Hear those bells ring deep in the soul.

by 346_rats_in_a_trenchcoat

Summary:

"When the hero woke from his long slumber, he had not aged. His body remained one of a child, and his mind was a blank canvas to be painted with the hues of experience.
He had been a mere 11 years old when the calamity had razed Hyrule to the ground. A great force he could never beat."

Or, The chain helps Child Wild grieve and move forward.

Notes:

Content warnings are in the tags, tell me if I miss any. I will add them here.

Chapter 1: Prelude

When the hero woke from his long slumber, he had not aged. His body remained one of a child, and his mind was a blank canvas to be painted with the hues of experience.

He had been a mere eleven years old when the calamity had razed Hyrule to the ground. A great force he could never beat.

He was doomed from the start, an infant martyr against a force perhaps older than Hyrule itself. 

Zelda knew, in her 117 years of living, that this would be a fact Link would struggle to accept.

They had beaten a hero complex into him from the time he pulled the master sword till the time he died. She couldn’t help but resent those who allowed a child into the royal guard at five. He was skilled, yes, but no child should be subject to what he went through.

It would be a mercy if he had forgotten the experience, no matter how ingrained into his very bones it was.

The world was completely new, and the hero did not yet know the hardships that would come with being who he was, who he couldn’t run away from being.

It wasn’t fair for Zelda to call him from his restful slumber.

It wasn’t fair he never had the chance to be a kid.

But..maybe this way- after Ganon was defeated- he could have the chance at a real childhood. Zelda prayed he would be strong enough.

 

As much as she wished otherwise, Hyrule needed him.

—--  

Link.

His eyes opened. He was submerged in some sort of- water? It was glowing blue, and did not look natural.

A soft and feminine voice was speaking to him, as if from a great distance.

Link .

Wake up.

That name fit- felt like his own. Like it belonged to him.

His small legs trembled as he tried to rise from the liquid. He felt drowned, like the water had worked its way into his organs and lungs and bones.

He grabs the- Slate? The shekiah slate!

He puts on the pants he finds in a chest outside the room, and is forced to roll them up at least three times at the ankles. He didn’t want to trip over his own pants!

As Link walks out onto the land he thinks he's never seen, he knows this is where he belongs, the Wild.

He sat on the ledge and stared down at the world underneath him. The trees were lush, and the birds were flying. The land looked reclaimed by nature, taken from the people and sent back to its true form. It was beautiful . 

He starts running around grabbing objects- a stick? That’s new!

He swung the stick around and savored the Whoosh it made from flying through the air.  

He inhales a mushroom, and then immediately spits it out.

Ew. Who would want to eat these?

The scent of something fresh and delicious was wafting from a nearby campfire-

Was that a person!? 

A person!

He ran over, and grabbed the- Apple?

Apple. That’s neat!

“Hey! You can’t just come over and take things that don’t belong to you!”

He scurried away as fast and as far as his little legs could take him.

He didn’t like this stranger. Being near him felt wrong in a way Link couldn’t really describe.

Link didn’t want to see him again.

He would try to avoid him in the future.

—--

When Link stared out at the edge of the tower, he realized he had a job.

He didn’t want that. He wanted to explore the wilderness! 

But- She needed him.

He pouted at his loss of freedom. 

He went to talk to the old man. He still didn’t like him, he was mean. But it seemed he had no choice but to interact with him, after completing all the shrines.

As he climbed down from the tower, he began to forge his way to the temple.

The bokoblins were easy to fight, he found. At first he had been far too scared to interact with them, but after it seemed this was the only way to get through, he reluctantly hefted the axe he had taken and prepared.

The fight finished in no time.

Yeah! He was so cool!

Sure- He had a few scratches, but that was totally worth it!

—--

He stared at the spot the old ma- King Rhoam used to occupy.

He failed. This was all his fault.

He felt tears welling up in his eyes, and didn’t try to stop them.

He fell to the floor and curled up on the wood.

This was all his fault.

He didn’t even remember Zelda- how could he forget her?

How could he doom Hyrule? Is he a bad person ? How could he?

Rhoam made sure he knew he failed at protecting Zelda.

As his small and thin hands grabbed for the paraglider, he knew he needed to solve this. Repent for his…sins (Roham had taught him the word sins.) against Hylia. (Nevermind her statues telling him his fate was doomed from his birth, he should have done something .)

He glided down into Hyrule, and knew his job was not yet complete.

He just wanted to rest, he wanted to see parents he couldn’t remember.

The land he had forsaken was blurry from his tears when he finally landed.

He wants Zelda.

He wants anyone.

By the time he arrived at the large fabric tent, in the shape of a horse!

He had tried to catch a horse on the way here, but he wasn’t quiet enough.

It made him sad.

He had collected quite a few wounds, they decorated his skin in hues of red and purple bruises, the outside world seems to not be as safe as the plateau.

The man who ran the stable seemed surprised to see Link, and he had a protective glint in his eyes Link wasn’t sure how to interpret.

—--

Embry introduced himself, and was happily chatting away with the battered child who’d shown up on the stables doorstep.

Just who was this kid?

He had clumsily introduced himself as Link, no family name given.

He couldn’t help but think about the rumors surrounding the plateau they set up shop so close to.

A child hero, put to rest for a hundred long years.

Not dead, they say. Just resting.

He couldn't help but feel this could be him.

He hoped it was a coincidence. They needed a hero- But this was no hero. This was a child. 

But that didn’t matter, what mattered was this child was wandering alone without proper weapons or protection.

He needed to earn Link’s trust so he could be helped by the stable system.

Hero or not, no child deserved to be alone.

He invented him in the stable, and decided he could be given a bed for free after he didn’t know what rupees were.

He curled up on the bed and seemed to fall asleep right away.

He quietly whispered to his coworker to grab a healing potion. 

Hylia, I pray you protect him .

Like she did so well the first time. Whispered the traitorous voice in his head.

If she can’t protect him, we will. 

—--

Link had freed all The divine beasts.

It was time.

He needed to save Zelda.

It was his fault she was trapped, after all. 

He felt his shoulder tear.

It didn’t hurt.

He fired another arrow.

He parried another attack.

He felt his shield break in pieces.

He felt a piece embed itself into his palm.

Nothing hurt.

—--

He felt himself standing in the grass outside- a bow of light in his hand.

He hefted his bow and aimed his arrow at the hideous depiction of malice, and let it fly. 

Ganon was defeated.

When Zelda fell into his arms, a gaping hole of light was decorating her chest.

An arrow of light was poking through her dirtied white tunic, right where her heart was.

The blood that flowed from the wound was not red, but a golden ichor.

Link couldn’t think.

He couldn’t feel.

He tried in vain to put the blood back into her body, It wasn’t working .

Link had killed Ganon, and by extension, he had murdered Zelda. 

In her final moment, Zelda apologized. She cupped Link’s cheeked with her failing strength and spoke her last words.

“I’m so sorry.”

Her hand fell limp, and Link laid in the field with her body until someone found him, Link didn’t remember who. He didn’t care.

Zelda was dead, and Link’s own crimson blood mixed with Zelda’s golden ichor.

Hylia was silent, as she always was.

He wanted to scream at the goddess who killed her most dedicated disciple.

She deserved to live- she deserved to live . She hadn’t died. She hadn’t failed . 

Link had failed again. Killed his one reason to keep going.

This was all his fault.

Why should he live? How could he repent for his sins when Zelda was dead ? 

What does he do without a purpose, without a reason to live? 

Because Zelda was his reason. Zelda was the only one who knew him from before.

He did not feel wet tears roll down his cheeks, because Zelda was dead and gone.

—--

In another world, eight heroes have been gathered.

Soon, they will get a ninth to their chain.

He will not be who they expect. 

 

Chapter 2: Chiming away for a moment.

Summary:

Legend does not want to be here.
Link doesn't know what he wants.

Notes:

Legend pov!!!!!!
Hope you like the chapter guys <3

Link speared another bokoblin through with his royal guard sword. 

The sword was almost his height, and far too heavy to carry.

He really didn’t care.

He doesn’t think he cares about much, to be fair. 

He heard the wet flesh tear and parried a blow from another.

Link raised his sword and slashed at the Blue bokoblins arm, leaving his side wide open.

The second bokoblin raised its club and Link heard his ribs crack. 

He simply sighed and beheaded both bokoblins at once.

He didn’t feel his wounds, he frankly didn’t feel much anymore.

He pulled out his Shekiah slate and teleported to the next shrine near a road in Hyrule forest that was overrun with monsters.

He didn’t bother healing with a potion, he hadn’t made another one in the days since Zelda's death Ganon's demise. 

The monsters were getting worse lately.

—--

When Legend fell through the portal, he wasn’t expecting to show up in a fucking bog.

He spit the water from his mouth and took a drink of his waterskin to hopefully take the awful taste out of his mouth.

He didn’t recognize his Hyrule…was it time for another LInk? Or was this an inbetween where they were nothing but bedtime stories?

“Anyone recognize this one?”

Times commanding, but somehow still gentle voice, caught the chains attention.

Legend looked up and saw a combination of “No” and dejected head shaking. (In Wind’s case, enthusiastic talk of a new hero)

Everyone looked at Sky.

“We don’t know if this land has a hero- can you check?”

Sky’s brows furrowed.

“Fi hasn’t said anything yet…” He sounded upset his dearest friend was silent.

Legend rolled his eyes. “Just try, I don't want to be here any longer than I have to.” He splashed his foot in the water for emphasis, and immediately pulled it out when his foot got wet. 

He sent a vicious glare at Warriors, who looked like he was struggling not to break into laughter.

Sky seemed to startle. “Fi just said the hero is already here? She says he’s close- She sounded so…tired…”

Legend saw Twilight sigh and move over to comfort Sky. 

Legend clapped his hands together, and Wind started jumping up and down and pumping his fist in the air.

“New hero! New hero! New hero! New hero!”

Legend shoved his hand over Wind’s mouth, and then immediately withdrew it when it was licked. He made a face of disgust and hastily wiped it off on his tunic. 

“You’re feral"

Wind jumped happily.

“Sounds like a you problem~”

They had just reached some forest in this new place.

Legend opened his mouth to argue, but shut it when he heard a loud crack from somewhere in front of the chain.

Everyone drew their swords and advanced forward.

What they saw was not what any of them anticipated. 

Even Time looked shocked.

They watched the scene that was playing out in front of them, too surprised to intervene. 

A child was fighting three strange looking black-grey bokos.

Legend watched black blood squirt from a wound on its side.

A child was fighting three black blooded bokos.

And kind of winning?!

Everyone jumped into action at the same time, three already wounded monsters against eight was a very quickly lost battle. 

Sky immediately, bless his heart, ran up to the child.

The child, clearly afraid of a bunch of heavily armed strangers, bared his teeth and raised his sword- The sword that was half his height. 

“That’s definitely the hero, right?” Wind attempted to whisper. The kid however, clearly heard him, and tensed up more than his already significantly locked limbs.

His face showed none of his thoughts. It was unnerving on such a young face, however shadowed in a cloak with an overlarge hood. His eyes were hidden, but his face had not moved the entire fight or conversation.

His voice came out raspy and whispered. “What do you want?”

A hero of few words, clearly. His voice sounded like it hadn’t been used in a very long time.

Everyone looked slightly desperately at Sky.

Sky looked nervous to be on the spot, but knew he didn’t have a real choice unless they wanted to scare the hero off. (They once let Wind give the speech. They don’t talk about it anymore. Not even Legend brought it up.)

“For you to join our quest for Hylia, we are the past heroes.”

Link’s face showed the first emotion Legend had seen. Cold fury, and deep seated guilt.

“I am no hero.”

Hylia- What did you do to this kid?

Sky seemed to fumble for a bit, so Legend swooped in heroically to save him. 

“You are. Let me guess- kill Ganon or something? Saved the princess?”

At Legend’s last words, this Link’s face lost all its light or interest, little as it was before.

The kid laughed without humor, it came out as a sad and choked gasp. 

“I did one of those things-”

 Link suddenly let out a low gasp and grabbed his side in pain, and his face barely screwed up, like he’d spent far too long hiding his suffering.

What was wrong with this Hyrule?

Legend saw Ruile attempt to get closer to the wounded hero, but every step he took forward, the hero went two steps back.

This Link was wobbling on his feet, and it looked like blood was leaking through his tunic in a dark red- and gold?

The hero swayed one more time, and Hyrule caught him before he hit the forest floor.

Everyone else had rushed forward, but Rulie happened to be the closest.

The fall had lifted his hood up briefly, and Legend caught sight of a truly horrifying wealth of scar marring this kid’s face. Silvery red stretching from the side of his face down to his neck.

Legend wondered if they ached like his own scars.

Rulie's hands started glowing a light soothing pink, and Legend watched his eyes widen.

Hyrule looked at the rest of the chain with sorrow, and tears welling in his eyes.

“This Zelda is dead.”

Notes:

Comment if you liked it!!!!! :)

Chapter 3: Hurt and Grieve.

Summary:

The chain reacts.
Wild doesn't understand, unreliable narrator as he is.

Notes:

All the POVs!!! Kind of!!! I hope you like this one, I like it quite a bit!

When Hyrule laid his hands upon the new Link to heal him, he Knew.

This Zelda was dead.  

His mouth dropped open- and he said the only words repeating over and over and over in his head.

“This Zelda is dead.”

He didn't see the Chains reaction, he was too quickly trying to pull the new Link into his arms. Just a kid, and no Zelda.

Alone.

All alone.

He sobbed and held the child tighter.

He heard Sky begin to pray to Hylia- and Legend begin to curse her for her cruelty.

Hyrule had no real opinion on the Goddess. Usually. But right now? He doesn't think he'll ever forgive her.

Four eyes rapidly were changing colors- a quirk the chain was used to. Red, Green, Blue, Violet. Red, Green, Blue, Violet.

Wind looks too shocked to say anything.

Warriors is stone faced. Once a soldier, always a soldier.

Twilight was rushing forward- to do what, Hyrule didn't know. He didn't think Twilight knew either.

Time shuts his eye. The pain was evident on his face, and he made no moves. He knew he couldn't do anything.

They mourned the loss like it was their own. Because in a way, it is.

See, the Links have never been sure of their survival. This suffered and lost too much to be prideful enough to consider themselves safe from the grim reaper touch.

But Zelda? She was immortal in their eyes- untouchable by death.

After all, who could kill the reincarnated goddess, protected by the very laws that govern Hyrule?

One thought hung over the clearing like a suffocating fog.

‘It could have been us.’

‘It could have been Sun- or Artemis- or Dot- it could have been anyone.’

None of them has felt so aware of their own loved ones' mortality than at that moment.

All of them had faced death head on, but none of them had truly died.

Hyrule was aware that all he loved could be taken away in one small second. You didn't live long in his world if you weren't.

Warriors had seen death. He was painfully aware it came for everyone, in the form of Hylian’s own cruelty, in the form of old age, and dark magic.

Wind was in shock. He knew he could die- but? That it could have been Tetra. It could be Tetra.

Four understood. He had been spilt into four, and he knew what it was like to mourn a part of yourself.

Sky didn't know. He has always been a faithful servant of Hylia, believing in her plan and ultimate divine plan. However, he didn't know how to justify her actions.

Time just shut his eye. He knew he couldn't deny this fact- felt it in his very soul- but maybe- if he shut out the world for long enough, he would wake up in a better world.

Twilight moved. To do what, he wasn't sure. Help Hyrule? Cry? Could he even help here? 

Legend was angry. How dare Hylia put a Child through so much suffering. Is this what she does to her most faithful servants? Casts them away- makes them do her own bidding and then kills them the moment they aren't useful enough? He could tolerate going on six quests. He could deal with the hurt- but how dare she put a child through the same pain?

Twilight stopped in his tracks and simply stared at the ground.

Hyrule continued healing Link, his own muscle memory taking over as his mind wandered.

He could feel Zelda's last bit of life force coursing through Link's veins.

His own magic sung in response.

He didn't listen to it. He couldn't, it felt like one last word before death. It sang of grief. 

The kid's body was broken. His injuries numerous, his spirit shattered.

His soul was missing its other half, only an indent of Zelda left behind, and blood so golden it would sparkle in the light.

He would never be whole again.

But, maybe, just maybe, the Chain could help.

Sky laid the Master Sword upon the ground, and sat with his head in his hands.

How could his loving goddess do this?

Do the ends really justify the means?

He isn't sure anymore.

—--

Wild honestly didn't expect to open his eyes again. He assumed he had passed out in front of Yiga, and was finally being forced to repent.

His worldview turned upside down when he opened his eyes, and his wounds were healed.

And he wasn't in a cell.

In fact, he was in a warm and comfortable embrace.

He realized all at once 7 heavily armed strangers were staring at him- all with varying looks of pity and anger.

The one with the pink streak in his hair was having a heated argument with the sky.

Shoot- why are they angry?

Did he do something wrong?

He guesses they felt too bad leaving a wounded child alone- but they definitely don't want him here. That's alright. He's pretty sure most people don't.

He attempts to wiggle out of whoever's grasping him tightly, and thankfully, they let him go.

He sees they are crying.

He frowns. Did he make them cry?

He supposes he shouldn't have passed out right after they invited him on a quest.

They knew he was a failure now, no wonder they were angry.

He bets they didn't fail- not even once, let alone twice.

They knew he was unfit to join, and it didn't hurt his feelings (It's easier to pretend it doesn't.)

He spoke his words.

“I am sorry I am not worthy of your quest.”

His voice came out garbled, as it always did. A consequence of his death.

He pulls out his shekiah slate, and taps the first shrine he sees.

And he taps it again.

And again.

He's slamming his finger on the button now, trying in vain to get it to work.

His slate isn't working.

He takes off in the opposite direction, and is quickly pulled back by the man with the white sailcloth- and the Master Sword.

He hasn't looked at the Master Sword yet. He's not worthy to hold it, and returned it to its rightful place after Ganon's defeat.

He shuts his eyes and prepares to what- be hit?

To his surprise, the man pulls him into a hug and says the words Link has been waiting for someone to say since his first talk with King Rhoam.

“It’s not your fault. It was never your fault.”

Notes:

Hope it doesn't have too many mistakes! Wrote it on my phone!
As always- comment if you liked it!

The chain: we love you and want to help you. We will kill hylia if you ask us.
Wild: so....you hate me and think I'm a failure.
The chain: *sobbing*

Chapter 4: Don't suffer alone.

Summary:

Legend leaves on his own.
Sky is angry.
Wild understands- at least he thinks he does.

Notes:

Here ya go!

Everyone (minus the Veteran) had formed a protective circle around Sky and Link.

What they hoped to do was unclear.

Link was sobbing into Sky's arms- and Sky was just sitting there.

After all, what comfort could the very person who doomed him offer?

Legend had gone wandering into the woods- no one attempted to stop him.

Legend needed to cool down. Leaving him to do his own thing was the least harmful for everyone. Trying to make him stay would only make the situation worse.

Link had stopped crying, and stared up at Sky with large bright blue eyes. They had the air of someone who had seen far too much. It was disconcerting to see that look on a face so young.

Link's eyes were puffy and red from crying.

His numerous scars were pink and raw from the tears. What could a child possibly have done to have such wounds? 

Sky's heart ached.

His very being burned with fury and sorrow.

Sky, you see, is not a violent person at heart. He delivers justice in the name of the goddess, but he does not enjoy it.

Right now? Sky would like to do something he has ill considered over the years.

Who- he has to ask, will he blame?

Hylia? The divine orchestrator of all their suffering. His own trusted goddess.

Zelda? The very thought brought a twinge of wrongness to his chest. Zelda is as much a victim of Hylia as the Link's.

Himself? He has cursed them- did he not bear the responsibility?

The child spoke in a harsh whisper before Sky's thoughts could spiral any further.

“How do I join the quest?”

—--

Link asked the question because he felt he had no other choice.

He hasn't had a choice in a long time.

Not that he can remember, anyway.

He wonders if he ever did, or if his life was all some elaborate plan to save Hyrule. Was this his only purpose?

Hylia brought him back to be helpful, and if she believes Link needs to join his quest, he will.

Nevermind if he wanted to, Hylia had never been particularly kind on the front of free will.

The concept of choice is rather foreign to the divine.

Link didn't recognize any of this. He just felt the deep engrained need to please those he thought he was below.

Once a soldier, always a soldier.

So he asked how he could join.

The answer he got was no less cryptic than expected, no matter how hard the man in the sailcloth was trying to sugarcoat it.

“The goddess has chosen you for the quest, and you will travel with us to different worlds- and different times.”

Never let it be said Sky was good at phrasing things in an understandable way for a child.

Twilight piped in helpfully, thank the golden three they had someone with any experience with kids. 

“We travel to each of our Hyrule's through portals.”

Everyone was actively avoiding looking at the duo, preferring to listen without interacting.

Wind, however, was watching unabashedly.

The others were scared of what they would see if they looked too hard at this child.

This one tragedy had almost broken them, what could another do?

Could they handle seeing what their dearest goddess was capable of?

She has always used them like dolls- to be used and played with until she got bored.

But this was crossing a line they never hoped to see drawn.

“We each have nicknames given to us by Fi- The Master Sword. We're all named Link after all.” He let out a nervous chuckle.

“I'm Sky, and if you touch the hilt of her blade, you can learn your own hero name.”

He pulled the sword from his sheath and gestured for him to take it by the hilt.

With no small amount of trepidation, Link accepted the sword that doomed him to his death the first time.

His scars almost seemed to burn anew when he set his hand upon her. Memories followed him even here.

He couldn't be sure if he resented her or not.

He supposes it doesn't matter.

Regret can't change the past.

She spoke in a light feminine voice.

I'm sorry, Hero of the Wilds.

I have failed you.

You are my greatest regret.

And my-

Just before Link could react to the unfinished words, he dropped the sword as he heard a mechanical clanking he knew all too well from somewhere to his left.

—--

It turns out the woods are much less inviting than Legend had hoped for. He has now remembered why he hates nature.

It was beautiful out here, but it was not worth all the scratches he was compiling from simply walking in the forest.

As he kicks another bramble out of the way with more force than might be necessary, he considers going back.

He had already twisted his ankle on a tree root. Not enough to cause damage, but enough for him to be even more thoroughly pissed off.

He didn't return however, because he had just enough self awareness to know he would just make it worse.

Legend was one to lash out when angry, and he didn't want to hurt anyone. He may throw words around, but he hesitates to truly harm them. (As much as he pretends otherwise.)

So he continues kicking brambles with unnecessary rage, and the occasional bush. 

It was almost cathartic, if he imagined them with Hylia's smug ass face staring down at him.

He kicked with extra enthusiasm at the thought of Hylia. It makes a noise akin to snapping bone. (A pity he knows the sound so well.) He grins viciously. Bitch deserves it.

How long has he been at this?

His foot caught on a thorn and he fought to untangle it, and his ankle was bleeding lightly from a shallow scratch the thorn had made on its way out.

He scoffs.

Typical.

So- he was distracted, right? 

So who could really blame him if he didn't notice a bright red laser blinking on his chest until it was too late?

Notes:

I am not sorry about the cliff hanger. I have no remorse.

<3
Thank you for reading!

Chapter 5: What fate is worse than this?

Summary:

Wild dies.

Notes:

...

They saw you see your memories before you die.

Link would know that these people are wrong.

Death is simply the absence of life- no memory, no feeling, just nothing. Floating, drifting, and never being anything.

The priestesses of Hylia will tell you of a light at the end of the tunnel, but Link knows it is dark.

It no longer scares him. He doesn't think anything could, at this point.

So- that's why he jumped to shove the man out of the way. He knew it was worth it, a life for a life.

He felt the coarse fabric underneath his hands as the man overbalanced and went down, hitting the ground with a thud.

He felt the Lazer rip into his core- almost perfectly matching his patchwork of scars from all those years ago. A memory blended with what's real.

Death, he thinks madly, is what's real right now.

Its all that's ever been real, and it's what will haunt him until the grim reaper finally catches him.

He avoided him for far too long.

There's no Mipha to save him, no shrine of resurrection. He doesn't want to go back to the shrine. He'd rather die here and now.

Not much choice, he thinks, as his body falls.

It cleaved through his very being, and he felt the blood drain from his body.

Someone was holding him. He felt cold tears on his cheeks as his body lost all feeling.

His body went limp and slack in their grip, and his eyes looked unseeingly up at the canopy of leaves.

Red and gold leaked from his body, covering the clearing in a dizzying mix.

Then, in a spark of blue flame, Link rose from the dead.

Mipha? Did she not leave as the other champions did?

“It was my pleasure.”

Mipha never said more than that. 

He sometimes wishes she would, dying is a lonely experience.

He got to his feet as his wounds finished knitting together, he rose from his position on Sky's lap and raised his shield.

It hasn't targeted anyone else yet.

The rhythmic sound of a beep played as Wild waited for the moment to parry. 

The world slowed down as various members of the chain attempted to stop him.

He however, knew what he was doing. He may not be naturally faster, but his champion ability is not to be trifled with.

He felt the hair on his arm singe as he thrust the shield forward with all the strength his arms could muster.

The blast ricocheted off his shield and straight into the eye of the guardian.

His shield has shattered and a piece was embedded in his arm.

He knocked an ancient arrow, and let it fly.

The mechanical beast disappeared with no sound or marker it had ever existed, other than the phantom pain of being killed.

Mipha always did her job well, after all.

He thought they were dead. Really, permanently, dead.

Mipha seemed to have stayed with him.

He couldn't help but be grateful, as much as he didn't deserve it.

Legend hopped to his feet and stared at Link.

“What the fuck was that?”

Wind piped in at the same time.

“Did you just die?!” His voice has taken a bit of a hysterical edge.

Link nodded curtly- and whirled back around to the campsite.

The chain yelled back at him- “Get back here!”

“You can't just die and not give us an explanation!”

Selfish as it was, Link didn't want the chain to know how much he'd truly failed.

They were angry enough when they found out about…Zelda final stand.

Well- he could try to appease them with cooking.

‘My greatest regret.’

He could at least try to be useful- lest he drag them down to his level.

He sits down next to a conveniently placed cooking pot, and summons Wild rice, warm saffia, chicken, and goron spice.

A curry- the perfect apology food.

He feels himself begin to hum as the food heats up.

He's relaxed somewhat, until a voice from behind says something.

The man in the red tunic- Legend, if he recalls correctly- asked him a question, apparently.

“Hey. You can't just say you died and walk away like that- tell us.” 

Wild turned back to his food.

Legend stepped forward, but Time held him by his arm.

Time gave the veteran a warning look and released him.

Fine. If that's how Time wants them to play- that's what they can do.

But he needs to know.

He needs to know why he can't die- and why Zelda died. He has too.

He'll find out.

But for now, he'll have to play the waiting game.

Legend startled out of his thoughts as a bowl was placed into his hands. Wild skittered away.

He eyed it with suspicion.

The last time he'd eaten food cooked by a member of the chain, he had gotten food poisoning.

Warriors war rations could hardly be called any better, but at least they kept them alive.

Sure it smelled good- but the adult Link's can't even cook. No way this kid can do better. God, he hopes he can't do worse.

He put a bite of the steaming curry in his mouth and his eyes widened.

It was the perfect mix of savory and spicy- the rice was perfectly cooked, and it practically melted in Legends mouth.

Judging from the talking muffled by bites of food, everyone liked it.

Wind was shoving his curry down his throat like a starving prisoner, and Legend was about to start doing the same.

Wild watched from the sides, his own plate forgotten as he watched the others enjoy his food.

He couldn't help but feel slightly pleased, as much as he didn't deserve it.

A small smile graces his face as he pulls his hood back up, retreats further back, bathed in shadow.

The dark was far more comfortable than being seen.

He may not be a part of this chain, but he'd like them to be happy. No matter the cost.

Notes:

I enjoy playing with y'alls feelings I am not sorry.

 

Also! Updates will probably slow down a bit, I've gotten myself wrapped up in something else.

Chapter 6: Stuck between the ones I love, and the ones I miss.

Summary:

They sleep, and Wild remembers.

Time wonders.

Notes:

CW for implied child abuse.

Wild sat at the sidelines, and watched. Just watched.

Occasionally, he was glanced at, but Wild knows they must not want to talk to him. 

Grief is contagious, after all. He was worried he’d bring the mood down.

So he sits, and he observes.

Right now, it seemed they were preparing for sleep, each of them setting up a bedroll.

Interesting. 

He tilted his head when they asked for someone to take the first watch, and left his shadowed corner and raised his hand.

Everyone objected, but Time, ever cryptic, told them to quiet down.

“You’re new, you can’t take a watch alone. I’ll join you.”

Legend smirked in the background. One point to Time, whatever he wanted from the new kid. 

He pulled out his bed, and slept, he was far too tired to eavesdrop. 

Everyone settled down to rest, and Wild sat in the background, silently freaking out.

He was going to be alone. With Time. The man who’s clearly the leader.

He breathed shallowly, and once Time had apparently settled himself down by the trunk of a tree, he started climbing and settled himself between the oak's limbs, pulling his hood up as he begins to scan their surroundings for threats. 

It wasn’t particularly comfortable, but he’s sure it’s better than sitting in awkward silence with Time. Conversion with a superior is always awful, trying to guess what the right thing to say is.

Wild much prefers the boring silence.

Speaking of Time, he glances down and sees him looking up at him with exasperation, but he says nothing. 

They sat like that for exactly 30 minutes and 7 seconds. 

Until, Time called up gently.

“You can come down now, if you like.”

“You can come down. If you like.”

Link shudders. He’s not leaving his tree. He won’t. The army men were mean, and it was safer up here. He likes the forest.

The voice got stricter. 

“Link, come down, now. You can’t be this immature if you’re going to be the hero. ”

Link shakes his head as tears form in his blue eyes. He doesn’t want to go! He wants to go home! Why can’t he go home anymore!

“I don’t wanna- leave me alone!”

The voice sighed, and began climbing the tree, far faster than Link ever could.

The man grabbed him by his sword scabbard, and dragged him down.

His shirt tore on a branch, and he cried harder.

His father practically threw him to the ground, and spat out the words,

“We’re going to the king. You’re going to doom us all.”

He sobbed harder.

When Wild came too, he couldn't guess how long it could have been. His back was starting to hurt from the uncomfortable angle, and he felt his skin indent where it was pressing into the wood, but he didn’t dare move. 

The moon still shone in the sky, and it looked to have moved no significant amount. 

Wild wasn’t sure if Time noticed, or took his eerie silence at face value. He hopes for the ladder. 

He eases back into the tree leaves, and watches.

He curses his death. He was supposed to be watching before, and now he’s missed an unknown amount of time where anything could have happened if Time hadn't been on watch. 

He shakes himself out of his after memory exhaustion, and leans down to check on the sleeping chain, and Time.

The chain seems to be sleeping peacefully, and Time isn’t looking at him.

Time’s ear however, does twitch at the crackling of leaves. 

Wild winces and hopes Time chooses not to say anything at his mistake.

Time, mercifully, keeps silent.

Thank Hylia, he wasn’t sure how punishment worked in this group, and he wasn’t exactly eager to find out. Even with his few memories, he knows the army was not a kind place for those who weren’t perfect. Unless you were, and they were jealous. Either way, it was what a hero needed to learn. Or that’s what he was told.

When the watch passes after exactly 2 hours, Time moves to wake Warriors up for second watch. Warriors tended to volunteer for watch the most. Time chalks it up to the war he doesn't want to talk about.

Wild, however, did not move, and Time quietly called up.

“Do you have a bedroll?”

Wild shook his head, and settled back into the leaves, pulling his cloak around him, and was out like a light. 

Time frowned, but left it for now.

He will fix this, but that will have to take time and patience. 

As much as Legend wishes otherwise, they won’t be finding out the kids' secrets in three days.

They’ll have to wait, and support him when he decides to tell them.

He’s afraid Legend will have to learn that lesson the hard way.

He wanted to know far too badly, and Legend was anything but patient.

Time curls up in his own bedroll, and waits for sleep to find him.

With thoughts of Legend’s determination and Wild’s silence swirling in his mind, It does not come quickly. When does it ever, with their lot? Heroes through and through.

—--

Wild did not wake up peacefully, to the contrary,

He woke up in an unfamiliar place, after hitting the packed dirt ground hard.

His head knocked against a rock, and Wild saw white.

He pulled out a sword, and scrambled up to look around at his surroundings.

His shoulder gave a twinge, and his heart skipped a beat, but he ignored it in favor of finding out his location.

This wasn’t Hyrule.

Is this what Sky meant by ‘Different times’?

If so- where was everyone else?

He felt something wet on the back of his head, and when he pressed his hand to it, it was coated in crimson.

His ears were ringing. How long had they been doing that?

He was hit with a wave of vertigo.

His grip went slack, and his sword clattered to the ground.

Where was he again?

Notes:

Heh! hope y'all like the chapter!

Chapter 7: I don't know what I'm doing, can you please just play along?

Summary:

Warriors know.
Time knows.
Every else guesses.

Notes:

<3

When Time woke up without his armor on to Warriors shaking him, he grabbed his sword, and aimed it at his throat.

He then, realizing who it was, lowered it.

Warriors whispered to him.

“We switched over while you were sleeping. Wild’s missing.”

Just then, a pack of bokoblins broke through the clearing, grunting and holding clubs.

Quite a few, actually.

He yells at Warriors. 

“Go find Wild! We’ll take care of this!”

The rest of the chain hastily grabs their weapons as the sounds of clashing echo through the trees. 

Warriors gives a determined nod, and runs off into the forest.

The sun has not yet dawned in the leaves while warriors walks and walks.

He’s not the best suited for this job, what, with Twilight and his inane tracking skills, but Time clearly needed someone, and everyone else was indisposed.

So here he is. In a forest, at night, trying to find a stray Link.

His sword is held aloft in front of him as he transverses the forest floor. 

Frankly, he's not sure where he’s going. 

But, he thinks bitterly, Hylia always has a purpose for them.

It’s just then his long ears pick up on the noises of wood clashing with steel.

 He takes off with renewed vigor.

He sees Wild trying (and failing, evidently) to fight off a lone bokoblin.

Something is wrong with Wild.

He’s unsteady on his feet, and his eyes are blank in a way Warriors has only seen in concussed people during the war. 

He runs in, and blocks a strike from the club heading for Wilds abdomen.

He stabs it in the arm, and the fight is over quickly.

He turns to Wild, and curses.

He doesn’t look great, he’s got blood on the back of his head and bruises bruising on his cheek.

He digs through his bag, looking frantically for a red potion. He curses yet again, he doesn’t have any.

Field medicine it is, until he can bring him back to the rest of the chain.

When he pulls out a roll of bandages and prepares to begin wrapping them, WIld flinches back with a look of pure terror.

Warriors slows down and clearly projects his movements so Wild knows what to expect.

It doesn’t seem to have been necessary, though, because Wild’s eyes have gone blank.

He grimaces. Concussion. 

He wraps the fabric around his wounds, and when he asks (As quietly as possible.)

“We’re going to go back to the chain, okay?”

Wild instantly straightens his back and says in a terrifying monotone,

“Yes sir.”

He shoots up, and seems to sway on his feet before Warriors grabs reflexably Wild’s arm and straightens him up.

Wild just fixes his posture, and seems to wait to follow Warriors.

Warriors is fuming, no matter the blank face he's keeping. These are the reactions of a disciplined soldier, but this isn’t a soldier. This is a child. A child who clearly had years of military training.

No wonder he seems so afraid to join the group. 

“At ease.” He hates the words. He hates this, and he hates that he’s now a captain in this kids eyes. It’s a title he’s always worn with pride, but now he feels shame burning in his stomach.

At the words, Wild crumples.

Warriors catches him and picks him up in a bridal carry, hefting him up.

He’s easy to carry. Far too light.

He starts walking. And walking, and walking.

It leaves him with more time to think about this kid than he wants.

All the LInk’s have trauma, it’s unavoidable in their line of work. But a child soldier? That's new. And Warriors feels the weight of every mistake and cruelty that was inflicted on Wild. He knows, logically, that it’s not his fault. But he’s a captain, and now one of the Links is scared of him. 

It’s not fair. He can't be older than what, ten? And with his experience- He must have been in the guard for at least two years. Probably more. He feels his grip tighten on Wild’s shirt as he does the math. 

8 years old at minimum.

He marches his way to the chain, all while thoughts of conscription and cruel army officers bounce around in his head. 

He barely realizes he's made until Hyrule gently takes him from Warriors arms and lays him down, his hands glowing a comforting pink. Hyrule’s face twists up as his blood sings- he doesn’t answer.

While Hyrule heals, The captain looks around at the aftermath of the battle. No one seems injured, at least not one he can see.

He snaps back into focus at the sound of Hyrule's sing song esc voice.

“He’ll be fine- he just needs rest.”

Twilight wandered over and picked him up gently, laying him down on his own bedroll.

Wild looked particularly childlike in sleep, his features relaxed in a way that made him look softer, more his own age.

Twilight watches Wild's features scrunch, and knows he’s having a nightmare.

He sighs and sets another blanket on top of him, and watches him snuggle into it.

Twilight's heart melted. 

Everyone watched as Twilight leaned down started combing through his hair.

Wild subconsciously leaned into the touch and seemed to sleep more peacefully.

Twilight sat down in front of him, seemingly guarding him, a silent order that they weren’t leaving until Wild woke up.

No one argued, and Warriors sat down with Time, and whispered.

“He’s a soldier.”

Time didn’t ask who ‘He’ was. They both knew.

Time looked melancholic, and the silence stretched on. 

The captain tried again.

“He’s scared of me.”

Time sighed, and finally spoke in a quiet hush.

“Just be careful with him. We’re going to have to teach him we’re equal….Unconditioning takes time.” He said unconditioning with a pained expression and fire in his eyes.

The silence that followed was anything but comfortable as they both stared at Wild’s sleeping form, and twilight sitting vigil beside him.

Notes:

Look at me posting a new chapter like a real fanfic author

Chapter 8: Today, of all days?

Summary:

Legend makes his move.
Now, everyone knows.

When Wild came to, his head was pounding. He felt himself laying against something soft and warm, and he moved closer.
Then- he felt his pillow breathe up and down.
He jerked away and winced when his head gave a pang of protest as his quick movement.
“Wha- What happened?”
Twilight, the big one wearing the fluffy wolf pelt, said back to him,
“We switched while we were sleeping, and you got a concussion. Not sure now.”
His voice was soft and kind.
Wild couldn’t help but relax at the tone. Maybe it was the leftover concussion, but he was so tired. Too tired to fight the comfort Twilight was offering.
He imagines this is what it’s like to have a parent.
Everyone watched with rapt fascination.
Twilight had been there for five minutes, how did Wild already like him best?
Twilight was always the best with kids.
Legend watched.
Maybe he could recruit him?
No. Twilight is far too nice, always has been.
He sighed and sat down. No one seems willing to leave yet, with no word from Hylia about where to go.
Wild tentatively scooted a bit closer to Twilight, his eyes shut tight in case of rejection.
Twilight didn’t move.
Wilds head pounded.
So- He moved closer.
And then he laid his head down upon his lap and closed his eyes.
Wild didn’t sleep per say, but he did rest. He heard the chatter of the other members as he took deep and quiet breaths.
Twilight didn't move an inch.
Looking at Wild’s open sleeping features, he could see the family resemblance.
He would imagine his face went a bit white, as the conversion stalled around him.
Wild had Time’s nose.
And Twilight’s lips.
His and Time’s own descent.
A fiery wave of protectiveness curled in his chest, and he held Wild closer.
He’d need to talk to Time, if the old man didn’t already know.
They needed to protect him. He was just a kid.
Twilight and Time would take care of him.
They had too. Clearly, his parents had failed.
—--
When Wild awoke permanently, his face burned with embarrassment.
In his sleep deprived state, he had set his head on twilight's lap.
He raised it and rose to his feet, much more steady now.
He whispered out to the others.
“Would you like breakfast?”
It didn't partially matter if it was the morning or not, frankly, breakfast food is the easiest to make. He wants to do something easy today.
Everyone looked awkward at the idea of making a very recently wounded child cook, but Wind had no such morals.
“Yes! We’ve been starving without you.”
Warriors whispered something to the sailor, and he quickly amended his statement.
“You uh dont have too! We won’t starve. Promise.” Wild gave him a disbelieving look, and shook his head. He pulled the ingredients from his slate with a flourish. Omelettes would do.
While he hummed and prepped the ingredients, a presence came up behind him.
It was the one with the pink haired streak, Legend.
He seemed to just want to watch, so Wild paid him no mind as he began cracking eggs.
Then, Legend spoke in a matter of fact voice before anyone could stop him.
“Tell us about your adventure.”
Wild freezes and stops mid movement, an eggshell held in his hand.
“Not much to say.”
He kept cooking.
Legend scoffs.
“Well, clearly you must have something to say, if Zelda’s dead.”
Legend may sound cruel here, but he’s grieving as much as the rest of them. Maybe more, His Zelda is his sister. They grew up together. He needs to know.
He would never admit it, but he’s scared. They all are.
Wild drops his spoon with a heavy sigh and turns to him.
“Are you sure you want to know? It’s not a pretty story. Doesn’t end very happily.”
Legend laughed with a bitterness only he could have.
“None of them are.”
Wild stared at him with eyes older than he had seen on someone who was just a kid.
He supposes they would find out his many crimes eventually.
He just…..wishes he may have had more time. Time when they still didn’t know his mistakes and numerous faults.
Legend was starting to regret this. But nonetheless, he did not tell Wild to stop.
“My journey started like any other, I’d guess,” His voice was monotone as he sat down on a nearby log. No one stopped him from talking.
“I pulled the sword, and I became the hero. Then, I joined the army. I was about five, I believe. I trained and trained, but it wasn’t enough.”
He heard Warriors curse somewhere to his left.
Legend doesn’t think he wants to hear anymore.
“I, and most of Hyrule, died.”
Everyone paused and waited for him to say what really happened.
But he just continued talking.
“They brought me back. Using the Shrine of Resurrection. A hundred years too late.”
Twilight moved forward as if to stop him, but he just kept talking.
“It took my memories. You can’t cheat death without a cost.”
The divine beasts. His family he can’t remember. He just kept going on, tragedy after tragedy.
Suffering after suffering.
“I killed Zelda. It’s my fault. The arrow was meant for Ganon, but the light from the bow killed them both. She died in my arms. Is that what you wanted to know Legend?” If you listened hard enough, you could hear an uncurrent of bitterness in his low question.
Legend just stared at him, his heart burning with guilt and the evidence of his crimes.
Wild stood up and put his cooking supplies away in his slate. No one in the clearing said a word.
Time grabbed the vet and dragged him somewhere away from the group.
He could have fought, but he didn’t. Even he knew he deserved whatever Time was going to do to him.
Wild just closed his eyes and waited to be abandoned.
But rather than the sounds of packing up and leaving him, he felt strong arms wrap around him.

Notes:

Tell me If you hate this chapter! I cant decide how to feel about it, frankly.

Chapter 9: This show has got budget.

Summary:

A memory is had.

The energy around the chain was so awkward, Wind may have almost welcomed the monster attack with open arms. Almost. 

He rolled out of the way of another club, and slashed up, his sword cutting through muscle and skin with a clear tear. 

He turned, and tried to take out another mobin. 

Before he could, a club from somewhere to the left slammed into his shoulder.

It made a loud crack and hung limply by his side. 

He screamed- it was definitely at least dislocated. Ugh- he’d have to wait until the end of the battle for any sort of healing. He didn’t carry potions with him, and they’d have to set it before that anyway. 

And it was his freaking right arm. He wasn’t a part of the special Link’s who were left handed. 

And he sure as hell wasn’t ambidextrous. 

He dodged out of another attack and winced when he felt his shoulder jolt at the quick movement.

Suddenly- Wild came up from behind him and beheaded the monster with cold efficiency, his overlarge sword making a clean cut.

For being younger than Wind- Wild was an amazing fighter. His face fell. 

‘Joined the army at five’

No wonder. 

It wasn’t fair to him- sure, Wind started young, and that fucking sucked, but in the army at five? He can’t compare. Not one of them can. Wind knows they’ll have to help him. And they will. As much as they have too.

And finally, the battle was over.

They were going to pop his shoulder back into place. Wind knew this, he’d had enough dislocations to know. 

He saw Wild looking at him with an expression of worry and guilt. For a kid everyone says is so good at keeping a blank face, his eyes reveal everything.

He groans out a placating “I’m fine- Don’t worry.” 

You know what Wind had said before? About Wild’s eyes revealing everything? They had stopped doing that. They had stopped doing- anything.

He yelled for Hyrule, as warriors, ever the soldier, told him to bite down on a piece of leather, and shoved his shoulder back into place. He didn't warn him. 

His vision went white with pain, and when it returned, he relaxed Hyrule must have already healed him. 

Hyrule wasn’t around him, though.

Everyone was gathered around Wild, who..still looked blank.

He creeped forward to get a look at what everyone was trying to do, his heart pounding. Was Wild okay?

—--

The moment Wind said “I’ll be fine-”

He felt himself fall back into a memory.

 

“I’ll be fine, don’t worry.”

His sister rolled her eyes as Link watched over her, her knee scraped from her fall out of the tree they were climbing. It was hardly bleeding, but it was already bruising, and the skin was red and irritated. 

This was Link's first visit home since- since the sword. They didn’t let him leave often. 

And now his sister was hurt. 

She was hurt because Link was dumb and told her to climb with him- This tree was clearly too big for her, and he should have known that.

He stuttered out apologies as he continued to wrap bandages around her leg.  

Aryll was always braver than him, more willing to experiment, more willing to take risks. 

And that was dangerous. HIs parents didn’t keep near a well enough eye on her, and he wasn’t here too either. He wishes he was. He misses her.

He blames the sword- for hurting him and his sister.

It’s all his fault. He should never have taken it- should never have answered the call.

He gasps as he comes too, surrounded by the chain, sky looming over him and Hyrule trying to figure out what was wrong. 

He knew he had a sister, Sidon had told him before Vah Ruta- but he’d never remember her- not like this. Not in detail. According to him, she hadn’t died in the Calamity. Just disappeared. He didn’t remember where she was during the start. He didn't remember anything from that day but his own death.

And now she was dead, because of him. Because of his failure and mistakes.

But- how long could he wallow in guilt? Does- this isn’t what Aryll would have wanted. He’s…sure of that.

He suddenly realized Wind has injured before the memory, and shook himself out of his thoughts and exhaustion. He stuttered out, voice panicked and hoarse, 

“Is- is Wind okay? I- I think his shoulder might have been dislocated. I probably should have been faster-”

Sky- who was leaning over him and trying to get Wild to say how fingers he was holding up, (Three.) looked heartbroken- he looked at Wild like that a lot. 

“Wind is fine- what happened? We aren’t mad if it’s some sort of medical condition- we just want to know. And- it’s not your responsibility to keep us safe." It was their responsibility to protect the youngest, and they would.

Wild….Guesses he has to tell them. He's even more damaged than they thought. He hopes…he hopes maybe they’ll let him stay. He likes them. He’d miss them if they left, but he wouldn’t blame them. That would be fair, he knows it would be.

“I get memories sometimes- when things remind me of the past,”

Sensing he may be painting himself as a liability- he quickly tacked on another self deprecating phrase,

“It doesn't happen during battle- It won't be a problem. I promise."

Sky looked at him and said words Wild never expected, not from anyone- let alone his fellow heroes.

“We don’t care if you’re a liability. We’ll protect you either way.”

He felt tears well up and spill over in his eyes, and he fell into Sky’s arms with a sob and a burning question. 

“Are you- are you sure?”

Sky answered back without hesitation in a fierce voice. 

“Yes. We promise.”

No one even considered refuting him. They would protect this hero with their lives and their hearts. 

Notes:

As always comment if you liked it!! Its memory time baby- sad ones of course!

Chapter 10: How you'll heal and you'll rise above.

Summary:

Malon.

Notes:

Fluff. Its just fluff.

Sky doesn’t hate walking. He’s just got awful stamina. Time does as well, but in his eagerness to get back to his wife, was practically speedwalking to the ranch. Everyone else had long since given up waiting for Sky, and he could just barely see them walking in front. Legend usually stalled for him, but he was wisely nowhere near Wild.

He glances enviously at Hyrule, who was bounding forward like he was meant to do this, his hair bouncing up and down as he essentially skips forward.

Sigh. He glances to his side, where Little Wild is clearly hanging back to keep him company.

He gives Wild a fond smile as the kid strides forward, not even breaking a sweat. Sky sighs, panting as he forges his way uphill. Never grow up on Skyloft. It causes problems in the future, clearly.

From this side of Wild, he can see his scars in their full glory.

The pink runs down his face and to his neck, likely down his entire left side. ‘The wounds that killed him’

It’s hard to look at him without feeling agony and guilt. He wears his scars where he can’t fully hide them, hood or no.

Wild, as if sensing his eyes on his scarred form, pulls his hood up and over his eyes.

He reassures the young hero, his smile only a bit strained.

“You don’t have to hide from us, we’ve all got scars.”

If he could see Wild’s eyes, he would know his gaze is almost pitying.

“None as bad as mine.” His voice is hushed and subtle. He almost has an accent similar to Twilights, slightly country. His voice has a….royal tilt to it however, almost posh in a way.

A strange, but no unwelcome mix of Twilight and Legend.

“It doesn’t matter.”

Wild stared at him, as if searching for a lie.

He didn’t find one.

With slow and hesitant movements, Wild gently tugs his hood down.

His eyes close as he waits for Sky to change his mind.

“Where’d you get the coat? It looks cozy.” Wild starts at the quick change in conversion.

Sky gives him a lazy grin and waits for an answer. Asking simple questions will help him get comfortable.

“Hateno. It’s the only other Hylian town other than Kakariko Village.”

Sky didn’t comment on the mention of the destruction the Calamity caused, and just continued chattering. Wild interjected here and there with a comment or opinion, but in the whole Sky did most of the talking. He didn’t mind, even if he was slowly but surely getting more out of breath.

After what felt like an eternity, they crested the hill.

The green valley shined in the sunlight, and a picturesque stream flowed down to the bottom.

Sky let out a sigh as Wild seemed to light up. He whispered to Sky as if telling a secret.

“This is what the plateau where I woke up looks like! It’s…the first thing I saw. When I woke up.”

Sky’s expression softens.

“I bet it was beautiful.”

Wild looks at him, his face struggling containing a wide smile.

“It was. It was as if the world was waiting for me, and nature had retaken it.”

Wild didn’t talk a lot, Sky had noticed this, even in the short time he had known the kid.

But now? He was chattering away about his Hyrule, and how being alone in the forest was the most calming experience he’d ever had. Sky just nodded along, his face set into a serene expression.

So this is how you bonded with the kid? Simpler than he thought it would be. It’s in the name he supposes.

He sensed Twilight's eyes on him, and looked over to see the rancher giving him a look that spoke of a mix of happiness and jealousy.

He gave him a significant look as Wild continued to speak, his voice hoarse but still clear.

His scars must affect his voice. Does he know sign language? All of the Link’s do, being taught individually by their Zeldas.

Sky shakes off the grief that accompanies that sentence. Wild is happy, he doesn’t need to grieve right now. They still have a quest. He shoves it down and holds it in until it goes away.

Wild spreads his arms out as he talks about the great tree- who talked to him? Stranger things have happened to them, he supposes. Time claims to be raised by a tree.

He can never tell if Time is lying or not. Sky thinks he does it on purpose to mess with them.

They have one responsible adult, but at what cost?

It feels good to have a second of peace. He silently thanks Hylia for the break. It’s tinged with a small taste of bitter resentment as he whispers his thanks.

They finally arrive where Time has been leading them.

Time runs forward, and embraces Malon, his armor clanking as he pulls her into a passionate kiss.

Wind gags with exaggeration and looks away.

Once they finish their kiss, Malon turns to Wild and leans down to his level.

“And who might you be sweety?”

Wild looks away shyly and stays silent. A light blush coloring his cheeks. He doesn’t remember his mom, but he likes to imagine she would look like Time’s wife, even if he doesn’t have fiery red hair or her eyes.

Sky puts a gentle hand on his shoulder, and introduces him to Malon.

“This is Wild. He’s our ninth.”

Only Time would be able to read the shuttering of sadness that showed on his wife's face, her eyes going wide and surprised for barely a second, before she waved and greeted him, her motherly affections coming forward full force. Time gives her soft eyes only she gets to see, and she understands this is their descendant. Malon’s smile comes back full force as she realizes they have another member to their makeshift pack. They were overjoyed when they found Twilight- But now they had two.

Her heart swelled with pride. She’d have to take care of him. He was far too young to be a hero. Almost like her own fairy boy. And he was far too skinny. She’d have to make a feast.

Malon can see the tragedy lingering in Wild’s eyes as she invites them inside her humble ranch house, the entrance cozy and plush.

She didn’t ask about the scars. She didn’t think Wild would want to address them. So she didn’t, she may not be a Zelda, but she had far more wisdom than the Link’s.

She just started preparing dinner, her arms growing tired as she stirred the dough for the cornbread.

She glanced over at her descendant, who had been watching her with rapt attention, eyes trying not to miss a second.

She gave him an encouraging look and her best smile. “Would you like to help?”

To her surprise and joy, Wild could actually cook. She watched him perfectly chop the peppers as the blade went up and down, smoothly turning it into thin and even pieces.

She assigned him another task, his face lighting up as he cooked, stirring the pot of chili that she’d laid upon the stove.

She heard him hum as he swayed to his own music, the noise soft and quiet, almost unnoticeable.

The tune sounded familiar, and Malon began humming along as they cooked side by side, the sounds of ruckus from the living room fading away as they worked side by side, no words needing to be spoken.

Notes:

I know my dialogue really sucks please bear with me :(

Hope y'all like the chapter anyway

Notes:

Pleaseeee comment if you like the prelude!!!! They are always appreciated and I would love to talk to ya'll