6.1 Goron Treasures and Trading

NOTE: While there are some goodies to be collected here, nothing in this section, or in section 6.2 is required. Skip ahead to 6.3 to continue onward with the main quest.

The next few optional quests will take place around Mt. Cucco and Goron Mountain. Unfortunately, there are no Seed Trees present in the entire stretch of the northern mountains for Link to warp to using a Gale Seed, so use one to warp to the closest area, Sunken City, instead.

Optional: 200 Rupees at Goron Mountain

Take the underwater passage next to Ingo’s House in Sunken City up to Mt. Cucco. Climb up the vines and head up one screen, then go left three screens into the Goron Mountain area.

Continue left two more screens, where a cave entrance can be seen above three trees. Using an Ember Seed to burn the middle one of these trees reveals an underground room with an Old Man who will give Link 200 Rupees!

Optional: Soft Soil Location #11 - Mt. Cucco (Tier 1-2)

Back outside, enter the cave which leads to the home of the Gorons. Head directly to the right and take the staircase down to a small cave area with water. Swim across and out of the cave area back outside of the Goron Mountains. Head right two screens, actually entering the Mt. Cucco region, and toss aside the middle boulder to discover a hidden patch of Soft Soil.

Optional: Soft Soil Location #12 - Goron Mountain (Tier 3-5)

Three screens left of the above-mentioned Soft Soil location is an area with many bottomless pits on the left and a staircase below. Dig in the snow-covered area to the right of the tree here to uncover one of the best Soft Soil locations in Holodrum!

Optional: 50 Rupees in Natzu Cave

Take the steps down one screen into a stream of water in the northern Natzu region. Swim right three screens until reaching some steps leading to a narrow path above. Walk up the steps and along the path left two screens, then down the staircase into a cave area below. Head across the moving green platforms to the right side of the room, where a chest can be found containing 50 rupees!

Optional: Trading Sequence Item #6 - Goron Vase

Now, head all the way back to the cave where the Gorons live and this time head up the steps on the left side of the room to the upper ledge. On the right side of the ledge, take the staircase to the upper level and exit via the opening at the bottom-right corner. Link will now be outside at the peak of Goron Mountain.

Walk up the steps up one screen to find Biggoron and speak with him. He will reveal to Link that he has a pretty bad cold and wish he had something to warm him up. Lucky for Biggoron, Link’s Lava Soup will not only warm him up but also cure him of his illness! For the Lava Soup, Biggoron will give Link the Goron Vase.

Optional: Trading Sequence Item #7 - Fish

Use a Gale Seed and warp back to Sunken City, then head to Ingo’s House in the northwestern corner. Inside, speak with Ingo, who will notice Link’s Goron Vase and ask for it. Give the vase to Ingo to receive a Fish! Exiting and re-entering Ingo’s House will reveal the Goron Vase now placed amongst the rest of his collection.

Optional: Gasha Seed at the Maku Tree

Now, use a Gale Seed to warp to Horon Village. Head up to the Maku Tree’s area and climb to the top, where a Gasha Seed will be resting atop a newly-grown platform along the vines.

Optional: Grab a Shield if Needed

Before leaving the village, stop by the Shop and grab a Wooden Shield if needed as Link will have to have one in his inventory to upgrade it in a few moments.

Optional: Trading Sequence Item #8 - Megaphone

Leave Horon Village via the northern entrance into North Horon. Go right one screen from Impa’s Refuge and speak to the Mitten’s Owner (the man trying to call his cat down from the tree). He will request Link’s Fish to help get Mittens down in exchange for his Megaphone!

Optional: Trading Sequence Item #9 - Mushroom

Use a Gale Seed to warp once again to Sunken City and take the underwater cave up to Mt. Cucco. Climb the vines and head up and right one screen each, then use the tree stump to change the season to Spring. Go left three screens and use the Blast Bloom to reach the ledge above, then head up one screen and enter the cave.

Inside, try and speak to the sleeping man, Talon, to wake him with the Megaphone. Once he is awake, Talon will trade Link a Mushroom in exchange for the Megaphone!

Optional: Subrosian Ring

In the same cave where Talon was found, walk along the path and push the first bolder RIGHT, then the one below it DOWN. Open the now accessible chest to obtain a Magical Ring that appraises as the Subrosian Ring!

Optional: Trading Sequence Item #10 - Wooden Bird

Head to Sunken City and use the tree stump there to change the season to Winter. From the tree stump, head down two screens and take the snowy path leading to the isle in the center, then continue up one screen to Syrup‘s Potion Shop. Inside, speak to Syrup, who will sniff out the Mushroom Link obtained from Mt. Cucco earlier. Give Syrup the Mushroom to receive a Wooden Bird in exchange!

Optional: Potions and Gasha Seeds at Syrup's Shop

After trading Syrup the Mushroom, she will begin selling Magic Potions and Gasha Seeds from her shop, each for the price of 300 rupees. Syrup will restock whichever item is purchased indefinitely. It is highly recommended to keep a Magic Potion in Link’s inventory as it can be essential during tough dungeons or boss battles.

Optional: Trading Sequence Item #11 - Engine Grease

Use a Gale Seed and warp to Horon Village. Head up two and left one screen and enter the Clock Shop. Inside, speak with Tick Tock to learn that he wishes to create a Cucco Clock but cannot find the right wooden bird for the job. Noticing the Wooden Bird Link obtained from Maple, Tick Tock will eagerly trade his Engine Grease for it!

Optional: Trading Sequence Item #12 - Phonograph

Leave Horon Village to the easten into the Woods of Winter. Enter the cave on the right, then head along the path to the upper-left corner and go up the staircase. Follow to the next staircase along the lower wall of this room to exit the hill at the peak, where the Windmill is found. Speak with the man standing here, Guru-Guru, who wishes to make the windmill go faster. In exchange for Link’s Engine Grease, Guru-Guru will trade him the Phonograph! The windmill will begin spinning wildly as Guru-Guru questions if it is perhaps going too fast.

Optional: Gasha Seed in the Woods of Winter

Use the tree stump east of the Windmill to change the season to Spring, then head up two and right one screen. Here, a Sworded Blue Pig Moblin can be found near a Blast Bloom on the other side of three boulders. Toss aside the boulders to access the Blast Bloom and use it to reach the narrow ledge above, then head left and down the staircase into a cave.

Use the Magnetic Gloves to push Link away from the S-pole and across the gap to the right side of the room, where a chest can be found containing a Gasha Seed.

Optional: Quicksand Ring

Use a Gale Seed and warp over to Spool Swamp. From there head right a screen and down to screens to get to the tree stump. Jump on top of itand change the season to Autumn. From there head down a screen, right a screen, and up four screens. Continue right two screens and down two screens where you’ll find some Mushrooms. Toss aside the mushrooms and swim along the path right one screen, then enter the cave.

Inside, swim right one screen and head up the steps on the far right to the ledge above. Walk along the ledge back left one screen and open the chest to obtain a Magical Ring that appraises as the Quicksand Ring.

6.2 Subrosian Smelting

NOTE: While it is recommended, the upgraded L2 shield is not necessary to completing the game and therefore makes this section entirely optional.

Link must first have the L-1 Wooden Shield in his inventory to upgrade, so grab one from Horon Village Shop if needed. Next, to reach the area of Subrosia Link needs to be in, use a Gale Seed and warp to Sunken City and take the underwater path up to Mt. Cucco.

Optional: Soft Soil Location #13 - Mt. Cucco (Tier 2-4)

Use the tree stump in the northeast section of Mt. Cucco to change the season to Autumn, then head up one screen. Take out the Power Bracelet and toss aside the mushrooms here, then head along the path and right one screen. In this small area will be a patch of Soft Soil right out in the open.

Optional: Blue Ore

Take the long set of steps up to the peak of Mt. Cucco’s eastern corner and jump from the ledge to land in the portal to Subrosia Village.

Hop over the stream of lava and head left and up one screen each to an area with a few erupting volcanoes, then continue left, up, and left one screen each from there to reach the Subrosian Wilds. Head down one screen through the path on the far left to reach a grassy area with many bottomless pits and magnetic poles.

Use the Magnetic Gloves to pull Link over to the first S-pole and head right one screen. Open the chest here to obtain the Blue Ore.

Optional: Magical Ring in the Subrosian Wilds

Go back left one screen and use the S-polarity of the Magnetic Gloves while standing below the S-pole to push Link over the pits toward the bottom of the area. Jump over the single pit on the left and use the Shovel to dig the bare spot on the far left, uncovering a Magical Ring that will appraise randomly.

Optional: Red Ore

Leave the Subrosian Wilds up one screen, then head right, down, and right one screen each. Continue down one and right two screens, then jump across the river of and go right one screen. Use the Magnetic Gloves to pull Link across the pits and lava to the S-pole on the right.

Walk up one screen to the location of the Subrosian Market, then head right three screens. Use the Magnetic Gloves again to pull Link over the pits to the S-pole on the right, then head down one screen and use the Gloves again to pull Link over the pits to the S-pole on the left near a cave entrance. Walk through the cave to reach the top of the small hill where a chest containing the Red Ore will be found.

Optional: Iron Shield

Head back through the small cave and use the Gloves to push Link away from the S-pole across the pits, then go right two screens. Climb the steps on the far right and head up and left one screen each to reach the Great Furnace.

Inside, head up one screen and speak with the Subrosian Smelter, who some may remember from Chapter 5 as the one who assisted in clearing the rubble from the entrance to the Autumn Tower. The Smelter will take Link’s Red and Blue Ore and combine them in the furnace to create the Hard Ore!

Leave the Great Furnace and head far west until reaching the Subrosian Market, then go up one screen and through the small cave out of the entrance on the left. Continue left two screens and enter the Subrosian Smithy.

Speak with the Subrosian standing at the desk, who will notice Link’s Hard Ore and ask if he would like to upgrade his shield. Of the two options, select “Do Whatever” to have the Smithy upgrade the Wooden Shield to the L-2 Iron Shield!

NOTE: After obtaining the L-2 Iron Shield, all Shops will begin selling the upgraded version at a slightly higher price. For example, Horon Village Shop will now sell an Iron Shield for 50 Rupees, 20 rupees more than the Wooden Shield’s price.

That’s all Subrosia has to offer for now, so head for the nearest portal to return to Holodrum. The closest portal from the Subrosian Smithy is actually the one Link came through when he first stepped foot in Subrosia. To reach it, head right two and up three screens.

6.3 Exploring Tarm Ruins

NOTE: Before continuing on, Link will need to have gathered the four special jewels required to enter Tarm Ruins. Check the second screen of the inventory screen to see which jewels have been collected. For those missing one or more, see below to obtain the remaining jewels.

Optional: Obtaining the Square Jewel

The Square Jewel is found within a cave in Spool Swamp during the Winter season. To reach it, use a Gale Seed to warp to Spool Swamp, then head down, left, and up one screen. Jump off the ledge to the left and go left one more screen, then use the tree stump to change the season to Winter. Now, head right one and down three screens across the frozen waters, then go right one screen and enter the unfrozen water on the right and swim down one screen. Walk along the path down another screen and notice the bombable wall to the right. Use the Shovel to dig past the mounds of snow blocking access to this wall, then blow it open with a Bomb to reveal a cave. The Square Jewel will be found within a chest inside.

Optional: Obtaining the Pyramid Jewel

The Pyramid Jewel is found in an underwater cave right next to the Dancing Dragon Dungeon. To reach it, use a Gale Seed and warp to Sunken City, then take the underwater path in the northwest corner of the city to reach Mt. Cucco. Climb the vines and head right one screen, then use the tree stump to change the season to Spring. Now, go left three screens and use the Blast Bloom to launch Link onto the ledge.

Continue up one and right two screens to reach the entrance to the Dancing Dragon Dungeon. Enter the water on the right and dive down in the far upper-right corner, leading down into an underwater cave. Swim right one screen and then go all the way to the upper-right section of the cave to find the Pyramid Jewel resting on a pedestal.

Optional: Obtaining the X-Shape Jewel

The X-Shaped Jewel is found on the Western Coast. Use a Gale Seed to warp to Horon Village, then head west out of the village into the Western Coast region. Head south in this area to the seaside, then go towards the central screen where a short bridge will be found near an unlit torch in the water. Use the Slingshot to shoot an Ember Seed at the torch, lighting it and connecting the bridge across the water.

Follow the bridge down one screen to a small isle and drop a Mystery Seed on the large “?” shape on the ground. A Mini-Moldorm will emerge from the marking, which when defeated will cause a chest to appear containing the X-Shaped Jewel.

Optional: Obtaining the Round Jewel

The Round Jewel is the easiest of all to obtain and is found within the southern Holodrum Plain region. Use a Gale Seed to warp to Spool Swamp, then head right one and down two screens. Jump off the ledge and continue down and right one screen each, then go down the steps on the right down one screen. Enter the water and swim right one screen, then walk up the steps leading to a narrow path and a tree house. Within the house is an Old Man who will give Link the Round Jewel for having obtained all four season powers.

With all four jewels in hand, Link can now enter Tarm Ruins. To get there, use a Gale Seed and warp to Spool Swamp. Go right one screen and then through the hollowed log on the far right up one screen to the entrance of the ruins.

Walk up to each indention in the wall to place the four jewels Link has collected. When all four are in place, the gate will open, allowing access into the ruins.

Navigating the next few areas will require Link to call upon the various season powers he has obtained. Start by using the tree stump in this first area to change the season to Summer, then climb the vines ahead up one screen. Defeat or avoid the two Sworded Red Darknuts and head left one screen, then climb down the vines below down one screen.

Push the Armos Statue in any direction to have a partial set of steps appear on the wall to the left. Now, head back up the vines one screen, right one screen, and down the vines on the other side to the tree stump. Change the season to Winter and go past the now-withered large tree left one screen.

Walk up the steps to the small hill and cross the path of snow to reach the steps that appeared earlier and follow them up one screen. Push the bottom two Armos Statues in the row of three RIGHT onto the frozen pond, then use the tree stump to change the season to Autumn.

With the water unfreezing by changing the season from Winter, the statues will now be submerged beneath the pond’s surface. Swim over them and go right one screen, where the mushrooms in the upper-right corner can now be thrown aside to reach a staircase leading underground. After deflecting the Deku Scrub’s seeds back at it using Link’s shield, it will reveal the path to get through the Lost Woods area to the west.

Optional: Golden Beast #3 - Lynel

After having submerged the Armos Statues, use the tree changing stump beside the pond to change the season to Winter. Head right one screen to find a Golden Lynel roaming about. Although this is the third of the four Golden Beasts, it is definitely the most dangerous. It is recommended to keep the Roc’s Feather equipped while fighting the Golden Lynel as it will allow Link to jump out of the way of its projectiles and frequent charge attacks. Spin Attacks are also recommended as the best way to combat the Golden Lynel since they deal the most damage and can knock back the beast.

Back outside, go left one screen, make sure the season is Autumn, and head up one screen above the pond. Toss aside the mushrooms blocking the path on the left and go left one screen where a few Like-Likes will be roaming about.

Optional: Tarm Ruins Great Fairy Fountain

On the screen mentioned above, bomb the cracked portion of the northern wall to reveal a hidden cave containing a Great Fairy Fountain.

Continue past the Like-Likes down one screen. Be careful not to stand on the areas of dense leaves too long in this screen as they may cave into a bottomless pit underneath. Left one screen from here will take Link into the Lost Woods, but to finish up the Trading Sequence and obtain a more powerful sword, continue down one screen to find a lone tree and see below.

Optional: Trading Sequence Item #13 - Hidden Path to the Noble Sword

Burn the tree and head down the hidden staircase underneath. The singing Deku Scrub in the underground cave will notice Link’s Phonograph and seem to want to hear it played. Upon playing the song, the Deku Scrub will begin hopping up and down with excitement before revealing its “secret spot” to Link. Specifically, the Deku Scrub tells Link “if temperatures rise as you go far to the west, you’ll find it!”.

Leave the underground cave and head up and left one screen each into the Lost Woods. To navigate the woods, change the season and then move one screen in the following order: Winter + LEFT, Autumn + LEFT, Spring + LEFT, and Summer + LEFT. Link will enter the area where a sword is found resting within a pedestal. Walk up to the sword and press the A button to grab it from the pedestal, finally obtaining the L-2 Noble Sword! Head back right one screen to re-enter the Lost Woods.

NOTE: The path to the Noble Sword is always the same, meaning that the Trading Sequence can be avoided entirely and still obtain the upgraded sword if one knows the path mentioned above.

The exits to the north, south, and west of the Lost Woods will simply lead back to the same screen over and over unless Link uses the tree stump to change the seasons in a specific order, as well as using the correct exits off each screen. The solution to getting through the Lost Woods is as follows: Winter + LEFT, Autumn + DOWN, Spring + RIGHT, and Summer + UP. If done correctly, Link will leave the Lost Woods and be into the next area of Tarm Ruins.

Head up two screens past the fields of Armos into a new area where the actual ruins are found. Up ahead is a Pegasus Tree that will secure a warp point back to this screen when needed. Head right one screen to find a single Ball and Chain Soldier that will begin to pursue Link. Prior to moving on, note that using the tree stump on this screen to Summer and heading back to the Pegasus Tree will cause it to bloom Pegasus Seeds, so stock up if needed.

Optional: Gasha Seed at the Ruins' Entrance

Use the tree stump to change the season to Autumn and head back left one screen to where the Pegasus Tree is located. Toss aside the mushrooms in the lower-left corner and burn the tree here using an Ember Seed, revealing a staircase underneath. Head down the stairs to discover an underground room with a single chest containing a Gasha Seed! Note that an especially good Soft Soil location will be found in the next few screens, so grab the seed if needed.

Use the tree stump to change the season to Winter and continue one down and right one screen each. Piles of snow will block access to the right side of this screen, so take out the Shovel and dig them up to get by.

Optional: Soft Soil Location #14 - Tarm Ruins (Tier 3-5)

Using the Shovel, dig in the spot two spaces above the leftmost tree in the row of four along the southern wall to uncover a Soft Soil patch. As this is one of the two best locations of Soft Soil in the game and, it is highly recommended to plant a Gasha Seed here now before entering the upcoming dungeon.

After bypassing the snow piles, continue on up one screen, being cautious of the three Blue Darknuts that will be guarding the area. Head along the path across the large pile of snow up one screen, up the set of steps, and then left one screen. Of the two Armos Statues blocking the gap in the ledge, push the lower one LEFT or RIGHT and jump off the ledge down one screen, back to the location of the tree stump from earlier.

Use the tree stump to change the season to Spring, then hop inside the Blast Bloom to be propelled back up one screen onto the ledge with the Armos Statues.

Optional: Avoid the Angry Old Man

Right one screen from the ledge with the two Armos Statues is an area with two trees on the far right blocked by some shrubs. The tree one the right hides the entrance to an Angry Old Man’s hideout, who will take 200 of Link’s rupees if spoken to.

Head left one screen across the bridge to reach the entrance to the Ancient Ruins, at which point Link will encounter a mysterious Old Woman, warning him not to continue his quest of rescuing Din. As quickly as she appeared, the Old Woman will disappear, at which point Link may enter Level 6: Ancient Ruins.

6.4 Ancient Ruins

From the dungeon’s entrance, head up two screens and step onto the turnstile, which will turn and have Link facing east. Follow in this direction right one screen and pass through the room full of Ropes one more screen to the right. Use the Roc’s Feather to jump out of the path of the Blue Blade Traps onto the area of cracked floor on the right, then quickly slash away the crystals and continue moving right to avoid falling through the floor. On the right side of this room, a chest surrounded by cracked floors will be found, but it only contains a measly 5 rupees.

Continue on down one screen to a room with many Ropes slithering around. Bomb the center of the lower wall to uncover a secret passage and head down one screen into a rupee-filled room. The amount of rupees here seems to be random, ranging anywhere from 100-150 in total.

Head up one screen and then left two screens to reach the first room in the dungeon. Walk up the steps and go up one screen to the room with the turnstile, noticing that the arrows upon it now spin clockwise. Each time Link uses the turnstile, it will change the direction that it turns the next time. Step onto the turnstile to face west and head left and up one screen each.

Knock the Hardhat Beetle into the pit above to get it out of the way, then equip the Magnetic Gloves for the next puzzle. Stand across from the magnetic ball on the left and use the gloves to attract the ball towards Link. Walk up so that the ball is now beside the third block going up, then repel the ball away. Use the Roc’s Feather and jump across the pits above to reach the upper-left corner of the room.

Use the Magnetic Gloves again to attract the ball up towards Link and walk to the right, pulling the ball onto the ledge. Repel the ball away the other side of the pits, then head back across and pull the ball onto the purple square to the left. Stand below the ball and repel it away from Link across the gaps above and continue holding down the button while moving to the right. Finally, stand below where the ball is now located and use the gloves to pull it down and onto the switch, then grab the Small Key that falls onto the purple square.

Head down and right one screen each to the room with the turnstile and step onto it, turning Link toward the southern path, then continue down one screen to the dungeon’s entrance room. On the left side of the room, go through the locked block using a Small Key and use the Magnetic Gloves to pull the N-Ball from the ledge. Maneuver the ball onto the button below, unlocking the doorway on the left, then head through it left one screen.

Watch out for the many Ropes in this room while heading toward the left side, then climb the steps and walk along the ledge up one screen to find a chest containing the Dungeon Map. Now, go back down one screen, down the steps, and up one screen via the opening in the middle of the northern wall.

Immediately head right one screen back to the room with the turnstile and step onto it, now turning Link toward the northern path, and follow it up one screen.

Use the Magnetic Gloves to move the N-ball surrounded by blocks along the path and onto the button on the left, opening a stairwell in the upper-left corner of the room, then use it to reach the dungeon’s second floor. Jump over the spikes on the left and quickly again over the next set to avoid the Blue Blade Traps from striking Link.

Avoid the Chasers while continuing along the path leading down one screen. Use either the Shield or Shovel to flip and defeat the Spiked Beetles, then open the chest on the left side of this room to obtain a Small Key. Now, head back up one screen and through the path again, then take the staircase back down to the first floor.

Go down one screen and enter the turnstile, then follow the western path left one screen. Continue down and right one screen each to the dungeon’s entrance, then head up one screen and onto the turnstile, facing Link toward the western path again.

With the turnstile now colored blue, circle back to it by heading left, down, right, and up one screen each. Enter the turnstile and follow the eastern path right one screen, then go up one screen through the locked door.

While trying to avoid the attacks shot by the Beamos in the center of the room, move clockwise along the green platforms toward the upper-left corner where a chest containing the Compass will be found. Now, head back to the area of floor where Link entered the room and cross the gap on the right to go right one screen.

Follow the path, slashing the Keese along the way, until reaching a button on the floor at the top-right. Equip the Roc’s Feather and Pegasus Seeds before stepping on the button and make note of the path directly to the left of where Link currently stands. Use a Pegasus Seed and step onto the button, then run along the path and up to the bridge that appears before the floor leading to it vanishes. Continue along this path left one screen, where a staircase will be found. Link can stock up on Bombs from the vases here before taking the stairs to the second floor.

Open the chest on the left side of the room to obtain 10 Bombs, then bomb the cracked portion of the lower wall to reveal a passage and head through it down one screen. The chest in this room only contains 5 Rupees and will wake all of the Armos in the room upon opening it, so consider avoiding it altogether and instead simply follow the path directly to the left of where Link enters this room and head left one screen.

Watch out for the two Spiked Beetles here when jumping across the gap and head to the left side of the room, where a trampoline can be found. Push the trampoline RIGHT 8 times onto the purple square and jump on it to bounce up to the third floor, holding UP or LEFT as you enter the room to land on the ledge and not back into the pit.

Watch out for the two Sworded Red Darknuts in this room and head down one screen, then continue past the Ball n’ Chain Soldier and go right one screen. Walk to the far right side of this room and open the chest atop the ledge to obtain the Magical Boomerang!

Upon obtaining the Magical Boomerang, the many Armos in this room will come to life. Luckily, they can easily be destroyed with two hits from Link’s new weapon, the first of which will stun the enemy in place. After all of the Armos, reopening the doorway Link used to enter this room, head through it left one screen and go over to the far lower-left corner. Slash through the crystals blocking the pit and fall through it all the way two floors down to the first room of the dungeon.

Head left one screen, then go up the steps on the left to the ledge and up one screen where the Dungeon Map was found earlier. Go left one screen and walk down the steps, then go straight up to find a chest containing 10 Rupees.

Next, follow along the path on the left, slashing through the crystals and not stopping so that the Chasers do not run into Link until reaching the lower-left corner of the room where a button will be found on the floor. Lure the Blue Blade Trap out and step on the button as it retracts, unlocking the doorway above, then head through it up one screen.

Walk up to find a switch on the left blocked by some statues and a wall of small purple blocks. Standing beside the blocks, throw the Magical Boomerang and control its flight over the pit to hit the switch, then head up the stairs that appear at the top of the room to the second floor.

Bypass this room by heading down one screen where Link will find another switch blocked by statues and a wall. As before, stand against the wall and use the Magical Boomerang to hit the moving switch, turning it red and opening the doorway below. Be mindful of the statue faces in the wall on the right that will shoot arrows at Link as he passes in front of them and head through the opened doorway down one screen.

Go directly to the left and fall down the pit, which takes Link down two the first floor. Beware of the two Spiked Beetles that will rush toward Link upon landing in this room and head down one screen. The vases at the bottom of this room will contain a number of Ember Seeds and a couple Fairies, so stock up if needed and continue up one screen via the path on the right.

Equip the Slingshot with Ember Seeds and step onto one of the two green platforms when it comes close. As Link is riding toward the top of the room, shoot the five unlit torches on each side to have a stairwell appear ahead. Go up the stairs to the second floor, in the same room from earlier but now in a sectioned-off area in the upper-right corner.

The two vases here contain Pegasus Seeds and a Fairy, the former of which Link will need in the next sequence. Walk right one screen to a room with several Keese flying about and some Armos Statues blocking the way forward. Pick up the large rupee that appears which trips a trap, causing the Armos Statues to disappear before the walls to the north and south to begin closing in. Using Pegasus Seeds and Roc’s Feather, run through the narrow path littered with spiked floors and maze-like walls right one screen, then clockwise around to the lower half and back left one screen, until reaching the exit back to the room on the left. Open the chest in this area to finally obtain the Boss Key, then go back right one screen where the room will have returned to normal.

Take the staircase below where Link enters this room up to the third floor of the dungeon. Defeat the four Stalfos in this room and push the upper-left block UP to open the doorway above, then head through it up one screen. Defeat or avoid the many Ropes in this room and head to the upper-right corner, then fall down the pit to a ledge in the room below.

Carefully walk along the ledge to a chest containing a Small Key and grab it, then walk along the ledge back to where Link fell and use the trampoline to return to the room above. Using the Small Key, head through the locked doorway to the left up one screen to reach the dungeon’s mini-boss, Vire.

No stranger to Link at this point in his adventure, Vire now shows up as the mini-boss of the Ancient Ruins. He will fly around the room, keeping his distance from Link while firing attacks. If Link tries to get near Vire, he will quickly fly away off-screen. Vire has two types of fireball: A red one that will chase Link, and a yellow one that will float follow for a moment before splitting into multiple and scattering outward.

Occasionally, Vire will rush at Link, which provides the perfect opportunity for a sword slash. Keep a spin-attack held down in anticipation for Vire’s rush move to maximize the damage done to him. While Vire is circling the room, a well-timed Bomb throw, which Vire will not retreat from, will also deal damage and provides the most effective way to attack from a distance. When enough damage is done to Vire, he will split into two smaller Keese-like enemies and fly at Link. Slash both with the sword to bring the fight to an end, resulting in Vire’s retreat.

After defeating Vire, head right one screen and keep holding RIGHT to bypass all of the traps that will fire at Link through this room, continuing right another screen. Jump over the spiked rollers while heading through the path to a button on the floor in the upper-right corner of the room. Step on the button to open the doorway below and head through it down one screen.

In this empty room are two buttons toward the bottom wall. The result of stepping on one will be random every time, either causing many Ropes to fall into the room, or making a staircase appear to the right. Once the staircase appears, take it up the the fourth floor of the dungeon.

Floormasters will begin appearing around the room as Link passes through. Head through the path between the blocks toward the left side of the room, then up one screen through the passage above. Use the Magnetic Gloves to pull the magnet ball from the ledge and walk it into the two Hardhat Beetles in this room to defeat them, opening the doorway to the left, and head left one screen through it.

Two Sworded Blue Darknuts will pursue Link here, so defeating them is suggested before moving over to the left side of the room. Use the Magic Boomerang to turn all of the blue switches moving back-and-forth red, opening the doorway on the right, then head down one screen through it.

Walk up the steps and defeat the two Sworded Stalfos here, then push the trampoline DOWN twice and RIGHT four times. Jump onto it and hold UP as Link bounces up to the next floor to land safely on the ledge. Above, sse the Magic Boomerang to flip the blue switch to red, then fall back down the pit which Link came up a moment ago, back to the previous room in the floor below. Go over to the left side of the room where a staircase has now appeared and use it to return to the room avove, this time on the left side.

Push the block directly to the right of the staircase RIGHT and head up through the locked doorway to the room of the dungeon’s boss, Manhandla.

Manhandla will move around the room, sometimes stopping in place for a moment, while its four heads shoot fireballs at Link. While there are areas of the floor that are solid within the room, it is mostly lined with moving floors that will prevent Link from being in the same place for too long, an element that really adds to the difficulty of the battle. Link can only damage Manhandla using the recently-obtained Magical Boomerang during this stage, controlling the weapon’s flight path to strike the boss’ heads. Try to curve the Boomerang around the other side of Manhandla to have it strike multiple heads in one throw as it returns to Link to get the most out of each attack. With each head that is defeated, Manhandla’s speed will increase, so keep the Roc’s Feather equipped to quickly jump out of the way of contact.

Once all four heads are destroyed, Manhandla’s core will resemble a giant Buzz Blob and, as such, will electrocute Link if he tries to slash it with a sword. Instead, continue the assault with the Magic Boomerang, causing the boss to be stunned and come to the center of the room. After four consecutive quick hits with the Boomerang, Manhandla will split and reveal its heart inside. Quickly slash the heart with Link’s sword to finally put an end to Manhandla, then grab the Heart Container that appears in the center of the room.

Head up the stairwell that appears above to exit the dungeon atop the Ancient Ruins, where the sixth Essence of Nature, the Blowing Wind, will be found.