Death Mountain Crater
The heat was unbearable. It seared him from the inside out, causing him to feel weak and disoriented. His heart beat frantically in his chest, crashing and collapsing like the volcano itself.
The mountain would either crumble or erupt; it was difficult to tell which would come first.
His instincts screamed into deaf ears to get out before it was too late. But he couldn't tear his eyes from the raging beast charging straight at him, its lethal tail colliding with the cavern walls, bringing the great mountain down from the inside.
Goron City was in ruins when he arrived. Darunia's son, named Link after his father's sworn brother, had told Link the terrible story of how Ganondorf had captured the other gorons and planned to sacrifice them to a dragon.
After revealing to Link the location of the Fire Temple, deep within the mountain, the young goron had asked him to help his father. Link and Navi had immediately trekked deep into the centre of the volcano. Sure enough, they'd found the Goron Elder there waiting for them. After a joyful reunion that nearly ground Link's ribs to dust, Darunia had explained the plight of the Goron race.
"The dragon Volvagia used to be the guardian of this mountain. Dragons are really quite gentle creatures. Keep to themselves, mostly. Wiser than anything. They've been hunted to near extinction, which is why they hide out here in the mountains," Darunia had told him.
"What's happened to him? The villagers told me the mountain is near erupting. They hadn't heard anything from Goron City for weeks…now I see why," Link had asked.
Darunia had turned to Link, showed him the gigantic hammer he held in his huge hands. "Link, this is the Goron's treasure. It's one of the only things that can crack a dragon's tough armor. The truth is, Volvagia has been placed under a spell by Ganondorf. I'm not sure how, but it's my duty as Goron Elder to kill Volvagia and prevent him from destroying our home and the rest of the land."
Link lowered his head. "Ganondorf is using the power of the Triforce. Even something as powerful as a dragon would succumb to it."
Darunia nodded in understanding. "Ganondorf has already captured many of my people and fed them to Volvagia as a warning. I have no choice but to kill it and end the curse."
"But you said dragons aren't naturally evil. There has to be something else we can do," Link protested.
Darunia shook his head sadly. "I am sorry, Link. I do this with a heavy heart, but it must be done."
Link's thoughts shifted back to the present. The great beast opened its jaws wide, closing in. Deep in the dragon's tunnel-like throat, light bloomed and rushed outwards. Fire threatened to swallow him.
Navi screamed his name in warning. The ground shook and Link struggled to keep his balance.
He raised a hand to protect himself, and the rock under him crumbled. Darunia and Navi's voices called out in shock as Link was thrown onto a rock ledge several feet below.
He landed hard on his back, and the wind was knocked from his lungs. Link could only gasp in his struggle to draw in the next breath. He'd taken quite a beating from the enormous dragon, and his strength was failing him. He couldn't stall much longer. He knew he'd have to take the shot.
Volvagia spotted him and charged again, smoke spilling out of its mouth. Link scrambled for his bow, knocking an arrow and pulling back the string. Volvagia howled at him, its jaws opening wide to reveal a row of sharp teeth.
Link's pointer finger twitched; he couldn't wait any longer. Now was the time. His left hand released its grip, his right still holding tightly to the fairy's bow. Link closed his eyes.
Small though the arrow was compared to the beast, it hit its mark. The dragon screamed in pain, its snake-like body contorting as it tried in vain to rip the tiny missile from its eye.
Volvagia crashed to the ground with a screech, head lowered in pain. Darunia rushed forward, given the opportunity he needed to strike. He raised the massive hammer high above his head, bringing the weapon down with incredible force on the dragon's head.
Link kept his eyes shut. The crunching sound of bone met his ears.
"Link," Darunia's voice said urgently. The Goron's mammoth hand landed on Link's shoulder, pushing him forward.
He could hear the thing breathing, shallow and labored though it sounded. He finally opened his eyes again to see the pitiful sight before him. The dragon's armored head had been crushed by the hammer, the vulnerable and fleshy forehead and neck revealed by the blow.
One strike and the poor beast would be put out of its misery. The spell would be broken.
Link forced his exhausted body to move, reaching one hand back for the hilt of his sword. The dragon's vibrant green eyes had opened to slits, watching his movements with the pupil-less depths. Link closed his eyes.
When he opened them, the dragon still watched him cautiously. Link raised his sword high, holding it there like an executioner waiting to strike.
The dragon let out a rumbling groan. Link's arms shook and his heart pounded in his chest again. How could he kill something that wasn't of its own will? It felt wrong; it felt like something Ganondorf would do.
Link tightened his grip on the sword. It was exactly something Ganondorf would do. The tyrant had set this up, knowing Link would have to be the one to break the curse. He had the Master Sword, the only weapon capable of breaking a spell such as this one. It was a test. He'd wanted Link to feel divided.
Link gritted his teeth. He would never forgive Ganondorf for this.
The dragon's eyes closed as the Master Sword fell in a graceful arc.
~oOo~
From a nearby ledge, hidden in the natural crevices of the volcano's walls, Sheik watched the Hero of Time's movements.
The Hero pulled his sword from the corpse of the great beast, his grip loosening on the hilt. Sheik's eyes narrowed ever so slightly as he watched the Hero collapse from exhaustion.
He wasn't dead, of course. He was simply unconscious. The blue fairy that accompanied him bounced up and down on his head, attempting to revive him as she shouted at him.
Sheik stood from his crouch long enough to catapult himself off the ledge. He landed gracefully in front of Link's unconscious form, startling the fairy and the giant Goron. Darunia raised his hammer threateningly at the sudden appearance of the Sheikah.
"A Sheikah?" he asked, one brow raised in skepticism.
Sheik straightened, turning his crimson eyes on the Goron Elder. "My name is Sheik. I have been charged with guiding the Hero of Time."
Darunia didn't lower his hammer. "By who?" he demanded.
Sheik didn't answer. Instead, he reached into his belt for a small vial of red liquid, kneeling down next to Link's head. Darunia cautiously moved closer, his weapon arm lowering. He'd known several Sheikah in his lifetime, and was used to their strange habits. Nonetheless, he kept a close eye on the stranger.
"Hey! What are you doing?" Navi tittered, flying in front of Sheik's hands as he reached for Link.
"It wouldn't exactly be in Hyrule's best interest if the Chosen Hero were to die," Sheik said, a hint of sarcasm lacing his tone.
Darunia just grunted in reply, unimpressed. Navi, irritated, flew a few feet away and hovered impatiently in the air. Sheik had managed to turn Link's head enough to pour the red potion down his throat, easing most of the cuts and burns that marred the young man's body.
"He'll need more soon," Sheik said, directing his words at Darunia. "For now he needs rest."
Darunia crossed his impressive arms over his stone chest. "Rest he can get in Goron City. As for red potion…" he trailed off, a bit disconcerted. Gorons had a natural immunity to most injuries; they had no need of red potion.
Sensing his hesitation, Sheik reached into his belt a second time, producing a much larger stash of red potion. "Enough?"
Darunia growled, tucking the heavy hammer under his arm before bending down. "Hold on, Brother," he said to Link's unconscious form.
Darunia easily lifted Link, carrying him and the hammer towards the cavern entrance. Navi hurried after him, floating around Link in concern.
Over his shoulder, Darunia noticed Sheik inspecting the dragon's corpse. It had withered away to bones after Link had slain it; a side effect of the curse being broken. All that remained was the skeletal head.
To Darunia's surprise, Sheik reached out and ran a pale finger over it. The skeleton head of the dragon disintegrated to a fine grayish dust. Darunia watched warily as the Sheikah stared at his own hand, flecks of bone dust still clinging to his fingertip. His gaze seemed far away; his eyes were cold, unresponsive even.
After a long moment, Sheik seemed to shake out of his reverie. He followed silently behind Darunia, moving with cat-like agility and silence.
Soon enough, they reached Goron City. Darunia quickly saw to it that Link was taken to a secluded cavern deep within the city, one that hadn't been destroyed and could be used as a hospital ward. With Link resting and Navi watching over him, Darunia turned to Sheik.
"Follow me," Darunia said, the authority in his voice evident. Sheik didn't protest, letting the Elder lead him back to his own chambers.
"Elder Darunia—"
"Thank you," Darunia cut him off. "For saving my Brother."
Sheik didn't reply. Darunia studied his eyes again; something about them set off alarms in his head. He wasn't sure he could trust this stranger, Sheikah or not.
Again, Sheik seemed to be able to read his mind. "I am not your enemy," Sheik assured him. "I am here to guide the Hero. I will see to it that he recovers."
"I cannot just take your word that you are an ally," Darunia said, squinting in an attempt to see the youth's face.
Sheik seemed to hesitate a moment, going so still he was almost a living statue. Then, he raised his right hand, palm towards his face. Slowly, he removed the wrappings that covered his skin, revealing the flesh of his right hand to Darunia. The Goron Elder, initially confused by the action, drew in a sharp breath.
"You—" he stammered, his eyes widening in shock.
Anything he might have said was cut off as bright red light erupted from the ground around his feet, surrounding him and solidifying into a crystal chamber. The red crystal trapped Darunia. Before he could raise the hammer with a threatening expression, he vanished.
Darunia gone, Sheik walked back into the main cavern of Goron City. He took several turns, finding his way deep into the mountain stronghold without getting lost.
With Volvagia defeated, the gorons still trapped inside the Fire Temple needed to be brought home.
~oOo~
Blue light filtered through his eyelids, his first hint to where he was. Link opened his eyes, unsurprised to find himself back in the Chamber of Sages. It also wasn't much of a stretch of the imagination when he saw Darunia standing in front of him, feet planted firmly on the red pedestal.
From the corner of his eye, the green pedestal winked at him. This time, no one stood there waiting for him. Link looked away.
"Brother," Darunia was saying, his face stretched into a broad smile. "On behalf of the Goron race, I thank you. You turned out to be a real man after all." Darunia chuckled, the sound resonating throughout the vast chamber.
Link smiled back, unable to help it. It felt odd to be called a man, rather than a kid. A memory darkened Link's good mood. In his mind's eye he could see Ganondorf outside Castle Town's gates, and himself, helpless to stop him.
"I'm not so sure about that," Link said, frowning.
Darunia laughed again, shaking his head. "Of course you are, Brother. You have come a long way."
Link's frown deepened. "I hesitated…to kill Volvagia. When I had to make the hard choice, I almost failed."
Darunia's dark eyes softened. "Link," he said, fixing him with his gaze. "You did not fail. The curse has been broken. Your trials have made you stronger, but you must become stronger still."
Link cocked his head in confusion. "You mean for what lies ahead, right? I need to become strong enough to overpower Ganondorf."
Darunia chuckled again. "You know we Gorons value strength, Link. Ganondorf is powerful—more so than you are now, I'm afraid." Darunia paused, considering his next words. "But he is also weaker than you. Above strength, we Gorons believe a strong heart is needed. Without it, all strength and power in the world is nothing. Ganondorf possesses this kind of hollow strength."
Darunia chuckled. "His heart is weak. It is how I am certain that he will fail where you will succeed."
Link regarded his friend with surprise, considering his words. A strong heart. Was Darunia right?
Link had spent weeks honing his skills, trying to become stronger and more powerful. To do so, he had to master his sword. But even with all the training in the world and a sword meant to destroy evil, Link had doubted he would be able to win a battle against the tyrant. After all, Ganondorf held the Triforce in his hands. Nothing could stop him.
"Hey, Brother!" Darunia stirred him from his thoughts, raising his arms high. "Take the power of the fire spirits with you—and my friendship."
Bright red light blinded Link. He squinted, reaching out a hand for the crimson medallion that appeared. Link looked down at the small coin, emblazoned with a flame symbol.
Darunia smiled at him one last time, calling out to Link before disappearing inside a halo of red light. "Don't forget, Link, now you and I are true Brothers!"
Link was left alone in the bottomless, ceiling-less chamber. It was eerily quiet when he was here alone. The waterfalls of blue light continued to flow and pulse silently, illuminating the glowing platform where the Sages' pedestals rested. The air was neither warm nor cold. With not even a hint of breeze, there didn't seem to be air here at all.
"Link," a deep voice called, snapping Link from his thoughts.
Link turned to the bright yellow pedestal. "Rauru," he said, surprised.
"Something is troubling you, Hero." It was a statement, not a question.
"Yes," Link admitted, turning to face the ancient Sage. "It's about the Triforce."
Rauru inclined his head. "I believe that Princess Zelda has told you the story of the Triforce's creation."
"She did, but—"
Rauru held up a hand to interrupt him. "I told you that Ganondorf had seized hold of the Triforce after entering this sacred place. Truthfully, there is a part of the story that has been left out. Ganondorf does not possess the complete power of the Triforce."
Link blinked. "How can that be possible? What's happened to the Triforce?" he asked, his panic rising at the possibility that the ancient, sacred power that protected their world might have been destroyed or lost.
Rauru fixed Link with a serious look. "When Ganondorf seized the sacred power, it sensed the evil in his heart. He was left with the Triforce of Power, the piece he had truly desired, and became the evil tyrant who now rules over Hyrule."
"What happened to the remaining pieces of the Triforce then?" Link asked, not sure he wanted to hear the answer.
"Once the Triforce has been split into three, the power seeks out those chosen to be Hyrule's champions. During times of great darkness such as this, the power left by the gods awakens those individuals. You know already that you are the Hero of Time chosen by the goddess. So you must know that the power to combat the Triforce of Power lies within you."
Link frowned, mulling over the new information. "If I hold a piece of the Triforce, why haven't I noticed it?"
Rauru chuckled. "It rests within you. As I said before, you must restore the strength of the Master Sword. In doing so, the power that was granted you centuries ago will return as well."
"Centuries ago?" Link repeated in confusion. "What are you talking about?"
"Ask Darunia about the Sky People," Rauru said cryptically, further confusing him.
Link could feel the Chamber of Sages shifting, knowing it meant that his time was almost up.
"Wait!" he called to Rauru's fading silhouette. The old Sage turned to him, his eyes piercing. "About the Triforce," Link said, fighting the sensation of falling that would bring him back to Hyrule. "It is the essence of the goddesses, right? But Ganondorf has managed to corrupt it—just what is he?"
A strange look crossed Rauru's face. He never got the chance to answer, as the floor dissolved beneath Link's feet. He fell away from the chamber and Rauru, falling faster and faster until there was nothing.
~oOo~
Goron City
When the tunnels started to become warm and humid, he knew he was close. Soon enough, pale wisps of steam were clouding his vision and filling his nostrils.
Sheik pushed aside a small boulder that acted as a door, placed within a furrow so it was more mobile. Steam crashed into him, causing him to cough at the sudden onslaught.
Inside the small, heated chamber was a natural pool of water, heated continuously by the volcano. The gorons' hot springs.
Sheik let out a sigh, replacing the boulder to prevent the steam from escaping. He glanced upwards, towards the crack in the top of the cavern that opened to the sky. The blue sky had been painted with streaks of red and orange; it was nearing sunset. He didn't have much time.
He carefully removed the wraps obscuring his hands and unwound the bindings around his chest. Next he peeled off the form-fitting blue garb and hid it behind a rock with the wrappings.
Sheik stepped into the opaque water, his bared skin tingling from the excessive heat. Loosening the wrappings around his head made long, golden hair cascade free.
The pool was shallow enough that the water only reached his waist while standing. Sheik settled into a nook between two craggy rocks, sinking into the water until only the top of his shoulders and head were visible.
Steam rose in continuous puffs of white, like smoke from a dragon's nostrils. The humidity coated his hair and he inhaled slowly, feeling the dampness pass through his airways.
The hot, heavy steam was beginning to work its magic. It made him feel relaxed—lightheaded even.
Sheik breathed in and out a few times, enjoying the experience. His fingertips brushed against his legs and his eyes snapped open. Opaque though the water was, his tan flesh was still just visible beneath the water. The reflection of his face on the pool's surface was vague—he appeared to be almost faceless.
And faceless he was, in a way. The face Sheik possessed was a lie.
It had been crafted magically as a disguise and made to be deliberately androgynous to hide his true features. The body was slender and delicate, yet lacking any tell-tale feminine curves, defined muscles, or distinct genitalia. Sheik could easily be mistaken for a young, boyish girl just as easily as he could be taken for an unusually skinny boy.
The disguise was simply an empty shell in which to pass unnoticed.
Sheik didn't mind. The ploy was, after all, necessary. Still, Death Mountain's hot springs were secluded; they were rarely trespassed upon by anyone other than the gorons. So deep in the volcano, it should be safe. Sheik raised a hand out of the water and pressed it to his chest.
Light bloomed beneath his palm, stretching outward until it surrounded his body. Beneath the shroud of light, his form began to change. The face softened; the jaw remoulded its shape. The irises changed from crimson to sky blue, the hair becoming a richer gold. The limbs and shoulders became smaller and adopted a feminine roundness. The waist tapered and the hips rounded out. As the light shrunk back into the palm, Sheik no longer sat in the naturally heated spring.
She lifted a hand to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear. Her hand still elevated, she turned her head to observe the familiarity of it. A faint smile touched her lips.
A series of dull thuds reached her ears, echoing through the caverns. Quickly, she hid herself behind a rock that was half-submerged, already knowing who it was. She couldn't let him see her—it was much too dangerous for them both.
The footsteps continued, the noise bouncing off the cavern walls towards her. She sensed, rather than heard, him come in. There was the rustling sound of clothing being removed, followed by a quick splash of water landing on the damp stone floor. She stayed where she was, out of his sight.
He gasped, as if in pain, and a soft, bell-like sound followed him.
"Are you all right?" came the fairy's voice.
"Fine," was his reply, not thoroughly convincing.
She chanced a look, moving very slowly to peer around the volcanic rock. Link lounged in the hot spring pool, directly across from her hiding place. His head was back, his arms back to support his weight. His fairy companion, Navi, was floating lazily above the steaming water's surface.
She glanced back at Link. His bare chest, arms, and neck glistened with water droplets, his fair skin catching the light of the moon shining down into the cavern. Steam billowed around him as he breathed in, his chest rising as air filled his lungs, warm and luxuriating. On the exhale, he raised his head and opened his eyes, his breath rising in a cloud before him.
Link's head moved an inch in her direction and she whipped out of sight, afraid he had seen her. Even though their gazes had not met, his electric blue eyes were striking, now more so than before. As a child, she remembered them holding warmth and a carefree mischievousness. Now, in the few times they had met again, she'd seen the childish innocence less and less.
Shrinking back into the water, she lamented the fact that so much of the boy she had known was disappearing. It was inevitable, and she had expected nothing less. But to witness the changes she had unknowingly burdened him with made her heart heavy with remorse.
She peered around the rock again. Link was staring intently into the foggy water. His expression had darkened; his brows furrowed over troubled eyes. In them she saw doubt and confusion. Grief. She lowered her own gaze.
She had felt so cheated in the Temple of Time. Somehow, the part of her mind that had held on to her childhood hopes had convinced her that their reunion would be a happy one. That they would meet again as friends.
She had almost let herself slip; she had almost let him see her. Instead, she had been forcefully reminded that everything had changed. Link had looked at her, and the little girl's dream had dissolved. He had looked at her without a spark of recognition.
She longed to go over to him, to speak to him. To look into his eyes and have him look back with something other than suspicion and distrust. But even those small hopes had been dashed by the realization that he probably blamed her for the situation he was in: the impossible situation of saving Hyrule from its fate.
"Where do you think she is?" Link's voice.
The fairy paused in her flight, landing on Link's shoulder. "Who, Link?"
"Zelda."
The sound was as alarming as a slap to the face, and she muffled a gasp.
Years of taking on a hollow identity and assuming another name had made her a stranger to herself. She raised her right hand once more, studying the mark there. It was the only reminder of who she was, and it was a small comfort to know she still had it. The mark had begun to glow when he'd approached, reacting to his proximity.
Navi hesitated. "I…I don't know, Link. No one has seen her in years. Most assume that she's been long dead."
"She's not dead," Link said in a firm voice.
There was a splashing sound, and Navi said, "When Ganondorf took power, she was forced into hiding for her own safety. His followers have been searching relentlessly for her, even now."
Yes, she thought, forced into hiding. And here I am again, hiding.
Feelings of resentment and powerlessness clashed within her. She hated not being able to do more. But without the magical disguise, she would be truly powerless. At least she was somewhat free, unlike so many of her people.
She glanced at Link again from her hiding spot. In a way, they were the only two left who weren't under Ganondorf's thumb. Even so, they were bound by something neither one of them could control. There was no changing who they were. The mark on her hand glowed brightly for a moment, as if to remind her that her destiny could not be altered.
She sighed and slumped against the rock. If only she could speak to him, apologize for her mistakes, for the responsibility she had thrust on him. The small voice inside told her she was many years too late.
Link and Navi ceased their conversation after a few minutes. Link had lapsed into a light sleep, his energy still low as he recovered from his wounds. She waited several minutes until she was certain he was unconscious before rising out of the spring.
Creeping behind the rock where her clothing was waiting, she hurriedly dressed. Without donning her Sheik mask, she walked over to where Link rested. Navi was also dozing, floating aimlessly on the water's surface like a brightly colored lily pad.
As she gazed at his face, she felt a blanket of sorrow envelop her. He was older than he had been, but it was more than physical age. Already the trials and worries he'd experienced carved their scars upon him. His brow was creased deeply, even in sleep, and the corners of his mouth were turned in a frown rather than his habitual smile.
The cold comfort of sorrow was pierced by the insistent stab of guilt as her eyes flickered over her friend's troubled face. There were more challenges ahead, she knew. Would they irrevocably change him? Who would he be at the end? Link shifted in his sleep, and she turned away.
As she shifted her form back to that of Sheik's, she made a silent vow to herself. It would be extremely dangerous for her, but she would do more to aid Link. She couldn't play it safe any longer. There was too much at stake.
Sheik stood in the hot springs cavern, clothes sticking uncomfortably to his skin. He glanced back at the hero for a moment, assuring himself that he was indeed asleep.
Satisfied, Sheik turned on his heel, summoning the magic in his blood as he did so. He felt it rush through his system, the energy crackling and causing his skin to feel electrified with its strength. In his mind's eye he held the place he wanted to go.
The spell worked lightning fast. With the simple motion of turning, Sheik left Goron City and now found himself in a dark corridor.
He turned his head; the corridor was deserted. Drab stone walls and an endless thick, blood-red carpet awaited him. He moved forward into the darkness, unhurried.
Making an educated guess, he quickly made a right, climbing another flight of stairs covered in the macabre-colored carpet. At the top he took a left and a second right, arriving outside a pair of tall, beautifully carved wooden doors. Silent as a whisper, he pushed the heavy door in and entered the library.
It was a beautiful room, in its austere and serene way. It was one of the few untouched rooms still left in the castle. In fact, it had been quite forgotten by everyone except for the present king, who had taken an interest in some of the more obscure volumes lining the towering shelves.
Most of the bookshelves had been pushed aside to create more space, the books left to be coated in dust. There was one particular shelf though, that had had every last book stolen from it. Sheik knew for a fact that these books dealt with the distant past of Hyrule and many forgotten legends that had been passed down by the royal family.
For not the first time, he wondered why Ganondorf could possibly be interested in old mythologies like that. As Sheik had correctly guessed, Ganondorf stood over the large oak desk in the center of the room. He looked very tired; his eyes bore the mask of insomnia.
Hearing Sheik clear his throat, the tyrant king looked up from the material he was studying.
"Sheik," he greeted him, his voice echoing hollowly in the room. "What have you to tell me?"
Sheik didn't hesitate, keeping his eyes trained on Ganondorf's face for his reaction. "Volvagia has been defeated, my lord."
Ganondorf's face showed little emotion; he had become accustomed to hiding it. His fingers clenched slightly on a sheaf of paper he'd been reaching for. "I see," was all he said in reply to Sheik's message.
He couldn't be sure, but Sheik thought he saw a streak of fear in the king's eyes before it was quickly erased. Ganondorf didn't say anything more, so Sheik turned to leave. His fingertips had rested on the doorknob before he spoke again.
"Sheik, deliver this to Captain Aveil. Immediately," Ganondorf instructed, retrieving a letter from the mess of papers and volumes that littered the desk's surface.
Sheik strode back to the desk, taking the paper from the king's grasp. "What is it?" he asked, curious.
"An execution warrant," Ganondorf announced without looking up.
Sheik read the name listed and nearly choked. He had to ensure this particular warrant was never delivered, its sentence never brought to fruition. With one last order to continue tailing the Hero of Time, Ganondorf dismissed him.
Sheik closed the library doors behind him, trying to work out Ganondorf's motives. He would have to hurry, before Link was ready to travel again.
Sheik pictured the Gerudo fortress in his mind, ready to warp there. Before the spell was complete, he remembered something he had forgotten to do.
There was somewhere he had to be before leaving for the desert. He changed his target and warped instead to Zora's domain.