The overworld part leading to the second temple is more or less the same as what it was leading to the first temple: Use a special arrow to get an item (already done), use that item to enter the cave on the island leading to the dungeon, learn a new melody for the Wind Waker to meet the dead sage, find the new sage, and lead them to the dungeon for an escort mission. In this case, the iron boots let Link walk into the wind on Gale Island, where the shrine has the Wind God’s Aria, which summons Fado, the Kokiri sage of winds, and he’s got a fiddle like Makar’s, so that’s who the new sage is going to be.
On Forest Haven, Makar has moved out of the Deku Tree’s area to a secret cave under a waterfall to begin preparing a new song for the next year’s ritual. Fortunately for Link, his music drifts so Link can hear him during his approach, and Link uses the grappling hook to swing into the hidden cave. Link conducts the Wind God’s Aria for Makar, who awakens as the wind sage. Together, they return to Gale Island, where the King of Red Lions notes that Makar will be useful for proceeding in the dungeon like Medli was. Makar’s contributions are harder to guess, since he can’t carry Link, but there’s no doubt the King is right.
Makar is easier to escort than Medli was, probably for three reasons. First, I was more used to it. Second, his key ability isn’t something Link can do in this game, so my memory wasn’t working against me with him. Third, he gets grabbed by Floormasters early in the dungeon and it takes about half the time to get him back. The worst bit was when Link got hit by a blade trap, causing him to drop Makar directly in the path of the trap, making it not easy to get him out while they both got hit by the trap several times. Makar can plant trees that instantly grow, and at first it seems to just be a quirky way to open doors forward. During their time apart, Link fights a Wizzrobe miniboss that summons enemies to its aid, and gets the hookshot – the grappling hook wasn’t a replacement, just another useful item. Then, going back to the rooms where Makar planted the trees, Link can use them as hookshot targets.
The main part of the dungeon is a large cylindrical room. First, Link has to open the floor so he can go to the basement. After getting the hookshot there, he works his way back up to the main floor and rescues Makar. Makar goes to the bottom floor to activate a giant fan, allowing him and Link to reach the top levels of the dungeon. After getting a key there, Link and Makar return to the main floor to get the big key and open the floor under the fan, allowing Link access to the boss.
The room fills with sand as Link enters. At the center of the pit is the boss, Molgera, and if it doesn’t make you think of the sarlacc, you probably haven’t seen Return of the Jedi as many times as I have [1]. Link’s constantly slipping down the slope closer to Molgera, so sometimes he has to flip backward. The hookshot can be used to grab its tongue, pulling Molgera out of its safe place so Link can whap it a few times. After this, Molgera will summon a bunch of spawn while it flies around. I found it easiest to focus on staying out of the boss’ way until it settled down, then killing the spawn, then going back after Molgera. After three times, Molgera dies. It’s a fun, easy fight, set to great music.
After Molgera’s gone, the sand recedes, revealing the seal in the center for the wind sage to pray at. Link conducts Makar and Fado one last time, and the Master Sword begins glowing, its power fully restored. As with Medli, Makar stays behind in the temple to continue praying. When Link returns to the King of Red Lions, the King’s talking to a Fishman, who’s brought tidings that the Forsaken Fortress is… well, forsaken. That’s not a good thing, because there’s really only other one place Ganon could be: Hyrule. And that probably doesn’t mean good things for Tetra.
Next: Go find the “8” units “Link” to save her.
[1] Or maybe insist on the original edition, where the sarlacc didn’t have the beak.
