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It had been a good few weeks since the Chain had met Wild.
And it seemed to be going well, especially the past week.
Wild had walked over to Time and Twilight, bowls in both hands and seemed nervous, as he shifted from side to side.
"What's wrong?" Twilight immediately asked, sitting up.
Wild ducked his head down, pointed ears turning red before shocking not only the two but the whole camp. "Made… fa..favorite." His voice cracked and slightly wheezed but it was there, clear as day as he held out the bowls of pumpkin soup.
Twilight stared eyes wide before Wind broke the silence.
"You spoke! You fucking spoke!"
"Language!" Time snapped, eyes never leaving Wild as Wind ran up, bouncing.
Wild's face was ablaze, as he kept looking down. Maybe he should have waited, maybe he should have done it when they were alone.
Twilight, recovering from his shock, took the bowl, and smiled, looking so proud. "Thank you, Wild, this means a lot to me."
Wild glanced up with a smile before moving back to the cooking pot, dealing out more bowls of soup.
The whole evening was spent in a light, happy mood. Everyone glanced and smiled at Wild.
If only it would have lasted.
During the night, a portal opened and dropped them in Wild's Hyrule.
And as everyone got their bearings, Wild was struck cold when he realized where they were.
His distressed noise caught everyone's attention as he looked around frantically.
"Wild, what-" Wild didn't let Sky finish, shushing all the heroes.
But it was too late.
The Lynel had heard them.
The monster stepped from behind the large rock, silver fur standing in stark contrast of their surroundings.
Wild's heart dropped.
He slowly backed up, urging the others to do the same.
The lynel took a step forward, before pulling its bow out.
A five point bow, with ice arrows.
All hell broke loose.
Sure, they were stronger together, but this?
This was a Lynel, a silver Lynel Wild would never take on, even with help.
And it was proving true, his fears.
He had his arrow ready, but the Lynel stood over Sky, who had been knocked to the ground.
The monster brought his sword down.
It all happened in slow motion, Wild didn't even think.
He swapped his fire arrow for one of his ancient arrows. One of his last ones.
The others stood in shock as they watched the Lynel disappear, Wild himself, shocked he had used it at all.
"What the fuck was that, Wild?!" Legend had snapped, making his way over.
"Legend-"
"Shut it, Hyrule!" Legend grabbed Wild by the front of his tunic, jerking him closer, growling. "You had some kind of super arrow?! And you've never used them?!"
Warriors and Time pulled Legend from Wild, the younger stumbling back, shaking.
"That's enough, Legend! I'm sure Wild has a perfectly reasonable explanation for never using them."
"Oh yeah?! Then let's hear it! Go on! Tell us why you let us struggle?!"
Wild stared at them all, hands shaking too hard for him to sign as Twilight helped Sky over to them, frowning.
"Well?" Legend snarled.
"Not meant…"
Time placed a hand on Wild's back. "Not meant for what? Combat?"
Wild shook his head, trying not to panic. He hadn't used the arrows since his fight with Ganon and even then… his mind flashed back to the Guardians, back to his death, and he let out a whimper, and Legend faltered just for a moment, guilt already clawing its way through him.
"Not meant for monsters."
Warriors nodded a bit and moved a bit closer only to stop when Time gave him a look. "Okay… okay, then what are they meant for?" He kept his voice soft and steady, he too, wanted to know why Wild never used such powerful arrows before.
After a moment, Wild gripped around himself, as if to hold himself together. "Guardians." His voice cracked as he whispered. "Easier, safer."
"These arrows are the only way to safely destroy the Guardians, like at the stable?" Sky finished for him and Wild nodded then shook his head. "Different ones.."
"Okay, so? Surely you can get more?"
Wild made a so-so motion. "Rare… expensive."
"Wild… you seemed terrified of Guardians." Sky piped up, frowning.
Wild froze, looking at Sky eyes wide, and that's when it hit them. That's exactly what was going on. Wild was keeping these rare arrows as a way to keep away from the Guardians.
It took him a moment, but Wild pulled out his Slate, and swiped to the Compendium before pulling up the pictures of all the Guardians. Guardians that were very different from the ones at the stable. Everyone gathered around Wild, watching.
Wild pointed at the singular small eye on each Guardian. "Weak point."
Four gulped, staring at the machines. "That's…. That's a small weak point."
Wild only nodded and then pulled up his inventory to his bows and arrows.
Only two ancient arrows remained.
Legend felt like absolute shit. There was no way he could properly apologize for snapping on Wild.
But then Wind asked what they were all thinking.
"They're hard to beat… but why are you so scared of them?" He wilted under the glare Twilight sent him but it was already too late.
Wild froze, eyes glazed over. Before he muttered one single word that chilled them to the bone. "Killed…"
Everyone froze, not unlike Wild had been. Before he moved, placing a hand on his chest, and whispered. "Killed."
They didn't know much about Wild's journey, but this?
He touched his scars. "From Guardians."
Guardians had killed Wild.
That's what he had said.
They had killed him
Warriors shook, staring at the man, no child. This was a child.
Legend stared in horror, unable to process what had been said.
Wild took a breath, before raising his hands. 'There's a stable nearby… we can rest there.' He pulled from Time's touch, and started walking, never looking back at them.
Everyone followed silently, so much on their minds.
It was just the beginnings of daylight when they reached the stable, with Wild paying for them all. Twilight tried to reach out to him but Time held him back, shaking his head as they watched Wild hop the fence and settle under one of the trees.
Legend on the other hand went the opposite direction and moved behind the stable, sitting down and hugging his knees to himself.
He hadn't meant for all that to come out. He really hadn't. Everyone was entitled to their secrets.
He shifted a bit as Hyrule sat next to him, just close enough that their shoulders touched.
"I didn't mean to…"
Hyrule hummed softly, leaning into him. "I know. But, Legend…. You can't just push people like that."
Legend stayed silent, knowing the others were listening through the fabric of the stable walls.
"Legend… tell me, why did you push?"
"Just that…. How many injuries could we have avoided with those arrows? How many potions could we have saved?" His voice was quiet. "All I can see is when Four got hurt that time…. With those Moblin?"
It had been before Wild joined them, the Chain had been ambushed by a group of Moblin. Legend could still see it, one of the monsters bringing their sword down on Four.
There had been so much blood.
"Legend…"
"And I know! I know we all have weapons we refuse to use! But fuck! How was I supposed to know he kept those incase he had to face the things that killed him!" His voice cracked harshly. "Fucking…. He DIED, Rule!"
Legend began to grip his hair, closing his eyes tightly, flashes of bright red hair going through his mind.
"He died. What the fuck is Hylia playing at?! He's just a kid! And then there's me! The fucking asshole! I brought this up! I made him remember! Hell, he probably wasn't even going to tell us!" Legend let out a frustrated yell. “Hylia fucking damnit!”
Hyrule gently rubbed his back, looking him over. “Legend..”
“He died… he died, Hyrule… our brother died…” and then… He started sobbing, loud, heartbroken sobs.
Hyrule knew everyone around could hear but he didn't have the heart to stop Legend.
He held Legend close as he sobbed, rocking him.
“He died, Rule… we almost didn't have him… I'm tired of it… I'm so tired of losing people…”
Hyrule tightened his grip, a lump in his throat. “..I know… I know…” he whispered.
—---------
A few hours later, the two looked up to see Four walking to them, two bowls in his hand.
“...Wild made dinner. Some kind of meat and rice porridge,” He said softly as he settled down next to them.
Hyrule took both bowls when Legend refused to take his. “Can you tell him thanks?”
Four shook his head. “Tell him yourselves. He's not mad. He understands why Legend was upset.”
Legend scowled and grabbed his bowl. “Why can't he just hit me and hold a grudge?”
Hyrule just sighed as he ate as well. “You know Wild isn't one to do that unless you like… royally fuck up.”
“And that wasn't me royally fucking up?”
“No.”
All three jumped at the voice and turned to see Wild with his own food.
“Wild-”
“Legend… I'm not mad at you.” His voice was rough, ragged. “I understand. You… you just… you want everyone safe.”
Both Four and Hyrule quietly left their sides, giving them a moment alone.
Wild was hesitant before he sat next to Legend, one leg bent, arm resting on it.
Both were silent, awkward, tired.
Oh by the goddesses, were they tired.
“....Wild… you died…” Legend's voice was quiet.
And Wild, he shifted, laying his head on his arm, watching Legend.
“....I've died alot…”
Legend whipped around, eyes wide.
“... I've gotten…. better about it. But fairies help.. lots…” his voice was rough, cracking. “My journey…” he paused, hesitant and unsure.
Legend reached out, grabbing Wild's free hand, to which Wild laced their fingers.
And after a minute, Wild continued. “....I gained abilities… one… one would revive me…” his voice was more steady now.
Legend's breath hitched and he tightened his grip.
“Mipha's Grace…” Wild whispered. “....I loved her once…”
Legend swallowed tightly. “She's gone?”
Wild nodded, eyes closed, tears falling. “Before I died the first time… before I lost my memories. I loved her… and she loved me… she was going to propose…”
Legend closed his eyes and moved closer, letting go of Wild's hand and wrapping his arm around him, pulling him close.
“I still love her… but it's different now…” Wild whispered, burying his face in Legend's shoulder. “I don't know her like I used to… but my heart still…”
Legend just nodded because he got it. He truly did. “...Tell me about her? What you can remember?”
And so, Wild talked… and talked and talked.
It was the longest he's talked in a while. His voice kept giving out, but he pushed through. Mipha turned into Daruk… then Revali, Urbosa, Zelda… his father, his mother… his little sister…. He told about how he didn't talk back then as well, but then it was because he didn't want to burden anyone with his stress, his worries about being a hero. He talked about the Yiga, about Purah and Robbie and Impa… he talked about how, during his journey, he gained a travel companion who held his heart only for him to be a Yiga member.
And Legend listened, and his heart broke. Because Wild had been through so much, lost so much and he was still pushing through. Still fighting. Still a good person.
It was only when Wild finally trailed off, eyes closed, breathing steady and soft, that Twilight finally made his way to them. It was in the middle of the night, nearing morning.
Legend looked up at him with red eyes and Twilight faltered before laying his cloak over them. “...sleep… Time says we're staying for a few days.”
Legend only nodded, pulling Wild closer as Twilight walked back around the stable.
Legend looked down at Wild, at his brother, and vowed that this time… someone would protect him.
He would protect Wild.
The way someone should have protected him.
He'd make sure Wild never lost a single thing again.