(Authors Note: Sorry about the length just wanted a longer chapter after the two shorter chapters.)
Link was following Darbus though the small dark and dank cave. "Jeez did we have to take the smallest possible route to the temple."
"Yes Brother this is the only way to the Temple." Darbus responded to Link
"Well if you think it's too dark why don't you get out your lantern and light the way." Midna responded to him.
"Oh yeah you got a point." Link responded to Midna's. He reached over to his hip and untied the lantern from his belt. He lit the lantern and held it in front of him. The light expanded and filled the dark void with light. They continued in silence for a while. They finally emerged into an open area of the cave. The light barely filled the large open area. "Look Brother we are almost there the cave will open up more soon and we should be coming up on the entrance soon enough."
"Alright good I'm getting a little tired of dodging stalactites with my head." Link spoke sounding a little annoyed
"Yeah and I'm getting a little tired of hearing Link complain." He could hear Midna snicker after she finished speaking.
"Yeah Midna its really funny isn't it." He said just a little agitated at Midna for mocking him.
"Oh I'm sorry Mr. Hero are you too proud to take a joke once in a while." She said while still snickering under her breath.
"I can take a joke but not ones aimed at me." He said slowly starting to get agitated.
"Brother relax your partner is only making fun you need to relax brother you needn't stress out over everything." He heard Darbus's voice fill the cavernous room.
"Yeah you got a point Darbus I do need to relax a bit." Link responded to the large Goron.
"Yeah Link you seem high strung as of late something the matter?" he heard Midna ask him.
"Nothing really I guess the stress of the whole 'save your Kingdom' thing is what's got me so worked up." He answered her.
"You didn't seem this stressed the last time Link." She told him.
"Yeah because before I wasn't going anywhere with my life and last time it was a lot of fun." He answered her back again
"Then why are you so stressed this time?" she asked him again.
"Well maybe the whole 'you disappear for five years then show up at my doorstep and expect me to save your kingdom, yeah that's probably it." He said his voice cut her like a knife.
"Link you don't really mean that do you…" she said sounding saddened by his comment.
"Brother you should be kinder to your lady friend." He heard Darbus's voice again echo in the large cavern, besides Brother it is not wise to argue with someone you know so fondly last thing you want to do is ruin your friendship or whatever else it may be." Midna and Link could both see Darbus crack a smile at his last comment. Darbus let out a hardy laugh that again echoed in the large stone chamber.
"Looks it not like that…" he heard Midna quickly retort from the shadows of the chamber.
"Link put your lantern away you will no longer be needing it." Darbus said changing the subject.
"Why is that?" Link asked the large Goron
"We are entering the Lava Chambers; it's going to get very hot brother I hope that tunic will keep you cool." Darbus answered the Hero.
"Yeah I'll be fine," Link responded to the Goron "don't know for how long but I'll be fine for now." He said.
"Brother here if you can't even handle the heat how will you even survive the temple, here take this it should help with the heat." Darbus handed the Hero a red tunic.
"What's with the red tunic?" Link asked Darbus
"Well that is a unique Goron Tunic that dispels even the worse of heat, why wearing it might even enable to survive in lava for a short period, how long however I cannot tell you." Darbus answered Link.
"Well that's certainly helpful." Link spoke back to Darbus.
"Yes it will be considering its going to get a lot hotter once we enter the temple." Darbus spoke to Link.
They group made their way deeper into the cave systems. As they went deeper the caverns began to fill with a red glow. "See as I told you we are entering the Magma Chambers." Darbus told Link
"Yeah, I can see that now." He said while extinguishing his lantern and tying it back around his belt.
They finally arrived at a large stone pyramid. Link looked up at the massive stone monolith in front of him. Link whistled in awe as he continued to look around the imposing structure. "So Darbus I'm assuming this the Fire Temple that you spoke of, it's not quite what I thought it was going to look like
"What were you thinking it was going to look link Brother?" Darbus asked Link
"Well you know more like a temple less of a pyramid, is it even safe to enter." Link responded to Darbus.
"Yes Brother Goron architecture is very hardy and strong like us." Darbus said while hitting his chest with his hand.
"Yeah I can guess as much seeing as this must have built by ancient Gorons and it still stands, color me impressed." Link said while still gazing at the massive structure.
"Link are sure it's safe to enter this thing it looks like it could fall apart at any moment." Midna asked sounding concerned.
"Relax if Darbus says it's safe then it must be, we need to trust my Sworn Brother." Link told Midna
"Alright Link if you say so I trust you…" Midna spoke
"Midna you need to learn to relax and not sweat the details." Link heard Darbus speak to Midna "Whatever happens, happens no amount of preparation will prepare you for the unknown." Darbus finished speaking and turned to Link. "Well Brother this is as far as I may go, the Gorons are forbidden to enter this temple as the ancient prophecies state." Darbus finished speaking and turned away from the Link and Midna "I wish you both luck in your future endeavors." And with that he started to make his way back up through the cave.
"Well Midna it looks like we are on our own from here on." Link told Midna
"Yes, that we are Link." She spoke back to Link
"Well let's get a move on this temple isn't going to finish itself now will it, and maybe I will find a new tool to add to my arsenal." Link spoke triumphantly while making his way to the stone bridge that lead to the temple across the lava.
"Alright Link if you say so." She said while following Link up the slope that lead to the bridge.
Together they made their way up the slope and stepped up near the bridge. They both looked across the bridge spanning the large River of magma that flowed beneath them. Link placed his foot on the bridge. The bridge rumbled a little bit, Link spoke "Well I hope that's just the bridge settling." He said with as much bravado as he could muster. "Well Darbus did say that the tunic would protect me from magma."
"Yeah but he said that he didn't know how long it will protect you for." Midna said looking slightly worried for Link.
"Relax Midna I'm going to be fine." Link responded to Midna with what little bravado he could still show.
"You don't sound too confident in yourself." Midna told him bluntly.
"Well you may have a point." He responded to her sheepishly. He took another step on the bridge. The bridge rumbled again. "Jeez I really hope that's not the bridge." he continued slowly making his way across the bridge step by step. The bridge rumbled with each step. "Maybe I'm just heavier than I thought." He chuckled. Midna also couldn't help but giggle at Links stupid joke.
"Link now is really not the time to be making a joke." She scolded the Hero.
"Midna I laugh in the face of danger you know that." Link told Midna with that false bravado of his. As he made his way across the bridge. Link was slowly inching his way across the bridge. He neared the middle of the bridge. He motioned for Midna to follow him. "Look Midna, you're lighter than me so why don't you make your way across the bridge."
"Alright Link, if you say so." She made her way across the bridge and approached Link in the middle of the bridge. "Alright Link what now."
"Well you get across the bridge and I'll catch up to you." Link motioned to the far side of the bridge.
"Alright then, I don't know how safe this is but okay." She made her way to the far side of the bridge and she looked back at Link. "Well Link are you going to get over here or not." She beckoned for him to get to the other side of the bridge. Link slowly took a few more steps. He heard the bridge rumble louder this time. Link noticed that the bridge was slowly beginning to show cracks in the surface. The only thing Midna heard from Link was a quick swear, followed by him charging across the bridge. She noticed the bridge crumbling behind Link. She screamed at Link, "Link hurry the bridge is collapsing!" she saw Link turn around and look before sprinting faster across the bridge. The crumbling bridge was catching up to Link. Link was beginning to lose his footing as he ran across the crumbling pathway. Link stumbled as his foot caught in one of the cracks, he wrenched his foot free and bolted towards Midna. The breaking pathway caught up to Link. Link jumped off the crumbling walkway and tumbled through the air, all he could see was the warm glow of the river of magma below him.
~Back in Hyrule Field~
The boy in black was crouching by the ashes of a burnt out fire pit.
"Yes they have been here before, I'm not sure how long ago, and I need to search for more clues." The boy searched around the abandoned campsite looking for more clues. He noticed some grass had been torn up nearby. "Must have been the Hero's horse it looks like they went this way." The boy set off towards the small village gate he could see. He grasped the small orange stone that his master has given to him. "Master I have located the boy and women's whereabouts they have escaped into a nearby village I will pursue them."
"Very good boy I want you to find were they have gone and when you find them you know what to do." His master spoke in his gravelly voice.
"Yes master I will exterminate the boy and the girl." He responded to his master.
"Careful with the boy, he will not be easily taken down." His master warned the boy.
"Yes I'm aware he wields the power of the light sprits." The boy responded to his master.
"Not only that boy, he also wields the Triforce of Courage, he is not someone to be taken lightly in combat!" His master shouted at the boy through the crystal.
The boy lowered his head after his master finished scolding him for his wrongdoing. "I'm sorry master I was misinformed of the circumstances I will not take the boy lightly in combat."
"You should ask for all the details before you go running off after some girl your infatuated with." His master had calmed down.
"I'm sorry master I will do better next time." The boy said sounding ashamed.
"You would do go to stay truthful to that promise boy, now deal with the boy and girl and remember to bring me proof of their defeat." His master told him.
"Yes master, as you wish." The boy spoke before pocketing the crystal and setting off towards the small village.
~Back at the Fire Temple~
"Link hold on!" Midna shouted to Link who was clinging to her hand.
"Don't worry Midna I don't plan to!" Link shouted back to her.
Link kicked at the rocks trying to get a foothold. At last, a rock feel and Link managed to start to pull himself up the cliff face. He finally grabbed onto the top of the cliff and hoisted himself up. "Man that was a little too close for comfort." He said standing up and looking back at the broken bridge and looking at the rubble that now filled the river of magma.
"Yes it was Link I was so scared." She said, Link could hear the sincere panic in her voice.
"Relax Midna see I'm fine now, everything worked out just like Darbus said it would be." Link responded sounding calm despite the fact that he was fearful that he might have met with a hot grave. "Yeah I guess my luck is still holding out, that's a reassuring thought to me." He turned back to Midna and said "Well now that that's over we can move on."
"Link are you just going to pretend this never happened!" Midna scolded Link
"Well I mean it already happened it's in the past so why bother with it, it's over so let's continue." Link said calmly as he made his way into the entrance of the temple.
"Link I can't believe your so reckless with your life!" she was shouting at Link now. "You're the Hero your life matter to all the people of Hyrule!"
"Well they could have fooled me…" She could hear Link mumble under his breath.
"Link… what do you mean by that…" she asked Link losing all the anger in her voice.
"Look Midna I have more important things to do then to explain myself right now, maybe after the temple I'll explain myself then." He responded to her.
"Alright Link." She said sounding a little disheartened
Together they made their way into the large stone pyramid that lay before them.
They both stepped into the large lobby of the temple. Link glanced around the large lobby. He noted the two large stone with locks and chain covering them. "I always wondered who locks all these door." Link thought out loud.
"Yeah probably the ancient Gorons in an effort to keep out people like us." Midna answered Link thought.
"Yeah I guess you have a point there." Link spoke back to Midna as he approached the only door that didn't have chains and a lock on it. "Guess I need to get looking for small keys again." Link placed his hands on the stone door. He lifted the door and it slid open "I'm still amazed that these door still work." They walked through the door. They entered the next room and looked around. "Well guess I better get to work." Link went over and smacked the crystal switch with the Master Sword. The switch rang out and the bars blocking the door rose up. He ran across the platforms and leapt across the various platform and made his way to the door and lifted it open. "Alright Midna lets go." He motioned to the door.
"Alright Link," she made her way across the platform and caught up to Link at the door. She passed through the door. "Well Link are you coming." She motioned for Link to follow her through the door.
"Alright don't worry I'm coming." Link said while passing through the doorway. The large stone door slammed down behind them. All Link could see was walls around him. "Oh great a maze… my favorite." Link said sounding slightly annoyed. Midna and Link paced around the maze corridors searching for the exit. Link heard a reptilian screech, and a Lizalfos dropped from the ceiling. "Midna get back," Link pushed behind him. "Let me handle this thing." Link drew his sword. The Lizalfos hissed at the young Hero. "Well then beast what are you waiting for make your move."
"Link be careful, I don't want you to get hurt." Midna sounded concerned for him.
"Relax Midna, I've killed plenty of these things in the past." He held up his shield and slammed it into the beast. It hissed as Link's shield connected with the beast's head. The beast reeled back in a daze. Link seized his opportunity and jumped over the creatures head. He swung his sword downward and the creatures head. The blade connected with the beast's head and Link landed behind the creature. The Lizalfos collapsed to the ground in a heap, dead. "And that's that," Link said while putting his sword away and dusting his hand. "At least I still remember my training."
"Wow Link that was impressive was that…" she was interrupted by Link.
"The Helm Splitter, yes it was." Link cut off Midna mid-sentence. Midna frowned at the Hero.
"Link that wasn't nice." She scolded the Hero. Link chuckled and smiled.
"Yeah I know it was that's why I did it, but hey that's my skill that I learned from the Hero's Shade so I wanted to show off." He chuckled again at her.
Midna smiled a little at how proud Link was of himself. She wondered why she enjoyed seeing him so happy made her feel happy. She didn't notice that Link was staring at her. "Uh Midna are you feeling alright..?"
"Yeah Link I'm fine," she responded when she came to her senses. "I just think we should keep moving we haven't found a way out yet."
"Yeah you got a point Midna, let's get going then." Link started to make his way deeper into the maze.
Midna followed after the Hero. They continued deeper into the maze. They were looking around till finally Midna heard ask "Link you think it even has an exit?"
"I don't know it might not we might have been running in circles for a while." Link looked up towards the ceiling. Link noticed a target on the ceiling. He untied the clawshot and placed it on his hand and aimed for the target. The claw shot towards the target. It firmly embedded itself in the target with a 'thunk'. Link pulled the trigger inside the gauntlet and the chain began to reel in. the chain pulled Link up to the ceiling; he released the claw and fell on top of the maze's walls. He looked around and said to Midna who was now behind him. "Well now what?" he asked out loud.
"Well Link I think that's a chest over there." She was pointing to a wooden chest near the way.
"Well simple enough balance across the maze walls and make it over to the chest, easy." He said with that bravado of his that she loved so much.
"It's never as simple as it sounds Link." She told him.
"Yeah I know that Midna, but it shouldn't be too hard." He said while moving up to the first jump.
"Link, be careful I don't want you to hurt yourself." She said concerned
"Relax Midna I'll be fine." He said as he bent down to make the jump. Link landed on the other wall. "Well, see I told you I'm fine." Link stood up smiling. Midna smiled at him warmly, and made her way across over to her Hero. They continued making their way across the narrow wall tops until they arrived at the chest. Link bent down and opened the chest and grabbed the small key that was inside. "Well, good it looks like I found the first of many small keys I will have to find." Link placed the key in a ring around his belt. "Well let's get a move on back to the lobby.
~Back at Death Mountain Pass~
The boy had followed the trail of the girl and the boy to Death Mountain Pass. He was making his way up the path. He knew full well that they have fled to the domain to the Goron. He stuck to the shadow knowing that he would not be seen. He continued to make his way up the dusty trail that led to Death Mountain. He tucked into an alcove and removed the small orange jewel from his tunic and held it out. "Hello Master…" The gravelly voice emanated from the jewel.
"Hello Master, I have tracked the boy and girl to Death Mountain." He spoke to the jewel
"See now was it so hard for you to do something right." His master spoke with approval in his voice. "Well then now why aren't you going after the, stop wasting time and get after them I want them dead boy!" all approval in his masters voice had faded and was replaced with anger.
"I am sorry master I only wished to update you on my search." The boy hung his head in shame.
"Yes it is good of a puppet to show remorse for his actions, now get going!" the gravelly voice roared from the crystal. The image of his master faded from the crystal and once again he was surrounded by silence. He crept out of the alcove and continued up the mountain sticking to the shadows the whole way.
~ Back at the Fire Temple lobby ~
Link approached the large locked door. Link inserted the key into the lock and turned the key. The locks rumbled a little as the lock released the chains. The chains and lock fell to the ground. "Well that's that." Link said while placing his hands on the door to open it. They both went into the next room. They glanced around and noticed the Beamos were blocking some other doors. Link drew his bow and arrow and took aim. He drew back the bowstring and nocked an arrow. He aimed at the Beamos and let the arrow fly. The arrow struck the Beamos in the eye, it bellowed smoke and stopped rotating.
"Nice shot," he heard Midna say from behind him.
"What can I say, I've been practicing archery for a while." Link responded.
"Would you mind if I gave it a try?" Midna asked sheepishly
"Sure feel free," Link said while handing the bow and arrow to Midna. Link stood behind Midna and helped her nock the arrow. "Alright, now take a deep breath and focus on your target." They were aiming at another Beamos that hadn't seen them yet. "And then wait for your moment to strike…, then let it fly." Midna let go of the bow string and the arrow flew and planted itself right in the Beamos eye. It billowed smoke and ceased functioning. "See look you're a natural at this!" Link said excitedly.
"I guess I am." She said looking at the bow. "Here Link you can have your bow back." She handed Link back the bow.
"Are you sure you seemed pretty good at it, but okay I'll take it back anyway." Link grabbed the bow and placed it on his back. He made his way to the one of the deactivated Beamos and grabbed it and pushed it out of the way so he could enter the room. He opened the small wooden chest and retrieved the bundle of arrows that was in it. He pushed the next Beamos out of the way and entered the door and glanced around the room. There was a chest in the middle of the room. "Alright this seems easy enough." Link approached the chest. As he did a wall of flame shot up around the chest. He stepped back away from the flame. The two Armos statues in the room lit up. He also heard the screech of the Lizalfos and saw them land on the ground. "Oh great, not these guys," just as he said that another wall of flame shot up between him and Midna.
"Link, No!" Midna shouted as Link disappeared behind the massive wall of flame. All Midna could see was the large hammer wielding Armos ahead of her. All Midna could hear on Link's side was hissing and screeching and Link grunting.
"Midna… the jewel on their back that's the weak point, ugh get off you overgrown lizards" Midna heard Link shout from his side of the flames.
"Alright," she took a deep breath. "How hard can it be, just remember what Link taught you." She took another deep breath and drew her sword. She looked on at the two stone statues moving towards her. She jumped behind one of the statues when it dropped it hammer. On their back she could see a large purple gemstone. She swung her sword at the jewel she saw a crack appear on the jewel, she swung again and saw the crack widen and the statue eye emitted a bright flash of light. The statue turned and started swing the hammer wildly around. She jumped back from it to avoid the crazed swings. The statue threw up dust as it thrashed about before admitted beams of light and detonating. She was showered with small stone fragments. She then looked at the other one. She took another deep breath and jumped around the second statue and struck the jewel twice. The second statue also thrashed around before detonating. She was again showered by stone fragments. The massive wall of flame faded.
"Uh… Midna could you offer some help?" He grunted out while fighting the second of three Lizalfos. The first one lay dead near the door. She stared at the third Lizalfos she picked up and threw a rock at it to get its attention. It hissed and began to run towards her. "Midna watch out they are speedy little pests." He grunted while hitting one of them with his shield.
"Alright I'll keep that in mind." She swung her sword only to see it be blocked by the beast's shield. She recoiled and the beast swung at her. She blocked the hit with her blade and slashed it across the midsection. The creature screeched and swung again at her. She blocked the hit again, and again swung at it again. It screeched it was getting tired she could tell. She then saw an arrow fly through the air and strike the beast in the head.
"Alright, so that was decent but you need to focus more and pay more attention, but not bad just keep practicing." Link was putting the bow on his back.
"Thanks, and I will." She responded to Link critiques.
"Well the fire wall has receded so I'll go open the chest. " Link said while making his way to the chest.
"Alright then," Midna said while resting against the wall near the door. Link cracked open the chest and reached inside and retrieved the small key and placed it on his key ring. Link and Midna then went back to lobby to the last door that was locked. Link inserted the key and the lock and chains fell to the floor. They entered the room and link glanced around, he saw a barred off door and he was a few troches on the wall and another door. He made his way to the unblocked door and opened it. They entered a large open circular room and they glanced around. "Say Link don't you think this rooms looks a little empty?" Midna ask quizzically.
"Yeah it does look a little empty you would almost think this was like a mini-boss room or something." He answered her.
"Yeah you might be right." She said back to the Hero. Just then a terrible roar filled the room.
"Well looks like I was right, well here we go!" Link said excitedly, as he drew his sword.
"Mind if I help out?" She asked Link.
"Sure I could use all the help I could get." Link answered her question. Midna drew her sword and took a deep breath. "Relax Midna; eventually sword-fighting will come natural to you." Together they stood in the center of the room looking around for threats. The roar shook the room again and they both looked towards the ceiling. There they saw a monstrous and demented looking version of a Dynalfos. It clung to the ceiling with and dropped down with a vicious, angry roar. It hissed at the two of them and drew the large battle axe that was on its back. The flame it breathed was a dark purple as if blackened by night.
"Link that creature is not normal." Midna could see the veins of light running under its scaly skin.
"Yeah I could tell that much by looking at the big, ugly brute." Link responded.
"That creature has been contaminated with Twilight power; we need to kill it before it infests more."
"Way ahead of you," Link said while charging forward towards the creature. Link swung his blade at the beast. As it connected she saw the blade glow golden as it struck the beasts flesh.
"The Blade of Evil's Bane, I had almost forgotten." She was looking on I awe at the Master Sword.
"Uh… Midna a little help would be appreciated," he said while assaulting the beast.
"Yes, alright I will," she waved her hand over her blade and it glowed with the familiar phosphorescent lines. The beast smacked Link away with its hand. Link slammed into the ground. The beast roared in triumph. As it did it was assaulted by orbs of Twilight power. It roared and the purple fire rained down in the room. She could feel the heat but wasn't bothered by it. She charged at the creature and brought her sword down on the beast. The beast effortlessly deflected her blow. "There must be a better way of handling this foe." She thought to herself. She swept her blade at the beast's feet, and she felt the blade connect with its feet. The beast screeched in rage as it fell to the ground. She lifted her blade and attempted to plunge it into the beast's skull but it rolled out of the way. She quickly looked over to see if Link was okay, he was slowly getting up and coughing.
"Oh by the Goddess's, that hurt," he said while picking himself up off the ground. "Sure hope I don't make that mistake again." Midna rushed over to him to protect him from the beast.
"Link stay behind me." Midna told him sternly.
"Oh, relax will you." He said as she heard a bottle uncork. Link swiftly downed the bitter tasting red fluid. He recorked the bottle and grabbed his sword off the ground. "I'm not dead yet beast." He said while charging in to back up Midna. The beast still fought back hard.
"Link are you sure you should be fighting." She told him.
"Yes I'm fine, worry about not dying, not me." Link scolded her.
"Alright," she said as she dodged around the beast's battleaxe.
"Jeez this thing is tough, it just doesn't want to die." Link spoke while assaulting the beast. The beast emitted another piercing roar the echoed around the room. Link looked up at the beasts head. There he was the beast's source of power. A large black and orange crystal was implanted in the creature's skull. "Midna look up!" he shouted over to her. She glanced up at the creature while dodging around the beast's furious swipes. She noticed the large crystal sticking out.
"Yes Link I see it, but how can we get to it?" she asked Link
"Oh, I've got an idea, keep the beast still and I'll take care of it." Link spoke to her over the beast's roars and screeches as it attempted to assault the two.
"Alright Link, if you say so I trust you." She threw a few more orbs at it to gets its attention. Link stood for a moment as he pulled the large bomb-tipped arrows from the quiver. He was amazed by Midna elegance and grace in combat. She danced around the foe as if dancing with someone. Her movements were so fluid and elegant. Why didn't he notice this when they were training. Shaking his head he brought himself back to the battle and nocked the bomb arrow. "Now Midna, Hold it still!" he shouted to her.
"Okay!" she shouted back as she clashed blades with the foul beast. She was so close she could smell its rancid breath. She heard the twang of the bow and the hiss of a bomb. She jumped back to avoid the blast radius. The bomb arrow struck the beast in the head. It screeched in pain as it fell to the ground. Link ran up to the beast and leapt into the air. His blade came crashing down on the beast's skull. It weakly hissed finally defeated. The shard had vanished in a flash of orange.
"Well that's finally over," Link said with a sigh "Can't say I miss being almost killed over and over."
"Well at least we both survived." As she spoke she a flash of light. A chest had appeared at the back of the circular room. "You know what that means Link." She said.
"Yeah, yeah another new item to haul around with me." He said sounding unenthused.
"Don't sound so bored that means we are one step closer to finishing this dreadful place." She responded smiling at the Hero.
"Yeah I guess you got a point." He said returning Midna's smile. Link approached the chest and cracked it open. He reached inside and pulled out the dungeon item. The Fire Arrows emitted a warm glow that slightly illuminated the room. "Well that's good now let's get a move on I know I saw something the other room." Link said while making his was over to the door. Midna couldn't help but smile at the Hero's determination and how well he hid it.
"He hasn't changed on bit." She thought to herself as they made their way to the previous room.
(Author Note: Well that was the Fire Temple what did you guys think, some input would be nice so I can get some ideas for the next temple… so next is the boss and then some post-temple stuff.)