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Time blinked and squinted, raising a hand to shade his eye and glancing up. The sun shone bright in the sky, right at its peak in the light aquamarine expanse.
“Whose Hyrule do you think we’re in?” Wind asked, to no one in particular. The sailor was bouncing as he walked alongside the rest, no doubt pent-up with unused energy.
“Looks my mine,” Warriors responded from the front. “Though we haven’t seen many towns yet, which is weird.”
“Once we find a town, are we gonna rest there?” Hyrule piped up, shooting a concerned glance at Legend, who was limping alongside him with a hand slung over his shoulder. The vet had taken a particularly nasty blow in the last battle, resulting in a busted knee that would need attention other than the few drops of red potion they had to offer.
Warriors shrugged. “Probably. But ask Time.”
At first Time didn’t realize what Wars had said, it was only when Twilight gently nudged his shoulder did he look around and clear his throat. “Yes. Yes, we’ll stay for at least a night, maybe more, depending on what we need.”
Nods and hums rang around the group. Time pressed a hand to his throbbing forehead, frowning at the unusual pain.
“You alright?” An ever-caring Twilight tilted his head at him, his dark hazel eyes round with concern. “You’ve been a little quiet.”
Time nodded. “Yeah. Yeah, I’m fine. Just a little tired.”
Twilight kept looking at him for a little longer before humming an “okay” and dropping the subject.
Now that Time thought about it… he was definitely tired, except it wasn’t a lack of sleep tired, but rather a sluggish, miserable tired. His head throbbed painfully and his skin felt warm and clammy. It’s nothing. You’re fine. There are bigger things to worry about.
Time was jerked out of his thoughts by a shout from Wars and Sky, followed by the metallic clanging of weapons being drawn.
Twilight asked the same question Time had been thinking. “What’s going on?”
Then Time saw. Four bokoblins, sneaking out of the undergrowth, squealing and snorting. More ringing of unsheathed weapons sounded as the Chain prepared for battle.
“Rule, keep Legend safe, as much as he won’t admit it, he can’t fight yet,” Warriors called, to an unpleased scoff from the Vet.
Time drew his own sword, gripping the warm leather handle, relaxing a little at the familiar action. His eye widened slightly as more monster emerged. Five, six, seven… shit, and two lizalfos. That makes nine monsters in total.
Perfect, one for each of them, except for the fact that Hyrule and Legend couldn’t really fight.
Time let out a grunt as he swung his sword at the nearest bokoblin, cleaving its head right off with one smooth slice. Blood spurted out of the wound, and it was thick and warm and—thank Hylia—red.
“The bokoblins bleed red!” Time reported with a shout.
“Lucky!” Warriors hissed between slashes. “Stupid lizards are black-blooded!” The captain was locked in a duel with the scaly demon, trading slashes and dodges, each of his footsteps mimicking something straight out of a dance.
A high-pitched shout suddenly sounded from Time’s right. He immediately jerked his head towards the source of the sound, to which it gave another painful throb.
Time gritted his teeth, trying to ignore the annoying headache, and turned to see Wind barely fending off the second lizalfos. He was bleeding from two thin cuts, one on his temple, causing blood to drip all over the side of his face, and one on his neck, a thin red gash dangerously close to his throat.
Time didn’t hesitate. He lunged towards the lizalfos, cutting it off from another strike. He swung his sword at its face, not so to be fatal but rather to distract. Wind’s eyes widened as he understood what Time was trying to do. He carefully crept behind the monster before raising his sword and bringing it down on its back in a spurt of dark blood. The lizalfos shrieked as it dissipated into purple dust.
Time stepped back and wiped his face. He shouldn’t be this tired from two monsters, one of which wasn’t even black-blooded. He turned around, seeing each of the members of the Chain sheathing their weapons, each covered in either sweat or blood or monster dust.
“Everyone alright?” Wars asked, wiping his sword on his bracer before sliding it back into its scabbard. The others nodded, and Time decided that there were no major injuries other than a few cuts and bruises.
Wars’ eyes widened a little as he saw Wind, blood smeared on his left temple. He crouched in front of the sailor and licked his thumb before wiping the blood off the sailor’s face with it. Wind stepped back with an annoyed huff, saying something about how he didn’t need to be babied.
And Time? Time… his ears rang, his vision going in and out of focus. Why— what was happening? He dropped his sword and sat on the ground, closing his eye and breathing heavily. He felt like he was on the verge of passing out.
Twilight glanced at the others with a concerned look before making his way over and kneeling in front of him. A gentle hand was placed on Time’s shoulder. “Time? Hey, Time, you there?” Time shook his head before licking his chapped lips and looking up, meeting Twilight’s gaze. “Huh—? Yeah, yeah, just…”
Twilight shot a look at Warriors. The captain stepped away from Wind and crouched beside Twilight. Before Time or the rancher could say anything, Wars pressed a hand to Time’s forehead.
“What—?” Twi began, but Wars cut him off with a sigh. He bit his lip and looked down with a frown. When he looked back up, his cerulean gaze bore into Time’s, concerned yet serious. It was an expression Time had seen one too many times, and he didn’t like what it meant.
“Hylia, I knew it,” the captain muttered. “Time, tell us exactly, how are you feeling?”
Time frowned. “I— it’s nothing. Just a headache. I’ll be fine.”
Wars grit his teeth. “Time, no, you’re sick, you have a fever. How long have you been keeping this to yourself?”
Time paused, considering. “This morning. Just this morning. I woke up feeling crappy, but I guess it got worse.”
Wars muttered something under his breath, and it sounded a lot like he was saying, “Yeah, no shit.”
Time looked down. He couldn’t help but feel guilty at Wars’ disappointment. He knew it was childish, hell, he was a thirty year old man, but something about Wars’ disappointment with him hit different than anyone else’s. Maybe it was because the captain been his older brother ever since the war, and even though Time was the older one now, sometimes it still felt like that.
Twilight frowned. “Wars, where’s the nearest town?” Wars pinched his nose. He was stressing, Time could tell that much. “I— I don’t know. If we’re where I think we are, there shouldn’t be one too far away.”
Twilight nodded. “Then we should start moving.” He looked back at Time. “Do you feel like you can walk? Just a little bit longer?”
Time nodded back. He struggled to his feet (which he wouldn’t admit, if the others knew he was struggling they’d stop entirely) before picking up his sword and sheathing it. “Let’s go.”
As they travelled, the Chain slowly made it out of the forest they had been walking through and instead into a small field. And now that the trees were gone, Time could make out the thin outline of a village maybe a twenty minute walk away.
The ringing in Time’s ears was slowly worsening, his head throbbing sharper. He winced and pressed a hand to his temple, willing the pain to go away.
Eventually, thank Hylia, they made it to the small town. Under different circumstances, Time would’ve enjoyed the place—it was small, yet lively and cozy. People milled around, chatting and selling goods at small booths that lined the streets. They whispered and pointed as the Chain walked by, though Time couldn’t blame them, he’d also be pretty confused if nine heavily armed heroes strode by the ranch.
Wars led the way to a large wooden building nestled at the end of what seemed like the main street. He told them to wait outside, then disappeared into the building.
Time, along with the others stood outside the building (which Time could assume was the inn) as they waited for Warriors to return. Time grimaced as he took a seat on the wooden steps, closing his eye as he pressed a hand to his face. He could nearly feel the others’ concerned gazes boring into him, and he really wished they would stop. He was just sick, and he wasn’t even that old, it wasn’t like a single cough would turn him to dust.
Eventually, after what seemed like forever, the door swung open and Warriors emerged with a grin and a thumbs up. “They just barely had enough rooms. Come on, we’re on the second floor.”
Murmurs of relief ran through the group at the conformation that they’d have warm beds and foods and showers tonight.
Time slowly began to stand up when a painful torrent seized his head. He crashed back down, and he must’ve blacked out for a split second because when he looked up again Twilight and Warriors were leaning over him. Time groaned when Wars pressed a hand on his forehead again. “Shit,” Wars hissed. “He’s burning up. We have to get him inside. Time? Time, can you hear me?”
Time groaned again and grit his teeth as he gave a weak nod. Warriors breathed a sigh of relief. “Alright, good. Can you walk?”
Time stared up at Wars blankly. His head was pounding, his limbs were shaking, and his mind was moving slowly, as if his thoughts were trapped in honey.
Wars cursed and grabbed Time’s arm, gesturing for Twilight to do the same. The two somehow got Time on his legs and limped into the inn.
It was a hassle getting up the stairs, Time didn’t even want to think about that. There was a lot of cursing and stepping on someone else’s foot and tripping, he’ll say that.
Eventually they got to the rooms and Wars fumbled with the lock a bit before kicking the door open with a triumphant grin.
Time felt like now was an okay time to pass out.
He must’ve only been out for a few minutes, because when he came around he somehow registered that he was laying in the soft bed, his armor off and carefully set in the corner of the room. Twilight was sitting on the edge of the bed, running his fingers through Time’s tangled hair, taking care not to pull and worsen his headache.
Time looked around the room, frowning. Wind was on the other side, fumbling with a roll of bandages, trying to wrap the gash in his head. And Twilight was right next to him, so where was…?
“Wars is with the others, sorting out them in their room. He’ll be back soon,” Twilight said, as if reading his mind. Ever the leader, Time noted in the back of his mind. He hummed and turned his head to the side, his face twisted in a painful grimace.
“Oh, by the way, he made this for you,” Twilight turned to the nightstand and grabbed something Time couldn’t make out. Then he turned back and Time could see him clutching a small steaming white mug. A gentle aroma wafted from it, the familiar scent that made Time feel a little better. Chamomile, his favorite. Of course Wars remembered.
Memories flashed through Time’s head, taking his back to the time of the war. He, back then called Mask, had gone and caught the plague that had been raging through the soldiers’ camp. Wars, back then Link, had made him chamomile tea each day and sat with him, stroking his hair and murmuring comforting words, until he got better. Time smiled at the memory.
Wind suddenly cursed from the other side of the room, dropping the bloody bandage roll. Twilight sighed, glancing back at Time. “I think he needs help. You gonna be okay if I go for a bit?”
Time nodded, giving Twilight a small comforting smile. He didn’t say anything, but he hoped the look got across what he was trying to say. Thank you.
Twilight smiled back. He slowly rose up from the mattress, leaving Time alone in the bed. Time rolled over a sigh. Everything was taken care of, everyone was alright. You can rest now. Time closed his eyes, finally letting sleep take over him like an old friend.