The lava rose with frightening speed, much to the alarm of Link and Navi.

"No!" the fairy cried out. "We're trapped!"

Sweat pouring from him, Link glanced around, hoping for something, anything that would allow him and Navi to escape.

It's no use... the door is gone... Ganondorf... he's won... damn it!

The Hylian closed his eyes, teeth clenching tightly.

"No..." he hissed, balling his hands into fists. "I can't fail... Ganondorf... turned my best friend against me... forced me to kill her... I must avenge her death! But... this lava..."

His eyes suddenly shot open, and he stared over at Navi, determination growing within them.

"Navi!" he called out. "I have an idea! It's crazy... but... it has to work!"

The fairy gave a frantic nod, waiting to hear what Link had to say. The boy cleared his throat.

"Stay perfectly still!" he continued. "It's a long shot, but if we go by the ancient text, we must remain still!"

The terror in Navi's tiny eyes increased, and for a moment, she thought the heat must have gotten to Link. But then it dawned on her.

"Just like the Temple of the Forest..." she murmured. "The ancient spirits... Okay..."

The two nodded at one another, gulped, and remained still. Both of them closed their eyes as the magma rose, getting closer and closer to their level. The heat was immense, but neither of them budged.

If I'm wrong, I hope Hyrule can forgive me...

Just as the lava was about to reach him, Link felt a cold chill pass over his body. He suddenly felt lighter, and the heat was no longer as intense. When the boy finally opened his eyes, he glanced around and noticed that he was no longer in the same room. Glancing beside him, he gave a relieved sigh as he noticed his fairy companion was with him.

"What a relief!" the fairy exclaimed. "That was such a crazy idea, Link! How did you know it'd work?"

An enigmatic smile came to the Hylian's face, the teen giving a shrug. As Navi began to protest, Link cut her off.

"The ancient script..." he explained. "...it said to exercise one's force of will, and proceed by standing still."

Navi nodded, and Link resumed his explanation.

"The way I saw it..." the boy continued. "...is that when one finds themselves in a room that is filling with magma, the natural reaction is to panic, and try and get to higher ground. But that's not all. We were already standing on a pillar with strange markings of its own."

To this, Navi gave a cry of understanding.

"I see now!" she asserted. "We must have been standing on a magic seal! If that is the case, you must have figured that we should heed the message, and hope for the best!"

The boy gave a nervous chuckle and nodded.

"Something like that..." he murmured. "It was a stupid guess, but at least it paid off."

Suddenly, Link's sword was in hand as he heard soft whispering. Swiftly, he turned around, and took a surprised step back as he saw a Poe.

"Hero chosen for this land..." it began, extending its wispy hand. "Please reach forth, and take my hand."

Hesitantly, Link sheathed his weapon, and reached out for the spirit.

"Who..." he began. "Who are you?"

The ghost gave a slight smile and took the Hylian's hand.

"I am a spirit from days long past..." it continued. "I cannot explain, we must act fast. The mountain flames are in despair, evil power floats through the air. With the courage that you know best, please guide us to eternal rest."

Feeling his surroundings drop away, Link glanced around, unable to make any sense of his environment, everything a total blur. Moments later, he reappeared in an unseen part of the Temple of Flames. The spirit released his hand and pointed towards a massive doorway.

"Within that hall, dark power grows..." the ghost added. "...darkness of limits that no-one knows."

A charm suddenly appeared in the spirits hand, which it passed to Link. The Hero stared at its design, noting the insignia of the Flame Spirits.

"Another charm..." he muttered. "But..."

"Take this charm, and use it well..." the spirit interrupted. "It shall aid against the evil spell. Our foe lies in the darkened room, but with this charm, you will seal its doom. Young hero, as before, we ask the same, please rescue our friend of flame."

The ghost disappeared, leaving Link perplexed. Navi flew down in front of the boy's face.

"Link..." she mumbled softly. "We'd better get this over with. You still need to see the Great Fairy about your arm."

Navi's words about his arm reminded the boy about his previous injury, which of course, made it ache slightly. Brushing away the pain, Link moved towards the door. After taking a breath, he opened it, and went inside.


Link was unprepared for just how hot it was in the chamber, though the heat seemed a little... different.

It's almost as if... it's not natural.

The room was shrouded in a very dense mist, and he found it quite hard to see, but before he could explore more of it, he froze, hearing footsteps approaching. A silhouette appeared in the mist, and as it got closer, the source emerging, Link suddenly felt cold, in spite of the heat.

"W-why?" he choked out. "Why are you...?"

A familiar Goron face looked back at the teenager, face expressionless.

"Why?" Link repeated, dreading the answer. "Darunia... why are you here?"

The Goron leader gave a slight smirk.

"To kill you..." was the simple reply, Darunia punching his fists together. "That is all..."

With a growl, Link drew his sword and glared toward his Sworn Brother.

Ganondorf did this... and I have to...

Teeth clenched together, Link listened as Navi spoke.

"Darunia," she began. "Sage, and spirit of flames, possessed by the Evil King! He can control all nearby fire. Vanquish the evil darkness that controls him, and restore his purity!"

The possessed Goron and the Hylian remained still, staring each other down, before finally, Link made the first move. With a scream, he rushed for Darunia. Bringing his sword down, he gasped as the Goron managed to block the attack with his bare hands.

But... how?

Darunia smirked wider, his eyes flashing ominously. Flames began to shoot towards Link, forcing him to make a desperate move. Releasing the handle of his sword, he jumped away just in time for the flames to miss.

Damn... that was too close! But... my sword... what am I going to do?

"Yousei Hikari!"

Link was broken from his thoughts by Navi's cry. He snapped his gaze to her, noticing that she was focusing a new spell. A white aura began brightening around the fairy, forcing Link to shield his eyes. Darunia wasn't so lucky, and blinding white caused him to yell in pain.

"The light!" the Goron screamed, dropping the sword to the ground. "It burns!"

The light faded, and Navi lowered to the ground, weakened.

"Link!" she called out, taking breaths. "Now's... your chance!"

Opening his eyes, Link spotted his sword. Racing for it, he picked it up, driving the blade through Darunia, removing it in one swift motion. The Goron's eyes shot open, their dark glow fading. Darunia dropped to the ground, mortally wounded. Link was overwhelmed by anguish once again, not even noticing that the heat and mist began to fade.

First Saria... now... ...why? Why?

As tears pooled in his eyes, Link stared down at his hands, covered in the blood of the Goron he'd looked up to. Darunia smiled weakly and reached a hand up, gently clapping it atop the boy's head.

"Thank... you..." the Goron wheezed. "I knew... I could always... count on you... Brother..."

Link's tears began to flow as he took in Darunia's words.

"No..." he choked out. "I... you're going to... it's all my fault!"

The Goron shook his head, smile widening a little.

"No..." Darunia countered. "This was... the only way... but... there is... one more thing... that... I can do..."

The boy watched as his Sworn Brother's body began to shimmer, the charm he had received from the spirit doing the same. A choked sob emerged as he watched the Goron's body begin to fade.

"Brother..." the Goron elder continued. "Take my spirit... and never... forget... I will... always... be a... part... of... you..."

Darunia completely vanished, his energy transferring into the charm, which dissolved into Link. His power growing, Link closed his eyes, letting the tears flow as he and Navi were sent back to the Death Mountain Caldera, his Sworn Brother's last words echoing in his mind.

"I am proud of you... Brother..."