The trip back to Kakariko village did not go very well. Storm decided to ride Epona who upon reaching the bridge was attacked by a peahat. Storm killed it but not before the distressed horse had thrown him off in terror, Storm hit the ground with a thud, he groaned and stared up as the terrified horse gave a shrill cry and galloped away with a swish of her tail. Drops of blood from Epona hit Storm in the face; enraged he leaped up and swung his sword swiftly at the peahats underbelly killing it instantly.
"I should have known you'd show up!" Storm said savagely, he went over to Epona who was trembling by a dead tree and was reluctant to have him touch her.
"We better get her back to the ranch," Said Navi.
"No, it's too far away and I don't think Epona will make it, she's lost a lot of blood," Said Storm.
"Should I go and get help, I could get a fairy for you; there is one in the woods." Said Navi.
"Alright," Storm said thinking slowly. "I'll stay here with Epona."
Epona whined as Storm approached her, he pulled out his Ocarina and began to play Epona's song, as the notes continued to drift into the air
Epona became quiet, enough to allow Storm to examine her. She had a deep cut across her neck; there was another long one across her flank. Storm patted Epona and she became calm, a few minutes later, he heard a faint cry and Navi returned with a fairy following in her wake.
"Sorry, I had a little persuading to do." Said Navi, the other fairy span around Epona, the wounds closed almost instantly and Epona began to lick Storm.
"All right! Alright, say thanks later!" Said Storm as he wiped his face with the sleeve of his tunic. "After this temple I might get my Korkiri tunic back. Thanks Navi, let's get going shall we?"
"Ok." Said Navi, Epona was still very shaken and was reluctant to continue, Storm had to bribe her with carrots to get moving again, Malon had told him to always have some spare for her.
They continued on to Kakariko village, when Storm got off this time Epona would not leave him, so with difficulty he led the horse into the village where he met Sheik.
"Nice horse, how'd you get it up that steep hill?" Sheik said, admiring Epona.
"With difficulty," Storm replied tugging Epona's reigns. "Could you put her somewhere where she can be kept for now, she was attacked in the field and is a little unhappy. "
"Just a little unhappy? You want to be careful Storm the animal could go into shock," Said Sheik.
"There was little I could do, we gave her a fairy, that can heal her physically but not mentally,' Said Storm.
"She needs rest, for at least a few days if she is to fully recover. There is a stable by the Inn; thankfully, it was spared in the fire. I'll take care of her for you."
"Thanks," Said Storm.
Storm passed the reigns to Sheik; no sooner had he done this Sheik pulled out his harp and motioned Storm to take his Ocarina out.
"Another song?" Storm asked.
"Yes the Nocturne of Shadow. It will take you to the next temple; it will be the most difficult place you have had to face yet Storm.'
'There are worse places." Storm said grimly.
Sheik played the song on his harp, Storm followed along playing in turn until he got the melody.
"I have never seen such a quick learner."
"Thanks!" Said Storm, for now he had forgotten the distrust he had towards Sheik, after all he had saved Storm's life. When they had finished
Sheik took Epona to the stable, Storm played the song again and with a tingling sensation found himself just outside Kakariko Graveyard.
"Welcome, to the shadow temple." Said Navi a false quiver in her voice, her odd sense of humour bemused Storm.
"Very funny Navi!" He said, he looked around him and saw that he was on a balcony of some sort overlooking the graveyard, behind him was a staircase that led through a tunnel. Storm followed the staircase until he came to a large room full of torches; there was a small platform in the middle and just ahead of that, a massive stone door with an eye symbol. Around the base of the platform were strange markings; Storm presumed this was of some ancient language.
"Navi, do the markings on the base look familiar to you?" Storm asked her, hoping for some answers.
"No, they don't," Navi, replied, "I've never seen it before."
After a few moments, Storm realised that the platform was standing in the middle of the room, if he used dins fire it should light all the torches and something would happen.
"Do you see anything unusual Storm?" Navi asked, having nearly forgotten he had received the power of the Lens of Truth, which now rested, in his waist bag, Storm looked around and saw nothing out of the ordinary, not even any ghosts, after a moments pause Storm decided to use Din's Fire while standing on the platform.
He stepped onto the small circular platform and took the small diamond shaped crystal out, his hand warmed as he grabbed it. Storm held the crystal above his head and as if at acted by Storm's thoughts the diamond in his hand grew burning hot, Storm winced and suddenly a shockwave of fire erupted around him and the torches lit.
"I forgot how hot that was." Storm said to himself, he looked at his hand and was amazed to see that the skin was not burnt.
"Look," Navi cried, "The door is opening!"
Taking a glimpse at the markings Storm watched as the door slid open, revealing a dark corridor, a cold breeze issued from it, he did not notice this too much as the torches were making him very warm.
"Here it goes," Storm muttered drawing his sword, his experience with the well had left him very reluctant to venture into the shadow temple, he knew it would be far worse than the well and he took Navi seriously, Storm took a deep breath and literally ran into the passage. As he ran forward through the passageway, which got wider at a point he began to hear voices whispering, over a gap and into a large room, Storm could hear the voices whispering in a menacing way. He came into a wide hall where the whispering voices grew louder; he could hear what they were saying.
" The Shadow will yield only to one with the eye of truth, handed down in Kakariko Village. One who gains the eye of truth will be able to see what is hidden in the darkness. Shadow Temple... Here is gathered Hyrule's bloody history of greed and hatred... What is hidden in the darkness? Tricks full of ill will...You can't see the way forward..." Storm shuddered at the sounds of the voices, Navi explained that they were spirits; similar to the ones she had heard in the well.
Without the Lens of Truth it is was easy for Storm to say he would never have made it through alive, there were traps and deadly secrets that only he could see, even some of the monsters could not see them and usually fell victim to it. It was interesting to see a monster walk into thin air thinking they were on solid ground and give a startled cry as they fell straight through. Navi had not lied when she had said the Shadow Temple was creepier than the well. The walls seemed to be alive at some points, to the point they appeared to move.
It was swarming with zombies and stalfos all intent on killing Storm; he however prevailed over them and the other living dead creatures that roamed the place, including the dreaded redead. He came across the hover boots which let him hover for a few seconds, he still hated the idea of walking across thin air, especially if there was a hundred metre drop, in this temple Storm found himself confronted with some of his worst fears, falling down a chasm was just one of them.
He was unlucky enough to come across a creature he had seen what seemed only a few days ago when it was actually years, the hands creature that had almost killed him. Only Storm was stronger this time, much stronger than the beast anticipated, he defeated it easily, simply by slashing or breaking the arms before they tried to attack him. The creature appeared angry that Storm had severed all but two of its limbs; he slew the beast without much trouble, thrusting his sword into its belly.
Finally, Storm found the key, which he had nicknamed the monsters key, and made his way to the final part of the temple, the part he had grown to dislike and be relieved to see at the same time, the lair of the beast, what one he did not know until he was inside.
Storm fell through the hole in the small room and after falling a few metres found himself on a large drum, it gave a loud bang as he hit it, Storm got up slowly and groaned. For a moment he stared into the darkness around him, it was then he heard a familiar buzzing sound, Navi heard as well and gave a small yelp, Storm saw what she was looking at. A huge monster was staring at him. It looked as though its limbs had been chopped off and they were floating beside him, it had a massive eye surrounded by what looked like giant flower petals, which were its eyelashes. The creature like its limbs floated in the air, Storm ducked as a massive hand swiped at him and missed.
"Navi, a little help might be useful about now," Said Storm as he dodged another hand.
"I'm trying to work it out," Navi yelled at Storm flying straight through a gap between the fingers on one of the creature's hands. "My knowledge of evil creatures is limited it seems but this creature has been encountered before-"
"Quit the chatter Navi!" Yelled Storm as he dived to avoid the beast smacking him, he rolled out of the way as one of its hands came smacking down onto the drum, it gave another booming noise and the vibration sent Storm flying a few metres before he crashed on the drum, it gave another boom and Storm covered his ears.
"It's name is Bongo Bongo," Navi replied, she was having trouble trying to pinpoint a weak spot and dodging the beasts large hands, she realised Storm wasn't listening and waved up and down in front of him.
"HEY! Storm!" She yelled trying to get Storm's attention. "I'm guessing its weak spot is its eyes but you'll never get enough time to shoot with those hands going at you."
"Thank you Navi," Said Storm, he straightened up and looked at Bongo Bongo's eye, the buzzing noise filled his ears and it was maddening.
As one of the hands went in his direction he ducked and grabbed his bow that was strapped to his back, he got an arrow and fired at the creatures hand, it immediately went limp, still floating in midair. He fell over again as the drum vibrated when the other hand hit it and a few arrows fell out of his quiver. He grabbed one of them and fired at the Bongo Bongo's other hand, another arrow later he shot Bongo Bongo's eye and fired a second shot, Bongo Bongo crashed to the ground allowing Storm to slash at its eye before a hand smacked him to the ground, dizzily he got up and staggered.
"Storm are you all right?" Navi asked.
"I'm fine," Said Storm, his head throbbing painfully, he looked around for his bow which was lying a few feet away,
Storm dived for it as one of Bongo Bongo's hands aimed for him and missed, Storm rolled over and fired at it, he missed it and hit Bongo's eye, the creature shuddered but did not fall. Storm bit his lips and aimed for its hand with his bow, Navi yelled out for Storm to duck, it was a good thing she did, no sooner had Storm done that one of the hands swiped at him from behind.
Getting up Storm's hover boots almost caused him to slip and not for the first either. He loaded his bow and fired another arrow at one of Bongo's hands; he managed to stun it and rolled out of the way, as the other hand went to swipe at him. He fired at it and with both hands hanging limply in the air he fired again at Bongo Bongo's eye, he raced up and swung his sword at the beast's eye, he managed to cut it this time and blood gushed out from the wound. Storm ducked and rolled as both the hands tried to squash him; Bongo Bongo got back into the air and kept trying to attack Storm with its two hands.
Storm was more cautious of the hands now, keeping an eye on both of them and making sure they did not leave his sight and whenever they went at him, he would doge them and continue to watch as they moved around the large drum, occasionally trying to make him fall over. Bongo's eye continued to splatter blood everywhere. Storm knowing he had badly injured it stunned the beast's hands one last time and shot the creature's eye sending it crashing blindly into the drum causing Storm to slip and fall over. The creature lay still for a moment, its hands moved around occasionally hitting each other. It occurred to Storm he had blinded Bongo Bongo and with one last charge he thrusted his sword into the Bongo's eye. The hands stopped in their tracks and fell to the ground, the resulting boom sent Storm off his feet. Moments later the beast began to melt into a thick bubbling black liquid, which quickly dried up.
"Gross, monster goo" Commented Navi.
As Storm continued to stare at the remains of the shadow beast Bongo Bongo a portal opened up on the middle of the drum, Storm walked over to it and slid, face planting the ground.
"I hope I don't have to wear these boots much." He muttered.
"They are handy though aren't they? Making you walk on thin air." Navi replied as Storm stared at the ring of light in front of him that was the portal, "Why are we staring at the portal? Let's go. There's only one more sage to go."
"I never thought I'd see the day," Storm said, he became aware that one side of his face was severely swollen and his nose was bleeding. Wiping it with his tunic that already was splattered with blood Storm walked into the portal.
A flash of light later Storm found himself in the chamber of sages, staring at him from the shadow pillar looking just like she had when Storm first saw her was Impa.
"Impa!" He gasped, she smiled at him.
"Surprised to see me, are you Storm? I must admit you have come a long way. You have grown Storm and have gone through many trials."
"Do you know where Frost is?" Asked Storm, not paying much attention to what Impa had just said.
"Peace my friend, she is safe you need not worry."
"She's alive?" Storm asked, he realised this was a stupid question but he was relieved to hear Frost was alright.
"Like I said, she's fine." Replied Impa, she did not take Storm's question as stupid but continued to smile. "Soon you will meet Frost face to face, I promise you that."
"You are saying I will have to search for her?" Storm asked.
"Not quite," Said Impa, "I cannot tell you where she is, I do not know where she is, and it is likely she has moved since we parted. I suppose Sheik forgot to tell you to
expect me?"
"He never said anything about you." Said Storm, was it him or did Impa's eyebrow rise slightly when he said that?
"I see," Said Impa, "I met him at Kakariko village, like you I had seen the smoke and made for the town. I have quicker methods of getting places, after he had told me what happened I left to the shadow temple, he stayed and tried to get the villagers out, a few people panicked by what I heard. I helped Sheik get them out and then went to the Shadow Temple, I take it you arrived shortly after that."
"Yes, Sheik was knocked out, and then I was. He told me that I should get to the shadow temple and destroy the evil creature that had escaped."
Again Storm could have sworn Impa made a strange reaction to his words, this time for a moment she seemed slightly alarmed, she had opened her mouth a little and shut it.
"You two are all right then? Sheik too, that's good." Said Impa, perhaps Impa was in love with Sheik, after all, he was a member of his race, Storm thought, and it would explain why she seems to react whenever his name is mentioned.
"What happened to you?" Storm asked.
"I realised that you were entering the temple and I knew that you could defeat the creature within, you were stronger than I was, and so I came here. I am the Fifth sage, take this Storm."
Impa handed him a small medallion, it was the shadow medallion which meant he only had one more left.
"Go Storm, now you must make for the desert regions of Hyrule. By the way I have seen to it that your horse is waiting for you outside of Kakariko village, I also got your tunic from Darunia, and it's with Epona." Impa said and before Storm could, reply there was a bright light and he appeared at the entrance to the graveyard.
Going through the village Storm saw many of the villagers and a few carpenters attending to the ruined buildings in the village.
"Navi? Where is the desert region?" Storm asked as they walked slowly out of the village, Storm hardly noticed he was attracting a lot of stares.
"To the west." Said Navi, as they descended the hill and out the gate leading to the field, "From what I know its home to the Gerudo people."
"I suppose we won't be getting a warm welcome from them." Said Storm, he walked over to Epona and stroked her gently before mounting.
"Storm, I think you should let a fairy heal your face it's looking bad," Said Navi.
Storm had not been paying much attention to his injured face; now that Navi mentioned it his face was hurting. He pulled a bottle out his waist bag and let the fairy inside out, it zoomed around him and a moment later he felt a tingling sensation.
"That's better," Said Navi. "Let's go."