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Wind scrambled to find the words, his emotions were in complete turmoil as he processed what Twilight just told him and Traveler. The Traveler took the news way better then Wind had as he smiled.

"I already knew," he spoke.

"What?" Twilight raises an eyebrow, his usual kindness remains in his eyes as he takes them towards Wind.

"You really need to hide your markings better, it was obvious," Wind mumbled under his breath and crossed his arms over his chest, looking at Twilight with disappointment, "you really thought we were stupid?"

Twilight frowned and doesn't say anything for a few moments, he knew this was going to happen, he knew that he should've told the youngest that he was Wolfie first! He really wanted to but now it was too late.

"Twilight?" Wind's eyes started to water, the tears then falling down his cheeks, "Why? You've known us for months now! Why didn't you tell us? Do you not trust us?"

The Rancher could feel the distain radiating from his younger brother, "Kiddo I-" Twilight's heart cracked at Wind's pain and anger towards him, it hurt him. The kids been through so much, he started his two journeys at such a young age and Twilight hated that! "Kiddo, I'm so, so sorry! I should've told you first."

"But, you didn't!" Wind sobbed, he felt betrayed by one of the ones he looked up to, "W-we've trusted you! We've told you our darkest secrets! A-and you did nothing!"

"Wind, that's not true!" Twilight could feel it, his heart finally shattering into millions of tiny little pieces, "T-that's not true."

"We are supposed to be a team, Ranchhand! That secret you've just told us shouldn't have been a secret at all!" Wind's words flowed out like venom as he screamed, tears falling rapidly like waterfalls cascading from his eyes, "you're stupid! You're so stupid!"

Twilight knew that.

"I'm...sorry, Wind," Twilight couldn't help but let out his own waterworks as he knew that Wind will not forgive him for this, at least, not for a while. All complete trust was lost.

And by then, there was nothing else to say. Twilight was heartbroken, he had hurt his younger brother over a stupid secret that meant nothing! He was the exact cause of Wind's trust in him to be broken.

And then, the younger turned his back and walked away, heading back towards the camp they had made for the night.

Hyrule watched him go before signing, turning to look down at Twilight who was nothing more then a sobbing mess on the ground.

"You know, Rancher?" The Traveler's voice was melancholy, "I think keeping the Wolfie secret from us wasn't a very wise decision."

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Twilight went off on his own that night. The confrontation with Wind had made him slightly apprehensive as he thought about how the rest would react to his secret.

Time, or The Old Man as everyone called him understood as he had experienced the same situation but with masks. And of course, nobody knew about the power those four masks had, except for Twilight.

"I should've just told the rest," Twilight mumbled to himself, wiping away the remaining tears with the back of his hand as he walked, "I feel horrible! I feel so very horrible, the kid-" he paused for a moment, "the kid has every right to be angry with me."

The Rancher loved his brothers, he smiled every time he thought about them. Yes, they all might be a handful but the young wolf was willing to protect and care for them.

So maybe, just maybe they would understand, just like how The Old Man had.

He didn't want the others to lose trust in him because one of them losing faith in him was enough to break the wolf hero and the thought of the others doing the same thing sent a chill down his spine.

He had to fix this before it was too late he couldn't risk losing the others, it scared him.

And so, Twilight grabbed hold of his shadow crystal. The pain wasn't as intense like his first go around and he had grown used to transforming into a large wolf.

Once he was finished, he fluffed up his fur in a quick shake before letting out a howl.

***

"Did you guys hear that?" Sky asked, setting down his bowl of half-eaten stew beside him.

They all had heard the howl, but only a few recognize it and it had made the camp go tense.

"It's just Wolfie no need to be alarmed," The Old Man spoke, watching The Captain slowly draw his hand away from the hilt of his sword, "he's just letting us know he's on his way back."

"Old Man? How exactly do you know it's Wolfie and not just some other wolf?" The Vet glanced at The Old Man from next to him, his face looking expressionless but the others could tell he was trying to hold back a smirk, "I'm actually very curious about this."

"Wolfie's howl is lower and...inhuman than a regular wolf," Wild spoke softly, he usually doesn't talk much and uses sigh language as a way of communication, the Links had not once questioned him and understood why he didn't prefer talking. Sky shuttered, sitting across from Wild.

"Not gonna lie, I feel creeped out right now," He makes a face and shutters again.

"You'll be fine, birdbrain," The Vet goes back to his usual snarky self, "Wolfie is not gonna hurt you, unless..."

"Legend enough of that!" The Traveler gave his close companion a stern look, "Wolfie is a good boy! He won't hurt any of us."

"It was just a joke!" The Vet crossed his arms over his chest and pouted like a little kid.

"We all know how you are," The Captain chimed in, plopping down next to him and wrapping his arm around his neck and shoulders. The Vet yelped at the sudden interaction and started to gripe at him while struggling to get away.

The others laughed at the sudden chaos that was happening, him and The Captain always butted heads with each other and it was a sight to behold!

"Stop it! You are worse than The Rancher!" The Vet shoved The Captain away from him and he falls to his side in a fit of laughter.

And Legend just growls in frustration.

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Wind stays out of the conversation, he sat alone with his back up against the trunk of a tree that was near the camp. He stayed hidden, away from the others and away from The Rancher.

He had heard that Twilight would be returning soon and he was not ready to confront him again, not after what had happened, not after what he had learned.

According to what Wind thought about Twilight now was that he was nothing more then a monster! And that was all he will see of The Rancher from now on.

It was indeed a sad situation, but Wind knew better then to trust a hero rather then the enemy or if Twilight was ever planning on doing that. Wind shuttered, he didn't want to think about that right now.

The youngest hero signed, leaning back more against the tree to get comfortable and to try to relax.

Until he heard the sound of paws running towards the camp, immediately grabbing the attention from the others.

"Wolfie!" Of course, Sky was the first to react as the large wolf skids to a halt with his tail wagging happily. Sky wrapped his arms around him, embracing Wolfie a gentle hug.

Wind's heart pounded, watching this from afar as he waited to see what Wolfie no Twilight would do.

The younger still couldn't wrap his head around the thought of Wolfie and The Rancher being one in the same! It was too infuriating and overwhelming.

And then, suddenly, he felt a boop.

Wind didn't think much of it at first.

He felt it again! Now his mind was definitely not playing tricks on him.

Wind tried to hide the shaking of his hands, his stomach in knots as he felt sick, and then, oh he shouldn't have looked up. Where was Sky? Why can't Wind see him? Is he alive? Did Twilight finally get to him!

Oh gods!

"Sailor?"

The voice didn't belong to The Rancher. Instead, it had been The Veteran who had spoken, drawing him out of whatever that was happening right now.

The younger glanced at Legend, eyebrows knitting in confusion as to why he was here. Normally, The Vet doesn't talk to people unless he feels like it or just wants to make a snarky comment.

So, why has he decided to speak to Wind? Well, it was obvious.

"What do you want, Vet?"

"What? Am I not allowed to check on my little brother?"

Wind makes a face at him and his usual snarky self. He gives in and motions for The Vet to sit next to him.

Wind knows that Legend doesn't mean to act so guarded. He has seen him act so soft to people, but The Sailor was the only one in the group to know that and The Vet trusted him not to tell anyone about his soft side.

"Alright, spit it out, what's up with you?" Legend gently shoves him with his elbow, "you've been distant ever since you've gotten back."

Wind didn't want to talk about the situation, but Legend was already suspecting that Twilight was Wolfie and so he told him, everything! Not leaving out a single detail about what he and The Traveler had witnessed.

Legend's face was unreadable once he finished up the story.

"I-I knew it," The Veteran spoke moments after, "I knew that something was up with him. There was no way a wolf would leave and a man would come back shortly afterward, I understand your reasoning Wind and you have every right to be angry with him, he should've told us! We are family."

Wind couldn't help but agree with that, "you told him some pretty dark stuff too, all of us had!" Wind could feel the tears start to form in his eyes once again and Legend could see the betrayal, this poor kid!

The Veteran could do nothing but be there for him and give him the support he needs because he too, felt the same way.

"Do you trust him, Vet?" The Sailor asked, voice cracked and soft.

Legend didn't answer quickly as he thought about everything that was going on, and honestly, he didn't know what he felt.

"No," was all he said.

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Wind couldn't shake off the feeling of Sky's sudden disappearance. He was just here a moment ago, hugging the huge wolf tightly while Wind was in the middle of his turmoil.

And what's strange about that was that the others didn't know he was gone, they all continued to laugh and poking fun of each other. Wind was going to try to reach out to them, tell them about Sky, but somehow, his voice fell on deaf ears.

Was this all just an hallucination? Or something much worse?

Wind couldn't seem to get out of whatever this was and he begins to panic. His brothers were not hearing him, why was that? Wind's mind raced as he tried to calm himself down, until, someone lightly shoved him. He felt it.

It startled him back to reality, but what he didn't expect was Twilight sitting next to him, out of his wolf form and looking at him with concern in his eyes, or was it concern?

"I've been yelling your name for the past five minutes now, kiddo!" The Rancher speaks, placing a bare hand on to the youngers shoulder, but Wind flinched and quickly scoots away from him.

Twilight took in even more sadness as he watched this, he knew it was all his fault.

"Kiddo, I-"

"Don't even say anything," Wind mumbled under his breath and Twilight heard it. It pained him to see his little brother like this, how he make things right?

The Vet had already gone off somewhere to go clear his head, so it wasn't just Wind that he had to make things right to, but Legend as well and maybe the others if it comes down to that.

"Kiddo, I-" he tried again but was interrupted by the glare Wind gave him.

"Did you not just hear me!?" Wind suddenly snapped, which took Twilight back a bit, this was breaking The Rancher's heart even more and it was taking away piece after piece.

This was the worst pain Twilight has ever felt in his life! He tried to keep himself from crying.

Nothing else was said, he respected Wind's wish to be alone and he leaves after saying this:

"I love you, kiddo."

Of course, Wind didn't hear that because it was nothing more then a whisper to him and Twilight broke.

It hurt so bad! What has he done? Wind didn't say 'I love you' back to him and that made the pain even worse than it already was. He felt like he was going to dissipate.

He was his brothers protector! And, he felt like he failed them.

Wind watched The Rancher walk away and out of sight with tears in his eyes. The younger was glad he was finally gone! Glad that he didn't have to deal with him anymore.

Wait, that was mean.

Wind shouldn't be acting like this! But was it all for good reason? Twilight was the only hero out of all of them that was using dark magic and that just didn't sit right with Wind.

It actually made him want to runaway and continue this journey by himself. To him, this was just another adventure, and he can handle himself quite well.

So he stood up, hand resting on the trees bark as a way to keep himself balanced from an hour of just sitting, Wind felt well rested enough to leave.

He packed as much of his stuff as he could and snuck away, the others not noticing that he was gone.

He didn't care about any of that right now. He doesn't know if he was hallucinating earlier but Sky was still missing...or he thinks he is? Wind's mind was going haywire from everything that was going on.

And Twilight was to blame for all of that.

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It was cold.

So very cold as the night was no where coming to a close, it dragged on while Wind walked down some narrow pathway of the forest. Was he going the right way? Was he backtracking? He just didn't know and had no time to think about that.

He had decided to take a rest a few hours later, finding shelter underneath a pair of tree canopies that would keep him dry just in case it rained but it was also big enough to shield a campfire in which Wind was happy to get started on before he freezes to death.

Rubbing two sticks together, the fire in the small circle of stones ignited into tiny flames that gave the canopies above a soft glow in the night, Wind continued to blow and the fire grew in warmth and light.

Wind nodded in satisfaction, pulling away from the campfire and settled in for the rest of the night.

"I see you distain him."

Wind jumped back in fright, immediately drawing out his sword from his scabbard when he heard the deep voice coming from within the shadows, a dark figure emerged, red glowing eyes fixated on the younger.

Wind recognized who this figure was as it took on the shape of a dark lizalfos, the same one the others believed was the direct cause of all this havoc, disrupting the lives of so many Hylians.

The figure came closer, revealing itself to Wind and it was just as the younger expected.

"Hmm? Cat got your tongue?" The lizalfos smiled, showing purely white teeth and fangs, "you weren't expecting me to visit you? Am I correct, young hero?"

Wind didn't say anything at first, hand gripping the hilt of his sword tightly but he didn't dare start shaking in fear, he wasn't a coward.

"What do you want?" Wind glared as the shadow raised its hands up in surrender.

"Now, now, I'm not here to cause trouble," it spoke, it's voice sending a chill down Wind's spine.

"How do you know?" He asked, sword still out in front of him ready to strike down the beast at any given moment.

"I gave eyes everywhere!" It said, it's smile growing wider as more pairs of eyes appeared from behind the creature, glowing in different colors in the darkness, Wind's heart pounded in his chest once he saw those eyes staring at him.

Wind doesn't stand down, he was afraid, yes, but he wasn't going to run away like a coward.

A coward like this shadow was.

"I would like to advise you that I do not distain my brother! It's just..." Wind paused, lowering his sword slightly but not much, what is he doing?

"You dislike him? All because of that little secret? Hmm? I see that secret means absolutely nothing," it was like the shadow could read his mind, "am I right?"

"No!"

"Now, now, don't deny it," the beast laughed, a low rumble coming out of his throat and Wind took a step back.

"You know nothing!" Wind growled, eying the shadow with such distain.

"Oh I believe I do! Just look around you! Look at the eyes! These eyes hold truths, lies and they tell me everything I need to know!" The beast says, stepping closer towards Wind as the younger froze, "I even know how your brother transforms into that monster."

Wind pretended that didn't interest him, it did nonetheless. He has always wondered how exactly Twilight transformed into Wolfie, but then again, he didn't trust this creature one bit.

"If I tell you, dear boy, you will see just how much of an enemy your brother truly is."

Wind wasn't gonna let this beast get into his head, he was smarter then that. He knew that's exactly what this shadow was trying to do and he will not fall for it.

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The beast could sense it, the younger was uncertain yet so curious about his brothers way of shifting into a wolf.

And the shadow had him right where it wanted him but it knew it was going to be a fight to convince the young hero otherwise. The shadow doesn't say anything for a few moments, looking at Wind with an unreadable gaze in its eyes, this worried the younger greatly.

"I would lower that blade you have there hero," the shadow finally speaks as the eyes slowly disappeared one by one, leaving Wind with a sense of dread, "like I've said before, I'm not here to cause trouble."

"You expect me to believe that?" Wind growled, "after all that you've done? Why would I even trust you?"

"Don't you want to know the truth about your brother? What he's capable of?" The shadow let out a hiss that made Wind drop his sword in fright but he doesn't pick it up nor grab another weapon from his bag.

It was silent between them and all Wind could do was listen to what the shadow had to say while keeping an open mind.

This made the shadow hum in satisfaction, "good, you are finally listening."

"Make it quick," Wind sneered, baring his teeth at the monster who's smile never once faltered at the young hero's hostility.

And the shadow did not hesitate to speak on regards to Wind's additude towards them. "Well, since you've obliged ever so greatly," they were being annoyingly sarcastic with him as the shadow clapped it's clawed hands together, laughing gleefully as it had gotten Wind's full attention now and the young hero knew that he was going to regret this.

"Your brother is nothing but a fool, well, you already knew that, don't you?" The shadow asked, waiting for Wind to react to it's accusations about Twilight but no reaction came from the younger. Wind wasn't going to fall for this beast tricks.

Nonetheless, Wind did agree on one thing, his brother was a fool and a potential enemy to him and the rest of the chain.

"I do," Wind responded to the shadow's question, "now are you going to finish whatever it is that your trying to say?"

"I was going to get to that part yes," the beast chuckled darkly and that didn't faze Wind one bit, "you see, your brother has a very special item! An item none of your other brothers have seen before, you have never seen before."

The younger froze, an item? What item?

The shadow chuckled again, seeing Wind's body language and his change of demeanor. The beast wouldn't lie to this young hero, just like how Twilight lied to him and the rest of the other heroes who didn't know his 'secret.'

"I see that curiosity has gotten the best of you," the shadow continues throughly, "it's called the shadow crystal, in case you are wondering! It is indeed a very powerful item that your brother possesses! It is filled with dark magic that corrupts your mind and could turn any one of you into a monster!"

Wind heard himself gasp as his heart sunk, he knew it! Twilight was...one of them! And no one noticed it, not even he noticed it. This was a lot to take in all at once, he should've known first hand that The Rancher was nothing but a traitor!

And to even think that Wind called Twilight his own brother was diabolical and now the younger regrets it deeply.

The feeling of betrayal came back in full force and the younger was on the verge of crying again but no, he will not show the shadow weakness!

But the shadow says nothing, instead, it lifted up its head just a little as if it was listening to something Wind couldn't, "don't get too comfortable, young hero."

And then the beast vanished, leaving nothing behind and Wind was left alone with his thoughts as the campfire continues to burn brightly underneath the tree canopies.

The silence was only temporary as the sound of galloping hooves filled Wind's ears.

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Wind knew exactly who was coming for him, the sound of galloping hooves drawing closer and closer to him indicated who the rider was. Twilight has found him and the younger was not ready for yet another confrontation with his so-called 'brother.'

Gods, he absolutely dispised that word now.

Epona skids to a halt and reared with Twilight still in the saddle, holding the reins like his life depended on them as he looked to where Wind was at with a panicked yet stern gaze.

But the younger doesn't acknowledge him, as of right now he was too occupied with the words the shadow had spoken to him before they vanished without a trace. Were they right? Were they wrong? Could they even be trusted?

Wind promised himself that he wouldn't let the shadow get into his head but it seemed like the younger was losing that battle.

"What the Din kiddo!"

Finally, Wind looked up to see Twilight getting off of his horse and by what his facial expressions were, Wind just couldn't tell if Twilight was angry disappointed or probably both, "I've spent hours looking for you! What were you thinking? There are monsters out here and you could've gotten hurt or worse!"

Funny how Twilight said the word 'monsters' when he was one himself in Wind's eyes.

Wind wasn't even listening to Twilight's banter towards him as the older hero continued to scowl him like an imbecile, the younger wanted to laugh but decided not to, so he kept quiet and let the thoughts consume him.

Twilight immediately noticed that something was off with his little brother, he wasn't like how he's been acting recently after the secret was revealed to him, instead, he was silent, dissociating.

"Wind?" Twilight's ears lowered slightly as his heart pounded against his ribcage at the sight of this, he waited for the younger to respond.

But, nothing came out of the young hero's mouth and this made Twilight panic even more.

His stomach tied itself into knots as his breathing became labored, something was wrong! That was what Twilight kept thinking as he slowly approached Wind while being careful not to provoke him any further then he already had once before.

"Wind?" He says again, taking a seat next to the young hero who was unresponsive. Twilight's hands shook as he calmed down his heart rate and breathing, taking his dark blue eyes over to the now dying campfire and stared at the embers for a few moments before throwing a piece of wood inside the circle of stones, the fire immediately came back to life and once again provided Wind with a comfortable warmth, The Rancher doesn't speak for a while after that.

"Your scaring me kiddo," he finally spoke his guilt noticeable on his face, he was ashamed, "I cannot express how sorry I am, I'm sorry for everything! I'm sorry for hurting you!" Tears filled Twilight's waterline and fell down his cheeks as he started to cry. The Ranchhand just wanted a response from his little brother, just one response!

Nothing comes out of the younger's mouth and this devastated Twilight even more.

The voices in Wind's head dispersed and the only thing he could hear was Twilight's soft yet painful sobs, but what he to do? What was he supposed to feel?

Should he feel bad or not? He just didn't know.

"You are a traitor!" The words flew out of Wind's mouth like venom, making Twilight gasp and jump back in surprise at the sudden interaction, "I knew it! I knew you are one of those monsters!"

"Wind! Wait! W-" Twilight choked on what he was going to say.

"Come on! Finish what you were going to say!" The Sailor spat, clenching his fists tightly against his sides as his face grows hot with anger and betrayal.

Twilight could see it, the betrayal in his boy's eyes and he was to blame for that.

"Wind please! Please just listen!" Twilight cried, his voice cracked with emotion as his heart ached while Wind stared him down, so close to grabbing his sword from where it laid on the ground. Twilight immediately caught on to what he was going to do to him, Wind truly believed that he was a black blooded monster, "d-don't pick it up, p-please."

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Wind took his eyes away from Twilight and down at his blade next to him, what are his options? Should he get rid of Twilight or not?

By the way The Rancher was reacting, Wind wanted to make amends with him but then again there was the shadow toying with him, telling him what needed to be told.

That was when the younger saw it in the corner of his eye, wrapped around Twilight's neck was a necklace with a strange looking crystal hanging off of the rope it was tied to and it looked just like how the shadow had described it, the way it dangled to Twilight's movements and how unfazed Twilight was made this situation a lot more difficult than it already was.

And with hesitation, Wind picked up his sword.

Twilight was still a sobbing mess as he fell to the ground and curled up in a ball, he was terrified! Terrified of what's going to happen next.

"You know Rancher," Wind spoke as Twilight looked up at him with tears dripping from his eyes, he trembled, letting out a soft 'arf' as Wind seethes his blade, "I'll forget but I'll never forgive."

He gives Twilight one last look before turning around and walking away.

"No! Wind! D-don't leave! I-it's dangerous!" Twilight tries to stop him but his pleads fell on deaf ears.

***

"They've been out there for quite a while now," Sky looks down at his feet, the flames of the campfire lightning his face as he turns his head, glancing at the direction Twilight went just hours prior after they'd noticed that Wind had snuck off, "should we go find them?"

The Veteran shrugged his shoulders as he contemplates Sky's words, because he to was thinking about going off to find his brothers that had been missing for quite sometime and it was starting to put everyone on edge. Legend was just about to answer Sky's question when Wind suddenly emerged from the tree line, walking towards them with an expressionless look on his face and blood dripping from his eyebrow, a nasty bruise was forming underneath his right eye where a huge, but treatable gash has been placed.

The young hero had been in a skirmish on his way back to the campsite, it was just with one bokoblin though which was nothing Wind can handle and he won that fight.

The Traveler was the first to shoot up to his feet once he saw the state Wind was in, the others followed suit to also make sure that their little brother was alright.

"Sailor dear gods what happened? Where is Ranchhand?" Wild was the one that spoken to him as The Traveler checked over Wind's wound on his eye and wiped the blood away with a damp cloth The Vet gave to him, after he was done he immediately ushers Wind over to the campfire, sitting him down on a log.

"I fought a bokoblin," Wind says as The Traveler placed another damp cloth over his injured eye to stop the bleeding while fishing through his bag to grab a red potion, he finds one and gives it to Wind, he takes a sip not minding the bitter taste the potion gave, "they jumped out of nowhere and attacked me! But it was only one so I managed to kill it without getting anymore injured."

"And where was Ranchhand? Why wasn't he with you?" Warriors asked, stepping forward and sat down next to Wind, placing a hand on his shoulder as if he was trying to comfort the younger while The Traveler continued to work, using his healing magic to close up Wind's wound and by apon closer examination, the wound doesn't look like it was going to scar, which was good.

"I just left him there!"

The Traveler and Warriors froze after Wind accidently snapped at them, he didn't mean to do that! He immediately felt a pang of guilt in his heart, the rest of his brothers did nothing to him while one of them has! And not to mention the shadow.

The shadow just made everything worse and now Wind doesn't know who to believe.

Chapter Text

The night dragged on like usual, Wind's eye wound was fully healed thanks to The Traveler's healing magic.

Wind appreciated him for his help taking great care of him when a few couldn't, and by a few, he meant Twilight.

The younger didn't even want to think about him right now as he was in such a great mood and his mind was positively elsewhere, he just didn't want that monster to ruin that like he ruined everything else.

Still on the topic of Twilight. The Rancher was keeping his distance, he was sitting up against a small boulder a few feet away with his knees up to his chest. His eyes were still red and puffy from crying as he continues to whimper silently, his ears were lowered to make him look like a dog that had just been kicked.

The Champion was sitting next to him, talking to him as he tried his best to comfort Ranchhand. He then looks up at Wind and motions for him to come over.

Out of instinct, Wind shook his head as his smile he had on faded immediately. He knew what Wild was trying to do and Wind didn't want to talk to Twilight about the situation he caused.

But, should Wind give The Rancher the benefit of the doubt though? The younger just didn't know at this point since his mind was clouded.

The teen was overwhelmed, confused, betrayed and he had lost all of his faith in Twilight.

His thoughts were interrupted when The Old Man approached him, Wind wasn't expecting Time to suddenly appear in his line of vision and Wind started to feel nervous.

"Walk with me," he spoke, his voice deep and full of seriousness as he gestured towards a random treeline that led to Hylia knows where. Wind doesn't hesitate and stands up from his spot, following The Old Man to wherever he wanted to take him.

The young hero looked over his shoulder, walking further and further away from the camp, he saw Twilight lifting up his head and looking back at him and Time leaving. He makes a move but Wild stops him and Twilight slumped back in his spot after The Champion said something to him that Wind couldn't hear, Twilight began to cry again.

The younger just continued to walk passed the treeline, his heart weighing heavy with what this conversation with Time was going to be about.

"What's on your mind child? You've been keeping your distance lately," Time began to speak, drawing Wind away from his thoughts once again.

But Wind hesitated on responding and Time immediately noticed this, he paused his walking, wrapping his arm around the youngers neck and shoulders before walking again. He managed to find a stream nearby and sits Wind down on the edge of the bank.

"Maybe this will help with whatever it is that you are going through child," Time sat down next to him as the gentle flow of the stream filled his ears before looking over at Wind with sympathy in his eyes. He was trying to figure out what had caused Wind to act like this so suddenly, just a few days ago he was cheerful and happy but now, he only saw a hint of that tonight.

Why was his son not himself? Something was wrong indeed but Time didn't know what.

"Sailor?" Time asked softly as he begins to rub soothing circles across the youngers back, "you can tell me anything, right?"

Wind doesn't think twice and nodded his head in response, he had decided to tell The Old Man everything that had happened recently from Twilight showing him and The Traveler that he was Wolfie to the confrontation with the shadow and what they had told him, even the events prior to Wind getting injured were mentioned as well. Time listened and nodded every once in a while, he understood Wind's uncertainty and distress but what got him most was the shadow.

This indeed made Time furious but he kept it hidden for the sake of Wind. Why did the shadow came to the younger like that? And this shadow crystal? What else was Twilight hiding from him? What was it doing with Twilight in the first place? Just how dangerous was it?

As Wind finished, The Old Man processed what was just told to him. Would his descendent go against the chain all because of this shadow crystal's dark power?

Chapter Text

The conversation between Wind and The Old Man fell silent, Time didn't know how to exactly describe what he was feeling at that moment as the younger's words repeated in his mind.

The shadow crystal was something that needed to be looked into before things go even more downhill.

The Old Man felt sick to his stomach as he thought about his descendent using dark magic, dark magic with dark origins was something Time was very familiar with and it doesn't end well unless it is fought off.

*It was made by Ganondorf*

That made Time pause, both of his eyes were opened at the mention of that beast from his past, all of his boy's, except Sky of course, have fought that monster and slain him. Saving their kingdoms and made their Hyrule's prosper until another hero was born.

It had always been like that, a continuous cycle of a princess, a hero, and a demon king born to cause havoc for thousands of years with no end to the cycle in sight.

And now, that voice Time just heard in his head made The Old Man's blood boil. Was this the voice of the shadow?

It didn't sound like the voice that Time had known from his experience with his shadow self he had fought in the water temple from his time period. No, this sounded way darker, way more knowledgeable.

But he ignored it and focused his attention to the young hero. Surly Twilight wouldn't turn against them, would he?

Or did he already have and no one noticed except Wind and he was trying to warn them? Which could explain why Wind was acting the way he was acting recently.

It all made sense but Time didn't want to believe it, at least not now, not when the younger was going through so much right now.

The Old Man knew that his boy was hurting no doubt, he was betrayed by the person whom he looked up to and this shadow crystal wasn't going to make things better for him if not for all of them.

Because dark magic is what causes pain.

And Time knew that all too well.

***

Twilight waited for the two to come back from their walk, he had decided to stay up and take first watch while the others slept peacefully around the burning campfire that The Rancher kept lit for them.

His heart was aching at the thought of his little brother, how was he going to make things right with him? He didn't know what else to do.

He can turn into a wolf, yes but, that was the only thing the shadow crystal can do to him, it doesn't corrupt him at all after the master sword purified it when he had been cursed by Zant during his journey and not only that, it was the only thing he had left of her.

He didn't want anyone to know about the shadow crystal because he was afraid that they would take it the wrong way and he didn't want that.

He loved his brothers dearly and he doesn't want anymore fuel to the fire.

Twilight took another bite of his apple that he had on him as he watched the flames of the fire, lost in thought as he waited for Time and Wind to return.

Chapter Text

"I see that your getting better!" The Vet smiled warmly down at Wind as they walked side by side on the narrow, dirt trail of the forest, continuing their journey after days of rest and the young hero's world turning upside down from everything that happened between Twilight.

"You could say that I guess," Wind shrugged his shoulders, "it's just... " he paused and Legend immediately caught on to it.

"I know it's alot to take in all at once kid," Legend signed, knowing that he too was trying to understand everything with The Rancher and his use of the shadow crystal that contains powerful dark magic that was beyond The Vet's knowledge, yes he knew about the said crystal because, well, it made him turn into a little pink bunny.

The Vet shuttered at that as he thought about the others knowing his dark world form was a rabbit, a rabbit was a prey while a wolf was a predator, but why didn't Twilight attack Legend after the shadow crystal transformed him?

"You alright Vet?"

Legend's thoughts dispersed when he heard Wind's voice, he quickly shook his head and looked at the younger, giving him another warm smile, "yeah kid I'll be aright," he says, "I'm just worried about you right now."

Wind nodded, he was going to respond back but The Old Man lifted up a gauntlet covered hand to signal the group to stop. Wind knitted his eyebrows in confusion as to why the sudden pause. He didn't hear anything suspicious nor felt the twitch in his ear when a monster is nearby.

"We will rest here," The Old Man finally spoke, turning around to face the group properly, his hands were now flat on his hips as he looked over his boy's until his eye landed on The Champion, "Wild start with lunch please."

The Champion nodded his head and walked off to get some firewood. The Captain decided to go help him out, he leaves as the others tended to what they wanted to do, which was sharpening their swords to exploring to messing with each other.

Wind takes a seat on a tree stump nearby, watching his older brothers do what older brothers do, he saw Twilight giving Epona a nice bath in a stream just a few feet away from where he was at, Wind couldn't help but smile at the sight of the two of them just cooling off after a long day of walking.

Legend approached him and sat down next to the younger, he doesn't say anything at first, "if it's alright with you do you wanna continue the conversation?" The Vet asked, waiting for Wind to respond.

The Sailor shrugged his shoulders once again as he thought about continuing it but they're was also the thought of Twilight listening in on them which was a huge possibility especially at this very moment, you see, The Rancher had this unique ability of him having sensitive hearing and wolf-like tendencies that the others haven't noticed yet except for the few who already knew his secret, of course, Wind didn't really pay attention to any of that until recently.

But they were just mild tendencies, nothing to worry about hopefully, sometimes while he's still hylian he'll growl or bark on occasions, the younger did see Twilight do that with The Captain one time.

And honestly, it was kinda funny.

"I just don't know what to even think about this," Wind looked at Legend and frowned, The Vet took his gaze away and down at his hands that were overlapping each other on his lap as Wind continued, "is it my mind Vet? Why is my mind like this?"

The Veteran flinched at The Sailors words as they stung him like a thousand bees, "don't let your mind take you where you don't want to go," Legend met Wind's eyes as he looked up, his face serious as he spoke again, "I know I might be rough around the edges but I care about you, I care about all of you, we all go through things and we push on through! Remember that."

Wind considered Legend's words and took them to heart, that was the motivation that he needed right now and he was happy to have The Vet by his side! It was nice.

"Thank you Vet."

"Your welcome kiddo."