"Ah, it's the tiny travelers!" Boss Bludo booms upon seeing your and Link's return. "Yunobo told me all about how you two helped him, brothers. Here's a reward for ya. Hylians like you need this sorta thing, right?"

He holds out a trashcan lid sized palm with three fireproof elixirs inside. "Thank you," you say politely as Link grabs the glass bottles.

"Okay then," Bludo huffs. "Well, I took my painkillers, so I guess it is time to meet up with Yunobo. I mean no disrespect for Daruk's legacy, but if I'm not here to give that Rudania a good walloping..."

"Daruk?" Link echoes with interest.

"Are ya really telling me you don't know about Daruk?! The Goron Champion?!" The boss shouts like the two of you were across the city. "That statue up there, that's Daruk," he points. You and Link turn around and observe the massive stone carving of a mighty goron. Beside you, Link gasps in recolection.

You quickly turn to him as he stares at the statue with wide eyes for a few leaping seconds before looking straight at the ground.

"What's gotten into you?" Bluto inquires, brandishing a fist. "Hylians sure are strange. Anyway, Yunobo is actually a descendant of the great Daruk. That's why that slacker can even use Daruk's Protection!" The familiar dub spikes your interest. "He uses it to protect himself when we fire him at Rudania. That's the only way we can chase that blasted beast away. We have no choice because normal cannonballs are no good against him. All right, that's enough outta me. Gotta go drive off Rudania."

Yet again, a sickening cracking is heard from Bluto's back as he grunts in pain. "Are you okay?" you ask him for the second time.

"Oh yeah, just peachy," he mutters. "Dumb traveler, of course I'm not okay." You furrow your eyebrows at the rude attitude. He groans and starts again, "I'm afraid I won't be goin' anywhere today. I hate to put you on the spot, but could you go tell Yunobo I have to cancel for today? He should be at Eldin Bridge."

Upon hearing the name, Link's Sheikah Slate chimes and lights up. He unhooks the device from his belt and studies to screen, noticing a yellow marker, showing where the unlabeled bridge is.

The both of you bid the boss farewell and take off in the direction of your next destination. Once you reach just beyond the city, you enter the mountainous terrain of Eldin. Hot lava sludged in waterfalls around the cliffs. Rocks packed and cracked with magma littered the pathway, daring any living passerby's to step on them.

Just up the stone hill, you can see moblins bashing Yunobo's shield of Daruk's Protection with drawn weapons. "Oh no," you mutter and pick up the pace. With Link just behind you, you charge into battle, the moblins noticing you as you approach. You unsheathe your sword and drive it forward, piercing through the tough skin and spraying dark blood on the ground.

The Moblin pushes through the attack and winds back its weapon, ramming it down on where you were standing seconds ago. You slash at the beast with vigor, but your attempts seemed to barely whither the monster.

You grunt in frustration and pull your sword back, feeling the blade surge with electricity. At full charge, and just before the Moblin crushed you, you threw the blade forward with a spin, releasing the building power with a snap. Urbosa's Fury annihilated the foe.

Next to you, Link already took care of the other.

"Wow, you're crazy strong, goro," Yunobo smiled. "You saved me again!"

The weapons that the slain monster dropped catch your eye. You bend down and pick up the stone smasher, observing the details carved into the masonry. The design was so familiar, but you couldn't place your finger on it.

Then, you remember.

--~--

"Man, oh man, oh man!" Daruk exclaimed with sparkles in his beady blue eyes. "This was a day I never knew I'd enjoy this much."

(Y/N) looked up at the goron towering above. "I'm glad you're satisfied," (Y/N) said with a tip of the royal guard cap.

"Say, Commander, here's a fair idea," Daruk said, stopping in his tracks. "How about you head down south to the goron hot springs before you take off? The waters hold relaxation you could never imagine!"

"That's..." (Y/N) trailed off in consideration... "not a bad idea."

"But in a heads up, the journey is thoroughly interrupted by monsters. Boko-chumps and Lizal-nuisances a-plenty. It's a real crick in the neck." The goron stopped talking to listen closely, thinking he heard distant chatter.

Indeed, the road up ahead towards Goron City was intercepted by monsters with increased numbers compared to the last encounter. "There they go again," he grunted, taking his Boulder Breaker in hand. "More of those nasty guys appear every day. Commander, your abilities allow you to see premonitions, yes? I'd hate for this to be a part."

(Y/N) frowned at the gound. "I'm afraid to say the increased activity is indeed a sign."

"No use holdin' my breath," he sighed. "Death Mountain's louder than ever as well. All this is puttin' the lives of my brothers in danger."

The two exchanged looks of sincerity. "Well," (Y/N) began in hopes of lightening the darkened mood, "go ham on those bastards. Show me you really got your skills down today."

"Can do," he grinned and took off towards the mob of bokoblins. He swung his signature weapon back and rammed it in a spin down on the foes. The pig creatures slammed into nearby cliffs and fell into a lake of lava. Metal weapons as useless as twigs, the rest didn't deal a lick of damage against Daruk. Their meaningless lives were beat out of them in just a second.

The grand finale in the form of a moblin stomped towards the champion with a club in hand. Daruk gritted his teeth in a grin and grunted as he used his protection just as the beast drove an attack forward. The force ricocheted and knocked its own weapon out of its hands.

In one swift motion, Daruk swiveled around from using his power and switched to his Breaker, finishing the moblin off.

"You punks got nothin' on me, the mighty Daruk! Feast your eyes!" He declared with determined eyes that never broke a sweat. (Y/N) hastily caught up to the well trained student.

"Well done," (Y/N) admired. "Practice a little more and you'll have fluent control."

Daruk sang, "Thank you, Commander."

"I might just take your suggestion," (Y/N) began slyly, "and if you're up for it, you have my full permission to accompany me and pummel any beast that dare step foot in our way."

"Sounds like a deal!" He laughed and clapped (Y/N) on the shoulder, who could physically feel the stone cracking beneath them. (Y/N) chuckled nervously and rolled their shoulder, convinced if he hit any harder, he would've broken every bone.

--~--

You gasp at the unearthed memory you didn't know you had, nearly dropping the weapon. "What? What's the matter? Are they okay?" Yunobo asks Link who is looking at you in recognition. Both of you now re-met Daruk in your memories.

"I'm fine," you assure him.

"Seriously," Yunobo stretches his point, "thank you for arriving when you did. I'd be in real big trouble without you."

"It's really no problem," Link nods.

"No sigh of Boss, eh?" Yunobo says, looking over your and Link's shoulders.

"He's not coming," you inform him.

Yunobo raises his eyebrows in shock. "Not coming?" he echoes, "why?!"

"His back hurts," you explain.

Yunobo's sigh turns into a frustrated groan. He throws his head back before bowing his head down, frantically running his fingers through his tuft of white hair. "After we went through all that trouble to get them... the painkillers didn't even end up working, goro," he complains, trying to keep his cool. He looks up again and shakes his head with a frown. "Well if Boss can't help, then there's nothing else we can do. I suppose I'll just head back now."

"Wait a minute!" Link cuts in, "we're not going back."

"Huh?" Yunobo inquires, "what do you mean? Why, goro?"

"The two of us want to board Rudania."

"What?!" The young goron yelps, "you're gonna try to board the Divine Beast? Who do you think you are? Lord Daruk? It's dangerous in there, goro! But why risk it?"

"We need to take back all the divine beasts so we can save someone," Link declares, not diving into the details.

Yunobo hums in confusion. "Well, I don't really get it. But I'm sure you have your reasons, goro. The problem is--" Yunobo points to the metal structure stage left-- "good ol' boss raised the Bridge of Eldin to make sure mean Divine Beast couldn't get over here. In order to get where Rudania is, we'll have to find a way to get the bridge back down, goro. Boss would usually use the cannon to lower it... Ugh! We can't get across until we figure something out!"

"Wait, it occurs to me that you know how to use the cannons! Don't you, goro? Let's just do what I normally do when I help boss sometimes. That means I'm gonna be the cannonball, and you launch me, goro!"

"Are you sure?!" you ask him, concerned for his wellbeing.

A flicker of orange light materializes around Yunobo in the shape of a D20. "I got Daruk's protection, goro!" he claims with pride. "My ancestors' help can't possibly fail me! I can smash into anything and I won't be hurt! Alright, let's take aim a the bridge and fire away, goro!"

Protected by his power, Yunobo jumps straight into the machine where the cannonballs were loaded. Link wastes no time in conjuring a bomb and rolling it into the compartment. You take your stone smasher in hand and knock it against the lever. The canon rotates and locks right on the bridge. You protect your face with your arms as Link sets off the blast.

Yunobo launches into the air, spinning violently. He ricochets off the bridged and flies straight into the air. The bridge teeters and comes crashing down, connecting the two sides. Yunobo lands with a bounce and sways on the spot with stars blocking his sight.

"We did it..." he manages to say. "See goro? If we put our heads together, anything is possible. Daruk's protection really is somethin', huh? Let's get a move on and cross that bridge, goro."

You and Link walk past the goron and cross the bridge with Yunobo following close behind. You pass a sign that reads 'Death Mountain Marker #8: Bridge of Eldin. Heat level two. Non-gorons turn back or burn!'.

Just as you reach the end of the bridge, a roasting bridge sweeps over you, pointing towards the Divine Beast in question. Rudania thundered atop Death Mountain, salamander feet ablaze with red, tainted lights. A growl of intimidation echoed down the cliffs as doors can be seen opening on the machine. Out fly Guardian Skywatchers with chopping blades, scattering into formation to protect the beast.

"Oh yikes..." Yunobo muttered, barely audible. "A sentry is always a nuisance, no matter where it is or how many of them there are. If one finds you, Rudania goes nuts, which will cause Death Mountain to erupt, goro. I always get spotted and magma bombs come raining down on me..." He ran his fingers through his hair again in discomfort. "If boss were here, he'd swat those bombs right outta the air like it was nothing. I don't think someone as strong as you two could even pull that off, and I really don't want to cause you trouble. Maybe if we had a signal... and you could use it to tell me when to stop and go."

"How about a whistle?" Link suggests. You nod along at the idea.

"A whistle! Great idea, goro! Even though it's kinda like calling a horse... Okay, I'm counting on you and your whistles. Let's be off!"

You and Link exchange knowing nods and take off in a run. The coarse gravel crunched beneath your heavy boots, clanking loudly. It is such a good thing that the guardians aren't sound activated.

You come across the first obstacle. A skywatcher paced in the air above you, shining a red light. Right in the middle of the observed area is a curved boulder, perfect height to hide under. Link glances at you and Yunobo, waits for the skywatcher to be at the farthest point away, then motions for you two to follow him.

Quickly, the three of you manage to make it under and out of sight. The skywatcher passes over the rock, not detecting a single movement. You let out your breath and follow Link again to the next obstacle.

The path ahead is found blocked by two large boulders. Link immediately jumps forward and begins pushing on the large rock. You jump forward and help him, moving the obstacle just a few inches more. Without warning, another force joins in and the rock in pushed off the ledge with ease. You turn and see Yunobo give a cheeky grin. You nod in thanks.

Focusing on the task at hand, the skywatcher ahead was unmoving. You grab an ice arrow from your quiver, but Link stops you with a small whistle, the chosen signal to stay put. Behind you, Yunobo straightens up military style, determined to follow directions.

You look up and see him jump onto the rocky ledge. He climbs up and hoists himself up top the cliff. There, a slab of metal sits waiting. Using Magnesis, Link takes the heavy scrap and drops it on top of the skywatcher, which crashes and breaks.

Link jumps down again, using his glider to soften the fall and whistles again as the sign of 'go'.

Up ahead is one of Boss' canons. And beyond that, two guardian skywatchers. With no question of what to do, the three of you execute the same procedure you used with the bridge. Yunobo shoots right on target and destroys the watchers.

The job was finished and Rudania growls in defeat. The machine can be seen stomping higher on the mountain in retreat.

Yunobo returned in a bounce, protected by his power. "We did it! Direct hit, goro!" he cheers through his dizziness. He shakes his head and rids the lights from his eyes. "My ancestors came through for me! If we keep weakening it like this, you'll be inside in no time, goro!"

More skywatchers can be seen ahead. The three of you defeat the obstacles, which steadily grew harder as Rudania grew more desperate to stay protected. But the efforts were all in vain, as the three of you manage to push through the last obstacle and land a direct cannon hit on Rudania itself, right on the brim of Death Mountain.

The divine beast creaks and growls, steam puffing out of the cracks, completely done for. In last attempt to stay away from the champions, the salamander crawls to the edge of its home and dives head first. Magma bombs erupt from the brim and rain like comet showers. Thankfully none of you got hit, as those bombs would've been fatal.

"That was so cool!" Yunobo exclaims with his voice echoing across Eldin. "You really put a licking on that thing, brothers! It's time to finish the job!" You and Link nod in unison. "This is our big chance!"

"Come on!" Link says and grabs your arm.

"Woah, woah, what are you--!"

Link jumps off of the ledge, taking you down with him with perfect aim straight for the Divine Beast's back.