Chapter 10! I've had a lot of free time on my hands the last few days, so I've managed to get a few chapters out pretty quickly. I'm also working on my use of commas and apostrophes.

terracannon876: Haha, I did the same thing! (grins) But I think Kaepora Gaebora just doesn't have that many people to talk to, being a gigantic owl and all.

Lady Midori: Well spotted mistakes, once again. (grins) Thanks for your help! With the "all we need is five more" sentence, I think "is" is correct. I asked my friend who's way better at grammar than me. (XP) Quite true about the pinpointing. I often have words beyond my grasp. My old metal work teacher used to make fun of me for it cuz I'd often say " I'm looking for the cutty thingy and then I need to use the spinny thingy to smooth out the thing. " I did learn one name, though. It was... uhh... It was a measuring thingy. It started with a letter from the alphabet.

Chapter 10: The Third Attack

A school of fish darted past Link as he stepped out of the cave and back into the vast lake. All that was left to do here was walk back to the bank- it would wear him out to swim such a distance. Not that he minded taking the extra time. It had been far too long since he had last dove to this depth. The lake clearly still had many secrets to share with him, and Link was all too eager to see them. Should he happen across a sunken chest or a chasm on his way back to land, he will not hesitate to search them. He just couldn't go looking for them, not right now. That was certainly one thing he must do once the business with the Temple of Time is settled. That, and go fishing.

I wonder if I can fish while underwater... Link mused as he walked. It'd probably be difficult to cast, but seeing the fish would be a breeze. Or maybe he should try spear fishing like the Zora? Throwing a spear underwater would be an interesting challenge, too, even if Zora spears are designed for such use. He'll have to tell Navi to remind him to give that a go...

" Hey! " Navi suddenly called out, her high voice somehow easily travelling through the water with minimal distortion. She flew over to Link- or that's what he would call it, it didn't look like she met any resistance in the water at all. In fact, unless her glow was casting a protective bubble, he wasn't sure exactly how she was breathing... Did Navi breathe? " Look! " She continued when she reached him. " Where did all the fish go? " Link immediately scanned the depths. Sure enough, between him exiting the cave and now, all the fish had disappeared- presumably hiding. " What in Hyrule got into them? " Navi asked the question Link couldn't utter.

Something must have frightened them off... He thought. But there were no predators large enough to threaten him, let alone frighten an entire lake of fish...

" Lets just keep walking... " Navi decided. Link nodded in agreement. He took one last, careful look around, but upon not seeing anything noteworthy, Link continued to make his way again across the lake bed. As he passed a patch of underwater grass- or perhaps it was tall weeds- Link noticed a school of small fish darting around amongst it. They were staying as low as possible. Something was definitely frightening them... Perhaps their enemy was also hiding in the plants? Link had a feeling he didn't want to run into whatever it was they were hiding from. It definitely wasn't him frightening them, as the fish had been unconcerned when he first entered the lake.

After 15 minutes of walking, Link was three quarters the way back, aiming for the main bank rather than the island he had entered by. He could see the ancient structure that lined the narrow passageway dug into the rock that led to Zora's Domain. That passageway was long, but there was a strange and powerful water current inside that made it possible for even him, with limited breath, to reach the Domain before drowning. Now would be a good time to take the Iron Boots off and swim the rest of the way. Without looking back, Link signalled to Navi to remove his boots. But the fairy didn't obey. Instead, she floated rather slowly in front of Link, not even turning to face him. Her glow was dull, and she was letting the water hold her up instead of flapping her insect-like wings.

" Don't panic... " She muttered, Link barely being able to hear her in the water. " But very slowly turn around... " Link's body tensed up as he suddenly got the horrible feeling there were eyes on his back. Obeying Navi's instructions, he very slowly turned, moving carefully so as not to disturb the water. When he finally looked behind him, Link's blood ran cold.

A fish. Or was it an eel?

Whatever it was, the creature was huge. If Link had a clone, and that clone stood on his shoulders, they would both still easily fit in its mouth with room to spare. It had a fish's mouth and face, its bulging eyes on the side of its round head, but its body was long, like an eel, but thick. Its fins were torn and jagged, and its tail fin flicked far behind it. But that wasn't the worst of it. The thing that horrified him the most was that it was barely a meter away. And it was watching him. Sitting silently in the water as the weeds brushed against its scaly belly, observing his every move with emotionless, glassy eyes. That, and the disturbingly numerous rows of long, pointed teeth that lined its jaws.

How had he not noticed that thing stalking him?.! Where the hell had it been hiding for him not to have seen it earlier?.! It certainly couldn't have been in the water before he entered the cave or the fish would have vanished then, as well! And if that were so... then this must be another monster sent for him. Which would completely explain the creepy way it was watching him, waiting for him to make a move. But then that would also mean it was only just summoned. Which meant that whoever was after him knew he was there.

How could that be, though? Link wondered. Was he being watched?

" Here's the plan... " Navi whispered into his ear. Since Link couldn't talk underwater, he had no way of telling her his own plans, so whatever she came up with will have to do if they were to work together. " I'll go over to the right and release a bomb. When I do, you strike it with your Hookshot which should blow it up. That should distract it long enough for you to swim up to the surface and get out of the water. Understand? " Link nodded slowly, trying not to make any sudden movement as he eyed the giant fish cautiously. It would naturally be much faster than him in the water, and this part of the lake was smooth, of not flat. There was nowhere for him to hide, and no way for him to dodge an attack, should it strike. Navi knew that if he was to escape being eaten, the only way was to distract the fish and give him time to get back into his own playing field. Slowly, Navi handed him the Hookshot from a sparkle of blue light, which thankfully did not trigger an attack. Once the weapon was gripped tightly in his hand, Navi floated off. She was trying not to provoke the monster with her movements, but it wasn't paying the slightest bit of attention to her, its huge, bulging eyes fixated on Link. He, however, was focusing on Navi out of the corner of his eye, waiting for the fairy to make his move. Soon she stopped moving, turning back to face him. After a pause- probably making sure he was watching- Navi flew in a tight circle, and an unlit bomb dropped from the blue sparkles. It began to slowly sink through the water. Carefully, Link raised his arm, and after taking a moment to aim he fired the Hookshot, which shot through the water and struck the bomb just at the end of its reach.

The bomb, which he bought from the Gorons, was thankfully very well made, and was completely air-tight and water proof- a feature that was included when Link complained about not being able to use them underwater. Despite the fact that the Gorons would never encounter such a problem themselves, they were happy to modify their bombs. And clearly, they had done a splendid job, as the very moment the Hookshot struck, the bomb detonated. The fiery ball was instantly extinguished, but the force of the explosion still sent shockwaves through the water, hitting the fish and taking its attention away from Link as it recoiled away.

" Now! " Navi shouted. She was already at his feet, and a second later the Iron Boots were removed, freeing him from their weight. Link didn't spare a moment and swam hastily upwards, towards the bank. He aimed for the ancient structure, the columns offering some cover from the fish. He was almost there when Navi cried out in alarm. Link glanced behind him to see that it was advancing on him, having already recovered from the blast. It easily and quickly covered the short distance between them, its round mouth open wide.

He was out of time.

In a split-second decision, Link turned to face the fish, drawing his sword. Its mouth began to close around him. Link reached out with his left hand and grabbed one of the long, pointed teeth, and with all his strength, jammed the blade of his sword into its root. The fish writhed in pain, pulling itself away from Link, who yanked out his sword before he was dragged along with it, sheathing it again so he could swim. The fish didn't take long to compose itself, however, and began to swim back, this time circling around and coming towards him from the side. By the time it neared, though, Link had reached the columns of the structure, using the obstacle as a shield. But it wasn't enough to halt its advances. The fish slammed full speed into the column, snapping it in half and forcing Link to dodge the falling stone. The fish then turned and began to swim back around, going for a side attack again. Link was so close now. He stretched out his hand to the bank. So close! The fish opened its mouth wide as it neared at full speed, avoiding the final column in the water and heading straight for him. It was so close he could feel the water being pushed aside as it advanced... He heard Navi chime in fear next to him...

Link grabbed the edge of the bank and hauled himself out of the water. He felt the fish scrape passed his boot as it passed before both his feet were on land. Instantly he rolled away from the lake as the fish crashed into another column, sending it toppling into the water with a loud splash.

" Great Goddesses that was close! " Link gasped, brushing his fringe out of his eyes once more as he rose to his feet, facing the lake.

" It's coming back! " Navi alerted. Link quickly drew his sword and shield, getting ready to dodge should it launch itself out of the water at him.

" What the hell is that thing?.! " He uttered. Its body didn't look armoured, so it would be easy enough to pierce it with his sword or with an arrow, but judging by its size it wasn't going to go down with just one hit from either.

" I don't know! " Navi chimed in panic. " I've never seen it before! I suggest you attack its eyes, that would be the weakest point! "

" Eyes it is! " Link nodded. A few moments later the water in front of him exploded, and out flew the fish, straight at him with its mouth agape. Link dived out of the way, easily clearing the attack as the monster slammed into the ground, its body half out of the water. There it began to flop uselessly on its side, like a regular fish. Link took his chance and rushed forward, leaping up over its head to reach its eye. He then brought down his sword right in its pupil. The fish convulsed in pain as it began to slide back into the water, its eye dripping with blue blood. Link pulled his sword out of its head and jumped off, letting it escape. Stepping back, he flicked his sword at the grass, shaking off the blood as he waited for it to return.

But it didn't.

A minute passed, and still the surface of the water remained still. Had he killed it after all? He wasn't prepared to peer over the edge of the water incase it was a trick. But as more time passed, Link lowered his sword. Maybe he hadn't killed it, but it might have fled. He did give it a pretty severe injury...

Suddenly there was a loud bang, and the ground shook violently, throwing Link forward onto the ground. He heard the water explode again. The moment he could, Link scrambled to his knees and looked up, expecting to see the fish launching at him again with its rows of pointed teeth. But it wasn't so this time. This time it was the other end. The fish brought down its tail, the fin so broad Link would never dodge it in time. Instead, he twisted away from it, raising his shield and preparing himself for the impact. But before he felt the scaly body smash down on him, he heard a loud thunk. Glancing back up, Link watched as the tail twisted away from him, blood dripping from a new wound. A spear jutted out of it, digging deep into it's flesh. The fish sank back under the water with a splash as Link stared. Had the Zoras shown up? The spear had not come from the water or to his left, but the right towards the entrance to Hyrule Field. Link looked to his right for its owner. He could only stare in surprise and confusion at who he saw.

It was Arn. The cloaked man already had his sword out, and stood at least a meter away. The beige horse he had left the castle on was further back, at the top of the hill near the entrance.

" Stop gawking and pay attention to the fight! " He barked, glaring at Link. Suddenly the ground shook again, pitching Link forward, but he was already on his knees, and managed to absorb most of it. The fish was probably ramming itself against the edge of the bank to throw him off balance. A moment later its head shot back out of the water and dived at him, reverting to its original strategy. Link once again easily dodged out of the way, and the fish landed pitifully on its side, flopping uselessly on the ground. But its remaining eye was once again underneath it, out of Link's reach. He wasn't about to let that spoil the opportunity, however.

" Bow! " He ordered Navi, who handed it to him after he sheathed his sword as he dashed around to stand in front of its mouth. There, he cocked an arrow, aiming it down its throat. Sparing only a moment to concentrate, Link then fired a Fire Arrow into its mouth. Immediately the fish was up in flames, convulsing again as it burned. It instantly sank back into the water, but not before it began to smell like charred fish. Once it was submerged, the flames went out, and Link hooked the Bow over his shoulder to free his sword hand. If it wasn't defeated this time, it was damn close to it. Behind him, Link heard Arn approach.

" What the hell is that thing?.! " He growled. Link's reply was to turn around and punch Arn in the mouth as hard as he could, the man staggering backwards from the hit.

" That is what you missed out on at the Castle! " Link snapped, shaking the pain out of his knuckles as he turned his back on the man. He watched the water again, kneeling down on one leg and bracing himself for the fish to slam into the bank once more while Arn swore behind him. This time he'll dodge the other way, and then maybe it'll fall on its other side.

" Is that how you thank people, Boy?.! " Arn shouted at him.

" No, " Link replied through gritted teeth as he glanced back. " First I need a reason to be thankful! " Arn straightened himself up, still rubbing his jaw. The guy looked simply furious, but Link didn't care in the slightest. What he was more interested in was why Arn was there in the first place. He certainly didn't think the man had any experience fighting lake monsters. " Step back before you get yourself killed! " Link growled as he returned his attention to the water, drawing his sword and holding it straight out behind him. Now was a good time to test that new magical skill of his. He didn't have to wait long before the fish slammed into the lakeshore again. Link easily absorbed the impact, focusing on his weapon. A few seconds later, it launched out of the water once more, sending the spray everywhere as it dove towards him. Link reacted immediately, swinging his sword at the monster. As the blade arched through the air, it left behind it a trail of bright, red light, which instantly shot towards the fish. It struck across its mouth, slicing right through it without losing any speed and exiting halfway down its back. A moment later the fish split in half vertically as it fell. The halves crashed to the ground on either side of Link as the tail splashed into the water. Once the remains were finally settled, they exploded into black smoke, the smell of charred fish replaced with an unpleasant, burnt stench that faded with the smoke. The spear that had been lodged in its tail clattered to the ground near the water's edge.

" Ha! " Link cheered, pumping his right fist in the air. " Navi! Did you see that?.! "

" I saw it. " Navi replied.

" I cut right through it! " He grinned as he inspected his sword. " That is the coolest thing I've ever seen! Remember where that Great Fairy is! "

" You seem awfully happy about killing something. " Arn huffed from behind him. Link's joy instantly died as he remembered the man was there.

" I see you're still the big ball of happy you were before. " Link muttered, sheathing his sword. He grabbed the Fairy bow still strung over his shoulder and handed it to Navi as he turned around to face Arn.

" I see you're still the competent swordsman you were before. " The man sneered, folding his arms. The sword he had been holding before was gone.

" I just slaughtered a monstrously large fish, and you have the audacity to call me incompetent?.! " Link snapped, taking a few aggressive steps forward and pointing a finger at Arn. " Don't act all high and mighty just because you threw a spear! All you did was save me from a headache, which is the very thing you're giving me now! So how about we call it even and you can crawl back to that shit-hole you call a home? "

" Woah, Link, harsh. " Navi uttered, but Link ignored her, shooting a death glare at Arn before walking off towards the entrance to Hyrule Field. If he wasted much more time arguing with a bastard he won't reach Lon Lon Ranch before it gets too dark.

" It's a good thing your acquaintances aren't so blind as you are about your supposed skill! " Arn shouted at his retreating back.

" And what the hell is that supposed to mean?.! " Link spat, pausing briefly to glance back at him.

" The only reason why I bothered to come here at all is because the owl reckoned you were going to get yourself killed. " He sneered.

" The owl told you I was going to die? " Link asked in disbelief, his attention grabbed as he turned around completely to face Arn again. " The Great Owl? Kaepora Gaebora? "

" That was his name. " Arn replied. Link simply stared at him. Why would the Great Owl think such a thing? Kaepora Gaebora was one of the few Link would expect to have complete confidence in him. Yet the Great Owl contacted Arn, no less, to say that Link will lose, even after the Sages had told him he had a chance of winning with these new strengths... And if Link had a chance, then chances are he'll win. It didn't make sense... The Great Owl wouldn't lie, which meant he actually thought Link might lose... But then if he was lying he'd have to have a pretty good reason to, so why would he lie to force Link and Arn together? Zelda wanted the same thing... Was she behind this?

" Look... " Navi murmured in his ear. " He came all this way because he was worried about you... Maybe you should let up, just for now? " Link narrowed his eyes. If the Great Owl spoke the truth, then Link shouldn't put his own pride over the Kingdom. But if Kaepora Gaebora was lying, then Link had to find out why he would go to such trouble to get them together. The Sages had said they didn't interfere with matters that didn't involve them... Was Kaepora Gaebora bound by the same rules?

And also... Navi did kind of have a point...

After a few seconds, Link sighed loudly, throwing his arms up in exasperation.

" Do what you want, then. " He muttered, turning back to the entrance and continuing his trek. " This doesn't mean I'm not still pissed off at you! " He added coldly.

" My goal is to keep you from killing yourself, and nothing more. " Arn growled as he moved to pick up his spear before following. " My time will certainly be well spent. "

" Ten rupees says you fall at the first monster you fight! " Link growled back.

Overhead, Navi watched the two men bicker as they made their way out of Lake Hylia, Arn leading his horse with him while Link reached into his tunic for the Ocarina of Time to call his own. Arn just seemed to love goading him, and when Link was angry he could be very childish...

At least they're talking... She thought to herself with a weary sigh.

A short chapter, for me, but it needed to be ended here. Plus I wanted the next part to have its own chapter title. (grins)

'Till next chapter!