Author's Note: Anddddd we are finally reaching the second temple of the game! I never really liked this one…or the Lakebed Temple…only one time I had defeated it without any help…:3
Chapter 13: Welcome to Hell
"You mean to tell me that the Gorons just come in and out of this place?!" Midna asked, stunned. "You're just a weasel human! One wrong move and you're done for!"
I grunted while wiping off the sweat. "No need to sound that you actually care."
She sneered before going back to shadow.
I just have one word for this.
It was hot. If there was a fancier word than hot then I would use it but that's the only thing that came to my mind. There were waterfalls of lavas here and there while platforms were scattered throughout the Mines. Echoes of mechanic machines creaked throughout the place but the only thing that filled my ears were the continuous pour of lava.
I began to sprint to the platforms to get to the more stable and wider platforms.
I then jumped a gap just in time when the lava geyser burst back up and then I safely made it to the wider island. I destroyed the wooden fences that blocked the entrance from going further with my sword before continuing.
Spotting a switch, I went towards it and placed myself on it. I frowned when nothing really happened until Midna told me (in her cruel sadistic way) to put on the Iron Boots. The switch sunk down due to my heavy weight and I watched the once activated lava geyser had now died down.
Realizing that it was a timer, I quickly got my Iron Boots off and ran towards the other side. I knew I had it made it since the lava geyser came back alive again and the same thing happened to the other switch which made the second lava geyser to stop doing whatever it was doing.
I took my boots off again and made ran faster than before. I gasped, doing a somersault but I still felt its hot heat brushing past by my sleeve. I made it to the other side just barely…anyways…
I climbed up the ladder then jumped to the available platform. Since it had two ways, I squinted my eyes to see that there was another lava geyser far ahead of me so I knew there must be a switch. Turning around, I headed for that path and saw a switch in which it got pressed down from the Iron Boots.
As I was walking down the path, a sudden shockwave blasted me back a bit. Grunting, I picked myself up and destroyed the little lava monster that emitted out the shockwave. Since I have little time left, I didn't stop running til I made it to the other side.
Quickly spotting a switch, I jumped off the cliff and landed on the switch which triggered the switch to be pulled down after I had put back my Iron Boots. The door opened, revealing yet another exit.
Huge machines filled the next room as well as many wider platforms. Two platform-like bridges were turning around as each of them contained a blue tile. By this time, I was already sweating like crazy. What with all the lava and the many layers from the tunic that it bore.
I should've taken some layers off…
Thinking, I made my way to the left side to where I had descended down and defeated the useless bokoblins. I then saw a chest and opened it up to obtain a key. I went back up and turned to my right so that I could now face the two turning bridges.
I waited for the right moment before hopping on the first bridge then on the unmoving platform before jumping on the second rotating bridge. I slightly turned a corner to see a locked door so I used the new found key and opened it up.
Descending down the path, I killed a lava monster crocodile-like creature and then jumped on the platforms to reach a bigger one only to have another fire-breathing creature of the same species from before.
I continued to follow the path of the platforms while very rarely defeating the fire creatures and then I reached the "final" destination. I eyed the curious object that was sticking out of the walls so I went towards it only to discover that it was a chain.
I placed the chain back down since I had to get my Iron Boots out—this was becoming a real pain—and then grabbed the chain again. With a grunt, I heaved myself backwards as I pulled the chain backwards as well. I figured it out that I had to time myself in order to get into the next room.
When it was fully open, I waited for a few seconds while eyeing the lava geysers that would sprout every five seconds and then I quickly took off my Iron Boots and ran for it while nearly being burnt alive…
Not my cup of tea.
"No, no, no, no, no!" I shouted, banging on the close beige door.
Yeah, I failed the first time earning a snicker from Midna. Sighing, I went back and started again. This time, I made it through barely since I had thought I had heard a rip when I slid myself through the hole.
I was proven right when I saw that a piece of my tunic sleeve was ripped.
Stupid spike door.
UGH!
I can't tell you just how happy I was when I saw water. The minute I saw it, I automatically ran for it and jumped in. I slightly shuddered at the warm water but I don't really care.
"You act as if you didn't see water in your entire life." Midna stated, watching me floating.
I gave her a look before minding my own business.
After I had refreshed myself, I continued to explore through this room. To be honest, I was a bit scared where I had to sink down with the Iron Boots since I saw an opening entrance underwater along with a switch.
I heaved myself up, being completely drenched (obviously) and then put the Iron Boots back on before sinking down. It was a bit difficult to breathe underwater though I kept on walking in a nearly slow motion which was a pain in the butt.
The second I activated the switch, I gave a surprised gasp as I turned around sharply before my feet was firmly planted on something solid. I only realized that it was a magnetic ground since it had the blue field thing…
I clutched my head, feeling a head rush while emitting out a discomforting moan. Not a good thing. I then continued my way up until I was back at the normal state—the way it should be.
Seeing a door, I took off my boots and went inside the door.
In the new room, was a relatively sized room with a ring in the middle of the room. There was also a person that was standing in the center of the ring. As I continued to go down, I realized that it was another Goron.
An elder.
This one was short unlike Coron and was well old…
"Ah…I thought I felt a presence…but what a surprise to find a young human…" the elder spoke in its elderly voice.
I gave a soft smile.
"Word has come to me of you…and if Gor Coron has faith in you, then your heart must be true. I am one of the four Goron elders. Gor Amoto is my name." he introduced.
"I am Link."
He gave a chuckle. "Oh I know who you are. News have been spread. You are heroic, young human. Please, you must lend this tribe your power."
"Of course."
He then handed me a strange odd object, having its main color blue with gold linings.
"That is one of the key shards that, when merged together, form the key to the room where Darbus is being held. He is our patriarch. The key is split into three pieces. Each of us elders keeps a piece. You must hurry to the other elders!" he urged me.
I then got out of the room and back to the room from where I came from in order to reach this room. I turned to my left and placed back on the boots to go across the magnetic field while I killed a small shockwave creature…
Once I made it to the other side, I entered the door and pressed the switch from the boots and of course, the magnetic column field pulled me back up instantly giving me another head rush.
I really hate to be upside down.
I continued the path—sometimes getting lost—though I still made it to the next room. All of this…placing back on the boots, exploring the Mines, had really made me to be so tired…so exhausted that I just want to get out of this horrid place.
I growled when I hacked away the last bokoblin. Those pests are really annoying. But as I started to make my way to press the first switch of this room, I tripped on the switch falling to my knees.
Heh, looks like the fatigue is going to catch me soon. I forced my eyes to stay open; I just can't fall asleep in a room where it is infested with monsters.
A sudden random thought struck me as I continued to be upside down.
Did Rusl knew this was going to happen to me? Was this why he decided to give me his job?
I frowned. No, that was just ridiculous! No one can predict the future. No one.
The next room also had water but with small platforms that were on the water while there was jumping water-based creatures that hopped towards me. They were killed by me and I was able to continue to do the things that needed to be done in this room.
I reached another part of the Mines where it took place outside. Can't tell how much relieved I am to get away from the lava and the unbearable heat.
And why do I have a feeling that the next few temples are going to be just as bad as this one?
Or maybe because I'm just paranoid.
I think I'll go with that one.
So which temple, dungeon whatever the heck I liked so far?
None.
The Forest Temple was annoying and the Mines is hell.
"Link!" Midna's sharp voice rang.
"What?" I gave out a sudden cry, suddenly feeling something sharp piercing through my body. I pulled out the arrow that was below my shoulder while breathing out a sigh of relief that I could've been dead just now.
Oh how I wish I own Bow and Arrows…
I decided to ignore them (since they're not worth my time) by ducking them or moving to the side here and there while also ignoring Midna's comment.
"Prima ballerina." Midna snickered.
I groaned when I spotted a locked door so I zig-zagged all over the place and even went underwater though I spotted a chest which I grabbed the item and then I saw spotted another chest. This one was a bit smaller and that brown chest contained a key.
So with that in my possession, I went to that locked door and went inside. I probably shouldn't ignore my injured arm since it was still bleeding. Sighing, I stopped so I could fix my arm and then I resumed.
"Oh…Ah…The young human. I am pleased to see you make it this far, Brudda…"
Brudda?
I speak no English or Hylian or whatever…
"I am one of the four elders of the Goron tribe. I am called Gor Ebizo*. You have heard of the plight of our patriarch. Otherwise you would not have come to see me."
"That is correct." I responded, giving a nod.
He smiled. "Here, take this, Brudda…"
He handed me a second key shard.
One more left…
"Now…There is one more shard, but seeing you has reminded me of the dangers that line the path to it…There is something that may help you…A weapon said to have been left in this mine by a hero of old. It is beyond price, and so we have protected it through generations…Now, when our tribe balances on the brink of ruin, it could aid in our salvation. The Hero's weapon is stored safely up ahead…Talk to the guard and take it with you, with the blessing of the Gorons."
Guard?
I can totally just see how well that is going to turn out…I mean, if all of the Gorons are um…I wouldn't say possess um…ah! Are out of order, then wouldn't the guard be one too?
Well…I was right…
"Whoa…Human?!" the guard exclaimed, instantly spotting me.
I'm guessing at a mini boss. I was currently standing on a large battlefield that had blue magnetic field. I knew that I had to use Iron Boots…
"Um hi…" I started only to be interrupted.
"What business does a human have coming here?! None! No business!" he roared. "This is a forbidden place! I will protect this treasure from you!"
"But wait!"
Too late.
The mighty Goron jumped out of its spot then landed heavily on the arena which knocked the arena down since the chains that was once holding the field. The ring timbered down and plunged on the lava, making lava to splash here and there. I slightly lost my balance when the arena swayed sideways a bit but I still held my ground.
The Goron started to walk towards me, grinding its fist together before raising his arms up in attempt to crush me. But I quickly dodged it out of the way while at the same time, I was looking for his weakness. I made a small 'o' when I realized about the similarity between him and the horrid green fiend I had to fight not too long ago.
The green brute had its armors on itself just as this Goron has. So maybe I had to use the same strategy on this one…? But it wouldn't work…The Goron's armor actually stays on him unlike the green creature. However, I also had to take off the armor from the kidnapper…
Very interesting…I mused.
So that being said, I also remembered that I attacked the green beast at its skin. That's it! The Goron only protected himself at the upper body not his lower body and the thing that is vulnerable is his stomach.
Bingo.
I am so smart!
Nonetheless, I stared at the Goron who was now in a ball. Um…what am I supposed to do now?
It was too late to do something since the brute flicked me, sending me to skid across the floor. I gasped when I had nearly plunged myself down to the lava. Scratch that…
I almost did which was why I grabbed the edge of the ringat the last minute, letting myself to dangle before heaving myself back up. And because I figured out the strategy, things went smoothly.
And yes, this time I had worn my Iron Boots so to avoid being flicked across the floor…
Not fun…
I continued to hack away at his weakness and when he recoiled back in a ball, I immediately grabbed onto him (just like how I would do it when I first climbed the path that led to Death Mountain) and threw him on the lava. He gave a shout of pain, not enjoying that the lava was burning his behind.
On the last jump, he jumped back on the ring and I resumed the same process.
Finally, the battle was over since the Goron (I really need to learn his name) moaned from the immense pain as he sat down on the floor, defeated.
"Will you now listen to me?!" I slightly demanded.
"…Uh…Maybe…you are…going to see the patriarch of our tribe?" he assumed.
I nodded firmly. "Yes and I need you to let me pass or otherwise I can't get to your patriarch."
"Oh I see…But before you do go, take the weapon of the Hero of the past…" he told me before the ring itself started to lift itself up.
I don't know why but I was very eager to see what the weapon was and that was why I had entered the next room in a matter of seconds. Spotting the chest, I went towards it and grabbed the item.
The item was…
Bow and Arrows.
Now remember how I said that I wished I owed a Bow and Arrows?
Well now that I have one…
An evil grin etched into my face.
"You do know how to use that thing…right?" Midna asked, cautiously staring at the new weapon.
I dismissed it. "Of course I do. See? You latch the arrow on the string and then you fire it." a thunk was heard before a howl of pain echoed.
Midna stared at the arrow that was protruding from a bokoblin. The bokoblin was far away from us and that also caused Midna how on Hyrule did I manage to kill a bokoblin on a first try…
I smirked, knowing that I had won when I saw the look on Midna's face.
Heehee…
When I entered a new room, there were many rotating lasers so I had to kill all of them so I wouldn't be zapped by them. Seeing that all of them were hiding something, I pulled every single one of them.
However, I did discover a hidden door so I went through.
"Ah! You are here at last!" the last elder greeted me. "I heard that you might pay a visit, young human. I am farsighted in all things. Here you go…the last key shard! Combine all three shards!"
I took the last one and then I took the other two, making them to fit into a one big key.
"If you use that key, you can open the room where Darbus, the tribal patriarch, is being held. Who knows how powerful Darbus is in his new grotesque form…But I suppose I should trust your power, considering you came this far…Hurry now! To the patriarch's room!"
Since many of them spoke just how terrible he is, well…if he really is that terrifying then I should be terrified…right?
Author's Note: Well Link…I don't know! You tell me! XD Up next: the big bad boss of the Mines! Wonder how that will turn out? Any guesses!? Question of the day: what's your favorite temple?