Chapter 20 - Revelations

Black and burning, Darbus lay fallen among the rubble of broken pillars, heaving with laboured breaths. The shattered crystal on his forehead leaked sickly looking goo onto the ground, the once malicious and ever-watching eye now molten by the explosion of the package bomb. The ground was still burning fiercely from the fire-wave rolling over it, chairs and rugs lay smouldering among the piles of crumpled pillars and illuminated the entire room with the light of dancing flames.

Fearfully, the sooty and hurting Gorons watched how their patriarch slowly turned dark and flaky as bits pieces of his curse fell off. Somewhere in the distance, a forgotten bomb gave an echoing bang as the fire touched its fuse and brought it to life, but the room remained quiet and hollow despite the detonation.

Near the middle of the room, Gor Coron drew himself up painfully, only to look around himself in fear. ''Link!'' he bellowed into the roaring flames around him. ''Link, where are you?''

His panting reverberated against the walls as he ran towards the spot where their young saviour had stood just moments before, the spot he had been too slow to reach in time. Now, nothing but a sea of flames remained.

The other Gorons hurried towards their leader, and Gor Liggs reached him first. ''Do you see him?'' he panted. ''Where is he?!''

''I don't know, he… he was caught by the fire. I wasn't fast enough.'' Gor Coron stammered.

The painted elder stared at him with his mouth agape. The vivid colours that dyed his face and let it shine so brightly, now darkened and faded with the look of distress crossing his purple eyes. As he saw this, Gor Coron suddenly drew himself up with a furious roar.

''No! I won't allow this! He has to be here somewhere!''

Gor Liggs released a quivering breath as he watched his leader stomp back into the flames. ''Coron, he can't abide the heat the way we… the way we can, and you know it.''

''Yes he can!'' the big-bellied mountain dweller bellowed at him from a pile of rubble that he was scanning fiercely with his desperate eyes. ''He brought down Darbus! He can survive a wee fire like this.''

Another bomb exploded a distance away, and the flames shot high into the air upon catching a harsh blow of wind from the main vent.

''Liggs…'' Gor Amoto called softly, and the wise elder turned around to see his predecessor kneel on the ground with a bent apparatus in his hands. It was Link's bow, miraculously spared by the inferno except for the string that had snapped. The Gorons looked at each other with troubled, shocked faces.

Among a heap of broken stones from a fallen pillar, a piece of carven rock moved over its initial, flat resting place as if by magic, tilted over the edge, and tumbled down to the ground. Gor Coron saw it, and stumbled towards it with a painful grunt. His right leg cracked further the more he walked, a thin line cutting through the once smooth pattern of his rocky skin bearing the mark of Darbus' right chain. He hissed in torment, but pressed on.

Gor Liggs sobbed out loudly upon taking the bow into his hands. ''We should never have allowed him into the mines in the first place. This is all my fault…What am I to tell Renado?''

''That he fought bravely, and that the fire of his memory will be forever burning in our hearts.'' Gor Amoto replied, but his old voice was shaking.

''But...'' Gor Liggs answered. ''He was just a child...''

''Liggs! Over here!'' Gor Coron's strong voice suddenly echoed over to them. The Gorons turned to him with a collective shout before hurrying to the spot where their leader knelt, frantically hitting the burning ground with his palms. He was a good distance away from the centre where the first pillar was supposed to give the hall extra halt but had been severed right in the middle by Darbus' binding chains.

As they arrived, the Gorons saw that it was not the ground the elder was patting, but a bundle of smoking and smouldering cloth, still burning here and there as flames from its entourage licked at it savagely.

''Coron! Stop!'' Gor Liggs squeaked and fell on his knees next to the leader, shoving the bigger Goron aside. He searched around the bundle quickly and soon found the rim, giving it a gentle pull. A tiny arm patched with black appeared, then a piece of green cloth. He pulled more, searched feverishly for the clasp holding the cloak together, found it with trembling fingers, and finally revealed a still, limp body.

''Link!'' he gasped in terror.

The youth was barely recognizable; ashes, dust and scraps of rock covered him form head to toe; his face was one single smear of red and black soot. A thin trickle of blood had run down his left temple from a shallow laceration wound but was crusted and dry from the fire. The arm he laid on was stiff with a balled fist, the other clasped around the collar of his once white undershirt. His dull and glassy eyes were slightly open, as were his chapped lips. Gritted teeth looked out between them.

Gor Coron stretched out his arms at the lifeless form, his eyes widening in shock. ''He's not breathing, Liggs!''

''Move!'' the painted Goron gasped and leaned over to press his ear against Link's chest. With a sharp inhale, he grabbed the youth's shoulder with one hand, his other tearing the wooden shield from its loop and tossing it aside carelessly before patting Link's back repeatedly.

''He wrapped himself in the Crimsonine cloak…'' Gor Amoto marvelled behind them, but his words fell on deaf ears.

''Come on, Link, don't give up now.'' Gor Liggs panted. ''Not after all you've done for us. Come on now, be strong.''

His patting became harder, muffled thuds on the limp body now starting to move and convulse with stifled coughs. A sudden, sharp intake of breath made the surrounding Gorons jump, and with a last pat from Gor Liggs, Link's eyes sprang open completely as he sucked in the warm air painfully.

''He made it!'' Gor Ebizo cried, and the gathering of Gorons broke into booming cheers. Dangoro, who was the last to reach them, made the ground tremble as he landed on his behind, his cracked leg leaking a thick, silvery liquid onto the ground, but joined the other Goron warriors in tapping their shoulders happily. Gor Liggs smiled to himself while gently stroking over Link's back to calm him, and Gor Coron leaned over to him with glistening eyes.

''Thank Din you gave him that cloak, Liggs. You saved his life.'' he muttered.

''You did by not giving up on him, my leader. I believed him dead only moments ago.'' Gor Liggs answered, and his other hand moved up to touch Gor Coron's shoulder. ''I suppose even in our advanced years, there are still lessons to learn.''

At the leader's frown, he chuckled. ''Sometimes it is the ones who don't look that strong…'' He laid his eyes upon the gasping youth, and smiled. ''… who will surprise us with their incredibly strength, a strength we would never have deemed possible for them.''

Link's breathing became quieter and easier, his eyes he had closed from the effort now fluttering open to slowly move up and gaze at the grinning Goron faces above him.

''You're right about that, Liggs.'' Gor Coron answered softly before cupping his large palm over Link's dirty hair. ''Welcome back, young one.''

A weak smile tugged at the corners of Link's lips, his eyes drooping tiredly. The cheering Gorons were soon silenced by the elders, and they all leaned over the youth curiously.

''What… happened?'' Link croaked. Upon speaking, another coughing fit made him spit out black saliva.

''You were thrown back against this pillar from the inferno Darbus caused just before you shot him, and we thought he had gotten you for good.'' Gor Coron answered, then broke into loud laughter. ''But we were all mistaken, by Din!''

''Did… did it work?'' the Hero asked quietly, his look moving from the leader to Gor Liggs.

At his words, the Gorons turned their heads to look at the back of the room where their patriarch was still lying on his heaving belly, black and monstrous.

''We don't know.'' Gor Liggs answered. ''He seems to be down, but the dark power is still on his head.''

A strained grunt from Link made them look back quickly, and Gor Liggs stretched out his hands in fright as the youth in front of him attempted to stand up. ''Don't move, Link! Lie back down, please.''

''I'm okay.'' Link assured, but his body swayed precariously as he struggled to stand, and Gor Coron had to steady him to keep him from toppling over.

''You've proven your strength more than enough times, Link, there's no need to overdo yourself. Let one of us carry you.''

But Link shook his head wildly and looked up at the worried Gorons with eyes struggling to stay focused. ''The Fused Shadow has to be taken from him, otherwise it may transform him back, and we have to fight him all over again. Let me do it, I know how it works.''

''For Din's sake, you just survived being roasted in the middle of a fire!'' Gor Liggs protested, but the youth ignored him as he began staggering through the hall towards Darbus' burning body. The Gorons trotted after him, mumbling in confusion.

This is not over yet... Link thought feverishly. His brows furrowed while he tried to walk as straight as possible, but his legs just didn't want to work properly. His body was long beyond the point of feeling pain, the torment torturing his senses reduced to the same dull throbbing he had felt after being pelted by lava. But with every unsteady step, the pain gained more ground as it overtook his waking mind. He clenched his teeth to bear it as he approached his target further.

Keep moving! he told himself. Don't fall, or you won't be able to stand back up.

As only a few yards separated him from the downed monster, he halted to turn his head a little, as much as he could. ''Stand back.'' he ordered.

The Gorons stopped, surprised by his grave voice, and he pressed on. The dark power now vibrated softly in his chest, an unsettling sensation making him shiver despite the heat of the dying flames around him. His every cell screamed retreat, his mind bellowed at him to stop and turn around, to get away from that opposing and threatening force, but he kept walking towards it, breathing quicker.

''Midna?'' he hissed at his flickering shadow, softly enough so that the Gorons would not hear it.

''Stop in front of it and kneel, then stretch out your hand and pretend to use some kind of magic. I'll do the rest.'' the Twili whispered back. Her words were quick with joyful expectation.

''I'm not going to touch it, never again!'' he spat at her while carefully sinking to his knees.

''Of course you won't, you've had your share of burns for the day.'' she answered, and the sneer in her words was impossible to overhear despite her whispered voice.

''What's he doing?'' he heard a Goron ask confusedly, but no one answered.

He felt his mauled body shake violently as he approached a blackened hand to Darbus' head. The Fused Shadow felt like a magnet that was struggling to pull him towards it despite his body's protests, and he had to summon up his entire willpower and remaining strength against the strain. ''What now?'' he hissed, sweating.

''Calm down, will you? This one has clearly grown attached to its new host, it's quite a pain to get it off. That's probably why it didn't come off on its own like the first one in the forest. Just wait a minute.''

Link grunted as he fought with all his might against the pull, but gradually he felt it become weaker. Darbus growled softly as the Hylian crawled away from him, away from the Fused Shadow that was now pushing against him as it was removed from the patriarch by Midna's magic. The black rolled over the large Goron's body in a wave of smoke to disappear in the materializing, finished piece. It was a lot bigger than Midna's headdress, but showed similar patterns of carvings as well as turquoise, pulsating lines.

''Now move your palm up as if to support it, which you will obviously not do lest you want to have a matching set of burns.'' Midna instructed with a quiet giggle, and Link grunted in annoyance, but obeyed. The newly formed piece floated into the air, forcing him to struggle to a stand again.

The Gorons behind him were gasping both in fear and in awe as he stood with the power now floating above his palm as if he was controlling it. He just wished that Midna would take it from him as quickly as possible.

He gave his shadow a questioning look to trigger a new reaction from her.

''Close your palm when I tell you.''

The magic hummed, Link trembled, the Gorons muttered. He was sure she delayed it on purpose.

''Now.''

Link closed his hand to an upturned fist, and the Fused Shadow disappeared.

''Good luck with those morons, hehe.'' Midna chanted with a wink of her malicious eye, then she was gone.

Link stood frozen for a brief moment, his hand still outstretched over Darbus' body. His tired mind tried vainly to put sense to her words, but try as he might, his befuddled brain refused to work. In the light of the low fires heating his hurting body from all sides, he soon remembered that there was now another Goron lying face-down before him, and he knelt to the much yellower, rocky body of the recovered patriarch, placing a gentle hand on his head. ''Darbus?'' he asked, but the downed Goron could only give a soft grunt as answer.

''Is he all right?'' Gor Coron asked anxiously from the back.

Link stood up again and took a few steps away from the patriarch to give the other Gorons some room, and nodded. Immediately, the mountain dwellers stomped forward to crowd around Darbus, for once ignoring Link completely who was now gasping quietly from the rising pain in his body.

''He's not answering!'' Gor Coron called from where he was crouching near Darbus' head. ''Liggs, come here! He's not–''

''Oh, quit your pathetic whining, the lad's all right!'' Liggs said nonchalantly with a huge grin on his face. ''All he needs is a good bath in the hot springs, and he'll be back to his former self in no time.''

He addressed the Goron warriors around him to give them orders, but Link couldn't make out his words. His ears felt as if stuffed with wool, his skull hummed with a splitting headache, and what issued from the rest of his body could only be compared to the collective beating of all of Rusl's smithing hammers. What had the Gorons done to him while he was unconscious?!

He barely took notice of two lesser injured Gorons taking Darbus' body in between them to carry him out of the room, the others scurrying behind them. All he wanted to do was rest. Close his eyes to fall into the soothing numbness of sleep that would coat his weary, burned and battered body in a mist of comfort and coolness. Just fade away into dreams, escape this unbearable heat, breathe the fresh outside air to clear his heaving lungs of all that smoke and ash he had inhaled. Collapse onto a soft cot into darkness...

''Link, are you all right?''

He jerked awake, and saw the elders all standing before him in a loose row. Their faces were stern but kind, almost reverent. A glistening shine had overtaken their purple eyes as they observed the youth silently.

''Yes, I'm okay. Don't worry about it.'' Link answered.

At this, Gor Liggs stepped forward. ''Link, I think you've got some explaining to do.'' he said firmly, although the gentle smile on his wrinkled face assured that he was not angry.

That was what Midna had meant earlier, of course. He had been foolish to think that his little magic trick with the Fused Shadow would simply be shrugged off by the very people who had kept it hidden and protected for countless decades. Link nodded, swallowing hard and tasting ash, while his eyes darted around to find a good start.

''Er, well...'' he began, searching his words. He was too tired to come up with a suitable lie that they wouldn't question later on. ''You told me that the Light Spirit Eldin appeared before you to warn you of the approaching attacks, right?'' he said in a slurred voice.

The elders nodded.

''And he also told you that someone would come and get the Fused Shadow. But I don't think he used the word steal, right?''

The elders shook their heads.

''He said that the chosen one would come to claim our piece of the dark power.'' Gor Liggs answered with a frown. ''We assumed it was the invaders seeking this magic to use it against us, and that they had a chosen one to do so. That is why we attempted to hide it somewhere safer.''

Link couldn't help but smile. Was it in a Light Spirit's nature to speak in riddles? Or had the common knowledge of a Goron's dim wit been unknown to Eldin as he gave his prophesy? There was no way the Gorons might have assumed that the one to claim the Fused Shadow would actually use it to fend off the attacks and end the oncoming war, not cause more damage. Faron had said it was a forbidden power meant to stay locked away. That it would be used to do good instead of bad was too great an antithesis for the Gorons to understand, even for the elders.

''Well, Eldin wasn't talking about the invaders, he was… talking about me.'' he answered softly.

The two older Gorons exhaled in surprise, but Gor Liggs and Gor Coron kept their faces even. In fact, they soon looked at each other with a knowing smile, and the leader stepped forward, suddenly sinking to his knees with the others mimicking his gesture. Link took a shocked step back.

''Please forgive us our wrong interpretation, oh chosen Hero.'' Gor Coron said bitterly. ''We feel terrible guilt in our mistake, and hope you will give us a chance to right it once more. Although, I must say, it seems as though you took that burden off of our shoulders already.''

The elders started chuckling in self-conscious amusement, but Link just shook his head, stammering. ''How... how did you know?''

The leader grinned. ''We Gorons are a very old race, and our memories hold countless tales of Heroes before you. I had had my suspicions when I first set eyes upon you and witnessed your stunning bravery. There are not many who dare lock eyes with a Goron's without faltering under their glare.''

''And only the fewest know – and use – the dark power's true name.'' Gor Liggs stepped in. ''That you used it numerous times was too stark a coincidence to overhear in a simple youth from Ordon, and as a humble word of caution, I would advise you to avoid using that term when being among the common folk. It might raise… confusion, to say the least.''

''And, of course, your actions speak for themselves.'' Gor Amoto finished. ''We bow to you, chosen one, and beg you for forgiveness.''

They lowered their heads respectfully, and Link couldn't help but whimper out in discomfort.

''No no, please… don't kneel, I really didn't do that much…''

Gor Liggs slowly got up and approached the heavily breathing youth. ''Link, you almost gave your life saving our patriarch from the curse we doomed him with. You stood up to him when we had given up the fight long ago, you literally put yourself in his line of fire to save us.''

''It was reckless and stupid.'' Link chuckled miserably. But the Goron leaned closer and peered deeply into the youth's cerulean eyes.

''It was heroic, Link.'' His tone allowed no contradiction, and Link could only swallow uncomfortably.

Behind them, the elders stood up with a collective grunt. ''As heroic as Link was, this news bears trouble.'' Gor Coron said while rubbing his chin with a frown. ''If the Goddesses have truly called upon a new Hero, then the situation is graver than we thought. The Light Spirit will not have appeared before us for some simple chat. We have to secure the mountain immediately, and make preparations. But first…''

He looked at Link with a large grin, and the Hero felt his legs wobble. ''Let's help our brother in rebuilding Kakariko and defend those dear to him.''

Around him, the other elders gasped in awe, which elicited the leader an even brighter grin. ''That's right, my brothers. Link is worthy to call himself one of our family, so I have decided to bestow upon him the title shared only by our kin. Let him forever hold the pride of a Goron within his heart. Let his enemies quake under his gaze.''

He stepped up to Link and placed a rocky hand on his shoulder. ''Thank you, brother.'' he said solemnly.

Link could only muster a weak smile before his legs gave way. Gor Coron, who had turned around to order the journey out of the mines, spun back with a frightened shout just as Gor Liggs caught Link's toppling body within his arms and eased him to his knees.

''What's wrong?! Did I do something?! Sweet Din…'' the leader stammered while kneeling down in front of the heavily breathing youth, but the painted Goron just shook his head with a concerned frown.

''He's completely exhausted. We have to get him out of this heat, Coron.''

''I'll carry him.''

''No…'' Link muttered weakly and struggled to a stand again. ''It's all right, I can walk.''

He knew that the Gorons would protest, but he tried to ignore them. Raising his chin to make a straight walk easier, he gritted his teeth and stepped through the hall to the exit, the chastising elders following him closely. His mind was screaming vile insults at his pride, his aching body joining in vividly, but he shuddered at the thoughts of the other Gorons' looks if they saw their own leader carry him out like a fainted bride. His fight was not over, not yet. The last victory still had to be won; walking into the mines, and walking out again. Then – and only then – would he allow himself to collapse from exhaustion. It was stupid and stubborn, he admitted that, but he knew that he could do it, and so he wouldn't yield to the temptation of rest until he had stepped out with his head held high. After all, that was what a Hero was supposed to be, no? Strong, fearless, enduring…

The elders were appalled to meet their fellow warriors and the unconscious patriarch in a storeroom not far from the entrance, having waited on the argument that they did not want to leave without the elders. Through the tunnel, the voices of a large group of Gorons gathered in the entrance hall could be heard echoing into the mines, followed by a rise in grunts and shouts the moment Darbus, still unresponsive, was carried out of the mines by the two axemen.

Just before they exited however, Link held the elders back. ''Gor Coron, I have a request, if you don't mind.''

The Goron leaned in closer and looked at Link worriedly as the latter slouched weakly against a wall, breathing hard. His burns were throbbing more than ever.

''I'm a little apprehensive about everyone knowing that I'm the chosen Hero. Until now I've kept it a secret, and I think this is best for now. If you don't mind, would you… ''

Gor Liggs nodded immediately. ''Of course, Link. Not a word will slip through our lips. Right, brothers?''

The elders grunted approvingly, and Link smiled. Gor Coron was the only one looking a little deflated, and the Hylian could too well imagine how much joy it would have brought the leader of the Gorons to flaunt and parade Link around as the great hero of the Goron Mines having defeated Big Cursed Darbus. He would have to show some restraint instead, and Link wasn't sure just how much he could trust the boastful old Goron on this matter. He would have to rely on Gor Liggs to sort things out if ever they got out of hand.

As it seemed, Renado had lived up to his name as Goron healer and had turned the hall into a bustling hospital. Goron children hurried around with sacks and water barrels while the shaman directed them to different patients. Everywhere, mortar was mixed and applied on cracks and broken limbs before being secured with bandages and iron splints. The commotion rose in volume as the warriors stepped out of the mines, instantly directed to a pot of mortar by the healer's trusty helpers. Renado, however, had to place all interest in his patients aside momentarily to greet the ash-covered figures, his eyes constantly darting around the bodies of Gorons spilling out of the tunnel in search for the only other non-mineral being. As the elders stepped out, limping and hurting, he hurried towards them.

''Thank the Goddesses you're all safe! Where is Link? Is he all right?''

Gor Liggs advised him to brace himself before looking at the youth, but nothing could have prepared the healer for what he saw when Link, now supported by Gor Coron, lumbered out of the tunnel in a slow, but resolute pace. Renado's chin just dropped to the ground with a desperate exhale.

Link did not falter even as the hall went quiet around him, every Goron turning to gaze upon the sooty Hylian with widened eyes. He looked terrible, burned and battered with ashes covering him all over. Small pebbles of cooled lava tumbled down his back occasionally and clanked around his staggering feet, but he kept walking; through the dust and shards of the round door he had smashed, passed gaping Gorons, passed Renado who was standing before him with his sleeves rolled up, his dark skin covered in white mortar powder.

Gor Coron, who came out last, raised his hands and called out into the room. ''Don't just sit there and stare, my brothers! Give our victorious hero the mighty cheer he deserves!''

Link closed his eyes as the crashing roars of Goron voices exploded around him. Of course Gor Coron couldn't simply let him walk away to the nearest cot without smearing more glory onto him. What had he been thinking? Thankfully, as he had expected, Gor Liggs was there in time to shield Link of the leader's bloating pride and gently push him further into the hall towards the reclusiveness of a wall where Renado had prepared a soft bedding of straw and furs, set aside of the main centre of activity to give the Hylian some quiet.

Sitting down, he had eyes only for the waterskin that Renado held ready for him, and downed half of its content with a few big gulps. As he laid down, however, the expected feeling of something hard and bulging pushing against his back was missing.

''What in the Goddesses' name happened to him?'' he heard Renado say in barely contained bewilderment.

''It's a long story, and most of it is our fault.'' Gor Liggs, who was helping the healer in removing Link's tunic, said in quiet discomfort.

''Where's my shield?'' Link muttered. Clearly it wasn't on his back any more, but he hadn't felt either of the two remove it.

There was a moment of silence, then a quiet curse from the Goron. ''Forgive me, Link, I'm afraid it landed in the fire when I removed it.''

Link's tired brain worked hard; a shield, a wooden shield, tossed into fire…

''We'll get you a new one, I promise.'' he heard Gor Liggs say hastily. ''A better one, made of steel. Even though your old one was very beautiful, it would have been destroyed sooner or later.''

His Ordon goat painting, gone. Jaggle's masterly craft, burned… He felt like crying.

''We'll worry about your gear when you're cleaned up and healed, Link.'' Renado said. ''For now, you'll relax and rest.''

But Link knew that there was no time to rest. They had taken long enough in the mines, a time where the children had stayed completely unprotected in Kakariko. He shook his head and opened his eyes in an attempt to rise. ''No, we have to go… to Kakariko, now. You promised…''

He saw Renado and Gor Liggs lean over him, holding him down. ''Yes, we did.'' the elder answered. ''And we'll go as soon as you're better.''

''No, we'll go now.'' Link muttered back, trying vainly to make his voice sound strong. Pain flooded him from the effort, and he shut his eyes again. ''I can wait until we're back. The children… We can't leave them alone any longer, please. We have to go right now.''

As much as the shaman tried to placate him, Link shook his head every time and pushed Renado's hands aside to stand up. He noticed vaguely how Gor Liggs briefly disappeared from sight, only to come back a few seconds later with a kind smile.

''All right, Link.'' he said. ''I just spoke to Coron, and we'll be ready to leave in half an hour. He promises to be quick, and you should use that time to give your body at least a little rest.''

This stopped Link's protests, but a doubtful expression crossed his face. ''Half an hour?''

The Goron nodded. ''Yes, and we'll wake you as soon as they're ready. All right?''

Link frowned with drooping eyes. Gor Liggs had donned that strange reasoning look again, the one he had worn when playing the ice ruse on the other Gorons back in the mines. However, Link was too tired to think that far, noticing only that the elder seemed a little uncertain.

''Promise you'll wake me?''

''Promise.'' the painted Goron replied with a gentle pat on the youth's shoulder.

The nagging fear of delaying the childrens' protection slowly faded from Link's mind as it was appeased by the elder's words. He could already feel sleep take inch by inch of his consciousness captive, and decided that half an hour was more than enough for Gor Coron to get ready.

''Okay, but just a few minutes.'' he mumbled.

It didn't even take ten seconds, and he was gone from the world.

0

It was not the muffled sound of hammering above him that woke Link to the dim light of flickering torches, but the coolness of the infirmary room and the thin woollen blanket doing a miserable job in keeping him warm. A cold sweat broke out over his aching body as soon as he opened his eyes, and he groaned in discomfort.

His mouth was sticky with thirst, so the first object he noticed next to him was the mug standing on a small table. Its content did not taste like water, but he downed it nonetheless and grimaced at its terrible sweetness. Upon straightening to set the cup back, his upper body was restrained by a layer of thick bandages that made him look down at himself in surprise. More gauze had been wrapped around his arms, his fingers and his head.

With a disheartened sigh, he sank back to the cot, and finally noticed the black, shimmering presence hovering at his bedside, arms folded.

''I was beginning to wonder when you'd finally come around.'' Midna said. ''Had a good rest, I hope?''

Link glanced at her confusedly, unable to discern the tone in her usually displeased voice. She did not seem angry about his absence from the world where the duration was still a mystery to him, but not particularly happy either.

As he spoke, he noticed just how scratchy his voice sounded. ''How long did I sleep?''

''Well, it was night when you came back, and since then it's been night one more time, sooo… that would make a total of…'' she calculated with her finger stuck into her mouth in concentration.

''Two days?'' Link helped.

''That's it, two days too many.'' she answered and suddenly began to giggle. ''But I thought that I'd be a generous master and grant you some of your precious sleep.''

With a grunt, Link struggled to sit up while glancing around for some fresh water. The sugar of his former drink had left an unpleasant taste in his mouth. ''Ah, how come?''

A black monstrosity appeared before his eyes, and he flinched back with a yell. It was Darbus' Fused Shadow.

''Come that you finally got this.'' she answered. ''It took you forever, but you actually got it, and on top of that you're still alive, even if you came here more roasted than raw. Personally I had my doubts that you'd make it, especially after seeing that huge monster. But here you are, in the crisp flesh.'' She paused, frowning. ''That's the expression, right?''

Link chuckled. ''Yes, but without the crisp.''

''Fits you well though.''

Link looked down at himself again. ''Do I really look that, er… cooked?''

''You did before, but it seems as though those two shaman-things did a good job in blanching you or, er… whatever you call it. Point is, you seem fit all right, so you shouldn't waste any more time and get going. It took you long enough to get this one.''

The Fused Shadow disappeared again, and she prepared to do the same, but Link called out to her. ''Midna, wait!''

She looked back at him in confusion.

''There are some things I've been meaning to ask you. You see, you know a lot about me now, but I don't know a thing about you.''

''Why should you?'' she asked, genuinely surprised.

''Because we're a team, right? And I want to know more about you.''

''What has us being a team got to do with you knowing more about me? You don't see me poking around in your personal affairs.''

''That's not what I mean. I want to know where exactly you come from, and why you are helping me. You're a Twili who seeks to drive the Twilight away from this land. But why? You never gave me a plausible reason.''

''I think I gave you more than enough proof that I won't betray you or anything. That's all you need to know.''

''Please, Midna!'' Link presented her his bandaged arms. ''After everything that happened, don't you think I deserve an explanation? I almost died getting that second Fused Shadow, and I could have died had–''

''–had I not pushed that rock down to get the fat Goron's attention and thus saved your butt once again.'' she jumped in. ''While you were burning happily beneath that red blanket, I risked being discovered, again! This is not what I call a fair distribution of roles.''

''But I–''

''–used the Fused Shadow's name way too often to be healthy for the common rabble. You can be happy that the elders were reasonable enough to make the other Gorons swear never to speak of it. In my opinion, your mistakes were as bad as your achievements were good. So no, I won't grant you any knowledge about me. Now get up, say goodbye to your friends and let's be off. Don't take too long this time.'' Her voice took on a strange, menacing tone that made Link flinch back.

She turned around to hover towards the door and raised her hand.

''Who is Zant?''

Her motions froze as the young Hylian's firm voice rang out behind her, and slowly she turned to him again. Link was sitting on the cot, his ears drawn back, gazing at her with troubled eyes. The name hung thick in the stuffy air of the room.

''You accused him of murdering all those people.'' he continued softly. ''You cursed him for it. But who is he?''

An unusual darkness had come over Midna's face that rippled with an ugly expression, and Link knew it was too sour to be simple anger.

''Shouldn't you have figured out by now who Zant is?'' she answered through clenched teeth.

Link gulped. His entire being recoiled at the name and made him shudder. He had had his suspicions, but at her words the doubt inside him was swept away almost immediately.

''It's the one Faron spoke about, right?'' he answered. ''The King of Twilight.''

His back collided harshly with the wall as Midna came soaring at him to stop with her face only inches away from his. Her hand turned red with magic and pointed at his frightened eyes. ''Don't you dare, ever, call him king again!'' she spat. ''He is a thief, a murderer, and a usurper. He will never be my king.''

Her eyes bore deeply into Link's, but gradually her rage subsided, and she sighed while backing away. Her look dropped to the ground.

''He's very powerful, you would be nothing against him. Not in your current state, at least. But the Light Spirit was right. We have to match his power, and the only power that seems to be strong enough to do that are the Fused Shadows. So you'd better get out there and find the last one, eh?''

''But what exactly are they?'' Link tried, but to no avail. Midna shook her head.

''No more questions. But if you find the last one, maybe I'll tell you.'' Her eyes briefly unfocused as a thought seemed to flash through her mind, then her face turned cheeky. ''And who knows, we might even bump into that last missing friend of yours.''

Link's head shot up, and that was enough for Midna to sneer in victory. ''You know what to do then. See you later!'' Before he could call her back, she had already dissolved into the ground to become one with the shadows. He sighed.

In the deep tunnels of Kakariko's cellar, he had no means to determine which time of day it was. The hammering above his head – presumably coming from the village itself – had subsided to occasional clatter of utensils. As he laid back down and covered his bandaged chest with the thin blanket, he noticed quiet footsteps in the tunnel outside. Soon, Renado's head poked into the room, a bright smile on his lips.

''I thought I heard someone.'' he chuckled. ''It's good to see that you're finally awake.''

Link smiled and accepted the shaman's warm embrace, but winced as Renado's arm grazed his shoulders. ''What happened back there?'' he asked, straining his neck to gaze around himself.

''Lava is vicious, especially to human skin.'' Another voice rose from the doorway, and Link lifted his head to see Gor Liggs grin back at him happily. Behind him, Gor Coron squeezed himself into the room with a heavy grunt. His right leg was covered with what appeared to be plaster that filled a long, zig-zagging crack. But the leader smiled just as broadly as his painted brother.

''Thankfully, Liggs got all the pebbles out before they grew into your back and covered it with scales.'' the leader chuckled. ''Even though it would have been nice to have some more rock be a part of our noble Hero.''

At his words, Link's head shot up in alarm before instantly turning to Renado, who stood a little aside pouring a steaming, green liquid from a copper decanter into Link's emptied cup. His heart started hammering hard in his chest. How much did the elders tell the other Gorons, and more importantly, his friends? Had they broken their vow they had made to him?

''I hope you'll forgive us that we couldn't keep our promise.'' Gor Liggs said, frowning lightly. Link's heart sank more.

''Yes, we tried to wake you, but you were so fast asleep that not even a dodongo's roar would have stirred you.'' Gor Coron laughed. ''We took the liberty to have you carried here by one of our brothers. Don't worry, he didn't squeeze you too tightly.''

Oh. That promise. Link's breath came easier, but he took in Gor Liggs' pursed brow with rising concern. He was certain that the two elders were talking about two different things, and that Gor Coron had once again failed to catch up.

Renado had pulled a chair closer to the high bed and held the cup ready for Link to take. His expression was neutral, but resigned, with his look occasionally darting to the back of the Hero's hand.

He knew.

Link sighed before exchanging a brief glance with Gor Liggs. The elder got the message. ''Come, oh great leader, let's give our experienced shaman some space to take care of our saviour.'' he chanted with a deep bow directed at Link before cramming Gor Coron through the narrow doorway once more.

''Hey, but – what about the sword and shield?'' the Goron protested as he was dragged down the corridor, and Link just heard Gor Liggs answer with a hissed ''Not now, Coron!'' before their voices disappeared in the tunnels.

He looked into the gently steaming cup, and a deliciously sweet scent drifted into his nostrils.

''It's mint tea.'' Renado explained. ''It's the best beverage to drink after you've been exposed to extreme heat. I hope you like sugar, because it's loaded with it.''

His first drink had been cold, but now that Link tried it freshly boiled, it wasn't as bad as before. The hot liquid cleaved its way down his throat and warmed his stomach pleasantly all while tickling his palate with its sweet flavour. With a pleased exhale, he set the cup back down, and met Renado's interested gaze.

''It's good.'' he answered, but he could feel the tension return the moment he fell silent. The shaman nodded with a quick grin, then lowered his head. The crackling of the torches took over the room's thick silence and seemed to rise in volume with every second. Link swallowed, fingering his sheets.

A brown hand approaching his left arm startled him, and he stopped moving. Renado paused, unsure, before carefully tracing the white bandage around Link's forearm with his finger. ''Liggs said you had to stand in close proximity to one of the lava seams. I'm surprised that you merely got light burns from that, with no blisters forming.'' His hand moved down to Link's mark. ''You have burns all over your back from the pebbles of lava, though. I did what I could, but permanent scars are bound to form sooner or later.''

Link nodded, but couldn't think of anything else to say. It was Renado who had to break the silence once again.

''The Gorons didn't tell me, in case you were wondering.''

''What do you mean?''

''That you are more than what a first glance would show. From the moment you set foot into this village, I sensed that there was something special about you.''

''There is nothing special about me, Renado.'' Link countered quickly in a firm voice. He knew that there was nothing he could do about Gor Coron parading him around, but he would not let Renado feel the need to do the same. ''I'm just a ranchhand who does what he thinks is right. I may have done things others wouldn't have dared to do, but that doesn't put me above said others. I don't want to be branded and treated like a hero, like a better, braver and worthier person just because I have been given a title and a symbol on my hand. All I do is lend my abilities and strengths to those who need them, but I am vulnerable to heat and weapons just like everyone else. There is nothing special about me.''

He had not noticed his voice rising the more he spoke. His hands had formed tight fists by themselves, and he looked down at them in surprise to see them trembling slightly with tension. Renado had kept his eyes locked with his the entire time, lowering them thoughtfully as Link silenced, and the Hylian already feared that he might have offended him.

But it didn't take long for a smile to brighten the Kakarikan's face. ''Yes Link, there is, and you just named it, if you like it or not.''

He stood up from his chair to sit on the bed. ''In Hyrule, countless tales are told of ancient Heroes, and your deeds bring them all to mind. What you fear is that you cannot uphold those tales, that you will fail, which is the reason you want to keep your identity a secret. Am I right?''

Swallowing painfully, Link nodded. If he failed, all of Hyrule would know who to blame, who to turn to when despair called for revenge.

''Then let me tell you this.'' Renado continued in a soft, but strong voice.''The Goddesses are strange creatures whose intentions we sometimes cannot understand. But during my humble existence, I have realized that everything they do has a purpose. It is almost never clear in the beginning, but unfolds with time. They have chosen you for a reason, I am sure of it. And even if you refuse to believe in your strengths, I have nothing but confidence in you.''

He smiled briefly at Link before standing up and grabbing the kettle. ''If you prefer to keep it a secret, I promise that not a word will cross my lips.''

Link sighed. He felt like a coward. ''I just think I can best cope with it if no one knows, for now.''

''Understandable.'' Renado leaned over to pour more tea into Link's cup. ''And I also understand if you have pressing matters that need to be seen to. Just promise me one thing.''

He gave the cup to Link, but paused as their hands united. ''Power should be treated cautiously. There is a reason why some great powers have been sealed away, and if you find yourself overwhelmed, remember that your heart…'' He pressed the cup gently against Link's chest, and the Hero felt its heat radiate into him powerfully. ''… will always belong to you.''

Link stared at him with his mouth agape, but the shaman didn't give him time to reply. ''Leave the children to me. I will watch over them, I swear it. Do not let their fate hinder you. Go to those who need you. And of course, you are always welcome here. Always. Remember that.''

With a last smile and a pat on Link's shoulder, Renado left the room.

000

Author's note: I apologize for the long wait, fellow readers, and since there is no way I could make up cheap excuses that weren't already used by other writers, I'll just stick to the truth: I was lazy, I was writer's-blocked, I was having my mid-term exams, I procrastinated and got overwhelmed by Youtube and video games.

Ah, it's so good to be honest!

Another honest fact is that, because of me finally being on a long-awaited holiday, chapter 21 is already in full swing and will hopefully be uploaded by the end of August (or even sooner, depending on how much rust I find on my Renault 5, another project of three vacation weeks). After that, either I'll be going back to my old lazy self, or I get boosted by lots of reviews from your side to keep me going. Everyone needs their fuel!

See you soon!

DR