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Twilight knew he had fucked up. He had failed to keep notion in his surroundings as he, in his wolf form, instinctively followed a scent. It had been something new. It had been so intriguing to follow something he had never before caught a scent of. His mind just couldn’t come up with anything that could’ve explained such fragrance. He simply needed to know where it would lead him.
And then, all of sudden, something had tightened around his neck. He had gasped and instinctively pulled backwards. The loop only got smaller by that action and his wolf’s mind started to panic. Twilight’s Hylian self knew he should transform and cut the rope but the wolf already started to trash. And each rough movement only made things worse. The only thing he could do anymore to save his life was to howl. He desperately, with the tightening rope around his neck, howled for help while praying his brothers could hear and understand it. To figure out the desperation, fear and panic in the sound. They already knew he was the wolf, now they only needed to recognize his voice, damn it!
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Time had let Twilight take off as a wolf to scout ahead. He and the rest of the Chain followed calmer while, even though trusting the rancher’s instincts and abilities, were still ready for anything. After all, they had no idea where in the timeline they were as none of them recognized the area as their own. Suddenly the calm air was pierced by a howl and the group stopped dead on their tracks. “Wolf or Wolfos?” Legend asked straight off.
Time gritted his teeth at the sound of frantic howls. “Neither. Twilight.” Time replied before he already dashed towards the way the sounds were coming from. The rest of the group was bit startled but they were fast to follow him. The howls grew weaker and quieter the further they ran. Soon, though, they got the trashing wolf into their sight. “Link!”
Twilight easily felt the wolf’s panic. He tried desperately to get his own voice through the beast’s freaked out mind but the wolf didn’t listen. He heard the sound of something approaching him. The wolf’s panic only grew as its mind only could think for danger. Yet, the Rancher recognized the approaching footsteps belonging to the Chain. “We’re safe, wolf. Calm down!” He shouted in his mind but the wolf refused to listen. It only trashed more. “They’re here! The help’s here!” He tried but he couldn’t break through the panic as the wolf trashed and tried to fight against the newcomers close by along with desperately wanting to get its own claws between the cord and its neck but only causing more of damage than good.
The Chain’s leader already hit the ground by the wolf in fear and worry. “Calm down, Twilight. We’re here.” He told but he very quickly realized that the wolf was too far into panic to realize a thing. “Hold him down!” He commanded when the group gathered around the frantic creature. “Find the base of the trap!” He half shouted while trying to get his own fingers between the thin cord and the wolf’s neck.
The harder they tried to help, the harder the wolf fought back. The one eyed male tried to talk to the wolf, to Twilight, to both of them but his words went to deaf ears. Legend found where the cord was tied to a tree. He tried to open the knot but there was some kind of magic in use around it. He took out his Power Bracelets and struck hard on the thin cord between the tree and the wolf… But the cord didn’t break. “Fuck!” Legend swore and swung the blade again but the result was the same. “I can’t cut it.” He told with slightly wavering voice as his gaze fell into the trashing wolf.
“Off the way.” Time nearly snarled the command and Legend swiftly moved to help others hold Wolfie down. The leader of the group glanced once at the trashing canine after taking his Biggoron Sword out. After that he returned his notion into the cord… And let out a battle cry as he swung the unbreakable blade in strong and fast swing.
The cord snapped with a twang sound and Time pretty much dropped the sword down before already kneeling down next to the wolf. He ignored the stares from the others as he worked his fingers between the wolf’s neck and the cord choking it. The only one of the seven Heroes grinning victoriously was Wind. “You know, I’ve seen Time cut a monster’s blade in two with that sword.” He told smugly.
The second Time got hold of the loop, he already started to loosen it up as fast as he could. He hated to feel the blood soaking his hands and listen to the miserable whines from the wolf as he forced the thin, hard rope off of the skin and allowing the wolf to fully breathe again. “It’s off! Heal—“ Time started but his command was cut short as he gasped in shock and pain.
The wolf had reacted out of instinct. It needed to get away. It needed to escape. The thing holding it down and trying to kill it was gone. There was an enemy right next to it. The wolf moved fast and struck its sharp teeth into the arm of the one whose fault its current situation was. It ignored the freaked out, frantic scream of “NO!!”
Yet, the second the wolf’s teeth closed hard around the arm, it stopped dead on its tracks. The scent was familiar. The blood, even though something it craved for, wasn’t right. This was not what it wanted. This was not an enemy. This was not something it was allowed to bare fangs at. It was friend. It was family. It was something it was meant to protect.
Slowly the wolf raised its gaze up. Taking in the armor and the face it knew well. Yet, the pain on that face was not something it wished to see. “What I’ve done?!” The words echoed in the back of the wolf’s head. “Please! Let him go!” The plea was frantic, filled with tears. Slowly and carefully the wolf opened its mouth and let go of the one it had just bit. The wolf laid down onto the ground, ears struck back, eyes shining with apology and it started to whine as miserably as it possibly could.
“TIME!” The Chain of Links screamed out in near unison when the wolf that was their brother in another form attacked. Yet, before they could react, the wolf had already stopped moving before letting go and laying down to the ground. They watched in full shock as the wolf started to whine.
“It’s okay. Wasn’t your fault.” Time half whispered while gently petting the creature. “Hyrule, heal Twilight’s neck.” He commanded as the youngster approached him. “Not me, Hyrule. Twilight first. My arm can wait but Twilight’s neck can’t.” He stated out firmly while keeping his gaze in the wolf.
Hyrule glanced at Time’s arm but he knew his leader was right. The wolf was still bleeding from where the cord had cut into. Bit fearfully he moved next to the creature and started to work with his magic. Time kept petting the wolf while whispering reassuring words.
The second Hyrule was done and the wound around the wolf’s neck was healed, it transformed. Twilight stared horrified at Time while crying. “T-Time… I…” He stammered while trying to find the right words. “I-I… I’m so sorry!” He choked out while feeling so hellishly shocked, freaked out, guilty and so furiously angry at the wolf and at himself for having allowed this to happen.
Time just smiled at him and shook his head. “Wasn’t your fault, Cub. The wolf was panicked. Instincts won over reason.” He simply stated out while glancing at Hyrule. The healer tilted his head and nodded towards Time’s arm. The youngster, even after having healed a harsh wound round Twilight’s neck, seemed to be still working well enough. Yet, the Old Man shook his head. “Potion will be more than enough.” He simply told with a small smile. “I’m not going to let you overdo yourself, Hyrule. That neck wound was hard enough already.”
Hyrule sighed in defeat but he nodded. Yet, before he could say a word, Legend already brought a potion over. “How did you manage to cut that cord?” He inquired while glancing at the snare that had almost claimed Twilight’s life.
“Besides power enhancing gloves?” Time asked with a raised eyebrow and Legend simply nodded. “Pure willpower and raw emotion.” He answered with a shrug before drinking the red potion. After that he turned his notion back into Twilight. Wanting to change the topic and giving his blood relative something else to think, he simply inquired the next: “So, did you find the cause of the scent?”
Twilight was fully startled and shot his gaze up into Time from the ground he had dropped his gaze earlier. “I… N-no….” He answered while feeling even worse as he fully understood how the whole situation had happened.
“Well, if you’re willing, we could try and track that scent down.” Time told as casually as he could. “It gotta have been something unique for you to lose notion of your surroundings.” He continued with a slight grin. Twilight flinched slightly while blushing. “As long as you stick close to us, you’re free to find the source of the scent.”
Twilight raised his gaze up with a raised eyebrow. Time simply nodded his answer. The rancher glanced around and caught notion of few shrugs and nods. “O-okay…” Twilight eventually mumbled and turned back into the wolf. The rest of the Chain stood up to get ready to follow Wolfie. Time picked his sword up and put it back to its rightful place.
The wolf was calm once again. It still gave a sorrowful and apologetic look to Time before getting up from the ground. It turned around and searched the scent out before following it again. Yet, this time it stayed close to the eight Hylians and checked every now and then that they were right by it. It was not going to repeat the earlier mistake ever again.
“So, if cutting the cord was done with willpower and emotion, what broke the monster’s sword?” Wind eventually asked as they followed Wolfie.
“The weapons the monsters use aren’t much of worth.” Time simply replied.
“Bullshit.” The sailor called. “I’ve struck hard with the Master Sword and with some Claymores and other two-handed weapons. I’ve never broken even one weapon with them.” Time just chuckled while grinning and giving no answer to the youngest Hero’s inquiry and exclamation.
It took about an hour before the Chain of nine Heroes found the source of the intriguing scent Wolfie was following. They saw a meadow of pale blue flowers. The canine’s tail wagged and he was just going to step into the area when Time suddenly yanked him back while not letting him cross the edge of the forest. “I don’t like this.” He mumbled while glancing at Hyrule, Legend and Wind. The wolf in his hold gave out a whine and tilted his head. “Change.” He commanded and the Sacred Beast gave out a bark of objection. “Change!” The one eyed male snapped and the predator gave a whine and backed out of the hold.
Soon Twilight was standing in Wolfie’s place. “Time?” He queried bit uncertainly.
“Something’s off.” The Chain’s leader stated out while trying to catch the information the forest was so hard trying to hide from him.
“I agree. There’s some kind of magic going on.” Legend replied and Hyrule nodded in agreement.
“It feels as an odd mix of good and bad. Like it’s not certain which it is.” The Traveler told with a slight frown.
“I see ghosts.” Wind told while having bit slumped. “I’m not sure what they’re wanting but their gazes are right at us.” He continued worriedly.
“There’s a shack at the other side of the meadow. Maybe we can get some answers from there.” Warriors noted and nodded towards the small, bit rundown house.
“No-one enters the meadow.” The Old Man commanded while feeling the dread the area gave him.
“I think we should leave.” Sky offered uncertainly.
“Yeah, that’s certainly what Heroes do.” Four commented but he had to admit that he wasn’t too happy of the area either. He glanced at Wild whom was working with his Slate. The master archer was checking around with his camera in case it would detect something before switching into the map. Neither gave him any answer or name for the area.
As the Links rounded the area carefully while avoiding getting into the meadow, the one eyed male was checking through his mask pouch. The others bit frowned as he pulled out a mask of a pig’s face. He closed his eye while putting it on and getting a sniff of the area. He first relaxed at the given scent before snapping his eye open and ripping the mask off. He swiftly brought his hand over his mouth as he bit doubled over and coughed and gagged.
The eight Heroes swiftly rounded their oldest brother while half shouting out questions if he was all right. Time waved his hand dismissively while slowly calming down. “Shit… The scent started nice but that what it turned into…” He shook his head while bit shakily putting the Mask of Scents away. Yet, he shuffled through the pouch and brought out the Mask of Truth.
Time took few deep breaths to calm down before he put the white mask with Sheikah’s markings on. He turned to look at the meadow before jerking a step backwards. He pulled the mask off and shook his head. “Yeah, I’m starting to really hate this place the more info I get.” He mumbled while putting the mask off. “The name of those flowers is Death’s Flower.” He told while making sure each of his boy was keeping even more of distance to the area.
“Works quite well with the ghosts I see hanging over each of the flowers at there.” The Sailor told while eyeing the beings bit suspiciously. It felt bit like the beings were calling him but he fought against the quiet whispers. He latched himself against the Captain to make sure he wouldn’t walk into the unwanted area.
Time and Wild were keeping eye on Twilight. The Rancher was glancing at the meadow while clearly wishing to go to the area where the scent had come from. Yet, in his Hylian form, he couldn’t catch the scent anymore and that helped him to stay away from the area. Still, he felt bit grateful of the watching over his closest family were doing for him.
When they reached the small house they found a Poe Collector sitting in front of the house at the steps. The being stood up slowly and looked around the startled group. “Where is the wearer of the gold?” The being inquired with bit eerie voice.
The nine Heroes glanced at each other before shrugging. “We all are.” Twilight answered as calmly as he could. “We are the Heroes of Hyrule from different eras. We carry a piece of the Golden Triangle, the part of Triforce of Courage. We all wear its mark in our hand.” He explained and glanced behind him. At some point during the walk to this shack he and Wild had taken the lead. Sky and Four were behind him. After them was Wind, Warriors and Time. Last but definitely not least was Legend and Hyrule.
“Wrong answer.” The Poe Collector nearly snapped before he already flung the cane it carried and an orb of blue and purple flew out of it. The thing swiftly navigated past the first Links before crashing into the Chain’s leader and right through his armor.
Time screamed in agony before falling quiet and crashing to the ground. The Chain had turned around in fright. The Captain moved to catch him but his arms went right through the one eyed male. He gasped in horror before nearly jerking bit away from his brother. Yet, there was no Hylian in his little brother’s place. On the ground laid huge golden furred wolf.
“Ah, there he is.” The Poe Collector called with a smirk. “The Golden Sacred Beast. The Singer of the Dead.” He titled the slowly awakening canine. He began to float and rise slowly upwards to the sky before already swinging the cane again.
The Golden Wolf yelped when something suddenly raised him up from the ground. “Your time is up.” The Poe Collector stated out just before the beast began to whine miserably in pain. The canine writhed and tried to attack whatever was harming him.
“NO!” The Chain pretty much screamed in unison before Twilight had already changed forms. He gasped a bit when he saw Imp Collector instead of the Poe Collector. Yet, that only got him to growl even louder as he attacked fast and furiously. The beast gave out startled and bit pained scream as the other wolf sank its teeth into him.
As the concentration into the magic was broken, The Golden Wolf fell bit ungracefully into the ground. While the others dashed off to deal with the enemy, Warriors moved next to the dropped wolf. “Sprite?” He called bit worriedly as the predator shook his head and half sat up. The canine gave a questioning whine and tilt of a head as he looked at the war Hero. “You okay?” The Captain inquired and his little brother turned into a wild animal simply nodded. “You better take a check of yourself.” He continued with bit of a sheepish look.
The Golden Wolf frowned and titled his head even more in confusion. Yet, he did as told and gasped a bit when he found himself as a canine. He took a swift check around before giving a huff of a growl and placing one paw over his snout. After that, though, he stood up bit wobbly. “Easy, easy!” Warriors half shouted while trying to aid the wolf to find his balance. The canine huffed and gave a deadpan look to his older brother. Suddenly the curses of the other Heroes caught the duo’s notion.
The golden furred Sacred Beast started to growl as he noticed that only Wolfie and Wind were capable of actually fighting the Imp Collector. Everyone else was crashing with unseen wall. “They’re clearly not having much of luck in getting through.” The Captain commented just before the wolf dashed forward. “Yeah, give him a reason to forget his form is different and he moves like he’s always been a wolf.” He grumbled while facepalming.
The Golden Wolf jumped and attacked the Imp Collector on full force. His weight added into the weight Wolfie was already having on their enemy finally brought him into the ground. That gave both wolves the full chance to rip and tear as roughly as they could. Wind waited for his chance to strike since the two huge canines were hogging the whole size of the ghostly being with lantern and a scythe. Yet, that was when he noticed the lamp being untouched by his brothers in wolf forms.
With a scream the Sailor struck his Phantom Sword through the glass and into the blue light. He stabbed it over and over again while the wild dog predators were keeping the main body busy. Eventually the Imp Collector screamed and cracks appeared into its body. “Off the way!” Wolfie barked out and moved to push the youngest Hero away.
The Golden Wolf wasn’t fast enough to get away from the explosion. The wolf half screamed, half howled as the blast send him flying backwards. He gasped when he struck back first into the meadow. The pale blue pedals flew all around him and the ghosts of the area came into full sight for everyone. “NOT WELCOME!” The beings screamed and grabbed the canine with talon like sharp claws.
. The Chain would’ve loved to go to his help but Wind held them back. “NO!” He snapped in near fright when he saw where Time in wolf form had been struck at. “If you enter, you won’t get out.” He told while taking a deep breath. “I’ll get him out of there. I got something they fear.” He stated out as firmly as he could while gripping the Phantom Sword tightly. Yet, before he could enter the meadow of Death’s Flowers, the Sacred Beast of gold fur howled in pain before the specters threw him again
Time in the form of a wolf gasped when he crashed back first against a tree. He whimpered when he hit the ground before already howling in agony. Half of him was Hylian while other half was wolf. “Shit…” The ghosts whispered when they realized how bad their throw had ended up being.
The Sailor gasped in shock when the border between Life and Death suddenly appeared. Time’s scream came out half a howl, half a Hylian’s. The seven Heroes dashed forward to aid him but the pirate-Hero stopped them. “NO!” He screamed in near terror and snapped their notion into him. “If you pull him here, you’ll hurt him worse.” He told fearfully. “Right now he’s half in both Realms. If we’re lucky, we’ll get him to our side as Hylian but I fear he’ll lose something precious in the process. We need to do this right.” He explained as well as he could while carefully approaching his oldest brother.
The ghosts at the meadow slowly approached the whimpering half wolf, half Hylian. They glanced at each other before nodding. After that they began to talk in eerie voice while throwing in one simple request with multiple titles.
“Howl, Singer of the Dead.”
“Howl, Bringer of the Peace.”
“Howl, Creator of the Masks.”
“Howl, Keeper of the Time.”
The whimpering Golden Wolf slowly raised his head up to look at the ghosts around him. He growled in pain as he forced his legs closer to get into a better position. After that he struck his head up to face the sky before already howling.
The eight Heroes watched with growing fear and worry at the scene. They gasped a bit when the half wolf, half Hylian did as the ghosts requested. “I know that song.” Twilight half shouted but he jerked a bit at the look Wind gave him.
“No.” The Sailor almost commanded. “We can’t take part.” He stated out sorrowfully while turning his gaze back into his oldest brother. “Time has to do this alone.”
The Golden Wolf howled the Song of Healing several times through before running out of strength and air. He bowed his head while panting with tongue out. The ghosts around him started to shimmer a bit before slowly fading away. The border’s harshness began to soften and the canine slowly pulled himself into the side of the meadow.
The wolf closed his eye and bit slumped while fearing what would happen. He flinched slightly when the border between the Realm of the Living and the Realm of the Dead flashed brightly. Slowly, bit fearfully, he opened his eye while raising his left limb. He sighed in relief and relaxed when he saw his own hand instead of fur and paw of a wolf.
“Give me the mask.”
Time gasped and snapped his gaze up into a ghost that had stayed back. “What?” He asked while frowning in confusion.
“Give. Me. THE mask!” The ghost demanded while approaching the Chain’s leader.
“What mask?” The one eyed male queried while feeling entirely lacking with the information.
“DON’T PLAY WITH ME!” The spectre screamed in near rage and slashed the air sharply with his hand. The Old Man gasped in shock as the unseen magic already snatched a hold of him. He screamed as he was flung through the air before gasping roughly as he crashed into the ground. “Give me the mask.” The ghost snarled while starting to approach the oldest Hero of the Chain.
“Fuck… It would help a damn lot to know what mask you’re meaning.” Time growled while slowly sitting up.
The ghost growled and fisted his hand before already slashing the air with it. His target gasped as the magic wrapped tighter around him and he was thrown through the air again. “The wolf mask!” The see-through man screamed while glaring at his target.
The Chain’s leader screamed again before gasping roughly as he crashed against a tree. He gave out a whimper when he hit the ground. He whined in pain while slowly sitting up and cradling his broken arm. “I’ve no idea what you’re talking about. I don’t have a wolf mask.” He told as firmly as he could. “The only canine mask I got is this.” He continued and took out the Keaton Mask.
“YOU FUCKING BASTARD!” The ghost screamed and slashed the air roughly. Time gasped in shock as the mask flew out of his hold. He flinched when the wooden thing hit a tree and fell into the ground. “The Golden Wolf. Give me THAT mask.” The spectre snarled and struck his hand straight before already starting to slowly clench his hand into a fist and raising it upwards.
The one eyed male gasped and started to fight against unseen hold around his throat. He gasped and fought for air while being slowly raised up into the air. Suddenly he gasped in shock before giving out a slight startled scream as he was already in free fall. He growled when he crashed into the ground.
Wind had finally gone to the meadow and struck his sword through the ghost’s back. “Leave him the hell alone.” He snarled while already working in getting the spectre sucked into the hourglass in the Phantom Sword.
Time was gasping for air before slowly raising his head up to look at the ghost. “I can’t give you a mask I don’t have.” He started while bit coughing. The seven Heroes were around him while Legend already offered him a red potion. “Bit later.” The Chain’s leader half whispered before carefully getting up to his feet.
The Old Man moved gently past his boys and approached the trapped ghost. “Even if I would’ve had such mask, I wouldn’t give it to you. It’s not yours to have.” He told bit sorrowfully. “Yet, I can’t even create the mask you want. As far as I’m aware, the Golden Wolf is part of me. It’s not a transformation magic. It’s, as the Hero of Legend calls it, my Dark World form. It’s part of my Spirit. It’s not something I can part ways with.” He explained with apologetic voice.
As the Hero with golden wolf within him approached the man, he slowly called out Light Magic. He held it hidden in his right hand as his left arm was broken due to the latest hit against a tree. “I’m sorry. I hope you can find peace.” He whispered before turning to face towards left while bringing his right hand up and striking his palm against the specter’s chest. He flinched as the see-through man screamed until slightly exploding out of sight.
Time sighed and carefully sat down to the ground. “Time?” Wind called worriedly while already kneeling down beside him. His oldest brother gave him a weary smile.
“I’m okay. Well, not entirely… Broken arm and exhausted but…” The one eyed male started and shrugged. “You know. Normal day in Hero’s life.” He told with a weak lopsided grin before sighing. “Didn’t wait for something like this, though.” He admitted before turning his notion into the Chain coming over. He smiled a bit and nodded as thanks when Legend offered him the red potion again. This time he took it.
“I think this is still intact.” Warriors told as he had went to fetch the Keaton Mask. He checked it thoroughly through before offering it to his little brother. “I know how much this mask means to you.” He half mused while remembering how often it had been on the boy’s face during the war.
The Chain’s leader chuckled a bit while smiling fondly at the mask. “Yeah…” He half whispered while giving it a check too just in case. “I got it from a friend during my second quest.” He explained before putting the mask away.
“I think we could leave this area and set a camp to somewhere.” Sky offered while looking around.
“Agreed. We all certainly have had enough of exploring for a while.” Four pointed out while glancing at Twilight almost meaningfully.
“Well, that certainly sounds like a plan worth of following.” The oldest Link commented while standing up.
“What about the shack?” Hyrule queried before gasping in shock. He had just checked the place to be there but now it was gone.
“I think it was tied to the ghosts that resided in here.” Time answered and shrugged. “Better for it to be gone than to lure in more unfortunate people.” He stated out before looking around. “So… Which way to pick?” He queried while being willing to let his boys choose their road.
“I think there might be fairies around.” The Traveler commented with a slight frown. “Usually their areas are safe and sound.”
“Everyone okay with that idea?” The Chain’s leader questioned and got a round of nods. “Alright. Lead the way, Rulie.” He half commanded and the half-fairy took the lead. Each of the Heroes knew that their oldest brother could’ve easily led them to the area. Yet, Hyrule still had stronger bond with the small beings than what their leader had which probably was the reason he let the youngster take the lead.
The Fairy Pond and the safety it offered was entirely what the nine Heroes were in the need of. The fairies quickly surrounded them and checked them for wounds and whatnot. After that they already were in a conversation with each of the Links while speaking in Fairy Language with Time and Hyrule. Wild handled the evening meal while making sure he had something for the pond’s residents too. With the fairies guarding them, the Chain was entirely capable of being in the Hero Pile of Support and Comfort as each of them was in great need of it. The day had been long and rough but in the end of it, everyone was safe and sound and together.