Ocarina of Time Chapter 29

 

Chapter 29
Bolero of Fire

Link gasped as convulsing waves of agony spread through his body like a fire. It tore through every muscle, bone, and organ, consuming him until it was all he knew. He was momentarily blinded and the world became strangely silent. If not for the pain, Link would have been sure he was dead. Then his vision returned, blurry and incoherent. The shapes became sharp enough for him to see the shower of debris that crashed around him, lashing at his tunic, his arms, and his face, right before the maelstrom engulfed him, a blinding storm of dust and debris. Navi was nowhere to be seen and Link could only hope the blast had knocked her flying out of harm's way. He rolled, throwing his shield up in what seemed a feeble attempt to protect his face. He pulled his knees to his chest, waiting for the chaos to end, hoping that one of the larger blocks of broken stone didn't slam right into him.

It was a while before Link dared move, shoving his shield aside. He nearly fainted at the waves of excruciating pain this caused. His limbs were bleeding from dozens of cuts, and he winced with every gasp of air. He choked on the powdery mist of stone and dust. It was so thick he could hardly see Navi as she dashed to his side. Link was glad to see she was unharmed, although he could not say the same for himself.

She almost crashed into his nose; her mouth was moving, but Link could not understand what she was trying to say.

"I think I broke something," he groaned as the pain in his chest flared. His throat felt so raw, as if he'd inhaled tiny shards of glass. "More like everything."

His ears still perceived no sound, even with Navi bobbing up and down frantically in front of him. She could have been screaming, "Hey, listen!" for all Link knew. She probably was.

He shook his head as she nearly whacked him again. "I can't hear you."

Navi vanished from view, and Link tried to sit up. The pain was blinding, and the effort drained him faster than he anticipated. Only his right arm responded to his meager efforts; his left arm throbbed with even the slightest movement.

Link glanced back at the temple. His memory was clouded, but he knew he should be looking at a set of five pillars and an awning carved out of the rock face. Only, the red-rose stone edifice was gone. In its place was what looked like a landslide similar to the one he climbed over to get to the temple.

Darunia?

The last thing Link had seen before he ran was Darunia charging towards Volvagia. Both had been close to the explosion, much closer than him. His heart sank as he considered whether or not they could have survived. But even as he considered the possibility, he knew it was unlikely.

He wasn't even sure how he'd managed to survive. Not with the bits of debris and broken pillars that lay tossed around him.

As his senses returned, Link became more aware of the agony in his ribs and limbs. The throbbing in his ears and the searing pain in his left arm were the worst. He looked down at his injured arm, blood running thick along its length, and winced at the sight of it. Sucking in a breath, and dreading what he'd see, Link rolled up the sleeve of his tunic to take a closer look. There was something white protruding from the wound. Upon closer examination, Link realized what it was. Bone.

As it turned out, his proclamation only a day earlier that he could handle a few broken bones turned out to be very, very wrong.

Darkness claimed him.

~ 0 ~

Link groaned as he came around, opening his eyes to reveal a ceiling of smooth stone, unable to recall passing out.

Goddesses I'm making a habit of that, he thought, guessing what must have happened.

He was lying on a bed of rock with his head propped against a sleeping roll. It wasn't very comfortable, his back ached something fierce, but that was the least of Link's concerns.

He blinked wearily as his brain worked furiously to try and gauge where he was. Judging from the ceiling, it was some kind of cave. He could hear somebody humming and realized his hearing had returned. The source of the humming was a tall man in flowing blue robes who was busily poking a fireplace carved into the rock.

Link wondered if he was in the Goron City; only the rooms reserved for Hylian dignitaries had fireplaces, and they were built at the top of the settlement amidst a honeycomb of tunnels. When he took in other details, such as the tapestries on the wall, he guessed that he must be in one of these rooms . He only wished the Gorons hadn't dispensed with the mattress; not many Hylian nobles would like a bed of stone. At least there was a window. The view wasn't much; it overlooked the mountain's rugged slopes which were now an eerie orange as the sunlight struggled through a blanket of smoke and dust. Ash descended in small flurries like grey snow, and the mountain itself continued its restless rumbling.

"Link?"

Navi was resting on the stone table by the fireplace. She flew over to his side the moment she saw him stir. "Link! Thank goodness you're awake."

The man by the fireplace chuckled, putting the fire poker back on its rack.

"Ah," he said pleasantly.  "At long last. It is good to see you well once again, Hero of Time. You've rather changed since our last meeting. No matter, for that's to be expected.  How are you feeling?"

"Who-" Link started, before realizing what the man had just said, "How do you know who I am?"

The man chuckled again. "I know a great many things. Fear not, for I mean you no harm."

That was hardly a reassuring answer. "Who are you?" Link asked, propping himself up on his elbows.

The man's red hair, blue robes, and slightly lopsided grin was familiar, but Link couldn't piece together where he'd seen the man before. A shuffling noise directed his attention to the door as two Gorons lumbered into the room.

"Brother," Jemite said. His voice might have lacked any of its usual enthusiasm, but Link still recognized the Goron. "I thought I heard you talking. It's good to see you awake."

The other Goron introduced himself as Boran.

"I said he would not be out long," the grinning blue-clad Hylian said, sounding immensely pleased with himself.

"I don't mean to be rude, but who are you?" Link demanded. The man still hadn't answered his question, "And how did you heal me exactly?"

"We have met before. Do you not remember me?" The man was still smiling, tapping one of his two brightly colored pointed shoes on the floor.

Link shook his head. "No, I don't."

"Ah. Not to worry. That is to be expected. I go by many names, but you may call me Halvard," the man replied, his unwavering smile becoming unnerving. "I brought you to the Goron City so I could see to your injuries."

Link glanced down at his arm, his stomach forcing itself into a knot.

"You needn't worry about your arm; I was able to see to it that you were healed," Halvard said pleasantly. "With a little help of course. It is fortunate I came when I did since Gorons don't have much knowledge of Hylian physiology... Meaning no offense to you two-"

The Gorons grumbled but said little more, doubtlessly unperturbed by Halvard's comment.

"You still haven't told me who you are," Link said insistently, still unable to put a name to the man. He shot an imploring look at Navi.

"You remember the Happy Mask Salesman?" she asked. "Don't you?"

Link was so baffled, he barely noticed Halvard's small chuckle. "It has been a while since anyone called me that. Hmm... yes, quite a while indeed."

That still didn't ring any bells, and Link just shook his head. "I'm sorry... I-"

Navi quickly came to his rescue. "You wanted to buy a mask to make you invisible, in Castletown, remember?"

Link vaguely recalled the experience. So much had happened since then that the memory was faint, almost as though it had occurred in another lifetime.

His vision swam as he sat upright, forcing him to brace his hands against the stone.

"Yes, you were most unamused when I tried to sell you a bunny ear mask, " Halvard said with another small chuckle.

Oh, that, Link thought. He remembered the man's shop now. How could he forget the shop's elaborate decor or the masks displayed upon its many shelves? He definitely hadn't forgotten the man's attempts to sell him that bunny-eared mask.

"I still think you would have looked cute in it," Navi said, grinning faintly.

"Yes, I'm sure I would have looked terrifying," Link said dryly, giving the fairy a flat stare.

"Very terrifying," Navi replied with an equal measure of sarcasm. "I'm glad you're okay."

There was something off about Navi's humor. Her tone suggested she was trying very hard not to bring up an unpleasant subject but also knew that she must. Dread rose in Link as he guessed what was troubling her.

Darunia.

Link's chest tightened as he recalled the Goron chieftain plunging his hammer towards Volvagia's skull, the temple's antechamber exploding moments later.

"Where is Darunia?" Link demanded, then wished he hadn't asked. Navi's faint smile melted away, and the Gorons averted his gaze.

Halvard's smile faded, albeit slowly compared to Navi. "It would be best if these two explained," he said. "Now, if you excuse me, I must go to the kitchens and see that the Goron cooking your food hasn't spoiled the stew. They may be some of Hyrule's finest craftsmen, but dear me, they are terrible cooks... no offence, no offence," he waved a hand at the two Gorons, but neither seemed annoyed.

Link's mind was too busy pondering Darunia's fate to even contemplate how peculiar it was for a Goron to cook.

Halvard got up from the fireplace and left the room.

Jemite spoke as soon as the man was gone. "There's been no word since Darunia collapsed the temple's entrance. We think he's dead, but we cannot hope to find him while the dragon is still alive."

The bottom dropped out of Link's stomach. A part of him had expected this, but he still did not want to believe it.

Jemite kept speaking. "The entire mountain mourns for him. We found you amidst the rubble, with Halvard's help. He arrived just after you did."

Was he following us? Link didn't like the sound of that. Even if Halvard had just healed him, it was still suspicious.

"Has anyone found him?" Link was going to ask if they found Darunia's body, but that would just be affirming what he refused to believe. The Goron chieftain could survive anything; he was tough and had endured through seven years of Ganondorf's reign.

"It is unlikely he survived," Jemite growled solemnly. "I am sorry. I know you were his sworn brother. We all bear this grief for him. If I'd known about the plan to destroy the temple entrance, I would have told you to go a different way. It seems Darunia told almost no one of his plan, for fear that Ganondorf would find out."

The letter said to use the tunnels, Link thought. Now he knew why.

"It would seem our dear brother Onyx was aware," Boran's voice was dangerous.

"Aware of what?" Link asked, frowning in confusion until his gut twisted in a nauseating sensation.

The Gorons looked at each other uncomfortably.

"Should we tell him?" Jemite asked Boran.

"Darunia would have wanted us to. Link is a sworn brother; we owe it to him."

"Tell me what?" Link asked, almost angrily.

"I questioned Onyx after Halvard brought you to our city. Darunia told him to make sure you used the tunnels," Jemite said with a growl. "He admitted to withholding that information."

Link's blood froze, and Navi gave a loud exclamation of shock.

"What? You mean Onyx tried to  kill us?" she asked.

"Why?" Link asked, his voice a feeble croak. "I never did anything to him."

"You did not," Jemite agreed solemnly. "He blamed you for the death of Jasper seven years ago. They were kinsmen."

Link stared in numb horror.

"I'm sorry," said Jemite. "I assure you, he will be punished."

"Jasper's death wasn't my fault," Link said, a heavy weight settling over his chest.

"We know," Boran said, trying to sound gentle. "Ganondorf was the one who set the trap that killed him. It was your bravery going into that tunnel that prevented any more Gorons from being killed that day."

"Trying to have a sworn brother killed was dishonourable," Jemite growled. "He will be punished."

"Do you realize that Onyx almost doomed the entire of Hyrule?" Navi asked, "Out of an act of vengeance?"

"They don't need to hear it, Navi," Link told her firmly.

"I only meant to-" Navi began in protest, but Link shook his head.

"Don't-" Link held her gaze, and she resigned with a sigh.

He did not want to be reminded that he was the Hero of Time. If the Gorons came up with yet another nickname for him, he might end up wishing that explosion had finished his hearing for good.

The Goddesses must have bee mad, Link thought. A single life was fragile and so easily lost. Only now was Link beginning to understand the enormity of it all. Time's Wheel wove the lives of others around him, like threads in a pattern, trying to preserve the flow of time, just as Sheik and Impa had told him.

Just then, Halvard came back with a large bowl of stew. Link's appetite quickly returned at the sight,  but when he caught a whiff of the odd smell, his anticipation dwindled.

"Dodongo stew," Jemite announced proudly, as though he'd prepared it himself. "We might be rock-eaters, but we must still care for those who pass through our city."

"I'm sure it's delicious," Link said, hesitantly shoving a spoon full of the stew into his mouth.

To his dismay, it tasted like burnt leather and was just as tough to chew.

"Mmm... this is good," he tried to say, in between nearly choking upon the leathery hide. His sword-belt would have probably been more edible, but he didn't complain.

"Is it not to your liking, brother?" Jemite asked, anxiously awaiting Link's verdict. Link could see his desperate desire to be a good host and decided he wasn't going to be rude.

"It's delicious," he gasped, eyes watering as Halvard offered him a waterskin. "It just went down the wrong way."

When he finally washed the meat down, with some difficulty, he handed the waterskin back. It was then that he noticed Halvard had a familiar tattoo on his forearm- a weeping eye. Managing to gulp down the last of the water without spluttering in surprise, Link settled his tray down on the stone tablet.

"You're a Sheikah?" he asked curiously, his eyes lingering meaningfully on the mark. "Is that how you found me?"

Link expected some affirmation, but instead Halvard's beaming smile vanished, and he scowled. It was a frightful expression that almost made Link recoil.

"I am," he said, his voice hard. "But I prefer not to think of myself as one now. My kin and I parted ways long ago."

"How does that work?" Link asked. Given the man's obvious dislike of the subject, it was a question better left, but Link's curiosity got the better of him.

Halvard just looked away. "I preferred a simpler life," he said quietly. "Given the fear my kind inspire, I took on the guise of a Hylian merchant, a mask if you will. The king took my departure rather hard, but he was deposed the same year by his estranged son. King Nohansen was a most gracious man and was kind enough to pardon my transgression."

"Is your family in Kakariko?" Navi asked.

"They are a long way from Hyrule now," he sighed regretfully, "but that is for the best, all things considered."

"I thought Lady Impa was the-"

The "you idiot" look from Navi was more than Link needed to realize he'd gone too far.

Halvard jerked as though struck and Link almost flinched as the man turned to face him. "You've seen her?" His voice was harsh, and there was a cold look in his eyes that hadn't been there a moment ago. "Recently?"

It was too late to worry now, and Link reasoned that the man was in no hurry to be punched in the face by an angry Goron, so he drew in a breath and answered, "Well, no... I mean, I snuck into Hyrule Castle once and she threw me out."

It wasn't exactly true. She'd escorted him out the gate after his rather botched attempt to sneak in.

"And you don't know where she is now?" Halvard asked.

"No.' Link lied. "I don't think she's one to stay in the same place for long."

Link swallowed at the intensity of Halvard's gaze. The man seemed to weigh the truth of his words and then the fire left his eyes. "No, she isn't, but you've had word from her, yes?"

Link nodded, and Halvard turned to stare into the fire, looking thoughtful.

"Impa and I have rarely seen eye to eye. She told me about you of course, and how she didn't know whether or not you'd survived the siege of Castletown. I assumed she'd keep her identity a secret from you, in case you were ever captured."

Link felt an uncomfortable chill and shivered.

"There was a mask that, in the right hands, could have defeated Ganondorf," Halvard continued. "I wanted to control it despite my previous failures to do so. She thought it too dangerous. Extreme even. She ordered it destroyed."

"Err... what mask?" Navi asked, clearly baffled.

Halvard stared vacantly at the fire, not meeting their eyes. "It does not matter." His tone left little doubt that he would say no more on the subject.

"How did you even find me?" Link asked after a brief silence.

"I saw you arrive in Kakariko Village. It's not every day someone walks into town bearing the mark of the Goddesses on their hand. I knew it was no fake from the moment I saw it. Not to mention your efforts to steer the Blin away from the refugees didn't go unnoticed. I followed you and only just arrived at the Goron City in time to hear the explosion," said Halvard.

"That still doesn't explain why you were following me," Link pointed out.

Halvard's voice was almost mysterious as he answered, "The Gerudo are looking for you, and they seem almost as determined to find you as they do Hyrule's dear Princess Zelda. I came after you because I needed to give you a warning, and as you are Impa's eyes and ears, it's within my interest to help you."

"What warning?" Link asked.

"Your task is known to me, courtesy of Impa, and I can tell you that you are running out of time."

"Why?"

"Ganondorf has found an artifact beneath the temple in Castletown known as a Gate of Time," Halvard explained. "There are vaults beneath the temple. Most of them have long since collapsed, or flooded, but they once held a repository of knowledge and artefacts from Hyrule's past. The gateway was one such artefact."

"A gateway?" Link asked, not sure he was following. "What is that exactly?"

"A portal, if you like. If he learns how to use it, he can travel back in time and ensure that he emerges victorious."

"How far back?" he asked, struggling to grasp the implications of this.

"I believe Ganondorf intends to send his armies back as far as the moment of Hyrule's creation so he can slay the Goddesses."

"Is that even possible? " Link asked. His head was suddenly spinning. If Ganondorf succeeded, time itself would be rewritten. Written so that he would scribe the pages of history instead of Hyrule's creators. "But... wait. If it's just like a portal, how can he go back to a time before the gate was even made?"

"That is a most interesting quandary, but I think we must assume he will find a way around that dilemma," Halvard said, his voice becoming grimmer with each word. "You have to find the rest of the Sages before Ganondorf opens that portal."

"How long do we have?" Link asked weakly. The remainder of his stew lay forgotten on its tray, his appetite gone.

"That I cannot say, but like the Door of Time, it requires multiple keys to open, including your ocarina. I am yet to determine the identity of these other keys, or if Ganondorf has any of them in his possession."

Link knew he had to warn Impa or Zelda. His mind was racing furiously as he thought of what to do. Some voice in the back of his mind gave a sceptical murmur at Halvard's story; there had to be a way to find out if the man was telling the truth. Link couldn't think how; if this artifact was hidden beneath the Temple of Time, it was well out of his reach.

"Then we have to hurry," Link said. "I have to get to the Fire Temple and then find Impa."

"We can help you get there," Jemite said. "The other Goron Elders agreed to let me take you."

"How do we get there?" Link asked.

"There is a tunnel beyond the furthest reaches of the city. It's sealed at the moment and will only open if someone plays the Bolero of Fire," Jemite explained.

"The what?" Link asked, not enjoying the feeling of being completely clueless.

"It's a simple song, which I can teach you... if you think you can remember it," Halvard told him.

"I can always remind him," Navi jumped in.

"Splendid, in that case, I must be going soon. The Gerudo have been watching my every step. Although I managed to slip out of their sight, I must return to the village before they realise I'm missing."

"Why are they watching you?" Link asked before he could stop himself. It was a little odd, he thought. He knew Ganondorf hated the Sheikah and had wiped out the remaining Sheikah who'd survived the schism that crippled their race. It struck him as odd that Halvard had been able to remain in the open for so long.

A horrible thought occurred to him then, one he didn't even want to remotely consider. Was Halvard working for Ganondorf? He dismissed the idea; if that were true, the man wouldn't have just saved his life.

"You look troubled, boy. Still feeling unwell?" Halvard asked.

Link shook himself out of his thought. He hadn't realized he was frowning. "No, it's nothing."

"Well, in that case, we should move soon. There is just one other quick matter," Halvard said pleasantly, as though their conversation was nothing out of the ordinary. "Something, or someone, has been trying to break the seal on the Shadow Temple. I have not seen them, though I have kept a watchful eye on the seal."

"The Shadow Temple?" Link had heard of the ancient Sheikan temple from Navi, who hadn't been enthusiastic about discussing it. Most people thought it was just a haunted necropolis, and they all agreed on one thing: it was cursed.

"Yes, there are unspeakable things in there... things which cannot be allowed to escape." Halvard's voice was once again mysterious, and Link didn't like it at all.

"What things?" he asked.

"One does not speak of it, dear boy. All I can say is that if they escape, great misfortune will befall us all."

Navi was giving Halvard a very distrustful look as Link finished his stew. He barely tasted it now and had to force himself to eat. He'd need his strength soon enough.

Once he'd finished, Halvard borrowed his ocarina to teach him the Bolero of Fire. It was a simple song, a melodious tune that might have been the introduction to a dance if it weren't so short.

"Don't forget it, will you?" Halvard said, giving Link back the ocarina.

"We won't," Navi said.

"Good, then I must be off," Halvard was smiling pleasantly at them again. He looked down the ocarina, still clasped within Link's hand. "Keep that instrument close. Now more than ever, it must not be allowed to fall into Ganondorf's hands. Well, on that note, if you will excuse me, I must be going. Good luck, no doubt you will need it."

"Thanks." Link knew he would need it.

Taking his leave, the mask man gave them all a polite bow and vanished into the corridor beyond.

"Are you ready to leave?" Jemite asked.

"Just a moment." Link still had to get his gear organized. His sword and shield were propped by the bed, as were his satchel and the remainder of his belongings. He quickly donned everything on, and checking his various utensils were secure, he followed Jemite out of the room.

The tunnels were a maze, and it was a wonder Jemite and Boran knew where they were even going. Link fell behind the pair as they navigated their way through twisting tunnels and down broad stairways. Torches lit the way and there was little in the way of sound or activity. The corridors were empty, devoid of the living. All through the residential part of the city, doors were shut, and a wide open area that might have been a marketplace- judging by signs resting against empty stalls- was completely empty. Not a soul stirred.

"Where is everyone?" Link asked.

"Those who aren't hiding in their homes are in the mines or the forges," Boran answered. "After we tried to seal Volvagia, Ganondorf attacked the city, taking some of our own captive... most of our brethren cower in their homes."

The disgust in his voice was palpable. Link didn't blame the Gorons for being reluctant to rebel when their last attempt had ended with several of their kind dead, including their leader.

"Some of the elders think Darunia a fool for rebelling in the first place," Jemite said in a low rumbling growl, as if afraid the walls had ears. "They say he placed too much faith in outsiders... err... meaning no offence."

"None taken," Link answered.

"If we can slay Volvagia, perhaps they will think differently," Jemite continued optimistically. "They will sing songs of your deeds when you do."

The tunnels threaded their way into the heart of the Goron city where Link once again beheld the smooth stone terraces. Except for two lone guards by the entrance, the same place where Link had met Volvagia long ago, there was nobody else here.

Link entered another passage that weaved its way beneath the mountain and down yet more stairs until he was sure they were at the bottom level of the city. He kept peeking through doorways, hoping to see some sign of its occupants or what was inside, but not a door stood open. It was relief to hear the distant belting of hammers on anvils as Gorons worked within their massive forges. A part of him was curious to see what a forge looked like, but Jemite steered him away. Then, they entered an older tunnel where Link beheld carvings that were worn with age and covered in the dust of centuries. Bits had flaked off over the years and other sections looked as though someone had attacked them with a chisel.

It was getting steadily warmer too, Link realized. By the time they rounded a corner and came to a halt before a stone door decorated with a dragon, it was a wonder the walls weren't melting.

"This is the door your friend mentioned," Jemite said. "We had to block off all the other entrances until we could find a way to rescue the others."

"No doubt the Elders are still grumbling about the problem now," Boran said with an exasperated shake of his head. "They'll probably still be grumbling when we get back. By then we should have Volvagia's head."

Link grimaced, and even Jemite looked appalled.

"Charming," Navi muttered dryly. Trying not to dwell on Boran's words, Link played the Bolero of Fire. With a sound of stone being scraped upon stone, the door slid open and vanished into a recess within the floor. Ahead, yet another winding passage twisted upward until it opened up into a cavern lit with a warm red glow.

The blast of heat that hit Link made him think he'd just walked headfirst into a furnace.

"Well," he breathed. "Here goes."

The hot air swallowed him as he reached the end of the passage.

"Ahh..." Jemite gave a contented sigh as they reached the opening of a cavern. "I have never liked winter, brother."

Behind them, the stone door rumbled shut, sealing them in. Link swallowed, not enjoying the sensation of being trapped, and scanned his surroundings. A red stone wall stood on one side of the cavern, seemingly emerging from the very rocks, while a dais sat perched precariously upon a small island of rock, across a short bridge of black stone. Two hulking statues of Gorons in formidable plate armour, all carrying hammers, stood at either end of the bridge.

Link approached the bridge, getting as close to the ledge as he dared, close enough that he could see the angry red glow of the lava far below. Link doubted Impa's ring would be powerful enough to save him if he fell. Even if the lava did not kill him, the fall would.

"It's definitely hot in here," Link said, stepping back from the precipice.

"I think this temperature is quite agreeable," said Jemite.

"Yeah you would," Navi responded.

"Are you going to be okay in this heat?" Link asked her.

"I will be fine," she replied. "Fairies can survive in really hot temperatures."

As if to emphasise, she flew up into the air with arms outstretched and took a deep breath before coughing. "Ugh... Can't say I like the smell much. Good thing you have that ring, or you'd probably be suffocating by now."

The Gorons did not look remotely worried, and Link couldn't smell anything.

Allowing the Gorons to lead, and realising he'd left Sheik's map in Epona's saddlebags, which at least Navi could have read, Link made his way towards an archway at the far end of the cavern, following a stone path up to a long flight of stairs. Atop the landing, and coiled around the pillars on either side of the grand arch, were two wingless dragons, their eyes staring towards the steps below.

The archway led into a cavernous chamber with three statues resembling elongated heads at the opposite end, their mouths open in a not-quite-welcoming grin. From within each maw, a fire burned without any apparent source of fuel.

There were passageways branching off from either side of the chamber. Nothing jumped out from these doorways, though Link half expected this. According to Jemite, two of the corridors led to the catacombs, also where the captured Gorons were imprisoned, and the third, would take them to the other entrance and Volvagia. The corridors flanked the ancient tomb of the First Sage of Fire, the oldest part of the temple. 

 Link allowed himself to be led towards the catacombs to find the missing Gorons, and the small party threaded their way along the winding corridors of red stone, enchanted torches held in sconces guided their way through the heart of the stone labyrinth. Link found the bodies of several bulblins and scavenged a bow as well as a quiver full of arrows. He couldn't help but feel a little indifferent about the bodies, or the fact he was stealing from them. He refused to allow himself to dwell on it, knowing that doing so would only lead to distraction.

After wandering through several empty corridors, Link found himself hoping that Ganondorf had completely withdrawn his forces. Unfortunately for him, this was too much to ask for. As he came to the end of a fourth empty passage, its walls decorated with the seemingly endless form of a wingless dragon, two lizalfos appeared around the corner. Their abrupt appearance, and the silence of their approach, took Link by surprise. Thankfully, the Lizalfos were just as startled. They cried out in alarm, one quickly leaping to the attack, the other proceeding with more caution.

Link thrust his shield up to deflect a jagged blade. With a quick swing, he flicked the reptile's weapon away and thrust his blade into its throat. He ducked sideways as the other Lizalfos came close to cleaving its sword through his neck, and then swung to meet the challenge. Before he could strike his target, Jemite cracked a fist into the reptile's skull. The monster went down in a wretched heap.

"Thanks, Jemite," Link said, panting from both the heat and the sudden encounter.

Jemite nodded. "Anything for you, Dodongo Buster." He scratched his chin, cast a thoughtful look at Link, and then asked, "Should I say Lizalfos Buster instead?"

There was a touch of humour in that question.

"No, Dodongo Buster is just fine," Link replied. Ideally, he would prefer not to hear that name either, but he doubted he would stop Jemite from saying it anytime soon.

They arrived in the catacombs- long passages with grave niches carved out of the rugged rock walls. Some of the alcoves were filled with the ancient remains of Gorons. Others bore the remains of what appeared to be dragon skulls, decorated with inscriptions and symbols that bore little meaning to Link. Many of the inscriptions that adorned the alcoves were faded, the names of their occupants now long lost. Carvings guarded many of the alcoves, most of them Gorons either dressed in battle armour or covered in tattoos, their meaning lost to Link.

"How old is this place?" Link wondered aloud.

"It is many centuries old," Jemite answered, gesturing to the alcoves. "The shrine to the First Sage of Fire was built first. The rest of the temple was built around the shrine and tomb. There was peace between Gorons and dragons for a time, but then their territory was greatly reduced by invaders. When we allied with the Hylians to produce armour in return for maintaining our own rule, many dragons turned on us. Those that didn't felt betrayed and all but several fled in disgust. This temple and the bones that you see are a reminder of those events, or at least, as we remember them."

"So, Volvagia is a descendent of those dragons?" Navi asked. Link was only half-listening, still very much aware that there could be something lurking in the shadows.

"Without a mother dragon to tend to the nest," Jemite was saying, "Most of the remaining eggs died. Volvagia was the only one who hatched." Jemite's voice seemed solemn. "After we defeated the dragons who fought us, the rest left for distant lands. Darunia was named in honour of the Goron who brought an end to that conflict."

Link wished he could read; he wanted to know what the writing carved into the wall said. Reminding himself of his task, and the possible danger ahead, he kept himself focused on the other way ahead.

It wasn't until the next corridor that they came across more Lizalfos. Most of them tried to flee rather than fight in such close quarters.

As the first Lizalfos fled, Link notched an arrow and let it fly. The tip pierced the reptile's throat, and it went down with a gurgling crash. A second arrow struck its companion's shoulder, and the beast hissed in pain and outrage.

Link cursed; he'd been aiming for the neck. The creature brought its sword to bear, dashing forward with a snarl. Quickly, Link let a third arrow strike its face and the reptile toppled over.

By now, the final Lizalfos was almost at the end of the passage. Link let another arrow loose and felled the beast before it reached the archway at the end of the catacombs.

"The prisoners should be up ahead," said Boran. "Ganondorf meant to feed them to Volvagia, along with the Elders, so nobody would rebel."

"I can only imagine how Darunia reacted to that threat," Navi said dryly.

"Not well," Jemite replied with a small grin. "Darunia was never one to respond well to threats."

"You're becoming a little sarcastic, Navi," Link noted.

"Someone has to keep us sane," Navi quipped.

"Did Sheik or Impa put you up to this?" Link asked.

Navi gave him a sheepish grin. "No. Not at all."

Raising an eyebrow, Link almost replied before a guttural snarl caught his attention. A lizalfos rounded the corner and charged. Link cursed. Unable to ready his bow in time, he abandoned it, and went for his sword...

WHACK!

A fist collided with the side of the lizard's head, and it crumpled like a sack. Eyes blazing, Boran had jumped to Link's aid.

"Thanks," Link breathed.

Forgetting all thought of conversation, Link kept a lookout for anywhere a Lizalfos might be able to hide. He wasn't sure if they were that smart, but it was better not to chance it.

Three more Lizalfos stood in the chamber beyond the catacombs. As they entered the caves small confines, there were yells of delight and shouts of "it's Dodongo Buster."

Other Gorons yelled warnings or suggestions as Link charged. He thrust his blade straight through the torso of one Lizalfos. It gurgled and fell. A second Lizalfos snarled and jumped through the air, sword arcing down towards Link's unguarded back. The youth spun around, shield bashing against blade in a shower of sparks. He cleaved his sword through the beast's abdomen and  turned to see Jemite pummel the last Lizalfos with a vicious blow to the skull.

The slaughter was over so fast it was sickening. Trying not to stare at the dead lizards, some with skulls near obliterated, Link walked over to the cage closest to him. It was barely big enough for the poor Goron inside; its head was scraping against the top of the cage, forcing it to hunch over.

"Do you know where the keys are?" Link asked.

The Goron pointed to the Lizalfos behind Link, and he spotted the keys on its belt. Boran quickly retrieved them, and together with Link, he quickly freed the imprisoned Gorons. The freed captives thanked Link with many attempting to slap him on the back, which Link deftly avoided.

"Well, that leaves Volvagia," said Navi, once the initial outburst of noise from the Gorons died down. "Are there any other prisoners?"

The other Gorons gave various answers of "no", shaking their heads, and Jemite voiced their answer. "This is everyone. Now, we just have to deal with Volvagia so he can't threaten us again. Hopefully, the dragon's buried and killing it won't be difficult."

"Hopefully," Navi repeated with an air of skepticism. "Knowing our luck, he is not going to be a happy dragon."

"Jemite, I can take you and the others back to the city," Link said. "You don't have to come with me."

"We want to come," Jemite said.

Link was aghast. No. He wouldn't risk it.

"If Volvagia has recovered, it might be best to let me handle him," said Link. "You told me he's already killed some of your people."

"Which is why we must avenge our kin," said Boran.

"It's too risky," Link insisted.

The Gorons grumbled irritably amongst each other, clearly not happy with this idea.

"I don't think you will be able to make them, Link," Navi whispered.

"I don't want anyone else to die because they followed me," Link said, lowering his voice so it didn't carry. His voice cracked as he recalled the spear plunging into Mido's stomach and then the lightning bolt that almost killed Saria.

I can't let anyone else die.

"We are warriors, Link. If Darunia is dead, it is our duty to avenge him and our kin," Jemite said, holding his hammer for emphasis.

Link looked at Navi, returning her sad gaze.

"Let them come, Link. They have seen their fair share of battle. It won't be like before," she whispered.

Like the Forest Temple, you mean?

"Besides, you will need us to guide you through the passages, and unlike us, if you get lost or stuck, you can't survive by eating the temple," Boran added.

"Isn't that sacrilege?" Navi asked.

"Well... um yes, but what are you supposed to do if you get trapped in here?" Boran asked.

"Has anyone ever done that before?" Navi asked.

"Not that I know of," Boran replied with a shrug, turning his black eyes to Link. "So, shall we?"

Link nodded, and with seven Gorons in tow, they marched through the passages of the Fire Temple towards Volvagia.

With a gigantic dragon and an enormous explosion distracting him, Link hadn't had time for sightseeing before. Now, the sheer size of the cavernous room took his breath away. It was as big as the Great Deku Tree's meadow. The walls were richly decorated with murals of Gorons. There were scenes of Gorons fighting, drinking, and wrestling. Other murals depicted the mountain folk crafting weapons, while others danced amidst a parade of drums. Several more depicted a battle between the Gorons and a dragon with a crown atop its head. The reliefs closest to the entrance were blackened, scorched and damaged, with cracks and chips marring the stone. Volvagia was there amidst the rubble, still partly submerged beneath the rock, his one good eye closed.

Link approached cautiously, walking towards the dragon with his sword drawn. His hands were clenched so tightly around the blade his fingers hurt.

Is it dead?

He stepped over the bodies of numerous Lizalfos, many suffering from obvious blunt trauma.

"Is it alive?" Jemite whispered as they came close to Volvagia.

Link shushed the Goron and listened. Faint and barely audible, he could hear Volvagia's rumbling breaths. He was still alive. It would be easy to just run over and slay him now. Too easy.

"What's that?" Navi whispered, flying close to his ear. "In his scales just behind the head."

A blood-red crystal was embedded into the dragon's hide, no bigger than a Goron's fist.

"I'm no expert, but I'm willing to bet that crystal is either controlling or reviving him," Navi answered her own question. "It's definitely dark magic whatever it is."

So, I just have to reach that? Link thought. I guess it could be a lot worse.

A groan ensued from somewhere beneath the rubble, near where Link spotted the handle of a hammer. A few rocks tumbled loose from the debris as something moved beneath them.

"Somebody is in there," Navi hissed. "They're still alive."

"Darunia!" Jemite exclaimed. "He's alive!"

"Jemite!" Navi snapped. "Are you trying to wake that thing up?"

Wings buzzing in agitation, she pointed at Volvagia. Jemite mumbled an apology just as the dragon let out a loud snort. Navi spun around, eyes widening as the beast's slow rhythmic breathing changed. Several Gorons groaned softly, including Boran.

Too late.

Volvagia's eyes snapped open. Only feet from the dragon's head, Link froze. The dragon's eyes burned like the depths of a furnace, and a deep growl rumbled through the temple.

Volvagia was awake.

Next Chapter

Reviews

SunPraiser31 chapter 30 . Feb 1, 2017 Talk about unexpected reappearances! I definitely don't trust the mask salesman though. Him just happening across Link can't be a coincidence. Nothing that ever happens to heroes of prophecy is a coincidence. Whether he's working for Ganondorf or not, hopefully Link stays wary of him. I was worried about Darunia being dead, but he's still alive! Yay! Except now Volvagia is awake and he might actually die this time! No! I also love all the world building details you included regarding the Gorons and the dragons. It helps me get more immersed in the world and invested in their struggles, nice work.

ZadArchie chapter 30 . Jan 15, 2017 Well, at this point, and I really can't believe I'm half-way through, I think I'll forgo the usual structure of my reviews. This is mainly because I have almost no line notes anymore. I've spotted the odd typo here or there, but it's nothing major. In chapter 26, I didn’t realize the other Gerudo were also under a mind-control spell too. However, I’m sure that’s more a fandom-blind thing than anything else. Still, a pretty solid chapter. Good to see Link have a little success to his liking for once. While I am happy you're giving Link some real psychological damage and challenges as this story progresses, some of these chapters are starting to feel a little repetitive. Link will go through a spell of utter despair at whatever crucial mistake he has made, he's inconsolable, someone, usually Navi or Impa tries to give him a reason to keep fighting, he only grudgingly agrees, and so on and so forth. I think I've seen this structure in at least 3 to 4 chapters so far. Just something to think about. Otherwise, a lot of these action chapters have been progressing well. Did not expect Impa to be Sheik, so that was a nice surprise. However, I went to a wiki page and read the plot of the game, so unfortunately, I'm not going to be too surprised by anything else like that. Keep it up, and I'll be back in Chapter 35 to review again. Best, Zad Critics United

Shaveza chapter 30 . Jun 14, 2015 I see all the set up for Majora's Mask that you're doing. It is awesome. I really love it.

Guest chapter 30 . Nov 9, 2014 Super cool 24 th time reading this and it is still awesome! You should also add a chapter near the end featuring treacherous tower from link beetween worlds!keep it up!:) -t

Guest chapter 30 . Nov 9, 2014 Awesome! (From guest who wrote megaton hammer (t for short))