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theoneeyedgoldenwolf · 2 months ago

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No Time to lose

Whumptober 2024, number 1: Race Against the Clock and Search Party

Summary: Hyrule and Wild find an old Temple which they of course have to investigate. Time is having internal crisis going on but the moment he hears the duo scream, he’s inside the Temple before he even realizes what he’s doing.

CW: Getting slashed by a monster, dropped into prison, bleeding wounds and bruises, cursing, bad feelings (doubt, guilt, regret, etc.), Time going berserk on the monsters, freaky looking Temple boss, choking, falling unconscious due to exhaustion

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Wild and Hyrule were walking through a forest while doing some foraging and bit of exploration. The portal had separated them from the majority of the Chain but they weren’t too worried. They weren’t alone, they both had good feeling of where to go and they were certain of the others heading towards them too.

When the duo came across an old Temple, they both grinned excitedly and entered the place. There certainly couldn’t be any of harm if they cleared the place by just the two of them. The master archer had the experience through the Shrines and the half-fairy knew Temples. They surely were good enough team to handle few puzzles and monsters. Yeah, sure, Time and the others probably were going to reprimand them for this but they were confident of the place holding worthy loot, cool weapons and maybe bringing out a way forward too.

The start of the place felt easy. Wild sniped the monsters with his bow and arrows while Hyrule fought with sword and shield. The Traveler defended the Champion while relying in his full backup. The monsters went down quickly and let them deeper into the place.

The puzzles seemed simple as the two Heroes worked together. Ideas were thrown into the air and attempts were made until the right actions and combinations were found. They high-fived and laughed while getting more excited and having actual fun as they went through the rooms and eagerly waiting to see what else the Temple would throw at them.

The confidence and joy of the two Links of the Chain of nine got one hell of a strike when they entered the fourth room. Wild had to switch into a sword due to amount of the monsters. They were entirely overpowered by the Lizalfos, Bokoblins and a Dark Nut. They fought with all they got while trying to back each other up and defending their backsides.

The black-armored-monster-knight held back through the most of the battle while waiting for correct turn. When it finally attacked, the duo didn’t see it coming until it was too late. The wide and long blade was swung through the air fast and precisely. The other monsters moved aside as their opponents flew through the air with agony filled screams.

The duo crashed into the floor roughly. Hyrule was on his back while Wild was laying on his side. Suddenly the ground beneath them cracked and the duo fell entirely rigid from having tried to get up with pained groan. And then, without a warning, the floor shattered and the duo fell with a freaked out scream.

The half-fairy and the Chain’s cook hit into the far below being floor cruelly. It left them to desperately gasp for air while being unable to move due to the lack of oxygen in their lungs. They were grateful of there being no monsters around or at least that none of such was approaching them while they were immobilized.

Eventually, after eternity felt time, the duo coughed few times while shakily forcing themselves up to sitting position. It still took a moment before Hyrule was able to initiate his healing magic and fix the hellish slash wound the Dark Nut had created into both of them by that one strike.

With the pain having subsided, Hyrule and Wild carefully stood up and looked around. They scowled when they realized to have been imprisoned. Three walls were created out of uneven tiles. Wild tried to climb them but the sight was a simple illusion as he could feel the wall being entirely smooth and unclimbable. He just shook his head with a defeated sigh. The fourth wall was a see-through glass. It gave a view into a bigger room of the Temple. Yet, the area in sight was empty of everything. There was no monsters, puzzle or even any pottery. Nonetheless, the wall straight across their prison in the empty room seemed odd. It was smooth and silvery.

Wild placed two different bombs in front of the see-through wall and backed into a corner with Hyrule. They brought out their shields before the Champion blew up the explosives. The blast had no effect in the wall. The Traveler placed few of his own bombs with the master archer’s for a new try in hopes of bigger blast shattering the glass. It was as useless attempt as the first had. The half-fairy huffed and, with the Chain’s cook behind him for safety, he threw in magic and striking with as much of strength as he could. The blockage didn’t get even slightest and smallest crack into there.

“Seems like we just gotta wait for the others to save us.” Hyrule finally said defeated. Wild sighed heavily and nodded before sitting down next to his brother. “I’m pretty sure they have a sixth sense that’ll let them know whenever we’ve gotten into trouble.” The Traveler tried to lift the mood a bit with a slight chuckle and grin.

Wild gave a weak grin back. “I’d be surprise if they didn’t have such.” He replied and chuckled slightly. “We’re always the ones in trouble.”

“Yeah, well, that’s just curiosity.” The half-fairy stated out with a shrug. The Champion chuckled a bit and nodded. At least it wasn’t that bad as they still were together.

The duo had no idea how long they had been trapped into the Temple when the silvery wall flashed. “Wild.” Hyrule called and bit nudged his brother to catch his notion. A timer had appeared into the top of the wall while slowly a picture started to come into sight at lower area. When the live feed cleared and gave knowledge of what was going on within the Temple, the duo gasped in awe. Yet, bigger shock was when the prison’s back wall began to slowly move towards them.

“Oh shit… He’d better be fast or we’ll end up being as thin as crepes. And let’s admit the fact that that doesn’t sound good even one bit.” Wild gulped before tearing his gaze off of the approaching wall and turning it back to the screen in the next room.

“You know he won’t let that happen.” Hyrule assured firmly but he couldn’t help but feel the dread of the Temple bringing too much hard time to their savior. Or then the one at the fault of this situation just being entirely cruel and squishing them anyways no matter how much time would’ve been still left to use by the time the one going through the Temple would reach them.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Wind looked around when he came through the portal and did a swift count. Three of them were missing and he took another check to figure out whom they were. He inwardly groaned when he realized he hadn’t had the luck of being dropped into wherever Wild and Hyrule were. He would’ve loved to do some exploring with the duo instead of being left with the ones that were the most protective over him. Just because he was the youngest didn’t mean he couldn’t fight for himself.

“Seems like Time, Wild and Hyrule are separated from us.” Four commented once everyone had checked whom were with them. “Anyone got a clear feeling of where to head towards?” He inquired while already having a slight hunch of the correct road.

“I think they’re pretty far so I doubt we’ll meet up before tomorrow.” Warriors commented before nodding to a direction. “But, I’m sure Time’s that way.”

“He’s bound to search Wild and Hyrule out.” Twilight held back his groan while wondering what kind of trouble the duo would get themselves into this time around. “Let’s just head forward and hope they won’t be in the need of our aid.” He almost grumbled while starting to walk. The others followed the trio whom best knew which way to pick.

After few hours of walking, the Captain bit frowned and looked around. “I think Time changed his direction.” He half whispered while trying to figure out his little brother’s way.

“An obstacle on the way, perhaps?” Sky offered with hopeful voice.

“Nah, I’m sure he’s after the Disaster Duo.” Legend deadpanned and nodded towards the way he felt the Traveler being. “I’d say to find Hyrule and Wild and we’ll find Time too.”

Twilight chuckled a bit and grinned. “Yeah, DD’s certainly getting Time to head their way. I’m sure he knows it’s them whom are separated from the rest of us.”

“You do realize you’re talking about two of Hyrule’s Heroes, right?” Wind partly snapped while halting and crossing his arms over his chest as he bit glared at his brothers. “They are more than capable of looking after themselves. Just like I am.” He continued while bit narrowing his gaze at the slight surprise in the older brothers of his.

The Chain with the Sailor averted their gazes in slight uncertainty and shame. “You are right but you can’t deny the fact that they’re the ones in need of saving more often than not.” The Rancher tried to soothe the situation.

Wind huffed and forced his way through the group. He wasn’t going to admit a thing but he wasn’t going to continue a futile talk either. The others glanced at each other before bit shrugging and continuing forward.

There was so much the youngest Hero wanted to say but he didn’t want to start a fight. Part of him wished Time would’ve been there with them. Their oldest brother certainly would’ve been capable of dealing with this topic and get everyone to understand the situation. Plus, he felt like the Chain’s leader was only one whom truly understood and accepted him as one of the Heroes among them. To everyone else he was just a kid to be protected.

The six Links walked in silence through the day and as deep into the evening as they could before stopping and making a camp. They still were silent as the short conversation went through their heads. Wind had a point but so did they. They all had gone through hell and back again and cleared Temples and whatnot. They all were titled as Heroes. That mattered a lot but this quest wasn’t like what they had gone through. The beasts were wiser and stronger. The bosses of the Temples and places were more wicked and cunning than what they had anticipated. Things weren’t the way they knew them and hence the wisest thing was to rely on each other than deal things alone. Yet, for some reason, none of them really dared to admit that they weren’t capable of dealing with this quest alone. It just wasn’t how they had learned to deal with things.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Time knew he should’ve been enjoying of the calm walk through the forest. He was alone and in middle of his own turf. The forest was calm, caring and helpful while clearing the path no matter what way he was going.

And yet, the one eyed male wasn’t capable of taking the joy of the area as he should’ve. The portal had dropped him alone into middle of the most beautiful place and he just couldn’t find the delight in the situation. And he knew it was his own fault to be unable to be happy at the moment.

The Chain’s leader sighed heavily while touching the closest tree and silently voicing his apology. He just was missing the Chain so much. They had become to be his joy of life and enjoyment. They were his family and he just longed to be by them whenever he was separated from them without his acceptance.

The eight Heroes were rambunctious, amazing, caring, funny, fierce fighters, great listeners…. The oldest Link of the nine could’ve gone forever with the right words to described the eight boys of his. And he missed each of them so much that it hurt his heart. He just simply needed them to be around him and not scattered around. Sure, luckily, most clearly were together but few were separated from the main lot.

The Old Man had very strong feeling of where to head to. The awesome group he traveled with gave him the sense of home, love and caring. And yet, each of the eight gave slightly different notion that he had quickly learned to figure out to know perfectly well where everyone was at.

Warriors filled him with safety. Twilight brought out pride. Hyrule gave the feeling of being part of his kin. Wind made him smile fondly. Wild got him to be very protective. Sky made him feel grateful. Four surprised him most of the time with his sharp eyes and wits. Legend put him into a situation where he really wanted to break through his snarky shell and be close to him.

These simple and yet so strong feelings got Time to know that it was two members of the Chain that weren’t with the rest of them. He easily caught up on the knowledge of it being Hyrule and Wild that had been separated from the others like him. Inwardly, he slightly groaned while trying not to think about what kind of trouble the duo would end up together. And yet, he fully and thoroughly counted on them to be wise enough to get out of most of those troubles.

The Chain’s leader frowned and stopped walking. He leaned against the closest tree and dropped his gaze down. Doubt and fears began to creep in and he slowly wrapped his arms around himself.

Was he too strict with the eight Heroes with him? Was he not showing well enough how much he trusted their choices and actions? Had he ever told them well enough how much they meant to him? Was he acting too hard to approach? Did that get the others to keep distance to him? Did they care about him as much as he cared about them? He was their leader but more than that he wanted to be their brother. Was he failing on both of those? Was he acting too cold and distant while just wanting to keep the others safe and sound? Was he not giving them enough space and chances to live their lives? Was he suffocating? Was he holding on too tight? Should he just let them do and be as they pleased and not watch over every step they took?

The one eyed male pushed himself off of the tree and dried the tears. He started to walk again while trying to silence his own mind. He felt contradicted about whether or not to search out the Champion and the Traveler. Yet, he just couldn’t quench the feeling of worry so he changed his road a bit and headed where the duo was. Some hours later he noticed that the rest of the Chain wasn’t moving so he believed they had found a place to set the camp for the night.

The Hero of Time decided that once he’d be close enough, he’d pick up his Kokiri Magic and be out of sight. On that way the two boys of his could continue with the way they were going, be as they wanted to be and kept exploring without knowing him to be there. He’d keep distance and guard them but he’d stay out of being known. Sure, that felt like spying but it was the best he could do without letting them know of him being around. It would ruin the fun the duo was certainly having with each other. The fun they didn’t really get with the others… Especially not with him.

The Old Man stumbled a bit when that realization struck. The boys weren’t comfy enough around him to be themselves. He slumped as he thought back and realized how watched the eight gotta have been feeling with him around. They couldn’t really calm down and be themselves whenever he was around. He had heard them laugh and joke around, which made him happy and smiling, but the moment he had entered into their notion, that joyful moment had just been cut off and it hadn’t really been brought back up. Just seriousness and change of topic. He hadn’t realized it back then like he did now, how much his presence just changed the mood like a light switch: Sudden and swift.

“Maybe Captain should be the leader. He has more experience than I do and he’s more to their age. They’ve already accept him as one of their own.” The one eyed male thought sorrowfully. He jerked a bit when he noticed the Temple he had come to almost unnoticed. He sighed heavily and nearly groaned as he realized Wild and Hyrule having gone to there. He silenced his complaints before the words even had a chance to appear into his head. “They’re Heroes. They can do this. They’ve gone through Temples and Shrines. They got the experience and knowledge. And they’re together. It’ll be fine. I’ll just wait here and be proud of them once they come back out after having cleared the place perfectly. Not a word of complaint. Not even slight bit of disappointed look. Just fucking joke it off! Tell them… ‘You guys just couldn’t wait for backup, huh?’ and grin mischievously…. Or something….”

Time leaned against a close by tree and forced himself to stay put. He trusted the duo even though he was worried sick. He desperately wanted to enter the place and go to aid them in clearing the Temple but he fought to keep himself from moving. He had to show he trusted them. He had to let them know he knew they were more than capable of clearing this kind of places on their own. And yet, he hated himself for fearing for the worst and desperately wanting to protect and help the eight Links with him. They were HEROES for Goddesses sake!

Suddenly the air was split by two pain filled screams and the Chain’s leader moved before he even thought. He dashed into the Temple as fast as he could while fearing for the worst but wishing for the best. That contradiction nearly got him to stop and leave the place. Yet, when the next scream reached him, he was already running again. If the duo was fine, he could leave the Temple and let them deal with the place just by the two of them. If they weren’t….. Well, whomever had touched them would face the fierceness of the oldest brother and there would be NO mercy at then.

The oldest Hero of nine felt bit proud of the duo as he ran through three rooms that were cleared off. Some of the handled puzzles could’ve given him bit of hard time had it been him alone at there but the two Links in the Temple were ones that more often than not were good at thinking outside the box. Time scowled a bit when he saw the closed door.

The one eyed male slammed hard into the obstacle and flung it open. He scowled when he saw the amount of the beast in the room. “Pixie? Rascal?” He called out but got no other reply than the snarls and growls of the beasts in the room. His expression darkened and he drew out the Biggoron Sword. He put the notion into the fact that the road forward was still blocked which clearly told that his boys hadn’t gotten through this room. “Wrong move, bastards.” He snarled and screamed in near rage as he attacked the creatures in the room.

The powerful swings were cutting the beasts down several at time. The Old Man moved fast while avoiding the attacks and countering them nearly instantly afterwards to take the creatures downs. When the Dark Nut came for an attack, Time duck underneath the swing while already unleashing his own diagonal strike. He screamed and kept slashing again and again while forcing the beast to back against a wall. At then he struck with a stab until slicing the blade diagonally out while cutting the black armored beast nearly into two.

With the Dark Nut gone, the rest of the creatures in the room just blew up in black smoke. The Chain’s leader took few deep breaths to calm down. He ignored the road forward as he began to check the room through and even searched with the Lens of Truth in case there were hidden ways. When he found nothing, he backtracked and investigated the pathways and the earlier rooms as closely as he could.

Time cursed when he found no other road than the one that had just opened. There was no sign of the duo in any of other way than the three cleared rooms. He returned to the area he had just dealt with and checked it once more just to be entirely certain. After that he had no other choice than to venture deeper into the Temple while praying his boys were well enough and not in seriously shitty situation. At least he was entirely certain he’d feel it if the duo wasn’t alive anymore. That got him to move fast and check the areas certainly and with the Lens of Truth.

Few rooms of puzzles and monsters later, a timer suddenly appeared into the area where the one eyed swordsman was dealing off with several Lizalfos. He gasped and cursed before going bit more daring than normally to deal with the beast quickly. He spared a second or two to make a choice until already dashing out of the room and down the hallway. If there was a timer, then he needed to clear the rooms swiftly and just head forward. Anything else was just wasting the precious time he had.

The Old Man desperately kept the feeling of dread and similarity with Termina’s ‘be at the right place at the right time’ out of his head as well as he could. He needed to concentrate and deal with the puzzles and beasts as fast as possible. He couldn’t know if the time ticking away was also the time he needed to deal with the Temple’s boss. All he really could wish for was that he’d get to his boys before it was too late.

After several more rooms the timer suddenly made unexpected jump forward. The one eyed male gasped in shock before putting more haste into his fighting and running. He even ignored the chests that appeared and just dashed out of the room and towards the next problem.

A floor lower and the timer sped up. Time ran as fast as he could. His attacks were ruthless, powerful and reckless. He simply needed to beat the monsters as quickly as possible before already running out of the locked area. When he came to a locked door, he didn’t think twice as he already thrust the Biggoron Sword vertically down and cut the chains. Right after that he already slammed the door open before the blockage was even fully off of his way.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Wild and Hyrule stared awed at the screen and how the Chain’s leader was dealing with the place. “And he keeps reprimanding us when we attack like that.” The Champion whispered quietly.

“Yeah, well, we don’t have a timer ticking our lives away when we do that.” The Traveler reminded.

The master archer nodded before he got entirely uncertain of what was going on. “I don’t think that was a good choice from him…”

“Yeah… That’s gonna bite him in the ass soon.” The half-fairy almost groaned in worry.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Time ignored the monsters in the room and just dashed through it. He struck the door open and continued to run. The beasts snarled behind him and came after their opponent.

The timer had once again made a sudden leap forward. The one eyed male had been as fast as he could while throwing in his magic too. The powerful fire incinerated everything in its path but it took too much from him and it was too slow to initiate. After dealing with few rooms with that way, he eventually gave up on it and just concentrated into getting forward.

The Old Man flinched when the arrows clanged into his armor but he didn’t stop running. He didn’t stop breaking through the doors and continuing forward. He didn’t care of the growing amount of monsters chasing after him. All he cared about was getting to the right room before the timer would hit zero.

Every now and then when the creatures behind him began to get too close, the oldest Link struck with Fire Magic. He didn’t strike it as far as he could but just taking down the first few dozen beasts to gain the distance he needed. Yet, he hated each time he needed to lose those precious seconds from the timer to get rid of his stalkers. Each burst of such attack just swapped him from his strength and he was certain he was needing it later on.

Suddenly the road separated into two different pathways. The Hero with Fierce Deity’s markings hesitated for a second that felt too much to lose before he made a choice. He had a feeling the other road would’ve led into the Temple’s boss but the other one gave him the feeling of where his boys were. Right now he needed to get to them and set them free. He’d rather deal with the place’s main monster together with the duo than having been too slow to save two members of his family.

Time started to be out of breath when he ran through an open doorway. The huge and empty room didn’t seem threatening but he feared it was filled with traps instead of anything else. Then he saw the see-through wall and the boys he was there to save. “Hyrule! Wild!” He screamed out but before he could dash over to them, the sound of sizzling got him to turn around.

The bomb blew up before the one eyed male really understood the situation. He just barely had enough of time to bring his arms up to cover for his face before the blast already sent him flying. The doorway crashed and blocked the way out of there. The swordsman struck roughly back first against the see-through wall before crashing into the uneven floor.

The Chain’s leader groaned and pushed himself upwards. He suddenly almost jerked and turned around swiftly. His well practiced gaze quickly took in the duo’s outlook to know how they were dong. “Are you two all right?” He queried before frowning. Wild and Hyrule were clearly speaking if not shouting but he couldn’t get even one word out. He knocked on the glass even though he was certain that wasn’t heard in the other side. “Are you two all right?” He signed and the two Heroes bit jerked and swiftly replied into it by sign language.

“We’re okay. Hyrule healed.” Wild assured and glanced behind him. The wall had stopped moving when Time had entered the room. It had started to be quite a thigh squeeze but now the wall was already back to its place.

“What happened?” The Old Man queried before almost grimacing. “I’m not mad. Just wanting to know. Neither of you have done anything wrong.” He swiftly continued when the duo had turned to be bit ashamed and uncertain.

The half-fairy and the Chain’s cook glanced at each other. “We should’ve either waited or fetched everyone else before coming to here.” Hyrule replied bit sorrowfully.

“None of that!” Time nearly snapped with his signing. “I’m proud of you two. Trying to clear a Temple like you’ve done during your own quests. It was just bad luck. That’s all. You’ve done everything right.”

“A Dark Nut took us off guard in fourth room.” Wild explained.

“The floor broke underneath us where we landed. Dropped us here.” Hyrule continued.

“I assume you’ve tried to blow the wall up?” The one eyed male half queried, half stated out. The duo nodded in confirmation. “Tried other things too?” He inquired and got another nod for an answer. “Okay… Let’s try blowing it up again. Maybe a blast from both sides can actually crack it.” He suggested while standing up.

“BEHIND YOU!” The Champion suddenly signed and pointed at something. Both him and the Traveler seemed freaked out. The Old Man swiftly moved along the see-through wall and turned around. It was just in time too as a Lizalfos crashed against the glassy wall and bounced off of it. It snarled and readied for a new jump but it never had the chance. The Biggoron Sword was already stabbed through it and slashed out.

Yet, that wasn’t the only beast in the area. An Iron Knuckle was slowly approaching him. “Give me a moment. Got a situation to deal.” The oldest member of Hyrule’s Heroes signed swiftly before already starting to walk towards the new enemy. He dragged the blade on the floor and let it screech while slowly going for a jog and from there into a run.

The armored and slow monster swung its double-axe but Time ducked beneath the attack. Once close enough he screamed and slashed diagonally while jumping high in slight Spin Attack of sorts. As he turned around with the swing’s power, he moved the blade above him and struck down vertically while slicing the beast into two.

The one eyed male was bit panting when he landed and watched the beast vanish into black smoke. He chuckled a bit and grinned before turning around the returning to the see-through wall. “Now, let’s see if we can break this.” He simply stated out after putting the sword away and already searching his pockets for bombs. He ignored the awed and shocked gazes of his boys while placing two bombs on next to the wall opposite to where Hyrule and Wild stacked theirs. After that he already moved to safer distance while fully praying his boys were safe and sound in the corner behind their shields.

The blast wasn’t as rough as the Chain’s leader had hoped for. He sighed and shook his head when he couldn’t find even smallest fissures in the smooth glass. “Didn’t work. You?” He told but out of the shaking of heads he already knew the answer. He slumped a bit. “Damn.” He half cursed before standing back up. “Move aside. I’ll try something else.” He told while taking the Biggoron Sword out again.

The oldest brother of the nine males took few deep breaths to calm down. After that he took fully determined look before already screaming and swinging the unbreakable blade at the blockage. He put everything he got into those strikes while hoping the screeching meant something good.

Eventually Time was panting hard and he crashed to his knees. He let go of the sword and forced himself upwards to check the glass. Nothing. Not even a scratch in the see-through wall. He snarled and slammed his hand against the blockage with a rage scream. Few strikes later he just slumped while leaning his forehead against the wall. “Fuck…” He muttered in defeat.

“Fierce, I need your help. I can’t break this alone.” The one eyed male nearly begged before raising his head up and turning his sorrowful and apologetic gaze into his boys while feeling like he was failing them. Yet, he soon frowned as the duo was frantically screaming something and striking at the wall. Before the realization and dread had a chance to hit, something already snatched a hold of the back of his tunic and threw him backwards.

The Chain’s leader screamed as he flew through the air before crashing roughly into the floor. He just barely heard the Dark Hammer begin to approach him again. The other sound that began to register in his head was the other beasts dashing towards him. Just when he got his breathing into working, the monsters reached him and struck fast. He screamed as the claws slashed at his arms and legs.

The Old Man didn’t think as he already screamed in near rage and struck with the Fire Magic. The creatures around him snarled but backed off. He quickly scrambled to his feet while drawing out the Gilded Sword. He straight off charged for a Spin Attack and forced the monsters even further away from him. “I don’t have time for this!” He snarled and attacked against the closest Bokoblin with diagonal slash which he quickly continued into opposite way to cut at the Lizalfos next to his first target. With the given opening, he dashed back to the glass while putting his shorter sword away.

Just as Time grabbed the Biggoron Sword and stood up, the creatures were already swarming him. Yet, one quick horizontal swing dealt with the six beats. He locked his gaze into the Dark Hammer whom wasn’t having a weapon of any kind out. “Stupid to come into a battle without a weapon.” He growled before already dashing at the creature.

The monster was too slow to do much as the one eyed Hero of Time already jumped to side and somersaulted behind his target. A quick and powerful Back Slice was all that was needed to cut the thing into two. He was entirely exhausted while kneeling on the floor and gasping for air. He already started to reach for the Deity’s mask when suddenly the air was filled with all kinds of Keese and the both bat-like and eyeball-like beings already swarmed him.

The monsters came at him relentlessly. They were counting on their numbers rather than their skills or abilities. They were going to wear their opponent down and take an easy kill afterwards.

The Chain’s leader attacked with everything he go. He stuck Wind Magic from Farore’s Wind into the Keese. He froze Miniblins, burned Lizalfos and struck hard with the Biggoron Sword on the rest. His armor was taking one hell of a beating and slowly giving up underneath the constant strikes. He barely had a chance to catch his breath between the waves of monsters. And the beasts certainly were keeping him from getting the mask on like they would’ve been aware of what he had.

Hyrule and Wild watched in terror as their oldest brother fought for his life. They kept trying to break the wall that separated them from getting to help the one eyed leader of theirs. There was nothing they could do than pray, wish and beg that Time would survive long enough so that the backup could arrive and turn the situation around.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

The six Heroes weren’t really capable of sleeping at that night. Four kept fidgeting while being in night shift. Warriors kept turning and tossing. Twilight stared into the forest while tapping the ground and waiting for the night to pass. Legend laid on his back and stared at the sky filled with stars. It did nothing to calm him down. Sky had eventually sat up and just strummed the harp absentmindedly without finding any actual tune for it. Wind was laying close to the Captain but he couldn’t really aid his older brother as he needed to keep bit of distance so he wouldn’t end up unintentionally squished.

“Guys?” The Smithy called while coming to where the others were trying to sleep but failing miserably with the task.

“Something’s wrong.” Twilight mumbled.

“They haven’t really moved for hours.” Legend told.

“Sprite’s not okay.” Warriors growled and forced himself up. “He’s not okay and I’m doing nothing.“ He snarled while getting up and starting to pack his things up. “I don’t care that it’s middle of the fucking night. I’m not waiting any longer.”

“Same.” The Rancher agreed and got up swiftly to get his things together.

“I second that idea. We’ve wasted too much of time.” The Veteran nearly jumped up and unconsciously was going for record time in gathering his stuff and getting ready to head forward.

“Time’s capable of looking after himself and others.” Sky tried to calm things down while following his brothers’ actions.

“True but something’s not right.” Four replied while going back to the fire and quickly putting it out. After that he dashed to his gear and started to get ready.

“It’s middle of the night. Maybe they’ve only set a camp.” The Chosen Hero suggested even though he wasn’t really believing his own words. Something just kept telling him that they needed to move or they’d regret staying put for the rest of their lives.

In a record time the six Links were already going through the dark forest. None of them really dared to speak while following a strong feeling. They wanted to run but with unknown terrain and lack of light, they didn’t want to end up getting into bigger trouble than by moving calmer. There could’ve been monsters lurking around and they couldn’t dare to even think about losing time in a battle. Besides that it was simply not wanting to end up getting tripped by roots, holes and such on their straight road. They didn’t feel like they had any of extra time to handle off sprained ankles, bruises and wounds gained by the forest itself.

It still took several hours before the Chain came to the entrance of the Temple. Twilight and Legend straight off facepalmed and groaned. They glanced at each other and shook their heads. “Of course they’ve gone to there.” The Rancher mumbled with a deadpan look.

“Time’s there too.” The Captain told while glancing up. The night was starting to be over and the darkness of the sky was already fading. “We need to move. We’re already way too late.” He nearly commanded and took the lead in entering the place.

The six Heroes moved carefully and as fast as they dared. For a long while the rooms seemed normal but empty and cleared. Eventually there started to be clear markings of something rough having happened in there.

“Wild’s got his ways but he’s so not able to scorch a room or leave this kind of deep cuts into pure rock.” Twilight told while looking around in slight awe.

“Hyrule’s got even less of chances for this kind of stuff.” Legend stated out while shaking his head.

“Time.” Warriors almost whispered.

Four whistled as he was bit enthralled by the sight as he looked at the devastation of the room. “I just wonder what’s gotten him to strike like this.” He thought aloud before following his brothers deeper into the Temple.

“Either chasing after Wild and Hyrule to save them or then a timer.” Sky answered before bit shuddering. He didn’t want to think about the Silent Realms and unconscious sense of running out of time at there.

“We need to speed up.” The war Hero commanded and began to jog before already running. The others followed swiftly while feeling the dread of being in late already. The further they got into, the more of the hallways were torched than the rooms.

“I think Time’s being chased.” The Veteran almost whispered in worry.

“Not good.” Twilight nearly growled while wishing they could go even faster than they already were going.

Eventually, after eternity felt time, they came to a crossroad. Without thinking the group split into two. Legend, Sky and Warriors dashed to left while Twilight, Four and Wind ran into right.

The youngest Hero had been silent whole time but he was among the first ones to have gotten ready. He had too much to think about while fearing for the worst. He knew how powerful Time’s slashes were even when he wasn’t putting all of his strength into it. To see the deep cuts around the rooms and the blackened rooms and pathways gave him the full understanding of desperation. Things were far from right or good if his oldest brother was putting this much of his abilities into his actions.

“Wind? Are you all right?” Twilight asked and glanced at the Sailor.

“I’ll be better once we find Time, Wild and Hyrule.” The pirate-Hero replied with slight snap in his voice. Yet, he soon sighed bit heavily. “Sorry. Just worrying.” He apologized sorrowfully.

“We all worry. Time’s putting too much into his strikes.” Four pointed out and the duo with him nodded in agreement.

“He might not have a choice. If he’s racing against the clock, he’s going to do anything to be fast.” Wind pointed out unwillingly. “And let’s just face it, he’s one of the very few of us whom actually can do something like this.”

“Let’s just hope we’ve come here in time.” Twilight commented while leading the road up swirling stairs while jumping two to three steps forward whole time. Yet, he kept making sure the duo was staying to his speed so that they wouldn’t end up separated in there.

Eventually, after eternity felt time, the stairs finally ended. They came into a straight hallway which only had one door at the end of it. The Rancher glanced at the duo before already dashing down the road and ramming the blockage open. Wind and Four entered the room straight after him to defend him in case an attack was launched before their brother would’ve caught his balance and weapons out.

“Well, well, well… More than three, it seems.” The voice was normal Hylian’s but the outlook was anything but. The trio was fully taken off guard of what they saw but they also were very swift in drawing out their weapons and get ready for the battle. “Been fun to watch Fierce Deity’s vessel show his skills but it will not be enough.” The creature smirked. “The God must appear and take over if he wishes to survive. Otherwise the next wave will be his last.”

The monster had the tail of a Lizalfos, mixed body of a ReDead and Stalfos, head of a Bokoblin and arms of a Dead Hand. It smirked wickedly at the nausea its outlook brought. Yet, the creature’s words were more important to the trio than anything else at the moment. They screamed out their battle cries and attacked.

While the trio faced the Temple’s boss, the rest of the Chain had gone further downwards. Eventually they came to a cave in of sorts and hesitated. “If Twilight had come this way, we could know if Time’s come through here.” Sky commented while carefully approaching the blockage.

“Call me crazy but I can feel Time being there.” Warriors stated out and moved to check the fallen rocks. “We need to get past.” He half mumbled while searching for a place and way to undo the wall.

“Guys! I can see Time!” Legend half shouted while having crouched down to check a crack between the Temple pieces.

“How is he?!” The Captain straight off asked while fighting against himself. He really would’ve loved to push the Veteran off the way and see for himself.

“Exhausted. Bleeding. No armor.” The Specialist gave out before standing up and looking around. “I need to get higher.” He half commanded before pointing to very thin gap between the wall and rock pieces.

“Right! That bracelet of yours.” The war Hero half exclaimed before already cupping his hands to let Legend step on them. After that he lifted his brother up towards the right place. Once high enough, the Veteran straight off stuck the item against the surface and got sucked into the uneven wall. It still startled the duo with him but he didn’t have time to think about that. He just moved swiftly forward and through the lithe gap into the room.

“We can’t do more here. Legend will help Time so the two of us probably should go aid the others. Hopefully by taking down this place’s boss will clear this situation off.” Warriors stated out and unwillingly turned away from the road into the room. He wanted to blow up the blockage but he feared to do more of damage than good by that. Sky simply nodded and followed his brother back to the crossroad and to the road the other group had taken.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Time was slumped against the see-through wall while breathing heavily and shakily. The armor had been broken to pieces and he had eventually taken it off to fight better without it causing more of hindrance than being of protection. There were dozens if not already hundreds of different wounds around his body but luckily most still were quite shallow. He just barely had had enough of time to bandage the worst ones.

“I’m okay.” The one eyed male signed to the duo with as reassuring grin as he could give. The beasts were already dashing towards him and he forced himself back to his feet. If he put the mask on now, it would leave Fierce to fight alone. He wouldn’t get through the transformation without falling unconscious. It was too rough to even think about anymore as he needed to stay conscious to fight. And he could feel Fierce too opposing the idea of using the mask even though the situation was seriously dire.

Wild and Hyrule, trapped behind the see-through wall, could easily see that their oldest brother was anything but okay. He was trembling and putting more strength into holding the weapon than to anything else. He was bleeding and exhausted. Both of the Heroes knew the Old Man wasn’t going to survive the next wave without a miracle. And they were powerless to aid in any of way. All they could do was to watch in terror as their leader went to face the monsters.

Time swung the Biggoron Sword fast horizontally but his timing was entirely off. The creatures smirked and avoided the attack easily. Before he had a chance to readjust or rethink his actions, he was tackled to the floor. The monsters swarmed him on that second. He let go of the heavy blade and drew out both his knife and the Gilded Sword. He was in bad place but at least he was managing to keep the monsters back for a moment.

Suddenly a wave of fire crashed into the beasts from behind. Their pain filled scream was accompanied by a raged one. More flames appeared out of nowhere and forced the creatures to move out of the way. Soon Legend dashed into middle of the area while switching his Fire Rod into his Tempered Sword. Before he even reached his oldest brother, he already charged the blade and struck with Spin Attack to force the enemies away from them.

The Chain’s leader was startled to say the least to see the Veteran suddenly come to save him. He sighed in relief and relaxed before forcing himself to sit up. “TIME!” The younger male almost scolded before digging out a red potion.

“T-the others…?” The Old Man half whispered while feeling like talking was straining him even more than the battle at the moment.

“Searching for the boss.” Legend replied hastily while keeping a check on the beasts around them. “Drink.” He commanded and pushed the bottle to his oldest brother.

“Y-you wouldn’t have a blue one…?” Time half requested while feeling more in need of strength than healing.

The Specialist grumbled and shook his head while checking for the asked drink. “I’d rather you take the red and green ones.” He nearly growled while taking out the blue.

“Save the green ones to Hyrule.” Time replied while shakily taking the bottle. It took bit more than he wanted to admit to get it open and downed. He sighed in relief and gave the potion few precious seconds to work before forcing himself back to his feet.

“You should not…” Legend started firmly.

“I need something stronger to get that destroyed.” The one eyed male cut him short and nodded towards the see-through wall. “I might be out of count once I’m done but before that I WILL get that down.” He stated out before already starting to perform the moves for Din’s Fire. “Stay close. And be ready with Ice Rod. I’m going to need that in a moment.”

“Time….” The Veteran called bit fearfully but right then the Old Man screamed and struck his hands against the uneven floor. The flames rose fast and hot as Death Mountain’s lava. He began to dance around the Specialist while commanding the torching hot fire and incinerating the creatures around them. After the beasts were gone, he sent the inferno at the see-through wall while hoping the duo was wise enough to have moved off the way.

“I’m fucking breaking that even if it was the last thing I did.” The Chain’s oldest brother snarled while putting every single ounce of his strength and magic into his work. He growled and screamed while feeling the heat becoming too much for him but he didn’t stop. He gasped and stumbled when he felt having gotten through. “Rod!” He shouted and reached his left hand towards Legend.

The Hero with most quests done didn’t think twice as he already placed the Ice Rod into Time’s hand. The one eyed male swung the icy blue crystal towards the way he had struck with the fire and screamed as he struck as hard as with the flames. The Veteran gasped and recoiled backwards in absolute shock as the flames suddenly froze all around them. “Break it!” The one eyed male barked out and Legend didn’t think twice as he drew out his sword and struck with all he got.

“FUCK!” The Chain’s leader cursed and moved swiftly. He hadn’t fully realized how the flames had been surrounding them so thoroughly. He tackled the younger male to the floor and moved over him. He just barely had enough of time to bring the shield up and growl as the blockage was cruelly showered with icy cold, sharp and heavy pieces of the glistering dome he had created as it shattered by the strike.

Legend almost screamed and curled up in reflex. Yet, none of those pieces hit into him. He blinked few times in confusion once the sound of shattering glass was over. “TIME!” He nearly shrieked in terror and began to push the ice off of his leader and trying to keep the coldness as far from his as possible. He gasped in shock when that one eye of his leader slowly opened. “T-the fuck… H-how the fuck are you still conscious…?” He queried while staring wide-eyed at his leader.

Time gave very slight grin and even weaker shrug. “Don’t know…” He mumbled quietly. “Wild? Rulie?” He half queried without having the strength to get up. He looked almost pleadingly at the Specialist as the younger male turned around to see the see-through wall the duo had been trapped behind.

The wall had almost ellipse looking hole in it with clear markings of glass having been melted. Yet, the ice had cooled those into their places and the hole was big enough to be passed through. The Champion and the Traveler were carefully leaving their prison while looking entirely baffled and awed of the way the road to freedom had been created.

“They’re out. They’re safe.” Legend told while turning his notion back into the Old Man. Time sighed in relief and let himself relax. When more monsters were coming into the room, he tried to very shakily get back up but the Veteran swiftly forced him back down. “NO.” He stated out firmly and commandingly. “Stay put. We got this.” He stated out while turning his glare into the beasts. “Rules.” He called while standing up and switching the Ice Rod into Fire Rod.

“I’m on it already!” Hyrule half shouted as he dashed over to them and knelt down by his oldest brother. Wild drew out his bow and arrows before already beginning to shoot. Legend screamed and dashed to attack in close range to strike with his magic as hard as he could.

“Pixie… Y-you shouldn’t…” The one eyed male mumbled after having bit groaned when the half-fairy had turned him to his back.

“I’m not gonna let you die!” Hyrule almost snapped before already starting to heal the Old Man. “I and Wild just watched you nearly get torn apart. Do you have any idea how hellish that felt?! To be unable to do a damn thing and---“ He nearly barked before tad gasping when he felt a hand on his arm. He blinked few times without even realizing of when he had started to cry.

“It’s okay, Pixie.” Time whispered with a slight smile. “I’m here.” He promised quietly before bit weakly moving the younger male off. “Don’t overdo yourself. Just help Legend and Wild.” He rather pleaded since he didn’t have what it took to command or even to request.

“But… Time…” The Traveler weakly protested and watched uncertainly as the oldest male slowly sat up. He glanced at the battle around them and noticed that Legend and Wild had managed to deal with the current wave of monsters off. He returned his entirely worried gaze back into the Chain’s leader. It was clear that he was exhausted beyond imagination but at least he wasn’t going to die anymore.

“Time, you should lay down and rest.” The Veteran almost commanded while coming back to them with the Champion. They felt like needing to have the distance to the areas where the beasts seemed to dash in more often than not. “We got this. You know we got this.”

“As long as I’m conscious, I’m going to be ready to aid if needed.” The Old Man replied while trying to ease out his breathing. Even staying in the position he was already was taking far more than he actually had to spare. Lifting the Biggoron Sword wasn’t exactly something he could do anymore. Even doing one swing with a Gilded Sword felt like way too much of work while knowing his attack would be left way too weak to be much of worth. Yet, if nothing else, at least he’d be averting the notion of some of the beasts at then.

Suddenly the next wave of monsters snarled, roared and growled as they dashed into the room. The master archer gently laid his hand onto Time’s shoulder. “Stay, please.” He nearly begged before taking aim and shooting at the hardest beasts of the creatures approaching them. Hyrule and Legend dashed off to attack from close range in hopes of keeping the monsters as far from their oldest brother as possible.

Suddenly there was sound of shattering glass. Everyone’s gazes snapped up into the way where the sharp shards were falling from. Yet, there was more than just glass coming down.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Twilight charged from straight ahead while Wind and Four moved to sides. The beast drew out a claymore from behind it and swung it. The Rancher had to duck beneath the attack which forced him to slow down too much to land an attack. The Smithy and the Sailor were short enough to keep getting closer and strike. That gave an opening to the ranch hand and he took part by a stab.

The creature snarled before roaring. Suddenly three thin white arms appeared out of nowhere and grabbed the trio from behind. They were flung backwards in the smallish room. Four and Wind crashed against the wall while Twilight flew out of the room, hit into the floor and slid few meters.

The monster screeched that blood chilling scream of a ReDead and brought out three new thin arms. It smirked as the things slammed into the throats of its opponents and began to squeeze against the hard surface behind them. The trio fought against the hold but somehow the arms turned ghost-like and so the attempts of cutting at them with sword or knife ended up being futile tries.

Suddenly a Boomerang flew through the air and struck the beast straight into its head. The arms vanished and the three Heroes started to cough and gasp for air. Warriors caught the weapon as it returned. The Rancher waved his hand dismissively to the concern he knew the Captain was having towards him and the two shorter Heroes. With the given permission of sorts, the war Hero dashed forward, drew out his sword and attacked the Temple’s boss.

Sky came to there slower as he had taken a moment to charge the Master Sword with Sword Beam. By the time he reached the floor, Twilight was already up on his feet and entering the room. Four and Wind were doing their best to aid the war Hero in the battle but the creature had surrounded itself with those thin arms and neither was eager of getting too close to those things.

“Back!” The Chosen Hero shouted as he sent the divine magic horizontally into the room. The Rancher and Warriors moved off the way before already ducking beneath the attack. The Smithy and the Sailor crouched down a bit too while being ready to spring into action the moment the thin arms were off the way.

The beast snarled while bringing the sword to block the bright blue light. Even though the main attack wasn’t of worth, the arms were gone. The being screeched in pain as the shortest Heroes landed their attacks. Sky began to recharge a new Sword Beam while Twilight and the Captain dashed forward to land their strikes too. Yet, the monster swung the blade again to keep the taller swordsmen at bay.

The creature noticed the new divine light getting into the skyward raised sword. It swung the blade again to keep the attackers off before screeching and freezing its opponents. Yet, its gaze was in the Chosen Hero. Sky gave out a startled scream as a thin arm had appeared behind him, snatched a hold of his tunic and slammed him down to his back

Before the strange being could bring out more arms or swing the blade again, Warriors moved. He quickly charged a weaker version of Spin Attack and unleashed it nearly instantly. Yet, he didn’t spun around but send the strike off by one slash. The beast’s notion fell into him and it quickly blocked the attack. That was exactly what the war Hero had hoped for as he dashed forward right after sending his strike off.

“CAPTAIN!” The four Links screamed in shock as their leader’s second-in-command slammed on full force against the monster and forced it backwards. They crashed through the glass wall and Warriors stabbed his sword through the beast’s head. He pulled his weapon back for another strike when suddenly his fall was abruptly stopped and he was hanging in the air just by holding on to his Knight’s Sword.

Wild had acted fast as he pulled out his Slate and searched for the Magnesis icon. He quickly initiated it and snatched a hold of the Captain’s blade as he raised it up for a new attack. “Hold on tight, Captain!” He half shouted while beginning to bring him down nice and easy. He sighed in relief and turned the Magnesis off once the war Hero was safely on his feet at the floor.

The beast slammed roughly into the floor and stayed still. Sky, Twilight, Four and Wind had dashed to the broken window and watched the scene in full fear. They all sighed in relief when the Champion caught their brother and saved him for certain damage if not from death. After that they quickly paired up with the Rancher getting a lift from the Chosen Hero and The Smithy rode with the Sailor. After all those two got ways to get down unharmed.

Soon the Chain was fully back together. Most of them dashed off to clear off the latest wave of monsters that had reached the room. Warriors was still bit dazed of the situation but he soon snapped his gaze into his little brother. “Sprite?” He called worriedly before frowning at the sudden change in the one eyed male’s expression from slight relief and simple smile into shock and horror.

The Temple’s boss rose up from the floor and created a knife out of nowhere. It screeched without the scream of ReDead’s and lunged at the war Hero. Everyone’s notion fell into the situation on that second and Warriors stared in wide-eyed shock at the monster that was up for killing him.

“CAPTAIN!” Time screamed out in terror. His voice was fully laced by the Fierce Deity. The God of Protection appeared out of nowhere and moved with the Chain’s leader in unison while still making one different thing. The oldest member of Hyrule’s Heroes rose up to his feet as fast as he could while reaching out towards his older brother with his right hand. With his left he had grabbed the Biggoron Sword even though he knew he wouldn’t be capable of swinging it as he hoped to. He simply wished to get it between while yanking the younger male backwards and out of the harm’s way.

Fierce Deity gave his mask’s wielder the needed speed to save the Captain’s life. While the Old Man’s hold on the heavy sword was by one hand, the God of Protection held it by two. That gave the one eyed male what he needed to swing the weapon fast and roughly while using the last bit of his strength, stamina and even magic into that attack.

Time was bit surprised of getting the Biggoron Sword up from the floor and into a slash. He screamed in rage while glaring at the monster and striking the being across its chest while shattering the claymore the thing still held in its hold as a shield over its chest. The monster flew to the other side of the room by the attack’s strength.

The Chain’s leader leaned his whole weight against his sword he had struck into the floor for support. He was panting heavily and trembling. Only a second or two later he gasped and crumbled to his knees. He desperately tried to hold on to his consciousness but he had no strength, stamina or magic anymore.

“Shh, it is all right, my dear friend. You may sleep.” Fierce Deity whispered soothingly while quite well hugging the one eyed male. “The boys are safe. The boss of the Temple is dealt with. You may rest.” He spoke softly and gently. Time exhaled almost heavily and accepted the assurances from the Deity. The God of Protection very gently laid the oldest Link down onto the floor. He gently ran his fingers once through the golden hair of his friend before turning his notion into the eight Heroes around him.

With the Temple having been cleared and the boss defeated, the remaining beasts had just simply exploded into black smoke. “Captain?” Fierce called while turning his notion into the war Hero. “Are you all right?” He inquired while slightly tilting his head to side. All Warriors could do was to nod in confirmation. The Deity nodded back and looked around the rest of the Chain. “What about everyone else? Safe and sound?” He asked while taking in the outlook, the way the seven moved and everything else. The boys nodded once while being bit out of words.

Fierce Deity smiled a bit and nodded back. “Good.” He half whispered before turning his notion back into Time. “Link is safe and sound too. He will be sleeping for quite a while but he will be all right.” He assured calmly while smiling fondly at the one eyed male.

“That beast knew you.” Wind suddenly spoke and got the long gone God to turn his bit surprised gaze into him. The Sailor hesitated for a moment beneath the Deity’s gaze. Yet, he soon bit frowned as the divine being just waited for him to continue while looking nearly identical with how his oldest brother was when he was there for moral support and a shoulder to cry on instead of asking or forcing answers out. It was comforting and caring way of showing how much the other one meant to them. “The beast claimed that you’d need to take Time over or else you wouldn’t survive.”

The God of Protection sighed and shook his head. “It was not entirely lying but it does not know me or Link either.” He started and watched how the Chain gathered around him to listen. “I do not have much of time but I will tell as much as I am capable of.” He promised while returning his fond gaze into the Old man and gently running his fingers through the Chain’s leader’s hair.

“It is true that the wave of monsters which the Hero of Legend intercepted would have been too much for Link to deal with. Yet, he was not in the condition to use my mask anymore. Too exhausted to stay awake through the transformation. This is what the beast was hoping for. For Link to put my mask on and fall unconscious while giving his life and body for me to use.” Fierce began and turned his notion into the Chain. “I would have NEVER accepted that.”

“What would have happened if Link had used Your mask?” Sky inquired while feeling oddly calm in the presence of divine and powerful being.

“I fear he might have never woken up again. Without his conscious choice I would not have been able to truly pull the mask off anymore. I cannot even begin to imagine of him losing everything because of me. Out of everyone whom have ever used my mask, he is the most precious to me.”

“Would Time have…?” Twilight started uncertainly without really daring to finish the question.

“No. He would not have used the mask for any reason anymore. He was aware that you six were close by. All he needed to do was to stay alive for a while longer and the backup would be there by him.”

“The fire and ice magic attacks… I’ve never seen anyone strike that strongly.” Wild commented in awe.

Fierce chuckled a bit and shrugged slightly. “I might have given him bit of extra strength into that.” He mused fondly. “He had already done all he could but the wall was not breaking. Before the beasts began to really attack him, he had requested for my aid. We just did not have a chance before the Hero of Legend came forth and gave the needed safety and moment to really unleash bit more than Link could create.”

The Deity sighed and stood up. “I wish I could give you more answers but my own strength and chance of staying in this realm is running out.” He apologized before smiling fondly at the eight before him. “Just know that Link and everyone in his family are as important to me as he is to you eight. I will do everything in my power to protect each of you as I protect Link. You all are very dear to me.” He told before taking couple of steps backwards and vanishing from sight.

The Chain was quite taken off guard by the God of Protection’s words. It took a moment for the meaning to really sink and understand that they had a strong and powerful Deity right by their side. It was both very shocking but also so very comforting. Yet, more important and calming was the fact that Fierce would never be any of threat to their leader or to them in any of way.

Warriors was first to move after the Deity was gone. He didn’t say a word as he went to Time’s side and very carefully picked him up. The one eyed male just barely gave out a quiet whine at the action before already snuggling into the scarf the Captain gently wrapped around him. After that he slowly stood up with his little brother in his arms. “Let’s get out of here.” He simply told and the Chain quickly scrambled to their feet and surrounded their leader and his second-in-command.

As the beast had fallen, there had opened up a new road. Legend and Twilight were on the front to check that the pathway was safe while Sky and Wild held the rear. Luckily nothing jumped at them as they left the Temple and headed to the spot where most of the Chain had held a camp at.

The road back to the safe place felt like taking far longer than the road to the Temple had been. Twilight and Sky aided the Captain in setting a comfortable and safe spot for Time to sleep in. The trio set their things close by and took turns in watching over their oldest brother’s rest. Wild handled the fire and began to cook something swift but still filling. He also thought through the Chain’s leader’s favorite foods he was aware of as he tried to find the best one to do once the one eyed male would wake up. He was certain the Old Man would be starving at then. The others made a swift but precise check around just to make sure their campsite was safe and sound to use.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

“We already said we’re sorry!”

“Sorry?! Your actions nearly got Time killed!”

“We’re entirely aware of that! Do you really think we’re not feeling shitty about it?!”

“How many times we have to go through this? We were just…”

“Until you fucking well understand!!”

Time woke up slowly and groggily into the fight. He slumped with ears drooping before shakily and weakly forcing himself up. “Time?” The worried call of Four’s was ignored as he turned his gaze towards the fireplace.

“LEAVE THEM BE!” The Chain’s leader shouted and snapped everyone’s gaze right into him. He was breathing bit heavily while feeling his anger rise and he tried not to glare at his boys. “They did nothing wrong.” He growled out roughly. “We’re all Heroes in here. We’ve all gone through Temples, Shrines and whatnot. We’ve all faced hordes of monsters and beasts and what the fuck there are. We’ve all gone through hell and back again. We’ve all faced shitty quests ALONE before this one. The companions we’ve had haven’t been able to fight for us.” He nearly snarled the words out while letting his harsh gaze go from one Link to another while avoiding to look at Hyrule and Wild.

“They didn’t do anything we wouldn’t have done at any other day.” The one eyed male continued sternly. “Curiosity brings new learnings and unique items. Out of all of us, Hyrule and Wild are the ones who think outside the box the most due to the way their lives have been. They’re more than capable of dealing with a Temple or Shrine or whatever. Just because there’s a team of us and just because the beasts aren’t what we’ve learned them to be does NOT change the simple facts. Each of us would’ve dealt with that place alone at any other fucking time. It was just bad luck that they ended up caught. That is all.”

Time let his gaze go around the silenced Chain. “They are not at the fault of what happened. They did nothing wrong.” He told firmly before sighing heavily. “What you are putting them through is same as telling they should be something else than who they are. You are trying to change them to lose their curiosity and the fun of exploration. What you guys are doing is not helping. You are only breaking them. And I will not allow that.”

“But… Time…. We….” Hyrule started bit uncertainly.

The Old Man shook his head. “No. You two didn’t do anything of wrong. You are who you are and I’m happy of that. I don’t want any of you to change. It was just bad luck. Nothing of else. Without that you two could’ve easily dealt with that Temple. There’s no doubt of that. You got the wits and knowledge. If given the chance, it wouldn’t have taken much from you two to have it cleared.”

The camp fell into silence as the Chain thought about what their leader had said. Time sighed heavily and dropped his gaze down. “If anything…” He started quieter and bit sorrowfully. “I’m sorry.” He said as firmly as he could. The startled gasps went around the eight boys of his and he could feel their startled gazes in him.

The oldest Link slumped, let his ears droop and wrapped his arms around himself while raising one knee close to his chest. He closed his eye before starting to talk. “I’m sorry about the way I’ve acted. I’m sorry for having denied the fun of explorations and whatnot more often than not. I’m sorry about being harsh.”

“Sprite…” Warriors called bit uncertainly.

“I’m sorry for not having shown my appreciation. I’m sorry for having not shown how much I trust you all. I’m sorry for having not let you handle the situations the way you’ve seen right. I’m sorry for having stopped you from fighting the way that’s right for you.”

“Sprite, stop…” The Captain half commanded while feeling the ache in his chest.

“I’m sorry for being suffocating. I*m sorry for having gotten you to open up about your pasts. It’s wrong of me to get you to share hurtful things while I stay silent. I’m sorry for being strict and not showing the acceptance you all deserve.”

“Sprite, please, stop…” The war Hero begged while feeling his heart break. He took a swift check around and saw the others being equally shocked and freaked out about the situation.

“I’m sorry I’m not someone you feel comfortable enough to be around of. I’m sorry I make you all feel like you should act differently around me than with each other. I’m sorry I’m not making you feel like I’d be one more brother to you. I’m sorry I don’t know how to be like that.”

“Sprite! That’s enough!” The Chain’s leader’s second-in-command snapped.

“I’m sorry that I’m not good enough leader. I’m sorry I’m not worthy enough to be with you eight on this quest. I should’ve understood it. I’m too old for this. You eight are more than perfect to handle this quest together. You don’t need me watching over your shoulders for every move you make. It’s not even right. I’m sorry for having made you feel like being watched. I’m sorry I haven’t given you the space you need and the rights to live your lives as you see fit.”

“Fucking hell, Sprite, stop lying!” Warriors almost screamed while crying. He hated himself for having not seen how burdened his little brother was and how much of hurt he was carrying within him.

“I’m sorry for all of this and more. I should just stay at the ranch when we next time get to there. You don’t need me along. You’re all comfy with each other and capable of teamwork. You don’t need me to tell what to do or how. You got everything you could need to finish this quest. In fact, I’m sure any of you could deal with this quest on your own. It’s nothing more than learning and finding right weapons. This is no different from any earlier quest you’ve gone through. And there’s eight of you. That’s more than enough to finish this. I’m just one too much. Besides, nine is a number not easily divided into smaller groups.”

“Sprite…” The war Hero desperately pleaded.

“I’ll just tag along until we get back to my era. After that…” Time shrugged while trying to dry his tears. His voice had shattered long ago but he didn’t care. He just needed to get it all out. “I guess after that it’s just goodbyes.” He half whispered before falling silent and just waiting for the Chain to say something, anything really.

As he silence continued Legend looked around. He saw the others being as uncertain, fearful and hurt as he felt. He could feel the anger rise but it wasn’t pointed at the one eyed male. No, it was pointed at himself, at his brothers around him. Had they really been this bad at showing much the Old Man meant to them?

“So, that’s it, huh?” The Veteran snarled while getting up and starting to approach the startled oldest brother of his. “You’re just going to throw all that we’ve gone through together out the window, eh? To try and think that it meant nothing.” He growled while glaring at Time. He hated to see the Chain’s leader flinch and slump even more and stare at him all shocked and bit fearful.

“Legend!” Warriors barked out roughly but the Specialist only raised his hand up to silence him without taking his gaze off of the one eyed male.

Legend crouched down in front of his leader and glared at him for a short moment while feeling the tears at his own eyes already. The confusion in Time’s expression was too much for the Veteran. He just moved fast and yanked his oldest brother into a tight embrace while breaking down. “Is this how badly we’ve failed to show you how much you mean to us?” He queried with shattering voice.

The Specialist tightened his hold in near fright of losing the one eyed male. He hid his face into the crook between Time’s neck and shoulder while crying. He was broken and terrified while knowing the others were more or less feeling the same. He was probably freaking them out by his actions but someone had to speak up and say what certainly was going through everyone’s heads at the moment. Legend fought to keep his voice strong and loud enough so that everyone could hear and agree with him.

“We do need you, Time. You’re strict because you care. You want us safe and sound so you keep eye on us. You do let us have fun and explore and all but you also want to make sure we can do it safely without fearing for every step we take.”

The others were bit surprised of what Legend was saying but they relaxed and calmed down a bit. The words were so very true and even though the Veteran was saying them, they really were their words too. Slowly they got up and moved closer to the duo. They glanced at each other before bit smiling and nodding.

Twilight moved behind Time and leaned against him. He nodded once to the Veteran before he began to talk: “You’re amazing leader. You take in everyone’s ideas and notions instead of commanding your way. You listen and notice. You act accordingly with each of us while figuring out what we’re really needing from a listening ear to shoulder to cry on to needed words to be said and heard.”

Sky followed the Rancher and carefully leaned against his leader’s back too. He smiled fondly and glanced around him before opening his mouth: “I, and pretty much everyone else too, like it that we have someone whom understands and is able to help us. Opening up isn’t easy but it helps. Somehow, it’s just easy to talk with you and share our deepest secrets and all. You’re compassionate and caring.”

Wind very carefully moved to the Chain’s leader’s lap while trying not to bother Legend. He took once a deep breath before letting it out slowly and gently leaned against Time’s chest. “You’re not suffocating in any of way. You’re not holding on too tightly either. You accept us as we are and you’re letting us be ourselves.”

Four placed his hand on Time’s knee and looked him straight into that one eye. He spoke calmly and softly: “You do show your appreciation and trust. As you said, we’ve gone through a lot alone so teamwork is something new for most of us. You’re letting us get used to having a team and learning to work in such and find the best ways we can to help each other. Our old ways don’t work as they used to and you’re giving us a chance to readjust those instead of forcing specific ways through us.”

Warriors carefully moved next to Time and leaned against him a bit. “There’s nine of us for a reason, Sprite, so you’re more than worthy be with us on this quest. And you sure as hell are not too old for this. It’s clear as the brightest day. You bring stability, protection and strength into here. You bring knowledge, understanding and experience. Legend might have the teachings of quests but you got the teachings of life itself. And sometimes that’s far more valuable than anything else.” He started and smiled fondly. “You’re the one whom taught us that there’s a chance for normal and happy life for us too. It’s not denied from us. We just have to accept the thought and work to gain it. We’re more than just Heroes for the kingdom. We’re its people as much as anyone else. Just because we pick the sword and fight doesn’t mean it’s the only life for us.”

Hyrule was next one to move closer and he took to lean against the Chain’s leader from the opposite side than where the Captain was. He rested his head on the one eyed male’s shoulder. “We want you with us. This quest won’t be worth it if you’re not with us to see it to the very end. Just because we’d have what it takes to deal with this quest either alone or with smaller group doesn’t matter. Like Warriors said, there’s nine of us for a reason. You’re meant to be here with us on this quest.”

Wild smiled fondly at how much of love his brothers were already showing to the one eyed brother of theirs. “Tell me, Time…” He started calmly. “If we weren’t comfortable with you, do you really think that we’d be this close to you right now? Not to mention the fact that would we be pointing out all that you’ve done for us so far? Let alone everything else.” The Champion carefully moved and leaned his forehead against his leader’s. “Time, if we didn’t love and care about you, I and Hyrule wouldn’t have been freaking out and terrified while being so entirely helpless to aid you. It killed us to be the fault of what you were going through. You mean the world to us, Time.”

Legend carefully pulled off and dried his tears. He yanked the master archer between himself and Wind to get him even closer to Time. “Hyrule and Wild told everything they went through in the Temple with having seen you clear the place in a very badass way.” He started and grinned slightly. “I know what you’re thinking. Without you the duo would’ve waited at the cell for the whole night without backup arriving. I know you think that maybe the timer would’ve gone differently but… What if it would’ve gone the same way with same jumps and speed ups? Even with the six of us, I highly doubt we could’ve cleared it off in such record time as you did.” He shrugged a bit. “Besides, unlike what we would’ve ended up doing, you just ignored the puzzles and the monsters and forced your way forward. None of us have that strength or weapons to do something like that.”

Suddenly an ethereal ghostly being appeared out of nowhere. The Chain was quite startled to see the Fierce Deity this soon again. The God of Protection smiled fondly down at his mask’s current carrier. “Fierce.” The one eyed male half whispered. “You look tired. You should be resting.” He commented bit worriedly.

“I needed to see by myself that you will certainly be all right and wake up again.” Fierce answered calmly while carefully leaning over the boys to kiss the Chain’s leader’s forehead. “You should believe the boys. They are no liars.” He pointed out firmly while pulling off.

Time had closed his eye for a while at the kiss. He smiled fondly and nodded. “I know.” He whispered quietly while bit fighting the grin off of his face as the Deity glanced at the Chain around his friend. After that their gazes met again.

“Eat, sleep, regain your strength, my dear friend. And call for me whenever you need me. I will be close by. The quest feels to be a long one but you are not alone.” Fierce told with a clear promise within his voice. The Chain’s leader simply nodded and watched the Deity vanish as silently as he had appeared.

“Fierce Deity’s right. You need to eat!” Wild exclaimed while already scrambling up to his feet. Yet, before he could go further, Time already yanked him right back.

“Not yet.” The Old Man stated out firmly. “Yet, Fierce is right about the quest.” He told and closed his eye while relaxing in the group hug by the Chain. “The quest will be long but, honestly, I wouldn’t mind it never ending as long as I have you eight by me for the road.”

The Chain was tad surprised of Time’s words but they soon snuggled close to him to really let him know they love and care about him from full heart. Slowly the oldest Link of the Heroes of Hyrule fell asleep. “He’s going to be starving when he wakes up.” Legend commented quietly while feeling contradicted about whether or not to wake his oldest brother for actual food before getting the needed rest.

“Let him sleep. We’ll feed him when he wakes up and make sure he’ll be in top condition in no time.” Warriors mused fondly.

Surprisingly, the Chain didn’t move even one inch from their places while their oldest brother slept. They simply wanted to make sure he’d sleep peacefully and know of them being there. When the one eyed male finally woke up, Wild kissed his forehead before already dashing off to make a meal for his brother, especially for Time. He didn’t think twice as he created one of the Chain’s leader’s own favorites. After the meal Warriors gave his little brother a massage while the others stayed close by.

It took several days of great meals, amazing massages and some rough sparring before Time was fully back to his feet and capable of continuing forward. The eight Heroes stayed close to him while keeping close eye on his wellbeing just to make sure he really had regained his health and strength back. Yet, the bigger thing was that they made sure to show that they truly and thoroughly cared and loved the one eyed male they were on this quest with.

Slowly and certainly the eight Heroes could see that their actions and words were starting to really sink in. As Time became bit more open and calm, it also helped the Chain to loosen up too. And the Chain’s leader realized that those situation when there had been a change in the mood hadn’t really been his fault in any of way. He usually had been either last to get together with them after the portal separated them or then just having something he either needed to share or talk about with them. After that, though, the mood had always changed back to calm and happy with jokes and banter being thrown around. The Old Man smiled and fully enjoyed of the unique time he was given to share with these eight amazing Heroes of Hyrule, his brothers.

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needfantasticstories · 11 months ago

Text

Here Now (4954 words) by SkipBreaker

Art by @hiimgin. Beta reading by @hotcheetohatredwastaken. Additional info at the bottom.

Summary: Sky, Twilight, and Hyrule go on patrol, and grapple with Hyrule's past.

HERE NOW

Part 1: CAMP

Logs crackled pleasantly in the fire pit Hyrule and Legend had built.

Hyrule sat on the end of his bedroll and stared at the orange flames that kept the chill evening air at bay. Fire was a luxury back home, but common while traveling with the eight other heroes.

They’d come through a portal to a new era at midday. Not mine , he’d realized with relief. The grass was too green, and the sky too clear. None of the others recognized it either.

With no sign of black-blooded monsters, or nearby settlements, Wild had insisted they camp and restock on elixirs for the coming fights.

The sun glowed a white-gold as it settled into a shroud of clouds above the horizon. Time stopped searching the trees and settled into cleaning his armor. Sky sat on the opposite side of the fire and began tuning his harp. Wind dragged Four to sit with him, complaining about his dull knife. Twilight and Warrior joined Wild by the fire to chat.

The trees slowly darkened into silhouettes, narrowing the world down to the glow of their campfire.

Legend huffed as he sat and leaned heavily on Hyrule and pulled out a ripped tunic and a small, fabric lined box of needles and threads.

“Hey, I’m not your furniture,” Hyrule protested.

“Fine. I’ll keep my Roc cloak for myself tonight,” Legend replied coolly.

“Oh fine, go on then. Ravio has been rubbing off on you.” Hyrule laughed and braced his legs to his chest to support Legend’s weight. With a smile, he continued to watch the fire and his brothers.

Savory aromas of beef and herbs filled the clearing as Wild stood by the fire, working his subtle magic that, despite Hyrule’s assurance, he firmly insisted wasn’t magic at all.

The sky grew pink and purple as the sun dropped below the hills. The shing , shing of Four guiding Wind through how to sharpen his knife made a steady, musical rhythm to Sky’s soft harp strums. Twilight and Wild bantered as the cook served bowls for Warrior to pass around.

Wind held up his blade and tested the edge with a bit of rope. It cut the strands cleanly. “I can work so much faster with this! Can I take you home with me, Smithy?”

Four smiled proudly. “You can pay me back with a copy of your star charts sometime.”

Wind let his hands fall to his lap, and frowned. “Do you ever think about what will happen with us after all this? After we stop Shadow?”

The camp grew quiet.

Sky broke the silence, gazing fondly at his harp. “I imagine we’ll find our way back to our own times. At least, I hope so.”

“Same, though I think Wild might try to rope me into his world if I let him,” Twilight laughed and clapped Wild on the back.

“I’d miss your old muzzle too much to leave you alone,” Wild snorted in answer. “I suspect you’ll find a way back to my world someday, one way or another.”

“I hadn’t thought it possible we could stay long in each other’s worlds. What about you, Legend? What are your plans?” Hyrule asked. It would have been a miracle if the Hero of Legend could visit him in his own time, somehow. If only his time wasn’t still suffering from famine and the lingering armies of Ganon hunting him to resurrect the king of evil. But even Wild’s era had a few pools of Malice here and there, right? Still, it was healthy. Who would ever want to come to his era? It was a death wish.

“Well, as much as I love roughing it with you lot in the mud and rain, I can’t wait to sleep in my own bed, in my own home. In peace.”

A cold breeze found its way through the trees and coursed up Hyrule’s spine. He stared at the fire in thought while Legend continued to gush about his orchard.

“What about you, Traveler? What do you look forward to when this is over?” Four asked, digging into the soup Warrior was passing out.

Hyrule mulled over their various homes. Time had a ranch with Malon. Sky had his floating village, Wind had Outset Island. Twilight longed for Ordon, Four his forge, Warrior his fiancee and her castle. Even Wild had purchased a house, though he admitted he barely used it.

Hyrule missed the castle, but he couldn’t go back until the monster stopped hunting him. His cave? Perhaps, but it didn’t feel like home anymore. Not like this. This was home. Among friends, traveling the world, helping protect people and discovering more about fighting and magic and history than he could ever have dreamed. He’d seen islands floating in the sky! Forests more full of fairies than trees! With Wild’s Zora armor, he’d even swam up a waterfall, and used his glider to soar back down to earth! He’d never be able to do that in the polluted rivers back home! And snow! Twilight still held the record for shield surfing, but he was catching up.

Hylia, the goddess he’d never known existed before this journey, had truly blessed him with a refuge from the storm of his homeland.

“Traveler?”

“I don’t know. I suppose… I’m already happy.”

“Aw!” Warrior set Hyrule’s soup down and plopped beside him. He put an arm around him and rubbed his hair roughly with his other hand. “This kid! I’m actually gonna miss you. Not like that one.” He pointed to Legend.

“Tch, that’s a lie,” Hyrule scoffed and shoved Warrior away with his shoulder. The Captain fell sideways but held onto Hyrule, pulling them both down.

“Watch it, Wars!” Legend yelled.

Hyrule tried to pull free of the Captain’s arm, but the knight held fast. Hyrule put all his might behind it, his arms burning from the strain, and by inches he loosened the Captain’s grip.

“You’re getting stronger, but not there yet!” The Captain groaned.

“I nearly stabbed my thumb, thank you very much!” Legend yelled at Warrior.

“Hey now! Hyrule’s the one who shoved!”

“He was defending my honor, so it’s your fault.”

Hyrule and Warrior both broke into laughter—Hyrule in proud victory and Warrior in admitted defeat—and the Captain finally let go and collapsed on the ground.

Hyrule offered his hand.

The Captain grabbed it and tried to pull him down, but Hyrule was ready and hauled him upward.

“Fine, Collector, keep your blindspot. Thanks, Rulie. Here’s dinner.” Warriors passed them their bowls, which had mercifully survived the scuffle.

Hyrule savored the stew, letting steam warm his face before taking a bite of the creamy, savory broth. He looked around as he ate, and watched the others quickly finishing their own meals.

Let these days last, he thought. He knew it was selfish. It would have to end, as everything did. But he didn’t want to imagine a future without them in it anymore than a future living on the run, without Dawn and Aurora. He knew, logically, that they would all part someday.

But not today.

He watched as Wild set aside the cooking pot and pulled out an older exclusively for making elixirs. Hyrule turned away and instead watched Legend resume his careful, methodical stitching; but the Champion lingered in his thoughts. He didn’t like knowing where the Champion’s elixirs came from. He pitied the beetles, butterflies and lizards, and the monster parts smelled awful. Then again, at least Wild found a way to channel the evil remnants of Ganon’s power into something useful. How strange. How was it possible? Could Dawn, proficient as she was with magic and rebirth, find a way to change the poison in their land into a blessing, somehow? What sort of ingredients like the beetles and butterflies would it require— He stopped the thought dead; he didn’t like where it was going at all, and he focused instead on Legend’s stitching while the spike in his heartbeat settled.

Time broke the comfortable silence that had settled over them after dinner. “We should scout one more time before settling in for the night. Sky, Twilight, Hyrule, it’s your turn to run a perimeter check.”

With a hum of grumbled complaints about being half-asleep already, the trio yawned, and stretched.

Time clapped Twilight’s shoulder as he left, then Sky’s, nodding in unspoken but clear appreciation to both.

“We can work on your footwork for the landing before breakfast, if you’re up for it, Hyrule,” Time whispered to him at his turn. Hyrule smiled and nodded, then hurried to follow after Sky and Twilight into the woods.

None of them saw the storm until sheets of rain descended.

Part 2: SHELTER

Hyrule braced his shield over his head. A torrent of rain driven by a wall of wind pelted Hyrule and Sky. Drops struck like tiny arrows, stinging Hyrule’s legs through his trousers. They clung to the steep hillside that exposed them to the storm, inching back the way they’d come. Before the rains veiled the land, the campfire was easy to see, but in the gale Hyrule had lost his sense of direction. Several trees above them thrashed and groaned, threatening to break and roll down over them.

“I still can’t find the trail!” Twilight shouted over the storm.

“There’s got to be something we can do,” Sky looked around, his hair plastered to his face where it stuck out from under his sailcloth.

Hyrule looked around too, and in a flash of lightning, he found what he needed.

“There’s a gap in the rocks up there! Let’s go there until the storm passes!” Hyrule yelled over the rumble of thunder.

The gap in the steep hillside turned out to be a deep cave. While the gently rising path blocked wind and rain, they radiated the cold back to them, and the three shivered as they explored the length of the narrow room. Twilight led the way in with his lantern.

The stone entrance slammed shut behind them.

“It’s a dungeon,” Twilight pointed out the obvious.

Sky let out a long-suffering sigh, pulled out a torch, and once alight he raised it high.

The cave opened into a massive hall lined with brick. Triangle symbols adorned the upper reaches in a band of simple geometric patterns. Only the back wall remained in a more natural state, save for the massive relief carving.

Stone steps led up to a dais before the rock wall where stood a massive stone beast that seemed trapped in the rock, leaning forward in an effort to free itself. It sat on a cracked throne three time’s Hyrule’s height with a door hiding in the shadows between its feet.

Roughly cut features, gouges still evident from the tools used to carve it, cast dancing shadows all over its bulbous, misshapen body. Two massive tusks jutted from the wall, possibly added later. One had broken off and its shattered remains littered the dais. The wide face had a grotesque, triangular nose and gaping holes for eyes. The movement of Twilight’s lamp made the eyes seem to shift back and forth between them.

It wasn’t just the statue that made Hyrule panic.

Seeing the rough boar carving in this unfamiliar dungeon, a massive homage to beast Ganon.

What lay before him, at its feet, chilled his blood.

Sky and Twilight stopped on either side of him.

“What in the clouds is that?” Sky asked, moving closer to the enormous carving.

“Remember how we all faced a being named Ganon? That’s him.” Twilight spat at the statue’s feet.

Sky frowned at the hideous thing,running his hand along one carved leg. He sneered at the jagged, artless edges. The statue barely resembles the beast, but somehow captured all of his malevolence.

“Hyrule, are you okay?”

Not really, he thought, but he dared not say it. They had a dungeon to escape.

“I’m fine.” He forced himself to borrow a smile and look forward to the dark hallway under the beast’s legs. He refused to think about the bowl-shaped altar at its feet, or how the groove from the center to the edge would pour any liquid inside out of the bowl.

Into the waiting ashes of Ganon.

He pushed onward. This wasn’t his era. It couldn’t be. Too green, too clean, too clear-skied.

Sky moved ahead of him, taking the lead as his torch burned brighter than Twilight’s lantern. Soon, he stopped.

“I see two doors ahead, left, right, and forward. Any guesses on where to start?”

“Left,” Twilight and Hyrule said.

“I was going to say right. I guess I’m outvoted.” Sky shrugged.

Part 3: LEFT

It took all of Hyrule’s Thunder spell, or “Hyrule’s Fury” as Wild insisted on calling it, to clear the horde of skeleton soldiers that rose over and over from the floor in the left room. By the time Twilight revealed the hidden wizzrobe with his ghost lantern and Sky blasted it with a skyward strike, the trio had used up most of their supplies.

“There’s a chest!” Hyrule called out, and ran to the back of the room.

The lid creaked open, and after brushing aside cobwebs he found a large iron key.

“Looks like we might have a way out.”

“Door on the right?” Sky asked, with a mocking grin, hands on his hips.

“Door on the right,” Twilight said with a sigh, marched ahead.

Hyrule hurried to follow after the taller hero.

Part 4: RIGHT

Twilight pushed open the other door and led the way inside.

Unlike the brick walls of the earlier rooms, this one remained untamed. Stalactites and stalagmites reached for one another, and the largest ones had joined into eight massive pillars around the room. Luminous crystals, like the stones Wild had shown them, lit the ceiling and walls in a cold, eerie glow. Water dripped from the spiked ceiling.

In the shadows at the far end of the room, between pillars of stalagmites, a monster stirred.

Hyrule gasped in surprise. He knew this beast!

In the dim crystal light, Hyrule could see the blue lynel pace, turn, and stare them down.

Black eyes glittered as it studied them. It cantered closer. The lion-face glowered and bared its knife-sharp teeth. Its human-like chest raised up a massive longsword in both hands. Iron-shod hooves stomped, reverberating through the stone floor.

Then it looked directly at Hyrule, and its eyes narrowed. The grimace flipped into a feral grin.

“Sacrifice!” it roared.

Hyrule gripped his sword and stepped forward. He wouldn’t let his brothers suffer for his curse. He could handle a lynel. He just had to keep it from burning them all, and himself from bleeding, or else—

Sky held up his blade. “What under heaven is it?”

Hyrule pulled out his magic shield. “Go back to the entrance. Both of you need to bomb that statue into rubble,” he ordered. “I can deal with him.”

“Alone?” Twilight asked incredulously.

“I killed dozens of them before Wind’s age.”

“No. It’s too dangerous for any of us to go alone. We stay together,” Twilight barked.

“Fine! Shields up! It breathes fire.”

“At least we’ll finally dry off , ” Sky grumbled, adjusting his shield.

They prepared just in time. The lynel stopped his approach and roared, blasting fire at them.

Hyrule blocked it with his shield, and the fire quickly faded. Twice more it hurled the flames with the same result.

Roaring with fury, the lynel charged, galloping louder than a thunderstorm.

Hrulle’s world shrank down to the fury in the lynel’s eyes. His friends could not suffer from his monsters. He would not let his horrors become theirs, nor would he let it take them away from him.

Hyrule yelled at the monster, and ran.

The lynel turned away from the other two heroes, nearly tripping over its own legs to chase him.

Hyrule dodged between dripping pillars, twisting and weaving through the narrowest gaps he could find, the beast on his tail. He led it to a far corner of the deep cavern. He turned with his shield high, planted his feet, raised his sword, and braced himself for the impact.

It grinned as it charged, seeing him cornered.

Time had warned him. He still needed to master the landing.

But he could not risk waiting now.

The lynel’s snarling face held his gaze as the broadsword slammed into his shield with a terrible wrenching sound. It cut through the shield! A pulse, like lightning, shot up his right arm. His vision swam as the blow threatened to shove him down.

But the lynel staggered back. It stared blankly at him, stunned.

It worked! Now, for the rest!

Hyrule jumped with every ounce of strength he could muster in his legs, and not with the aid of magic but purely his own strength. Let the momentum carry you, The memory of Time’s deep voice calmed him.

His body rose into the air in a dense, forceful way so different from his Fairy form—raw, propulsive momentum in place of delicate wings gently riding the air. The world curved gracefully as he somersaulted higher, his sword at the ready.

Helm splitter.

His blade slammed into the beast’s skull.

Dark ooze clung to the edge of his blade as he rolled forward.

Black blood?

For a moment, he remained weightless, then panic set in as he began to descend. If he had enough magic, he’d have cast his fairy spell to save himself, but none remained.

Remember, don’t try any of this until you can stick the landing.

The ceiling and the floor spun and merged into a smear of light and dark, His stomach swooped and churned as gravity grabbed him. He catapulted downward, and tried in vain to grab something, anything.

Far beyond the lynel, his legs slammed onto merciless stone, but his body continued forward until his head cracked against the cold stone. He lay in a blinding haze of numbness and confusion.

Through the ringing in his ear, he heard a muffled yell.

Someone was shouting, the sound reverberating painfully in his skull. The words slowly pieced together. It was …the kingdom? No, his name .

“Hyrule! Wake up!”

He tried to sit up, but he couldn’t! Couldn’t see! Couldn’t breathe!

A familiar hand grabbed his shoulder as he gaped like a fish, trying to pull in the intangible substance all around him, but his lungs refused to draw the air in.

At last, his lungs opened, and he gasped, painfully loud to his aching ears. His vision returned. The ringing sound finally stopped.

“Hyrule? You with us? Thank Hylia!”

He tried to make sense of what he saw. Sky’s worried face. Twilight’s frown.

“‘Rulie, are you alright?” The ranch hand asked gruffly.

Hyrule winced as he sat up. Too much happened all at once.

His head. His arm. His brothers. Where was the lynel?

Sky moved closer so Hyrule could lean on his shoulder. Hyrule appreciated the rest, and collapsed onto him. The pressure in his head and on his arm grew stronger, sharper.

“Nice back slice.” Sky nodded to Twilight.

“Good timing with that skyward strike,” Twilight panted in reply, clapping Sky on the back. “And you, that looked familiar.”

Hyrule didn’t have the energy to respond, only nodding with a faint smile.

“Rulie?” Twilight asked, and moved closer.

Sky carefully pulled up Hyrule's arm, but Hyrule gasped in pain and refused to look, not yet, watching Sky’s reaction instead.

Sky’s worried eyes told Hyrule enough. He had already felt warm liquid trickling down the side of his face and down his arm. Pressure built unbearably in his head, and worse in his shield arm. The rush of adrenaline was hiding the worst of his injuries, but he knew it was bad.

He had to know. He had to fix it.

Carefully, Hyrule touched his temple and looked down at his hands.

Blood.

Hyrule’s throat tightened. The pressure in his right arm built into a searing pain. Hyrule winced and finally looked down at it. The lynel’s blade had easily sliced through his leather bracer and cut deep into his arm. More blood. He clapped his hand over the gash, but struggled to keep any more of the cursed liquid from spilling out. One thought raced over and over in his mind: make it stop or they’ll come! And he muttered, “I can’t stop it. I can’t… I have to stop this…or they won’t stop coming…” He pressed his hand desperately to the wound, but still it spilled out. “They can’t know I’m here!” He curled over his arm as if that might somehow stop the bleeding.

“Rulie, it’s okay! I promise,” Twilight chided gently, “I don’t have potions, but I can bandage these up for you until we get back.”

“Let me see what I’ve got,” Sky offered, and he began rummaging through his pack.

Hyrule had not bled this much, for this long, in months. Frantic memories and nightmares jumbled together in his mind, but he resisted them, trying to hold on to the presence of his friends. I’m here. Safe. No cult. No ashes! Just the stupid altar , he tried to reassure himself. But he could not stop shaking. They can smell it. They’ll come.

He let go and searched frantically for a potion he knew he didn’t have. Still, he rummaged, hoping he’d miscounted or had another secret secret backup. Nothing. Blood slipped out from under his fingers. He could not keep it closed! He had to do something .

“Sky, did you happen to get any from Wild before we left?” Twilight asked.

“No, but I—”

“I have to stop this! Now! Stand back!” Hyrule yelled at them. They didn’t understand, and he didn’t have time to explain. He groaned as the throbbing pain in his arm compounded. He didn’t look forward to the flames. He had barely enough magic built up for it. He reached for his sword and let it blaze, the rubies and silver hilt enhancing the red light. He held out his gored arm and lowered the flames toward the wound. He winced at the heat, but it had to be done. He’d spilled too much already, but if they washed it away fast enough–

“Stop!” Sky and Twilight shouted in tandem.

“I’ve got plenty of potions,” Sky lied, and sat beside Hyrule, holding out a quarter-full glass.

Hyrule tossed his sword aside and drained the bottle. The warm, clean rush of healing spread across his whole body. He was relieved by the familiar tickle of skin growing and knitting closed. Only exhaustion remained.

Hyrule handed the bottle back to Sky. “I’m sorry. I didn't mean to drink it all.”

“Don’t apologize. You needed it. We’ll give you more once we return to the camp.”

Still shaking more than he expected, he let Sky wipe the blood from his arm and hands while he caught his breath.

“Is…is all this something we should know about?” Sky murmured to Hyrule.

Twilight crouched at his side, looking calm and relaxed but for a small frown that betrayed his anxious concern. “What’s the story, Rulie? Why are you so worried about closing up your arm?”

They had to know. He just never wanted to… actually tell them. He felt dizzy.

Don’t overthink, just say it. Am I a Hero of Courage or not?

“If my blood touches Ganon’s ashes… he’ll come back. He cursed me as he died. Monsters from my era can track the smell of my blood for miles.”

Sky’s electric-blue eyes widened in shock. “As he died? He cursed you?”

Twilight sat down beside him and wrapped an arm around him.

Sky sat down heavily and did the same.

“The statue back there? That altar at his feet is for me. For my blood to… I think we’re in an era after mine. They’ll never give up.” He looked at his hands, still stained between his fingers with blood. “People have died to help me before so I could escape the ritual. They didn’t deserve to die just for me, but we can’t let Ganon come back.”

Twilight’s eyes shone bright with shock, anger, and sorrow. The pity hurt worst of all.

“I…I’ve been able to take them on for a long time! Usually it’s no trouble to face them, especially if I’m alone and don’t have to worry about anyone else getting hurt. But, there’ve been… I just like being with you, with our group.”

“Faron’s light, ‘Rule,” Twilight sighed, “I’m sorry. Being hunted? I’ve seen what that’s like.” He hugged Hyrule tighter.

The two held him closer between them.

It felt so good to talk about it at last. Hyrule let his thoughts spill out. “And I know it won’t last, but I don’t want to go back. Not with Ganon’s monsters chasing me, keeping me away from everyone I care about, waiting for one wrong move too many. I just hope someone can stop him quickly when it happens. Maybe you all can come to my era, and stop him after I’m g–”

“Rulie!” Sky growled, “Don’t say that! You’re not going to slip up. We won’t let that happen. I swear it. We’ll always have your back.”

Twilight jumped in too. “There’s no way they’ll win. You’re too tough, Traveler.”

“But it’s only a matter of time! I’m going to slip up again! And this time there won’t be a spell or a rescue or a portal to escape.” Hyrule took a shuddering breath and clutched Twilight’s arm. “I can’t keep running forever.”

“Rulie, we’ll always have your back, curse or not,” Sky said quietly.

“We can figure this out. I’ve broken curses before.” Twilight’s deep voice reverberated in his hair. “It wasn’t easy, but you’ve got a lot of us on your side. Din, I’d bet a hundred rupees Four figures something out within a week. The kid’s got quite a mind.”

Hyrule relaxed and smiled a little at the flood of ideas. Maybe. Just maybe. Four took puzzles personally . Could he really find a way to break the curse?

Sky squeezed his shoulder. “And we can ask all our Zeldas too. You know, I dont think it’s just the Shadow that brought us together. I believe Hylia is guiding us. She wants us to work together. Perhaps this is one more reason. And we’ll do everything we can, here and now, while we’re together.”

“And long after.” Twilight’s whisper was barely audible, but he’d curled his head down closer, burying his face in the Traveler’s hair.

“Thank you,” Hyrule whispered back. A smile warmed his cheeks. Finally sharing his curse felt like dropping a heavy pack at the end of a long trek, and he breathed deeply. What chance did Ganon’s spell have against the will of such heroes? For this moment, the curse didn’t matter at all. He was safe, and surrounded by the best family he’d ever known. For the first time in ages, he felt a clear spring of hope in his spirit.

They sat a long time, resting together in the light of Twilight’s lantern, keeping each other warm in the cold room.

“Alright, unless we plan to stay the night here and keep everyone else worried sick, we’d better find out where this key goes.” Twilight said. Clouds of dust filled the air and he brushed off and collected his items.

Hyrule and Sky joined him.

Part 3: CLEAR

The third door looked simple, and when they stepped through, nothing stirred in the light of Twilight’s lantern. No treasure gleamed. Only a stone stairway far ahead leading up to a door.

“No treasure?” Twilight looked around.

“There!” Sky and Hyrule pointed in the same direction.

Cracks riddled the wall to the left. Twilight barked a laugh and held out a hand to Sky. The knight passed him a bomb, and soon the wall burst into rubble, tiny stones rolling past their feet.

They ran through the dust to see.

“By Hylia,” Sky gasped.

The room sparkled as the lantern’s humble glow reflected a thousand different directions over the gold and jewels piled on the ground. Gems snatched the faint lamplight and reflected it back tenfold in their brilliant hues.

“They’re going to be so jealous,” Hyrule said breathlessly. “How much do you think we can fit in our pouches?”

“Let’s find out,” Twilight answered.

Once the large key opened the last door, they passed from the cramped cave stairway and hurried out into the fresh night air. Stars filled the sky, the storm just a dark line on the horizon. They stood near the top of the same steep hill they’d entered.

Not far beyond the base of the hill, the campfire glowed between the trees. They must have saved or restarted the fire somehow.

Sky looked thoughtfully at the small light below.

“Hyrule, do any of them know? I only ask because I can keep a secret here and there, but I’m not the best at keeping track of who knows and who doesn’t.” Sky smiled a little self-consciously, and palmed the hair at the nape of his neck.

“I haven’t told anyone, but Legend probably figured out some of it. He always slips me extra potions.”

“We can sit on this for a while, if you need time. Nothing new for me,” Twilight barked a laugh.

“No, I want to tell them.” Hyrule said. I won’t keep running alone. “Let’s get it over with. We’ve got a lot to explain, hopefully before Time gives us his stink-eye.”

Twilight laughed before turning into his wolf form. Hyrule followed him down the hill toward the light ahead.

THE END-ish

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: The Legend of Zelda & Related Fandoms Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Hyrule & Sky (Linked Universe), Hyrule & Twilight (Linked Universe), Hyrule & Time (Linked Universe), Hyrule & Warriors (Linked Universe), Hyrule & Legend (Linked Universe), Four & Wind (Linked Universe) Characters: Hyrule (Linked Universe), Twilight (Linked Universe), Sky (Linked Universe), Time (Linked Universe), Legend (Linked Universe), Warriors (Linked Universe), Wind (Linked Universe), Four (Linked Universe), Wild (Linked Universe) Additional Tags: Canon-Typical Violence, Angst and Hurt/Comfort, Fluff and Angst, Hyrule (Linked Universe) Has a Blood Curse, Blood and Injury, Human Sacrifice

#linked universe #linked universe fanfic #hyrule linked universe #lu hyrule #lu twilight #lu sky #lu warriors #lu four #lu wind #lu time #hyrule blood curse #Sorry wild #lu legend #Skipwrites

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