The Legend of Zelda- Ocarina of Time

Dodongo's Cavern

Picture Credits:  https://www.deviantart.com/jaspersandner/art/King-Dodongo-279029484

Chapter 12

Dodongo's Cavern

Everything hurt.

Link opened his eyes, brushing away a film of dust that crusted his eyelids. Navi was calling him, hovering inches from his face. He sat up slowly, using the cave wall for support as he looked about the gloom of the tunnel. In front of him was a wall of rock and rubble, barely visible through the thick clouds of dust filling the air. Link blinked in confusion, sure he should be looking at the entrance to Dodongo's Cavern.

What happened?

He tried to recall what had transpired after he'd left Darunia's chambers, but his head was throbbing too much. Navi was no help as she loudly continued to shout his name. Link winced and looked up at her, so dazed that he was certain there were two fairies.

"Say something," Navi urged loudly.

"What happened?" Link rasped. He looked down at the scrapes and cuts along his arms and legs. Some of them were bleeding and stung painfully, but none were severe enough to warrant any immediate concern.

"When we entered the tunnel, the mountain started shaking," Navi explained. "I turned to see Jasper throw you forward, and then the roof collapsed. As far as I know, the volcano erupted—possibly some sort of magic trap to stop the Gorons from getting past the entrance. I noticed that the walls nearest the entrance had weakened... they were cracked when we entered. I assumed it was old damage, but now I wonder if it wasn't part of some spell."

Link barely heard Navi's words. On hearing Jasper's name, he gingerly propped himself upright on unsteady legs and looked for some sign of the Goron.

"Jasper?" Link called into the gloom. Only silence answered him.

"Link," Navi said, her voice trembling. "The tunnel roof fell on top of him. I think he's dead."

Link refused to listen, not willing to believe the Goron had died trying to get him out of harm's way.

"Jasper!" he called again. His throat felt raw as he shouted, "JASPER!"

"Keep your voice down. There are bound to be dodongos nearby. If they hear us-" Navi started, but Link was heedless of her warning.

No, he can't be dead, Link tried to convince himself. Please don't be dead.

He did not want to be alone, trapped in this lifeless cavern. Even with Navi's light, the shadows seemed to close in around him. He had to get out. He had to find Jasper. If he found the Goron, then together they might be able to move the rocky debris away.

Breathing heavily, Link limped to the fallen rocks and tried to shift some of the rubble, but the rocks were too heavy. He tripped on something. Navi gasped when she saw what it was—an arm with orange scales protruding from the rocky debris. Link's breath caught in his throat.

No! Don't leave us stuck here!

He bent down to tug on the arm. It was limp, lifeless. Refusing to believe the Goron could be dead, Link desperately tried to shove some of the rocks off him. They didn't budge. Thick black blood pooled beneath the rocks, but with only Navi's small light to guide him, Link didn't notice it.

"Link, I'm sorry, it's no use. Jasper's gone," she soothed gently. "There's no way he could have survived that."

Link gripped the Goron's hand, a prickling sensation starting behind his eyes as he fought back tears. What kind of hero kept getting those around him hurt and killed? He had struggled to save the Great Deku Tree, ultimately failing in his efforts. Talon and Malon had almost died because of him, and now Jasper was dead. Link had been little more than a stranger to Jasper, yet that had not stopped the Goron from saving him. After a moment's silence, he let go of Jasper's limp hand. Struggling upright, he brought his attention back to the immediate problem—the blocked entrance.