Chapter Seven: Into the Water’s Reflection The ride to Zora’s Domain was as quiet as the one to Kakariko Village had been. Each member of the group was absorbed into his or her own thoughts as their horses plowed steadfastly onwards. Finally, Kage broke the silence. "Hey, Link, do you think Princess Ruto will recognize us?" Kage asked. Link looked over at him with a look of surprise on his face. "Well, she should. I don’t think we’ve changed that much." Link replied, as they rode up to the place where the entrance into Zora’s Domain was. As they dismounted from their horses, it suddenly occurred to Link how much this was like the first time they had ever visited this place. Without any hesitation on their part, they played Zelda’s Lullaby and watched as the waterfall parted to reveal the path down into the watery domain. When a guard didn’t confront them, it was then that they realized that something was horribly wrong. "Come on, Kage! Something’s not right about this!" Link said, as he broke off into a run, with Kage close behind him. What they saw at the end of the path was nothing more than horrifying. All of the Zora people were encased in solid ice, looks of fear and panic still marring their faces. "What in Din’s name happened here?!" Kage asked, almost too shocked to speak. "This was his doing, Kage. Ganondorf did this. Who knows how long these people have been like this." Link said, as he ran a hand over a block of ice that contained a mother and two children; the mother was curled around the children in an effort to protect them. "Ganondorf’s going to pay for all the pain he’s inflicted, I swear it!" Kage said, angrily, as he placed a hand on another block of ice, this one containing a soldier who was kneeled and appeared to be praying. "Come on, there’s nothing we can do for them, at the moment. Let’s see if we can find any clues about the location of the next temple." Link said, as he started walking down the path that led to Zora’s Fountain. When they had reached the fountain where Jabu-Jabu had taken up residence, they were shocked to discover that the giant fish was gone! "This is bad, even the fish that had vomited us up is gone! What else is missing in this place, other than the fact that there is no life in here whatsoever?" Kage asked, as he looked out at the place where the giant fish had once been. "Princess Ruto." Mizuu said, in response to Kage’s question. "Princess Ruto?! Are you saying that she’d somehow avoided the fate her people suffered?! But where is she now?" Kage asked. "Let’s go to the Water Temple and find out." Link said, as he started across the fountain on top of an ice floe. Not seeing any other alternatives, Kage followed Link across, careful not to make any sudden movements, for fear that he would fall into the freezing water. "Where do you think this cavern leads?" Kage asked, as he glanced around at the shimmering ice. "We’re going to find out. C’mon." Link said, as he led the way into the cavern, his sword held at the ready. As they went deeper into the cavern, Kage and Link became acutely aware of the cold. Navi and Mizuu had both taken refuge under Link’s hat in order to keep warm. Not a sound was made in the eerie cavern other than the crunching of ice underfoot. When they got to a thick ice sheet, they could see that there were more Zoras inside it than what there had been in the first two chambers of King Zora’s domain. "They must have been trying to evacuate to a safer area. They didn’t even stand a chance." Link murmured, as he put a hand to the wall and looked somberly at the people within. "They were trying to evacuate, but Ganondorf got to them first." Sheik said, suddenly appearing beside the two heroes and looking into the ice at the imprisoned Zoras. "Sheik, how long have they been like this?" Kage asked, his voice uncharacteristically soft. "They have been imprisoned since the day you and Link disappeared from Hyrule. After Ganondorf had finished with you two in the Temple of Time, he went to all of the kingdoms that had sworn allegiance to King Harkinian and imprisoned their peoples. Princess Ruto is now at the Water Temple. I must ask that you help me in rescuing her." Sheik said, quietly. "Are you coming along with us, Sheik?" Navi asked, as she and Mizuu peeked out from under Link’s hat. Sheik nodded. "This time I will accompany you." Sheik replied, still looking at the trapped Zoras. "Don’t you think you will need a weapon, Sheik? This task is bound to get dangerous at some point." Kage said, concerned for the Sheikah’s safety. "I have a weapon, so there is no need for you to worry about my welfare." Sheik said, as he pulled a long, sharp scimitar from out of nowhere. "I guess that means you are traveling with us, then." Mizuu said, from her spot of Link’s head. Sheik nodded again. "Yes. Before we leave from here, there is another tune I want you to learn." Sheik said, as he pulled his harp out. Knowing that they had yet another tune to learn, Link and Kage listened carefully. After they had gone through it a few times, Sheik put his harp away and looked at them. "That was the Serenade of Water. With this tune, you will be able to warp to Lake Hylia whenever you want. Now, let’s get going, Princess Ruto is waiting for us." Sheik said, as he started leading the way back to King Zora’s chamber. Once they had gotten there, Sheik pulled out a small bottle that had some kind of blue light in it and sent it flying at King Zora, who sat frozen to his throne by red ice. Link and Kage watched in stunned silence as the ice melted and King Zora roused up from his long slumber. "Huh? What? What’s going on? How is it that I am alive?" Zora asked, looking about himself, confused. "We came to free your people, your Highness." Link said, calmly. "Link?! And Kage too?! It pleases me to see you both again! My, you have all but grown up on me!" Zora said, with a smile. "Your Highness, may we have some Zora Tunics and some pairs of Iron Boots? We are going to need them where we are going." Sheik said, quietly. "Certainly! You all freed me, after all." Zora said, as he waved his hand and three tunics with three pairs of boots appeared before them. "Thank you, your Highness. Don’t worry, we’ll have your people freed in no time!" Kage said, as he, Link, and Sheik picked up their new items. "I have faith in you three. Good luck, and be careful." King Zora said, as he watched the three bow, then take their leave. "Sheik, stand between Kage and me, we’re going to warp to Lake Hylia." Link said, as he and Kage got their ocarinas out. Sheik did as he was told and stood between them. in no time at all, they found themselves standing at the edge of the lake. "Time to put on the tunics!" Navi said, as the three pulled the tunics on. "Okay, I know what the Goron Tunic does, but what does the Zora Tunic do?" Kage asked, as he removed his Goron Tunic and exchanged it for the brilliant blue Zora Tunic. "It will enable you to breathe underwater." Sheik replied, simply, as he pulled his Zora Tunic over his head, ever careful not to disturb the cloth wrapping around the lower part of his face. "Let’s get down there, the Water Temple awaits." Link said, as he lowered himself into the lake. "No time like the present." Kage said, as he followed Link’s example. Now only Sheik and the two fairies remained on shore. "Aren’t you two coming?" Sheik asked, when he noticed the two fairies lingering behind. "We’ll stay here and wait for you three. Good luck." Navi said, sounding dismayed at having to leave her charge’s side. Sheik nodded, then lowered himself into the lake after Link and Kage. Once on the bottom of the lake, Sheik could see that Kage was holding his breath. "You can breathe, Hero of Memories, the Zora Tunic won’t let you drown." Sheik said, shaking his head when Kage finally got the message and breathed in a huge gasp. "See?" Sheik said, with an arched eyebrow. "Aw, shut up." Kage snapped, irritably at the skeptical Sheikah. Link chuckled then looked around. "Where’s Navi and Mizuu?" Link asked, realizing that his fairy guardian wasn’t there hovering over his head. "They decided to wait on the lake shore for us. They should be all right up there." Sheik said, as he led the way to the temple entrance. When they finally came to the entrance, Link looked to Sheik for advice. "The gate appears to be locked. Do you know how to unlock it?" Link asked. "You both have Hookshots, am I right?" Sheik asked. Link and Kage nodded. "Use them on the door. That should force it to open." Sheik said. "The Hookshot, the tool with a million uses!" Kage joked, sounding not unlike a salesman just then. Link laughed, while Sheik just shook his head in exasperation. After hitting the door with their Hookshots, they made their way into the Water Temple. The first thing they noticed was the layout of the temple interior. "Look at all the doors! I’d certainly hate to get lost in this place." Kage commented, as they followed Sheik through a corridor to where a deep pit was. "I take it that we have to go down there?" Link asked, as he looked down into the murky depths as far as he could. "Yes. I believe that this is the place where Princess Ruto is being held." Sheik said, as he looked at the two heroes. "Well, at least she wasn’t swallowed by a giant fish this time around." Kage said, with a rueful smile, as the three of them descended into the darkness. Once on the bottom, Sheik led them into a passageway that had unlit, underwater torches in it. At the end, the saw a familiar figure manacled to the wall. It was Princess Ruto! "Ruto!" Kage yelped, as he rushed over to her, with Link and Sheik on his heels. "Kage? Is that you?" Ruto asked, weakly. "Yeah! It’s us! Hang on, we’ll get you loose!" Kage said, as he started picking the locks to the manacles with a piece of an old knitting needle (where Kage had found such a thing, Link would never know). When Kage had gotten her arms and legs free, Ruto hugged her two friends, with tears in her eyes. "I never lost hope. I never lost hope that you two were still alive. I knew Ganondorf was lying when he told my father, people and me that you were both dead. You two are so much stronger than that!" Ruto said, happy to have her friends back. "Even though we didn’t return when we’d said we would, we kept our promise. We returned." Kage said, almost sounding like he was on the verge of tears himself. "Yes, you did. It feels good to be among friends again." Ruto said, as she looked at the three men in front of her. "Now, to get out of here. Since it was so easy to get in, I don’t have any doubt that it will be even harder to get out. We must be on our guard." Kage said, remembering what had happened in Jabu-Jabu’s belly and applying that knowledge to this situation. "You are right about that, Kage." Ruto said, as they all started walking. For several hours they wandered, running into Like-Likes and such until they ended up in a moor. Mists rising from the soggy ground gave the place an eerie feeling to it as they gingerly entered the area. "What an eerie place." Kage said, as they marched through. "It is indeed. We must remain alert at all times, so we don’t end up losing one another in this fog." Sheik said, as he held his scimitar at the ready. "I think it’s too late for that! Where is Kage?" Ruto asked. The three of them looked around, but there was no sign of Kage. He had suddenly disappeared! "Kage! Kage, where are you?!" Link called, alarmed by his friend’s disappearance. "Link!" Kage shouted, his voice sounding like it was coming from far away. "Kage, where are you? Can you tell us where you are?" Ruto asked, cupping her hands around her mouth and shouting that way so he could hear her. "I can’t really tell where I am, but there is something weird about this place! There’s someone else here other than us! Someone dark and evil!" Kage shouted, his voice still sounding far away, but it was closer than before. "Stay where you are, Kage, we’re coming!" Sheik said, as he carefully led Ruto and Link in that direction. Within moments, they could see Kage. He looked somewhat shaken by the incident, but otherwise all right. "How did you get separated from us, Kage? I thought you were right behind Sheik and Ruto!" Link said, letting his friend know that he had been worried about him. "I don’t know. One moment I am behind Sheik, the next, I am standing here. Link, this place has a strange power in it…………….." Kage trailed off as something came into view behind Link, Ruto, and Sheik. "Look out!" Kage shouted, before the newcomer unleashed an attack on the four of them. "What the……………….?!" Link yelped, leaping out of the way and turning around to face his opponent. What he saw froze the blood in his veins. There, right in front of him, was a carbon copy of Kage! "I can’t tell which is which! One of them is Kage, I know that much. I can’t strike either of them until I know who is who." Link thought, as the shadow moved towards him, unsheathing a crimson sword while he was at it. "Who or what are you?" Link asked, finally realizing that this wasn’t his friend and comrade that was approaching him. The shadow sneered at him. "I am you." The shadow said, his voice sending chills of revulsion down Link’s spine. "What do you mean by that?" Link asked, as Kage stood by his side, ready to fight. "I am your shadow, brought to life by Ganondorf-sama. He placed me here so that I may kill you when you came to find the Water Medallion. My name is Dark Link. Prepare to die, Hero of Time!" the evil shadow said, before attacking Link with his sword. "Keep your distance of that sword, Link! That sword is the Sword of Tears. It is a poisoned blade filled to the brim with evil!" Sheik shouted, as desperation mounted in the two heroes, Sheikah, and Zora Princess. With a yelp, the two heroes narrowly avoided a swipe from Dark Link’s sword. "How do we avoid the sword and attack him at the same time? We obviously can’t use our own swords!" Kage shouted, as he parried a blow from Dark Link before leaping to avoid the sword as it swung upward again. "Try using your Megaton Hammers! Those are the weapons Dark Link won’t have in his arsenal!" Sheik shouted, backing up when Dark Link got too close for his liking. "It’s worth a shot." Kage said, as he and Link got their hammers out and went after Dark Link. Dark Link barely had time to turn around before Link and Kage attacked with their Megaton Hammers. What happened next happened so fast that even Sheik could not keep up with what was going on. Kage and Link were so into knocking the daylights out of Dark Link that they finished him off in no time. "Are you two finished?" Sheik asked, dryly. Panting heavily, Link and Kage could only nod in response to the question. "Good. Now let’s go." Sheik said, as he started leading the way out of the misty moor. After several hours of wandering, they came to a huge metal grate. "Now what?" Kage asked, looking to Sheik for an answer. "My guess is that we go up." Sheik said, matter-of-factly. "I thought you knew what you were getting us into, Sheik." Kage said, crossly. "I may be a Sheikah, Kage, but even a Sheikah can’t be expected to know every little detail about the temples!" Sheik retorted, giving the obstinate shadow elf the infamous anime flat-eyed look. "Well excuse me for assumin’!" Kage retaliated. "Please, you two! We don’t have time for this!" Ruto said, in exasperation. The two males shut their mouths, but Ruto could tell that they were continuing to argue by their eyes. Link merely rolled his eyes and started climbing. When he’d reached the top, he looked down. He wasn’t in the least bit surprised to see Kage and Sheik still glaring at one another, but climbing up, with Ruto above them for precautionary measures in case she lost her grip on the rusty grate. "Kage can’t go a day without arguing with at least one person!" Link thought, in exasperation as Ruto carefully climbed up and Link pulled her up the rest of the way. When Kage and Sheik had caught up, Link was already in the next chamber, checking things out. "What an odd chamber." Ruto commented, when they had all entered and gotten a good look at the chamber. "It is, indeed." Sheik murmured, thoughtfully, his crimson eyes taking everything in. "Something doesn’t feel right. There’s something in here." Kage said, feeling the same uneasiness that he’d had when Dark Link appeared steal over him again. Then Link let out a yell and leaped to avoid something that had just appeared in the corner of the room. "Link! What is it?!" Ruto yelped, as Link ran back over to them, unsheathed his sword, and stood with his back to them, facing whatever it was that had startled him. With the sound of sodden shoes, a blob of gelatin made its way out of the darkened corner Link had been standing in just moments before. "What the @#%$ is that thing?!" Kage yelped, as it moved into the center of the room. "It’s Morpha! If that thing gets a hold of you, it will throw you into those spikes that are lined up on the walls!" Ruto shouted, as she and Sheik moved to avoid the blob’s tentacle. "How do we beat this thing?" Link asked, as he dodged the same tentacle. "Try using the Hookshot against it when its nucleus is at the top! You might be able to inflict some damage then!" Ruto suggested, as Sheik slashed at the creature with his scimitar, trying unsuccessfully to ward off the creature. Link and Kage looked at one another and nodded. They both understood what to do and they would do their best to get themselves out of this predicament. With battle cries mingling with desperation, the two heroes attacked; Kage with his Hookshot, and Link with his sword. Together, they made short work of Morpha. "Good work." Sheik panted, completely out of breath from defending Ruto. Then, suddenly, a brilliant blue light surrounded the four of them and transported them to another chamber in the temple. "The Chamber of Sages! This means I am the Sage of Water!" Ruto said, in amazement. "Yes. Now you must give the medallion that is lying on that table over there to Kage and Link. I must leave now, I have business in Kakariko that needs tending to. See you in a while, Heroes!" Sheik said, then, without further ado, he disappeared. "He sure is a mysterious fellow, isn’t he?" Ruto asked. "He sure is." Kage agreed, then watched as Ruto handed Link the Water Medallion. "Thank you for coming and saving me, Link, Kage. This is so much like the first time, and yet it is so different. You both will always have a special place in my heart. Be careful when you go looking for the two remaining medallions." Ruto said, before placing a kiss on the foreheads of both heroes, then disappearing in a flash of blue light. "It sure was good to see her again, wasn’t it?" Kage asked, before they pulled out their ocarinas and played Serenade of Water in order to get back to the surface. "It sure was. But I never even suspected that our friend Ruto would turn out to be a sage!" Link said, voicing his and Kage’s disbelief in that one statement. "Link! Kage! You’re back! And you’ve got the Water Medallion! That leaves Spirit and Shadow!" the two fairies said, in unison as they greeted their charges. "Yeah. C’mon, let’s go to Kakariko, Sheik’s waiting on us!" Kage said, as he called Ryuuhi and Link called Epona. With one more ordeal behind them, they knew that things were quickly rushing towards a climax!