A/N: This chapter was revised as of 2/8/13 – Polished, added narrative.

This chapter was revised as of 5/29/13 – Minor errors and typos fixed.

What Makes a Hero

By: Selphie Kinneas 175

Chapter 12: Burn

.:.

Colin had come to merely a few hours after the attack, his first words concerning that of Link.

At the time of the young boy's inquiry, the hero had been bed-ridden and remained unconscious. Renado and Luda stayed at his side while the other children went to Colin at the news of his awakening.

Beth had been the one to answer his question, "He's doing better now."

The blond boy looked confused, "'He's doing better'? That means something happened! Is he okay? I need to see him!" he declared as he shot up in bed in a panic.

If something had happened to his hero because of him… he would never be able to forgive himself.

The children exchanged indecisive glances before Beth spoke up again, "Mister Renado said you need to stay in bed though, Colin…"

The boy sighed, never being one to disregard authority or deliberately disobey his elders, "I need to see him. Mister Renado will understand," he stated as he swung his short legs over the side of the bed and slowly dropped his feet to the floor.

He was still slightly woozy and he wavered a bit, but Talo was there to help him. The village children had always made it a daily routine, picking on the timid lad, but the incident with the Bulblins had completely changed all of their opinions about him.

The four Ordonian children made their way to the end of the hall where their hero was located. The door was slightly ajar, so Colin stuck his head inside and peeked in. He saw Link, lying bare-chested and seemingly asleep on the cot while Renado did some work on his left side and Luda tended to his right. The shaman didn't look up from his task, and yet, he spoke to the young ones at the door.

"I do believe my instructions were for Colin to remain in bed," his deep voice sounded.

Colin looked down, fearing punishment as that was usually what came after a stern talking to back home.

The older man glanced at the door with a scarcely visible smirk as he spoke up gently, "Come in quietly, children."

They did just that cautiously, Talo, Malo, and Beth remaining just a few steps into the room as Colin stumbled over to the bedside to have a closer look at his brother-figure. He looked him up and down, worry easily read on his young features.

Renado noticed this and spoke calmly, "Do not fret, child, he merely sleeps."

The boy sighed in silent relief, trying to turn his gaze from his friend's wounds. Truthfully, they appeared to be in much better shape than they were previously – it was a good thing the young boy didn't see them then; he would have nearly had a heart attack.

Luda sat at Link's right side, periodically handing her father whatever he needed when he called for it. The three puncture wounds on that side had already been stitched up, and the young nurse was holding some kind of herb Colin didn't recognize to the massive, purpling bruise that lay on top of them. Renado was busy sealing up the large slash to Link's left side, already having done the same with the two smaller injuries from when the deku baba's teeth had penetrated his flesh.

After a few moments of silence, the older man spoke up again, "It's getting late, children, you all need to go get your rest."

"Aw man! But Colin just got up!" Talo stomped his foot angrily.

"Okay, Mister Renado," Beth obeyed, grabbing Talo's wrist, "Good night!" she called back to those in the room as she dragged the younger boy off against his will.

Malo scoffed and under his breath he mumbled, "Right, sleep. I'm gonna be up all night getting ready for opening day of my shop tomorrow…" and he, too, was off.

The shaman looked up at the small, blond boy opposite him, "You too, Colin."

Colin's gaze met his, "I want to stay by Link… please?" he asked genuinely.

"You need your rest as well, that ordeal today will have your body worn out for some time."

"If I get tired, I'll go to bed. Promise," he persisted.

Renado sighed, taking a moment to think on it, "Alright, then you can take Luda's place," he replied as he noticed his daughter yawning, offering her some much needed sleep.

Colin nodded happily as Luda got up from her seat, gave her father a hug, and left the room. The young boy sat down and watched the older man do his work. The room was silent for quite some time, until the shy lad began to notice that Link was hardly moving or doing much that suggested life at all, and he instantly became worried all over again.

"Mister Renado, is he gonna be okay?" Colin inquired.

The shaman didn't look up, "Of course. Your friend is-"

"My brother," he interjected.

Renado raised his gaze to that of the boy opposite him, "Your brother?"

Colin looked down at his hands, seemingly disheartened, "Well… he's not technically my brother… but I've known him my whole life, and he's always been there for me, and… and I wanna be just like him when I grow up! He's… he's my hero."

"Well, that sounds like a real brother to me," the shaman replied as he returned to his work, but he could see Colin grinning out of the corner of his eye. "As I was saying," he started, "Your brother is very strong. He will be just fine in no time at all."

The man's words truly touched his adolescent heart. He had always wished with all his might that Link was his true brother. He knew that nothing could change that no matter how much he wanted it, he simply reveled in the idea of being like his hero when he grew up. The young boy couldn't fight the smile even if he wanted to, same with the sleep that came soon afterward.

The next day, Link awoke only to eat and drink, and he soon fell back asleep. That night, however, a certain imp's patience was wearing thin.

"Wake up!" he could hear the grating voice in his dreams, "You've gotten enough sleep for four people! Now, get up!"

Link opened his eyes slowly, it was the middle of the night and he was alone in the room, save for his shadow, of course. He blinked a few times, removing the sleep from his eyes and taking a moment to fully awaken.

Midna noticed that he was no longer asleep and she swooped down into his line of vision, "Finally!" she barked, "Now we can get going."

Link sighed, knowing he was needed in the mines and that he would get no relief from this imp until his task was complete. Despite the pain from his injuries, the day of rest was much welcomed by the hero. It was then that he remembered what exactly had happened.

He flipped back the thin sheet that covered his body in order to take a look at his freshly dressed wounds. He grimaced as the sight of the gash in his side brought back the memory of the initial pain of the strike. He took a moment to rationally think: should he really be leaving so soon after getting patched up? He didn't want his wounds to reopen – again.

"Midna, I think I need some more time to heal."

The sinister girl laughed hysterically, as if he had said something truly amusing, "Yeah, right. We're leaving. Do I honestly need to keep reminding you that you're my slave? You do as I say!"

Link closed his eyes, wishing that this was just some bad nightmare, but every time he reopened them they met with her single crimson one.

He sighed as he sat up on the stuffy cot. His head was still a little bit fuzzy as he reached his hands up to massage his temples. He removed the covers completely and set his bare feet on the cold wooden floor before standing up the rest of the way. He reached his arms up high in a long, much-needed stretch, grumbling a bit as he did so due to the discomfort at his sides, but it wasn't anything drastic.

Midna huffed, "Can we go now? You take forever on the simplest things. Just get dressed and let's get going to those mines! You know the longer you take, the more danger you put that stupid girl i-"

"Don't," he cut her off, turning to meet her gaze, "call her that."

She scoffed, "Whatever, let's just go."

Link remained locked on her one, glowing eye until it was out of his sight in his shadow. He found his clothing and accessories on a nearby table and approached them. They had been washed and sewn up; how they got the blood out of his tunic, he had no idea, but he was grateful.

He felt bad for leaving in the middle of the night, but Hyrule needed him. He pulled on his ivory shirt, followed by his chainmail, and then the hero's tunic. He still felt odd about wearing it. Was it honestly worn by the ancient hero, or was it simply remade to look similar? He didn't know, and he didn't really want to dwell on the thought of wearing a dead man's clothing, even if it was that of someone as legendary as the Hero of Time.

He proceeded to reattach the pouch to his waist as he thought about how this item perplexed him as well. It was magical, without a doubt; he could fit any size and any weight object into it, yet it would not bulge or grow heavy. It was amazing, strange, yet very handy at the same time.

He sat on the bed as he put on his boots, his gloves and bracer, followed by his sword, his shield, and lastly, his green cap. Link sighed as he squirmed a bit, readjusting into the still-unfamiliar clothes just before heading out of the small room and down the hallway when he heard a quiet voice behind him.

"Link?" a whisper reached his Hylian ears as he whirled around and was greeted with the small form of Colin standing in the doorway he had just passed by.

The young boy rubbed the sleep from his eyes, making sure this wasn't a dream as he said, "Are you all better? Where are you going?"

Link walked up to him in order to keep his voice low so as to not awaken the others, "Yeah, I'm all better. I'm going to help the Gorons in the mine, can you watch over everyone here for me?"

Colin sighed, "I tried… last time you told me, I tried… but I didn't do so good," he hung his head as if in shame.

The hero knelt down so his eyes would be level with that of the boy's as he placed his hands on his small shoulders, "Colin, you were very brave. You saved Beth's life."

The youth looked up, bewildered, "Her life?"

"Yeah," Link smiled, "If you weren't there to push her out of the way, that monster would have gotten her, and who knows what would have happened."

Colin nodded, satisfied.

"I'm very proud of you for protecting everyone while I was gone, that's why I'm hoping you can help me with that again."

The blond boy grinned, "I'll try my best."

Link couldn't help but smile as he rose to his feet and ruffled the child's hair, "I'll be back as soon as I can. Now, go get some sleep," he stated as his younger brother did just that.

The trek up the mountain was monotonous, to say the least.

He had to strap on the iron boots in order to take down a Goron, then he had to take off the heavy shoes in order to continue up the mountain. But every single time, another rampaging rock creature would come rolling down the hill, forcing Link to repeat the same process over and over again. Not only that, but after making it so far, flaming boulders began erupting from the volcano in intervals, always seeming to plummet to the ground near the hero.

For the first time, Midna had actually done something helpful. She had been the one to suggest buying a new, metal shield before heading to the fiery mountain considering he previously held a wooden one.

As Link made his way into the heavily Goron-inhabited part of the mountain, he noticed a great, looming shadow on the ground, coming from above him. He looked skyward, and what he saw was none other than a massive boulder headed straight for him. He picked up the pace and just as the colossal rock was about to crush him, he performed a swift roll, just barely saving himself.

He took a brief moment to catch his breath as he looked back at what nearly squished him before continuing his ascent.

Truthfully, Link was confused. He had heard numerous stories about the mountain-dwelling tribe and none made them sound hostile. He had always been told that the Gorons were calm, gentle creatures, and yet, here they were, lunging at him in attack. The hero didn't want to fight or harm them, so he merely bounced his sword off of them, sending them into a defensive ball. Paying close attention to how the rock people got around themselves, he adopted their methods, using the balled-up Gorons' backs to launch himself one step at a time up the mountain.

Slowly, but surely, he made his way to the peak of the volcano where he had to prove himself in a sumo match against the Goron elder, Gor Coron. Being unable to put the iron boots on in front of the crowd of irritated behemoths, he proceeded with the match without them.

Nonetheless, he still fought to the best of his abilities, but he only lasted mere seconds before he was harshly shoved from the ring. He landed on the floor with a loud thud, sighing as the air escaped his lungs in an instant. He took a moment before getting to his feet and the Gorons all but laughed in his face. That was alright though, because he would be back in just a moment and he knew he would win the competition then.

He told the elder he needed a minute to regain his composure, when really he merely stepped out of their sight, slipped on the heavy boots, and reentered the arena. The shoes were far from quiet, so he did his best to walk as slowly and as noiselessly as he possibly could, and he hoped the Gorons wouldn't notice.

The match lasted several minutes and it was filled with slaps, grabs, ducks, and dodges, but eventually it ended with Link the victor. In that instant, the Gorons' trust was his, and Gor Coron relayed some information to him about the tribe's patriarch named Darbus.

He explained that the Gorons had been trusted with a treasure by the spirits, and when Darbus reached out to touch said treasure, something went terribly wrong, and the patriarch was turned into an unspeakable monster. So, with what strength they had left, the Gorons sealed their possessed leader deep inside the mountain where he could not harm anyone. It was then that Link was quested with going to the aid of this 'Darbus.' The young hero, of course, agreed – he never was and never could be the type of person to turn down anyone in need.

Heat.

For Din's sake, the heat was so overwhelming.

Link covered his face with his forearm as he descended the small hill at the entrance to the volcano, shielding his eyes from the floating particles that came off of the magma. It wasn't as if he expected it to be anything other than hot in here, but there simply weren't words for just how hot it truly was.

Waterfalls of lava cascaded down into a pool of more of just such, while geysers of the molten flame spewed out from said pool at unsystematic intervals, creating a not so inviting welcome. Random pieces of rock were strewn about the lake of magma, and metal pipes adorned the walls and floors beyond it.

The Goron Mines. How could anyone truly mine here? He couldn't help but wonder. Sure, they were rock creatures, so perhaps the lava wasn't so threatening to them, but was this honestly their idea of a calming and soothing atmosphere?

"Just so you know," that pesky voice spoke up, "Staring at the lava isn't going to make it disappear. I would suggest getting across!"

Her sarcastic and blunt remarks were beginning to become routine and the hero had basically grown accustomed to them. Heeding her words without so much as a verbal response, he took a moment to prepare himself. He approached the edge of the main stretch of land and cautiously looked down.

The roaring pit of flowing magma was absolutely terrifying. Link knew that if he took one wrong step, if he made one single mistake or just barely missed the jump, he was a goner. It wouldn't be a quick, painless death either, he was sure. He couldn't imagine the sheer agonizing expiry that would follow landing in a pool of lava, and he didn't want to.

He inhaled through his nose, his eyes closed as he assured himself that he would be alright, that the Goddesses were watching over him – surely they wouldn't let their hero die in such a way… right?

When he realized he was as ready as he was ever going to be, he knew he needed to just do it and get it over with. He took in a deep breath and leapt to a bit of rock in the middle of the flowing magma. He turned to his left, finding a geyser spewing from the pool and waited for the right time before making the next leap. He went over a narrow strip of rock before coming to the final jump with a rather wide jet of lava blocking his path. He paused, and as soon as the spout ceased, he went for the jump.

He was boiling over with anxiety by this point and was overly anxious to get to the other side. Moving much too hastily, his nerves got the best of him and his right foot nearly missed the landing, scraping his boot along the face of the rock. He stumbled and gasped, fearing that the lava would spray out and scorch his foot, but he pulled it up just in time.

He simply sat on solid ground for a moment, breathing hard as his heart pounded in his chest – he realized at that moment that getting through these mines was going to be hell.

The hero found this entrance room to be much simpler to decipher in terms of puzzles when compared to his previous 'dungeon,' as Midna called them. He was so curious about them. Who placed all of these puzzles and riddles throughout these places? Was it the same evil that Zelda spoke of, trying to make the young man's job harder? Or did the inhabitants of these places create these puzzles so that no outsiders could enter? Either answer made little sense to him.

He made his way through spouts of flame, hitting switches and such as he went. He took out a few slugs encased in fire as well, and he couldn't help but think how strange they looked. As he passed through the first door, he came into a massive area filled with rusty machinery and tarnished metal. He noticed a few large, round mechanisms that seemed to be connected to some sort of swivel, as if they could move, although they were all currently idle and they appeared to be unused for quite some time. He ignored them for now and continued onward.

He found some familiar enemies, as well as some new ones. Much to his distaste, he found another pool of lava in the next room along with the need to hop over small rock platforms to get across. He jumped quickly and apprehensively, the immense heat scorching his flesh with every hurdle. It didn't get any easier the more he did it – it was still just as horrifying as the first time, and he doubted that would change for however long he spent in this inferno.

On the other side he found a stone gate attached to a chain with a rather obvious pull lever. At first he found the door was much too heavy and that he couldn't keep his footing, so he donned the iron boots and found it to be a bit simpler. He pulled the door as far back as it could go and noticed that it began receding as soon as he dropped the lever from his grasp.

Being unprepared and not anticipating the door to retreat back into its starting point, he removed the boots as quickly as he could and then darted off to the right as soon as he realized, getting ready to hop to the first platform but found one of the pillars of fire to be in his way.

"Go! The door is almost closed!" Midna shouted.

"Would you like me to jump right into that lava, Midna?" he spat back irritably.

She huffed and retreated to watch him from the shadows. As soon as the fountain diminished, he leapt and ran with much haste. Up ahead he saw the gate nearing its destination and he picked up the pace. With only a few feet in between the spiked door and the wall, the young hero rolled as quickly as he could and just barely made it on the other side before the loud booming of stone meeting stone reached his ears. He remained on the ground where he landed for a moment, wiping the sweat from his brow and catching his breath.

What he found next both startled and overjoyed him. Through the door he found a pool, and not a pool of lava, but of water! Delighted, he dove headfirst into the liquid, taking a moment to cool down. Much to his dismay, the water was far from cool, in fact, it was actually rather warm, but at least it was something.

He floated there for a moment before his shadow began barking at him to hurry up and he continued on. At first he tried diving to the opening in the grating near the bottom of the pool, but found it to be difficult. It wasn't until a few tries later that Midna spoke up.

"Ugh, put on the iron boots you dummy."

He thought about it and realized it could work, but it frightened him a little – what if they got stuck? What if he couldn't get them off in time and he drowned? He cast that thought aside as he got back up on land, strapped on the heavy equipment, and took in a deep breath before sinking to the bottom of the water.

On the other side he found a switch and he walked onto it without a second thought. What happened then made him nearly choke in shock; he would have gasped, had he been above water.

He was suddenly grasped by an unknown force by his feet that flipped him upside down and plopped him harshly back on the ground, except… it didn't feel right. He opened his eyes to see his whole world upside-down. He took in a deep breath once he realized he was out of the water as he looked around. The force that grabbed him had appeared to be that of a magnetic energy, picking him up by the iron boots and sticking him to more of the same substance that wrapped around the ceiling and onto more stable (right-side up) ground above him.

He took a few heavy steps, realizing very quickly how demanding the typically easy task had become. Not only were the boots extremely heavy in weight to lift, but as soon as one of the boots disconnected from the magnetic force, gravity immediately tried to tug his leg back down to the water; he had to use all of his strength to keep it upright. It took some time, but he eventually made his way across the blue substance as it rounded and changed from the ceiling to the ground and he was back to being level.

He exhaled as he removed his boots and his shadow made itself visible.

"Well," Midna began, floating in a seated position beside the hero, "That sure ought to come in handy."

Link nodded, "As exhausting as it is though, yes, it should be helpful."

"Oh, get over it. You're the Goddess-chosen hero and all that; it's probably not supposed to be easy."

Link put the hefty equipment back into his weight-removing pouch and was still, seemingly in thought. He nodded again, as he often did.

Midna assumed this gesture he frequently performed was a way he kept himself going; she pictured him giving himself optimistic thoughts and signifying them with a nod to get himself moving again. She didn't care how he did it, as long as he kept going. She needed that treasure, at whatever cost. Once she got it, it didn't matter what happened to these stupid light-dwellers.

In the next room Link was pleased to find a Goron elder awaiting his arrival. Gor Amoto spoke of how word had reached him of the young hero, and that his heart must be true. Link didn't understand how word could have gotten to him in here, but he didn't say a thing; perhaps the Goron elders had a way of communicating with each other when they were apart.

The small Goron handed the young man a key shard, explaining to him that it was one of three and that when they were all combined, they formed a single large key that would unlock the door to which the crazed patriarch Darbus was being held, and that each of the elders held a piece.

Walking sideways on the wall proved to be even more difficult and strenuous than walking on the ceiling. When walking sideward, gravity pushed down on the hero's body, requiring him to use all of his muscles in order to keep himself upright. If he relaxed one bit, his body would bend with gravity, making his legs feel as if they would snap at the ankles.

It was painful and demanding in every meaning of the words, but he got through it as quickly as he could only to meet with another massive room in which the only means of travel was by the magnetically enhanced ceiling. He sighed, preparing himself as he donned the boots, stepped onto the switch, and was spun and thrown onto the upside-down walkway.

Hours came and went. It was a magnetic maze; at least it appeared that way while he was flipped vertically. The blood rushed to his head multiple times, forcing him to retreat back to the starting point where he could sit, head above feet, and let his blood flow retain its normalcy before returning to the task.

One time in particular, after taking off the iron boots from the ceiling and falling harshly to the ground on his back, he remained there, his vision blurry and his mind hazy. He felt as if he had made it so much farther that time, but he had been upside-down far too long; his head had become completely disoriented.

His breathing was heavy and his entire body was drenched in sweat. His hair was soaked and matted to his face, and his undershirt and trousers were so wet they were sticking to his skin. The heat was finally beginning to take its toll on him, and it became too much to stand.

"What's the hold up?" the imp questioned impatiently.

"Need… a minute," Link mumbled in between breaths.

Midna scoffed as she folded her arms over her chest, "I don't get why it takes you this long, it can't honestly be that hard."

The hero said nothing.

"Get up."

The only movement he made was the haphazard rising and falling of his chest.

"I said get up!"

Link opened his eyes slowly, wiping some of the sweat from his face, "I just need a minute Midna, please… so hot…"

"No!" the shadow spat as she threw her small arms down in a fit, "When I say 'get up,' you get up! You're such a baby. You aren't even hurt!"

The hero sighed, but mustered the strength to respond, "For Din's sake, Midna, it is hotter than hell in here…" he breathed, "and I am exhausted from walking on ceilings, on walls, and whatever other places humans are not intended to walk," he spoke calmly despite the feelings boiling beneath his skin, "So all I ask… is for a moment to compose myself…"

Midna felt as if steam was billowing from her ears due to the extreme amount of rage erupting inside of her. How dare he tell her he needed a moment! Did he not understand that he was her slave and he could only have a moment if she allowed him to? The nerve of these light-dwellers! She was so angry she couldn't even find words. How lazy these people of the light were; it had softened them, she thought.

If only she had the means to get the treasure herself, she would already be done.

She had lost herself in furious inner-ranting for a moment, not recognizing what was happening before her - the hero was not doing well.

"Midna…" he called out to her, snapping her from her trance, "I… need water…"

The imp scoffed, "And? What would you like me to do about it?"

The young man coughed, holding his head after doing so. His eyes were glazed over and the small girl noticed that they were having trouble focusing. He was dizzy and extremely lightheaded, not to mention disoriented beyond recognition. His skin was turning a slight red color, and he was obviously fatigued.

Midna said nothing for quite some time, simply observing him and refusing to help him. She found it preposterous, him asking her for water - who did he think he was? Sure, some light spirits said he was the chosen hero and all that nonsense, but that didn't change the fact that he had to do what she said, not vice versa.

"Ilia…" he moaned.

Midna looked down at him lying on the floor and swooped in closer to see if she had misheard him, "Say what?"

"Ilia… Epona, where… where's Ep… Epona…"

"That's not funny! Do you think I'll believe you're really that out of it and let you rest? I'm not that stupid!" she shouted, growing livid.

His eyes were moving rapidly beneath his closed lids, "Il… Ilia…"

The imp smacked him across the cheek, "Stop it! You're freaking me out! What's wrong with you?"

"It's so… hot…"

Midna placed a dainty hand to his forehead. Despite being a shadow, she could choose to give certain parts of her body physical form in order to feel when she needed to, and she withdrew her hand instantly, screeching, "Gods, you're burning up! You stupid wolf!"

The young hero groaned; his pulse and his breath quickening.

"Oh geez, you're probably having a heat stroke or something aren't you? Gods! You're so dumb! What am I going to do with you! You can't die on me, you idiot!" she hovered about in a panic, thinking on what to do.

She always told herself she didn't care if he died, but… maybe she did? No. No! She didn't care! She just needed him to get the treasure and that's it! She didn't care…

"Water…" the half-conscious hero mumbled.

"Water! I'll go get water!" the imp bellowed to herself, "Stay here! And don't you dare die, you stupid wolf!"

Hell probably isn't this hot.

A/N: I wanted to let you all know that I have a Facebook fan page that I update frequently with how my stories are coming along. I wanted to give you guys a way to communicate with each other and with myself and also to know when to expect an update! I also give sneak peeks of upcoming chapters ;)
You can find my Facebook fan page under: Selphie Kinneas 175
Hope to see you there! :)