Chapter 1: Prologue [Au information]
Chapter Text
This is just a little background information on the Au, it is possible to read the story without reading this but it’s highly advised to skim through understand the majority of things mentioned.
Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoy
-After
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Centaurs (also known as SecondHalfers or Hybrids) are the names given to those who were born with their lower half that of a different species. This split is usually at the waist line but has been documented as high as the collarbone and as low as the middle shin though this usually causes complications and quite often the (nicknamed; QuarterLegs) die by the age of eight.
Not everyone is born a Centaur but Hylians and Gerudo are quite often more likely to be born Centaur then not, the two races holding the highest population of SecondHalfers. Other races such as Zora, Rito or Minish are less likely to be born as Centaurs but it’s not impossible.
Monsters such as Moblins or Lynels are however never able to be SecondHalfers (this matter is still being researched)
The legs one is born with are often attributed to the environment they were born into, in example; Gerudo are most likely to be born with Camel or Sandseal halfs, while Hylians typically take on more horse like traits.
While rare it has also been documented to be possible to be born with the legs of other races or even monsters, a notable example is of a Gerudo Chief born with the second half of a Molduga.
So far, every triforce holder has been born a Centaur, the only Deviation to this being the Zelda (AKA: Flora) that lived during the Calamity era, it is believed her birth as a full Hylian may be linked to a late development with the triforce’s abilities.
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Information on the Chain;
Time: Cervitaur| Stag
Twilight: Lupacentaur| Wolf
Sky: Avescentaur| Loftwing
Legend: Pterocentaur| Pegasus
Warriors: Dracocentaur| Dragon
Wind: Crocodylinaecentaur| Saltwater Crocodile
Four: Musculuscentaur| Minish
Hyrule: Macropodidaecentaur| Kangaroo [is a QuaterLeg]
Wild: Rainerucentaur| Lynel
A few members of the chain also have secondary decor,
Such as Time and Wild both having horns on their head,
Warriors having Scales dotted under his eyes
And Sky having a few feathers amongs his hair.
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Prologue:
It’s been four weeks since The Chain got their latest member, surely Hylia, Despite her recent track record, wouldn’t just give them another hero, a ninth Link, after a month of silence. Right?
At least, the Godess wouldn’t dump them in the middle of a storm, rain cold and lightning fizzling through the air, in an unknown Hyrule, that seems to stretch forever with no civilianisation in sight, the land bare, sans the scattered ruins littering the overgrowth. Right?
Legends general dislike of Hylia grows as his hair gets drenched. Ice water dripping from his scowling face as Time, his metal armour stored away for the duration of the lightning storm, led them through the dark night, their hours of wandering to a small light through the tree lines, and Dear Nayru was that a horse head?
Whoever this new hero was, Legend hated them and their Hyrule already.
Chapter 2: That guy? Oh, he’s dead
Summary:
‘Zelda? Yeah, she’s currently working on getting Hyrule fixed up, after Ganon’s defeat she jumped right into it, real smart head on her, I believe she’s currently helping out in Hateno, south east of here.’
Upon gaining less then positive news, the Chain starts on a ‘Wild’ goose chase, desperately looking for someone that could tell them what the heck is going on
Cw: Swearing (Thank you Legend), scared animals (no animals are actually harmed but it may be uncomfortable to read for some)
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
The air held a bite to it, thrumming with a freezing heat, static filling their lungs with every breath.
Huffing, Legend pawed the ground, mahogany hoof scraping at the clumping mud, his tan fur stained with rivets of dust, soaked by the rain, the feathers on his wings waterlogged and useless.
Next to him, Warriors, steam leaching into the evening air from his mottled scales, Orange flecks standing out brightly against the more greyed blue, shifted, his own wings stretched out as a make shift cover for Four and Hyrule, all three looking equally uncomfortable in the downpour. War’s disgruntled face being the only current source of joy for the Vet.
Wind sat nearby, gold hair slicked to his forehead as he giggled to himself, the Crocodylinae finding enjoyment in the rumbling of dark clouds, a break from the overly dry weather from their past two week stay at LonLon Ranch, though the lightning fizzling through the smoked sky gave even the ‘hardened’, Legend refused to fuel Wind’s fantasy on that, pirate a feeling of unease.
Sky sat on Legend’s other side, the Skyloftian’s feathers more water resistant then Legend’s own Pegasus’ integument, but still just as ruffled, downing fluffed up against the wind as he drew his sailcloth tighter around his shoulders, an expression, usually reserved for only days of little sleep and Hyrule’s cooking, carved into his face, grimace odd on the often overly calm Hylian.
Time, his antlers leaving a steady stream of water to drip down his scared face, even with the slight protection the stable aided them, sighed. For all due credit, the stable hand looked somewhat sympathetic, the dark stripes of his zebra flank shifting in tandem with his awkward laugh, Twilight’s glare intensifying.
‘I honestly don’t know what more to tell you, the Hero died a century ago, he fell protecting the Princess, when Calamity first rose, everyone knows this and will tell you exactly the same if you ask.’
Time resisted the urge to sigh, the last five minutes of this conversation had been a bunch of circles all rounding out to the fact that the Link of this time was dead, apparently felled by Ganon himself. Trying to salvage the interaction and possibly garner any useful information as to why Hylia thought dropping them off in a heroless time would be a good idea, he can practically hear Legend cursing the goddess in his thoughts already.
‘You mentioned the Princess, is there one currently?’
The man, Time really had to ask for his name, brightened up at the question,
‘Zelda? Yeah, she’s currently working on getting Hyrule fixed up, after Ganon’s defeat she jumped right into it, real smart head on her, I believe she’s currently helping out in Hateno, south east of here.’
Twilight glanced at Time, a similar confusion colouring his Mentor’s gaze, the Hero was gone yet Ganon had been defeated? Something wasn’t adding up, hopefully this worlds Zelda would be able to clear up this mess of information,
‘Right, and how exactly do we go about getting to Hateno? Hyrule is, quite extensive from what we’ve seen.’
Time shifted slightly, that was an understatement 3 hours of walking just to get to a small stable, the links were hoping this was a dead part of Hyrule and this wasn’t a normal travel experience, if so, even Twi’s Hyrule would look like a speck of dust to the current one.
Scratching his neck, the man sighed,
‘Normally I’d send you on your way with a map, but you said you’re not from Hyrule, so I’d honestly suggest a guide, even though they’re a lot rarer these days we just had a blood moon, the roads’ll be dangerous till theatre one crazy traveler clears them out, Luckily,’
Twilight instantly hated the gleam in the man’s eyes,
‘The traveler just came past here, knowing him, he’d be more then willing to get you to Hateno, the Kid’s been everywhere in Hyrule, there’s even a rumour he made it into Gerudo Town, if anyone’s going to get you to Zelda it’ll be him.’
Smiling ever so slightly at the, suddenly helpful, information, Twilight stepped closer to the desk,
‘He just passed by? Do you know where we can find him? Any helpful tips for getting him to take us?’
While they were all extremely competent fighters, you didn’t become a Hero without surviving more then any normal Hylian should survive, a guide would definitely be integral to finding the princes and hopefully answers.
‘last I heard he’s one up Safula Hill, if you head just north of here and pass over Manhala Bridge there’s a chance you’ll catch him,’ the man lent out into the rain briefly to point down a mud soaked path, waving his hand in that general direction, ‘I believe he’s there to catch that stallion Toffa‘s been regaling the poor kid about, he’s probably wearing that bright blue tunic of his, but you don’t really need to convince him to help; I’ve seen him jump in fights against four Bokoblins just to help another traveler, he loves helping out in anyway possible, even without compensation. Not one for talking though, I’m sure if you tell him stories of your travels he’ll be thrilled to help.’
Twilight, the fur of his legs being dragged into the brackish ground by the weight of the rain, looked at the stable hand sceptically, what kind of traveler just, jumps into fights with Bokoblins?
‘He’s hunting horses in the middle of a lighting storm?’
As he spoke the words out loud the man seemingly had to fight a sigh,
‘yeah, about that, if you’re going after him, make sure you keep your metals hidden, while not the most common around here, the lighting has been known to strike down even the most hearty of travelers, you lads best be safe.’
Time smiled, glancing back at Hyrule and Wind who had somehow, in the last two minutes, decided a mud fight would be perfect in their ventures of staying warm and dry and totally not risking the wrath of Legend or Warriors when one or both of the two inevitably got splashed.
‘Thank you for your help, it means a lot,’
‘Ah, no worries, I wouldn’t be head of the stable if I wasn’t willing to help, if ya’ find the Traveler by the way, give him this,’ he pressed a silver Rupee into Time’s hand, ‘Trott tried to pay him last time but the kid got distracted and ran off before collecting it, tell him I said hi.’
Nodding, the two turned and stepped back out to the clearing, hooves and paws sinking into the soaked ground.
‘Alright, we’ve got a destination in mind and some, troubling news.’
Legend side eyes Warriors silently as Sky tilted his head, asking Time to continue on,
‘The Hero’s dead.’
‘AHA! Wars, you owe me ten Rupees,’
‘What- no, you bet the Hero wouldn’t be willing to help, not that he’s dead,’
‘’Well he’s dead! Can’t really help if he’s dead,’
‘That’s not true,’ Wind added to the conversation unhelpfully as Time watched on, honestly disappointed in himself for expecting a different reaction,
Hyrule glanced at the others, uncertain,
‘This Link’s dead? T-that can’t be right?’
Four huffed, his feathered tail flicking in annoyance,
‘So we’re sent here for, what? To enjoy some lovely weather?’ Twilight silently observed that Four possessed too much sarcasm for such a small person, he wisely didn’t voice his thoughts.
‘Apparently Zelda is still around, and something Took down Ganon, Hylia brought us here for something, apparently there’s someone willing to take us to Zelda, we just have to find him first.’
Legend, after sending a near murderous glare, stuffing his, worn, leather money pouch, threw his hands up, only having garnered five Rupees off the Captain,
‘So we walked three hours to find someone, that told us to walk to find someone that will walk us to Zelda so she can tell us the very useful information that the Hero is dead, yay.’
Time nodded, resolutely ignoring the complaining now expected of the tsundere veteran,
‘With that said, store all metal, armour and weapons, away, we’re heading north into the heart of the lightning storm, our guide should be somewhere on the hill in that direction.’
With excessive grumbling, the group stood and followed Time down the well trodden path, the minimal shelter from the trees and nearby cliff face leaving them, biting rain soon taking the protection’s place.
Hyrule’s paw got stuck in a hidden pothole, and Warriors tripped over a partially hidden log, but the trip was fairly smooth, the rain easing up after twenty minutes of slow trudging, the rising sun blearily peaking through the storm front as they approached a small rickety bridge. Time, taking the lead, crossed the bridge first, occasionally tapping a hoof against the planks to test their strength, Hyrule bounding along shortly after, his tail keeping him steady as he sped along, not liking the drop either side.
Huffing, Four turned to Twilight, his hands gripping the Wolf pelt around the taller’s shoulders as a support against the slick mud,
‘So, do we even know our guide’s name?’
Time, already starting up the steep of the hill, hummed thoughtfully,
‘We never asked, but I’ve been told he isn’t a participating conversationalist, so there’s a chance the Stable hand wasn’t even aware.’
‘Stable hand, you really didn’t ask anyones names?’
‘Well, to be fair,’ Twilight cut in as defence for his mentor and self, ‘we were a bit thrown off when the man demanded to know our opinions on bananas…’
The group settled into an awkward silence, thunder pealing through the sky, static filling their fingers with a unsettling buzz.
Cresting the hill first, Hyrule wiped the water from his eyes, surveying the surroundings as wind tugged at his tunic, water keeping it glued to his side. The hill lay in an odd crest, like someone had gouged out the land around just leaving a long strip of muddied grass and occasional trees.
Joining the younger, Sky squinted into the distance, the slight rays of sun, as they began to soak through the gradually thinning clouds, illuminated the form of a horse, it’s front legs reared to the sky as it stood elegant and motionless.
Calling over the wind, the chosen hero took a few steps forward, his winds fluttering to keep balance, ‘I don’t see anyone out here, but there’s a statue at the end of this ridge, it’s your call Time.’
Nodding, the Cervitaur took the lead, hooves softly thumping against packed and drenched soil. Approaching a dip in the landscape, Time stopped, giving the Hill another once over, checking to see if they had possibly missed someone out here in all the rain. The rain leaving a painful ace in his bones, causing him to grumble under his breath about unfairness of age.
The sharp Bray of a horse caused several of the chain to flinch, the panicked cry cutting off as a blur of white streaked over the cliffs edge, stones and mud kicking into the air as the stallion charged past, breath fogging in tandem of hoof beats. It was startling, to say the least, as the presence of the beast hadn’t been there mere moments before.
Legend blinked, one of the few that hadn’t startled at the sudden intrusion,
‘Was that a hor-‘
No one was bold enough to deny that all had flinched at the, much more hylian, cry that followed after the horse.
A mix of teals, golds and creams trailed the Stallion, the image of a Centaur streamed past, hair flying from under a dark hood, flank stained with mud and scrapes. Laughter following behind.
Shell shocked, the Links could only watch, awe, shock and resigned disappointment marring each of their faces as they watched the Hylian tackle and bringing down the Royal Stallion gracefully, it’s white fur now a;unsettling mirage of browns and grass stains. Hooves flailing as the supposed guide grasped the stations neck, firm but not painfully, steadily petting his neck in a way Sky had seen Loftwing riders, himself included, do to effectively calm down the flighty beasts, the same appeared to work as the whinnying drew to a halt.
Standing still, the once violent steed allowed the guide to put his weight on its shoulders as he pulled himself back to standing, a slight trickle of blood soaking the Centaur’s pale leg.
With a flick of an ear, the stranger turned his head, sapphire eyes seeming to glow with ice from under the hood, mouth a warm, toothy grin, as he made direct eye contact with time, waving the group down to him.
‘What the fuck….’ Legend looked almost impressed while Warriors, next to him, seemed to be having a heart attack, awe saturating Wind’s face as he tugged on Hyrule’s hand, the two heading down the grassy slope while the rest of the chain attempted to collect themselves, poorly.
‘Hi! Sorry I couldn’t stop to talk earlier, as you see I was a bit preoccupied,’ the stranger spoke with sign, seemingly undaunted by letting the Stallion go, as if trusting it won’t make a break for it,
‘Don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone up here, definitely not as kitted out as you lot,’
Seemingly carefree, only the Chain’s prior battle experiences allowed them to see the tension in the Centaurs muscles, left hand trailing down to an odd looking slate at his belt, as if to draw weapon clearly not there.
Time stepped forward, running a hand through this wet locks in a placating manner,
‘Ah yes, we’re actually here for you, uh, we were sent by the stable hand just south west of here,’ Time carried on quickly, noticing as he spoke the Teenager tensed and relaxed with every word, ‘we were looking for someone who could take us to Zelda, we’re from Lorule and need her assistance.’
A tense second passed, the stranger, Time really had to learn his name, glancing over the lot quickly,
‘I see, before I agree to anything, have you had anything to eat? Bananas?’
Twilight groaned softly,
‘Not again, enough with the stupid Banana questions.’
Oddly, the stranger perked up at this,
‘I suppose I could take you to Hateno, you’ll have to find her once we get there though, I’ve still got a few jobs to do.’
Time smiled, actively fighting the urge to sigh in relief,
‘Thank you, my name’s Time, it’s a pleasure to meet you, uhhm, Guide?’
‘Oh, my name’s Link.’
A/N:
Oh boy, this took a while, L
Really didn’t mean to let time slip from my grasp like that!!
Anyway! Hope you liked this chapter, here’s some art I made to go with it!!
https://afterartist.tumblr.com/post/674263664169205760/i-am-he-linked-universe-chapter-2
More art for this AU is on my Tumblr. https://afterartist.tumblr.com/
Plz let that those links have worked-
Notes:
I refuse to get this Beta’d,
That requires talking to people,Anyway!! Super super sorry for the late upload, a lot went down these past couple of months,
My house flooded, I went on an 11 day camp, had to renovate said flooded house and tear out the flooring, actually got BOTW and got distracted playing that for too long, and a few more things,I hope this chapter makes up for it, and I really hope you enjoy it,
I’ll most likely come by and edit it more in the next few weeks, as well as work on a more regular update routine,Have an amazing day/night!!