In the Ocarina of Time storyline, Impa and Sheik first fight on Death Mountain. Your headquarters are in the south, the Gorons control the higher paths. Your troops can jump down the cliffs and get to your base faster than you can run back along the outer mountain paths.
Death Mountain: Stop the falling rocks
Advance on one side via the lower keep to the East Rock Fortress or to the West Rock Fortress. Both higher keeps trigger attacks with boulders against your headquarters. Take it over as early as possible and avoid the rolling rocks on the access paths. You can eliminate Deku Babas in the keeps with your bow.
There is a weapon chest for Impa in the east rock keep. If you play Sheik, you can also blow up the rock south of it and get the Heart Container. Impas Piece of Heart appears later after capturing the East Goron Fortress. Before making such detours, check the base: If the Gorons have already broken through via the middle cliff path, their defenses have priority.
Darunia attacks herself and initially retreats to heal after a defeat. Dodge his hammer blows to the side and counterattack after the impact. Don’t immediately follow him to the top while the counteroffensive task is still open. Secure your ally’s path to the western rock keep so that your own rockfall against Darunia’s base can be prepared.
After the successful counterattack, Darunia can no longer recover as before. Now try Bombchus to blow up your positions. Control your targets on the map and, above all, intercept the mines that go directly to the headquarters. Lost outer keeps can be recaptured; a fallen base ends the mission. Only when the attack has been repelled do you work your way to the northern headquarters.
In the final battle, Nighthawks support Darunia. Eliminate them when they buff him, then use his attack pauses for damage afterwards. The victory liberates Ruto and leads to Lake Hylia. The 1,000-enemy Skulltula at Death Mountain is on an elevated spot to the northwest that requires a Hookshot. Since you don’t necessarily have it yet in this story path, this is a useful return find.
Lake Hylia: Take Ruto to the temple
On Lake Hylia you have to protect Ruto and Darunia. From the start, take the northern path and jump down the frozen waterfall. Clear out the enemies around Ruto and accompany them to the sea keep in the southwest of the initially visible area. Capturing them opens access to the Water Temple.
The temple keep also opens in the southeast. Their capture provides a weapons chest for Sheik. Get them along the way when Ruto is safe, then descend into the exposed temple. Ruto runs ahead and gets trapped in the main hall. The two locks are now in the southeast chamber and southwest chamber.
Open the floodgates in the Water Temple
Work your way along an outside to the respective southern chamber. Capture the keep with the lock lever and blow up the jet cyclops there. The path then leads to the other side of the temple and to the second lock. You can adjust the order to suit your allies’ situation; both levers are needed to free Ruto.
Meanwhile, keep an eye on Darunia outside the temple. If he is pressed by strong opponents, you return briefly and beat them back. Also, defeat Magi in the southern passageway as they summon more enemies. A Piece of Heart appears with Sheik after conquering the East Chamber.
If both locks are open, go to the gatekeeper at the main hall. Defeat him and the opponents around Ruto to get the Mirror of Truth. The uncovered secret passage leads to the supposed Zelda. After their attacks, attack them from the side. If she summons King Dodongo, you can still defeat Zelda directly to complete the normal mission. Only if you are pursuing a special Skulltula quest do you need to plan the additional boss fight according to its conditions.
The first Skulltula is behind the vines south of the starting area after 1,000 enemies have been defeated. Cut them open with the Boomerang. After the reveal and victory, this Age storyline is complete.