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~Chapter Ten~
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"You're kidding," Link said, looking with disbelief at the village headman of Kakariko Village in Eldin Province.
"Not at all," the man said. "He is the Fire Dragon, so he needs a hot place to live. Where else but Death Mountain?" Link glanced up at the fiery volcano that stood over Kakariko. "Ask the Gorons for help when you get to the Goron City."
Link nodded and thanked the man for his help, and turned toward the path leading up to the mountain.
Anything to rescue Zelda.
It was a long, arduous climb just to get to the top of Death Mountain where the Gorons resided. He paused after scaling one of the many cliffs, hands on his knees as he attempted to get his breath back. He glanced up the mountain, holding back a groan at how far it seemed he still had to go. He couldn't give up, he knew, but it was so tempting. He just wanted to collapse on the ground and not move again he was so tired.
Suddenly he recalled one of his first sword lessons. He had found himself not ten minutes in already exhausted.
"You're putting too much into it," Instructor Orca had told him. "You're barely a beginner. Take it nice and easy."
Link had, and found sword practice way more fun than it had previously been. Now, as his breath finally steadied, he realized the situation was the same. He glanced down toward Kakariko and realized just how far and fast he had been climbing.
"Slow and steady," he muttered to himself, wiping his brow with the back of his sleeve. "Nice and easy."
He started off again, this time at a slower pace. He glanced up at the mountain once more, determination settling in him. He could do this.
He would do this!
Link reached Goron City several hours later after a long hike and several breaks to rest in a shady spot and to eat. But now he had made it…finally! He looked down at the city. His legs shook from the last strenuous climb. He leaned against a nearby boulder.
"Oh, what's this?" The boulder shook. Link backed away and quickly realized that the boulder was actually a Goron. "Are you a visitor?" the rock-man asked curiously.
"Um…I guess. I am looking for someone, and I was told my questions could be answered by you Gorons."
"Let me take you to Big Brother." The Goron moved off, motioning for Link to follow. As the pair moved along a path, Link looked around at all the sights. "Not from around here, are you?" the Goron asked, taking note of Link's awe in the surroundings.
"No. The places I've lived have all been much greener and less…rocky."
"Hmm. Not sure I could live anywhere else but here. Nothing like the mountain air to clear one's head, eh?"
They had reached the lowest level by now, and the Goron knocked on a stone panel. "Big Brother! You have a visitor!"
"Eh?" came the voice from within. "Bring 'im in!" The panel slid open and Link's guide motioned for him to enter.
The largest Goron Link had ever seen stood before him. His massive hand was alone larger than Link's head. The Goron frowned at him. "A scrawny Hylian," he deadpanned, and sighed. "I am Darunia, boss of the Gorons. What can I do for you, scrawny Hylian?"
Link took a deep breath. "I seek the Fire Dragon, Eldin."
"Is that it? I thought you wanted some precious stone of ours that actually turns out to be the key to the Sacred Realm."
It was Link's turn to frown. "Wh-what?"
Darunia laughed. His laugh was a booming sound that could have brought down the mountain if it had been any louder. "I was only messing with you, laddie! Haven't you heard of the story of the Hero of Time? He came in here asking for our sacred gem, the Goron Ruby."
"Oh," Link said quietly. "But, can you help me?"
"Of course. I can point you in the right direction. But I'm not going to the Fire Dragon with you. Path's made for a Hylian like you."
The burly Goron moved to one of two statues behind him. He pondered for a moment before moving the left one. A wave of heat poured from it, and Link felt his heart sink. He had to go through that? "This'll take you to him. It gets pretty hot, though, as it runs near the heart of the volcano, so be careful."
Link nodded and thanked Darunia before entering the volcanic tunnel. He gasped in surprise at the heat. It was so intense. He wondered if he had enough water to get through here, then he wondered how hot the water would get by the time he was done here.
That, also, was the first time he had seen free-flowing lava. Far below him was the crater of the volcano. The lava caused so much heat that Link wasn't sure he would last. Maybe I should have rested before coming in here, he thought. But then he growled in determination. He had to make it!
He stopped at a cliff edge, startled. Where was he supposed to go now? He could see the remains of a wooden bridge that had been slowly eroded away. He glanced down again into the heat and the lava then back at the path he was following. He noticed a ledge, very thin, connecting this part of the path to the path beyond this break.
With a sigh, he pressed his back up against the rock, gritting his teeth against the heat, and sidled along the edge, praying that it wouldn't give out from under him. He closed his eyes and continued to move. Heat seared his face, and his mouth was dry, but he kept moving slowly. He felt with his leading foot for weakness before placing his weight on it. Finally, he felt a more solid ledge.
He had made it!
With a sigh, he pushed on, only to nearly collide with a bat that was lit on fire. "Woah!" Link exclaimed, ducking under the flaming monster. It turned and attacked again, clearly not bothered by the fact that it was on fire. Link dodged and pulled out his sword, waiting for the bat to come closer. It screeched and attacked again, only to run into the sword blade. It fell to the ground, turning into a puff of purple smoke.
Link let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding and continued up the path. Suddenly, there was a host of screeching, and more flaming bats flew from hidden alcoves. Luckily, these weren't a match for Link, but he still came out of the battle smoldering slightly. He quickly brushed out the fire that had caught on his sleeve and glanced around, looking for more monsters.
When he saw none, he moved on, not wanting to sheathe his sword quite yet. After another ten minutes, the path and the lava got closer to each other. Link took a sip of water, marveling at its coolness, and studied his surroundings. The path curved around a bend, through an arch, and disappeared from sight.
He moved on, and, after passing under the arch, he came to a dead end. Lava flowed freely around the solid path. Beyond that, the cave came to an end. Link walked forward, looking around. Now what? He sensed movement in the lava behind him, and turned, sword raised slightly. There was nothing there.
With a deep roar, something splashed out of the lava. Link turned around again, his mouth dropping open at the sight. Floating above him in lazy circles was a dragon. His red and orange scales glimmered in the red light provided by the lava. This dragon, like Faron, wore a kimono matching his scales. "Ho!" the dragon said. "What's this? A Hylian traversing the heat and fires of my domain?"
"Are you Eldin?" Link asked. "The Fire Dragon?"
The dragon floated down in front of the Link. "I am. And who are you that bears the mark of Courage, you who have been chosen by the goddesses?"
"I am Link, knight-in-training from Skyloft."
"Ah, but you are more than that, young Hero. I can see it. Practically an orphan, yet, somehow, you've managed to become a knight, as you said, and become what no Surface-dweller has become in many an age. You follow your predecessors' footsteps well. Now tell me, why have you come to me? I've sensed great disturbances: evil is no longer sleeping. Does your visit have to do with that?"
"In a way. I seek the Master Sword. Water Dragon Faron told me you may have information about its location."
"Ah, the Master Sword. No, I don't know, lad. Fi has not graced my province with her presence since the Hero of Twilight's age, in his service as his sword." The Fire Dragon scratched his chin. "Faron told you to talk to just me in this province? Did she not mention that the Light Spirit who dwells in Kakariko would have been able to answer your question as well."
"Yes, she told me to talk to you. She didn't mention any Light Spirit."
"Hmm…odd. What could she be up to?" This last bit was said quietly, but Link still heard the dragon anyway.
"What do you mean?" Link asked.
"Oh, nothing. The answer to your original query is no, the sword is not in my province. Try Lanayru Province. The Light Spirit may know. If he doesn't, then the Thunder Dragon can tell you. That old coot knows anything and everything that has to do with his province."
Link nodded, a little upset. Did no one know where the Master Sword was? "Thank you, Lord Eldin," he said, trying to hide his disappointment.
"Of course, my boy! And when you leave, take the left path. You probably didn't see it on your way in, but it's a safer path for fragile Hylians like you. The Gorons have yet to discover it." The dragon chuckled to himself and disappeared into the lava with a splash.
"You look weary, my friend!" a Goron called out to Link as he started toward the exit of the city. The rock creature stomped over. "Had a run in with lava, did you?"
"Actually it was a flaming bat," Link replied, rubbing a burn from a bat he had encountered on his way back from Eldin.
"Ah. Yes, those keese can be highly irritating. Anyways, you look like you could take a while to relax. We've got fantastic hot springs, heated by the volcano itself. We don't normally advertise them to Hylians, but Big Brother Darunia said you looked ready to keel over as you went to see the Fire Dragon. The hot springs will wipe away your sores and refresh your mind."
"That does sound tempting…"
"Come, brother. I insist!" The Goron led Link away from the city exit toward another path. They came out to an open-air pool of steaming water. The moon and stars shone down from an inky sky. "Go on, brother. The hot spring will fill you with energy, and even refresh your soul and mind."
Link sighed, truly convinced now. He pulled off his sword scabbard and shed his tunic, chain mail and boots, left with only his undershirt and pants. He stepped into the water, gasping slightly at the temperature.
"Nice isn't it?" the Goron asked, splashing into the hot spring. Link settled down into the water, feeling sleepy, yet comfortable. "Best place to take a nap after a sumo match!"
"Gorons sumo?" Link asked.
"Oh, yes! Several Hylians have tried to wrestle us, too, but only a few have every beaten us. One of them was the Hero of Twilight. The stories say he was a scrawny kid, but he was nearly as strong as a Goron. He was a good friend to us Gorons, having helped us, and came back many times to visit. There was one match where he wrestled the big brother of the time, a Goron twice the size of Big Brother Darunia."
Link mused, half-lidded and very sleepily, that his predecessor must have been incredibly strong. He sighed and closed his eyes fully, drifting off in the complete comfort and safety of the hot spring.
When Link opened his eyes next, he noticed that there was a pale dawn light filling the sky. Feeling utterly refreshed, Link stood. After donning his gear once more, he started for the exit of the hot springs, only to stop when he heard a deep voice calling out to him. "Did you enjoy yourself?" Darunia asked as he emerged from a side tunnel.
"I did," Link replied. "Thank you for the hospitality." The two started off along the path, heading back toward the main part of the Goron City."
"You're welcome, brother! You looked ready to fall over when you came to me yesterday evening. You needed the rest. By the way, how was your audience with the Fire Dragon? Were your questions answered?"
"Yes, but not in the way I would like them to be."
"So where do you plan on going next?"
"Lanayru Province. I'm hoping to seek out the light spirit there."
"Oy, that's not very close. I hope you have the means to get there."
"I do." Link thought of Redwing, and the bird's unfounded phobia of fire. The Loftwing wouldn't go close to Death Mountain – the closest he would get was Kakariko Village – and forced Link to make that climb the previous day.
Link and Darunia were near the exit when the Goron called out to another. The two had a quick conversation in the harsh and garbled language of the rock people before Darunia turned his attention back to Link. "My son here will escort you down the mountain to Kakariko Village."
"Thanks again, Darunia. I don't know how to repay you for your help."
"There's no need. You're an honorary brother of the Gorons, now, and I can tell you're special, kid. Just do me a favor and come visit, eh?" And the large, burly Goron clapped Link on the shoulder. The young man staggered at the unexpected blow. He quickly recovered and forced a grin.
"I'll be seeing you, then." Link turned to the smaller Goron. "Please, lead the way."
Author's note: Sorry for the delay. School's been rediculous lately. Thanks to Rooivalk253 and G.M for their reveiws! Hope you enjoyed this chapter and please, tell me what you think!