Link's POV

I push open the stone entrance and step into the first chamber, where the sound of rushing water grows louder.

Large columns rise from the water, their surfaces slick with algae. These columns support platforms and walkways that crisscross the chamber, creating a labyrinthine structure. The constant sound of flowing water is ever-present, and small waterfalls cascade from higher levels, adding to the ambient noise. The moss-covered stone walls give off a greenish hue that reflects the light from the glowing stones. Intricate carvings of ancient symbols and runes decorate the walls, hinting at the temple's storied past.

In the center of the chamber, a massive stone pillar serves as a hub, with pathways branching off in various directions. Each path leads to different rooms and levels of the temple, all interconnected by a complex system of levers and water channels. The central chamber door is closed and surrounded by four gears. Only one of the gears has water flowing through it and is making a faint creaking sound like the door is trying to open. I guess our challenge will lie in finding a way to manipulate the water flow until it runs through all four gears.

"Looks like we're going to have to solve some puzzles to move forward," I say, glancing at Dark.

He nods, his eyes scanning the room. "We should keep an eye out for any levers or mechanisms that control the water flow."

We move cautiously through the temple, our senses on high alert. The first puzzle involves a series of levers that control the flow of water. The challenge was figuring out the correct order and combination to make the water release towards the second gear on the door to the main boss area. After some trial and error, we manage to get the water to flow.

"First one down" I say, feeling a sense of accomplishment.

The second lever is located in a chamber with shifting platforms and water levels. We climb vines and jump across ledges, timing our movements carefully to avoid being swept away by the currents. Dark pulls the lever, and we hear the distant sound of water flowing into place.

We move to the next chamber, where we encounter our first set of enemies: Lizalfos, humanoid lizards wielding daggers. They move quickly, their reptilian eyes fixed on us as they attack. Dark and I fight side by side, our movements synchronized. Dark's sword flashes through the air, cutting down the Lizalfos with ruthless precision.

"Easy." Dark says, his eyes gleaming with determination.

We press on, encountering more enemies along the way. Helmasaurs, dinosaur-like creatures with grayish-green skin and steel masks on their heads, charge at us with their horns. Dark and I work together to bring them down, using our combined strength and skill to defeat them.

In one chamber, we find a chest with a dungeon map and a clawshot. The long chain with a claw at the end gleams in the dim light. "This will come in handy," I say, testing the mechanism.

"Nice find," Dark adds, his eyes scanning the room for more hidden treasures. "Reminds me of the old days—different life, same tools."

"This will come in handy," I say, testing the clawshot's mechanism.

We continue our journey, until we find the third lever hidden behind a wall of vines and spiderwebs. Using the clawshot, we pull ourselves up to the high ledge. Dark pulls the lever, and we hear the sound of rushing water as it flows into place, unlocking the door to the main boss area.

"This is it," I say, looking at Dark. "Ready?"

"Always," he replies, his voice steady.

We step through the door and find ourselves in a large, circular chamber. A round platform occupies the center, with a 10-foot drop on the sides leading to the water below. Ladders provide a way to climb back onto the platform. At the center of the room, a giant water amoeba with flowing water tentacles, Morpha, waits for us.

Morpha's tentacles writhe and reach toward us, its nucleus core glowing within the water.

"We need to focus on that nucleus," Dark says, his eyes locked on the creature.

"Got it," I reply, readying the clawshot.

We move into position, staying at the edges of the platform. Morpha's tentacles lash out, but we manage to avoid them. I wait for the right moment, then fire the clawshot, grabbing the nucleus and pulling it toward us. Dark and I slash at it with our swords, damaging the creature.

The battle continues, with Morpha growing more and more aggressive. At one point, a tentacle wraps around Dark's leg and pulls him into the water.

"Dark!" I shout, rushing to the edge of the platform. Panic surges through me as I scan the water, but I see no sign of him. Without a second thought, I dive into the water, my heart pounding in my chest.

As I swim deeper, I spot Dark struggling beneath the surface, his eyes wide with fear. I realize with a jolt that he can't swim. Kicking hard, I reach him, grabbing his arm and pulling him toward the ladder. His grip on me is frantic, his panic palpable.

"Hold on, I've got you," I say, my voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through me.

With a determined effort, I help Dark back onto the platform. He's gasping for breath, his usual confidence replaced by vulnerability. "Thanks, Link," he says, his voice shaky.

"Hold on" I reply. "We're not done yet."

We return to the battle, more determined than ever. I use the clawshot to pull the nucleus from Morpha's tentacle, and we strike it down together. With one final effort, we defeat the creature, its body dissolving into the water. I feel the energy from the monster surge into the Master Sword, and it glows with a pale light.

As the last remnants of Morpha vanish, the room grows quiet. The adrenaline from the battle still coursing through my veins, but my relief at our victory is overshadowed by the near-disaster we just averted. I glance at Dark, who is sitting on the edge of the platform, catching his breath.

"Dark," I say, my voice trembling with a mix of anger and fear, "why didn't you tell me you couldn't swim?"

He looks up, his red eyes flashing with a hint of defiance. "It didn't seem important," he mutters, avoiding my gaze.

"Not important?" I snap, my frustration bubbling over. "You could have drowned! I almost lost you!"

Dark's expression hardens, and he stands up, his posture defensive. "I'm just a shadow, Link. I'm not the hero who needs to beat Ganondorf. Who cares what happens to me?"

His words cut deep, and I feel an unusual surge of anger. "I care!" I shout, my voice echoing in the chamber. "I care about you, Dark. You're more than just a shadow to me. Do you think I wouldn't be devastated if something happened to you?"

Dark's eyes widen, and for a moment, I see a flicker of something vulnerable in his gaze. But it quickly disappears, replaced by a cold, distant look. "You don't understand, Link. I've always been the shadow, the one who supports the hero. That's my role. It doesn't matter what happens to me as long as you succeed."

I shake my head, feeling a lump in my throat. "No, Dark. That's not true. You matter to me. Your life matters."

He clenches his fists, his jaw tight. "Maybe you should focus on saving Hyrule instead of worrying about me," he says coldly.

The words sting, and I feel tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. "Dark, please. Don't shut me out. This isn't like you."

But he turns away, his shoulders tense. "We should get moving," he says flatly. "There's still a lot to do."

I feel a pang of hurt and frustration as I watch him walk away. I want to reach out, to make him understand how much he means to me.

As we leave the Water Temple, the sun is setting over Lake Hylia, casting a golden glow over the water. The beauty of the scene does little to lift the heavy mood between us. We walk in silence, the bond we share strained by our unspoken emotions.

I glance at Dark, my heart aching with the weight of our argument. I want to tell him how much I care, how much I need him, but the words stick in my throat. For now, all I can do is hope that after a good night's sleep, he will be willing to talk in the morning.

As night falls, we set up camp near the lake, the tension still thick between us. We barely speak, our minds consumed by our own thoughts and fears. I lie awake, staring at the stars, wondering how he could think so little of himself.

—

Darks POV

As night falls, I lie awake, staring at the stars, wondering if I'll ever be free of the shadows that haunt me.