#Hyrule does too

[weepingtalecowboy]

Hero tips from Legend

For Wild,Hyrule and Wind

Lesson No.1 how to get free rooms

Legend : “I can get us an Inn with three meals a day reasonably well maintained rooms and a bathroom all free of charge just follow my example all you need is to say you are my accomplices when talking to a guard”

Warriors: “Legend that is a FUCKING PRISON CELL?!?!?!”

Legend : “Only if you let it.”

“Prison’s just another option, really. You can always say no to it. If they don’t catch you, you’re good. It’s their problem, not yours.”

The young members of the chain(thoughtfully): “So, prison is only for those who get caught. I like that. It makes sense.”

The rest(horrified): “No, it does NOT make sense! If you break the law, they WILL come after you!”

Lesson 1.5 how to leave the hostel :

Legend: “If you get caught, don’t worry. Breaking out is half the fun. It’s like a puzzle in a dungeon . You just need to be smarter than the guards.”

Young Heroes (taking notes): “Right. Prison break—step one: outthink the guards.”

Seniors (in disbelief): “That’s not supposed to be part of your life! You’re supposed to avoid prison entirely!”

Legend(casually): “And if you get locked up, just stay calm. Bars can’t hold you forever. There’s always a weak point. Find it.”

Wind(confidently): “Every prison has a weak point. Got it.”

Warriors(sighing): “I can’t believe I have to say this, but…don’t go to prison in the first place!”

Lesson No.2 how to deal with the fame:

Legend(smirking): “You know, if they start putting your face on wanted posters, that means you’ve earned their respect. They want you that badly. They’re paying attention to you now.”

Youngest (genuinely listening along ): “I knew it! If you’re wanted, it’s basically like they’re giving you an award for being a problem!”

Senior links(exasperated): “That’s not respect—that’s desperation to catch you!”

Legend(pointing to his wanted poster): “Look at that. They took the time to draw me! That’s how you know you’ve made an impression.”

Juniors(awed): “How do we get one of those?”

Senior Links (panicking): “You don’t want one of those! That means they’re after you!”

Lesson no.3 How to get “treasures” :

Legend being a helpful role model : “Stealing’s only a problem if you get caught. If they don’t notice, it’s basically a free trade.”

Juniors : “So it’s like finding treasure? I like it!”

Warriors(horrified): “That’s stealing! It’s not ‘treasure’ if it belongs to someone else!”

Legend (mock whispering) : “Then make it yours...”

Until next time with the hero of Legend's personal life tips about heroism

[skyloftian-nutcase]

My brain is buzzed and buzzing.

HW Zelda spent a good portion of her time with Link disguised as Sheik. She decided to keep her identity a secret from even Impa, which means she probably had to change her personality a little to make it convincing. So this entire time, Sheik and Link work together and fight together, and Link got to know this different persona. So when she revealed herself as Zelda, I wonder how that changed their relationship and dynamic?

Imagine Zelda is falling for Link but Link is falling for someone who doesn’t exist. Imagine Link’s agency and consent are so ambiguous because destiny determines that Link and Zelda are always together, that they have to be together, at least according to Lana and Cia.

I don’t know, I just have a lot of thoughts about HW Zelink. Not all of them are great. But I suppose if people write it well I can like it.

[inumbrapugnabimus-maybe]

I’m choosing to ignore the fact they probably wouldn’t have space heaters…

[starlight-eclipsed]

I don't know who behind Cadence of Hyrule is responsible for making Shadow Link a playable character, but they have my eternal gratitude. I absolutely adore this lil' guy

[ikaishere]

linked universe moments!

[summertimemusician]

Linktober 2024, Day 1, Mirror (Self)

Alright here we go again.

Technically a sneak peak of a bigger thing to come in the future that I'm repurposing, and the result of my final playthrough and readthrough before EoW dropped being Four Swords Adventures and that made me sad about Shadow Link again.

Note that this is for the Four Swords Adventures iteration of Shadow Link that might evolve into an LU Shadow, not Dark Link in either LOZ or LU, I have other plans for him.

This one shot was brought to you by Scars by The Crane Wives, Ribs by The Crane Wives, Ruin by The Amazing Devil and Two Minutes by The Amazing Devil because the author's playlist decided to be incredibly cheeky when they blacked out to write this like an ancient seers being cursed with visions and then called mad and hearing they've been put up for execution.

As always the nature of the relationship can be romantic or platonic, mostly due to the author's time constraints and further plans.

Anyway enjoy the reading!

It was cold.

The sort of cold after a wildfire, when everything's turned back to ash, the sort that left burned your vision white after the flames licked through your veins and left an ache in your bones. He shuddered, coughed black onto the stone floor, shaking with a muffled whimper.

It never got any easier, being dragged from the Dark World and into the Realm of Light, the goddesses' world itself revolting against an intruder, wanting the wound torn asunder into their oh so precious realm cauterized. To purge the intrusion and smite it where it stands.

Too bad for them (and for him), his master didn't particularly care about what the world wanted. Didn't particularly care that he hadn't grow accustomed to the pain or the cold, he had to stand up. There was work to be done.

(Shadow gritted his teeth, willed himself not to think about the prophecy of a golden haired princess- because whether he liked it or not, it was prophecy. As those with divinity running through their veins are wont to spill from their throats so carelessly- of violet eyes and a smile a third moonlight and hands holding a hammer.

It always hurt more, after one of the heroes liberated one of the maidens, or the jewels, the pain lingering for days afterwards and carving a home in his metaphorical bones. But just this once he'd take the cold bite of the Four Swords over the pain in the hole in his chest that Vio's betrayal had left, something that felt so much worse than every other time before.

Just this once he wished that maybe, just maybe, the hurt would be too much to bear, that he wouldn't wake up again-

Why? Why does it hurt so much but he's still here? He already knew the Light was uncompromising and unforgiving, but he thought them at least above curses.)

His ears twitched as soft, almost silent footsteps came up to his side. Someone crouching by his fallen form, setting a cautious hand over his own that Shadow couldn't help but draw away from with a hiss, blinking as his eyes adjusted to the world again, to your face, carefully blank as you guided him to lean against your side, a silver choker with a crimson gem winked mockingly at him, the shade closing his eyes and going boneless against your side.

Shadow was so, so tired.

He heard you quietly sigh, plucking his cap from his head and running your fingers through dark amethyst, smoke and mist made hair. "I told you so."

"Shut up." He grumbled, nuzzling further into the crook of your neck. One clawed hand curling against your free wrist, digging into the skin. Absentmindedly noting there were new scratches just above the metal.

It was routine by now, the warmth of your existence against his own a welcome balm, not quite of the Realm of Light where it's unpleasant, not too close to the Dark World where he felt like melting back into the embrace of the darkness, only to howl in agony at being dragged out.

Memories not quite his own bled into his mind all the time. How you'd shape ice into flowers for the princess in winter with nary a though, of blinking and from one second to the next you'd have whatever sword he had hostage if you though it was time for a break with a smile brighter than the sun.

His master had changed that though. It took months for you to stop trying to claw the collar out and to stop trying to fight Vaati.

(Funny how holding a mage's dragon as a bargaining chip is just as effective as kidnapping a ruler.)

Your gaze flicked to the polished obsidian of the Dark Mirror, to the gold, ornate frame. "The offer is still open, you know. Let me take the suffering from you."

"No." He scowled, leaning back to glare into your eyes, a hint of fangs poking out from a maw struggling to keep the shape of a human jaw, "You helped him. Helped them." Shadow spat, there is that hurt again.

You shrugged, a movement that's just slightly awkward as you flinch, "That I did." You confirmed simply, it almost made Shadow see red as he leaned away, knocking your hand from his head in the process, but if there's anything him and the heroes shared, was a lack of a desire to hurt you. It was a little grating to be honest, "Vio even offered to take me with him, to be honest."

"Then why didn't you leave?" He demanded.

Why did you stick around?

Your eyes shuttered, a hint of conflict in your pursed lips. Before you found your words, they come out softly, "You wouldn't believe me if I told you why. You'll just have to find out yourself."

You tug your wrist from his grasp, and Shadow lets you go.

(Stubbornly pushing down on memories and emotions that arearen'tarenotanymore quite his.)

You stand and turn away, pushing the curtains away from your sight, you turn your tired eyes to Shadow with an emotion he can't put a name to. "Just keep it in mind that there's more than one way to end this. Nothing is truly inevitable."

Shadow watches you go. 'There's nothing that can be done. He tells himself, hand hesitating above the Dark Mirror, briefly, it curls into a fist. The hero's original self stares back at him.

'… Does he really believe that?'

He shakes his head, and focuses on willing the Dark Mirror to show him his counterpart.

His chest still hurts.

[ganondoodle]

kind of expected that the ability breakdown wouldnt get that much traction (especially on twitter bc if it doesnt do well in the first few hours it might as well be dead) but what i didnt need to wake up to was looking at my twitter notifications and thinking there was a long comment on it at first but then i read it and it turned out to be some guy having dug up one of my old totk tweets where i talked about how zelda was treated-

and if a quote retweet with a thread attached already starts with "this entitled brat didnt understand that zelda was being a history nerd by being in the past and getting to experience it herself" with two screenshots attached of the end of totk with zelda staring at the cam all uwu (which has ??? to do with their point??) i dont even want to know what else was in that thread

if thats how the majority of the fandom is then im even less surprised that nintendy doesnt even have to try to write anything good :I

ah yes, i am a game nerd, and by putting me in a game where i stand around doing puppy dog eyes while being shoved around by NPCs is me being a game nerd OBVIOSULY

[clori-eden]

He's a ball of Sunshine 🔆

Legend approves 😌👌💛

[rawliverandgoronspice]

anyways, still deeply invested into my read of Ganondorf being an immense bully to children partially because, in a way, he rationalizes that putting children through the grinder is baaaasically kind of helping them to grow up faster, in a throwing you into the river to teach you how to swim kind of way, and if they can't handle the grinder, they were weak and it's on them and they can either suck it up and try harder, or get wrecked and die

and obviously that says absolutely nothing about how his own upbringing may have been handled, right twinrova, nor anything about how he may have buried a profound bitterness about the fact he was never really allowed a childhood of his own, and it's not fair others, especially hylians, get to spend their own carefree.

of course not.

[kheprriverse]

Y’all thinking about an older Ares has RUINED me

[skyward-floored]

Hello! Tis me, the one that keeps showing up when you say you don't have ideas for DIAU. I love au^3s. I particularly love this one! Mmmmm angst. Hyrule angst is one of my favorites, so hehe on that.

If you're perhaps looking for a prompt��maybe because Hyrule healed Time that once, does he recognize the picture in the house when he finally escapes?

(...hmmm, Hyrule did escape. Are they looking for him? How hard does he have to hide? Could he go to the store with Malon sometime for groceries? Or out to a park? How badly socialized IS he?)

You know... I think he does recognize it. Maybe not literally the moment he arrives, but...

...

Sunlight warming his face was what woke Wind from his deep slumber, his eyes sticky as he dragged them open.

He laid there in his borrowed bed for several minutes, listening to birdsong outside his window as he slowly woke up. His arm felt a little sore when he shifted it for some reason, why...

The events from the night before suddenly flooded back, and Wind shot upwards, head spinning a little from the abrupt movement.

Right.

Last night they’d rescued Hyrule.

Or... Link, still. He didn’t have a nickname here yet.

Wind quickly rubbed his eyes and slipped out of bed, careful not to wake Four in the bed beside him. His brother was drooling a little onto his pillow, hair a frizzy halo around his head, and Wind smiled, then fixed his blankets from where they’d fallen loose. Four had gone a little overboard with his powers yesterday, and was obviously still sleeping them off.

A prickle of worry stuck to Wind’s stomach as he remembered that the bad guys knew about Four’s powers now, but he ignored it, and went up from the basement they were sleeping in. All they knew was that there was an unregistered super out there. Four had had a mask on, so they didn’t know who he was.

Yet, a traitorous voice whispered in his head.

Wind shook himself and kept going up the stairs, hoping to find both something for breakfast, and someone to talk to. Nobody but Wind and Four had been seen when they’d helped Hyrule get out, but Malon had admitted their house wasn’t the safest place Hyrule could be. This was only a temporary hiding spot for now, and Wind wanted to know what they were planning.

Wind sighed, and walked into the kitchen just in time to watch Malon stick some bread in the toaster.

“Hey there Wind, good morning,” she said with a smile, though Wind couldn’t help noticing the dark circles under her eyes. “Is Four still sleeping?”

“Yeah, I think he will be for a while,” Wind said, sitting down at the table. “He was really tired after yesterday. Where’s everyone else?”

“Legend and Twi are talking upstairs. I think they’re going to try and contact Sky later today, see if he has any thoughts about everything, but their breaks are going to be over soon,” she explained, pulling some jam out of the fridge. “They’re figuring out timing.”

“And Hyrule?” Wind asked, then caught himself. “Uh, I mean Link?”

Malon’s face did something strange at the name, but then it went back to how it had been. “He’s been awake for a while, I think he’s looking around the house. Actually, would you mind telling him there’s breakfast available?“

Wind nodded, and hopped back out of his seat, snagging a glass of milk before he went into the living room.

He’d been prepared to be searching for a while, but Hyrule was standing only a few feet away in the middle of the room, looking at the pictures on the mantle that had caught Four’s attention when they’d first gotten here too.

Hyrule looked like he was staring at the picture of Time, and Wind quietly moved to his side, raising an eyebrow when he noticed the look on his face. He seemed to be studying the picture awfully intently.

“Um... good morning,” he said, and Hyrule flicked an ear at him in response, leaning even closer towards the picture. “Is... everything okay?” Wind asked again when Hyrule didn’t say anything, the other boy still just staring at the picture, his eyes wide.

“Who is this?” he asked after a long moment.

Wind glanced behind him, making sure Twilight and Legend weren’t about to run into the room or anything, then sighed.

“That’s... Time. He... he was Twilight and Legend’s dad,” Wind explained in a soft voice. “He’s alive in me and Four’s world, but here, he... apparently he was killed a couple of years ago. I don’t remember exactly how long.”

Hyrule’s brow scrunched up, and he looked over at Wind, a weird look in his eyes.

“You’re sure?” he asked, and Wind nodded, a bit weirded out. Why was Hyrule so interested in this?

“I’m sure. It’s been at least three years, I know that. I don’t know how he died though, I just know he... did.”

Hyrule’s face scrunched even further, and he looked back at the picture, reaching out and thumbing a bit of dust off the corner.

“But that’s impossible,” he whispered. “I’ve met him since then.”

Wind almost dropped the cup he was holding.

“What?!”

“I met him once, I... had to heal him,” Hyrule explained quietly. “And time was hard to keep track of in there, but... it’s been less than three years, I know that. I definitely talked to the man in this picture, he was alive.”

Wind stared, stunned into complete silence, and Hyrule looked suddenly awkward.

“Sorry, is... is it a bad subject?” he said hesitantly.

“No, I mean, yes, but— how could he be alive?” Wind breathed.

They’re all so sure of him being dead, how could they be wrong about something like that? They’re still grieving, Malon nearly cried when we told her our Time was still alive, there’s no way any of them think he’s alive here, so how...

How is this possible?

Wind turned to look at Hyrule, and met his green-brown gaze.

“I need to know everything you remember about healing him,” he said seriously, not letting the hope trying to build in his chest get too strong. It could be a coincidence, or maybe one of them had the dates wrong. He couldn’t get too hopeful yet. “If... you don’t mind?”

Hyrule nodded. “I don’t know how helpful any of it will be, but I can tell you what I remember. If... if he’s out there somewhere, I want to help him,” he finished quietly.

“Okay,” Wind agreed, head still spinning with the possible implications of this. Could Dad really be alive here?

Another thought hit him though, and he gave Hyrule a hesitant look.

“...Can you not tell anyone else about this yet?”

“What? Why not? Don’t you want them to know there’s a chance their dad might be alive?” Hyrule asked in confusion.

Wind winced. Well when you put it like that... “I do, trust me, but if... if this ends up being a dead end, I don’t want them to get their hopes up for nothing.”

I don’t want to cause them more grief.

Hyrule let out a soft oh, then nodded, looking away from Wind and back at the picture.

“I guess that makes sense. I’ll do my best to not say anything. But I won’t lie to them,” he said quietly, and Wind looked at the picture as well.

Time faintly smiled back at them both, face eternally frozen in a warm expression.

“He wouldn’t want you to,” Wind replied just as softly. “Thanks, Link.”

Hyrule nodded, and Wind gave him a small smile as footsteps came from the direction of the stairs. Hyrule tilted his head, and Wind nodded at the unspoken question. We’ll talk about it later.

Twilight and Legend came into the living room, somewhat intense looks on their faces, but both of them softened when they saw Wind and Hyrule standing together.

“Hey Wind, Link. You guys sleep okay?” Twilight asked, and they both nodded, Wind taking a sip of his milk.

“Let’s go get breakfast,” Wind said as he lowered his glass, a whiff of toast drifting past his nose. “I’m starved, and your Mom said she had some fresh strawberry jam.”

“Really? Yes, I wasn’t sure if she’d be able to get more,” Legend said with a small fist pump.

Hyrule’s stomach growled, and Wind grinned at him, even as he blushed at the noise. Twilight chuckled, and he headed into the kitchen, Hyrule and Wind following.

Wind paused in the doorway when he realized Legend hadn’t followed them though, and he looked back, swallowing as he saw Legend standing at the mantelpiece, looking at the picture of his father.

Legend looked back at him, and quickly smoothed his expression, brushing past Wind to head into the kitchen. But Wind had seen the brief flash of grief that had crossed his face, intense and deep.

And it was then that he promised himself he’d do everything he could to find out what had happened to Time.

[skyloftian-nutcase]

Me: Do you have pointed ears or not? Ganondorf: Yes and no. Me: IT HAS TO BE ONE OR THE OTHER DUDE. Ganondorf: Well… I didn’t have them in Ocarina of Time. Me: Ok, so— Ganondorf: But they were pointed in Wind Waker and Twilight Princess. Me: HOW DOES THAT MAKE SENSE

[fever-project]

The Girls are Fighting

Used @/zarvasace LU prompt generator, have a fanfic. Warriors and Four get to hang out in a cave. And by hang out I mean they are absolute maniacs to each other because they are very tired. Characters can act however I want them to if I claim sleep deprivation. 1,500 words, might put it on ao3 later.

▼ The traveler had warned them that monsters would constantly crawl out of the woodworks in his time, the only places safe from them being towns and the castle. But the Links thought themselves prepared for that, and set camp in a forest nearby the town of Rauru. If they did get attacked and overwhelmed, that would be their destination on their escape route.

Warriors was not able to go onto that escape route.

It happened in the dead of night. They had all scattered like rats in the chaos. Most converging onto the escape route. Two huddled up in a dark, narrow cave. It started to rain when they were running for their lives, then it started to pour.

Warriors was trapped in a cave with Four. Definitely not his first choice, but it wasn’t the worst thing to happen. Wars couldn’t recall the last time-or anytime for that matter-the two were alone with each other. Sure they interacted quite a bit, and were friendly with each other, but they never had a full on conversation between just the two of them. Maybe a few words, a couple of sentences, but Warriors would definitely enjoy the chance to talk to the resident blacksmith a bit more. Especially since Four seemed to be very encouraging of him.

Wars chugged down a healing elixir Wild had given him a while back, healing most of his wounds. The two heroes had no major injuries, but plenty of annoying, minor ones. Wars even had cobwebs in his hair. Many, many cobwebs. He really wanted to get out of this time as soon as possible.

He looked over at the smaller Link, who was completely cobweb free. Wars was far too tired to hide his scowl upon seeing that. Then the two made eye contact and Wars wished he didn’t have a face.

“Sucks to be tall, huh?” Four sneered, voice a bit hoarse.

“Shut your face-” Wars’ mind churned and sputtered, trying to come up with a good insult despite his current lack of sleep and fading adrenaline, “-you…tiny, tiny man.”

“Okay. Will do.”

Wars tightly gripped his scarf, trying not to fume at the fact that this man had simply brushed off his clever comeback. Well, he was awake enough to be aware that what he said wasn’t very clever, but it still hurt.

Warriors just fumbled with his hair and clothes, trying to make himself more presentable. It was a good way to calm and center himself. He glanced over at Four from time to time, who had happily fallen asleep while sitting. Wars envied him.

So, being the petty person he was, combined with his fatigued mind, Wars bundled up all the spiderwebs that was previously in his hair, stood up, walked over to Four, and smushed the sticky bundle right into his hair. Wars quickly walked back over to his previous spot, sitting back down and he watch Four groggily wake up. He quickly realized what had been done as he grabbed the side of his head, feeling the webbing getting stuck onto his hand. Wars giggled at his initial confusion, and further more at the angry face the little one sported.

“Looks like someone’s jealous my hair is perfect,” Four had spat and he attempted to untangle the webs from his hair.

“Perfect? Please, your haircut is atrocious.”

“‘yOuR hAiRcUt Is AtRoCiOuS!’ It’s practical, especially compared to yours. I bet you aren’t even a realblond!”

Wars gasped loudly, hand placed over his heart dramatically, “How dare you? Are you asking for a fight, is that what you want, you want these hands?”

“Hmm, better idea-“ Four whipped out a yellow, definitely magic cane, “-get flipped moron.”

“What do you-ACK!” Wars was hit with a ball of light from the cane, and was now suddenly upside down. Wars struggled to reorient himself, struggling more than he would like to admit, “You, you little-UGH!” Four struck him again, only once he had managed to sit back up. The smug face that tiny, tiny man had made Wars furious. Yeah, he probably deserved it, but he wasn’t going to yield to this coward any time soon.

“You think you’re so cool with your freaky weapon, don’t you huh? Don’t you?”

“Not as cool as you, captain.”

“Oh, har har,” Wars honestly barely registered what Four just said, but that didn’t matter. He was in a battle right now and he was going to win it. “Get ready for my counterattack!” He swiftly put on his gauntlets and pulled out his 8-bit raft, that was suspiciously no longer 8-bit in this time, because it was actually just Hyrule’s raft that he permanently borrowed.

“Is-is that the traveler’s raft?” Four asked, befuddled, “Did you steal his raft?”

“How about you steal yourself for this!” Wars swung the raft at Four, who scurried away just in time. It made a loud bang against the cave wall, leaving a dent in it.

“Why does his raft have so much force?!”

“It’s not actually a raft, good sir!” Wars cackled as he swung again, the raft having a wonderful meeting with Four’s shield.

“Ack! Is-this can’t be metal!”

“Can’t be or can’t comprehend?”

“That makes no sense!”

“You don’t make sense!”

“No you!”

“No you!”

The two glared at each other for a while, unmoving. Then Four started to snicker, then dissolved into laughter.

“Why-hah-why are you-“ Wars burst into laughter as well. He had no idea why or at what was so funny, but he was laughing. He pulled back on the rope tied to the raft, releasing Four as Wars sat down next to him.

They sat and laid there, laughing for no apparent reason. Wars slowly moved to lay down with his friend, trying to stop giggling to himself. And the laughter eventually died down, only a free scattered giggles shared between them, before a period of blissful silence. Warriors listened to the roar of the rain outside of the cave, how it hit the leaves on the trees, how it flooded the grass below. He could hear the faint skittering of a rather large bug behind them. Hopefully they wouldn’t have to deal with that any time soon.

Four started to giggle again, Wars trying his best not to join in.

“What’s so funny, smithy?” Wars asked.

“Heh, steal yourself, good one,” Four answered with a wide smile, giggling. Wars gave into his urge to laugh, running his hand through his hair, then covering his face.

“D-dude, I said that ages ago!”

“I don’t think you know how time works.”

“No you!”

“nO yOu!”

“Oh don’t you get all sarcastic with me!”

“I was sarcastic earlier!”

“I didn’t notice it earlier!”

“I didn’t notice your pun earlier, so take that!”

“I didn’t notice your face!” Wars attempted to smack Four’s face, but ended up hitting the cold, painful cave ground. He swore and clutched his hand, turning away from Four and onto his side. He didn’t know Four could cackle so loudly.

“You-you definitely didn’t notice that!”

“Oh, shut up!” Wars turned over to face Four and tackled him. They scuffled for a while, before collapsing in a huff. Wars tried to keep himself awake, one of them had to be on lookout after all, but his eyelids were growing heavier and heavier. He could feel the rhythmic breathing of Four, who was sprawled on top of him, already sleeping peacefully. Despite how hard Warriors fought, the spindly arms of sleep had him in its clutches, and he could not escape. Sleep came like a graceful monster.

☁︎

The sounds of shouting launched Warriors upright and awake. It also launched Four right off of him.

“Wha happin?” Wars slurred out, looking around with unfocused eyes. It took him a second to notice Four glaring at him from his lap.

“Oh, hey smithy.”

“Hey captain,” Four said with a sigh, “Hey traveler, hey rancher.” Wars turned to where he was looking, and there they were, Hyrule and Twilight, Hyrule holding up his raft and Twilight holding up Wars’ gauntlets.

“I stole your raft by the way.”

“But why?” Hyrule asked.

“Bludg-“ Wars yawned, “-bludgeoning device.” Wars laid back down, closing his eyes, still tired and now at peace since there was no immediate danger. Then, a few moments later, he suddenly was flipped over.

“Get up cap, you can sleep in an actual bed later.” Four twirled around his magic cane, before flipping Wars over yet again.

“…give me the raft traveler.”

“Don’t give him the raft,” Twi told him.

“No no, give him the raft, it’ll wake him up,” Four sneered.

“Prepare yourself fool!” Unfortunately, Warriors was the fool here, because the raft was far too heavy for him without his gauntlets. He could not move. He could only accept the fact of the situation as Four laughed right in face. Wars arms were free enough to use another weapon, however.

Twilight couldn’t help but question when Wars had stolen his spinner.

[ra-archives]

I was at a debate competition yesterday, so here's some art of the chain based on that. This is a debate au now ig?

Lu-tober day 15+16

No prompt

Debate AU lmao

Anyway highlights from the trip + bonus info

Had to get up at like 3:45 am, had to be their at 4:45 and then hours of drive time it was some bullshit no one was happy also it was cold as fuck

Wild and Hyrule being in Congress bc they're speech kids and need a debate even is so me tho. I crashed and burned cause I had not a single thing prepared lmao

Turned Legend and Four into a PF duo cause they gave me the same vibe as a pair of people on my team, also I think it'd be funny

I won first place with my Oratory! Wasn't actually expecting that, but I got straight 1's through all my rounds, was very confused at first but hey I slay :D

Last comic bit of Wild winning is basically a recreation of that moment expect there was more exited running and fistbumps as I returned to the audience

Probably never gonna touch this idea again but I find it amusing for now. Maybe one or two bored doodles during rounds.

[wintertimestoryteller]

Linked Universe X Reader Fairy Tale Collection

@luimagines . Second chapter in the act before it properly picks up into the title proper which is at the end of the act, gotta have that build and set up. It's short for that purpose only plus I don't want it to drag on too much.

Fun Fact: by Medieval Logic, Theaters would exist on LoZ, just be rare.

-Just an Anon on A Stroll 🐚/ Wintertime Storyteller.

Opening Act, Scene II

As Time predicted, you've all reached the village just before midday, it was idyllic and quiet, sleepy in the simple provincial way you hardly could experience back home. It's situated in between the Era of Time and Twilight, so the geography nor the culture had changed so much that you'd need to adapt quite yet, and strangely enough it reminded you a bit of the Kakariko in Legend's time or Four's Hyrule Town, with it's mix of local markets, a bustling farm an hour of it's gates, the citizens house's modest but charming in design and surrounded by the woods, it was a breath of fresh air to any weary travelers on the road, on the edges of being a town but not quite.

There was one very notable feature, though, a strong oak tree on the center of the square which a river cut through, and further out at it's outskirts a theater standing proud and tall, with a stained glass window above it's door in a crystalline, shattered array of rainbow flowers glinting against the early afternoon sun. It was enough to make you pause from where you've been examining the prices of potions and plotting how to best haggle for it's prices (a painstakingly learned skill, but one that's served you well, you send a mental thank you to Legend). Staring trasnfixedly at it with a tilted head, squinting.

The building stood proud and tall on the edges of the village, even above the town hall. Two story and almost like it's own miniature castle, it's walls painted a solemn gray and it's rooftop and structural beams made from dark wood, it's sign was oddly aged from what you could see from the stall though. You couldn't even properly make out the Hylian in it anymore from beneath the little carved raven holding a quill, from one of the windows of the upper floors, you swore you could see two prinpicks of crimson light.Though when you've blinked they were gone, and it could easily be attributed to the shadow cast by the rooftop, a wave of unease shot through your core and your hair stood on end as the very familiar cold of goose flesh overcame you, it made you rub your own arms to try and bring the warmth of the sun back but alas, twas a futile attempt.

Something about that place rattled you to the core with just a single glance, and you didn't like it.

"Cold deary?" Inquired the old lady, snapping your attention back to her and her wares, right, red, green and blue potions were what you were here for, the last ones a rarity but you've all gathered more than enough of the ingredients in between jumps so they wouldn't be as expensive, thankfully, she simply waved off your apologies with a knowing smile, "It's quite alright, must be the storm winds. The fortune teller did say weeks in advance to prepare for it will come today, so make sure to bundle up tight, they give anyone an awful shiver this far from the plains."

"Thank you." You smiled, gratefully passing her the necessary ingredients for the blue potions as she bottled up each of the potions from her cauldron, you catch Twilight's eye from where he's stopping Epona for a drink at the river and wave him over, someone will have to tell the other's sleeping in the open is off the table today, you see Hyrule come back with a pack to him and after a short exchange, it seems Twilight directed him to you. Good, the potions look to be of almost perfect quality from what you can observe, but it's always good to have a second opinion from the main group healer, "If I my ask, is there any nearby inn here we could possibly stay in until it passes? Or maybe a tavern?"

"Oh no, unfortunately not dear. My apologies." She shakes her head at you, finishing up with the red potions and moving on to the green ones, the sinking feeling in your stomach returns as she sighs, "A tragedy happened recently you see, monsters and bandits attacked our village in these recent weeks, while we mostly came unscathed. The inn was not so lucky and took some heavy blows when the men came to defend our home, the poor healer has been besides herself with overworking to fix up the injured, poor thing."

"Excuse me ma'am, if I may interrupt?" Interjected Hyrule as he reaches your side, polite as ever as he smiles, the old woman blinks in surprise but waves him on, "Did you notice anything off about those monsters? Anything unusual at all? And where is the healer if I may? They could probably use the help and I'm not half bad with injuries."

She bites her lip in though, humming to herself, while at it you pass one of the potions to Hyrule to observe, gotta make sure you weren't ripped off after all, "Well... There was an unusual amount of Wolfos and Stalfos for one, Wizzrobes too among the moblins, when the armored bandits were cut by our men. They bled black, like ink you see. The Wizzrobes were the ones to set the inn on fire, riding on beings with the head of a feline, body of a man and a horse's bottom." She sighs, moving onto the green potions, before smiling at Hyrule, "Almost though I'd die on the spot from fright, thankfully my granddaughter managed to grab me away to shelter. In any case, aren't you a nice young lad? Thank you for offering dear, but they should be fine, my granddaughter occasionally helps the healer in between her job at the tailor's. So they should be alright, you and your friends have bigger things to worry about than our woes as you seem like a burdened lot." She laughs, head raised high as she turns back, "If we all survived for so long, we aren't about to start lagging now! So don't trouble yourselves eh?"

You and Hyrule trade a look, your lips twitch at the light flush he gets from the old lady's words (because frankly they weren't wrong) before the good humor is tempered, Lynels weren't around in either Time's or Twilight's eras and between that and the black blood, you'd bet your trusty dagger that the Shadow was behind it, but why here? Why the inn? Hyrule coughs, "W-well, I wouldn't say it would be a trouble... If I can help-"

"Nonsense dear, really. It's quite alright." She sent him a stern look, shaking the ladle at him and making the Traveler rear back a bit, you chuckle, patting his head.

"It's alright 'Rulie, we should probably take her word for it before you get brained. Plus you need to rest a bit anyway." The road seemed to get more arduous as time went on and unfortunately, that meant more injuries, pushing Hyrule when he already did so much for you all would just be cruel. He deserves a break. "Is there anywhere else we can stay to wait out the storm, then?"

"Oh yes, you're quite in luck actually. You see the theater?" She nodded to it, you have been trying very hard not to think about it actually, you though to yourself, tensing up a bit, Hyrule looked over at the building with a blink before looking over at you with a small, worried frown, "The director is a very kind person, they're willing to offer shelter and food to any travelers and performers free of charge. I'm sure if you've talked you could work something out, their theater is the pride and joy of our little village, and quite cozy too backstage."

This all feels... Too convenient, or too suspicious, but hearing the distant rumble of thunder and spotting the circle of clouds in the sky, you soldier on and send a reassuring smile to Hyrule, no matter how uncomfortable the view of that place made you, you refused to let your companions sleep in the rain when it's the clearest option available, you then nod to the old lady, "I see, where can we find them?"

"Usually it would be in the theater, but it's closed today to give the actors some time for rest, so your best bet is beneath the square's tree. They like to sit there and tell stories to the village's children or anyone who'll listen until the moon is high in the sky." Chuckles the old lady, smiling merrily. It makes a part of you uncoil a bit, maybe you're just being paranoid, anyone willing to take the free time out of their day just to entertain kids can't be too bad right? (... Right? Though you've all been proven wrong before), So you nod and turn to Hyrule, handing him the rupee pouch with the payment for the potions, "Thank you then ma'am, can you handle it here, then find Time and tell him about this, Rulie? If he doesn't already know what's going on that is and if it isn't any trouble."

He shakes his head, taking it from you before placing his hand on your shoulder, leaning away from the old lady to talk quietly into your ear, "No problem at all, but will you be okay? You looked shaken back there. If anything we can just wait until the others are done."

You smile, gently squeezing his hand back, "I'll be alright, it was just something that was nagging at me. It's better if one of us try catching them now to talk or else we might miss them entirely before the storm starts and you're better with medicinal items, so let me handle it while you finish up here, okay?" He still doesn't look convinced, "Tell you what, if I run into one of the others. I'll ask them to accompany me, deal? We'll meet by the bridge anyway, so it will save time."

He still looks reluctant, worried in that way you knew Hyrule could get in the way he always made sure to round the members of the group up after battles to heal all of their wounds, in the way you, Legend, Time and Wild practically had to pin him down so he could take a break and let others handle it himself, remember him that he didn't need to keep pushing until he broke and had to rebuild himself from scratch like the kingdom he was named after, before nodding, albeit giving you a stern look and poke to the shoulder, "Alright, but you better be careful you hear? Healer's orders, everyone's well being is important in all ways."

You giggle, saluting, before nodding to the old lady an heading off with a wink, "Sir yes sir!"

Passing through the stalls, you spot Legend and Four at the blacksmith's, Wild and Twilight talking shop with the owners of spice and vegetable stalls, Calamity at their side a silent but observant shadow, eager to learn even if he wasn't the best cook, waving to them (and studiously pretending you didn't notice the sharpening of Twilight's eyes and the traded look with Wild, their instincts unparalled when someone they considered part of their makeshift pack wasn't at their best, you prayed to Farore they wouldn't worry much for a repeat of the Hateno Camp Incident was not something you wanted), soon you cross the bridge and reach the village square, following the sound of a strong and animated voice you presumably find the director.

They looked over all common, at a glance, almost bewilderingly so given the world you've been taken to. With long salt and pepper hair, black rimmed glasses, open dark and light gray coat over a black vest and trousers, they'd could pass by as a citizen in Warriors' castle town, the one notable feature was the blood red gem round their throat in a crimson ribbon and a similar crystalline, feather like ornament on their hair, they made animated gestures as they spoke to the small crowd of enraptured children, oddly enough their coat sleeves reminded you of sweeping wings, flapping this way and that as they made dramatic gestures.

"-The mirror shattered, and the hero could finally, truly, see himself again, returned to his true form and able to see his beloved once more after so long. Held in the arms of the witch at last, they walked hand in hand, towards freedom, towards a new sunset, the end." Concluded the narrator, chuckling themselves at the clapping and slight snickering from the children, they bow theatrically and clap their hands together three times, before winking, shrugging as they turned away, "Of course, that's not the end of their story or of their many many misadventures. Though I doubt any of you little rascals would like to listen..."

"Tell us another one! Tell us another one, Storyteller! No fair! You can't leave it at that" Cried out a little boy from the crowd, making the director laugh before their eyes set on you once they spin on their heel, even with such friendly visage, you can't help the slightly chill of discomfort on your skin before they look at the sky quickly turning cloudy, patting the boy's head after crouching to his side, they wink, "Tell you what, once the storm passes. You all come to the theater, and I'll put in a proper show for you lot, alright? Now scram! Shoo! Your parents must be worried about you little gremlins by now." They shooed them off, to the children's many protests,n qa before leaning against the tree with a smile, "Couldn't help but notice you there, let me guess, have business with little old me? Seems like an awful lot of new faces do, recently."

You take a deep, deep breath, steel yourself with the knowledge that you're all in a very public square, some of the children are watching curiously still and should anything happen, that you can see Wind, Spirit and Wars on your left just exiting the general shop with supplies, any of your friends would have your back should your bad feeling be true, "Yes, hello there, apologies for cutting in, it sounded like they were having fun." That much was true, children loved stories, so making them wait to hear more when they were so clearly exited was a small stab of guilt, the director only laughs, waving you off.

"Oh none of that, they get me almost everyday in the theater and out of it. So I can spare the time to talk to strangers." They offer you a low bow, "The name's Raven, everyone calls me that, now! What do you need?"

"Me and my companions were just passing by, but as you can guess, plans got a bit derailed."

"The storm, yes, plus the monster reports I'm guessing." They tilted their chin to the west, and once you looked over a cringe runs through you, the inn really was reduced to rubble... It reminded you of some of the ruins in Wild's time, for a second there. Yikes, the Shadow definitely did a number in it in compensation for not getting to the rest of the village.

"Precisely, we heard from the potion maker that you offered lodging and meals for travelers temporarily as a result."

"For a price, you'd be correct." They added, smiling and chuckling at your expression, "Oh no need to make that face, that's just how the world works. Though I'm not interested in money, stash whatever is going through your head back in the chest of your mind and slam the lid shut!"

You breathe a sigh of relief, so the old lady wasn't lying after all, though it makes that niggling feeling of unease rise up again, "I see, but then what-"

They raise an eyebrow at you, "Isn't it obvious?" They sigh, shaking their head with a disappointed tsk, "I'm a storyteller at heart you know. Even above my love for theater, is my love for stories, you can stay the night as long as you all stick around to listen to thirteen of my tales to completion as they are performed on our humble stage."

... You blink, "...That's it? That's all you want?"

The person crosses their arms in front of their chest with a hmph, chin raised, it makes the blood red gem on their neck all the more obvious and for some reason, compels you to look away, "I'm half offended that you said 'that's it' of all things, but I'll let it slide. Yes that is indeed all I want." They smile, it's a small, eager thing, they look to almost bound into place with excitement, and the sight made you smile, "Me and the troupe rarely get to perform for new people anymore, you know? The village is small and we rarely get any travelers nowadays. At best we are a pitstop unless something like this happens, can you blame me for wanting to capitalize on it? Boredom is as lethal as a sword to the head and heart I say!"

You giggle with an agreeing nod, "You're not wrong... But are you sure?"

"As a traveler on the road you and your companions would know best I wager, consider this a break for you all and a gift for me. I'm as sure as the sky is blue and the grass is green." They nod, before looking over your shoulder, smiling in amusement at something, before turning to you, "Your friend with the wolf pelt is looking this way, so how about this: You gather all of them and decide what to do, after that, you can all come to me before the storm starts with your choice, my doors shall be open for you."

"Thank you." You nod, before turning on your heel, true to form. Twilight was waving you over, Hyrule by his side and Time on the other, seems he already told them of the circumstances. Your wariness forgotten, you keep an eye on the sky and go forth to discuss the possibility with time.

You miss how the director smiles, teeth a bit too sharp, before they turn towards the theater, their shadow shifts just so, and a black cat comes to join their steps as they pull out a black book and the quill from their head. "Not at all dear, if anything... Thank you."

The clouds seemed to get darker as they wrote and murmured to themselves, a dense layer where there once was a sunny day. And had anyone looked too closely, they'd notice that with the sharp snap of the book closing, came the roar of thunder and the howling of winds.

Opening Act, End Scene II