Haunting and dreary, the Earth Temple is a sacred place meant for offering prayers to the gods, but it is also clearly meant to serve some other, disturbing purpose. The entire labyrinth is similar in design to many tombs and dungeons. Why? Is this temple also a prison of some sort? Or is it a mass burial chamber? These questions are unfortunate for Link and Medli, as their need to delve into its depth carries the horrifying possibility that they might learn the answers.
Link and Medli must cautiously move from one room to the next, with each new, stone-built chamber bringing new monsters and new puzzles for them to conquer. In the very first room, Link must defeat three Moblins to help clear the path for his feathered friend. It’s a harsh introduction to the dungeon, one that tells Link that he must tread carefully during his entire venture.
The further they make it into the dungeon, the more Link and Medli must combine their strengths. Medli makes good use of her harp to shine a light on all manner of switches, statues, and beasts (such as the stubborn Dark Chuchus), making her an invaluable ally. Link also has the option to control Medli by means of the “Command Melody.” Doing so allows the young hero to reach new heights while in the temple, thanks to Medli’s ever-useful ability to fly.
Link and Medli’s ability to work together allows them to remain an effective team even when at a distance from each other, but Link must be careful about straying too far from Medli. Floormasters lurk within the dungeon’s depths, and just one of them getting their single, gross hand on her results in them abruptly whisking her away and depositing her in a prison cell. She can easily escape her prison thanks to her wings and the massive hole in the top of the cell, but each capture is still a noticeable setback for the duo.
The cavernous temple is frightening as a whole, but something that is uniquely ominous is the series of mighty gates and doors that block the entrance into every subsequent and deeper section of this unholy holy ground. Whether by playing the “Earth God’s Lyric” or by shining a light on a sun-faced mechanism, these thresholds take effort and intent on Link and Medli’s part in order to pass. These locks almost seem like security measures, but are they meant to keep someone out or to keep something in?
Eventually, as much as they thrive as a team, there comes a point when their combined talents and resources are not enough to help them progress any further. They hit a wall, literally, and the only way to circumvent it is to obtain the Mirror Shield. Doing so requires Link to defeat three Stalfos while trapped in a room, but a challenge such as this is nothing new to him.
With this new, powerful shield in hand, Link and Medli gain access to the darkest depth of the temple. From rooms filled with a fog that can curse Link, to a massive chamber that requires a bit of thought and a lot of pushing of large mirrors, the duo continues to prove their resourcefulness. Much of the dangers of the temple dissipate thanks to the Mirror Shield, but the occasional run-in with additional Stalfos still keep Link on guard. And of course, he must use all caution whenever he sees a tomb open on its own, and one of those dreaded, screaming ReDeads come slinking out in search for some living flesh to gnaw on.
Put your hand down, you liar.
Past all of the pestering skeletons and corpses that would haunt anyone’s dreams, Link and Medli obtain the dungeon’s Boss Key (by means of slaying a Darknut and some Blue Bubbles), and Link is free to challenge the beast that stole the life of Medli’s ancestor. Jalhalla, the rotund, collective phantom, tries its best to deal with Link the same way it did with the sage Laruto, but Link, with his new, reflective accessory, proves that the beast doesn’t stand a ghost of a chance.
The ghost now dead (however that works), Link and Medli play the “Earth God’s Lyric” to offer their prayers to the goddesses and bring the Master Sword back to half of its full strength. The temple is a home to death, and while that would terrify most people, to Link, the trek through these halls is simply the means to give his sword new life.
