Chapter 8: Water Temple
Ashwin took a deep breath before submerging below the cold, blue surface of Lake Hylia. He didn't feel any different at first. The Zoras had given him a magical artifact called "the silver scale collar" that was supposed to somehow allow him to breathe underwater. Before setting foot in the lake, he slid the collar over his head. It now fitted snugly around his neck. As the name suggested, it was silver in appearance with a scaly texture. He did not feel like he could in any way inhale the water. However, he noticed, as time went on, that the air he held in his lungs continued to feel fresh. That overwhelming urge to exhale and take in a fresh breath never came. And so, he continued to descend to the depths of Lake Hylia.
Ashwin had a nice view of the Water Temple on his way down. The multi-storied terraces, slanted walls, and ionic columns came together in a very aesthetically pleasing architecture. It looked to be in pristine condition. This was in stark contrast to the dilapidated and abandoned Farore Temple he had visited previously. When he reached the sandy bottom of the lake, the colossal front door became visible. Ashwin continued to sweep the water behind him as he propelled himself forwards. He could now see the Royal Family's Triforce emblem engraved into the door.
Ashwin reached out with his hand to touch the door, but his hand passed right through it, like it was an illusion. It felt dry on the other side like he had passed his arm through the surface of the water. He supposed that the door would feel solid for those without the Triforce. He continued to kick the water behind him until he was crawling on the floor on the other side of the door.
The grand, elaborate structure of the sanctuary was intimidating. The floor tiles were intricately designed. The walls were carved in great detail. The entrance led to the grand gallery where multiple levels were supported by columns. It was dark. Small white points of light, hanging from the columns, reflected off the walls to give the whole place a bluish tone. Several entranceways opened up into endless hallways.
Ashwin took some time to empty the water from his boots, remove the silver scale, and wring out his tunic. Although not quite dry, he began his exploration. He trod very delicately so as not to make any noise. Initially, his wet boots squelched as he walked. He didn't come very far when suddenly, he heard some footsteps. A column was blocking the light from the corner of the hallway. Ashwin stepped into this corner and let the darkness blanket him.
As the figure walking down the hall approached, Ashwin could see the dark wizard himself. Ganon was dressed in all black garb and wore thick black armour with brass coloured trim. He wore some sort of amber amulet on his forehead in front of his receding hairline of fire red hair. The red hair wrapped itself around his face in a thick, neatly trimmed beard. His ears were rounded like Ashwin's, not pointed like the Hylians. He was so close now that Ashwin could see his lowered eyebrows that gave him a malevolent expression. Ashwin noticed some wet footprints he had left behind and worried that Ganon would notice them. The Triforce of Courage kept Ashwin's nerves in check as he got within almost an arm's reach. Ashwin could now make out the triangle mark engraved into Ganon's black Gauntlet, over his hand. Ashwin had found the last of the three Triforce marks. He remembered Zelda's caution to avoid a direct confrontation. The Triforce of Power was the strongest of the three.
As Ganon rounded the corner, Ashwin saw the dark scarlet cape that dragged behind him. He came to the end of the hall where the passageways opened up into three directions. Ganon stopped for a moment and raised his hands, each of which began radiating light. This light materialized and took the form of two moblins, the blue bulldog-headed creatures that Ashwin first encountered in Hyrule.
"Seek out the Great Fairy Fountain and destroy it! My plan to destroy the Great Deku Tree depends upon this!" Ganon's voice was deep.
The moblins each turned in opposite directions and proceeded through the side passageways, tapping their spears on the tiles as they walked. Ganon went through the central passageway straight ahead. Ashwin waited until the sound of the footsteps faded away before stepping out of the darkness. Ashwin exhaled as he noticed he had been holding his breath the whole time.
The destruction of the Great Deku Tree! Ashwin had to stop it. He thought about his Kokiri friends and the deep reverence they had for the Great Deku Tree. Ashwin didn't know much about the Great Fairy Fountain in the Water Temple, but he decided that he must find it before they did, and warn this Great Fairy.
Ashwin went in the opposite direction as Ganon, in an attempt to find a short cut and beat him to his goal. Ashwin continued to navigate the maze of hallways of the underwater structure. By this time, he was reasonably dry. He came to a larger open chamber held up by several closely placed columns arrayed throughout. He could hear some footsteps. Ashwin stepped gently behind a column, but was not sure on what side of it he should be hiding. Finally, he noticed some movement.
There he saw Shadow Ashwin, walking through the chamber. He was identical in appearance to Ashwin in every way, a perfect copy. Everything from his round ears, his face, to his green Kokiri clothes were the same. He even had the Hylian shield on his back that Ashwin had just received from Zelda. It was like looking in a mirror. How was this possible? Was this the Kokiri boy he saw in the Farore Temple? Was this in some way a consequence of obtaining the Triforce?
Ashwin was indignant that his identity could be appropriated in this way. He drew his trusty Kokiri sword and the Hylian shield, and jumped out from behind the column, springing at Shadow Ashwin in an attempt to catch him off guard with an overhead strike. Shadow Ashwin noticed this and drew his own shield, lifting it to stop the attack with a loud metallic clang that echoed throughout the chamber. Ashwin immediately pulled back his sword for a horizontal swipe, attempting to get in behind Shadow Ashwin's shield. However, Shadow Ashwin was ready for this and turned his shield sideways to block again. Shadow Ashwin countered with a forward thrust of his sword. This caught Ashwin off guard, but he was still able to leap sideways to avoid the charge. Ashwin was thrown off by this because he did not expect Shadow Ashwin to have a much longer sword than him. As the identical pair exchanged blows, Ashwin wondered about this only dissymmetry between them.
Even Shadow Ashwin's fighting style was identical to his own. Ashwin recognized the various sequences of attacks, making it easier to prepare for them. Shadow Ashwin seemed equally unphased by Ashwin's technique. The two seemed at a stalemate, neither seemed to be able to take the initiative. The only slight edge belonged to Shadow Ashwin due to his sword which was not only longer, but seemed to be of a superior quality. Ashwin fought mercilessly. He didn't feel that the opponent on the other side of his shield was a person, only an illusion or a fake. Ashwin struggled in this battle of his life, but the power of the Triforce kept him from despair.
"You are your own greatest enemy." The words of the Great Deku Tree suddenly became clear to Ashwin. This was not simply a phrase meant to motivate Ashwin to conquer his fears. No, he was meant to literally fight against himself.
The vast hall reverberated with the ring of sword on shield, sword on sword, and the sounds of their groans and struggles. Ashwin could see from Shadow Ashwin's stance that he was preparing for a spin attack. He had no problems ducking underneath the revolving blade as Shadow Ashwin wheeled around. However, Ashwin did not expect what came next. When Shadow Ashwin came back around, the edge of his shield came straight for Ashwin's head. Then everything went dark.