Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Something was wrong.

Or at least, it felt wrong. He felt weird. He felt...

Really tired? Like something was pulling at him to just take a nap already.

He wasn't really sure, for now, all he knew was that he had to keep walking. Has to keep moving. Cant be slow. Slow means failure. Late means Failure.

"Come on Sky! We've got a few hours yet! Keep up!" Warriors shouted from further ahead, as some faces turned back, seeing that some distance had been made between them he made to move faster. Catching up with the back of the group where Legend was.

"You know back at my home we put the slowest hiker at the front... so everyone keeps pace with them..." He said in a hushed tone. Legend gave a small smile as he patted him on the back. Digging in his bag for a stamina potion before offering it wordlessly to the Skyloftian.

Sky took the bottle. With a sigh.

"I heard that Sky!" Warriors shouted from the front. "If we did that we'd double our travel time."

"Enough you two! We can stop for a break soon Sky. You think you can make it over this ridge?" Time's voice sounded across the group. His hand pointed forward.

Sky nodded.

"He's nodding." Wind said. Skipping around the group and circling to the back. "Let's go! The last one there gets to do the dishes tonight!"

"Oh, you are on!" Hyrule and Legend smiled at each other before running, wind racing off with the two behind him. Twilight and Four smiled at each other too.

"I'll do your chores tonight." The smithy spoke quickly.

"Done."

Grabbing the crystal at his neck a shroud of black crystals appeared around the rancher. Shifting him into the wolf companion they had all grown to love so much. The smithy took a seat across his back before he sprinted off into the woods. Shouts of dismay cried out through the forest as laughter cried out too.

That left Himself wild, Time and Warriors.

"Are you not going to run too?" Warriors asked Wild as he and Time shared a look.

"Nah. I'm cooking, thats my excuse." Wild put his hands behind his head as he lazily moseyed along, just ahead of the skyloftian just enough so he could see him still.

Sky. Well, Sky felt off. There was Something from the back of his mind.

A feeling.

A feeling he thought he'd lost after entering the portal and meeting the others.

He just... Needed to... Make it to camp...

The voices of his remaining brothers sounded fainter as his feet stopped moving. The familiar sensation of loss of feeling across his body. First his feet and hands. Then his arms and legs. His body felt like it was sparkling. Sparkling. Sparkling…

He felt his eyes flutter. His knees buckle, and the familiar feeling of grass across his face as his vision fades. The warm sensation of a vision filtered into his mind as he faded into unconsciousness.

When he opened his eyes he found himself looking into a camp. It held the familiar look of one of their camps but it was different. It was quiet, the sounds muted, the trees around the clearing were fuzzy. Not quite in focus. His brothers were gathered around a still form. Laying in the grass.

Link you know the drill. Gather information...

They spoke in hushed voices, at this distance he wasn't able to hear them but he knew.

He began to make his way over, Time looking at him with a worried look as he entered the circle.

Time of day?

The way the light filtered around them, it had to be morning. The one on the ground could only be one in their number. The familiar flash of royal blue, the blond hair, shrouded in blood.

Target...

Warriors...

It had to be warriors.

Something was going to happen to the captain. And it was going to happen tonight...

He knelt down beside the captain, a hand placed gently to the captain's forehead. His eyes glanced up and down the captain's still form. He had an arrow stuck out of his right arm, blood dripped from his forehead as he lay still. Hyrule’s hands hovered across the captain's body as potions were passed around.

But when… When does this happen?

His eyes looked across the others, all in various stages of being dressed.

So not second…

Where was the sun then?

East… Morning…

Third watch.

Don’t let the captain take the third watch…

He felt the shine of golden light filter in around the edges. Before his vision faded from view again.

"...Ky?"

"Can you... hear... me?"

The voices of his brothers filtered into his mind. The warm tingling in his body accompanied the sound of the fire crackling.

"Is he okay?"

"I don’t know... I've never seen anything like this before..."

He could feel hands on his shoulders. Another on his forehead. He tried to get his body to obey him. Tried to do something. Anything, to get them to realise he was here.

"Legend? Any suggestions?"

"We wait..."

"Wait? Wait for what..."

"I need him to tell me before I say anything else. I don't want to..." The voice faded off.

"Sky?!" A voice closer to his face.

Using all his strength he forced his eyes open, the face of Wind appeared in his vision.

"Sky!" Wind leaned over him as he blinked a few times. "Are you okay? What happened? You just collapsed!"

He blinked in response. His body still felt like it was sparkling.

"Don’t ask him so many questions, he's probably confused still." Warriors voice sounded; the captain stood to Time's right.

The captain...

He had to tell the captain!

Shutting his eyes with the effort he tried to will his body to move. The sparkling feeling shone across his body and refused to budge.

Stupid visions with their stupid sparkling. Let me go!

He tried to move something, anything. Tried to reach and tried to speak.

He wishes Zelda was here. She would be able to help him with this.

"Sky... Sky you need to calm down. It's alright." Hyrule's voice sounded, shuffling Wind off of him. "I'm gonna help you. Just relax." The traveller smiled as a pink glow erupted from his hands and twisted towards his chest.

The sparkling feeling slowly ebbed from his limbs, settling deep in his chest and head. Replaced by the warm feeling of Hyrule's healing magic.

"So you want to explain what happened?" Time knelt down beside him, helping him sit up in the grass. Taking in his surroundings he could see the camp.

The camp he saw...

He tried to respond... But no sound escaped him. He tried again. And nothing.

Oh right.

No speech. The sparkling in his chest was still present.

Now was not the time for this, stupid sparkling.

"Hey it's alright, you've been out for a few hours. Just take it easy." He shook off the hand. Wrapping the sailcloth around his shoulders he squeezed his eyes shut.

Trying to will the sparkling to go. He had to... Had too. He turned. his face filled with worry as he slowly stood wobbling slightly.

"Sky? What's wrong?" Warriors raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms.

He tried to open his mouth but thought better of it. Switching to his hands instead. 'It's this, you're in danger!' His signs were sloppy from lack of use. But it got the message across.

"Sky we are always in Danger" Warriors responded, deadpan. Clearly unimpressed by the Skyloftian's lack of speech.

'No, you don’t understand!' His hands moved frantically. His eyes darted around the clearing, bed rolls were in the correct place. 'I can see things. I see things. And it was you. You.' The fire was in the right place. The trees are in the right places. ‘It takes my voice, the sparkling…’ His hands shook as his breathing picked up pace.

"Sky... Sky just take a deep breath." Hyrule tried to calm him.

Legend stood up straight. Walking over to the Skyloftian and taking him by the arm. "You need to sit down before you collapse again."

He fought against his hold, he had to help the captain, he had to help him. The captain was going to get hit by an arrow and…

"SKY!" Legend's voice pulled him back. He froze, turning to the veteran who held his hands out, as if calming a startled creature. "Please just sit down for me, okay?" He ushered a hand to his left. Pointing to a log.

'But the captain. Somethings coming for him'

"Okay.” One of Legend's hands fell to the skyloftians back, directing him. “Someone grab some water." Legend turned his head just for a moment. Before turning back. “Just take a second.”

'Legend please...' His eyes were blown wide in desperation. He felt like crying. Why couldn't he just say what he was thinking?! ‘Please, something going to happen.’

"Sky. I take it this has happened before. You seeing things?" Legend probed, the others gathering nearby. The silence covered him as Sky took a sip of the waterskin he’d been handed.

‘Yes,’ He signed with one hand, the other shakily holding onto the water skin.

“And this. Sparkling. It’s a feeling you have right now?” The veteran's hands here held out in front of him, towards the skyloftian as if to steady him.

‘Yes.’

Legend didn’t respond for a moment, before beginning to mess with the rings on his right hand “How long does it take to fade?”

Sky thought about it, how long Did it take to fade? A few hours, a couple of days?

However, there was that one vision he had, that was about the portal…. He’d been mute for Weeks. Just before meeting his brothers.

Or the one that had rendered him mute for parts of his journey….

‘It depends…’ He lowered his eyes. Not being able to call out to Zelda when she was going for that portal… haunted him.

“On?” The veteran pressed.

‘How long the vision takes to pass…’

Legend turned away for a moment before turning back. “What can you tell me?”

He tried to explain, he really did. The way the camp looked, the way that the captain was laid out on the ground, arrow in his shoulder and blood dripping from his hair.

“I can see why you're pretty spooked…” The veteran looked at him, then over to the Captain who was stood to the side with Time and Twilight. A silent conversation passed between them before Warriors spoke a little louder.

“I’m taking the third watch tonight.” The captain said, “Volunteers?”

“I’ll take second. Happy with the first old man?” Twilight stood crossing his arms as he turned to the man in question.

“That’s Fine by me.” Time smiled, as he nodded, currently occupied with adjusting his armour.

Sky felt the sinking feeling in his stomach open into a pit as he stood up. The reach of Legend's hand brushed against his arm as he approached.

‘You can't take watch tonight!’ he frantically moved his hands. ‘You can’t you can’t!’ He grabbed The captain's arms in desperation.

“What? Sky honestly!” The captain pulled his arm away, a look of disbelief on his face.

‘I’ll take the third watch, Twilight promise me you'll wake me for the third.’ The rancher raised a hand in response but was stopped.

“Out of the question! You are the one who collapsed, you need your sleep Sky.”

‘It’s nothing to do with sleep.’ His hands flew quickly. He turned to Twilight, eyes pleading. ‘Twilight, please. Wake me.’

“Yeah… Yeah, I’ll wake you for third…” The rancher's eyes looked to the captain, before nudging his head in the direction of the forest. “I want to do a final perimeter check. Captain join me?”

“Of course.” With a final look at the Skyloftian, he walked behind the rancher as they entered the forest.

Chapter Text

“Twilight.” The captain pulled the rancher off to the side of their main path. Looking around before looking at the rancher.

Seemingly knowing what he was going to say the rancher responded. “Yeah, I know. I’ll wake you too.” The rancher fiddled with the hem of his tunic looking back in the direction of the camp. “I've never seen Sky this worried before.”

“I’ve never seen Sky go mute before.” The captain paused. Deep in thought.  “I know we’ve all had our moments but normally its one of us.” They both knew what he was talking about, they’d both had periods of selective muteness over this adventure with the group. When the stress of the journey they were on finally got to them.

But this was different.

“You think somethings spooked him enough?” Twilight asked, looking to the ground as he crouched and rolled a small twig through his hand. “I mean look how Legend reacted. He hoped in faster than Hyrule did when you guys reached us.”

“Yeah…” The captain rolled his scarf through his fingers. As he looked back to the camp.

“Come on, Now we are out here we should check around.”

Twilight and the captain returned to the sounds of chatter around the fire. The rest of the chain sitting with bowls of soup in their hands smiling and laughing with stories and questions.

All apart from Sky. He sat on the end of one of the logs, bowl abandoned, gently rocking as he opened and closed his right hand. His eyes looked across the camp once, then twice. Before falling to a very specific spot beside the fire. The Skyloftian was on edge.

Sky was never on edge, at least, not like this.

The others greeted the pair as they returned. Warriors and Twilight grabbing bowls from Wild before settling. The captain took a spot next to Wind. And Twilight took a spot beside Sky. “Well, we’ve looked around, everything seems clear.” Twilight smiled, looking at the skyloftian gently. Trying to ease his nervousness.

‘I know you don’t believe me Twilight. Don’t.’ The skyloftian sighed ‘It's not worth it.’ His hand movements were quick and precise. Before he turned away. The rancher looked saddened as he ate through his soup. He remained silently eating before standing and walking over to Time. And pointing him towards him.

Time walked over to the Skyloftian, sitting beside him. “Hey. Not hungry?”

Sky shook his head.

“Alright, I’ll get Wild to store this for you.” He grabbed the bowl, moving it beside him. As he shuffled up a little closer to the skyloftian. “Sky…”

The skyloftian looked towards the older hero, eyes wide with unshed tears. His lip quivered slightly as he held his hands together. The older hero looked pensive, before taking a breath. Opening his arms slowly so as to not startle the skyloftian.

“Can I hug you?” He spoke gently, as the skyloftian paused for a moment.

The skyloftian nodded as he held his arms to his chest. Leaning into the older hero as he curled into himself. Time’s arms wrapped around him. A tear fell from Sky’s face but no sound escaped his lips. He shook as emotion rattled him. Shakey hand movements tried to rattle off words but they were sloppy, unrefined. And untranslateable.

“Shhhhh.” Time rocked the skyloftian back and forth for several minutes as he silently shook beneath him. The boy seemed so young at this moment. A silent Sky child who was too young to have everything taken from him.

This. This wasn’t the Sky they knew. The Sky who was there for everyone else, who was able to fight inner demons like they were bokoblins. This was someone who was truly afraid.

This was someone who reminded Time of himself.

Sky pulled away, wiping tears from his eyes and snot from his nose with his sleeve. Making a face of disgust before raising his hands. And shakily signing. ‘Please. You have to believe me right?’

“I believe you’ve seen something.” Time responded. His own memories of dreams that seemingly told the future sitting on the tip of his mind.  “My understanding of Prophetic dreams is similar I think.” One of his hands gently brushed against the ocarina at his waist.

‘You called them… Prophetic?’ Sky lifted a brow in a query as he settled his hands again, looking to the floor. Time placed an arm around the skyloftians's shoulder. ‘How do you know about that?’

“Queen Zelda gets them from time to time. It is a trait passed down through the royal bloodline as far as I can tell.” Time paused, looking to the skyloftian’s hands.

Sky didn’t even want to think about the implications of such an admission right now.

‘Different how?’

“In her Prophetic dreams. Everything she sees is destined to happen. You can't change it.” Time took a deep breath before pulling back, pulling on the skyloftians's shoulder before looking him in the eye. The wave of protectiveness in his eyes had the Skyloftian pinned to his seat. As he felt himself shrink a little. “I have to ask.”

The silence between them was deafening.

“Was Warriors dead?” The man kept his voice surprisingly even for the question asked.

Honestly? He didn’t know how to answer that question. As he tried to think of a response his face scrunched inward. His hands shot to his face as he pulled his knees up to his chest.

‘I don’t know’

“Okay. Get some rest, I’ll make sure Twilight wakes you for the third watch. If he doesn’t he’ll answer to me.” Time made to stand when Sky reached a hand out to him, stopping the man in his tracks. He turned around. As the skyloftian stood. Looking at his bedroll.

‘Thank you’

“Don’t worry about it.” He smiled. “Now go on, get out of here.”

An arm found its way around him, as he was pulled into the older man's side. He wrapped his arms around him, tightly before letting go and walking over to his bedroll. Settling down early.

Whether Sky would sleep would be another matter, the sparkling in his chest refusing to cease. They’d said they would wake him. But. Would he sleep anyway?

The skyloftian was no stranger to sleepless nights, This would just be another one.

Back at the fire, Time walked over to Warriors and Twilight, the older heroes looking to the Skyloftian as he settled in his bedroll.

“He’s really worried about it isn’t he?” Twilight asked, looking into the fire as the others began to settle down. Some cleaning up, some settling down for the night. A fairly normal night.

“He is.” Time looked back to Sky before turning around again, placing a hand to his chin before shifting his gaze to warriors. “Maybe it's best if you don’t take third. Just to settle his mind.”

“Whatever Sky has Seen, if anything, I can handle it.” The captain stood. “I don’t need to be protected. I’ll be fine.” Placing a hand to his chest.

Time turned to the rancher, who looked up at him from his position. “Twilight, You are to Wake Sky at the third watch, no questions.”

“Time…” The rancher tried to argue but quietened down when the older man looked at him. He nodded slightly, before standing and walking over to his bedroll. Leaving the Captain and the old man alone.

“Time this is stupid.” The captain looked around at the group, the rest of them resting, “How do we know it wasn’t just a bad dream brought on from exhaustion? We know Sky he does this!”

Time looked to the ground, before taking a breath. “You have little faith in our Skyloftian.”

The captain looked to Sky again, the skyloftian was turned away from them both but his posture was tense. Lowering his voice he moved towards time, looking at him. “We both know Sky is prone to ignoring his health. In return for efficiency.” The captain's eyes were shadowed with concern and a hint of annoyance. “I’ll be on the third watch…”

“No. If he says he’s seen something and it's concerning you. Then I believe him. Im not taking chances with your life captain.” Before the captain could interject again the old man raised a hand. “Go to bed. We can speak in the morning.”

“Sky… Sky…” A voice gently called to him. “Sky get up.”

His eyes fluttered open to Twilight above him. “Hey, the Third watch is all yours. But the captain insisted so he’s awake too.”

He opened his mouth to respond but that feeling of sparkling tickled his throat and chest. Placing a hand on his chest he sighed.

Bad idea.

‘Thank you. Get to bed, I can handle things from here.’ His hands moved slowly as he shook his head to shake the tiredness away.

He hated the third watch. But this was for Warriors.

The rancher nodded, offering a hand to the skyloftian, who took it. “I’ll let you get dressed, the captain is by the fire.”

He nodded his head in thanks. Before grabbing his chainmail from beside his bed. Throwing it over his head quickly as he grabbed at his tunic too. Listening as Twilight’s footsteps faded away. Slowly standing he grabbed Fi gently, before slinging her over his back. Making his way over to the remnants of the fire he looked towards the captain. Who sat silently, the gentle sound of a whetstone brushing across his sword could be heard.

Shink. Shink.

Sitting on the ground opposite the captain he didn’t raise his eyes. Opting to look to the grass below him instead, he grabbed at the blades. Feeling the dew gently flow across his fingers.

The time of day was so close. Within an hour at most. He just had to wait.

As time ticked ever onward, the silence between them became unsettling. Neither one was able to make a noise as the shadows danced around them. The morning rays filtered through the trees as the light projected the shadow of trees over them.

Snap.

Both heroes were on their feet immediately. Sky’s Sword sang from her sheathe as both men looked around, instinctively moving to each other's backs.

“You heard that?” The captain looked to the skyloftian in his prereferral as he turned, sword outstretched.

Sky nodded.

“Alright…” Warriors spoke quietly. “Is any of this familiar yet?” His tone held a hint of apprehension, but if the others believed him…

Sky shook his head, the master sword pulsing in challenge as they continued to move.

A yell from the bushed was all the knowledge they needed as a group of bokoblins erupted from the bushes. The heros sprinting into action immediately as they engaged with the monsters.

Swords slashed.

A hand to his lips Sky pushed air through his mouth on instinct. As he swung his blade over his head. Making contact with a bokoblin. Please work please work please work.

A high-pitched whistle escaped his lips. Camp would soon be busy. Now he could focus.

Well, at least that works.

Heads shot up from around camp as Sky pushed into another group. Swinging his blade around himself in a sweeping motion. Stopping only when it contacted a club, before he twisted his wrist and forced the weapon from his opponents hand. Swinging it so it flew out of reach before stabbing the monster

“AHH!” A yell pulled his attention from his fight as he ducked his head. The cry came from the captain.

THE CRY CAME FROM THE CAPTAIN.

Where was the archer… where was the archer…

“Warriors!” Time’s voice sounded as the older man began to make his way over to the captain.

Warriors had his hand held to his right arm. His face twisted in pain as his sword lay abandoned beside him. A Lizalfos quickly approached him.

It happened in slow motion.

The lizalfos twisted, swinging its tail around, making contact with warrior's head as the captain's body was flung beside the fire. He heard the air escape the captain's lungs as several cries sounded. Wind’s voice sounded over the lot.

The boy ran at the Lizalfos at full speed, anger burned into his features he raised his sword and jumped over the Lizalfos. Swinging his sword over himself and slicing into the monster's shoulder, before twisting his body and slashing at its stomach.

“Is he okay? Is he okay?!” The sailor's voice was worried as he ran over to the captain. Hyrule was also at his side.

The sound of metal and monsters filled his ears as he looked around himself.

Sky turned looking to the treeline as the flash of green hit his eye.

There…

His eyes contacted the eyes of the monster. His eyebrows furrowed. He felt his blood boil.

No one hurt his brothers and lived to tell the tale.

He felt his feet move before his thoughts finished. Anger blazed through his eyes as he jumped towards the archer. Who scrambled away from him running into the trees.

Oh, so you want to run? There wasn’t a monster who could outrun him forever.

Giving chase, the sounds of grass crunching underfoot became the only thing ringing in his ears as the sounds of battle faded into the background.

The hunter becomes the hunted.

Feet hit the dirt. His heart pounding in his chest as he ran after the monster. Master sword out to his right. Her glow a steady light through the trees as his singular focus becomes the monster in front of him.

His heart pounded through his chest.

Trees rustle and twigs snap as the Lizalfos in front of him scrambled away.

I’ve fought a god you won't stop me.

The Lizalfos lept over a tree and turned into the brush attempting to disappear.

Planting a hand on the fallen tree he vaulted. Not losing speed as he continued to move. Sailcloth bellowing in the wind behind him. As he continued his advance. Inching ever closer.

He won't be late.

His heart beat fast his eyes burning as he felt his breath shorten. Sweat dripping from his brow he continued his pursuit. Ducking and weaving through trees as the flash of green ducked.

Then something approached him.

Slashing Fi in front of him sent a wave of light across his eyes. The smell of burning wood filled his nostrils as something hit the ground behind him.

It threw something at him?!

That… that made his blood boil to a new level.

He tried to yell as he pushed forward, further. Faster.

The Lizalfos jumped. He jumped. The Lizalfos ducked, he ducked.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

The Lizalfos turned to throw a knife towards him, he slashed it but missed. As it impaled itself in his left arm.

Pain erupted through his arm as he stumbled. But maintained pace.

He had to get it.

He had to get it.

He had to get it.

The Lizalfos tripped. Fell.

Finally.

And He jumped.

And stabbed the blade directly into its head, remaining frozen until the body faded away into black smoke. His eyes burned with rage as his breathing slowed, both hands gripped on the master sword’s handle as his heart continued to beat through his chest.

It was over.

Rolling onto his back he lay panting as anger fizzled out of him. His heart beating fast as he could feel the blood pulsing through his ears.

He lay there for a moment before his thoughts turned back to the fight from before. Right arm, head injury…

The captain…

Standing up he made his way back through the forest, towards the gentle sounds of chatter through the trees.

“Your back.”

His eyes made contact with Time, a worried look flashed across the hero's face as he approached. Looking down to the still form below him. He gently made his way over to the circle of his brothers. Entering it and standing beside Hyrule before kneeling down beside the captain.

Blood on his forehead. An arrow sticking out of his right arm.

He raised a hand to the captain's forehead. Pulling his hand away left blood on his fingers.

“Sky…”

He looked up to the old man. As the sounds of potions were passed around. Hyrule sent a gentle stream of pink magic flowing from his fingers.

“Do you recognize this?” He spoke quietly, so as to not startle.

“I do.” His voice was quiet from misuse and fighting through the remnants of the vision magic as it fizzled away.

Time’s eyes widened. As he knelt to the skyloftian. Pulling him back slightly before placing his hands to his shoulders.

“Did you see any further than this?”

The skyloftian shook his head.

“Okay.” He took a deep breath as he stood up, offering a hand to the skyloftian, which was received. “Warriors will be fine as far as we can tell.”

The skyloftian nodded, his perspective shifted to the pain in his arm. As he looked to it, the knife sticking out.

Oh yeah…

“Now come on, lets get that knife out of you.”