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Chapter Text

Four gritted his teeth. Sweat gathered on his brow, the thrill of battle surged through his fatiguing muscles. His feet sank into the mud, the blood rushing through his ears drowned out the rumbles of distant thunder. His rain soaked hair stuck to his face but thankfully his bandana kept it out of his eyes. It’d been weeks since they’d stumbled into such fierce enemies, but of course, it came at the worst time and in inconceivable numbers.

The smith’s blade locked against the hilt of the blue bokoblin’s. The monsters were supposed to be a bit stupid, but even the red ones which Wild claimed were the weakest put up a surprisingly tight defense.

Four’s triforce stung with power. He felt just a push of strength in his muscles, enough to force the bokoblin’s blade down, down, down–

A sudden sting of pain seized his body. A black bokoblin screamed in victory. A cross cut from hip to shoulder across Four’s back wept blood and the surprise attack stole the smith’s breath in a shuddering gasp as his tunic blossomed in red.

The blue bokoblin broke the deadlock and swept its sword in a wide swing. Four barely put up a guard against it, but at the cost of his footing. He fell back into the muck, sinking into the wet earth.

He stared up at the dark sky. The rain washed dirt and blood from his face. The cool shower took the edge off some of his pain and turned his shock into a sudden wave of exhaustion. The cold mud swallowed him down, pressing against his bleeding wounds. His vision dimmed, his eyelids drooped.

A warcry roused his attention. A shield bash, the sweep of a sword. The bokoblins ran screaming. Twilight was over him, patting his face.

“Four, stay with me,” the rancher demanded.

Four groaned. “I’m…tired…” he got out.

“I know, I know you are. You can go to–”

Twilight’s eyes widened. Barrelling down on them was a moblin carrying a spiked club. He spit out a swear. Four felt hands underneath him, pulling him from the mud. He winced at the shock of pain running up his spine and down his arms as Twilight raised him. The rancher took Four into his arms, his eyes locking on to just a touch of shelter–just something to keep the smith out of the fray until–

“Twi!” Sky cried.

The club came down on them faster than the rancher anticipated– when did moblins get so fast –and met the rancher’s shoulder. Twilight protected Four in his arms, which left the rest of him open. The spikes met his shoulder, only blocked by the rancher’s chainmail. But the cuirass did little against the blunt force.

Twilight felt a sudden lightning strike of pain in his arm. The pain reached his head before anything else and a curdled scream left him as tears welled in his eyes. With the force of the swing, the rancher was thrown into the crumbled stone wall. His other shoulder met it first, forcing the air from his lungs, his head found the corner of a jutting brick.

He drew in a sharp gasp at the pain, scrambling to fight off the shock. Protecting Four was the only thing he could drum up and even with one arm lying limp and useless, the rancher used his body to shield the smith’s.

Sky beheaded a red bokoblin, his eyes widened in terror. He slipped in the mud but kept his balance, running with his sword behind him, ready to cleave into the moblin’s legs. He just wasn’t fast enough, the soft earth sucking up any momentum he tried to build.

The moblin raised its boko club and brought it down in one solid swing. There was a sickening crunch. Twilight’s body fell slack immediately and the moblin raised its snout in a cruel laugh.

Sky felt a scream leave his throat before he heard it, and rage consumed him. The first hero raised his blade and sank it into the moblin’s thigh. The monster tipped its head in a roar as it fell to one knee. Sky withdrew his blade and then swung it straight down, severing the monster’s wielding arm from its body. Black blood coated the hero as he drew his sword back and then across, burying his blade through half the monster’s ribcage. The monster fell to the side, a few haggard breaths leaving it. Sky raised his sword and plunged it into the moblin’s eye.

Sky wiped his blood-soaked face on his sleeve and crouched by Twilight and Four. Neither of them moved, both of them breathed albeit weakly. The club left Twilight’s shoulder a mangled mushy mess of flesh and muscle and Sky’s knees felt weak when he saw the white bone. The wound ended just shy of Twilight’s neck, sparing the rancher’s life. His head bled, split around a gash. Blood spilled from his nose and mouth, and his cheek swelled. Above him, the corner of the brick he’d met was wet with blood.

There were other wounds too suffered from the rest of the battle. Bruises mostly, as the rancher’s chainmail spared him from most lacerations, but there were two arrows in his thigh, and the burn from an electric shock rippled from his jaw all the way under his clothing.

Four wasn’t in much better shape, but Sky thanked Hylia for the rancher’s protection. The smith’s mouth was wet with blood which dripped over a fat lip. His nose was broken and one eye swollen, as well as his brow split from taking a club to the face. His tunic was torn around bleeding cuts, especially around his forearms. And then there was his back, soaked in mud which seemed to actually slow the bleeding as it dried into a natural cast. But it was hardly enough–the smith had already lost so much.

Sky was nowhere near full health, but he had little choice. There wouldn’t be a rescue coming–no amount of whistling would alert the others over this rain. And they were never meant to get into a fight anyway. They were just sent into the woods–peaceful woods–for apples. At worst, they anticipated a chuchu or two. But when they stumbled across the stony ruins of a house, curiosity got the better of them. Before they knew it, they were besieged.

Dead monsters lay scattered in the long grass. The mud swallowed them down, the rain washed the black blood from their lifeless bodies. Despite the numbers of the dead, more were alive. They waited eagerly–the weaker ones in the back wielding longer weapons and archers on top of crumbled pillars–to kill their ensnared prey.

Sky felt the grip of the Master Sword in his hand. His triforce thrummed, boosting his battle ability in the wake of his fallen allies. He felt the black blood staining his clothes and skin, his own blood just beneath it. He became hyper aware of the burn of the exhaustion in his muscles, the aches and pains of his own injuries. He remembered the stunning shock of an electric arrow, which still lay buried in the ground. Rather than be weighed down by the horrible sensations, they invigorated him. The hero shot down what was left of the only potion they brought with them as a precaution. The warmth spread out through his body, relieving the willessness from his muscles. Sky braced his sword and shield and let out a scream of anger and ferocity before he dove back into battle.

Chapter Text

Kakariko Village was a warm place. The music which drifted through the village was soothing, the small spring of the goddess statue always brimming with gifts and offerings brought a blanket of peace over the thatched roofs and paper lanterns. The smell of freshly tilled soil spread across the upper steppes of the village and below, the cozy scent of thick soups. Children ran through the village, elders meandered. It was a place where time seemed to slow and hardships were lighter.

But Twilight’s heart was heavy. He’d failed to protect his brothers. Worse yet, he forced Sky to nearly die for his sake. The rancher limped down the quiet streets, finally returning to the grand hall built in the crook of the cliffs and waterfalls which feed a crescent pound teeming with fat fish.

Legend kicked him out, told him to get some air. Time agreed–walking would help heal his leg faster. But there was a tightness in their voice. They blame you . Twilight glanced down at his arm. It lay in a sling. Weakweakweak… The bandages across his body tightened, as if constricting his soul. He was not well.

In the hall, Four and Sky were laid out on fluffy futons. Neither had woken from their injuries yet. The fairies could only do so much for the grievous damage. Their lives were saved, but now they lay asleep and in pain. The potions had already done as much as they could. The village healers applied salves and bandages and did all that could be done.

Time and Wars lingered. The others hovered. The hall was always lit, someone always awake with the two boys. The more faithful of the heroes would take the time to go pray at the goddess statue.

Hyrule sat next to Four’s head. He held the smith’s hand in his own. He’d exhausted his own magic on the two of them, and tried as he might, his body refused to let him continue. So the traveler felt useless, clutching that limp hand in his own.

Until Four’s fingers twitched. And then, his eyes opened.

“Four!” Hyrule cried in shock and relief.

The smith’s eyes swam. He stared at the rich rafters of the town hall, unfamiliar with his surroundings. But it was warm and the thick smell of incense blanketed him. His gaze drifted towards Hyrule. Was he…crying? But there was a smile on the traveler’s face. Four drew in a breath to speak, but the inhale pushed at his tender body and a groan left him instead.

“Whoa,” Wars said, tending to Four on the other side of his head. “Easy, easy.”

Four closed his eyes. His stomach twisted, but he fought down the nausea. “...thirsty,” he managed after a moment.

Wars nodded. “Alright–I’m not sitting you up. Just open your mouth.”

Four managed a nod, parting his dry lips. Wars wrang a wet cloth over his mouth. The cool relief soothed his dry tongue and cracked throat. Four greedily swallowed down three cloths’ worth.

“Better,” he said finally in a long sigh. “What happened?”

Hyrule shook his head. “You and Sky and Twi got into a fight,” he answered. “We don’t really know the details, but when you didn’t come back, Wild and Time took horses and went searching for you.”

“The monsters thought you were dead,” Wars said, “so they left you alive. Barely.”

Four closed his eyes, remembering the sudden surprise, the pain, the regret of getting into a victoryless fight all for one stone chest that held 10 arrows.

“Are they…” Four took in a wheezy breath. “Are they okay?”

Hyrule and Wars traded a look. Four took that as enough of an answer. He turned his head–ah, there was Sky. The first hero was sleeping soundly. Beyond him, the others, barely held back by Time but all of them buzzing with nerves.

“Don’t worry about them,” Wars said. “Just…just focus on yourself. We can talk more when you’ve got some strength back.”

Four managed a nod, feeling his eyes flutter shut. “I’m tired,” he mumbled.

Hyrule sighed as the smith fell heavy again, drawing in sharp breaths as he slept. He tucked Four back in and changed the damp cloth across the boy’s forehead. Even if he pitied his brother, for the first time in a few days, there was a glimmer of joy in the traveler’s heart. Four waking brought some relief to all the heroes, and the room didn’t seem quite so thick with despair.

Twilight limped back up the front steps. With some struggle, he made it back upstairs just after Four fell asleep again. It wounded his heart further, to know he missed the occasion. The others were light enough to break out some playing cards. Wars and Time still waited over Sky, but not quite as closely. The rancher stood there for a long while, watching the relief across his brothers. His gut twisted, a darkness gnawed at the back of his mind.

“Link,” Wars demand.

Twilight blinked, pulled from his spiraling thoughts by loud snapping in his ears. He drew in a breath, eyes flicking to Wars.

Wars raised his brow in concern. “Are you alright?”

Twilight glanced at his hands, turning them over. His gaze settled on his triforce. Gloom filled his stomach.

“M’fine…” he mumbled absently.

“Obviously not,” the captain said briskly. “Is it your head? You should lie down.”

Twilight lifted his eyes. He only gave up a noncommittal shrug.

“Goin’ for a walk,” he said softly.

“You just got back,” Wars countered. “Sit down for a while, take something for the pain, okay?”

Twilight only pulled back from the captain. Quietly shambling, he went downstairs again. Wars’ face twisted in concern. The rancher moved slowly over his limp, and the severe concussion eliminated any reaction time whatsoever. If the captain wished, he could directly guide Twilight to a chair.

“Another walk?” Wind asked, voice worried. “That’s what…?”

“Three today.” Wild said. “And it’s barely noon.”

Wars rubbed his chin. They had bigger things to worry about, like Sky even waking up again, but the offness in the rancher brought an edge of anxiety to the front of the captain’s mind he couldn’t ignore.

Time spoke up, offering some reassurance. “He just needs time to himself. I’m sure he feels terrible–let him work through it for a while.”

Wars sighed. “If you’re sure.”

But even Time wasn’t sure. Still though, if Twilight was up and walking, he was well enough to sit and rest when he really needed it. Sky and Four begged more attention for the time being, and the old man couldn’t have the team scattered, their anxiety poisoning the well being of one another.

As the others returned to Sky and Four, Wild slipped out. Twilight had woken up that first night. He hadn’t spoken to anyone of his own volition since then, and the champion missed his friend, his brother dearly. 

Wild trailed Twilight for a lap. And then two followed by three. The rancher’s wandering was aimless. He simply walked in circles and each circuit took longer than the last. Wild caught up, unable to simply watch any longer. He took Twilight’s hand in his own, but that didn’t draw the older hero’s attention, and his fingers were heavy.

“Twi,” Wild said.

Twilight didn’t notice the champion.

“Twilight,” the champion said louder with a tug on the arm.

Twilight noticed Wild, but he was like a ghost. As soon as he noticed the boy was there, he fell back into his own thoughts and put it behind him.

Wild put his hand to the rancher’s chest, stopping his path. Twilight’s feet fell together. After a moment, he glanced down. Wild looked up, frowning at the hollow expression on the rancher’s face.

“Let’s go back,” Wild said. “Please.”

“Back…” Twilight mumbled. Back to that room. Under those eyes. Four’s back. Twilight shook his head. “No,” he declined.

“I’m not asking,” Wild said, more firmly. “You’ve been wandering all day. You need to rest–your limp is getting worse.”

They’re worried about you. You failed them and they’re worried .

“No,” he said again. He tried to take a step further, but he was held at bay.

“ Please ,” Wild begged. “I’m worried about you, Twi–you’re not yourself–”

“I ain’t ask you to worry!” the rancher barked suddenly.

His tone, his volume, made the champion seize up and then shrink back. Angry icy eyes settled on his own. It was like a wall between them.

Wild stepped back. “O-oh,” he managed. “Sorry.”

The rancher turned briskly. Wild reached out for him, worried he intended to exit the village on his own, but then Twilight turned and shambled down the same path he’d walked all day. A sigh escaped Wild. He was torn between staying with Twilight or getting help, and he decided he needed help.

Chapter Text

Legend crouched, arms draped over his thighs. Time and Wars had guided Twilight back. The rancher was delirious in his ramblings. He noticed none of them, and for the last hour, had softly been mumbling to himself. Some of it, Legend could pick out as words. Mostly the rancher scolded and insulted himself. But other parts were in no language Legend ever encountered nor Hyrule in all their collective travelings.

The rancher sat up against a wall, legs laid out. When they’d brought him back, he caught his reflection in a mirror, stopped, sat down, and now talked to that reflection. His eyes never left the mirror. He didn’t seem conscious of his surroundings in the slightest.

Four sat up with a groan, his stomach growled, empty. He was offered a bowl of plain rice and clear soup to keep his nausea minimal. Quietly, the hero fussed with chopsticks, having never used them before. He gave up and Wild hunted down a spoon for him instead.

Four’s eyes moved to Sky who was still asleep. “Are we sure it’s not just Sky being Sky?” he offered lightly.

Wind smiled, a snort escaping the sailor. “If he starts talking about birds or Zelda in his sleep, then we can all be real mad at him.” His face fell, and he shook his head. “Wars did all his battlefield stuff–you know that horrible thing he does where he presses on your nail real hard.”

“And the chest rub,” Hyrule added in a sigh, flinching as his body remembered the feeling. “None of that woke him.”

“Sweet Hylia,” Four murmured. “I don’t even really remember what happened. We were just set upon suddenly.”

Wind nodded, drawing his knees to his chest. “Twi doesn’t either. Wars says he hit his head too hard.”

Legend joined them with a frown. “I don’t buy it–if farm boy really didn’t remember it, he wouldn’t be mumbling like a madman about it.”

Four’s face fell. “He saved my life.” He shook his head, sipping down the last of his soup. “Sky too. I owe them both big time.”

“Do you want some more medicine?” Hyrule asked. “Captain says you could have some more once you ate something. He said it’d make you too sick to give you anymore on an empty stomach.”

The smith nodded, trying to ignore the severe discomfort across his whole body. “I could really use some. I dunno what I got hit with but it hurts . More than usual.”

“There was poison on the wound,” Legend explained. “Wild says it was on the swords, but he’s never known his monsters to use anything other than fire.” He shook his head. “That infection’s getting worse. They’re getting too smart.”

Wind tipped his head back, closing his eyes. “I hope Grandma and Aryll and everyone else are okay. I don’t know how smart keese and octoroks can get.”

Four laughed, wincing at the pain it brought to his ribs. “Are you serious? Have you met your grandma? I still think we should get her some armor and bring her along.”

Wind snickered. “You think she could beat up Time?”

“Sky too, probably,” Legend joked.

“You only just woke up,” Time sighed tiredly. “Can we not discuss the next fight until you’re able to stand up?” He smiled anyway. “I’m glad you’re starting to turn around. It was touch-and-go there for a little while. I think everyone lost a few years off of their lives.”

Four finished his rice, offering a small burp. “Um so, Twilight got poisoned too, right?”

Time paused and then nodded, brow knitting. “Yes, but you and Sky aren’t quite as big as him, and you took more slashing damage. He ran a fever for a day and that was it. You and Sky could hardly breathe on your own at first. The elders said your throat was swollen, and it was…” he stopped, not wanting to get into it further.

Four clutched his shirt to his chest. “I–I’m sorry. I didn’t mean…”

Time reached over, mussing the smith’s hair. “I know,” he said. “None of us blame any of you. Who could’ve seen it coming? Besides, you’re all extremely capable. For something to give all three of you so much trouble…” He shook his head. “But we’ll worry about it once you and Sky recover.”

Hyrule brought back a mug of warm green tea, the medicine mixed in. “How’s your stomach?” the traveler asked. Concerned, he pressed a hand to Four’s cheek. “Your fever’s gone down at least.”

Four smiled, taking the mug. “I feel better after eating. I know the medicine will make me sleepy, but I feel like I could stay up for a round of cards or something.”

“On it,” Legend said quickly, getting up to retrieve the deck.

Time sighed. “Just don’t get too animated, alright? I don’t want you opening any wounds when Legend cheats.”

Legend balked. “I don’t cheat! You’re just bad at cards, old timer.”

Wind laughed. “Big words from someone who hasn’t won a round in two days.”

Legend rolled his eyes. “You’ve never won.”

“Will you join us?” Four asked Time. “It’s been a while since you played.”

Time smiled, shaking his head. “No–I’m trying to get Twilight to eat something. Maybe later.”

The others nodded. Time felt some of the shadow lift from his heart. Four was recovering more quickly than any of them anticipated. Now they just needed Sky to wake up. And Twilight to stop getting worse.

Downstairs, Wars and Wild sat on either side of the rancher. He responded to none of their attempts to make him eat or drink anything, let alone talk to either of them, but the rancher staunchly refused to leave the mirror.

Time sat next to Wild, settling a comforting hand on the champion’s back. His stress was palpable.

“How is he?” Time asked.

“He’s having a mental breakdown,” Wars replied. “Usually I’d suggest we sedate him, but with his injuries…”

Time nodded, face grim. The ramblings moved in a circle. It started with cursing at Hylia, then cursing at himself followed by a bout of self-loathing and insults bad enough to make anyone cry, and lastly, the cycle finished with a mumbled string of gibberish.

Time rubbed his chin. “It’s an incantation,” he said quietly.

Wild held Twilight’s hand. His eyes flicked to Time. “Incantation?”

Time hummed thoughtfully. “It has something to do with the mirror.”

“Do you think it’s a poe?” Wars asked.

“I’ve never seen one here,” Wild replied. “I guess maybe if they can possess objects it hitched a ride but…”

“No,” Time answered.

He stood up and drew a spare blanket from the floor. Quietly, deftly, he covered the mirror. Twilight’s ramblings softened slowly before he stopped speaking altogether. Tears filled the rancher’s eyes and he bowed his head in a shaky sob.

“Twi?” Wild asked hopefully.

A string of weepy apologies left the rancher, varying in coherency between his hiccups and gasps of air.

Wars rubbed the rancher’s back. “You don’t have anything to be sorry for.”

“It’s my fault, it’s all my fault.” Twilight drew his knees to his chest, burying his face between his thighs as he wailed.

Wars and Time traded a concerned look. They nodded to one another, and Wars went upstairs to keep the others occupied while Time looked after his pup.

“Hey,” Time said gently. “Link, can you hear me?”

“It’s all f’r nothin’, ain’t it?” Twilight sobbed. “Y’all’re gonna leave one day ‘n I can’t–I can’t do it, not again! I already lost her, what’m I s’posed to do when I lose y’all too?”

Time pulled Twilight into his chest, shushing him. “Pup, it’s okay. Nobody blames you.”

“It’s ‘cuz I’m so weak ‘n I ain’t ever able to save no one I care ‘bout. Weren’t able to save Zelda, weren’t able to stay with Midna, ‘n now Sky ‘n Four’re on death’s doorstep ‘cuz I ain’t got no power. ‘N it makes me a bad person don’t it, ‘cuz y’all worry s’much ‘bout me ‘n I ain’t even wanna be here–I wanna be with her again!”

Time held the rancher tighter, Wild squeezed his hand.

“Don’t talk like that, Pup,” Time sighed softly. “We want you here, we worry about you because we want to. Zelda’s fine–she’s alive and well. She sends letters, remember? And you’re not weak–Four’s only alive because of you.”

Wild nodded. “You know when we found you, you were all wrapped up around Four, trying to stop his bleeding.”

“He got hurt ‘cuz’a me–everyone always gettin’ hurt f’r me ‘n I ain’t do anythin’ but wish ev’ryday I could go home ‘n be with’er ‘gain.”

Quickly, the rancher’s accent became unintelligible between his sobs. But it wasn’t that much longer before he exhausted himself and fell asleep in Time’s arms. Time rested his head on Twilight’s, eyes cast in worry. The wolf was private about his own thoughts, but Time never guessed he bottled so much up, that he hated himself so deeply.

“Wild,” he said softly.

The champion looked up, wiping at his eyes with a sniffle.

“Can you go get two futons? A third if you like–I’ll stay down here with Twilight tonight and make sure he doesn’t wander off.”

Wild nodded, hurrying upstairs.

Chapter Text

“Aw fairies in the forest,” Sky laughed as Twilight pulled him into a crushing hug. He hugged him back as best he was able, but he was sore and body lethargic.

Twilight buried his face in the crook of Sky’s shoulders and the chosen hero's face softened when the first sobs took the rancher. Twilight mumbled tearful apologies into Sky’s shoulder, but they quickly developed into nothing but hiccups.

Four smiled apologetically. “He was worried,” he offered, stating the obvious. “We all were.”

The smith sat out of bed, cross-legged. He was bandaged up, but color returned to his face and his eyes were no longer sunken. Still dressed in borrowed pajamas, Sky could make out the fresh bandages wrapped around the younger hero’s torso.

“Twi, please,” Sky said in a grimace.

“Alright, c’mon goat boy, that’s enough,” Legend said. “Give the rest of us a chance too.”

Between Legend and Wind, they were able to pry the weeping rancher off of Sky. Time and Wars recovered him, holding him back as he curled in on himself. He did not look well, Sky determined, but the Skyloftian was quickly smothered in more hugs and tears and careful back pats.

“How do you feel?” Wars asked.

Sky hummed in thought. “Like Demise stepped on me,” he answered honestly. “Everything hurts and it’s all I can do to sit up.”

Hyrule offered him a glass of water. Sky took it hungrily, chugging the cup down and then a second one. He’d have drank more if his belly didn’t fill so quickly.

“It’s been nearly a week,” Legend explained. “We found you guys on the brink of death, got you back here just in time.”

Sky nodded, glancing down at his bandaged hands. They were blistered from electric shocks coursing down his blade.

“It’s…fuzzy,” he admitted. “But I remember there being so many monsters, and they moved strategically.” He glanced at Twilight, a frown forming. “Twi saved Four, but then got taken off guard. And then I just…went into this blind rage. I don’t remember anything after that. It was like Din herself took me over. I was so angry .”

“Whatever you did saved your hides,” Legend offered. “Scared us half to death, but everyone’s okay.”

Sky glanced at Twilight. Was that really true?”

Wind shook his head, following the chosen’s look. “He’s been uh…”

“Fragile?” Four offered.

“Unstable,” Hyrule said.

“Volatile,” Time sighed.

Wars offered a smile. “He’s just been worried. He feels responsible, not that any of us can blame him. I think we’d all feel the same in his shoes.”

Sky reached over, pushing his hand into Twilight’s hair. It was greasy–when was the last time he bathed?

“Hey, Twi,” Sky offered. “I’m okay. Everything’s okay.”

“Don’t mind him,” Wars said when Twilight didn’t respond. “It’s the concussion.”

Sky drew his hand back with a nod. He didn’t believe Wars, but the others save Time and Wild seemed to accept the explanation. Sky glanced at his palm–the touch left a burn in his skin. There was a void within the rancher. Dark, cold, unforgiving.

Legend scratched his jaw. “He keeps talking about eyes and judgment and speaking in tongues. Don’t mind him–he got his bucket rattled pretty bad.”

Sky nodded, drawing his hand to his chest.

“Will you let us be alone with Sky for a bit?” Time offered with a knowing look on the hero. “We need to talk but it might be too tiring to have so many voices involved.”

Hyrule caught on, giving a nod. “Yeah–we’ll go see if Impa needs any help. We’d better earn our keep now that everyone’s awake.”

The traveler swiftly gathered the others. Wild was reluctant, but Wars ushered him with the rest. Finally, left in the hall were Sky, Wars and Time, Twilight, and Four. Four got up with a soft groan, making himself scarce under the pretense of wanting to wash up a bit.

“He’s not okay,” Sky said softly.

Time lowered his eyes. “No,” he agreed.

“It’s a mental break,” Wars explained. “I don’t know what brought it on exactly–the injuries, the battle itself, the fear, all of the above. He’s got all of us, so I can’t imagine it will take him too long to come around. But I’ve seen some men take months.” He sighed heavily. “If they ever do.”

Time pulled the rancher into his lap. The sobs had ceased, but Twilight returned to a sort of trance, dissociated from everything. His eyes were open, but unfocused, and he still talked to himself quietly.

“Hylia’s calling out to me,” Sky said, glancing at the triforce on his hand. “It’s something deeper than that, more ancient. There’s this…shard of darkness in him like a crack in a mirror and it split. Not open, just more, and I think he’s grappling with it.”

“Do you think it’s that crystal?” Wars asked. “We haven’t tried to take it off, but I know Hyrule doesn’t like it, and Legend hates it.”

Sky bit his lip unsurely. “It makes me uncomfortable too but I don’t think–well I don’t think it’s the crystal . I think it’s maybe how he got it. It’s not of Hylia’s presence, anyway. It’s unholy, whatever it is.”

Time shook his head. “We’ve all made our beds for the greater good. I just wish he would talk to us about it instead.”

Wars sighed. “Despite how friendly he is, you know how he keeps to himself. He feels some kind of responsibility to be a rock.”

Sky paused, and then his eyes lit up. “Where’s the Master Sword he asked?”

Time crooked a brow. “You are not wielding–”

“No, no,” Sky offered in a gentle laugh. “I think it might help him, if Hylia can get in touch with him directly.”

Time looked uncertain, but Sky knew the hero had his withholdings with the blade. Still, Wars stood and retrieved the blade. Sky drew it, struggling with its weight in his exhausted state. He held it in his lap, bowing his forehead to the blade. He mumbled a prayer and slowly, the blade began to glow.

He raised his head. “It worked! She agrees.”

Time shifted uncomfortably, but he’d do anything for his pup, so he moved the rancher around and guided his hands to the sword. Twilight’s arm tensed with resistance. His fingers twitched, he drew back slightly.

“Twi,” Sky offered. “Don’t be scared. This is going to help, I promise.”

Twilight’s eyes flicked up to Sky. His face was stained from tears, he looked like he hadn’t slept in days. Still, he resisted.

Wars took in a breath, apologizing to whatever power for what he was about to say. “Twi, don’t you think you owe it to Sky? After what he’s been through?”

Time’s face darkened, but he didn’t scold Wars for it. Twilight’s face gathered in misery and his sniffled, tears falling down his face again. More apologies escaped him as he gingerly touched the blade. The warm light collected around his hand. He visibly relaxed before the light faded. His triforce shimmered and the rancher fell soundly asleep in Time’s hold. For the first time in a week, Twilight’s brow was eased.

“Oh thank Hylia,” Time breathed.

Sky nodded. “Whatever’s in him is going to stay there. It’s taken root–but he’s got us, so we’ll help him fight it off whenever it tries to spread.”

The chosen hero yawned suddenly, bringing tears to his eyes. He pawed at his face and gently, Wars laid him down. It’d been days since he or Time hadn’t been focused on their anxiety, on the others, on wound care or medicine or prayers. And with the darkness receding, they opted to lay down with the other two until supper.