#gang unmeets wild

[artemistorm]

Wild, as they'd dubbed him, had been traveling with the group of eight traveling warriors for a few weeks now.

It was strange, the group came out of nowhere and then sought him out to help them search for a band of black blooded monsters they were pursuing, supposedly through time. Something about destiny, reincarnation, divine charge, yadda yadda yadda, but Wild wasn't convinced that their quest was real and that they even needed him.

"You're a hero, just like us, you belong with us," they said. But did he really?

As they'd traveled from central Hyrule, up into Akkala, then working their way back across toward Tabantha, the others had shared their stories and it was clear that their experiences were different from his. For one, none of them failed their quests.

Wild didn't tell them the full story of his Hyrule--there was no reason to--only the basics. Kept his failure, the long slumber, and his amnesia a secret.

It happened constantly that the others would say something innocent--a remark on how populated their hometown was, or how pretty their Castletown was, or how they'd reclaimed the coastline from monsters--little things they meant nothing by, but it caused Wild a sharp sting of guilt.

Wild kept his face calm and his polite laughter lighthearted. Keep them from suspecting anything was wrong. It happened over and over though, and it was starting to wear him down.

It got to the point where all Wild could think about was how they would disapprove and dislike him if they knew the truth. His heart hurt all the time and he felt guilt weighing on his shoulders, making him sick to his stomach.

One day, he stopped faking being fine, he remained withdrawn, staying at the back of the line, watching the rest of the heroes handle themselves in battle and over the challenges of the terraine. He didn't offer advice and they didn't ask for it. It was clear the Chain didn't need Wild and he certainly didn't need them.

Wild always knew he could just leave. He didn't have to stand for this discomfort any longer. Just like any other undesirable situation--unexpected lynel, blood moon while in talus territory, thunderstorm in the middle of the night--he could just teleport away.

It was tempting--it would be so easy to teleport right then to a random Shrine faraway--but no, he'd offer them the courtesy of at least announcing his departure. Sure, he was Wild, but he was also a knight and he still had his honor.

That night he cooked for them some hearty meat curry with plenty extra for the next day. The Chain chatted and ate and thanked him for cooking. Wild meant to leave as soon as he'd eaten his fill, but he lingered, allowing himself a moment to enjoy having company for a little longer.

But then conversation turned to childhoods. Some had a happy one, some didn't, having started their journeys early or with trouble and trauma.

"What was yours like?" Wind asked him. "How was growing up here in this huge wild Hyrule?"

Wild sighed. He was quiet for a brief moment, then stood up.

"I'm done," he said.

"I'll take your dishes then," Warriors said, who'd been assigned dish duty.

"No, not like that," Wild shook his head. "I'm done with all of you. Done with whatever mission you're on."

There was a quiet moment as the heroes processed what he said.

"What? Why?" Wind asked.

"Listen, I'm not who you think I am," Wild said. "And you don't need me around. You all are perfectly capable on your own."

"We do need you," Wind objected. "You're a hero. You belong with us." Wild shook his head.

"We need all hands for this mission," Warriors, the Captain said. "It's been a challenge even for the eight of us. We really could use your help." Somehow Wild doubted that.

"What went wrong?" Sky asked. "Can we talk through whatever is bothering you? Give us a second chance?"

"No. I am done with all of you." Wild said with finality. He shouldered his shield and sword, everyone watching him awkwardly, but nobody stopped him. "I wish you all good luck on your adventure." He bowed to them slightly, force of habit from a time long forgotten.

"Wait what?! Are you serious?" Legend exclaimed, jumping to his feet.

"W--what about the pot?" Hyrule asked.

"Keep it, it wasn't mine to start with," Wild said. He opened the map on his slate and selected the tower for the Gerudo region, somewhere faraway and secluded from people.

"Goodbye," he said, turning to blue ribbons of light and was gone.