A day had passed since Saria had sacrificed her life to give Link more power, and the Hylian wasn't taking it well. He had taken to staying in Saria's house, and sitting on her bed, refusing to let anyone enter. None of the Kokiri knew how to approach him, the boy becoming really sullen and irate. Mido had approached him to talk, and Link had practically bitten his head off. The green hatted boy was still brooding over the loss of his best friend. Navi frowned and sat upon Link's left shoulder.

"Hey," she said, softly but firmly. "Stop this nonsense at once! Saria wouldn't want you to be like this. Like it or not, you have to save Hyrule. You're the only one who-"

She was cut off by a low growl, looking up to see the Hylian glaring daggers at her.

Shut up, Navi...

Navi opened her mouth to speak, but Link got in first.

"I just lost my best friend..." he said through clenched teeth. "Ganondorf... damn it! He turned her against me, and forced us to fight. I could have declined. I could have just let her kill me, but no! Due to this damned destiny of mine, I am the one who must save the world."

Link's eyes narrowed, an angry scowl appearing on his lips.

"I'm sick of it," he snarled. "I'm sick of it all. Why must I be the one to save everybody? Why must I put my life on the line every time? Why must I suffer, all because this is thrown on my shoulders by those sadistic bitch goddesses--"

SMACK! The loud sound echoed throughout the house. Link gaped at Navi in surprise.

...she... I got slapped... by my own fairy?

The fairy scowled, her eyes narrowing, her hand still in the same spot it ended up in after slapping the boy's face.

"How dare you..." she hissed. "Do you think Saria would be proud of you right now, hearing such words being spoken? She must be disgusted!"

Link's eyes filled with tears and he lifted his hand to his red cheek, rubbing it to dull the pain, trying to choke back a sob, but in vain. Once more, his emotions cascaded, and at once, Navi felt somewhat guilty.

"I'm sorry..." she said softly, flying in front of the boy's face. "I'm sorry I was so harsh on you. You did just lose possibly the most important person to you... but you are going to need to continue this quest. You're our only hope. This world needs you to defend it from the Evil King! I'm not asking you to forget Saria, but just don't grieve like this."

Link opened his mouth to speak, but Navi cut him off.

"Saria will always be a part of you," she said comfortingly, giving a soft smile. "Think of it this way... she isn't dead, but she's actually now a part of you. She cared and trusted you so much, that she willingly gave up her form, and transferred her spirit into you."

Sniffling, Link gave his own smile. It was a sad one, but a smile nonetheless.

"It still hurts..." he mumbled. "...and I can't help but desire to avenge her."

Navi flew closer to the boy.

"Well..." she answered. "Just keep your anger bottled up, and unleash it on Ganondork."

Despite his feelings of grief, Link suddenly began laughing. It was so unexpected, his laughter brought the curious Kokiri folk to look inside the house. Stopping his laughter, Link let out a sigh.

"Thank you, Navi..." he began, with a soft sigh. "Thanks for smacking some sense into me."

The fairy just grinned and turned, blinking at the rest of the Kokiri, many of whom jumped and went back to their business. However, one got up the nerve to enter Saria's house. Despite Link's attitude towards him earlier, Mido still had the need to speak to the Hylian..

"I'm sorry for intruding," he said softly. "But Mr. Deku Tree told me everything, about what happened. I'd like you to do something for me."

Glancing at the Kokiri through slowly drying tears, Link nodded slowly. Mido softly clapped a hand on Link's shoulder, and stared into the other male's eyes, his own eyes showing a burning fire within them.

"For all of us in the forest," he began. "Make that evil bastard pay."

Link nodded, before holding his hand out in front of him. Knowing exactly what the Hylian was doing, Mido clasped it between both hands, and lowered his head to them, Link following suit a moment later. Having made a Kokiri Promise, the Hylian stared back into Mido's eyes, his own inner fire burning more fiercely.

"I will..." he mumbled. "I'm going to destroy him once and for all."

Hands released, Link stood and walked to the door, glancing back inside at the Kokiri male, who made to follow him.

"I'm going home..." the hero said. "...to prepare for my journey."

Leaving Saria's house, Link returned to his own, paying little attention to the other Kokiri, all who were watching him in curiosity. As he went inside, he turned his head back, noticing Mido gathering the other Kokiri around, preparing them for what was to come. With a nod down to the Kokiri leader, he entered his house, and reached for his heat-resistant tunic. Placing it on, he gave a soft sigh, before heading back outside. As he glanced down from his balcony, he noticed the Kokiri were all waiting for him. Mido gave a small smile and nodded up at him.

"Saria... is gone..." the blond began, waiting for the surprised gasps to fade before continuing. "She was possessed... by someone who is threatening the world, but... she is a part of me, and now... I must leave this forest once again. I must protect the world... I shall keep it safe... I will triumph over this evil... and when I return... Saria's memory shall live on. We will celebrate her life. For this forest, I will avenge Saria!"

The Kokiri all began to applaud, many of them cheering out Link's name. The Hylian smiled and took out his Ocarina. Placing it to his lips, he played the Bolero of the Flames. The Kokiri had quietened, listening to the strange song. Opening his eyes as he finished, Link kept his glance on his forest friends, as red sparkles surrounded him, and carried him away.

The heat was more intense than the boy remembered. Then again, it had been five years since he'd been in the crater of Death Mountain. Navi yelped as a flare shot up near her.

"The evil here is worse than I thought!" she exclaimed. "I'm glad the power of your tunic is passed on to me, otherwise, I'd be a toasty fairy."

Link gave a slight grin, before turning to the small cave that contained the ladder that went down to the entrance of the Temple of Flames. Giving a sigh, he noticed it was closed off.

Great... just great! How are we going to get in there now?

Link cast a questioning glance to Navi. The fairy shook her head, glancing around. She had absolutely no idea how to even enter the temple either. Suddenly, she spotted something.

"Up there, Link!" she called out. "I can see a switch!"

Link glanced up to where his partner was pointing. Sure enough, there was an eye switch. Most of it was hidden by rock and smoke, but there was a small part of it visible. Taking out his bow, the Hylian pulled an arrow out of his quiver, and fired it at the switch. The eye closed, and the strange doorway began to open. Link didn't waste any time. He ran into the small cave and glanced at the ladder. Slowly, he clambered onto it, but as soon as his hands touched the rungs, he let out a scream of pain, a loud sizzling sound being emanated.

"Yeowwch!" he screamed. "HOT! HOT! HOT!"

Suddenly, he slipped from the ladder and plummeted to the ground beneath him, landing with a thud. A sickening crack caused Navi to flinch. Gritting his teeth, Link got to his feet, but was cradling his right arm.

"Damn it!" he hissed, tears of pain welling in his eyes. "I've gone and broken my arm! Add this to the list of things to slaughter Ganondorf for at the end of this journey."

Cringing, Navi flew down to her Hylian friend.

"Are you going to be okay?" she asked, concerned. "I don't think you'll be able to use that arm for a while."

Link forced a smile, even though the pain was intense. Giving a nod, he clutched tighter at his arm as it throbbed with more pain.

"I'll be fine, Navi..." he said, forcing away the tears. "Once I'm done here, I'll visit the Great Fairy. She'll be able to heal this in no time at all."

Nodding, the fairy gave a slight smile. It was true. The Great Fairy could heal almost anything in an instant.

"Wait!" Navi suddenly cried. "I can help! I may not be able to completely heal your injury, but I can alleviate a fair deal of your pain. It's not perfect, but I think it could help. Hold still for a moment... this won't take long."

Suddenly, Navi began glowing a strange golden aura, her eyes closing as she concentrated. After a few moments passed, Link was ensnared within the same golden aura as Navi. Suddenly, his arm was no longer in as much pain as it was before. In fact, it wasn't too noticable. The aura fading, Navi opened her eyes, a sated look in them.

"That took a bit out of me..." she panted. "But I'll be fine. I'm new at this all, so yeah..."

Link smiled sincerely, nodding his head.

"Thanks, Navi..." he mumbled. "You've done more for me than you've ever taken credit for."

In spite of herself, Navi grinned, her strength slowly returning. Within a few moments, her strength had fully returned. Link's smile widened slightly, before completely fading as he turned to face the entrance to the Temple of Flames.

Here goes... I can't turn back now. I have to break the curse on this temple... again, to restore peace to Death Mountain.

Slowly, the two entered the Temple of Flames.