking the way…"
Link tapped his finger to his chin, looking to be in thought for a moment before saying, "Oh! I remember!" Link then pulled out a bottle, "It's a good thing I bought this a few days ago." He pulled the cork out, the blue flames immediately rushing out and consuming the red ice.
"It wont hurt him will it!" I question worriedly.
"I never thought of that, jeeze, I hope not." Link smiled nervously scratching the back of his head.
The blue fire disappeared once its job was done, leaving the Zora king unharmed. He was so grateful to Link that he awarded him the Blue Tunic. With this he could breathe underwater just like the Zora.
"In the Ice cavern there is said to be a special treasure to the Zora hidden within, lets go get it. It'll probably help us."
"No." Link held an arm out in front of me. "I need to go alone, It is my destiny to rid this land of the evils that plague it. I couldn't live with myself knowing you got caught up in all this as well and got hurt."
I crossed my arms and locked eyes with him, trying to stare him down. In the end it backfired. I stepped back, arms still crossed and a displeased look clear on my face. Link smiles reassuringly and continues onward; leaving me behind with King Zora.
After a long moment of silence that seemed to drag on forever, he spoke, "The ice cavern is a very dangerous place…"
"Tch," I leaned against the icy wall and looked up at him with a cocky smile, "You speak as if he's just anyone." The Zora king only stares down at me, silent. "Don't you remember, he's the one who helped us with Lord Jabu-Jabu, we saved Princess Ruto together. He can handle it." After another long silence from the King Zora I sat down and hugged my legs close to my body. My eyes fluttered closed for a moment that turned into me slipping into a light sleep.
"Yumiko." "Hnnn" "Hey, Yumiko"
"Come on get up Yumiko."
I opened my eyes slowly, meeting a pair of bright blue eyes illuminated by the glow of a fairy. "Link, Navi? You're back already?" I sit up and stretched. A quick chill jolts through my body and I begin to shiver. "Damn it's cold!"
"Well yeah, you fell asleep in shorts on ice." Link says with an amused grin.
"Just get me outa here I can't stand it being so cold."
"No need to worry, our next destination is Lake Hylia." Navi spoke gleefully. Link helps me to my feet as I ask, "Are we going to the water temple?"
"Yes," Link answers, "there is where we will find our answers, and hopefully the one that'll turn this place normal."
"Great! Lets get going! " I smiled and eagerly follow Link back to his horse.
Time seemed to fly by as we rode to the lake, all the while I couldn't help but smile at the fact I'd be saving my family, and being at Link's side once again.
I stare at Link in wonder as he sifts through the sack on Epona's saddle. I then giggle slightly as he pulls out a pair of iron boots that he strains to hold. Slipping off his normal shoes and stuffing his normal ones in the sack he says, "I need these so I wont float to the top of the lake, wanna do me a favor?"
"Sure." He shoved the bag with his shoes in it into my hands. "Wha-? Why?"
"I might-"
"Look, Link, just hold on to me and I can swim us down there and hold onto something. It'd be impossible for you to get anything done while carrying two pairs of shoes around. I'm a girl and I don't even do that."
Link thought for a moment before snatching the bag back and putting his regular shoes back on. I smile triumphantly as I lead him to the waters edge. Seeing the water level at what it was sadden me so, it pains me to see most of the lake was gone. It would be a miracle for the lake to be whole once again.
We dive into the water almost in unison and swim to the bottom, Link now wearing his blue tunic of course. As for me I opted to hold my breath, living with the Zora had forced me to learn to hold my breath for long periods of time. As a child I could never fit into the blue tunics.
Once inside the temple I gasped; it was truly a beautiful sight to behold. Water flooded most of temple and strange creatures occupied its surface.
"Look at all the tektites…"
"Yeah, great," Link unsheathed his sword, I held my hand out in front of him. I smile and grab my bow along with an arrow and ready it on the string.
"Let me handle it." Without giving him a chance to respond either way, I fired an arrow at the closest tektite- pushing it back slightly along the waters surface. It was still alive however, and began to spring forward at us. I swiftly readied two more arrows and shot them at the annoying creature, killing it and making the body dissipate into the darkness it was created with. I cautiously draw closer to the edge of the entrance and spot another; quickly killing it in the same fashion as I had the other.
"I see you got better with your aim." Link chuckled. "Link don't be so rude!" Navi scolded.
A soft laugh escapes my lips and I wave dismissively at them, "It's okay- I was a lousy shot as a kid." I motion them to follow, "Come on- I don't want to waste any time!" Link nods and we both jump into the water; Link quickly taking the lead and swimming over to the first opening on the right side. This surprises me and makes me smile- I never saw him as the leader type when we were younger. He certainly had the abilities to be a leader, I already knew that, but I never thought he'd become one.
I follow Link down the corridor and into the water- both of us soon finding a large block in our way. I shoot him a questioning look that he shrugs in response to. He motions me closer as he swims over to the block; getting the best stance he can and gripping the rough surface of it. I swim over and wrap my arms around his waist, grounding myself and waiting for the next instruction; this came in the form of him moving backwards. I copied his actions and we quickly pulled the block back until it wouldn't budge any further.
Once we surfaced I shot him another questioning look, "So what was the point to that?"
"Well-" He pauses before saying in an annoyed tone, "Just trust me- it'll be important later."
We jump into the water of the main room once again, this time diving down to the bottom and into the next corridor. At the end of the hall is something that surprises both of us and almost makes me gasp. Princess Ruto stands before us and stares at Link with loving eyes.
"Oh…you… If I'm right… Link!" She says excitedly. "You're Link aren't you!" Link nods slowly. "It's me, your fiancée. Ruto! Princess of the Zoras!" Link jolts back a bit in surprise and gasps, his eyes going wide. It took everything I had not to let out a gasp and lose the little air I had left in my lungs. "I never forgot the vows we made to each other seven years ago. You're a terrible man to have kept me waiting for these seven long years… But now is not the time to talk about love." Her eyes turn softer with a sad shine to them, "I'm sure you have already seen it. Zora's Domain is totally frozen."
Link motions to me and Ruto nods knowingly. "A young man named Sheik saved me from under the ice… But my father and the other Zoras have not… yet…." She trails off- had we not already been under water I'm sure we would have seen tears run down her pale blue-white face. Her gaze hardens with determination when she says, "I want to save them all! I want to save Zora's Domain!"
This makes me smile, she had matured relatively well over the years. Once a spoiled brat daughter of a king has turned into a wiser and more responsible young Zora woman. And now we have something to relate on besides the fact we lived in Zora's Domain- we would do anything to save it.
"You! You have to help me! This is a request from me, the woman who is going to be your wife! And you as well Yumiko- you both have to help me destroy the evil monster in the temple- okay!" We both nod. "Inside the water temple, there are three places where you can change the water level. I'll lead the way. Follow me, quickly!" With that said she quickly swims up and out of view. Both me and Link swim after her but by the time we surface she is nowhere to be found.
Link and I share worried and confused looks as we proceed over to the wall. Link looks at it and nods his head, reaching into a small pouch on his hip* and taking out an ocarina. He plays the song of the royal family; shortly after there is a loud sound of water moving. We share glances once again before nodding and exiting the room.
"I fucking hate Like-Likes!" I yell, jumping over the spikes blocking our path and driving my dagger into it. I violently rip it out and slash the monster again- killing it. Link uses his hook-shot and is beside me seconds after the creature dies.
"Still foul-mouthed as always…" Link murmured. With a sigh he adds, "This is why I avoid pissing you off…"
It is true, angering me isn't the best of choices one should make. And right now my irritation is at it's peak with how annoying and tedious this temple is.
With slight attitude in my voice I say, "Shall we?" and motion to the door. Link grins playfully an bows slightly while saying, "After you." I grin and shake my head, chuckling darkly as I open the door.
Once we are both in this rather…strange room- the door closes automatically behind us, like all the others. The only difference was this one had solid metal bars shoot down into the ground, making it impassable.
The only things visible in this misty and strange room is a door on the other side, a dead tree in the center on a patch of sand, and our reflections in the water that covered the entire floor. We cautiously walk over to the other side of the room, finding the door to have the same bars blocking our exit.
I growl angrily, "Now what?"
"Let's go see if there is a switch." Navi thoughtfully suggested. Link nods and we turn back- on the way though, something catches my eye. Link no longer has a reflection in the water. My heart races when he stops and we come face to face with what looks like an exact copy of Link. He seems evil though- his eyes are piercing red and hair jet black like his tunic and hat. His sword is drawn and he stares at us with bloodlust in his eyes.
I heard the sounds of water splashing as quick moves were made then metal grinding against metal before my mind could actually register the sight of the two locking swords. Though still in shock I readied two arrows and aimed them at this new enemy. As I slowly draw closer to Link's side his darker counterpart pushes back on is sword and jumps away. I take this chance to fire my arrows at him; however he is quick to react, using his shield to easily stop my arrows. I let out a low growl as I put my bow away and reach for my dagger.
"What are you!" Link furiously questions. "One of Ganondorf's minions!"
He laughs darkly and says in a sickly smooth voice, "You could say that, hero. You could also blame yourself for my existence." He lets out another dark chuckle. "I'm you."
Link turns tense, taking a nervous step back, "W-what?"
"I know you aren't hard at hearing but I'll repeat myself anyway, I am you. I am every dark thought that has ever crossed your mind. I guess you could call me Dark Link."
I look over to Link to see his eyes narrow on his shadow as he takes a few assertive steps forward, "Impossible! You're just a weak little monster created by Ganondorf."
"Don't be a fool. You are only human and humans always have dark thoughts; it's in their nature. I am all your evil wishes and deeds brought to life. Those times where you would wish ill on those in the forest who would pick on you, I saw that. Even your…" Dark Link's gaze drifts over and locks onto me, "Sinful desires for the opposite sex- I see them- I live off them."
Link lets out an animalistic growl and lunges forward with his sword ready, "Shut up already!" His attack is blocked by Dark Link's shield and before Link can prepare another strike his shadow disappears into the water. Link turns to me with a flustered look- seeing how red his face is makes me realize how much his shadows words made me blush, "Don't listen to him!"
Link's eyes widen in time with the feeling of weight on my shoulder. I had been in a sort of daze while watching the two Links that it made me less alert. I turn my head to see Dark Link, leaning on my shoulder and eyeing me as if he were sizing me up.
"Though I must agree with his initial reaction to seeing you all grown up. Oh the things he was thinking after that first day-" I swung my dagger at him but not quick enough as he jumped away. He chuckles darkly once again.
"Yumiko I would never-"
Dark Link cuts him off, "He would never- doesn't mean I wouldn't."
"Shut the hell up! I'm sick of hearing you!" I snap, slowly starting towards him with the burning desire to bash his face in. I feel a hand on my shoulder and my attention is brought back to Link, my best friend who now had quite a bit of explaining to do.
"He's my shadow and if I really am the cause of his being then I should be the one to end him." Though his face is still slightly red he holds a stern tone and determined gaze. "I'm sorry. I'll-uh…explain it…. When we get out of here."
Though it isn't as satisfying watching someone else have all the fun of beating someone to a bloody pulp, I allow him to do all the work. "Fine- I don't wanna touch him anyway. He's disgusting."
"Yumiko that truly hurts me." The shadow says with a feigned expression of hurt on his face that slowly turns into a smug smirk. I bite my lip to force myself to remain silent.
As Link charged forward his dark counterpart dashed past him, completely ignoring him and coming after me. His eyes shine with an evil glint as his sword comes down on me, only to be met with the metal of my dagger. With a skillful flick of his sword my only blade is sent flying out of my hands and across the room. Defenseless and panicked, I back away as I frantically go over my options in my mind. Link provides more time for me to think as he tackles his darker self to the ground.
Dark Link knees Link in his gut before pushing him off. Link quickly recovers and attacks the shadow with a barrage of quick sword strikes.
While Link has his shadow distracted I dash over to my dagger, quickly spotting it in the dark water. Just as I reach out for it-
"YUMIKO!"
I don't have time to react, Dark Link is already standing before me with my blade in hand, smirking triumphantly. Lunging forward with my hand in a tight fist I hit him hard in his stomach. He lurches forward but not without grabbing onto me first, his arm securely around my waist holding me to him. With ease he flips me around in his grip so that I'm facing Link and puts my blade to my throat.
"I'd love to follow through on the order of eliminating the pesky hero but I can't exactly complete my other tasks if I'm dead."
"Let Yumiko go!"
"Trust me hero, we will meet again. But for now I have business to attend to and I need to borrow your little friend here." With that said he stepped back into a portal of darkness and disappeared, dragging me along with him.