The Legend of Zelda is a series that features its fair share of tragedies. From the heartbreaking story of Young Link and Navi to the sad deaths of the four champions in Breath of the Wild, the Zelda franchise is rich with sorrowful stories. One of the lesser-known tragedies of the series comes from the Ocarina of Time manga, and revolves around Link and the boss of the Fire Temple, Volvagia.
For those unfamiliar, Volvagia is one of the more memorable bosses from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Arriving in the Fire Temple's final chamber and seeing the long, snake-like flaming dragon emerge from the lava-filled holes in the stage is something many players are sure to . The boss fight is essentially a glorified game of whack-a-mole, but becomes exceedingly difficult as Volvagia takes to the air causing rocks to fall onto the small stage. The fight with Volvagia is a classic in its own right, but the manga adds context to the fight that makes it stand out even more.
According to the Ocarina of Time manga, Link actually purchased Volvagia in Castle Town when it was still just a baby dragon. Link purchased the dragon with the intentions of setting it free, but Volvagia quickly became attached to Link. The two became good friends and Volvagia even learned how to say Link's name. Eventually, the two parted ways and went on their separate paths. The two would meet again, seven years later, but in much different circumstances.
Link Was Forced to Kill His Own Friend
Some time after leaving Volvagia, Link enters the Temple of Time and jumps seven years into the future. While Link was time traveling, Volvagia was taken under Ganon's control and became evil. Ganon uses Volvagia to take control of Death Mountain and threatens to destroy Goron City and submerge all of Hyrule in lava. Link must then travel to the heart of Death Mountain in order to prevent an eruption and save the Gorons. Once he reaches the center of the volcano, he realizes he must defeat his old friend.
When Link realizes the monster terrorizing Goron City is actually Volvagia, he pleads with the dragon to stop, but Volvagia no longer has any memory of Link. As Volvagia attacks, Link continues to beg the dragon to him, but it's to no avail. Ultimately, Link has no choice but to kill the dragon he saved when he was just a boy. He shoots Volvagia in the eye with one of his arrows to blind him, which is a nice nod to the actual boss fight from Ocarina of Time. Then, in one clean strike, Link cuts Volvagia's head off, killing his old friend. With its dying breath, the severed head of Volvagia whispers Link's name one last time, proving that he ed his friend after all in the most heart breaking fashion imaginable. Link is later haunted by the ghost of Volvagia's disembodied head as he crosses the Haunted Wasteland.
While the story of Link and Volvagia may not be canonical, it's one of the most heart wrenching tales in all of The Legend of Zelda lore. The relationship of Link and Volvagia goes completely overlooked in Ocarina of Time, but their story makes one of the games' best boss fights even more special.
Source: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time by Akira Himekawa
