As he approached the valley beneath Death Mountain, he was relieved to find a stable. The stable was quiet, empty. Very few people would come to this stable. With good reason: Death Mountain claims many victims.
He dismounted and asked for a few nights' stay for a couple of things for his scaling of Death Mountain.
Near the stone arch to the path up the mountain was a large obsidian slab. Link spotted it and came closer to it to observe it. It was a drawing of some kind, labeled "Death Mountain Mystery".
A tall, dark mountain whose peaks reached the clouds; Death Mountain. A long curvaceous river, no doubt The Hylian River. A deep canyon that ended in a large rectangle with the emblem of an ancestral sigil. It resembled a hexagon, with 3 triangles on its front, and wings extended by its sides. He recognized the emblem immediately. A Hylian Crest. It looked extremely similar to the one on his shield. No doubt a symbol of royalty.
That was where the Triforce was hidden. He was sure. Everything in his body told him he was getting close. The riddle would remain unsolved for the rest of the Hylians, but Link quietly walked away from it, knowing now where he was so much closer than before.
Although the keeper warned him time and time again, Link pressed on. Grass wilted and the dirt turned to stone. And the stone turned from gray and rough, to black and smooth. The air warmed around him and a low bubbling noise was heard from every direction. Link could feel Death Mountain greet him and it was not a friendly welcome.
Ash.
Falling like snow across the scorched earth.
Epona wouldn't have made it across the dragon stone, and Link knew he was getting close. Carefully, his hands wrapped in rough cloth, the heat blasting him as he descended into the canyon, he began his next travel. The glow of lava and magma deep below him, lighting the so-called bottomless gorge. One hand at a time, he lowered himself into the pit. Certain he would find the Temple that housed the magic golden triangle, the Triforce he sought so much after. It took him hours and many close calls. Watching pebbles and stones stumble and fall into the red streams of fire and death.
The heat!
The heat was incredible. He rationed his water and food carefully, quickly becoming warmer the longer he stayed. Every now and again a steamy breeze blew across his face. It brought no comfort.
Death Mountain quickly proved its name when he placed his hand across a stone and jumped back. Frozen in stone and time was a traveler, who had previously made the trek, and failed. Bones charred and unrecognizable. Whoever this was, be he missed or not, never returned. Forever a part of the mountain.
Will he survive? Link brushed aside all his doubt for just a little longer. After all, he made it this far.
Finally, he saw his salvation. A confirmation of his endurance and courage. A collapsed bridge of old, its legs plunging deep into the depths of this canyon and its path blocked by stone harder than iron. His water on the brink of boiling away, he rushed across the bridge, the exhaustion reaching a tipping point. He scanned across the boulder for a way to move it or get around it. As he scaled this impressive rock he noticed within it were precious stones of all colors. A geode? Perhaps this rock is hollow and simply much lighter than what it seemed. Link, perhaps the fumes affecting him too much, thought his best plan was to simply push the boulder out of the way. Once on his feet he absurdly heaved the giant stone. And to his surprise it moved quite quickly! Was he stronger than he imagined?
Except, it kept moving. In fact, multiple stones moved and cobbled together to form arms and legs.
Death Mountain and it's temple had a guardian.
Link jumped back and prepared for a battle against a rock beast. But what would a sword do against stone? Even with the Master Sword, it is still iron or silver against hardened lava stone. The bridge was now shaking under the immense shifting weight of this Obsidian Talus, and Link focused on the enemy. The beast of stone launched molten rock at its fingertips, and Link could only evade.
Link prepared his sword, the fumes an ancient memory now, as the Talus lumbered with no eyes towards him. The weight of its body collided with the bridge, when the Talus slammed its arms into it.
And Link saw his opportunity. The red speckled stone was warm to the touch, as he hopped along its back, but the Talus knew someone had climbed on it.
With many sways, Link toppled over and the Talus, growing redder and hotter, began to smoke. Link evaded more molten rock and stone as the Talus tossed bits of itself towards him. Once more, Link saw an opportunity when the Talus slammed itself into the ground, the bridge shaking and crumbling with it.
He climbed on the talus, his shoes smoking and felt the immense heat wafting around him. A glimmer was spotted. Along its back was a large crevasse, filled with glimmering stones.
After all, even beasts of stone must have a heart.
He dug his sword deep into its exposed precious stone vein and sparks ejected out, steam blew by and the stone began to crack. The Master Sword glowed a bright blue and the Talus shrieked as it's fingers, hands, arms, and finally it's body crumbled into coarse sand leaving behind nothing but gems. Vibrant greens, blues and reds. Even some diamonds. But really, what treasure would Link be after?
He stared ahead, and saw in front of him a tall and impressive doorway. It's cracked paint and etching told him everything. The closer he got the more the etchings told the story. The entrance to this temple would remain sealed, unless someone was brave enough to make this journey. And that someone had to carry the one Sword that Seals Darkness.
As he passed underneath the arch, a cool breeze filled the large room, it's smooth stone interior insulated from the outside volcanic rock. The room was dimly lit, with torches dotting the wall, with the markings of Royalty all across them. Was Link the first one to enter this place?
However, this temple was not like any other he had ever seen.
The square room had 3 stone slabs acting as doors, all permanently closed. In front of each door was an elevated limestone slab.
Link hadn't realized he was standing on one and when Link stepped off, the entrance closed.
The darkness became imposing, and Link instinctively grabbed a torch off the wall.
In the center was a large raised pedestal. Perfectly square, and a thin slot in its middle.
He is stuck in here now. And who knows when he was going to escape. But the Triforce is here somewhere. He was certain like never before.
The prophecy he once didn't believe in, was about to be fulfilled, the moment he unsheathed the Master Sword and lowered its vibrant sky blue blade into the slot in the floor.
It hissed as he slid the blade downward.
The Sword began to vibrate and glow bright.
Click!
Slam!
The door in front of him began sliding, dust falling off the chains and gears clacking, and Link lifted the Master Sword out of its pedestal. Behind the door was a long single stone path, untouched by man. The entire room was filled with a still, reflective pool of water reaching the corners, and an oddly placed single tree in the middle.
The path was lit up by the sunbeams penetrating the ceiling. This was a holy place, in Link's mind, and he could even hear his breath. He tried to hold it as long as he could as he saw the Triforce cradled by nothing, staying on a short pedestal which is emblazoned with ancient text and designed with etchings of the goddesses, telling the story of how the Triforce was crafted, holding the three golden holy triangles above their heads. Link could feel its warmth as he stepped slowly towards it. His steps and his breathing reverberated across the room.
However, the moment he extended his arm, he heard a laugh.
"Congratulations, Link. You have now officially saved Hyrule."
Link immediately unsheathed his sword and prepared to strike. Aganhim floated above the path and chuckled. "Why so scared, boy? Where's your courage? I must say, I'm impressed you managed to get this far. Now," he pointed his staff, its tip engulfed in purple flames, "move aside. That belongs to Ganondorf."
Link stood his ground and stepped forward.
Aganhim laughed. "Stop pretending to be the hero. You have no place here anymore!" His staff spewed a bright and evil flame, which Link rolled away and positioned himself to strike Agahnim. But Aganhim disappeared, into smoke, when his sword struck the ground. His laugh, echoing all around. Link was now in the water, the pool, barely reaching his ankles, listening to the laugh.
"Don't make me laugh. Perhaps, you need some...new perspective."
Link narrowed his eyes, but couldn't see anyone. Jerking his head back and forth he swiped at the barely visible staff, parrying each attack.
A sharp pain entered his chest and his breath leaves his lungs.
He gasped and felt his entire body shake as the invisible staff was piecing his center. Agahnim slowly reappeared and pushed him on his back. Link fell back first into the pool.