A/N: Things are starting to look bad for the unity of the group…

Chapter 16: Fragile

Zelda:

We traveled up the Death Mountain Trail in silence. I led the way with Link while Malon and Cody brought up the rear. Link had leant Malon the rest of his arrows, since the stores of Kakariko had been destroyed. None of the creatures that we were bound to run into on the trail would pose a problem for me or Link without his bow…

Besides, Link had made it perfectly clear that he did not trust Cody Williams to protect anyone…

A red tektite spotted us as we were making our way up the mountain. The creature growled, and then launched itself at us. I made a move to draw my kodachi, but Link rushed past me. With a quick vertical slice, Link dispatched the tektite before it even had a chance to land.

"I could have handled it you know," I said, rolling my eyes as I sheathed my kodachi.

Link remained silent as he stepped over the remains of the tektite. I shook my head as I followed him.

After a few more minutes of awkward silence, I finally got fed up with it, "Will you say something!"

"What do you want me to say?" Link asked, sounding nonchalant.

"Don't you feel the least bit sorry for what you said?"

"Of course not. You know what he did."

"It's not like I condone it," I said, exasperated, "but, just look at him."

Mr. Williams had been completely silent since the confrontation in Kakariko. Even now, he wore an expressionless mask. Malon was hanging back, trying to get a response from him.

So far, she had no luck…

"I don't mean to sound insensitive, but if the Hero of Dimensions stays like this for much longer, then we won't be able to summon the power of the True Master Sword."

"We don't even know if he is the Hero of Dimensions," Link said, starting to sound angry, "You heard what Impa said…

A Few hours earlier…

"Impa!" I shouted again as I ran towards the injured sheikah.

Malon was already there, checking out the injured woman. I was over there in a heartbeat, kneeling on the ground and checking out Impa.

"We need to move her," Link said, standing over us, "this isn't a great spot."

"I c-can heal her, if you w-want," said a very nervous Via, still floating around the motionless Williams.

I nodded at her, "Thank you Via."

"After we get her healed up, we need to go somewhere private," Link said, "We need to know what she knows about Malgum and the orbs."

"So the wizard's name is Malgum," Impa said.

We were next to Zora River, not far from the entrance to Kakariko. Via had healed Impa back to full health and was currently with Malon and Mr. Williams. No matter what Malon and I did, we could not get him to move or even respond to our questions. Malon and Via were currently trying to get any kind of response from him, but to no avail.

"Yes," Link said, "And we also got our hands on the Orb of Winds. Cody currently holds that orb while I have the Orb of Light."

Impa nodded in understanding, "And I do have some good news for you on the orbs. From what I could find, the orbs are located in and around the temples. The sages all have the ability to find the orbs." Impa crossed her arms and added, "And I have the ability to find the Orb of Shadows."

"Can you lead us to the orb then?" asked Link.

Impa shook her head, "That would not be wise."

I saw the grave look on her face. "Is it about Malgum?"

She nodded, "Yeah. He attacked me while I was in the temple. He drove me off."

That seemed surprising, "Why would he do that?"

"Because he knows about the orbs," Link said, "Why wouldn't he stop her?"

"What about the Wind Temple? Didn't you think it was too easy?" I insisted, "For such a powerful wizard, we sure got through the Wind Temple very easily."

"I recall that Saria almost died in the Wind Temple!" Link said, exasperated.

"I don't think that was part of his plan," I said quickly, "All he did was guard the Orb of Winds. But why didn't he place a spell on it?"

"Maybe because he didn't have to," Impa said quietly.

This stopped the discussion real fast.

"What do you mean by that?" Link asked, looking very serious.

"I discovered some new information about the Dimensional Sword…"

Impa tapered off, looking troubled.

"If it's important, we must hear it," I said, "No matter how difficult it might be."

She nodded, then continued, "I discovered some hidden writings within the temple that tells some of the history of the three sacred swords. I already knew about some of the things that were written about the Master Sword and the Sword of Darkness. However…"

"I don't think that I like where this is going," I said, troubled.

"While it's true that many different heroes have wielded the Dimensional Sword, the sword has also been wielded by the forces of darkness."

Link's eyes narrowed.

I stared at Impa, wide eyed, and asked, "Wait. You're not saying that…"

Impa nodded, "We don't know what young Cody's intentions are. I believe Rauru, but I also believe that caution never hurts."

Link nodded, "Don't worry. I'll keep an eye out on him."

I did not like the sound of that…

Impa had stayed behind with the villagers to help with the wounded and to ensure that the villagers were safely evacuated to Castle Town. What she had said before we had left still echoed through my mind…

There were not only Heroes of Dimensions; there were also Villains of Dimensions.

"After what he did," Link said, bringing his voice under control, "I can't afford to let my guard down."

"Link," I said, starting to feel irritated, "do you really think that Mr. Williams is in league with Malgum."

"There were several times where Cody was not around," Link said, "it would have been easy for him to talk to Malgum during these times."

With that, Link quickened his pace, walking ahead. I looked back at Malon and Williams. He still seemed to be doing a pretty decent impression of a Redead.

"Somehow," I said quietly as Link moved on ahead, "I don't think so…"

Link:

It had been years since I had visited Goron City. Even though he had not remembered me in this timeline, Darunia still had been pretty hospitable. He still danced whenever he heard Saria's Song (and it was still as disturbing as ever).

He did not, however, name his son after me this time around.

The city itself was inside a large cave. It consisted of several levels surrounding a large central pit. These levels were connected to each other by a series of caves. People who have never been through the city would often get lost the first time around.

Suspended over the pit was a platform that held the Goron's Ruby. Because it was not in danger of being eaten by a hungry goron, Darunia had no reason to hide it.

Speaking of gorons, there were several on each level. Gorons were large, rock-like creatures that were known for being friendly and eating rocks (the only race to do so).

We made our way down to the bottom of the pit and headed for Darunia's room. The room was lit with several torches. A statue of a goron sat in the back of the room holding a spear. What most people did not know was that the statue hid a path to the Fire Temple.

And standing right in front of the statue was the imposing figure of the leader of the Gorons: Darunia.

He also happened to be the Sage of Fire.

"Brother!" Darunia called out happily.

The big goron rushed over me and grabbed me in a hug that lifted me off the ground.

"Darunia… you're… crushing… me…"

Darunia chuckled as he set me back down, "Sorry brother, I forget how fragile you hylians are."

"He considers you a Sworn Brother?" Zelda asked me as I backed up unsteadily.

I gave her a strange look, "You know about that?"

Zelda grinned, "My father is one of Darunia's Sworn Brothers. It's always fun when he visits the castle."

I shake my head to clear the picture of the King of Hyrule getting crushed to death by an overly cheerful goron, "Darunia, as much as I hate to say it, we're not here for pleasantries."

The smile left Darunia's face, "Yeah, I thought that might be the case when I saw the princess. Especially since I remembered what happened with Ganondorf."

Zelda nodded, "Yes Darunia. We need to find one of the Elemental Orbs, and you have the ability to locate it."

Darunia grinned once again, "Gladly. I would do anything for my Sworn Brother and Sister."

I guess Zelda was now a Sworn Sister…

I hope she does not get killed by a goron hug…

Darunia sat there motionless for a minute, and then asked, "Um… What am I supposed to do?"

Figures…

"We just need you to concentrate on the location of the orb," Zelda explained patiently. "The power of the Sage of Fire should lead you to the orb."

"Oh…"

Darunia closed his eyes and started to concentrate (at least I think he was concentrating: hard to tell with a goron). It took a few minutes, but he eventually opened his eyes…

And he did not look happy…

"The orb… it's located within Volvagia's lair in the Fire Temple."

Volvagia. The dragon that lived in Death Mountain. In the alternate timeline, Ganondorf had released the dragon. The vile creature went on a rampage and began eating the gorons that were captured and held in the temple. Ganondorf had been using the gorons to set an example to all the races in Hyrule. Darunia had tried to rescue his fellow gorons, but I was the one who ultimately had to put down the vicious dragon with the help of the Megaton Hammer.

In this timeline, Volvagia would still be alive…

"Is there any chance that Volvagia is awake?" I asked, dreading the answer.

Darunia quickly shook his head, "Not to worry brother. If he was awake, Death Mountain would shake with his anger."

Good point…

"If Volvagia is asleep, then this should be pretty easy," I said, getting straight to business. "I'm going to need a Goron Tunic; I may need some arrows as well, just to be safe. I also need you to come with me. Everyone else should stay here."

"What?" Zelda said, surprised, "Why should we do that?"

"There's no need to risk everyone in the volcano," I said calmly, "Darunia and I will track down the Orb of Fire, and then we'll be back in no time."

"You should let me come with you."

I turned around. Cody, who had been silent ever since we left Kakariko, had finally decided to speak up.

"I think I should be there when you get the orb."

I shook my head, "There's no need for that."

Cody started to get angry, "What's that supposed to mean!"

I sighed, and then let him have it, "I don't need someone there who might run away at a moment's notice."

Cody's face became extremely pale. His mouth opened and closed rapidly, but no sounds were coming out. Even Zelda and Malon looked shocked, and I could hear Darunia fidgeting behind me nervously.

"I'll, uh, get the tunic for you now brother."

With that, Darunia fled the room. Cody sat there for only a moment longer before he too left the room. Malon only stayed long enough to shoot a glare at me before she followed. Zelda was the only one that stayed behind.

"That wasn't necessary," she told me.

"I'm sorry Zelda," I said, "but I can't trust him anymore. All of the bad feelings I had about him turned out to be right."

"Link," she said quietly, "what can I do to make you believe? He is the hero. Why can't you see it?"

"Heroes don't abandon people," I said, turning around. I did not want to hear anything more about Cody.

Zelda remained motionless behind me for a few minutes, before she spoke up again, "He's just scared Link. Being scared does not make a person evil."

I could hear her starting to leave, but she paused just long enough to say one last thing, "He'll become the hero we need. We just have to believe in him."

She left as Darunia came back in the room with the Goron Tunic, "Put this on brother. I'm ready to go when you are."

Cody:

I had, for lack of a better word, retreated to a tunnel and had sat down in one of the corners. I had the Dimensional Sword lying across my lap in its sheath.

Via had flown out of my hood and was floating beside me, "Are you o-okay Cody?"

I stared at the sword for a minute before answering, "I don't really know anymore Via."

"Cody?" Malon called gently.

I did not, could not, look up as I heard Malon walk over to me. She crouched down in front of me and looked at me, her eyes full of concern.

I did not feel that I deserved any sympathy…

"Link was out of line. I don't really know what got into him today."

I just shook my head, "No… Link was right. I'm nothing but a coward."

She shook her head quickly, "That's not true!"

"But it is," I said, gripping the sword even tighter, "I had justified not going into that building in my mind. I was going to let her die just to save my own skin."

Malon opened her mouth, and then closed it, unable to say anything.

I continued to stare at the sword as my emotions started to overflow, "I should never have agreed to this. I'm no warrior. Hell, I can't even beat two unarmed bullies in my own world."

I laughed, but there was no mirth in it, "The idea of me… me… being a hero… saving a world… is some kind of sick, sick joke."

"Cody," Malon said, reaching out her hand, "That's not true…"

I stood up suddenly, knocking her hand away. She was so startled that she fell backwards into a sitting position. Via flew down next to Malon, her normally bright, green light seeming a little dim. I took one last look at the Dimensional Sword in my hand…

And I threw it as hard as I could at the opposite wall of the tunnel.

The sword bounced off the wall and landed on the floor with a clatter that echoed throughout the entire tunnel.

I walked away from the fallen sword, calling back to Malon over my shoulder, "I give up. Rauru was wrong. I'm not the Hero of Dimensions. I'm just a high school kid that wants to go home. I will no longer pretend to be anything else…"

A/N: Reviews are appreciated.