Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Twilight was having a bad day.

Wild, being the agent of chaos he was, had convinced legend somehow to look for some treasure they had heard of from locals, leading the two far from the group hours before. 

See legend was not easy to convince to run about with, wild and Hyrule had tried hundreds of times to no avail, yet today the Vet was being kind to the dragon, agreeing with no second questions as to what they were doing. 

So here twilight was, four hours later and tired of looking for the two idiots that had ran off without a trace of where they had been. Usually the easiest to track, due to wilds constant smell of cooking and fire, now was the most difficult seeing how he most likely threw himself into mud to stop said scent. The idiot was smart, twilight had to give him that. 

He heard Hyrule vaguely calling for them alongside him, the fae had been sleeping at the time and looked rather disappointed wild hadn’t invited him for the adventure. He now called their names with twilight in his wolf form by his side. Twilight giving howls into the setting sun for the two missing members of the chain. 

It wasn’t long after that the sun had nearly set fully, only barely peaking above the tree line from where he could see, by nightfall it would be hundreds of times harder to find the two, no doubt they would be found by morning if even that. 

He vaguely was aware of the sound of bokoblins ahead, his ears pinning themselves to the side of his head as he barked loudly, pointing his nose forward in attempts to warn Hyrule of the incoming danger. The fae nodded at him, pulling the silver and red sword from its sheath at his side. 

Twilight crept forward, looking through the bushes at the scene before him. Stood in the clearing was two young children, swords raised defensively against the three bokoblins, all of which much larger then the children that desperately tried to fight against it. The swords in their hands were unmistakeably the same ones their missing chain members had been holding. The swords oversized and heavy for the two young kids.

One of them, legend as he assumed, had pink hair tied back on his head, his hat had been tossed aside as to its large size, now collecting dirt behind him. His green under tunic was far oversized, falling to his ankles and rolled up his arms a hundred times over to compensate for the overly sized outfit he wore. The red tunic over it seemed to fit snugly around what he thought was Legend, seemingly fitting perfectly around him despite the shrink to just over half his original height. His boots also seemingly shrunk with his size, still fitting over him despite his young age. His expression held one of anxiety yet determination, hand in front of who he assumed to be wild, who looked annoyed at this “protection” he was getting. 

Wild on the other hand looked around five or so years old, his hair around shoulder height, tied back in a small ponytail behind his head. White stretched over his bangs, highlighting small chunks in the even more blonde hair he had. His clothes, unlike Legends, stayed the normal size they were, his size tiny in comparison of his normal stature. He had shed the brown cloth that tied itself in a similar fashion to Twilights, his short sleeve shirt now reaching his wrists with how long it was on him. No scars remained over his face as they usually did, only a small, usually not visible scar crossed over his nose. 

Wild struggled to stand in the oversized clothes, but held a neutral expression in comparison to Legend, eyes fixed on the bokoblins ahead of them. His stance far different then how it usually was, now in a far more formal one like Warriors usually was. A guard stance.

Hyrule readied his sword, sending out a red light that resembled said sword, stabbing it through the bokoblins heart with ease, the bokoblins body falling on top of one of the others the children had slain. Legend looked up in a horrified manner as to how the creature had been killed. 

He’s scared of us. Twilight thought, glancing at wild to gauge his reaction, to which he received a very blank look from the younger. The younger flinched away from Twilight's stare, apparently noticing him in the bushes despite Twilight hiding.

 The other two bokoblins were slain quickly after, legend lowering his sword slightly from what he assumed to be exhaustion, yet immediately raised it again, his look of discomfort returning. 

“What— whatever you want from us, we don’t have anything! Go bully some other people.” He glared at Hyrule, who emerged from the trees, sheathing his sword in its holster. He put his hands up in surrender, showing off his severe lack of other weapons. 

“We come in peace, don’t want to hurt you two ok? i'm assuming you're both named Link, right?” he looked from boy to boy, legend raised his eyebrow suspiciously, glaring up at Hyrule. His little twelve year old body standing tall over wilds form, his arm hovered still in front of Wilds small five year old form. 

“Who wants to know.” He asked suspiciously, glaring at Hyrule with a murderous look. His movements were much more fluent then they were now, not riddled with pain as they always were in their normal ages. 

“My name's Link too, are either of you hurt?” He asked with a smile, crouching down to legend and Wilds level. Legend held his arm close to his chest, still visibly tense. Wild shuffled his feet nervously, eyes darting from Hyrule to Twilight himself. 

“Why should I tell you huh? You're just some stranger. So what if we are— were . You can’t do anything for it… right?” legend held his arm closer to his body, glaring at Twilight and Hyrule with a suspicion they knew far too well from the Vet. 

“I do healing magic, how about I take a look at your injuries? And then we can bring you back to our camp to see how we could help you find your families, ok?” Hyrule gently held his hand out for legends arm, the later suspiciously held his arm out, blood soaking the arm of his sleeve, the arm itself held his wrist strangely, no doubt broken from a bokoblin hit. 

Twilight noticed out of the corner of his eye wilds strong shake of his head no at the mention of families, his eyes widening in fear before returning to their natural resting look, his stature stiff yet pained, his body unwillingly communicating to twilight his signs of terror and distress despite his careful masking of his face. 

“Hi honey, are you hurt too?” Hyrule asked, finished with Legend, who looked down at his arm in pure shock. Wild didn’t move a muscle, frozen in place from either fear or some other factor playing into it. 

“Pft. Good luck getting him to talk. He hasn’t said a single thing or tried to indicate he knows I’m talking to him.” Legend pushed a piece of his hair out of his face, despite everything still looking suspiciously over at Hyrule and Twilight. “Think he’s deaf?” 

“No I don’t think so.” Hyrule looked wild up and down once over, staring specifically at his ribs for a much longer time than anything else. “Did you hurt your ribs? The way your holding yourself in an odd way.” 

Wild shook his head no, the movements jerky and slight, barely breaking his ramrod straight position. Twilight came up to the boy, sitting by his feet, his paw hitting into Wilds knee as he pawed at it. Wild winced slightly at the contact, but didn’t break his frozen form. 

“How about you guys follow us, and we can try and work out what happened to you both ok?” hyrule offered, casting a glance down to Twilight, his eyes saying everything Twilight needed to know Wild's lying. 

“And where are you trying to bring us? Your camp with all your fellow soldiers? I want to say I’m not wanted right now thank you very much. My sister herself pardoned me.” He crossed his arms indignantly. “So you can’t arrest me. I don’t know about this kid though. He hasn’t said anything.”

Twilight would have frowned if he could, nudging wilds arm with his head, the boy blinking at him, nose scrunching up at the contact, not in disgust, but rather as if he was about to sneeze. 

“What to call you… hmm…” he looked at wild with a gentle smile, “Cub. We can call you cub for now.” Twilight gave a nod of his head, “you can be…” 

“Link. My name is Link. It’s not Cub or whatever stupid nickname you gave that kid.” He glared at Hyrule intently. 

“Well we’re all named Link at our camp. So we have nicknames, I’m Hyrule, This is Wolfie here, and you will meet the others soon.” Hyrule explained, “what do they call you at home?” 

“The… hero of hyrule but I don’t want that nickname.” He crossed his arms. “I’m Link.”  He insisted.

“Alright then Link.” Hyrule nodded, reaching a hand to hold Legends, who smacked it away. “Cub, do you want to hold my hand?” Wild, or rather Cub shook his head, picking up the items he had discarded previously, stumbling over the oversized outfit that he wore. “How about I carry you, make it easier so you're not tripping all over your clothes, ok?” 

Cub shook his head again, picking up the pants that wild usually wore, alongside the shoes, brown waist cloth, belts and hood. He stumbled forward, the five year old looking ridiculous in a near floor length shirt that wild usually wore, the sword was held in Hyrules grasp, alongside the slate he always carried about. Hyrule tried to take his clothes but only was met with a quiet hiss from wild, the younger fully tensed up. 

They made their way back to camp, wild tripping over his clothes on multiple occasions, always waving off the group from helping him. He stuck close to the back, closest to Twilight, who rubbed his nose against wilds face. His own stature taller then the baby wild before them. He hates the idea of the child being so young yet so heavily traumatized already. The boy held bruises over his body, showing themselves as he tried to fix his outfit from tripping him again. Hyrule looked back at Twilight with concern, twilight further nodding to the fae, knowing full well this was from the abuse in the military. 

The camp was in sight not much longer later, the group resting around the fire with defeated expressions on their faces. Twilight felt Cub tense up beside him as he laid eyes on the camp, furthermore Legend refused to take a further step, stopping short of the camp, eyes wide in momentary panic before he steadied his face to hold one of annoyance, even as a child holding a tired and distrusting look towards everyone. 

“Everyone, this… is Link, and Cub.” Twilight sighed, gesturing to each of their now childlike companions. Link glared at the group with narrowed eyes, whilst cub remained emotionless, eyes calculating as he looked each member once over. Nothings changed with either of them. Cant believe this is how they've always been… 

“Cub.” Time repeated, looking at Cub once over. “And that's… Link, Er… we do need a nickname for Link.” 

“I don't want one.” Link placed his hands on his hips, which looked rather ridiculous due to his oversized clothes. 

“Thats… Twilight what did you do.” Warriors hissed, looking down at the two young forms of their friends. 

“Nothing, we found them fighting Bokoblins off like.. Well this. Wild hasn't said a thing so far, and Legend is just as pissy as usual.” Twilight muttered to Warriors, cubs ears perked up slightly as they spoke, the boy watching them intently as they spoke. 

“Hey you two, why don't you go lay down on those two bedrolls over there, and we can make some food for you both, ok?” Sky smiled gently at the two boys, Link stuck out his tongue at him, but obliged, grabbing at Cubs wrist as he stalked over to the bedroll, eyes narrowed on everyone around them, though no glares were pointed towards Wind or Four, the two resident ‘kids’ of the group (despite fours actual age being eighteen, he had never changed physically since thirteen or so, maybe even fourteen if he was lucky) 

Cub looked rather distressed as Link pulled him away from the group, less distressed about leaving them then he was about the physical contact, his entire body flinching away from Link as he did such. Link patted the bedroll next to the one he claimed, motioning for Cub to sit down beside him, which Cub refused to, standing at the tree behind their bedrolls. 

“Does he understand us?” Time asked Twilight, twilight blinked in surprise at times question, turning to the elder.

“I assume so.” 

“Yeah, but he hasn't spoken, I thought he went mute later in life, no?” Time covered his mouth from wilds view, attempting to keep the young child from reading his lips. 

“Im… not sure to be honest.” twilight staired at wild, whos eyes kept following Warriors specifically, “I do know that Warriors needs to change his clothes before you send him into a fuckin panic attack.” he ignored Times quiet language.

“Why's that? I look fine. ” Warriors crossed his arms indignantly, gesturing to his outfit vaguely. “If anything you need to change. You smell like goat shit.” 

“Wars, he's in the military at this age. I saw bruises on his arms when we were getting here. Those are from his captain. ” He hissed to warriors, pulling off the mans scarf. “Unless you want him to treat you as such and fear the shit out of you, I recommend you change and never tell him what you do.” he looked over to wild, who stood ramrod straight still, ignoring all of Links protests against his resistance. 

“Ah.” he pulled off the armor that he still had on, pulling off his layering, exposing his scared chest. He pulled over a pristine white shirt that they recently got, the holes sewn for his wings were surprisingly nicely made, cleanly stitched around the wings. “Think its a little too late for that.” 

The five year old stared at him intently, as if waiting for the man to say something to him, Warriors glanced at time and back at Twilight once more, as if gauging their ideas on what was happening with the boy. Twilight motioned for him to move closer to wild, gesturing mildly to the frozen boy. 

“Er… Cub, at…ease?” He said, more of a question then an actual statement. Cub visibly relaxed, much to the displeasure of the camp. Watching as the child soldier kept watching Warriors intently, as if waiting for warriors to change his mind. Twilight sighed in exasperation, Oh by the three, his cub really was already in the military. “Please, relax. We're off duty right now, you're safe here little one.” 

Cub slowly sat down, refusing to take his eyes off of Warriors as he did such, Link beside him visibly relaxed at the sight of the five year old now resting. Cub pulled his knees up to his chest, pulling them tightly to himself as he surveyed the area, refusing to say anything still. Twilight felt a sigh of relief escape him while watching the child relax, the idea of his cub being so… horribly traumatized at such a young age– was such a horrifying thought for him. 

He had never met his cub before the memory reset, his personality was said to be very reserved, refusing to trust anyone besides maybe Zelda (if even her) Seeing him now, Twilight was quickly able to believe this fact, seeing the refusal to interact with a single person besides following instructions. 

“We need to figure out how to fix this.” Time spoke quietly, glancing back and forth between the small children and Twilight. “Did you see what caused this?” 

“Nothing, like I said, they were just fighting bokoblins when I got there. We can ask for more of their side of the story, but I'm not sure how willing they are to talk.” Twilight watched his Cub intently, watching as the boy winced at each movement he made, the unknown injuries stretching across him most likely painful beyond belief. 

“I'm getting Rulie on him.” Time muttered, making a move to stand up as twilight tried to protest, attempting to quietly tell time about the previous failure of said task. Time made his way to Wild's side, Hyrule also following along, fidgeting with his hands nervously. Twilight moved beside him, avoiding Cubs eyes. “Hey Cub, I know you don't speak, but could you just nod yes or shake your head no for some of my questions?” cub nodded.

“Are you hurt?” Hyrule asked, wild shook his head quickly, eyes wide in panic as he realized how it was now more of an interrogation, or atleast what Cub would see as one. (based on how he had witnessed him act around the questioning in his normal state, he most likely thought that he was in trouble for this. 

“Four? Do you have an extra shirt and pants for him? Your closest to his size.” Four glared at Time, but tossed a smaller off white tunic to the boy, along with some tan pants that looked far to long for him. 

“Sew them how you need. I can fix them later.” Four waved them off, returning to chatting with the colors in his head. Wild gingerly picked up the shirt, looking questioningly to the group, as if asking for permission to even touch it. 

“Go for it Cub, Wind do you have one for Le–Link?” Time asked, only to be hit by a shirt and pants in his face, he groaned in defeat, before handing the clothes to legend, who looked them up and down once, a similarly matching White shirt held in his hands, he threw the pants back at Wind with no hesitation. He pulled off the shirt he had on, revealing a myriad of scars crossing over his chest and back. Long lightning scars running over his back and partially on his chest. The scars were less scars and more open wounds, the red winding bruised back of the younger form of Legend presented themselves to the group, freezing them all in place. Alongside that, Long scars crossed down his chest, the man looking rather self conscious at the group staring at them.  

“Link when did that happen?” Hyrule gasped, grabbing the mans hand tightly within his own. Legend gave an annoyed look to Hyrule, pulling on his hand gently, attempting to free himself from Hyrules grasp.

“None of your business.” Legend smacked Hyrules hand away, obviously getting self conscious about all the attention he was getting. “It doesn't even hurt so im fine–”

“You're lying.” Hyrule muttered, his hand gracing over legends back, a green glow flowing over his back as the red angry marks along his back faded to scarring, ones they had seen over the vets back multiple times. “Better?” 

“Yeah… yeah whatever.” Legend pushed away from them, curling tighter around himself as he pulled over the shirt from Wind. “Thanks… or whatever.” his ears were bright red, pulling tightly to his head.

Twilight turned to wilds younger self, “Cub do you need help?” Cub shook his head, clinging tighter to himself, wrapping the usually fitting clothes around him as if it was a blanket. His hand rested along the hilt of the sword, a constant threat to them as a guard of his own safety.  “Cub, we need you in new clothes, ok? Those are dirty and way too big for you, little one.”

Cub gave a tired look to them, picking up the shirt and pants before stumbling over the roots by the floor of the trees. “No, cub, we need you to stay at camp with us. Here, let me help you out of it so you can sleep.” Cub shook his head again, not willing to allow the group to take off the shirt even to help him change. 

“Do you want us to look away?” Four asked, one of the most perceptive of peoples discomfort with things. Cub blinked in confusion before slowly nodding, “do you want one of us to help at least a little bit?” Cub looked down slightly, tilting his head to the floor before he nodded. “Who would you want?” 

Wild pointed to Legend, who gave a shocked look to the young child, “ Me?!” he pointed to himself, only to receive another nod from the young child. “I mean, like sure whatever. That's fine or whatever.” He hid his head in his elbow, embarrassment seeping into his facial expression. 

Legend gently pulled the shirt over Cubs head, the group sparing a glance at the child as they did such, his back was similarly marred up, not from lightning, but from lashings. The clear sight of newly formed injuries from a whip all crossed across the child's back. Twilight could count nearly seventeen in the short time he got to look at them, his heart dropping as he followed the boy's pained movements, attempts to cover up his pain were clear, but failed on the boy's part.

“Cub… why didn't you tell us about those?” Twilight asked softly, the boy freezing in panic as he must have realized the very clear view of the injuries along his back. 

“Most likely because he cant.” Warriors stood, approaching wild with arms raised in surrender. “Cub, im a captain from my own army, ok? And as captain, I give you permission to speak. Hell, I give you permission to speak for as long as you want, no restrictions Hon.” Warriors expression remained a mix between hopeful and horror as he gauged the boys reaction. 

Cub nodded slowly, finally speaking for once. “Thank you sir.” He adjusted the shirt that hung lowly around his knees, tightening a belt around his waist to try and work with the long shirt. 

“Now, cub–”

“My name isn't Link.” Cub interjected, cutting the man off suddenly before seemingly realizing the mistake he made. The boy covered his mouth quickly, shrinking in on himself once more as he did such.

“Don't worry about that… er…” Warriors seemingly gave up on trying to call him anything, “You can talk whenever you wish to, remember?” 

“Sir, i'm not allowed to usually talk, using it like this would be abuse of your au…author…” He struggled on the last word, surprisingly smooth on his other words despite his young age. “Authority…?” he questioned, mispronouncing the word.

“Authority.” Wars gently corrected, Wild lowered his head in shame, holding out his arm to the elder. “What's this for? I dont want your arm silly.” He gently cooed, wild shook his head, pushing his arm closer to the man. Seeing wild standing at full hight next to Wars crouching was a rather odd sight, seeing as wild was shorter then the captain even when crouching. 

“I said it wrong.” wild deadpanned.

“And?” 

“And father told you all to punish me if i did such. Usually its a slice to the wrist?” wild questions, tilting his head to the side as he did such. “Unless you had a different punishment in mind–” the boy's eyes flickered around the camp, staring at all of their horrified faces one by one. “Did I say something wrong?” 

“Oh Hylia…” Sky covered his mouth, looking away as the urge to be sick filled the avian, Twilight himself couldn't lie and say he wasn't tempted to do the same in that moment. 

“Cub–” Time said, he looked sick as he bent down to the child's side, Legend beside him looked pale, staring in horror at the five year old. “You did nothing wrong cub, the people who raised you are just horrible people. ” 

“My moms nice…” Wild said helplessly, all previous stoicness lost to the boys now panic. “And–and Aryns nice as well!” He tried, the unusually high voice getting higher as the boy seemingly lied. 

“Whos Aryn hon?” Time asked, Wild backed up from the group that now crowded him, each staring in horror at the small child. 

“My brother.” He sniffed. 

“Is he really nice to you?” Time pressed, only enough that it was most definitely obvious to the boy how serious the man was. 

“He played with me even though im a…” he once again slapped his hand over his mouth, sinking down to the base of the tree. 

“Your a what honey?” Warriors asked.

“Not a boy.” wild mumbled, “I don't wanna be a hero.” 

“Oh Hylia you don't mean that you already…” Times face blanched, all blood seeping out of it quicker then Twilight thought possible. 

“They don't want anyone to use my name. Im just ‘Link’ now.” small tears fell from his eyes as he scrubbed at them. “I don't like my new name.”

“Links not your name?”

“For the record, mine isn't Link either, but whatever.” ‘Link’ commented, picking at his nails, Hyrule still at his side, healing the wounds and checking them over. 

“What is it then?” Twilight asked in curiosity, “i was named Link because that's the only Hylian name my human adoptive parents knew.” he shrugged to their questioning looks.

“Mine has always been Link as well, I believe everyone else shares the same sentiment?” The group nodded around the duo of children. “What is your name, little ones?”

“Im twelve years old man. I'm not little.” Legends younger form grumped, his usual attitude to the world showing even as a child. “It's Konane, If you must know.”

“Kon…Konane.” Wild struggled out, words seemingly foreign on his tongue. “Ko.” he tried, earning a light smile from Legend.

“Sure, Ko works.” His ears went red at the nickname, a faraway look to his eyes filling them in the dim light. 

“Ko, and..?” Time gestured to Wild, who looked away from them, lifting his hand slightly to across the fire, pointing at seemingly nothing. 

“There's something there.” he whispered, sure enough, a portal slowly formed, Without giving them time to pack, it sucked them straight through, stuff flying all about as they were dumped once again on a a very familiar field, Times ranch.

The house sat just beside them, warm smell of baked goods emanating from the house, a small puff of smoke coming from the chimney. Wild pulled himself out from the pile of supplies, rolling down the large pile of sleeping rolls and blankets that had formed from their quick dump in the world. Well there goes any chance we had of figuring out the curse.

“Boys! And… smaller boys? Oh dear…” Malon covered her mouth, shock covering her face. “Link, dear, Where did you get these two from? And where is Wi–” 

“I… will explain, Boys, if you don't mind grabbing the stuff, I will… explain to Malon what is going on.” he glanced down at Wild and legend, the both of which looked at the ranch house with joy in their eyes, the friendly building seemingly inviting them inside.

“You heard ‘im, grab the stuff and get your butts inside.” Warriors said, using less formal language than usual in regards to the new young children by their side. (despite legend being twelve, he was still seen as a child in comparison to everyone, even wind, who was three years older than him.) Cub and Ko both quickly picked up their things, or rather what was assigned to the two of them. Ko playfully teased the young child next to him, he's a good big brother. 

“I can't help but.. Feel sad for them.” Twilight spoke quietly, so the youngest wouldn't hear them, Warriors nodded, still packing his stuff. “I mean they’re so…”

“untrusting? I wouldn't call it that but I get what you mean.” warriors agreed, looking at the two who had swung open the door and bounded inside. “Seeing them act how they usually do as kids is… strange. Knowing they've always been… grumpy in Legends' case, and so anxious in wilds… Its just… rough to think that's how they have always been.” 

“Especially at such young ages.” sky chimed in, “yes legends… twelve, but wilds five. He needed your permission to talk… I can't think of a single person who thought that way at… that age.” He glanced over at Warriors with a questioning look.

Warriors glanced at the door before shaking his own head, “The army only takes people sixteen and up. I’ve seen a lot of things, but this…” he seemed lost for words, trailing off as he spoke. 

“Ya think Wild realizes how messed up it was?” Twilight asked, hands grasping at his own items whilst he spoke. “Or even that was what his whole ‘no talking’ thing came from?”

“Thought that was from his injuries from that long sleep thing he had.” Warriors questioned, twilight bit back the correction of the fact that wild did not sleep, rather died. 

“Not entirely. Sure it hurts, but I believe that he never spoke before that.” Twilight racked his brain for the information that Purah had told wild, and in turn himself. 

Sky considered his words, “so the captain didn’t let him talk? Do they do that in the normal military, for your era of course wars.” 

“Don’t talk while in drills and such, but once you're off shift and such, you're free to do whatever you want, talk, drink, date. All the sorts.” Warriors explained, looking back at the door once more, “that to me seems like they are more on the clock, then off the clock.” 

“Wonderful.” Sky grumbled, opening the door with his free hand. “Hopefully malon can give us work later.” He yawned, “I’m taking a nice long nap. Wake me later or something.” He hobbled off to one of the guest rooms, wings drooping behind him. 

The others followed quickly inside, Malon stood cooing over the two now youngest of the group, Ko had his arms crossed over his chest, looking away in embarrassment at the attention he was getting from the ginger. Wild stood in confusion as the woman babied him, his arms awkwardly held at his sides, as if waiting for someone to save him from the strange situation.

“Boys! Welcome back!” She called out to them, twilight gave her a tight hug before crouching next to wild, whose face was tight with discomfort. His blue eyes darted around the room, assessing any threats. Of course he’s doing that. Twightly dimly thought, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder. 

“Yes sir?” He asked quietly, as if each word felt like a threat to his safety, which in his normal circumstances, it most likely was usually a threat to him. 

“Twilight. Callin me sir makes me feel old.” Twilight jokes, the joke seemingly going straight over the boy's head as he stared blankly at Twilight. “It’s a joke, you can laugh Cub.” Another blank stare. 

“Cub! Let’s go out our stuff away and explore ok?” Ko asked from beside wild, his embarrassment past and now focused on the child next to him. “I saw some cows and cuckoos before.” Ko seemed to realize what he said, adding a quick: “ You can deal with the cuckoos if you want.” 

Cub dutifully nodded, picking up the items that were far too large for the child to carry, and walking off after Ko, who chatted away with the kid. 

“So, Link. The little one was Wild, and that… was Legend?” Malon asked, hooking her arm around times. 

“We’ve been callin Wild Cub, and Legend Ko for the time being.” Time explained, looking down the corridor to check if the kids got to the room without trouble. “Can’t help but feel bad for ‘em. Their so young and yet…” 

“They act like adults.” Malon finished with a sigh. “Hylia what will I do with you all.” She shook her head with a smile. 

“Hopefully teach Wild your apple Pie recipe.” Time muttered, Malon laughed at her husbands response, swatting at him playfully. 

“If you want to have it so bad you could have asked.” She unhooked her arm from Times, a smile coating her face. “I could see if the kids want to cook with me. Then they can play before dinner.” 

“Maybe wild will still be a cooking protege like he is at seventeen.” 

—

Wild was in fact just as good as a child as he was now.

The cub had originally shook his head no at the invite but quickly changed his mind when Ko had agreed to, the boy once again following Ko around like a lost puppy. 

He took one look at the ingredients on hand and seemed to know just what to make in no time. Malon herself stood back from the kid as he stood atop the stepping stool they had grabbed from storage for him. A smile across the group's faces as they watched the kid cook. 

Cub cut the vegetables grown from Malons garden with ease, the group had long since stopped watching him by then, chatting idly about stories and their own experiences in cooking. 

They soon after heard a loud gasp before Malon's gentle chiding towards the child. Time stood and made his way to the kitchen once more to see wild stood with a sliced open finger, Malons hand gently holding his own as she searched for the first aid kit. 

“Now, I told you to tell me if you got hurt, and what didn’t you do?” Cub dipped his head down in apology, his face not changing from its unemotional look. “We need to be more careful around knives, alright little one?” 

“Yes ma’am.” He nods, allowing malon to rinse off the injury and bandage it. “It won’t happen again.” 

“Oh dear, just malon is fine with me. Ma’am makes me sound so old.” She laughs lightly, once again it went over his head, confusion darkening his face once more.

“Sorry.” Cub mumbled, returning to cutting up the carrots. Ko stood at Malons side, examining the ring that she wore. 

“Oh don’t apologize hon, I’m just kidding you.” Cub glanced back at her with an inquisitive expression before once more focusing on the carrots. Time sighed at the youngest, the kids focused eyes only on the vegetables around him. 

“Malon why don’t you cut some, and why doesn’t Cub here go and work on something else?” Time offered, Cub shook his head, malon on the other hand nodded gratefully. 

“Cub! I’m going to make some apple pie later, how about you help make the dough?” she said kindly, Wild shook his head again. 

“No, ‘m fine.” Cub muttered, “unless that’s an order.” He gave a curious glance at Time, who felt his heart drop at the question. 

“Not at all. You can work on what you want.” Time leaned against the wall, crossing his arms as he watched malon grab the flour out, Ko finally letting her leave his side, satisfied with his inspection of the ring. “Do you cook a lot Cub?” 

“Of course.” Cub scoffed, “I make the nightly meals for the soldiers in my group.” He dropped the chopped carrots into the bowl, grabbing for a onion next to the water basin. “Usually I don’t have as many ingredients as This, so thank you for providing the ingredients mrs. Malon.” 

“You talk awfully formal for a five year old.” Time noted, Cub nodded dutifully. 

“Father doesn’t like improper language when I’m allowed to speak.” He explained casually, chopping the onion in half and peeling off the outer layer. “It is still alright that I did such?” 

“Hylia kid, you can speak how ya want alright? don’ think mosta the group will understand ya like that.” Cub nodded, dropping the chopped onions into the bowl. 

“Apologies— er… sorry?” He corrected himself, grasping at the flint and steel and jumping from the stool, crouching next to the wood as he started to strike the two items together. 

“Here let me—“

“It’s alright Mr. Time. Your helping enough by letting me stay in your home and with your group.” Cub soon after lit the fire, poking at it with the poker they kept nearby. 

“It’s basic manors.” Time pinched at his nose, “I’m not leavin some kids out in the woods alone.” Wild blinked owlishly at him.

“Most would.” 

“Well then their bad people.”

“I would. Does that make me a bad person?” Cub asked. 

“That’s different, you're a child yourself.” 

“I would as well.” Ko piped up, “I can’t feed em. I’ll bring ‘em to a town and leave em to the local authorities.” Cub nodded at Ko’s response. 

“Your not leavin them in the woods alone then.” Time explained, “your still helpin them right?” 

“I guess.” Ko shrugged, returning to messing with his rings. “Time. Out of curiosity, I’ve been wondering this since we met, what are these nicknames you all have? Their not names. So where did they come from?” 

“It’s our hero titles.” He answered simply, “hero of time, hero of Twilight, hero of wind, etcetera.” He waved his hand in a circle. “Our two missing members are the hero of Legend and Hero of the wild.” 

“Ah.” Ko gave a look of recognition to time, Cub himself also staired at Time, his own look of knowing coating his face. 

“What? Do you recognize those titles?” 

“They sound… familiar? I don’t remember ever learning those hero’s but I know who it is.” Ko put his hand to his chin, a thoughtful look coming over his face. “Should I know them?”

“Not sure.” 

“Everyone’s a hero?” cub questioned, “I’m not a hero.” Time paused, oh Hylia he didn’t want to explain all of this. 

“You said you didn’t want to be a hero earlier right?” He asked, Cub nodded. “Well then you’ll be one in the future. Cool right?” 

“Not cool.” Cub disagreed, his voice momentarily sounded as it normally did, raspy, damaged— before returning to normal. The kid blinked, putting a hand to his throat. “I— what just…” 

“Oh for Lolia’s sake Wild.” Ko spoke, his own voice as legends usual voice. “Couldn’t have waited five more minutes?!” Ko’s face turned to one of distress as the voice escaped him. 

“What in Hylia’s name—“ Time muttered, “Legend, Wild, what is going on?!” 

“Who..?” Ko asked, his eyes wide with fear, “Time what the hell just happened. Who were those voices?!” He grabbed times collar, having to go on his tip toes to reach it. 

“Ko, relax—“

“ Don’t call me Ko!” Once again legends voice returned, a murderous look in the twelve year olds eyes. “Don’t tell me to relax!” Ko’s voice spoke at the same time, the distress clear in both of their voices. 

Cub backed into the counter, grasping onto a handle for support as he held his throat, the pain from wilds raspy words apparently carrying over to the young child. The group must have heard the yells seeing how quickly they rushed to the kitchen, all confused and staring at the two kids.

“Time we heard legend—“

“Are they back already? Wait….” 

“What in Hylia’s name is happening?!” 

“Legend, or Ko, whoever this is, stop. We’re trying to figure it out if you just—“

The group was cut off by a bright light flashing underneath the group, a misty pink portal appearing underneath the group, dropping them from the kitchen, straight into darkness. 

Chapter Text

Time groaned as he opened his eyes, the portal having dumped them straight in the middle of a small town, one similar if not the same as the one Legend lived in. The group around him had their own grumbles to let out, pained mutters escaping the group as they came to. 

Before them stood Legend, actual Legend. The man had his arms crossed, glaring down at the group, masking over the obvious pain the man was feeling from seeing what time believed to be his home. 

“Fuckin hell. What just happened.” Warriors cursed, brushing off his clothes and standing next to time. He offered his hand down to Time who took it gratefully. 

Cub rubbed his head on times other side, confusion going over the young child as he looked up at what he had previously thought to be Ko. The boy got to his feet wobbly, tripping over the still to large clothes he wore. 

“Legend what is going on?” Time asked, Legend sighed in disappointment, a cane held tightly in his hands, leaning against it heavily as he stood before them. 

“Unfortunately, me and Wild had a little run in with a wizzrobe while out treasure hunting. Yadda yadda yadda, we got cursed, now we’re here. Everyone on the same page?” he ran his eyes over each and every one of them, fixating his eyes on Cub. “According to what I can recall, this curse is supposed to bring us through… generally the most painful either physically or emotionally, memories. Like the memory spells Wild gets but… we’re all watching.” 

“How many…” twilight trailed off, his own eyes watching Cub with sharp focus. “And the whole child thing—“

“After memories we will… most likely, go up in ages until we once again reach our normal form. Sound right wild?” Cub gave a weak thumbs up, Cub himself grabbed his hand down quickly, holding it by his side. “Yeah yeah. Whatever. Welcome to my home town, around… nine ish years ago?” 

“But why the age difference? I mean wilds five.” Sky pointed out, his wings tightly closed to his back. 

“Simple. I got a better childhood. The most painful memories came from my first journey and on. This…” he had a lost look in his eyes, “Based on what I can tell, this is the first day of my adventure… I would have thought that…”

The door to a house opened with a loud creek, a man stepping outside the house, fully kitted out in armor and weapons. He held a lantern in hand, the sound of childlike shouts came from inside the house, a boy showing himself at the entrance of the house moments later, Ko, or rather… Legend.

“I said stay right there boy.” The man growled at the child, Konane pressed his hand against the wooden door, eyes wide. 

“ Uncle, where are you going?! I want to come with you!” Konane cried out, his pink hair wild from sleep, he wore a children’s night clothes, two sizes too small, and tattered along the edges of the fabric. 

“Konane, if you take even a step outside this house, it’s off to the wolves with you!” The uncle threatened, Storming off. Konane stared at the man in fear, seemingly believing every word the man said. He backed away from the door, distress clear in his body language as he shut the door quickly. 

“Was that supposed to be a joke?” Sky muttered to Time, Legend glanced over at him with a numb look on his face. 

“My uncle didn't really do jokes.” Legend deadpanned, “he did do that once. Just a knife and a little bit of water. Thank Lolia that the wolves were not around that night.” 

Time felt a rush of wind from behind him, the group all turned in confusion, the world blurring around them as the light of the town slowly dimmed, slowly reforming the scene to be a long dark pathway, cobblestones lining the entire tunnel. A low sound of dripping sounded from above, a hole to a gray looking sky, rain coming through the small hole in increasingly heavy pours. 

Legend's face went pale, his hand pressed against the walls of the tunnel. He could see the tight grip on his cane as he stood there, Time placed a cautious hand on the man's shoulder, only for it to be shaken off quickly by the merman. 

“Don't touch me.” He mumbled, looking up at the hole above them. “He should be coming soon. Might want to back up from the hole. Don't know what happens if we touch him.” 

“Whos ‘him?’” Time asked, following Legends gaze to the hole. “Your uncle?” 

“Not… not my uncle no.” Legend winced, only seconds later, a pair of boots showed themselves from the hole, jumping into the long tunnel with ease. Konane steadied himself on the wall, walking along the walls, trailing his hand along it. He wore a simple green tunic, brown shirt underneath. A red lantern  was clutched in his other hand, lit with a weak flame. The group trailed after Konane, Legend leading the group, his limp even more noticeable then usual. Time felt his heart sink as he finally saw it, blood. 

A dark patch of blood stained the ground where Konane had just stepped, he moved backwards in terror, before starting to run down the tunnel, blood staining his boots as he ran through the large pool of blood. Legend looked sick as he avoided the puddle of blood, the group following suit. 

They rounded the corner to find Konane hovering at his uncles side, shaking him violently as he yelled for the man to wake up. Legends uncle stirred, blood spilling from his mouth as he did such. He weakly grasped at Konane’s tunic, giving a weak glare to the young boy.

“Ungh… I.. didn't want you…. Involved in this Kona. I told you not to leave the house!” the man coughed violently, blood splattering on Konane’s tunic, “Take.. take my sword. And my shield… Kona… your.. You can do it… Save the princess… Zelda is your–” 

The man was cut off by his own sudden choking on blood, his eyes fluttering shut for the last time as his breathing stopped. Konane sobbed into the mans chest, clutching him tightly and shaking violently. 

“Oh… shit Legend…” Warriors covered his mouth in shock, looking horrified at the sight before him. “Hylia I didn't..”

“Shut up Wars. I don't want pity.” Legend spat, Time gave a pitying look to the man, choosing not to comment on the wetness on his cheeks. 

Konane ahead of them grabbed the sword and shield, holding it tightly in his hands. He lifted the sword up above his head, the sword far to big for the twelve year old to be holding, blood coating his hands and the sword. Time felt a particular spark this time in the air, the wind rushing past him once more as the world spun, changing and morphing into a village.

The group stumbled into the third part of the memory, Legend grasping onto one of the fenceposts he had reappeared next to them, a bruise under his eye, and a bleeding cut along his arm. Hyrule ran to his side, only getting shooed off by the man. 

“Im fine Hyrule. Its just a cut.” he planted his cane firmly into the dirt beneath them. “Welcome to Kakariko Village. Its… nice… here. Don't get mad at them? They say shit but it doesn't really matter.” he glanced down at the cut along his shoulder, seemingly noticing Cub, who stood beside him. “Hey Cub.” Cub gave a nod to the man, face neutral towards the man. Cub gently tugged at Legends red tunic, the merman bending down to look Cub in the eyes, “Something wrong?”  

Cub touched a small rag to Legends cut, the small cut fading instantly. “There.” he gave a satisfied smile to the man, staying close to his side. Whether it was him recognizing ‘Ko’ in him, or rather Wild himself wanting to be near one of his closest friends in the chain, Time wasn't sure. 

Moments later, ‘Ko’ emerged from a caved path, he limped out of the cave, a bloody wound on the same arm and same spot that Legend had his own injury. A bruise formed underneath his eye, matching Legends wounds perfectly. The younger form of legend walked through the town, getting disgusted looks from the locals around them. The village clearly didn't have enough weapons or want to take the boy down, but based on the looks they were giving him; they sure as hell didn't want him here. 

“Konane.” an older lady greeted, her teeth gritted against one another in a forced out smile, “they say… you, are the one who kidnapped young princess Zelda… is this true?” 

“ What?! No– I didn't do anything to her! I'm trying to save her!” the young boy cried out, backing away from the elder lady. The lady huffed in annoyance, glaring down at Konane.

“Its better your rather seen, and not heard boy. ” she waved him off, “out of my sight. I don’t want to harbor criminals.” Konane’s face fell at her words, scampering away from her just as quickly as he arrived. 

The scene quickly shifted, Konane stood before the master sword, his hands trembling as he pulled the sword from its pedestal. 

The scenes seemed to switch quicker now, not even giving them seconds to try and right themselves anymore. Shouts of the name Link sounded out, yells back of that not being his name we’re heard but disregarded by the others around them. As the time went on, legends form slowly became less and less steady, now held tightly in Times arms. His cane in Twilights hands. They had long since given up on healing him each time, his body crumpled in his hold. 

Each memory shown gave them an insight into why Legend was the way he was. His eyes miserable as he watched himself get thrown against walls, chased from places he once cared for, get screamed at by people who were supposed to care for him. 

Legend was alone. 

The fast moving images slowed finally when they reached a room. The room dark and closed off, a figure stood in the center, unmistakably Ganon from his looks. 

The doors behind them opened slowly, revealing a tiered Link. The boy had cuts and bruises all across his body, the classic red tunic tight around his torso. Legends weight gave out in Times arms. Sinking to the floor slowly. His eyes looked hollow, emotionless and tired from the horrible feelings he had to feel once again, feelings he had long since stopped feeling…

“Little boy, you dare challenge me?!” Ganon's voice boomed out, Konane weakly nodded, a tired look in his eyes. “Prepare for your last day, young ‘hero’” 

Konane launched himself at the monster, slicing at his ankles with tight movements, pained movements. His movements were quick, pained but quick. He seemed to charge up the sword as they had seen him do before, sending out a magic blast to the man before lifting his shield again.

“Legend are you ok?” Time asked him, legend shook his head— well that’s not good. He never admits that. “Want Hyrule..?”

“I just… fuck, I didn’t think it would be this bad.” Legend muttered, “I forgot how bad it got… I didn’t understand how to dodge attacks. Thought tanking them or just using a shield and praying was enough.” He gave a humorless laugh. 

“It was your first journey, we don’t blame you…” Time quietly assured him. Legend shook his head.

“They don’t get much better, I'll tell you that.” 

A loud thud sounded out from next to them, Konane landing next to them heavily, a sound of cracking echoing out as he hit. Legend gave a pained cry as he did such, holding his ribs tightly. 

“Should… be over soon.” Legend panted out, grabbing Times shoulder and forcing himself to stand again. “That’s when the…” he vaguely pointed to his back, “or whatever.” 

“Do you know if you’ll heal after this? Or will you return to us like this?” Tume asked, light shining behind them. 

“Ya think I know?” Legend coughed, glancing back at ganon's now corpse. “Ah Hylia this is going to suck.” The group made their way through the door after Konane, the now full triforce speaking to the boy as they got there. 

“Legend whats about to happen?” Time asked, watching konane climb onto the platform, his hand reaching up to the triforce with weak arms, shaking violently as his hand clutched around the pieces.

“Nothing good.” 

Lightning struck the back of the child, the screams of both Konane and Legend sounding out as it did such. The smell of burning flesh was unmistakable, blood splattering from the child all across the alter. 

The boy collapsed against the platforms flooring, twitching and trembling in his spot. Breaths came in ragged and few, legend himself was held tightly in Times arms. Time recognized the signs of a seizure in the young boy before he had time to even call it out, the boy seizing up and shaking violently in his spot on the ground. Legend thankfully didn’t suffer from the seizure, his eyes rolling back in his head as he collapsed in times arms again. 

“Well shit.” Warriors commented, unsure as to what he should do, “is legend—“

“No he’s not having a seizure. But…. I think all we can do is.. watch.” 

The world had since faded to black, a void like space hanging around them as legend slowly recovered from the lightning strike he had endured for the second time in his life. 

The group had been there for nearly an hour by the time he stirred, exhaustedly sitting up from his previous position on the ground (?). 

“Legend.” Time sighed in relief, legend painfully stared at Time, eyes flitting around the group as he flushed in embarrassment. 

“You saw nothing. You hear me?” He threatened, his voice breaking, “I don’t want pity, I don’t want your ‘oh I’m sorry that happened legend.’ I don’t give a shit. You saw nothing.” 

With a flash, his body was replaced by Konanes once again, the younger form of Legend blinking in confusion at the group around him. 

“What just… shit. ” He grabbed at his ribs tightly, a pained look on his face. “Hylia that hurt.” 

“Getting struck by lightning does that.” Warriors commented, Konane grimaced at his words.

“It saved their lives alright? it was worth it. ” He spat out. “Besides, not my fault that the triforce didn’t like me reviving people.”

—

Twilight wasn’t surprised to see Cub disappear, his form replaced with his normal cubs form. The boy looked exhausted, eyes having larger bags under them then they usually did. His expression was tight, focused on the void around them rather than a person specifically.

“Wild…?” Twilight asked softly, wild nodded slowly, eyes pained as he looked at Twilight. “Do you… know what’s going on?” 

“I saw what happened with Legend if that’s what your asking.” He replied sharply, “legend knew what to expect… I… I don’t. Based on what we saw with him…” wild sighed shakily, ‘ it won’t be pretty.’ 

The world shifted around them, the group looking up in confusion as the world shifted to a small little house, the house stood in what they had seen to be Hateno Village, infact, it had been the same house wild had claimed to be his own. Wild winced at the view of the undamaged house, full of life and covered in floral arrangements all around the garden of the house. Smoke rose from the chimney of the house, gracing the sky with the dark smoke it emitted.

The smell of freshly baked pie filled the air as time unfroze, the sound of children’s laughter sounding out from behind them. They turned to see two children playing across the bridge, faces blurred in the memory despite the usually clear faces they saw in the last memory set. 

Wild curiously ran a hand over the house's walls, examining the sign in front of the house. ‘Katopodis’ his face fell at the name. The door soon burst open, a little boy shoving through as he yelled back at whoever still was inside the house. 

“Wild is that…” Twilight asked, wild shook his head, the boy in front of them had white hair, not even a tinge of blonde in the pale hair. His eyes were a dark brown, wearing the traditional children’s attire that they had seen in Kakariko Village on their many visits in the past. They saw the lack of arm the boy had, one of the sleeves tied up close to his shoulder, wonder what happened there. 

“I don’t know who that is.” Wild said softly, watching as the boy reached into the house, grabbing the arm of a small girl inside. He dragged the girl out of the house, words unintelligible against the shouting. 

The girl had pale yellow hair, identical in color to wilds own hair. She had white streaks matching wilds own streaks. Her eyes were blue, wide with fear as the older dragged her out of the house. She wore a knee length dress, decorated in flowers all across her dress. Her hair was braided with flowers, ribbons intertwined in her hair and tied at the end of each braid. 

She stumbled after what they assumed to be her big brother, begging for him to let her go in the pure panic she must have felt in the moment.

“I’m not letting you take her!” The boy shouted, grasping the young girl tightly into his arms. The young girl clung tightly to the boys side, near half his size at the time. “We’re– shes not— im not old enough! You can’t make us go!” 

“When did I say anything. About you going ?” A man spat, tone dialing down to an deathly calm tone as he began  walking out of the house. His eyes were dangerous as he glared down at the two children in front of him. “Catrine, let go of Aryn and be a good little girl and get over here.” 

“Catrine?” twilight repeated, glancing over at wild who held a confused look in his eyes, looking at the two people who surrounded the girl with interest. 

Catrine shook her head stiffly, a pained look in her eyes as she held tighter to Aryn. Her little hands clutched onto the bottom of his white shirt tightly, her body shaking violently. A woman tried to speak from behind the father, only for the man to turn around angrily, slapping the woman straight across her face. 

“Catrine, don’t make me count to three.” The man threatened, the girls hands loosened on Aryn’s tunic, panic in her eyes. Only then did he notice it, the bruises and scars. Both old and new, cuts and bruises all sat along her arms and legs, yellow and purple alike in color. 

“One.” 

Catrine tried to push away from Aryn in her panic, the threat seemingly meaning a lot more to her then it meant to the others in the group. 

“Two.” 

She clawed at Aryn’s hands, attempting to get her free from the boys grasp. The attempts seemingly getting more desperate by each passing second.

“Three.” 

The man grabbed Catrine’s arm tightly, ripping her from Aryn’s arms as he did such. She froze in fear as the elder clutched her tightly in his arms, crouching down to be on her level. 

“You made me count to three Catrine. You know what happens.” Catrine’s eyes widened in fear, shaking her head violently as she struggled in his grasp. “Use. your. words.” He spat out each word one at a time, the girl cringing away from him as he did such.

“ I— I’m… s-so-sorrr…” she tried, sobbing as she did such. The girls stutter worsened as the man tightened his grip on her wrists. 

“ So- sorr- use your goddess damned words.” The man mocked, grabbing her wrist tightly. “Now, since Aryn can’t fight, you will join the military in his place.” Catrine shook her head quickly, terror on her face as she did such. 

“Nikolas this is to far-“ the woman from behind him tried. The man’s head snapped twords her, glaring at the young Sheikan woman. 

“Grab your stuff Catrine. We leave in the morning.” The man grabbed the girl, slamming the door shut behind them, leaving Aryn behind in the cold air. 

“Wild who was that?” Time asked, wild blinked at him in mild dismay. 

“Time I don’t know.” He stated, glancing down at his arms with terror, “I don’t… was that me?” 

The world shifted around them quickly, feeling as if water had crashed over them. The group held their breath as the feeling cleared, their clothes dry despite the cold feeling of water rushing over them.

The world reformed to be the castle, a line of twenty odd so boys stood in front of the man who had dragged ‘Catrine’ out of the house previously. The boys all looked sixteen and older, besides Catrine. 

Catrine stood in armor far too large for her, the heavy armor weighing the small child down, forcing her to slouch slightly. A dagger was provided to the child in turn for a sword, seeing how small the little one was in comparison to the sword itself. The captain—at least that’s what they deemed him to be— stared at the group with sharp dangerous eyes.

“Good training today boys. Disappointing for a few of you, but overall a good day. Tomorrow, I will be taking the top three of the squadron with me on a short mission. Reports of monster activity surfaced nearby the lost woods, and we need to check if it’s safe for traders to walk nearby. Petroculus, Achilles, and Aryn, the three of you will be joining me on the mission.” The captain ordered, “if I called your name, remain here. Others, have a good rest.” 

The soldiers scampered off, leaving the three behind with the Captain. One of the older boys glared down at ‘Aryn’ malice clear in his eyes. 

“What is he doing here.” The man complained to the other, the two snickering at the young soldiers tired form. 

“The three of you should get packing. Tomorrow will be a long day of traveling. Now, go off, Aryn, remain with me.” The other two laughed at the young member of the group, leaving quickly. “Catrine.” The man glared down at the young child.

“Y—yes sir.” Catrine struggles out, saluting at him despite the heavy armor around her. “You needed me?” 

“Your slouching.” He commented, picking up one of her sleeves and dragging her closer to him, before dropping it again to her side, “and you stuttered. Your wrist Catrine?” The young girl held out her wrist again, as she had done for Warriors days before, pulling back her sleeves to reveal long lashes and cuts. Bruises lining her arms up and down them. Her skin nearly covered in the damaging scars and bruises. The elder held his other hand out, taking her knife from her as he slashed a long line across the wrist, spilling blood onto the ground. Catrine winced at the motion but held still in his hold. 

“Seen, not heard. Remember Catrine?” She nodded, pressing her other hand to the new injury. “Now, head off. Pack what you will. I don’t care.” He dropped the knife to the floor, leaving her scampering to pick it up.

Twilight saw out of the corner of his eye Wild himself checking his arm, looking down at the bloody leaking arm he had. Bruises ran up and down his arms in the same spots they had on the child, the blood dripping onto the floor below them. He gave a click of disapproval as wild whipped it on his own tunic. 

The feeling of water drowning them once again filled the group, forming a new scene around them. The group of four were camped out at a stable, looking far different to how it usually did. Most specifically the horse head gone from the top of it. the two other soldiers laughing and joking with one another, drinking what Twilight assumed to be some sort of alcoholic beverage based on smell alone. Catrine was stood leaned up against a tree, whittling down a piece of wood she must have found while working. The captain joked with one of the bar hostesses, hicuppung slightly as he teased the woman, flirting with the seemingly twenty year old barmaid. 

Catrine’s face looked pale in the moonlight, hair tied behind her head in a tight ponytail. A cup of water beside her as she worked. The two boys approached the girl with giddy expressions on their faces, Catrine looked up from her work, looking unimpressed with the two as she did such.

“Com’on cat.” One hiccupped, “have a drink or two.” 

The other gave a goofy smile, “Your cute as hell, let’s have fun.” 

“No thank you.” She responded curtly, “t-talk with the barmaids.” She shooed them off, only to have one of her arms grasped by one of the two attackers. 

“I insist.” The first said, shoving the cup into her hands. She kindly placed it down, moving their arm away from her with little care. 

“Come on Kitty.” The other guy flirted, burping loudly in her face. Catrine wrinkled her nose in disgust, waving her hand infront of her face. 

“Aryn.” She corrected, pushing past the two in annoyance, only to be pulled back by one of them. 

“We’re jus’ tryin to have some fun, come on! Have a drink!” The man shoved the beer in her face, Catrine simply ducked underneath it and walked off, ignoring the drunken cries of the men behind her.

“Do they realize that your…. Five?” Time asked Wild, who just gave a blank state back, emotions unclear as to how he felt in the moment. “Wild?” 

“Yes they knew.” He said in a hushed tone, “everyone knew how old I was.” He held his wrist tightly with his other hand, the blood coating his hands. His eyes followed Twilights, staring down at his wrist. “I didn’t… I never knew what those were from. I had assumed the worst…” 

The blue blood continued to bleed through his hands as the view changed, water rushing past their ears as the scene reformed, showing Catrine’s wrist held tightly by the Captain. 

“ What did I tell you?!” The man shouted, Catrine held an emotionless expression on her face, her body betraying her by the way it shook violently. The group was covered in blood, Catrines arm was bent at a funny angle, her face holding a long scratch over her nose, similar to the one they had seen on her when they first met. Her shoulder had long cuts along it, blood soaking her body from both monsters and herself. 

“I- I’m sorry! i didn’t mean to!” she cried out, two bodies sat to the side of them, both wide eyed and  not breathing. They're dead. Twilight's mind supplied. 

“What?! Your incompetence lead to both of them dying!” He shrieked, he slapped his hand across her face, furthering the damage running across her face. “They sounded the alarm because of your missed arrow, now I need reinforcements! Oh Hylia you will pay for this when we get back.” The man threatened harshly, shoving the girl to the floor. Soldiers that had been stationed nearby had come to the aid of the group, all looking torn as to how to continue. 

Catrine stumbled to her feet, grasping at the knife she had before bolting off into the forest behind them, wilds eyes wend wide in recognition, his own body covered in bloody cuts and bruises. 

“Oh Hylia not this—“ he took off quickly after his younger form, not sparing a single glance to the soldiers who cried after the girl. The rest of the chain followed suit, bolting after Wild and Catrine. 

Wild followed his way through the dark misty path with ease, his eyes glowing brightly in the forest. He slunk around trees and flicked his finger up at one or two hallow trunks. Small balls illuminating momentarily before dulling once more. It took nearly half an hour but they found their way through the Forrest, panting and gasping for breath as they entered a clearing, the Deku tree stood before them  in all its glory. 

A stone structure stood in the center, displaying the master sword shining in its pedistal. Catrine glanced back, panic evident in her eyes as she realized she had no clue where she was. 

“Little one.” The tree boomed, Catrine jumped at the voice, her eyes wide with fear as she looked up to the tree. “Welcome to the Korok Forest.” Catrine backed up slightly, hand holding her knife tightly. “Don’t be afraid, it is your destiny afterall.” 

Wild stood frozen in his own panic, looking torn between running away from the scene and watching the scene follow through. Catrine slowly inched forward, the five year olds small hands reaching for the sword as she moved closer. 

“Pull the sword from the pedestal little one.” The Deku tree boomed out, she flinched at his words, putting her hands on the sword after a long pause. She slowly lifted the sword from its spot, the sword itself being taller then her by then. She struggled to hold it in her arms, but eventually managed to hold it up, a weak glow on her hand went unnoticed by Catrine, but highly noticed by the group. 

“ Did you see that?” Warriors muttered to no one in particular, Hyrule nodded beside him, pointing to the triangular mark that had embedded itself into Catrine’s  skin. 

Wild looked down at his own hand, the mark shining above his scarred hand now visible after all this time. He blinked at it in confusion, tapping it with his scarred fingers. 

“May I present, to all creatures of this Forrest, Link, the hero of Courage.” Catrine looked up at the tree in confusion.

“My names Catr—“ 

The trees leaves shook in displeasure. “That it is no longer, from now forth, you shall be known as Link.” 

Wild shook slightly at the trees tone, Twilight saw his hand idly signing the letters of his old name over and over again. 

C a t r i n e.

C a t r i n e. 

C a t r i n e. 

He grabbed hold of wilds hand, looking at the younger with pity. The dragons scarred hands clutched onto Twilights own, blood still staining his body from injuries obtained in the short time they had been reviewing his memories. 

“You're ok.” Twilight said in a hushed tone, placing his other hand on wilds head, allowing it to rest on his chest. “You're going to be ok.” 

He felt water rush past him once again, clutching tighter onto his cub as the water threatened to push them apart. Wild trembled in his arms, whether from pain or from the realization of who he was before all this, Twilight couldn’t tell. 

The view cleared, showing Catrine momentarily showing her father the sword, only to be met by the squadron bowing before her, the girls confused expression clear on her face even as it switched views quickly to the next view. 

Catrine fighting another soldier—

Catrine cowering in fear as her father and captain screamed at her, as he hit her. 

He felt more blood seeping into his tunic from wild as each memory flashed past, each only from the time the little girl was five years old. 

Twilight felt wild flinch each time it switched, new injuries littering the boy as he leaned more heavily into Twilight, barely able to stand by then.

That’s when it stopped flashing so quickly, when the views halted on one specific place in particular. 

The dark dungeon was dark and empty, blood specked the walls of the room even in the dim lighting. Twilight could see all sorts of torture weapons lining the walls, all hooked up waiting for their usage against whatever poor soul had to deal with it that time. He felt wild tense against his shoulder as the boy seemingly realized what was to come. He held Wild tightly against his chest, blocking his veiw as much as he could from the most likely torture that was about to happen to his previous form. 

He saw the captain and two others drag the young girl into the room, her head looking down to the floor, emotionless and seemingly broken to the world around her at such a young age. She allowed the group to force her to kneel at the pillory, locking her head and hands in the wooden binding. Her face had a blank look on it, looking up at her father as he glared down upon the young girl. 

“Grab the whip.” he said heartlessly, Catrine lowered her gaze, looking at the floor rather then the men in the room. Her shirt had been taken off of her already, scars and bruises lining her body all up and down her small form. “You know what you did, no?” Catrine nodded slightly at her father.

“ Tell me what you did. ” the man roared, grabbing her chin tightly, forcing the girl to look up at him once again. 

“Took an extra… extra meal today.” She stammered out, the group froze around Twilight, all realizing all the lashings along the girls back had been because she was hungry. “Please father if I may–”

“You may not.” the man let go of her face, standing up once again. “Twenty lashings. If he tries to get you to stop, then restart.” he looked at the two soldiers expectantly, “well? Get to it?” 

The first of the two grabbed the whip, raising it hesitantly before striking it the first time against her back. Wild whimpered into Twilights chest, grabbing Twilights shirt tightly in his clawed hands. The second of the two struck harder, a sadistic smile across his face as he did such. Catrine gasped in pain at the sudden harshness of the punishment, holding her eyes shut tightly.

The next ten seemed to truly affect the girl, each earning a gasp or cry of pain from the little girl. The ones after had less of a effect, slowly going down to a quick intake of air rather then cries of pain. Wild had long since been crying into Twilights chest, quiet sobs into his chest as he felt each strike against his back once more. 

“Wild its almost over ok? We can get Hyrule to heal you up, we can–” he was cut off by the feeling of water rushing over him, this time the body against his chest was forced apart from him, the world around them reforming to be once again Times kitchen. 

But it wasn't Wild who stood there. 

Nor was it Legend.

Once again, It was Konane and Catrine, both now stood older before them. 

Chapter Text

Twilight couldn't explain how much pain he felt upon seeing the two children again. 

Catrine seemed to be years older, her stature looking closer to ten rather then a baby like before. Her arm was held at an odd angle, each step taken seemed to pain her more and more. Her guard uniform fit around her body finally, rather then overly sized compared to before. Her hair was tied back in a ponytail, white seemingly more common then it had been before. Twilights heart sunk when he realized it had been from stress rather then genetics. 

Konane glared at the group again, now looking only a year older then he had before. He held himself differently now, leaning against the wall heavily rather then pridefully as he used to. He wore his usual red tunic, still fitting around his body perfectly. His hair was less pink then it was before, more blonde then it had ever been. Twilight saw the large scars over Legends neck, right in the spots that they usually were in, the same spots his gills were in when he transformed. 

Malons eyes were wide with confusion as she looked upon the chain as a whole, focusing specifically on Twilight himself. Twilight looked down at his chest, the blue blood still stained his clothes from wilds pained injuries he had received. He crinkled his nose at the now dried blood on his chest, pulling off his shirt quickly and tossing it off to the side before he addressed the two youngers. 

“Konane? Catrine?” He asked carefully,  Konane looked up with an unimpressed look in his eyes, he brought his hand up to his cheek, realizing the blood that dripped from it. 

“Twilight.” Konane greets, “You know? I hate asking but think I need help this time.” He promptly collapsed into Twilights outstretched arms, weight going slack quickly as Twilight held onto him. 

“What, in Hylia’s name just happened?!” Malon cried, “one second you're here, the next your not. Now hours later your back again but bloody? An’ wha’ happened to the little ones?” 

“That’s a wonderful question that we can address later, right now we need Hyrule to check these two out for injuries and— wheres Catrine?” the group looked around them to see that in fact, Catrine had disappeared. 

“Oh for Hylia’s sake.” Warriors sighed, “she couldn’t have gotten far, everyone spread out and search for her. Someone? Lock the windows and doors.” They heard a faraway ‘ on it!’ From wind as he made his way away from the group. 

Twilight settled Konane to to the floor, allowing Hyrule to take over while he made his search for Catrine. He set down his weapons before setting off for the bedrooms, far from expecting to see her there. 

The first room was a bust, only finding Warriors there looking for himself. He left time and Malons room to the two of them, leaving one room left, the small guest room. He knocked on the door with a short swift knock, hearing nothing in response. He lightly twisted the doors handle, pushing against the door to find it blocked off by some sort of furniture item. 

As he looked around  the small guest room, he found blood specks littering the floor and walls, the young girl huddled into a corner of the room, hidden beneath a blanket that loosely hung from her shoulders. 

Apparently, Catrine had found the medical kit in the room, settling for stitching herself up rather then letting Hyrule see her. Her hands shook at she stared at Twilight intently, needle in her hand as she worked through the stitchings. 

“Hey Cub, why don’t you let me in and we can talk, ok?” He asked kindly, only receiving a short shake of her head, her eyes refused to show an emotion, similar to back how she was when they first met her younger self. “I won’t hurt ya, I can help with the stitches if you want.” She shook her head again.

“Do ya want someone to hold your hand when your stitching it up then?” her eyes narrowed sharply at him, distrust evident on them. “That’s a no then. Can I atleast come in?” She shook her head again. 

“Cub it’s me comin in or the others may, I think it’s better if just me comes in rather then Wars or time, right?” Catrine considered his words, before ultimately standing slowly, making direct eye contact with Twilight the entire time as she pushed the dresser away from the door. She moved back to her spot on the floor before motioning for Twilight to come in. 

“How have you been little one?” he asked gently, Catrine looked at him blankly, before going back to stitching up a long cut along her wrist. “Did ya clean that first?” she gave him a annoyed look before gesturing to the small container of peroxide next to her lithe form. “Can you talk?”

Catrine shook her head, dropping the needle from how shaky her hands were. “Here let me help—“ he picked up the needle for her, gently pressing it into her hands. Catrine flinched back from his hands, terror crossing her face for the first time, she was scared of touch. 

“Shit, sorry, you don't like touch do you?” he asked, removing his hands quickly, “sorry Catrine.”  she stared at him blankly once again, cocking her head to the side in confusion. “What? Is something wrong? Ah, wait, Can you write?” catrine nodded mutely. “One second Catrine– ok?” once again a blank stare.

He stood quickly, making his way out of the room and shutting the door behind him. He saw the rest of the group stood in the kitchen, all sat around the table. He saw Konane laying on the couch, still asleep and being taken care of by Hyrule. 

“Found her?” Time asked, he drummed his fingers along the table nervously. Malon gently placed her hand on Times arm, leaning her head on his shoulder. 

“Yep. got some pen an’ paper?” Twilight asked gruffly, Malon smiled weakly, pointing to the kitchen counter where she had left both items. “Prepared, thanks.” he nodded to the group, leaving just as quickly as he came. He walked through the creaky halls, knocking at the door once more. He pushed open the door again, revealing Catrine once again attempting to sew up a wound that ran  up her arm. 

“Hey, how about we get Hyrule to fix that, ok? He can do healing magic.” Twilight gently pressed, putting the pen and paper down infront of Catrine. “He would love to help you out with this.” Catrine shook her head,  continuing to shakily work on her wounds. “Can you answer some questions then ill leave you alone?” Catrine looked up at him, before glancing down at the paper. She nodded weakly, picking up the pen and readying her hand for the questions.

“I can still call you Catrine right?” 

‘ No. its Link now. Im not allowed to be called Catrine.’ she wrote, hand shaking as she messily wrote each letter. 

“How old are you Link?” 11.

“Are you a girl Link?” he asked carefully, Link shook their head, before nodding, confusion covering their face as they did such.

‘ Father wants me to be a boy, so im a boy.’ Link wrote, ‘ am I done?’ 

“Link, if you want to be a girl around us, you can be a girl.” Twilight gently spoke, placing a hand on Links shoulder, who froze up in fear– curse his ways of showing affection, of course his Cub was touch opposed even back now. “Sorry, instinct, do you want to be called Catrine here?” His eyes widened in momentary delight before settling again, shaking his head sadly. “We wont judge you Catrine.”

‘ Father will be angry.’ 

“Father doesn't need to know.” Twilight argued, no anger in his voice as he spoke. Link gave a torn look before ultimately shaking his head, deciding on sticking with his fathers command after all. “Why don't we get Hyrule in here to heal you, ok?” another shake of his head. “Cub you cant use those for all of that, its safer if we use the fairy magic, ok?” 

‘ Don't waste magic on me. Ill be fine.’ he wrote before dropping the pen and pulling the needle through the damaged skin, slowly trying to stitch closed the long injuries stretching across his body. Bruises piled on top of each limb like a blanket, only avoiding his head when it came to injuries. 

“Those injuries look pretty bad no?” Twilight commented, Link shook his head— tying off the first stitching he had done. “No?”

Link sighed, putting his needle down as he wrote once again, ‘ I thought you were going to stop talking to me when I finished with those questions.’ 

“I’m not leaving you alone like this.” 

‘ I’m fine. This isn’t that bad.’ He wrote, placing down the pen. 

“Your arm looks broken.” Twilight commented, “I can nearly see the bone Link.” Cub shrugged— poking at the injury with cautious hands. “Your breathing is uneven. I saw how you held yourself earlier. Is your chest hurt?”

“Will you please leave me alone?” The boy whispered, his voice high as it always was, a pained sound escaping him as he did such. He seemed to realize his mistake as he covered his mouth quickly, eyes wide with panic. 

“So you can talk huh?” He shook his head. “Don’t lie now Link, I’m jus’ here to help.” He shook his head again, pointing to the door. “Link I can’t leave you like this.” He pointed once more, eyes looking more desperate by the second as he pointed to it. 

“Fine. But I’m checking those injuries within the hour.” 

—

Link was in pain. His body hurt more then he could have imagined it after that portal took him through. The already burning pain in his ribs had gotten far worse, fairing to the point where breathing was becoming more of a luxury then a basic bodily function. 

He was well aware of the fact that his arm was far past broken, the bone practically sticking out of it was a dead giveaway to that much. The migraine ringing through his head, along with the blurring and deblurring vision he had was slowly leading him to believe his concussion had gotten worse in the past couple days rather then better. 

The man, Twilight— had been awfully nice to him, far to nice in fact. Each kind question or worrisome remark he had made, made Link himself feel horrible about kicking him out of the room, even going as far as accidently speaking to another for the first time in years. He wasn’t quite sure what made him feel as if he should feel safe around them, despite it all, they helped him once in the past, all the way back when he was five. 

That shouldn’t have been enough to make him trust them like that… right? he idly traced over the triangular shape on his hand, the triangular shape burned into his skin since he had pulled the goddess damned sword. 

Trusting people was far to difficult for him, the times he had trusted people had always left him in worse off situations then he started with, the men who tried to have fun with him at five? That trip had eventually ended with their deaths and his ‘choosing’ by the goddess. 

Said goddess had been throwing him off since the day he pulled the sword, muttering things to him he realistically shouldn’t hear. 

Hearing her was off putting.

  He always saw people praying to her shrines every day, whether in towns, in their military bases, Hylia even at stables. All of them waited for a sign from the goddess herself, never to get them from the selfish lady they had to call their goddess. 

Link had stopped praying years before. 

He pulled up his shirt with tentative hands, the bandage binding he had been forced to put on since he started to grow into more of an adult, was wrapped tightly around his chest, laboring his breaths from the broken ribs and the tightly bound bandages. Blood seeped into the bandages, reminding him once again to change his bindings when he had the opportunity to do such. Now didn’t seem to be a good time for that. 

He flattened down his guard uniform, tying back his hair as he glanced around the room, one window, alright we can make this work. He slid the window open, deeming it just a right fit for him to slip out of. It hadn’t been the first time he was at the house, being twice now he had been transported to the small ranch house. 

He pushed his way through the window, sliding it shut after he did such. Alright, hide somewhere for the night, then get moving? No— move now, sleep during the day. They won’t find me if I move far enough at night. 

Link eyed the barn carefully, noting it was a perfect place to hide for now if necessary. He bolted to behind the barn, crouching behind it and considering his options from then on. Forrest behind the house was a good option, but then again he didn’t know his way through it, for all he knew it could go on for weeks of walking. 

There was always that trail they came from all those years ago, but he didn’t trust his five year old memory that much. There was always waiting for the group to leave and see where they went for supplies, but that was always a risk of being found out. 

Maybe staying in the barn wasn’t such a bad idea. 

He pushed open the door to the barn, only to see a certain someone stood right in front of him. The man’s tattooed face staring down at him in a disappointed manner, despite only one eye being there, his stare held as much disappointment  as his fathers could with both eyes. 

“Link.” Time greeted, patting the hay next to him. “Come sit.” He shook his head quickly, shit this went south quickly. “Not a question little one.” Well that settles that. He sat beside the eldest of the group, trying to make himself as small as possible. 

“So, which way we’re you planning on going?” He cocked his head to the side, “Forest or the pathway? I figure you were planning on taking some sort of food from here. Unfortunately there’s only flour and such in here. All our vegetables are in the house.” 

Link looked down in shame, he was so readable that he knew he was trying to escape… and which ways he was going. 

“Don’t be ashamed of it. I would have done the same thing if I was in your situation. But, unfortunately— I can’t let you go with your injuries.” Time stretched his arms above his head. “Going through the window was smart by the way, didn’t think to lock that window since it was so small. Good thinking.”

Was he.. praising him for escaping? 

“You were bleeding pretty bad you know. Why don’t you come in and let me fix ya up? Or Malon could if you’d be more inclined to a woman helpin. I know it can be awkward with having a guy helpin.” 

I’m not a girl. He so desperately wanted to say that, if father caught wind that he had allowed people to call him by his original name or call him a girl? He would be whipped until morning come. 

“I know you're a boy of course, Twilight told me that you want to be a boy?” No but I’ll be punished if I’m not one. He swallowed his words, opting for nodding instead. “I’ve met your older self you know. He wishes he could have gone back in time and stopped your father from forcing you to be a boy.” 

He wished that now. But his feelings were irrelevant. Feelings in general are irrelevant. 

“Don’t think that way.” 

“ Sorry what?!” He spluttered, shock running through his body as the man spoke. He slapped his hand over his mouth, two mess ups in one day. Father should just hang me at this point. 

“There’s the voice we know and love. Can't read your thoughts Cub, funny enough… ya did the same to me once.” He tilted his head to the side, “had some bad thoughts ya know? Ya told me ‘don’t think that way.’ And snapped me right out of it. Says it all in your body language.” 

Link stilled, suddenly overly aware of how he held himself once more. Based on his analysis of the barn, he was trapped in here with Time until the man let him go. 

“Link you know you're safe here… right?” he blinked at time, being the extent of his responses at this point. “No one would ever tell some captain of yours if you talked; or if you got help from us.” 

Lie.

“I promise you, we’re here to help ya, we are hero’s ya know. It’s our job after all.” 

Lie. 

“All of us care for you Cub. We wouldn’t hurt you.” 

Lies. Lies. Lies. Lies. Lies. Lies— 

“Cub.” He snapped his eyes to look at time again, terror gripping his heart, he did something wrong, what did he do? He wasn’t talking was he? Oh Hylia he must have said something out loud again. He was in so much trouble— 

“ Your thinking to much. Calm down and listen to me.” Why should I? He thought defiantly, inching away from time. “Listen, I don’t know what was happening before you got here, but I promise you that it’s over for now. You have time to relax, why don’t you take that opportunity?” 

Link didn’t know how to relax, he hadn’t been able to have a choice in what he was able to do since he was five. But if it was an order would he have to? Then again it was posed as a question rather then a order so hypothetically he could avoid that and continue to do what he was supposed to– 

Then again, there was a captain in the group, one that no doubt would be disappointed in him for not listening to whatever rank this man was. (Commander? General?) the captain would no doubt punish him if he saw him again, speaking, disrespecting authority, attempted escape? Oh Hylia the crimes were piling up. 

“Your thinking too much again.” Time comments, snapping him from his spiral. “Come on, let’s go eat dinner and then you can decide if you want to stay here for the night or not.” Is that an order? Is he ordering me to follow him or is this an offer? Time stood in front of him, holding his hand out to Link. 

It’s an order. His mind decided, his body flinched from the contact with time, the thoughts of the punishments possible from any of the high ranking officials in the house haunted him. Time guided him out of the barn, his hand still holding Links own. 

Let go. 

Let go.

Let go.

Let—

“Link.” He looks up to Time again, noticing how tightly he had grasped times hand, an unconscious attempt to make Time himself be the first to uninitiate the contact between the two. “If you want to hold hands that’s fine, just… loosen up on the grip?” He let go of times hand quickly, taking the opportunity to get rid of the contact that seemed to burn his hand. 

“You don’t have to let go completely ya know.” He laughed, “got a tight grip for a kid.” Did he hurt time? Oh Hylia he messed up again— he was so dead— “kid. Seriously, you look like I’m going to hurt you or something.”

“Aren’t you?” His response came out unconsciously, once again he smacked his hand over his mouth, three times in one day. Hylia he was on a roll. He felt himself curl in on his body, arms clutching around him tightly in an attempt to make himself smaller in the situation. 

Time paused before taking a deep breath, placing his hand on Links shoulder. “No link, no one here wishes harm upon you. All we want is the best for you, ok?” 

“Why though?” he asked, might as well. If he’s going to be punished, he might as well take advantage of his temporary voice. “Why do you care about a stranger?” 

“I did mention I know your older self did I not?” time asked, he nodded. “We’re no strangers kid. But I would do this for anyone. All of us would do this for anyone, alright?” 

“I’m not a kid.” 

“Ya sure are.” Time said with a smile, “as far as I’m concerned, eleven, is still a kid.” 

“I’m a soldier.”

“Yes I’m well aware.” He said through gritted teeth, “you should be enjoying your childhood, not fighting as a soldier.” 

“I don’t– understand, what is there to enjoy?” He bit his tongue, questioning an elder was sure to be at least a few whippings, maybe a missed meal or two. Starvation for a day or so if he was extremely unlucky, which funny enough— he usually was that unlucky. 

“Well, how about playing games with kids your age? Tag? Hide and seek? Catch?” time asked, “you ever play those?” 

“No sir.” He shook his head. At Least be respectful when breaking the rules. 

“Did you play other games then?” 

“No sir, I wasn’t allowed to.” 

“Alright then, how about learning skills? Sewing? Art?” Time asked, his smile falling as he shook his head. “What did you do before the military Link?” 

“Cooking. Cleaning. Gardening.” He listed, “I did sew clothes for my family if needed. On other odd times Father trained me for the military since my brother couldn’t join.”

“Why’s that?” 

“He only has one arm sir.” Link explained, “we have to be physically abled to be in the military. They considered him disabled, so I was forced— er, I took his place.” 

“What did you want to do… if you didn’t have to do this?” 

Huh.

What would he do? 

Link had never thought about that, what was to happen after he was out of his military service. Or even what he would have done. Would have had started a family? become a chef? Hylia would he have had a normal life? 

Would he still have been Catrine?

“Loaded question I know.” Time laughed, “I don’t know what would have happened. I didn’t grow up here in Hyrule, grew up in Termina instead. To be honest, I probably would never have left if I hadn’t been forced to be a hero.” 

Link swallowed hard and nodded, his head spinning from the new question now running through his mind. 

“Let’s get ya all fixed up, alright? Have some dinner, maybe even some apple pie if we’re lucky. Then we can talk ‘bout what ya want to do tonight, deal?” he nodded sharply, not bothering shaking the man’s hand. “Come on kid, let’s get inside. Think it’s gonna rain soon.” 

—

“For Hylia’s sake, is anyone else here hiding injuries?!” Hyrule cried out as he examined the young child’s body. At Least three ribs were cracked, his ribs bruised and skin worse. Old cuts and scars ran up and down his body, one’s Hyrule swore he hadn’t noticed on wild the multitude of times he’s healed him, then again he hadn’t had much of a chance to see wild without his shirt on.

The kids arm was broken, shattered, whatever you may, it was destroyed. Weak attempts at stitchings were noted in hyrules head as he undid them with a steady hand, guiding the rough stitchings out of the wound. (He made a mental note to teach Wild proper medical techniques because this was seriously not going to fly.) 

He noted how many times wild had flinched at the contact he made with him. Without fail, each and every time he touched him, ended up with a violent fully body flinch from the younger form of his friend. (Hyrule thanked Hylia that he didn’t have his tail at the moment, he wouldn’t have survived if he still had that thing. By the three those things were sharp…) 

Hyrule let his magic flow over the youngers injuries, minding the way he grimaced at his bones snapping back into place. The bruises faded to a yellowish color, rather then the dark purple it had previously been. 

He tried not to over analyze what had caused the injuries. 

He really did try.

But it’s so hard not to when the answer is right in your face, so glaringly obvious that it was impossible to miss. 

The marks across his chest were easy to figure out, the binding bandages that ran around his chest bruised and nearly broke multiple bones from how tightly the boy had tied them, especially considering the fact that he wasn’t well endowed ( no offense wild!) 

The ‘scratches’ along his body varied per location. Along his wrists didn’t seem to be self harm (at least he hoped it wasn’t) and more like a punishment as he had previously told them about. The cuts were slightly infected, not enough to be of worry but enough that he had to take a few minutes to himself, trying to keep himself from going full ‘mother hen’ on him. 

Fae were known to have certain people they generally were more… attached to. They would do anything to protect that small group of people, and have been known to get quite… terrifying when people hurt them. Thankfully Hyrule being only half Fae was able to suppress those urges (most of the time) 

The ‘mother hen’ urges attached closely to those protective urges, his want to baby and coddle the people he had attached to (legend and Wild specifically) the two didn’t mind most of the time, but days that either of their scars or other issues acted up, they would get really snippy and try to avoid the constant attachment he held to them. 

Now was one of those times. Legend was still unconscious, and based on how small brushes of contact made Wild act, he wouldn’t survive a minute being cuddled by Hyrule. 

The cuts along his legs were less cuts and more marks from some sort of whip, which based on last times injuries, he didn’t doubt that it was a whip lashing mark. There was normal cuts from obvious training, but it was mainly from those whip marks. 

Along his chest was more or less the same, cuts from whip lashings and sword training all the likes. The other strange ones were obvious arrow wounds, burns from cooking, which was nothing new seeing how often Wild was willing to dunk his hand into boiling water for fun. 

The weirdest wound was the one that trailed down his spine, the messily sewn up wound looked as if it had been a dull knife shoved into his back before dragging down his spine. Hyrule winced in pity of the poor condition of his already mutilated back. It gets worse, oh Hylia it gets so much worse… 

“Wi— Link? I just have some questions on the injuries, if your able to ta—talk or write answers that would be great!” hyrule said in a low tone, attempting to not give away his distress. Wild shook his head, curling in on himself as he laid there. Hyrule was ever grateful he had taken over the small bedroom to help the two of them heal. Neither would have liked being so exposed in front of the group. 

“O-oh! That’s fine, could we do yes or no questions then? i just need to make sure your getting the proper treatment for all of the inju…” he watched as the younger form of Wild shook his head again, further hiding in on himself in his uncomfortable state. 

“Please.. just stop…?” Wild asked pathetically, his voice small and pained. “I can’t tell you anything. He’ll hur— he’ll be mad at me.” Hyrule gently pulled him to lay on his back, the wound already healed up. 

“Link these are some serious injuries, I’m aware that these were caused by your commander but he’s not here. Your safe here, and besides; I’m a healer, it’s my job to make sure your in a safe environment.” Even if it won’t make a difference. “So let’s start over, you don’t have to tell me who did it, or why they did it. Just what caused it. ” 

“I can’t.” He said meekly, face falling pale, “he will do it again if I do…” his eyes widened with recognition, “oh Hylia he’s going to know someone saw this all.” He covered his mouth in shock.

“Excuse me?”

“He’s going to know someone healed me— oh Hylia he’s going to kill me.” He backed away from Hyrules healing magic, forcing himself onto a far edge of the couch. The boy shook violently as he covered his mouth, hand grasping at his knees weakly. 

“Link calm down— what are you even saying?” Hyrule asked, lifting his hands up and quickly shutting down the spell he had been using on him. 

Wild didn’t respond, body frozen besides the trembling that violently shook his lithe form. Oh shit I did mess up didn’t I. 

“Listen, I’ll stop ok? How about I bandage the rest and then we can—“ 

He only looked away for a second before the boy was gone. He had reached into his bag for bandages and both wild and his shirt were gone. Well shit. 

Hyrule cupped a hand around his mouth, “ Time we have a problem!” 

—

Konane didn't like rude awakenings.

Hylia he didn't think anyone liked them. 

He felt something, or rather someone crash into where he was sleeping, before falling atop of him. 

Konane shot up from his sleeping position, blinking the sleep out of his eyes as he looked around the dimly lit room. His arms and body was covered in bandages, a loose shirt slipped over his body chest, most likely times (if he remembered correctly) since they were in his home. 

The figure that had crashed into him staired with wide eyes at him, panic evident in them as she staired at Konane. He recognized the figure to a small extent, the young girl he had once protected over a year before now stood before him, five years older then she had been last time they had seen her. She herself was covered in injuries head to toe, her shirt was held up to her chest, hiding herself from Konane and most likely anyone else there was in the house.

“Fuckin ‘ell Cub. The hell ya doin?” he slurred out, still disoriented by his rude awakening. “And wheres your shirt? Hell, why are you so old now?” Cubs eyes flickered back and forth between the door and Konane, as if waiting for it to bust open any second now. 

“Shh. not so loud.” the girl hushed him, ducking behind the couch he had been sleeping on. He heard her put the shirt on from behind the couch, before popping her head up to look at Konane. 

“Cub, who are you hiding from?” he asked, lifting himself to look over the couch and into the girls eyes. “I thought these people were nice, right?” cubs eyes shifted back and forth, the terrified expression remaining on her face. 

“They're trying to heal me.” she stated, as if it was now clear as day as to why she was doing this. Konane threw her an unimpressed look, looking down at his own healed injuries. 

“That's a problem how?” He asked, “I mean Hyrule did a pretty good job on mine.” 

“ That's not it. ” she grumbled, “I shouldn't even be talking, I don't know why i'm even speaking to you.” 

“Because that's what a conversation is? Why in hell shouldn't you be talking?” Konane asked, leaning over the couch to look at Cub. “are you ok?” 

“No. I want to go home. Father is just going to be mad at me for letting people see…” she trailed off, staring at the door with narrowed eyes, “They’re all just going to report me to father. I don't want them to be near me.” 

Great, another person with authority issues. Like Konane himself wasn't enough for the house itself. 

“I thought you were like.. Super obedient to those people.” Konane leaned his head onto his crossed arms, sitting over the edge of the couch. “Don't like them now?” 

“They're getting me in more trouble.” Cub crossed her arms, slinking down the side of the couch. “Father is already going to kill me for letting them see the punishments. I don't want it to be worse.” 

“Isn't like– running from them also a rule?” Cubs eyes widened in realization, as if he suddenly had just remembered that rule, which was most likely the case. 

It seemed cub was about to say something before a loud knocking sounded out at the door, startling the pair and making them whip their heads around quickly to look at said door. He heard what he assumed to be Hyrules voice from the other side, letting him know he was coming in. Cubs eyes went  even wider (somehow) and she shrunk in on herself. 

“Hey Ko! Are you feeling alright?” Hyrule had a stressed look on his face despite the cheery tone he held. 

“Fine.” he replied, “is something the matter?” 

“Oh, nothing. You haven't seen Cub have you?” He approached Konane carefully, looking around the room with scanning eyes, searching presumably for wherever Cub was. “Hes seriously injured and we cant let him run around in the state hes in.” 

“He?” Konane questioned, “isn't Cub a girl? Catrine or whatever?” Hyrules face fell, looking to the ceiling as if trying to force back tears, finally, he shook his head. “Not relevant, but if I did happen to know where he was, which for the record I don't.  But, if I did, why should I tell you?” 

“Oh Hylia, Ko, listen. I know that you have some problems with adults but can we not do this? That kid has an infected cut all up his back and if its not cleaned soon he could die.” Hyrule squeezed his eyes shut, his voice holding a bell-like sound as he progressively got more stressed. “So if you did, not saying you do, but if you did know where he was, would you be willing to tell us?” 

What a dilemma. Let cub live and be hated, or let him die with no grudge. Seemed easy enough. 

“Yeah he's back here.” He chose to ignore the loud Hey! That Cub let out as he betrayed the limited trust that the two had with one another. “Cub your dying, go get healed.” 

“ Fathers going to kill me if I do.” He hissed out.

“I'm sure he wont.” Konane said in almost a bored tone, “Go heal. They'll protect ya if your ‘father’ comes a knockin.” he shooed the eleven year old forward, the kid freezing in place out of pure fear. 

“Cub I doubt he will know if you–” 

“He will!” He cried out, covering his mouth quickly, “im sorry. I’m sorry. Im sorry. Imsorryimsorryimsorry–” He was cut off by Konane slapping his hand over his mouth, before moving his hands to Cubs cheeks. 

“Get it together, No ones mad at you ok? Not me, not that guy, not anyone here. Just let him do his job, and then maybe ill give you extra desert?” Cub considered his words before nodding slowly, relaxing from his previously tense state.  

“Sorry Ko. We didn’t want to wake you…” Hyrule sighed, coaxing Cub to a seated position where he would be able to work. 

“It’s whatever. He obviously needed help.” Konane waved him off, settling back into the blankets he had been covered in. “You can rest in here once Hyrule is done, ok cub?” 

“I’m not a little kid.” Cub grumbled, clearly distressed about Hyrule touching him. “Everyone keeps treating me like one. I’m eleven.” 

“Still a kid in my books.” Hyrule commented, his magic flowing over the youngers injuries. “Both of you are still kids.” 

“I’m a seasoned adventurer. Plus I’m at least a teenager. I’m thirteen for the record.” Konane argued back, further settling in on himself. Pain radiates from his legs as he moved, the pain still not going away since he had been cursed. 

“You can be an adult when your older, enjoy your childhood when you can.” Hyrule smiled brightly at them. “I’ll make some honey milk for you both— er… Malon will make some. I think I’m still banned from the kitchen.” He rubbed his neck sheepishly. 

Cub curled tighter in on himself as Hyrule worked, uncomfortable despite the relaxed atmosphere in the room. Hyrule seemed to move quickly as he worked, the damage on Cubs body slowly fading to dull scars against his skin. 

“There we go. See? Not to bad. Now. I’ll grab some blankets for you so that—“ konane reached over, grabbing the kid tightly in his arms as he dragged him onto the large couch with him. Cub tensed up before relaxing into Konanes arms, allowing Hyrule to cover the both in blankets. 

“Rest well you two.”

—

They witnessed the memories three days later, unexpectedly around twelve at night. The memories painfully flittered past each of them as they watched each painful moment of Legends second journey fly by. 

The moment when he was cursed was by far the most terrifying, watching as the young child screamed in horror and pain as he transformed the first time. 

He was left to die in those waters. His unconscious form laying on the edge of the water and land, blood soaking the water around his tail from the breaking of skin and bones that had to occur to transform the first time. 

His scaled hands clutched tightly to his tail as he folded in on himself, sobbing as he finally awoke from his misery. The rest of the water temple seemed to pass by in seconds, flitting to images of Legend crashing into walls, scars running up his legs from the transformation. 

This was when it all started. Hyrule reminded himself, watching as Konane had collapsed crying in pain, Legend himself watching with pained eyes, leaning heavily on whatever surface was near enough to him. Right, he’s used to this pain. 

The memories seemed to fly past like leaves in a storm as legend disappeared, leaving Wild in his place, and Konane in Cubs previous position. 

Wilds memories seemed to fly by just as quick, stopping momentarily at a particularly brutal scene where he was thrown into a cell, dark and damp with mold. He stumbled into the wall before hitting his fists against the door, begging for any sort of forgiveness from the man who had thrown him in there. 

The scene had flashed to days later, wild had been shivering in the room, obviously starved and weak with lack of food and water. Light spilled over the room as two men dragged his limp body out from the room. Thankfully the memory changed quickly after that— wilds current form shook in Twilights arms, to exhausted from the memories state to hold himself up any longer. 

It wasn’t long before they landed back in the house, the group either shaking or frozen from horror at the sights of their friends they had seen. The damage done to their brothers they now had seen. 

It was almost dehumanizing watching the memories be forced to be shown to them. Watching as the privacy their friends once had was stripped away from them once again. 

Speaking of which, the two now had grown, once again Legend by only a singular year, whilst wild had finally outgrown the other, seemingly fifteen years of age. 

Konane held a tired  look once again, staring at the group with heavy bags under his eyes. His hair was a wreck, sunken in eyes barely focusing in on the group as he swayed in spot. Blood dripped from his forehead, bruises and dirt covering their friend from head to toe, his misery was felt all through the group, all tiredly staring at the two as they once again weren’t returned to them. 

Cub held a blank look on his face, face pale and bloody. Blood was staining the entire upper portion of his shirt, as weird as it was to see Wild without his regular Blue blood, they didn’t have time to even comment on that fact. 

He leaned heavily against the doorway. The master sword presented proudly across his back. The shirt was dark blue and red, a look of recognition crossing over Warriors face as he muttered out royal guard uniform to the group. leather armor sat loosely around his wrists and shoulders. His hair was tied back how it usually was, a long cut snaking it’s way across his throat with terrible stitchings holding the skin together. Even through the shirt, they could see his ribs protruding from his body, just underneath a small medal along the leather strap that helped hold his sword. 

They could see Warriors face fall at the sight, fifteen and a royal guard. Another thing was stuck to his strap, being a golden emblem of Hyrules royal family. 

“Warriors, grab Cub and put him on the couch, same with legend if possible. Hyrule, you better have some Green potions left over for this because this is about to be a long night.” Time commanded.

“Yes sir.” Hyrule nodded, he felt his feet move before he had even registered what was said, he grasped at the green potion at the bedside, uncorking it for future use. Four left, Hylia this isn’t good. 

He heard the door slam open as two forms were forced into the room, Konane blinking wearily at the group as he grumbled under his breath about whatever the sort. Cub swayed in the spot, struggling to stay upright yet refusing to sit for treatment once again.

“Cub you better sit your ass down before I make you sit your ass down.” Cub looked skeptically at him but nodded, taking a seat on the bed before Hyrule. “Hyrule what do you need me to do?” Warriors asked, already working on the armor of cub. 

“Do that, and preferably get his shirt off at the very least. After that we need someone to run a bath for each of them, if possible.” He looked hopefully towards Warriors who nodded, going to the doorway and shouting for the others to run some baths. 

“Alright, shit.” Hyrule muttered, unbuckling one of wilds armor pieces. “Wars I need you to help Legend, if he needs magic let me know, I need to see what all this blood is coming from.” 

“On it.” Warriors said, “alright Konane, up and over yea?” Konane threw him an unimpressed look but obliged, revealing bruises and cuts all the like. “Seems not bad, cleaning it and some potions will do it. Let’s get ya to that bath. Smells like ya need it.” He lifted Konane up in his arms, holding him in a ‘bridal carry’ “Alright konane, ya better get used to me real quick cause this bouta get real personal.” Hyrule winced at the wording but ignored it, listening for the door to close before turning back to cub. 

“You mind if I take your shirt off?  your bleeding really bad under ther—“ Cub cut him off by nodding his head, undoing his shirt dutifully. “Well that was easy. Would you mind telling me any injuries you have?”

Cub stared at him before just pointing to his throat. “Is that injured?” he shook his head quickly. “You cant speak can you?” he nodded, face not changing from his neutral expression even as he finished undoing his shirt. 

He dropped the shirt off to the side, shamefully looking away from hyrule as the injuries were presented to him. Two roughly carved cuts were under where his breasts should have been, now replaced only by mutilated skin, his nipples missing, and skin bruised and bloody. Blood ran from the two terrible cuts that had been cut into his skin, terrible stitchings that seemed to have a severe lack of medical knowledge or care written all over it. 

“Oh… Link what happened? ” Cub ignored his question, choosing to pick at some blood underneath his nails. “You didn't do it yourself did you?” cub shook his head slowly, before attempting to sign.

‘ Together. Three.’ he signed, pointing at the injury. 

“You did it with three others?” he shook his head in frustration.

‘ Me, together. Three t i m a.’ he finger spelled the last bit.

“You've resewn it three times?” a nod. “Alright then. Been learning sign?” distract him as much as possible, he reminded himself, still unknowing if Wild at this time was still in such an abusive situation that healing would warrant punishment. 

‘ Yes. z a l d e teach me.’ He signed, mixing up the ‘a’ and the ‘e’. ‘ Didn't like no t a l k.’ 

“You're close with her?” Hylia why couldn't he remember what Wild was doing during this time? Was this when he was part of the normal royal guard? The champions? Zelda's personal guard? 

‘ Guard.’ He nods, pointing to himself.

“What a big honor!” Hyrule said with a smile. “Princess Zelda’s protector is a big job! Do you like it?” 

‘ It’s fine.’ Cub signs. ‘ She no like me.’ 

“She doesn’t now?” He noted how sky called for them, the baths been run. Good. “How about we talk more after we wash off all that blood from your body, ok?” 

‘ Yes sir.’  

“No, not sir. I’m Hyrule.” He signed his name and the usual sign that wild did for his name, forming a ‘h’ on his dominant hand, and putting it to his wrist. The usual sign for doctor only slightly modified, Hyrule had always loved Wilds sign for his name, thinking how unique it had been for him. 

‘ Hyrule.’ he repeated, ‘ Hyrule. Hyrule. Hyrule.’ 

“Yes, Im Hyrule. Remember me? We first met when you were five, and then when you were eleven.” Wild nodded, following along with Hyrules signing as he spoke. “Lets get to that bath then, alright?” 

‘ Ok hyrule.’ Cub gave a small smile to him, allowing Hyrule to help him to his feet. The two hobbling to the closest bathroom, where the tub was filled with warm water. HYrule helped Cub step out of his pants, letting him sink into the bath. 

The water was bloody and red by thirty seconds in the bath, Hyrule took out one of the washcloths from the closet, approaching Cub cautiously. “Your ok with me touching you right? I need to clean the dirt off of your injuries.”

‘ Do what you want. Your in charge, im here to serve.’ it seemed almost instinctual how he responded, as if he phrase had been engrained in his mind. 

“Here to serve… right.” Hyrule muttered, running the washcloth into the water before gently rubbing it on his shoulders. “Let me know if it hurts.”

‘ It doesn’t matter if it hurts. Do whatever you must.’ Cub signed, moving his arm out of the water for easier access. ‘ Your in charge, direct me.’ 

“I don’t think I’m really in charge here.” Hyrule grimaced, “I’m just here to help.” He gently ran the washcloth over his arm, clearing off the blood from the damaged arm, not to damaged yet, he knows what happens to it. His mind wouldn’t let him forget how the already horribly traumatized boy would be in less then two years, dead, horribly disfigured and left in chronic pain. 

He saw Cub staring at him in confusion, only then noticing how tight his grip had gotten on his arm. “Sorry cub. Just thinking…” 

‘ It ok.’ He signed meekly, ‘ you do how you do.’ 

“No… no I didn’t mean to do that. Sorry Cub if I hurt you.” He sighed, dipping the washcloth back into the water. He made a start on his other arm, receiving a hiss of pain from Cub. “Sorry cub.”

‘ Fine.’ 

He moved to his legs next, scrubbing off the dirt and blood  that had accumulated from however long he had those injuries for. The washcloth stained red with his blood as he moved onto his back, the chest last. That’s by far the most delicate. The long scar up his back along with the lash marks remained there, now healed into long white marks up his back, he ran his finger down the raised skin along his back.

‘ You did good job with them.’ Cub signed, ‘ they heal nice.’ 

“Thank you Cub.” He muttered, moving to Cubs front as he finished off his cleaning of the boy. He avoided the large cuts along his chest, cleaning around the cuts so he could later wash the actual injuries out with cleaner water. 

He pulled a cup of clean water from the closet in the room, supposedly left there by Sky from the earlier filling of the bath. He poured the water over Cubs chest, cleaning out the wounds with only a small pained gasp as he did such. 

“Let’s.. dry you off, then we could work on stitching, alright?”

‘ Ok.’

—

“You cook a lot?” Malon asked, startling him from his thoughts. 

Link stared at malon for a long second before nodding, continuing to kneed the dough through his bandaged hands. He had made this recipe for to many times to count. Each move was an instinct by then, but then again, what part of his life wasn’t just another instinct?

Cook, done. Fight, done, protect? Done. He easily followed his instincts in each situation, following the movements his brain had preprogrammed into his mind when he was doing simple tasks. 

“Well isn’t that nice.” She smiled down at him, cutting apples as she worked on an apple pie for Time. “Do you like to cook?” He nodded again. 

“What’s your favorite thing to cook?” he pointed at the dough that was infront of him, she peered down curiously at the dough, “is that the recipe I taught you all those years ago?” He nodded again. 

“Impressive that you remember it after all this time.” She gave an approving nod to him. “I can barely remember how to make this pie half the time, and I make it almost every week!” she laughed. 

‘ T I m e likes it right?’ He asked, her smile grew. 

“Yes! He does! Oh I’m so happy you remembered Cub!” She gave him a half hug, only releasing him when she realized he was frozen in place. “Sorry, hugging is how I share my love.” He blinked, confusion crossing him as she spoke. 

Sharing love? 

‘ Share love? What mean?’ 

“Well— oh dear, how do I explain this— it’s how I show my appreciation to people, rather then giving people gifts or say, just spending time with them, I like to give hugs, kisses, or just a nice high five to someone.” She explained, Cub nodded, pointing to the food in front of them. “You share it through gifts?” 

‘ Food.’ He corrected. She laughed at his words.

“How sweet. That’s adorable Cub.” 

‘ Are you a mother?’ 

“Not yet no. Why’s that?” 

‘ You remind me of mine.’ He signed, her face lit up. 

“I do?! Oh thank Hylia, that’s wonderful news Cub.” 

‘ Why?’

“I don’t know, I’ve never known if I would be a good mother. And hearing it from such a wonderful boy, I can tell you have a great mother.” He nods. 

‘ Malon?’ 

“Yes dear?”

‘ Could you hug me again?’ 

“Of course.” 

Chapter Text

Legend was getting a little tired of being trapped in his own mind. The agony of watching his friends interact with his past self as he was forcefully exposed, all his pains, his trauma just put on display as if it was some sort of circus act. 

It was sickening.

The mindless memories that kept playing infront of him and wild even when they weren’t presented to the group— that was mind numbing. The screams of himself and wild kept circling his head as they repeated over and over again. He had stopped trying to watch a while ago.

Wild on the other hand had just been staring. He sat by legends side, watching as his past self suffered. The blood surrounding them, staining his clothes and tearing up their skin. Bones snapping and fixing once again. It was horrifying. He couldn’t imagine dealing with this regularly, just watching over and over again as the worst memories forced itself to be seen by him once again. 

He stumbled in pain as another wave of pain washed over him, his leg nearly giving out on him as a memory yelled in the background. Legend chose not to watch once again, just crouching beside wild, placing a hand on the man’s shoulder. 

“Learn more about her?” Legend asked numbly, pain running through his legs in waves. Wild shook his head miserably, curling in on himself with a tired grunt. “Why don’t you stop watching, just watch our dumbass selves work their terrible magic.”

‘I need to know what my life was like Legend.’ He signed, hands shaking from pain and over exertion. ‘ You’re reliving things you know… I… I don’t know any of this.’ Legend could see the determination in his eyes, only slightly overshadowed by the pain that was felt by him, berating at any sort of hopeful wanting for his past. 

“Maybe some things are better left unknown?” He bit back a yell of pain as he felt a sword go into his side, blood spilling onto the floor before the wound sealed up, wilds hand glowed a light blue as he healed the stab wound. His magic had been instrumental to them through this, keeping them conscious and alive for the most part. 

Well, for the most part atleast. Wild had many times collapsed against Legend, near moments from death before some sort of magic of the curse helped them stay alive. If it hadn't done such, he had no doubt the both of them would have been dead by then. 

‘ I don’t want to not know. Besides, something would eventually trigger these memories anyways.’ He tucked his arm closer to him again, ‘I just wish there was good memories to break it up.’ 

“What I wouldn’t do for a memory of Ravio.” Legend sighed, running his hand through his hair, “that isn’t me getting stabbed or something.” 

Wild hummed in response, cringing slightly at the sight of the next memory that forced itself to play, painfully loud clashing of swords sounded out, screams of pain and horror echoing out in the background before a loud splash sounded out.

“What’s this one?”

‘ Finding my mother and brothers bodies.’ Wild signed back numbly, burrying his face into his arms. ‘ They killed themselves, jumped into a fast river and drowned. A lot of people did that. I’m wading through bodies right now.’ 

At the beginning, he would have been more bothered with the memory, both of them would have been. But seeing how it had been around two weeks, they had just grown accustomed to the painful screams and memories forcing themselves to play. Legend grabbed wilds shoulder physically turning him around, no fight was given by the dragon, who just leaned onto Legends shoulder, carefully avoiding hitting him with his horns.

‘ Im so tired.’ Wild signed, before letting his arms flop to his sides scarred and bloody from the encounters here, pus had been whipped off, the dirty clothes sitting off to the side, far away from the damaged heros. ‘ I just want to sleep.’

“I know.” Legend nodded, running a hand through the dragons matted hair. His own memories had been rough, but they were all from his journeys, from needed things. Whilst he had watched far to many times— just straight torture, just for the hell of it sometimes. The lashings and cuts along his wrists were just because he had messed up— not to mention the cuts and bruises from far to harsh training.

‘ I don’t like my father.’

“I would hope you didn’t?” Legend said questioningly, momentarily halting in the brushing to work through a knot.

‘ I thought I liked him. I feel like I should. Aren't people supposed to like their fathers?’ Wild asked, legend half shrugged as to not disturb wilds position.

“My dad died when I was young, and my uncle was an asshole. I disliked him sure, yet I still felt like I should love him. You on the other hand shouldn't like your father whatsoever. I mean my uncle was teaching me the real world— your… captain didn’t really ‘ teach’' he said, making quotes in the air. “He just kinda… tortured.” 

‘ I deserved it though. I wasn’t great as a kid.’ He gestured behind him mildly, ‘ I didn’t listen to him a lot. I mean I get it wasn’t a healthy relationship with him, but it  wasn’t all his fault, he was doin his job right?’

“Unnecessarily cruelly.” Legend added on, “sure he was training but, I mean he didn’t have to cut you for mispronunciation.” 

‘Didn’t he though?’ 

“Nah. I had speech problems as a kid, my uncle just corrected me and made me say the word over and over until I got it right, physical violence was… not needed.” Legend picked at the blood under his nails idly. They have had many conversations similar to this during their time— legend having to explain how things weren’t normal to Wild, who simply tried to argue back that it felt far t oo normal, and ‘ he deserved it.’ Which was absolute bullshit of course.

He hated watching as wild forced himself to remember all the horrible memories, the remembrance of only bad things, once again reinforcing the terrible mentality that wild held for himself. The lack of confidence, lack of self worth, even the lack of care for himself— all stemmed from the ideas of the fact he was a ‘failure.’ His memories only showed the bad, he only saw his failures, the fights he had to put up with— fights he suffered through. Legend had no doubt in his mind wild was just as good at fighting back before his death as he was now, the skills he had didn’t just come from nowhere. 

Wild shrank in on himself further, continuing to watch as his past self was seemingly tormented by a Rito who had a severe lack of empathy. Legend was greatful that his own played only when he looked the other way. Everytime he turned to follow the real world, his own would stop, allowing wilds to yell out behind them.

He listened to the yells in the background, a sound he had grown used to the past few weeks. Gazing down upon Wilds face he could see the exhaustion the both of them felt, yet there was  always the other  thing he could see, the way wild felt about himself. He always seemed to have this look of understanding as to why it had been done to him, as if he thought he deserved it. No matter how many times he had corrected wild on that fact, in that he didnt deserve any of the torment he had gone through. 

Yet he digressed, there was no teaching Wild out of this, he tried for weeks and failed all the while. 

If the two of them ignored the memories for to long, a burning pain seemed to rage through them, screams echoing through them worse then before, louder and louder until it was unbearable. As long as they looked for a while even once an hour (or atleast whatever the equivalent was in this strange cursed place) then they dont feel the effects as badly.

They had tried ignoring it for as long as possible, only managing to make it to thirteen memories before Wild had turned himself around silently, staring at the memories behind him. 

The way this room like place was set up was strange, if you looked behind them, then you would be immersed in the memory, only when you physically turned your entire body around and said how you wished to see the real world it would show. It was strange and confusing even for legend, who had seen some strange shit. He turned his head to see how wilds memories were doing, atleast he could see parts of it while still seeing the real world. 

The rito continued to yell at wild, who was holding a hand over his eye, blood seeping out of it slowly. Wild himself had  a pained look on his face, blood spilling from his eye in the same manor it had in the memory. He whipped it away in annoyance, the eye spinning in the socket, slick and blue with blood. 

‘ I overexerted myself after I lost my eye.’ Wild signed, ‘ he’s worried about me but…’

“Bad way of showing it.” Legend nodded numbly, “listen, how about you watch the real world for a while, and I’ll take a turn over here, you need a break wild.” 

“Im fine. I need to know more.” Wild dumbly stated, pressing a finger to his mechanical eye to steady it, no doubt it was making him dizzy with how quickly it locked onto each and every enemy and friend around him in the memory. 

“ Wild.” He sighed, gently placing his hand over Wilds eye, the dragon nodding thankfully to him. “Were sitting near the water, why dont you Watch over here for a little while, see the sunlight and all.” Wild didnt move, “I think a few Zora are there, maybe Sidon is?”Wilds eye opened wider, excitement filling his expression before it shut itself down, shaking his head slowly before closing his eye. 

“I havent been able to see through my perspective since the last memories.” he hummed out, “I rather know why Im screaming then not.” he fiddled with the necklace that hung from his neck, two small shells in a silver hanging from his neck. 

“What are those for?”

“What?”

“The shells.”

Wild Grimaced, hand falling back to his side, “jus’ some shells.” he said miserably.

“Seems to be important to ya. I’ve never seen it before.” Legend inspected it carefully, small gems sat in the middle, pink and blue in color. He smiled at the implications of said necklace, releasing it, “the Zora don’t do rings do they?”

“No they don’t.” Wild muttered in agreement, “they have a couple things, there’s a suit they make to originally propose, then once it’s accepted, they give you a shell. These are just fancy since it’s from royalty.”

“Ones from Mipha, one from Sidon right?” wild nodded, “is Mipha… ok with you marrying her brother?”

“I already asked, she said of course we could get married.” He shrugged, “they both love me and want to see me happy or something.” 

“But you can’t accept people actually care for you?”

“Nope. Doesn’t make sense in the slightest how Zora Royalty love me like that. I mean they could do so much better. There’s that group of ocean Zora—“ wild covered his mouth, “oh shit. What if he doesn’t like me anymore after this? What if he—“

“I can assure you he still loves you. I mean he immediately was rushing to them and asking about your well-being. If anything— his love for you has only grown these past months.” Legend assured him, “listen, I felt the same about Ravio at the beginning. I thought he could so much better, yet here I am, married three years later to him.” 

Wild nodded dully, cringing at the loud noise that echoed out, biting his lip in an attempt to cover some sort of pained noise. Blood spilled from a large cut that formed over his upper arm, not even bothering to try and heal it at that point.

“Running out of energy?” 

“It’ll be bad if I try to heal that cut yes.” Wild grimaced, “goddesses, we need those memories to start soon, we atleast get healed before them.” 

“Switch. You’re going to die if you stay over there wild.” He flipped himself around, looking wild in the eye before the dragon nodded, flipping to face the real world side, proclaiming his change in exhaustion.

“It’s not black anymore….” He hummed, legend nodded tiredly. “Thats strange… why would it change all of a sudden?”

“Who knows?” Legend mumbled, considering the memory in front of him, “wild.” Wild hummed in response, “these memories are only from the time our bodies are from right?”

“…yes? Why?”

“Your… death. Wild, do you think it will—“

“Don’t think about it. We can deal with it if it comes to pass.” Wild muttered, obviously upset by the idea of all the scarring getting opened back up once again, feeling the pain of death once more—

Hylia Legend was terrified.

–

Hylia wasn’t nice with the swap. 

She never really was, but this time was different. While other times could drop them in the middle of a bokoblin camp, or even in the middle of a maze (as they had been previously dropped, Hyrule shuddered at the thought of that maze) yet this one just seemed…

Cruel. 

The group reformed in front of a familiar sight, the sight of Wilds castle. 

Yet the castle looked off. Instead of the crumbling towers, covered in malice and littered with monsters— it was beautiful. A small town stood around the castle, bustling with energy and people. The people greeted one another in such a familiar way, as if nothing bad had happened to them. As if nothing bad would ever happen to them. 

A few soldiers stood at the entrance to the city, chattering away casually as they worked. Banners fluttered in the wind, the Royal symbol displayed itself proudly upon them, gold stitching glittering in the sunlight. Cub blinked at the castle as if in disbelief, nodding to thr guards who saluted in return, both suddenly stopped chattering, now paying ample attention to Cub.

“Sir.” The left greeted, pulling himself to stand straighter, “Is there any new orders?” Cub shook his head, nodding to the other in respect. 

“Thank you sir.” The second mumbled, looking rather tired, yet holding himself tall despite exhaustion. “Where is Princess Zelda?” Cub gestured to the castle before placing a hand on his hilt, slightly tilting the sword back. The group, besides Wars didn't understand the movement, gazing upon one another in confusion.

‘ At ease.’ Warriors signed to Hyrule, continuing to watch as Cub continued through the town, ignoring the looks he got as he did such. Hyrule jolted, jumping to run after him. He felt the smooth way the cobblestones connected, unlike how it was in recent times in Wilds era, where stones were cracked, standing up and missing in spots.

The castle was impressive to look at, tall towering gates, large banners and flags flying in the wind. Guards roamed the grounds, gardeners tended to the plants about the castle. A few royals scuttled about, chatting idly to other rich folk, fanning themselves with feathered fans. A few looked at the group strangely, but most just nodded to Wild in respect, something they hadn’t seen often in his era.

Cub adjusted his Royal guard uniform, fixing at the dust and dirt that cling to his shirt and pants. He had a far more… uncomfortable look to him. The way his eyes tracked every movement wasn’t new per say, but the strange way he moved, how stiffly he nodded to each rich person, each noble that passed the group. As if he was praying they didn’t notice the small specs of dirt and blood they clung to him. 

“The castles beautiful Cub.” Hyrule said softly, looking to stained glass windows that seemed to glow in the sun. The incredibly made glass displayed scenery he had seen in Wilds world in the past, alongside places he had never seen before, all holding a triforce or the Royal emblem. He noted at the figure that darkened one of the higher towers before disappearing once more.

The guards saluted to Cub as he walked along, Cub simply nodded in response, not seeing how behind his back— the soldiers glared at him with malice in their eyes. Hyrule found himself glaring back, knowing fully well how these men’s thoughts were about Cub, how they didn’t like how he wasn’t fully hylian, yet in higher powers then they were.

Hyrule didn’t like how well Cub was at hiding the more white strands of his hair.

He felt as if someone had walked over his grave as he walked into the castle, cold enveloped him quickly, any warmth or comfort he previously had now gone to the cold quiet of the castle. His mind idly wondered if this was how it always was for wild when he was here, the cold and oddly quiet halls of the castle. 

Cub bowed his head to the guards at the doorway, allowing them to push the doors open for their entryway. The doors opened to the throne room, two thrones stood tall at the end, one empty and looking rather untouched, as if the person hadn’t sat there for years. Red carpet spilled out over the flooring, gold and blue bordering it, similarly to wilds uniform. 

Marble pillars supported the painted ceiling, depicting a rather familiar scene, or rather many familiar scenes. The painting form of many of their adventures were stretched out overtop the place, from sky to even Hyrule himself, it all was painted cleanly across the ceiling. Gold seemed to make its way into most decor, gold lighting, gold thrones, doorknobs, all the sort. Hyrule sat in marvel at the incredible throne room.

Yet something felt strange. 

A girl who looked nearly seventeen stood at the front of the room, stood by the side of an older man, a white beard billowing from his face. A large crown sat atop his head, regal clothing that Hyrule couldn’t even begin to describe enveloped his large form. The girl had a rather cross look on her face, looking annoyed at the sight of Cub rather then excited like they had seen in the past.

“Finally done galavanting with strangers?” A voice boomed, Cub lowered his head, nodding to the king. “You disappear, and expect nothing in retaliation? What if she had gotten hurt? We don’t have time for a new holder of Hylia’s power to form.” The man glared accusingly at Cub, who nodded once again.

“I told you , I don’t want him. Nor do I need him always on my tail.” Zelda grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest in annoyance. Her entire presence was completely different then how she was in the future, how annoyed she seemed to always be, how regal she acted, plus her hatred for Cub spoke measures to even that alone.

“ Zelda. For the last time, your use outweighs this supposed ‘want for freedom.’ Now, off to your study before tonight’s prayer. I wish to speak with this thing and it’s friends.” Zelda stormed off, the loud clack! Of her heals sounding loudly as she slammed the door behind her. Cub glanced in the direction she went to, as if wishing he was there dealing with her rage then the kings.

“These… travelers.” The king grumbled, “is who you ran off with?” Cub nodded duly, “and who are you all to be exact?”

“Your Royal highness. It was an act of magic that brought him to find us, he had no part in leaving, he simply appeared in front of us, and helped us find the city.” Warriors explained cautiously, “my name is Will, I, alongside my travel partners come from a far off land, it was a miracle your wonderful knight here was sent by what I can only describe as the goddesses magic to save us.” He bowed deeply to the king, motioning to the others to follow suit, which each did clumsily.

“The goddess.” The king said, looking unimpressed, “first she’s done in a while, but no bother, I will have rooms at the inn ara bed for the eight of you, alongside food for the remainder of your stay, i mustn’t question Hylia’s judgment. I ask of you all to remain in the entrance hall as I get a letter ready, alongside speak with Link.” He waved his hand in dismissal to the group, who all stood in confusion. “ Ahem. Please exit through those doors. I must speak with Link in private.” 

“Apologies my lord, we will wait outside for his escort.” Wars bowed his head to the king, making a quick gesture to the rest of the group to leave. He was the first out, looking rather stressed about the interaction. 

“ What was that?” Wind hissed out, looking up at Warriors in disbelief, “oh apologies, ‘ my lord.’” He snickered at his own mimicking, “and will?” 

“Warriors isn’t particularly a friendly name is it?” Wars said stiffly, peering through the small crack in between the doors, ignoring the annoyed look from the guards. “Now shut it, I’m trying to listen.” 

‘ Link.’ It was met with silence, most likely a nod of some sort, ‘ their lies don’t fool me, why did you run off?!’ They heard a loud smack! Echo through the hall, Hyrule noticed how the guards winced at the sound, as if it was familiar to them as well. Their expression held no pain, not as if it was something they experienced before.

‘ Speak boy!’ There was a feeble croak from Cub, before a loud coughing fit; the slit on his throat forcing words to be unable to surface for him. ‘ Alice, a parchment and ink for our… incompetent friend here?’ They heard a clacking of footsteps as someone approached the doorway, causing all of them to back away from the door, trying to appear innocent to listening in.

The doors slammed open, revealing a young girl bustling out, running down a corridor quickly. Before the door shut, they caught a glance at the king, who held Cubs face in his hand, tightly gripping it in his hands. Cub didn’t do so much as flinch or shake, he just stared at the man, unmoving.

Hyrule saw the glare Time threw at the man, Twilight stood by his side, looking near anywhere but at the door, his own care for the dragon being far to much for him to likely look, seeing as he would more then likely murder the man on the spot.

‘ Hyrule.’ He looked to four who stood in front of him, eyes spiraling between purple and green, refusing blue or red from taking control. ‘ If this is wilds era before everything happened, that means his father is still around right?’ His eyes stayed green, sparking with a sort of mischief that he saw often in Winds eyes.

‘ Yes he is, why?’ 

‘ I mean, I can be small, why don’t I mess with him a bit?’ His eyes shifted purple, earning a stumble from the minish, ‘ ignore him. We won’t do anything Hyrule. I’ll make sure the others behave.’ 

‘ I can go pretty small as well.’ Hyrule considered, ‘ why don’t we move some things around?’ 

‘ Both of you need to stop before you get wild in trouble, we know if something happens, it likely will go back to him, so don’t do anything rash.’ Time signed, pulling the corner of one of his masks out, just enough to see the small corner, oh that sly son of a bitch. The small mask of the fae showed itself to them, it would last only around fifteen minutes, but that was good enough for them.

‘ Time, no.’ Warriors glared at the elder, who shrugged, dropping the mask back into his bag. ‘ You said it yourself, Wild will get in trouble for anything we do, so behave.’ Wars have a friendly wave to the guards before resuming in his signing, ‘ if any of you cause any trouble, you’re on dish duty for a month, hear me?’ 

‘Only thing I hear is wild getting yelled at.’ Wind signed, looking smugly at Wars, who looked near about to smack the bunch of them. ‘ Speaking of, what is taking so long for that lady to get that paper?’ 

The loud sounds of footsteps answered their question as the young sheiken girl ran through the group, giving small apologies as she slipped back into the room. Hyrule raised an eyebrow at the door but didn’t say anything in return, more focused on how quickly and discreetly he could change into a fairy just to hear the conversation better. 

Hyrule flicked an ear in disappointment as he realized how depleted his magic reserves were, just enough to heal if needed, but not nearly enough to transform and transform back later on. Damn.

‘ Some excuse you’ve come up with—‘ the kings voice got lower, just to the point where Hyrule couldn’t hear it, but by the way Twilight's ears swiveled around, he understood just fine. ‘— father will deliver your punishment later. Go show them off, and return straight back to protect Zelda.’ 

The doors opened once more, Cub nodding to the group before gesturing them to follow him, a bright red mark glowing on his cheek. Hyrule pushed down the instinct to either heal the man or smite the king, simply residing to follow him silently. 

Slow music made its way through the hall as they walked further along, past the stairway that seemed to lead to a hall of a sort, soft violins and flutes played the mournful tune, one that had Twilight looking rather stressed about. 

Cub pulled on Konanes arm before them, the now younger looked at wild with an unimpressed look on his face, raising an eyebrow at the soldier. Hyrule watched curiously as Cub looked around the place as if he had never seen it before, st some point grasping onto Kona’s hand tightly, Hyrule tilted his head to the side at that, the small bond the two had made through the weeks they had been together was incredible to watch, even just after meeting the two already stuck together like they always had known each other.

Maybe it was just that they both were younger at the time, Hyrule himself found quite a few of the older chain members to be a little intimidating at times, especially with the large swords and sometimes magical abilities they displayed. Heck, some people found him scary with his lightning and fire abilities. 

He didn’t miss the familiar glimmer of curiosity in Cubs eye as he turned to look at one of the stores they had passed, the familiar glimmer of wilds curiosity, his wonder of worlds around him— all now reflecting on his own. 

Hyrule couldn’t help but feel a small sadness in his chest as he watched as wild explored the area, attempting to act as natural as he could to not be discovered by others of his era. He also didn’t miss the smirk that rested on Konane’s face, the same smirk that Legend always threw to him and wild when they would explore.

Their friends were watching once again, their friends were finally there again. 

Hyrule couldn’t help but smile at the thought.

–

The screams in the background and the stabbing pain was nothing to wild. Infact, the pain was so little in comparison to other pains he had been forced through in the past week— that he simply just ignored the pain, opting to keep looking around the area he used to live in. 

Town was bustling, fully of merchants and workers alike, Zora roamed around, giving friendly waves to the hylians and Sheikens that lived about the area. If he remembered right, there was a festival going on in the next week or so, one about the harvest for the year or such. Small wreaths made of leaves and berries hung from doorways, small masks decorated the doors occasionally, something that was said to ward off evil spirits who wished to mess with the harvest for the year

His hand was tightly clasped in legends own hand, both physically in the real world and in the false reality they had been trapped in for nearly two weeks. Legend didn’t seem to be taking the screams and pain as well as he had, but continued keeping his back turned to the memories that kept forcing themselves to surface. 

Legend squeezed his hand tightly, a habit the two had gotten into as of late. During their time in the hell hole they had slowly began to get closer to one another, sitting side by side and holding onto one another as stabbing pain made its way through their bloodied bodies. The rings around legends hand was a very real reminder that the world around them was reality, that hr wasn’t dreaming once again, or even stuck in that hell hole known as the shrine of resurrection. 

He was aware legend felt the same, his own memories of dream worlds and false realities had been a large source of their talks, small memories they each brought up because it felt as if they were the only ones in the world who could talk about it. They had shared tears over both Mipha and Marian, mourning the loss of their past lovers, one fake, and one a crudely displayed corpse in Vah Ruta. 

The memory of her body, held to the side of the building with coral and seaweed, wrapped beautifully, held in a terrifyingly beautiful way. He hasn’t been able to push past that memory of her, the trident she adored so much had been jabbed into her stomach, blood long since dried and drained. It had been a miracle her body was so well preserved in comparison to the others.

He felt a rush of discomfort looking at one of the buildings, the almost mansion like qualities to it, large and almost pristine in condition, he had no doubt that it was someone high ranking, If not his own fathers home. He shook off the feeling, pushing past the house with a shake of his head. Legend looked at him sideways, confusion on his face but he didn’t press it.

A silently understood agreement between them had been standing for weeks, if they don’t want to talk about it, then don’t make them. Simple as that.

His eyes scanned the area carefully, reading each sign with curiosity growing, Loraine’s floral arrangements, Marcas’s groceries, Étoile Auberge—

Ah they were supposed to go there, the star inn. He directed the group into the room, allowing his past self to take control once more, the man blinking rapidly at the release of control on his body. He could almost hear the echo of his thoughts, the hushed whispers of his prayers of whatever spirit had a hold of his soul to release him from it. It was almost amusing to watch.

He handed over the letter, nodding to the lady in front, who opened it, reading it over once before sighing, handing over four keys to his past self, who bowed his head gratefully, turning and handing out the keys to the group. Wild felt the sinking feeling return to his chest as he remembered where his past self would return to, to his father. To the king where they would punish him for Hylia’s— or whatever being cursed them— actions. 

He felt sick as he nodded goodbye to the chain, walking from the inn with growing dread in his heart. He felt legend shift beside him, looking at him with a tired pained expression on his face.

‘ Whats wrong?’ 

“I hate this.” Legend grumbled, gesturing vaguely in front of him, “you’re  just heading back with no question right? I just.. why?” Wild shrugged, settling himself more comfortably next to Legend, who allowed him to place his head in his lap.

‘ I didn’t do much thought, jus glistened and let things happen.’ He snuggled himself further into the lap of his friend, the pain of the memories and his current self taking all the energy out of him, not like he could sleep anyways. 

“I can tell.” Legends eyes seemed to follow something in the background, watching whatever the others were getting up to at the moment with curiosity. “We need to get these memories to hurry up, I’m not sure how much longer I can take being here.” Wild nodded, it was no jab at him, just a simple hatred for the past. 

They had discovered quickly the ideas they had for their past selves, legends absolute hatred for his past self, of everything he did and stood for, how he didn’t question Hylia for so long, just playing along with the puppeteering of himself. Wild on the other hand admired his younger self, how calm and composed he was in even stressful situations, he handed it with an almost systematic form, always knowing the right way to handle things. 

He knew his past self wouldn’t feel the same about him, the hatred for him would have been obvious, the lack of uniform, lack of respect, his inhuman form would freak his past self out no doubt, even to the point of insanity, attempting to fix whatever caused him to be like how he was now. 

He had no doubt that his younger self would destroy the shrine of resurrection if he knew he would be shoved in there in the future. Hylia, he wanted to destroy the thing now, the remnants of it haunting him everytime he visited the plateau.

The blood that was splattered just outside the entrance had always freaked him out far to much anyways. 

–

Link made a soft noise of displeasure after he left his fathers side, the now large bruises that were sure to form on his back were all to familiar to him, the nearly always bruised spot on his stomach where his father liked to hit his hilt into was numb to the pain of once again getting kicked across the stomach.

He had simply nodded to the two, being his father and the king, and left. The two chattering away behind him, father still commanding him around even if he outranked him by a lot. If anything, he had the highest position in the military, protector of the princess, head of the Royal guard, and of course wielder of the master sword. By the last one alone people (based on the past stories) should have respected him, but he digressed.

He could feel the sharp pain through his upper chest, a sure sign of the further tears his scarring once again. Despite hyrules healing, and his stitches, the two wounds found themselves opening once again from exertion, from the punishment his father inflicted on him. He didn’t mind it, he realistically knew he deserved the punishment and more for what he had done. 

He really was condemned by the goddess wasn’t he? Dragged away by her just to get punished for actions not his own. Plus the threat of retaliation if any of his guests did any sort of disservice to the nation. He winced in pain before steadying his face, taking a sharp inhale over the long pained breaths he had been doing as of late. Ah the broken ribs must have rebroken, so much for magic. 

He pushed the door open once again to the inn, knowing fully well the men who had graced his life now thrice would be off exploring rather then sitting down doing nothing. He didn’t expect much more then maybe Ko or Hyrule to be there, which brought a major suprise to himself seeing around half of them sitting there.

“Link! How are you doing?” Hyrule said in a friendly tone, eyes scanning wilds form way to much to only just be small talk. He shrunk in on himself, his ribs aching from the abuse he had endured only minutes before.

‘ Fine.’ He didn’t have the energy to say much more. All he had to do was grt through dinner before ge would be able to go to his room to sleep. The lack of sleep was finally catching up to his body, making him weak and somewhat disoriented. He steadied himself on the doorframe, glancing around at the awaiting faces. ‘ What?’

“You got a bruise on your face.” Time comments, “it wasn’t there before.” 

‘ It fine. No hurt.’ He winced internally, it very much so did hurt. ‘ Need d i n n e r?’ He asked carefully, focusing on each letter as to not mess them up again like he had done before. 

“We can take care of ourselves, why don’t the two of us take a walk wild? Just to explore a little? And chat if you are alright with it.” Link looked at him in confusion, who was wild again? “I meant link, not wild.” Time clarified. 

‘ Need something?’ He asked simply, inching backwards to the doorway out of slight anxiety over what the man could want, ‘ bad happen?’ 

“No! No, nothing bad. I just wanted to chat with you, just had some questions is all.” Ah yes that was most certainly a bad thing. Could it be in regards to his behaviors? Did he say something out of line again? He outranked father so it realistically shouldn’t count right? He didn't have to worry about that anymore… he shouldn’t have to…

Time sighed, “it’s nothing bad Wild. I promise you did nothing wrong. It’s just questions about this world.” Could be a trap, possibly a ploy to trick him out of the house, alone with the seemingly high ranking man. Nothing ever goes well in these situations does it?

But did he have a choice?

He nodded slowly, shifting to push the door behind him open slowly, trying to make his attempts to watch Times movements as subtle as possible. His eyes trailed over Times depressing attempts at holding a relaxed body position as possible. The attempts were feeble at best, his body remained the tense form that it seemed to hold around him, as if nervous about  his own movements and actions around Link of all people. Times eyes seemed to try and find Links, which he outright ignored out of pure need to follow the others small movements. 

His hand inched to his side, possibly a knife? He pushed out the door  with a meek smile across his face, nothing more then a friendly gesture to the man who was most certainly about to trick him into some sort of trap of a sort. Maybe an ambush? Maybe he was about to try and get him to confess to somethings? He did take that extra portion last night after all. 

“Is there anywhere quiet to talk?” Time asked, looking at the bustling streets around him. Link raised an eyebrow at him before gesturing to follow him, outside the walls should work no? Quiet and ample space to run if necessary. Plus, he knew the area well, each hiding spot and weak spot in defenses of any sort was memorized and held tightly to his chest. His own little secret if he had to name it something.

“Don't be so tense, the others are just to nosey.” Time said gently, reaching out his hand to wild with his own weak smile, “Do you like to  explore a lot?”

‘ When I have time.’ He signed, refusing the outstretched hand, ‘ not many time.’ Time studied his hand movements carefully, as if deciphering what he was saying, which he likely was. He felt his ears grow hot in embarrassment as he looked away from time, focusing on the ground in front of him. 

He traced the cobbled pathing with his eyes, counting each stone as he walked over them, two hundred paces until the gates. He mused in the idea of what Time could possibly do, he wouldn't kill him right? Then again the concept of safety was more of a myth then a truth to him by then. Link guided him along the streets, exiting through the front gate with a small nod to the guards. 

“Out here?” 

‘ Yes sir.’ He shifted his grip to  his side, hand resting on top of his sword hilt. Times eyes drifted to the his side, looking at the tense hold he had on the weapon he had on hand.

“No need, Now, Link.” He sighed, “I didn't want the rest  of the group to really hear us talking, they're all sweet, but I don't want them to get the wrong idea.” Link furrowed his eyebrows at the man, where was he even possibly going with this? “I just have a few questions, thats ok right?”

‘ Yes sir.’ Time nodded gratefully, rustling about in his bag for something, before producing a notepad and quill and ink. ‘ Thank you.’

“Of course.” Time sat down on below one of the trees, motioning for Link to sit beside him. Link tensed before nodding, sitting beside the armored man, “So, we can start easy, alright?” another nod.

“So you've been in the Military for a long time right?” he furrowed his eyebrows at the man but nodded, “do you like it?” 

‘ Yes why?’ he wrote down, shifting uncomfortably, ‘ is something wrong with that?’ 

“No not at all.” time chuckled, “You cant really answer these questions at the point where I know you, so I've just… gotten curious about some things, you know?” he gave Time a questioning look, but ended in giving a slow nod to him, curious as to where this was going to go.

‘ What does he know?’ Time studied his writing slowly, examining the scratchy handwriting as if it was foreign to him. The man scratched his chin in thought, grimacing at the question posed to him. ‘ Nevermind you don’t have to answer that sir.’ He scribbled quickly after, earning a raised eyebrow from Time.

“ Sir? Goddesses, I’m no soldier Cub, the most authority I have is over what the cows eat each day and even that could change if Malon got annoyed enough.” Time laughed lowly, a deep rumble rather then the light laughs he had heard from many of the other heros he had met thus far.

‘ Why do you wear that armour then?’ Time squinted at the writing before leaning back against a log, looking a little more relaxed then before.

“Protection from the monsters we gotta fight. Ya’ never seem to wear none of that. Always Leather or fabric. Cant imagine it’s that protective.” Link blinked at him owlishly before looking down to the Royal guard uniform he had on, the light armor padding he had on was nothing in comparison to the plate armor that the elder had on at the time. 

‘It’s good enough.’ He elected to ignore the disappointed sigh from the elder, ‘ it’s uniform, there’s no changing it anyways.’ 

“Ah of course it is.” Time nods, “out of curiosity, did you think I was a soldier like you?” Link hesitated his answer, staring at the paper blankly. He had thought he was a Soldier, infact he had thought all of them had been soldiers, it was only right Hylia had chosen those fitting and trained for the job, no?

“I’ll take it as yes.” Time sighed out, rubbing the bridge of his nose, “only one here who is really is Wars, Sky was in training but I don’t remember if he was officially knighted and all.” He raised an eyebrow at the new information, but didn’t make any movements further then that, steadying his face carefully. 

The two fell into silence, Time seemingly watching the sky, whilst Link focused upon the ground, watching as the breeze rolled over the grass and flora. The chirps of birds echoed around them, low chatter from the city closeby sounded lowly from behind him, the occasional yells from merchants either advertising their merchandise or yelling at the kids who tried stealing their items for survival. 

He had done that once or twice, only when he had been severely desperate, yet that was a while ago, back when he didn’t follow what they asked from him, when he was disrespectful to the people who were in charge of him. He cringed internally at the memory of the older times, shuddering at the memories of punishments from his idiocy. 

He caught Times gaze falling upon him, looking the man in the eye as he followed Times scan over his form, the warm watery blue eye met his after a minute, followed by a short smile from the elder. 

“Do you like cuckoos?” He felt taken aback by the question but answered quickly none the less. 

‘ No.’ 

“Ah, I think Skys the only one who can tolerate them, the devils are nothing but pure evil.” He laughed, turning over his arm to show off three scars lined right next to one another, pointing to them in amusement, “one of ‘em gave me this one here. Still don’t know what I did ta’ deserve it.” 

‘ I didn’t know they were that sharp.’ He wrote, glancing over at the injury with his own mild amusement. ‘ My brother always worked with them, or my mother. I refused to get close to them.’ 

“The little terrors are all Malons problem. Not risking another eye for them.” He gestured vaugly to his scarred eye, link narrowed his own eyes at the injury before shrugging it off, preferring not to push the topic of injuries. The less spoken about the more likely to avoid his own scars. 

Goddesses did he need to avoid that topic.

‘ How long have the group of you been traveling for?’ Link questioned, scribbling out multiple failed attempts at the start of the sentence, running through options mentally before deciding on the topic.

“Good… question, over  half a year? Nearly a year may be a little closer to the truth. You joined nearly… half a year ago? Times difficult while going through it.” He hummed out, picking at the grass in an almost childlike fashion, which was rather ridiculous seeing the fully armored man in front of him. 

‘ Is it fun?’ 

“At times yes.” Time replied honestly, “other times it’s difficult, the group just consists of a bunch of traumatized self sacrificing heroes, sometimes it’s just… tiring to deal with the lot without worrying someone is hiding some injury of a sort.” Link nodded slowly, noting the very direct look that Time had been giving him. 

‘ I feel as if this is going somewhere I’m not preferential to.’ Link wrote quickly, earning a chuckle from Time. 

“It may be,” Time nods, “you do realize that hiding injuries will make it worse in the long run, no?” Link narrowed his eyes at the man before marrying them to his hands, refusing to look further up then the grass surrounding them.

‘ I know.’ 

“ Good. Now, would you like to inform me of anything?” Time asked, inching his hand over to Links, brushing against it before Link retracted the hand from his lap. 

‘ It’s a bruise.’ He wrote carefully, ignoring the tremor of his hands, ‘ bruises aren’t worth the magic in any sort.’ 

“Is it just a bruise?”

‘ Yes.’ 

“You wouldn’t lie to me would you?” Link winced at the question but shook his head, he absolutely would lie to anyone in the assurance of keeping his own being from being further punished. Even the healing of a bruise could warrant him an extra few beatings from his father. Time gave a slightly suspicious look to him but didn’t comment further, reaching his hand out to rest on Wilds back, just opposite from the injured stomach. Wild flinched back in pain, moving from the elders grasp with a sharp involuntary inhale of pain. 

“Like I was saying, is it just a bruise?” he questioned, moving his hand off of Wilds back with a knowing smile. “I know you have some… reservations about being healed but we can't risk you getting injuries infected or even just letting them fester, it won't do any good for you. So why don't you tell me what he did. Ok?” 

‘ Like i said, its nothing to be worried about. Dont worry about me, worry about the rest of the group you lead.’ he wrote, pushing the notepad and pen away from him as he stood from his resting spot on the grass, not bothering to offer his hand out to the other man out of the pure idea of getting a head start against the other man. 

“Link dont leave.” Time sighed, pushing himself to his feet, giving a small sigh of exasperation at him. Link flinched at the words, less of an ask and more of a command in his eyes after all. He couldn't leave, he couldn't just say no to him and leave could he? 

‘ Is that an order?’ He gave a sharp glance to Time, staring down at the elder who was getting to his feet as they spoke. Time didn't respond, looking rather torn in his expression before sighing, fully standing to his full hight, (which wasn't much more then Links own) and placing his hands on his shoulders. 

“Yes, Link it is.” 

Link sucked on his teeth, feeling a sense of discomfort in his gut as he nodded dutifully, shifting from one foot to another to place himself in a position of respect, feet close together in a stand still position, looking up to the elder with a numb look. He expected a confident, or maybe even smirking look from the man, only to be met with a miserable look from the elder, who looked as if whatever Link had just done had been one of horror rather then respect.

He could have imagined it, maybe it had been in his head, but as quiet as a mouse, he heard the small words from the man infront of him…

“ I'm sorry.”

—---

Warriors didn’t hear the knock on his door. In fact he wasn’t hearing much of anything over the thoughts spiraling around his head at the moment. He felt his wings tighten around his body, the warm heat emanating from the two appendages being enough comfort for his own sake. 

He had long since discarded the captain's badge he used to wear with honor. The metal sat on his bedside table, near seconds away at any given point from warriors heating it into oblivion and melting it to form some scrap metal for four. The badge was no longer something he wore with pride after seeing what future captains did, sullying the name of captains through ages. 

Wars felt shame even looking at it, remembering his title brought upon a feeling of horror as he remembered each and every hit, each whiplash, each seemingly strange action by wild— all now falling into place. His strange reluctance to use some words, despite them being the best for the situation. That stemmed from fear of mispronouncing the words? His response to warriors on the third day when he protected him? Because of that captain? 

His struggles with talking? His struggles with chronic pain? How about Wilds' problem with authority? All from another captain. 

From someone wild saw in Warriors himself at times. 

Wars cringed further in on himself at that thought, his ear wings folding closer to his face, every part of him wanted to be smaller, to just shrink out of existence and pretend he didn’t exist in the fist place. Wild, both now and as a child— saw him like his father. He saw the same traits that warriors had in common, the ways he worked, the ways he commanded— hell even the way he fought probably reminded wild of the ‘father’ that was supposed to raise him. 

Ever since they had seen those memories, the group had agreed Wars shouldn’t be too close to Wild unless necessary— which was understandable— but hurt like hell. He hated his role, his position he used to hold with pride. Maybe when he got back he could ask to be demoted? Or even let out of service, honorably discharged? Or even just work as Zelda’s guard like wild had. 

He hated being captain.

He found himself surprised when two arms wrapped themselves around him, tightly embracing him in the warm hug that was now upon him. Wars blinked in confusion, pushing away slightly to realize the person was none other than Sky himself. Sky only pulled Wars in tighter, his wings hugged around the two of them comfortingly. Wars found himself frozen in place, unable to decide on how to respond to the sudden hug.

“You looked lonely.” Sky muttered in his ear, resting his head on wars shoulder, “and sad. Lonely and sad.” 

“I’m not… sad,”Wars mumbled, digging his own face into Skys shoulder, “jus’ fine Sky.” 

“Mhm. That’s why you were two seconds away from incinerating the table.” Sky laughed lightly, his hair tickling at War's face. The bead and metal adorned hair that he had always had been so beautiful in Wars opinion. The small beads that wove themselves into his hair through small braids, the metal bands that circled about parts of his hair. The white and gold feather that hung on one of his front pieces of hair, intertwining in the dirty blonde locks of hair. 

“Not the table.” He grumbled, glaring holes into the captain's badge, “another thing.”

“The badge.”

“The badge.” He confirmed. Sky pulled away from the hug, leaving him wishing that he never left. Sky held his shoulders with his hands— looking him over once before nodding and muttering something to himself. “Wha…?”

“Oh nothing. Your primaries are coming in nicely.” He blinked in confusion at the sudden topic change, something unlike sky in the slightest. 

“I… suppose so?”

“I do suppose they need some help, here— move up.” He moved off the bed, allowing warriors to inch up in confusion, “now this feather has been annoying me for a while, it’s so crooked. How doesn’t that bother you?”

“I’m… used to the feeling?” 

“Mm. Weird.” He chirps out, adjusting his position as he continues to work, “so, that badge hm? Looks like you took it off in a hurry.” Wars blinked in confusion but nodded, “so let’s talk about it. You haven’t been wearing it, and you’ve been all moppy and depressed for days. What’s up?”

“How can you not be after seeing their memories? I mean it’s fucking horrific.” Sky winced at the use of curse words but said nothing in response, “I mean he literally ordered his own kid to be whipped— and he punished him for saying words wrong? Then there was that arrow thing. I mean his reaction I— I just— then the whole surgery thing and I…”

“Don’t want him to see you as the same as his father.” Warriors deflated at the sentence, nodding weakly to sky, “listen, I doubt he thinks of you two as the same—“

“Don’t you remember though?! The third day, he had that memory because of me. Because he had taken the hit instead of me and then he had a memory, and I did the same his dad did. I— the day he came to camp as a kid he thought I was going to punish him for saying ‘authority’ wrong.” He dragged a hand down his face, regret filling him from even telling him he was a captain. “Plus even our version still has that weird thing with always trying to do everything I say to a T, I mean he drops everything to follow my word. I don’t want—“ he choked on a sob, “I don’t want him to see me as that.”

“Do you really think Wild only follows what you say because you’re a captain?” He nodded, “no— not at all. He follows you because he trusts you. He trusts all of us, and sure— at times things may remind him, but it’s impossible to not ever do something similar to his past, I mean he’s been in the army since he was five. He has seen it all. Plus, don’t think it’s only you who gives him bad memories.”

“ You haven’t given him one.” Warriors said accusingly, resisting the urge to chirp in pleasure as a feather was straightened finally. 

“I have.” Sky admits truthfully, “it wasn’t… pleasant to say the least. Hyrule has, I mean he has a lot. Even though he doesn’t like it, he gives a lot to wild. Apparently healing and his magic is just too similar to that Mipha ability or something.” Sky considered a feather before continuing to work off the feather pin, “time has, it was very ugly if you remember. Twilight and wild refused to talk to him for days. Legend has allegedly quite a few times. Apparently when they run off together they must talk about their troubles or something.”

“Wind gave him a few but they aren’t as close as the others are to him so there has been less chances. Four gave him a pretty brutal one a few weeks back. Twilight… well twilight has seen them all and helped through most of them. Even he has started some.” Sky toon a deep breath, “what I’m trying to say is we all have messed up. Listen, we all remind him of his past, of captains and even the king of all people. He may have had a bad experience with his captain, but you’re not him. You’re not even close to being like him Wars.” 

“ I’ve done so much. I mean he— was— is scared of me Sky. I try not to scare him but he just… doesn’t want to talk to me, I tried bonding about our experiences in the military and he just shut it down.” He sighed, “I don’t think he likes me .”

“Have you tried other things other than military?” He froze, shaking his head, “well there you go. Maybe that isn’t a safe way, but maybe you could bond over your shared love of finer foods, or those castle things you do or… something.” Sky shrugged, “try something like that when he’s back. Maybe it would work.”

“…do… you really think so?” Warriors grimaced, a particularly painful feather has been tugged in the wrong way, earning him an apologetic look from sky. 

“I know so.” 

–