The Legend of Zelda: Goddess of Secrecy

Dungeon Chapter 39 - One Last Wave

...and back across the bridge. The pirate groaned from where he lay as Link approached the door but didn't get up. Link gripped the handle, when the man sprung back up. Link shoved the man back a step. The pirate staggered for a moment, but Link slipped through the door before they had another chance to fight.

The tunnel was empty beyond, which made Link particularly nervous after how many creatures had been there before. It coiled back around the fort towards the first level. Link stopped at the edge and peered around the corner of the stone wall.

The floor was empty. The Tektites were gone from all the ceilings and no new Stalfos had materialized. Link looked around, something definitely wasn't right here. He inched out from his hiding place. His staff was still firmly in his hands as he walked out into the ring.

This peace was unsettling. And whether you were from land or sea, it was always known as the calm before the storm. The feeling sent a chill down his spine as he felt watched and couldn't find the source.

Finally, a sound pierced the room. It was a familiar shout. Link turned as Omar sprung from the Cage and up to the level he was on. The illusion of emptiness shattered. Link found himself mere inches from the tip of a Stalfos's sword. He caught the weapon with his staff, before beating the skeletal warrior back from him.

With one sure push from the end of his staff, Link sent the solider tumbling over the side of the level, crashing into the ground below. The skull shattered, and the enemy was destroyed.

His path cleared, Link raced to Omar's aid. The burly man was fighting back two Lizalfos, but the razor-wielding lizards were winning against the hulking pirate. Link clobbered one of the monsters in the back of the head with his staff. The creature went tumbling forward, before turning around to face Link. But it wasn't fast enough. Link was prepared for the creature, and knocked the monster square in the jaw with his staff.

Omar grabbed the second monster by the neck and sent it back behind him into the lava. The fiend Link had just defeated went tumbling over the side with its companion. Link looked down at the lava. It had risen significantly. The platform of the Cage sunk beneath the surface of the hot liquid. Link asked, "What's happening?"

"The volcano is goin' to erupt," Omar answered as he caught his breath.

"What!?" Endeavor exclaimed as the others caught up. "This volcano has been dormant for centuries."

Zelda inquired, "What's going to happen to the temple?"

"What's going to happen to us?" Lynard asked more urgently. "We have to get out of here."

Omar pointed down beneath them. "It's already risen too high for us to get to the docks. I sent my men to escape. We have to get Capt'n out of here."

Link pulled out the key to the massive golden lock hanging on the door next to them. Omar asked, "Where did ye find that?"

"Pardon the intrusion, but we needed to get this to open that door," Lynard said. Omar scowled some, to which the older man replied, "Considering, I think it's forgiven."

Endeavor added, "There is one thing you should know before we go in there."

"What might that be?" Omar demanded, eager to rescue the Fire Sage from the temple. That was his job after all.

"Zeal's in there," Link stated. "And she's already almost defeated Sayyida last we saw her. Sayyida may even be dead by this point."

"Dead!" Omar shouted, yanking the key out of Link's hand. "She's not dyin before I am. He inserted the key into the lock. The massive symbol turned around, before dropping to the ground and letting the door roll open.

Behind them, the lava began to rage. "The volcano is rising quickly now," Endeavor observed, perhaps too calm a response for the situation. "There may be some hope in calming it if we can rescue Sayyida."

"Then come on!" Omar exclaimed before racing into the room.

Link turned to the volcano, and then to Endeavor. The Drex said, "We cannot leave him too long, but I have a serious concern as to what this duel has really been for Zeal."

"What's that?" Zelda inquired.

"Of all the temples, this is one of the easiest for the Demon Lord to take control of," Endeavor explained. "And with Zeal here, he may be attempting to steal Sayyida's soul in order to test your skills, Link. You have fought his phantom in the past, but this is not his form. He will be resisted by the Sage, but if this is his plan, he will force her to fight you. We must force him out before he can take Sayyida. We still lack a Sage of Water due to his exploits, we cannot afford to lose this one as well."

Zelda said, "We could pray to Din, ask for Her Grace here."

Endeavor replied, "And do you believe the Goddess of Power would answer? The Three had left this plane, They cannot intervene in such a way."

"Are the Goddesses not interested in the peace of Hyrule then?" Zelda demanded.

"Whoever told you that?" Endeavor replied. With that, the Drex walked into the dark corridor.

Zelda shook her head. "I—I—How can they speak such insult to the Goddess Din?"

"The Golden Goddesses did banish their Goddess," Link reminded Zelda.

Lynard said, "Besides, they're right." Zelda scowled at the man. "It's true. The Golden Goddesses created the world, but it was only Their lesser gods who looked after it. Hylia is concerned for this world, and so is this goddess of Endeavor. While the Golden Goddesses would not see the world destroyed, They have no interest in its personal affairs."

"But this is Demise!" Zelda exclaimed. "Surely, They must be concerned about him. He nearly killed Hylia."

The old man gestured to Link and then Zelda after. "They are, and here is your proof of that. But how you get there is up to us now, and you will find no help from Them."

The Princess looked exhausted from the argument. She huffed in frustration when she gained no ground with either of them. "It seems I cannot win this argument with you. I don't agree with you, but we have more important things to worry about now. This volcano is going to burst at any moment now."

"There's a good thought," Lynard said, as the presence of the rising lava was reminded to him. "I'll join your Guide."

Lynard followed the others down the dark tunnel. Zelda shook her head again, and said, "The more I venture with you, the more I find that this acceptance I want to share across my kingdom will be difficult for me. I truly believe in the need for it...but..."

Link glanced back, before saying, "Your respect for people will do more good than separating and outcasting ever did for this country. No one said it was going to be easy, but it'll be worth it."

Zelda smiled. "You have the oddest bursts of wisdom, Link. But they're always exactly what someone needs to hear." She smiled, saying, "Now, there's a Sage we need to rescue." She dove into the darkness. Link grinned at the compliment, before quickly following after her...