Fan Fiction Friday: Daruk’s Song – Part 4

“They should be coming back soon,” Urbosa said, looking towards Mount Laynaru. “They’ve been gone for quite some time.”

She seemed worried. Mipha watched her as she paced up and down the path. Revali stood with his wings crossed. He seemed like he couldn’t care less about being here, but I’m sure Zelda was glad that he attended.

In a rush of wind, Revali flew up high and looked over the horizon. “They’re coming back.” He fell to the ground gracefully and straightened his feathers. “We should meet them. The princess does not look happy.”

Our group of Champions marched forward to meet Link and the princess. Zelda’s smile from yesterday had faded. We stood under the gate and watched as the two approached us on the path.

“Well, don’t keep us in suspense. How’d everything go up there on the mountain?” I asked, trying to meet the tiny princesses gaze. Zelda sighed and shook her head. I couldn’t help but be brought down too.

“So you didn’t feel anything?” Revali asked. “No power at all?”

“I’m sorry. No,” Zelda replied, clasping her hands. Her sadness felt contagious, and I felt like everyone felt saddened by the princesses state.

“Then we must move on,” Urbosa stated, breaking up the saddened mood. Urbosa continued with trying to make Zelda feel better., and her speech was moving. She talked about how Zelda’s last chance wasn’t up there on that mountain and that we just needed to keep looking for her thing. I’m not quite sure what that thing was, but I was gonna make sure that we found that for her. Link’s gaze never left the princess. Brother Link seemed to have a different kind of connection with Zelda. I wondered if he could reach her.

“That’s kind of you…” Zelda still seemed down as she replied.

Urbosa’s speech must not have gotten to her like it had gotten to me. Mipha decided to give it a shot next, but as the little Zora spoke, the ground began to shake. Link caught the princess and the rest of the Champions stood their ground. Revali took the skies and flew up high for a better vantage point. I sensed that the worst had finally come. I didn’t want to accept it, but I couldn’t deny the fear in Zelda’s eyes. The word “Ganon” was vocalized and I knew this was no longer a rumor. That swine had returned!

The sky turned an evil looking purple and I knew that it was time for us to move. It was time to show my pride as a Goron! It was time to defend my home and keep the promises that I made.

“Let’s stop wasting time!” I insisted. “We’re going to need everything we got to take that thing down!” This was it, time to move. “Now Champions! To your Divine Beasts! Show that swirling swine who’s boss!” I looked between the Champions and then to brother Link. “This needs to be a unified assault. Little guy, you need to get to Hyrule Castle. You can count on us for support.” I meant that. I knew that as a group the Champions would be there to support Link and the princess.

I watched as the others went their separate ways and I began to go my own. Death Mountain seemed so far away in this moment, but I knew that time was of the essence. I rolled through the paths and foothills as I made my way back up Death Mountain. My Goron brothers were bustling around town, moving rocks and preparing for a possible invasion from Ganon.

“Daruk, it’s you!” the Elder exclaimed. “You should be at Rudania right now!”

“I know,” I replied, patting the Elder on his back. “I just needed to see my brothers, in case I don’t come back. I’m on my way there now. Please keep everyone safe. I’ll be back. I’m the Great Daruk after all!”

The Elder smiled, “We will see you again my brother.”

---

Rudania and I felt like an unstoppable force. We powered up Death Mountain and we could see the Calamity swirling around the castle. I awaited some kind of sign from the others that a unified attack could be made. I waited, and waited. There was no sign from the castle or the other champions. I climbed to the top level of Rudania and then I saw it.

It’s eye blazed a demon blue. It’s laugh cackled through the flames of Death Mountain. “You swine! This ends here!” I charged forward and swung the Boulder Breaker forward. The beast dodged and tried to get in a hit. I may be big, but I knew how to fight back. I swung again and the beast hit back with fire. Straightaway, I knew that this would be a back and forth battle and I was ready to give it my all.

The fight raged on, and I could feel myself wearing out. I could no longer use my protective shield. I had taken one too many hits from the flames. This fire was different. It seemed malicious, and not like the fires that warmed my home. I raised the Boulder Breaker again and swung, but my arms gave out. The Great Daruk… Would they really remember me once I fell? I looked up at Ganon’s beast again. It looked battered, but it still had the upper hand. I tried to summon all my power to protect myself again, but it was too late. I was done.

My brothers… Forgive me.

Brother Link, it’s all up to you now.

---

Death Mountain and Rudania raged in the years since my death. My brothers chose to honor my passing the most brotherliness way I could imagine. I had dreamed since my childhood of being on the mountain face of my home. I was proud to be remembered in such a way. One of my descendants was even on the up and up. He was a bit of a timid one, though he surprised me one day.

On this day I saw him, and of all people, brother Link! They had come to Rudania! I couldn’t believe it. The little Goron didn’t stick around long, but Link ventured into Rudania without hesitation. Rudania had been dark for a long time, so I guided the brother through, helping him return the power to the beast. He blazed through the belly of Rudania with ease! Soon enough Link was face to face with the beast that bested me.

“Watch yourself now! That ugly pain in the crag is Ganon’s handiwork.” I wanted to warn but encourage Link. “The thing got the best of me a hundred years ago. Good luck, little guy! Go get ’em!”

Link jetted off. I watched as he fought with as much strength as a mighty Goron. He was swift with his sword and came toe to toe with Ganon’s minion like it was nothing. The fight was over not long after it had started and I was amazed at Link’s strength and speed. I knew he could do it! I knew I could entrust him with my power too. He would need it for the journey ahead.

“Great work, little guy!” Link turned around from the heart of Rudania and faced me for the first time. “I owe you big for this. Because of you, my spirit is finally free! Can’t thank you enough.” I held my arms out wide. I wish I could have given the brother a mighty hug, but my time was short. Though I had such much more to say, “I feel like I should apologize. I was doing all I could to protect Hyrule when that thing got the best of me. Sorry that me resting with the rubble caused such a mess.” I was sorry, but Rudania was under our control again and we could continue with the original plan that everyone made one hundred years ago.

“From the depths of my soul my power will live inside you. This is no good for me now that I’m a spirit. Here it comes!” I harnessed my power and thrust it towards Link, hoping that it would help him as much as it helped me. I watched as Link faded from Rudania. It was my turn to do what I could. I steered Rudania down the mountain some and we faced off with Hyrule castle and took aim.

“Ganon won’t know what him ‘em!” I said, looking out over Death Mountain with Rudania. “Hyrule looks pretty good from up here, even after a hundred years. The ‘ol rolling grounds sure are a sight for sore eyes.” I looked down the mountain and saw my Goron brother staring at Rudania. I knew the Gorons had fared well after all this time. I waved down to him and it look the brother a moment but he waved back. He smiled greatly. Despite my death the Gorons would survive. A new generation would rise up to protect our brothers. In that moment I felt like I had kept my promise. Death Mountain, home of the Gorons. The brotherhood that would never truly die.

 

Heather Beard is a writer for Zelda Dungeon. She’s a (crazy) cat lady with a passion for Zelda lore, and really cheesy pizza. You can follow her adventures on Instagram and Twitter!

Featured image artwork is by the author, Heather Beard.