Link took a deep breath before he plunged into the depths of Lake Hylia. Any air that Link had left in his lungs was forced from his body as he hit the surface of the lake. He had survived though, and he was grateful for that. After all, it had been a long fall.
He opened his eyes in the water as he tried to get his bearings. He continued to sink, his inertia still moving down. He began to swim against it towards the surface. He would run out of air if he continued to sink and did nothing. He mustered all the strength he could as he swam upwards.
Link broke the surface, inhaling large amounts of air. He looked for the nearest land and swam towards it. There were strange pillars jutting out of the water, but Link swam past them as they were too high for him to reach from his level. He swam to the strange house and climbed onto the dock that surrounded it. A man looked at him. He wore a long-sleeved, pink crop-top that his large beer-belly hung out of. His jeans had heart patches on both knees and his entire appearance seemed to droop.
"I saw ya jump!" The man exclaimed.
"I needed to escape," Link said.
"From what?" The man asked, squinting one of his eyes.
"The goblin guarding the bridge…"
"Ya don't look like you're from around here." The man stated.
"I'm not… I'm Link," he said as he stuck out a wet hand.
The man gladly took his hand and shook it, "The name's Fyer!" He introduced.
"What do you do at this lake, Fyer?" Link asked.
"Provide cheap amusement," he said with a smile. Link nodded and looked to the east where the light-spire continued to shine in the sky.
"What kind of amusement?" Link inquired.
"Short canon rides to my partner Falbi, up on that ridge. Ya then choose one o' his chickens and fly down here, collecting as many rupees as ya can then try to stick the land on them platforms over there," Fyer said, motioning to the pillars Link had seen before.
"What about…over there?" Link asked as he motioned to the top of the steep valley where the light-spire shone.
"Over there? What about it?" Fyer asked, taken aback.
"Well, if your canon can reach that ledge way up there, wouldn't it be able to shoot someone over the valley wall?"
"Preposterous!" Fyer shouted. Suddenly, Fi appeared before them, causing Fyer to jump back.
"Master, I have assessed the canon. There is a ninety-five percent chance that it can fire you over the edge of the valley," she informed. Link nodded and looked back to Fyer.
"Will you?" Link pleaded, "Please?"
"I can't." Fyer stated, walking back towards the house-shaped canon.
"Why not?" Link asked, going after the man.
"I don't need to explain myself to you. This is my canon," Fyer said. Link left Fyer's small dock and walked up the bridge connecting to the land. He had to find a way over the valley's wall. Link spotted a watchtower a little higher up in the valley and started walking towards it. Perhaps he could get Fi to judge the exact distance and tell him exactly what he would need to do to clear it.
Eventually, Link reached the watchtower. He grabbed the ladder rungs and began to climb upwards. He pulled himself to the top of it and let himself quickly catch his breath.
"Hello, young lad," a voice said. Link quickly stood to see who had spoken to him.
"Hello sir," Link greeted.
"I am Auru."
"Link," they introduced.
"Why might have you come atop the watchtower?" Auru asked with a kind smile.
"I need to get there," Link pointed to the light-spire.
"Yes… It is quite mysterious. First Hyrule's lands become restless with monsters and then this light appears like a tower from the heavens…"
"Why are you up here?" Link asked.
"To study the light as best I can."
"So is there no way to get over the valley?" Link asked, now desperate.
"There is… I'm not saying I won't, but tell me boy, why should I help you?" Auru asked.
"My name is Link… I am of earth. I was called to a twin temple by the princess, Zelda. Somehow, she was captured and her father asked me to save her. They believe I am the Hero of Time," Link said.
"The Hero of Time?" Auru asked, his eyes lighting up.
"Yes," Link said, also unsheathing the Master Sword as proof. "This sword chose me."
"I can't deny that," Auru said. "When you have finished your business with the Royal Family, find me. I am a member of the Resistance."
"Resistance?"
"From Zant…from all the evil that has recently befallen Hyrule."
"Where can I find you?"
"In Castle Town – find Telma's bar on the western side of the city. We will welcome you with open arms, Link."
"Thank you," Link said with a bow of his head.
"Now…to get you into that desert!" Auru said, clapping his hands together.
"Yes, how do I do it?" Link asked.
"You won't be doing anything…" Auru said as he pulled a piece of parchment from his pocket and began to write something on it. "Give this to Fyer, the canon expert. I saved his life a few years back and he owes me a favor. If he refuses you, come and get me and I will see to it that the debt is repaid." Auru said with a smile as he handed Link the letter.
"Thank you, Auru. I won't forget this!" Link said as he took the letter and began to head down the ladder.
Auru stuck his head out from the tower, "Don't forget where to meet me!"
"I won't!" Link said with a smile.
As soon as Link's feet touched the ground he ran back down the valley to Fyer's canon. He walked down the bridge and onto the man's dock.
"Fyer," Link called. The old man appeared from the other side of the canon.
"You? Come to enjoy the Human-cannonball Ride?" Fyer asked. Link walked over to the man.
"This is for you," Link said as he handed over the letter. He watched as Fyer read it, his face changing expression often.
"What a bother…"
"What?" Link asked.
"I suppose I've ought to do it now…"
"Do what?"
"How much money ya got on ya, laddie?"
"Uh, how much do you need?" Link questioned.
"Well this time, it's free; thank your friend Auru for that. Next time, the trip will cost ya ten rupees per ride."
"That sounds fair to me," Link agreed.
"Good! Got lots of water?" Fyer asked as he ushered Link to the opening of the canon.
"Uh," Link tried.
"Too late!" Fyer said as he gave Link a final shove into the canon. Link was submerged into darkness as the door closed. Link felt afraid. Was Fyer trustworthy enough for Link to be sure that he would fire him in the right direction?
Link heard a loud noise, then the canon began to move, positioning itself. Link felt springs shifting somewhere then the ground disappeared beneath him and the wide-open sky was the only thing in his vision. Link felt as though he was truly flying. He smiled as Fi appeared before him.
"Master, I detect a twenty percent chance that you will survive the landing into the desert."
"Well how can I raise that percentage?" Link asked.
"I can help direct you to a softer landing, like perhaps an oasis."
"Then do it!" Link panicked.
Fi helped Link land in a safe zone. He got his fill of water and filled up a skin with water.
"Fi, what can you tell me about this terrain? Link asked. The light-spire was now in the north from where Link stood.
"Known as Gerudo Desert, it is a rough part of Hyrule. There was once a footpath leading here but it was closed off, as the area was too dangerous. It is home to the Arbiter's Grounds, an old fortress used as a prison that Hyrule's worst criminals were sent to. It is said that the criminals who had been sentenced to death were directly sent to the underworld by a cursed mirror. It also appears that the light-spire you activated is directing you to the Arbiter's Grounds, where the light ends. It seems that is where you must go. I suggest you continue onward if you are to make good time."
"We're so close I can feel it," Link breathed. He began to walk north to the Arbiter's Grounds as the sun began to sink in the west.