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Wind fell out of the portal screaming, Four’s hand clutched in his own. The duo fell into the Great Sea with a large splash. Wind surfaced, and realized with a sickening jolt that Four had fainted from portal sickness. And they were in water. Wind struggled and shifted, kicking ferociously with his legs, trying to get Four’s limp form onto his back. The shore of some island was visible, but Wind couldn’t tell which one it was from here. It wasn’t giant and goddess-damn terrifying, which ruled out The Forsaken Fortress, Ganondorf’s headquarters, which was a meager blessing. The place kept attracting monsters and Wind had to keep clearing it out. It was probably brimming full of rats and his rat-like bokoblins because he hadn’t had a chance to clear it in several months with this current quest. Wind didn’t think he could get rid of all the monsters and protect Four at the same time.
Wind swam toward the island as he thought. It was hard, because Four weighed as much as he did despite being a good half a foot shorter, and Wind wasn’t the greatest swimmer in the first place. Wind nearly passed out at the exact moment his feet touched the water-hidden bank of sand.
“Holy mother of Niko, we made it!” Wind exclaimed. Four made no move to get off, and no breathing met Wind’s neck. Oh, no, no, no! Wind scrambled to get Four off of his back and lying on the sand. The fellow hero was deadweight and Wind half-dropped him, and Four’s body made a soft thump. Wind knelt by his brother and clasped his hands together, palm to back. He placed his hands on Four’s chest and began compressions.
“One, two, three, four…” Wind counted aloud, pushing roughly on Four’s solar plexus with each spoken number. At thirty, Wind took in a deep breath, opened Four’s mouth, tilted his head back, and forced air into his flooded lungs, once, and then twice.
Four didn’t breathe. It’s okay, Wind thought to himself, keep going until he breathes, as he returned to the chest compressions.
“One, two, three, four…” Wind continued, repeating the breathing once he reached thirty. Four still didn’t breathe, and Wind tried to push down the panic that rose like the tide and washed over him like the waves they’d just been in. What if I can’t save him? Wind wondered, unable to keep the worry away.
Wind started the third round of compressions, counting each one. “Four, five, six, seven…” Wind pressed his mouth to Four’s and breathed twice, but Four still remained lifeless under the pirate.
“Come on,” Wind begged with a sob, going back to compressions yet again. “One, two, three, four…” Wind breathed into Four’s mouth again, and the shorter teen coughed and spat out seawater, sitting upright quickly and accidentally slamming his head into Wind’s own.
“Thank the holy three!” Wind yelled, gently wrapping his arms around the older hero, “You’re alive! I thought I was going to lose you!”
“S-s-sorry,” Four whispered, shivering. The sea had been cold, and both teens were wearing thin clothes. Wind, too, shivered and glanced around.
In his panic, he’d failed to recognize the island as Outset, his home, and wished to slap himself across the face for not seeing his house merely twenty feet away.
“Hey, Four, what do you call it when two pirates have a disagreement?” Wind asked, in a pathetic attempt to keep his mind off of the concerning thought of Four might dry drown in front of him.
Four smiled, coughed, and answered. “I don’t know. Tell me?”
“A yaarrgument,” Wind answered with a dramatic flourish, opening the door immediately after. Four laughed, although it quickly dissolved into a coughing fit.
“Link!” Aryll exclaimed, nearly tackling him with her hug.
“It’s good to see you, dear boy,” Granny added, stepping into view.
Aryll released him. “You’re all wet,” she said.
“Yeah, Four and I are going to get some dry clothes. We both fell into the ocean,” Wind answered, grateful that he didn’t have to make introductions. The door slammed open as they were upstairs changing, announcing the arrival of someone - likely the chain.
“Have Wind and Four arrived yet?” Time’s booming voice could be heard from the loft.
“Yep!” Wind called down in answer, “The portal spat us into the ocean, so we’re changing into dry clothes!”
Wind finished adjusting his shirt and scrambled down the ladder, Four not far behind, somewhat swallowed in the tunic he’d been given to wear.
“You’re safe,” the captain sighed with relief.
“Actually, Four almost drowned, but I managed to perform CPR and save him. All that’s left is hoping he doesn’t dry drown.”
“Well, mostly safe,” the scarfed man amended, running a hand through his hair.
“I’m glad I made extra soup. I had this feeling that two servings would not be enough,” Granny chuckled.
“I’m hungry,” Wild admitted.
“Me, too,” Hyrule added softly.
“I am also hungry,” Legend agreed.
“Let’s eat instead of talking about being hungry,” Warriors suggested.
“It’s Granny’s special soup!” Aryll exclaimed, bouncing on the balls of her feet.
“YUM!!!” Wind yelled.