Happy New Year's to y'all! I am so, so sorry this took even longer than usual. Going through a rut, yada yada, you've all heard it before. Anyhow, hope you enjoy the chapter!

A little side note, though; I'll be using the names of pre-existing characters, as I don't want to come up with some god-awful name that'll bear no resemblance to the naming style of the series, so no need to worry about people that shouldn't be in the Skyward Era showing up- mostlikely a previous incarnation or ancestor.

Link proceeded to carry down the tunnel when he reached a set of huge stone gates. If he was correct, this was most likely the entrance to Goron City, or at least one of them. There weren't any guards, and the gates were shut closed. Link could only imagine it had been due to the formations, which he dubbed Malice.

Still, he wondered how that goron from earlier had managed to get up there and give him the correct directions.

He knocked on the hard stone gates. The sound echoed around the chamber, bouncing off the hard walls and all the way back down the tunnel. He heard scrambling and someone shouting orders.

He heard the sound of heavy footsteps pacing right up to the gate.

"Who are ya, and how did'ya manage to make it down the tunnel?" a gruff voice inquired.

"I'm a traveller looking to go through the city and make it to the other side," Link answered.

The gates began to groan, and, as they parted, Link was awestruck at the sheer size of this clearly man-made cavern. The room had many open-plan levels, where you could see what people were selling, in addition to entries to tunnels. Judging by all the shops, smiths and other such buildings, this was most likely a trading hub of sorts.

The torchlight flared against his skin; the air was hot and heavy. Had Link not been wearing his Fire-Shield Earrings, he would have surely burst into flames right then and there.

The room seemed to be abuzz with chatter, with more gorons than he'd ever seen in his life all in one room. But all went silent as the newcomer entered into their midst. At his appearance some were surprised, others puzzled and some looked wary but none of them seemed to mean any harm.

Then the whole room broke into a series of debates. There were orders of "Move along, move along!", and the crowd parted in response. Standing few feet away from Link was a goron with a wild mane of silver hair, furrowed brows, and a considerable height and build for even his own kind, no doubt their chief.

"What brings you here, brother, and how did you get past all that goop?" he queried. Like all gorons, his voice was deep and gravelly, but carried that hint of warmth.

"Was looking for an exit on the other side," Link said. "And as for the goop, managed to find some old room where they all originated from."

"Alright, alright. If it's fine with you, how'd ya beat it?"

"Threw a torch at it."

The goron chief put his fist under his chin, listening intently. He rose up once more and nodded.

"Good. We've been having random growths of this ever since those creeps moved up here. They grow quickly, I might add; sometimes ya get entire tunnels blocked up in a few hours."

That probably explained why the goron's directions from earlier seemingly lead Link to a dead end.

"Anyhow, feel free to make yourself home, brother. Got plenty of room to spare."

And that they did. Goron City was a huge set of interconnected tunnels that served as streets, cave-houses, and mines all converging into a spacious cavern that was probably mined out by hand.

He extended a large rocky hand. Link offered his own in return.

"Name's Darunia, Chief of the Gorons."

"Link."

But Link had no mind to stay, no matter how spectacular this settlement was.

"I just need to get to the surface."

"M'fraid I can't do much about that. We've been having serious issues with goop blockin' up entire tunnels, and whatever ones that do manage to lead to the surface put ya right in the clutches of those creeps."

"Monsters won't be a problem for me, dealt with plenty of those during my time here."

Darunia was about to interject, when a familiar face came rolling from one of the burrows. He wasn't wearing his pack, nor did he have his map, but Link wouldn't be able to forget that face if he tried.

"Oi Link, my man, is that you?" Gorko looked ecstatic. He rolled through the crowd, knocking over a good few of his brethren before popping back up few feet away from Link.

Before Link could interject, he was scooped up in a traditional rib-breaking goron hug.

"I've missed ya so much, bud."

Despite pretty much having his lungs crushed, Link did his best to pat Gorko on the back.

"Missed ya, too..."

He'd been plopped down, finally, and was gasping for air.

"Bud, I've got so much to show ya, especially 'bout the Sheikah–"Gorko's face fell, now that he could see Link's face clearly. The hero placed his hand over the left side of his face, trying to conceal the damage, but it was too late and already attracted Gorko's notice.

"Dear Din, Link, what on earth happened to you?"

Link squeezed his eyes shut and exhaled.

"I'd rather not tell. Anyhow, you said something about the Sheikah?"

Gorko, although still clearly shaken, didn't press further.

"Yeah, bud! Even better, they're still around. Although I've yet to see one myself, I've plenty of evidence."

"Ya know this kid, Gorko?" Darunia interjected.

"Yes, Chief. His name's Link, and he's the hero of legend; he's the one that beat Demise himself!"

Link could feel everyone's eyes on him at that moment. He bit his lip nervously, and chuckled softly.

"Is that so?" Darunia asked.

Link nodded, pulling off his glove to reveal the mark of the hero: the Triforce.

Everyone in the room went berserk, cheering, clamouring, and patting him on the back. Link, had absolutely no idea how to respond to this. His heroic status hadn't ever received this kind of raucous reception.

Darunia lay a hand on his shoulder, causing Link to jump in his own skin.

"Brothers." The whole room went silent. The warm torchlight gave a dramatic, fiery glow. Everyone stared at Link in anticipation. "At long last, the moment we've all been waiting for... the Hero of Legend has returned!"

That day a grand celebration was thrown. The whole mountain shook with the rumbling of deep, earthy voices singing and laughing.

Link wasn't used to being the centre of attention, he was naturally quite introverted and tended to keep to himself.

"Brother, why aren't you joining in with the festivities?" Darunia inquired.

"I've... never been much of a party-goer. Didn't have many friends, and for a long time I just couldn't start the chatter."

"Boy, this is for you! It's not everyday the Hero of Legend strolls up to your doorstep, especially on a day as special as this." He rested a hand on Link's shoulder, and gave him a hearty grin.

A special day like this?

"Besides, you look like you could do with a little companionship."

Link nodded, smiling meekly.

"Good. Now go and have fun."

It seemed best to obey the chief, and thus Link managed to wander into the heart of the festivities. The room was warm and inviting, the joy radiating from each goron around. Link could see that many of them were in deep conversation, and didn't know how quite to approach them. He needn't worry for long, as a group spotted him and waved, beckoning him to join them.

"Welcome to Goron City, Brother!" one proudly declared, raising his drink.

"Thank you!" Link said, nodding with a smile on his face.

"We hope you'll enjoy your stay here," the goron said. "Name's Rogaro; I run one of the smith's around here. Come to me if you equipment ever needs some sprucing up!"

"I'll be sure to check in sometime."

"How about we go get something from the buffet; you look like you could use some feeding."

And with that, they quickly joined a queue. However, he soon learned there wasn't much for him to eat. Gorons, being people of stone, often ate just that. There were all kinds of rock-based dishes, some lathered in molten metal like it was gravy, others with the sprinkling of crushed gemstones and desserts made of softened lead. At the end of the table was a stunning three-tiered cake made of marble, coated with a layer of crushed, snow-white crystals and topped with rubies that reminded him of berries.

He was hungry, and some of these dishes looked really appetizing. At some point, he nearly reached for one of the desserts only to remind himself that these were made of lead, and if he ate them he'd most likely die.

"Hero, why aren't ya taking anything? Ya look like you're starving!" One of his companions asked.

The comment drew the attention of the others in the queue, and soon enough many of them were trying to offer him food. Link was overwhelmed, and could barely react.

"Brother, you needn't be shy- have this!" One of them remarked, as he thrusted a sapphire into the young man's hands.

Link felt a large hand pat his back, nearly knocking him over, followed by a playful chuckle.

"I appreciate the offer, really," Link stammered. "But I'm afraid as a human, I can't eat it–"

"How about some pebbles, then?" another one offered.

"I'm afraid not–I can't eat any of this."

A sheepish expression crossed the goron's face, and he pulled himself back.

"Oh."

Link awkwardly handed the sapphire back to the goron who offered it, and he too looked embarrassed. Everyone did.

"It's fine, really; I packed myself some food! Besides, I'm not very hungry," he said, as he had to refrain himself from drooling at all the heavenly looking dishes.

"Alright then, bud–singing's about to start in a bit. How about you join us in that?" Rogaro suggested.

Link nodded. "Sounds good, but don't blame me if you want to cover your ears!" the hero remarked, grinning.

"Ya needn't worry about that. No one'll notice all the little flaws when you're singing among a crowd."

Once his companions had filled their plates, they resumed casual chatter, albeit with a few enthusiastic gorons butting in too quickly introduce themselves to him. As genuinely nice as it made him feel, Link still was dumbfounded about their excitement. Neither the Kikwis, Parella or even the Dragons themselves seemed all too keen on getting to know him; although the last one he could chalk up to them literally being deities. Nayru knows nothing, and no one impresses watched in amazement as the gorons shoveled in more rocks than he would've thought possible, one downing nearly an entire rock cake in one swallow while another ate pebbles like they were going out of style. Darunia called them all to begin their carols, just as the gorons slowed down with their eating, indicating that the meal was drawing to a close. With enthusiasm, Link nestled in with the crowd, and waited for the stone slabs bearing the verses to be passed around.

Once the tablets had been spread evenly amongst them, roughly about one to three, they began.

With voices low and gravelly, accompanied with drums and horns, their songs filled the mountain, echoing through the halls.

Their song told of the goddess Din, and how she wrought the earth with her strong, fiery arms, shaping it like a sculptor would their clay. How when Nayru brought law, and Farore life, Din commissioned the latter to create for her a race born of earth.

They sang how Din taught them the ways of mining, smithing and craftsmanship. How she erected the mountains with them in mind, nestling gold and diamonds in the earth for their pleasure.

They sang her praises, professing their love to their earthly mother, thanking her for all she did for them.

Link's throat was raw and his voice crackling by the time they had finished, but he barely noticed in light of his raised spirits. He was laughing with and high-fiving his companions–although, slamming the palm of your hand into a hard surface isn't exactly the most painless of experiences.

By Farore, if the encounter with the rebel group wasn't enough to make him feel sick with nostalgia, then this certainly was. He remembered a festival his people celebrated for the new year, thanking Hylia for all she'd done for them, all the singing, dancing and feasting–

Link had little time to reminisce when Darunia interjected by calling for the dancing to commence.

Time seemed to pass by in a blur as Link alternated between chatting and dancing. Even though he was wearing his lungs out, Link couldn't help but throw himself back into the fray. He couldn't recall much afterwards, for nothing of note was said or done, but in the moment he was full of merriment.

As the torchlight began to wane, the room growing dimmer, the celebration was drawing to its close. Gradually, more and more of his companions settled, until the air grew calm and quiet.

"Brothers," boomed Darunia, torch burning brightly in his hand, cutting sharp shadows around his rough face. "Tonight is that of the Hero; let us go to the shrine and pay our respects."

They all paraded down a long, ruined passageway. In the walls, letters of an old language were carved alongside mosaics depicting long, fiery serpents and fierce goron warriors. Entire lengths had crumbled to dust, which puzzled Link seeing as there was no wind or rain to erode the rock. He soon found his answer, in the form of a gaping ravine: below were railways and mine-shafts.

Ahead of them was a crude stony bridge that looked like it had been set up in a hurry. Beyond that rested a pair of towering stone gates studded with diamonds that looked like they hadn't been opened in millennia. When they'd crossed the chasm and reached the jeweled gates, Darunia brought everyone to a halt. On either side of the door were two bonfire-sized torches. The chief handed Link the torch, nodding.

Link looked ahead and bit his lip. He strode over to the beacon on the left, grasping the torch half his size firmly. He poured lamp-oil all over the coals, and gingerly set his flame to them. Within seconds, the beacon was blazing with a fierce fire. Link repeated the process with the torch on the right, and came rushing back to the group. He offered Darunia the torch, but he rejected the offer.

The doors slowly began to edge open. Everyone was still in anticipation. Link licked his dry lips and swallowed. The mood seemed to be a combination of excitement and solemness. He looked around at his companions. Some seemed rather young and looked as though they never had seen these gates in their entire lives, their eyes glimmering with wonder. The older ones, however, seemed to hold a profound respect for the place.

When the gates were just wide enough to walk through, the party began to edge their way into the room. Link held up his torch, and before him stood what seemed to be a life-like statue of a being with glowing blank eyes, but the finer details were shrouded in a blanket of shadow. Link's breath hitched.

The hero paced around the statue, up the stairs that spiraled around the sculpture. He looked back at the gorons, who only watched him intently.

The figure held a double-helix sword that was nearly as tall as itself. He was clad in plates of silver armour with golden accents, and the tunic underneath seemed to be a light teal. While at the top of the stairway, Link held the torch to the effigy's face. And what he saw was a mirror image of himself, yet there were some differences. For starters, its hair was a platinum-white instead of a dark, dirty blonde. It had war-paint in the forms of two red dashes on each cheekbone and a blue arrow-shaped marking on its forehead.

The expression of the statue was stern, and, dare I say, fierce. He looked like a figure of authority, one who expected nothing but the best...

Link touched the side of his own scarred face, and was reminded just how far he'd fallen.

He tore his face away from that piercing white glare, and rushed back down the steps, taking care not to burn himself with the torch in his haste. When he'd reached the bottom, heaving and panting, he handed Darunia the torch.

"What is this place, and who was that statue?" Link asked in-between breathes.

However, it was not Darunia who answered, but an ancient, decrepit goron with a hunched back.

"This is the shrine of the Fierce Deity, Hylia's first hero. He saved us from the bloodlust of our distant kin."

Link nodded his head, and bit his lip.

"You don't look so good, bud. What's the matter?" a rather concerned Gorko asked.

Link closed his eyes, and swallowed. He let out an exasperated chuckle. "Eh, nothing much."

Gorko didn't look convinced, but he didn't push the matter.

They left the deity a single, clear diamond as a thanks for all he had done for them. They made their way back to the city, the wide gates to the shrine shutting behind them as the flames went out. When they'd entered the City Center, they cleared up whatever was left of the celebration, then parted ways. The only ones left were Darunia and his vanguard, Link and Gorko.

"So, Link, where'dya like to stay for the night?" Darunia asked.

"If it's fine with Gorko, I'll stay at his place"–he turned to Gorko, receiving a nod–"we have some catching up to do."

"Alright. I'll leave you be. See ya in the morning, Brother."

Link waved goodbye to the chief as he headed back to his quarters. He then turned around to face his companion.

"Follow me," the goron said.

And so Gorko curled up into a ball and rolled down the hallway. Link had to basically chase him down, only just being able to see him around the corner. Funny how such huge, lumbering creatures could be so fast when rolling.

After running around like a madman, wearing out his lungs and legs, they'd finally arrived. It was a quaint little burrow, with everything a conspiracy-theory-obsessed goron could ever ask for in one room. You had the dining quarters, a nest of various fabrics in one corner for a bed, and in the other a library. Bookshelves crammed with more books than thought possible lined practically every wall in that corner, and if there was a space that didn't have one then it had various maps and charts slapped to the wall. There was a desk, too, surrounded by piles of even more books.

"Link dragged himself in, panting harder than he'd ever had in his life. He slumped to the ground, gasping and wheezing.

"Next time... maybe go a little slower..." Link breathed out.

"Ah, sorry, bud! Forgot you humans don't roll- you should try it sometime; it really is a lot faster." Gorko chuckled. He let out a hand, lifting Link off the floor.

"That... probably wouldn't work."

Gorko simply laughed, and slapped him on the back, causing Link to go into another gasping fit. However, the hero simply laughed it off. He picked up a stool and situated it in the study. Link reached for one of the books, flipping through the pages.

"Alright bud, so what's been troubling ya? And if you're alright with it, what happened to your face?"

Link was caught off-guard, nearly letting the book slip out of his hands.

"A lot of things- and I-I'd rather not tell..."

Gorko grabbed the chair from the desk, and plopped it right in front of Link. The hero gently closed the book, and laid it on his lap.

"I understand. How 'bout we start at the statue. What bothered ya so much?" His voice was uncharacteristically soft and quiet, but still held that gravelly edge.

"He looked so intimidating, serious, judgmental,"

Gorko narrowed his eyes, and nodded.

"It's just so jarring," Link continued. "To think that I could be anything like that. And for some reason, I just can't feel a connection to him, the deity."

"Well, to be fair, we don't have many records of him. I have my suspicions for that- but that's a story for another day. What I'm saying is, maybe you'd feel something if you actually knew what he was like. Then again, I'm not the reincarnation of an important deity, nor do I have enough data to suggest that what you feel is normal."

Link gnawed at his lower lip. He could feel everything, everything that troubled him bubbling up.

"He looked like he disapproved of me, feeling shame at how far his legacy had fallen-"

"Bud, are you serious? You beat Demise of all people–source of all evil–something even he couldn't do!"

"But look at me now. I couldn't save my people, my comrades, my friends!" He squeezed his eyes shut, and gritted his teeth. "They were killed, tortured, made slaves! And all because I was too incompetent, all because I wasn't strong enough!" Link was shouting as he blurted out everything. His voice was beginning to crack, and at times he sounded like the kid who'd jumped off the edge of his world to save the one he loved.

"And all on my wedding day, the day I was going to marry Zelda- and I couldn't even save her as that... that psychopathic monster dug his claws into my scalp and held me up so I could see my world burn-"

Rocky arms were wrapped around him, hugging him, patting him on the back. Link couldn't scream anymore, his voice felt too horse. He slumped down on a hard shoulder, and sobbed. A silent, choking sob. Tears began to fall from his eyes like raindrops; few at first, then a waterfall.

"I...I was... helpless..." Link whispered in between fits.

"I'd be, too. None of it's ya fault, Link, none of it."

Gorko pulled apart, leaving only his hand on Link's shoulder. He lifted Link's head up, dusty coal-black eyes staring into watery, blue ones.

"No one saw it coming. He caught ya off guard, on a day that was supposed to be about you and your wife. Ya had no way of preparing for a foe long thought dead." He patted Link's shoulders and got up. "Probably best ya get some rest. If all goes well, tomorrow you'll be leaving,"

And then Link was hit with the weight of Zelda's fate, and how he had to hurry. If only he hadn't let her go. If only he'd followed.

That night, Link set out his things and huddled up in a nice little corner. Gorko'd given him few extra blankets and said he could keep them if he wanted. Link huddled under the covers, and closed his tear-stained eyes. He felt his head get heavy, his mind begin to slip, and within no time he was in the realm of dreams.

Groose had been out for three days now. Construction on the school had been continued, despite the setback.

Link hadn't gotten a moment's peace ever since the boisterous redhead fell from the villa's roof. Every waking moment he spent worrying and contemplating the fate of his friend. Despite Zelda assuring him that all seemed well, his thoughts persisted.

No human should ever be able to bleed the blood of darkness, ichor that stained the tips of his fingers a filthy black. Even three days since then, the stain still defiled his fingertips, dying them. The liquid seemed to burn when you touched it, yet caused no pain and left no blisters.

The hero had been sitting at Groose' bedside for hours, bringing plenty of books to keep himself occupied. Yet he found himself startled at every breath the giant made, thinking he'd awoken. But alas, he seemed as still as ever.

Around half an hour ago, Owlan had changed the bandages that wrapped around Groose' head like a turban. They currently bore little to no stain, thankfully. Groose seemed to be healing surprisingly fast for someone who'd split open his skull, which worried Link even more. He'd seen his friend bleed before, and it was the same crimson red that flowed from all of them. Awhile back he'd sustained an injury similar to this during the raids, and it took him weeks to recover, although Link remembered he'd been conscious within roughly a day, albeit rather groggy.

There was a turn at the handle. Pipit entered the room, his daffodil-yellow tunic contrasting against the muted colours of the infirmary, if one could call it that. Link set the book down on his lap and turned to face him.

"Any improvement?" Pipit asked.

"Link shook his head.

The senior sighed, taking a chair from the corner of the room and popping right down beside Link. The latter handed him a book about birds.

"You know, your second anniversary with Karane is coming up next week. What'd you plan on getting her?" Link asked nonchalantly. Probably best to turn his mind to more positive matters.

"Actually, Link..." Pipit bit his lip, his wide blue eyes darting around the room. "I'm planning on proposing."

"Are you?" Link's eyes lit up. "At last, some good news.

"Yeah. We've been pretty serious lately, and I think it's time to move onto the next step," Pipit said, a little smile tugging at his lips. "Although, we've both pretty much agreed that we'll wait before having kids. I want to savour our time together while we're still young."

"More power to you," Link remarked.

It was nice knowing that some people were able to get on with their lives. Link felt like something was holding him back, like he'd left something unfinished.

"So, how's Zelda been? Haven't really seen her since the incident."

"Optimistic."

"Don't know what I was expecting, to be honest. Despite all she's gone through, she's still managed to keep a smile on her face."

Link flicked another page, digging his nose deeper into the manuscript.

"Unlike me," Link muttered.

"Link, what in the blue sky are you talking about? You're doing great!"

Link looked up from his book and rolled his eyes.

"Hey, don't give me that look!"

The hero set the book down, and pursed his lips. "Pip, I'm a mess. I just can't get used to this, the peace. I still feel like something's calling for me, like I still have a duty to fulfill."

"Then direct it at your work, find ways to make it productive."

"That's the thing, Pip, I have! And yet I still feel like something's out there, something's calling me."

"Then go and find it."

"I can't. I don't know where it is, where to go, how to go about it. How can you fulfill a task you don't even know?"

Pipit opened his mouth to argue, but stopped. He sighed. "Look, I'm no hero of legend, so maybe what you're feeling is normal. Maybe you'll always feel like there's something calling for you, I dunno. But whatever it is, don't let it get in the way of your life, 'kay?"

It was then Groose jolted up from the bed, sweat beading down his temple and terror in his eyes. Link scrambled to do something while Pipit called for assistance. Link reached out his hand to comfort the bulky man, only to be flung across the room. The redhead tumbled out of bed, and attempted to attack Link.

"Groose, what the hell are you doing?!" Pipit yelled, attempting pull the giant away from Link.

Link was forced to push Groose off, and smack him in the jaw. The latter seemed to regain his senses, and blinked in disbelief.

"Link?"

"Yeah, man, it's me. What on earth happened?"

"W-Where'd it go?!" Groose screamed, searching the room.

"Where'd what go?" Pipit asked.

"The demon! Did you not see it?"

Pipit simply looked confused, while Link's face grew pale.

"What demon?" the knight inquired.

"The one that was in this room!"

Pipit did his best to console Groose, gently patting him on the back, while the medics, accompanied by Zelda entered the room. Groose was gently placed in his bed, while Zelda asked him questions.

"Hey, it's okay," she cooed, gently rubbing circles into his back. "Can you tell me what happened?"

"There was a demon! I swear it was there, clear as daylight-"

Peatrice began to examine the bandages, and seemed content knowing the wound hadn't re-opened.

Pipit kneeled down before Link. "Did he hurt you?"

Link shook his head, he himself still shaken. His fears had been confirmed, and it seemed that Groose had been visited, even possessed, by a demon. By all accounts, this should not be possible–Demise was dead and gone! And so should his disciple; Link himself had seen him disintegrate right before his eyes.

The scene seemed to become a blur people tending Groose and others entering the room in an immense hurry. Zelda was speaking to him, yet he couldn't hear. She was tapping his cheek, but he couldn't feel. It all felt like he was underwater. Somewhere, somewhere in this mess, Link could swear he heard a faint, metallic chime.

Link awakened to Gorko scribbling at his desk, muttering something incoherent. When he'd seen that Link had awakened, he commented:

"Glad to see you're up. How was your nap?"

Link shrugged, muttering a sleepy "Good, I guess," before propping himself up. His eyelids still felt heavy, and he was tempted to sleep for a little more. But nonetheless, he resisted.

"Good, good. Got some records on the Sheikah, wanna see?"

Link's ears perked up. He heaved himself off the ground, and lumbered toward the stool. Presently, Gorko dumped a journal, a file and a stack of paper on him.

"I see you've up to "a lot these days,"

"Indeed. Dropped by here a week ago to visit my friends and family; I was meant to stay for only three days then get back to my work, when the monsters moved in."

"Speaking of monsters," Link "started. He wasn't too sure how to tell Gorko, but he guessed it probably would be of use to him. "Some have actually been rebelling against the demon king-"

"Whoa, bud. Are you talking for real?!"

"Yeah. Actually got here "traveling alongside a band of them. A moblin named Grendel was actually able to speak some Hylian, although not very much."

Gorko shot up from his seat, gobsmacked.

"Ya... ya traveled alongside them? Bud, I think you've found the key,"

Link had no time to react when Gorko grabbed him by the arm, and dragged him out the door. Once again, Link had underestimated the speed of an excited goron. He was surprised Gorko hadn't rolled up into a ball and run him over in his enthusiasm.

They zipped past hallways, through tunnels and bounded through caverns. Every now and then, they'd run into a goron who'd been unfortunate enough to be in their way. Neighbours looked on in confusion as their usually gruff and stoic kinsman was dragging the Hero of Legend down the hall with a wide grin.

When they'd rammed into the Trading Hub, Gorko spent no time in bounding up to the chief's burrow. The guards, however, stopped him and inquired about his business.

"This is of upmost importance, brothers. Link here has word of demons rebelling against their king- this could be it!"

Their jaws hit the floor, eyes wide, as they proceeded to let them through.

Once inside, Link was finally allowed a moment to breathe. Everyone's eyes were on them, as Gorko blurted out the news.

The room was sizeable, not huge by any means, but large enough to hold the twenty or so gorons that made up most of the political structure of the city. Tall, broad-shouldered with puffed out chests were the war heroes, generals and warlords. While their stature was not quite as impressive as their chief's, they were intimidating and, with fierce hardened faces, demanded respect nonetheless.

Elders stood around the assembly, hunched and decrepit. The stone peeling off in layers from their ancient bodies, and their white locks thinning. Dull eyes the colour of coal that beheld wisdom spanning over centuries gazed into Link's own youthful ones.

"Link here, he says the demons are rebelling against the king–he's even traveled amongst them, and even better: one of them could speak Hylian! Would you believe?!"

Many sets of beady black eyes flew open in disbelief, even those of the elders. Every living thing in the room had grown still, taking in these words.

Darunia rose from his throne, towering over everyone with his gargantuan form.

"How about we let Link tell us"? I call for a meeting this instant!" Darunia bellowed, his voice vibrating throughout the thick air of the room.

Without hesitation, everyone headed down a hall to the right. Link scurried after them, still worn out from being dragged all around the city. At the end of the hall they turned right again, and entered a room with deep shelves stocked full of stone tablets carved deep into the dark-brown walls. All around the sides of the room were rows of chairs, and at the far back, directly in front of some kind of statue, was a podium of sorts with two more chairs on either side.

The tribe spilled into the room, each one of them taking their seat. Darunia gently nudged Link to one of those by the podium, the hero biting his lip and nodding. Speaking in front of a large group of people, particularly all these important political figures, made him nervous. He'd gotten better at it over the last few years, but there was a time where the most he could say without stuttering were short phrases.

Link sat down, and slowly the room began to settle.

"As you all know," the chief began, "the demon tribe has been an eminent threat for the last couple of years. We've had to close off tunnels, call for lock-downs in the city, and cut trade routes. And they've only been getting stronger."

There was a certain vibe of grimness, tiredness that carried all throughout the chamber. There was no denying it.

"Their influence spreads even to the far edges of Faron, as some have said, and maybe even beyond that. Worse still, there've been rumours of them taking back an old factory in Lanayru Desert. But, we may have a chance."

This was where Link would have to get up and speak. He swallowed back the lump in his throat, licked his dried lips and took a deep breath.

"The hero has come with great news. How about he come up and tell us himself?"

Link slowly rose from his seat. All eyes were upon him, and he tried to avoid their gaze as best he could. He wished Groose were with him now, bursting to the brim with confidence, even if it could get a little overbearing. He took Darunia's place at the podium, and swallowed.

"When I was on my way here" Link proceeded to avert their gaze, look at some random object and focus on that. Unfortunately, the room was quite sparse and what items there were had been covered by the bodies of the warlords. Link quietly sighed, and continued. "For some weird reason, I joined a gang of monsters. They were a rebel group-"

And already the mood of the audience was starting to change.

"One of them, a moblin named Grendel, was able to speak some Hylian, "even if very broken. The basic gist of it is, is that Ghirahim is a cruel, ruthless tyrant and is waging wars against other demonic kingdoms."

"Other kingdoms?!" one warlord cried.

"I was surprised too... but it does make sense in retrospect. Anyhow, the part about Ghirahim being a cruel, sadistic king didn't really surprise me. I've been in the same room as that... "thing", many times"

Link bit down on his quivering lip. Not now, not now...

He turned his head upwards, and wiped away his tears. "As I was saying": understandably, a good chunk of his kingdom are unhappy with him. One of the main reasons they even stuck with him in the first place was because he could bring back Demise. Thankfully, I was able to intervene. Unfortunately, despite my assumptions, I hadn't killed Ghirahim."

Link clasped his hands together, and looked to his audience.

"As most of you may have guessed, if we were to ally with these rebel forces, we may be able to take down the Demon King. However, whether or not they wish to cooperate is another story, considering we've been at war for centuries."

Some looked thrilled at the prospect, others looked skeptical, "perhaps downright offended at the suggestion. Link bit the inside of his cheek.

"But in the end, this is only a suggestion. This could backfire horribly, but if it doesn't, we may have a chance."

And with that, he stepped down.