One morning, Link found the children excitedly talking about something while eating breakfast. It didn't take long for them - mostly Talo - to tell Link all about it.
The boy was almost bouncing out of his chair as he talked. "So you know how Mister Barnes was gone for a few days?" Link could only shake his head. No, he'd had no idea that Barnes had left. "Oh, right, it was while you were asleep. Well, he left. I don't remember why though." Weird. Maybe that was why nobody had been going to Barnes' shop.
Talo grinned. "But! He's back now! And guess what!" Link returned Talo's grin, raising an eyebrow. As if Talo had the patience to wait for Link to guess. "He said he made a new kinda bomb! Ones that work underwater!" Right on cue.
Bombs that worked underwater, though. Those could come in handy. The last Fused Shadow was supposed to be in a temple in Lake Hylia. What if it was blocked off? What if he had to make his own entrance?
And so he found himself once again standing at the counter of Barnes' shop. He hadn't noticed Link at first - from what Link could tell, it looked like he was organizing the space behind the counter.
Eventually, Barnes realized he wasn't alone in the building. He grinned as he saw Link. "Hey, was wondering whether you'd be able to show up! Renado had said you were recovering from Bulblin Thistle poisoning - nasty, nasty stuff, that - so I didn't know if you were bedridden still. Looks like your recovery's coming along well though!" He gestured behind himself, at the counter that held bombs - two different types, now. "So! I finished working on a brand new type of bomb!"
Link nodded. "Talo told me about it earlier, during breakfast. Underwater bombs, right?"
Barnes nodded, his chest puffed out with clear pride. "Yep, that's them! Took me a while to figure them out, but now they're here!" He pulled one off the shelf, holding it out so Link could see it.
The underwater bomb was... strange. It looked like a gnarled and withered fish, clutching a black ball in its vicious fangs. There were even beady white eyes that seemed to stare into nothing. Link felt a shiver race down his spine.
Barnes chuckled as he put the bomb back on the shelf with the others. "Since it took me a while to figure everything out, they are gonna be more expensive for a while." Link nodded. That sounded fair. Barnes scratched his chin. "Though, with all you've done around here... Maybe I could give you a bit of a discount." Oh. Well that was nice of him. Maybe Link had been wrong about Barnes?
Barnes started counting... something, Link wasn't entirely sure, on his fingers. Then he nodded. "Okay, how's 45 Rupees for 10 Water Bombs sound?" His grin came back, and his voice lowered to a whisper. "Normally that'd be 60 Rupees. Quite the steal, if I do say so myself!"
Link glanced into his wallet. Yeah, he had plenty of Rupees. Though... would the bomb bag hold 10 more bombs?
Barnes chuckled. "If you're in need of another bomb bag, I could sell you one for... How about 10 Rupees?" Another glance into the wallet. Still plenty. Having another bag was probably a safe bet. He nodded, taking out the Rupees and placing them on the counter.
Once Barnes had counted out the Rupees, he grabbed something from under the counter - another bomb bag - and reached for one of the Water Bombs. Link tried to watch, to see how in Ordona's name so many bombs could fit in a bag the size of one. But Barnes stood between Link and the shelf, his back turned as he worked, not stepping to the side until he was done and the bag was apparently filled.
The bag was the same size as the first one. It was about as heavy as the first too. Link stared at it in his hands with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. Barnes had called it a trade secret. So there was no hope of getting an answer out of him. He sighed. Then he nodded his thanks to Barnes and left the store.
It was while he aimlessly walked around Kakariko Village that he noticed a set of cracks in one of the rock walls by Eldin's spring. That was weird. He walked over to the wall and placed his hand on the cracks. Well. That was surprising. It felt like there was something behind the rock wall. It was hollow.
Link glanced over at Eldin's spring. A grin spread across his face.
A few moments later, one of the regular bombs had blown a hole into the rock wall, sending dust and debris flying everywhere.
Eldin's irritated voice was in Link's ears almost immediately. "And what, pray tell, are you doing, little hero?"
Link huffed. 'Exploring.' As that thought left, the dust settled on the ground, revealing a wide cave with light that streamed into it from one side. Huh. How did that work?
Evidently, Eldin wasn't happy about that. "I do not recall allowing you entry into the lake behind my spring." Link could almost picture the sneer on the owl spirit's face.
Wait. Lake? Behind the spring?
Oh. Well yeah, actually, that made sense. Where else would Renado be finding the fish? The spring itself was too shallow, and Renado certainly wouldn't go fishing in the clearing by the Zora king's grave. But Eldin's apparent personal lake?
Though, if this was the way to that lake, how did Renado get back there? Did he just climb up the ledge at the back of the spring?
The cave in the rock wall was wide and tall, almost like the building near the spring. To his surprise, there were some Cuccos that strutted around the cave floor.
He smirked. 'Did you allow the Cuccos into the cave?' It was petty, sure. But the idea of Eldin raising a claw to do anything seemed to be laughable at best.
At the back of the cave was an opening, as expected. What was less expected was what the opening brought him to.
Just as Eldin had said, there was a lake behind their spring. It was a strange lake too, almost like something had dug deep into the ground to make it. He could see fish lazily swimming through the lake.
He could also see a very angry Eldin floating in front of the opening, their beady eyes glaring into his. "You were not permitted access to my lake, little hero. I tolerated your disrespect before, but I will not tolerate this."
Link raised an eyebrow. "You also tolerated the Bulblins kidnapping Colin-"
Eldin hissed, their beak twisted into a snarl. "As I told you, little hero, that boy is but a child of Ordona. He is not my responsibility."
Oh really now? Interrupting people, Eldin? Link's scowl matched Eldin's now. "What about the other people of this village? They're your responsibility, aren't they? And you did nothing to protect them either!" What if Eldin's neglect was why Kakariko looked the way it did?
Eldin's eyes narrowed. "My responsibilities are none of your concern, little hero-"
"I have a name, you overgrown Cucco. Your brethren are perfectly capable of using it, and I humbly request that you do the same." That was an unexpected thrill. Interrupting a light spirit, and insulting them to their face. What would Ordona think?
Eldin gave another, louder hiss, showing the fangs underneath their beak. "I will consider it when you turn back and leave this lake alone." A tempting offer, really. Well, almost.
But the opportunity was right there.
And so he took it.
He smirked as he stared into Eldin's beady little eyes. "And if I don't? If I just jump into the lake anyways?"
If birds could growl, Eldin most certainly would have. "I will not allow you to."
And with that, the trap was sprung. "Just like you did the Bulblins? Just like when I was exploring those ruins you told me not to go to?" Before Eldin could respond, Link leapt down from the ledge.
Warm water, like the water in the spring itself, surrounded him as he swam to the surface. Not an unpleasant warm like the Gorons' mines, not even as warm as the hot springs. Just a comfortable warmth that was slightly cooler than the air.
Eldin was glaring down at him now. "Disrespectful little hero, I will remember this. And so shall you, the next time you request my aid." Their light faded away, leaving Link alone in the lake behind the spring. He let out a sigh. Good.
As he did, he noticed something odd, far below where he was treading water. There, at the bottom of the lake behind Eldin's spring, was a large hole in the rock wall. Where could that lead? And how would he get to it?
Oh. Right. The armor that the late Queen Rutela gave him. Now was a good opportunity to see how well it worked.
The thought had barely finished before there was a flash of light, and the green tunic was replaced with blue. He hadn't even felt anything change - one moment he was wearing the usual green tunic, the next he was suddenly wearing the armor Queen Rutela had given him.
There was something like a helmet, attached to the hat, which must have also changed. To his surprise, there was nothing covering his face. Queen Rutela's spirit had said the armor would allow him to breathe in the water like a Zora, but what did that mean?
There was only one way to test it. And the mere thought sent his heart racing, at the memory of what had almost happened in the Gorons' mines. What if the armor didn't work? What if he drowned? He didn't feel any different, there was no way to tell that the armor would work.
It was the only way forward, though. He couldn't climb back up to the cave, there was no turning back. If he wanted to get out of the lake, he would have to trust the armor.
He took a deep breath, and let it out. Then another breath, and dove into the water. By habit, he tried to hold onto that breath. What if that really was his last?
Well, then Hyrule was already doomed, wasn't it? If he couldn't even swim to the bottom of this lake, how was he supposed to get to the temple where the last Fused Shadow was hidden?
His heart raced again as he slowly let out what very well could have been his last breath. He closed his eyes... and breathed in.
His eyes flew open as he felt the water rush through his nose... but it never went further than that. It was almost like the armor was turning the water into air, as soon as it passed through his nose. He almost wanted to laugh, to shout in relief and triumph, but he wasn't sure if the armor would do the same then. Better to stick with what he knew was safe and what he knew worked, while he could.
He found himself swimming down into the lake, closer to the hole in the rock wall. It was almost twice his height, and - to his surprise - lined with bricks rather than only being carved out of the rock.
There was a slight current in the water, pulling him towards the hole, and so he sent the iron boots away and allowed himself to be carried through the tunnel. Thanks to the armor Queen Rutela had given him, he didn't have to worry about being able to breathe, though the lack of light definitely unnerved him.
After a long and quiet trip down the tunnel, Link found himself surfacing in a familiar lake. Lake Hylia. Huh. So there was a path from Kakariko to Lake Hylia. He decided not to worry about how that could even be possible. The tunnel brought him to exactly where he needed to go.
Lake Hylia was much, much deeper than he'd thought. As he swam deeper and deeper, it kind of reminded him of Death Mountain, with cliffs of varying heights. From underwater, he could see that what he'd thought were islands were just pillars jutting up from the ground - though, perhaps that's what all islands are, really?
Deeper and deeper he swam, until he was below where the lake had been while Zora's Domain was frozen over. Pillars lined the deepest part of the lake, where some Zoras were swimming around. Guards, perhaps?
A Zora waved to him as he swam even deeper. "Sir, you wear the garb of the hero in my people's legends. Are you perhaps...?" Link could only tilt his head to one side. How was he supposed to reply, when he was underwater?
Oh. Of course. 'My name is Link. Your late queen gifted this to me, as thanks for saving her son.'
The Zora seemed taken aback, his voice sorrowful. "I see... I hadn't heard that Her Majesty had passed. It is good to hear that the prince is safe, at least." The Zora paused, perhaps even sighed, if Link's ears were to be trusted. "We are well met, Link. My name is Mojon. I'm an inventor."
'An inventor?'
Mojon nodded, his voice suddenly excited. "There are fish of the deep water, that explode when provoked! I studied them for a long time, until finally I could recreate it!"
Now Link was even more confused. 'There's someone in Kakariko, he claims he invented water bombs.'
Mojon crossed his arms, his voice clearly indignant. "Well he's lying to you, then." He shook his head. "But no matter, I can't worry myself about that right now. Mr. - no, Sir Link - what brings you so deep into Lake Hylia?"
So Barnes had been lying? Hmph. Link had been right about him after all. 'I was told that a relic I'm looking for is in the temple down here. And-'
Mojon swam backwards, just a little bit. "You don't mean the accursed Lakebed Temple, do you?"
'Cursed?'
Mojon nodded. "Legend says it wasn't always cursed, that once upon a time it was a temple sacred to my people. But an evil power was buried within its walls, and it slowly corrupted the holy site. Eventually it wasn't safe for anyone to set fin inside, and the ancient Zora king ordered it sealed off. Nobody has been allowed inside since."
'Queen Rutela gave me her permission to enter the temple. Without the relic inside, the king of the shadows will be able to attack again.'
"The king of the shadows?" So Mojon didn't know about the twilight that had swallowed Hyrule?
'Did you know about Zora's Domain freezing over?' Maybe that would be an easier place to start.
Mojon nodded. "I did hear about that, and I remember when Lake Hylia suddenly began to fill back up with water." He gasped. "Was that you, who refilled Lake Hylia, Sir Link?"
'Sort of. But I think the king of the shadows might have been the one who froze Zora's Domain.' Link looked down, at the ground below. 'He's also the one who had Queen Rutela killed.' There would probably be time to explain the shadow beasts later.
Mojon gasped, a hand - fin? - to his mouth. "Oh, Lord Jabu, that's horrid!" His hand-fin eventually fell back to his side, where he clenched it into a fist. "You intend to use the dark power in the Lakebed Temple to fight this... shadow king... don't you, Sir Link?"
Link nodded. 'From what the light spirits have told me, that's the only way to stop him.'
Mojon's eyes widened. "So you really are the hero sent by the gods." He stared at Link, before shaking his head. "Well, I rather think that settles it!" He pointed behind Link, at a large boulder that was lodged into a rock wall. "That is the entrance to the Lakebed Temple. You'll have to destroy that boulder to get in." As Link turned around, Mojon flashed a grin. "Do you find yourself in need of Water Bombs?"
Link shook his head. 'No, I have some already. Thank you, though. Whenever I need more, I'll be sure to come back to you rather than to the man in Kakariko.'
With that, he swam to where Mojon had pointed. There was a current that sprang up from the ground, stopping just near the boulder blocking the temple entrance. Well, that made things easier.
The current carried the water bomb up, until it was right in front of the boulder that blocked the temple's entrance. When it exploded, the rock broke into pieces alongside it and sent what felt like a wave rippling through the water, pushing Link back slightly. Woah.
The Zora who had been swimming near the rock swam over to Link, his voice panicked. "What have you done?! The darkness that infected this accursed temple will be let free!"
'The late queen gave me her permission, I have to get in there so the king of the shadows can be stopped.'
The Zora scoffed, perhaps. "And why should I believe you?"
'She gave me this armor, after all. She said her late husband made it.'
"A likely story. No, I think I'll be bringing you to Her Majesty so you can face judgment for what you've done!" The Zora swam forward to grab at Link's arm, but Link was too quick. He ducked away and swam for the temple entrance. If he could get inside, the Zora would probably not follow him, if it was as cursed of a temple as Mojon said.
Suddenly the Zora was almost behind him. "Get back here! I can't let you free the monsters in that temple!" Link kicked harder, frantically trying to reach the temple entrance.
Finally, he swam past the current and into the entrance. The Zora's angry voice echoed in the tunnel, but as Link had hoped, he didn't follow. He let out a sigh. If the temple was as cursed as Mojon said, Link would need every bit of good luck he could get.
