Hey folks! Just a few of the usual housekeeping notes.
First, to let you folks who don't go back and check know, up to chapter 10 is now updated with some smoother writing, and a few have some added fast facts. So if you're interested for one or the other, they're up!
Second is about chapter updates. This week, you're actually getting three! Next week your getting a whole hella lotta too (just because it makes sense length-wise). But after that I'm going back to one a week, two if there's a sub-chapter. Might go back to two standard in a week at some point, but I gotta start slowing 'em down for various reasons.
Guess you guys want to see what happened with that last cliffhanger though, huh? Hope it's to your standards!
A flash of red permeated my closed eyes. Then came the rush of heat and fire.
It danced around me, engulfing me. Instinctively my muscles tightened. But…
It was already on me, wasn't it? Did I die so fast that there was no pain?
I opened an eye. The fire was there, was everything, licking hungrily at me and all I could see. But I…it was uncomfortably warm, but it didn't hurt.
What?
The monsters stopped and the fire disappeared. It didn't even catch on my clothes… But the rocks around me were blackened. I was baffled.
As it seemed were the Dodongos, and Kage, halfway to my side. Everyone, every monster, was paused.
I only came to when Navi spoke up from under me.
"Sarah, don't think, MOVE!"
Right, uh, yes! Dodongos, how to beat the Dodongos? I sprang up and looked wildly around. Weak mouths, weak tails, tough skin-
Wait…weak mouths meant weak insides, right?
Right.
I ran down towards the path, many eyes following me, still too confused to move for the moment.
I turned and whistled to the beasts, sheathing my blade and waving my arms.
"Come get me! Nice fresh meat to chomp on!"
It at least distracted the two who were mad I didn't fry. Kage's turned its attention back to him, and over my shoulder I called, "I'm fine Kage, deal with yours!" to get him to move. He jumped out of the corner of my eye and seemed to heed my advice. I turned my attention back on mine.
They were ambling towards me, all hiss and growl. At a decent distance they stopped and decided to see if they could cook me this time. Both took a deep breath, mouths wide.
I bent down and ripped out one of the bomb flowers sitting beside me with a hardy tug. I heard the fabled sizzling and from deep inside a red glow began growing. I threw it towards the closest ones gaping mouth.
A Dodongo, I learnt that day, has the instinct to bite down when it feels anything in its jaws. The combustible materials in the bomb flower didn't like that, and it blew up right in its mouth.
The creature exploded. I ducked my head as chunks went flying. Its partner was interrupted in his own fire preparation and pushed to its side. Startled, it began wiggling helplessly to try and stand back up. No time to admire my handiwork I ran behind the toppled one and stabbed it's soft tail multiple times. Just as the first Dodongo's entrails were dissolving into dust so did the one I stabbed join it. With a lump in my throat I looked around wildly to see if there were more. No, thank Din. Then I looked to Kage.
He must have dealt with his, because there was faint smoke drifting behind him. He was staring at me wide-eyed.
"You blew it up." He whispered, voice strange.
"Y-yeah…" I breathed.
He flew at me and wrapped his arms around me, pushing my head into his chest. I blinked as his voice cracked above me.
"Y-you're not dead."
"Y-yeah, guess not."
"B-but how?"
…
"I have no idea." I gulped.
"Maybe I can help explain!" Navi called out. We both turned to look at her blankly. "Well, come over here if you want me to! I can hardly reach you two right now!" She huffed from her roost. We both joined her back under the outcropping.
"Umm, can you pick me up, Sarah?" I kneelt before her and did as she asked.
"So you know why I didn't burn?" I lifted her closer to my face, feeling scared to hear the answer.
"I think so. Here, gimmie a sec." Navi glowed gold. She nodded in my palm afterwards. "I thought what I felt was right. Sarah, you were protected by the earrings you're wearing."
"My earrings?" I repeated, lifting my other hand to brush one.
"Yes. There's some sort of Fire Shield magic ingrained in them. The red flash before the fire came, I think that was it activating. It'll protect you from fire and heat really well. Though I wouldn't be surprised if you develop a bit of a sunburn-like irritation from what happened." She gulped. "It was a lot of fire."
I flopped back on my butt, information sinking in slowly. I managed a meek smile up at Kage.
"I guess your gift did grant me luck after all. Lifesaving luck."
"Y-yeah." A smile grew on his face too. "I guess it did. Thank the Goddesses."
"Sarah?" Navi interrupted, glowing a soft pink. "I just wanted to…t-thank you for coming to protect me."
I beamed at her. "Anytime, Navi."
Kage took a seat again so we could attempt to take the break we originally came here for. But now we were on guard for any more Dodongos to show up. Kage held his sword in his lap and frowned.
"Dodongos on the mountain exterior… This is unheard of. They usually dwell deep within the volcano. Sometimes they escape into the mines, but never outside of Death Mountain."
I drank a bit more water, contemplating. Sighing, I re-corked it and stood up.
"Maybe we should hurry to Goron City. They should know what's happening if they don't already. The sooner we get there the better."
"I agree." Kage stood after me while I scooped up Navi again. "Let's get going. We've a lot of messages to deliver to the Gorons."
And so we continued up the trail.
We met no more Dodongos during our hike, though we did hear distant roars on two occasions. Since we ate dinner as we hiked it was twilight when we reached the City entrance. Kage made sure to put his hood up as we got to the fork where our path met with the main trail. I made sure my pin was forefront on my robe.
Before the cavern that held the City the simple, hard-edged and striking artwork of the Gorons appeared on the trail's walls (and a fence on the outer edge of the path, for the first time in our travels). Geometric Gorons, Humans and Hylians danced on the walls, all smiles and surrounded by a bounty from the mountain and peoples, drawn trading in comradery. It brought a grin to my face. I'd heard how Gorons were a joyous, accepting race, probably one of the most so in the land. I'm sure each of us could help each other out.
The mouth of a wide cave appeared before us, dotted with many torches and a grand welcoming sign proclaiming you had reached the City of the Gorons. Before it nearly ten of the creatures stood shoulder to shoulder in front of their home's entrance.
That seemed…excessive. The black eyes of each Goron guard locked on us as we approached them. The hair on the back of my neck stood as I walked to one of the middle ones, arms crossed, lips in a line, and rocks on his head tall and forming a mohawk. I gave a curt bow.
"Sir, I come with urgent messages from the Castle and the Shiekah, for Chief Darunia." I figured adding the Sheikah's name to the mix might make it more obvious this news was before or about the takeover. Besides, it was true.
The Goron glared as his brethren formed a semi circle between their City and us, towering forms and matching scowls making the tingling in the back of my head grow tenfold. I tried my best to stand my ground, though I felt like I'd sunk down back to ground level.
"None shall enter our City at this time." The mohawked Goron announced in a thick voice. He heaved a slow breath through his nostrils. "Especially ones from the Castle."
"I assure you, sir, we were sent before…this strife. And have news such related. We must tell your Boss what we know."
"Then leave the message and go. None are to enter Goron City."
"It is a verbal message." I bit my lip as some of the Gorons drew slowly closer. I bowed again. "Sir, I beg you, we come with aid. We were directed to speak with Boss Darunia directly. Please, trust us."
"We have no reason to," the Goron stepped forward, bending down to narrow his beady eyes in my face. "Now you will leave. This is your last warning."
Oh, wait, duh! The Messenger's song! That might convince them. I went for my pouch. "Sir, I can prove-" but that's as far as I got.
"STOP HER!"
One of the Goron's grabbed me, delicately for its strength, but I was still thrown to the ground, arms held behind me. He went to push me face down as I heard Kage unsheathe his weapon. Almost immediately was he face down beside me.
They couldn't! "No! Please! J-just don't press me down! In my robe pocket-she's already hurt enough!" I begged, fighting my attacker to stay on my side.
The arm stopped pushing. Above me I heard, "Sir?"
The leader Goron crouched down in front of me. "You have an animal companion in your pocket?" Confusion more then caution filled his voice.
"It's…it's…" What was I supposed to say? I tried my best to look up at the Goron. "S-she's a fairy, sir."
"A…fairy."
"Yes! Please mister, I'm in her inner pocket. Don't squish her on me!" Navi squeaked before I could answer.
Murmuring drifted among the soldiers. The leader lifted my robe gently between his huge fingers. With a bit of a wiggle Navi plopped out.
Gasps sounded all around us.
"Are you okay, little one?" one of the other in the group asked gently. "Did these people kidnap you?"
Navi swivelled around. "No! Not at all! They're my friends!" She crackled red, and some of the Gorons jumped. "I-I got hurt by someone else! They've been helping take care of me while I can't fly. They're good people who just want to talk to your leader, to help. They aren't lying, I swear!"
"S-sir," another of the soldier's spoke up. "I know it from my pa. Fairy's are said ta be able ta read people. They only pair with good folk. Maybe she's sayin' the right truth?"
"They also haven't been seen for centuries." The mohawked Goron stood, scratching his chin.
"Maybe, but I'm right here, aren't I?" Navi yelled at the creature 100 times her size. "I'm here, you're here, and if we want to keep it that way then my friends need to give your leader their report! Everyone in this country could be in danger if you refuse our help!"
My head flopped into the dirt. Yes Navi, indirectly threaten the creature that could squash us all.
"What are we doing, Miggon, Sir?" The Goron holding me down asked after a short silence.
Once more the leader Goron sighed through his nose. "I suppose…we should report this to Rosso. Get them up. Carry the fairy carefully, but hold the others good. We don't need weapons drawn against us again." As I was roughly lifted to my feet I saw Miggon burning his eyes into Kage. I wondered if it would've been better for us if his hood had fallen off, but I wasn't about to bring anything up yet. If this Rosso was a higher official, even if it wasn't Darunia, we might get somewhere.
Half our congregation was ordered to stay guarding the gate. The others led us inside the cavern that held the great Goron City, as prisoners.
Despite our rocky situation I couldn't help but gasp when we entered the City proper. It was like a…massive inverted building! Layers carved out of the rock served as floors, many doorways lining them, to what must be homes, shops, temples…probably sorted by floor. It went down deep, many layers, each one below jutting inward from the layer above it. I could just make out the bottom floor with the help of a large vase of fire sitting in the center, single entranceway I spotted down there probably the home of the Goron patriarch himself.
As we were lead down a few stairs, onlookers stares relayed they didn't think we should be here either. I put my head down, daring to glance beside myself. The Goron holding Navi had at least cupped a hand over her so people couldn't see her, but her glow still thread through his fingers.
Down, down, to the lower floors we were lead. I had to admit I'd expected the City proper to be busier then it was. A gnawing feeling rose in my chest as I was reminded of the distant, barren streets of the Zora's Domain. Finally we came before a large door. Our Goron leader knocked.
A dark-haired human girl answered. "Oh, Luda. Is Master Rosso here, child?" Miggon asked.
The girl, probably around my age, looked over the odd situation in front of her. "He is here. Please, come in." She held the door open, looking politely puzzled as we all streamed in.
This place looked like a workshop, and a messy one at that. Metal bits, bobbles, and blueprints where scattered on tables everywhere (and some on the floor). We walked through a few sections until we reached the back, where a Goron was sitting on the floor working on assembling parts of what looked like powdered kegs.
"Best stay back." The Goron, whose hair and beard was composed of a mess of red rocks, said fast, eyes fixated on his work. "Some of the materials here are volatile. Don't step beyond the doorframe."
"Rosso," Miggon started, stepping forward as much as he was allowed. The girl who let us in squeezed past him, scampering to the corner where she sat at a desk and connected some smaller components together. "I've brought some messengers who seem insistent on meeting with the Boss."
Rosso continued working, blowing out a hollow tube of dust. "That'll be a bit hard given the circumstances. Why'd you bring them here?"
"Because…Rosso, there's no one else to bring them to."
"Spare me your cunning, Mig. I already expressed I've no desire to take the seat of Chief. I meant more into the City. We agreed no one was to enter, yes?"
"But Sir," the Goron beside me stepped up, "They have a fairy with them." He lifted his hand to reveal Navi.
Rosso looked up at that. His brows lifted at the mythical creature before him.
"They also attacked us, so I don't see how them having a fairy's relevant." Huffed Miggon. "I wanted to know if you agree, and we should just throw them off the mountain, or-"
"Hey! You guys attacked us first!" Navi interrupted.
"Your companion was going for her pouch. We couldn't be certain not for a weapon-"
"If you listened she said it was for proof!" Navi screeched back to Miggon.
Rosso's rich laughter bounced off the cave's walls, and even his apprentice looked up from her work. "So it is true. Quite spirited little things, aren't you?" Rosso turned to Navi.
She jumped and glowed pink. "Oh, t-thanks. I think?" Rosso chuckled again at her confusion. Then his eyes turned to me.
"What's this proof you have, messenger?"
"O-oh. Um…it was the Royal Messenger's song, sir." I stuttered, surprised at being addressed. "I can play it if you let me."
Rosso waved a hand, making a chore of getting to his feet. "No, no. Knowing of it is good enough. But you realize Agahnim knows of the song too, so that doesn't automatically clear your names, right?"
He didn't say it maliciously, rather as if he was waiting for me to sort out the puzzle for him. I…hadn't thought of that. It made some sense the Zora's took it as it was. They'd been expecting a messenger beforehand, and we arrived so soon after the takeover. But it had been time enough now that Agahnim could have sent us from the Castle as spies. Or worse. And they way they were talking of their Chief's…absence…
I didn't know what we could do to convince them.
"I think, first, we should hear what has happened to the esteemed Darunia." Kage spoke up to my left.
"And what makes you think you're privy to that, Sheikah?!" Miggon roared.
"If you remove my hood that might give you your answer."
With a frustrated nod from his superior, Kage's handler lowered his hood.
Jaws dropped. The Goron let go of Kage. Miggon, however, rushed at him.
"YOU! TRAITOR!" he bellowed and swung his arm back to crush him. I choked on a gasp, trying to run forward, but was held firmly back.
"Miggon, STOP!" Rosso had moved between the two. His bemused grin was gone.
"But Rosso! He murdered the King! That must mean…you…" he turned his eyes to me now.
Uh-oh.
"MIGGON!" Rosso stood taller, and I understood why they revered him. Rosso towered over even his own at his full height, red hair looking like fire burning bright from his dark frown.
"But they're wanted, they-"
"Mig, you MORON!" Rosso growled. "You may not have been present for the meetings, but we all unanimously agreed Agahnim's accusations were meant to be misleading! I thought that would be obvious to everyone, considering his backhanded offer of peace to us!"
Miggon seemed to shrink at that.
"T-thank you Rosso." Kage commended his saviour in front of him. "But might I ask what exactly happened here? With Darunia?"
A relaxed voice answered from the corner. "I think it might be a good idea for the Prince and his companions to visit my father, wouldn't you agree, Master Rosso?"
"I agree." He nodded to his assistant. "There is much to discuss. Miggon, you and your men go back to the gate. Prince, you and your friends follow me. Luda, please watch over the place while I'm gone."
The girl nodded. "Of course." Then, as if nothing happened, she turned back to her work.
Time to Fast in all these FACTS!
Since I mentioned these chapter's were changed and re-thought so many times, much facts are to be had. Rosso was actually a very last-minute addition! Even more last minute (like, inside a few paragraphs to meeting him), I was actually going to have him be a Hylian too, like he is in Link between Worlds. But they make him so Goronish in there, and it makes much more sense for the story and his character, I changed him to be a Goron. I'm so glad I did! I really like how he turned out.
Also, Miggon was fun to invent. Goron's with mohawks needs to catch on more! I think the only time we sort of see it is Golo in Skyward Sword... I dunno, but to me it just makes a lot of sense!
