Gilded silver door stretched impossibly high up the mountain. Link wondered why such a short race would create such a monstrous door, but dismissed the idea. Creatures are vain things, always building in an attempt to disprove their weakness. He shifted his pack, and pushed the doors open. They opened surprisingly easily for such large things.

The interior of the mountain was well lit by the numerous torches that lined the walls. Goron folk meandered about the wide expanse of tunnel. Hundreds of tunnels branched off of this one, and Link imagined many more branched off of the branches. He longed to explore the caverns and examine the details of the city, but he was tasked with a burden that did not allow him the time. He looked towards Ekron, and motioned for him to lead the way. Many pudgy gorons stopped, giving Link a stare. The citizens were clearly put off by his otherworldly clothing and appearance. Link could not help but notice that these gorons were much less physically adept then the ones he had sighted at the pass.

He followed Ekron through the streets of the Goron city for approximately an hour before they came to circular door made of gold. Ekron rolled himself up, as Narid had, and slammed himself upon the ground. The door rolled out of the way, and the pair entered.

The room they'd entered was relatively small, perhaps 40 feet long. A very plump Goron sat upon a large chair of gray stones. His chest was tattooed with an emblem of a crown. On the floor next to him sat a basket filled with granite, rubies, and sapphires. As Link entered, the big goron reached one hand into the basket, grabbing a handful of rocks, and shoving them all into his mouth. He crushed them between his teeth with a horrible crunching sound that made Link wince. It sounded as though all his teeth were being cracked.

"Who is there?" The Goron asked. Link turned to Ekron, hoping he would speak for them. He saw his companion had sunken to a knee, and was kneeling to this goron.

"Rise goron, and answer my question."

"Yes King. I am Ekron, from the pass an-"

"-Are things all well at the pass!" The goron asked with clear worry in his voice. Link was mildly surprised to see that this seemingly lethargic, fat individual was the king.

"Yes king. Li-"

"Well, then why are you here? And why have you brought a stranger to our kingdom?" the king questioned.

"um...which one do I answer first?" Ekron asked, scratching his headspike.

"Either..." The king sighed, rubbing his temples.

"Okay! This is Link. He came from another world! Anyways, he needs the ignis stone so that shadow-Link can't break into his world. The boss told me to come with him, so I did."

The Goron king looked at link, his eyes filled with questions.

"Ekron, leave our friend and I. We have much to discuss."

"Okay." Ekron replied happily. He then turned and left, leaving Link and the king alone.

The king reached down to his basket, fishing out a ruby the size of a grapefruit. He munched on it for a moment, before opening his mouth.

"So, you're here for the ignis stone?" He asked. Link nodded.

"Generations ago, the goddesses provided my ancestor with the Ignis stone. It's been passed down ever since then. Up until about 30 years ago."

Link sighed, knowing where this was going.

"You see, 30 years ago, my father was on the throne. And there was a shortage of good rocks to eat. He went down to the deepest depths of the goron tunnels, hoping to find good rocks. However, while he was down there something went wrong. The floor collapsed, and he fell to an undiscovered area. The people tried to rescue him, but they could not. Apparently, monsters had infested the area, and we believe my father was killed. Thus, I was put on the throne. Now! You may be wondering, what has this to do with my quest, great king of gorons, to which I say, 'HOLD! FOR I AM ABOUT TO INFORM YOUR UNINFORMED BRAIN!' See, my father was wearing the stone on a chain about his neck when he fell to his demise. So, I grant you the permission to take the Ignis stone, but you must find it first."

Link nodded, rolling his eyes.

"I will instruct, what was it? Ekron? To take you to the area where the collapse occurred. It's since been plugged up, but I'm sure the two of you can find a way around that." The king finished his ruby, and reached for another. "Now, is there anything else you need?"

Link thought for a moment, before something occurred. He pulled his sheathe from his back, and displayed it to the king.

"Oh, you need a new sword? Well, for the information about dark-Link that you've given me, I suppose I can offer you that." The king picked up a thick sphere of gold, and tossed it to the hero. Link caught the ball, it's weight pushing lightly into his stomach.

"Take that to the Finnic's blacksmith on the South side. He will set you up with a fine weapon. Well, go on then."

Link exited the royal room, finding Ekron standing outside the door.

"Hi! Where we goin?" He asked with a big smile. Link began walking towards the direction The king had mentioned. Shortly after, they came to a small shop, carved into the rock of the mountain, as all buildings where. Link could hear the sound of metal striking metal inside. He shoved the heavy stone door open and entered.

The room was dark gray, and a crude counter separated customers from the other end of the room. A hallway extended out of eyesight, and from this corridor, the loud clanging noises emanated. Ekron banged his hand upon the jagged stone counter, producing a hollow noise, similar to that of a gong. The sound of the blacksmith's hammer stopped, and soon a stout goron emerged from the hallway. He was built more like the goron soldiers at the pass than the other citizens.

"Ya called?" he said, his voice low and rasping. Link held up the orb of gold, and handed it to the Goron. He looked at it and a grin split his face. He threw the ball into the air, and opened his mouth impossibly wide. The golden sphere landed in his mouth, and the goron swallowed it whole. He looked back at link, smiling widely.

"What's yer price kid?" He asked. Link handed the goron his scabbard.

"Ahh, ya need a blade, huh? Well, Finnic here'll make ya a blade ta be proud of, lemme tell ya." Finnic said, jabbing his thumb into his chest as he said his name. With that, he disappeared back down the corridor, and Link could hear him rummaging through several cabinets. He soon heard the clangs of metal beating metal again.

Link paced absent mindedly while his new sword was being created. Ekron crouched on the floor, looking like the boulder Link had believed him to be just a short while ago. Link was planning his route throughout this world.

First, he'd recover the ignis rock from the gorons. He would then make his way to the fallen city, and obtain the Orbis stone. From their, he would head back west to the tribal temple one of the temples containing a piece of the triforce. Then he would go North to an un-named temple and get the second piece of triforce. Then South to the tower of Nem. From there, he'd head North into the Zora's realm. If he could take the glacies crystal, he would be sure that Dark Link could not enter the light world. And perhaps he'd find something...healing there. Something that could save his dad.

Link had been so deeply enveloped in thought that he'd not heard the blacksmith stop. The goron had returned to the room, holding a sword surrounded by Link's scabbard. Finnic tossed the item to him lazily, and Link caught in one-handed. He drew the blade and was greeted by a razor sharp sword. Link slashed the air several times experimentally and then sheathed the blade, satisfied.

"Ya know what, kid? That's tha best damned blade I ever made. Can't really explain it to ya, but forgin' it just seemed right. You're getting' top o' tha line Goron forgin' right there. I hope you have adventures fittin' such a sword. Well, off with ye. And if ya ever need more forge work done, Finnic here can set ya right up." The goron was smiling with evident pride as Link and Ekron exited the shop.

"Now where we go, boss Link?" Ekron questioned. Link told him to head towards the place that had caved in years ago. Ekron looked at him with shock.

"But, boss Link, There are monster there." He said. Link shrugged his shoulders, and began walking.

"Wait for me boss Link! Hey! How do you even know where you're going, huh?"