Sword and shield dipped a little in fatigue, the Goddess had healed him, but he was still feeling some after effects of almost dying. The good news was Onox was in the same state. After several changes into his dragon form, he was wearing down.
Link felt a tingle in his sword arm and instantly dropped back into his low fighting stance, blocking up, then smashed the dragon's claws away from the would-be head shot with his shield. As soon as he was clear of the strike he rolled forward, coming up from below.
The Master sword sliced through scales like butter. The upward stab pierced a lung allowing blood to pour out of the young warrior's hands, but he ignored it to take a few running steps with blade trailing behind him, making the wound larger.
A back foot came up and caught his shield arm, kicking back. Link grunting as he sailed through the air before smashing into the ground and rolling to a stop just short of the magma edge. That would not have been a good way to end.
For the dragon it was a killing shot but Onox was too stubborn to admit that. He morphed back into his humanoid form and hoisted his mighty ball and chain.
"Come on than runt! I am ready!" He roared, only to stumble to one knee. Link hesitated to attack the downed opponent. Onox snarled and took the decision away from him, lunging forward with the axe end of the weapon aimed at the teens neck.
Link easily side stepped the strike but understood the man wanted to go out in battle so as he stepped, he struck down then quickly back up, cutting the artery in the man's neck through the armours weak point as well as under his armpit.
A gurgle escaped his throat as he fell forward. Link stayed with him until his chest stopped raising and a crackle alerted the young warrior to the body burning up from the inside. Whatever chemicals allowed the dragon form to breathe fire were still in the body but once Onox died they seeped out, igniting and left nothing but a pile of ash where he had fallen.
The raising air currents lifted the ash up leaving Link alone on the platform, silently bobbing on top the magma pool. He carefully inspected everything looking for some indication that the Tri-force was close.
A thought came to him suddenly. He looked up and saw a massive stalactite hanging about the platform. Ignoring the obvious dangers, he went back to the edge and pulled out one of his speciality arrows Impa had made for him.
He carefully lit the fuse took aim and fired the explosive into the crack he could see around the stone structure. Then, since it was the smart thing, he jumped back into the entranceway and ducked behind the stone wall just as the explosion shook the whole mountain.
The stalactite cracked and suddenly let go. Like a massive stone dagger, it pieced through the platform below, sending up a splash of liquid hot magma onto the chamber walls.
Link patiently waited for everything to calm before peeking back out. Steam rose from everywhere but through the wavy heat lines a blue chest could be seen on top of the stone that just fell from the ceiling.
Careful not to burn himself or make a mistake in his haste he approached the chest cautiously. Blue sapphire panels, trimmed with gold, and a pearl Goddess holding the tri-force made up the decorative box. It wasn't locked but Link was hesitant, anyway. The first box like this he found he had taken to Zelda, but not before the Goddess had invaded his mind and showed him more than he ever wanted to know.
It had been extremely intrusive yet intimate experience. Terrifying yet tranquil.
His history, from the beginning of it all, his bond with Zelda that surpassed time and reason, and his ultimate destiny.
What she would show him once he touched this box was unknown, he just had to make sure Zelda got this piece since Ganondorf now held the piece of Power.
As soon as his hands touched the sides, the lid flew open. Link clenched his eyes closed and attempted to seal the lid again. He needed Zelda to have it. The lid would not move.
A cool hand touched his cheek and the young warrior was forced to look up.
He was no longer in the mountain. He was standing on a blue stone medallion, a statue of Hylia stood before him, pillars reached high into the sky all around, and past the few massive trees was nothing but clouds.
Link took a deep breath and turned to his left, where the golden light of the Goddess illuminated from a Tri-force piece. Beside it was a woman, dressed in all white, golden hair curled in an intricate design on top of her head, and eyes blank but somehow all-seeing.
The young warrior dropped to his knees.
"Arise my Champion! We haven't much time, but you must hear my words."
Link stood up and approached. No fear was felt as she cupped his face and kissed his forehead.
Flashes of everything raced through his mind. A battle, with the destruction of castle town, the death of the land, with dark clouds swarming in from the desert.
"This is what awaits the land of Hyrule if you can not stop the darkness of Ganondorf. He was a disturbing force before but now that he has the tri-force of power he is a threat to the very land. I have shown you the continuous battle your soul has fought, and I have no right to ask this of you again, so the decision is yours my child. Take the tri-force of Courage and face this threat head on or take it to the princess and leave this burden on her."
Link stood straight and leveled a look of determination to his Goddess. He would not let Zelda face this storm alone.
The corners of the Goddess mouth turn up slightly and she placed a hand on the boy's cheek.
"You have never disappointed me Link. Your warrior heart has traveled with you over all the generations I have known you."
Link reached out and as soon as his hands touched the golden light his mind went blank.
A warmth spread to his body and a lightness filled his chest. When he opened his eyes, he was standing at the monument in front of the entrance to Castle town. The Master sword swayed on his hip and his red tunic was now gone. Instead it was replaced with a green hood, tunic and leather boots. The light fabric seemed to breathe like cloth but laid like chainmail. Link knew he was wearing a gift from Hylia and could sense there was more to it then what could be seen.
Link wasted no time bolting into the city. He stopped for no one, not even the King's guards at the gate. He scaled a vine covered wall close to the castle them snuck along the ledge till he was out of sight from the men. The castle wall was made to look like an easy climb as he ascended it all the way to the top.
It was early morning so the Princess should still be in her chamber, but the scurry of servants and soldiers told the young warrior there was something else at foot, and it was towards the throne room. Staying in the shadows he climbed to the rafters and stepped through a small gap in the stone to stand on the edge surround the massive chamber. He squatted down and studied the scene below him with intensity.
It seemed the missing King had resurfaced, but not in the condition the Princess would have liked.
His body was laid out on the floor with a blanket over his torso. Bandages cover an eye, both arms and if the silhouette under the blanket were any indication, he had lost a leg.
Zelda sat near his head holding one of his hand and crying, without making a sound.
"Where did you find him?"
The soldier standing in front of them seemed to stiffen and took a deep breath before answering.
"Our spies found him. Mounted on display at the Digdogg suspension bridge, before the pass." He cleared his throat. "They wanted us to find him. It is a message."
Zelda gently smoothed back her father's hair and kissed him lightly on the brow.
"There will be a time to mourn Princess, but I fear it is not right now." Impa said softly. Zelda nodded and got to her feet. The soldiers gently pulled the blanket up to rest over the man's face.
"Their forces are on the move. The pass in the only easy access point in and out of Gerudo desert. But it would be suicide for us to move on it. The Yiga have methods to traverse the mountains. I don't see an option except open warfare on our own territory." One of the King's generals stated.
Zelda wiped the tears away and faced the man properly.
"Meet me in the war room in ten minutes General. Our Goron, Rito and Zora allies have the solution to our problem."
The man saluted then exited with the other soldiers. Once everyone else was gone Link jumped down and approached silently.
Impa gave a start, hand on her sword before recognizing him.
"Link! Thank the Goddess you are alright." She breathed. Zelda looked up in shock.
"Link!" She exclaimed taking the youths face in her hands and resting her forehead against his. "I felt the piece merge with him, with Ganondorf, it was like a hot iron being shoved through my stomach. When I knew he had it I thought the worse, I thought you had been killed."
Link gripped the Princess hands and gave her a reassuring smile. It was then she took a step back surprised.
"The other piece, it has chosen you!"
Impa gave a start and looked as though she was going to express her doubt until Link held up his left hand to show the golden mark. Zelda gave a small smile.
"Good. It really is too much power for just one person to wield."
Impa wasn't done with being shocked, now her eyes were roaming the young warrior's attire and more intently, his sword.
"That sword, and those clothes, what have you been up to boy?" Impa demanded.
It was a harrowing tale for sure, but they hadn't the time to tell it right then.
Using some written word, and his Shiekah slate he filled Zelda in on what he was planning to do. Her frown lines deepened at each point.
"That is far too dangerous Link. I would not ask you to take on such a mission. The chance of you succeeding is minimal."
He smiled and held his hands out as if to ask what she would do. It took her only a moment to relent.
"I do see the necessity of it though. The general was right about taking the fight to the Gerudo. Very well." She gave a nod. "I will carry out the war preparations here, we will ride to battle in four days. And you will seize your destiny, however you see fit. May the Goddess shine on you Link. You are a worthy Champion!"
Link looked over the Gerudo desert with doubt.
He knew what he had to do, but he had four days to locate and kill the most powerful man in the land, in his own backyard. It would not be easy for anyone let alone a mute teenage boy.
It was fortunate the youth had left a waypoint on top of Spectacle rock; he took off at least two days of travel with that.
His destination was Gerudo Town. As he looked out across the wasteland, he had to question his intelligence again before starting down towards the swirling sands.