When Link returned to Hyrule Field, he noticed once again the strange appearance of Death Mountain. Dark clouds surrounded the mountain and a ring of supernatural fire circled the peak. Concerned about the Gorons, Link hiked up Death Mountain Trail to Goron City. He found the city deserted, except for one Goron rolling around the perimeter of one of the city's levels. The Goron wouldn't stop and tell him anything, so he planted a bomb in front of him to get his attention.

The Goron looked up, and turned out to be only a young lad. He angrily called Link one of Ganondorf's servants, and revealed his name to be Link, Hero of the Gorons! When he found out that this green-clothed intruder was also named Link, he realized that this must be the "legendary Dodongo Buster and Hero, Link!" He was Darunia's son, and had been named after Link. He tearfully asked Link to save everyone, and told him what had happened:

Everybody was taken to the Fire Temple... While my dad was out... Ganondorf's followers came and took them all away! All of them will be eaten by Volvagia! Dad said that Ganondorf revived Volvagia... As a warning to those who might oppose him, Ganondorf is going to feed them all to Volvagia! Dad went to the Fire Temple all by himself to try to save everyone...

Darunia's son gave Link the Goron Tunic, a red, heat-resistant covering, and although Darunia had told him not to let anyone follow, begged Link to save his people.

Link entered the Death Mountain Crater through a secret passageway in Darunia's throne room. The unearthly red light and unbearable heat would have been more than Link could handle, had it not been for the Goron Tunic. After hookshotting his way across a broken bridge, Link came face to face with Sheik.

It is something that grows over time... a true friendship. A feeling in the heart that becomes stronger over time... The passion of friendship will soon blossom into a righteous power and through it, you will know which way to go... This song is dedicated to the power of the heart... Listen to the Bolero of Fire...

Sheik taught him the Bolero of Fire, and disappeared in a bright flash of Sheikah magic.

Link entered the Fire Temple, and before long found Darunia. Darunia told Link that he was going to try to seal the dragon. He was worried about not having the legendary hammer that his ancestor had used, but having little choice, he asked Link as his Sworn Brother to free the prisoners while he dealt with the dragon.

Link explored the temple, freeing Gorons as he went along. He found a fire wizard called the Flare Dancer guarding the legendary Megaton Hammer, needed to defeat Volvagia. He faced the Flare Dancer again when it was guarding the last Goron prisoner. The last freed Goron surmised that Darunia had asked Link to free him, and he begged Link to help Darunia. Link agreed to do this, and followed Darunia to Volvagia's chamber. But he found Volvagia's lair empty. Suddenly the fire dragon burst forth with a roar, and Link watched with amazement as it flew through the air. Using the legendary Megaton Hammer, Link smashed the face of subterranean lava dragon, saving the Gorons from a terrible fate.

Link warped to the Chamber of Sages, where he witnessed Darunia's awakening as the Sage of Fire. Darunia bestowed upon Link the Fire Medallion, imbued with the power of the fire spirits and his friendship.

Link was transported back to Death Mountain Crater. Using the Megaton Hammer, Link destroyed some boulders blocking the entrance to a cave. Inside, Link found the Great Fairy of Wisdom, who enhanced his magic power.