Chapter 15: Zora's Domain

He walked through and out of Kakariko Village, facing the river that separated Kakariko from Hyrule Field. He ran towards the river and jumped in. He swam upstream to the way to Zora's Domain; while he swam he was filled with an overwhelming relaxation.

Swimming is so relaxing, he thought to himself, well, as a Zora that is. As a human, he had actually hated the beach, mostly because of the little kids, but he loved to swim beside that point.

He reached a huge waterfall at the end of the river after dodging the Octoroks and climbing up smaller waterfalls. He climbed a ladder that led to a trail up to the front of the waterfall at halfway. He looked down and saw a symbol of the Triforce on the ground. He took his ocarina out of the satchel and played Zelda's Lullaby, hoping that it would work like it did in the game. Sure enough, the waterfall parted, allowing him to leap into an opening in the cliff.

*                      *                      *

He walked through a long tunnel and into a kingdom of rock, much like Goron City, but was carved by water's natural erosion to the point that it created a whole colony inside a cavern. He was impressed by the sight of it before his eyes, it was much more impressive that its game counterpart. This Zora's Domain was a sight in itself, plus the small lake was much bigger and was populated by a multitude of the Zora population. 

"Hey!" he heard the voice of a male Zora call out to him, "You!"

He followed the sound to the water and saw a Zora in the water, "You want to talk to me?" he responded

"Yeah."

"What do you want?"

"Just get down here."

"Alright." He leapt off of the small cliff and into the water, resurfacing soon after

"You are a different kind of Zora, aren't you?"

"Yes…"

"From where?"

"Somewhere far away."

"What's your name?"

"Maiku."

"Hm… Maiku… isn't that the name of a member of a Zoran music group?"

"I don't think so."

"Oh."

"Where is the King's Chamber?"

"Up that path," he pointed, "leading to the top of the waterfall."

"Thanks." He started towards the water

"Oh yeah, Maiku?"

"Yes?"

"Our princess, Ruto, is missing. I know this might be unimportant to you but can you, a fellow Zora, help us in our search?"

"Sure thing."

"Thanks."

"No problem. Anything to help the Zora population." He jumped into the water and climbed up a small ladder leading to the top of the small cliff he had jumped off of to talk to the Zora. He followed the direction the Zora gave him and entered the Royal Chamber.

*                      *                      *

He walked into the Royal Chamber and onto the pedestal that stood before King Zora and knelt. "King Zora," he said in a serious tone, "I have come from a far away island chain by accident and am new to this country. I understand that the land of Hyrule is in grave danger, including Zora's Domain and Lake Hylia. I have been sent on a quest oddly enough to seek out the Spiritual Stones by Princess Zelda of Hyrule."

"And you need the Spiritual Stone of Water?" King Zora responded, his voice sounded deep and bubbly, "Correct?"

"Yes, King Zora."

"A man came here recently, demanding it too."

"Ganondorf?"

"Yes."

"What happened?"

"He threatened that he'd destroy Zora's Domain!"

"What? Another threatening to destroy a major spot?! Dammit…"

"And now, Princess Ruto has disappeared!"

"I heard… Well, I'll tell you what… I'll find Ruto, and you can give me the Spiritual Stone of Water."

"Yes."

"Well that was easy. Where was the last place you saw her?"

"I haven't seen her today."

"Hm….I'll check at Lake Hylia. If I find something, I'll report it to you." He jumped off of the platform and ran through a tunnel that led to a waterfall. He dove over the edge, into the water far below; he did not surface. Instead, he stayed underwater and looked around. There were a few Zora children playing a game of tag underwater, their vigilant parents kept a watchful eye on their children while socializing with other adults.

He became confused, there were several underwater tunnels rather than the single one that the game had illustrated, he let out a low growl from within his throat. He felt a tap on his shoulder, he turned around and saw the nurse he had seen in Goron City. "Long time no see." She said, her eyes still gentle, "Are you lost?"

He rubbed the back of his head, "Yeah."

"And what are you trying to find?"

"Is there an entrance or underground tunnel leading to Lake Hylia?"

"Yes."

"Where?"

"All of the tunnels lead to Lake Hylia."

"Oh. Now I feel like an idiot."

"It's understandable. You say you're new to Hyrule, right?"

"Yes."

"Then it's obviously okay to be lost."

"That's an interesting way to put it."

"Don't think you're stupid just because you can't find your way, you're a smart young Zora man… very attractive one at that." She guided her hands to the sides of his waist and squeezed his rear, "Come on. Aren't I attractive? You can just settle down here and we can make love in my quarters, wouldn't you want that?"

She's trying to interfere with me, he thought to himself, I have to find Ruto! He pushed her hands away, "Maybe later." He said and started to swim away but she grabbed his ankle.

"Now!" she said

"I said maybe later!" he kicked her off and swam into a tunnel, "Damned whore…" he said quietly and started to scan the tunnels, he found one with a message etched into the rock, Lake Hylia à. He followed the tunnel to Lake Hylia.