Author's Note: 200 reviews, now 201! This is the best thing to wake up to ever! I cannot say how much I love you all for doing this for me. I honestly didn't have this much trust in my abilities to get these chapters out, as I'm not one who highlights my good points over my bad, but all of the praise and support you have given me is so amazing! I'm so happy. It sounds so cheesy, and I don't want it to, but just know that everything you guys have done for me has made this story 3
Reviews: Daisy Bokoblin: I'm so glad that you're enjoying the story, because here's another chapter for you!
MiniJen: Thank-you so much! I'm really glad that you liked the Trial. And I guess you should be, in a way, so pray to the Goddesses upstairs and you'll just have to wait and see. But I'm really happy about what you said about me writing it, if he does die. That's really sweet of you, and made my day! Plus, if you can see it, I unintentionally got in a Veress quote from Blood and Spirit. Tell me if you don't see it ;3
CupcakePride101: If Zelda doesn't find this remedy that Ghirahim has, then yes. She is aware of this, and is out to find Ghirahim in hopes of saving the Headmaster. I'm happy that you liked the Trial, and good observation for the quote that I used – as well as the Frozen stuff. Stupid typos spelling Elsa's name wrong, I promise that I know how to do it properly :3 And I'll certainly check them out!
ShadowNinja1011: Thank-you so much! I really love Impaz in game, so knowing that you like her in my story is just great!
Vampire-Queen-Kazumi: Very good point. I think I have that covered, but I'll see how it goes when I write it. She probably could have done it in the beginning, really, but oh well :)
TDDolphin: Kickin' ass and takin' names! Thank-you for that, as I thought it wasn't all that good. And I told you about that in the PM, so that's all right. But it isn't good at all. Pray to the Goddesses upstairs, and you'll just have to wait and see. But thank-you so much, I didn't think that I would get this far with this story; but thank-you, really 3
Schinedragon88: Thank-you so much! That's made my day! I really need to watch Frozen again as well, but I'm glad that you liked the Trial. I didn't think that it was the best, but knowing that you guys liked it is always a good think.
Favourites & Follows: No favourites or follows, but hitting that milestone is all too good. I love you all!
"So many doors, how did you choose?
So much to gain, so much to lose.
So many things got in your way.
No time today.
No time today."
~Alice's Theme, Danny Elfman~
Ancient Roots
A Skyward Sword FanFiction
Chapter 33: Deal
"Mistress Zelda, I have a status report," says Fi as I continue to adjust to the heat. "We are now at the crater at the peak of Eldin Volcano, commonly known as the Volcano Summit. I am detecting extremely high temperatures in the area; however, your Fireshield Earrings will sustain your life to allow extended periods of exploration."
My hand subconsciously moves towards my ear, fingering the earrings as they hum against my fingertips. Despite being one of the Sacred Gifts from the Goddesses, I was still reluctant to travel close to the summit of Eldin Volcano in case they didn't work for some reason.
But my task forced me to, and fortunately they're working just fine.
The walls of the cavern glow with lava as it trickles down into the pools nearby. In a place that would most likely kill me within moments, I can only feel a mere sweat slivering down my spine. It may be uncomfortable, but at least I'm alive. Slowly drawing the Goddess White Sword, I start to investigate the area.
To my left is a sloped piece of terrain filled with sand, much like the other parts of the Eldin Province, while there are mere sets of platforms to my right that go to the exact same place. There is another tunnel to the far right, however I find nothing but lava in that area and creatures which thrive in the lava that Fi dubs "Cursed Spumes."
Nevertheless, I take the right path that is simply platforms, continuing onward despite my fatigue.
True to my word, I worked through the night to reach here. I ran into the same pair of Mogmas that I had met when I first came to Eldin Volcano so long ago, and despite them insisting that they could direct me to a safe area to sleep, I had to decline. I may be working on a few hours of sleep, but that doesn't matter.
It can't matter.
The pathway ends and drops down into a slightly more open area, where pillars of rock outline the cavern and support the walls with ease. I hop down and land in a deep crouch, pushing myself up with my free hand. To my left seems to be another pool of lava and what would have been no way across, if not for the clearly manmade bridge crafted from rock.
No one else could survive in here.
Other than him.
I groan and rub my face, scared of what's to come and how quickly I'm going to have to face it all. I place a foot on the bridge to test it, quickly rushing over the bridge when it takes my weight well enough.
Following Fi's instructions, I go straight ahead to find a spring, taking a brief moment to hydrate myself before pressing onward. The wave of heat hits me again, and the strain it has on me—despite the potent effect of the Fireshield Earrings—is starting to weigh heavy on my shoulders. I wipe my brow and lick my lips.
Just keep going. Just keep going…
Thankfully, when I head through the next tunnel, I emerge in a more open area—one far cooler and bearable than in the Volcano Summit. The ground beneath me is tiled with various colours, although it seems that nature is still trying its best to reclaim the area once and for all. My boots click against the tiles as I jog on through, my lips parting in surprise as the space opens out into a large area.
The ground is adorned with blue and orange tiles, though these ones haven't been touched by nature—only some dust in the air. Large iron fences block me from going anywhere else but towards the strange structure up ahead.
It seems bigger than the Fortress from the Great War, tall turrets reaching high into the sky and its spires almost touch the clouds. Flame designs tower high above the entryway into the strange building, blue tiles highlighting the entrance against the pale red brick of the entire structure.
It's truly a beautiful sight.
The Sacred Flame must be in there, I conclude. But that means he is too…
Taking no time to delay, I break out into another jog and rush towards the entrance, ignoring the waves of heat and ash that hit me as I make my way down the steps and into the building.
Once I reach the bottom of the staircase, my lips part in awe. No part of the building is covered from above compared to the Skyview Temple and the Earth Temple, allowing the morning sunlight to light up the entire area beautifully. I take a hesitant step forwards, surprised at the presence of such a stunning place in the middle of such violent terrain.
Rocky walls slope downward on either side, supporting various chimney-like structures ahead. In comparison to the other Temples, this one doesn't seem to be filled with puzzles or winding corridors, but one grand bridge adorned with blue and orange tiles. The bridge crosses over a sea of magma beneath, leading over to what seems to be the main chamber of worship on the other side.
Who travelled through such a place to worship?
Whoever they were clearly loved who they were worshipping. The main chamber in the distance is decorated with a large golden dome and feather designs sprouting out from the top of it. With so many grand decorations tucked away within the depths of the volcano, more and more questions start to fly around in my mind.
"This is the Fire Sanctuary, Mistress," Fi reports from within the Goddess White Sword. "This Temple used to be a shrine to the Red Goddess Din by an unknown tribe, but over the generations it has been abandoned and infested with various monsters. Although your sustainability to this current location is seventy five percent, I must advise you to remain cautious."
I nod and the Goddess White Sword goes dull once more. Eyeing up the steps leading onto the bridge, my gut is suddenly filled with anxiety.
This is too easy, I think. The other paths to the Sacred Flames have been filled with battles and monsters—the Goddesses test me until I finally find the Flame. Something isn't right…
"Fi," I breathe. "Is… is he nearby?"
"I do sense the presence of the Demon Lord in the vicinity, Dominae," she replies almost immediately. "My calculations predict that he is located in the structure ahead."
I swallow thickly.
This is it. Don't lose your nerve now.
I descend the steps and make my way onto the bridge, bringing out my Harp as I scan the area. Despite what Fi said, there aren't any monsters on the bridge or hiding. I assumed that there would be archers or even just a few monsters around to protect their leader from me.
But there's nothing.
Just silence.
It's a trap, isn't it?
I slow into a stop in the middle of the bridge, standing on top of a tiled design of the sun. I slowly turn around in place, wafting away dust and ash as I go. He knows I'm here, there's no doubt about that, but why would he simply wait for me to reach him? Surely, he'd want to stall me?
Just what is he planning?
Then, finally, something happens.
Darkness plumes up from the ground, and with it comes numerous Red, Green, and Blue Bokoblins—glowing with some sort of enchantment that protects them from the heat, most likely. I ready my blade, surprised when they continue to appear all over the bridge. I spin around on the spot, my heart beginning to pound against my chest as I realise just how many monsters there are.
I could defeat most of them with my spells, but I need to save my strength. I can't waste it on mere monsters when their leader is on the other side of the bridge.
I almost drop the Goddess White Sword when they all produce bombs from their pouches—the fuses lighting instantly.
"Goddesses…"
In an instant they explode, the bridge beneath me gives way, and my vision goes dark.
I burst back into consciousness so suddenly that I bolt upright and cough harshly from the thick air. As my vision begins to clear, I find myself in a gloomy corridor with a wall behind me. Unsure of how I got here, I push myself onto my knees in confusion. The walls are painted with similar flames designs, so I know I'm in the Fire Sanctuary still, but where I have no idea.
In a spark of familiar light, Fi appears from the Goddess White Sword. "F-Fi," I stammer. "What happened?"
"After the bridge collapsed, you lost consciousness," she explains. "You were transported into the lower sections of the Fire Sanctuary by an unknown force, however I surmise that—"
"It was him, wasn't it?" I cut in, to which she nods.
"From my analysis of the force, my assumptions lean towards the power of the Demon Lord."
I bow my head, perplexed. The bridge was merely a trap to weaken me and steer me away from him, but why would he then transport me away from the harm that he created in the first place?
He needs me alive, I think to myself. That's the only reason. I'm the only one who knows where Link is, and as much as I'm a thorn in his side, he still needs me—just weakened enough so I can lose against him and "give in."
"Give yourself to me, and your people shall be spared."
I shake the memory from my mind as Fi returns to the Goddess White Sword. Despite my world still spinning slightly, I use the wall as a support as I come back onto my feet—picking up my Harp from the ground and slowly making my way forward. The tunnel is cool despite its location, but I take all the comfort I can before I return to the heat.
The tunnel soon opens out into a tower, steps spiralling upward around the edge of the room—vines clinging to the walls. The cries of Keese echo between the stone walls, the sound of flapping wings growing louder as I begin to climb the steps and make my presence known.
Batting away the Keese, I take a few breaks to sag against the wall. Not too much time must have passed since the bridge collapsed if I'm still feeling weak from the explosion, but I can feel in my gut that time has been wasted. Irritation grows in my stomach, but not at myself, rather the man who caused all of this.
Yet as I continue up the steps, the path suddenly crumbles away.
I cry out and jump over the gap created, only to find that the other steps have broken off too. Catching my breath, I sheathe the Goddess White Sword and call out for Fi—unsure of how to reach the top of the tower with no staircase. The hilt of the sword glows brightly as her voice reflects around the chamber.
"Upon my analysis of the tower's structure, I hypothesise that your Clawshots will be able to aid you up the tower via the vines," she says, then, "However in order to reach the top of the tower, you will need to use the walls to climb as well." My shoulders slump forward at the thought of having to climb up such a weak structure.
But it's the only way, I remind myself. I cast my eyes up to the exit at the top of the tower. He's waiting, after all…
Putting my Harp away, I begin to test the bricks that poke out from the wall to help me cross the gaps in the stairwell. They seem to support my foot well enough, although I can't seem to quell the fear rising within me. If I don't do this, I'll be trapped down here for Goddess knows how long—and it isn't like I have time to spare.
I shake my head and force my quaking hand to grab a gap in the wall where a torch would have been situated. My heart pounds against my ribs as I leave the steps behind and start to climb across the wall, some of the bricks breaking away as soon as I touch them and scaring the living daylights out of me as sweat starts to drip down my face.
I keep going until I finally reach the next set of steps that haven't fallen away, glad that I can start using my Clawshots instead of climbing. Using the vines for support, I start to make my way up the tower far faster than I would if I was climbing—and despite how new these pieces of equipment are, I feel safer using them than relying on the walls of this place.
A few Keese manage to scratch at my face as I shoot at the vines, and without a weapon in my hand there's little I can do. Using my Clawshots to reach a wall of vines beside the exit, I slump to my knees when I finally touch down on solid ground again and rest against the wall to catch my breath.
I did it…
Forcing myself back onto my feet, I put away the Clawshots and draw the Goddess White Sword, making my way through an archway decorated with yellow tiles shaped like the sun. It takes a moment to readjust to the light, and I soon realise that I'm finally on the other side of the bridge.
I make my way across a pathway adorned with blue tiles, one that the chimneys that I saw earlier obscured from my view before. I take a moment to glance over at the utterly destroyed bridge, frowning at the remains.
He killed all of those monsters just to stall and weaken me—they may just have been monsters, but it just proves how careless he is when it comes to the lives of others.
Sighing deeply, I turn towards the stairway ahead leading towards the golden domed building ahead, large crimson doors looming in the distance. I carefully make my way up the steps, my stomach twisting when I see the door is partially ajar—he's right where he wants me, and I let him do so.
But his games don't matter to me.
All that matters is saving Father, and the cure is in that room.
I guess it just doesn't change the fact that I don't like this one bit.
"I can sense your confidence decreasing, Mistress," Fi observes from within the Goddess White Sword. "With your physical health currently weakened after the explosion, please recall that the power of Nayru's Flame has bestowed me with the ability to aid you in battle."
I nod slowly, trying my best to listen to her words instead of the growing panic in my mind. What if I can't get the cure? What if the cure doesn't exist or I end up in captivity? Too many questions and so few answers swirl around my mind as I force my shaky hand up towards the doors.
"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 won't give in, I tell myself. I will save them.
Breathing deeply, I steel myself and step inside with nothing but my dwindling strength and resolve to save those I love.
Most of the chamber inside is dark other than a small fraction of light that filters in through a small circular window above me. In the middle of the floor is a large sun design, and on the wall opposite is a doorway and something painted onto the wall above it that I can't quite see.
My heart leaps into my throat when I see a familiar figure turned away from me a few feet ahead, and my grip on the Goddess White Sword tightens instinctively until my knuckles are white.
"Ghirahim," I growl. "Your games end here."
He turns to me with a smug grin, holding the same Bird Statuette that Link had crafted for the Wing Ceremony. "It's a shame that I could only find this from the wreckage of that little sky island," he remarks simply, completely ignoring my words. "I wonder who made such a flimsy thing."
"You know who made it," I retort. "And you know why I'm here."
He chuckles. "Oh, I do? So bold to make such assumptions, Your Grace." He gestures to the paintings behind him. "I was merely searching for—"
"You destroyed my home, killed innocent people, and now my Father's life is on the line," I cut in without hesitation, my confidence fuelled by my hatred and covering up my shaky hands. "I'm not here to listen to you gloat over what you've done. I'm here to cut a deal with you, and you're going to agree to it."
His smile only grows at my words as he places his hand on his hip. "My, my, you've certainly grown a backbone, haven't you?" I growl, to which he holds up the Statuette in a mock peace offering. "I assumed you would come here sooner or later making such demands, after all."
"Which is why you tried to kill me, only to save my life," I say sarcastically.
"I have no idea what you're blabbering on about," he replies with mock irritation, but I can see the glint of mirth in his eyes. He tosses the Statuette backwards—using some form of magic to make it land on the ledge below the painting—before taking a step towards me. "Now, as it so happens, I have a proposition of my own to make."
Remembering what happened when he did the same thing in the depths of the Earth Temple, I brace myself for the worse.
"I've been searching everywhere for any hint towards the boy's location," he continues without hesitation, and I force myself to stand straight and firm as he makes his way towards me. "But when I thought that all was lost, I was blessed with the information that I required!"
"Blessed," I scoff. "How dare you use such a word."
He says nothing in response, circling me as he carries on. I try my best to stay calm, keeping myself from lashing out too early. Gesturing to the paintings, I finally manage to see what's been depicted on the wall—and heart twists at the sight of it.
Two Gates of Time—one in the desert and another in a forest.
He knows about the Gate of Time.
He seems to notice my skin going pale, because he stops beside me and studies drawings with me. "Exquisite, aren't they? With one Gate of Time thoroughly destroyed by that Sheikah worm, I was sure that any links to the past were cut off completely." He grins. "But with this painting, the scales have now been tipped in my favour!"
"You'd still need to find it," I say, hoping to keep any nerves out of my voice. "If it still exists, of course."
He tuts and simply says, "From your reaction, it seems safe enough to assume that the Gate exists, Your Grace, and you know exactly where it is."
My gut drops.
"I know of its existence, but not where it is," I lie as best I can.
"Don't play coy with me," the Demon Lord reprimands. "You created the Gates. I'm sure the memory is floating somewhere in that little head of yours, and I'm positive that I can drag it out of you."
Ghirahim begins to step towards me, and before I can think about it, I'm moving backwards. I remember what he did to Link in the Earth Spring to make it submit, and I can only dare to imagine the lengths he would go to in order to get the information out of me.
My back hits the wall next to the door, and in a moment of fear I say suddenly, "Fight me." He raises a brow, prompting me to continue. "You have the cure for my Father, and I supposedly have the information that you need. Whoever wins in a simple battle gets what they want. Seems fair enough, right?"
Why did you say that?! I scold myself. You're already weak enough—how can you win in a fight against him?
He says nothing.
In a moment of confidence, I add, "Or are you too afraid to fight a Goddess?"
The Demon Lord's eyes narrow for a moment, his lips turning down into a snarl—and I know that he's taken my bait. "Very well, Your Grace. If you somehow manage to best me, then I shall help you. But when I win, I shall delight in your screams as I break you apart and pluck the location of the Gate of Time from that little head of yours."
I swallow thickly at the mental images running through my mind, though I try my best to ignore them as we return to the middle of the room, lowering ourselves into battle stances as he brings two onyx blades into his hand.
I steel myself.
Ghirahim is the first to attack, of course, and I quickly side step out of the way of his attack. I keep on the defensive as he grows more and more confident, but with the lingering effects of my climb up the tower and the explosion on the bridge, he manages to catch my arm when I dodge too slowly.
"Can you feel it?" Ghirahim remarks as I hiss in pain. "The Thread of Fate is starting to be soaked with your blood, Your Grace."
I try and ignore him, but I can't.
I'm too busy noticing just how many diamond shapes cover his body and clothing.
The Thread of Fate...
Then it hits me as I force myself to clash with him.
The diamonds aren't mere decorations—they're symbols. The Thread of Fate is the path that the light and the darkness take, and how they clash and drift apart over the fabric of time—it can symbolise Ghirahim and Link, the Demon King and the Goddess, anyone that is a dark of the Goddess's Mission.
Taking the Bearers and the Demon Lord as an example, the base of the diamond is where the light and darkness first clashed—for them, it was during the Great War. By the end of the battle, the first Bearer died and the Demon King was sealed away—and so the Demon Lord and the first Bearer were split apart by time and circumstances, which creates the bottom V shape of the diamond.
With the end of the Wing Ceremony, Ghirahim finally pursued Link and tracked him down to the Skyview Temple—to which the darkness and light finally clashed once again, which completes the top of the diamond shape. With every clash, more and more diamonds are sewn by the Thread of Fate.
It all makes sense now…
With a cry I force him away and manage to slice his leg with the tip of the Goddess White Sword, though it barely marks him. He chuckles at my sudden burst of emotion, and we fall into a pattern of parrying one another's attacks—me growing more and more tired with every block and him as strong as ever.
"I suppose your persistence should—" Ghirahim starts to remark, only to be cut off when I finally manage to slash the Goddess White Sword across his chest and through one of the mange diamond designs there. He hisses in annoyance and knocks me away, and I can't help but smile as I catch my breath.
"You were saying?" I can't help but taunt.
His eyes narrow into thin slits, and he bursts into a fit of constant attacks that I barely have the time to block with my Harp. My sword arm starts to numb over at the constant parrying, and before I know it I'm back against the wall again—one of his blades hovering over my neck whilst the other one is high above, waiting to attack.
"Your constant attempts to keep me from the boy are feeble at best," he murmurs, eyes deep pools of blackness. I breathe heavily as I catch my breath, readying my sword to attack. "You are destined to lose, Your Grace. You are destined to watch your world burn and your loved ones suffer at mine and my Master's hands. To think that you can alter the Thread of Fate is laughable."
"You're deluded," I spit.
He laughs in my face but says nothing, and I take my chance to attack. And yet, as I swing my sword up he immediately counters it at a speed no ordinary man has. With his second sword, Ghirahim slices through the back of my hand deeply—and I can't stop my hand from dropping the sword out of reflex.
"Cries are melodic, but there's something even better," he whispers. "Screams."
He wrenches the Harp out of my hand and grabs my left wrist, snapping it back into such an abnormal position that I can feel the bones cracking under the pressure. I scream as waves upon waves of agony shoot through my arm, even more so when he tosses me back towards the middle of the room with the same arm.
My world goes black for a moment when I collide with the floor, and when my vision returns it's filled with tears. The pain keeps me paralysed on the ground, and with no weapon or means of protection I lie there listlessly as his footsteps grow closer to my prone form.
He forces me onto my back with the flat side of his blade, using the tip to find my eyes. My lip quivers in pain. "The Great Goddess has been brought to her knees," he calls out proudly, then, "I wonder how many more of those beautiful screams I can tear out of you before I finally retrieve the boy's location from your memories…"
Despite my best efforts, I'm too weak to hold back my tears as he finally releases my chin and lets me fall back against the ground. Over on the other side of the room, the Goddess White Sword lies there—taunting me. But I can't reach it, and I don't have the strength to fight anymore.
I don't… but she does…
"With your physical health currently weakened after the explosion, please recall that the power of Nayru's Flame has bestowed me with the ability to aid you in battle."
Resting my head against the ground, the sun design cracked in two from the strength of my collision with it, I mumble into the air, "F-Fi…"
I hold my breath as I feel dark spots eating at the edge of my vision, praying that she understands and helps me. As much as I don't want to give up so easily, the pain is just too much to bear. And if she can help to turn the tide of battle, then I'll still be able to save Father and keep Link safe for just a little bit longer.
A burst of light forces my eyes open, and I crane my neck up to see the spirit of the Goddess White Sword has appeared without delay. Floating tall before me, two arms have appeared from beneath her wings and hold a pair of silver rapiers—both of which are aimed at the Demon Lord.
Ghirahim is silent for a moment, then bows mockingly towards her—his chin resting against the tips of her blades. "So, you've finally decided to leap into the fray after witnessing how weak your petty creator is, hmm? I'm flattered, truly!"
"I am completely loyal to the Goddess, Ghirahim, and that shall never change," she retorts sternly as he rises from his bow. "I am merely fulfilling my duty to her."
With incredible speed and ferocity, Fi shoves him back a few paces and stabs forwards—piercing his shoulder with one blade and his sternum with the other. He manages to slash against her stomach, but it does nothing to harm her. Using her foot to free her enemy from her blades, the two leap at each other and begin to fight.
Cradling my arm, I push myself up onto my knees with a choked sob and dig through my bag for anything that may help. I tear away a piece of bandage from the roll with my teeth and wrap it around my hand—tucking it into place rather than knotting it.
Thankfully there are still the Potions that Groose and I bought before setting out for Lanayru, so I tear the cork off of a Stamina Potion with my teeth and drink it thirstily—sighing in relief when it starts to numb the pain in my arm and restore some of my strength. Shoving the empty bottle into my bag, I force myself onto my feet and ignore my spinning vision as I go to retrieve the Goddess White Sword.
As the Potion's effects start to properly kick in, I place my Harp into my bag and spin around, rushing back into the fight as best I can with my other arm hanging limply at my side. I manage to stumble over to their fight, and they stop to watch me.
"So you decided to muster an ounce of power, hmm?" Ghirahim taunts.
"You deserve to endure every ounce of pain that you've inflicted upon all of the innocent people of this world," I say as I storm towards him. "I may not be the strongest person or the most courageous, but I know that I won't stop until everyone is safe from your wrath and that you eternally suffer for what you've done."
He laughs at me, only for his laugh to turn into a choke when I stab him through the chest with so much strength that the tip of the Goddess White Sword is wedged into the wall.
His lips twist into a snarl as he lashes out at me, but he can't move from the wall and Fi protects me from the attack. "Enough of this… this foolishness!" Ghirahim yells, tugging the sword free from his chest and gestures his sword towards me. "You may be the Goddess Reborn, but you are nothing but a mortal—a mortal child! Remember this day as the time when you awakened a wrath that will drag you into the depths of the darkness!"
"You lost, Ghirahim," I snap at him. "Now give me the cure that will save my Father and leave with whatever dignity you have left."
He stares at me for a moment.
Then he chuckles.
Then he begins to cackle.
I glance up at Fi, but she merely watches the Demon Lord as he loses himself in a fit of madness for a moment. After a while he finally manages to calm himself, chuckling as he speaks.
"I never thought that a Goddess could be so brainless!"
What?
"We had a deal, Ghirahim!" I yell. "Be true to your word!"
"Oh, I will be, Your Grace," he says in a low tone. "True to my word, I will help you…"
"Now—"
Transporting the Bird Statuette into his hand, he shoves it into my face and crushes it in his hand; letting the chunks tumble onto the tiled ground beneath us. "Everything you love and hold dear will die, Your Grace! Then, and only then, will you understand what true pain is—and what happens in a war!"
My lips part. "Give me the cure!"
He beams at me. "When did I ever say that I would give you the cure?"
For a moment, the ground beneath me falls away.
He's right…
"If you somehow manage to best me, then I shall help you."
He never said that he'd give me the cure—only that he would "help me," not Father.
"I've been true to my word, have I not? I helped you, not that old fool. Haven't I helped you to realise what the pain of war is? Do you finally understand?"
"No…" I breathe. "No, you…"
He simply smirks at me. "Oh, Your Grace, you've met with a terrible fate, haven't you?"
And in one fluid movement, he's gone.
No… no it's not true… this isn't happening…
But it is.
This is real.
I failed.
I failed…
My scream echoes around the chamber as I slump onto my knees, pain seeping back into my system as sobs wrack my body. There's a whirlwind of emotions soaring through me—anger, fear, grief, hatred—and there's nothing I can do but be lost into the torrent for a while; unsure of what else to do as the world falls down around me.
Father… I'm so sorry…
He's going to die because of me—because of my failure.
He's going to die because I made a deal that played straight into a trap.
He's going to die.
I can feel Fi wrapping bandages around my arm and then over my shoulder to support it, but I can't muster the energy to thank her as she sheathes the Goddess White Sword for me.
"Come, Zelda," she says, and I look at her in surprise when she uses my name. "I detect the presence of the Sacred Flame in the next room."
I nod numbly and allow her to help me back onto my feet, clinging to her smooth arms as I stumble towards the doorway. I barely register making my way through the door and into a room decorated similarly to where Farore's Flame was in the Ancient Cistern—all that I can hear in my head is one word over and over again.
Failure.
Failure.
Failure!
I activate the crest at the end of the room, my expression emotionless as the final Sacred Flame is lit—its crimson light flooding into the chamber. I raise the Goddess White Sword and let Fi direct the flames toward the blade, struggling to keep it up with just one hand.
All of this pain and suffering for three Flames, and it isn't even over yet.
The hilt of the sword is transformed into a beautiful purple, a yellow gemstone shining against the light of the Sacred Flame. The blade itself is longer than ever before, and the handle is decorated with hints of green. Somewhere, deep in my mind, is one of Hylia's memories just waiting to be awakened—but in my current state I can't even do that.
"What you hold there is known as the Master Sword, Dominae," says Fi. "This sacred blade is enchanted with a holy light that Demons revile. With the Master Sword's power, I believe that you will be able to complete the task given to you by the priestess."
I nod, knowing that she can't say anything else in case the Demon Lord is lingering.
"Can you return me to the Sky Realm from here, Fi?" I mumble, my voice nothing but a weak croak.
"Indeed, Mistress."
Upon sheathing the Master Sword, I wrap my uninjured arm around my waist as Fi transports me back to the Sky Realm. Compared to when I first left the Surface in such a way, I barely register the sudden change in location as I land firmly on Crimson's back. The sky is just as grey as when I left it, and I simply stare at the floating island in the distance with tears running down my cheeks.
I can't do this…
I shake my head.
I have to. I have to face what I caused…
Fortunately or not, the ride back to Skyloft takes little time, and as soon as Crimson touches down on the second floor of the Knight Academy I leap off of his back and slam into the nearby doors. Several islanders and students snap their heads up as I race through the corridor, ignoring them completely as I burst into Father's Office.
The Instructors are still here, tending to Father as much as they can, stepping away form him as I run towards him and fall to my knees.
"M-My dear…"
"I-I'm sorry, Father," I sob as I take his hand into mine. "I-I couldn't… I couldn't d-do it…"
He says nothing, most likely too weak to, as he opens his arms out for an embrace. I dive into his arms and sob as I let his warmth envelop me. I know that I have to say goodbye, especially with what little time he has left, but I can't lose him—I can't say goodbye to him.
I don't want to lose you too…
I'm not sure how long we sit there for, but when we pull apart we still stay close to one another for the next few moments. The Instructors leave us be, and we pass the time simply being in one another's presences and talking in hushed tones—trying our best to reminiscence on better times.
"You'll be alright," Father whispers, stroking my hair gently. "I-I know you will…"
"I'm sorry," I sob. "I'm so sorry…"
"My dear… oh, my dear," he rasps, holding back a cough. "You did everything… you could…"
But I still failed…
"I'm going to sleep now, my dear," he murmurs, pulling my face closer so he can plant a kiss on my forehead. "I love you, my dear… to the ends of the Surface… a-and beyond…"
I squeeze his hands tightly. "I-I love you too, Father. Wake up soon…"
He smiles.
Then his eyes slip shut, and his chest goes still.
No…
"F-Father?"
I squeeze his hand again.
"Father… wake up…"
I'm frozen.
No… it's not true…
"Father!"
The Instructors rush inside at the commotion, but they don't do anything as they realise what's happened.
"No, Father please! Please wake up!"
Tears well up in my eyes.
"Don't leave me!"
But he has.
And it's all my fault.
"N-No…"
The world falls apart around me, and my screams of grief silence Skyloft for the rest of the night.
Author's Note: Okay... I'm gonna need some Magic Armour and a lot of magic to cast Nayru's Love. I didn't want to go there, but the Author Power was too much for me to bear. So... leave a rate and review if you haven't already, and I'll brace myself for these reviews!
~RandomButLoved~