Sin of Sheikari Chapter 8
8: Fire Temple
It was something that grew over time, a true friendship. What started as a feeling in the heart became even stronger over time. The passion of friendship would soon blossom into a righteous power. Through it, one would know which way to go.
Of course, upon reaching the barren, charred landscape of Death Mountain, one couldn’t be blamed for wanting to turn back. None could recount a time in history where its rugged peaks didn’t pierce the sky like jagged teeth, and even the most obsessive scholars refused to give an estimate of its actual age.
The ring of ashen clouds circled its peak like a fading halo, the heat waves making it ripple in and out of sight. Molten rivers of lava carved their way down the slopes, shaping a scene that was equal parts shimmering and unforgiving.
For, if someone lingered just a little too long, they might find themselves experiencing a rain storm of fire for the first – and possible last – time in their lives. For the Goron race, it had always stood as a perfect fortress, as much a symbol of power as their Goron Ruby.
Of course, only the Gorons could naturally withstand the unfathomably hot innards of the volcano. Even the bravest soldiers didn’t dare venture into its crater, as they knew they’d nearly burst into flames the second they stepped forth from the caverns nestled within the mountain.
And yet, against any imminent threat of mortal peril, Zelda found herself at the center of that very crater. For, her next mission was to find and awaken the Ancient Sage of Fire, her task already appearing much more daunting than the last.
Aside from the Temple of Light, the Fire Temple was perhaps the most treacherous to reach and hardest to find even if someone knew its exact location. A volcano had many holes and chasms, after all, and it wasn’t as if each one led to solid ground.
Zelda peered down the pit that led to the Fire Temple, thankful she’d at least managed to find its entrance before her surroundings began to put a strain on her magic. She tried to maintain her focus on what she needed to do, but the shadow’s words still managed to reach her, even here.
“You are not Sheikah.”
Fortunately, the heat hadn’t entirely scorched her sense of dread. It lingered, as if she’d soon be forced to endure its weight as she did before, but it was still…manageable. Still, the spectre’s accusation remained in the back of her mind, its hollow, horrid voice clinging to her like a stench.
And the voice had been right, after all. She wasn’t truly a member of the Sheikah clan, though it was unclear how the shadow knew this. Zelda sighed. There wasn’t time. She had to keep moving.
The heat of the volcano crater should have reduced her to ashes by now, but she’d made preparations before she’d left. The magic she infused in her tunic would keep her safe while exploring the depths of Death Mountain. Yet, she’d have to act quickly and avoid danger as much as possible if she sought to maintain its blessing.
A sweltering breeze that felt like she’d opened a hundred ovens all at once rushed past her nose as she descended down the ladder. Upon reaching the bottom, she faced a long corridor that led into the temple proper.
It was faint, but she swore she could hear the distant sound of chanting deep within. Whatever it was, she didn’t recognize its source, and it seemed far off. Hopefully, it wouldn’t come between her and what she needed to accomplish.
Inside the entrance foyer, she began to climb a stairway that led up to three statues, each with a flame blazing in its open mouth. Fire Keese hovered overhead, and the bat-like monsters would soon descend upon Zelda if she didn’t move quickly. She noticed the path split where the statues stood and took in a deep breath.
One of the Fire Keese seemed to flutter for a moment before turning to face her direction. Zelda’s body tensed up. She’d been spotted. She darted to her left as the creature swooped down toward her, making her way for the iron door at the other end.
Zelda barely registered she’d closed it behind her, thinking only of escaping the annoyance that was now trapped in the previous room. Before her, across a pool of lava, rested a colossal door with a flame symbol carved into its surface, and Zelda let out the breath she’d been holding. Maybe it wouldn’t be all that difficult after all.
The Hero of Time would have had to find a way to cross the lava pool using his wits, strength, and courage. Luckily, Zelda had a much easier way to get across.
She closed her eyes, calling to the Goddess Farore, asking for a guiding wind to send her to a new destination. Within seconds, her body was covered in a green light as she flew across the room. She reached out to open the door when a great booming voice startled her.
“I THINK NOT!”
Zelda barely had time to dodge the massive hammer as it fell upon her from behind. She lost her balance, rolling until she slipped over the edge of the platform, one hand saving her from plunging into the lake of fire below. She dangled near-helplessly as her assailant leered down at her, and her eyes widened as he came into view.
It was a Goron!
“TRESPASSER!” The Goron was a hulking figure, as if a boulder was sculpted into the form of a man and given life. From his large grey beard with an unruly mane of long, bushy hair to match, Zelda could tell he was an elder among the Goron tribe. He pointed a rocky finger at her, the veins on his arm bulging like the fissures that signalled an impending rock fall. “You come to this sacred place uninvited!”
“Please! I mean no harm!” Zelda begged as she desperately tried to think of a way to get back up. “I just need to get through the door!”
“LIES!” the Goron huffed, raising his hammer. “I will not let you harm my people or enter that wicked dragon’s resting place!”
Zelda’s brow furrowed. Wicked dragon? Then, she recalled her lessons about the ancient myths of the realm. A wicked dragon called Volvagia was said to have once feasted upon the Gorons, and it was only defeated thanks to the Hero of the Gorons.
Zelda gritted her teeth. Her grip on the ledge would soon give out, and it didn’t seem like her assailant could be convinced she wasn’t a threat. She slowly exhaled, sensing that the Goron was lifting his hammer once again. It was now or never. She launched herself into the air, unsheathing her kodachi as if preparing to strike.
“I call upon the Goddess Farore…”
The Goron was certain he was going to successfully crush Zelda beneath his hammer, yet he merely swiped through her as if she were a mirage. Zelda’s form materialized back on the other side of the lava pit, coughing and gasping for air.
“Please!” she rasped. “I am not your enemy!”
The Goron grunted in confusion, whipping his head around before his beady eyes finally found Zelda, his face twisting in rage.
“I am Darunia, Big Boss of the Gorons!” he shouted, pounding his chest and setting his enormous chin. “You will not enter this chamber! It is forbidden!”
Zelda finally managed to stand, suddenly feeling much more drained than she had before. The heat was getting to her. The more she used magic in this place, the more precarious her predicament would become.
“Yes, you are Darunia,” Zelda sighed in agreement. “You are the leader of the Gorons, and you are the sworn brother of the King of Hyrule. I am Sheik, a member of the Sheikah clan sworn to protect the royal family.”
She’d been certain this still wouldn’t convince him, yet Darunia’s expression faltered, his rage settling into suspicion. “I thought the Sheikah were gone.”
Zelda nodded. “Most of us are now. Only myself and Impa remain.”
Darunia brought his hammer down in front of him, leaning on it like a cane, and Zelda allowed herself to relax her shoulders. Perhaps she’d get through to him yet! “Are your people safe?”
Darunia nodded rather forcefully. “I’ve been clearing out the temple for some time, in case we ever needed a place to hide. Ganondorf’s been threatening to wage war on our city for quite some time now.”
Zelda scoffed. “He wages war on anything that breathes, even his own shadow.”
Darunia guffawed, nearly tumbling over his hammer and barreling into the lava pit. “I like your spunk, kid! I was wrong! You’re not bad at all!”
Zelda nodded and took a step forward. “Please. I need to get into the room behind you. I must speak to the Ancient Sage of this temple. With his help, I can defeat Ganondorf.”
Darunia stroked his stiff gray beard, considering her words. “Fine! On one condition. When you get ready to fight Ganondorf, give us all a call. We’ll join you. We’ve been dealing with that guy long enough.”
