Chapter 17: A Warm Welcome
Inside the Crater, Link saw a monster near the edge. It was like a burning skeleton, with a floating fireball for a head. Link ducked behind a rock.
"It's been a while, Link," said the monster.
"Inferno?" asked Link. "How did you know I was here?"
"I know everything that occurs on my mountain," said Inferno. "Who do you think sent the Dark Dodongo to destroy you?"
"Yeah, very impressive," said Link.
"What do you want, anyway?"
"I just want the Ruby of Fire. If you give it to me, I will destroy Annihol, and free you from this place," said Link.
"Yeah right," laughed Inferno. "That's what you told Freezard, right before you killed him. Link, how stupid do you think I am?"
"You sure you want an answer?"
Inferno turned round, and hurled a huge fireball at the rock, melting it. Link drew Cocytus.
"You want this?" asked Inferno, throwing the Ruby of Fire into the air and catching it. "Come and claim it!"
And he jumped backwards into the crater. Link ran to the edge, and looked down. Inferno was on a platform above the lava.
"Don't keep me waiting, Link!" he taunted. Link left the crater.
"Gradil, I've got bad news," he said into his Gossip Stone. "Inferno's down in the crater. How do I get there?"
"Head through Flame City," said Gradil. "Go down where you saw the Blazerok, and take the other branch."
Link retraced his steps to where the Blazerok was, and took the other branch. He reached the river of lava, and looked for a way across. There wasn't one. He took off his boots, and put on the blue ones Gradil made for him. He braced himself, and took a step onto the lava, expecting his foot to catch fire. It didn't, and he walked across the river of lava. He entered Flame City.
