The Legend of Zelda: The Scepter of Darkness

Chapter 12: Brotherly Love

It wasn't too far of a ride to reach Death Mountain. Actually, when Link finally reached the slope that led up the mountain trail he found it surprising that he made such good time. The path up the mountain veered off to the right of the open field of Eastern Hyrule where Link now was. A little ways up and he found a fork. The left path went further up while the right went back down and around a bend. That, Link realized, must've been where Kakariko Village was.

Of course, Link pulled Malon up the left path and she followed along. Apparently she was well-accustomed to her new form for a while as she moved along graciously. Or perhaps the magic automatically gave her the proper instincts. Whatever the case, though she obviously wanted to return to normal soon, she was content with suffering through it a little longer.

As expected, the trek up the mountain was quite rocky and bumpy. Stones and even boulders had rolled down from higher up, cracking apart and causing trails of stone to be imbedded into the ground, leaving it unleavened. Some such boulders were still mostly intact, with large rocks on either side of the path or even in the center. Despite this, they pushed on, until coming to a sudden surprise…

"Halt!" a large goron proclaimed, his stone-like limbs crossing in front of his body. His front was mostly a bare brown, whereas the backside appeared to be covered in stone. He looked just like any other goron, yet something also seemed familiar… like he had a slight case of déjà vu'.

"I know not who you are," the goron proclaimed, "but you trespass on sacred grounds. These lands are forbidden for outsiders to enter."

Link saw that behind the goron, a large makeshift stone gate stood. It appeared relatively new; almost as if it was made in haste within the last few days. Regardless, Link didn't want to keep his 'friend' waiting or to give him the wrong impression.

"I am here to seek out one that has been taken here—a young girl of the forest, clad in green garbs. She had been captured by outsiders and I seek to rescue her," he stated, trying to sound as professional as possible.

The goron laughed. "Haha! Oh, you mean that girl? I'm sorry, but she must be sacrificed to the great fire dragon. The cursed one must be destroyed if this evil that has even the power to revive the dragon from it's grave is ever to part from this world."

Link groaned. "Since when do you people care about that beast? Isn't this the same dragon, the Goron-eater, which nearly destroyed the tribe of Gorons hundreds of years ago?"

The goron nodded. "Indeed. That is another reason why she must be sacrificed—to quench the wrath of Volvagia. Even the great fire dragon is affected by the ever-growing dark powers in this world."

Link had enough of this. He swiped his blade out of its sheath, baring it before him. "Alright, then, if you refuse to let me pass, I'll fight my way through!"

The goron bared his fists, entering into a fighting pose. "Then so be it, foolish boy!"

"WAIT!" a booming voice called out.

The goron turned around, surprise lingering in his eyes. "What?!"

An elderly goron made his way down to the gate. He was definitely old, but still appeared strong enough to pack a punch. Link wasn't sure who he was, but once again, that feeling of "déjà vu'" entered into his mind, yet not quite the same…it wasn't a true déjà vu', but he seemed to remember the person in question, though he did not know where…

The elderly goron stood tall and proud. "What have I taught you, my son? Foolish boy! Do you not know who this is?"

The goron shook his head. "No, I have never seen him before in my life."

The elder one laughed. "That is because you were not born when this young lad saved our people from starvation!"

The younger goron looked stunned. "Wait… It's HIM? My eyes only see a young man, yet by your account, he should be much older!"

The elder nodded. "Yes, that is true, but where he has been, time passed by at a slower rate. You may not find that logical, but it is true."

The younger lowered his head, nodding. "Yes, I see," he stated, then turned back to face Link. He bowed, graciously. "I am sorry for the trouble I have caused you, great warrior." Lifting his head up again, he continued. "I am Link-Goro, son of Big Brother, Darunia."

Link gasped. "Wait, so that's how I remember you!"

Link-Goro looked surprised. "Hmm? I've never seen you before in my life…"

Link raised an eyebrow, but then went and scratched his head. "Uh, heh, nevermind…"

Link-Goro went and stepped aside. Now Link himself saw that the gate wasn't really a gate at all—just a partial wall with a thin passage. "Well, it seems that you have been given the word. You may pass. Big Brother is waiting for you."

Link nodded, then looked passed the gate, or, wall…whatever it was, only to see that the elderly goron was already gone. 'That must've been Darunia… It explains why I remembered him, despite the fact he's much older now,' he thought to himself.

Shaking the thought out of his head, he quickly returned to Malon and climbed up on her back, again. It felt strange calling her that, but he knew it was the truth. Perhaps it'd be best to stick with Melinda until she was restored to normal.

Link rode through the gateway, but then a hand touched his shoulder. "Be careful on the mountain," Link-Goro stated. "The people of Masa are lurking in the shadows. Also, the gorons further ahead won't be friendly to you. Watch out for them."

Link nodded in reply. "Yes, of course," he stated. "I'll be careful."

Link-Goro nodded and let Link pass through. When he and the horse were completely passed the gate, Link-Goro stepped back in front of it again. 'There's no going back now,' he realized. Not that he wanted to, though…

XXXXX

Surprisingly, he didn't encounter many other gorons on the way up, and the Masans were no where to be found. As such, Link had little difficulty making it up the mountain to the cave entrance that led into Goron City. Two gorons were situated at the entrance, blocking out any intruders, but Link was welcomed in. Melinda, on the other hand, could not enter, for she wouldn't be able to get through the three-story cave that formed the city, very easily. He whispered a few words of encouragement to her and told her that he'd be back shortly, then entered into the city.

The city looked mostly normal, though some notable enhancements had been made. First of all, it definitely seemed much larger than before. More floors above had been added, and new slopes between floors were added, including a series leading down to Darunia's chamber. The hanging platform at the center of the room was also now gone. Other additions included metal gratings along certain floors where a path underneath had been dug out.

Another matter at hand was the gorons themselves; most of them seemed restless and in fear. No doubt it was the fear of the dragon, Volvagia. Perhaps this was the reason that they were so eager to aid the Masans. Or perhaps "eager" was not the right word…

Whatever the case, Link knew that he had to push on. He walked straight forward and down the path ahead, entering through the square, rock doorway which led to Big Brother's room. It was dimly lit, and still as small as ever. Only two torches were in here. Darunia himself stood with his back to the door, facing his throne. As Link expected, it was the same elderly goron he had seen before.

"I've been waiting for you," he stated, turning around to finally face Link. "It's been a long time, brother."

Link nodded. "Likewise," he replied.

Darunia nodded. "You know of the matter at hand, do you not?"

Link nodded in reply. "Yes, I do… Well, at least most of it, though the rest I could probably guess. It seems that the gorons have been essentially blackmailed into helping the Masans, correct?"

Big Brother nodded. "Yes, that is correct. I understood the problem of the dark power that had been unleashed, but I was very surprised to see just who was the one that first brought it upon us."

Link sighed. "I know," he stated.

"She is your friend, correct?" Darunia asked. "She is the one who made that magnificent melody?"

The young hero nodded, again. "Yes, she is. I take it you've since found out?"

Darunia laughed. "Why, of course! How could I not wish to find the source of such glamour? And besides, the knowledge of the sages is common between one another. Such a surprise to learn that the source of this song you first taught me was another one of the seven."

Suddenly, he turned aside. "But that is another matter. You and I both know that Saria's life is vital to us if we want to stop the evil power from growing. Killing her only plays into the dark one's hands."

"Where is she?" Link asked.

Darunia nodded. "That is the easy question. She is being held within the crater itself. However, the path is being blocked off. You will need to find another route."

Link rolled his eyes. "There's no time for that! By the time we could find another way up there, she'll be dead!"

Now this time the elderly goron shook his head. "Ah, but that is not so. There is another way. As we have dug deeper and deeper into the caverns, we found a path that linked to the Fire Temple. If you find the path through the Dodongo's Caverns that leads to the temple, you can climb back out into the crater of the mountain and rescue Saria. You must make haste, though, for I fear that the dragon will soon stir."

Link nodded, but then something came to mind. "Mmm… How does this work out, though…? Wouldn't the dragon kill those Masans, too?"

Darunia shook his head. "That would normally have been the case, but now it is not so. The dark one behind this is manipulating Volvagia with her dark powers. So long as they listen to what she is saying, the dragon will only attacked the one being sacrificed. The gorons are being spared so long as we cooperate."

The young hero nodded one again. "Hmm, I see… Well, that explains that."

"Indeed," Darunia stated. "You must being going now, though. However, you may at least wish to take one of our Goron tunics with you so that you will protected from the fiery mountain."

Suddenly, a new thought occurred to Link. "Wait… What about Saria?! I doubt they gave her one of those things, so how will she survive the heat of the mountain?!"

The goron shrugged his shoulders. "I doubt they would've overlooked that. The dragon will not be pleased with a dead sacrifice. What is likely the case is that some of her garments have been taken to slow the effects of the heat long enough for the sacrifice to be fulfilled. You should probably leave now. We will take care of your horse until you return."

Link nodded, bowing slightly. "Thank you."

Darunia shook his head. "No, thank you. It is you who has saved us twice in the past, and now you seek to help us again."

Link raised an eyebrow. "Twice…?"

Darunia just smiled.