The heat was the first thing Link and Navi noticed.
Even with the Great Fairy's blessing, the inside of the Fire Temple was almost unbearably hot! The boy and fairy were sweating profusely moments after entering the Temple proper. The cursed energy also weighed heavier on them; a disgusting feeling was present in the air that seemed to seep into their very flesh.
Trying to ignore this heat, the two looked around, Link ready with his sword and shield in case something attacked. There was nothing living around them, and in fact the room they were in wasn't as big as they expected.
Before them was a staircase leading to an upper area of the room, the entire area lit by three giant flames. These flames were present within carvings of faces, the same as the one above the door leading into the Temple. Large, jovial and toothless grins where the balls of fire made their home, squinted and happy eyes seeming to almost stare mockingly at the duo.
"The faces are…weird…" Link observed, really feeling as though the faces could actually see him. "Why are they there?" He couldn't help but wonder this out loud as he slowly climbed the staircase.
Following closely, Navi gazed at the faces. She, too, felt as though they were watching her. It made shivers run up her spine despite the intense heat. "That's Korak, that old god of the Gorons I told you about. They said he was almost always in a good mood, laughing and smiling constantly. Since that was his most important feature, the Fire Temple simply has his face carved in, rather than statues…"
That made sense, but Link still hated how the faces smiled at him with those flaming maws. Despite the jovial intent of the decorations, the fire seemed malicious to him…
To either side of the two were doors, unusual ones that didn't have knobs! Going over to the one on his left, Link frowned. "How do we open the door?" He pushed on it, but nothing happened. No knob…pushing didn't work…so what was left?
"Wait, I think I know this…" Navi murmured, flying around the wall next to the door. "Aha! Here!" She pointed at a panel that stuck out a bit, but not enough that one wouldn't notice unless they were looking for it. "These sorts of doors open by these panels. Go ahead and push it!"
That seemed really odd to Link, but he still did what the fairy said. Just as Navi explained, once he pressed the panel in, the door shifted upward and opened for them, allowing the two to enter the next room.
Somehow, things got even hotter! The boy and fairy were in a much different room than before. While the last was sculpted with intent and care, this one was almost like a cave instead. No markings, stairs, or anything of the sort save for a strange switch on the floor. It was large, intended to be stepped on, but was covered in rust and seemed even Link's entire weight wouldn't pressed it down.
The walls were simply carved out of the mountain itself, lava bubbling below and giving enough light to see about the room. There was a massive chasm before the two, leading right down into the lava, with a platform on the other side that had a door of its own. But standing before the door…
"Darunia?!" Navi exclaimed, floating up and gawking at the sight.
Indeed, the Goron's chieftain was about to enter the door before him, one that was much larger than the one Link and Navi went through. He was stopped when the fairy yelled, turning and gazing at the two. For a moment, he didn't seem to recognize them…but then suddenly a large grin spread across his face.
"Brother?! Goro-Navi?! You're here! That is you, isn't it, Brother? How did you get so big?!" Darunia bellowed, having to shout just to be heard in the first place. The Goron hadn't changed at all physically since the two last met him, and he still had the same demeanor as well.
The question stung at Link, remembering how Darunia mistook him for a Kokiri. Not that the Goron could be claimed. After all, Navi did lie right to his face. Just as she had lied to Link himself so many times…
Pushing his bitter emotions aside, Link stepped forward and put his sword and shield away so he could cup his hands in order to be heard. "It's me! It's Link! Darunia, are you okay?! Are the other Gorons safe?!" He yelled out, sounding worried despite his efforts to keep his feelings tucked down deep.
Darunia's smile wavered a bit, the Goron pausing before he replied. "Many of my fellow Gorons are trapped! Please, you must go and save them! I'd go and do it myself, but Volvagia is in this room next to me! I must deal with it, as the beast grows hungry for its next meal!"
Volvagia was right there? Link and Navi could feel a sort of menacing aura coming from up ahead. Clearly, Darunia wasn't mistaken. "Let me come with you! I'll help!" Link replied, realizing after a moment how foolish that sounded. After all, the chasm was far too wide for him to ever hope to jump! "How do I get across?!"
The chieftain shook his head. "I'm afraid not, Brother! The bridge's switch is rusted so that not even I could press it! I went through the lava and scaled the wall, but that is no option to you! Go, find the Megaton Hammer that's in this Temple, and then come join me! I can't wait another moment, I'm sorry!"
"Darunia?! Darunia, wait!" Link cried, panicking as he watched his friend turn and enter the next room. Before the Hylian could say another word, the large door slammed shut, leaving him and Navi alone. Turning to the fairy, Link struggled to keep himself composed. "What do we do? We can't let him go in alone!"
First Saria, then Darunia! Link wasn't going to let another friend get hurt because of him! Why couldn't have just been faster? If he had just left the Lost Woods a day or two sooner, maybe Darunia wouldn't have to go face Volvagia by himself!
"Link, Darunia is right. We have to find the Megaton Hammer, it's too late now!" Navi replied, feeling awful for Link and worrying for Darunia. "We can't stop him from fighting, but if we hurry and get the hammer…"
As much as he didn't want to admit it, Link knew that Navi was right. There was simply nothing they could do to get across quicker! Quickly, the boy lead his companion out of the room and back to the entrance. Without hesitation, they crossed into the only other room dead ahead.
The boy and fairy found themselves in a very barebones room. It was simply a stone hallway, the walls not even reaching the ceiling. Ahead of them was a simple turn to the right. Before they moved on, however, a strange sound hit their ears. It was…some sort of chanting. It was distant and echoing, the words muffled, and neither could understand what was being said. Yet it also sounded ancient and pained, a chant that sent shivers up their spines despite the heat.
"What is that noise…?" Link asked, looking about as if he may find an answer somewhere. Naturally, all he saw were the stone walls and ceiling.
"I have no idea…I can't even understand what they're saying." Navi replied, feeling as though the two were surrounded by unseen spirits. "Maybe…it's the trapped Gorons? I don't know why they'd be chanting, though. Come on, let's just keep going. This is the only way forward!"
At first, Link went slowly, as if going fast would somehow alert the invisible chanters to his presence. After a few moments, he started to walk normally, still keeping his eyes peeled for anything suspicious. Rounding the corner, the two simply saw more hallway…and two turns going in opposite directions. Deciding to go left, they saw a similar scene, but with three paths!
"Wait…" Navi murmured, floating up over the walls. Looking around, she let out a noise of distress at what she saw. As it turned out, the two were in a large maze that was easily three times as big as the one in the Lost Woods! Floating down to Link, she frowned heavily. "Link, we're in a maze! There's multiple exits, so I don't know where we should go!"
A maze?! It was as if the Temple was trying to slow them down to make reaching Darunia harder! "We just have to keep trying exits, right? One has to lead to the Megaton Hammer, right?"
"You're right, but which one do we start with…?" Once more, Navi hovered up to get a layout of the room, looking for all the exits. "Here! Come on, I think this one is closest!" The fairy would stay up above, leading Link forward and through the turns of the ancient stone maze. As they went, the chanting that rang out dipped in volume. Sometimes it seemed to vanish, and at other times it felt as though the chanters were right around the corner.
As the two went along, they both expected something to pop out with every turn they made. Some horrific beasts or ghoul, maybe even Volvagia itself prowling in the maze! They swore they heard something skulking nearby a few times, but whenever Navi went to check, she never saw anything.
Before too long, they encountered their first door, which the two quickly entered. On the other side was a small room, only half the size of the entry room. It had smooth stone walls and only one other thing. An entire wall was taken up by a massive set of bars, holding a group of about a dozen Gorons prisoner! They were of various sizes, clearly adult and children, and there was another one of those floor switches off to the side.
"Hey, you're not one of Ganondorf's minions! You're a Hylian!" One of the Gorons quickly called out, gripping the bars with a desperate look on his face. "Please, you have to hit the switch and let us out!"
Link ignored the ache in his chest at being called a Hylian, not even replying before going to the switch and stepping on it. With a series of clangs and clinking noises, the bars opened upward to allow the Gorons to get out.
"What happened? You're all being held prisoner?" Navi asked as the prisoners wandered out, relief on their faces. If she had to guess, they were next in line for Volvagia's next meal. "Are there others?"
One of the Gorons went up to Link, looking like he really wanted to hug the boy. Apparently he decided against it, just giving him a weary but large smile. "Oh, thank you! Thank you so much, from all of us!" The other Gorons chimed in too, showering the two in praise. "But yes, all those that are still alive…we're held in these cells! We just have to sit there and wait for Ganondorf's minions to take us to Volvagia and…" The Goron gulped, shuddering.
"It's okay, you don't have to say it. There are other cells though? Where?" Navi asked, knowing that Link would want to save as many Gorons as possible. As did she, of course.
"I…don't know." The Goron answered truthfully. "The Temple…it's changed. That maze out there, these cells…these were never here before. Something about Ganondorf's magic changed it. There's even that unusual chanting…it's an ancient Goron language, but we don't know where it's coming from. We wish we could help you more, but none of us are fighters, and they've starved us, so we're quite weak."
The idea that the chanting didn't come from the actual Gorons unnerved Link, but he tried to shrug it off. "Do you know where the Megaton Hammer is, at least?" Link asked, knowing that was most important. "I'm here to kill Volvagia and stop this curse. If the curse if lifted, the Temple should return to normal, right?"
The Goron's eyes widened in surprise. "You really are a Courageous one! I'm not sure how magic like this works, but I'd wager that would be the case! But…sorry, we don't know where the Megaton Hammer is."
That was a shame, but Link could hardly blame them. "Do you need us to lead you to the way out?"
At this, the Goron shook his head, him and the rest of his kin sitting on the floor. "The offer is appreciated, but we know you're in a hurry! There are more of us prisoners, and if you lead us all back to the entrance…" He trailed off, having made his point clear.
"I think they'll be okay." Navi added on, looking to the Gorons and back at Link. "Come on, we have to find the Megaton Hammer!"
Everyone had agreed on this course of action, so Link went along with it. With a farewell and receiving well wishes from the Gorons, Link and Navi went back into the maze.
The chanting once more increased and decreased in volume as the boy and fairy made their way throughout the maze. It was hard to tell, but it seemed that the walls had changed their pattern since the two entered the Goron's prison room. Since it was too hard to make sure, they had to simply keep going.
As they went, a strange sort of suction noise made itself heard. "What is that…?" Navi wondered aloud, looking about and not seeing anything. The noise was so close, too…
Before Link could answer, something dropped from the ceiling! Two things, as it happened. Large, red objects plopped onto the floor before him, both aflame and writhing in place. They were odd and bloblike things with eyeballs on thin white stalks.
"What…are those?" Link asked, readying his shield. The creatures looked at him, slowly shifting towards him, their flames crackling as they moved, and the suction sounds continued.
"Torch Slugs!" Navi explained, keeping up in the air. "They're on fire as a defense, but they can jump and attack too! Be careful, they can be faster than they seem!"
These were slugs? Link had seen plenty of slugs throughout his life, but none nearly this big! Either way, they were blocking the way and the maze was too narrow for him to properly go around.
As Navi warned, one of the Torch Slugs leapt at Link when it got close, taking him off guard. He blocked the attacking creature with his shield, sending it back to the floor where he quickly thrust his sword at it. The blade sank into the creatures body, causing it to make an awful squealing sound before the flame went out and it died.
Wasting no time, he quickly went for the remaining slug, driving the Master Sword into it as well, causing it to let out a screeching sound as it died. The sounds were awful for Link, hating it when the creatures he killed let out such horrible noises…
"Are you okay? They didn't hurt you, did they?" Navi asked, looking Link over for any injuries. It hadn't looked like either of them had gotten a hit on him, but she just worried…
Link, however, was annoyed at how overly cautious Navi could be. Didn't she see he wasn't hurt? He would have said something if he was! "I'm fine." Was all he said as he kept going, not even looking at his companion.
Sighing to herself, Navi knew this wasn't the place to argue and simply kept leading the boy on. Before long, they found their way to another door. The fairy hovered down to join Link as he opened it, but a quick scampering noise stopped them in their tracks and made them turn around.
Before anything else could be done, two Lizalfos came from around the corner, brandishing their knives and hissing at the intruders. "I didn't even see them! Where did they come from?!" Navi exclaimed, not having noticed that the two were being followed. Granted, she couldn't look in every direction at once…
Link didn't get a chance to answer before the creatures attacked. They lunged at Link, stabbing at him with their blades and barring their many sharp teeth at the boy. He recalled having to fight, and flee, from the one Lizalfos in Dodongo's Cavern. Was he strong enough to handle two?!
He blocked with his shield and swung at them with his blade, but the pair swiftly dodged out of the way of his attack. One went in again quickly, stabbing Link in the stomach. It let out a confused noise when its knife didn't pierce through the tunic or the Hylian's flesh. Granted, the harsh impact would still leave a bruise and made Link grunt in pain as he swung again.
Alas, the duo was too quick for Link's attacks, always dodging around his swings before going back in for attacks of their own. It took the Lizalfos some time before they realized that none of their attacks would cut through his tunic, stabbing and slashing at Link's torso several times with no bloodshed. It did leave his body riddled with bruises and sent a pulsing pain through his body, though.
But as the fight went, the reptilian creatures started to aim for Link's less protected areas. Their knives slashed at his legs and arms, shallow but blood-drawing cuts adorning his limbs and even getting one on the cheek. Yet Link couldn't get a single attack in on the Lizalfos!
Navi wanted to help, but just as the case was seven years ago, the fighting was so erratic that she couldn't find a good place to fly in and help! Even for a fairy, her speeds had limits and Lizalfos were notoriously swift creatures…
Link decided to try his spin attack, remembering how it had worked against the Stalfos. With a sudden burst of adrenaline and rage, he readied the Master Sword and swung in a fast circle, putting all his strength behind the attack!
It seemed that the Lizalfos weren't expecting such an unconventional attack or perhaps his swing was faster than he thought it would be. Either way, the sacred power of the Master Sword sliced right through one of the two beasts, the opponent barely able to let out a cry as the two pieces fell to the floor.
The other Lizalfos was able to mostly dodge the attack, only getting a shallow cut across its belly. Still, it let out a pained hiss as it glared at Link. It charged forward, slashing wildly at the Hylian, giving him more cuts on his arms and legs with the addition of another that nearly got his eye!
Desperate for a way out, Link let his body move on its own as he thrust his shield forward. The large metal object slammed into the Lizalfos' snout, causing it to cry out as it staggered backward and fell onto its back. Once more letting his body work instead of his mind, Link leapt up, holding his sword downward so it thrust down into the creature's chest.
The mythical blade sunk deep into the monster's heart, the Lizalfos letting out one last desperate cry of pain before going limp. Panting, Link stood up straight, wincing at the injuries he had sustained. It was only then did he realize just how savage that last attack was. What was going on with him? Was he really becoming some sort of killer? These were monsters that were trying to kill him, yes, but it hardly helped the uneasy feeling in his gut…
"Go on, you should take some potion." Navi advised, both glad and surprised that Link was able to take on two Lizalfos at once. "I'm sorry I didn't see them coming…"
Taking Navi's advice, Link took out one of the Red Potions he had and sipped at it a bit, the wounds on his body closing up as he did so as the pain ebbed away.
Entering the room at last, the boy and fairy found another Goron prison, this one only having five inside a very large cell. After being freed, one of the Gorons would stop Link. "Here, I think this will help! That's a bomb bag, right?"
Link eyed what the Goron handed to him, a rock and a piece of metal. "What is this?" He asked, taking the items anyway.
"That's a flint and steel." The Goron explained. Noting Link's confusion, he took the items back. "See, here…" He struck the two items together, causing some sparks to appear! "If you strike it like this, you can light up those bombs. I don't know how useful that may be here in this Temple, but you never know…"
As it happened, Link had thought a bit during the trip up Death Mountain how he had never really used the bombs he had after he fought against King Dodongo. He simply hadn't come across a situation where they'd be useful! Still, as the Goron said, it could be useful. "Thank you, I'm sure this will help me at some point…"
As the two left the prison room, these Gorons too staying to rest, Navi thought about how she didn't exactly like Link going around with the ability to actually light up his bombs. But…she couldn't deny it could be helpful. She would just have to make sure that if the time came, she was very careful with instructing Link on how to light them up…
The maze proved inconsistent both in layout and in danger as Link and Navi went on. Torch Slugs would fall from the ceiling and impede their progress at some times, but they would also go long stretches where nothing happened at all. They encountered a few Golden Skulltulas, which Link slayed. It seemed even those creatures had issues getting lost in the maze. The horrid chanting never ceased for a moment during all the walking about. Link had to wonder if they were spirits that were trapped, just like with the Forest Temple. They could be ancient Goron ghosts, cursed by Ganondorf and trapped within the Fire Temple, forever chanting as long as the curse remained.
That's just what Link thought, of course.
Link and Navi went through half a dozen rooms, the time seeming to slip by or grinding down to an awful, slow pace. It seemed everywhere that Ganondorf touched, time itself seemed to fluctuate and bend. Was it because Link was the Hero of Time? A way to mock him? Perhaps the Hylian was thinking too deeply into it…
Several traps were encountered as well, such as one door turning out to be a fake, falling off and nearly crushing Link flat. One turn was stopped as a small wall of flames erupted from the floor, nearly burning Link in the process. They even reached a small, empty room where arrows shot out of the walls, Link barely able to block them with his shield.
Along their endeavors, they found numerous rooms with Goron prisoners. Each room, at least, had switches to set them free. And each time, the Gorons decided to stay behind, not wanting to slow Link's progress. Sadly, none of them knew where the Megaton Hammer was, and several of them commented on the odd chanting.
To Link's horror and self-disgust, some of the Gorons would speak quietly to each other about missing friends or family. The boy himself noticed that he hadn't encountered Rohan or Fugo in his searches. They…were okay, right? They had to be okay! Darunia too! The stress was getting to him, the heat of the Fire Temple hardly helping. It was a sort of heat that neither he nor Navi truly got used to, sometimes making them have to stop and cool down for a few moments.
"Link, we should take a break." Navi said as they exited the latest prison room. "I know we're in a hurry, but you're getting pretty exhausted. We won't be able to help Darunia properly if you're too worn out!"
He could hardly believe she even suggested that. A break? Now of all times? Darunia was off fighting Volvagia, possibly in dire need of help and gravely injured! He was supposed to take a break?! "We can't, we have to keep moving and find the Megaton Hammer." Link replied, forcing down his anger and keeping his mask intact.
"I'm not saying it should be too long of a break, but you'll wear yourself out if you just go nonstop. Just give it a few minutes, okay? That's all I ask." Navi had a feeling that Link would be stubborn about this given how he acted toward her lately. "If you don't, I'll just keep suggesting it." A petty move, but one she hoped would sway the boy.
Link's muscled burned and ached, not just because of the heat of the Fire Temple. She had been correct, he was exhausted. Red Potions may heal his wounds, but they didn't give him his energy back. He and Navi had moved through the maze and the various rooms nonstop, and the awful distortion of time made it impossible for either to tell how long they had been going. Still, it was Navi's threat of persistence that made Link falter.
"Okay. Five minutes, okay?" He replied, leaning against a nearby wall. The Hylian realized it was too dangerous to sit and rest, so that had to do. "This will be our only break."
Navi felt this was the best that could happen, so she gave a nod. "Fine, okay. Five minutes and then we keep going." The fairy would land on Link's shoulder, glad her companion at least let her keep doing that.
The boy panted, wishing that the chanting that filled the air would stop even for just a moment. Something told him that the ghostly noises would appear in his dreams for days or even weeks to come. At least, if he survived this Temple. Darunia was surely a better warrior than he was, Megaton Hammer or not, yet Volvagia was still living. The beasts and cursed nature that persisted within the Fire Temple told him as such. If the Goron's leader had this much trouble, could he be any help at all? Could he even survive?
All Link knew was he had to stop Darunia from perishing as Saria had. He had failed two friends, his oldest and dearest one along with Zelda. The kingdom of Hyrule was in ruins and he saw it as his own fault. So, he couldn't let down a third friend, especially if doing that meant that Darunia would surely die at the hands of Volvagia.
With all the thoughts going through his mind, it hardly felt as though Link were resting at all.
Navi stared at Link as he rested, clearing her throat lightly to get his attention. "Hey, Link. It's going to be okay." She knew how stressed he had to be and wanted to offer what little comfort she could. "We'll both get through this, and we'll cleanse the other Temples. I know you can do this…"
"Will you even stick around when this is all over?" Link asked automatically, not even thinking first and his mouth moving on its own. A very harsh question, he regretted it when he saw Navi silently gape in clear hurt.
"What do you mean? Why are you asking that?" Navi felt a harsh grip in her chest, having a feeling at what the reason would be…
Link knew he couldn't just brush off what he said, so he gave the fairy the answer she wanted. "You were pretending to be my Guardian Fairy. Now you're with me because of the quest. So, why would you stay with me when the quest is done?"
Navi could hardly blame him for still being paranoid about her. After all that had happened with the lies she told, she'd most likely feel the same way if she were in his position. "I'm not just with you because of the quest, Link." She knew he needed her to keep going, both as moral support and as a guide. The fairy had a feeling he wouldn't like to hear that, especially the latter. "I care about you! Your safety, your happiness…Just because I was sent on a mission by The Great Deku Tree doesn't mean my emotions were ever fake."
He wanted to believe the fairy; he really did. Link just couldn't accept her words so easily, though. After what had happened, he truly felt that Navi was sticking with him out of pity and duty to Hyrule. If there were no quest to go on, would she even bother talking to him? Or would she just have departed?
Still, he recalled what the Great Fairy said, how Navi had tried to get the powerful entity to turn him into a Kokiri. That would be a dream come true for him. He'd give just about anything to become a forest spirit. At least, that's what he had thought in the past. Without Saria and the remaining Kokiri surely hating him…what would be the point? What was the purpose of his life? What was he meant to do when Hyrule was saved? He felt…trapped between two worlds that wouldn't accept him.
Snapping out of those thoughts, he glanced at Navi, gulping and feeling a disgusting dryness in his throat and an ill feeling in the pit of his gut. "Okay. I…We can talk about this. It's been five minutes." Despite his efforts, Link's voice wavered, fearing talking to the fairy at a deeper level than they already were. He couldn't face Navi, not there in a cursed place, especially…
Navi felt her heart sink at Link's words but accepted them. She felt that going too long would be foolish in such a dangerous place, and Link would surely get upset if their break were too much longer. "Okay. Let's go."
The two kept going, both feeling uneasy, stressed, and more exhausted as they did before their break…
Not long after, the pair came across another prison of Gorons. This time, however, they recognized someone! "Fugo?!" Navi exclaimed, flying towards the bars.
Indeed, the Goron that had guarded Darunia's chambers was there with four other Gorons. He looked weary, as though he hadn't properly eaten for weeks. "Goro-Navi, is that you?" The familiar face stood up, going over to the bars. "And…is that you, Goro-Link? You've gotten so big!"
Ignoring the comment, Link was just happy to see one of his friends was okay! "Fugo, you're really okay?" He asked, going over to the bars too, the other Gorons watching the exchange.
"I don't know about okay, but I'm alive at least! Why are you here? Is Darunia around?" Fugo asked, seeming livelier as the seconds passed.
"Darunia…he went off to fight Volvagia." Navi explained, relieved at Fugo's safety. "We're looking for the Megaton Hammer, but with that maze…no luck."
Fugo nodded, not seeming too surprised. "The Temple really has changed a lot. I wish I could help, but I don't know where the Megaton Hammer is either."
As Fugo spoke, Link went over and pressed the nearby switch, releasing the Gorons. "That's what the others said too." Navi replied, glancing to the other Gorons as they filed out and stretched their limbs.
"Fugo, do you know if Rohan is okay?" Link asked, going back over. He hadn't seen the very first Goron he had met yet, and he was starting to worry…
At that, Fugo's face fell, and he let out a deep sigh. "Link…I hate to have to tell you this, but…Rohan's gone."
Feeling an icy grip in his chest despite the intense heat, Link stared at Fugo. "…Wh-What?" It was all he was able to stammer out, his body practically going numb.
"It happened yesterday, some of Ganondorf's minions came and they took some of us away…" Fugo let out a shuddering breath. "And…Rohan was among them. When they take us…they take us to Volvagia for a meal. I'm so sorry…"
Link felt his breath quicken, a disgusting guilt coursing through him at the news. If he had just taken one less day to mope in the Lost Woods…he could have saved Rohan and who knew how many other Gorons?! "I…I-I'm so sorry…" He felt like he was going to cry, trying to keep his emotions down to no avail.
"This isn't your fault." Fugo replied, almost forcefully. "Our situations is not your own, you owe us nothing. Please, don't blame yourself…"
But it was his situation! Fate had decided that this was his task to fulfill, so even though he wanted no part in trying to be a hero, this was his responsibility…
"Fugo's right. You can't think this is your fault." Navi agreed, knowing Link enough to realize he'd take the blame for something beyond his control.
They were wrong. They had no idea how wrong they were! Link couldn't stand there and argue, though. Darunia needed him, and he had to make sure no other friends died! "Fugo…I'm sorry…" Was all he could think to say before turning and rushing out of the room.
"Link! Hey! Wait!" Navi called, turning to Fugo briefly. "Sorry, Fugo…we'll help cleanse this Temple, okay?" Without waiting for a reply, the fairy flew after her companion. Link, thankfully, hadn't gotten far back in the maze. "Hey! Slow down, you can't get through here without me!"
"We have to move faster, Navi. If I were just a day faster…" Link wouldn't let this go, a crushing guilt in his chest as he imagined Rohan being lead off to feed some terrible beast…
"That's not fair to yourself, Link!" Navi argued, unable to help herself. "Not everything bad that happens is your fault! Bad things…just happen. If anyone should be blamed, it's Ganondorf."
Of course he knew the Gerudo was responsible, yes, but he still harbored blame for himself. His hatred for the man intensified, either way, and Link actually felt the desire to slay him…a thought that nearly made him pause in self-disgust.
"We just have to keep moving…" Link said, avoiding the argument as his gait increased.
Sighing lightly, Navi nodded as she continued helping Link through the maze.
The two went on, the labyrinth practically seeming to change around them as the chanting grew louder, almost as if it were mocking them. They had trouble finding another exit, but it wouldn't keep Link from moving on anyway, desperate to find the Megaton Hammer!
Eventually, they came across something knew. At one of the borders of the maze was a wall that was severely cracked and weak. "Hey…This is odd." Navi said, she and Link stopping to observe. "I haven't seen any walls like this in the maze at all! I wonder if this might be hiding something."
Link recalled the flint and steel he had gotten, taking them out. "Should I use a bomb?" He hadn't actually ever lit one up properly. The only times he used them at all was throwing them in King Dodongo's mouth…
"Yeah, I think so! Take a bomb out and do as I say…" The fairy instructed Link on what to do, the boy placing the bomb at the cracked wall before using the flint and steel to light up the fuse. The two fled behind a turn in the maze wall, just in time for a near-deafening boom and rumbling of rock to hit their ears.
Looking around the corner, they saw part of the maze wall completely reduced to rubble. More importantly, there was a door behind the wall! "A hidden door?" Link asked, approaching the secret entrance.
"Ganondorf's minions probably patched up the wall. They had to have hidden it for a reason! Come on, this has to be the way!" Navi felt relief rush through her as Link opened the door for them.
The room they found themselves in was decently sized yet held very little. A platform was in the middle, a staircase leading up to the top. What was on the platform, however, gave the two pause. On a pedestal was a mighty metal tool, a large hammer with a flat top and made of unblemished material.
"The Megaton Hammer…" Link murmured, at last finding what he needed! As he approached the staircase, however, a wall of flames erupted from the borders of the platform! The relic was surrounded by an intense fire!
"What?! What's going on?!" Navi exclaimed, looking around for some sort of source of the trap.
A cackling filled the room, and from behind the platform came a strange being. Its torso was black and round, strange red marking present on it that looked like eyes and a mouth. Aside from that, the creature was made almost entirely of flame. The head, arms, and legs were crackling red fire, and in place of hands and feet were rusted metal spikes!
"A Flare Dancer!" Navi exclaimed, recognizing the beast immediately. "I didn't know they were real!" The fairy had always heard of these creatures as though they were myth; fire-wielding tricksters that would torment innocent souls they came across.
Reading his sword and shield, Link looked the foe over. "How do I beat it?" Since it was mostly made of fire, he could only assume the wall of fire was its doing. If he killed it, surely the Megaton Hammer would be for the taking!
"I…I don't know…I thought they were legends! The center has to be the weak spot, though. Everything else is flame!" Navi wasn't sure her light flashes would even work. The markings on the center looked like a face, but who could say?
Before Link could reply, the monster charged forward. It somehow seemed to skate across the floor on one foot, the metal spike scraping loudly against the stone. When it got in range, the Flare Dancer thrust an arm forward aiming for Link's neck with one of its hand-spikes.
The Hylian managed to block the attack with his shield, however, the spike bouncing off. Even with the Great Fairy's enchantment, the heat of the Flare Dancer felt so intense! Perhaps it had some sort of dark magic that cut through the blessing?! Either way, Link swung the Master Sword at his opponent, but it nimbly dodged away, a cackle erupting from it once more.
The 'Dancer' part of its name seemed accurate, as the flaming creature spun about the room with a finesse and agility that Link hadn't seen before. It almost seemed to be showing off, never on more than one of its spike-feet at any given moment as it skated around the boy and fairy with ease.
Once more, it charged forward, rapidly slashing at Link as he ran backwards away from his attacker. Yet, it was so swift and closed the gap easily! The spikes cut at Link's arms and legs, tearing his clothes even more and drawing blood just as the Lizalfos did. It managed to get past his shield one more time, stabbing him in the stomach. Once more, the tunic's magic stopped a piercing wound, but the spike was so pinpoint sharp that it felt as though he was getting stabbed all the same.
After the assault, the Flare Dancer skated away as Link swung at it once more. "It's toying with you…" Navi murmured, enraged. "I think you have to go on the offensive, Link. Show its whose boss!"
Link wasn't sure if that would work well, but standing there and blocking wouldn't do anything. He charged forward, ignoring the piercing pain in his limbs as he swung rapidly at the Flare Dancer. As before, though, it seemed to practically dance around his attacks. It was so good at dodging that it had the time to spin and performing flashy moves as it eased its way around Link's swipes.
Perhaps it got too cocky, however, as Link managed to strike one of its spike hands, knocking the flaming arm away briefly. He took his chance to deliver a powerful slash towards the core, but the Flare Dancer recovered quickly, blocking the attack with its other hand-spike. It hissed at him, like a crackling, lit log as it swiped at his neck!
The Hylian leaned away from the attack, but still got caught in the jaw, a cut going up to his cheek and nearly to his ear. Letting out a cry, he kept stepping back as blood trickled down his face.
Rather than pursuing its target, the Flare Dance let out a cackle as it once more spun in circles and celebrating its small victory.
"Link! We need to come up with a new strategy…" Navi wasn't sure what to do! That thing was fast like a Lizalfos, and she wasn't sure she could dodge around all its attacks! But she had to try! She flew down to his ear, speaking lowly so the Flare Dancer wouldn't hear. "I'll distract it, try to take it out with a bow, okay?"
Before Link could respond, Navi flew at the taunting monster. "Hey! You think you're fast, huh? See if you can hit me!" The fairy yelled, flying in circles around the Flare Dancer.
Once more, it let out a crackling hiss as it eyed Navi. It took the bait, stopping its spinning as it stabbed and slashed at her with hits hand-spikes. The fairy was able to dodge around the attacks, but only barely. It was so much faster than she expected, and she could feel the air being sliced as she went around the spikes. And, as with Link, she felt the heat radiating form the monster despite the Great Fairy's boon.
Putting his shield and the Master Sword away, Link readied his bow and an arrow. Notching the projectile, he aimed carefully. Waiting for a chance, he let the arrow fly! To his horror, the Flare Dancer quickly turned and swatted the arrow away! Did it somehow sense what he was doing?! How did it deflect his attack so easily?! Not knowing what else to do, Link kept firing arrow after arrow at the creature, panicking when it deflected every shot he made!
Link kept firing though, shooting arrow after arrow at the Flare Dancer as Navi flew away from the onslaught. Not only were the projectiles knocked away, but most of them were lit on fire from the creature's flames as well! To his horror, he found he was soon out of arrows, and the Flare Dancer seemed to notice as well as it gave off a sort of hissing cackle.
Putting his bow away, Link tried one last thing. He took the Hookshot from his belt, aiming it at the creature's core. It flinched, apparently not knowing just what the device was. Before it could charge again, Link fired the metal blade at the beast. That flinch was perhaps all that the Hylian needed, as he hit his mark!
The Hookshot dug into the creature's core, eliciting a cry from the beast. The red markings distorted, revealing themselves to truly be eyes and a mouth! Before the Flare Dancer could do anything else, the Hookshot retracted, taking the beast's core with it. When this happened, the flames went out and the spikes dropped to the floor with a light clatter. The creature's core was pulled to the base of the device, screeching almost pathetically as it wriggled about, trying to get free.
But Link wouldn't spare the Flare Dancer now, feeling strongly that this was just a temporary situation. He reached down, grabbing the core, which was surprisingly not too hot, and threw it against a nearby wall to stun it. Moments after it hit the floor, he took his Master Sword and drove it into the creature. It let out one last whine of pain as it wriggled uselessly…then it went still.
Disturbingly, it didn't even shed any blood.
With the creature's death, the wall of flames surrounding the Megaton Hammer went down. Navi let out a noise of relief, glad that Link managed to work out a way to defeat that thing! She went over to him as he drained the rest of the Red Potion he had sipped at earlier, his wounds healing. Thankfully, he still had three bottles left! "I had no idea those things could be so dangerous…I'm sorry I couldn't help more; I never even knew they were real!"
"It's fine. It doesn't matter now." No use talking about the fight. Putting his things away, Link went up the stairs and gently touched at the hammer. Like the core of the Flare Dancer, it too was oddly not hot at all! Maybe it was like the Great Fairy's blessing and immune to heat?
Either way, Link picked up the sacred Goron relic, surprised at the weight. It was a lot heavier than the Master Sword was! It was to the point that he needed both hands just to lift it! It was supposed to be used against Volvagia…which meant if he used it he couldn't use his shield!
"Alright, let's go!" Navi knew Link wouldn't want do dawdle, flying out of the room and waiting for her companion.
The chanting seemed to be louder, almost angry, as the two went through the maze. The Megaton Hammer was too heavy to put on Link's belt and seemed it would tear a hole in his bag if he tried to put it in there. As they rant through, they turned the corner and encountered a Lizalfos! Link practically ran into it, and it seemed to only notice the two when they were right on top of it.
So, when Link swung the hammer by reflex, the creature didn't even have time to dodge. The Megaton Hammer hit it squarely in the chest, slamming the Lizalfos into the nearby wall with a harsh thud. The cracking of bones filled the air as well as its ribcage was splintered by the blow, and it fell onto the floor in a broken heap.
Panting and feeling bewildered at what just happened, Link stared at the hammer in his hands. He just swung without even thinking! Was this what he turned into? A person that just attacked by instinct?
"Wow…That's a lot more powerful than I thought it'd be!" Navi exclaimed, staring at the dead Lizalfos. "No wonder it can go against a dragon! Let's go! With that, Darunia can slay Volvagia easily!"
If he was still okay, that was. Link didn't say it out loud, but he sure thought it. Wasting no more time, he ran ahead in the direction Navi had been leading him.
Given the horrid nature of the maze, it took quite a while for the two to find the entrance again, but they managed eventually. It wasn't clear how much time had passed, the curse within the Fire Temple once more seeming to distort time around them and making it impossible to get a grasp on its flow.
They found themselves in the room where they had last seen Darunia, Link quickly going to the switch and letting out a grunt of effort as he swung the Megaton Hammer into it. With a loud metal clang, the switch went into the floor. The shifting of ancient technology sprang to life as a metal bridge extended from out of the rockface before them, extending all the way to the other side of the chasm.
Link didn't even wait for the bridge to fully extend before he ran forward, Navi close behind as they went through the door that the Goron chieftain had disappeared into.
The chanting finally ceased as they entered the final chamber of the horrid Temple. The heat around the two felt more intense than it ever had, as if the Great Fairy's magic were of no use at all! The pressure they felt was intense as well, the smell of burning and rotting flesh hitting the boy and fairy like a wave.
Looking around, the two saw the room was little more than a cave with an open ceiling. Small holes were spread across the uneven stone floor, magma broiling and bubbling in each one. To their disturbance they realized something awful…
Darunia wasn't there.
"Where is he? Where's Darunia?" Link found himself asking, taking a cautious step forward as he continued looking around. There was nowhere for the Goron to hide, no other doors to enter or obstacles to hide behind! "Where is he?!" He shouted out, losing control of his emotions once again. Darunia had to be here! He had to be safe! He had to be! Link couldn't let someone else die!
"Link, you have to calm down! I know it's stressful, but Volvagia is in here somewhere!" Navi exclaimed, not wanting her companion to lose focus on what was going on around him. As she spoke, though, she too looked around. Not for Darunia, but for the dragon. "But…where is it…?" It could have flown out of the Fire Temple, but hopefully not. It had to be dealt with right away! A strange shifting, rumbling sound answered Navi's question. The boy and fairy looked about but saw nothing at first. Then, out of one of the magma pools came the dragon.
It was a long, serpentine creature that let out a shrill roar as it rose from its hiding place. Its jaws were the first to come out, a beaklike maw with the power to even pierce Gorons behind it. Upon its head was a strange helmet of metal, no doubt smithed by diabolical hands that ended in horns. Fire seemed to sprout from the back of its head yet appeared to act as hair of some sort. Red, iron-like scales riddled its body, and two spindling arms with trice-clawed hands presented themselves next. The claws themselves were like blades, good for gripping struggling prey as the dragon devoured it.
Soon, Volvagia's entire body was out in the open, the great crimson beast flying as though by magic, as it had no wings with which to keep it aloft. Piercing, maddened green eyes looked about the room as the dragon let out another shrill roar. Its gaze honed in on the two intruders, rearing its head and letting out a blast of flames, a pillar of burning fury into the air.
As quickly as Volvagia had appeared, it vanished as it sank into the lava pools again, its body soon vanishing.
Link and Navi were awestruck at the beast. While not as bulky as King Dodongo, it was far longer and seemed to possess far worse power. Link especially felt his right shoulder burn as if it were on fire once more. Gritting through the feeling, he glanced to Navi. "What do I do?" Despite his feelings to the fairy, he had to rely on her in battle! He still worried for Darunia, the Goron still not present at all. Yet even in his panic he knew that fixating on that was a bad idea, especially after the dragon showed itself.
The fairy was at a loss. Volvagia's hide seemed impenetrable, it could fly, and it could breath fire! Yet, the answer seemed almost obvious. "The Megaton Hammer is probably the only way to really stop it! I'm not sure if the Master Sword could even pierce those scales!" It was a sacred blade, yes, but every tool had its limits. Though…Darunia hadn't known Link had the Master Sword when he told the two to find the Megaton Hammer. Still, the chieftain seemed resolute that the relic was necessary to defeat the dragon, not just to get the bridge activated.
Link had been hoping for a bit more than that, but he felt that was the best advice for the moment. Knowing that Volvagia would come out of one of the magma pools again, the boy moved further into the room. There were dozens of places the dragon could emerge from, and he had no way of knowing where to look!
Out of a far away pool, the dragon flew out once more! Letting out another roar, it flew straight towards Link and Navi, opening its maw wide and ready to bite the Hylian in half! It flew at an alarming speed for a creature its size, not letting the boy and fairy much choice but to dodge out of the way, just managing to dodge the charge. After Link sidestepped, he readied the Megaton Hammer to slam down on Volvagia as the rest of its body passed by. Before he could swing, its tailed whipped to him and knocked him off his feet!
Instead of circling around again, the dragon dove into another magma pool and vanished entirely. Like the Flare Dancer, it seemed that Volvagia enjoyed playing with its prey. Even with the Megaton Hammer in its opponents hands, the dragon probably felt invincible.
Getting onto his feet, Link looked around wildly in anticipation for the living curse to spring out once more. He wouldn't have to wait long as Volvagia reared its head again, coming from behind as it charged him once more.
This time, Link was at least a bit more prepared and knew how fast the dragon could move. Yet, even with that, he didn't have time to face the beast head-on and had to dodge again. He'd ready the Megaton Hammer again, aiming for a swifter but weaker blow. Unlike before, he managed to actually strike the creature near the end of its body!
But…it didn't seem to really do much! Despite the power the Megaton Hammer had, Volvagia only flinched lightly and let out a shriek of annoyance as it once more burrowed into a nearby magma pool.
"What's going on?! I hit it!" Link cried, surprised at how ineffective the weapon was. Not a strong blow, but this was the same weapon that killed a Lizalfos in one hit!
"That wasn't the strongest swing you could muster. And remember, this is a very strong creature!" Navi replied, practically reading Link's mind concerning the Lizalfos. There was also the other option that only a Goron had the strength to harm Volvagia with the ancient weapon. If that was the case…there was no hope. But that was only one strike, and there were other parts of its body to try!
Getting close enough and having enough time to hit such places was another story.
What Navi worried about most was Volvagia's fire breath. The Great Fairy's magic helped with heat, yes, but would it defend them against the dragon's flames? She recalled how the Flare Dancer's own heat was very noticeable so Volvagia's attacks would no doubt be far more effective. The fairy would hate if Link had to suffer being on fire once more…
The great serpentine beast flew from its hiding spot once more, screeching as it barreled at the two yet again. This time, Link wasn't quite so fast with his dodging. As Volvagia went past, it swiped at him with its claws, digging right through his tunic and scratching into his chest and stomach with ease. The wound wasn't too deep, thankfully, but blood ran down Link's torso as he fell back with a cry of pain.
Once more, Volvagia would immediately dive back into a magma pool.
"Link! Come on, don't stay down for too long!" Navi cried, knowing that if Link was on the ground when Volvagia came around again, he'd be as good as dead! She had to try and think of some kind of strategy. Could she get close to the dragon? If it used its fire breath, though…even if it didn't hit her directly, it could fry her in a second!
Getting to his feet, Link winced as he looked around once more. Where would Volvagia attack from this time!? "Navi…can we figure out what hole it will come out of?" If he could just figure that out, he felt he could turn things around!
"That's a good idea, but I'm not sure how we'd do that…" Navi replied, trying to think of something. Maybe she could…
The fairy's thoughts were interrupted as Volvagia once again came out of the magma pool. This time, it came from the direction Link had been facing as it let out a fierce roar.
Desperate to do proper damage to the dragon, Link tried something off the fly. As Volvagia approached, he readied the Megaton Hammer and started to swing in a circle, gritting his teeth through the pain. It was like a two-handed version of his spin attack, the Goron's relic swinging around with a ferocious energy as Link used momentum to his advantage. The timing just had to be right!
And, with great luck, Link landed a blow.
As Volvagia approached, it opened its maw wide to try and snap right through Link. Yet, when it got too close, its own timing was off. The Megaton Hammer slammed into the side of its head, all of Link's energy behind the blow and getting a roar of pain from the dragon.
The blow was so ferocious, it caused Volvagia to fly off-course, instantly flying to the side and following the momentum of the attack. Link's swing was strong enough, even, that the part of the metal helmet that it hit was dented severely as a result.
Navi's eyes widened at the exchange, watching in amazement as Volvagia roughly hit the floor, its long body sprawled out as it was momentarily stunned by the blow to the head. "That's it, Link! Keep going! Don't let it recover!" The fairy never liked outright encouraging ruthlessness from Link, but this may be the one chance they had at finishing the dragon!
Taking Navi's advice, Link charged at Volvagia, running right to its head as he readied the hammer, holding it up in the air. Yet, as he approached the dragon, its head snapped up and it glared right at him! Opening its maw wide, it blew out a pillar of fire, aiming right at the Megaton Hammer with its savage attack.
Unfortunately, the edges of the pillar of flame hot the tips of Link's fingers, causing him to cry out in pain as his leather gauntlets were fried away. The skin on his fingers and hands became red and blistered instantly, a horrible pain surging up his arms and throughout the rest of his body as his screams became more intense. In his pain, he dropped the Megaton Hammer, the weapon thankfully not hitting him as it fell to the floor. Rather than attack him further, Volvagia quickly darted to the nearest magma pool and hid away once more.
"Farore above! Link, are your hands okay?!" Navi exclaimed, wincing as she flew close and observed the wounds. "You have to use a Red Potion! You can't fight like this!" The burns weren't so bad that the potion couldn't heal them, but they looked so painful! Not as bad as with King Dodongo, at least.
Panting heavily and nearly vomiting from the pulsing pain, Link shook his head. The pain was so much more bearable than seven years ago with his shoulder. The burns weren't as bad, but maybe part of it was the adult body he was stuck in? "I…I don't think Volvagia will let me…" The dragon attacked too often and too quickly. If he were in the middle of drinking a potion, he'd be dead! "The hammer…" He looked to the relic, a light relief filling him as he saw the Megaton Hammer was intact! It looked unaffected, even! Whatever it was made of, not even Volvagia's fire was enough to destroy it!
Navi winced again as she watched Link shudder and cry out in pain as he picked up the hammer, wrapping his blistered and damaged fingers around it. "Can you swing it like that? Link, this isn't a good idea…"
Wielding the hammer filled his hands and arms with a far more intense pain, but he had to fight through it! "Navi, we have to find out where it's coming from!" Why couldn't she focus on the dragon?! Didn't she know by this point he had to suffer to win any fight he got in? "Do you have any ideas yet?"
The fairy looked around frantically, not sure what to do. If Darunia were here, he could help for sure! Where was he? Was he really…gone?
Link was worried for Darunia, the Goron never leaving his mind even through the fight. Where had he gone? Had he maybe fled the fight at some point to recover? That didn't seem like him, but it was a hopeful thought that Link held onto. The alternative was just too ghastly to think about…
"I think I might have an idea…" Navi said, looking about the various magma pools. "But I have to let Volvagia go another round. You just have to focus on dodging its next attack. I just hope it works…"
Before Link could ask what Navi even had in mind, the dragon erupted from the magma once more. Its green eyes honed on Link as it charged forward, screeching in fury as it quickly approached.
Taking Navi's advice, Link focused on just dodging to the side. When the beast got close, he quickly went out of the way, Volvagia slashing at him again and barely missing. It let out a hiss as it went towards another magma pool to duck away again.
This time, however, Navi followed Volvagia! Or, rather, she stayed very close to the ground, the searing heat almost overwhelming her. Once the dragon was gone completely, she shouted out to Link. "I have to concentrate! I think…maybe I can hear it moving from place to place!" It was the only way she could imagine managing to follow the beast's movements…
Link stayed quiet, watching Navi as she strained her ears to listen. He was prepared to move at a moment's notice, to run towards where Volvagia would pop out next.
As Navi listened, she realized there was a sort of rumbling beneath, having to be the dragon moving about below! She followed the sound, feeling hopeful as it moved straight towards another hole in the cave floor; Volvagia's next attacking point!
The Hylian understood that Navi was following after Volvagia, running over to where the fairy lead him. Once she reached the magma pool, she flew away to avoid the dragon's emergence. Link reared the hammer back, waiting for a disturbance in the magma. When it came, before he even saw Volvagia, he swung the Megaton Hammer down with all his might!
The timing was perfect, the ancient weapon hitting Volvagia directly in the face as it erupted from the pool. It actually stopped in its tracks, not even able to let out a roar of pain as the metal helmet was dented severely and its eyes widened as far as they could go.
Link moved backwards as the dragon was able to react properly, roaring out in pain as the top part of its body thrashed around, remaining in the magma pool as it clawed at its mask. The dent in it was so terrible that it was clearly horribly painful for Volvagia, digging into its scalp in a way that made it temporarily forget its opponent. Link would attack while it was vulnerable, but it kept snapping at the air and swinging its claws and he knew it'd be a horrible idea to get close.
After a few moments of thrashing, Volvagia started to claw at its helmet, its dangerously sharp nails cutting at its snout and maw as it attacked the metal object blindly. It kept scraping and pulling at the mask until it was able to force it off, the object clattering on the floor. Blood ran down its face and it was revealed that thinner scales were present where the helmet was covering! A weakness!
Alas, just as soon as the helmet was gone, Volvagia attacked Link again. It lunged forward so suddenly that he was caught off guard, one of the dragon's claws hitting the Megaton Hammer and knocking it clear out of his hands! It went flying across the cave, landing dangerously close to another magma pool.
Link would have chased after it, but he was scared the same trick wouldn't work twice and felt he had to end things right then and there! Readying his shield and the Master Sword, he swung at Volvagia, aiming for its eyes and its once-covered forehead. The serpentine creature would rear its body away from Link as he attacked, snapping back or swiping with a claw only to be blocked by his shield.
Volvagia wasn't as good at close combat as the phantom in the Forest Temple was, or even a Lizalfos. Clearly, it was used to its victims not fighting back at all, or it just used its flames. It seemed hesitant to do so at that moment, for some reason. Perhaps in a vengeful rage, it wanted to tear Link apart personally, if such thoughts and feelings were even possible for the monster.
Link wasn't about to stop, though, and he wouldn't let up on the attacks at all, sometimes slashing the sacred blade against the tougher of Volvagia's scales. To his surprise, it actually made shallow cuts, despite his assumption such a thing was impossible. The cuts would never take it down though, it would need a more piercing attack, but it was swaying around too much for him to get a clear shot on its head.
Navi watched from above, nervous about what was happening, but understanding why Link opted not to go after the Megaton Hammer. Especially because, if he did, Volvagia would surely charge at him from behind…
As the moments passed, it seemed that Volvagia was growing impatient. It kept snarling with increasing anger and ferocity with each swipe that failed to kill Link. With a mighty roar, it lunged forward and put all its weight into a bite that was aimed to take the Hylian's head right off his body!
Link, body acting on his own, lunged forward as well. He readied the Master Sword, letting out a yell as his fingers and hands burned, his grip on the blade tight as he thrust it forward. In the race to the first blow, it was the Hylian that one. The Blade of Evil's Bane drove itself into Volvagia's mouth, cutting through the roof of it and exiting the top of its head, stabbing right through! The beak of its maw cut deep into Link's shoulder, eliciting a cry from the boy as the dragon engaged in violent death throes.
Soon, the beast stilled.
Panting, Link watched as Volvagia's body started to vanish. As with most of the curses he fought before, it was as if the dragon was being consumed by an army of invisible insects. Bit by bit, it vanished until nothing was left.
"Link, you did it!" Navi cried, flying over to the boy as Volvagia's maw vanished from his shoulder, and he nearly dropped the Master Sword in exhaustion. "Go on, take a Red Potion and let's get out of here!" As she spoke, she could feel the Fire Temple's air around them clear and even the heat started to die down.
Not saying a word, Link put his sword and shield away as he slowly made his way over to the Megaton Hammer, picking it up. He wasn't even thinking of healing at that moment. "What about Darunia…?" It was the only thing on his mind.
As if in response, a familiar white light filled the duo's vision…
Once more, the boy and fairy found themselves within the Chamber of Sages. As before, Link found his tunic repaired and his wounds healed. His body felt light and clear while the Megaton Hammer seemed to have vanished!
Before the two was another of those platforms, this one a fierce red with a flame insignia on it. Upon it, a figure appeared, one that was familiar to the two of them.
"Darunia!" They exclaimed, nearly in unison as the Goron smiled at the pair. Link and Navi had been so focused on saving Darunia and the other Gorons that they had barely stopped to think about who the Sage of Fire would be! It made sense it would be Darunia…but if he were in the Chamber of Sages…
"Goro-Link! Goro-Navi! I knew you would do it! You slayed Volvagia and saved my people!" The Goron boomed, walking over to Link and wrapping his arms around the boy, trapping him in a hug while lifting him off the floor.
The Hylian let out a noise of surprise, but his mind was racing rapidly as he was put down. "Darunia…How did you get here? What happened with Volvagia?" Fear gripped his heart, replacing any kind of relief that Link may have been feeling about cleansing a second Temple.
The chieftain's smile dropped a bit, standing back on his platform. "Yes. That. Well, unfortunately without the Megaton Hammer, I wasn't able to win. Volvagia defeated me and…I'm sure you can imagine what happened next."
Link felt his heart drop to his feet, his eyes instantly filling with tears as a great shame came before him and his mask shattered once again. "I failed…I failed…" He murmured, staring down at the floor, unable to look at Darunia.
"Don't say that! Please, Link…" Navi decided to intervene unlike last time. She landed on the boy's shoulder, patting at his cheek to try and comfort him.
"Brother, listen to your companion." Darunia said, his voice solemn. "You aren't to blame for my failure to defeat Volvagia! I charged forward unprepared, and I paid the price. But, even if I hadn't, I would be the Fire Sage and become tied to this place. Please, don't be upset! You're a hero!"
A hero? Brother? Each word made Link feel worse, not feeling he deserved such kind words! After all he had failed to do, how could Darunia call him these things? "How can I still be your Brother? I was gone for seven years! I let you die!" Tears streamed down his face, dripping to the brilliant blue floor.
"You did not let me die. I died on my own." Darunia said, a bit forcefully. "And Link…" He went on, choosing to use the boy's proper name as he approached and put his strong hands on Link's shoulders. Navi fluttering out of the way. "Sworn Brothers don't remain that way because they see each other constantly. We are Brothers no matter how much time passes, even though we won't meet again. We'll always be Sworn Brothers…"
Link felt stupefied at how kind Darunia was being to him after all this. What had he done to deserve such kindness? He even thought back to the words Sheik had said in the crater about how time makes the feeling in the heart grow stronger. Was this what he had meant? Did he somehow know the bond Link and Darunia shared?
"…I'll always consider you my Sworn Brother." Link said, looking to Darunia even though he still felt like he was a failure. But it was still true, he saw the Goron as a good friend and wanted to make sure the chieftain knew that. He still didn't fully understand what being a Sworn Brother was like…but he understood friendship.
Smiling again, Darunia lightly gripped Link's shoulders. "And I to you. Funny how a hot head like me could be a Sage, huh? Must be destiny."
Destiny. That awful word. Link had to resist saying something bitter and resentful, especially given he would never see Darunia again. Tears kept streaming down his face as he went on. "I'll miss you, Darunia. I wish…" He trailed off, words getting caught in his throat.
"And I'll miss you. Both of you. As little as it helps, my thoughts will be with the two of you. You must not let my death hinder your progress. Go with a burning flame in your heart! You will succeed, I know it!" Darunia's voice grew sturdier and surer with each word he spoke, his smile growing even wider by the end.
Then, with a flash of light, Link and Navi were gone from the Chamber of Sages once more.