Dungeon 3: Moonlit Grotto

Welcome to the Moonlit Grotto, the third dungeon in your quest! This dungeon introduces new mechanics and enemies, so stay sharp. Your primary goal here is to acquire the Power Bracelet and the Third Essence of Time, the Echoing Howl.

Entering the Dungeon and Initial Exploration

From the dungeon entrance, proceed north into the next room.
You'll encounter your first Hardhat Beetle here. These enemies can only be damaged from behind. Use your Shield to deflect them into pits or off the screen.
Once the Hardhat Beetle is defeated, a small key will drop. Collect the Small Key.
Head east from this room.
In this room, you'll find a Green Zol (a jumping blob enemy) and a Red Zol. Defeat them.
Use your newly acquired Small Key on the locked door to the north.

Navigating the Upper Floors and Acquiring the Dungeon Item

In the next room, you'll face a few more Zols. Clear them out. Notice the unlit torches. Remember this room for later.
Go west from this room.
You'll enter a room with a Spark (the electric orb that travels along walls) and some Gels. Be careful not to touch the Spark.
Continue west into the next room.
Here, you'll find a Tile Puzzle. Step on all the tiles to flip them over. Be careful not to step on a tile twice. If you make a mistake, exit and re-enter the room to reset it.
Once the puzzle is solved, a chest will appear. Open it to receive the Dungeon Map.
Return east twice, back to the room with the unlit torches.
Now, head south from the torch room.
You'll be in a room with a Stalfos and a Keese. Defeat them.
Go east again. This room has a few more Zols. Clear them.
Proceed south. You'll find a chest containing 10 Rupees.
Return north, then west, then north again to get back to the room with the unlit torches.
From the torch room, go east. You'll be in a room with a Blade Trap and a few Zols. Carefully navigate past the trap.
Continue east. This room has a Goponga Flower. You can't destroy it yet.
Go north from the Goponga Flower room.
You'll find yourself in a room with a Hardhat Beetle and a Spark. Carefully defeat the Hardhat Beetle by knocking it into a pit.
Once the Hardhat Beetle is gone, a chest will appear. Open it to obtain the Compass.
Return south, then west, then south again, back to the room with the unlit torches.
From the torch room, go north.
You'll be in a room with a Stalfos and a Keese. Defeat them.
Head west. You'll find a room with a Goponga Flower and a Hardhat Beetle. Defeat the beetle.
Go north. This room has a few Zols. Clear them out.
Proceed west. You'll enter a room with a Mini-Moldorm. These enemies move erratically. Hit their tail to damage them.
Once the Mini-Moldorm is defeated, a chest will appear. Open it to receive the Power Bracelet! This invaluable item allows you to lift heavy objects.

Reaching the Boss and the Essence of Time

With the Power Bracelet in hand, return east, then south, then east again, back to the room with the Goponga Flower and Hardhat Beetle.
Now, go south. You'll be back in the room with the unlit torches.
From the torch room, head east. You'll be in the room with the Blade Trap.
Continue east. This is the room with the Goponga Flower. Use your newly acquired Power Bracelet to lift the heavy block in the center of the room. This will reveal a hidden passage.
Descend the stairs. You are now on B1.
In this new room, you'll see a series of blocks. Use the Power Bracelet to push the block to the right, then push the next block down. This will clear a path.
Go south. You'll be in a room with a Goponga Flower and a few Gels.
Head west. You'll find a room with a Spark and a few Zols.
Continue west. This room has a Hardhat Beetle. Defeat it.
Go north. You'll find a room with a Stalfos and a Keese.
Proceed west. This room contains a Switch. Hit the switch with your sword to change the direction of the block.
Return east, then south, then east, then north. You'll be back in the room with the Hardhat Beetle.
From here, go north. You'll find a chest containing 20 Rupees.
Return south, then east. You'll be in the room with the Goponga Flower and Gels.
Go north. You'll be back in the room where you came down the stairs.
From here, go east. You'll find a room with a Blade Trap and a few Zols.
Continue east. This room has a Goponga Flower. Lift the heavy block with your Power Bracelet to reveal another passage.
Descend the stairs. You are now deeper on B1.
In this new room, you'll encounter a Mini-Moldorm. Defeat it.
Go south. You'll find a room with a few Zols.
Head west. This room contains a Spark and a Goponga Flower.
Continue west. You'll find a room with a Hardhat Beetle. Defeat it.
Go north. You'll find a room with a Stalfos and a Keese.
Proceed west. This room has a Switch. Hit it to change the block's direction.
Return east, then south, then east, then north. You'll be back in the room with the Hardhat Beetle.
From here, go north. You'll find a chest containing the Boss Key!
Now that you have the Boss Key, retrace your steps back to the room where you first entered B1 (the room after descending the first set of stairs).
From that room, go north. You'll find a locked door. Use the Boss Key to open it.

Boss Battle: Mothula

Prepare yourself for the boss battle against Mothula!

Strategy: Mothula flies around the room, occasionally swooping down to attack. It also releases smaller moth-like enemies. Your primary method of attack is your sword.
Phase 1: Mothula will fly around. Wait for it to swoop down, then hit it with your sword. Be mindful of the smaller moths it releases; defeat them quickly to avoid being overwhelmed.
Phase 2: As Mothula takes damage, it will become more aggressive and fly faster. Continue to dodge its swoops and strike when it's vulnerable.
Key Tip: Use your Shield to block any projectiles the smaller moths might launch, if applicable. Focus on Mothula, but don't let the smaller enemies corner you.

Once Mothula is defeated, collect the Heart Container that appears.

Proceed north into the next room to claim the Echoing Howl, the third Essence of Time!