The walk from the smithy's wasn't too bad, not nearly as much as the trip upward. Link found that the ground all the way forward was flat and even, all that was really intrusive was the snow that went past his ankles. At the very least he didn't have to climb upward in such conditions. Shivering, he felt the oppressive atmosphere grow with each step, clearly the heart of the curse growing slowly closer.
Tatl was just relieved they were almost there. Though she never talked about it, she also had the same worry as Link, if the Gorons were too far away to reach in time. It was still a lot more of a trip than to the South, but maybe they'd find a faster way down the road.
It was as Zubora said, the Goron Village was very close by! Within just a few minutes, the two rounded the corner and arrived! Granted, there was a lot less to see than expected. The village simply consisted of several large, stone buildings caked with snow that stuck out of the icy ground. Off past the buildings was an edge to the mountain leading to open sky and a sheer drop downward.
Moving into the village properly, Link looked around and didn't spot anyone at all. Tatl poked her head out, taking a look around too, but seeing no one. "I guess they're all inside?" The fairy suggested. "I would be too if I were them…"
"I hope they're all okay. What if the cold got to them?" Link wondered aloud as he slowly walked through the village. It was such a far cry from the Goron City back in Hyrule. There it was built within the mountain, nice and warm, bustling with activity and life, and felt so welcoming. This village was out in the open, cold, dead, and seemed to lack any citizens. Not that Link could blame the Gorons for the state of the village…it was all due to that horrid mask the Skull Kid stole…
"If that one other Goron back there was okay, these ones are probably fine too." Tatl pointed out but understanding Link's worry. As the two went along, she spotted a figure shivering by the largest building in the village. "There!" She exclaimed, pointing it out. "I think that's a Goron!"
Quickly going to where Tatl was pointing, Link saw the figure as well. As he got closer, he saw it was indeed a Goron, shivering in the cold! This Goron turned to Link and Tatl, eyes widening at the sight. "Huh? What? A human child? What are you doing all the way up here?" He asked, teeth chattering lightly. "Don't you know it's so very dangerous on this mountain these days?"
"We're aware." Link answered simply. "I need to talk to the Gorons inside." He bluntly went on, glancing to the door and seeing no real means of opening it. "How do I get in?" Hopefully he was even allowed to go in…
The Goron shook his head. "Oh, humans can't get in on their own! Only Gorons can open this door, but I can only let other Gorons in right now. The Goron Shrine here is very sacred, and the Gorons in there will be blasted with the cold if I open the door. So, I can only open it for emergencies!"
"This is an emergency, though!" Tatl exclaimed, flying out of Link's tunic. "Look, there's a Temple up here, right? I'm sure it's under some kind of curse, isn't it? Also, you've got a Goron starving back near the smithy's place!"
"What? A starving Goron? I can't enter the building…I have to keep guard. But if someone comes out, I'll tell them what happened!" The gatekeeper lightly argued. "And you mean the Snowhead Temple? Yes, something weird is going on with it, and our hero, Darmani III, went to try and help a few days ago, but…he perished!" The Goron sniffled, whether from the cold or grief, it was hard to tell. "We just finished making a grave for him, too! Oh, poor Darmani…!"
Oh, that was awful…! The Gorons lost their hero? What was worse was that apparently he died multiple days ago, so no matter what Link did, preventing this death was impossible! "I'm sorry you lost someone important, but we still need to get in." Link insisted, hoping the softer words might sway the Goron.
Unfortunately, the Goron kept sniffling and even began to sob! It seemed he just didn't hear a word that Link had even said! Before the Hylian could repeat himself, a large shadow passed over him, and he looked up. Flying by, to his shock, was Kaepora Gaebora! The massive owl flew past the three at the ground and towards the area where the mountain dropped off.
"Hey, maybe he can be helpful. This guy sure won't be…" Tatl whispered up to Link as the Goron kept sniffling and praying under his breath.
Link still had no idea if this owl was the same one he met in Hyrule somehow or some other entity…but he supposed he'd kick himself if he didn't exhaust all his options. "We can try." The boy said simply, leaving the gatekeeper Goron to his misery as he went towards where the avian being flew to.
The boy and fairy stared on as they neared the mountain edge. As it turned out, the ground wasn't visible at all, just clouds, the sky beyond, and mist. At least that's how it should have been. Not far from the edge was a strange floating chunk of ice with an opening in it, like a cave. It was just in the open air, despite how blatantly impossible that was! Granted, it was hardly the oddest sight that either of them had seen. Though, there was one more thing to see far, far beyond that chunk of ice.
A long way away, off to the East, was a massive tower. It broke through the clouds like some sort of growth, the structure brown and larger than any building the two had ever seen before! Much larger than the Clock Tower, and Link could tell it dwarfed Hyrule Castle with ease! On top of that, the two felt sick to their stomachs as they looked at the tower. Despite how far away it was, it seemed to be looming right over them, oppressing the two with its mere existence regardless of its distance.
Link knew that one compass direction had to hold the home of the Zoras, and he couldn't imagine them living in a place like that, so they surely lived to the West. With that in mind…just what was wrong with the East? Just looking at one of its structures filled him with a revolting dread so intense, he barely even noticed how cold it was anymore. And, knowing his luck, something told him he'd have to venture into that tower at some point…
Tatl felt unusual too, a sickened sensation in her stomach as she gazed at the tower. Being a fairy, she sensed the sort of vague wrongness that resonated from that structure more than Link could. Whatever the story was behind that tower, it couldn't be a happy one. She had heard so many awful tales about Ikana, that she never dared venture there…but did what she see meant the legend of the Stone Tower was actually real…?
"Hoo! Up here, you two!" A familiar voice called, snapping the boy and fairy out of their thoughts.
As it turned out, the two had been so distracted that they didn't realize the massive owl was right above them, perched on one of two wooden posts built into the ground. He gazed down at the pair with a curious and almost amused look. "Oh, right…" Tatl murmured, snapping out of her minor trance. "What are you doing up here anyway?"
"Me? Why, keeping an eye on the two of you, of course!" The owl replied, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "I was right about you, fairy child." He went on, looking to Link and not seeming to notice the boy clutching his fists. "You've impressed me, and I believe you'll free the land of its fate in due time! Hoo!"
"What makes you think that? I've made so little progress." Link pointed out, having felt some annoyance as he was referred to as 'fairy child'. It just got under his skin, and he couldn't quite explain why. Maybe it just reminded him of Navi, rather than making him think of Tatl…
Kaepora Gaebora turned his head upside down, so his eyebrows became a fake mustache, and the spots on his chin became false eyes. "Ah, but you made it to the swamp, and you climbed this mountain! Is that not progress? It certainly shows strength! Alas, the road ahead is far more challenging, and the obstacles numerous!"
Tatl scoffed. "Is that all you came up here to tell us? That things will just get harder? That's not helpful, you know!" The fairy snapped, really not liking this owl at all…
It seemed the fairy's words didn't deter the massive bird, as he let out a hooting laugher for a few moments. "Encouragement is good for you; don't you know that? As are warnings. And here is another…the Gorons are in far more trouble than they seem. If this goes on, the mountain will grow colder and colder…up until no living being can survive!"
"Can you help us, then? Is there a cursed Temple here? Is it close by?" Link asked, remembering why he went over to talk to Kaepora Gaebora in the first place. He was hoping the owl would have some answers for him.
Turning his head upside up again, the large bird hooted again. "There is! Snowhead Temple lies close by, but you'll need some help getting there. In fact, you'll need a special item that is held within Lone Peak Shrine." He raised a wing, using it to point to the floating rock.
"And how are we supposed to get there?! I mean I can, so is this item small enough for me to lift?" Tatl asked, not able to carry too much weight. Some grapes are fine, but anything much larger than that was no deal.
"It's simple! I will fly across the gap and open the way! I assure you it's very much possible!" Kaepora Gaebora responded, as if it were really so simple. "I will warn you to use your eyes and let Courage guide you. It may seem scary or impossible, but I assure you that I must be trusted! Are you ready to proceed?"
Link didn't exactly see much choice. He never liked Kaepora Gaebora much, whether this was truly the one from Hyrule or a copy…but the Hylian had no reason to distrust him either. "Okay, I'm ready." The boy said simply, just wanting to get this over with.
Kaepora Gaebora clearly approved, letting out another hooting laughter. "So full of Courage, though I'd expect nothing less! Prepare yourself and keep your eyes sharp!" With that, the owl started to take off into the air. Slowly, he flew towards Lone Peak Shrine, seeming to really shake his wings more than usual. As he did this, feathers notably dropped from the owl, falling downward slowly.
Approaching the edge, Link kept his eyes sharp as he was told, trying to see what it was that Kaepora Gaebora wanted him to witness. After a few moments, he realized what was going on, his eyes widening a bit as he saw what the owl had meant. As the feathers fell, a few simply stopped in midair! They came to a stop as if resting on something, just floating in front of his eyes!
But…he had encountered something like this before…things that weren't what they seemed. It reminded him of the Lens of Truth and how it could uncover things visible and invisible alike. In his head, he heard the beating of drums and quickly shook those thoughts away.
"Invisible…platforms?!" Tatl gasped out, reaching the same conclusion Link did. "Floating invisible platforms?! Is that even possible?!" She exclaimed, floating over to one of the feathers. Slowly, she descended next to it, flinching as she felt herself land on a solid surface! It was very surreal, feeling something solid beneath her feet, but looking down and seeing nothing but open sky. Turning back to Link, she started to really worry. "Uh, are you sure you want to do this…?" There was no telling how much weight these platforms could take, or how big they were. What if he jumped short of one or overshot by mistake?
It wasn't as if Link had a choice but to risk his life, a predicament he found himself in far more often than most other people. He watched as Kaepora Gaebora flew past the Lone Peak Shrine and off into the distance, then back down to where Tatl was. The boy openly steadied himself to run and jump, prompting Tatl to float out of the way.
Trying to just not think about the situation, Link sprinted to the edge and leapt…landing right next to the first feather. Like with Tatl, things felt horribly surreal for him as he stared down at his feet that were firmly planted on what appeared to be open air. "Just have to keep moving, it's fine." He said both to himself and to Tatl, who seemed pretty concerned for his safety.
Looking again, Link saw about six more feathers between where he was and the shrine. Taking a deep breath, he slowly shuffled his feet forward, extending a leg every second or two to feel out for the platform's edge. His heart practically leapt out of his chest when his foot hit open air, and he took a step back. With another deep breath, he leapt to the next feather, aiming to land right next to it.
Tatl just watched with heavy worry as Link slowly went from one platform to the next. She didn't want to say anything or make any sound to break his concentration. One bad move and that was it…he was finished. At most maybe he could play the Song of Time as he fell, but that was a gamble she didn't want to see play out.
So, the fairy held her breath as Link slowly moved forward, silently urging the boy to be careful. Despite her trying to be quiet, she let out a startled scream as Link leapt to a platform and staggered a bit and teetering at the invisible edge. Thankfully, he managed to catch himself, taking a step back and panting heavily as he gained his footing. Despite this, even with his heavy breathing, his face was still somehow like a statue's in a manner that really disturbed Tatl. Even now, after almost plummeting to his death, he still showed no emotion?!
Flying in front of Link's face, Tatl spoke up. "Giants abound, are you okay?! You almost fell there!" Honestly, she was checking on him sincerely…but also partly trying to provoke some sort of emotion out of him. Relief, fear…something…anything…
Link had very nearly yelled out himself when he nearly fell, but only just managed to keep composed. Still, he couldn't keep himself from panting a bit, all the air in his body seeming to have left him in an instant as he nearly went over the edge. He wasn't very surprised by Tatl's clear worry. Even when she first met him and despised him openly, she surely wouldn't want him plummeting to his death.
…Maybe.
"I'm okay. Almost there, just one more platform." The Hylian replied, again speaking both to himself and to Tatl. Naturally, he was terrified at the moment, but just refused to show it. After catching his breath, he leapt to the final platform and then quickly to the entrance to the Lone Peak Shrine.
Letting out a relieved breath, Tatl landed on Link's shoulder. "I don't think I could've done that." She admitted, having felt freaked out by just standing on an invisible platform despite her ability to fly if she stepped off of it. "Doesn't anything freak you out?" Once more, the fairy kept thinking about how totally abnormal Link was. Something had to have happened to him in the past. People weren't just born like this…right?
Of course, Link dismissed her words, especially since she once more seemed to assume that because he showed no emotions that he felt no emotions. "Don't worry about it." Was all he said in response, enticing a sigh from the fairy as he stepped into the entrance he risked his life to reach.
The inside of the Lone Peak Shrine was very small and very simple. I consisted of only a single room, and that room had little in it. There was a hole in the ceiling, letting light in above a pedestal about Link's height. On it was a single, very familiar object. Link couldn't believe his eyes, his blood going cold as he slowly approached. It couldn't be…what was something like this doing here?!
Yet, as he picked up the object, he couldn't deny what it was: The Lens of Truth.
Or, at least, it was some sort of copy. He turned the purple magnifying glass in his hand, hearing the hammering drums in his mind once more. The boy felt white, decayed hands groping at his legs and arms, and he smelled the breath of a rotten, decaying monster.
Mistaking his pause for one of confusion or wonderment, Tatl floated off of Link's shoulder and took a closer look at the object. "What the heck is this thing? A big, fancy magnifying glass?"
Link didn't really realize Tatl spoke at first, the sharp image of a red eye piercing his mind. He found it hard to breath, and the beating of drums grew increasingly frantic with each passing moment. The boy closed his eyes for a few seconds before opening them again, trying to force himself to calm down…or at least enough to speak.
It was only after this did the boy realize what Tatl said to him. "Apparently. It must have some use." He said, going with the natural instinct of pretending not to know what the object is or what it does. Slowly, heart slamming against his ribcage, he raised the Lens of Truth to his face to take a look. The last thing he wanted was to use this object again, but apparently he had no choice.
It almost felt like Termina itself was trying to torture him. He kept seeing familiar faces around Clock Town, in the swamp, and even in the mountains if Gorons in general were factored in. The Giants refused to remain free, ensuring that the boy would have to repeat his three day Cycle over and over and over again. Now he was clutching an object directly tied into the worst experience he ever had in his life, which was saying a lot given the horrors he faced on his first quest. The ordeal in that Well and in the Shadow Temple had been so bad that he hadn't been able to step foot within Kakariko Village a single time without having a breakdown. Heck, even after two years, he could barely tolerate looking at Impa. The land itself seemed to just be toying with the boy, taunting him in any way it could as if it were designed just for his despair…
It took all of Link's energy not to show fear and he was barely able to stop himself from just breaking down in tears as he peered through the Lens of Truth. He fully expected to see a massive red eye looking back at him…but he saw nothing at all instead. He gazed about the room; his throat tightened as his breath stopped but…there was nothing there. No abominations anywhere as he expected and feared…
"Well? What happened?! Can you see anything weird?" Tatl asked, still oblivious to Link's internal panic. She had no idea what the weird magnifying glass could do, so she was just guessing it'd help Link see something.
The Hylian shook his head, putting the Lens of Truth down. He still had to wonder why this thing was here at all. Combined with the Mask of Truth, it once more caused him to ponder about if any Sheikah were in Termina. If Dekus, Gorons, and Zoras were in this world, it wouldn't be that unusual for the Sheikah to be present too. It was just odd, as no one had mentioned the race, and he saw no actual Sheikah anywhere…
"No, but I have an idea." Link said, walking towards the shrine exit, Tatl following him. As he got to the edge of the entrance, he slowly raised the Lens of Truth again. Clearly, his hunch was right as floating stone platforms suddenly became visible to him. It was a good thing, too, since the feathers that had rested on them had blown away since the two entered the Lone Peak Shrine.
"Wait, can you see the platforms with that thing?" Tatl asked, floating by Link's head to try and peek through it. He shifted it a bit so the fairy could look as well, her eyes widening as the platforms became visible to her. "Oh, wow! That's actually pretty cool!" She lightly praised. "I wonder what other invisible things are around Termina…but who is that guy over at the mountain…?" The fairy spotted a large figure near where they started, but the distance and snowfall made it hard to make out who or what it was.
What? Guy? Link looked through the lens more carefully at that. He was paying so much attention to the platforms that he hadn't noticed the figure standing beyond them. His heart started to drop, and his blood went cold as he lowered the Lens of Truth and saw the figure vanish. What was he seeing with the lens, then? A monster? A spirit or ghost of some sort? He couldn't imagine anyone alive and well could be invisible like that…
"I don't know, but let's be careful. It only appears through the lens, after all." Link responded, not sure of the figure's intentions, if it had any. Raising the Lens of Truth again, the Hylian slowly started to go back over the platforms again, the return trip naturally far easier. Every time he got to another platform, though, Link would look at the figure once more.
It never moved from its spot, just standing there, and staring off towards the Lone Peak Shrine. Though that wasn't even entirely accurate, as when Link got closer, he saw the figure was floating! He started to make out other details as well with each platform he hopped across. The figure turned out to be a Goron, or what seemed to be the spirit of one. It had grey skin, and its legs faded away before they hit the ground, making the entity float. There were tattoos on its arms, and what seemed to be a large, fatal scar along its belly.
Link stopped at the last platform, staring at the Goron's spirit, who stared right back at him. Tatl, meanwhile, floated above Link's head, looking at the empty space where she remembered the figure what. "What is it? What do you see? A person? A monster?" The fairy asked, feeling nervous and paranoid that someone or something was in front of her that could see her, but not vice versa.
"A Goron." Link responded, basically whispering out of nervousness that the spirit could see him. "Or the ghost of one. It's all grey, and it doesn't have legs." He said, staring at the unusual figure through the Lens of Truth.
That made Tatl shiver a bit, grimacing at the description. "That's creepy! First that dancing guy and now this?! Enough of the ghosts!" The fairy complained, wondering of something was just up with Northern Termina given how many spirits they've come across…
Without warning, the Goron's spirit turned to look Link directly in the eyes, causing him to flinch. "You there, boy…" The ghost rumbled, his voice naturally deep and intimidating. "Is it…possible that you can see me? Can you hear me?" He asked, his tone hopeful and even a bit sad.
Link quickly realized that he was being a bit foolish being so scared of this spirit before. Gorons had always been some of the nicest people he had ever met in his life. Even when dead, surely a member of said race would be kind and not at all hostile. So, he decided to give the spirit a chance. "…Yes, I can see you." The Hylian responded after a moment of pause. "Why are you here? Who are you?" That one Goron had mentioned a fallen hero…could this be him, maybe?
"I will explain later on. Please, for now, you must follow me." The spirit said. Without waiting for Link to respond, the Goron's ghost turned and started to float away, heading in the direction of the smithies.
The Hylian, not concerned about the spirit's intentions, leapt from the platform to the main mountain and started to follow after the spirit, Lens of Truth in position at all times as not to lose the ghost.
"Hey! What's going on?!" Tatl asked, not having been looking through the lens so having been unable to see or hear the Goron's ghost. "Don't tell me you're following that thing! Is that really a good idea?!" She went on, having a pretty good guess at Link's intentions…
"He told me to." Link responded simply, continuing to follow the deceased Goron. "Have you ever met a mean Goron?" He asked with sincerity.
Tatl thought about that…and quickly drew a blank. Granted, she never encountered many Gorons, but all the ones she did see or talk to were very nice and polite. "Well…no…but it's still a spirit!"
"So was Kamaro." The boy pointed out. While a tad annoying and eccentric, the dancing spirit wasn't mean or anything like that. "I think this might be the hero, Darmani III, that other Goron talked about." Link went on to explain.
The fairy quickly realized what Link was planning here and couldn't find fault with it. "So, he'd know more about the Temple and how to get there!" She exclaimed, feeling it was a good idea. "Okay, fine, but just be careful of it attacking you or whatever, okay?"
Was that…concern? No, surely not. Link quickly shook the thought away, pursing the Goron along with Tatl. They went out of the Goron Village, past the shivering, starving Goron that didn't seem to notice them, and even past where the smithies lived. The spirit lead the two to the wall near the cottage, and it was only with the Lens of Truth did Link see that there were metal railings leading upward, which was good as the Goron's spirit floated up to the top.
This would be a bit awkward with one hand, but Link stated his climb up the wall. He held back a wince; the metal very painful against his palm as he went up the railings slowly. Though he looked, he wasn't able to find gloves at Clock Town, so he had to deal with his hands being bare as he went up the mountain. It was a miracle all his fingers still worked, really.
Tatl was a bit weirded out, watching Link climb, from her perspective, up nothing as he went upward. She could only assume some sort of ladder or something that was normally invisible allowed him to do this. All she could really do was watch him go up, floating along him slowly as they got closer and closer to the top.
Before long, Link was able to get to the top of the wall, burying his stinging hand underneath his opposite armpit to try and warm it up. Looking around, he saw there was little up at the wall's top. There was a manmade opening in the mountain wall, and two living Gorons nearby it. Or, at least, there was one. One was shivering terribly, while the one next to him seemed frozen solid, and the boy wasn't sure if he was alive or not.
The living Goron didn't seem to notice him, murmuring to himself as he shivered in the cold and had his eyes wrenched shut. Link decided he'd check in on this Goron after he found out what the spirit wanted. Speaking of which, looking through the Lens, Link saw that the ghost was floating before the entrance, looking to the Hylian expectantly.
"Thank you for following me this far." The spirit said, glancing at the two Gorons nearby with a heavy sadness before looking back to Link. "Please, just a bit further…" With that, he turned and floated into the manmade opening.
"This better be a good idea…" Tatl murmured, floating along with Link as they follow the spirit once more.
Inside the manmade entrance was a cave of sorts, torches lit with unusual blue flames illuminating the area. Yet, there wasn't much to see. Rocky outcrops here and there, but also manmade stone spikes out of the ground, and then a stone slab of sorts in the center. It was at this slab that the spirit awaited Link and Tatl. Getting closer, Link saw the slab had a carving of the Goron's spirit's face on it, with some writing underneath that he naturally couldn't read. Was this a gravestone, then…?
"The soaring one said the one who could see me would be arriving soon..." The ghost said as the boy and fairy approached. "I waited there near the Lone Peak Shrine, and then you came along, braving those invisible platforms. I never knew that the treasure within that place could allow one to see ghosts, yet here you are! Once more, I thank you for following me as I requested."
At this point, Link held the Lens of Truth so that he and Tatl could look through it at the same time, so now the fairy could see and hear the Goron's ghost. "Alright, we've come far enough!" The fairy exclaimed. "Who are you anyway?"
"Ah, I should have introduced myself earlier." The spirit said, not seeming phased by Tatl's attitude. "I am Darmani III, and I am a proud warrior and hero of the Gorons." He introduced, then gave a light, miserable sigh. "At least, I used to be. As I'm sure you've gathered, this is my grave." Darmani went on, gesturing to the stone slab in the middle of the room.
"We heard about you." Link said, seeing that his earlier assumption was correct. "How did you die? Where is the Snowhead Temple?" A bit insensitive to ask so bluntly, that he knew, but he needed the information. Over the last two years, the boy had become increasingly straight to the point regarding things…
Darmani seemed a bit more surprised at Link than at Tatl, staring the boy in the eyes. In a way, they almost looked more dead than the one belonging to the ghost himself. "A demonic entity was rampaging across the mountain and causing a horrible blizzard to disturb our spring. Like a fool, I marched to Snowhead on my own, but this powerful gust came from nowhere and flew me off the edge off a cliff to my death." The spirit buried his eyes in his hand in grief and embarrassment. "I didn't even make it to the Temple before I died! What sort of warrior am I?!"
Tatl actually felt bad for the Goron, if only a bit. He shouldn't have gone alone, but he died trying to help his people. The fairy could be mean, maybe even cruel at times, but even she couldn't hear that sort of situation and feel nothing. "That's awful, but we still need to know where the Temple is. We're trying to go there too and stop this winter and this curse!"
"You two? A boy and a fairy?" Darmani asked, raising his head up properly. "Such a dangerous task…yet you made this far, I suppose…" The spirit mused. "Well, you can't get there on your own. Only Gorons can open the way, and only the Goron Elder can give permission to open this path."
"We tried to get into the village, but the gatekeeper wouldn't let us in." Link explained with a light shake of the head. "We didn't even see the Elder."
Darmani nodded, looking troubled. "I see. It must be to keep the cold out…" Once more, he buried his eyes in his hand. "Oh, my poor people! They're suffering in this bitter cold! Since my death, all I've been able to do was watch! None of them can see nor hear me, so I can't even offer them words of encouragement! Oh, I'd do anything to help them! Anything…!" Again, he raised up his head, staring at Link. "…And that's why I asked you to come up here."
"What do you mean? Why bring me here?" Link asked, not really understanding what Darmani was getting at. Like Tatl, he took felt pity for the Goron Hero. He understood what it was like to see a community in peril, knowing there was nothing to be done to help. Hyrule Castle Town had been destroyed entirely after Ganondorf took it over, and the boy was only able to despair at the destruction and the lives lost…
"That soaring one told me one other thing." The spirit began, his tone a bit more hopeful. "He said you could use magic? Is that true? Can you?" As Link gave a slight nod, Darmani let out a joyous noise. "Thank the Giants! Please, you must use your magic to bring me to life! If you can't do that…at least heal my spirit…allow me to rest so I can stop gazing upon my people's despair…"
Feeling his throat tighten, Link glanced from Darmani's spirit and his grave. Yes, it made sense why he brought the two here. Where else would he be able to bring the dead Goron back to life? Except…he couldn't do that. "I don't have the power to bring back the dead." Link replied flatly, though he really wished he could. "But I can heal you, if you really want me to."
"Yes! Please! I know it's a lot to ask, but if I can't help my people, I wish to at least move on!" The ghost begged, clasping his hands together in a begging gesture. "After that, you can tell the Goron at the gate what you saw and show him the treasure you have! Surely then he'll let you in!"
Withholding a sigh, Link placed the Lens of Truth through his belt and got his Ocarina ready. It wasn't that he was against healing Darmani, it's just…a small part of him was jealous. He knew this would work, and he just wished he could do something like this for himself, that he could just play a simple song and all his woes would melt away…
Bringing the instrument to his lips, Link closed his eyes and slowly played the Song of Healing once more. The soothing notes bounced along the cave walls, as if trying to fill every nook and cranny within the area with its healing powers. Soon, these sounds faded away, the room going dead silent.
In an instant, Darmani appeared before Link and Tatl, the Lens of Truth no longer necessary. The fairy let out a startled noise, but quickly composed herself as the spirit gaped at them in shock. "Did…it work?" Tatl asked, speaking to both Link and Darmani.
"I…can feel it…" The spirit replied, placing his hands on Link's shoulders. To the boy's discomfort, he could actually feel their weight as if they belonged to a living being. "I can feel my sorrows fading…!" He let out a sigh of content. "Young man, I leave the fate of my people onto you. You must shoulder what I couldn't do and save my race! Of that, I beg of you!"
Link stared up at Darmani, shocked at the blatant and forceful request. The dying warrior was dropping all his responsibilities onto a twelve year-old! It reminded him of his fate as the supposed Hero of Time he was meant to be. Before the Hylian could argue or say anything at all, the ghost started to fade away. The spirit melted into sparking lights that floated out of the cave and upwards to the sky. As the last bits of light faded away, the clanking of wood rang out as a mask fell to the floor. It was shaped like a Goron, its eyes staring up lifelessly to the ceiling.
Slowly, Link bent over and picked the mask up and stared at it, realizing right away it was special, just like the Deku Mask. That thought was quickly shoved out of his mind as he thought about Darmani's final words. The ghost shoved his troubles and responsibilities onto someone else and then just…moved on peacefully. Just like that.
Why was it so simple for him?
Link stood before the painting, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. It was a portrait he had seen numerous times as he went through the halls of the castle. For some reason, on this specific day, he stopped to stare at it, a rage boiling in his gut. The painting depicted three majestic, womanly figures amongst the clouds, the Triforce formed between them. It was clearly meant to be the Golden Goddesses in all of their glory.
To Link, though, all he felt was anger as he stared at them. Even after a few months of his quest ending, he still harbored a hateful grudge against those that created Hyrule and placed him on that journey in the first place. For whatever reason, they decided a boy who had lived a peaceful life was the perfect candidate for their plans. And, no matter what, he'd never forgive them.
By pure chance, Zelda was passing through that hall. She saw Link standing there, hair disheveled, heavy shadows under his eyes, and wearing nothing but his green nightgown that went past his knees. His hands were clenched in clear anger, and he was openly glaring at the Golden Goddesses, his mask not having reformed by this point.
Slowly, she approached Link, the boy noticing her on his own, his hands letting go as he glanced away from the Princess. "Link, are you alright?" The young girl asked, knowing full well that he wasn't alright at all.
"I'm fine." Link responded automatically, refusing to look the Princess in the face. He hadn't meant for anyone to see him like this, but he had been so caught up in his emotions…
Zelda wasn't fooled for a moment, gently placing a hand on Link's shoulder, frowning a bit as he flinched. "You still hold a grudge against the Golden Goddesses, don't you?" She asked, the boy's feelings towards the deities never having been much of a secret.
"…I do. I hate them…" Link admitted, unable to help himself. "Why shouldn't I?" While he blamed himself for being unable to stop Ganondorf properly, he still despised the Golden Goddesses for making it his responsibility in the first place.
"Link, you really shouldn't say things like that. Not to just anyone, I mean…" Zelda wasn't about to tell Link he was wrong in his feelings, perfectly understanding why he'd dislike the deities. "Many people idolize and worship them, tanking the Golden Goddesses for their blessings. Hearing that someone despises them…well, that'd make them upset." The Princess was aware that Link didn't fully grasp religious beliefs and practices but wanted to let him know of some basic things at least.
The boy looked over to Zelda, feeling frustrated. "But why? What do the Goddesses do for anyone?"
"We believe that they give us blessings, as I said." Zelda responded, staring into Link's broken blue eyes. "Such as our food or homes. Many people are very thankful to the Golden Goddesses for that."
"They haven't done anything for me." Link pointed out, resentment in his voice. "They left me like this!" He exclaimed, starting to tear up, ashamed on how his emotions spilled out so easily. The Golden Goddesses left him broken, feeling dead, exhausted, afraid…when was he going to get his blessing? He vaguely understood prayer, but he'd never do that to the Golden Goddesses, or any other god, not after what they made him go through…
Frowning with pity in her eyes, Zelda started to slowly lead the sobbing boy back to his room. "I wish I could tell you, Link. You never know, though, a miracle could happen. Let's get you some rest, okay…?"
Yet even after so much time, no such miracle happened. Link still felt dead and empty, and he didn't feel like he'd ever improve. Small things still terrified him, and he felt like such a coward. Red and orange circles, for instance, still filled him with dread, the visage of horrible eyes flooding his mind from such basic shapes…
As he stared at the mask, he recalled how he swore he'd never pray to any gods…but now…his will was starting to falter. Darmani shoving his responsibilities onto Link really disturbed the boy and filled him with an intense dread. He was used to having to save groups of people, or at least trying to, but having someone explicitly saying that their burdens were now his really struck him deep in his heart.
A part of it was that he wondered why he couldn't do that. Why was it that someone else could put such a burden on him and then depart to the afterlife…while Link himself remained with all the hard work and the danger? It just didn't seem fair to him, as childish as that may have been.
He swore he'd never pray to any gods…but now…he had to.
Link closed his eyes, not even sure how to pray. He simply reached out to whoever may be listening. He prayed to the Golden Goddesses, to Hylia, even to the Great Deku Tree and the Four Giants. That's simply how desperate he was, he was willing to reach out any and all positive forces he could think of to help him…to perform a miracle and take this burden off of his shoulders. He wanted Termina, and himself, to be safe and sound. He wanted to be whisked away back to Hyrule, back to those he so deeply cared for. He'd do anything! Anything at all! If only it meant to be saved from his quest…
Yet, when he opened his eyes, nothing had changed.
Tatl watched as Link stared at the Goron Mask, closing his eyes before opening them again. As always, his face gave nothing away, it being as blank as always. Before, she would be yelling at him about wasting time, calling him an idiot or worthless or something. But she couldn't do that anymore. Some snark, maybe, but as she was about to make a snide comment, she saw Link shivering in the cave, sick and defenseless.
With that, the words died in her throat, and she tried again.
"Hey, you okay?" Tatl asked, sincerity bleeding into her tone. "Is that mask like the Deku one? Can it change you?"
This snapped Link out of his desperate thoughts, trying to push down his disappointment. He had no idea why he thought that might actually work. The gods have never done anything for him, so why would they start now? "I was just thinking, that's all." He replied simply. "And this is like the other, I can feel it." There was a sort of energy that Link could sense in the mask as he touched it.
Tatl wanted to ask what Link was thinking about, but she was sure he'd be vague about it…if he even answered at all. That drove her nuts! She so badly wanted to know what was going on in that kid's head! The fairy had never encountered someone like Link…and she desperately wanted to figure him out. He sure wasn't making it easy, though!
"Maybe you should put it on. Being a Goron could be really handy! They get cold, yeah, but not nearly as easily as you humans!" The fairy pointed out. "Go on, try it!"
Link was still confused as to why Tatl was starting to be nice to him, but he brushed it off. Either way, she was right. Gorons were strong and durable, so being able to become one would be immensely helpful. On top of that, he had to be one in order to get to Snowhead anyway, since only Gorons could enter the village buildings at the moment.
Taking a silent, deep breath, Link turned the Goron Mask around and lifted it to his face…
A/N: So, there was a change of plans. Initially, I was going to make this chapter go all the way to Link entering Snowhead along with getting Don Gero's Mask. But, as you can see, things took longer than I thought just to get the Goron Mask. The chapter would possibly double in length if I wrote all the way to Snowhead, so I decided to just cut it here. Next time will surely be up to the Temple, though.