A Legend of a Legend

Trials Beneath the Surface

The cell was damp, water dripping from the ceiling, forming shallow pools on the cold stone floor. Carly woke up shivering, hungry, and alone-at least, she thought she was.

"Lower the cage!" an unknown voice commanded from the shadows. Carly's heart raced as she felt the cell being lowered. Water started filling the space rapidly. Panic set in as the water rose above her head. 'I'm going to die,' she thought, closing her eyes, bracing herself for the inevitable.

But then she realized something strange-she was breathing underwater.

Her eyes flew open in shock. Looking down, Carly noticed that her clothes had been replaced by armor made from Zora scales. 'How did this get on me?' she wondered, too afraid to speak aloud, her confusion overshadowed by the cold reality of her situation.

At Hyrule Castle, the royal family and Tack sat at breakfast, though none of them had much of an appetite. The air was thick with worry for Carly's fate. Suddenly, a Zora soldier burst into the room, breathless but determined.

"Your majesty, forgive my intrusion," the soldier said, kneeling before the king. "But we may have located the girl."

Tack immediately shot to his feet, gripping the Zora's shoulders. "Where is she?!"

"The Water Temple," the soldier said, wincing slightly at Tack's fierce grip.

Without wasting a second, Tack dashed from the dining hall, determination driving his every step. He barely noticed the people he almost knocked over in his path as he ran toward Zora's Domain. His thoughts raced with fear and hope. Carly. She's alive.

As Tack crossed Hyrule Field, an elderly voice called out behind him.

"Wait, young man!" the voice shouted. "You'll need this!"

Tack skidded to a halt and turned around. An old Zora was approaching, holding a shimmering suit of armor crafted from Zora scales.

"You'll need this to breathe underwater," the elder Zora said, offering the armor to him.

Tack accepted it gratefully, thanking the Zora before sprinting toward Zora's Domain once more, now armed with the means to reach the Water Temple. The guards at the Domain's entrance immediately let him through, leading him to the temple's entrance. Before he entered, they also provided him with water bombs-an essential tool for the temple's dangerous environment.

Once changed into the Zora armor, Tack dove into the water, swimming swiftly toward the imposing entrance of the Water Temple.

"That's... huge," Tack muttered to himself as he marveled at the sheer size of the temple's door. He was momentarily confused by his ability to speak underwater but quickly shook off the oddity, focusing on the task ahead.

"Who goes there?" a voice barked as a brown-skinned Zora swam toward Tack, brandishing an odd-looking sword.

"Kevin, put your weapon down! He's just a boy," a female Zora, also brown-skinned, chuckled, her voice carrying a warm, motherly tone.

"You never let me have any fun, Ms. Vicky," Kevin grumbled, though his playful smile suggested he wasn't too upset.

The two Zoras motioned for Tack to follow them into the temple. Together, they swam deeper inside, Tack's heart pounding with each stroke as they navigated the labyrinthine halls. Despite their best efforts, the maze at the temple's entrance left them disoriented. After several wrong turns and some bickering between the Zoras, they finally found the exit.

"I thought we'd never get out of there," Tack muttered, still frustrated by the maze's complexity.

The three swam further into the temple, feeling the pressure of the deep water all around them. Suddenly, the ground gave way beneath them.

"AHHHHH!" they all screamed as they plummeted down a massive waterfall, unable to stop themselves.

Kevin was the first to break the surface, calling out in panic. "Is everyone okay?"

Tack popped his head up, dazed and groaning. "Shhh, stop yelling," he said, still trying to shake off the dizziness from the fall.

"I'm not-" Kevin began, but Tack quickly silenced him with a finger to his lips.

"Ok, you two, you can make out on your own time," Ms. Vicky teased, clearly amused as she swam ahead.

Embarrassed but refocused, Tack and Kevin followed her into a vast chamber, its walls lined with ancient carvings. The peace was shattered as monsters flooded the room, charging at them. Tack, Kevin, and Ms. Vicky fought fiercely, cutting down the creatures one by one.

"We've got this!" Tack shouted as the last monster fell. But his victory was short-lived. The doors slammed shut before they could leave the room.

"Not again!" Tack groaned. "How do we get out of here?"

Suddenly, the ground beneath them rumbled ominously. The walls began to swirl, and before anyone could react, they were sucked into a massive whirlpool.

"NOT AGAIN!!" they screamed as they were pulled down into the depths of the Water Temple, their cries echoing off the stone walls.