Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Entry 25: Vah Rudania
When I arrived in Goron City, I spoke with a few familiar Gorons and learned the whereabouts of their leader, known as The Boss. His home was distinctly marked, making it easy to find.
As I approached the elder Goron with a large white beard and wearing an eye patch, I introduced myself, and he warmly welcomed me, expressing his honor that a Hylian had traveled such a long way to meet him and pay respects. He introduced himself as Bludo and immediately began venting about the chaos caused by Vah Rudania. The Divine Beast had been running rampant, disrupting their mining operations and making a mess of Death Mountain. Though they had been using cannons to keep it at bay, it kept coming back.
Suddenly, Bludo cried out in pain, clutching his back. He explained that he had been dealing with recurring back pain, which reminded him that his assistant, Yunobo, had gone to the storeroom in the Abandoned North Mine some time ago and had yet to return. Concerned, he asked me to keep an eye out for Yunobo and let him know that Bludo was looking for him.
I head to the Abandoned North Mine to begin my search for Yunobo. The guard at the entrance confirms that Yunobo passed through earlier and warns me to be cautious of the monsters in the area.
As I make my way inside, I come across the Goron cannons. After some experimentation, I figure out that they can be operated using my Sheikah Bombs. With a combination of the cannons and my ice arrows, I quickly take down the Fire Lizalfos and clear out the monster camps scattered throughout the area.
Eventually, I reach what appears to be the storeroom, but the entrance is completely blocked by crystallized lava. From inside, I hear someone calling for help—it must be Yunobo. Spotting a nearby cannon, I carefully aim it at the obstruction and fire, blasting away the blockage.
Inside, I see a timid young Goron with a streak of white hair wearing a blue scarf attached to a rectangular medallion. He is surrounded by a glowing protective shield. As I approach, he initially panics, mistaking me for a monster, but after noticing my Flamebreaker Armor, he realizes I’m a Hylian. Introducing himself as Yunobo, he explains that a magma bomb trapped him inside the storeroom. Grateful for the rescue, he thanks me before hastily dashing off, saying he needs to deliver the medicine back to Bludo.
I return to Goron City, intending to speak with Bludo and Yunobo to learn more about Vah Rudania. However, when I arrive, only Bludo is there. He thanks me, saying that Yunobo told him how I helped with his rescue.
Bludo then mentions that Yunobo possesses Daruk’s special ability, Daruk’s Protection, and has been assisting him in pushing back Rudania to keep it away from the city. I ask about Daruk and Bludo is shocked. He explains that Daruk was the Goron Champion. He then gestures toward a massive stone carving above the city, pointing out that it was made in Daruk’s honor.
As I gaze at the statue, a memory suddenly floods back to me. I recall riding on Vah Rudania with Daruk as he practiced controlling the Divine Beast. He is kind and energetic, deeply devoted to his people and determined to protect them. He congratulates me on becoming Princess Zelda’s knight and offers advice about her, but our conversation is interrupted by a sudden earthquake. Massive boulders break loose and tumble toward us, but Daruk swiftly summons his protective shield, deflecting the rocks with ease. As the dust settles, he notes that he has never experienced an earthquake like that before…
When I snap back to the present, Bludo notices my dazed expression and asks what came over me. I shake it off as he continues explaining that Yunobo is Daruk’s descendant and has inherited Daruk’s Protection—which must have been the glowing shield I saw around him earlier. Because of this ability, Yunobo has been instrumental in helping Bludo keep Rudania at bay.
Bludo then informs me that Yunobo has already gone ahead to Eldin Bridge, and he was just about to go meet him. However, before he can leave, another sharp pain flares up in his back, forcing him to reconsider. He decides it’s best if he stays behind and asks me to find Yunobo at Eldin Bridge to let him know that Bludo won’t be coming.
I follow the road past Goron City, winding up and around the massive stone carving of Daruk. The path leads me to a long bridge stretching high above the city. Beyond the bridge, I come across the Goron Hot Spring, where several locals are relaxing in the pools. I take a moment to chat with them, including a Goron child who cryptically mentions that he hid something in a cave along the way to the Bridge of Eldin.
Continuing along the road, I come across a shrine and decide to complete it. Nearby, I spot a rock wall and break through it, uncovering a hidden Goron Drillshaft—likely the item the child was talking about.
Just past the shrine, I finally spot Yunobo. He is crouched near a Goron cannon, shielding himself with Daruk’s Protectionas two Moblins attempt to attack him. Wasting no time, I rush in and take down the Moblins, clearing the threat.
Grateful, Yunobo thanks me for saving him and explains that he’s been waiting for Boss. I inform him that Bludo isn’t coming, but I tell him I want to board Vah Rudania. Willing to help, he explains that we need to lower the bridge, which Bludo had raised to keep Rudania away from the city.
An idea strikes me—we can use the cannon. Yunobo then suggests that I launch him at the bridge, assuring me that thanks to Daruk’s Protection, he won’t be hurt. We give it a try, and as I fire Yunobo from the cannon, he slams into the bridge, knocking it down into place.
As we cross the bridge, Yunobo suggests that I can launch him at Vah Rudania using the cannons. If we hit it enough times, we might be able to disable it just enough for me to board.
When we reach the other side, closer to Rudania, we suddenly see the Divine Beast release a dozen flying drone scouts. Yunobo warns me that if we get spotted, Rudania will retaliate by launching magma bombs at us. Normally, Bludo handles these, and while magma bombs aren’t as dangerous to Gorons, they would be deadly for me—so we have to be extremely careful. We come up with a plan: I will take out the drone scouts, and when it’s safe, I’ll signal Yunobo with a whistle to move forward.
We manage to sneak past the first drone undetected, and I use boulders and metal mining crates to destroy the next few, clearing a path for Yunobo to continue around the mountain. Eventually, we reach a cannon within range of Rudania. Wasting no time, I load Yunobo inside and fire him straight at the Divine Beast. The impact causes Rudania to retreat further up the volcano.
We repeat this pattern—evading scouts, clearing a path, and using the cannons to launch Yunobo at Rudania. Each successful hit seems to wear the massive machine down, until finally, after multiple strikes, it loses its footing and tumbles into the volcano’s crater.
Rushing to the edge, we see Vah Rudania floating on the lava below. Realizing this is my chance, I immediately leap into the crater, deploying my paraglider to land safely on Rudania’s back. Yunobo watches in astonishment, then waves and calls out, wishing me luck as I prepare to face whatever awaits inside.
As I land on Vah Rudania and activate its travel rune, I hear a familiar, gruff yet warm voice—Daruk, calling me by his affectionate nickname, "little guy." His presence is reassuring as he greets me, saying he knew I’d return and is glad to see me. Like with the other Divine Beasts, he explains that I’ll need to retrieve the map rune from a terminal inside before I can take control of Rudania.
With that, I step through the entrance into the massive machine, but the moment the door shuts behind me, I am swallowed by complete darkness. The only sources of light are the flickering blue flames of two torches and the eerie purple and orange glow of Malice that has infected the Divine Beast. Despite being inside an enormous mechanical construct on the slopes of an active volcano, the interior is surprisingly cool—sealed off from the punishing heat outside.
I carefully make my way forward, grabbing a torch by the entrance and igniting it with the blue flame. The flickering glow guides my path as I navigate through the dim corridors, avoiding pools of Malice and using my bow to strike the glowing orange eyes that hold it in place. Slowly but surely, I push forward until I reach the map terminal.
Activating the terminal, I download the map of Rudania, and in an instant, the vents sealing off the outside world open. Light floods the interior, revealing the full scale of the Divine Beast’s intricate machinery. Along with the light, the heat from Death Mountain pours in, but thanks to my Flamebreaker armor, I remain protected from the sweltering temperatures.
Daruk's voice echoes once more, instructing me that, just like the other Divine Beasts, I must activate five terminals scattered throughout Rudania to regain control. With my newly acquired map, I begin my task, manipulating Rudania’s structure to access different areas. One by one, I locate and activate each terminal, steadily working my way toward my final objective.
With all five terminals activated, I make my way to the main control unit at the top of Rudania, ready for the battle I was expecting to come next.
As I activate the main control unit atop Rudania, a monstrous entity materializes before me—a towering, molten figure with a flaming, armored exterior and a massive, curved sword that radiates intense heat. Fireblight Ganon stands before me, its presence suffocating, but Daruk’s voice echoes in my mind, offering encouragement as I brace myself for battle.
Relying on my agility, I weave between its powerful swings, narrowly avoiding the scorching blade. At every opening, I unleash ice arrows, their chilling impact momentarily stunning the grotesque creature, causing it to stagger. Sensing weakness, I keep my distance, continuing to fire arrows to interrupt its attacks, determined to whittle down its strength.
Suddenly, Fireblight Ganon lets out a furious roar, summoning a glowing fire shield around itself. The battlefield grows hotter as it begins absorbing energy for a devastating attack. Instinct takes over—I quickly hurl a Remote Bomb into the swirling vacuum of energy and detonate just as it’s drawn in. The explosion shatters its shield, sending the beast reeling in pain, its massive form collapsing to the ground, stunned.
Seizing the opportunity, I rush in, the Master Sword glowing with righteous power. I unleash a relentless flurry of strikes, each blow carving through the weakened creature. With a final, desperate roar, Fireblight Ganon’s body dissolves into pure Malice, disintegrating before vanishing completely.
As the battlefield settles, Daruk’s spirit appears before me, his face filled with gratitude and pride. With a hearty laugh and a final word of encouragement, he grants me Daruk’s Protection, a powerful shield that will aid me in the trials ahead.
With one last farewell, orbs of light swirl around me, and in an instant, I am transported back to Goron City, leaving Daruk behind with a bittersweet sense of victory. Though his time in the world has ended, his duty is not yet complete.
With Fireblight Ganon vanquished, Vah Rudania is finally free from corruption. Daruk’s spirit takes command of the Divine Beast, guiding it to its rightful place atop Death Mountain. There, Rudania fixes its Divine laser upon Hyrule Castle, preparing for the final confrontation with Calamity Ganon—just as it was meant to, 100 years ago.
Meanwhile, Yunobo, still atop Death Mountain, watches in awe as Rudania settles into position. In that moment, he catches a fleeting glimpse of his ancestor’s spirit. Their eyes meet across the distance, and Yunobo raises his hand in a silent wave—Daruk returns the gesture with a warm, proud smile before fading away.
The moment leaves a profound impact on Yunobo. No longer the hesitant, unsure warrior he once was, he races back to Goron City, a newfound confidence and inner resolve burning within him. He now understands his role—not just as Daruk’s descendant, but as someone who can truly protect and lead his people.
I reappear at the entrance of Goron City and immediately sense a shift in the atmosphere—the tension that once loomed over the town has faded with Vah Rudania back under control. The Gorons move about more freely, their usual carefree energy returning.
Spotting Yunobo, I make my way over, and he excitedly tells me that the Boss wants to see me. Without hesitation, I head straight to Bludo’s home.
When I speak with Bludo, he expresses his deep gratitude, thanking me for saving Goron City. With a hearty laugh, he notes that his back pain has miraculously cleared up, and he jokes that he was just about to head up Death Mountain to take care of Rudania himself—if only I hadn’t beaten him to it. Now, with the Divine Beast no longer a threat, the Gorons can safely resume their mining operations, free from constant danger.
As a token of appreciation, Bludo gifts me Daruk’s preferred weapon—the Boulder Breaker, a massive, heavy blade that pushes the very limits of what I can physically wield. The weight alone is a testament to the strength of the Goron Champion.
Before departing, I decide to spend one last day in Goron City, indulging in one of their famous rock massages—an experience both invigorating and slightly painful. The next morning, as I prepare to leave, I notice jewel traders and merchants already returning to the city, eager to restart business. Taking the opportunity, I sell some of the precious gems I found while scaling Death Mountain, earning a small fortune in the process.
With my mission in Eldin complete, I set my sights on my next challenge. Gerudo Desert awaits—the last Divine Beast must be freed.
