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Chapter Text

Warriors watches their defacto leader carefully. He's unreasonably tense as the group splits off to wander around the town. Something's definitely wrong, and the Old Man's not telling anyone. Not even Twilight who he's taken a special liking to.

He makes sure to shake the unease before he approaches. If there's anything he knows about the Old Man, it's that to get him to tell the truth, he has to be caught off guard. Come in too serious, and he'll instantly know to be careful with his words. Come in casually, however, and he'll slip up.

"Man, you gotta learn to relax," he throws an arm around the man's shoulders. "You look like you're waiting for the world to end."

He gets a huff in response. Too amused to be a sigh, but to morose to be a laugh.

"Come on, what's got you so grumpy?" He pushes. "Do you need a nap?"

This time, he does snort in amusement. "Nothing like that." 

"But?"

"I think today's when it happens, but I can't remember exactly."

"When what happens?" Wars instantly kicks himself for sounding so serious.

As predicted, Time closes off. "It's nothing, just talking to myself."

Wars glances around. He wants to be sure none of the others are around before he rounds on Time. He uses his Leader voice, something he hasn't had to do in a while. "No, you're going to tell me what's going on," he practically orders.

"Captain."

"Sprite."

To his surprise, Time winces. Up until now, the only reaction he's gotten is an unimpressed look and an occasional grimace.

He sighs, trying to make it look like he's taking a different approach. "Look, you asked me to take lead out of nowhere. You've split us all up with the vaguest regroup time imaginable." Time scowls, but Wars sees the doubt in his stance. He stresses the next point. "And now, you're telling me something's going to happen, but refuse to tell me what?"

"It's not that simple," he insists.

"So instead of giving us a fighting chance, you decided to send us in blind?" He asks incredulously. "That's cold, Old Man. Even for you."

Time scowls. He faces Wars fully and squares is shoulders. Wars almost wants to back down. Time's mastered the art of disappointed looks and serious authority. He'd gotten that exact same look from Vice General Impa a few times during the war.

He stands his ground and glares back.

"Something's going to happen to me. I need you to be in charge and keep everyone safe until I'm back," Time sates plainly.

"Are you fucking kidding me, Old Man?!" He shouts drawing strange looks from the people around them. "Why not tell Twilight? He's practically your shadow! Or the Vet! He's not the friendliest, but he's experienced! He can help you out!"

Time places a hand on his shoulder, his expression deathly serious. "Captain, you're the only one I know who can handle it. I need you to trust me."

He grits his teeth. He hates how vague Sprite is about everything. "Can't give me any more information?" He asks through grit teeth.

"Don't let me touch any of my stuff until I'm back to normal," he adds.

Wars runs a hand over his face with a tired groan. He almost wants to say he was being rhetorical, except he wanted clearer information. "Okay, fine," he eventually snaps. "But I'm sticking by your side." When it looks like Sprite's going to argue, Wars sticks a finger in his face. "That is non-negotiable, Sprite."

The Old Man scowls, "Fine."

--

Time wanders the town aimlessly. He doesn't stop by any shops, doesn't stop to rest, barely stops long enough to grab a bite to eat. He just walks randomly.

Wars tries to find a pattern to it. Market, central square, inn, central square, inn, tavern, western entrance, market, inn, blacksmith, north entrance, inn, market, blacksmith, south entrance.

He feels like he's loosing his mind! There has to be a pattern! There just has to!

The town bell tolls for the evening as they're coming up to the northern entrance.

"Times up, Old Man," he says. "Let's start heading back."

Time stands at the entrance looking out into the woods for a few seconds longer. With a nod, he turns around and starts following Wars back.

Wars makes sure to keep an eye on him as they walk.

The bell tolls again, and he glances at the tower in confusion. It didn't toll twice yesterday, so why now?

"Tell everyone I'm sorry in advance."

He spins around to find nothing. He quickly turns again, but still nothing. He runs back to the northern entrance, but there's still no sign of the Old Man. He curses angrily. It was a second! He looked away for a single second!

He turns on his heal and sprints to their meeting place. He bumps into several people on the way there. They all shout after him, but he doesn't care.

Eventually, he finds the others.

"Look who finally–,"

"The Old Man's gone!" He blurts.

Twilight rushes forward, anxiety in every line of his body. "What d'you mean he's gone?"

"I mean he's gone!" Wars shouts between gasps of breath. "We were coming back, and I looked away for just a second– and he was gone!"

Legend snorts. "You sound like you lost your kid. The Old Man's a grown–,"

Warriors snarls at him. "This isn't a fucking joke, Vet!" He barks. The others startle at the ferocity of his tone. "He said something was going to happen to him, and now he's gone!"

Twilight steps between them, pushing for the Warriors' attention again. "What's he saying?"

He has to keep himself from rushing through the explanation. Time was already vague, so if he leaves something out the others will think he's the one hiding something.

Eventually he's able to get through it. The others are annoyed he didn't get more information, and he's one more sarcastic quip away from breaking the damn Vet's nose. He bites back the anger and annoyance with a deep breath. Take this one step at a time.

"I get it," he eventually snaps. "More information would be helpful, but we can't just sit here crying about it. We have to work with what we have." It's almost unsettling how easily he falls back into his crisis-borne-leader role. He thought he'd moved past the callousness and jitters it comes with. 

"We were up by the northern entrance when the town bell sounded," he continues. "We barely started back when it sounded again and he was gone."

"The bell only rung once," Twilight frowns. The others agree.

Warriors nods. "So whatever took him either mimics sounds or alters perception. Does anyone have monsters like that?"

There's a chorus of no's and shaking heads.

Wind whispers to Four, and Four raises a hand. "The north entrance is the one leading to the forest right?" He asks.

"Yes."

Four glances over at Wind before steeling himself. "Wind and I heard a rumor of something laughing from the forest."

Warriors frowns. This is the second day they're in the town. How have none of them heard of this before.

"I haven't heard any rumors," Hyrule mumbles.

Legend crosses his arms. "I haven't either."

Wind shifts nervously, pink dusting his cheeks. "I heard it while playing with some of the kids around town," he admits.

Wars resists the urge to smile. For as grown up as Wind desperately wants to present himself as, he's still just a kid.

"Apparently some kid went missing a few days ago," he continues. "The other kids say they hear laughing from the forest sometimes. I heard it too."

"I didn't hear anything," Four quickly adds. "But then neither did any of the other adults. They don't wanna talk about it either."

Warriors nods. Whether it's related to what happened to Time or not, some information is better than no information. "Does anyone need to pick up their gear from the inn, or are we set to move out?"

"Yer kidding!" Twilight snaps. "We gotta get goin' now!"

"We need to be prepared," he growls. His insistence does the trick and a couple of the boys raise their hands.

He's careful about the pace he keeps them at. Fast enough to be considered rushing, but also slow enough to ensure they don't expend too much energy.

As the others work to gather their needed supplies, Warriors starts laying out their plan. Twilight immediately wants to shut it down. He doesn't want Wind in the front when they don't know what they're fighting.

Four is quick to come to his defense. Wind was the only one who heard the laughter. They need him at the front with Warriors to guide the group.

Twilight still doesn't agree, but he does relent at least. He spends the remainder of the time pacing back and forth like a caged animal.

Warriors finally starts leading them out. As they start to filter out of the room, he nudges Four and throws a meaningful look the rancher's way.

Four nods and makes his way to Twilight and Sky. Hopefully with two level headed heroes at his side, Twilight won't do anything stupid.

That of course doesn't stop him from trying to slip away from the group. Warriors grits his teeth and pushes the annoyance to the side. He doesn't have time for this. And he can't bench Twilight either. The bastard will just run off on his own. Better to have him in his sights than have him fuck up the plan.

The moment the group steps into the treeline, Wind tenses. "Did you hear that?" He whispers.

The breeze sends a shiver down his back. He swears he hear a bell in the distance. "What'd you hear?"

"I... I'm not sure. It sounds like a man laughing, or... a bell tower?" Wind says leading them further into the forest. He weaves through the trees with ease, following an unseen path.

The further they get, the more oppressive the atmosphere gets. Warriors reaches for his sword. This place is giving him the creeps. Why does everything always have to go wrong after sundown? Why can it never be the middle of the day?

The sounds of rattling bones and a cackle leaves them all on edge.

"I definitely heard that," Legend says.

Wind frowns. "That's not–,"

The sound of metal striking metal cuts through the air.

Twilight rushes forward.

"Damnit, Twilight!" Warriors shouts after him. "Everyone stay close!" He calls over his shoulder.

They all rush forward through the trees. The sound of fighting and rattling bones increases.

They stumble into a grotto flooded with stal monsters. In the center of it all is the Old Man. He stands before a mass of robes. He alternates between beating back the stal monsters and attacking the mass.

Twilight's stuck by a tree surrounded by monsters. He presses his back against the trunk to keep from getting attacked from behind.

"Four, go help Twilight!" Warriors barks. "Legend, Champion, hang back and provide support with your bows." The two nod, instantly switching out their weapons. "Wind, you're with me. Hyrule, Sky, stick with each other."

Hyrule and Sky rush forward into the mass of monsters. Warriors guides Wind around the grotto to the other side. They push into the crowd of monsters.

The closer they get, the more distinct the mass of robes becomes. Warriors almost thinks it's his Wizzro. Except the thing's movements are stuttering. Like there's two of it overlapping each other. It will move, and then a second later, it will move in that exact way again. Sometimes the second movement will be different, but that leads to a third ghosting of the image following the second movement.

Looking at it too long makes him feel sick.

He's not the only one as he blocks a hit aimed at Wind. The poor kid doubles over and pukes. "Ugh, what is that thing?"

He works to shield Wind as the kid gets ahold of himself. "Conglomeration of souls a cursed ring ate," he grunts.

Wind dashes past him. He keeps his head down as he stabs at the monsters. "What's a congo-mansion?"

Warriors stumbles back a step as too many stal monsters ram into his shield. "A–," he grunts, "mishmash." He braces his stance and heaves. The pile of monsters stumble long enough for Wind to cut them down.

"Creepy."

He uses the opening Wind left to push forward. He's less focused on stopping the monsters than he is on reaching Time.

Thankfully Wind seems to pick up on that. He cuts down monsters enough for Warriors to push forward and not have to worry about his back.

Time jumps back, ducks, and raises his shield as the phantom images of the wizzro's attacks reach out to him.

For a second, it looks like all the movements happen at the same time.

"You boys got here faster than I was expecting," Time says by way of greeting.

Wars lunges past him and swipes at a monster that was aiming at Time. "What the hell were you thinking?!"

Time grunts as he blocks another swipe from the wizzro. "I admit," he manages against the force of the attack. "I didn't think it'd be this bad."

Wars swipes at the mass of robes. The image flickers as it dodges his attack. He has to fight the dizziness it causes.

"You need to get back," Time orders.

"Like hell I do!"

Time throws him a harsh glare.

Warriors glares right back.

Wind shoves them both aside. The monster hits him square in the chest. He's thrown back hard enough to shatter the stal monsters he crashes into.

"Wind!" Wars shouts already running towards him. The monster shrieks behind him. He hopes it's because Time landed a hit and not because it's laughing at them.

He wants to drop to the ground next to Wind, but there's reforming stal monsters surrounding them. Wind wheezes from where he lays.

"Wind!" Warriors shouts. "Wind, say something."

The wheezing changes pitch. Warriors looks down. Wind blinks blearily at the sky. "Fu– uck," he wheezes.

Time's at his side a second later. "How is he?" He asks, the worry clear in his voice.

Wind tries to sit up with a painful wheeze. He fall back on his back with a pitiful and agonized sound. "Brok–," the rest of the word is lost behind a bloody gurgle.

Time growls, sheathing his sword angrily. "I'm done trying to figure this out." He reaches for Wind's sword.

The air around them ripples and Time disappears. The monster shrieks in clear pain. It's color drains to white as it's inky blood drips all over Time. The space around them pulses in rhythm with it's screams.

Time rips the sword out and swings again. The blade shines white with magic. The thing lunges at him.

They disappeared in a flash of light. Wind's sword lays discarded on the ground.

"NO!" Twilight roars.

"Someone grab him!" Warriors shouts.

Sky and Four are able to reach Twilight before he can get to the strange portal. They struggle to pull the kicking and screaming rancher away.

Legend and Wild emerge from the trees and jump into the fray. They work with Hyrule to cut down the remaining monsters. With the wizzro gone, the destroyed stal monsters remain in pieces.

Warriors works on destroying the monsters around him and Wind. He throws his sword down in favor of digging through one of his belt pouches. He bites back the pain of the swipe to his shoulder and back. He swings the shield at the monsters.

After pushing another few monsters back, he drops to a knee and changes the hold on his shield. He extends over Wind to protect the kid with both his body and his shield. His hold is steady as he turns to Wind.

Wind's eyes are glassy and unfocused when Warriors meets them. He's still thankfully wheezing meaning the punctured lung hasn't drowned him yet.

"Blue potion. Open up."

Wind chokes on the first sip. He whines in pain as his body tries to force him to cough it up. His chest spasms at the action.

Warriors ignores the swiping monsters and curls over Wind to shield him better. He grits his teeth against the pain. "I know, I know. But you have to try."

Wind screws his eyes shut in pain. His breath bubbles as he tries to force a word out "–ts."

Careful to tip the bottle between hits, Warriors tries again. Wind's chest spasms as it tries to reject the liquid once more. The pain is clear on his face as he forces himself to swallow. Wind's breathing starts to sound smoother as he continues to lay unmoving.

Wars drops the empty bottle, shifting his grip on his shield. The movement is rough, it lacks power, but he's able to push them back enough to stand. "Hyrule! Switch with me!"

Hyrule glances his way in confusion. It quickly morphs into understanding when he spots Wind. "On it!" He calls already carving a path towards them. He takes a few hits on his way over; more worried about getting through the monsters than killing them.

When Hyrule drops next to Wind, Warriors takes a second to scan the battlefield. Sky and Four struggle to hold an inconsolable Twilight back. Legend and Wild work tirelessly to thin the hoard of monsters on their own.

He glances down at Hyrule as the traveler works to heal Wind. "Are you good if I leave you here?"

Hyrule pulls one hand away from Wind and lets electricity crackle over his fingers. "Go."

Warriors grips his sword as he falls into a familiar rhythm. He works his way to Legend and Wild. He directs them with practiced ease and moves around them with fluid precision. Under his direction, the three make efficient work of the remaining monsters.

With the monsters fully cleared, Twilight redoubles his effort. Wars desperately wants to take a second to regain his breath, but he can't. He stalks up to Twilight, sword still drawn. "You need to get ahold of yourself."

Twilight snarls at him. "You left him!" He accuses. "You fucken left him!"

Warriors drops his shield to snatch the front of Twilight's tunic and forces him back. Twilight stumbles in surprise, and they end up on the floor. Warriors puts his weight into holding him down.

Twilight snarls up at him. The sound is so gutteral and borderline inhuman, he almost reflexively lets go.

Instead he tightens his hold. "Would you rather I left Wind to die instead?" He uses his sword to motion to the still downed hero. "Look at him and tell me I should've left him to fucking die!"

Twilight's eyes flick towards Wind and he falters.

Warriors shakes him, lifting him up enough to slam him back down. "Either you get ahold of yourself, or I drop you."

"Captain, something's happening!" Legend shouts.

Warriors whips around, hand still firmly on Twilight's tunic. Legend and Four stand a ways away, clearly putting themselves between Hyrule and the strange portal. Wild and Sky mirrors them by shielding him and Twilight from it.

The portal pulses, condensing into something more stable. It doesn't quite match the shape of the portals they've been using to travel, but it bares a startling resemblance.

"Oh shit," Warriors pushes himself off Twilight, trusting Sky to keep an eye on him.

The portal continues to convulse. It's shape changes again, becoming all too familiar too him. He readies his sword and takes a step closer. If he's the closest one, maybe whatever comes out will charge at him instead of the others.

Warriors nearly drops his sword at who steps through the portal. He's met with icy blues eyes and a mop of messy golden hair. Even the yellow mask is the same. "You– how..." he trails off, words failing at the sight before him.

The portal closes with a quiet fizzle.

The boy crosses his arms with a faint smirk. "I should be guessing it has being a setting up," he snickers. His gaze darts around, pausing briefly on each member of the chain.

Wars can only stare absolutely dumbfounded. Damned Old Man couldn't give him more of a warning?!

Legend stalks up next to him. "Who the fuck are you?"

His entire demeanor changes. He pushes back the sharpness of his expression, shifts his stance, and drops his arms. Even his tone shifts to take a more youthful and childlike quality as he turns back to Wars. With a glint in his eyes he points at Wars. "I'm being little brother to Captain Link."

Wars groans. He rubs a hand over his face as Legend sputters in surprise. This is about to get a whole lot harder, he realizes.

Sky makes his way over, also intrigued by the kid. "Awe, well hello there," he coos. "What's your name?"

Wars winces at the way the kid's jaw momentarily clenches.

"Mask."

Sky hesitates. "That's a... unique name."

Sprite smiles up at him, all round cheeks and faux innocence. "We both don't be being Link," he says like it should be the most obvious thing in the universe. "That's too much confusing."

Legend and Sky are both stunned into silence. Wars takes the opportunity to get them back on track. "Sprite, shut up for a few minutes," he says. The kid stick his tongue out at him. "Hyrule! Injury report!"

"Wind'll live, but he's in rough shape," Hyrule calls back.

Wars gives Sprite a meaningful look before jogging over to them. Wind looks more alert, but he still hasn't moved. "Can we move him?"

"I can hear you."

Hyrule shakes his head. "No. He's still got too many broken bones, and I don't wanna risk permanent injury."

Wars glances over his shoulder. Before he can call to the others, he's face to face with Sprite. He startles, not having noticed or heard the kid walk over.

"What has happening to him?" Sprite asks.

"He got hurt saving our asses," Wars replies. "You wouldn't happen to have a healing fairy on you, would you?"

Sprite digs through the pouch on his belt and produces a bottle. Wars takes it with a quiet thanks and pops the cork. The fairy immediately goes to Wind.

Wind hisses out a breath as his body unclenches. "Shit." Wars and Hyrule help him sit up. "I'm kicking the Old Man's ass when we find him."

Warriors winces. Finish injury report first, regroup second. "Hyrule, injury report."

"Just a couple scapes and some magic exhaustion."

He nods turning back to the others. They've surrounded a still tense Twilight. With a deep breath he makes his way over while Hyrule helps Wind to his feet. "Injury report," he prompts.

"Four's got some bruised ribs and Legend's got a concussion," Sky is quick to supply. He earns a dirty look from the Vet.

"Twi's having a panic attack," Wild says quietly.

His attention quickly snaps to Twilight, and sure enough the rancher's an absolute mess. His head is bowed between his knees and he's taking short gasping breaths. He's shaking so bad all his equipment audibly clatters. Wild's kneeling at his side, a helpless look on his face.

Warriors kneels down in front of him and places a hand on his shoulder. Twilight's head snaps up. His eyes are filled with hazy, unfocused, fear. The shaking seems more pronounced. "We left 'im," he whimpers, "'n now he's dead."

Warriors frowns. "Hey, no," he says softly. He nudges Twilight's chin until he's looking at him again. "Listen. Remember he said he was gonna be back."

Twilight's breath stutters, eyes shining. "But he–,"

Warriors shush him lightly. He takes Twilight's free hand and brings it close to his mouth. "I need you to breathe," he says calmly. He's careful about keeping his breath even as he lets it ghost over Twilight's clenched fist. "I want you to breathe whenever you feel my breath. Can you try that for me?"

Wild presses closer to Twilight and reaches for their joined hands. "I'll breath with you, Twi." He shoots Warriors a nervous look, almost like he's asking permission. 

Warriors gives him a grateful nod. Apart from Time, Wild's the next closest to Twilight. He's grateful for the help.

He runs them through carefully counted breathing exercises.

Twilight leans more against Wild as his breathing finally starts to settle. His eyes close and a few tears fall down his cheeks.

Warriors tries not to visibility cringe. He's absolutely tearing the Old Man a new one when he gets back.

After a few minutes, he stops counting. He gives Twilight's hand a firm squeeze. "You with us, farm boy?"

Twilight pulls his hand free to wipe at his face. "Yessir," he croaks.

Warriors nods. He goes to stand only to be yanked back down by his scarf.

Sprite, completely unnoticed, had wrapped himself in his scarf. He stands at his back, watching the group warily as the rest of the group starse at him with open curiosity—and mild suspicion on Legend's part.

Oh boy. This is gonna be fun.

Wars nudges Sprite slightly. The kid's eyes flick up to his for only a moment. Thankfully, he understands and moves with Wars so they can face the entire group.

He's thankful to see Wind on his feet, even if he has to lean heavily on Sky. Four, leaning against Sky's other side, follows along. Hyrule has picked up Wind's discarded sword.

"Right," he sighs to himself. "Guys," he says despite the fact everyone's already looking at him. "Meet Link, the uh–," he trails off, suddenly unsure.

He wishes he had time to catch Sprite up to speed. The kid hasn't ever admitted to being a hero, much less the Hero of Time. He only found that out from the Old Man. He honestly wouldn't have even suspected anything had this new quest not started.

He doesn't know why Sprite never said anything, but he probably has his reasons.

"Are you sure that's another Link?" Legend interrupts. "Seems kind of suspicious to find another one just as the Old Man vanishes."

"It has been a few weeks..." Hyrule adds.

Wars winces, glancing at Sprite. He puts his hands on the kid's shoulders, more to comfort himself than anyone else. He honestly feels bad for having to air his little brother's secret without warning him. "Meet Link," he says with a sterner tone. "The Hero of Time."

He's immediately yanks down by his scarf. "How you are knowing!" Sprite shouts. He sounds almost panicked to Wars' ears.

"Sprite, calm down," he snaps fighting to get his scarf out Sprite's grasp. What is it with everyone screaming at him today?!

"No! Who has telling you!"

"You did!"

Sprite pauses, eyes narrowed as he stares at Wars. He doesn't let go of the scarf, but his grip does loosen.

"We've been traveling with an older version of you," Wars continues.

"Older me or later me?" Sprite asks.

Four mutters a quiet, "Is there a difference?"

Sprite doesn't bother looking at him. "Yes."

Legend scoffs loudly. "You really expect us to believe that brat's the Hero of Time?"

Sprite finally lets go to glare at Legend. His gaze slides over to Hyrule. "I can be proving it," he says pointing at Wind's sword. "Let me be showing with that sword."

Hyrule looks around frantically for a second. "Uhh..."

"Sprite," Wars warns.

That earns him a scoff. "This is not for fighting all them," he states like it should be obvious.

Legend stalks up to Sprite and grabs him by the arm, yanking him harshly away from Wars. Sprite shouts in protest. "I'm done playing around," Legend growls. "Whatever this is, it's clearly a trick from that monster."

"Sprite!" Warriors shouts lunging after them.

With an angry cry, Sprite kicks Legend's knee. The veteran falls with a pained shout and the audible snapping of bone. Sprite darts past him. He rushes Hyrule who fumbles with the sword in his hand as he reaches for his own.

Sprite's hand closes over Hyrule's, and suddenly he and the sword are gone. Hyrule lifts himself from the ground looking thoroughly confused.

Legend picks himself up with a growl. He keeps his weight mostly off his broken knee as he unsheathes his sword. "I fucking knew it," he growls. He scans the area, gaze eventually settling behind Warriors.

Warriors stops and looks over his shoulder. Sprite stands behind him, Wind's sword held firmly in his right hand. His left is clamped tightly in Warriors' scarf.

Legend shifts, grimacing in pain. "Warriors," he says through clenched teeth. "Move."

He moves to shield Sprite better. "Legend, put the sword away. Sprite, stand down."

"No!" Legend shouts raising his sword. "That monster did something to the Old Man, and now it's using you!"

"Then why wait till now!?" Warriors shoots back. "We've been vulnerable this entire time! He could've gone for Wind or Twilight– hell he could've gone for you or Hyrule just now! But he didn't! Instead he helped heal Wind!"

Legend falters briefly. He quickly shakes it off. "We only just saw through it's plan," he counters.

"For the love of– Sprite, when you defeated Ganondorf, what'd you do after?"

Sprite's grip on his scarf tightens.

"What happened after?" He pushes.

Sprite still doesn't respond.

"Answer me!" He barks.

"I has going back," Sprite finally says. "I has going back to before Sword and Triforce and has warning the King. He's don't getting hands on it."

Legend falters again. Though he doesn't quite shake it off this time.

"What's your horse's name?" Warriors continues.

"Epona."

"Who'd you get her from?"

"Lon Lon Ranch."

Warriors' glare intensifies as he addresses Legend. "That good enough for you?"

Legend lowers his sword slightly. "Why grab Wind's sword, then?" He challenges.

Warriors purses his lips. He doesn't have an explanation for that. Wind says he got it on his second adventure, and this is only the second time he's seen the Old Man use it. Third, if he counts Sprite. Yet he still doesn't understand what happened.

"Sword is being in time," Sprite responds. "It's not being forward or back moving, but it's being stopping it."

Legend snorts derisively. "You really expect me to believe something like that?"

Sprite steps out from behind Wars. He holds up Legend's cap in his left hand. "Yeah."

"Wha–," Legend's hand flies up to his head. "Give that back!"

Sprite points in Twilight's direction, cap suddenly absent from his hand. "He is having it."

Wild pulls the thing off his head with a worried look.

"He's not lying!" Wind calls, wincing from his new spot on Sky's back. "The sword helped me stop time in certain places."

Legend sheathes his sword with a growl. "You broke my knee, you brat."

"And you–,"

Wars presses down on Sprite's head causing him to stumble. "Okay, now that that's settled, let's get back to town."

Legend grumbles as he waits for Hyrule to help him hobble along. Hyrule apologizes for not being able to help more. He's still drained from healing Wind. Legend waves the apology off.

The walk back is silent and tense.

Wars walks up front with Sprite at his side. He can practically feel Twilight boring holes into his back. No doubt he's doing the same to the kid.

He's just waiting for the questions to start. There's no way the others don't have a million of them. Wind's gonna have to wait in line to kick Time's ass when he gets back.

"Stop doing that!" Legend shouts.

Wars glances over his shoulder. Legend's awkwardly holding a red potion, like he almost dropped it. Sprite's wearing his Keaton mask hiding any reaction he may have as he just keeps walking. The sword is inconspicuously gone. He glances at Wind next, and sure enough the sword is safely in his scabbard.

Sky nervously clears his throat. "So, uhm... Sprite–,"

"My name is Mask!" He interrupts.

"Er, Mask... What did you mean by older you or later you?"

Sprite turns around to walk backwards. He swings his arms with a shrug. "Time is weird moving. It's not working always the same for everyone."

Sky looks even more confused by that explanation.

Wars knows Sprite won't give a direct answer. "The you we travel with recognized me when we met."

"Later me." Sprite hums. "What age he is being?" 

Wars shrugs. "Dunno. He won't tell us."

Sprite stops dead in his tracks. "What?"

Wars is instantly on alert. Sprite voice sounds small. Sprite doesn't do weakness if he can help it. Especially not around strangers.

He turns around to find Sprite standing stock still. His face is hidden behind his mask, but there's a minute tremble to his hands. Wars is at his side immediately. "Hey, what's wrong?"

"You– you has asking?" Sprite whispers.

Wars drops to a knee. Sprite's voice is thin with fear. "Yes," he replies slowly. He glances up at the others who watch with varying amounts of worry. "Why?"

Sprite's breath hitches for a second, and Wars is worried he's going to cry. Just as quickly as he'd stopped, he starts walking again.

Wars chases after him. "Sprite?"

"Being forgetting it," he bites out. "This is no more mattering." Sprite is still tense, but the shaking is gone. Instead he's completely closed off. There's a determined set to his shoulders as he continues to follow the path into town.

Wars frowns. He recognizes that response. Even all these years later, he can't forget it. It's the same closed off response Sprite always got the day after a particularly bad nightmare.

"But what's the difference between older and later?" Wind asks.

Sprite doesn't respond. He clenches his jaw and his movements become stiffer.

"That's enough questions for now," Wars says.

"But–,"

"That's enough," he snaps.

The group falls silent. Wars hardly snaps at Wind. The tension is palpable as they continue. It doesn't lessen when they reach the inn.

There's an awkward rearrangement of rooms when Sprite refuses to leave Wars' side. Twilight looks absolutely stricken to not be rooming with the kid.

"I know they're close," Legend mutters to Hyrule, "but I swear, he's like a dog with separation anxiety."

Wild throws him a vicious glare. Four snorts only to quickly pretend to find something interesting about his sleeves when the glare gets turned on him.

Sky ends up having to switch rooms too when Sprite refused to let him near. Legend also refuses to sleep in the same room as the kid after getting his knee kicked in.

In the end, Sky moves his stuff into Twilight and Wild's room. Four volunteers to take his old spot with Wars so Wind could share with Legend and Hyrule instead. That way they're still three to a room and no one gets stuck overcrowded.

Wars has to move Time's stuff out of Twilight's room. Sprite watches him the entire time. He doesn't approach the stuff, no matter how much he stares at it.

Eventually, he gets board of watching. "Why you're being so small?" He asks.

Four looks up in surprise. "I'm sorry?"

Wars holds back a sigh. "Sprite, don't be rude."

"You're don't being kid," Sprite continues completely unfazed. "Why you're being sized of one?"

Four seems more intrigued than insulted by the question. "I'm surprise you could tell. Everyone assumed I was Wind's age when we met."

"Wind is blond kid? The kid having the sword I has using before?"

Four nods.

"Why you are being sized of kid when you are being older than some of all others?" Sprite asks again.

Four grins. "My first adventure had me using a very particular type of magic," he explains. "I didn't realize at the time, but it left its mark on me. I haven't grown a single inch since I was twelve."

Sprite nods solemnly. He accepts the response without further question.

Chapter Text

Four blinks awake blearily. He stares up at the dark ceiling in confusion. He never wakes up without reason. He sits up and looks around.

His heart leaps when he doesn't see Mask. He looks around around wildly, already planning to wake Wars and the others.

He doesn't get far before he thankfully sees Mask curled against the captain's side. He breathes a sigh of relief at the sight. Just a false alarm.

He slips back into bed and gets comfortable. He's glad Mask trusts Wars so much. He can't even begin to imagine how much harder this would be if the kid didn't trust any of them.

He's on the cusp of sleep when he hears noise behind him. He almost doesn't notice it.

"I know you're awake," Wars murmurs.

Confused, Four almost responds.

"No m'not," Mask grumbles.

Wars sighs and the bed creeks as he presumably sits up. "Come on, what's wrong?"

Four's surprised by the gentleness of Wars' voice. 

"Sprite."

There's silence for several minutes. Four's careful to not move or twitch. He kind of feels bad for listening in, but he doesn't want to deal with the awkwardness of letting them know he's awake. He's sure he'll drift off before too long anyways.

"You has really not knowing?" Mask asks. He sounds so small, so vulnerable.

Ancestors above, how old is he? They hadn't gotten the chance to ask him, but he can't be older than ten.

"Know what?"

"What age later me is being?"

"No– whoa hey, what's wrong?"

There's a rustling of fabric.

Four tries to block out what's happening. He needs to get to sleep. Besides, he shouldn't be intruding on such a clearly private moment. But he just can't push Mask's scared tone from his mind.

A chokes whimper cuts through the silence.

"Sprite, please," Wars pleads. "Talk to me."

"He is being–," Mask chokes out. "He is not knowing."

"He doesn't know what?"

"The body is not being matching!" Mask almost yells. He quickly quiets himself and chokes on another cry. "It's never being matching. I am being having to counting. If– if he's not–," the rest is lost behind a muffled sob.

Wars croons quietly as Mask cries into his chest.

Guilt sits heavy in Four's stomach. He should've just manned up and admitted he was awake. He's not supposed to be witness to this.

Mask's sobs eventually settle into shaky hiccups and gulping breaths. The sounds of a child with no tears left to cry.

"Why I am having to being moving back again?" Mask asks. "Can I am being done?"

Four can't take it. He squeezes his eyes shut and curls in on himself. He's unsurprised to find tears slip down his own cheeks.

Mask's too young to hold this much pain.

--

Four's careful as he greets them in the morning. Mask is quieter than yesterday, but otherwise doesn't act too different. Wars, however, doesn't look or act any different. If Four hadn't been awake, he never would have known anything was wrong. 

He's left restless throughout the morning. He tries to talk to Mask. He tries to get the kid to talk and hang out with him. Each time, Mask makes up an excuse. Wars eventually pulls Mask aside for a talk, and Four's left to stew in his failure.

Wait! The Minish!

Wind's eyes had absolutely lit up when Four showed him one! Even Twilight as Wolfie had been excited to see one for the first time. Maybe the promise of seeing the Minish will help him cheer Mask up.

He starts by looking around in his current room. Surely there's some evidence of them around here. There'd been Minish in his old room, surely there'll be some here too.

Finding nothing, he moves to Twilight's room. Sky's the only one in there, and he offers a very sulky hello. Apparently he's also upset that Mask wants nothing to do with him.

Four does a very thorough search of the room. He moves Wild's stuff from where it's piled by a dresser. The Minish usually like to make walkways behind stationary furniture. He doesn't find anything, but he leaves the path open for any Minish who may want to traverse through there.

Four goes into the last shared room. He usually rooms with them because they tend to be neat, but it never fails to surprise him that these three are the neatest of the group. Legend just has so much stuff. Hyrule, like Wild, doesn't quite understand normal living conventions. And Wind's a literal child. Children are never neat. But those three are always the most efficient and secure packers. Nothing of theirs is every out of place.

It makes searching so much easier. He easily spots the pathway from the other day. He follows one to the nightstand. He crouches down and shimmies partially under the bed. He hopes to see– there! The Minish scurries into a tiny crack in the wall.

"Wait!" Four calls.

"What are you doing?"

Four startles, head slamming into the wooden frame of the bed. He curses as he pushes himself out.

Legend looks highly amused as he watches Four rub his head. "Forget something in here?" He teases.

"Something like that," Four grumbles in response. At least he knows there's still Minish here. "Have you seen Wars and Mask?" He asks. He doesn't want to travel too far. He's not about to displace some poor Minish from their home.

"Saw Captain taking the kid to a bakery," he drawls. "And here I thought he was constantly spoiling Wind."

Four's hand slips from his head with a quiet hum. Wars has always had a soft spot for Wind. Mask is nothing like Wind, but Wind's also a child. A child too young to have been forced to be a hero.

Maybe that's what it is? Some sense of guilt, or maybe familiarity, that draws him to Wind?

Legend drops onto the bed, shaking Four from his thoughts. "How old do you think he is, anyways?" He asks.

Four thinks of the gasping hiccups after Mask cried himself out. "Can't be older than ten," he whispers.

Legend sucks his teeth. "That's what I was afraid of," he grumbles. "He's already done his adventure, so he had to have been even younger. And given how he talks, probably learned Hylian along the way."

The thought makes Four queazy. He thought he and Wind were the youngest during their initial adventure, both twelve at the time.

"Old Man's always seemed a little bitter about his destiny as a Hero..." Legend continues. "I'm surprised it's not worse."

"Maybe he's come to terms with it," Four offers weakly. He can only hope that's the truth.

"Maybe," Legend concedes, though he doesn't sound convinced.  "Anyways, get out. I want to take a nap."

Four chuckles weakly. Leave it to Legend to put an end to any uncomfortable situations. "Yeah, okay," he says raising to his feet. "See ya later."

He's debating on whether to keep looking here or out in town when he walks into Mask.

"Ow!" The kid yelps stumbling back.

"Ah, sorry." 

Mask grumbles to himself as he goes into their room. After a second of thought, Four follows him in. Mask is digging through his bag, looking at his things and mumbling to himself. He spots the two empty bottles next to the six other potion-filled ones.

He'd handed over his only fairy just because Wars asked. He'd given Legend a potion after nearly getting stabbed by him. No hesitation.

"Thinking of restocking?" He asks.

"Nah. Link—Captain—has saying we all are staying one more day," Mask replies still digging through his bag. "I'm being getting more potion before we're being going."

There's so many things Four wants to say to that. A kid this young shouldn't know to stock emergency supplies. Why does he refer to Wars as Link without issue? Why does he not try to go through Time's things?

"Then what're you doing?" He asks instead.

"I has seeing dog outside," Mask says pulling out a white and red mask. "It's being looking like it's being guarding something, and I'm wanna knowing what."

Four watches in confusion as Mask puts a white and red mask over his head. The kid repacks his bag with practiced ease. "Can I come with?"

With a curious look, Mask shrugs. "Okay."

Four follows him out of the inn. He tries to get a better look at the mask on the kid's head. Mask is a bit shorter than him, but not enough to see the top of his head. He thinks he can make out the weird symbol that's on Wild's slate.

Mask looks like a regular kid as he runs through the town. He ducks between adults with ease. He gets distracted by stalls and strangers. He smiles, taking the entire place in. Even the dingy alleys and shady people don't deter him. 

Four spots the dog the moment they turn down another alley. It's between two crates and crouched in an obviously protective manner. It growls at them when they get close.

Mask pulls the mask down over his face and crouches in front of the dog. "Hello."

The dog barks at him.

"Who's Kotoko?"

The dog barks louder.

Mask tilts his head to the side. "We both are helping," he offers. "Just be letting us in and we can being to getting to her."

The dog whines after a few barks.

Mask shifts to look around the dog. "I'm don't seeing anything?"

The dogs lifts itself from it's crouch. Four gasps at the head that pokes up from the grass. The little Minish looks straight up at him. "You have a Forest Minish Feather!" The little creature says. The dog takes that as its cue that it's safe and sits down.

Four kneels down and extends a hand. The little Minish scurries on to his hand. The dog barks again.

"What?" Mask sounds completely baffled. He looks from the dog to Four to Four's hand. The dog barks again. He takes the mask off and squints at him. He then pulls a purple lense with a handle from his pocket and brings it to his eye. "I don't seeing a mouse."

Four feels his breath catch. He looks down at the Minish who's looking at Mask curiously. He holds his hands up. "Do you–," he swallows his nerves. "Do you really not see anything?"

Mask pulls the lense away in frustration. "No! What I am supposing to be seeing?"

"How old are you?" He can't help ask.

"Eleven."

Four can see the beginnings of Time's usual expressions. This one clearly screams secret and drop it. Under Time's gaze, he would have folded. But faced with a child and a sinking feeling in his gut, he pushes on. "How old are you really?"

The transformation is as terrifying as it is heartbreaking. The childishness melts off him in the span of a breath. His gaze is wary and calculating as he glares at Four. He looks like Legend in that moment. The look and demeanour of a veteran adventure far beyond their years.

"Only children can see the Minish," Four whispers, unsure of how to proceed.

"You don't being a kid," Mask instantly counters.

"It was their magic," he says. "Their magic is what left its mark on me."

Mask squares his shoulder in challenge. "Seventeen."

Time is weird moving. It's not working always the same for everyone. 

"Oh, Mask–,"

His scowl is truly vicious as he yanks the mask back over his face. "I'm don't needing any pity," he spits getting up. "I'm being leaving you to being getting her home."

Four watches him walk away. He feels utterly useless. What's he supposed to do now? He'd wanted to show Mask the Minish to cheer him up, but he only upset the kid more. Or, well, not-kid.

Mask pauses at the entrance of the alley. He glances over his shoulder. Whatever expression he may have is completely hidden beneath the white and red mask. He's still tense, but the anger seems to be gone. "What is being adult to Minishi?"

"Sixteen."

Mask nods. "Be showing to Wind and Hyrule," he says before disappearing into the crowd.

"Mister, are you okay?"

Four looks down at the Minish in his palm. The little creature skitters around in surprise as a stray tear falls from Four's face. "Ah, sorry," he mumbles quickly wiping at his face.

"It's okay!" The little Minish squeaks up at him. "My name's Kotoko! What's your name?"

"Four."

Kotoko digs through her pocket for a second. "Do you wanna fuse Kinstones?" She asks holding up a red piece. "Maybe it'll help you feel better."

Four smiles weakly. He sits more fully on the ground and sets Kotoko on his knee. The dog settles next to him with a happy tail wag.

He spends some time comparing Kinstone pieces with Kotoko and letting his mind clear. Kotoko chatters to him about what she'd been doing. She'd been on her weekly trip to see her friend when a scary cat came out of nowhere. She was still close to home, so she tried to run back, but the cat kept attacking her. She ended up taking shelter in this alley because of the dog.

They find a total of three Kinstone matches, and by the end Four does feel a little calmer.

He lets Kotoko settle on his shoulder as he heads back into the crowd. The dog follows him as Kotoko guides him around the town. She ooh's and ahh's at the sights, having never seen them from this height before.

She perks up suddenly, scampering to Four's opposite shoulder. "It's the other human!" She chitters excitedly.

Four quickly follows her gaze and spots Mask. The kid's darting around the crowd with a yowling cat clutched tightly in his arms. The white and red mask is still firmly affixed to his face.

"Oh!" Kotoko gasps. "He's getting rid of the beast too!"

The dog barks up at them until Four looks down. It does a quick spin before taking off.

"Bye bye!" Kotoko calls after it.

Four continues his walk until he finds the spot Kotoko described. It's a fairly crowded area. He has to be careful as he crouches to set her down.

Two more Minish rush out and embrace little Kotoko. She's noticeably smaller than them, and Four's suddenly struck by the realization she's just a child. He can't dwell on it too much as Kotoko starts introducing him to her parents.

She excitedly recounts her adventure again for her parents. How the scary cat was after her. How the kind dog protected her. How the man who was a child found her but couldn't see her. And finally how the child that was a man finally helped her get home.

Four stifles a snort at her parents' expressions. That's certainly one way to put it. He can't even muster the slightest bit of annoyance at Kotoko for thinking he was a child. It's different when the Minish make that mistake.

He spends some time just sitting there talking with them. He learns that his and Ezlo's story lives on with the Minish. He's surprised by how happy the realization makes him. It's always strange when someone from the chain has heard stories of one of the others. He'd told himself it didn't bother him when none of them had heard of him.

Four offers his sincerest thanks for keeping his story alive. Kotoko gives him a Kinstone piece with clear instructions to give to Mask. Four readily agrees. Surely Mask will like the idea of Kinstones.

He wanders around the market aimlessly for a few minutes. The sun is bright and the crowd is cheerful. It feels so wrong in light of what he's learned.

He heads back to the inn. Maybe he'll run into one of the others. He hopes conversation will help ease his mind. There's no sense dwelling on things he can't change. He needs to move past it if he wants to help in the now.

He opens the door to his shared room and Wars startles where he sits.

"Oh, hey!" Wars greets plastering on a cheery grin. "I didn't think you'd be back so soon."

Four closes the door quietly behind himself. He sees the faint red lining Wars' eyes. The stress pulling at his smile. Would he have noticed it before if he hadn't been looking? "Do you know how old he is?" He asks weakly.

"Of course," Wars replies without missing a beat. "He's ele–,"

"How old he really is."

Wars' smile slips. Gone is the cheerful smile he always carries and in it's place is a thin sad thing. He pats the spot next to him. "I'm surprised he told you."

Four shakes his head taking a seat next to him. "It was an accident," he admits pulling his knees up to his chest. "I don't think he would've said it if I hadn't accidentally caught him."

Wars' hand lands on his back, and Four thinks he understands why Wind always seeks him out for comfort. "What happened?"

Four tells him. He admits to being awake overnight and hearing everything. He tells him about the first time he showed Wind the Minish. How he thought he could cheer Mask up the same way, but instead learned such a horrible truth. Four finds he's too tired to care whether Wars believes him or not.

They sit in silence for several minutes after his confession. Long enough that he can hear the other doors open and close as other members of their group shuffle around. Wars' hand is a steady and warm weight the entire time.

"You didn't do it on purpose right?" Wars asks after a moment.

Four shakes his head.

"And he was wearing that red and white mask of his too, right?"

He nods.

"I think he'll be glad he can count on you too."

Four looks up in surprise.

"You obviously believe him," Wars continues. "Even during the war, where there was irrefutable proof of his strength and skill, everyone treated him like a helpless kid. You knowing he's not actually a kid gives him someone to confide in that isn't me."

He's not sure if it makes him feel better or not. 

Wars let's out a long breath. It's full of weary grief. "I think that's enough hard conversations for one day," he says getting up. "What do you say?"

Four tries not to frown when he nods. He never noticed just how weighed down Wars is. Even thinking of Time, he can see how the weight of responsibility hung heavy from his shoulders.

He resolves to be someone Wars can confide in and rely on. And when Time comes back, Four will endeavor to be someone he can rely on too.

"We're heading out tomorrow to do a final sweep of the forest. Be ready to leave early," Wars says. "I'm going to let the others know."

Four stands up. "I can help!"

Wars smiles at him. "I got it, don't worry," he waves off.

Four frowns as he watches Wars walk away.

Chapter Text

The door flies open before Wars even reaches it. It hits him in the face and he stumbles back with a curse.

"Captain!" Mask darts in and latches onto his blue scarf. He's replaced his white and red mask for the yellow Keaton mask.

Twilight trips into the room a moment later, crashing into Wars.

Wars stumbles, nearly tripping over Mask. "What the fuck, guys!"

"You're telling him to leaving me alone!" Mask shouts.

"He's hurt!" Twilight defends.

Wars pries Mask off of him to get a closer look at him. His arms are covered in angry red scratches. "What is this?" Wars asks.

"Just is cat scratchings!" Mask retorts trying to pull his arm from Wars' grasp.

Four can't blame either of them for their worry. Those are a lot of scratches. He looks like he got mauled. "I saw him running around with an angry cat earlier," he interjects. If that's how he ended up, he doesn't wanna know what would've happened to little Kotoko.

"Did you clean them?" Wars asks.

"Duh! I'm don't being stupid!"

Wars nods. "Alright," he ruffles Mask's hair. "Twilight, leave him alone."

Twilight sputters. "But he's needin' 'em healed!"

Wars pats Twilight on the shoulder and gives him a light shake. "You act like he's dying. Lighten up, Rancher!" He laughs. "You don't get like this with Wind, it's no different with Mask."

Twilight does an impressive impression of a kicked puppy. When that fails to do anything, his shoulders slump. "Okay," he sighs.

Mask finally stops hiding behind Wars' back. He darts to Four and latches onto his hand. "Come with! I'm already finding Hyrule and Wind!"

Four looks to Wars in surprise as Mask drags him out the room. He hadn't expected Mask to look at him, much less talk to him, after finding out the truth of his age.

Wars just grins at him in response. Twilight's clearly dejected at not being able to spend time with Mask.

"He just wants to help," Four says.

"Well I'm don't needing it," Mask responds haughtily. Four can't get another word in as Mask drags him outside and around the building. "Hey, it's secret?"

"What secret?" Four asks, wondering if it's a genuine question or if Mask is trying to deflect.

"The Minishi thingy," Mask says with a serious look. "Wind and Hyrule waiting, but I wanna knowing if you're having it secret."

Surprised, Four can't help ask, "If it is?"

Mask nods, seeming to accept the answer. "I'm going to be showing the Mask of Truth to all you three." He pulls out the white and red mask. He latches onto Four's hand again and starts pulling him.

"Hold on now, I didn't say I wasn't going to," Four tugs him back. "Wind already knows. I mean, it's not necessarily a secret."

Mask frowns at him, clearly skeptical.

Four shrugs. "I don't say anything because it's hard to explain when you literally can't show the proof."

"You're being sure?" Mask asks with a startling amount of seriousness. "Because you're don't owing me. You can be having it secret if you're wanting."

Four instantly softens in response. He has to remind himself that Mask is seventeen, but it's hard with how young he physically looks and sounds. "I showed Wind because I knew he'd be able to see them. It's not a big deal, I promise."

Mask's head tilts to the side. "Then why not be showing Hyrule?"

This is the third time Mask has mentioned Hyrule. Hyrule's way too old. "Why do you think–,"

"There you guys are!" Hyrule says rounding the corner. "What took you so long?"

"Twilight has being a butt," Mask replies easily. "Where's Wind?"

"Petting a dog," Hyrule says.

Four has no choice but to follow them. He really wants to know what Mask is talking about, but he'll have to wait for later.

He's surprised to see the dog from earlier when they reach Wind. As he gets closer, he sees Kotoko peak out from a nearby patch of clovers.

Wind waves at them. "Hey, guys!"

Kotoko follows his gaze and easily spots them too. "Hi, mister Four!" She calls with a wave of her own.

"Hello," Four replies with the others even though he's the only one who heard her. He's going to have to teach Wind how to look for them. Maybe then, Wind will be able to hear and see them on his own.

"So what did you guys wanna show us?" Wind asks.

Mask stops next to Wind with Hyrule while Four walks around to sit closer to the clovers. Kotoko smiles up at him and he smiles back.

"The Minish," Four replies extending a hand down to Kotoko.

Wind immediately perks up excitedly. Mask doesn't react beyond a single nod, and Hyrule simply tilts his head in confusion.

Kotoko turns back towards the clovers and waves someone over. "Come on!" She calls quickly running up Four's arm. "I brought my friend, Fuushi, and his teacher, Master Akki. I hope you don't mind."

Four smiles. "Of course not," he says. Another Minish, a little taller than Kotoko, dressed in green peaks out from the clovers. There's a small sword strapped to his back as he looks around.

"Come on, it's fine!" Kotoko shouts. "He helped me home!"

Another Minish, much older and dressed in pink robes walks out. Master and apprentice it seems.

Four leaves Kotoko to coax the two closer. He glances at the others as she runs down to his wrist.

Wind has a massive smile on his face as he watches them all interact. Mask's head is tilted in his direction, but the fox mask covers his gaze and expression. A smart tactic.

Hyrule gasps softly. He shuffles forward slowly and crouches next to Wind. "What are those?" He asks quietly.

Kotoko looks up at him and waves. Hyrule tentatively waves back.

Four can't stop the surprised look on his face.

Wind beats him to the question. "Wait, you can see them?!" He nearly shouts.

Hyrule frowns in confusion. "Uhm, yeah?" He glances nervously at Four and winces. Four tries to school his expression. The last thing he needs to do is scare Hyrule off.

Wind latches onto Hyrule's wrist and sleeve. "But only kids can see the Minish!" He says, pausing to look at Four with a confused frown. "Right? Only kids can?"

"Yeah," Four nods. "I, uh, was exposed to a lot of their magic as a kid. That's why I can still see them," he explains carefully. Though he thinks it could've also been a blessing from one of the gold Kinstones.

Hyrule startles. He goes to stand but is stopped by Wind's grip on his arm. He looks spooked, like a startled deer.

"I thought you were nineteen?" Wind says.

"I– uhm," Hyrule stammers clearly panicked.

"I'm sorry!" Mask suddenly shouts. He's taken off his mask and suddenly Four understands why Twilight was so worried. His face is an absolute mess of still bleeding welts and deep scratches. Worse than his arms.

"I has not knowing!" Mask continues with wide and scared eyes. "I can be undoing it! I can be moving back!"

Hyrule's shoulders hike up to his ears as he tries to make himself as small as possible. His face is red and he won't meet any of their gazes. "N–no. It's... Okay."

"I'm don't minding moving back!" Mask insists. "I'm don't minding to do everything again! Please, I'm sorry!"

Four feels his blood run cold. He wips around to face Mask. Has Mask already met them? Before what Four remembers? Did Four always find out about Mask's age? Is that why Mask accepted him so quickly? He suddenly feels sick.

"So how old are you?" Wind asks tentatively. He lets go of Hyrule's sleeve but keeps their hands clasped together.

"No!" Mask shouts. "He's not wanting to be telling!"

Hyrule looks at him in surprise.

Mask shrinks back, suddenly unsure. "I'm sorry," he says quietly. "I has don't knowing you're hiding it. I'm don't saying anything if I has knowing."

Hyrule studies him for a moment. "How did you know?"

Mask shrugs, looking every bit like a child who's gotten in trouble. "I'm knowing how old you all are," he mumbles. "Some of all you are blurry, but I can still be seeing it."

A tiny squeak interrupts them. Four looks down to see a very flustered Akki with a hand over Kotoko's mouth. "I am terribly sorry," Akki says in a rush. "We'll be out of your hair in a jiffy."

"No it's okay," Four assured drawing the other's attention. "We can have this conversation later. Right guys?"

Wind pouts but agrees.

Hyrule looks relieved. "Yes please."

"You're being sure?" Mask asks. "Of other two knowing?"

Hyrule nods. "Yeah. I've been wanting to say something since Wind joined."

Mask still looks unsure as he slips the mask back over his face. He does, however, drop the subject.

Four smiles down at the three Minish. "See. You don't have to leave if you don't want to."

Kotoko instantly brightens and even Fuushi looks excited. Akki still looks a little flustered, though. Four's not really surprised. The elder Minish are always a little high strung when it comes to interacting with non-Minish. That and the topic of their conversation was a little alarming.

"Mister Four, Mister Four!" Kotoko calls excitedly. "Did you give him the Kinstone?"

"Oh! I forgot!" He holds his hands out to Hyrule and Wind.

Wind smiles eagerly as he encourages Hyrule to take them.

Hyrule's hesitant and clearly shy as he holds his hands up. His face absolutely lights up as the Minish step into his hands.

Four quickly digs through his pocket until he pulls out the blue Kinstone. "Mask, this is from Kotoko. As thanks for helping her earlier."

Mask wanders over, eyeing the little blue chip curiously. "What this is?"

"It's a Kinstone," he explains. "If you find the matching half, then something good will happen."

Mask takes it. He pulls his mask away to look at it closer. "Like what?"

Four shrugs. "It's different every time."

Wind and Hyrule both lean in to look at the blue chip. Wind's eyes widen and he's suddenly digging through his bag. He pulls out a handful of colorful little chips. "Is that what these are?"

Four gapes at him. "Uh, yeah. All those would be Kinstones–how long have you had those?"

"For like ever," Wind grins. "I started finding them a few weeks back. I figured Aryll would like to use them for her art projects so I've just been collecting them."

Hyrule raises his free hand. "I got some too," he says with a lopsided grin. "But they're back with my stuff."

Four laughs. Of course. Just because the stories of the Minish have faded into obscurity doesn't mean everything about them has.

Wind eagerly holds his hands out to Hyrule. "Well? Go get them!" He urges.

Kotoko and her friends nod up to Hyrule. He's careful as he transfers the Minish over to Wind before taking off running to the inn.

Four feels calmer as Wind eagerly eyes his pile of Kinstones. He's probably already looking for a piece to match Mask's.

Mask takes a seat next to Wind, waving awkwardly at the hand the sailor still has up for the Minish.

Kotoko, Fuushi, and Akki all wave back at him. Even as Kotoko explains that Mask can't really see them.

Hyrule comes back with a small cloth bundle in hand. He sits across from Wind and Mask and dumps the Kinstones on the ground next to Wind's. He doesn't have anywhere near as many as Wind, but there's still a decent amount.

Kotoko pulls on Wind's finger to get his attention. She points down at the pile until she and the others are deposited on the ground.

Four translates what the Minish are saying anytime someone asks a question or they make a comment. It's nice, he thinks. The seven of them are just enjoying time together as friends.

Mask eventually removes his Keaton mask. He smiles and laughs along with the others. He eagerly helps them separate all the Kinstones into different piles. His laughter is carefree as he jokes along with Wind and Hyrule.

He can kind of see it now that he's looking for it. Hyrule's boyish round cheeks are just the baby fat that hasn't completely disappeared yet. The light and brightness of his eyes practically scream of youth. His excitability and eagerness to always play with Wind. His ever present fondness for simple, childish, delights. It all makes sense. Hyrule's still just a kid.

Maybe that's why he gets oddly shy around them sometimes?

"Ancestors Above," Four blurts in panic. "We've been so inappropriate around you!"

The talking stops and two confused faces turn to look at him. Wind just scowls. "I will actually stab you if you start treating Rulie different now," Wind threatens. "We're young, not stupid. So you better not change. Right?"

Mask instantly nods. Hyrule's more unsure as he nods.

"You should stab them, too, if they try," Wind tell Hyrule.

This time Hyrule doesn't quite agree. He quickly glances at Four for direction.

Oh Holy Light, this explains so many of Hyrule's reactions! He still remembers how red Hyrule got when Legend pulled him into a particularly crass and salacious conversation he was having with Warriors.

"Ow!" Four flinches as a Kinstone hits him in the eye. "Wind!"

Hyrule looks at them nervously. Like he's unsure if he should check on Four or try calming Wind.

"See you're already doing it!" Wind shouts. He angrily shoots to his feet and points an accusing finger at Four.

Four presses his hands against his eye. Damnit that hurt!

"You never had a problem with treating Hyrule like an equal before! Don't start undermining him now!"

That gives him immediate pause. He looks up, hand still covering his eyes but pain mostly forgotten. "We don't undermine you," he sounds unsure even to his own ears. "... Do we?"

"Not all of you, and not all the time," Wind grudgingly agrees.

Mask narrows his eyes. "Twilight?"

"And Wild!" Wind immediately starts shouting again. "Ugh they're the worst! Sometimes I think I need to actually maim them to get them to take me seriously!"

Mask snickers.

Hyrule's frown deepens. Like he hadn't considered that the group would really treat him differently.

Wind notices and immediately offers him an encouraging smile. "If you get tired of anyone doing that, just go to Wars. He's really good at not babying," he says. "And the Old Man too when he comes back."

Hyrule nods, looking a little relieved. He turns to Mask with a lopsided smile. "I guess it makes sense that Wars wouldn't treat a kid differently either huh."

Mask scoffs. "I'm hoping! You're telling me if he's doing, I'm going to be kicking him in the balls again."

Wind cackles in delight, and even Hyrule laughs at that. They easily resume what they were doing. All the matching Kinstone pieces have been found, so now they work on making pictures out of the remaining pieces. They laugh and argue and giggle as they work. Hyrule and Mask seem to have completely moved past the previous conversation. Wind, however, keeps shooting Four warning looks.

Eventually, the sun starts to set and Master Akki excuses herself and her two charges. Kotoko and Fuushi are clearly disappointed to be leaving, but they don't make a fuss about it. Wind, Hyrule, and Mask are similarly disappointed as they offer their own goodbyes.

After the Minish leave, Wind and Hyrule spend a couple minutes picking up their Kinstone pieces. There's some initial confusion as to which ones belong to who, but in the end they decide to split the pile evenly.

Mask looks genuinely surprised when they offer a third of it to him. Four feels his heart break when Wind and Hyrule explain it's because they're friends and that's what friends do. Mask's smile is blinding as he offers a heartfelt thanks to the two.

Their spirits are still high as they round the corner back to the inn.

They run into Wild and Legend the moment they open the door.

"There you guys are!" Wild greets.

"We were about to go look for you," Legend says.

Hyrule frowns. "Did something happen?"

Legend shakes his head, already turning back towards the stairs. "Nah, just getting late."

Wild motions them inside and towards the tables. "Dinner was hours ago. I saved you guys some food."

Mask and Hyrule immediately perk up at the prospect of food. Four's stomach chooses that moment to growl loudly.

Wild laughs, summoning their individual plates from his slate. Wind and Hyrule don't waste any time digging in. Mask at least offers a thanks before devouring it just as ferociously as Hyrule.

"You can leave the plates to the side when you're done," Wild says. "I'm gonna go tell Twi you guys are back."

Mask makes a face as Wild disappears up the stairs.

Once he's gone, Wind instantly zeros in on Hyrule. "So how old are you?"

Hyrule chokes on his food. He spends a few seconds coughing to clear his airways.

"Well?" Wind prompts.

Hyrule pushes the food around his plate nervously as he mumbles, "Fifteen."

Wind practically jumps from his seat. Mask is quick to cover his mouth so his shout is muffled. "You're only a year older than me?!"

Four clears his throat reminding Wind that they're inside. Wind sits down with a properly abashed grumble. Satisfied, Four turns back to Hyrule. "Why hide it? If you don't mind me asking."

Hyrule hunches his shoulders as he continues to stab at his food. "Because when I joined, it was just the Captain, the Old Man, and– and The Hero of Legend," he explains. "I grew up hearing stories about him! I wanted to be just like him when I grew up! And suddenly here was my Hero and I–," he hesitates, voice suddenly small. "I didn't want him to be disappointed..."

Four frowns. "He would never be disappointed in you."

"I know that now," Hyrule huffs. "But you remember him back then. You joined like a day after me. He was so mean back then. And then he asked you how old you were, then they started saying how old they were, and I kinda panicked."

Four remembers exactly how rough their Veteran was when they first met. They only learned his title because Hyrule had slipped up. Their prickly vet had been more than happy to just be called Veteran up until then. Since then, he and and Hyrule have been near inseparable. Legend almost seems to take pride in knowing Hyrule comes after him.

"You're really going to be telling all others?" Mask asks.

The others startle at just how serious he sounds. His expression, despite the young age, holds the same focus and intensity Time's usually has.

Maybe he was just born with that look, Four finds himself idly thinking.

Hyrule sits up straight, a new determined gleam to his eyes. "Yes," he says with conviction. "Like I said. I've been wanting to say something since Wind joined, and I'm done being a coward about it."

Wind frowns, studying Hyrule closely. "Why me specifically? Is it cos I'm younger than you?"

"What no!" He's quick to assure. "You were thirteen when you joined us, and you never let anyone hold that against you! You're proud to be a kid and a Hero! I– I want to have that kind of bravery too!"

Wind's eyes widen in surprise. He opens and closes his mouth a few times, clearly unsure of how to respond. He quickly switches tracks, the pink dusting his cheeks the only proof of how the words affected him. "I bet Legend's gonna lose his mind."

"Remember the face he made when Wild broke the Master Sword?" Four adds. "I bet it'll be like that."

"It can be breaking?!" Mask yelps.

Wind snorts. "I know right! But Wild can break anything!"

Hyrule nods. "Yeah, don't let him borrow your sword."

They quickly devolve into making bets. Wind notes everything down on a piece of paper Mask gives him. Despite it having started with how Legend would react, they all unanimously agree that Twilight's going to take it the worst.

Wind and Hyrule are still giggling as they part ways. They badly shush each other as they slip into their shared room with Legend.

Four shakes his head. Tomorrow's going to be an interesting day for sure.

Mask opens the door for their room and instantly frowns at Wars. "Why you're having my stuff?"

Four peaks around him and spots the pile of empty bottles. There's a colored dot on each of them.

"I'm in charge of resupplying tomorrow," Wars shrugs. "Four, you got any empty bottles?"

He shakes his head. He's broken most of his bottles by this point.

Wars turns back to his sheet. "What do you have?"

"Just a standard magic replenishing potion."

"Only one?" Wars frowns down at the sheet. "Don't you have two more bottles?"

"They broke," he admits.

The frown deepens as he scribbles something else on the sheet. After another minute, he walks out the room. Four can hear him knock on the other doors.

Four takes the opportunity to corner Mask. "How many times have you done this?" He demands.

Mask looks confused. "Again?"

"You said you don't mind doing this again," he says almost frantic. "So how many times have you lived these two days?"

Understanding quickly crosses the kid's features. "One," he says. "I has knowing to be avoiding you and Hyrule if I has doing this before."

Four purses his lips. He wants to believe him. He desperately wants to believe him. But he knows how good Time is at controlling his expressions. He's seen glimpses of Mask having that same skill. Four just can't be sure, and it terrified him.

"I'm knowing I can't be proving it," Mask continues, "but I can be promise this is first time I'm meeting all you."

Four searches Mask's face for any hint of a lie. Anything that would give away that what he's saying isn't true. Any cracks in his facade.

Mask stares back with soulful eyes. There's a steadiness to them that seems so viscerally wrong on a child. A sadness too deep for someone so young.

Mask's expression softens. "I can be telling you when I'm moving back time," he offers. "I'm already making promise with big brother to be telling him. I can be telling you also."

Four's voice fails him. He swallows trying to ease the sudden tightness. He nods. Can he trust that? Mask doesn't know anything about him. Why the sudden show of trust? Is it a test? Is this really the first time? What if this is him fulfilling that promise?

"But!" Mask interrupts lifting a finger. Four startles at the sudden action as Mask pokes him in the chest. "You're having to promise to me you're being supporting to big brother. Is that understood?"

He doesn't get the chance to respond when Wars walks through the door with a sigh. He looks up from his paper and takes in the scene with a critical eye. "This something I should know about?

Mask grins up at him. "Four will be knowing also if I'm moving back time."

Wars startles. He looks at Four, and whatever he sees has him frowning. "Why?"

Four winces hearing the clear hurt in the captain's voice. This is not something he should be a part of.

"I have to chase your ass to get you to admit you've been manipulating time, but Four gets a free pass?"

Mask stares at him with a light frown for a few seconds. "Again?"

Wars sighs, shoulder's slumping slightly. "Why would you tell Four and not me?" He practically pleads.

The frown on Mask's face deepens. "I has planning to not be saying to anyone," he states, "cos big brother is big dummy. You're wanting to never be sharing what you're carrying. But you has making me saying it," he grabs Four's sleeve and pushes him towards Wars with a smirk. "Now you're don't having choice to be carrying everything alone!"

That's when it clicks.The offer wasn't about reassuring Four. It wasn't even about Four. It was about Wars.

"He has going to you when he has learning my age," Mask continues with a prominent shake of Four's arm. "He is being wanting to help. So I'm making sure he is being helping to you."

Warriors frowns deeply. "Sprite, you can't just do that to people," he says. "I have everything handled. You don't need to dump all that on Four."

"Yes I do!" Mask shouts. "You're acting like you're being alone! But you're don't being alone! I'm being here! And Four is being here also!"

"Sprite–,"

"No!" Mask shouts again. "Team! You has saying we all being team!"

Warriors turns his pleading gaze on Four.

Four shrugs his free arm, no longer inclined to leave them to their privacy. "Sorry, Cap, I'm with Mask on this one."

Mask shouts in triumph and Warriors looks bewildered.

"After that talk we had, I realized just how tired you looked," Four continues. "And thinking back to how the Old Man usually is, he constantly looked exhausted too... We were all so happy to let you guys lead that we never stopped to consider how that would affect you."

Warriors' sigh is full of frustration. He runs a hand through his hair. "That's not something you guys need to worry about," he stresses.

Mask opens his mouth, no doubt to shout again, but Four stops him with a hand on the shoulder. "But it is. Because we are a team," he insists calmly. "And I don't mean just the three of us," he motions to the door behind Warriors. "The nine of us are a team. You and Time are there to take point, to lead and guide us, but we're here too. We're here to support you, because that's what teams do."

"Yeah, and what do you know about teamwork?" Warriors challenges.

Four clenches his jaw. He has to remind himself it's not a personal dig. He can see Warriors desperately trying to keep the pressure off them. "I know I watched a friend die because I refused to rely on my teammates," he says calmly. "I don't want you to make the same mistake I did."

He can see the moment he wins. Warriors' shoulders fall and the exhaustion returns to his face. "Out of everyone, it would be you," he sighs.

He raises an eyebrow. "Is that supposed to be an insult?"

Warriors quickly shakes his head. "No, no." He takes a deep breath, wandering over to the desk in the room. He lets out a loud and exaggerated sigh. "Old Man's been insisting you're reliable since the start," he grumbles. "I swear to the Golden Three I'm kicking his fucking ass."

Mask's gaze is unsure as it flicks between the two of them. "Question," he says shuffling closer to Warriors. "Old Man... is later me?"

"Future me," Wars corrects. "And yeah."

Mask seems to take that in with a frown. No doubt he's recalling every mention of the Old Man up to now.

Wars watches him for a second. He lunges forward, dragging Mask into an impromptu hug. "And no matter how old you get, you'll always be my cute little brother."

Mask squawks, struggling to pull himself free. He kicks his feet when Wars noogies him and tries to bite the man's arm. Wars, apparently expecting the move, shoves his scarf into Mask's mouth. Mask spits and sputters in surprise.

It's amazing to see just how well Wars can distract Mask. Before long, he has the kid occupied with some wooden puzzle.

Four almost wants to question the veracity of Mask's supposed real age. Except he knows Mask can't see Minish. That's proof enough.

"Come on, we should get some rest," Wars eventually says. "We have a long day ahead of us."

Mask doesn't put up too much of a fight. Just mild protests that seem more token than genuine.

"You too, Four."

"Yeah, yeah."

Chapter Text

Sky shoots awake at the sounds of a loud crash and a lot of screaming. He gets tangled in the bedsheets as he scrambles for his boots and sword. He throws the door open, stumbling in his haste.

The door across the hall is violently thrown open. "You better not be breaking anything you brat!" Warriors shouts already stomping down the stairs.

He drops his guard with a relieved sigh. He immediately follows it up with a long yawn. He shuffles back into his room in search of his scabbard.

"How d'you do that?" Hyrule mumbles from the doorway. His hair is sticking out in odd angles, and he only has a shirt and undershorts on. "You fall asleep so fast, and wake up so fast."

Sky kicks off his boots with a shrug. "I didn't think it was that weird until you guys gave me flack for it." He's up, so he may as well start getting ready. Now, where are his socks?

Hyrule continues to stand in the doorway still clearly half-asleep. Not even Warriors' continued yelling seems to faze him. "Are you even awake?"

Hyrule mumbles unintelligibly in response. Sky laughs and shoos the sleepy traveler back to his room. Hyrule bumps into Wind in the process.

"Wha's with th' yelling?" Wind asks through a sleepy yawn.

Sky tries to tune into the shouting, but it sounds like it's finally winding down. "Well Champion's not here, so my bet's on him."

Wind grunts in acknowledgement. He stands around for a few more seconds before shuffling back into his room.

Sky takes his time packing his things. Wild's stuff is still scattered everywhere so they're probably not leaving any time soon. Just as he's securing the last of his things, Twilight slinks into their room with a very angry Warriors behind him.

Warriors' glare is downright fierce as Twilight starts digging through his things.

Twilight glances at Warriors and seems to shrink in on himself. "Come on, it ain't that–,"

"I didn't say you could talk," Warriors immediately snaps.

Twilight wilts. He hands over his rupee pouch without further argument.

Warriors snatches it from his hand and pulls out two silver rupees and a purple one. "Next time the kid—or anyone for that matter–says back off, you back the fuck off," Warriors hisses shoving the wallet back into Twilight's hands. "Is that understood?"

"Yessir, m'sorry," Twilight mumbles.

With a nod, Warriors turns on his heal and slams the door shut.

Sky whistles. "Damn, what was that?"

Twilight drops on to the bed with a truly sorrowful sigh. "I broke one the tables downstairs."

"You? Seriously?"

His ears droop and he buries his face in his hands. "Mhm," he nods. "Lil' Time– er Mask, was just sittin' there watchin' our Champ cook, so I figured can't hurt to join in y'know."

Sky immediately knows where this is going. Especially after the fit Mask threw that first night.

"An' you know what he tells me?"

"Go away?" Sky hazards.

"He told me to fuck off!"

Sky snorts, quickly covering it up with a cough.

"Kid his age ain't got no right knowing words like those," Twilight flops onto his back with a dramatic groan. "An' when I try reasonin' with the squirt, he up 'n told me to go fuck myself!"

"So how's the broken table come into it?"

"He grabbed one the pots 'n threw it at me."

"Mm, still doesn't explain the table."

"He was wantin' to grab the one on the fire 'n I tried to stop him before he's gettin' burned." He heaves a heavy sigh. "He wasn't havin' none of that."

Sky can't quite hide his amusement. "So you picked a fight with a ten year old."

"He's eleven."

"So you picked a fight with an eleven year old," he amends. That earns him a dirty look.

"I just don' gettit!" Twilight bemoans. "Me 'n Time get on just fine! An' I'm great with kids too!"

"I dunno," Sky hums. "You grate on Wind's nerves pretty often. Maybe you're just not as good with kids as you think."

Twilight frowns up at the ceiling. He clearly doesn't believe Sky. After a few minutes, he says. "I'm just needin' a new approach."

"Good idea. Maybe you can–,"

"I know!" Twilight sits up suddenly. "I'mma ask Four for help!"

Sky can only sigh as Twilight bolts out the room. "Or maybe you can let him come to you," he says to the empty room. Setting his things on his bed, he heads for the stairs. At least he knows he can get some breakfast while he waits.

He grimaces at the sight of the broken table and chairs. Those look like quality wood. Definitely worth more than a mere two hundred fifty rupees. Unless Warriors also collected from Mask.

"Hey, good morning!" Wild calls.

"Good morning," Sky greets. "Where's the kid?"

Wild points to the far side with his spoon.

Mask sits in the corner with his arms crossed. It looks like he wants to scowl, but can't quite make it past pouting.

"Uh?"

"Captain put him in timeout," Wild snickers.

Sky shakes his head. This is just so weird. Up until now, Warriors had just seemed like a mildly self-absorbed, albeit intelligent, guy. He usually spent his time trying to goad Twilight into cutting loose. Yet now... Sky shudders just at the thought of having that look aimed at him.

"You want breakfast?" Wild asks.

"Yes please. Has the kid eaten?"

Wild nods with a hum. "Kept asking what I was doing so I kept giving him pieces of food."

"That's not a meal," Sky frowns.

"Yeah well, I don't know if I can talk to him," he shrugs. "I'd rather not get in trouble with the Captain too. I mean, you should've seen the look he gave Twilight. I'm not risking that!"

Sky can't argue with that. "Speaking of, do you know where he went?"

"The Captain?"

He nods.

"He and the vet went to buy the rest of the supplies we need," he hands a plate to Sky. "Here. I'm going to go wake up the others."

Sky takes it and wanders over to the only remaining table. Weren't there three before? He sets the plate down and returns to the cooking pot. Serving another plate, he approaches Mask. "I brought you some food."

Mask eyes the plate warily. He turns a suspicious look on Sky. "I'm having to being sitting with you?"

"Not if you don't want to," Sky assures gently. "But I would like the company."

The kid takes the plate with a quiet mumble, "Big brother has saying I'm staying here until he is being back."

Sky hums in thought for a moment. "How about this? If the Captain says anything, I'll take full responsibility. I'll be keeping an eye on you until he comes back. And if Twilight gets back first, I can remind him he's supposed to leave you alone. How does that sound?"

Mask is quick to nod. He follows Sky and even sits next to him. He doesn't talk, just silently eats his food. Sky's content to just leave him be. Especially if he's willingly sitting there after avoiding him for so long.

Slowly, the others make their way down. Wild shoots him a worried look when he spots Mask. Sky pretends to not notice. The perks of being an occasional airhead.

The next one down is Wind. He's still blinking blearily, but he looks more alert than last time. He follows Wild and serves himself coffee from one of the simmering pots.

Sky tries not to make a face. Children really shouldn't be drinking things like coffee.

"What is that?" Mask asks.

"Coffee," Wind mumbles. He pauses and a sly grin works it's way on to his face. "You wanna try?"

"Wind," Sky warns.

Wind blatantly ignores him as he holds the mug out to Mask. "Careful, it's hot." Mask eyes it curiously.

"Wind," Sky tries again. "I really don't think you should be giving him coffee."

Mask's eyes narrow and he snatched the mug from Wind. He takes a massive gulp and immediately chokes on it. His eyes water as he struggles not to spit the liquid out. Sky takes the mug from his hands so he doesn't drop it and burn himself.

Wind's quick to snatch it from him and escape further down the table with a cackle. "Oh, it's also kinda bitter."

Sky's torn between scolding Wind and tending to Mask. He's forced to focuses his attention on Mask when the kid whines. Mask squeezes his eyes shut and swallows. He coughs and gags between gulping breaths. Sky rubs the kid's back, soothing him as best he can. He desperately hopes Mask doesn't throw up. "Come on, deep breaths," he murmurs. Don't throw up. Don't throw up. "That's it, nice and slow."

"Hot monster guts," Mask eventually whines. He wipes his tongue with his hands and then wipes his hands down the front of his tunic. Sky grimaces at the sight, but he's relieved the risk of puking seems to be gone.

Wind cackles again. "Two for two!"

"Again?"

"He got me too," Hyrule says from his claimed spot across Mask.

Sky sighs, continuing to rub Mask's back. He's going to have to have a talk with Wind.

"Who got what?" Four asks, appearing out of seemingly nowhere.

"Wind got Mask to try his coffee," Hyrule says making space for him.

Four grimaces. "Yeesh. My condolences. I at least put milk in mine."

"Have you been upstairs the whole time?" Sky asks.

"Yeah. Why?"

He sighs. "Because Twilight's running around town looking for you."

Four frowns. "Is it important?"

"To him it is."

"Then he can find me when he gets back," Four shrugs.

The rest of breakfast is thankfully a lot calmer. Mask still doesn't talk all that much. He spends his time glaring at Wind who at one point sticks his tongue out at him. Sky gets Mask a glass of milk to distract him.

As Four and Hyrule are helping clean up, their three missing members finally make it back.

Legend nudges a disheartened Twilight further inside. "Dude, it's not like it's the end of the world," Legend nudges him again, trying for a light hearted dig. "So lighten up on the kicked dog look will ya?" 

Twilight shoots him a glare.

Warriors rolls his eyes as he walks around them to Wind. He plucks the mug from the sailor's hands and takes a gulp.

"Hey!"

Warriors makes a face. "Good Goddesses, kid," he grimaces. "I'm telling you, learn to use sugar."

"Sugar melts!" Wind argues. "I'm not wasting money or cargo space on that!"

"But we're not– whatever," he sighs taking a few more sips before handing it back to Wind. He pauses when his gaze lands on Mask.

Sky's ready to defend Mask should Warriors say anything.

"What's with the face?"

Mask just scowls harder. "Hot monster guts."

Warriors is confused for all of two seconds before he starts laughing. "No way! He got you too?" He holds a fist out to Wind who happily fistbumps him. "Man, I can't believe I missed it."

Sky buries his head in his hands.

--

Sky watches Mask happily bounce between talking to Hyrule and talking to Four. The kid barely pays any attention to where he's walking, but still doesn't trip over anything. He doesn't even get his massive sword caught on anything.

It's strange to see just how massive of a sword he has too. It's almost bigger than he is. Can he actually swing it around? The Old Man has power gloves, maybe as a kid he had something similar? Is that why he favors claymores over standard single-handed swords?

Sky wanders over just as Mask darts away. He tries not to let his disappointment show. They already have one wet dog, they don't need two. And he just knows if Legend says anything, Twilight's going to take it the wrong way and pick a fight.

Mask slips past some bushes out of their line of sight.

"He allowed t'go off on his own?" Twilight asks pointedly.

Wars doesn't even look back. "Sprite, take someone with you!" He shouts.

Mask lets out a loud groan. He comes back to the group and beckons for Hyrule. "Hyrule! You are coming with!"

Hyrule pats Sky's arm encouragingly before departing. "I'm sure he'll come talk to you again later."

Sky smiles. He sure hopes so.

"I wanna go too!" Wild says trailing after Hyrule.

An entire hour passes with no sign of them. By this point, Twilight has dragged Four to the very back and they lag behind Sky. He himself already lags far behind Warriors, Legend, and Wind. He's far enough that he can't hear what either group is saying. Though he thinks he has a pretty good idea of what Four and Twilight are talking about.

Sky closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. The forest smells so lively. The trees are a bright green and the sky an even brighter blue. A beautiful day all in all.

He smiles, humming idly as he watches Wind jump excitedly. Whatever he's talking about with Warriors and Legend has him in a good mood.

"Ack!" He hits the ground. Hard. Wild lands on top him, further forcing the air from his lungs.

Wild doesn't miss a beat, pushing himself up to his knees. "Did you see where it went?" He asks in a hurry.

Sky digs his fingers into Wild's sides and shoves. Wild jolts, unable to catch himself and he goes sprawling in the dirt. Sky sits up with a quiet groan. His ribs are going to hurt later.

Hyrule crashes through the underbrush a moment later. "Did you find it?"

The others have gathered around Sky and Wild by this point. They scan their surroundings carefully. Weapons haven't been drawn, but they're all ready to.

"What exactly are we looking for?" Warriors asks.

"I'm– uh actually I'm not sure," Hyrule admits. "I didn't really get a good look at it."

"It's a tiny brown and green thing," Wild supplies. He holds a hand down to his knees. "It's the size of a small bush."

"Are you sure you're not just looking for a bush?" Legend asks with a raised eyebrow.

Wild shakes his head. He pulls forward his pony tail. It's covered in clumps of muddy slime. "I don't think a bush can shoot whatever this is at people."

"It got me too," Hyrule says running a hand down his sleeve. He holds it up to show a greenish slime covering it. He opens and closes his hand a few times, and Sky cringes at the squelching sound.

Warriors leans in, immediately interested. His eyes are sharp as he swipes a finger through the stuff. Almost immediately his eyes light up with recognition. He quickly smothers it. "Just kinda looks like you sneezed into your sleeve," he says wiping his hand on the edge of his tunic.

Hyrule frowns, swiping at Warriors with his slime-covered hand. Warriors nimbly dodges.

"I'm telling you guys," Wild stresses. "It's this tiny wooden thing covered in green leaves."

"I think it had some yellow ones, too," Hyrule adds. He struggles to fully wipe the slime off of his hand.

"Wait, like a Deku Scrub?" Four asks.

"A what?" They both ask.

"Deku Scrubs aren't that small though," Legend points out. "And they definitely don't have weird ooze."

"Yeah, but what else–,"

They all startle at the loud snap as Twilight stumbles forward. They all stare at him in surprise and he stares back. Confused, he lifts a hand to the back of his head. It comes away covered in slime.

Sky shuffles away from him. That stuff looks disgusting.

"There it is!" Wild shouts.

Following his finger, Sky sees a small wooden thing. It's tiny. Definitely the size of a small bush. It trills and whistles at them.

Wild lunges for the thing. It easily twirls out of his reach with another trill. 

"That's definitely a Deku Scrub," Four says.

"Why's it so small, though?" Legend counters as Wild tries to grab it again.

Four raises an eyebrow. "What's your sudden obsession with things being small? You trying to tell us something?"

Wind laughs.

Sky almost trips over the sailor trying to move out of the tiny thing's path. Twilight tries to take advantage of it's sudden proximity and pounces. He slams into Wild and they both go crashing to the ground.

The thing skitters away with another round of whistles and trills. Sky thinks maybe it's laughing at them.

A bubble starts forming from it's mouth hole.

On instinct, Sky grabs Wind and jerks them away. They hear the same loud snap followed by Four's shout of "Awe gross!"

It turns towards them, another bubble forming in its mouth hole. Wind shoved him and they go sprawling in different directions. The bubble passes between them hitting Legend instead.

Sky scrambles to regain his balance and move away. Those bubbles move fast.

Legend shouts in anger, wiping his face and spitting the slime that got in his mouth. "That's it! You're going down, Shit Scrub!"

The little thing lets out a high pitched warble and darts away. Legend's hot on its heels, sword drawn.

This feels like a trap. "Wait, Legend–," Sky blinks in confusion as the thing disappears into the ground.

Legend kicks at the dirt where it disappeared. "Get out here and fight me like a real man, you sap sucker! Ack!" The thing shoots out of the ground, slamming into his chin. Legend stumbles back, tripping over his own feet.

Sky rushes to Legend's side, belatedly realizing he should probably keep on eye on the little thing. He watches in bewilderment as it flies over their heads with the use of– are those flowers?

Legend curses up a storm as Sky helps him off the ground. He leaves Hyrule to help the vet wipe the slime off.

"Guys," Wind calls nervously. "Where's Mask?"

Sky's heart leaps into his throat. Both Hyrule and Wild had come back without him. The others wear similarly wide-eyed expressions.

"Wild!" Twilight shouts.

Wild immediately points at Hyrule. "He was with Hyrule!"

"No he wants!" Hyrule retorts. "He was with you!"

"You guys were supposed to stay together!" Sky shouts.

Warriors, completely unbothered by Mask's sudden disappearance, calls up to the thing. "Okay, okay, you had your fun." He's still wiping his hand on his tunic. "Get down here before they actually try to kill you." The thing abruptly let's go of the flowers. Warriors lifts his arms to shield himself. "Hey– wait! Don't–,"

It grabs one of his arms and swings itself around onto his back. It lets go only to latch onto his scarf instead. It's free hand reaches for Warriors' sword, pulling itself high onto the man's back with a loud trill.

Warriors reaches for it. "Get off!"

It ducks with a loud whistle.

"And use your words!"

It lets go of the scarf to reach for its face. In the blink of an eye, Warriors is staggering backwards from Mask's sudden weight. The kid has a tight grip on the captain's sword. In his other hand, he holds a mask of the little wooden thing's face. He laughs loudly as Warriors struggles to regain his balance without falling.

The two are quickly swarmed by the rest of the group.

"Since when could Deku Scrubs fly?"

"How did you do that!"

"You can transform?!"

"What is this gunk?"

Mask digs his elbow into Warriors' shoulder trying to pull himself up again. Sky winces in sympathy when Warriors almost drops. The kid has a bright smile when he shouts. "Snot!"

Legend's look of disgust quickly morphs into abject horror. He turns away and starts frantically spitting and gaging.

Even Four starts wiping the slime off at a more frantic pace. "Why would you hit me?!"

Mask tries to point but ends up slipping off Warriors' back with a yelp. "I has aiming to Wind," he says wiping the dirt from his legs.

Wind squawks. "What?!"

Warriors readjusts his scarf and equipment with an annoyed frown. "I was aiming for Wind," he says absently.

"I was aiming for Wind!" Mask repeats.

Wind squawks louder. "What?!"

Legend flicks more slime onto the ground. "Well your aim sucks."

"Fuck you!"

Sky mentally stumbles. It's one thing for Twilight to tell him the kid said 'fuck' it's another thing to hear it.

Warriors lightly cuffs him on the back of the head. "Be nice."

"You has being in my way," Mask amends.

Warriors absently corrects him again. "You were in my way."

"You were in my way!" Mask repeats without hesitation.

Legend scowls at both of them. "I was standing behind the sailor."

"Be trying to not again."

Warriors frowns. "Next time don't," he says sounding unsure.

Mask looks up at him confused. "Again?"

Warriors hums in thought. "Uh, try not doing that next time?"

"Okay, what are you doing?" Legend interrupts.

"Who?"

"You!"

"Uh, what was the question again?" Warriors asks.

"The mimicking!" Legend snaps. "What's with the mimicking!"

"Well how else is he supposed to learn Hylian?"

"By being properly taught!"

"We didn't exactly have classrooms on the battlefield."

"That doesn't matter! There's still better ways to teach someone a new language!"

"Do I look like a teacher to you?"

"Yeah, I guess a pretty face like yours wouldn't have much going on upstairs."

Warriors bristles.

"Guys!" Four shouts. "As funny as it is watching you fight; can we please find somewhere to wash this gunk off?"

Warriors shakes the sudden anger off. "Right. Sprite, did you see a river when you were running around?"

Mask stops glaring at Legend to shake his head. "No."

He hums in acknowledgement. "Wild, Hyrule, did either of you see one?"

"I did." Hyrule says.

"Think you could lead us there?"

Legend hangs back as everyone starts following Hyrule. "That was weird right?" He asks falling into step with Sky. 

Sky gives him an odd look. "That he got mad?"

"Yeah... It doesn't usually rile him up that bad."

"He's probably just stressed," he assures. "Time's gone, Twi looks like he wants to challenge him, and he has to keep track of little Mask. That's all on top of being responsible for all of us. That'd stress anyone out."

"Mm..." Legend frowns at the captain's back. "I guess I can go easy on him."

"I'm sure pretty boy will appreciate it," he says solemnly. "Pretty boy."

Legend snorts caught off guard. Sky smiles at having been able to make his friend laugh. Legend playfully elbows him, barely pretending to not laugh.

"If you're that worried, talk to him more. I'm sure a distraction during downtime will be welcomed."

"Y'know what, you're right," Legend says. "The little hellion's likes Four, so he should be fine to babysit whenever Wars needs a break."

Not exactly what Sky was going for, but it works. He's sure Legend can figure out what he meant in time.

"Whoa!" Hyrule suddenly calls from the front. "Why do those look like that?"

Curious, Legend and Sky make their way to the front of the group. They all stand by Hyrule and look past a group of bushes.

Just beyond them, a large mass of tiny scuttling octoroks cover the ground. There's so many the ground is practically invisible under them.

"Oh... Oops."

Several people turn to Four. "Oops?"

Four looks sheepish. "So, uh. Have any of you heard of Kinstones before?"

Chapter Text

Warriors frowns as Twilight jogs back to them. "Portal," is the only thing out of the rancher's mouth.

Warriors' frown depends. "And there weren't any signs of the kid," he mutters. "We're two days from town, too."

Legend jolts. Besides him, Sky also stands a little straighter. Shit. They completely forgot about the missing kid.

"Oh fuck," someone whispers behind them.

Mask tugs on Warriors' arm with a frown. "Kid has being missing?"

Warriors nods absently. "Was there activity near the portal?" He asks. "Any remains? Any camps nearby?"

"I ain't thinkin' to check for that," Twilight frowns. "I only hung 'round to see if anythin's going in 'n out, but there wasn't."

"Head back out. Scout the surrounding area, see if there's traces of any kind of camp," Warriors instructs.

Mask tugs at his arm more insistently. "I'm being going also!"

"No, you're a terrible scout," Warriors responds automatically. "Champion, go with Twilight. Circle the portal in the opposite directions. Either of you find anything, report back immediately. We'll take the camp together. If you get spotted, retreat immediately. Send a signal so we're ready for you leading them back."

Wild nods. His expression remains serious as the three of them discuss the best route to the portal. After choosing a rendezvous point, the two head off.

"Sprite, you're rear guard," Warriors says turning to the rest of them. "Legend, Sky, keep our flanks covered."

Mask nods. He runs to the back of the group with a quick "Yes, sir!" Unlike the rest of them, he starts walking backwards with the group. His hand hangs from the hilt of his sword. From the grip alone, Legend can tell Mask is well practiced at swinging that thing around.

"Legend, Hyrule, switch out," Warriors barks.

Legend jolts. Shit, he wasn't paying attention.

"Uhh,"

"Just watch the left side," Four tells Hyrule. "The others have the front, right, and back covered."

Hyrule nods going to stand by Legend. He glances at Warriors and Sky before quickly drawing his sword too.

Warriors glances at Legend as he makes his way towards the center. He doesn't say anything, doesn't even make a face. Just a single glance.

Legend winces. It's easy to forget that they call Warriors captain for a reason.

They reach what Legend assumes is the rendezvous point in just under an hour. He can't see the portal, but he can tell it's nearby. His skin's practically buzzing. Though it could also be from the tension.

No one has spoken a single word since Hyrule took over watch. Even as they stand waiting, the tension is still thick.

Another hour passes before the captain asks, "Hyrule, do you need relief?"

Hyrule momentarily freezes. His eyes are wide as his gaze darts around.

"There's no shame," Warriors continues with the same series tone. "I know exactly how exhausting this type of watch can be to those unaccustomed to it. "

Hyrule frowns, dejected, as he utters a quiet, "Yeah."

Warriors simply nods. "Four?"

"On it." 

Legend frowns as he watches Hyrule slink towards the center for the group. It's one thing for Warriors to call him out. But Hyrule? The man should know better. Hyrule has trouble not comparing himself to the knights in their group as it is.

Warriors glances back at Hyrule for the first time since they arrived. "You did well, Hyrule."

The tension leaves Hyrule's shoulders with a quiet breath. He turns to Legend with a relieved, but proud, smile.

Legend pats him on the back. Okay, maybe he can cut the Captain some slack like he told Sky he would.

--

Wind quickly starts getting stir-crazy. He constantly shifts his weight from foot to foot. He bounces on the balls of his feet intermittently.

Legend doesn't blame him. He's getting the same antsy feeling. They've been standing here in silence for way too long. He's not used to this. He's not used to having to be patient. He's used to having to brute force his way through.

From the looks of the others, they're feeling the same too. Hyrule's downright jittery as he jerks his head at every sound. Four's constantly adjusting his stance, and even Sky intermittently flexes his grip on the Master Sword.

The only ones seemingly unaffected are Warriors and Mask. It's unsettling. Especially from Mask. How's a kid that damn young so used to being on such high alert for so many hours straight?

"Movement," Four whispers. It's loud in the silence.

Legend, Wind, and Hyrule immediately turn to face the same direction. Warriors and Mask shift only enough to have a peripheral view. Sky doesn't turn, keeping watch at their new back.

Wild falters at the sight of them. He quickly regains his composure.

"Anything?" Warriors asks.

Wild shakes his head.

"Twilight?" He asks with a frown.

"Doing a final check."

"I told you guys to come back together," Warriors growls.

Wild startles at the sudden harshness. "It's just a fi–,"

"I had you crossing paths for a reason, Champion," Warriors interrupts sharply. "If anything got either of you, one of you would eventually come across the other.

"But there's nothing–,"

"Can you guarantee he's not hurt?"

Wild's mouth snaps shut.

"Can you guarantee, with perfect certainty, that he's okay?" Warriors asks again. Wild's shoulder's hike up in clear embarrassment. "Go find him. And come back together, this time."

Wild quickly disappears the way he came.

They fall into silence again, and it's worse than before. Hyrule and Wind are both too on edge to fidget, and Sky's gotten tenser.

"That was harsh," Legend says. "Especially from you."

"I'll talk to him later."

"Yeah cos humiliating in public and praising in private's the mark of a real leader," he retorts drily.

Warriors' hand clenches so tightly on his sword his leather gloves creak. "There was no sign of the missing kid," he says slowly, evenly. "There's a portal between eras left completely unattended, miles from town. Those black-blooded monsters took Time from us," he throws a glare back at Legend. "Do you want to risk loosing someone else?"

Legend glares back defiantly. That's not an excuse. "You could've said that."

"Legend," Sky interrupts. "Now's not–,"

"Movement!"

Twilight emerges from the foliage with a frown. Wild is half hidden behind him with his head ducked. "Y'know, our Vet's got a mighty good point," He says drily. "You could stand to be a lil' nicer, Captain."

"And you could stand to follow orders," Warriors replies tersely. "What the hell were you thinking going off on your own?"

"I was thinkin' I know what m'doing," Twilight squares his shoulders and lifts his chin in clear challenge. "We ain't soldiers, Warriors. And we sure as hell ain't your subordinates neither, so don't be treatin' us like we are."

Warriors suddenly steps in front of Twilight.

Twilight twitches in response, but he's quickly distracted by the small clatter and quiet oof of Mask falling to the ground. Mask picks himself up with a harsh glare aimed at Twilight.

Twilight immediately wilts under the look.

Mask tries to get around Warriors, but the captain blocks him again.

"You're right," Warriors says. "You're not soldiers, and I'll do well to remember that. But please trust I do things for a reason," he pleads. "No one goes anywhere alone around dangerous anomalies."

Twilight's gaze quickly flicks between Mask and Hyrule. His glare softens to a scowl. "Some communication be nice in the future."

"I'll work on it," Warriors says. "I take it, all clear?"

"Huh?" Twilight stumbles for a second before quickly scowling again. "Yessi–yeah, all clear."

"Then let's go," he says fully sheathing his sword. He turns away, dragging Mask with him. "Sprite, up front." Mask drags his feet as he falls into step with Warriors. He tries to throw another glare Twilight's way, but Warriors pushes him forward making him trip. "Be nice."

"You has don't be nice!" Mask retorts.

"Then be better."

Legend scowls at Warriors' back as he follows along. Twilight and Wild drop to the back of the group, and Hyrule goes with them.

Sky sidles up next to him.

"Save it," Legend grumbles.

"What happened to 'going easy' on him?" Sky asks as if Legend hadn't even spoken.

"He was being a dick."

"Like you're not a dick on occasion, too?" Sky raises an eyebrow. "The first time you ever talked to me at length was to make fun of how much I slept."

"You slept like thirteen hours straight– Hyrule tripped on you! Of course I'm gonna make fun of you."

"And you still made sure I was alright first."

"Yeah," Legend scoffs. "I'm not about to kick a guy while he's down."

Sky nods with a smile. "And yet Twilight tried to convince me I should stand up to your bullying."

"What?! I'm not a bully!"

"I know, I just said that. Try to keep up," Sky says. "My point is, you think he's being mean just like Twi thought you were being mean. Wars probably isn't thinking about how he's coming across right now. His priority's to keep us safe. Sometimes that trumps being nice."

Legend clicks his tongue unconvinced.

"Did you know I never saw a bear until I was nineteen?"

Legend immediately feels suspicion rise. This feels like a trap. "What's that have to do with anything?"

"Took a week for us to find out they were dangerous. Mauled two knights to death," Sky continues. "The Academy got real strict about buddying up and avoiding all animal life after that. Let me tell you, punishment detail for going on a walk is ridiculous. Nevermind that I'm a hero, and I'd already been wandering those woods for months before them! And nevermind that I was one of the three people who showed them the land!" He huffs in clear annoyance before quickly calming down. "Point is, new dangers and uncertainties leads to stricter safety measures for everyone. Regardless of individual skill level."

Legend crosses his arms with a grumble. "Nayru help me, I hate when you make sense," he mumbles kicking a rock in annoyance.

Sky puts a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Wisdom comes with experience," he says with mock gravity.

Legend shoves his hand away. "I've literally been on six adventures!"

"Alright mister average nobody," Sky teases. "What're your words of wisdom, then?"

Legend draws a blank.

"Come on, don't you have any average wisdom?"

Legend snorts. "Great Goddesses, and Twi thinks I'm the bully?" Sky laughs and Legend grins in response. It takes him a second to remember what started the conversation, but he finds he's not as annoyed with Warriors as he was before. "Why don't you have a talk with Twi too?" He suggests. "He was as much of a dick as I was."

Sky glances back. "I think I'm gonna wait until he cools off a little. He's gotta remember he's not the only one hurting from Time's disappearance. I don't want him taking it out on me more than he already will."

Legend chews on his lip. Although he won't admit it, Time's disappearance rattled him in a way nothing has in a while. For their leader to know he was going to vanish and purposely face that alone...

And Twilight does a terrible job of hiding how much he sees Time as a pseudo father figure. Legend feels a pang of sympathy for the rancher. To lose someone like that is awful.

"Stop kicking me!" Warriors suddenly snaps.

Mask kicks him in the ankle and Warriors stumbles slightly. "Stop being grumpy!"

With a growl, Warriors shoves Mask away.

Even like this, Warriors still has a noticeable tension to him. Legend can't even begin to imagine what he's going through.

"Heads up, men– guys," Warriors calls. "Portal ahead."

They all pull closer to the front. Twilight stalks past Legend with a quiet growl. "Do well 'n remember my ass," he spits. "Fuckin' asshole."

Legend grabs him by the arm. "Hey, chill out."

Wild stops next to them. "See? I told you you're overreacting."

Twilight grimaces, ears twitching in annoyance. Legend mimics his expression causing Wild to snicker. It thankfully has the effect of calming the rancher down.

The others are waiting for them by the time they make it to the portal. The thing sits almost innocently between two trees. It's given a wide berth as they reconvene. Mask stares into it's swirling purple depths with wide eyes.

"Everyone ready?" Warriors asks.

Mask instantly yanks on his scarf. Warriors chokes at the sudden constriction. "No."

Warriors claws at his scarf to loosen it. "Gods, kid, what the fuck," he wheezes.

"I'm don't liking it. It's being bad."

"We know it's bad," Warriors replies with a sigh. "That's why we're going through to find out how to stop it."

Mask shakes his head. "No! I'm don't liking it! Why this is looking too much bad?"

"Didn't you go through something like this?" Warriors asks drily. "So why all the fuss?"

"I has using normal Gate!" Mask retorts. "This Gate is being too much bad than bad Gate!"

Warriors momentarily freezes. "That's not a Gate!" he snaps.

"Yes it is!"

Warriors bristles, eyes wide as he shouts, "No it's fucking not!"

Four elbows Legend in the side, "Do something."

"Me?! What am I supposed to do?" He hisses back as Warriors and Mask continue to shout at each other.

"I don't know!" Four retorts. "You're his friend!"

"I don't even know what they're talking about!"

"I'll ask," Wind says pushing past them. "Hey, Captain!" Wind calls jogging to stand between them and the portal. "What's a Gate?"

Warriors works his jaw anxiously.

Mask beats him to the answer. "Gate is for being moving backwards and being moving forwards and being moving to places."

Wild wanders up to them too. "Like a warp-point?" 

"No. It's..." Warriors trails off sounding tense. "Soul Gates are a dangerous magic. An ancient magic."

Legend rolls his eyes. "What magic isn't ancient and dangerous to at least one of us at this point?"

He gets a flat glare in response. "This magic is used by the Guardians of Time and Souls in my world..." He trails off for a second before seemingly shaking off whatever nerves had suddenly built up. "A Soul Gate—or Gate of Souls—connects times and places that have no business being connected. Past, present, and future all coalescing into one. People that should never meet. Outcomes that can't happen in time with another. All overlapping, overwriting, and overwhelming each other into total collapse."

Legend hates the cold look in Warriors eyes as he finishes his explanation. From the way Four shifts anxiously next to him, he sees it too.

"Okay, fine," he pushes as much sarcasm as he can into his words. Hopefully it doesn't sound too forced. "You win the ancient and dangerous magic competition."

Warriors completely ignores the banter and turns back to the portal. He ushers Wind away from it. "Sprite... You're sure?"

Mask nods. "Yes!"

"Absolutely certain?"

"Yes!"

"No chance of it being something else?"

"Yes!" Mask stresses. "This magic is being too much same to bad Gate!"

Warriors takes a deep breath and draws his sword. "Okay, stand back." Mask nods. He grabs Wind and Wild, and drags them away from the portal and the Captain.

Legend rushes forward just as Warriors starts raising his sword. He clamps onto his wrist and drags his arm back down. "The hell are you doing?" He demands.

Warriors' eyes don't leave the portal. "I'm going to close it." 

"How?" Legend presses. "Don't leave us in the dark, Wars."

Warriors' hand flexes around the sword. "It's something... a valued ally taught me," he says. "Raise your sword skyward and let the Divine Grace granted to the Chosen guide your strike."

"And you think it'll work?"

"If it really is a Gate, then I know it will."

Legend doesn't like the look in Warriors' eyes. Something about it doesn't sit right with him. It's too cold. It's too calculating. It's too resigned. Legend's slow to let go of Warriors' arm. "Don't do anything stupid, okay."

Warriors nods. He squares his shoulders and raises the sword straight up. Slowly, powerful golden magic starts to manifest around the sword. After a few seconds, Warriors swings down in a sharp motion.

The golden magic leaves his sword, arcing towards the portal. The sword beam meets brief resistance when it hits the portal. The portal warps and flickers wildly in response. It's edges curl in as it falls into itself.

Warriors stands tense, gaze focused, as he waits for it to collapse. With a small eruption of dark magic, it restabilizes.

Legend lets out a surprised breath. It had almost worked! Maybe if they–

"Sky," Warriors calls. "Mind if I borrow the Master Sword?"

Sky's quick to rush forward. He hands the sword over with a grim look. "You think she'll make a difference?"

"She will."

Sky steps back as Warriors raises the sword again. The golden magic gathers much faster. It's glow is brighter and denser as it crawls over the blade and Warriors' arm. It pulses once before he swings down with a shout.

The gold magic explodes, completely covering the portal. In a matter of seconds, it vanishes leaving behind only a faint golden shower.

Warriors stands there frozen as the leftover gold fades.

"Wars?"

He turns to them with a cocky grin that Legend can only describe as forced. "So good news and bad news, guys," he says in a surprisingly indifferent tone. "Good news: we can close these instead of hoping whatever monster we kill closes it for us."

"Does that mean we're stuck here?" Wind interrupts.

Warriors' lips twitch, but the grin remains plastered on his face. He brings the flat of the blade to his other palm, tapping it a few times in thought. "Highly unlikely," he eventually says. "Especially considering the bad news." Warriors almost grimaces. He forces the cocky grin to stay as he says, "So bad news, you're all unfortunately stuck helping me clean up my mess."

Legend would almost believe the indifferent tone if Warriors didn't keep opening and closing his hand over the blade in clear anxiety. "And what mess is that?"

Warriors' grip on the Master Sword tightens.

"That fucking cunt has leaving big mess!" Mask spits vehemently.

Legend chokes. He doesn't think he'll ever get used to hearing such a young child curse like that. Wind is at least starting to look like a teenager. Mask looks like he could still pass for an eight year old.

Warriors' shoulders slump slightly. "During my war... Soul Gates were being used as weapons. The enemy's power was so dark and unstable it corrupted the Gates," he explains. "We would close each one we found, cutting off enemy reinforcements and sealing the holes in reality. I didn't realize we left any open, let alone so many..."

"This ain't the first one we seen," Twilight points out. "'nd me 'n Wild were the last t'join and we still saw two since then."

"The magic doesn't feel the same to me..." He looks at Mask with a frown. "But he just got done with the war, so he encountered them a month ago, maybe two. It's fresher on his mind than mine."

"So, that's it then?" Hyrule asks. "We just look for portals and close them now?"

"Don't forget killing any monster we come across," Wild adds with a grin.

"But what about the shadow?" Wind points out. "You threw it off a cliff, but there weren't any signs of it actually dying. What if it was on the other side of that portal?"

Warriors glances back at the empty spot with a frown. "That could be related to what's corrupting the Gates further..." He murmers.

"What is shadow?" Mask asks. "This is being like Dark?"

Warriors pales. "No, it's–... I– I don't know," he says quietly.

Legend frowns.

"What's a Dark?" Sky asks.

"An evil reflection of the darkness within one's soul," Legend supplies.

"Oh! I've fought one!" Hyrule's quick to say.

"I have too," Legend continues. "They're tough, but not particularly smart. That weird shadow was directing that horde of lizalfos. No way a Dark is smart enough to do something like that."

"Not unless it's being controlled by a summoner," Warriors murmurs.

"Okay, so we have a couple new variables," Legend pushes. "How do we account for them?"

"We change our game plan," he says squaring his shoulders. He still has that anxious look in his eyes, but it's less pronounced. Or maybe it's hidden better. "First major order of business: the Gates. Given how the Gates I know act, and how these portals have acted, these are much more stable. There shouldn't be any issues when crossing them. We'll continue using them as normal, and I'll close them the moment we do. Sky," he holds the Master Sword for Sky to take back. "We'll need to swap swords before each crossing. We'll practice quick-trades in case we run into trouble upon crossing."

Sky nods taking the Master Sword. His hand lingers on the flat of the blade before he sheathes it.

"Second major order of business: the shadow... Our priority lies in finding out if it's an independent actor or not. The next time we run into it, thin the horde, engage with caution. Keep it occupied; enough fighting to keep it engaged, but not enough to force it to flee. Wild, Twilight, both of you will leave the area immediately."

Wild's quick to protest. Twilight crosses his arms with a growl.

"Let me finish," Warriors says when Wild pauses for a breath. "Summoners are rarely by the action. As our best scouts and trackers, you two will be charged with finding it. Hyrule, Legend, how good are you guys at detecting magic wielders?"

Legend tsks loudly. "Just about everyone in my Hyrule has magic, so I never bothered to learn. Besides I focus on magic items and their potencies, not users."

"Traveler?"

"I know I use a lot of magic when I fight," he says already apologetic, "but my Hyrule's like Legend's– for obvious reasons. There's no real reason to learn to tell who does and doesn't have magic."

Warriors tries not to look too disappointed as he nods. He turns back to Wild and Twilight with a light frown. "Your jobs will be difficult without the ability to detect magic, but there's some basic rules you can use. Summoners are not as twitchy as your average monster and display a remarkable amount of intelligence. They may not rely on their physical weapon until cornered, so be cautious. Find and kill everything a substantial distance from the shadow and the main fight."

"Gon' make us head back together, too?" Twilight asks sarcastically.

Warriors doesn't rise to the bait. "No. We now know more about our enemy than we did this morning. I trust you two to create your own search-and-kill patterns. Just keep me posted on anything odd you find and any change in plans, no matter how insignificant."

"Oh so now I'm allowed ta make a judgement call? And we're allowed to come 'n go when we're wanting?

"Ideally? No," he replies sharply. "But we have no choice at the moment."

Wild elbows Twilight before he can continue to antagonize Warriors. He relents with a grumble.

"Uhm," Hyrule interrupts awkwardly. "What do we do now now though?"

"Now, we wait," Warriors says. "We'll give it two days. If another gate doesn't open by then, we'll continue wandering until we find something."

The others glance at each other skeptically. Are they really going to just sit around and wait?

Four shrugs. "May as well set up camp."

Chapter Text

Four helps everyone set up camp. He works to keep easy conversation and serve as a distraction. He needs to talk to Warriors about whatever the hell that was, but it'll have to wait until night. He has a feeling it has to do with stupid time shenanigans, and he'd rather not be under the group's scrutinizing gaze. It should definitely be a private conversation. If he plays his cards right, he can probably drag Mask into it too. The kid's proven to be good at calling Warriors out, so he'll probably contradict any half-truths or misdirections. That is if the kid doesn't fall for them himself. Not that he can really hold it against Warriors. They've all been rather selective of the details they share of their adventures. There's definitely things he doesn't want to share, so why would it be any different for the others.

Letting his chin fall into his palm, he lets out a long sigh. It was interesting to watch Warriors and Sky practice that quick-trade thing at first, but now it's just boring. Especially since Sky left his sword with Hyrule so he could spar normally with Warriors.

"Ugh! I'm so bored!" Wind complains loudly. He stretches where he's laying in the grass with a dramatic groan.

"So take a nap like Hyrule," Legend replies.

"I did!" Wind responds kicking his feet into the air. "Ugh how long has it even been?!"

"Two hours seventeen minutes," comes the absent reply.

The three of them turn to Mask in surprise. The kid doesn't look up from the metal puzzle. It's occupied his attention for the last two hours. And seventeen minutes apparently.

Legend leans into Wind's space. "There's no way that's right," he whispers.

"I dunno. Old Man always knows the time," Wind sits up with a shrug. "Hey, Mask, what time is it?"

"Sixteen forty-seven."

Legend sucks his teeth. "Man, where's Wild and his stupid slate thing when you need him?"

"You wouldn't happen to have an hourglass in your bag of hoarding, would you?" Wind asks.

"No. Why would I have an hourglass?" Legend asks offended. "Do you have an hourglass?"

"Yeah, but it doesn't work."

"Why do you have a broken hourglass?"

"It's not broken! It just doesn't work right now."

"That's what broken means, dummy."

"Nuh-uh! I just haven't figured out the magic to make it work!"

"It's magic? Lemme see."

"What? No!"

Four turns away with a roll of his eyes as Legend starts trying to nab Wind's bag. He'll never understand Legend's obsession with magical items.

Mask makes a loud frustrated noise. "Four, help!" He shoves the puzzle at him.

Four simply stares at the outstretched hand in amusement. "Isn't the whole point of these things to figure it out on your own?"

"This is too much hard!" Mask shakes the puzzle more insistently. "Help please!"

Seeing as there really isn't anything better to do, Four takes it. Mask scoots into his space to watch. Four spends a few minutes simply moving pieces back and forth to get a feel for it. All the pieces are different shapes and even the composition of the metal is slightly different giving each piece a slightly different shade.

"What happened to that wooden one from the other day?" Four asks.

"I has loosing one piece."

He nods absently. Maybe they could ask Sky to carve a replacement piece. "Where'd you get this one?" He didn't see any vendors selling metal puzzles in the village. Now that he thinks about it, he didn't see any vendors selling puzzles.

"Lieutenant Rall," Mask replies. "He has be mean to all others, but he has be nice to me."

Four pauses, caught off guard by the name. He knows Warriors said Mask was in his war with him, but it was still a little hard to believe. "You must've been his favorite then."

Mask shrugs. "He has saying I'm being remind of sun, but I'm being wearing green not yellow."

He feels like the ground drops out from under him. He tries not to let it show as he looks at Mask. The kid only has a confused frown on his face as he fidgets with his bag. Seventeen. How is this kid seventeen when he doesn't even realize the man was calling him son?

How is Four even supposed to address this? "Mask, I think–,"

Mask dumps the contents of the old worn sack in front of them. "I'm being having a lot puzzle!" He interrupts. "I'm sorry, you has saying words?"

Four swallows. "Nevermind, it wasn't important." He feels like a cowards.

Mask doesn't look convinced, but he thankfully doesn't press him on it. Instead he rummages through the pile of well. Junk. There's definitely little puzzle toys in there, but they're practically buried in what can only be described as junk. Scraps of fabric, monster scales, monster horns, dirty bandages, even bits of broken armor. Four picks up a bent metal scrap that looks vaguely like the backing plate of a shield. At least, it would look like that if it got mangled and he squinted real hard.

Mask pulls out another mass of tangled up metal wires. "Lieutenant Rall has giving to me this one also!" He proclaims then points at the puzzle still in Four's hand. "But this is being too much hard than that one."

Four eyes it with a frown. He recognizes that style of puzzle. It's actually a fairly simple one. Definitely easier than the one Mask had asked help for. "Let me see it?" The kid hands it over, taking the nearly finished puzzle back.

He eyes the twists and turns of the metal as he quickly works to solve it. When he's nearly done, he finally spots it. "It's damaged," he states. Mask immediately stops and crowds into his space. "See this?" Four points to what looks like any normal curve in the puzzle. "The corner got stretched out."

Mask makes a face.

Four tilts the puzzle to better catch the light. "Here, you can see where the metal got stretched."

Mask just squints harder at it. "I'm don't seeing it," he mumbles.

He smiles, unable to take the kid's expression seriously. "Well, I am a master blacksmith, so I guess it stands to reason I'd be able to notice the damaged metal better than the average person."

Mask turns that scrunched up squinting expression on him. Four has a hard time not laughing. "Again?"

"Do you know what a blacksmith is?"

The kid nods.

"A master blacksmith is a very very good blacksmith. The best at blacksmithing!" He explains proudly. "Because of that, I've gotten very very good at seeing when metal is good and when it's bad."

"Ooh!" Mask's eyes shine with awe. "You has being making cool swords? And shields? And armors?"

He preens under the blatant admiration. "Yep!" He replies. "I even get commissioned to make the swords and shields for the top soldiers in my Hyrule."

"So cool!"

"If you think that's cool," he says unsheathing his sword. "Check this out." He shifts the sword around to properly catch the light, showing off the iridescent shower of colors. The warm reds, the stark blues, the friendly greens, and sharp purples that stand out among the rainbow of colors. He even tilts it enough to show off the deep shadows the hilt casts, putting the four main colors on even more display. "This is what I made to earn my Master title."

The kid oohs and aahs at the sword. "This is being so pretty!"

"Thank you," he smiles. "Though, even I'll admit, it's not as well crafted as the original Four-Sword."

"Original?" Mask asks. "This is being copy? What has happening to original?"

"The original was used to seal a scary— erm," he coughs, realizing he'd started slipping into festival mode. He doesn't have to baby Mask like the kids in Hyrule Town when telling this story. "The original was made by Master Melari, a Minish master blacksmith. It's currently being used to seal a powerful monster that tried to take over Hyrule and claim Zelda's power for himself. I asked Master Melari for the instructions and tried it out myself." He tilts the sword again, letting the colors flow over the blade. "For obvious reasons, I can't compare it to the original, but it has the same abilities."

"Sword is magic?"

"Mhm."

"Can I be seeing?"

"In time," Four teases with a grin. While it would normally be an opportune time, he doesn't want to give Warriors extra stress with how volatile his personality becomes when split. Not to mention Wild and Twilight's current absence. "But not right now."

"Boo! You're being boring!"

He laughs. "I promise when the time comes, I'll show it off." Hopefully it's not mid-battle, he doesn't say.

Mask pouts before suddenly lighting up. "Oh! I'm also being having magic sword!"

"I'm not really a fan of other–,"

"What's this I hear about magic swords?" Legend asks from behind them. "Yours?"

Four jolts. "Ancestors above, make some noise!" He yelps putting a hand to his chest. "For someone who wears a lot of jewelry, you don't make a lot of noise."

"You expect me to clink around like birdbrain and Wars? No thanks." Legend scoffs, dropping to sit with them. "So what's this I hear about your magic sword?"

"Keep your greedy mitts away from my sword, you hoarder," Four hisses. Legend scoffs in offense.

"Question!" Mask interrupts. "What is hoarder?"

Four laughs at Legend's indignant sputtering.

"I'm not a hoarder! If anyone's a hoarder, it's that crazy Champion."

Completely ignoring him, Four answers. "A hoarder is someone who collects a bunch of stuff, sometimes many of the same thing, on the chance that they might need it. If they don't need it, they still keep it."

"That is weird."

"Yeah, well at least I don't cary around junk!" Legend retorts reaching for one of the scraps of metal.

"This is not junk!" He snaps.

Legend turns the scrap over in his hands. "Oh yeah?" He goads. "Then what is it?"

Mask grabs a different scrap of metal and holds it to his shoulder. "This is to be proving it! See?"

With a frown, Legend shifts the piece to align to Mask's. Sure enough, it looks like a broken section of a pauldron. He lifts it and holds it in the direction of Warriors. His frown deepens, and in an uncharacteristically subdued tone he asks, "Dog tags?"

"Proving that turncoat scum has being killed."

Legend snatches his hand back like lighting, dropping the scrap like it's burned him.

Mask turns the scrap over and points at the edge. "See. Crest is being missing and Gate is being in place instead." Sure enough, right next to what looks like a name is a simple engraving of an oval with diamonds surrounding it.

Four feels sick. What the hell did Warriors drag Mask through?

Legend's tone is light despite the harsh expression. "A second ago, you mentioned something about a magic sword? Can you show it to us?"

Mask immediately perks up, like he can't believe he forgot about it. Like talking about the people he killed isn't a big deal. "Oh! You're being waiting some seconds." He gets up and dashes towards the pile of packs.

"It's not just me," Legend murmurs in a dark tone. "That's really fucked up, right?"

Four pulls his arms close and hugs himself in discomfort. "What if that's not all of them?" He whispers seeing the pile of scraps. He almost wants to count them, but he doesn't know what he'd do with the information. He doesn't think he could stand it if he saw 'Lieutenant Rall' among the names.

"Good thing Twilight's not here," Legend sighs. "He'd probably lose his shit if he found out."

Before Four gets the chance to say anything else, Mask is already back. He presents a sword slightly longer than the one he's currently carrying. "Tada! Magic Fairy Sword!"

Four's grin definitely feels forced. "Legend asked to see it."

"You are being Master Blacksmith!" Mask counters.

Four glances at Legend.

"I can wait my turn," Legend shrugs. The liar. He's always demanding to inspect new items he's never seen before.

Four tries not to grimace. He doesn't like other people's magic swords, but he didn't get a chance to tell Mask. And the kid unfortunately seems like the type to be goaded by Legend into pressing for answers. With a fortifying breath, Four takes the sword.

He's immediately caught off guard by how light it is. He crosses his legs under himself for better stability. He half thinks this was probably Legend's plan when he abruptly switched their conversation. The other half is still distracted by the sword. No matter how he holds it, it's perfectly balanced.

"What's the verdict, smithy?"

"The craftsmanship is beautiful," he replies. "It's also perfectly balanced. What magic did you say this was?"

Mask shrugs. "I dunno. Great Fairy has saying this is Great Fairy Sword, and all Great Fairy has giving magic gifts."

"Let me see?"

Four twirls the sword, offering the handle with a flourish.

Legend's hand lands on the handle, but he doesn't take it right away. "Good?"

It takes him a second to understand. When he does, he can't help the small snort. Leave it to Legend to figure out the quickest way to make him feel better. He shakes his head. "A little better." While he still can't stop thinking about the apparent trophies the kid's been carrying around, the Fairy Sword is a nice distraction.

With a nod, Legend fully takes the sword. Immediately his eyes fall to the crossguard. He shifts his hand around for a bit with a confused frown. He grips it with two hands and turns it slowly. "Hey, Kid. Mind if I swing it around for a bit?"

Mask nods.

Quickly rising to his feet, Legend wastes no time doing a few test swings. After a few tries, he shifts his hold to a single-handed hold. He's tall enough for the length to not be too much of an issue, but two-handed swords aren't balanced the same.

"Four, I know I only apprenticed as a blacksmith," he says, confusion lacing his tone. "But aren't single-handed and two-handed swords supposed to be balanced completely differently?"

"Yeah," he responds. Then a moment later he's clambering to his feet. "Wait, are you saying it's still balanced for you?"

Legend nods, twirling the sword with one hand. He sucks his teeth in annoyance. "Damnit. Where are the others when you need them," he grumbles with a glance at Sky and Warriors.

Mask interrupts with a frown. "Why you are being needing all others?"

"Because I think I figured out the magic," Legend responds still idly tilting the sword. "Rule's a little taller than me," he grimaces. "Wind's taller than Four, but shorter than me. Wild's taller than all of us, but not as tall as Twilight or Wars, and Sky is taller than both of them."

"Man, you really are obsessed with height, huh," Four comments. "Must suck."

"You're literally the height of an eleven year old," Legend retorts with a glare.

"Twelve year old actually," He grins.

Legend scowls, turning away with a mutter.

"Question." There's a tug on his hood. "Why tall is being mattering?" Mask asks.

Legend answers before Four gets the chance. "Because if my theory's right, then it's going to be perfectly balanced regardless of who uses it and how they use it."

"Why tall is being mattering?" Mask asks again.

Four draws his sword. "Okay, so my sword is for single handed use," he says.

He spends the next several minutes explaining the difference between single and double-handed swords. He even goes into the types of swords and how that affects the way they're balanced.

He's fairly certain most of it goes right over Mask's head. Especially after he starts getting into the technical details. Though Mask does a great job of nodding and responding in all the right spots.

"So you're needing tall person to being trying sword?" Mask asks when Four finishes his explanation.

Four tries not to grimace because, wow rude. He could've at least kept pretending to be engaged. "Yes, a tall person would be nice." He very pointedly ignores Legend's snickering.

Mask nods with more seriousness than is probably warranted. He turns around, brings his hands to his mouth, and screams. "CAPTAIN!"

Warriors is sprinting towards them before Mask even finishes. "What's wrong?" He asks through labored breaths. "Are you hurt? Did you see something? Where's Wind?" His demeanor quickly becomes more harried as he looks around and fails to see the other members of the group. "Where are–,"

"Did you just knock Sky out?" Legend interrupts. His eyes are trained on the still form of Sky laying where he and Warriors were sparring seconds earlier.

Warriors startles. He quickly looking between Sky and their small group, clearly unsure of where he should be.

Four nods in Sky's direction. "Go, were okay here."

Warriors nods, taking off towards Sky. He sheathes his sword mid-stride in a clearly familiar motion.

Mask frowns at him. "You has saying you're being needing tall person."

"That doesn't mean you should stress him out," Four responds. "I'm pretty sure he thought you were hurt."

"He elbowed Sky in the temple," Legend says. "There's no way birdbrain's eggs aren't scrambled."

"What eggs?"

Four laughs. "He's saying Sky probably has a concussion."

"Oh!" He waits until Sky and Warriors are close before running up to them. "Sky is having scrambled eggs?"

Warriors merely raises an eyebrow at him as he helps Sky take a seat close to their packs. "Kid, what are you on about?"

Mask points at Legend. "He has saying Sky is being having scrambled eggs."

Warriors turns his questioning look on Legend. He tugs on Sky's arm trying to keep him upright. Sky groans, clearly not liking the idea.

"I said birdbrain's eggs got scrambled!" Legend retorts.

Warriors shakes his head. "Maybe don't use weird sayings with Sprite. Now come on Sky, stop complaining. It's just a quick check."

"I know what a concussion feels like," Sky groans. "I'm just exhausted from your brutal training."

"My sayings aren't weird," Legend argues. When Warriors doesn't respond, he turns to Four. "You got it!"

Four grins. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Ahh! You're such a pain!"

"Okay, okay," Four laughs. "Check if Hyrule and Wind understand it when they get back."

"Yeah, speaking of," Warriors interjects pointedly. He still hasn't fully pulled away from checking Sky over. "Where the hell is everyone?"

"Twi was still pissy so Wild took him on a walk to clear his head," Legend says raising an eyebrow at Four's snort of laughter. "Wind dragged Hyrule off to go look for fire wood and stuff to eat in case Twi and Wild don't come back tonight."

"You sure he didn't just get annoyed at you pestering him?" Four asks.

Legend puts his free hand on his hip. "I don't know what you're talking about," he responds haughtily.

Warriors presses his lips into a thin line with a low hum. "As long as they stay together..." He pulls out a half empty potion bottle and hands it to Sky. With a sigh he stands up. "Alright, Sprite, what did you want?"

Mask points at Legend.

Legend grins. "Here I want you to try swinging this thing around," he holds out the handle to Warriors.

"Why do you have Sprite's sword?" Warriors asks taking it.

"He said it was magic," Legend responds. "Now give it a few test swings."

Warriors goes through the motions absently. "I don't know what you expect to find. It's just a really nice sword."

Legend's eyes shine with excitement. "Yeah? And what makes it so nice?"

"How am I supposed to know? I just know it swings nicely. If you want something more definitive, ask Four. He's the blacksmith."

"That's exactly what I'm looking for!" Legend declares. "Hey, Sky! Your turn!"

Sky groans. "Do I have to?"

As Legend drags Sky to his feet, Warriors attention drifts to the pile of junk Mask left on the floor. He frowns as he stalks over to the pile. "Sprite," he calls in a sharp tone. He picks up one of the metal plates. "Why the hell do you still have these?"

"I has forgetting to be giving to Captain Kahlil."

Warriors nods, lips pressed into a thin line. "Put them by my stuff. I'll tally them tonight."

"Yes, sir!" Mask chirps. He makes quick work of collecting all the small metal plates.

Four feels his stomach tighten at just how many scraps of metal are being pulled from pile. There's so many more than he'd originally thought. And the worst part, he thinks, is the fact that Warriors' only question was why he still had them. Not why he had them. Why he kept them.

"Hey, Wars," Legend calls with a disapproving tone. Warriors tenses. "You do realize that's really fucked up right."

"Believe me I know."

"What is?" Sky asks watching Mask. "What are those?"

"Dog tags," Legend responds immediately. Warriors jerks to look at him. "To keep track of who's fallen in battle."

"Oh..." Is Sky's only response.

"Chin up, birdbrain," Legend says. "Nothing we can do now."

Warriors lets out a shaky breath. "Sprite, come here a second," his voice is surprisingly steady.

Warriors leads them a little further from Legend and Sky, but a quick glance at Four tells him he's not supposed to listen either. Four does his best to pretend he's paying attention to whatever Legend is making Sky do. It twists at his gut, to so blatantly listen-in, but if he's going to offer support he needs to know what he's dealing with. Especially with how reluctant Warriors is to share stories about his adventure.

"Did you tell him what they were?" Warriors asks quietly.

"Telling to who what?"

"About the traitor tags. Did you tell Legend what they were?"

"Yes. He has calling tags junk, but tags don't being junk! Tags are for proving turncoat scum has being killed!" Mask replies sounding annoyed. "Not junk!"

"Did you tell anyone else about the tags?"

"Four has being there also."

Four tries not to shift at the sudden silence. He can practically feel Warriors' gaze on his back.

"Okay. I'm not gonna get mad because you didn't know," Warriors sighs, "but no more telling them things about the war. Any of them." 

"But Four is helping–!"

"Sprite, please!" Warriors interrupts. "Please..."

They're quiet for a long time. Long enough that Four starts to feel nervous.

"You're don't trusting all others?" Mask asks.

"I trust them," Warriors replies automatically. Four lets out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. "But thinking about the war hurts. And I don't want to have to answer questions that hurt."

"But Four–,"

"You're the Hero of Time," he interrupts softly, "but you never told me about it. You still won't tell me about it. I know you trust me, so it's not because of that. Why don't you tell me?"

The silence is heavy.

"It's because it hurts to talk about, right?" They lapse into another short silence. "That's what it's like for me, too. So can you promise me you're not going to talk about the war to them?"

"Okay, I promise."

"Thank you."

Four almost panics as the footsteps get closer. He wasn't listening, they don't know, he's okay. "Hey, Wars," he calls out. Just act natural. "How'd the sword feel when Legend had you use it?"

The tension in Warriors' shoulders eases. Like he's relieved Four hadn't heard Anything. Four feels the guilt sit heavy in his gut even as he continues to explain what Legend's trying to figure out. He pretends he doesn't notice Mask's sharp gaze on him the whole time.

Hours later, when Wind and Hyrule finally return, Mask seeks him out. Wind is talking to Legend while Warriors and Sky try to salvage whatever Hyrule thinks he's cooking.

"You has listening before."

Four nods despite it not being a question.

Mask nods too. "Change in plans!" He states firmly. "Captain is being keeping you away from being helping him. But you're being helping me to being helping to him now, okay?"

"Uh?" He starts hesitantly. "What's the new plan?"

Mask lets out an annoyed groan. He grumbles wordlessly under his breath for a few minutes before trying again. "Captain don't wanting your help. Is that understood?"

Four tentatively nods.

"I'm wanting your help to help Captain. Is that understood?"

"But you just said Captain doesn't want my help."

"This is change in plans. When Captain is being needing help, you're being helping me. Then I'm being going to Captain to being helping him in way you're being telling me," Mask explains slowly. "Is that understood?"

Four sits on it for a moment. Mask thankfully lets him take his time thinking it over. So far Mask's inability to speak Hylian fluently hasn't been an issue, but that gap has never been more apparent till now. He desperately hopes it doesn't impact them mid-battle.

"Okay, let me see if I got this right," he says. "Whenever Wars needs help on something, you want me to give the advice to you so you can then give it to him?"

Mask tilts his head, seemingly repeating the words to himself. He sits up with a bright look in his eyes. "Yes! This is understood!" He says brightly. "You're being helping?"

Four nods. "Yeah, I'll help you out. I promised to help you support Wars after all."

"Thank you!"

Mask seems content to just sit there with him afterwards. Four quickly gets distracted watching the kid. It's strange just how normal the kid looks idly kicking his feet in the air.

Four wouldn't think much of it if it isn't for the way the kid was watching the camp. He watches the camp the same way a stranger watches a crowd.

He tries not to frown as he realizes that's the same way Time would occasionally watch camp. Close enough to be a part of it, but undeniably separate. He'd always assumed it to be because of how aloof Time is. The Old Man's always been significantly older than them, even when Four had assumed he was in his thirties. It made sense for him to not be too involved in the shenanigans of what are essentially a bunch of kids.

He desperately hopes it really is because Time's significantly older than them. 

Chapter Text

Sky sits up with a long yawn and a drawn out stretch. He hasn't slept that well in ages! 

"Mornin', sleeping beauty." Legend stands over him, grinning from ear to ear. "Rest well?"

Sky rolls his eyes. He gets up and starts gathering his sleeping roll. A quick glance around shows him the others meandering around. So still no portal. He's not surprised Warriors let them all sleep in. "Yeah. How long did you sleep in, Mister Second Watch?"

"Only till like eight or nine."

That gives him pause. They're usually already moving by six. He figured 'sleeping in' would only be an extra hour. "What time is it?"

Legend throws a glance over his shoulder. "Hey, Mask! What time is it?"

"Twelve zero four!"

Legend smirks at him. "Another thirteen hour night, mister first watch."

Sky grins skeptically. "How do I know you didn't just tell him to say that?"

"Wild and Moody stopped by around our usual leaving time. Since he was here, I had him use his slate thing to test whether Mask was right about the time," Legend shrugs. "Kid's pretty good. At most he was only two seconds off."

"Moody?"

"Yeah, Twi."

Sky snorts despite himself. "Careful he might turn that 'moodiness' on you." He casts another quick look around and frowns. "Wait you said he and Wild came back. Where are they?"

"I said they stopped by," Legend answers. He grabs the ties on Sky's sleeping roll and helps him tie it shut. "Wild convinced Twi to check in with us so we wouldn't get worried. I think he's still angry at Wars because he didn't say a damn thing the whole time. They took off again after Wild made breakfast. Saved you some, by the way."

"Wild did?"

"Mhmm."

"Wild convince Twilight to check in?"

"Yep."

"Wild. As in, our Champion, Wild."

"Right! You know shit's weird when Wild's the responsible one of the two."

Sky shakes his head with a disbelieving sigh. "Man."

Legend snorts. He turns away and very loudly says, "Come on, hurry and get your food before Wind eats it!" 

"I'm a growing boy!" Wind shouts. "I need all the food I can get!"

"You're only a 'growing boy' when it's convenient!" Legend shouts back. "So can-it!"

Sky doesn't even bother trying to hide the amused grin. While Legend's right, he never really makes a fuss about it. "Okay, what do you want."

Legend sputters, stumbling over himself in surprise. "I don't know– That's not– I wasn't– W-why would you assume something like that?" He settles on. He tries for his typical haughty tone, but it falls short.

Sky just grins wider. "You're not usually this chatty in the morning–,"

"It's noon!"

"–so what do you want?"

"Ugh fine," he gives in immediately. "Can I have the Master Sword today? Hyrule wouldn't let go of her when you left her with us, and then you immediately took her back when he and Wind came back. And since we're not really doing anything, I was wondering if I could hold on to her for a while?"

Sky can't quite hold back his grimace. Legend's shoulders immediately drop in disappointment. He hates having to give her up to the others. And he's especially hesitant now that he's seen what Wild did to her. "Sorry."

Legend lets out a long sigh. "Worth a shot," he mumbles under his breath.

Sky feels a little bad at how clearly dejected Legend is, but ultimately he stands by his decision. It's selfish, he knows, but if it's about Fi, he's willing to be selfish.

The only reason he hadn't instinctually withheld her from Warriors was because of what the man had said.

Raise your sword skyward and let the Divine Grace granted to the Chosen guide your strike.

He'd wanted to ask. He'd gone up to ask, but ultimately there were more important things to do at the moment. He could wait.

Sky frowns down at his now empty plate. He still hasn't asked... He could ask—should ask—now. There's no excuse not to. But for Warriors to have met Fi, it'd have to have been before she met Sky.

Did she know Warriors wasn't him?

She had hoped they would meet again in another life... Did she know Demise's curse was that strong? That they were more than mere words and empty threats of a dying being?

"Sky."

Sky startles out of his thoughts to see Warriors kneeling next to him. "Uh, what's up?"

Warriors chews on his lip for a second. "Look, I know you're protective of the Master Sword," he says kindly, "but she's as much our birthright as she is yours."

Involuntarily, his eyes flick towards Legend.

"He didn't tattle, but he did mention asking you for the sword last night," Warriors says. "And look I get it. She's extremely important to you. You've been especially protective of her since the whole Wild thing, but she's an important part of so many of our lives, too."

Sky frowns down at his empty plate. Ugh, is this how Legend feels whenever Sky knocks some sense into him? Gross. "Fine."

"No."

Sky looks up in surprise.

"I'm not going to force you to share," Warriors continues. "That'll build nothing but resentment. I just want you to think on what I said, okay?"

Sky nods, a little dumbstruck. Warriors and Time's manner of leading has never felt so different than at this moment. Time hadn't even given Sky the chance to calm down before making him hand the Master Sword to Wild again. Warriors had made a simple plea.

He clamps onto Warriors' wrist before he can get too far. Now or never. "You always call her her," he states. "You've met her, haven't you."

Warriors looks guarded as he slowly nods.

There's so many things Sky wants to ask. Why never mention it? Did he like her? Was she doing okay?

But one thought burns the rest away. The one question that had made him keep his silence the previous day.

Raise your sword skyward and let the Divine Grace granted to the Chosen guide your strike.

Raise your sword skyward and let Her Grace's Divine Light fuel your strike.

Fi has always been deliberate and literal with her words.

"You know who I am." It's not a question anymore. Maybe it should be, but it'd be foolish to ask in light of everything. "How long?"

Warriors is quick to look around, gauging just how private their conversation is. "Since the beginning–,"

Sky's breath catches.

"–but it's not my place to say anything, so I haven't and I won't."

"Thank you," he breathes out in surprise. While none of the others seem resentful of their role as heroes, Sky's scared of how the truth will undoubtedly affect them. Especially someone like Time who always seems so reluctant to talk about fate and his role as a hero.

Though he's left wondering just how much Warriors knows. He knows Sky's the first hero, but does he know of the curse? Being the first wouldn't be such an issue if it wasn't for the curse he failed to take seriously.

Having a sudden need to occupy himself, Sky pulls all his woodcarving materials out. Even the ones he uses exclusively in inns because he knows they won't have to pack up at a moment's notice. As he sets up, he shifts the Master Sword's position three times. Normally he'd lean her against the table or bedpost, but out on the road he doesn't have that option.

His hand idly traces the patterns on the scabbard. He'd gone to move her a fourth time. He's not using her, and he really doesn't want to keep pushing her around. It feels rude.

He picks her up with a deep sigh. He just hopes Legend doesn't know Warriors had a talk with him. He'll never live it down after how much he's been teasing Legend lately.

"Legend," he calls when he's close enough to their group. Hyrule, Mask, and Four look up at him too.

"What?" Legend asks with a raised eyebrow. His eyes keep darting down to the hand of cards Hyrule's no longer protecting.

Sky holds out the Master Sword. "Here."

Legend scrambles to his feet, dropping his cards in the process. "Really?" He asks. The hint of hope in his voice is painfully obvious.

"Yeah, just–," his hand involuntarily tightens as Legend reaches for her. "Please be careful. Protect this blade."

"With my life," is Legend's serious reply.

Sky's eyes wide in surprise.

Legend shrugs, suddenly embarrassed. "It's only fair," he mumbles. "She's saved my life plenty."

She.

Legend's the only other one that refers to the Master Sword as her. Yet he'd been just as surprised as the others to learn about Fi.

He'd have loved her.

Legend nods to his own sword, leaned up against a log. "You can borrow mine for the day. I think you'll like her."

"It's okay, but thank you for the offer."

Mask gets up and follows Sky. He leaves his cards abandoned on the ground.

Hyrule shouts, "Oh come on!"

Even Four sounds annoyed when he throws a hand in the air. "Not like we were in the middle of a game or anything."

Mask catches up to Sky. "Sky, question."

"What is it?"

Mask digs in his pocket and pulls out an oddly shaped wooden piece. "I has loosing one piece. Four has saying you can being making new piece."

Sky stops and leans down to accept the piece. It's small, blocky, and vaguely S shaped. He turns it in his hand getting a good look at it from all sides. "Doesn't look too hard. I'd be happy to make you another one," he decides. "What's it for?"

Mask immediately brightens. "It's for puzzle! I'm don't able to finishing it."

Sky easily finds a suitable block of wood. He knew keeping this particular scrap would eventually come in handy! He sets Mask's piece against the block and starts tracing the outline on each side. Setting the small figure aside, he marks off additional guide points.

It takes him a moment to notice Mask is still standing there. "Do you want to sit and watch?" Mask nods quickly. Sky clears a small area next to him and pats the ground. "Alright, come on."

Mask eagerly takes a seat next to him.

"Do you want to sit quietly or do you want me to explain what I'm doing?" Sky asks. When Mask turns to him with a surprised expression, he quickly tack on, "Or you can talk about whatever you want."

Mask hums, looking around the camp. His gaze settles on Wind who seems to have convinced Warriors to spar with him. "I'm liking Wind," he states. "He's helping Captain to relaxing."

Sky looks up and can't help notice the tension hanging heavy from Warriors' entire frame. And he wouldn't exactly call sparring relaxing. Especially not how Warriors spars. "You think so? He looks really stressed to me."

"Mhm," the kid nods and then points. "Captain is smiling. He's don't has pole up his ass now. He's being relax."

Sky nearly splits the block in surprise. "Uh, Mask... Who uh, who taught you to say that?"

"Bunny Man."

He waits a few seconds to see if the kid will elaborate any more. "Who's 'Bunny Man?'"

"Friend," is Mask's only response.

Sky tries not to sigh. If he hadn't just been told, he would've assumed Legend taught him to say that. "What do you think of Legend?" He asks out of curiosity.

Mask shrugs. "He's being okay. Captain is liking him."

"Do you like me?"

He nods. "Yeah."

"What about Twilight?"

He scrunches up his nose. "No. He's being mean to Captain."

Sky hums. He takes the rough carving and compares it to the piece Mask gave him. So far it's looking like he's getting it down correctly. He grabs a thinner chisel to get the corners right. "You were avoiding Twilight before he started snapping at Wars."

Mask grumbles under his breath.

"He just wants to be your friend," he says gently.

"I'm don't liking him," Mask mumbles through a pout.

"Why not?"

Mask shrugs.

Sky hums. He rubs the kids back in soothing manner. "I'm not telling you, you have to like him," he begins slowly. "but maybe try being a little less mean. He's a nice guy under all the sharp words, I promise."

Mask draws his knees in and crosses his arms over them. He doesn't respond, just grumbles under his breath.

He lets the conversation drop after that. He doesn't want to scare Mask away, especially with how rarely the kid spends time with him.

He picks up the sandpaper and starts smoothing down the rough edges. The last thing he wants is for Mask to get a splinter from his toys. Sky slows to a stop. He glances over at Mask.

The kid's shifted to lay his cheek across his arms to watch Sky work. It makes him look so small. Sky's making a replacement piece for one of his toys.

This is a child. More so than even Wind.

"You're being finish?"

Sky startles. He quickly gets back to sanding the piece down. "Almost."

When he finishes, Mask scrambles to his feet and runs to his bag. He leaves behind the two pieces and returns with a cloth bundle. He unties it and a few more S shaped blocks fall out.

Mask grumbles under his breath as he collects them. He sits back down next to Sky and starts slotting the blocks into place.

Sky watches fascinated. It looks like a fairly complex puzzle. Every piece is the exact same shape, and the finished puzzle looks like it's supposed to be a cube. It's very dependent on one's ability to visualize and conceptualize shapes mentally.

The kid gets stuck on the last few pieces for a while. Though eventually, he's able to get it done. He sits back, humming a happy little tune. "Thank you, Sky!"

Sky can't help himself. He reaches over and gives the kid a side hug. "Any time, Mask."

He half expects Mask to leave after, but he's delighted when the kid only wraps up the toy in the cloth and stays. Sky picks up the owl he'd been working on back in town. He wishes he had Wild's slate to see the picture, but he can work off memory for a while. And the numerous guidelines he'd painstakingly put on the figure.

Mask watches him closely. "What you're now making?"

"An owl," he responds holding the chunk of wood for mask to see. The kid leans in close to look, but doesn't touch it. "Do you want it when I'm done?"

Mask leans back surprised. "Me?" He asks wide eyed. "Why?"

"Well, I wanted to try making an owl, but I don't know what to do with it when I'm done," he shrugs. "So, do you want it?" 

"Really?" Mask asks hopefully. Sky nods. "Yes please!"

Sky can't help it, he leans over and envelops the kid in another hug. Mask is just too adorable, especially when he smiles like that.

He's about to pull away when he feels small arms wrap around his chest. Sky squeezes just a little bit tighter. When he pulls back, Mask is noticably subdued. Sky's starting to apologize for overstepping when Mask scoots closer to him. The apology dies on his lips. Instead, he offers Mask a gentle smile as he starts to work on the owl.

He works in silence, not wanting to ruin the peaceful little bubble they've created. He can still hear the others around the camp. It's such a peaceful day. He knows they're still on a dangerous adventure—one that's stressing Warriors to the high stars—but right now they're being blessed with a moment of respite.

Some time later, Wind stops by to take a picture of them on his picture box. "I can't believe this cute kid turns into the grumpy old man," he snorts.

Sky expects Mask to start shouting like he does any time the adult him is mentioned. Instead he's met with silence.

Hyrule laughs from behind Wind. "He went from fun-loving to too old for fun."

Sky carefully lifts a finger to his lips. "Don't wake him!" He hisses quietly.

Slowly, Wolfie creeps up and sniffs at Mask.

"Wha— Wolfie?" Sky sputters. "When did you get here?"

"'Bout fifteen minutes ago," Wind answers. "He's been dying to investigate Mask."

"Maybe Wolfie can wait until he wakes up," Sky suggests, lightly pushing at the wolf. He looks around for Warriors but only sees Legend and Four by the cooking pot. "We don't want to scare him."

"Wars went to go take a shit, so there's no one to tattle to," Wind smirks.

"Wind, language."

"Fuck you. How's that?"

Sky sighs. He turns his attention back to Wolfie. "Wolfie, please calm down. We don't know how he'll react to you." Wolfie stops sniffing at Mask and settles himself next to the kid instead.

Wind takes a seat on Wolfie's other side. "It'll be fine, Mask likes dogs."

Wolfie pulls his ears back and turns to chuff in Wind's face. Satisfied, he shifts around until he's able to lay part of his snout on Mask's lap.

"He's a wolf, not a dog," Hyrule says.

"Same thing."

Hyrule shakes his head. "Still hard to believe you don't know what a wolf is."

"They're just big dogs!" Wind shoots back.

Sky hisses as Mask starts to shift. "Wind, shut up!"

Mask rubs at his eyes as he sits up fully.

Wolfie yips in pain, scrambling back so fast he tramples over Wind. Wind shouts in surprise, trying to get himself from under Wolfie.

Mask lunges after Wolfie, whittling knife clutched tightly in his hand. "Wolfos!"

"Mask, no!" Sky shouts pulling the kid back. He feels a sharp sting on his wrist, but he doesn't let go. He manages to pull Mask far enough for Wolfie and Wind to pull themselves apart.

Hyrule helps Wind stumble to his feet. Wind grunts, rubbing at his side in pain. Wolfie wines, sniffing at his mouth. Wind hisses in pain, pulling away and bringing a hand to his lip.

"Looks like you caught a stray claw to the mouth," Hyrule says.

Wolfie wines again, ears pinned back and tail low.

"Awe, don't feel bad, Wolfie," Wind immediately coos. "It was an acci– oh no you're hurt too!" He grabs Wolfie's face and carefully turns it. He looks up at Mask with an accusatory glare. "You hurt him! Why would you do that?!"

Mask, who'd long since stopped struggling against Sky, suddenly starts trying to pull away again. "Wolfos!" He shouts. "I'm don't–,"

"He's not a wolfos!" Wind interrupts.

"Wind!" Sky tries to cut in.  "This is why I was saying you should've–," unfortunately Wind and Mask are both too busy shouting at each other to hear him.

"What the hell is going on here?" Warriors demands stalking up to them. Hyrule ducks out from behind him.

Wind looks offended. "Really? You tattled on us?"

"So there's something to tattle about?" Warriors asks raising an eyebrow.

Mask points at Wind the best he can. "He has bringing wolfos–,"

"He's not a wolfos!" Wind shouts. "Stop calling him a wolfos!"

Mask is quick to shout back and the two devolve into another shouting match. Sky watches helplessly. He looks to Warriors who's simply watching the two argue with a disapproving frown. Hyrule has fled and Sky finds himself jealous. He doesn't want to be in the middle of this and he's not sure if he should continue holding Mask or not.

As their shouting starts winding down, Warriors pointedly asks, "Are you two done?"

Wind turns away with a scoff and crosses his arms.

Mask sags in Sky's grip.

With a single nod, he turns to Sky. "Alright, what happened?"

Sky tells him. Wind and Mask both try to interrupt at one point, but Warriors shuts them both down with a glare and a "I didn't say you could talk."

Sky's immediately reminded of how Warriors glared at Twilight back at the inn. It also reminds him of the lecture Time gave them when they didn't help Four against the like-like. That disapproving frown is scarily similar.

Warriors rubs a hand over his face. "Can't even take a leak in peace," he mutters under his breath. He takes a deep breath and starts with Wind. While his glare is gone, his frown is still clearly disappointed. "Wind, I know you like Wolfie, but you're smarter than this. What were you thinking?"

Wind is still glaring at the ground. "Mask likes dogs," he grumbles.

Warriors makes a noise of understanding. "I forgot to tell Sprite about Wolfie, so that's on me," he says. "But you also have to remember, he can tell the difference between a dog and a wolf better than you can. It's like..." He trails off for a moment in thought. "Like a shark and a dolphin. Sprite saw that it was a shark, not a dolphin and reacted accordingly."

Wind huffs in defeat. Though he quickly loses his nerve when he sees Wolfie on his belly slowly inching towards Mask. The fur on his snout and between his eyes is noticably darkened with blood. "I'm sorry. Wolfie, I'm sorry, Mask."

Sky gently says, "Mask, why don't you apologize too."

"But I has don't knowing!" Mask immediately counters.

"I know, but that's why you should apologize," he responds with the same gentle tone. "You wouldn't have hurt him if you knew he was our friend, but you didn't know he was our friend so you hurt him in response. You apologize because it was an accident, and this way Wolfie can know you weren't being mean and that you won't do it again."

The defensiveness drains out of Mask with a quiet, "oh." He looks down at Wolfie who's continued to inch closer to him.

Wolfie's ears immediately perk up when Mask's gaze lands on him. Sky finally lets Mask go.

Mask crouches in front of Wolfie, and Wolfie's tail starts wagging. He slowly extends a hand. Wolfie is eager to lift his head and sniff at it. "I'm sorry, Wolfie. I has don't knowing you're being friend to all others."

Wolfie pushes his snout into Mask's hand.

"Wind," Warriors murmurs. "Go find something to clean him up with. We don't want that to get infected."

Mask cautiously pets Wolfie. When Wolfie doesn't react negatively, Mask visibly relaxes. Wolfie shuffles closer and presses himself against Mask.

Wind comes back with a half empty potion bottle and two small rags. "Hey, Wolfie, I just need to get close to your cut for a while," he says calmly. Wolfie doesn't reactor other than to keep watching him. Wind sets the potion bottle down and uses one of the rags to wipe at Wolfie's face.

Wolfie does his best to sit still, but he still occasionally flinches away from Wind's careful touch.

Warriors sidles up to Sky with a quiet murmur, "You're hurt, too."

Sky's careful to keep his wrist from view. He doesn't want to upset Mask and Wind. "Keep it between us okay?"

Warriors glances at Mask who's now thoroughly distracted by Wolfie and Wind.

"Call me selfish," Sky continues quietly, "but I don't want him to avoid me because he feels guilty. He avoids me plenty as it is."

Warriors shakes his head with a sigh. 

Sky's able to bandage up his wrist and get back to his carving without issue. He glances up every so often to see what the two kids and Wolfie are doing. Mask still seems unsure of how to interact with Wolfie, while Wind has no qualms about trying to bait Wolfie into playing with him.

He's quickly distracted from his carving when Mask abruptly leaves. Sky watches as Mask digs through his bag and pulls out that Sheikah mask. He vaguely remembers the Old Man talk about that one after Wild showed off his creepy mask. Something about secrets of beasts or stones or something?

He starts paying closer attention when Wolfie seems to startle.

"Why you're being like dog?" Mask asks.

Mask makes a strange whistling noise. It almost sounds like the chime of bells.

Wolfie tilts his head in obvious confusion.

"You're don't being animal," Mask states. "You are what?"

Wolfie's ears pull back and his tail drops.

Mask startles, taking a step back and pulling the mask off his face. "Captain!" He shouts already turning away from Wolfie. "Captain!"

Wolfie growls, startling Wind in the process. He immediately stops seeming to realize what he did.

Warriors doesn't react other than to position himself between Mask and Wolfie. "Kid, what do you want now?" He sighs.

Mask simply holds the mask out to him.

Warriors eyes it skeptically. "Okay?"

"Maybe Wolfie doesn't like that mask?" Wind suggests. He turns back to Wolfie. "Is that why you growled? Do you not like that mask?"

Wolfie gives no indication that he heard. He keeps his gaze trained on Warriors and Mask.

Mask tugs on Warriors' sleeve, motioning him to crouch down. He cups his hands over his mouth to whisper in the other man's ear.

Warriors' attention immediately snaps to Wolfie. He takes the mask from the kid's hand and easily puts it on. He cautiously approaches Wolfie and crouches down before him. "Is he telling the truth?" He simply asks.

Wolfie snarls at him.

Warriors takes the mask off to run a hand down his face with a truly weary sigh. "Of course you're— there's a fucking sta—," he cuts himself off abruptly. He glances at Wind who's nervously looking between him and Wolfie. He slips the Mask back on. "Where's Wild– and Twilight? I need to talk to them."

Wolfie very pointedly turns his head away.

Warriors takes a deep breath and holds it for a second before slowly letting it back out. "Okay. I'm not going to argue with you in front of everyone. I'd rather have this talk in private, so until then I'm going to sit here with you until you tell me where they are."

Wolfie turn his whole body away. He even lifts his snout in a clearly dismissive manner.

"I'll wait here all day and night if I have to," Warriors says lowering himself to a seated position. "I've done it before, I can do it again."

Wolfie stubbornly doesn't react.

Wind anxiously hovers between them. "Come on, Wolfie, please don't be like that."

Mask retakes his seat next to Sky and shouts, "He's being too much stupid to understanding!"

Warriors is quick to wip around and face him. "Hey!" He shouts, "What the fuck did I say about being nice!"

"Yeah! Be nice to Wolfie!" Wind tacks on.

Mask sticks his tongue out in response.

Sky nudges him. "You're already mean to Twilight. If you're mean to Wolfie too, you'll just stress Wars out more."

Mask deflates and shouts out a begrudging apology.

Sky leaves them to it. He already got involved in one argument and he doesn't want to get involved in another one. Especially one against a wolf. Wolfie may be intelligent, but he's still an animal, it's just downright embarrassing.

Chapter Text

Warriors stands up and does a few basic stretches in an attempt to stay awake. Wolfie—or rather Twilight—has long since fallen asleep. Wind lays curled against him, oblivious to the truth.

He still can't believe Twilight's the wolf. How could he have been so blind! He's read the inscriptions on all the statues for the Three's sake! He should have known.

Old Man's probably been laughing at him this whole time...

Several hours later, there's a tap on his shoulder and suddenly a mug is being held in front of his face. Warriors takes it mostly out of surprise. The hand offering the mug is unmistakable.

"You're absolutely crazy, you know that," Legend states.

Warriors continues to stare at the mug in surprise for another few seconds, and takes a seat with a humorless snort. "I must really look like shit for you to share your special stash with me."

Legend rolls his eyes. "It's not that special," he replies drily.

"You got into a fistfight with Wind when he found it in your stuff. I had to drag your asses apart."

Legend reaches for Warriors' mug. "You don't want it, I'll take it back."

Warriors immediately pulls it out of range. The sudden movement has Wolfie lifting his head and staring at him. That's a look he doesn't need the mask for. "Yes I'm still here, and yes I was serious."

Wolfie huffs a breath through his nose and turns away. The blatant disrespect is quickly getting on his nerves, but he can't do anything. Not without making everything worse. Or ousting Twilight in this instance.

"So what exactly does that mask do?" Legend asks. Curiosity burns in his eyes and Warriors pulls the mask a little closer to himself.

"Exactly what the Old Man said."

Wolfie's ears twitches.

"It's magic though, right? Can I see it?"

"No," he rests a hand on the mask. "It's not mine. You'll have to ask Sprite."

Legend shrugs, seemingly unbothered. "Worth a shot. I'll ask the kid when he wakes up," he gets up and dusts himself off. "I'm gonna start on breakfast before Hyrule tries to make it. We letting everyone sleep in again?"

"Yeah... So much has happened. The rest will be good for them."

"You should get some sleep too."

"I appreciate the concern, but I've done more on less."

"Yeah, we all have," is Legend's deadpan response. "Doesn't mean you can't rest now. We've been through a lot. It'll be good for you."

Warriors winces. He must really look like shit if Legend's that quick to throw his words back at him. "Thanks for the coffee," he says instead.

Legend stares at him for an uncomfortably long time. Eventually he turns away. He raps his knuckles against Warriors' shoulder as he leaves. "Don't forget we have your back, Wars."

He knows it's meant to be a reassurance, but all he can feel is the crushing weight of it. They all have such faith in him. He has to make his plans with the knowledge that he's sending them out into danger. That they may not come back.

Even as an adult, Time has too much blind optimism. He refuses to acknowledge that there's a chance they could be killed. He's too steadfast in his belief that they'll all make it out unscathed.

Warriors has sent too many men to their deaths to believe in childish fantasies like that.

Wind sits up with a sleepy yawn, looking every bit the child he refuses to acknowledge he is. He shuffles over to Warriors. "Can I have some?"

Warriors smiles taking a few sips before handing the mug off to Wind.

"Thanks, Wars," Wind mumbles through a sip. He makes a face. "Sweet." Despite that, he finishes the mug.

Four stares at Wind incredulously. "I still don't get what kind of kid doesn't like sugar."

"Shuddup," Wind yawns.

Warriors casts a quick look around the camp. Sky and Sprite are the only ones still asleep. He pushes down the pang of jealousy seeing Sprite curled up against Sky's chest. He chose not to sleep that night and he chose to give Sprite the freedom to spends time with who he wants. He has no right to feel jealous.

Wolfie gets up and goes over to Legend.

Warriors grabs the mask and follows him. He doesn't like the feeling of the magic on it, but he puts it on anyways.

Wolfie throws a glance over his shoulder, 'Stop followin' me.'

"Not until I can have a word with y– Twilight and Champion."

'I might could,' he replies but makes no move to leave the camp. He instead leans into what Legend's cooking and sniffs it. 'Ya plannin'  t'add some food to that seasonin, bud?'

Legend carefully tries to push Wolfie away. "Wait your turn. I'm not done yet."

Wolfie sits back with a huff. 'Think I'mma save my hunger.'

"You need to eat," Warriors frowns.

"Yeah, why do you think I'm cooking?" Legend frowns up at him in confusion. He quickly turns to Wolfie with an affronted look. "Wait, are you judging my cooking?"

Wolfie leans in to sniff at the cooking food again. 'Well I reckon it could be charred.'

Legend scoffs in clear offense. "That Champion fucking spoils you. See if you get breakfast now."

"Absolutely not," Warriors is quick to cut in. "No one withholds food from anyone."

Wolfie immediately growls at him. 'I ain't needin' yer help!'

"Calm down, Wars," Legend says carefully. "I was only joking."

"Don't joke about things like that."

There's a quiet snort and a whisper from behind. "Now we know where Time gets his fun allergy."

Warriors clenches his jaw, unsure of how he's supposed to respond after that.

Legend takes the attention off him by making a show of shooing them away. "Yeah, okay. Now go away, you're ruining my cooking vibe."

He tries not to let his relief show. "Come on, Wolfie," he says.

Wolfie watches him walk away and settles down more obviously. Legend's quick to push at him. "Both of you. Now shoo." Wolfie gets up, not even bothering to look at Warriors before walking away.

Four intercepts Wolfie before he can make his way over to Mask. "Hey, maybe go a little easy on Wars."

"What's vibe?" Hyrule asks.

"A Hytopian saying," Legend responds. "It's like describing a general mood and atmosphere."

Hyrule grins incredulously. "First scrambled eggs, now cooking vibe," he snickers. "You've got some weird sayings, Ledge."

"Up yours, Rule," Legend responds. "I like to travel."

Hyrule outright laughs at him. "I like to travel," he mocks, "says the guy who throws a fit anytime we have to step off a path."

Legend glares at him. He pauses in his cooking just long enough to flip him off. "I like to be a tourist. There, that better for you?" He sniffs.

"When do you have time to be a tourist?" Four asks. "Didn't you say you went on like seven adventures?"

"Six adventures and," he pauses to count on his hand. "Like four and a half of them weren't even in Hyrule."

"How do you have half an adventure in Hyrule?"

Legend shrugs. He drops the diced tomato into the pot. "Dickbag came to steal the Triforce to take over his own kingdom, resurrected Ganon thinking he could control the power, got consumed by Ganon's spirit, I killed him, the end."

"Geeze you're an adventure-holic," Four grimaces.

"Hell yeah!" Legend's smile is massive. "New people, new places! The thrill of discovery and battle! I'm never gonna stop."

Four shakes his head. "You're insane."

"And you're boring," Legend retorts.

Hyrule asks, "So what's Hytopia like?"

"They're a magic-based kingdom, more than even Hyrule!" Legend says excitedly. "They weave magic into the very fabric of their clothes."

Warriors idly listens as he continues to watch over the camp. He's glad to see them in such high spirits.

Four stands next to him for a few minutes, seeming to take the camp in with him. "I take it you know about Twi now," he murmurs.

"You knew?" Warriors asks surprised.

"Found out by accident."

So Wild, Time, and Four. "Why not tell us?"

Four shrugs. "From what I understand, Wild had a bit of a reaction when he found out."

"And then Sprite attacked thinking he was a Wolfos..." He murmurs to himself. For Twilight to have such an integral part of himself so violently rejected—not once but twice—poor guy.

Warriors winces. His immediate demand to talk privately probably didn't help either. For Twilight's sake, he hopes the others react better than he did.

His skin prickles and he quickly draws his sword already knowing what's coming.

"Are you fucking kidding me?!" Legend shouts. "I just finished!"

Warriors rushes to put himself between the gate and the camp. "Wake Sky and Sprite, and pack up!" He calls sternly. "We leave the moment Twilight and Champion make it back! Wolfie!" He hears Wolfie take off running before he even finishes.

He rips the mask off his face wanting to have a clearer view of the gate. He's hit with a momentary dizziness he pushes past. Fuck that thing gives him a headache.

"Hey!" Legend calls clearly in a bad mood now. "What about breakfast? Am I supposed to just dump this?"

"You have until Twilight and Champion come back," he says tucking the mask into his belt. "I need the Master Sword in the meantime."

"You're don't being stupid!" Sprite shouts from behind him. 

He clenches his jaw. He can't even blame Sprite for his anger. The last time he really used the Master Sword, he regularly let it get to his head. "Eat and pack up. We move out when Twilight and Champion get back."

The mask is ripped from his belt with a scoff and a muttered retort.

Legend watches Sprite stomp away. That incredulous look gets turned on him next. "Did he just make fun of the sword?" He asks handing her over. "Has the Old Man seriously had beef with her since he was a kid?"

Warriors isn't actually sure. Sprite's always been a little skittish around the sword. He had always assumed the kid had tried to touch it and got burned. To him, it explained the skittishness... No it's not just that. He's never seen Sprite be outright hostile like this about the sword. Not as Time and not even after the brief exchange he had with Fi. Besides, he still doesn't know what the Old Man meant by the sword changing him.

"No," Warriors decides to say because this isn't either of their business. "He was giving me shit. I tended to get reckless when relying on her power."

Legend looks unconvinced.

"What, you don't think I can be reckless?" He asks in a teasing tone. "I'm touched, Ledge, really."

"Please," the vet laughs, "if there's anything I believe, it's definitely that."

"Wow thanks," he answers. He holds out his own sword to Legend. "Mind giving this to Sky for me?"

Legend takes his sword without issue and Warriors breathes a sigh of relief. Not long after, Wind takes guard next to him. His sword is drawn, and he watches the gate too.

"Have you–,"

"Done and done!" Wind replies easily. "You know I'm the fastest packer, and I can give Wild a run for his money eating."

Warriors cracks a grin for the first time in what feels like forever. "That you can, Wind."

Sprite runs up to him with a bowl. "You're needing to eating."

"I'm standing watch," he responds.

"I'm watch," Sprite insists. "You're needing to eating!

Warriors hesitates. He trusts Sprite and Wind to stand watch, but he doesn't want to risk Twilight returning while they're on watch. Leaving them to handle something this dangerous on their own will only piss him off. "Do a final sweep of the camp," Warriors instructs instead. "Make sure everything's packed, and everyone's good to go."

"But–,"

"That's an order, Mask."

Sprite's shoulders drop. "Yes, sir."

The moment Sprite leaves, Wind turns to him with a frown and demands, "What the heck was that?"

Warriors winces. "I'm too jumpy to eat."

Wind scoffs, clearly seeing the lie for what it is. "Yeah, sure."

The longer they wait the more anxious Warriors starts to feel. Twilight had told him Wild was just past the edge of camp. It shouldn't be taking them this long to get back.

Wind suddenly perks up. He turns away from the gate and waves. Wild waves back with an easy smile.

Warriors nods at them in greeting. "Have you guys eaten?"

Twilight crosses his arms, leaving Wild to talk for him. Wild grins, patting the slate on his hip. "You know it."

Warriors turns his attention to the rest of them. "Alright, huddle up!" He calls. He keeps the gate in his line of sight but makes sure no one else ends up with it at their back. "Up until now, we've been crossing through these gates without much thought. We've been lucky each time, but we need to considered the possibility of being attacked the moment we cross."

"Yeah, yeah, we know," Legend gripes. "Can we just get to the plan?"

Warriors resists the urge to roll his eyes. "We'll be crossing in groups of three. Vanguard, Support, and Rearguard. Twilight, Champion, you're with me as Vanguard. Support will be lead by Legend with Hyrule and Four. Rearguard will be lead by Sky. Any questions before I move on?"

Twilight mutters under his breath, "Reckon he's wan'ing to keep us on rope."

"Shut up." Wild's quick to elbow him in the side.

"You both have the best reaction times of everyone here," Warriors answers anyways. "Ideal Vanguard would be you two and Legend, but I won't put your lives at risk if I'm not willing to put mine along side yours."

That gets a startled look out of Twilight while Wild simply nods in understanding.

"You're our heaviest hitter and Wild's the most agile," he continues. "That on top of your reaction times is what makes both of you perfect for first contact.You'll also be able to follow and neutralize any scout or messenger that immediately leaves the battle field. It also gives you the ability to prioritize the mission should we encounter the Shadow upon crossing."

Wild frowns at him. "You want us to just ditch you the moment we cross?"

"If the Shadow's there or you notice any monster slip away, yes."

Wild's frown deepens in concern. "I don't like the idea of leaving you alone."

Warriors is touched by the sentiment. "That's what Support team is for. We go in, immediately push back whatever's closest to the gate, and if we can, take stock. Support will cross thirty seconds later. They'll help with anything that slips past us and work with us on whatever is deemed to be priority. Rearguard goes in another thirty seconds after Support. They'll be crowd control if needed, but mostly they'll work on watching our backs. Sound good?"

Legend turns to Hyrule and Four. "We're set," he decides.

Sky does the same with Wind and Mask who both nod with varying degrees of eagerness. "Good to go."

"Alright, and remember, Mask is your heavy hitter. So keep that in mind." He turns to Twilight and Wild. "Ready?"

Four murmurs quietly behind him. "Wait, so who's the heavy hitter in our group?"

"Hyrule," Legend responds.

Hyrule startles. "Me?"

Legend's grin is audible. "You took down that moblin that knocked Time on his ass. And you use your magic to boost your attack. 'Course you're the heavy hitter."

Warriors is relieved to hear them settling into their groups. With a deep breath, he calls for Twilight and Wild to follow him.

His heart races as they step through the gate. He's terrified of what he might find on the other side. He desperately want to go back to the days where he assumed this was unrelated.

The area around the gate is clear. He and the others quickly fan out, checking further for any signs of life.

"Captain," Wild whispers.

"Go."

Wild silently slips into the brush. A moment later, Legend and the others come through. He directs them effectively and efficiently as Warriors knew he would.

Sky shouts the moment he crosses the gate. "Wind!"

Warriors turns around in time to see Wind fall to his knees and puke. Sky and Sprite both flank his sides, keeping a wary eye around them.

"Clear!" Legend calls.

Sky waits another beat before echoing him, "Clear!"

Warriors rushes to Wind, barely remembering to call clear. The kid's covered in sweat and shaking. "Wind, what happened?" He asks anxiously. Wind moans quietly. He almost falls in his puke trying to curl up. Warriors carefully guides him to the side. "Sky, what happened?" He demands trying to sooth Wind.

"I–I don't know," Sky stammers. "He was fine right before we crossed."

Wind groans, lifting himself up enough to puke again. Warriors grabs his canteen and slowly guides Wind into a sitting position. "Here, slow sips."

"Wars," Legend calls. "I don't mean to be a dick, but shouldn't you close that portal before tending to Wind?"

Sky crouches by his side, taking over. "I've got him, don't worry."

Warriors stalks to the gate with a growl. These gates ruin everything. He raises the Master Sword and feels the familiar thrum of magic. His swing is sharp, and just like before, the gate collapses in on itself.

Wild pushes through the brush a moment later. "False ala– woah what happened to Wind?"

Warriors is at Wind's side again, setting the Master Sword down for Sky to take. "Are you okay? What happened?"

Wind waves him off, color already returning to his face. "I dunno," he groans rubbing at his temples. "but I feel like I got clubbed in the head."

"Do you want a tonic?" Wild offers. "They're not as good as your guy's potions, but it's better than nothing."

Warriors nods. "That's a good idea."

Worryingly, Wind doesn't argue. "I already said yes, geeze."

"Wind, he's just trying to help," Warriors admonishes lightly.

"I know!" Wind immediately bites back. "And I already said okay! Fuck!" He buries his head in his hands with a pained groan. "Why are you asking me again?!"

Wild holds out the tonic for him with a confused look. "You as lost as I am, Captain?"

Warriors shoots Sprite a quick glance. He watches them with a thoughtful frown. "Yeah."

He rubs his face with a long sigh. Fuck. And he still needs to have a talk with Twilight. But if Sprite turned back time like Warriors suspects, then it had to have been for a reason.

"Alright, we're resting here for a few minutes," he calls out.

"What!" Wind shouts only to wince at his own volumn. "I'm fine!"

"That's great, but I still need to have conversations with certain people," he responds. Twilight tenses. He glances at Sprite who makes a so-so gesture at him. "Any danger around?" He asks.

Sprite shakes his head minutely, while Wild gives him an all clear.

He nods. "Twilight, Wild, you and I need to have a talk." 

Wild looks surprised. Twilight scowls at him.

Wild is over by Twilight dragging him into the trees in seconds. "Yeah, no problem," he responds easily. "Come on, Twi."

Warriors follows after them. Twilight is painfully tense as he lets Wild guide them away from the group. Wild is doing a good job of pretending nothing's wrong, but the tension is still there.

Twilight rips his arm from Wild and turns on Warriors. "Aight, we're far 'nough," he spits. "What d'ya want."

Warriors tries to stay as respectful and neutral as he can. Twilight's already on edge and he doesn't want to make it worse. "I'm sorry I found out the way that I did," he starts. "I would've rather left it to you to admit it on your own terms, but we need to talk about the fact that you're Wolfie."

Twilight crosses his arms.

Wild shifts uncomfortably next to him. "Um, Captain, do I need to be here?"

"No. I'm sorry for bringing you out here, but I needed to keep up appearances," he replies. "Though, I have to ask you don't return to the group just yet. Maybe just wait for us at the midpoint and we'll regroup there on our way back. Does that sound okay?"

"He's stayin'," Twilight growls startling them both. "Anythin' you can say t'me, you can say in in fron'a him."

While not ideal, he can do that. "When we found the previous gate and I sent the both of you out to scout the area–,"

"Y'mean when you was chewing on Wild," Twilight interrupts.

"Yes, and he and I have already spoken about that," Warriors responds calmly. "But back to the matter at hand, did he come back alone because you were double checking as Wolfie?"

"And if I was?"

"Is it safe to assume any time you head out to scout the area you're looking around as Wolfie?"

"That a problem?" Twilight challenges.

"Only when you're pulling double duty," he responds brusquely. "You've scouted ahead, come back to fight with us, and then stayed up across multiple watches. I know you want to keep everyone safe— believe me I understand— but you can't push yourself like that. It has to stop, Twilight. We have rotating and overlapping watch for a reason. No more double duty."

"Oh so I'm s'posed to take orders like a good lil' soldier," Twilight responds sarcastically. "From the Captain of the Guard, like y'all're worth half the swords y'all cary? You knights ain't even worth the mud in the stables."

Wild frowns. "I was a knight once too, you know."

He makes a gesture to his face. "See how that's gotchu."

Wild recoils in shock. "Wha–,"

Warriors shoves Twilight away from Wild. "Hey! Your problem's me, so you take it out on me!" He shouts. "Is that fucking understood?"

Twilight immediately shoves back trying to put distance between them.

Warriors tightens his grip on the front of Twilight's tunic. "You have a problem with what I say, you come at me! You have a problem with what I do, you come at me! Hell! You have a problem with how I walk, you come at me!" He continues in the same harsh tone. "Hate me all you need, just make sure you're taking it out on me! Not your friends!"

"Twi... What's gotten into you?" Wild asks. "This isn't like you."

Warriors is surprised by the gentleness of Wild's voice. He'd expected the champion to be hurt or angry. He's relieved by the response. At his core, Wild has always been reliable. Especially when it comes to Twilight.

Twilight growls deep in his throat. "Ya wouldn't gettit," he mutters.

Warriors lets go of his tunic with a breath. "Look, I'm not going to ask you to bear all your secrets– shit, I won't even ask you to like me! But for the sake of the team, we need to work together."

"Yeah, man," Wild is quick to add in. "We work together, and we'll have Time back before you know it!"

Twilight is quick to scowl anew.

"Come on!" Wild pushes. "Team work makes the dream work and all that crap, so stop being such a piece of shit."

Warriors startles, quickly turning to Wild with a, "Hey!"

Twilight takes the distraction to shove Warriors away from himself. "I gettit, I gettit. We done?"

Warriors stares him down for a few seconds. He needs to gauge how serious Twilight is. While it hurts for someone he'd considered a close friend to suddenly hate him, he can deal with it. He just needs to know if Twilight's willing to play nice long enough to get Time back and send Sprite home. "We're getting Time back." They have to.

Twilight's jaw tightens. There's still that combative gleam to his eyes, but there's an even fiercer determination too.

"I think we're good," Wild says eyeing Twilight up and down.

Warriors tries not to sigh. He feels like he's been doing that too much lately. "Okay, let's head back, but remember, no double duty. Don't exhaust yourself. We'll get him back together."

Wild is already pushing Twilight forward. "Don't worry, Captain, I'll keep an extra eye on him."

He'll have to dissuade Wild from that later. Twilight needs someone to rely on right now, and so far the best person for that seems to be Wild. He can't have Wild trying to keep Twilight in line. Not if he doesn't want to risk straining their friendship.

Warriors doesn't waste time rushing to Wind's side when they make it back. Wind thankfully seems in high spirits again. He still doesn't get an answer for what happened, and Wind seems just as confused as him about it.

Once he's certain Wind is okay, he stands up. "Sprite, you had something you wanted to tell me?"

Sprite immediately grabs Four's wrist and drags him away from the group. Warriors tries not to outwardly react. He'd hoped telling Sprite to shut up about the war would prevent him from continually dragging Four into this.

Sprite and Four are waiting for him just beyond the treeline. He motions for them to follow him further, making sure his displeasure at the situation is clear. Four winces while Sprite does his best to not look at him.

"Alright, what happened?"

"I'm thinking Wind is remembering?" Sprite says with a confused frown. "Time one, he has don't reacting. Time two, he has saying head hurting. Time three, he has being dizzy. Now, he has puking. Wild has giving potion to Wind after time three also."

Four quickly pales. "You went back four times?" He asks shakily.

"What happened?" Warriors immediately demands. "What are we about to face?"

"Nothing. This is not danger," Sprite replies calmly.

"Then why turn back time so many times?" Warriors tries not to snap at him.

"Gate is feeling too much gross. Gate is being sticky. This is don't being like other Bad Gates," he scrunches up his face. "Time one, seconds after crossing. Time two, on night one. Time three, on night three. Time four, on day four and seconds before Band-Guard is crossing new Gate."

Warriors clenches his fists.

Four looks pale as he leans heavily on a nearby tree. He puts his head in his hands with a breathy, "He's done this five times already."

"Why?" Warriors asks. "You said there's no danger, so why go back?"

"To seeing if I'm moving back to first seeing you and Four and all others," Sprite responds like it's not a shattering statement. "But I'm don't able to moving back to before Gate. Then I'm trying night one to seeing if I'm moving back to before Gate, but this is don't working. Four times I'm don't moving back to before Gate."

"These Gates are blocking you," Warriors guesses hopefully. "They're not like the ones during the war."

Sprite nods.

Warriors nearly collapses in relief. They're different. The portals are just portals. They're not Gates. They're not Cia's doing. He could almost cry from the relief. All he has to worry about is sending Sprite home and getting Time back.

"That's..." He clears his throat in hopes of masking the relief. "That's good information to have."

Four surges forward with a shout. "Good?!" He demands. "How the fuck is any of this good?! He's done this five times!" He turns to Sprite with a desperate look in his eyes. "You undid everything for a test! Fuck! Does any of this even matter?"

Warriors winces at the very obvious 'to you' at the end. Even if Four didn't outwardly say it.

"Yes," Sprite replies with a familiar steadiness. "Before not existing now. But before has still happening before not existing now. Now can being not existing, but now is still being important. Now is still being important because now is still happening."

Four looks taken aback by the response. "Did... Did you tell us every time?"

Sprite nods. "Yes. I has being promise."

"But why?" He asks. He still sounds distressed, but there's genuine confusion underlying his words. "If you knew you were going back, why bother to keep your promise?"

"Because I has being promise. Because now is still happening. Because you're looking scared. I'm don't wanting you to being scared."

Four flinches a little, not quite able to completely hold it back.

Warriors puts a hand on both their shoulders. While that's definitely a conversation they need to have, there's more important things to focus on. Four and Sprite can sort themselves out later in private. "Okay, Sprite. Is this the last time before we cross the next portal?"

He gets a nod in response.

"Then I think it's important we come up with basic signals in case there's immediate danger."

Sprite and Four give him their full attention. He's a little surprised by Sprite's reaction. So maybe the conversations vary slightly despite these being the same events.

He spends the next several minutes outlining basic single handed motions they can do.

Again. Day. Night. Danger. Can't talk here. Important. Zero through nine. Yes. No.

It's a little tricky as Four occasionally uses Hylian Sign in place of the motions Warriors created. But that's good. He's seen Wild, Legend, and Hyrule plan stupid things entirely in Sign. He doesn't know if any of the others also know it, and he'd rather keep these sorts of things between just them.

"Okay. When do we find the next portal?" Warriors asks.

Sprite makes the sign. It's as subtle as Warriors hoped it would be.

"Day... Four?" Four guesses.

Sprite nods.

"Do we find it in the morning?" Warriors asks.

Sprite makes another quick sign.

"No," Four says sounding more certain. "So the afternoon of Day Four."

Sprite nods enthusiastically. He makes another quick sign.

No danger the whole time either. Lucky. Warriors would be more wary of the lack of danger. But as it stands, these aren't fully gates. "Okay, I think we're all set then."

The others thankfully don't pester him about having a private talk with Sprite and Four. He's already decided on what the cover-up story is, but he'd rather not outright lie to them if he can help it.

Legend has already picked a direction to travel. He pointedly ignores Hyrule's teasing jabs.

And just like Sprite had said, they encounter no problems. Everyone's in high spirits by the time they stop for camp.

They've barely started setting up when Wind loudly clears his throat. "Now that we're settling down, it's time to pick watch!" He announces.

Warriors is bemused by the whole thing up until he gets a finger pointed in his face.

"You're not allowed watch tonight, so don't even bother!" Wind continues with a wide grin. "Legend has first watch covered, I'm on second, and Sky's on third! Any objections?"

Legend shakes his head.

Sky responds with an easy, "sounds good to me."

Warriors frowns. "You were sick earlier," he counters. "You should rest more."

Four thankfully has the same idea as him. "I'm with Wars on this one. That doesn't sound like a good idea."

Wind brings his hand to his chin with a frown. "Hmm. In that case," he scans the group. "Wild! You take over second watch."

Wild's eyes quickly dart to Twilight.

"You can have third watch and I'll take second," Sky offers, "if that makes cooking breakfast easier on you in the morning."

Warriors eyebrows raise to his hairline. Sky hates second watch. "What the fuck is going on?"

"Come on, Captain," Legend drawls with a smirk, "even you're not this stupid."

Wind nods quickly. "Yeah. You're pushing yourself too much, especially doing so many watches in a row. That's why you're going to bed immediately after dinner."

Warriors looks around incredulously. Legend, Wind, and Sky look determined. Four looks amused at the whole exchange, and Wild quietly snickers at him.

He turns to Sprite next. "What the fuck is going on?" He asks making the sign for again.

Sprite shrugs. No. So this is a new event.

Warriors lets out a long sigh that has both Wind and Legend high fiving. He's a little annoyed. When the hell did they even plan this? It's not like he's so tired he can't take a single watch.

He's trying not to let his irritation show as dinner wraps up. Wind was fucking serious about shepherding him off to sleep.

"Sprite," he whispers. "You sure this is new?"

Sprite nods. "Night one has being Legend, Windy, you. Night two has being Four, me, Hyrule. Night three has being Sky, you, Wild. This is new."

Warriors hums dissatisfied. If Wind really does remember like Sprite suggests, then maybe that's affecting his judgement. He remembers the rotation without it actually happening. That could explain why he decided Warriors was on watch too often.

"I'm being sleeping with you tonight?" Sprite asks after a few minutes of silence.

Despite how irritated he is at the others, he's soothed by the simple question. "Yeah, 'course you can, Sprite."

Chapter Text

It's not until the third night of no watch that Warriors finally understands what exactly happened. "You guys stole my strategy!" He blurts.

Wind's smile is shamelessly unapologetic. "Does it really count as steeling if you taught it to me?"

"You're not supposed to use it on me!" Warriors argues.

Legend laughs at him, patting him on the back harder than necessary. "And so the student becomes the master."

Warriors elbows him. "Yeah? And what happened to 'I don't listen to brats?'"

"What can I say," he shrugs indifferently. "Kid had a solid plan."

Wind stands up only to bow theatrically. "Thank you, thank you. I accept criticism in the form of purple rupees." 

Legend immediately starts heckling him. Wind takes the bait, laughing and making his own jabs in return.

Sprite giggles from Warriors' other side. He watches Legend and Wind with rapt attention. From Legend musing Wind's hair to Wind steeling Legend's hat and stuffing it down his shirt. "I'm liking Windy," Sprite says for the third night in a row. "He's being like Tune."

That immediately catches his attention. Does he not realize that's Tune? Wait. Does Time not realize that's Tune? He goes to correct him, when an idea suddenly strikes him. He tries to smother his smirk when he replies, "Yeah. Maybe they could even be friends."

--

Two short consecutive howls has them all stopping in their tracks. Warriors draws his sword, and hears the others do the same. He shoots Sprite a glance. The kid looks unconcerned.

Twilight's caution warning is probably him finding the portal. "Champion, direction," he calls.

Wild is silent as he makes his way to the front of the group. He leads them off trail into a more sparse part of the forest.

Warriors spots the portal at almost the same time as Wild. Twilight and Four wait a few feet away from it. Four smiles upon seeing them while Twilight remains focused on the portal.

"Everyone ready?" Warriors asks hoping to hide the way his heart suddenly races. Even with the knowledge that they're just weird portals, he can't quite tamp down on the spike of panic. He can't quite smother the terror of what if.

Legend and Sky look around before nodding to him. He checks on Twilight who also nods in response.

He exchanges swords with Sky again. "Just like last time," he says. "Vanguard, thirty, Support, thirty, Rearguard."

"On your mark, Captain," Wild grins.

Warriors leads them through the portal. He immediately raises his shield and pushes forward. It's too dark. He can't see anything.

There's a quiet fwoosh, and suddenly a flame is casting light around. Warriors spares a glance, seeing Twilight clip a lantern to his belt.

They're in a cave. It's decently spacious, thankfully, but they'll still need to be careful about how they walk.

There are footsteps behind him and another fwoosh of light. Legend.

Twilight wanders deeper down the passage but stays close enough for their lights to overlap.

When Rearguard crosses, Warriors plans to spare them a single glance. Instead, his stomach drops.

Can't talk here. Danger. Again. One.

He throws a glance Four's way. The smithy has gone pale.

Legend looks around for what seems is the last time. Warriors quickly raises a finger to his lips before Legend can call clear.

Twilight extinguishes his lantern, soundlessly disappearing into the darkness.

Shit. He probably hears whatever the danger is.

Wild quickly follows after him. Warriors feels a tiny strand of relief. At least whatever it is, Twilight won't have to face it alone.

He throws a glance over his shoulder and immediately spots the portal. Shit he forgot about that. He motions for Legend to start down the same path Twilight and Wild took.

Legend nods, the brightness of his lantern noticeably dimming. He silently motions for the others to follow Legend. Warriors quickly makes his way to the portal.

It's just a strange portal, he reminds himself. It has nothing to do with Cia or the war or Gates of Souls.

The portals collapses under a shower of gold.

It's just a coincidence that he can close them like gates. It has to be.

A piercing shriek breaks through the silence.

Warriors turn on his heel, running as fast as he can. He pushes past the rest of the team towards the source of the sound. If Twilight and Wild get hurt because of him– because he let them go knowing it was dangerous–

He sees movement up ahead. A large mass shrouded in darkness. He readies his sword.

Pain lances through his arm.

Warriors stumbles back a few steps, dropping the sword in the process. The dark mass gets closer.

Wild sags in relief seeing him. "Thank Hylia, it's just you."

Warriors grits his teeth against the burning pain in his hand. He picks up the Master Sword. "Where's Twilight?" He demands.

"Not sure yet," Wild murmurs. He motions for Warriors to follow him. "I was following the scream when I heard something behind me."

They move silently through the dark passages. Warriors silently curses his equipment and chainmail as it clatters with every step.

Another shriek has them sprinting forward.

Warriors nearly trips over his own feet when Wild suddenly turns down a side path. He quickly changes his trajectory and starts following Wild. He keeps track of all the turns they take as Wild seems more concerned in getting to where he's going.

"Captain," Wild alerts.

Warriors spots the glowing eyes and readies himself. Another shock of pain lances through his arm. He sees Wild swing his sword. "Hold!"

Wild stops himself in an instant and backs up.

"Hold yer goats," Twilight grumbles. "Can't even breath in peace out here." A few seconds later, the lantern lights up.

Warriors breathes a sigh of relief seeing him uninjured. "We heard a shriek."

Wild grins, going up to pat him on the shoulder. "Didn't know you could reach that high."

"Wasn' me," Twilight grumbles shrugging Wild's hand off. He moves the lantern to light up a young woman behind him. She's dressed in light leathers and there's a sword on her hip. "Scared the poor gal the first time."

"And the second time?" Warriors asks raising an eyebrow.

The woman shifts in place looking embarrassed. "The skultula scared me."

Twilight tilts his head. "I still ain't gettin' why yer out in a cave if yer scared of skultulas."

"I've been doing better lately!" The woman is quick to argue. Her bluster quickly fades, however. "I thought I could handle it."

Warriors shakes his head. "Come on, let's get back to the others. Let them know it's safe," he says.

"Uh, Captain," Wild starts nervously. "I don't know how to get back."

Warriors give him a reassuring look. "Don't worry, I kept track while following you."

He keeps his attention on the woman as they head back. She holds easy conversation with Wild as they travel. All her questions are harmless, but Warriors is still on edge. Sprite said there was danger. Having to split their attention to protect her could put them all at risk.

"So, Mister Captain," she says speeding up to walk besides him. "You're in charge of your adventuring group right? How many of you guys are there?"

He phrases his answer carefully. "Seven. Nine if you include my little brother and his friend."

She hums in acknowledgement. "What types of jobs do you guys take?"

He raises an eyebrow at her. If she needs help with something, why tiptoe around the issue?

She raises her hands with a smile. "Oh, no I don't need help," she says. Warriors doubts that considering her shriek at a skultula. "It's just– your sword is really nice! Must have cost you a lot of money."

Warriors tries to keep his smile friendly despite the alarm bells going off in his head. "You could say that. Though, it's not for sale if that's what you're wondering." She's an adventurer, maybe she's just looking to upgrade her gear.

She pouts. "Awe come on!" She insists with a flutter of her eyelashes that decidedly makes his skin crawl. "Pretty please!"

He hopes his smile isn't strained. "Sorry, miss–,"

"Nila," she interrupts.

"–Sorry, miss Nila. Worked too hard just to sell h– it."

"Ooh, her. So you're that type of man," she teases. "Can't you at least tell me where to get a sword as pretty as her?"

Warriors is relieved to see light up ahead. "We made it back to the others," he says speeding up.

He doesn't like her. Travelers and townfolk are never that interested in the gear of other travelers or adventures. They usually just noticed that they're armed—or very armed—and move on with their day. Her focus on the Master Sword leaves him with a bad feeling.

Legend raises an eyebrow the closer he gets. Warriors turns around just in time for the woman to walk into him.

She stumbles back with a sputtering, "Sorry! I didn't realize you were going to stop so suddenly!"

"Guys, this is Miss Nila," Warriors introduced. "Twilight ran into her earlier."

"Is that what that scream was?" Hyrule asks.

Wind elbows him. "Dude, sh!"

Nila's face goes red. "We don't usually get travelers in the side tunnels," she argues. "And your friend scared the daylights out of me coming out of the shadows like that!"

Side tunnels.

"I told you guys we were lost," Warriors is quick to say. He prays the others understand what he's going for. "We probably took a wrong turn back there."

He gets a lot of confused looks and his hopes start to sink.

Legend motions to Hyrule. "That's what you get for letting him lead," he says.

"But I didn't–,"

Wind elbows him again, this time harder. If anything, Warriors is glad he can always count of those two.

"Say, Miss Nila," Warriors says before Hyrule can ruin it. "You wouldn't mind leading us out would you? I can make it worth your time."

She turns to him, bright eyes. "Will you tell me where you got that sword if I do?" She asks.

Sky and Legend's attention immediately narrow on her. Good they're suspicious.

"I was thinking more along the lines of rupees," Warriors says.

She pouts, clearly disappointed. "Hmm, if you won't tell me where you got that sword then... Oh! You can take me on a date!"

Warriors has to bite down on his reflexive cringe. Instead, he forces a nonchalant shrug. "I can do that." 

"Perfect!" She reaches for his hand and starts leading him in the direction the portal had been. "Right this way!"

He can't quite hold it back this time. Thankfully, she's not looking at him anymore. She's too busy pulling him through the group without a care in the world.

"Oh is that your little brother!" She coos. "He's so cute!"

Sprite immediately hides behind Sky when she gets close. Sky doesn't move out of the way.

Warriors immediately notices the equipment swap. Sprite's no longer using his claymore. He has his Guilded Sword and custom Hylian Shield. It makes sense in tunnels, but these tunnels aren't nearly tight enough to warrant such a swap. Do they get tighter?

"Come on, I don't bite," Nila coos. She tries to shuffle around Sky, but he blocks her.

Warriors pulls her by their still clasped hands. "You'll have to forgive him, he's shy. You said the main tunnel's this way?"

Thankfully, she doesn't continue to insist Sprite greet her. They walk in relative silence and Warriors hates that she won't. Let. Go.

Wind wanders up to them. "Miss Nila?" He asks with the innocent voice of a child. "How come you're in these tunnels?"

Nila coos at him much the same way she did Sprite. She turns to Warriors with a smile. "You didn't tell me you had two brothers!"

"I don't. He's–," his eyes flick to Wind and he nearly loses his facade. Wind's making a face at her that quickly disappears when she turns back to him. "He's my brother's friend."

He completely misses whatever she says next as his thoughts race. Wind doesn't like her. Sprite says there's a chance Wind remembers.

She's the danger.

"Hey, are you listening?"

Shit. He wasn't paying attention.

"Sorry," he's quick to say. It tastes like bile on his tongue. "I– must have gotten lost in your smile."

He hears someone groan behind them. Good, at least it sounded natural. They still don't suspect anything.

"Oh, you're such a charmer!" Nila giggles, waving her free hand at him. "Do it again!"

Wind asks, "So does that mean you have a map?"

"A map?" Warriors can't help repeat.

"Yeah. Like I was telling your brother's little friend," she responds easily. "I'm more of a cartographer than your standard adventure. And as a matter of fact–!"

Warriors is eternally grateful when she drops his hand.

She shifts her bag just enough to start riffling through it. "Oh!" She pauses in her riffling. They all slow as Nila stops to pull out a small pouch. "I have some leftover cookies! Do you guys want them?"

Sprite is immediately pushing past all of them. "Me first!" He calls.

Nila and a couple of the other laugh. She coos at Sprite as she pulls out a small powder covered cookie from the bag.

Warriors doesn't hear a thing. Not Nila's laughter and not the group's teasing remarks.

His attention's on Sprite. He sees it before any of the others can even suspect a thing. Sprite's stance shifts just the slightest bit. He's already pivoting with his hand on his sword. Nila collapses to the floor, blood pooling around her.

There's an immediate commotion behind them. Hyrule and Wild shove past Warriors to the woman. Wild pulls Sprite back while Hyrule tries to tend to the woman. Warriors knows it's useless. She was already dead by the time she hit the ground.

He's yanked around by the shoulder to face Legend. "Hey! Are you even listening?!" Legend demands. "He just killed an innocent woman and–,"

"She's not innocent," he responds automatically. His gaze strays back to Sprite.

"Of course she was!" Legend shouts. "She was helping us!"

Warriors ignores him as he continues to shout. Instead he keeps his attention on Sprite as he struggles against Wild. "Champion, let him go," he orders.

Wild meets his gaze. The uncertainty is plain to see.

Sprite doesn't wait, he throws his head back and headbutts Wild in the mouth. It stuns him long enough for Sprite to twist his arm until it pops, and then he's rushing back to the body. He shoves Hyrule out of the way, and grabs the woman's small pack. He drags it a few feet further, keeping everyone in his line of sight.

Warriors watches with bated breath. He desperately hopes Sprite finds what he's looking for. He desperately hopes it's enough to convince the others. He–

He lets out a grunt as he's roughly shoved against the cave wall. The rock digs into his back as Twilight snarls at him. "Y'taught a child to murder innocent folk," Twilight accuses.

Warriors could tell him the truth. That the Mortal Draw is a Shiekah technique. That Vice General Impa had taught it to Sprite because most people let their guard down around a kid, including traitors. That Sprite had eventually taught it to Warriors so he could defend himself from traitors. So they could dispatch of any traitor who didn't realize their cover was blown.

Even Warriors knows how much that sounds like an excuse. "Yeah," he says instead.

The anger twists at Twilight's expression. He pulls back just enough to throw a punch, and Warriors tries not to flinch in response.

Four latched onto Twilight's retreating fist with a desperate shout. "Whoa whoa! Think for a second!" 

Twilight is caught off guard, momentarily losing his footing. Four takes the opportunity to maneuver him away from Warriors.

"Shut up!" Sprite shouts. "Shut up, shut up, shut up!"

The resulting silence is heavy. Warriors can hear the blood rushing in his ears.

Sprite holds up a white oval mask with a inverted Sheikah Eye on it.

Wild's hiss is deafening in the silence. "Yiga." Wild looks down at the body of the woman. Where there was once concern and pity, there is now disgust and contempt.

"Turncoat scum," Sprite corrects. "All of others in village also."

"Why wait 'till now?" Legend demands. "Why not say something!"

Sprite reaches into the bag and pulls out the small sack of cookies. He launches it at Twilight who reflexively catches it.

Twilight frowns in confusion as he opens the sack. "What's–," he stops, bringing it closer to smell it. His frown deepens. "There's rue and nightshade in this." He pulls out a small cookie. He leans in again to sniff at it and sneezes.

"You're kidding," Legend says trying to snatch it from his hand. "It's just a wedding cookie."

Warriors can almost see it in sickening detail. Legend and Sky. Hyrule and Wind. Wild. By the time it reached Twilight, it would've already been too late.

He feels sick. He wants to throw up.

He takes a deep breath.

"Mask," he barks in hopes that his voice is steadier than he feels, "is there a map in her belongings?"

Sprite's quick to continue digging through her bag. He upends the thing, scattering her belongings on the floor. Some of them roll into the pool of blood. He triumphantly holds up a piece of parchment. "Yes, sir!"

By now, Legend has stopped arguing with Twilight and watches Sprite critically. "You think she has a compass too?"

Sprite continues to dig through her now discarded belongings. He frowns.

Wild makes his way over, kicking the body over until it's not laying in the blood anymore. "What's it look like?" He asks digging through her pockets with his good hand.

"Small and round, almost like a container," Legend responds. He still sounds wary as he watches Wild carelessly toss all her belongings on the ground. "It's magic so your fingers will probably tingle."

Wild finds the compass and tosses it to Legend. Legend grimaces at the blood on it. "Let me see the map," he says to Sprite.

Sprite scowls at him.

"Give him the map," Warriors orders.

Sprite stomps over to Legend and shoves the map at him. He quickly retreats to where he was before.

Warriors motions Wild over. "Come here. Gotta pop your shoulder back into place."

Wild ignores him, going to Legend instead. "Hold on, I want see how this works."

"Wild–," Warriors starts.

Legend shoos him away. "Get your shoulder fixed, then you can gawk."

Wild rolls his eyes but doesn't argue further. Warriors is grateful as he checks Wild's shoulder over. He gives Wild a quick warning before shoving his shoulder back into place.

Wild barely grunts despite how much Warriors knows it hurts. Wild gently rotates his shoulder and moves his arm around. "All good, thanks Cap!" He quickly returns to Legend's side, eager to see how the map works.

From next to Warriors, Wind says, "It's like he's made of rubber."

Warriors doesn't respond as he watches the others gather around Legend. He hopes this doesn't fracture the trust the group has in him, or worse, Sprite. He looks to the kid and sees him watching the others warily. He damn sure hopes Sprite's trust in the others hasn't fractured either.

"Wars!" Legend suddenly shouts shoving through the other. "We have to go! Like now!"

Warriors nods sharply. "Everyone form up!" He calls. "Legend, up front. Mask, get over here."

"Come on, come on! We have to go!" Legend urges, "Wild, you're in the back!"

Legend leads them back the way they came at a near run. He's constant shushing them if their footsteps get too loud.

He suddenly stops and holds an arm out. Hyrule crashes into his back, and a few of the others nearly trip at the sudden stop.

"Why are we–,"

"Shh!" Legend immediately hisses. He extinguishes his lantern, and Twilight quickly follows suit.

They wait with baited breath. Warriors keeps a hand on Sprite's shoulder to keep him in place. Though it seems the kid has no intention of moving.

Wild eventually creeps up towards the front of the group. Legend is quick to clamp on to his arm. Wild throws him a hard look and Legend pulls sharply at his arm. Wild winces in clear pain even as Legend shoves the map in his face. They both suddenly freeze.

Warriors is straining to see through the darkness when he hears footsteps. Multiple footsteps. It feels like they last for forever.

Legend still keeps them there for a while after the footsteps fade. Eventually he puts his hand down and starts leading them through the tunnels again. They move at a similar speed as before, but everyone's more careful to stay quiet.

After several more minutes of travel, Legend brings them to a stop. He keeps his voice low as he turns to them. "Alright, the exit's up ahead, but there's six guards out there." He holds the map out for the others to see.

Warriors takes a look and sees several of those Yiga symbols in several different spots. He sees the exit Legend's talking about, and sure enough, there's six symbols there.

His stomach drops when the symbols scattered across the map suddenly disappear and reappear in different spots. All except one that has a red X over it. That must be Nila, he realizes.

"There's only six of them and nine of us," Hyrule says. "So why don't we just keep going?"

"Because they call backup immediately," Wild frowns. "And they show up fast."

The symbols move again.

Four adds, "Don't forget the village full of them. However many reinforcements you think will show up, it'll probably be double."

Wild's frown quickly turns into a scowl.

"Yeah, about that," Legend says pointedly looking at Sprite. "How the hell do you know there's a village ahead?"

The symbols move closer.

"Wild, Wind," Warriors is quick to snap. "Sneak as close to the exit as you can. Wind, use your telescope to find a suitable rendezvous point far from here. Wild, use that tablet of yours to take a good picto of it. Then return here."

"Rendezvous point?" Sky repeats. "You want us to split up?"

"There's too many unknown variables," Warriors answers. "Our best bet is to immediately scatter and hightail it out of here."

"Just from the map," Legend adds, though he doesn't take his gaze off of Sprite. "There's twenty-four known enemies. If they're as quick to call backup as Wild says, then we'll really be in trouble."

"Then how are we supposed to meet back up?" Hyrule asks. "I mean, if we're going to be overwhelmed, how do we even get past them?"

"By causing sheer chaos," Warriors answers. He's not surprised by the skeptical looks he gets. He's usually more strategic with his plans, but they don't realize that chaos can be controlled and directed. "I'll explain when Wind and Wild gets back. For now, stay alert. Legend, how are we looking?"

Legend fumbles for a second before refocusing on the map. He curses under his breath. "There's four more symbols."

Warriors clenches his jaw. That's bad. They're running out of time. Maybe he should explain the plan in case they get caught before Wind and Wild are back. It'll be more difficult to regroup, but not impossible. Wind and Wild's ability to communicate will be helpful. So will Twilight's ability to track.

"Get your weapons ready," Warriors says after a few minutes of tense silence. "Bombs, fire rods, sand wands, anything that kicks up a lot of dirt and lowers visibility."

"Wars," Sky holds out a hand. "Can I have my sword back."

Warriors shifts his hold on the sword, wincing at the ache in his hand. He holds the hilt out towards Sky. He'd completely forgotten.

Four nudges him. "They're back."

Wind and Wild move soundlessly as they rejoin the group. Wind immediately beelines to Legend and takes the map. He flips it over and starts trying to write on the back despite Legend's protests. Warriors is curious to see what the sailor's planned, but he's distracted by the way Wild is so clearly assessing Sky.

"Have you killed a person before?" Wild asks.

Sky startles. "What."

"A person," Wild repeats. "Have you killed one before? Because they're going to target whoever has that sword."

Warriors frowns. "What makes you so sure of that?"

"The Yiga's goal is to kill the Hero and the Princess so that Ganon has no opposition," Wild explains. "That woman, Nila, stuck to you like tar the moment she noticed you had the sword. Whoever's holding it will be the main target."

Warriors curses under his breath.

"Sky, give me the sword," he and Wild say simultaneously.

Warriors quickly turns to Wild. His hand twitches, wanting to grip a sword he's no longer holding. Immediately he feels the stretch and ache of burns.

Wild squares his shoulders, "Captain," he starts with a hard tone, "I know the Yiga."

Warriors can ignore the pain of the burn, but his arm is still numb. No matter how well he can fight ignoring the pain, the body will still give out at some point. He doesn't want to risk loosing track of the sword. And the Yiga are familiar to Wild. "Okay. I'll trust your judgement," he replies to Wild's startled surprise. "Sky, please switch swords with Wild."

Wild flounders for a second. It's obvious he was prepared for an argument. "Really?"

Warriors nods. "Yes. Now, show us the picto of the rendezvous point."

They all huddle around Wild to look at the image.

Four asks, "How difficult is it to get to?"

"It looks pretty easy," Wild replies. "You just go straight for a bit, then you go left and," he turns his slate to face him and traces a finger over the image, "no, you go right until the that big pillar is on your left then you go straight–,"

Legend interrupts him, "How can you read a map but not give directions?"

Wild responds with a flat glare.

"Both of you shut up," Wind says pushing in between them. He displays the map he'd taken from Legend. On the back is a new, hastily drawn, map. "Here's the entrance of the cave," he says pointing at the bottom of the map. He then points to an X near the top of the map further on the right. "And this is the rounded— rondi—"

"Rendezvous."

"–Yeah that!" Wind continues. "It's about ten miles out if you go straight there, but obviously you don't want to make it obvious that's where you're going." He circles back to what look like trees near the cave entrance. "The treeline's about half a mile—,"

"How far is a mile?" Hyrule asks.

Legend answers quickly. "A little over a kilometer and a half," he points to a specific section further into the forest. "What's that."

"It looks like a dip in the landscape," Wild responds. "Based on the dip in the trees, I'd say it's pretty steep, so careful out there. It might even be the river we saw glimpses of."

Wind adds, "It looks about three miles out."

Twilight shushes them. They hold their breath as he stares further back into the cave. "We have to go," he hisses.

"Guys real quick!" Wind rushes. He rapidly taps on a square on the map. "This is a really big tower. Head towards that. Keep it nearly in front of you, but a little to the left. The rounded-view is to the right of that. If the tower goes too far left or right, you're off course."

"Rendezvous."

"Whatever!" He hisses back.

Warriors is quick to put an end to their argument before it can start. "Champion, on three," he instructs. Wild nods with determination. "The rest of you, wait until we send a signal. One at a time, and move fast. Is that understood?"

Sprite is quick to respond. "Yes, sir!"

He gets a chorus of 'yesses' and 'okays' from the others.

Warriors pulls his sword from his sheath. Wild is at his side almost immediately. "One." He flexes his grip, still feeling the aching numbness. "Two." Wild shifts minutely, reading himself to charge. "Three!"