Chapter 6
I move my head and noticed that the pillow I'm sleeping on is not as comfortable as I thought it was last night. I open my eyes to see what I was sleeping on and my eyes widen. I see Link asleep, his arms are wrapped around me, part of me was freaking out and the other half was trying not to wake him up. I'm shocked at how relaxed he looks, most of the time he's serious and calculative. His head begins to move and I could tell he was starting to wake up and my heart begins to race. I look away and try to calm my heart. Link inhales as I can feel his hands adjusting slightly as I look up at his face again as I see him looking at me.
"Uh..." I said as I can feel the blood rush to my head, but then I notice that Link's heart begins to race and his face goes red as well. He lets go of me a sits up.
"I... I'm sorry..." He said looking away, "I must have fallen asleep."
"I... its okay..." I said still trying to calm down.
"So... what exactly happened last night?" he asked,
"I had a nightmare... and it caused me to have a panic attack." I said,
"What's a panic attack?"
"Well... it's when my body acts like it's in danger even when I'm not actually in danger," I try to explain.
"Does it happen often?" he asked,
"Recently... it's gotten worse, but I'm noticing a trigger." I said but link looked at me confused,
"Trigger?"
"The thing that starts the attack." I said,
"What is it?"
"Being called... Little Bird." I said and just saying it made my heart pound.
"Little Bird? That's a strange trigger." he said,
"Maybe their memories?" We hear Midna say. I realized that she saw me in Link's arms and my face goes red.
"It would make sense," Link said but then I get a sinking feeling that if these are memories... then what happened to me seven years ago?
"I hope that's not the case..." I said standing up and stretching.
"Are you okay to travel?" Link asked,
"Yeah, I'm just sore. But I can manage." I said as Link stands up.
"Then let's head back to Kakariko village." he said as he looks like he gets an idea. "Here" he said running over and rummaging through some things and he pulls out a grey hat, it looked like a beanie with a small bill on it.
"Do my ears really bother you?" I asked,
"No, I think they are cute. But I don't want you to be recognized." he said handing me the hat. I put the hat on my head and make sure it's covering my ears.
"How do I look?" I asked,
"Good, maybe when we can afford it we can get you some new clothes. They really stick out" he smiles,
"Sorry that the apparel from where I come from is so weird." I said,
"Not just that but I don't see those clothes protecting you very well if you're in a fight." he said,
"That's true." I said looking down at my pants which are already torn in a few places.
"Well, let's get going." Link said as we leave his house, I did want to ask him about his parents but I decide against it. We climb up on Epona and head back to Kakariko village.
We hear come commotion as we come into town as we see these strange ogre like monsters riding giant bulls, the larger one was holding Colin in his hand.
"Colin!" Link cried out, "Hold on Epona!" Link said as I tighten my grip and Epona gains speed and we chase after them. One of them locks the gate ahead of us but Link doesn't slow down.
"Link!" I said but we continue faster than I could protes,t Epona already cleared over the gate and landed on the other side. We're in a new place, a field similar to the one in between Faron woods and Kakariko village. We look around and there are the monsters ahead of us, the larger one has a pole attached to the saddle. And at the top was Colin tied to it, "Oh my god!" I said horrified by that sight.
"Pura, I need you up front to take the reins." Link said pulling out his sword.
"Alright." I said climbing down then climbing back up and sitting in front of him. I look at the reins... I've never rode a horse before... The monsters charge at us, I don't hesitate and we ride towards the monsters. I was riding... It felt like I'd done this a thousand times, almost like muscle memory.
"I'll keep the other off of us. You focus on getting us to Colin." Link said as one of the other monsters catches up to us and an arrow is pointed as me. Link strikes the monster off the boar's back and we continue ahead. We make it up just behind the larger monster and he jumps a wooden road block and we follow after onto a stone bridge with no side rails, and bellow us looked like it lead to the abyss.
"This is getting dangerous." I said looking down as the barricade we just jumped over is set ablaze and Epona stops. I look ahead to see the monster staring us down. With the other side of the bridge in flames, we're completely trapped,
"Let's finish this." Link said as we charge and the monsters charge towards us. Just before we collide I direct Epona out of the way just barely missing the side of the boar's armor then Link strikes the monster causing it to fall off the boar and fall into the abyss below. Link jumps over to the boar and grabs the reigns before it could run off with Colin still tied to the pike.
"Can you reach him?" I asked,
"No, cut him loose and I'll catch him." he said handing me his sword. I stand up on Epona's saddle and just barely able to reach the ropes with the tip of the sword and I cut him loose, he begins to fall and Link catches him. I lean over to check to see if he was still breathing,
"He's alive" I said as we both let out a sigh of relief.
"But he's pretty banged up, let's get back to the village" as he hands me Colin and climbs up in front of me and we head back to Kakariko village.
We get back and Link climbs down and he holds out his hands and I hand him Colin, he sits down holding Colin but he wasn't waking up. The other kids and Renado run over to us to check on Colin.
"Why won't he wake?" Link said with a worried look... I wish I could help him... I feel the wind around me stir like last time as I hold out my hand and rest it on Colin's head. My hand starts to glow a bright green and then it fades away I move my hand away as Colin's head moves and he opens his eyes.
"Link?" Coin said looking at Link who smiles at him. "Is everyone... okay?" He asked as he sees the look of concern on their faces. "Good," He smiles, "Beth... I'm sorry, you know... for shoving you, Are you mad?" Beth quickly shakes her head than smiles back at him "I... I think I finally understand. I understand what my dad meant when he told me I needed to be stronger, like you, Link... He wasn't talking about strength, like lifting stuff. He was talking about being brave." This boy is very smart for his age. "Link, you saved me didn't you?"
"Pura helped." Link joked
"You... you can do anything. You can do something to help the Gorons in the mines too, can't you Link?" Link nods and Colin slips back into consciousness. Everyone begins to worry as Renado leans down and pulls Colin form Links arms.
"He needs rest, I'll take it from here." Renado said walking away and the other kids follow him.
"I'm so glad he's okay." I said,
"What was that you did?" he asked,
"I'm... not entirely sure.., I think I healed him." I said,
"You really are a mystery, Pura." Link said,
"Yeah... I'm learning that myself..." I said,
"Well we'll figure it all out eventually, Let's get going." he said as we head towards Death Mountain but we get stopped by Luda who is holding a metal shield.
"Your shield won't last long so close to the mountain, take this." she said handing Link the shield
"Thanks," Link said putting down the wooden shield he got from his village and strapping the metal one to his back... The shield looked so familiar, just another thing I've seen before. But it looks like Link is missing something... I shrug it off and we continue towards Death Mountain.
We climb up the roped cliff where Link was pushed off yesterday and right as we get to the top Link puts on the Iron boots Bo gave him.
"Stay behind me and hold onto my shoulders." he said and I follow his instructions and we start to walk forward, but are quickly stopped when the guard sees us.
"Ho! You are back again Hylian!" The Goron said "You will never pass! You can never hope to match our brute force!" he said as he rolls into a ball looking like a large bolder and he rolls towards us.
"Hold on tight!" He said as I tighten my grip on his shoulders then he stops the rolling Goron with his hands the strike of force that Link took in vibrates through me. Link turns and throws the Goron down the cliff like he did to him yesterday. "You okay?" "Yeah," I said and we continue on, after some time another Goron rolls at us but Link stops them and they roll down the way us came.2... 3... 4 Gorons later we make it to the base of Death Mountain, but the sky is darkened with black smoke and volcanic debris is falling from the sky in soccer ball sized rocks. We make it to a small cliff side and across from us is the entrance on the mines. But it's up high... I see two Gorons spot us then one rolls into a ball and the other climbs on top of the rolled up Goron then he springs open creating momentum like a spring and the other Goron is thrown in the air to a higher level.
"That's how we'll get up." I said and Link nods and we climb down and start walking over to the Mine. We continue as we're stopped by a large rock the size of a bus crash in front of us,
"Whoa... this looks dangerous. Is this the traditional Death Mountain welcome?" Midna said as I look at the enormous rock, it was blazing hot and was sticking up out of the ground.
"C'mon Pura!" Link said, I didn't notice he had walked away and I run to catch up to him. He gets one of the Gorons to curl up into a ball and we climb up on top of him and we're thrown up to the next level. We keep doing this until we get to the top. Link keeps his boots on as we head inside as we're confronted by six Gorons that were getting ready to attack at the same time.
"Enough!" we hear and all of the Gorons stop and look back as a smaller, older looking Goron steps out, "Are these young ones such an imposing enemy that you must gang up on them? I think not little brothers." He said as I feel calmness from his words. The others back away and Link and I walk up to this different Goron. "I am a Goron elder, little Hylians, I am called Gor Coron. Because of certain... circumstances, I must lead the Goron tribe in place of Darbus, our tribal patriarch. Tell me little Hylians, do you come from the village below?" Gor Coron asked.
"Yes," Link said
"You have done well to come this far. You are strong... for a Hylian... however... The mines beyond are sacred to my tribe. Outsiders are not allowed, unless..." Gor Coron looks Link over, Link kept a firm posture. Gor Coron smiles, "I could make an exception... but you would have to beat me in a contest of power. Are you willing to try that, little Hylian?"
"I am," Link said and they both walk over to the ring and they get ready to sumo wrestle.
"You can do it, Link!" I cheer as the other Gorons glare at me and I quickly stop. They begin their contest of strength. Gor Coron gets a good hold on link and almost pushes him off the edge, but just before Link falls he knocks Gor Coron back and gets behind him then knocks him out of the ring.
"Young warrior... you have a strong will... and sharp eyes. Fine traits, want to put them to the test?" he asked as Link walks over and helps him to his feet. "You have seen it, I would bet... the mountain, erupting without pause... When the mountain began to rage, all four of us and Darbus, our patriarch, went inside to investigate its anger. We have a treasure that was ensured to us by the spirits, and we must protect it. Do you understand? But the moment Darbus reached out and touched this treasure... everything went wrong. He collapsed... and before our eyes transformed into an unspeakable monster! He began to rage through the mines, trailing ruin behind him... and the eruptions grew more frequent and more severe. We used all of our strength to seal him deep inside the mountain. It... Grieved us to do this to our patriarch... But we had no other choice. I ask this favor of you young warrior... Go to the aid of Darbus! Make no mistake, the spirits have guided us here. On behalf of my entire clan, I ask you for your aid!" He asked,
"If we can help, we will." Link said,
"And what of this young girl... a human no less." He looks at me, "She is even smaller than you... I don't see what help she could be"
"You know I can hear everything you're saying." I said... but he had a point... I have Link's slingshot but that only stuns monsters...
"She's under my guard, wherever I go, she goes." he said,
"Ah! So you are her protector." Gor Coron said,
"In a manner of speaking." Link said,
"Let the young warrior and his companion pass." he said and the other Gorons move out of the way of the entrance of the mines. "The mines are full of traps, all placed to protect the treasure from thieves. And worse than traps... Since the eruptions began, foul creatures of all shapes have settled into every corner of the mines. Getting to the patriarch won't be easy. I would prepare your blade young warrior."
"Thanks for the warning, we'll be careful. Let's go Pura." Link said and we head into the mines.