"Remember, letting go isn't about having the courage to release the past; it is about having the wisdom and strength to embrace the present."

~Marc and Angel~

Ancient Roots

Chapter 24: Courage

Pushing away a low-hanging branch in front of me, I step out into the gorgeous afternoon daylight illuminating Faron Woods, emerging in a familiar large clearing that Karane and I had walked through during our first day on the Surface—a day that feels like lifetimes ago now. In the distance, the white structure that acted as a beacon to get into the Deep Woods shines brightly despite the Bokoblins patrolling nearby.

Once I'd learnt the song that would lead me to the first trial, I left the Isle of Songs and didn't even think about returning to Skyloft despite the mental fatigue weighing me down. Just like I'd insisted to Fi: whatever tiredness I feel doesn't matter when I have people to protect. The longer I stay in Skyloft, the more time I'll waste when I could be finding my way back to Link. And besides, I don't think I can stomach staying there with everything that's happened—I'll end up bringing more people with me and I can't do that again.

My dowsing guides me to the centre of the clearing where I spot a pulsating golden mist surrounded by a cluster of butterflies, the insects seemingly attracted to the strong aura. I remember Father once telling me that butterflies fluttering around a certain spot meant that the Goddess herself had blessed that area—islands like Austri are full of butterflies for this reason. And now I know for certain that he wasn't wrong.

The butterflies scatter as I reach the mist, leaving me alone as I sheathe the Goddess Sword and reach out to let the glow envelop my hand. It feels oddly warm and is so transfixing that I don't notice Fi's appearance until she instructs me to take out my harp. Bringing Farore's Courage to mind, I test a few strings before starting, only to jump when a blue crest appears on the ground with a white triangle in the middle.

This must be it.

Inhaling deeply, I begin to play. Fi begins humming along to the harmony and, one by one, petals of light start to fan outward from the blue crest to create a beautiful flower design in the earth between us. Once the flower is full of petals, I play the one through one final time and listen as Fi sings along.

"Fly far away on the mind,
Let your spirit unwind,
Courage, young Hero,
As these words echo…
Hear this bright, joyful song,
Allow it to make you strong,
Let your spirit grow,
Let your courage show…"

My fingers trail off the last few strings and Fi holds the final note perfectly. The flower before us glows even brighter and I breathe, "What's happening?"

"Something here is reacting to our performance of Farore's Courage," she explains. "In addition, I have confirmed the appearance of a strange mark on the ground. I calculate a 90% possibility that this mark is a Trial Gate, as mentioned by the Goddess statue we heard from on the Isle of Songs."

Placing my harp back into my bag, I observe the mark on the ground before casting my eyes back up to Fi, "How do I start the trial?"

She nods to the Goddess Sword at my side before responding, "Thrust your sword into the centre of the mark on the ground before you, Dominae."

I silently nod and take the sacred sword into my grasp, holding the hilt in one hand and resting the flat side of the blade against the other so I can see my reflection. Based on Fi's explanation of the trials, I'm going to be tested on my spiritual strength rather than my physical abilities. And if Farore is the Goddess of Courage, then surely my bravery will be tested in some way?

But I don't feel very brave, I think to myself, staring at my own reflection with a frown. Maybe I'll have to prove myself to her…

Swallowing thickly, I step closer to the mark and hold the Goddess Sword above the design with trepidation as I think about what I might find in this trial. Keeping my gaze trained on the mark beneath me, I shakily ask Fi, "Nothing can hurt me in there… can it?"

"These trials are a test of spiritual growth, Dominae. Due to this, they take place in a realm where your physical body cannot be harmed," she's quick to reassure me. But, before I can breathe a sigh of relief, she then adds that, "However, these trials have been specifically created to challenge you in ways that this physical realm could never achieve. Please proceed with caution."

Her words are meant to prepare me, but they only fill me with dread. I've travelled through the unknown before, but this truly feels like a different level. On the day of the Wing Ceremony, the biggest thing I had to deal with was the prospect of Link somehow being alive and that I would be able to see the land below the clouds the following day. And now, after everything that's happened, Fi's telling me about different realms where my physical form won't be harmed. I can already feel a headache forming behind my eyes.

But like with everything I've faced before and everything I'm sure to face after this trial, I need to keep going. Facing this trial is the only way to finding the Sacred Flames and my only way back to Link. That alone is enough to spur me on despite my fear because I promised him that the showdown at the Temple of Time wasn't goodbye, and I've never gone back on a promise.

It's the only way to save him, I tell myself over and over like a mantra. It's the only way to save him…

Taking the plunge, I fall into a kneel as I thrust the Goddess Sword into the Trial Gate, only feeling partial resistance from the ground as the blade sinks into the soft earth. A white light fills my vision and I instinctively try to move my hands away from the hilt, only to find that my entire body's frozen in place. Panic rises in me, but there's nothing I can do as my consciousness fades and I feel like I'm suddenly floating on air.

Hylia, help me through this. Please…

~Interlude~

"So, now you know everything."

Link nodded, unable to ignore the heavy weight on his shoulders now that Impa had explained everything to him. They'd walked down the spiralling pit outside the Temple of Hylia and sat at the bottom for hours as the Sheikah told him the story of the Great War and how he'd managed to be landed in his current situation. By the time they'd gone back inside, he couldn't help but feel lucky that he wasn't dead already—he'd survived by the skin of his teeth for sure.

But there was something positive in finally having the answers to all the questions he'd had lingering at the back of his mind. Although what happened at the Temple of Time still plagued him and he prayed that everyone was alright (he wouldn't be able to forgive himself for leaving if something had happened after he escaped), now he could finally do something to protect them from this side of the Gate of Time.

This was it now; no more running away. He wasn't going to be a liability to anyone anymore. No more 'we can't do that because it's too risky for Link' or 'we can't let Link go on his own because he might be attacked.' He was done making everyone worry. Now that he understood what was going on, he could finally be useful. And with more of the first Bearer's memories on his side, he had a lot to live up to.

So, he stood tall as the Sheikah walked around him as she spoke, keenly following her movements with his eyes. But Impa did her best to remain emotionless as she considered their next steps. The cold chill of night had seeped its way into the back room of the temple, but they had much to do before they could rest. Ever since they'd come through the Gate of Time, Impa knew what training the newest Bearer had to undergo, and she did her best to seem immune to the gruelling task he was about to endure.

"And now you understand what will become of this world if the Demon Lord's plan is realised, correct?"

"Yes."

"Wrong," she corrected from behind him. "Close your eyes and try to imagine what will happen if the Demon King is revived."

He did as instructed. The first thing he thought of was Skyloft—it was so defenceless that it'd be destroyed in hours if the Demon King returned. He doubted many would survive such an onslaught either, which only made his stomach turn at the thought of it. He dreaded to think what would happen to Zelda and his loved ones for defying the darkness as they did.

The Surface would be doomed. The kind souls he'd met would suffer, the skies would be forever blackened, the places he'd been to reduced to rubble. From the depths of the first Bearer memories, he pictured the Demon King standing alone amongst the flames, cackling into the dying wind.

As for him? Well, he knew for certain that he wouldn't be alive to witness any of it.

His heart sunk further into his chest.

"Can you picture it?" she prompted, bringing him back to the present moment.

"Yes."

"Wrong." He heard Impa stop in front of him and he opened his eyes to meet her intense gaze. "No one can imagine the destruction that the Demon King will bring to this land. What you're picturing would only be the beginning." And just like that, he suddenly felt very small and up against the world itself—which he supposed was his reality. "Do you understand?"

He nodded and swiftly changed the subject, "When will I start learning the spell?"

"We'll get to that. For now, we must prepare you for the worst case scenario." He hung on her every word as she continued walking around him again. "If the Demon Lord ever manages to capture you again, then he will perform a ritual known as the Discidium in order to sacrifice your soul to the Demon King. The Discidium was used by the Sheikah as a torture technique for traitors during the Great War where the caster would enter the person's mind and turn their thoughts upside down until they found answers; there would be no defence against a spell of this level."

And that's what's going to happen to you, an oh-so-helpful part of his voice offered.

Shut up.

"However, this technique was discovered by demons and adapted to suit their needs. It was often used against our prisoners of war with horrifying consequences." She stopped again in front of him, the gravity of the situation almost palpable. "The Demon Lord's Discidium will drain your life force—your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual energy—in order to extract the physical essence of your soul."

"How will he do that?"

"You will be trapped in your mind and at Ghirahim's complete mercy," she said, refusing to hold back despite her pounding heart. "All of your thoughts and memories—both good and bad—will be turned upside down and inside out until you no longer know yourself. Everything you think will be blackened and marked with evil until your mind shuts down and your body surrenders your soul."

"How does it feel to have your spirit torn apart piece by piece?"

He lowered his head, feeling sick.

Taking a moment to find his voice, Link asked, "How can I possibly prepare for that?"

Impa sighed, knowing exactly what she had to do next. It wasn't like the new Bearer wasn't strong enough to face the unknown, but the Discidium was a harrowing experience. Although she'd never experienced it, she (as a Sheikah) had performed it on others during wartime and seen how the demons had twisted the spell into such an awful ritual—very few prisoners of war returned to their homeland after being captured by such monsters.

"The only way you can prepare for that is to experience it yourself," she said finally, watching the colour drain from his face. "As a Sheikah, I can recreate an illusion of the Discidium in your mind so that you can prepare yourself for anything the Demon Lord may throw at you. If you ever fall into his hands, then you must be confident that you can protect yourself for long enough for us to rescue you."

Her proposition sent his mind spiralling. Of course, he was more determined than ever to help and do everything he could to be the person he needed to be, but this was too much to bear. The way Ghirahim spoke about the ritual with so much glee had already rooted a fear of the Discidium deep inside of him, and now he had to willingly consent to witnessing it—illusion or not.

And he had to consent; he knew this was the only way to prepare himself.

But still…

"Impa, I…"

Her expression faltered when he struggled to find his voice, and she placed her hands on his arms, "This will be only an illusion; you won't be physically harmed. It will be an overwhelming experience, but I will stop whenever I sense your distress." She could see her words gave him a little comfort, but nothing could truly prepare him for what he was about to experience.

Nonetheless, he swallowed thickly and forced his voice to work, "I'll do my best."

And Impa saw no point in delaying his training. Firmly wrapping her arm around his shoulders, the Sheikah sent forth a brisk burst of magic to knock him out, falling into a crouch as he collapsed to the floor. Her lips turned down into a frown as she lay him gently on the ground and squeezed his hand. She hated having to do this, but this was the only way.

It's the only way…

"One day, I hope that you can put all this pain behind you," she murmured.

A shiver ran down the Sheikah's spine as she delved into his mind and began the painful, illusory process.

~Zelda~

This world is nothing like I've ever seen before.

I rise from where I was once knelt, lips parting at the strange parallel world around me. The greens and sunny colours that I'm used to seeing in Faron Woods have been drained away in this place and painted over with a world of gentle blues and ethereal greens. The sky is dotted with clumps of clouds that are dusty like the ones in Lanayru, however are tinted a teal colour and crawl across the sky like fingers in search of something.

It's so beautiful, but in a cold, terrifying way; it's like a dream that's on the threshold of becoming a nightmare.

What's worse is the silence. Apart from my light breathing and pounding heart, I can't hear anything—no rustling of trees, no breeze, no grunts of monsters. Nothing at all. It automatically puts me on edge and I hate it with every fibre of my being. My eyes follow a few orbs of light that dart around the world, investigating me for a moment before leaving me be.

And yet, as I begin to step forward and have a look around this world myself, Fi's voice suddenly echoes around me, "Dominae!" I jolt into a stop with a cry, quickly covering my mouth to suppress the sound.

"F-Fi?" I breathe through my hands. I look down to draw the Goddess Sword, only to find that I have none of my effects—no Goddess Sword, no harp, no bag of potions. Even more so, I stare down at my hands with wide eyes as I notice how my entire body glows with a light blue hue. My mind screams at me for being so vulnerable, but I don't know what's going on.

"As expected, I cannot follow you into this realm, for this trial calls out to your mind alone," her voice bounces around the realm; it's too loud. "This is the nature of places known as Silent Realms. They are domains of the spirit, accessible only to the Goddess's chosen ones. This particular trial, Farore's Silent Realm, tests the limits of your courage."

Just as I'd thought, I muse. I glance down to the flower design below, noticing a large blue circle around it adorned with incomprehensible runes.

"Where is this place exactly?"

"It is a spiritual realm," she clarifies. "Your spirit has temporarily separated from your physical body so that you may undertake this challenge. To reach the location of the flames that will enhance your sword, it is necessary for you to overcome this trial and undergo spiritual growth."

I swallow thickly. Temporarily separated from my body? Goddesses save me…

"So, what do I need to do?"

"Once you step outside this protective circle, you will begin the trial," she explains to me. "While I cannot conjecture what may occur in your trials, for they are yours and yours alone, the Goddess will not test you lightly. In order to achieve spiritual growth, one must first endure. Once you have proven your growth here, the Goddess will bless you with a new power." I nod slowly in understanding. "Your work in this realm is referred to as a trial for good reason."

I swallow thickly. She is right, of course, that I can't deny. But what she says sends shivers down my spine. Farore is here to test me, to push me, maybe to even make me suffer, so that I can become the person that I need to be. As scary as it sounds, it makes sense and I'm going to welcome it—I have to become that person for Link's sake, for Skyloft's sake, for my sisters' sakes.

My eyes suddenly land on a figure standing ahead of me. The tall, imposing figure is dressed all in white and adorned with golden accents. But what steals my breath away is the blade in its grip that's as wide as me and almost as tall as me as well, "What's that, Fi?"

Thankfully, Fi understands what I'm looking at and replies, "That, Dominae, is known as a Guardian. They are beings who serve the Goddesses and protect these Silent Realms; they may aid or attack you, depending on their role in each of the Goddess's Silent Realms." My stomach twists uncomfortably as I force myself to look away from them. "If a Guardian manages to land even a single hit on you, your spirit will shatter and you will fail the trial."

The thought of my spirit shattering makes my heart skip a beat and I breathe, "Hylia protect me…"

"Was my explanation clear, Dominae?"

I nod and croak, "Yes, Fi. Thank you." Although it doesn't change the fact that I'm dreading this already, Fi can't do anything to change that.

"Understood. I will be eagerly awaiting your return in the outside world," she says, then, "May the Goddess watch over you, Dominae."

And like that, her presence fades away and I'm all alone.

I stand there for Goddess knows how long. Since the trial won't start until I leave the protective circle, I take my time in digesting Fi's explanation and desperately try to ignore the sheer silence of this place and the fear bubbling up in my gut. But I'm terrified to step out the protective circle in fear of what will be waiting for me out there. I can't be physically hurt, though I fear I'll have to endure something far worse.

Goddesses, what's Hylia thinking as she looks down at me now? I scold myself. Her chosen one can't even muster the courage to face the task at hand…

Closing my eyes, I force myself to take a few deep breaths. The silence is getting to me, the waiting is getting to me, the situation is getting to me. I don't know how much time passes in the real world, but any time wasted is time that Ghirahim could be getting closer to Link. My ears begin to ring from the silence, and it isn't long before I can't take anymore.

Stepping out of the protective circle, the Silent Realm's once serene world drains away and becomes alight with flames, a high-pitched noise piercing my mind as if someone is screaming straight into my ears in agony. I cry out and cover my ears, bending over from the pain, begging for it to stop.

And then, miraculously, it does. The sound disappears suddenly, and the grass beneath my feet is gone. Opening my eyes, I straighten and find myself on familiar cobbles, my heart twisting with both reminiscence and fear at where I find myself.

Skyloft…

My island—Zelda's home—has been shrouded in the same serenity that Faron Woods was only moments ago. Gone are the people and the joy with only silence and fear remaining over what may happen next. Looking back over my shoulder, the plaza's diving platform seems to drop off not into a world of fluffy white clouds, but into an abyss of nothingness.

I spot a bright light in the corner of my eye and barely have time to react before something begins to come my way. A strange, flying creature adorned in white and gold garments carries a simple lantern, but it looks so similar to the Guardian I saw before that I'm instantly on edge—they're not a friend. It watches over the Light Tower silently, and I quickly press my back against the base of the tower before it can spot me.

"You are wise to be wary of the Watchers," a twinkling voice—Farore, I'm sure—whispers out to me. "However, I am testing your courage, not your wisdom." A pure white flower blooms before me, and the edges of one of the petals immediately begin to wilt. "Complete the trial before this flower wilts. If you fail, you shall be pursued by my Guardians and Watchers. Good luck, sister…"

The Watchers, I muse as I glance up to the flying creature, the flower embedding itself into the inside of my wrist like a brand. I'll have to make sure that I don't take too long…

I peel myself away from the wall when the coast is clear, searching around for anywhere that I may be able to prove my courage. It isn't long, however, before I spot a tall, imposing figure standing stiffly in the centre of the pathway leading towards the Knight Academy, close to where I spoke to Fledge earlier today.

I must fight it and prove my courage, I conclude. I move to grasp my sword, only to remember that I'm weaponless. Unless… it's here to help me?

The figure is dressed in a cloak blacker than night and trimmed with gold designs, its face concealed by a dark cowl and large, bony horns stick out of the side of its head with thin triangle earrings dangling from the horns. Breathing deeply, I force myself forwards towards the large figure, constantly checking the flower to see how quickly I'm losing time. Dodging past a Watcher surveying the path leading to the Bazaar, I creep towards the creature with sweaty palms.

However, the figure steps away when I get close, turning away from me and taking long strides up the dusty path towards the Knight Academy. Tilting my head, I watch it move for a few steps; my heart stopping when the hood of the figure looks over its shoulder at me.

"Inmineo," it commands sternly. When I don't move, it repeats it again, stronger, "Inmineo!"

I jump at its tone and obediently follow behind it, assuming that it wants me to follow. I don't recognise the word, but I recognise the tone. The figure continues onward up the path without delay, and I have no choice but to follow it. There's nowhere else I can go, and Fi did say that the beings in this place may be there to help me—maybe this is one of them? Nonetheless, it walks straight under a Watcher's light without hesitation, giving me little time to hide from it before I am chasing after it once more.

As we walk, I try my best to keep my mind clear of anxiety and focus on happier memories from Skyloft. Things like Gully always climbing the trees to find Sky Stag Beetles and Link usually helping him because of his own curiosity (and me normally patching him up whenever he got pinched by one), having picnics outside the Academy on summer days and watching the sun go down in the evening, and nights where—

"Zellie, don't go in there! It's too dangerous!"

I cry out at the sudden voice, both scared at how loud the voice is in this silent place and the memories that it brings back. The figure continues walking as if it heard nothing, but I have to stop for a moment and catch my breath. Goddess above, I can't get any flashbacks right now. I have to focus on the—

That's when I see it.

As if someone had snapped their fingers, the Knight Academy becomes alight with silent flames—deep teal, just like the skies above—and chaos ensues.

No… no!

As I stand there before the burning building, frozen in place despite the flames searing heat, I soon realise what's going on. Farore has brought me here to test my courage, but she isn't testing how willing I am to throw myself into battle for the sake of the Goddess's Mission; that should be clear to anyone who knows me. No, Farore wants to test how mentally brave I am—how I can stand up to my past with a brave heart.

Farore delved into my memories to find one of the most painful experiences I've ever had and forced me to relive it so I can prove my courage by experiencing it again. I continue following the figure up the steps to the Academy, its garments dragging over the steps like the islanders reaching out for their loved ones that night—I'm really losing it. Anxiety grows and grows in my stomach the closer I get to the Academy and the comforting conversation I had with Link about this awful night goes straight out of my mind because it pales in comparison to actually reliving it.

Please Farore… why… why this night?!

But I know exactly why she chose this night. Facing this trauma again isn't going to show my courage, it's only going to break me again, and Farore knows it. The only way to get stronger is to break and be put back together again better.

I'm ready to be sick by the time they reach the Academy. The figure kicks down the double doors without hesitation and strolls inside. It feels like I'm a child again and it's never something I wanted to feel ever again. I scream as I rush into the burning building to try and find a way to show my courage—maybe I can find someone and save them? Goddesses, is that what Farore wants me to do?—covering my mouth as the smoke hits me and hot tears stream down my cheeks.

I can barely keep up with the figure as it makes its way down the main corridor, too consumed by the memories to keep going. I call out for it to wait, but to no avail. The longer I stay in here, the worse it will get and the more time I'll lose, but I can barely think straight surrounded by the smoke and flames, let alone the memories.

Keep going, Zelda, you have to keep going…

That's when I hear it. A scream so horribly familiar fills the Academy, silencing my torrent of thoughts. I know exactly who made that scream and exactly where it came from, and the weight of that trauma sends me to my knees in an instant. The figure ahead doesn't care for my breakdown, but merely turns around and silently stares at me as I shakily push myself onto my feet, me entire body trembling like a leaf.

"Is this why you brought me here?" I ask the figure. It just stands there and I ball my hands into fists, "Answer me! Did you bring me here to save him?!" It doesn't respond. I blink away any unshed tears and resolve, "Then I'll do it! If you want to see my courage then just watch me save him!"

Despite the silent flames and choking smoke making my vision blurry, my adrenaline makes me feel lighter than air as I stumble towards the final dorm room before the staircase—Link's dorm. Flames dance around the doorframe, yet I throw myself at the door despite my fears. I shove the door open and stumble inside. Last time this happened, I barely saved him and then the ceiling caved in. This time, I'm going to save him and make sure that he escapes without harm.

Then I can go back to the real world and—

The smoke clears for a moment and I cover my mouth and scream at the sight before me. The young boy I thought I could save still wears the same clothes he wore that fateful night as his body's suspended in the air by hundreds of thin threads. The strings break his skin in various places, digging so deeply into his skin that the threads are dyed red with his blood. His head rests against his chest, his skin pallor and lifeless.

I'm too late.

He's too far gone.

He's—

"No," I sob. "No, please…" I pull at the strings, but they only seem to tighten further and I hiss when they slice my hands. "Hang on, Link, hang on…" I mumble over and over again, falling to my knees when I realise that nothing can free him.

"Inmineo!" the figure, now outside the door, screams at me.

I whirl around with tears streaming down my face, "No! I will save him! Leave me—!"

Then there's another scream.

I recognise that scream.

Oh Farore… why…?

My body acts before my mind does and before I know it, I'm shoving myself past the figure and racing up the steps, tripping and tumbling with every other step I take. I throw myself against the doors leading into Father's office repeatedly until I manage to break inside. A part of me wonders if I should've stayed behind to save Link, but he's too far gone in this place—there's someone else I might be able to save.

I'll prove my courage to you, Farore. I swear it!

Tearing into the office, I find only one other person in here (compared to how the actual event unfolded). My mother is slumped against the bookcase with books and debris scattered around her. The stained glass window nearby has shattered, crunching under my shoes as I make my way towards her. Her head rests against her still chest, her right arm burnt and a thick piece of smouldering wood trapping her legs. I stand on the scorched ground and stare at her blankly.

"M-Mother…" I whisper.

Even if I could move, I wouldn't need to. I already know that she's beyond saving in this world—real and illusory. My knees shake as they struggle to support me, and it takes every part of me to remind myself that it's a trial. Suddenly remembering the flower branded on my arm, I hold up my wrist to find that the flower's almost wilted completely.

I panic.

Goddesses, what can I do? How can I possible complete this trial when I'm losing everything? I've lost Link, I've lost my mother, I'm about to run out of time; what more could I possibly lose? Even worse, how can I ever manage to save Link in the real world when I can't even save him in my head, or wherever the hell this is? How can I—?

Footsteps startle me back into reality, and I twist around to see that damned figure making its way towards me, and it's only when it pulls out a scythe that I realise just exactly who it is. It's a creature from the stories we all heard growing up, the dark figure who would act in the Goddess's stead when someone's time in this world was at an end.

I'm staring Death in the face.

Then it hits me—if I can triumph over Death, even metaphorically, then surely my courage will be shown?

And with my time dwindling away, I have no choice but to try.

I hiss in pain when I take a large chunk of smouldering debris into both hands and throw it at Death, successfully knocking off one of its horns. As my few moments of courage dwindle away, I quickly wipe away my tears with the back of my hand and scour for another piece of scaffolding to throw at it. And yet, just as my fingers reach out for another piece, everything changes.

That same inhuman screech that I heard when I stepped out of the protective circle rears its ugly head again and makes me tense up at its intense wailing. The figure, unfazed by the sound, starts towards me and throws its arm out, smacking the back of its gilded hand against my face and sending me flying across the office and into a pile of wood that was once Father's desk. My face stings something awful, and I have no idea what I can feel trailing down my face—are they tears or blood?

My ears ring as I push myself up onto my elbows, suddenly noticing that the flower on my wrist has completely wilted away now. The world around me shifts from one of softs blues and greens to one of twilight oranges and burning reds. Death rips off its thick cloak to reveal that it was a Guardian all along. Its soulless eyes immediately lock onto me as it pulls its weapon out from nowhere, stalking towards me with malicious intent.

I shuffle backwards until my back hits the bookshelves, terror flooding into my system as the Guardian towers over me and blocks my only escape. The high-pitched wailing hasn't stopped and I can't tell who's screaming louder—me or the voice I can't identify.

I've failed.

Tears stream down my face as I curl my hands into fists and scream at the beast, as if that will somehow prove my courage to Farore. But the Guardian raises its weapon high above me, ready to strike, and my eyes widen as I wait for the inevitable. My screams turn into sobs as the weapon is brought down as my body explodes with pain.

"DESUM!"

The next thing I know, my eyes are open and I flinch at the sudden barrage of natural daylight invading my vision. My throat burns as I cry out and bolt onto my feet, my world spinning as I desperately try to figure out where I am and what's going on. My heart pounds so harshly against my chest and loudly in my ears that I'm scared it'll burst free at any moment, and I fumble at my chest for any feeling of a wound.

But there's nothing there.

As my vision slowly begins to refocus, I realise that I'm not in Skyloft anymore—or whatever that twisted version of Skyloft was. The luscious greens of Faron Woods fade back into my awareness and it takes me far too long for my body to catch up with my brain. I whirl around when something soft grazes my shoulder and meet Fi's stoic gaze with a gasp.

"Dominae, I can unfortunately confirm that you have failed to pass the trial," she says simply. "Upon initial scans, I predict that you have reexperienced a previous trauma that has led to extreme emotional distress. Before reattempting the trial, I suggest that—"

"I have to go back?!" I cry, though it's more like a suppressed sob. "I have to go back and do it again?"

Fi hesitates before replying, "Yes, Dominae. In order to obtain a new power from the Goddess that will lead you to the Sacred Flames, you must first pass this trial." A part of me is terrified to go back to that awful place, but there's a fire burning through that numbness—a fiery determination to save the people I love.

"Then I'll go back."

"Dominae, I must insist that you—"

"No, Fi!" I cut in, wavering a little as I spin around and tug the Goddess Sword free from the earth. I glare down at the blue flower design before me and tighten my grip around the hilt of my weapon. "I need to go back into the trial! I can't lose them too! I have to s-save them!" Ignoring whatever else the spirit of the sword says, I force myself to grasp my bearings again as quickly as possible so I can return to the trial at hand.

I can't lose him.

I can't lose her.

I can't lose any of them.

I don't want to go back there.

But I have to.

I have no choice.

Oh Farore… why did you think I could do this?

With blurred vision, I stab the centre of the flower emblem again and enter Farore's Silent Realm once again.

And so, I attempt the trial again.

Again.

And again.

And again…

Every time I try to save them, I fail. Every time I try and outmatch Death in speed or wit, it always seems to beat me and I fail. Every time I try to run on ahead before the Academy is engulfed in flames, I lose myself in my despair or stupidly allow a Watcher to catch me and I fail.

Every time I enter the trial, I come out more broken than before. I soon lose count of how many attempts I make. After all, you lose count every time a shred of your sanity is lost.

But when I'm about to break, something about the final trial is different.

As the teal flames burn throughout the entire Academy, my eyes finally notice something in my mother's hand. I can feel Death's presence looming outside, though I try to push it out of my mind as I open her hand. What I find is a tiny bud dyed bright green, something I have yet to see in the trial thus far.

"Take this to the Trial Gate and prove yourself," Farore whispers into my mind, "Prove to me that you have the courage to face the past and its horrors, and that you have the courage to let go of your fears and face the future stronger than before. Let go of the past, my sister… prove your courage to me…"

I choke back a quiet sob as I realise just exactly what Farore is asking of me. She wants me to have the courage to let go, something that I've never done. I never let go of my mother's spirit, nor did I let go of her presence or her untimely death. Farore is not asking me to forget, but to move on and heal with courage in my heart.

Cupping my mother's cheek, I take the bud out of her hand and kiss her on the forehead, "I love you so much… I hope you're proud of me…"

As the flower on my wrist wilts again, that wailing I'm so used to enters my awareness again. I huddle behind the ruins of Father's desk as Death marches in and turns the room upside down to find me. Stilling my breath, I take the risk and leap out into the fray, diving past Death before it can spot me and claim me once more.

Bashing down the doors leading out of the Academy on the top level, I break out into the open air. Watchers infest the skies and the Guardian once dressed as Death is now charging after me. I leap down onto the bottom level of the Academy, stumbling as I hit the ground running and rush down the steps nearby. My heart pounds against my chest as the Guardian, not faltering from the jump, is hot on my heels. I try my best to ignore the Watchers coming after me too and dirt flies up from the path I have walked down so many times—both here and in the real world.

And there it is.

The protective circle—my salvation.

I force myself to look behind me, my heart skipping too many beats to be healthy at the sight of the Guardian poised to attack me with its weapon. Another few Guardians are racing across the bridge from the residential part of town for me, and I can feel my lungs pining for oxygen.

Don't stop, not here. Not now.

And yet I do.

As I reach the familiar cobbles of the plaza, I finally slip and tumble to the ground in a heap with the charm still tightly held in my hand. I turn onto my back and look up as the Guardian raises its blade for me, only for the world to become silent once more. The Guardian freezes in place and the protective circle I fell into pulsates softly.

I did it…

With a tiny smile gracing my features, I'm returned to Faron Woods a victor over Farore's Silent Realm. The next thing I am aware of is my back lying on the ground where the Trial Gate used to be, the bud I obtained from the trial still in my hand. I stare at the world above me blankly for a while, my thoughts muddled as I try and come to terms with everything that just happened.

I can hear Fi's voice calling out to me, but I'm so lost in my mind and so drained from the trial that I don't have the strength to answer her. The sky has been painted a light orange colour, similar to how the trial looked when I ran out of time, and a small part of my mind realises that I spent all day trying to beat this trial.

Images of Link and my mother during the Trial fill my mind. Of course, I know that none of those events existed in reality, but they were so vivid and horrifying that I can't expel them from my mind. What that trial has done to me is worse than any injury which I have sustained so far.

And the worst thing is, these trials aren't even over yet.

I still have more to prove to the Goddesses, and to myself.

My eyes flicker shut despite Fi's best efforts, and I allow darkness to claim me.

*Song is by OoTFreak1, and the lyrics belong to them.

**Inmineo is "Follow" in Latin and Desum is "Fail" in Latin.