Author's Note: I am sorry for the long wait here. My exams have been really stressful lately and so I have been writing small bits at a time, meaning that writing up this chapter has been slowing down majorly. However I have two weeks now until my next exam so I can revise and write as much as I desire, and after that I have a few more weeks of work and then summer will be here. I am happy enough with this chapter for you to read, so I hope that you enjoy it.

"Without risk there is no reward."

~Unknown~

Shards of Time

An Ocarina of Time FanFiction

Chapter 22: Ignis

Kaei and I exchange looks as we back away slowly. Fire billows up into the sky above, smoke painting the sky an ugly onyx with an ashen hue. From our position, Death Mountain is clear to see as well as the Trail leading up to it, a distinct lack of Gorons rushing down to our aid. Death Mountain has erupted on a few occasions, and yes it has never been this extreme, the Gorons were always prepared to help those in the village. The sigh, or lack of one, is enough to send my stomach churning with anger.

We have to protect ourselves.

Nodding to Kaei, the two of us split up and start to herd the frantic people; there will be casualties if we don't act immediately. Soon after the fall of Castle Town seven years ago, Kakariko had to fortify itself against the forces constantly closing in for the masses who escaped Castle Town and villagers alike. Now there is a bunker beneath the village thanks to Impa, who willingly gave up access to a secret tunnel leading to one only for the Royal Family – one that we worked to make larger for the citizens in need.

The people are frantic, however as time wears on they begin to find their sane part of their minds and calm down as we help to herd them towards the bunkers. Whilst I bring the people together, I can hear Kaei trying to keep everyone in order as he opens the ways to the bunkers. Women cry out and hold their children protectively, begging for me to help them. But all I can do is tell them to keep going as pellets of fire begin to rain down upon us and create more chaos.

I glance back towards Death Mountain, a steady trail of lava flowing down the side of the volcano, the circle of calm cloud that normally surrounds the summit bursting with light and smoke. The blue sky battle furiously with the smoke, charcoal clouds threaded with scarlet threatening to overturn the skies around Kakariko like it once did with Castle Town seven years ago, however it, like back then, seems to be winning without much of a fight. Shaking my head, I force myself to help the people instead of staring at something that I can't stop yet.

As the amount of people left out in the open decrease over half an hour later, Kaei manages to find me within the fray.

"You need to go," he says firmly, Death Mountain groaning in the distance. "I can handle the rest from here, but there is something more important that you have to take care of."

He's right, an inner voice reminds me sharply. The eruptions have been growing more frequent and more violent over the past few years, and rumours have been circulating about it being sourced in a Temple deep within the heart of Death Mountain-a place where Sheik said there would be a Sage. If they are linked, then we can finally end this with help of who we have been waiting for.

"Are you sure that you've got this?" I try to tease, but my tone still holds a serious edge to it. He passes me a look nonetheless, and I wave him off, breaking into a run as I search for Link and Navi. Ash begins to fall, showering Kakariko in a thin blanket of white and growing thicker by the minute. I know that it won't last long, but it still makes me uncomfortable. As his figure disappears into the distance, I break off into a run also; searching for any familiar colours or balls of light in the fray.

And yet, as I round a corner, I collide with exactly who I am looking for. "Watch where you are-Ciren, thank the Goddesses you're here!" Navi realises after a moment, bobbing up and down in delight. After a moment, both Link and Sheik also arrive at Navi's side, the former smiling and the latter uncomfortably avoiding my eyes. "Where's Kaei? Are the people safe?"

I nod firmly. "We've been helping them into the bunkers, just in case, and Kaei is finishing that process now." I pause, glancing back at the mountain for a moment before turning to Link and adding, "But now the people are safe, we have our reason to go to Goron City and find the Sage. Something isn't right up there."

He nods. "We have to find Darunia. If anyone will know why this has happened, then it will be him."

I silently agree, knowing that he is right. Drawing my blade, we prepare to depart.

Then another voice cuts in.

"Then we better prepare ourselves for the long journey ahead," Sheik says from behind, causing me to halt and whirl around. After what Sheik had revealed by accident, I thought that she would be the last person to follow us and fight. Whether it be because Princesses don't fight or she would be afraid of others knowing, I'm not entirely sure. "Ciren, I refuse to let you go again after what occurred before."

I grit my teeth, knowing that she doesn't imply an accusation, but I still take it as one. "It doesn't matter what happened before, Sheik, the people need you!"

"Ciren—"

"We need all the help that we can get," Link steps in quickly, and I catch a glint in his eyes. "The longer we fight between each other, the more danger we leave the people in. I'm still learning to help, Ciren, so we need as much aid as we can get."

My mind casts itself back to Navi's reaction to mine and Sheik's fight before – he has lost so much compared to us-and I don't contemplate about reverting back to how I reacted just. "You're right," I say finally, drawing my twin scimitars with a grin. "Let's find that Sage, then." He smiles back but says nothing, and Sheik nods firmly by his side as she draws her kunais, keeping her Harp tied firmly to her back. I stare into her crimson eyes, still attempting to tell myself that she is no Sheikah; Impa really is the last one among us; and she is the Princess of Hyrule. I still applaud her for hiding for so long, but I am nonetheless angry with her too.

However, just as Link had said, we have more pressing issues on us right now.

With Navi's guiding light, the four of us break into a heated run, ash and embers continuing to fall around us, helping people as quickly as we can whilst we go onward. The plumes of smoke grow in thickness the closer we get to Death Mountain, blanketing the ground as it did in the winters that have come and gone between that fateful day and now. The hard red earth slaps against our feet as we run, our tight formation spreading dust around us and masking our vision every now and again; the light of the Guardian Fairy helping us more than we give her credit for.

"Ciren?" I glance over my shoulder, Link's quiet tone different to how it usually is. "Thank you for saying what you did. It's your fight as much as it is mine, and I... I wouldn't be able to live with myself if someone got hurt because of a mistake that I make."

I go to reply, but his words leave me so speechless that he has ran on ahead before I can reply properly.

And yet, we simply keep our eyes on the summit of Death Mountain as we go, knowing that we will find our answers there. The dark sky descends around us, forcing us to slow down ever so slightly so that we can see the ground beneath us instead of a blur in case we slip up at any point. And, in times like this despite my companions here with me, I wish that I have Luz with me. Not only would we be moving at a swifter pace, but I could feel slightly more comforted about what we may have to face.

But you are no coward, an inner voice sneers as the entrance to Goron City swings into view, the four of us rushing inside and hoping to find someone that can help us add the other villagers.

And yet, what we find instead is a City devoid of activity; the opposite of what it is known for.

"No... it can't be," Link whispers from beside me, colour draining from his face. However, after a moment, his deep resolve solidifies on his face and he races ahead. "Darunia," he calls. "Darunia, we need your help!" I glance over at Sheik, who watches on with sadness before darting off also. Checking that nothing has followed us, I start off as well, hoping that our last hope hasn't been lost. Three sets of footsteps echo around the empty City, nothing else but a cold silence breathing down our necks. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up on end, but I don't stop running, making sure that I keep everyone else in sight.

As the base of Goron City rises to meet us, an unsettling sensation multiplies in my gut at the lack of life here.

What happened here?

We break into Darunia's room, only to find him not here either. My brows knit together, recalling the time we met mere weeks ago and he mentioned nothing about leaving. This in turn only concerns me more; he may have been harsh when we first met but we have become closer over the years as we fortified the City and Kakariko. His things may be here, but his weapon is gone. "He is not here," a voice says, causing us all to turn as a small Goron makes their way into the room.

"We can see that," I reply curtly, lowering my blade. "Big Brother is not here." We whirl around, watching as a young Goron makes their way into Darunia's chambers.

Sheik glares in my direction, and I glare back without saying anything. However, before anyone can step in, she asks politely, "Where is he? Kakariko is in danger and we are in desperate need of your aid to fortify its defences."

"He went to the Fire Temple a few days back," the Goron explains. "But he hasn't returned, and after Ganondorf awoke the dragon Volvagia... my Brothers and Sisters are gone." He rubs his face with his hands, entire body shaken. "I'm only here because I hid like a coward! I should have helped them!" He starts bawling and shaking like a leaf, and I glance between my companions as I still have a Gerudo heart; I have no idea what to do. We all exchange looks between us, silently asking who will console us. Sheik looks more guilty than distraught, probably knowing that she could use her title to give him hope if she could, and Link seems just as confused on what to do than me.

Navi floats forwards, lacking nerves as she rests a hand on his shoulder and consoles, "This is not your fault. This is all because of Ganondorf, not you... uh..."

The Goron raises his head when he realises that he Guardian Fairy trailed off because she doesn't know his name. "I'm Link." Navi jumps back in confusion, the four of us glancing towards our Link. The Goron notices this and elaborates, "I was named after the person who saved the Cavern seven years ago."

I snort, offended and amused at the same time. "Though I assume none were named after Ciren."

"Or Navi!"

Thankfully, the small laughter that this generates brings the Goron back to himself with a chuckle, and he moves to the other side of the room and opens up a gilded chest beside the large statue. From there, he tugs out three golden chains that hold small pieces of red stone, runes carved into it. He holds them out for the three of us. "Legends have it that the great Goddess Din descended onto this world in the form of a divine beast known as Amaterasu, and these stones are fragments of the Fire Tablet that she weilded in order to brave the flames of Death Mountain and protect us from harm."

Sheik leans in with curiosity. "And these will protect us from the heat of the Crater, won't it?" The Goron nods eagerly, and we take the chains without hesitation. As soon as it loops around my neck, the runes gleam and send shivers through my veins, generating a warm sensation through me. The Goron smiles, grateful that he has done his job, before silently standing beside the large statue and somehow managing to push it aside, allowing us to move into the Crater without a diversion.

A wall of ash and embers immediately hits us, a sea of gold billowing out from around us. The Goron quickly retreats from behind us, sliding the statue back into place and sealing us into the Crater before we can thank him. Despite our protection, the heat is only just bearable. The sight before us takes me back to the Valley; I can barely remember how it feels to live with sand beneath your feet, but the array of golds and oranges is enough to pull at least one heart string. I glance over to the others, plumes of gold flashing in their eyes as they take it all in too, swallowing thickly.

"The Fire Temple is over there," Navi says without hesitation, nodding over to the small entrance on the other side of the Crater. "We better move before we are cooked."

We nod and carry on without hesitation, embers rising from the lava beneath us. For a "no go" area, the amount of bridges (wooden ones, strangely enough) and walkways is rather strange to see. Smoke billows out from two main funnels in the central part of the Crater, wafting down and cloaking our vision just like it did outside. But when I close my eyes slightly, I feel like I am back home.

"Is this like the Valley, Ciren?" Link asks from beside me, marvelling at the sights and dangers around us.

I shrug lightly. "Yes, but the Valley isn't just made up of the Fortress. Compared to this it was-and always will be-barren," I explain, hoping that he didn't figure out what I was thinking about. "But it still held a serene beauty that I can't explain without letting you see it for yourself." He nods silently, catching on that I'd rather not talk about the subject until I can admire the Valley again without the risk of being killed in the process. After so long, the memories that once would not leave still exist, of course, however I only have hope in Din that she will save them now.

We descend a small ladder into the darkness, the only light here to help being the few candles that hang on the claustraphobic walls which have seemingly been burning for days on end now. The ladder is so long that we are descending for almost a minute, and I wonder how on Din's red earth all of the Gorons managed to get down here so effortlessly. Either they have amazing abilities for rock folk, or they have an alternate passageway that would have been even more valuable.

I breathe a deep sigh of relief when my feet connect with hard flooring, immediately redrawing my weapons as we all pool about the base of the ladder. Keeping in a tight formation, we move down a cavernous corridor and further into the Temple, eager to find the source of the darkness and pray that it doesn't end like last time. We converge at the bottom and move onward, the caverns opening out again and into a large room covered with torches, statuettes, and lava that drips from nooks in the walls.

And yet, that is not what catches my eyes.

The entire place is littered with bones.

"Goddesses above..." Sheik whispers, the edges of her eyes becominng watery at the sight. I refuse to show such emotion myself, however I can't help but feel my heart sink and my stomach churn. The deformed hands of Gorons that reach out for help, and others shielding other friends from the inevitable doom that they had faced. Anger at Volvagia and the man that has caused this massacre boils inside of me, and I push on ahead whilst forcing myself to ignore the bones that shake beneath my feet as I slide between them until I hear, "Ciren, we have to move these bones!"

My anger gets the better of myself and I snap back around. "What are you Sheik, a princess who can't see the bigger picture?" The glare she gives me could burn more than the fire around us. "If we don't stop now then how many more are going to die here? We will, the remaining Goron will, Darunia will, and probably Kakariko too. Of course I'm not so heartless as to ignore them, but I can't think about them when so many more lives are on the line here." Her eyes glitter as she sets her jaw.

"Well if I was a princess, what would you do?"

"On accounts of treason, what do think? But you aren't a princess, so I can't be accused of anything," I snap back just as quickly. "But none of this matters right now; we can argue later. Right now, however, Darunia is most likely fighting Volvagia alone or is dead, so we must fight or avenge him for the people that are fleeing." She moves to say something else, though stops herself when my words finally get through to her, and I turn and carry on walking ahead without caring for any glares she is giving me.

We race up the stairs and into another room, a sea of lava beneath us with only a rickety bridge to help us across. Spacing ourselves out, Link chooses to go first and I reluctantly agree, starting after him once there is enough space between us so that there isn't too much pressure on certain parts of the wooden bridge. It swings violently with every step, more bones and rocky hands clutching onto the ropes that barely sustain the bridge that we run across. My heart begins to beat faster in my chest as the sounds of battle burst on ahead, and we waste no time in getting off of the bridge as most of it begins to break away towards the end.

Once we reach the other side, we take a moment to breathe before forcing open the slightly ajar iron door before us; the Goron insignia glowing in the light of the lava behind us. The room is the least developed in the Temple, nature having taken over a long time ago. The narrow, elevated path that we stand on leads directly down to a larger platform dotted with pools of magma, everything else beneath us covered in a thick layer of the fatal substance. The large door slams shut behind us, the groaning of Death Mountain still radiating out from here.

A gaping hole burrows into the ceiling, revealing not only the dark storm clouds above, but also the bright cloud that encircles Death Mountain that creates a stark constrast to the sky. Like in the crater, embers and smoke rapidly rise from the sea of magma beneath us, released solely from the spires of lava that rise and fall every few moments, the fizzing soung that it creates being one of the only sounds here. We all stare on in awe, however as the smoke settles for a moment, we hear the Guardian Fairy gasp in surprise and fear.

In the centre of the room lies Darunia, a metal hammer having fallen from his grip as a long shadow rises up a few feet after him - preparing itself to finish what it began.

"Darunia!" Link cries, darting forwards before any of us can stop him. As the smoke further clears, the long shadow reveals itself as Volvagia, the dragon that I have only seen strike up chaos on Death Mountain a few times in the past few years and killed many, and the idea of it approaching two friends sends worry through me. I break off into a hard run, desperate to stop him before he does something stupid and gets himself killed.

He leaps in front of Darunia and raises his shield just as Volvagia breathes a bout of fire, and I realise that I am too far away to help in any way. I call out, determined to stop him, only to skid into a halt when the fire merely skims over the shield, protecting the both of them from harm; something that no other shield could withstand like that. I stare on in shock, unsure of whether it is some sort of divine protection or simple luck, but all I do know is that we can't rely on it again. The dragon, annoyed, slithers away through the air and momentarily retreats back into one of the many pools of magma.

Link breathes a deep sigh of relief, however before I can chastise him he is already on his knees and at Darunia's side, pullin out Potions to help him in any way. The Goron leader chuckles at his attempts as Sheik and I sit also, refusing all help being offered to him. "Save them for yourself, Brother," he advises with a smirk. "That beast is not dead yet, though if you had not been here I fear that the Goron race may have been nipped at the bud." None of us has anything to say in response, so he turns on Link. "After seven years you have nothing to say?"

"I'm sorry Darunia," is the quick reply as he glances around for any further sign of Volvagia's presence. "For me it hasn't been seven years. I'm still trying to get my head around it." Navi takes a seat on his shoulder and squeezes it comfortingly, her presence better for him than any of us for that subject.

Despite this, Darunia chortles and slaps Link on the back as if they had only seen each other a few days agl-which, to Link, is probably how he feels. "You Hylians are so quick to apologise. I mean no offense, Brother, and I-" His voice breaks off suddenly when the ground begins to shake violently, leaping to his feet and trying his hardest to ignore the pain that he feels in the side that I can't see. When we step forwards to help, he raises his hand. "I am not the problem here, it is that damned beast. You must take priority."

"And we will," I say quickly, nodding to Sheik. "Sheik will get you to as far as you can go, and then we will get rid of Volvagia together. Some Goron sayings tell you to fight until you can't anymore, but others stress that you must know when the fight is not yours, and this one isn't. This fight belongs to the Hero of Time, and you can't interfere due to pride." I ignore the surprised glances and focus on staring the Goron leader down.

And thankfully, after a moment, he finally sighs and gives in. "I will not ruin the destiny of our Chosen," he says wisely, voice taking on a different tone entirely. "I'll do as you say." Breathing a relieved sigh, I cast my gaze to Sheik, knowing that I hand't even asked her to miss part of the fight and she may have been angry because of it, though she is already helping Darunia away, only to be stopped when he gestures to the hammer on the floor. "Use the Megaton Hammer against it. The Goron's crop is the only thing that can break its shell."

As Sheik and Darunia retreat, I stand and inspect the hammer before us. The handle is extremely large, spanning at least two arm lengths, even if he head of it doesn't match it in terms of size. However it seems to be a strong weapon for being so inbalanced, especially since it is made solely from iron. But as I figure out the best way to fight with a weapon so heavy, Link merely reaches forwards and grabs it without hesitation, the hammer somehow staying in his grip despite its weight.

"How are you—?"

"The power of a Sage is flowing through it," the Guardian Fairy murmurs quietly, as if lost. "If the Sage wills it, then anyone can take their weapon to complete a task that they could not. If Darunia truly is the Sage of Fire, then it would all make sense. He wants us to defeat Volvagia, and the Megaton Hammer has responded to that wish."

And as we ready ourselves, the beast finally appears.

It's battle cry comes first, two golden slits emerging through the cloud of embers and smoke cracked body leaking lava onto its claws that gleam in the light. As its thin body intertwines and vines around itself, Volvagia screams and releases a bout of fire that scorches the ground only metres away from us. We jump back in alarm as it swings around the main perimetre of the cavern and burns its path until it returns to us, attempting wihout avail to unnerve and intimidate us.

After all, no matter what form or size it takes, a monster is still a monster.

Volvagia keeps itself airbourne constantly as we avoid its line of fire, making sure that we can't reach him and attack - especially with the Megaton Hammer. As I roll out of the way of an attack, I notice the bow hanging from Link's back. I call over to him and nod towards the bow, thankful that he understands without me asking numerous times. After dodging a swift attack, he throws the bow and quiver in ny direction, and I quickly fasten the latter to my side. Drawing an arrow, I have the element of surprise on my side as I catch Volvagia in the side as it drifts away from me.

It cries out a little, however it isn't loud enough to show that the arrow greatly penetrated its body. And, to make it worse, the arrow near immediately burns away, reducing any long term damage that it may have caused. However, Volvagia suddenly flips the scales when it dives down in Link's direction so quickly that it cathes him off guard, sending him staggering back several feet towards the edge. I try and warn him of the danger only metres away, but Volvagia is quicker and spins away from him, the sharp edge of its tail catching his cheek and serving as the final push that knocks him over the egde.

I cry out and race forwards, a lack of response striking fear and a twinge of hope in my heart, though the dragon immediately cuts me off and forces me to battle it once again. The Guardian Fairy swoops down to her partner, and only seconds later she cries, "He's fine, but Volvagia thinks otherwise." My heart leaps out of my chest as I dance out of the way, drawing yet another arrow in an attempt to hit some form of weak point, although with everyone scattered then there is little other strategies that we can utilise.

This is when a knife slices through the air and lands solidly in Volvagia's eye.

I whirl around as the dragon screams in pain, breathing out a long bout of fire that scorches the entire perimeter of the battleground, and Sheik cries out an enchamentment that I haven't heard before and generates a glimmering shield around us; protecting us from the flames. "Sheik, what are you doing?" I demand without hesitation as she lowers the shield, giving us time to set our minds straight and for Link to climb back up and into safety again. She turns to me and raises a brow, preplexed. "Why did you come back?"

"Just be glad that I came back at this time," Sheik says quickly in response, readying her blades once again and nodding to Volvagia. "Volvagia is growing angry now, and will burrow into the lava when it can so that it can attack us up closer; according to Darunia; and this shall be our time to attack." She keeps her eyes straight on the enemy, then realises how stony her tone is and glances between us. "Are you all right?" And yet, neither of us can respond before the dragon dives into a nearby pool of lava and pokes it head out to attack us.

Sheik's knife has all but melted away now, running down its face like a molten river of silver. We all simultaneously nod to each other and run forwards, finally prepared to do what we couldn't minutes before. I hang back for a moment and shoot an arrow into the small crevice on its back, stunning it whilst Link uses the Megaton Hammer to knock away some of its armour. Darunia was correct with the power of the Hammer in the sense that it slices through the facial armour of Volvagia with more ease than any other blade or arrow, the vibrations that it creates knocking away the armour down its spine too.

Crying out, the fierce dragon tries to throw us back by throwing its fiery head forwards, yet we thankfully manage to dodge without too many scorches, flying back into the air as we finally take our chance.

Sheik and I don't need to utter a word before arrows are nocked and knives are thrown, each managing and sometimes missing to damage the open tissue left behind by the power of the Megaton Hammer. Volvagia begins to swerve in anger and throw itself across the area, attempting to dodge us with all intents and purposes without avail. As Sheik's knives dimish into tiny droplets of glimmering molten silver and my arrows burn away into the ashen air, the mighty dragon tumbles down to the ground, its energy sapped.

I unsheath my scimitars, but the Sheikah places her hand onto my own and shakes her head firmly, silently telling me that our fight is over. I am about to quickly protest, however I turn my gaze to Link as he brings down the Megaton Hammer onto Volvagia, the light catching onto a gemstone attached to the beast's forehead that seems odly familiar to those that my Sisters used to wear when they had achieved the highest ranks, something that chills me. Link seems to notice my reaction and, while doesn't fully understand, makes one clear assumption.

He lets the Megaton Hammer slide to the floor, takes out the Master Sword and whispers, "I'm sorry for what you have reluctantly become," before sliding it through the jewel and ending it. Volvagia grasps its forehead in sheer agony, using the last of its strength to try and flee, rising into the air and racing for the summit of Death Mountain only for a burst of crimson magic to pierce its form.

The dragon slumps to the ground, its bones charred and its flesh destroyed.

We all stare at its corpse, then slowly turn to where the magic had originated from, finding a grinning Darunia lowering his hand as the magic receeds from his form. "Well," he chuckles, turning his gaze to Link. "Long time no see, Brother?"