Author's Note: Okay, so here is the next chapter of Ancient Roots. I don't think that this is the best Trial based chapter, but I'll let you all be the judges of that. Anyway, I gave you a lot of angst and stuff in the last chapter so I kind of have to make up for it! Please enjoy! :3 And I don't know if you want to, but I listed to "Summit Siege" and "Whiteout" from the Frozen Soundtrack during this chapter to help me; the first more than the latter. So you can listen to them too if you want :)

Reviews: TDDolphin: It really was! They were pretty cool in game, to be honest, and I didn't want to kill them really. And Gaepora being sick is bad too, but it has to put things in perspective for Zelda; as much as I don't want to. Pray to the girls upstairs, the Goddesses of Zelda of course, and we'll just have to wait and see!

MiniJen: Thank-you so much! If it isn't too much, what lines were they? I'm curious to know! Oh, I didn't mean to make you almost cry either! And she really is, and you'll have to wait and see if she does or not. Thank-you again, and I'll try!

ShadowNinja1011: I'm sorry! :'c

Clashing Swords: Wow, that seems to be a good thing. And I might check that out when I have the chance!

CupcakePride101: It did, and I suppose he would be X3 There really has been a lot of tragedy, and we'll have to wait and see with both Link and Zelda!

Vampire-Queen-Kazumi: I'm glad that I was given the idea, so thank-you for that! I'm going to have Crimson probably for the rest of it, but I'll just have to wait and see. And she really is, but thank-you anyway for that!

Favourites & Follows: I did have another favourite, but I lost it again; I think. Nonetheless, thank-you to "Usagi3000" for favouriting this FanFiction and both "TriforceAndSheikahArts" and "Usagi3000" again for following this FanFiction. I love you so much!

"The only time you should ever look back is to see how far you've come."

~Kevin Hart~

Ancient Roots

A Skyward Sword FanFiction

Chapter 32: Power

The journey to the Isle of Songs and then to Eldin is a complete blur. Din's words on the Isle fell on deaf ears as she taught me a song known as Din's Power, and I can barely even a foggy image of Hylia fighting in the Great War that appeared with the melody too. Despite Fi's concerns over my emotional state, I keep devoid of emotion as I make my way through Eldin.

Emotions can't cause me to fail—not this time, not ever again.

I locate the Trial Gate near to where Pipit, Karane and I reunited with Link and Impa many moons ago. The place itself brings back memories, but not enough to distract me from the reason why I'm here.

Sheathing the Goddess White Sword, I take out my Harp without another thought and activate the Trial Gate. As Fi appears and begins to sing alongside the song, I pray to Din that she'll test me in a way that doesn't waste any time in the outside world—I'm losing time as it is, and I can't cope with letting more slip through my fingers.

"Open up the way
To the volcano,
Under tempest winds and
Under flames scorching.
Guide the dear girl
Young and so naive
But let Din guide her
With Her power boundless
Fire rage, powerful flame,
Oh, goddess Din!

Take her to the heart
Of the inferno
Bring her to the place
Where you rest your head
With the messenger
And the sacred sword
Let her enter in, to banish the evil
Take her to your Sacred Flame!"

Plucking the last few strings, Fi observes me as I look down at the Gate before me. "Strike the centre of the Trial Gate with your sword, and the way to the Trial of Power shall be opened. And Mistress," she adds before I can follow her instructions. I meet her gaze evenly. "Good luck."

My heart skips a beat at her words, and all I can do is nod numbly as she waits for me to enter the Trial.

I keep my eyes on my sword as I free it from its scabbard, lost in a trance for a moment as the sun reflects off of its pristine surface. For a second, I realise just how far I've come—as a fighter I've grown stronger and smarter, and as a person I've grown up.

But it doesn't matter how far I've come.

All that matters now is the road ahead.

Raising the Goddess White Sword above my head, I breathe deeply and send one more prayer to Din as I plunge the blade into the earth, closing my eyes as my spirit is split from my body and transported to whatever awaits me in the Trial of Power.

Hang on, Father…

~Interlude~

Groose slammed open the doors of the Sealed Temple, leaning against the doorframe for a moment to catch his breath before racing towards his destination. Despite the sunny day on the Surface and the birds singing in the trees, the Skyloftian's heart was darker than the depths of the sea he saw with Zelda not long ago.

He had found out about the Headmaster's condition mere hours after Zelda had left the island to search for a cure, and when he heard the news it was as if the world had begun to fall apart around him. No matter what façade he put on to the people of Skyloft to put emphasis on his strength, when it came to the Headmaster everything was different.

When Groose's own Father walked out of his life when he was young, it was the Headmaster that guided and supported him. With no Mother around and his Father gone, the Headmaster was all that he had.

And now there was a chance that he could lose his only parental support.

But as well as that, he couldn't let Zelda lose her Father too. After travelling with her across the Lanayru Desert and understanding what the Goddess's Mission was, he saw her in a different light. Not only was she the Goddess Reborn—something he couldn't quite get his head around, but still made him fawn over her more—but she was going through so much to protect everyone.

And maybe, just maybe, the priestess knew of a way to save the Headmaster and keep Zelda from suffering even more.

"Grannie!" Groose yelled, startling the elderly woman as he raced towards her. At first, she was irritated at her prayers being interrupted, but when she saw the man's pale face and the fear in his eyes, she straightened immediately. The Skyloftian collapsed before her and took her hands into his, shaking them as he begged, "I-I need your help!"

"What has come to pass, young one?" Impaz asked, trying her best to stay calm for his sake.

He swallowed thickly. "Skyloft was attacked and now the Headmaster's dying. Zelda said it's the same sickness that she had…"

Her lips parted in alarm. "He has grown confident enough to attack the Sky Realm and harm Her Grace's loved ones," she murmured. "This is dire indeed…"

"C-Can you help him, Grannie? You did it before…"

Impaz bowed her head. "It was the power that dwells within Zelda that saved her life—I merely sped up her recovery. I am unable to help the one oh whom you speak. It is up to Zelda to find the one who harmed the Headmaster and find a cure."

"T-There's nothing you can do?"

Her heart twisted at his grief-stricken tone. "Return to your home and wait for Zelda's return," she instructed. "There is nothing we can do now but wait and pray."

Impaz opened her eyes as the Skyloftian's eyes clouded over, embracing him as the world came tumbling down around him. He clung to her tightly as he tried to process the priestess's words.

"No…" Groose whispered. "There must be something…"

But there wasn't.

It was all up to Zelda now.

~Zelda~

Eldin looks strangely serene in the Trial of Power. The volcano no longer groans and grumbles as it grows closer to erupting with each passing year, the lava silently bubbles nearby, and the overcast skies above only make the blue hues around me even brighter. Glancing around, I jump when a voice calls out to me.

"Dominae," Fi says. "You stand now in Din's Silent Realm, where the Red Goddess shall test the limits of your power. In order to locate the final Sacred Flame as well as the Demon Lord, you must complete the challenges ahead." I nod. "I await your return in the outside world, Mistress."

Clenching my fists, I muster all the courage that I can. With the lingering effects of the Trial of Courage and the Trial of Wisdom in the back of my mind, I can only imagine how Din will choose to test me. Both Farore and Nayru have stretched me beyond what I thought my limits were, and with it have scarred me with images and words that will never leave me.

And I know that Din will do the same.

Is pain and suffering the only way to grow in the eyes of the Goddesses?

Father, I remind myself. I'm here for Father—he is all that matters right now…

Exhaling deeply, I force myself out of the protective circle and into the fire.

The same high-pitched wailing pierces my ears for a moment before a wave of whiteness slams into me. I flinch at its radiance, forcing myself to recover as fast as I can when my vision begins to clear, and a cacophony of sounds hit me.

I stand in the middle of a great plain, once grassy knolls in the distance and the grass under my feet dull and churned up from the footfalls of hundreds of soldiers and monsters. Blinking rapidly, it isn't long before I realise that I'm surrounded on every side by Knights, each and every one of them steadfast in their fight.

The Great War…

Zelda panics as the Knights' backs close in on her unintentionally, not used to so many people surrounding her. Hylia, however, has thrived on the battlefield so many times that she is unfazed. I try my best to channel her strength as I pick up a fallen sword from the mud caked ground and break through the formation of soldiers, battling my way through waves of darkness towards a large structure in the distance.

From the depths of Hylia's memories, I recognise it.

In the near distance is the Fortress where the first Bearer was imprisoned for those long gruelling years.

As monsters and soldiers collapse to the ground around me, my hair and dress—the same that the Goddess, or rather that I, wore in my memories—billowing out around me as I charge through the creatures of darkness around me and slaughter them without a moment of doubt.

I grunt when I collide with the grand oak doors, thankful that they haven't been barred shut in this Trial like the were in the Great War. The foyer of the Fortress is simple enough—built as a barracks rather than a palace—which means that there aren't many exits leading off into winding corridors.

Spotting the main stairway ahead of me leading onto the higher levels, I think of something.

Maybe I can use my spells like I did in Skyloft.

Hoisting up the skirts of my dress with my free hand, I tighten my grasp around my sword and start towards the staircase; only to skid into a stop when the doors behind me slam shut.

My heart pounds against my chest as I turn to find at least twenty creatures standing in front of the entrance to the Fortress—some of them Bokoblins, others Stalfos.

Despite how far I've come, I won't be able to take them all on at once.

Not with a blade at least.

"You will die today, Goddess," one of the Stalfos hisses.

Never.

"Occido!"

With a cry I unleash a wave of energy, causing the monsters to cry out as the pure light destroys them—their weapons clattering to the ground. Catching my breath, a small smile tugs at my lips as I turn and race towards the staircase, determined to finish this Trial as fast as I can so I can return to my true task.

I glance back when I hear armour clanking in the distance, lips parting in surprise as abnormally tall creatures break into the foyer chamber—covered head to toe in thick black armour. Although I've never seen such monsters before, from the way that they instantly lock their gazes on me and flashes of Hylia's memories to help, I know that they are no friend.

And with three of them coming after me, I flee in a moment of weakness.

They charge after me as I make my way up the steps, making sure that I don't tumble and fall into their grasp. My heart hammers against my chest as the stairs continue on for what feels like forever, my grip on my blade tighter than ever as I go.

I refuse to look back, but I can feel them growing closer by the second.

With Hylia's memories to help me, I make my way through the Fortress until I a large chamber. It's rather empty and seems to be some sort of storage room—only filled partially with weapons and provisions—however my heart sinks when the only exit is blocked by a wall of rubble.

I'm trapped.

The sound of the armoured creatures causes me to spin around with a gasp, realising that I have no choice but to fight them. Taking a deep breath, I raise my sword in one hand and flex my other hand ready for whatever spells I need. The three drop into battle stances, two of them taking out claymores whilst the other pulls out a crossbow.

I keep a close eye on the knight with the crossbow whilst the other two leap forwards. I manage to parry one and duck beneath the other's swing. With a yell I send a wave of energy towards one of the knights holding a blade, raising a shield briefly to block the incoming attacks from the other one.

Before the other one can join the battle, I destroy part of the ceiling and let the rubble fall onto the monster—killing it near instantly.

With a moment to breathe, I shove away the other knight so I can have more room to work with, holding my blade up to one and my hand to the other. But as sword-wielding knight moves to attack, I realise its plan far too late.

The monster holding the crossbow finally leaps into the fray, shooting a bolt towards me as the other creature attacks. With the speed of the arrow, I have no time to raise a shield, so I duck down from the bolt, only for the other knight to follow me and go to slash at my chest.

Even though I hold up my sword, the monster comes at me with so much strength that its knocked clear of my hand in one swipe.

The bolt sails into the wall behind me as I begin to back pedal in fear, holding up my hands shakily as the two stalk towards me victoriously. Biting my lip, I try my best to figure out what to do. I can feel my strength dwindling with every spell that I use, and with no weapon in my hand any other attack seems useless.

My heart leaps into my throat when my back hits the wall.

I'm running out of time…

Even though my strength is weakening with each passing moment, I have to take that risk.

Bowing my head deeply, I conjure up the remaining power that I have—doing my best to ignore the knights as they go to attack me. Clasping my hands together, I focus deep within myself just like Hylia had done in Skyloft and imagine our combined power coursing through my veins.

I turn my head to meet the blade sailing towards me, my expression stoic as I whisper, "Occido…"

My world is awash with alabaster light, and with it my strength finally fades into nothingness. I slump against the floor as the spell utterly destroys the two knights, a smile creasing my face as I place my hands against the cool stone and force myself to push myself up partially.

I blink a few times in confusion when the light doesn't disappear after a moment, and in one final flash of white the ground beneath me shifts into a familiar plain of muddy grass

I can only see so far into the distance, but even then there's no one here—no people, no bodies, no weapons, no flags—just me. The sky is overcast, as if a storm is ready to appear, and within moments I'm right in my assumption. My hair clings to my face as rain begin to fall, my clothes weighed down by the icy sheets.

The Goddess Sword lies on the ground beside me, and my stomach drops when I see someone standing behind me in the reflection of the magnificent blade.

Him…

His tall, imposing figure stands tall above me—dark scales rippling and shifting across his body—whilst his fiery hair is unfazed by the rain. Black garments that hanging from his waist are trimmed with golden designs, and his eyes are terrifying pools of orange that Hylia will never, ever forget.

The eyes of the Demon King.

He observes me with a smirk, lodging his large onyx blade into the earth as he finally addresses me—I don't dare to move.

"You continue to defy me despite the death and decay around you, Zelda."

I raise my head, and I resist the urge to throw up at the sight of hundreds of bodies surrounding the two of us.

Soldiers who fought in the Great War.

Generals that Hylia conversed with about protecting the innocents.

The Sheikah.

The first Bearer.

The newest Bearer.

Those who died in the attack on Skyloft.

Families.

Friends.

Loved ones.

"You abandoned them. You allowed them to suffer. Their blood will forever stain your hands."

Before I can react in any way, the voices belonging to the empty shells around me begin to moan in pain, sob in fear, and scream for mercy—and there's nothing I can do but listen.

I'm powerless.

"You killed me!"

"You let my family die!"

"My son is dead because of you!"

"My home isn't safe anymore because of you!"

"I'm walking into the slaughter for you!"

"We aren't your puppets!"

"Why are you letting us suffer like this?! Your own Father..."

A chocked sob escapes me as I cover my mouth and close my eyes. They're right, they're all right. No matter how much I try and save them, everything that I'm doing—everything I've done—has caused someone to suffer. People are dead because of me, people are dying because of me, people are in fear because of me, people are homeless because of me.

Because of me.

Because of me…

"But their suffering can end." I open my eyes when someone takes my chin into their own, forcing me to look at them. The Demon King studies me with no emotion, waiting for me to do anything—but I can't, not with their screams ringing in my ears. "Give yourself to me, and your people shall be spared. Give them the mercy they cry out for."

For one terrifying moment, I consider the offer.

But then another voice whispers into my ear.

"What is power?" I say nothing. "Does people pertain to the strength of the body? Does it reflect someone's stamina?"

Of course, I think to myself. But I'm not strong. I don't have that kind of power.

The voice chuckles softly. "Perhaps you do not. But perhaps your power is found in the strength of your Soul, the strength of your mind, and the strength of your will and resolve. Will you give into the darkness for the sake of your people, or will you defy the darkness with your light and save them nonetheless?"

I blink.

I always knew that I wouldn't be the strongest woman, but I would still persist to try and push myself to my limit. And even though I'm still not the strongest woman, the trials I've faced and the tests that I've overcome have strengthened me in ways I never realised until now.

Because no matter what happens to my body or to my mind, I will still always resolve to protect Link—my friend, my love, my partner—and that will never change.

Perhaps I don't look the strongest at first glance.

But there's a strength in me that you can't see—and that's where my true power lies.

The Demon King watches me as I press myself into a standing position, bringing the Goddess Sword with me. Breathing deeply, I meet his gaze evenly and stare him down.

"You can try and destroy this world," I say. "You can harm the people I love and send as many of your underlings out to kill me as much as you want. But the people of this world and I will never give in to you! Never!"

His mouth twists into a scowl, but before he can turn the voices against me once more, the bodies disappear into the mist and their spirits stand behind me—united as one against the Demon King.

"You united us..."

"You protected us..."

"You are going into danger for me and the first Bearer."

"You are putting yourself on the line for your own Father... I am proud of you."

I raise the Goddess Sword skyward. "I will never stop. I will never give up this fight. And I will continue fighting until you finally suffer as you have made so many suffer!"

As I unleash the blade's holy power, my world becomes awash in white once again. The Goddess Sword is engulfed with a red light before disappearing completely—in its place hovers the crimson flower bud that I've been striving for.

I smile as I take it into my grasp, the grass parting beneath me to reveal the protective circle that I began in—transporting me back to the real world and bringing me one step closer to ending all of this.

I slowly open my eyes, tilting my head upward to face the dusty clouds as they lazily float across the orange sky. Sunset isn't far away, and despite my joy over completing the Trial of Power, I know that there's little time to enjoy such a victory when I'm losing time.

Opening my hand, the bud pulsates in time with my heartbeat in my palm. Fi appears in my field of vision after a few moments, and I smile at her presence.

"Welcome back, Mistress," she greets. "You have completed the Trial of Power, and with it have gained another Sacred Gift from the Goddesses. However, with only an hour remaining before the sun sets, I suggest that you find a safe place to rest for the night away from hostile beings."

I almost laugh at her words. "Thank you, Fi, but I can't stop now—I'm going to work through the night."

She moves to object, only to stop herself when the bud in my hand opens up to reveal a pair of red earrings shaped like flames. "These are Fireshield Earrings, Dominae," Fi clarifies. "These items have been enchanted to protect the wearer from high temperatures that they would normally perish in."

These will help me reach the deepest parts of the Volcano, I realise as I slip them through my ears—glad that I had my ears pierced as a child. Then I can find the Sacred Flame… and him…

The thought of facing him in such dire circumstances terrifies me, especially when I know that my emotions could end up getting the better of me. But I have to stay strong and focus on the outcome rather than the variables—if I don't then I'm certain to fail.

I can't lose anyone else to this Mission…

"I understand your desire to press on, Mistress, however you still have—"

"I know I have time," I cut in. "But every minute I waste, Father is up there suffering. I know how it feels for your body to be giving up on you and for the agony to feel unbearable, and I can't let him feel that for as long as possible. I have to save him, Fi. You have to understand…"

Fi bows her head, trying her best to understand these emotions that she doesn't possess. "Very well," she says finally before returning to the Goddess White Sword.

For a moment, I feel guilty for what I said. She wasn't created with the emotions that humans have, only the purpose to complete her creator's Mission and guide me towards that end in the most efficient way possible. But I know that I can't stop now, and I'll try and make her understand in whatever way I can.

Turning towards the rest of Eldin Volcano ahead of me, I take a deep breath and begin to make my way towards the summit.

Let's begin…

Author's Note: So, what did you think of the Trial of Power? If any of you have seen Disney's Frozen, then you may see that part of the Trial was based a lot around the "Summit Siege" part where Elsa fights the guards. Remember? It's one of my favourite scenes from that film; so I hope that you liked it.

*The lyrics to Din's Power were altered to fit the story more. But, like the other songs, the original song belongs solely to OoTFreak1.

~RandomButLoved~