Secret Fortress

Secret Fortress is a Level in. It is the first Level in the Riverside area.

Themes and Navigation
The Level takes place in a large, open lake that has a fortress built within. The Level introduces the Water Rod, which is essential to crossing the Level's waters.

In Stage 1, the Links enter the Level from the base a large hill next to a rushing waterfall, and climb up several ledges to the top. Three Water Rods provided on the ledges make climbing easy work, as the Links can use it to create pillars of water to propel them up. At the top of the hill are three lookout posts with three Switches, watched by a pair of Moblins. Using the Water Rods, the Links press the switches to activate a bridge to the Triforce Gateway.

In Stage 2, the Links appear at the lakeside with the fortress on the other side. Its gate must be opened by hitting the two switches on its sides. These switches can be reached by creating bridges of water with the Water Rod. One switch is over the water to the right of the fortress gate, and another is on a grassy island inhabited by a Moblin. Striking both switches lowers the fortress gate, which the Links can then enter by creating more water bridges. Inside the fortress walls, streams of fire blast through cannons and prevent the Links' approach. These flames can be temporarily extinguished by creating a water pillar in their path. Another stream blasts fire in the path of one of two switches. This must also be doused with water in order for the Links to press the switches to lower another gate. Another stream of fire blocks the waterway outside, which has a pair of spinning flames. The Links must cross this water way with the Water Rod and avoid the flames to get to the Triforce Gateway.

Stage 3 puts the Links at the beginning of a river bridged by docks. The Links can cross the river to these docks using the Water Rod. One of the docks has Bomb Flowers growing, which must be thrown at a pair of opening and closing switches ahead. This opens a gate to two giant, cracked blocks barricading the passage. Using the Water Rod, at least two Links must work together to carry a Bomb Flower to demolish the blocks. Destroying them opens the way to a Triforce Gateway. Alternately, the Links can simply bomb one block and cross over the other using the Water Rod.

In Stage 4, the Links appear on a dock over a rushing waterfall beneath them. The fast-moving water will push the Links off should any of them fall in. The dock leads to a switch in the center of several small platforms. Pressing it with all three Links summons a hoard of Moblins and Keeleons, and the dock will break apart. The Links must defeat all the enemies, by using the Water Rod to reach them on the platforms they stand on. The Keeleons can likewise also be stunned with the rod. Narrow pathways will emerge from the depths once most of the enemies are defeated. After all enemies are defeated, a platform with the Triforce Gateway will rise.

Drablands Challenges
The Drablands Challenge version of Secret Fortress includes three challenges: Pop all balloons, clear with halved energy, and Evade the Wallmaster.

In Evade the Wallmaster, a Wallmaster will continuously follow the Links throughout the entire Level and must be avoided. If it slams onto one of the Links, it will instantly KO them. It can be defeated, but will soon respawn.