Author's Note: Well hello there, my fellows! Welcome to Eldin Volcano! The tittle is totally random.

Chapter 12: A trek on the fire

I started to walk straight until something bubbled on the ground. It was the same water monster except instead of water, it had fire. I cautiously demolished it and was proud that I wasn't on fire…yet. I continued down the path before making a left and jumped across the platforms. Before I did that though, I struck the goddess cube and then proceeded to jump.

On the first floating rock, the moment I touched it, it started to rumble which indicated that it was going to sink down. With a quick haste, I made it to the other side. I climbed the hills and two more fire creatures appeared. In the end, they were dead.

I trekked down the path and into a tunnel, only to find that it was a dead end since the boulders had blocked it. Fi informed me that I should get bombs so I got out of the tunnel and started to think where I can buy or get them. Sighing, I jumped down to reach the solid ground before jumping on the rocks to get to the other side.

I made a quick dash on the side of the wall to get on the path. I then turned left which I found more of those unstable rocks. Once I got to the other side, I halted, seeing something moving underneath the grounds. If it was trying to hide, it didn't do a good job since I could still see their movements.

I jumped back when I saw two yellow creatures, popping out. One of them had their hair tied up while the other one was wearing it flat. They looked like they were wearing some stripes and they had black-blue hands. I was still in my fighting stance but they didn't look like they wanted to harm me.

I warily walked towards them as one of them started to speak to me.

"Hey! Hey! Hey! Y-you mess with our turf and you're gonna…pay?"

I tilted my head to the side with confusion.

"Whoa! You're not…Yo, Ledd, I don't think this is one of those red creeps."

I nodded. "I'm not. My name is Link."

"Link eh?" Ledd replied. "Y-y-yeah, I think you're right…No reason to scare the hair off us, though!"

"Sorry! I didn't mean to." I apologized.

"Sorry 'bout that, pal. These monsters showing up and messing with our turf has got me on edge. They show up here, and I'm gonna knock the red clean out of 'em'! That's what I'm doing here. Yeah, me, Ledd."

The other one scoffed, raising his hands up. "Yeah, whatever, Mr. Too Scared to Dig in the Dark."

Ledd seemed to ignore him. "Anyway, if you're looking for treasure, you should stay clear of those red guys."

I nodded. "Okay." I continued to run down the path until I was met with the small fire creatures. One of them managed to latch onto me but I quickly shook it off my arm. The fire was slightly burning my fabric so I did a quick forward roll to extinguish it. Once I exited out of the small tunnel, I spotted that there were few flying creatures that seemed to be on fire.

One of them came at me but I defeated it with one strike. However, as I went further in, I observed that there were holes of live lava and it was sprouting out as I walked to them but they disappeared down to the ground after a while.

I have a feeling that they would go up again.

So, going to my left, I was pleased that this…room wasn't as stuffy like the previous one. That same yellow creature was also there so I talked to him.

"Huh? Who're you supposed to be? Never seen you around here before…"

"I'm Link."

"Hmm…Whoa, hold it right there! Are you a friend of those red creeps?!"

"What? No!" I exclaimed.

"You're not, huh? Well, you don't look like 'em, that's for sure. You're not that ugly."

I scowled. "What's that supposed to mean?" I slightly hissed.

I think he purposely ignored my question. "So what then? You here to pick bomb flowers?"

"Yes."

"That's what I figured (Aren't you the brightest bloke, I thought sourly). You can pick some pretty powerful ones in this area." he then motioned me to turn around to see the blue flower bombs that were scattered. "Look! There is some right over there! Take as many as you want."

He then explained to me how to use one of them. After he finished talking, I picked one up and threw it to where the boulder is. Naturally, it blew up but I dodged a few flying rocks that were sent flying. It created me a pathway and I looked up to see other boulders though this one was a bit high up. Like before, I timed it and threw it; it blew up.

The last one left a surprise for me. After I had blown it up, a huge fire creature emerged. It spotted its enemy and it came after me. I backed up to have a good distance. Thinking quickly, I took a bomb out and threw it inside of its mouth; it swallowed.

I stared at it as nothing happened for a while but at the last minute, it exploded. The very last boulder proved to be a bit tricky since it was on the ground. The first try wasn't successful since it got blown up at the side of the wall. I tried again and this time it did once I rolled the flower bomb.

I went through the tunnel (the one where I had blown up first) while coming across the fire Keeses. I continued down the path but I was spoken to the other creature that apparently saw a funny-dressed creature that went into the hole over there.

I narrowed my eyes, thinking it might be Zelda but I'm not sure. It exclaimed that it might be the friend who I was looking for and it asked me if I wanted to hear what this kook was wearing so I said yes.

"Let's see…Yeah, I'm pretty sure the getup was blackish. Other than that, I don't remember much."

I sighed but thought that it might be Ghirahim. Nonetheless I wasn't hundred percent sure. After he was done talking, I went to my right and was about to jump off to the other solid ground until I saw a strange creature.

It squealed in fright but I managed to take a look at it. It had red and yellow skin. It might've had blue or green eyes but I wasn't sure since it had small eyes. It had a strange looking thing on its forehead with a blue orb on top of the…stick? It resembled of a lizard since it moved in sideways and it disappeared into a hole.

However, from the hole, a shot of lava blasted out and I waited until it was cooled off but it didn't hence I went back. I was confused and lost, needless to say. I was sweating and the air was slightly getting harder to breath. I missed the fresh air.

Nevertheless, I decided to go back to where that lizard-creature was. It was then that I noticed that there were bombs and it made me to wonder if I had to blow up the creature. It saddened me to think that I had to since it didn't do any harm on me yet.

Man, I'm such a softie.

Exhaling, I picked up the flower bombs and it got destroyed since I heard a yelp which somewhat made me to flinch. After that, I pretty much continued to trudge down the path. Being too deep in thought, I didn't notice that I suddenly felt like I was sinking. I was proven to be right when I found myself that the platform in which I was standing on, was actually sinking.

Gasping, I was almost got caught on fire but I quickly went backwards. I threw the bomb towards the falling lava and within seconds, the path in which it had lava was nothing but a solid firm ground. In result, I quickly dashed to get to the other side and once I reached to the cave, I jumped down.

Inside, was a bit cooler and it was nothing but rocks which I was thankful for. I had enough seeing lava. Going through the tunnel and turned right, there was a grey creature that looked like one of those yellow ones. It grumbled in angry as I approached to it.

"Grr…Those creeps just shimmied on in and took over our territory." it turned around and gave out a shriek of fright. "Yeow! What're you doing? Don't be sneakin' up on me like that! Huh? You're looking for you friend?"

I nodded. "Yes."

"Can't help you there. Nobody's come through here, so… Maybe they went up the mountain from over thataway." he motioned to the other path. "Ahh…wish someone would chase these clowns outta here."

"I will do it."

I then walked ahead of him, seeing a bunch of bokoblins. The battle was the same as any other bokoblin I had fought previously. Some would try to attack me, only to fail at it while some would block the attacks I would make and the other ones would be dead after a quick swish.

"Woah…You took out every last one of 'em…" the grey creature responded, amazed.

I walked towards him.

"You're one tough costumer! Thanks for all your help!" it exclaimed, happily.

"No problem."

"I don't blame you for not knowing this, but us Mogmas always honor our debts. Let me give you something to prove it. Any special requests?"

"But really! It's ok! You don't need to." I refused the offer.

"But I insist!" it demanded more forcefully. "Just pick one!"

I sighed before I said a way forward.

"Oh, right. You're trying to find your friend, aren'tcha?"

I nodded.

"In that case, take these things! They're something pretty special, if I say so myself." he then gave me an item that was called Digging Mitts. It had claws at the front while it was covered by the gloves with strange patterns; the colors were mostly brown and light-yellow. The light-yellow was at the top while the bottom was brown.

"With these, you should be able to get to the top of that ledge right behind me. Just try digging in that hole below the ledge. You're in for a surprise!"

I gave my thanks and thought to try out these Digging Mitts. They were really quite odd…I jogged towards the hole and stared at it. I then lowered myself and then placed the item on my hands. It felt so weird to be able to dig which revealed those geysers, indicating my way up. I continued to go straight while using the mitts whenever it is available for them. In return, the geysers were revealed and I flew up. However, I paused before going back down.

First, I gotta do something. After getting out those geysers and all that, I found myself out of the cave and dropped myself down to the ground where I saw the Mogma.

He explained to me that he saw one of my people that was dressed all in black. I was beginning to think that maybe it was Ghirahim. He also said that he considered the path in front of him was a dead end but it just danced over to the other side.

"My jaw hit the dirt."

I then went in front of it, hearing something rumbling. I looked ahead and saw that a bridge was coming out to connect a path. As I was about to walk across the bridge, someone shouted to me.

"You, the goddess's chosen hero…" I looked up, squinting my eyes to see a figure. "Zelda is ahead…"

My eyes widened when it mention Zelda. I tried to look at the figure but all I could see was black.

"Hurry."

"What? Is she hurt?" I shouted, panicking. However, the figure made a quick swish of its cape and jumped down below, disappearing. Wasting no time, I ran across the bridge while not even hearing the Mogma shouting to be careful.

I ran towards my left, entering a channel whereas swiftly dodging the fire Keeses. I was exhausted when I was running the uphill but I didn't give up. Not when Zelda isn't too far. I ran even faster, seeing a cliff in which I had to dash to get up. But what I didn't notice was that there was a bokoblin.

I only took note of its presence when it wacked me with its club, sending me to slide down the hill. I struggled to get to the crate-like and I was just lucky enough to do so. Once I was on the crate, I glared at the bokoblin.

Thinking, I grabbed my slingshot and in return, I noticed that it was out of range. However, I raised it a bit higher which it defeated the bokoblin after a few hits, sending down the rock to roll down the hill. When that was settled, I resumed my running to go up the hill.

Observing that I was probably trespassing the bokoblin camps (they were dead and I blew up the lookout), I went straight ahead while splashing into something. I noted that it was water which made me to wonder how there was water here in the first place. Nevertheless, I took out my empty bottle and filled it where I drank it…actually, the water was gone within minutes.

I hadn't realized just how thirsty I was. I filled the bottle again before going up the vines. However, I laid on the ground, spread out. I was just simply exhausted…my eyes began to be heavy, comprehending that I probably trekked the volcano for days and I still haven't reached the temple yet. My eyes continued to drop with fatigue until the fatigue took me over.


I opened my eyes, hoping that I was back on Skyloft but I wasn't. I was still in this forsaken place. Just how long is this…mountain? How many days will I have to trek until I finally reached the temple?

Groaning, I pushed myself and I observed that I had muscle pains. Probably from fighting nonstop.

"Master." Fi replied. "Are you okay?"

I looked towards at Fi who was floating beside me. Worry was all over her face.

"I will be. I just have muscle pains."

Once I felt better, I resumed my long trek. I glared at the long uphill that was in front of me and took a breath before I decided to charge. I moved out of the way to avoid the rolling boulder. Man, these bokoblin are so darn annoying. I was pleased to find out that they died…courtesy of me.

My legs were burning since I put pressure on them and I took a rest on the safe ground where it had two bokoblins. And you probably know the result.

Yup, they're dead!

I then dodged the oncoming boulders in which it had three of them since they were three bokoblins. I decided to make my life easier (actually it was never easy once I became the hero but you know what I mean) and I took out my slingshot to destroy the three annoying pests. I charged up the hill and dashed up the small cliff. I was delighted to see a building with a huge red gem in front of the ledge that was down below the door that was filled with patterns.

Running happily, I made my way towards the door.

Did I mention that I slightly scared Fi when I ran happily?

No? Well she kinda had a worried look and mentally questioned about my insanity. In result, my insanity had left me from the moment I started this journey. So, I guess I don't blame Fi for looking at me worried. I would probably do that too if I was her…

"Hmm…I'm sure they buried it around here someplace, but I can't find it." the Mogma replied, disgruntled.

"Yo, Ledd! This is the place, ain't it? So what is it they buried again? A key! K-E-Y, KEY!"

"They busted up the key to that door and hid the pieces all over the place."

"What?!" I screeched, making the two wince and they turned to see me.

"Oh hello there!" Ledd greeted me.

"What do you mean they busted the key?!" I asked, though maybe it was bit menacing since Ledd cowered in fright.

"Uh-I-er…"

"I'm telling you, one of the five pieces is buried right around here." Ledd's friend took over. I was surprised to see that he was unfazed by my tone. "Hey, that reminds me…That strange blonde girl in the weird clothes got taken away too."

"Zelda?!" I exclaimed.

"Yeah whatever her name was." Ledd's friend spoke.

"That's right! I bet they got something really valuable stashed in there." Ledd replied, happily.

I mentally mocked Ledd. Well really! What can you expect?! You have trekked through the mountain, nearly being caught on fire while nearly being squashed by the rolling boulders! And then you finally made your way to the temple, only to hear that the bloody key was busted! How would you feel?!

"And that blonde girl they took is probably part of their master plan too. I'm telling you, I can smell the riches from here!"

"What master plan?" I asked.

"I don't know." Ledd answered which I groaned. The weird part was that Ledd reminded me of Groose…

I perked up when his friend said that once they find all the pieces to the key. I kinda zoned out at the beginning of his sentence. I rolled my eyes and left them to talk until one of them said why are they so worried when they can dig they're way in. I slightly sniggered when Ledd spoke.

"You ain't as dumb as you look!" With that, they disappeared.

What about me?!

"Master, Link-"

"What Fi!" I shouted. She slightly seemed hurt by my shouting.

My eyes softened. "Look Fi, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell at you. It's just that all this trekking up the mountain and finally getting to the temple, only to find that the key is busted just makes me…frustrated. I don't even know where the pieces of the key are."

"I understand your frustration, Master but if I may continue?" I nodded. "I require your confirmation on critical information obtained from that Mogma conversation. The oddly garbed figure taken deeper into the region must be…"

"The women in black?" I replied, not too sure.

"The women in black? The probability of your assessment being correct is…10%. Rounded up. I conclude the subject was likely Zelda."

"Really!?"

She nodded. "Additionally, I calculate there is a 95% probability that the key to this door is made of the same material composition as this mechanism that bars it."

Hmm…

"I have detected objects of the same material in the surrounding area."

"Really!?" I asked, excitedly. Yes!

She then went on how the ascertaining the location of these objects will aid in our search for Zelda. She had registered them as dowsing targets. Like before, it was just that easy with the dowsing process. I dug one up and continued to hunt for them. I was somewhat annoyed that one of the pieces was down the hill but nevertheless, I went to hunt for them.

Needless to say, I had a fun time blowing up the tower that crumpled down. After getting the second piece, I resumed my dowsing search. Finally, I got all the pieces and happily ran towards the door.

Oh that reminds me. When I was searching for the third piece, I nearly got burned…anyways.

The pieces were put together into a circle that was fit enough to fit the circle that was on the key. The key started to turn, lifting itself up and it stopped once it had reached the final stop. The door gave a slight push before it opened, revealing the entrance. Dust came out of it and I shielded my face with my hands.

I glared down at the intense light that reminded me of magma and I descended down the stairs as particles of lava floated aimlessly.

Now my friends…

I welcome you to the temple.

Author's Note: yay! The temple finally appeared! Till next time! Oh um...I think you might hate me in the next chapter...or the one after that...