The Last Bomb Flower
Traces of the festival remained, even as Goron City's square cleared away.
Strips of bright colored cloth were scattered across the red rock floor. Flower petals accompanied the vibrant mess. The toasted smell of firework powder wafted through the air. Everything that stayed behind would help people remember. No one else was left—except for Link and Maui.
"You did a fine job playing that Ocarina," Maui said as he took Link aside. "I don't think I've ever heard a song like the one you played. Who taught you?"
Link smiled down at his instrument. "My best friend."
Maui patted Link on the back. "They must be extraordinary."
"She's the best."
"Look." Maui gestured towards the council chamber's door, which was surprisingly open. "Darunia wanted to tell you about a decision he made. Why don't you and your pretty fairy lady come on by?"
Navi blushed and giggled at Maui's compliment. "Quiet, you," she said. "What's up with the kind words?"
"The Gorons are friendly people," Maui said with a wink. "Let's not keep them waiting!"
Link, Navi and Maui entered the council chamber. Darunia sat on the floor with Maleek, Dominic, the boy called Maruka and three older Gorons. All were cross-legged in a well-spaced circle, leaving just enough room for the others to join them.
"The noble boy with the ocarina," said Darunia. "And his wise fairy. We have important matters to discuss, please sit."
When Link and Maui sat down, the meeting commenced.
"As you know," said Darunia. "We are on the verge of a famine. With everything that's happened, we've decided to enlist your help in destroying the blockade at Dodongo's Cavern."
Link froze in his spot at the circle. He wasn't sure if he heard the Goron leader right. When everyone in the circle kept a serious look, Link realized that Darunia truly had a change of heart.
"Everyone in this world is connected," Darunia continued. "And after thinking about it…I realize that I was too harsh on you and the other children. I…mistrusted your sincerity. However, I know that you're trustworthy. Please forgive me for my suspicions. They were unfair to you."
"You're forgiven," Link said.
Darunia nodded and smiled. "I am glad."
"What do you want us to do to help?" asked Navi.
"We need Link and Maruka to use the last bomb flower we have," said one of the older Gorons with long hair. "We feel both their skills will be crucial."
"If they're successful," said another old Goron with a patch over his left eye. "We can speak about a certain reward you seek. You wish for the Spiritual Stone of Fire, yes?"
Link's heart leapt. Everyone in the room was so full of hope. Maruka was the most hopeful of all, especially after guiding the ceremonial flame in the ancestral jar at the festival.
"So," said Darunia. "Are you prepared to help us?"
Link nodded. "I'll do what I can."
Darunia clasped his hands together. "We feel the same way about the rest of Hyrule. Your spirit, young Link…it is admirable. You have a heart for saving others and you do it without question. Don't lose that nature. It will help you overcome everything."
Darunia gestured towards Dominic. The studious Goron held a case made from black polished stone. He stood, walked over to the Chieftain and gave his leader the case. Darunia opened it, revealing a pair of brass bracelets. The Goron symbol was carved into both of them.
"The bomb flower is heavy," said Darunia. "Its stamen is a fuse with short life. Once the fuse disappears, the bomb flower explodes. There is a bomb flower is on the cliff just outside the city. It's directly above the cavern. This bomb flower must hit its target. You need extra strength to give yourselves a chance. So…come forward, Link and Maruka."
The boys stood up at Darunia's command. When they approached the Chieftain, they watched him remove the Goron bracelets and clamp them on both their wrists.
"With these bracelets," said Darunia. "The destiny of the Gorons lies in your hands. May Din's fire burn within your hearts. May Nayru's wise eyes be bestowed upon you. Pray that Farore's love of life is still intact for the mountainfolk. Be blessed with your skills. They will help you—and save the rest of us." Darunia turned to the rest of the room. "Let us now rest. In the morning, we will rise together and prepare for a great harvest! It will be the greatest one of them all."
Everyone left the chamber. Link and Maruka walked together for a time, completely silent as Navi bobbed ahead of them. They both favored the arms that wore the Goron bracelets, feeling the burden of great responsibility.
When it was time for Link and Maruka to part, they stood and faced each other. Neither was sure of what to really say.
"Good luck," Maruka finally blurted. "I know you'll help save them."
"Thanks," Link replied. "You'll do your part too. The Gorons believe in you."
"Let's believe in each other." Maruka paused. "Tell Trevor and Sheila I said 'good night.' And tell Sheila I hope we find Rebecca when we get a chance."
The two shook hands and parted ways. Goron City slept. The silence was peaceful, welcome and so full of hope.
Maruka was sent to the cliffside ahead of Darunia by the Chieftain's orders. He joined every denizen as they headed to the stone canopy outside Goron City. Link, Navi, Sheila and Trevor were with him as well. Link joined Maruka at the front of the group, the duo leading the way side-by-side.
Link and Maruka approached the edge of the cliff with the last bomb flower. The boulder blocking Dodongo's Cavern was down below. The drop seemed simple, but the boulder was far away and a little ahead of the cliff. Maruka knew that whoever threw the bomb flower would have to think hard about how to aim it so it struck target.
The Goron Calvary stood nearby, expecting a successful end to the blockade. Large brown sacks were attached to their backs with leather straps. The Calvary wore dark-lensed goggles like Dominic's, along with gloves that covered their large hands. Each Calvary member had a serious look on his face. Even the cheerful Maui didn't manage a smile.
Darunia emerged from inside the city with Tuba and the elders. They added paint to their faces, patterned to look like flames encircling their left eyes. When Darunia reached the boys, he looked down them both. His face was like stone, the same way.
"This is a day of truth," Darunia declared. "There's a reason we've met. Link and Maruka…you are children of destiny, as are your friends. I sense it. I see it. Your future is bright. On this day, you will save us all."
Several Calvary members stepped forward. They suddenly broke out into a fierce dance. Every move they made was coupled with loud voices in the ancient Goron language. A member of the Goron band fiercely beat on a drum, which guided the ceremony's powerful rhythm.
After the dance, Maleek and Dominic came forward with a lit torch. They were careful not to get too close to the bomb flower at the cliffside. The bomb flower's marigold stamen coiled, ready to make contact with the torch's flame. Darunia plucked the bomb flower from its green patch.
"In the darkness of Dodongo's Cavern," he said. "These plants grow at many times the speed compared to those that bask in sunlight. We can't be fed without this gift. Our crop is so important to our harvests. Our lives truly depend on it."
Darunia caressed the bomb flower as if it were a child. Then, he carefully placed it into Link's arms. Maruka was surprised at how easily the forest boy could carry it. The Goron bracelet really was powerful. The surge of strength it gave its wearer seemed natural. The knowledge of this gave Maruka confidence in the task ahead.
Darunia turned to Maruka, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder. "Maruka. The One of Fire. With this flame…" Darunia pointed at the torch. "You can make anything happen. You can wish away the cold. Warm someone's spirit. With one flame, you can bring light to a dark world and make it look as if it were all new. We didn't put the Goron mark on your shoulder, my young friend. It was always there. You're someone special, someone we've waited a long time to see. So, continue to be that man. We believe in you…Jerome."
Maruka's heart leapt at the name. He realized the Chieftain believed what he did, that he came from the place Trevor and Sheila spoke of. As Darunia walked away, Maruka was tempted to think about what would happen after today.
Would he go home? Were the children able to leave Hyrule? Then, Maruka looked down at the barrier. He knew that now wasn't the time to dwell on the future. Today, he had a nation to save.
"You can do it!" Sheila's gentle voice was powerful for what seemed to be the first time ever.
"Come on, J!" Trevor chimed in. "It's like playing QB! When you get your head fixed, you'll know what I'm talking about! You're one of the best wherever you go! Kill it! Both of you guys!"
The boys focused on the boulder below, looking down upon it together.
"Let's save them," said Maruka. "The Gorons…they're like my family. All of them. And Trevor and Sheila…they're my friends."
"They care about you so much," said Link.
"I care about them too. Link…I consider you to be my friend."
"Same. If we succeed, we can save Hyrule. I can save the forest. The princess. Everyone." The forest boy's face drooped and he looked at his fairy. "When I lived in the forest, I…woke up to Navi's voice. She woke me from a bad dream where I saw someone evil. I found out it was Ganondorf. I was told that the Deku Tree needed me and I answered the call. It was scary. I had to fight a monster that cursed him. Even though I won, the…" A tear escaped one of Link's eyes. "The Deku Tree died. I didn't think I deserved to be in the forest anymore…and so I ran away. I had to go on a journey, but I didn't want to be there anymore. It…hurt too much.
Link wiped the tear away and straightened his body. "When I went back, I realized that I never wanted to leave. The forest was my home. The kids living there are my friends. When we protect the Triforce, I want to go back. I want to things to be good again, and I want to smile again…but I have to help the Gorons first. We have to help the Gorons first. Do you understand? I don't know if Jerome is your real name or if Maruka is your real name, but you have to believe that you're the person who can help everyone on Death Mountain. They're relying on you…because you're their friend. Help your friends and save them. Let's do this together. Are you ready?"
Jerome nodded. He reached out to the flame on the torch. The fire swirled around his fingers and he guided the light to the bomb's stem. A spark appeared on the stamen. The bomb flower hissed.
Link raised the bomb flower over his head and looked down at the cavern below. After a quick darting of his eyes, he allowed it to drop. As it plummeted to the boulder, the onlookers braced themselves. The world, it seemed, lost its sound except for the lonely hiss that faded as it drew closer to the surface below.
A boom echoed, followed by another sound that stretched out into the air. Massive crumbling riddled everyone as Death Mountain rattled. When the shaking stopped, Maruka started to understand what he was seeing. The fiendish boulder had been broken into countless pieces.
Dodongo's Cavern was unsealed.
The famine was finally over.
Both boys turned away from the ledge and ran from it in triumph, putting their arms around each other's shoulders. They jumped up in the air along with Navi, who whisked herself around and couldn't contain her own joy.
The onlookers followed suit. They hugged each other and shouted in jubilation. Some shed tears of joy at the end of their troubles. Maruka and Link went out of their way to find Sheila and Trevor. They embraced each other when they met.
Suddenly, a pair of strong hands grabbed Maruka from behind. Darunia scooped the boy up and picked him up in a joyful hug.
"Destiny has fulfilled its purpose!" The Chieftain boasted.
Maruka hugged Darunia back. "It did!"
"I'm very proud of you…we couldn't have asked for anything more from a chosen one."
Darunia put Maruka down. The boy noticed a saddened look on the Chieftain's face and instantly knew why. It seemed as if the journey on Death Mountain was over. They both knew that Maruka didn't belong here and that was a painful truth that would take some time for them to accept. Until then, though, they would enjoy this wonderful moment and cherish the victory for the mountain folk.
"Chieftain!" Maui waved at Darunia while the rest of the Goron Calvary gathered around him. "How about we get ourselves to harvesting that cavern? We're ready whenever you are, sir!"
"Agreed!" Darunia palmed the top of Maruka's head. "Why don't you join us in harvest? If you stick with us, you're bound to be safe."
Maruka smiled. "That sounds great."
The Goron Calvary made their way down the trail with the children close behind. When they reached the entrance to Dodongo Cavern, Darunia equipped himself and stood before his men.
"Calvary," he said. "The Cavern is still filled with many dodongos. Be alert while in there. Defend yourselves and may your harvest path be great! I look forward to your efforts to save our people from starvation!"
The Calvary went inside. Each child made sure to stick close to a soldier as they walked down a long path into the cave. When they reached the cave, they found another blockade in front of them. It looked like a wall put together by broken brownstone slabs. On the sides of the narrowed pathway were more bomb flowers. Darunia plucked a bomb flower from the side and threw it against the wall with perfect timing. The bomb flower exploded and soon the Calvary found themselves looking deep into Dodongo's Cavern.
The cavern's first chamber was strange and dim. In its center was a jagged platform of stone. It was surrounded by four pillars that rose in and out of a shallow pool of lava. The lava glowed an eerie red. Near the back of the chamber was a discolored skull. Its mouth was sealed shut, though sharp fangs jutted out and overlapped with one another. Both eye sockets were empty, holding a deep darkness from within.
The Calvary didn't look fazed by the sight. Maruka was sure it was because they had been here before. However, the children all seemed to shudder at the Cavern's eerie nature, just like he did. Maruka was grateful that the Calvary would keep them safe.
Navi glowed gleefully in the cavern's darkness. "This should put everyone at ease," she said. "Don't you Gorons wish you had a fairy around?"
"Rumor has it we do," said Maui.
Navi looked back at Maui. "Really? I'd love to meet her."
"You don't think you're radiant enough? You're a sight for sore eyes, sister."
"You're too much."
The Calvary pressed forward, carefully moving through the main chamber. Darunia silently led them to the right, where a dirt path had been paved to avoid the lava pits. It led to a large corridor where the path started winding like a snake, eventually reaching an archway entrance into yet another part of the cave. Maruka made sure to stay beside Darunia, who seemed very focused on ensuring the space was clear for the harvest to start.
"This seems like a good spot," Darunia muttered to himself before raising his voice to the others. "Gorons, find the bomb flowers and get started! We want this trip to be fast! We'll return to take care of any unwanted infestations later. Remember that we only want to control the population, not eradicate it. We're not monsters…but the dodongos are, unfortunately. Defend yourselves if need be. Let's keep that distinction clear."
The Calvary went to work. They found bomb flowers resting outside the chamber. Maleek would bring the torch to Maruka and Maruka would light the stamens of each orb brought to him. Bomb flowers adorned nearby walls…then, the walls would break from explosions. Gorons gathered the rocks into bags and would on to another corridor.
"See what it's like, brotha?" Maui asked Link. "Without the bomb flowers, we'd be lost and starving. Now that the cavern's open, nothing can go wrong! These bomb flowers grow at rapid pace!"
"Dee people gon have a second festival," declared Maleek. "Dey be wantin' to honor you kids as good luck charms. Be careful, now, we be wantin' you to stay so we don't get in a famine ever again! You ever consider?"
"No thanks," said Trevor. "You don't need my big mouth around."
Maleek waved off Trevor's playful quip. "I can tolerate de small tings."
"That's nice and all…" Trevor looked at Maruka's way and smiled. "But we got a town to get back to. Right, Jerome?"
Another memory rushed through Maruka's mind. He wanted to tell Trevor about it as soon as he got the chance, but before he suddenly shot up from the ground and found himself flung to the side. An ugly screech cut through the air before turning into a wretched gurgle. Maruka looked Darunia's way and saw the Goron leader gripping a strange green creature.
The creature writhed in Darunia's clutch before the Chieftain threw it. Maruka watched the creature strike the ground with a thud.
"Stay away from it!" Darunia shouted. Before Maruka could think about what just happened, another explosion rocked the corridor. Dust burst from the part of the ground where the creature breathed its last. Whatever the creature was disappeared by the time everything settled.
"It was a Dodongo larvae!" said Darunia! "They've infested the area! Be alert!"
Everything about the harvest seemed to change. The Gorons drew closer to one another, going back to back as they moved through the corridor. Soon, a group of Dodongo larvae burrowed out of the ground. They slithered towards the calvary and each soldier struck the creatures and threw them away. Maruka and Link looked at each other and took part in the battle themselves. The forest boy slashed at the creatures with Navi's guidance and Maruka used his knife to combat the creatures himself. The other children backed away from the battle while staying close to their friends, hoping to gain protection in the chaos.
At one point, the amount of Dodongo Larvae overwhelmed the Gorons. The Gorons scattered and the children followed suit. They were together in the archway of a small corridor. The shade covered them and it seemed as the children were safe. Then, Maruka sensed something was wrong. When Sheila gasped and let out a yelp, he realized why when he looked to his left.
A dying larvae writhed beside his feet. He tried to kick it away, but its skin color pulsed between green and red, with the red growing stronger beneath the emerald complexion. Maruka barely dove away from the larvae when it exploded.
Maruka thought he was safe. His eyes were closed when the space around him rumbled. A lot of noise clouded his senses, but when everything grew still he though the battle to be over. He paused, expecting to hear the Gorons cheer in victory. When it stayed quiet, Maruka realized something was off. He opened his eyes and it was still dark.
The other children were with him. Link, Trevor and Sheila picked themselves up from the ground. Maruka realized the horrible truth. The arch way was blocked by a collapse of rocks. The explosion damaged the cavern, separating them from the Calvary.
The children were trapped. There wasn't an exit in sight.