Volvagia

Subterranean Lava Dragon Volvagia was a monster that plagued Hyrule, specifically Death Mountain, for many years. It flew through the air in a blaze of fire and dove unharmed through pools of molten lava. Volvagia was infamous among the Gorons for eating them alive, but was eventually defeated and slain by the ancient Hero of the Gorons.

Volvagia was revived on more then one occasion throughout Hyrule’s history by Ganondorf, but was destroyed by Link each time.

Characteristics
Volvagia was a serpentine creature armored in red scales. It boasted two forelimbs equipped with claws and its cranium was covered, presumably, by a helmet-like exoskeleton. A fiery mane streamed from its cervix which was capable of inflicting injuries when the dragon whipped its head. Although Volvagia lacked wings, it was capable of flying.

The dragon inhabited environments of intense heat filled with molten lava. It spent its time submerged in the lava and would emerge to assail intruders with its breaths of fire.

Ancient history
Volvagia was first discovered in ancient times. It was known for its appetite for Gorons and it spread fear and consternation throughout the tribe. Although Volvagia devastated a good portion of the race, it was finally bested by a hero of the Gorons who defeated it with the assistance of the legendary hammer inside the Fire Temple. Although little about the hero was known, his legacy as well as Volvagia’s would continue for generations to come.

Reawakening
After an untold number of years, Volvagia was revived during the Imprisoning War by Ganondorf. The ring of clouds surrounding Death Mountain darkened to reflect the impending danger. Following the sequence of events, Ganondorf’s forces invaded Goron City and captured all the Gorons except Darunia, his son, and the shopkeeper.

The captured Gorons were imprisoned inside the Fire Temple for Volvagia to feed on. Ganondorf executed the deed to exemplify the fate of the races whom opposed his despotic rule. Fortunately, Link caught word of Ganondorf’s scheme before it could be accomplished. At once, Link headed for the Fire Temple where he met Darunia. The Goron chieftain told Link, outside of Volvagia’s lair, that he would attempt to seal Volvagia before it could escape, despite lacking the legendary hammer. He beseeched Link to free the other Gorons while he fought with Volvagia. Subsequently, Link ventured through the entire temple, liberated the imprisoned Gorons, and obtained the Megaton Hammer along the way. Then he returned to the room he had last seen Darunia and used the Boss Key to open the door to Volvagia’s pit. Once inside he discovered that Darunia was nowhere to be found and the path behind him melted as Volvagia emerged.

After Volvagia flew out of the lava, it began to attack Link through an alternating pattern of exhaling streams of fire, bombarding the battlefield with boulders, raking him with its claws, or whipping him with its mane if he was close enough. Equipped with the Megaton Hammer, though, Link retaliated by smashing Volvagia’s skull each time it exposed its head to him from a lava pit. After being stunned by the hammer’s blow, Link either slashed the weakened dragon with his sword or struck him again with the Megaton Hammer. Ultimately, Link delivered the finishing blow and the dragon perished in flames. Then Link was brought to the Chamber of Sages where he discovered that not only was Darunia still alive, he was also the Sage of Fire who had awoken after Volvagia’s demise. Darunia thanked Link for saving the Gorons and presented him with the Fire Medallion.

Volvagia’s second reawakening
It is unknown how Volvagia was able to return after its defeat, but it is likely it was revived yet again by Ganondorf or one of his minions. In Link’s quest to reawaken Princess Zelda, Link ventured into Three Eye Rocks Palace to place one of the six crystals into its statue. As Link ventured into the final room in the palace he encountered Volvagia guarding the statue from Link. As the fight began Volvagia would swim through the lava in the beneath the room until it would come up from one of the three lava pits, trying to hit Link by exhaling fireballs. Using the Jump Spell to jump higher, Link struck Volvagia's head with his sword several times and eventually defeated it.

In the manga
In the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time manga, Volvagia played a notably significant role. As a child, Link purchased the baby Volvagia in Hyrule Castle Town and befriended it. However, seven years later, the dragon was brainwashed by Ganondorf and became destructive. Link reluctantly decapitated Volvagia and in its final moments, the dragon recognized him.

Behind the scenes
Volvagia was named Barba in the original English version of Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, but its name was changed to Volvagia for the Collectors' Edition version of Zelda II.

Appearances

 * The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
 * Zelda II: The Adventure of Link