The weight of the expedition had grown the heaviest at this point. The Goron workers were safe and most of the creatures within the mines had been defeated thus far. It was good to have strong companions like Phoebe, Lena and Pallin to accompany the Gorons, especially in such turbulent times such as this. However, there was still one area left to explore and possibly put this journey into the volcano at rest. Dormagoro's face hardened with a fierce determination, the stones on his iron back shifted with a tense motion. This was the final step into the domain of whatever laid ahead of them.
"Let's go." The Goron warrior waved his company, taking the first step forward. He ensured his friends were ready for hellfire and war. Dormagoro gave the Chief a nod then proceeded down the path, only to take the route to the right. It was a fairly new mineshaft as they passed strong iron beams that lined the path, holding up the metal mesh roof above them. Though it felt like an eternity as the path continued into a slope -- a descent much farther than anyone had gone for a long time. The amber light that was cast upon stone was gone, snuffed away by the impending darkness of that corridor but there was a flickering light at the end. The air had grown thick in heat, sulfur worked its awful scent at the party as the light ahead had grown brighter. It was only a matter of time until they reached the bottom of that slope, standing in front of a enormous door of ornate design. There were insignias of the various Goron tribes but the symbol of their people was above them all at the very center. However, huge gold chains were lashed against the entrance, sealed away by an ominous inverted eye of golden, purple and red.
Dormagoro stepped forward and gave it a good shake but it hardly moved. The chains were taut and way too thick to break away. "Strange. Kougoro said someone took the main key but how did they lock it away from the inside?" Of course, the Goron knew he wouldn't get an answer from his friends and the Chief, but it was very curious. Thankfully, the foreman had given him the final piece of the spare key and took a moment to assemble it. "I feel the heat coming off this door. We must be close to the main magma chamber so be very, very careful." He added sternly. This was uncharacteristic of Dormagoro, for often his tone were jovial and light-hearted. But something spoke to his heart, as the mounting pressure worked his bones. He didn't know what it was, but something made his skin crawl and strangely, he heard distant music. Once the spare key was assembled, the warrior raised it to the ominous eye straight into the keyhole.
Kerrrclunk!
The lock pad fell away as did the chains. Then the doors began to move out as red light spilled into the small room they stood in. The sound of music had become more apparent -- a soothing spell that welcomed them with heavenly plucks of taut strings. The way forth was open and Dormagoro crossed that threshold from the dark into the light. He only imagined the others would follow suit.
It was indeed the magma chamber -- the glow of Din's blood radiated all around, splashed upon the red stones as it danced a slow pace. They stood upon a level high above the massive ocean of magma which bridged over to the otherside of the volcano. The sky above could be seen, if one were trained enough to peer through the billowing gases. The heat was way extreme, as fire licked at the sides of Dormagoro's iron boots. Thankfully, the was plenty of room (immensely huge space) upon the bridge but it appeared some parts of it were cracked and crumbling. Suddenly, the entire ground beneath them shook as did the whole mountain. The far off edges of the bridge crumbled away. Yet, the healing song persisted, not wavered by the tremor. Dormagoro took that as a sign to move onward until something peculiar came into sight.
A figure sat upon a stone slab, plucking away at a strange-looking harp. Not that far from the person, were the massive skull of what only was spoken in myth; the great King Dodongo. It's head was larger than that of the Behemoth the Chief and Josh had taken down not so long ago. Yet, it seem wasn't entirely bone. While a part of its face was pure ivory, the other side of it crawled with blackened skin, pulsating with a same vermillion and teal ash that was seen on some of the creatures the party fought. The socket on where the eye had been stood a red ominous glow, trained upon the Chief. It was hard to get a scope of its size, largely due on part of half its body buried within the wall. Still, its fore claws were to be found and that warranted great caution as the blackened skin slowly enveloped bone.
"Magnificent King of Old, undone by the flow of time and left forgotten." The cloaked person chimed, still playing their somber tune. "A Living Myth of an bygone Story. What Chaos will ensue?" Then, the person turned to the group, only for the lowly glow of teal eyes to be seen beneath the cowl. Carefully, they stood up from their resting place and took a singular step to Dormagoro. "Well met, Great Chieftain of the Mountain Tribe and Warrior of the People." Teal pool fell from one person to other, tallying up their titles. "Little Blacksmith of Hyrule. Scholar of the Stars. Tourmaline... I take it your journey had been an arduous one?" Their voice was out-worldly and soft, a singing voice hidden beneath calm waters. Other than that tidbit, they appeared rather human in form, if the silhouette was anything to go by. Dormagoro gritted his teeth and raised his fist to the person. "So the person that stole the key from us must be you! This is no place for folks, especially folks not friends with Gorons!"
"Hehe.. Friends." They looked over the Goron's shoulder to view the party. "One would say be the Greatest Gift of all. Alas, such Gifts are fleeting, as are all things that come to past. We shan't stand in way of it. Take for instance, the Crown and its purveyors, Friend and Foe alike. Tis only Natural for Kingdoms to fell, is it not? Let the World shape anew -- allow the mountains to Sing their trembling Woes as do the oceans... Of course. Such is stubborn the People, for they only speak of Strength and Fear. Sadly, I must bring about the latter, in order to fulfill my purpose." The cloaked person kept the shadowed harp close to them while the King behind them stayed silent, but tense as its flesh knitted unto bone, only to be ashen with the strange affliction. The person looked back to the monstrosity.
"Unnatural it is, but Strength speaks to Strength, is it not, Chieftain of the Mountain Tribe?" Teal eyes focused on Solveig. "Fodlam might have Failed in His Duty and left broken. Though, I assure you, t'was only a matter of Contract. A Shame He had not anticipated your Prowess, for even in Your Presence, countless Battles and Scars are a Testament to your Strength."
"But I digress. We stand on grounds of Ceremony. This is were your Journey ends. For you and your Friends. I give you a Chance to turn back now. Live your Life, for the Days are Numbered and Twilight Comes."
