Chapter 7
"More Spiritual Stones To Find?"
Celebrating, I ran up to Link and Arli who were standing on the other side of the cave and, for some reason, hugged both of them.
"We did it!" I yelled in their ears, pulling away.
"So we did" Arlimand said in half disbelief.
'You didn't have to yell' Link's thoughts rang in my head.
'Sorry,' I thought back, 'I'm just a little excited.'
"I can see that," Link said out loud.
"See what?" Arlimand replied, noticing the pause, "What am I missing?"
"Quite a lot in the brains department," I said.
This made Link chuckle.
"At least I'm not the one who nearly got us blown up by a bomb flower," Arlimand shot back
"Well, to get out, I think we'll have to nearly get blown up again," I said.
"Or we could explore," Link said from where he stood at the entrance to most of the rest of the cavern.
"I like that idea better," Arlimand said, "I don't have any kind of shield to protect me from the blast."
"What, those rock-hard muscles are flammable?" I shot.
"You would know how hard they are more than I would," he replied "but as for flammability, I don't know but I don't want to find out."
"Okay then, hot-stuff," I jeered at both Link and Arli, "Let's see what's in there."
The room ahead of us was very dark, dimly lit by only a few lava pools bubbling freely in the cavern. As we entered, I caught movement out of the corner of my eye and turned that way, to only see something that looked vaguely phallic in its silhouetted statuesque form. But whatever it was, it was gone now. As we passed one of the lava pools, I saw that movement out of the corner of my eye. Someone yelled in surprise.
"Did you see it!" I called.
"See what?" Arli asked, quickly positioning himself for a fight.
"That!" I said, pointing invisibly in the darkness.
Link stopped just short of a lava pit.
"Y'know, now that you mention it," he said, his voice vibrating, "I did see something..."
I half wondered why his voice was vibrating before I heard the sound. Anyone who's been in an area with a geyser knows the sound. A restrained hissing noise, and I knew it meant trouble if you stood on it. I looked to Link in the dim light and he was standing on something raised. I pulled him away before giving off a restrained vocalization of fright. Sure enough, it was a geyser, and a jet of steam blasted off some pieces of rock exactly where Link stood. The mist was illuminated by a lava pit on the opposite side of the cavern. As I'd pulled Link away from the geyser, we'd both fallen down from the sheer suddenness of me pulling on him. This time, Link caught himself from falling by putting his hands out, but the problem was...
"Link..." I said, suppressing the urge to slap him, "get your hands off my breasts."
My back was on the ground, and Links knees were digging painfully into my thighs, his hands had kept him from smacking his head again, but now they were halfway down my chest on my barely developing breasts. Navi popped out of Links hat again and was yelling at him about how to treat a lady and about getting off me now. This time, I actually agreed with her. As I opened my mouth to yell at Link, too, I felt myself swept up by a muscular arm and be freed from Links unintentional grope by another. I was turned around over a shoulder, and I realised that Arlimand was carrying us away. Before I had time to wonder why, a bright blue stream of something shot the ground where Link and I had been seconds before.
"Not a good time for chit-chat," Arli said after his short sprint away, setting us down, "maybe we should save that for when we get out of here."
I suppressed another urge to slap Link and stood up, brushing myself off. I looked around. There were more lava pits here, and, I guessed, more geysers. This chamber was lit a little better than the last, and, from what I could see, was significantly smaller. There were more statues here, and I hoped these weren't more beamos. I judged their shape, and they weren't. They looked like squat little devils from where I stood, so I took a few tentative steps towards them, avoiding the lava. They looked more like bulls standing upright from this angle, and they were carrying shields. The light emitting from the molten rock before one of them gave it an eerie look that made me shiver slightly. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Arlimand give a small jump.
"Weird," he muttered, "This one looked like it moved just barely."
They were Armos, monsters that only came alive once you attacked them. It was impossible that it'd moved, since, before you nudged them even in the slightest, which they registered as an attack, they were made of stone. I was careful not to even brush against them as I examined why there were three Armos standing in a semi-circle. As I got to one side of the Armos in front of me, I caught a glimpse of what they were standing around.
"Hey guys!" I called, "These three are guarding a chest!"
"A chest? How do we get to it without touching them?" Arli asked, his head cocked slightly to one side.
"I think it's a challenge," Link said, "Kind of like painting a floor."
I gave him a look, "Why the ihell/i would you paint a floor?"
"Well, if it's a challenge we better get to it," Arli commented, "but you are telling us the painting the floor story after we get out of here," he said firmly, still grinning.
I continued to walk in a semicircle around the Armos, searching for some way to get the chest that they were guarding. Not even my scrawny arm could fit between the Armos, much less Link's arm or Arli's. Far less would Arlimand's arm fit. I began to tap one finger on my other arm. There seemed no alternative, we'd just have to fight these damned things.
"So, what do we do? It looks like we'll just have to fight them," I said.
"Well then, better get it over with," Arli said punching his fists together, "Lets see if I can make some rubble."
"Better yet," Link called from the other side of the cavern where he'd been exploring after the floor comment, "How about we blow them up?"
I could hear Navi let loose with an exaggerated sigh as Link held up a large bag.
"What? Are you crazy?" I yelled, "This room's tiny! We'll explode, too!"
"Not to mention the geysers!" Arlimand commented, frustrated.
I think, in all honesty, we were more afraid of the geysers than the lava pits. At least we could see the lava pits bubbling and glowing like some witch's cauldron, but the geysers were an invisible bomb implanted in the ground, and if you didn't look where you stepped, you were likely to get burned.
"Can't you come up with a better plan, Link?" I asked.
"Can you?"
This made me pause.
"No, not really."
"Well, if we don't have any choice get behind me, when it blows," Arli replied.
"You'll get killed!" I said in shock.
"Better me than the ones who can save Hyrule," He pointed out, matter of factly.
"I won't stand for that," Link and I said in unison, pounding our feet on the ground.
"Then what do you suggest? Your deku shields will burn up in the blast."
Link and I looked at each other and grinned. We turned back to Arlimand.
"Better them than the ones who can save Hyrule," We pointed out, again in unison.
"How are you going to set the bombs in that kind of position? iHylia's/i arm can barely fit through."
"Kind of like how we beat King Dodongo," I said, "Pick me up and I'll drop them."
"Won't that blow up the chest?" Link asked.
"Oh yeah..."
Arlimand thought for a moment before speaking, "Well, we don't care so much about the chest as much as what's in it. If the statues are guarding it like that, it must be important, if so, it should also be able to withstand the blast."
"I think that makes logical sense," I said, nodding.
"If you guys are sure..." Link said hesitantly, handing me the bag.
i'You stand back'/i I thought to Link, i'No use in us/i all igetting blown up/i'
Link took a step back and prepared his deku shield, and I motioned to Arlimand to help me set the bombs. He hoisted me onto his shoulder and helped me balance. I grabbed three bombs out of the bag and tossed them onto the chest. Arli and I booked it back to where Link was and I pulled out my shield to defend against the blast.
The shields defended us from the majority of the blast, but the heat wave was so fierce that it sent a wave of fire our way that destroyed them and singed my eye brows. That's what I get for looking over my shield to watch the Armos turn to rubble. I looked at Arli, he was darkened by the heatwave, and part of his hair was burning. I tiptoed, licked my fingers, and put it out. He lowered his crossed arms to reveal an x on his face were the fireball missed.
"Well that worked, but remind me to get a shield next time we're in town" he said, tightly, grinning anyway.
Link nodded and walked up to the now-destroyed-chest. Arli and I followed suit and began to dig through the ashes and rubble. A shiny glimmer caught my eye in the dim, red light. I went to pick it up and found that it was very heavy.
"Hey, check this out," I said straining, "It's really heavy."
"What is it, Hylia?" Link asked.
"Not sure. Arli, help me lift this."
"I could help, too!" Link said offendedly.
"Fine, help me out, Link."
"Okay," Arli began grabbing the object, "lets set this on the ground and dust it off."
I nodded and we all pulled it up and set it as near a lava pit as we dared. It was a finely crafted shield, sturdy and strong with the Hyrulian symbol emblazoned on the front. It was worn slightly from the blast and had some singes on the leather straps on the back. It must have been sitting against the side of the chest when we blew it, along with the Armos, up.
"Doesn't look like iI'll/i be able to lift it," I said, "But you might, Link."
"Don't you remember? We're the same in strength," He replied.
Oh yeah... Well that blew my theory to hell.
"Well I'll see if I can use it then we blow our way back out of here," Arlimand eyed the straps, "but first things first, does anyone have small pieces of leather to replace the straps with?"
"Not really," I said, eyeing my dress and my boots.
"Not on me," said Link, "But Hylia likes to walk around without her boots on."
"Don't even go there, young man," I said sternly.
"You sound like his mother," Arli chuckled.
"Oh, shut up," I snapped jokingly.
"Did any parts of the straps survive from your shields?"
I opened my hand that was still clutching what was left of my shield, so did Link. Well, there wasn't much left, but it was better than nothing.
"About two inches," Link and I said in unison.
"Well, its better than nothing, I can probably use that on for each hand just to get out of here" he replied, "there is an opening there should we follow it or just get out of here?"
"I vote we continue going," Link said.
"I concur. Let's see what else is in here."
Navi gave an audible whimper.
"You're not scared are you, Navi?" I jeered.
"Of course not!" She yelled, popping out of Links hat, "I just want to leave..."
"So do I, but I don't want us to get blown up in the process," Arli commented, stepping toward the opening, "and if this gives us that option, then so be it."
"That aside, we might find more shields," Link pointed out, "Hylia and I lost ours, and I feel really bad about it."
"Me too, but it's better than getting blown up," I replied, "So let's go."
Link and Arlimand nodded and took off. After a while of waiting to see if anything else happened, I followed.
This next room contained one chest and nothing else. No interest here, besides the one hole in the ceiling that let 'sunshine' through; actually, it was night. I tried the chest; it was locked, so I turned to Link.
"Hey, can I borrow your sword?"
"What? Not going to just take it?" He joked, "What would you do with it?"
"Break the lock of course," I said.
Link gave what could be mistaken for a whimper of reproach.
"Dude, do you see that sword?" Arli said, "it would break on contact with this lock, luckily you have me with you," he finished producing a couple of small pieces of metal.
"Ooooh, picking the lock!" I said with curiosity.
"That's an interesting talent," Link commented as Arli picked at the lock.
The lock clicked as the top of the chest popped up slightly. I pushed up on the lid and looked in to find the chest full of bombs.
"That's an impressive talent," I commented absentmindedly, looking at the bombs and getting an idea.
"What are you thinking?" Arlimand said worried, "I don't have to have telepathy to know its not good, it's all over your face."
"She's thinking about how big a blast we could make with this many bombs."
"How far do you think we could drag this?" I asked, grinning.
"As if one bomb wasn't bad enough," Arlimand replied, "do you not remember what happened to your shields with one? I don't even think this one will hold up with that many!"
"Well, what happens if we stand somewhere else, like this room when we blow them up?"
"You're still crazy," Link said.
"The whole cave could collapse and we could die!" Arlimand replied pointedly.
"We could... I'm out of ideas," I gave in.
"Link, now that we have curbed that disaster why don't you fill the bag and let us get out of here," Arli said.
Link nodded and took my precious bombs away. He put as many of them as would fit in the bag and grabbed my arm.
"Come on, Hylia," He said.
Link half lifted, half dragged me out of the room with Arli walking behind shaking his head in amusement. I, on the other hand, was sticking my tongue out at both of them and slowly trotting behind Link, both ashamed and upset that they would double team me like this. Damn them, the both of them.
"You know I can hear your thoughts," Link said, "and I refuse to be damned. I would imagine Arlimand would say the same."
"Indeed I would, and if you keep your tongue out like that you might catch some guano," Arlimand replied.
I raspberried, "I highly doubt that there are bats in these caves."
Just then, a Keese shrieked above us as if in reply.
"But..." I said, sticking my tongue back in my mouth, "There might be Keese."
"Ready your shield, Arli," Link said, "Hylia, ready your slingshot."
"When did you get to be the boss?" I asked, readying my slingshot anyway.
Arli and Link chuckled at me.
"Oh to hell with both of you."
"It's pretty dark out there," Arli commented, bringing to mind the night sky through the opening, "What say, we beat these guys go back there and rest for a bit before blowing the entrance?"
"Well, I like the idea of rest," Link said, "But Hylia'll have to calm down if we do."
"I am calm!" I fumed.
Okay, so, I lied.
Truth be told, I didn't want to calm down. That would mean I'd get to spend the night smelling like dirt, sweat, and brimstone with two boys who smelled of their own version of sweat, dirt, and brimstone. We smelled like we'd not bathed in weeks, which, for the dark-skinned, fair-eyed young man following Link dragging me, I wouldn't imagine to be too far from the truth.
Link gave an audible snicker.
"Don't you dare say anything," I warned.
"About what?" Arlimand asked, curious, "never mind, it doesn't matter. I for one, would like to be able to see what is on the other side of the boulder when we can actually see."
"Fine, whatever. Oh! Got your six!" I said and shot a fire Keese that was approaching him from behind.
But I aimed too high, the seed killed the Keese and it went spiraling down in flames, but I watched the seed ricochet off the ceiling and come towards Arlimand. He let out a yelp of pain as the seed collided with his calf.
"I said I had your six..." I said sheepishly, "but I didn't mean that. Sorry."
"It's all right, it's just a welt," he replied rubbing the spot and wincing slightly, "Link! above you!"
Link and I turned in unison and raised our weapons. I shot a seed at the Keese just as Link swiped his sword. I hit the stupid thing, and Link knocked it half way across the cavern to land in an open mouth of a geyser.
"Perfect shot!" I celebrated.
"Nice teamwork, I don't think he's coming back out," Arlimand quipped, stepping toward us and patting our shoulders.
"No need to be a smart ass," I said, walking toward the entrance of the cavern, "Besides. If we're going to get along, I'll be the smart ass, thank you."
I didn't have to look to know that Link and Arli both rolled their eyes at me. I examined the boulder and acted unfazed. Really, I was trying not to laugh, but I was acting unfazed anyway.
"So, Link, what do you think? Think he should come along with us?" I mused out loud.
"Sure do. He's proven himself tenfold."
"So do I. He's proven that he can be a pretty cool friend, too," I said, turning to Arlimand and grinning, "So, wanna come?"
"I would love to," he said nonchalantly.
I could see by the sparkle in his eyes, even in the dim light, that he wanted to jump and shout for joy but he was holding it back. I guess the Gerudo looked down on their slaves expressing joy. I was liking them less and less.
"Well, I think we're safe. I think that was the last of the Keese," I said searching the ceiling of the cavern for more.
"Great," Link said, "But where would we sleep?"
"If we use the skylight room, the sun shining in should keep us from oversleeping," Arli reasoned, as much with himself as with us, "and I'm used to sleeping on the hard ground so you guys can use my blankets."
"Good enough for me," I said.
Link nodded, so we took off towards the skylight room. In the 'danger room', as I called it, I got the chance to blow up a few Beamos, and Arli had to pull me away from a few geysers, but other than that, the trip was pretty boring. We checked around the skylight room to find that it was clear. After securing the room, Arli set down his blankets and we all fitfully tried to go to sleep. Morning came far too soon after I fell asleep for my tastes.
"WELL DONE!" cheered a very happy Darunia, "You've rid the cave of Dodongos!"
The blast had nearly knocked the three of us senseless, and the sunlight stung our eyes. We squinted at a crowd of happy Gorons with worry lines crossing each and every face. Darunia even looked like he'd stayed up all night pacing for his eyes were blurry and bloodshot and his feet were red and swollen. I was half sure that Darunia had spent the night kicking the boulder to try and let us out, and communicated this to Link.
"We're just glad we survived!" Arli sighed, indicating the explosion that opened the cave the second time.
"Hey, kids, I like you! How's about we become sworn siblings?" he asked.
'OBSESSIVE!' I thought.
"Isn't there some big ceremony for that? We don't have the time... to-" Link said, cringing.
"No, no, no big ceremony," Darunia interrupted, "just take this as a show of my friendship."
He handed Arlimand a shiny ruby as big as my hand, surrounded in a "V" shaped frame of gold. I swiped it, and put it in my backpack. Arli stuck his tongue out and Link looked at me as if he wanted it, but didn't get to say a thing because of Darunia.
"HEY EVERYONE!" he called to the other Gorons, "LET'S SEE OFF OUR NEW SIBLINGS!"
The Gorons approached us all slowly, and, let me tell you, there are three differences between Gorons and boulders: One, gorons are alive; two, boulders don't stand up; three, a difference of about twelve IQ points in the boulder's favor. All the Gorons offered us a simultaneous hug, and Arli, Link, and I simply looked at each other.
"Oh, crap," Arli, said loud enough for me and Link but too quiet for anyone else.
I squeezed my eyes shut, "DO NOT WANT!" I yelled as I booked back up the mountain.
None of us particularly wanted to be squeezed to death, and I didn't care what direction I ran in, so long as I got away from the Gorons. I heard footsteps running behind me, so I ran harder. The footsteps also ran harder behind me, so I ran as hard as I could and squeezed my eyes shut again. The footsteps began to run as hard as they could, too, and I began to panic.
What if it was more Armos?
Or the Gorons?
Or King Dodongo's ghost?
Or-
Before the last thought could be spoken inside my head, I ran into something sturdy and small and was run into by something sturdier and large.
'Ow... pain... agony...' I thought, 'I'm dead. I'm dead I'm done for. Bury me near my cabin I'm dead.'
'Relax, Hylia. It's just us,'I heard in Arlimand's voice, 'You're not dead. You ran into a fence, and I ran into you to keep you from running away again.'
I heard Arlimand give a sigh of exasperation behind me and speak his thoughts.
"Are you calm now, Hylia?" He asked still keeping me between him and the fence.
"N...No... You said your thoughts... I never said that I was dead..." I stuttered, staring at the gorge between the cliffs.
"Didn't you hear her say she thought she was dead?" He asked, getting off me to turn to Link.
I could feel Link shake his head.
"She thought the words," He said.
"So, what you are telling me is that I have somehow gained this ability that you two already had?" he said cock-eyed, "You're not pulling my leg are you?"
I got off the fence and shook my head, "Nope. Didn't say it," I said with feigned calm.
"All right then," he began, insecurity tainting his voice, "Where to next?"
Link spoke up first, "Well, there are some boulders blocking a path up the mountain, we could see what that's about."
"Sounds like a plan, but won't that mean we have to go back through the Gorons?" Arli said looking back the way we had come.
I turned to Link, and he nodded.
"We have a trick," I said slyly.
Link grinned, "Though it might be easier with you around, Arli."