Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Wild didn’t really remember the beginning of his current quest. Traveling with eight other heroes while chasing a shadowy being infecting monsters with black blood.

However, he couldn’t get over this niggling feeling in the back of his head that something about this was wrong.

It started with a tingling in his sword arm. A strange numbness that would travel up his arm from his hand when they faced the shadow. After Twilight had been injured though it had become more constant. It would ache as he held his sword, the one Four had made him made it worse!

He kept it to himself though, it was likely just nerve damage from when he died during the Calamity that kicked off his first quest.

Wild frowns as he stirs the pot of food, first quest? ?He shakes his head and tunes back into the other’s conversation as they chatter around the camp about various things. It's nice, relaxing even. Not like how he has so much stress at home, having to be the only knight proper left in Hyrule, responsible for training others when he barely understands how he fights himself.

Watches were soon established and Wild lays down as Twilight watches over them, first on watch tonight. He fell asleep easily, his mind drifting in a black void so similar to the one he remembers waking to when he was still in the shrine of resurrection.

*A bright light shines in the darkness, flickering against stone walls. Link is following Zelda as they walk down a set of stairs beneath the castle. When the narrow passage opens into a wider one he smiles as Zelda gets excited about the murals on the wall. He takes the torch from her as she fumbles with the slate, no it's different, something Purah made her when the Sheikah tech had been scrapped after most of it started breaking down with the Calamity gone.

Eventually they continue on, a few kesee make a nuisance of themselves. Then another steep passage into a wide room with a strange figure in the middle. Swirling green energy spirals toward a pillar suspended from the ceiling.

As they approach there’s the clattering of a small stone, Zelda crouching to pick it up and then the mummy moves.*

Wild jolts awake, breathing harshly as he does. Twilight is by his side in moments, rubbing his back and making soft comforting sounds to calm him down.

“There you go, easy, easy. It was just a dream. You’re fine.”

Wild’s breathing evens out as Twilight continues to calm him down. Eventually Wild catches his breath and sends Twilight a wane smile in gratitude.

“Thanks Twi.”

“Don’t worry about it, we all get nightmares at times.” Twilight looks up and notes the position of the moon and stars. “I need to wake Legend for his shift, want me to stay with you when I’m done?”

Wild considers it, but Twilight looks exhausted and he’s too wound up to lay back down. “No, but thanks. I’m going to stay up a bit.”

Twilight nods and heads to his bedroll before promptly falling asleep.

Legend grumpily takes a seat by the fire, glancing at Wild curiously before the other hero decides to join him. Dropping onto the log set up as a makeshift bench, Wild pulls out his slate and starts pulling out some fruit and offering it to Legend.

“Thanks.”

The two sit in silence, nibbling at the fruit for several long minutes.

“So you must have had some nightmare to still be awake after this long.”

“Yeah.” Wild takes a bit of fruit and chews it before continuing. “It was weird. Most of my nightmares are from my adventure. The monsters I fought, my missing memories, something more familiar but twisted into something worse.”

Wild takes another bite, considering. “But this one felt, not wrong, but different.” Wild furrows his brow in thought, “It's confusing, everything’s so fuzzy.”

“Maybe it has to do with something you were going to be doing before you got swept away to this quest.”

“Maybe.” Wild chews his cheek as he considers it. “What was I doing when I got dragged on this quest?”

“Don’t know, your memory’s always been spotty, hasn’t it?”

“I guess.” Wild rubs his head as a headache begins to form. His arm aching terribly as well. “I think I’m going to try and lay down to sleep. My head’s hurting.”

Legend watches as Wild moves to lay down, humming a soft song that sounds familiar to Wild, but he can’t place it.

“Sleeper’s wake, Dreams will fade, Although we cling fast,”

Wild lays down, the soothing lullaby helping him drift back to sleep. He thinks briefly how odd it is for Legend to be singing a lullaby, but he’s out cold before he can think more about it.

************************

Time has become a blur for Wild as they fight a horde of monsters. He doesn’t remember even getting here, to this place. He thinks they might be in Twilight’s era, or maybe Time’s. Didn’t they just leave the ranch?

He slices through another bokoblin before parrying a slash from a lizalfos. He pivots into a stream attack by another lizalfos, slicing forward as the black tar-like substance comes at him. For a moment instead of a lizalfos with poison spit it's a mummy flinging a thick viscous gloom at him as he slices it in half, the Master Sword burning in his hands. His arm aches and spasms and he’s down on one knee from the pain, his other arm coming up to grip his forearm.

“Wild!” *”Link!”*

His names overlap as he looks up.

Above him is a canopy of green with stars dotted between the leaves where they leave gaps. He blinks, weren’t they just in the middle of a fight?”

“Hey, you’re awake.” Hyrule leans over him with a smile. “You took a nasty blow to the head in that last fight, we thought you might never wake up.”

Wild frowns, why was Hyrule so happy about that scenario, shouldn’t that have been an upsetting thought?

“Sorry, I should have been better.” Wild struggles to sit up, Hyrule helping him as he looks at the others.

“Does your arm hurt?”

Wild looks over at Hyrule, the healer looking at him for an answer.

“Huh?”

“Does your arm hurt, that doesn’t look good?”

Wild looks down at his dominant arm, its covered in black/red burns, withered in a way that is deeply wrong.

“What?” Wild reaches for it, his gaze turning to the others, none of them seem overly concerned that WIld’s arm looks nearly mangled. Horrified and panicked he looks up at the calm faces of his brothers, a choked sound of distress in his throat as he reaches and grasps his arm. Fabric meets his fingers and he looks down once more, arm completely normal and covered by his sleeve. His head throbs.

“Wild?” Time is kneeling in front of him. “It's going to be okay. You’re going to be okay.” A lilting song soothes Wild as Time speaks.

It's a combination of a wolf’s howl and a small flute, maybe an ocarina? It's gentle and soothes WIld’s rapidly beating heart as the woods and camp around him blur. His headache is getting worse though and Time helps him to lay down, no, that’s Warriors. What happened to Time?

“Relax Champion, It's going to be fine. We’ll see you when you wake.”

************************

Wild’s head hurts as he trails at the back of the line of heroes as they march through the woods the next day. His arm hurts too, but he’s gotten used to that.

He rubs at his temple and tunes into the conversation.

“A captain, a knight, the smith, a mere traveler, from the forest, from an isolated village, from over the seas, from above the skies, an average nobody.”

“If we keep giving him this impression he’s gonna be afraid of our brethren in the cradle.”

“But, how does he know our names?”

Everyone in the group stops and turns to stare at WIld.

“Wild? What do you mean, he doesn’t know our names.” Sky looks concerned.

“No one told him.” Four looks at the others, just as confused.

“He’s just a mindless beast, isn’t he? Can’t even speak.” It's Hyrule this time.

“A big nasty boar with weird yellow eyes.”

Wild’s head hurts more and he closes his eyes as his hand rubs his forehead. Had he told them that? He doesn’t understand, everything was fine the last several months as they traveled. Was it months, why does it feel like less than that?

“Wild?” He looks over at Four who called his name. “What were you doing before this quest?”

“Oh, yeah, that’s a good question!” Wind bounces and gets up close to Wild.

“Wait, weren’t we talking about Ganon?” Wild’s head is pounding and his eyes ache from the sunlight through the trees.

“No, we were talking about what we all were up to before this quest.” Sky gives him a concerned look, “Are you sure you’re okay?”

Wild holds his head at Sky’s question. “I don’t know. I think I should sit down.” He stumbles, Twilight catching him and lowering him to the ground.

“Cub?”

“My head hurts. My arm hurts. I keep forgetting things.”Wild curls up as he’s lowered to the forest floor. “I don’t know what’s happening.”

“Wild.” He looks up to see that Twilight has been replaced by Warriors. “I need you to breathe with me, okay?” He leads Wild through several long slow breaths until he’s calm and his head hurts less.

“Thank you, Wars.”

“It's fine, I’m glad I could help. Now we have a lead on the black blooded monsters and their leader, the shadow.” Warriors stands and holds out a hand for Wild. For a moment he blinks and the hand doesn’t look hylian, but another blink and it's normal.

“Let’s go.”

***********************

They’d been walking through the forest for what seems like forever before finding this cave with red/black whisps of smoke coming from deep inside. It seems to swallow in light as they stare into it.

“There is a lot of dark magic seeping from that cave.”

Hyrule nods in agreement to Legend’s statement as the heroes study what can only be the entrance to a dungeon.

“We should be careful going in, who has a light source?” Time moves to the front as Wild pulls out a torch and hands it to him before a spark from Hyrule lights it. “Keep alert, we don’t know what could be down here.”

One by one each member of the chain follows Time into the depths as they descend into the cave. Smoothly cut stairs and rough hewn walls mark their passage before the light spreads out and reveals a large cavern with a swirling energy rising from a dark form.

“What is that?”

The other’s all crowd on the landing overlooking the open space, jockeying for a better view even as Twilight, and Warriors try to lead them down the stairs. When they reach the bottom they are met by a figure, it stands menacingly and indistinct. It's bent backwards under a strange glowing hand.

Wild draws his sword as it looms, it takes him a moment to realize it's the Master Sword in his hands, not the sword Four made him. He looks for Sky, worried that he has his sword, but the others are gone.

“What?”

“Rauru placed his faith in you and that was all you could do?” The voice from the figure is raspy as tendrils of reddish black ooze writhe toward him. Wild tries to block it, but he has no shield, the sword is engulfed, blackening and decaying.

Wild’s eyes widen as fear grips his heart at the site. Sky will be so upset with him if he hurts the Master Sword again.

“Was that the sword that seals the darkness? A blade that shatters so easily against my power cannot save you from me.”

“It's not,” Wild looks down to see the Master Sword broken nearly to the hilt. A sob catches in his throat at the sight.

His arm burns.

“Link!”

Wild whirls to see Zelda, torch in hand as the floor falls out from under her. He lunges, broken sword tossed aside and burnt arm outstretched to grab her hand. He misses her and watches as she fades in a glow of gold before he’s jerked to a stop. He looks up, hoping to see Time, or Warriors, or one of the chain, but it's the hand from the figure, the glowing one. It rises quickly tearing up into the sky, dragging him with it.

*************

“Wild?”

With a groan, Wild opens his eyes to a bright white space. He sees Sky leaning over him with a gentle smile and feels tears pricking at his eyes as he remembers the state of the Master Sword.

“Sky! I’m sorry I broke it! I didn’t mean to, I didn’t.”

“Shhh, shhh, it's alright, it's not your fault. I don’t blame you. None of us do.” Wild finally is able to look around and see the other heroes, all with somber expressions as they look at him in clear worry.

A sob escapes him as he takes them all in. “What happened, where did you all go?”

“Wild, we weren’t there. We couldn’t be there.”

“You need to wake up.”

“Wake up and save her.”

“Zelda needs you, sword or no.”

Wild looks around as the chain stare at him with sad eyes. He doesn’t understand. “I don’t, what about the shadow, our quest?”

“Cub, there never was a quest, none of this has happened, not with us.”

“We don’t exist, you need to wake up and stop dreaming.” Legend’s harsh tone isn’t interrupted as the others look away from him.

“But, I know you, you’re heroes, even if we aren’t from the same times,” Wild can feel tears dripping down his face. “We still, we still spent so long together!”

“I’m sorry Wild, Link, none of this happened. The quest, the time travel, you need to wake up.”

‘Sleepers wake, dreams will fade, Although we cling fast, Was it real, What we saw? I believe…’

That haunting tone, none of the others seem to be singing. Wild looks around frantically as his vision seems to blur.

“No, please, I can’t do this on my own, not again!”

‘Lost in dreams, We sleep on, Tossing and turning, Stay with me, By my side, Never leave…’

“Please.” Wild sobs as one by one the others fade away until only Legend remains.

‘What if the worst comes? If someday this sweet reverie ends, We too, our memories, for real, Fade us by…’

‘Dream with me, By the sea, We watch the waves crash, Hold my hand, Think of me, And I’ll Fly…’

When Link opens his eyes they’re full of tears that he tries to wipe away before noticing his arm. Covered in gold bands and blackened, sharp nails that had lightly caught his cheek are stared at in horror.

Chapter Text

Link jolts awake, gasping and clutching the sheets as he stares into the dark room. Beside him a dark haired form grumbles and shifts before rising up slightly on an elbow to look at their partner.

“Link? What’s wrong?”

Link takes a few steading breaths as the person beside them shifts to sit up more and wrap an arm around the strawberry blonde beside them.

“Sorry Rav, I, I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“It’s fine, what’s got you so tense though?” Ravio leans into Link, pressing on him as Link centers himself in the touch.

“I, I had a Dream.”

“Oh? That sounds like more than just a dream though.”

“It was a Dream, Rav. There, I was travelling with others, other heroes. We were chasing these black blooded monsters but there was this one kid, we called him Wild. Something about him wasn’t right.”

“Was he not a hero?”

“No!” Link barely stops himself from growling. “I, sorry.” He relaxes a bit. “No, I think he’s why we were all there, in the Dream. He kept having fits, episodes or something. There were flashes of his life at times. Rav, he’s been through so much. And, I think he lost an arm at one point, maybe right before everything that started the Dream.”

They sit in silence, leaning into one another for comfort.

“Rav, I, I think he needs help.”

“Then we should help him.”

“How do we help him?”

Link sighs, turning into Ravio and burying his face into his partner’s neck. “The Dream is a clue. We were time traveling and all of us were from different eras.”

“So you need to find a way to time travel?”

“Yeah, sort of. I already know a way, or rather a person that can help.”

“Then we should get in touch and ask for their help.” Ravio falls back into the pillows, pulling Link with him. “But we can do that in the morning. Right now we should rest, prepare ourselves.”

Link sighs, but snuggles into his partner. “You’re right. In the morning we can send a letter.”

The pair soon fall into a light sleep, both still worrying about the coming day and soon to begin adventure.

***********

Link slowly wakes up, a deep ache in his heart from the Dream. Slowly he sits up and looks around his room. The cloth walls separating his bed from the others that had come down from Skyloft are a familiar sight by now and Link can hear the sounds of others waking to begin preparing breakfast and to begin building more permanent structures.

Sighing he gets out of bed and dresses for the day. Leaving his tent he waves to the cook and accepts a bowl of porridge. Looking around he spots Zelda and Groose already seated at a table and makes his way over to them.

“Link, you’re up!” Zelda stares at him in shock then looks to the sky to check the time. “It's just after sunrise!”

“Morning to you too.”

“Sorry, it's just you’re never up this early without someone dragging you from bed.”

“Zel’s got a point Birdbrain. You do tend to sleep in a lot.”

Link sighs and pokes at his food. “I had a Dream. I think Hylia needs me to go on another quest. One to help someone in great need.”

Sky closes his eyes and winces as he remembers the painful sound of shattering steel and the sight of burned flesh.

“Oh, Link.” Zelda’s tone is soft as she reaches across the table for his hand.

“Do you remember His last words?”

“I do.”

“I think that someone far in the future needs my help. It feels like He is returning and, I can’t let my successor face that alone.”

Zelda is quiet and Groose frowns.

“Well, you don’t have to go alone. We can come with you!” Groose it's looking ecstatic at the idea, even if it feels a bit forced.

“I won’t be able to go.”

Both men turn to Zelda, surprise in the face of one and resignation in the other’s face.

“I thought as much.”

“Groose, you should plan to go. We will all be fine here until you return, but we must continue to build and My presence is keeping the monsters away from here.”

“Right.” Link hangs his head. “We should get ready then.”

“We should be able to use the Gate of Time. I want both of you to take your Loftwings with you. I feel you may need them.”

Link nods.

“Now eat up Link, you won’t do anyone any good if you don’t eat.”

Link smiles a small sad smile and eats his breakfast quickly. He has a journey to prepare for.

************

Link is sprawled out on the deck of the King of Red Lion’s staring up at the sky above. A few clouds drift above him and he uses the Wind Waker in a lazy hand to push and pull them around and create strange shapes.

With a heavy sigh he closes his eyes and lets his arm fall back to the deck.

“How in Oceasus’ name am I supposed to help with this?”

Groaning, Link pulls himself into a sitting position and shifts to start raising the sail and head for Windfall Island. He knows Linebeck frequents there and that means Ciela would be there as well.

It takes a few hours to reach the island and he is not disappointed to see that Tetra and her crew are in port.

“Link!” Tetra grins down at him from the deck of her larger ship. “What brings you here?”

“I was looking for Linebeck, I need to ask Ciela for a favor.”

“Huh? What kind of favor?”

Link considers his answer and motions for Tetra to join him on the dock instead of continuing by shouting. Once on more solid ground, Link answers.

“I had a weird Dream. I think I need to get to another time, similar to the War.”

“There’s another hero that needs your help then?”

Link nods. “He’s had it rough and he’s starting a second journey. It nearly killed him.”

Tetra frowns. “You aren’t planning to go alone are you?”

Link blinks at Tetra’s stern frown.

“I mean, I sort of was. I doubt Linebeck will want to come.” Link smiles at Tetra, “But I wouldn’t say no to more help though.”

Tetra nods, “We can both ask Ciela then. See how many of us can go through.”

“Speaking for your crew?”

“I’m their captain, if they don’t want to come then they can babysit Linebeck until we get back.”

Link laughs at the two head off to see if Linebeck is in port.

******************

Link is mucking out the stables as the sun rises when Malon comes out, a shawl wrapped around her shoulders to ward off the chill morning air.

“Link?”

“Sorry, I wanted to get an early start”

Malon steps closer, resting her hand on his on top of the handle of the pitchfork. “Is that why your bag is packed by the door and your armor set aside next to your bags?”

Link looks at their layered hands and then up to meet his wife’s gaze.

“He needs my help. I can help him, but,”

The pitchfork clatters to the floor and Malon pulls Link into a tight hug.

“Oh Link.”

The two hold one another for several long moments. When they finally pull apart, their arms are still around their partner loosely.

“Who is this person that needs your help?”

Link takes a deep breath at the concern in his wife’s eyes.

“He’s another hero, one that has already barely survived one journey and now he teeters on the brink at the start of a second.”

Malon hums, “Take Him with you then.”

Link pinches his lips as he knows exactly who He is and he had not been planning to take Him with him.

“I will.”

“Link,” Malon leans into Link’s chest, “I know you don’t like Him, but if this boy really needs you so badly then having Him will only benefit you both.”

Link closes his eyes and rests his head on Malon’s head, “I know, you’re right.”

They stay like that until the rooster crows to mark the new day. When they pull apart they walk hand in hand back to the house and Link dons his armor and takes the bag he keeps Him in from Malon.

With all of his things packed and fixed in place he reaches for the blue ocarina.

Malon stops him with a hand on his cheek.

“Promise me you will come home.”

Link nuzzles Malon’s hand, kissing her palm as he looks down at her with all the love in his heart.

“I promise. I will come home to you.”

Then he leans down and the two kiss, slow and gentle. It's not a goodbye, it's a promise.

When they pull apart Link brings the ocarina to his lips and plays a familiar melody.

As the notes drift around him he opens his eyes to a white void. It reminds him of the sacred realm, but something is different.

Turning around he sees another figure. It looks so much like him, but taller with white hair and cold empty white eyes.

“Are we called to battle once more?”

Link stares, but nods.

“I see. I will need a form of my own for the fight to come.” The being tilts its head as if listening for something.

“Shall we go into this fight together as comrades?” it holds out a hand and Link hesitates, but eventually takes it. As the song crescendos the void fades and the pair continue on their way.

**********

Link ducks behind a boulder as the monster patrol marches past. They’ve been making their way all morning to the fountain hidden by their mother nearby. This patrol had slowed them down , but now they were free to continue.

Link hurriedly darts from hiding spot to hiding spot until they reach an odd opening in the side of a hill. With one final glance around they duck inside and after a few feet they find themselves beset by tiny glowing lights as fairies swirl and dance around them.

Link smiles as they make their way toward the fountain at the heart of the cave where a young looking woman is lounging. She is dressed in fine clothes that appear to made of flower petals, Grand shimmering wings spread from her back as she smiles at Link.

“Link! You’ve come to visit?”

Link nods, though an air of sadness is carried about them. “I have, but I also came to ask for your help.”

“Oh!” The fairy holds out her hands to them and beacons them toward herself.

“What would you ask of me?”

Link steadies their heart and matches their gaze to the fairy’s.

“I had a Dream. Another hero in the future needs my help to stop an incalculable evil, but I have no way of reaching them.”

The fairy straightens at their request. A concerned frown marring her face as she takes up their hands.

“I see. That is a great burden.” She studies them for a long moment. “I am unsure how to get you to where you need to be. However I know of a way to get you to when you need to be.”

She squeezes their hands reassuringly before letting them go and drifting back over their fountain, toes just touching the surface.

“If you accept your birthright. You will be able to join this one in need in their quest. However, know this. In order to reach this far-flung future you will leave behind all that you have in this world, in this time.” She holds out her hand to him, expression stern. “Is that a sacrifice you are willing to make?”

Link watches her and considers. They have not had a moment's rest since they defeated Ganon. His cult had hunted them for their blood as an ingredient to bring back their lord. Truthfully the only ones that would miss them are Dawn and Aurora.

Reaching into their bag they pull out a small folded piece of paper. The princesses had been teaching them to read and write, it's something they are grateful for in this moment.

“I expected as much.” Link holds up the letter. “Could one of my sisters take this toe the castle and see that the princesses get it?”

The great fairy nods and one of the smaller fairies flutters forward and takes the letter from Link before bobbing in a bow and flying off to deliver the letter.

With a heavy sigh, Link reaches forward and takes their mother’s hand.

*******************

Link tightens his bracer as he stands in the yard outside the barracks. His bag of equipment sits by his feet as he waits for his companion.

After the Dream there had been some debate on who would go with him to the future where the Hero of Wild was in need of his help. In the end it was decided that Zelda had to stay. As the queen of Hyrule she had an obligation to her people. Impa had also opted to stay as with the hero being absent Zelda would need as much protection as she could get. That left Lana. Her ability to control the Gate of Souls and thus allow for time travel was seen as too important for this mission for her not to come.

Link had asked her to check on the other heroes from the Dream before they left though, which explained why he was waiting for her. He knew some of the others would have means to travel through time, but he knew the ones that didn’t would never forgive themselves if they couldn’t come just because they couldn’t time travel.

The clack of heeled boots on stone has Link looking up to see Lana approaching.

“So who else do we need to pick up?”

“Just the Hero of Twilight. The rest seem to have found ways to travel without our help.”

“Good.” Link bends down to pick up his bag, noting that Lana has one of her own. “And we aren’t going to mess with time too much to get you in trouble are we?”

It's been a concern of his since the war. As much as he’d wanted to check in on the others that had helped in the war he knew that doing so could lead to major problems.

“No, we should be fine with going from here to the Era of Twilight and then to the Era of the Wilds. After that I can only help others get home to when they left.”

Link nods, he had suspected as much, but it was good to have the restrictions confirmed.

Lana looks around the yard, an eyebrow raised in question.

“I’m surprised Zelda isn’t here to see us off.”

Link blushes as he remembers the farewell that he and Zelda had exchanged. Impa had left the room at the Queen’s request and left the two of them alone. She had then proceeded to kiss him hard and demand that if he ever wished for more that he would have to return to her. She had then left him and strode out of the room as he was forced to rearrange himself before he could head out.

“Uh, we had our farewells earlier and she’s busy with court stuff.”

“Ah, I get it.” Lana is smirking, “I am happy for you two though. Being engaged it must be terrible that you two will be separated for so long. Hopefully this quest won’t be as long as the war.”

Link nods. “Shall we then?”

Lana raises her hands and summons a gate of souls in front of them. The two step through and into a twilight forest with massive trees and a large shallow spring before them. Sitting on the edge of the spring is a stocky adventurer with a wolf pelt wrapped around his shoulders. He looks upset as he stares at the clear waters. His ear twitches as Link steps towards him.

When he turns, Link is left smiling as caution turns to surprise in bright blue eyes.

“Captain!”

“Hey there Rancher. Thought you might want a ride to help your cub.”

The other hero is quickly to his feet and making his way toward Link and Lana.

“Much appreciated.”

“Got everything?”

“Yeah, I was trying to ask Ordona if they knew a way to get to the future, but they told me to have patience. I guess this is what they meant.”

“Good to hear. This is Lana, by the way.” Link motions to his companion and she waves at him.

“It's good to meet you, Hero of Twilight.”

“Likewise, though you can just call me Rancher if you want, no need to be all formal.”

Lana smiles and nods. “I can do that.”

“Shall we get going then?”

“We need to pick up anyone else?”

“No, Lana says everyone else should be able to get to the Era of the Wilds on their own.”

“Yep, you were the only one that wouldn’t have made it on your own.”

“Lucky me you two thought to pick me up.”

Lana turns with a smile and once more opens the gate for them to make their way to the future.

********************

The forge is in chaos as four heroes of light scramble about packing and repacking items while their shadow watches from an out of the way corner.

“Do we really need to bring all this stuff?”

Four sets of eyes turn to the dark haired hero before three go back to what they were doing. The one dressed in Violet sighs and steps over to Shadow.

“We really do. The era we are going to doesn’t have any blacksmiths we can borrow from. If we don’t take it or have a way to make it we won’t be able to help maintain weapons for the other hero or ourselves. Additionally we hope to be able to teach at least one person how to smith properly to improve things going forward, that means taking enough equipment to start a forge from scratch.”

“You’ll be back though, right, we can place orders to replace anything you need before we leave?”

Vio looks away at the others moving around the forge.

“There’s no guarantee that we can come back to this time.”

“A, a one way trip?”

Vio nods and looks back at Shadow. “You’re coming though, aren’t you?”

Shadow stares into the eyes of his heart and gives him a shaky smile. “Of course. You idiots need me to make sure you actually take care of yourselves after all.”

Vio takes and gently squeezes Shadow’s hand. “Why don’t you go pack your things then. We’re going to be a bit longer, then we’ll head to the castle to see Zelda before we head to the Minish Woods.”

Shadow squeezes Vio’s hand back before leaning in to peck him on the cheek before running into the house to gather his things.

Vio’s lips twitch up as he watches him leave. He then takes a shaky breath and gets back to packing up the forge. They may not be able to take everything, but they will take as much as they can.

Chapter Text

It's been a week since Link woke up on the Great Sky Island. He spent most of it on the island, but after spending far too much time searching for any evidence that Skyloft once existed there he’d finished the shrines and found, not Zelda but her echo inside the Temple of Time. It had nearly broken him all over again.

He’d moved forward though. Passing through the temple and reaching the end of the long bridge to nowhere. The altar at the end had beckoned for the sword to be placed into the glowing ball of light that reminded him of when Zelda had vanished.

With a deep breath he had placed the sword into it and then there was the sound of Recall activating and Link knew then, even before the vision of Zelda retrieving the sword was pushed gently into his mind, that Zelda was not to be found in this time.

The only way for a long dead king, the first king, of Hyrule to know so much about Zelda. For her to have left the Purah pad on this island without ever setting foot here. Was for her to be in the distant past.

Link had fallen to his knees as a great dragon of Light he had never seen before broke through the clouds to reveal the surface far below, tears streaming down his face as he tried to convince himself it couldn’t be true.

Eventually he had managed to calm himself down and leap from the platform into a large pound not far from Lookout Landing. He quickly made his way there and found Purah in a right state over where he and Zelda have been. She only calmed down when she actually took him in and realized he did not have Zelda with him.

That had been yesterday and Purah had already tasked him with helping the Rito.

“They need supplies Linkie and we can’t get carts through the blizzard.”

“I’ll go, I have the Purah Pad, I can carry more supplies on foot than anyone else.”

Purah had sighed, though she agreed none the less and made sure the pad was loaded with as much food as they could find.

Both of them knew it was a half measure. Something to buy time while Link investigated to find the source of the blizzard.

Now Link is at Woodland Stable and he’s met a man named Maestro who is trying to get to the Fairy Fountain nearby to draw out the Great Fairy Tera with the music she loves.

“I can help.” Link steps up, trying to force a smile.

The Great Fairies had helped him so much on his first quest and just as much since. He considers them friends and maybe if he can help them he won’t feel so broken at failing Zelda.

****************

Hyrule is floating in a starlit void, eyes closed in sleep and brown curls floating around their head as if in water. From their back flutter a beautiful set of delicate gossamer wings.

Slowly they open their eyes in slow blinks, uncurling from the fetal position they had curled into. They glance around sleepily as bell-like giggles swirl around them.

“Eldest!”

“Mother! Quick!”

“Eldest is waking up!”

The small fairies all flutter around as Hyrule smiles at them and lets themself relax and float gently in the void.

“Mah, so you are finally away Quibling.”

“Tera? Is that you?”

“It is indeed. You have slept for a very long time.”

Hyrule shrugs, looking around then down at themself with a frown. “My clothes?”

“They did not survive, unfortunately. I have had others prepared for you though.” Tera swirls her fingers and a pile of clothes appear along with Hyrule’s sword and shield.

“We have kept your things safe while you slept. Please dress and then we can see about where you wish to go from there.”

Hyrule pulls the clothes to themself and begins to dress. Loose brown pants go on first, followed by a green under tunic with an asymmetrical hem at the bottom. On one side it's to their waist, on the other it reaches past their knee with two long points ending in jeweled beads. The neckline is a halter style with a mock neck collar. The sleeves attach under the arms but leave the shoulders bare, they end in finger loops to resemble their old leather guards.

The next layer is a sleeveless brown shrug with a hood lined in dark green. Their wings fit easily through a gap in the back made by the low back of the tunic and high back of the shrug.

There are no boots, but a set of belts made of woven vines secure their sword and shield in place. They can get boots later, maybe.

“Do you know where Wild, I mean the hero of this era is?”

“Hmmm, well let me think.” Tera places a hand to her chin as she sits quietly before smiling. “Oh, ho, seems he is rather close and getting closer. Hmm, I wonder if he is coming to visit me.”

“If he is then that will make this easier.”

Tera sighs and closes her eyes as she shakes her head. “Unfortunately I had to close my fountain after the awful mess that made all that racket a few months back. I had hoped being closer to people would make it safer for travelers, but I just do not know now.”

“What! Oh no!”

Just as Hyrule is about to try and offer to help, which they were going to do either way, but this is their little sister, there is the gentle, lively sound of a violin playing outside. Both great fairies close their eyes at the warm inviting tune.

“Oh, oh my, I think that is my dear sweet Violynne!” Tera springs upward and out into the world above the fountain. Hyrule can hear as she greets the musician and Wild, applauding them for coming out all this way to cheer her up.

Hyrule drifts up as well, wondering when would be a good time for them to emerge.

“Oh, dear Hero, you look as if something has you upset?”

“Oh, uh, it's fine Tera. It's, it's been a rough week for me.”

Hyrule grips their hands in front of their chest at Wild’s tone. Gone is the cheery optimism from the Dream. Replaced by something broken.

“I see, well. If you do not mind me offering. My Quibling might be able to aid you.”

“Quibling?”

Yes, they are older than I and have slept for a very long time. In fact they only woke recently. Would you like to meet them?”

Hyrule can picture Wild’s indecisive expression as he hems and hahs, ultimate he must nod as Tera is dropping back down and scooping them up only to burst forth once more from the fountain.

“Hah! My Quibling. I know they are small for a Great Fairy, but they are much more powerful than they appear.”

Hyrule looks up after shaking the liquid magic of the barrier from their curls to see Wild staring at them slack jawed and looking ready to cry.

“Wild!” With a quick flick of their wings they tackle Wild in a hug, knocking them both to the ground as they hold them tight.

“Rulie? Rulie is it really you?”

“It is, I’m sorry! I would have woken sooner but Mother’s spell had to be precise or I would be too late or too early.”

Wild is squeezing Hyrule now, tears streaming down his face as he holds the other tight. “It was a dream though, it wasn’t, how could it be real? There was nothing there when I, Rulie, how are you real?”

“Hey now.” Hyrule pats the back of Wild’s hair as he sobs into their shoulder. It takes a long while for Wild to settle down, still somehow skeptical of Hyrule’s being here, but unwilling to let them go and risk losing them again.

“I’m here because you needed me.”

“But it wasn’t real.”

Hyrule pats Wild’s back, “Yes, it was a dream, but it reached me, it might have reached others that shared it with us. I think at least two of the others were real. Legend and Time were both trying to wake you up. I know I hadn’t heard those songs at least, so maybe they brought those in.”

“Songs? What songs?”

“There were two, both had magic to wake people from deep slumber.”

“I don’t know anything like that.”

“Exactly, that’s what makes me think they must be real as well.”

Wild sits back, rubbing his eyes to clear out the gunk from crying so hard. Hyrule leans forward, a sparkle of pink magic to heal the puffy redness.

“Still, as real as they are, I don’t know if they can make it here, so I wanted to make sure you didn’t do this alone.”

“Thank you Rulie, you have no idea what this means to me.”

*****************

Time and Deity open their eyes to a dim forest with cloying miasma floating through the air. All around them are small forest spirits in a trance-like state. Turning Time sees the Great Deku Tree groaning about a stomach ache.

Frowning, Time steps up and sees something vile leaking from the hollow of the great forest spirit.

“I think whatever is causing that needs to be taken care of before we go to find Cub.”

“I agree.” Deity ducks as he steps into the hollow of the great tree and is met by a deep hole limed in ooze that is clearly toxic.

“What do you bet this is what’s causing the Deku Tree so much pain?”

“There is no bet. This malaise is evil. We will need to descend into the depths of the spirit’s roots in order to remove the source. Are you able to do so safely?”

Time leans over and looks down into the dark abyss. “I thought I could use my hoverboots, but that looks too far down for me to do safely. Woah!”

Deity scoops Time into his arms and leaps into the hole. Time is left grasping at the tall god as they plummet into the dark.

The landing is jarring and Time cringes as he thinks about the god’s knees. He can’t think on it long as he is set on his feet quickly.

Looking around the only light seems to come from the deity. There are more puddles of that sickly, decaying gloom. AS he is trying to see if there is anything else he sees one of the puddles moving before springing up into six large hands with glowing yellow eyes on the palms. They turn toward the pair and Time winces at the unholy screech they give before lunging at them.

The Fierce Deity wastes no time, sword drawn, he lunges back, slicing through two of the arms and turning to begin taking out the others. Time is on his heels, whacking the limbs, but staying aware of his feet so as to not step in the muck. Memories of Wild’s arm as this stuff ate away at his flesh haunting him as he continues to fight until the arms and hands are nothing but a smear on the ground.

Time stands back, catching his breath when Fierce shouts.

“It's not over!”

Time turns to the smear and sees it bubbling up into a mummified form that has him seething in rage. It looks almost identical to the being that attached Wild and Flora to start all of this off.

Readying his sword, Time is at the god’s side as he begins hacking the phantom to keep it at bay. After several minutes Fierce gets a good angle and lobs off the head. The creature dissolves, evaporating into nothing and clearing the cavity of any remaining gloom.

“That had to have been what was making the Deku tree sick.” Time looks up, sheathing his sword. “Now how do we get out of here?”

Time once more finds himself getting scooped up as Fierce launches himself into the air, clearing the height easily and landing them back in the hollow of the ancient tree.

Exiting into the forest, they are met with brighter light and colors as the little spirits go back to playing and laughing.

“It has been a very long time Hero.”

Time turns and smiles up at his old friend. “That it has, I am glad to see you still sprouting.”

“Hah, hah, hah! Yes. Though I must say I am a bit confused to see you here.”

“I had a Dream, the hero of this era needs our help.” Time motions to the deity beside him. “Would you be able to help us find him?”

“Hmmmm, let me see.”

The Deku Tree is silent for several long minutes as he stretches his senses out to see if he can find the hero of this era.

“It would seem he is close, though he may be on his way again soon. Maca?”

One of the little forest spirits skips over to them. “Yes, Grandpa!”

“Please add these two in finding the hero. I believe he is currently at the stable just down the path from the forest.”

Time nods and brings a hand down to invite Maca onto it so he can lift the little spirit to his shoulder.

“Thank you, Friend.”

“Of course. Do be careful though I sense much evil in the lands. It would behove you to be wary.”

Time and Fierce nod and let Maca Guide them from the forest.

“I know a shortcut! This way!” Maca enthusiastically points toward a branching path and up a hill to a tree with a terrifying face in it. “If you step into the mouth it will take you to the entrance to the Lost Woods and the edge of Minshi Woods. The path Grandpa was talking about starts there.”

The two share a look and step into the tree’s mouth, one by one. As laughter swallows them they emerge through a fog shrouded arch.

“This way, this way!”

They follow the lead of their little guide, steadily walking down a sloped path. At one point a chasm just off the road is rimmed in the same gloom that affected the Deku Tree and the pair steer around it in order to continue.

It's late afternoon when they reach a structure that must be the stable that The Deku Tree told them about.

“It seems Mr. Hero has moved on already.”

“Which way did he go?”

“Hmmm, that way!”

They turn west as the road splits, nodding to a few of the people outside the stable.

“Little One, are we getting closer?”

“Hmmm, yes and no. I think Mr. Hero must have gotten one of his horsies to ride.”

“Great.” Time frowns as he tries to figure out how they might catch up.

“Please don’t.” Time turns to Fierce as the tall god looks ready to scoop him up once more.

“I could easily help us catch up.”

Time has to acknowledge he has a point, even if he doesn’t like it.

“Fine, but I’m riding on your back, not being carried like a small child.”

The look the deity gives him has Time scowling, “I am not a child.”

Still when the deity crotches down, Time climbs onto his back. The god taking his knees gently in hand as Time grips the straps of his armor, tucking Maca safely against his front.

Once they are settled they are off. Fierce was not lying about how fast he is and soon they see a cart up the road and Maca is excitedly pointing at it.

“It's Mr. Hero!”

******************

Hyrule looks back down the path at the feeling of something rushing after them. They aren’t sure what it is, but they draw their sword anyway and Wild is quick to pick up on it, drawing his own sword, though the rusted pitted blade is something that they are sure would have Four crying.

“What is it?”

“Something’s coming.”

“Any idea what?”

Hyrule shakes their head. “No, but it's powerful. And fast.”

The pair are soon on the ground, placing themselves between the cart and whatever is coming.

Soon enough a figure appears, running toward them in almost familiar armor.

“Time?”

“I don’t think it is?”

The pair look at one another as the figure gets closer and then skids to a stop a few feet from them.

The person certainly resembles Time, but he is tall. As tall as a giant.

“Put me down, you’re going to terrify them.”

Wild and Hyrule lean around in order to see Time getting put down from a piggy back position and helping a little korok up to his shoulder.

“Time! Maca!” Wild is grinning as he sheaths his sword and steps up to the pair and around the powerful being that had carried Time to them. “How, what, why!”

Time chuckles and lays a fond hand on Wild’s shoulder. “You needed help Cub. Though I must say I am surprised to see you here, Rulie.”

Hyrule shrugs, their wings flashing at their back. “Had my own way of getting here and wanted to help Wild.”

“So who’s your tall friend?”

“You may call me Nocturn, little one. I have come with my son to aid you.”

The three heroes stare at the god before Wild turns to Time.

“I thought you said your dad was a tree? I mean, he’s tall enough to be one, but you always made it sound so literal.”

Time makes a strangled choking sound, then wheezes out a breath at Nocturn’s claim on him.

“You know what, sure. I guess you do feel like that.”

Time rubs the marks on his face as Wild blinks at him in confusion.

“You aren’t really his father are you?”

“I have adopted him. I am as much his father as that makes me.”

Hyrule nods sagely, “Understood.” They turn to Wild, “We should keep on our way though.”

Wild seems to remember their mission suddenly and nods. “Right, right, the Rito need help.”

Wild looks at the other pair that’s joined them and then back to the cart.

“What are the chances the others are going to try and come if they can?”

Time and Hyrule share a look.

“Most likely pretty good. We should at least account for the captain.”

“Right, his whole quest was time travel.” Wild rubs his temples then pulls out a notepad and starts writing a note.

“Okay, head back to the stable, hand this to the stablemaster. He will get you two of my horses. Chester and Selene should be the right fit for you both. Then you can follow the road until you get to Thims Bridge. The road will fork again between Crenel Hill and Crenel Peak, take the right fork. After you cross Orsedd Bridge is another fork, go left this time. South of the Castletown ruins is Lookout Landing. Purah will be there. I want you to tell her what’s going on and that we need a few more Purah Pads.”

Wild had brought up the map and was showing it to Time as he explained their route from the stable.

“I thought it was a Sheikah Slate?”

“That’s what I had before. Purah managed to reverse engineer her own version. It's a little better, though I miss infinite bombs.” Wild snaps as a look of realization comes over him. “Oh, and tell Purah about the communication function that Wind’s pirate charm had. That was sheikah tech and worked with the slate. If we can get something similar for the pads, we can all keep in touch.”

“That sounds useful. Thank you Wild.”

“Nope! Thank you guys. I, honestly, until Rulie and I met up I was convinced it was all a fever dream or something brought on by the trauma of what happened.” Wild’s smile feels more forced at the admission. “I’m glad you came to help.”

“We’d best be on our way then. You two try and stay out of trouble.” Time hesitates before stepping up to Wild and pulling him into a hug. “We’ll see you both back at this Lookout Landing place when you finish with the Rito.”

Wild squeezes Time back, relishing the reality that his mind hadn’t made everything up.

When the two separated, Time and Nocturn head back along the road at Wild’s instruction to get horses.

***************

Twilight, Warriors, and Lana step out of the Gate of Souls on a road that forks into three paths.

“This feels like the start of a joke.” Twilight looks around and spots the castle not far from where they are. “Uh, but that looks bad.”

Warriors and Lana turn to look at the castle as well. Lana’s eyes widening in shock and Warriors looking resolved.

“Looks like the start of Wild’s new quest was just as momentous as his first.”

“What happened here?” Lana’s gaze drifts to the ruins of the city that once sat in front of the castle. Where once roofs and walls would be visible are only foundations. “Castletown is, it's gone!”

Warriors sets a hand on her shoulder. “Sorry I should have warned you. Wild’s first quest started one hundred years ago when the Calamity struck and nearly wiped Hyrule off the map. It only survived at the outskirts.”

“I do see people though.”

Warriors turns to Twilight as he scans the ruins for any signs that they should go that way.

“I think they’re clearing rubble and preparing to rebuild.”

“We should head toward the ruins then. We might be able to get more information there about what’s happened and where Wild is.”

The trio quickly set off with a destination now in place. It takes them almost an hour to reach the ruins and it's obvious there are signs of rebuilding.

“Ho there, what brings you lot here?”

Warriors steps up with a friendly smile. “We were hoping we could help out. We’re monster hunters that have travelled a ways to get here and thought our skills could help with any monster problems you’re having. Is there someone in charge I can talk to?”

“Monster hunters you say? I guess Hoz has been looking to expand the monster control crew, but he’s at the castle leading the search and rescue team for the princess and her swordsman.”

Warriors tenses at the information, but does a good job hiding it.

“I suppose if you still want to help out you can check in with Purah at Lookout Landing.” He motions to a palisaded enclosure with a large telescope pointed at the castle.

“Thank you sir. We’ll check in with her then.”

Warriors motions to Twilight and Lana to follow him as they head into the structure to look for Purah.

“Wars.” Twilight’s voice is kept low, not wanting to make anyone suspicious. “Isn’t Purah that kid scientist that Wild mentioned?”

“I think so, but didn’t he say she wasn’t as young as she looked?”

The pair frown and shrug as they enter through a large door and are met with a young sheikah girl with large glasses studying some documents and a map. She looks up at their arrival with a frown.

“Can I help you?”

“Are you Purah?”

The girl blinks at Twilight’s question.

“Noooo, I’m Josha. Doc’s on the second floor keeping an eye on the castle to see if she can spot anything that might help us locate the princess and Mr. Swordsman. Why are you looking for her?”

“We were told that if we wanted to help in the search we should talk to her. Our mistake, we weren’t really given a description and were just pointed this direction.” Warriors smiles disarmingly and the girl blushes lightly at his charming grace.

“Well, if that’s the case you can just head out that way and turn right. There’s a big staircase up to the second floor. Doc’s probably in her lab right now.”

“Thank you for your help.”

Lana nearly rolls her eyes as she follows after Warriors with Twilight at her side.

“And he wonders why Cia started a war to get her hands on him.”

Twilight chokes on a laugh at the muttered comment.

As they head up the stairs and knock on the door they hear some scuffling and shouting before the door is flung open, nearly smacking Warriors in the face as a tall curvy sheikah woman stumbles out. Her glasses are askew as she straightens, she fixes them before taking them all in with a curious look on her face.

“What are a bunch of antiques doing knocking on my lab door?”

“Antiques?” Warriors mutters in offense as he looks down at his green tunic, blue scarf and armor.

The woman stands tall, cocking her hip and waving a recorder at the three. “Even by my standards your outfits are out of date by millenium.

“Are you Ms. Purah?”

“I am.” The woman looks Twilight up and down, raising a brow appreciatively. “What a rugged wildman such as yourself looking for me for?”

Twilight flushes deep red, stuttering and flustered as his brain grinds to a halt at the flirty tone from the woman in front of him.

“I think you broke him.”

“Twi, Twi, you alright there buddy?”

Lana smiles at Purah. “We can in hopes we could help with any monster problems you’re having. Though we heard about the missing Princess and her swordsman on our way here. We were directed to ask you what we can do to help?”

“Well, you certainly do look like you can fight. The monster control crew can always use more people that know their way around a sword. Though, your gear is far more pristine than anything I’ve seen in weeks.”

“What?”

“The Upheaval. When the ground shook and the skies split open to reveal floating islands,” Purah motions to the sky where unnoticed sky islands are floating far above them. “It also unleashed waves of gloom that ate away at anything metal, specifically weapons.”

Purah taps the recorder to her chin as she looks them all over once more. “I know I called them antiques, but seeing weapons and armor in such good condition is a bit suspicious.”

“Miss Purah!”

The group turns to the stairs where a young man with a rusty and decayed halberd has rushed up and sloppily come to attention.

“What is it Scorpis?”

“Uh, we’ve got a couple of strangers that just came in on Link’s horses.”

“What? How is that even possible? Malanya’s protection means that only the person registered to them can check out a horse.”

“I don’t know. But one of them is a giant and, well you know Link’s really big horse? He makes it look normal sized.”

Purah blinks in confusion. She then turns to Warriors, Twilight and Lana. “Excuse me, I seem to have something urgent requiring my attention.”

As Purah makes her way to the stairs, the others can hear her muttering.

“Honestly he’s been back a day. How is there already so much chaos.”

Twilight shares a grin with Warriors at the comment. They may not know where Wild is, but they at least now know he’s no longer missing.

As the small group reaches the top of the stairs, Warriors and Twilight stop and stare, because in the middle of the plaza is a familiar figure.

“Time!”

“Mask?”

Warriors and Twilight glance at each other before hurrying past Purah to greet their fellow hero.

“Great so they know the horse thieves.”

The pair come up short when they finally notice the giant of a man next to Time. They’d overlooked him due to the horse he is on looking average next to him, but as they take in the others around the plaza and Time in closer proximity, the white haired blank eyed giant stands out a bit more.

Warriors comes up to a stop and stares. “That’s!”

“Captain, good to see you, you too Pup.” Time looks back at the giant. “And yes he is exactly who you think he is. He wanted to help.”

“My son and I are happy to be of service. The little wildling has gone on ahead with the fairy prince and has asked us to speak with one called Purah.”

“Yes, that.”

“Wildling I get, but who's the fairy prince?”

“Hyrule.”

“I guess that explains the magic.” Twilight studies the giant, looking between him and Time curiously. “Is this really your dad, thought you said you were raised by a tree?”

“Apparently he adopted me without my permission.”

“You didn’t know?” Warriors is grinning at Time mischievously as Lana and Purah finally make it to them. “He sort of let everyone know during the war not to mess with you. He was a very proud dad as well.”

“What war?”

“Uh.” Warriors’ eyes widen and he turns to see a frowning Purah glaring at him, Time, and the others.

“You must be Purah? Wi, I mean Link sent us to introduce ourselves, pass along a message and a request.” Time hands over a piece of paper Wild had given him for Purah.

Taking it, Purah flips it open and quickly reads through it.

When she finishes she’s holding her forehead with one hand while the other crosses her chest. She looks very done with everything. “All of you to my lab now.” She turns and strides back up the stairs before any of the hero’s group is moving.

They quickly hurry after her and follow her into a cluttered room covered in books, papers and diagrams.

“Alright, so Linky explained in his note that these two,” She motions to Time and Nocturn, “Are the Hero of Time and a being called the Fierce Deity, though you’re going by Nocturn.”

Nocturn nods at the introduction.

“I assume then that you two,” She waves the recorder at Warriors and Twilight, “Must be heroes from other eras, because the note mentioned he’s travelling with the Hero of Hyrule and expects other heroes might show up looking for him.”

“That seems right so far.”

“His note also mentions a shared Dream that he completely neglected to tell me about! I mean really given all the head trauma that boy has had you would think he’d be more willing to tell me when he thinks he’s hallucinating or having suspected psychosis!”

Purah is breathing heavily when she finishes raging at the idea of Wild not keeping her fully informed.

“Okay.” Purah takes a few deep breaths as the three heroes and their companions glance amongst one another. “Okay, it's fine. I know now. I can do something. Right! You!”

Purah turns to them and waves her recorder about. “We have several things we need to get done. Linkie has the Rito handled, but we have no idea what’s going on with the gerudo, gorons, or zora. From the rumors I’ve heard the zora are dealing with some sort of gunk getting in everywhere and the gorons are just not doing any work.”

“That’s odd, gorons love to work.”

“I know! That’s why we’re concerned. Anyway the gerudo we haven’t heard anything from. A massive sandstorm has parked itself over the desert and getting past Kara Kara Bazaar is a struggle. In addition to that just getting through the canyon is a trial because it's experiencing extreme temperature fluctuations.”

“We also need to send someone to the depths to get Robbie so he can get to Hateno and use the sheikah forge he made to produce more Purah Pads. I’m going to work on this communication aspect. It would help if I could see the charm your one friend has, but he isn’t here.”

“Yet. Lana thinks that the rest of the chain are making their way to this time.”

“Chain?”

“It's cause we’re a bunch of Links.”

Purah blinks, her thoughts completely derailed at the fact that they call themselves that and they are all named Link.

“Who came up with that?”

The three heroes will not meet her glare, clearly none of them want to admit to being in on the horrible pun.

“None of you are allowed anywhere near the Gerudo Desert.” Purah grumbles about Riju and her terrible seal puns. It's clear she isn’t quiet enough as Time’s ears twitch and he grins in a way that has Lana groaning.

“Alrght! All of you know who will be best suited for each task we need to get done. Obviously at least one of you three,” Purah points specifically at the heroes, “Needs to be here in case another one of your kind show up here. Someone has to go to the depths. And finally I need someone to try and get in contact with the gerudo.”

The heroes look among themselves and their companions.

“Captain, you’ll stay here. Lana can go with Twilight to the gerudo.” Time turns to Purah. “I can go with Nocturn to the depths, though I’ve never heard of such a place. So any information you have would be helpful.”

“Josha’s been doing more research into the depths and would be the best person to ask for details.”

With a nod from Time the group split up to their assigned tasks, getting maps and directions so they can get on their way.