Chapter Text
There were multiple reasons not to believe them. They were heavily armed, used fake names, and one of them tried to take the Slate. Now, they'd just told them that they were a group of time travelling heroes, all of them previous reincarnations of them, and that they had to join to help them take out black-blooded monsters spanning across multiple timelines.
Yeah, sure. Like anyone's going to believe that.
They had the Master Sword.
To prove themselves, they had one of their members, Sky, take out the Master Sword. Champion's head was spinning, how was this even possible? How did they have the Master Sword? He placed it in the Lost Woods, he was sure of it. His head started to hurt as he looked at the Master Sword resting in Sky's hands, its blade clean and hilt looking brand new. The world around him was swirling as he remained transfixed on the sword, everything going blurry except for the holy blade.
Luckily, Champion wasn't the only one who felt this way. He soon found himself running through a forest. He didn't remember how he made it here, but he saw Link in front of him pulling him through the forest, Champion turning with a dizzy head to see brief glimpses of figures chasing after them. Focusing back towards Link, Champion understood what was happening. Spotting a thick underbrush created by some perched roots, he quickly pulled himself and Link to the side to hide underneath.
The thick cover of moss and leaves disguised them well as they watched the group slowly approach, evident from their loud footsteps. Link and Champion remained huddled next to each other as they attempted to be as still as possible. Placing a hand over his mouth, Champion masked his breathing, something which Link replicated as boots of the travellers appeared from their view point.
"Where'd they go?" That worried voice seemed to come from Four.
"They were just right here, I swear!" The grumbling tone was probably Legend's.
They watched as more legs entered the frame, each of them complaining more than the last.
"Listen up," Time's commanding voice spoke up against the chatter, the group going silent as they listened to him, "Spread out to find them. I'll stay here with Twilight, report back here if you don't find anything."
They must've nodded because in an instant the legs walked away, leaving only two pairs which were presumably Twilight and Time's, seeing as how they weren't moving away. Champion did his best to remain silent as he painfully waited for them to leave.
"You can come out now," Twilight softly spoke.
The pair froze. Was he talking to them? Did they know they were here? How would he?
Getting down on one knee, Twilight crouched down closer to the underbrush. They still couldn't see his face, but could see his chest and knee. Slowly, Twilight extended a hand under the thick foliage, cautiously offering a hand to pull them up. The two stared at it for a long time, contemplating whether they should take it like fish staring at bait. Eventually, Link decided he'd take Twilight's hand, reluctantly placing his hand in his.
Twilight let out a pleased hum as Link grabbed his hand, pulling him out of the underbrush effortlessly. Twilight and Time watched as the skittish teen looked down anxiously in front of them, his hair covered in leaf litter and clothes stained with dirt. Twilight crouched back down to help Champion out before being stopped mid-crouch by Link.
"He can get out himself," He whispered
Time and Twilight exchanged brief glances before hearing a stick crack behind them, both of them slightly startled at Champion's sudden appearance behind them.
"How'd you do that?" Twilight asked inquisitively, Champion only giving a shrug.
"Alright..." Time slowly said, "If you don't mind, we would just like to know why you ran away."
Time stared the two anxious boys down in case they decided to run again, the pair fiddling in place before Link slowly spoke up.
"Um... It was just a little... much, I guess," Link stammered, his gaze not daring to meet the two heroes, "Sorry."
"It's fine, Link. We know how overwhelming it can feel to learn so much so quickly," Time calmly explained, "If it helps, you're not the first to have reacted like this."
Twilight watched as Link and Time sat by a tree, Time engaging him in some light conversation in an attempt to calm the scarred hero's nerves, which appeared to be working as he occasionally let out small giggles. Wait, weren't there two heroes? Twilight turned his head around to find the second hero, eventually spotting him leaning against a tree with his arms crossed and hood raised up.
Seeing as how Time was dealing with Link, Twilight thought it'd only be fair if he helped deal with the other Link. Champion was certainly the more mysterious character between the pair, given that he'd been wary of them since the start and hadn't said a single word let alone noise. He was deadly silent, easily fading in with the background and popping up when you'd least expect.
The only way Twilight was able to find them was because he heard Link's soft breathing, he had just hoped Champion was with him. Approaching slowly, Champion turned up to look at him as he leaned next to him, Twilight getting a bit disheartened when Champion scooted over slightly.
"Are you alright?" Twilight asked calmly.
Champion looked up at him briefly before looking back down and giving a stiff nod.
"Okay..." Twilight was slightly stumped by the lack of response, but what else did he expect?
"Are you a knight? You're quite skilled at fighting," Twilight evaluated.
The question appeared to catch Champion off guard, who nodded slowly before quickly covering it up with a shrug.
"You don't know? Are you no longer a knight?" Twilight guessed, Champion nodding to his second suggestion.
"I see. Do you–" Twilight wanted to follow up before he noticed Champion's hands moving, watching him move them deliberately.
Champion was signing something to him. In all honesty, Twilight was rusty on his sign and knew just basic signs. Even then, Champion's signs appeared familiar yet alien, slight tweaks in signs he knew. It would make sense that sign language also changed with time, especially since this Hyrule was supposedly ancient. Twilight sheepishly asked Champion to repeat the signs, but slower as he was still having a hard time figuring out.
'When-do-we-leave?' Was what Twilight made out, although he added a few words to make it more coherent.
"When are we leaving? Is that what you're asking?" Twilight confirmed with Champion, who nodded.
"Er... well we don't really get to choose. Hylia will open portals for us to travel to the next Hyrule once she thinks we're done in the current Hyrule," Twilight explained, watching Champion's unwavering deadpan expression.
"I get if it's a bit much. I didn't understand it either," Twilight admitted followed by Champion shaking his head.
So... he did understand it? In fact, he didn't even seem fazed. What has this kid been through?
Twilight wanted to continue talking with Champion, given that this was also the longest conversation he'd held with him, before he heard some distant footsteps. The others must be coming back from their search expeditions, albeit they were rigged given that he knew where they were the entire time. Time'll deal with them for him. Looking over at said Time, Link seemed to have brightened up after his initial scare following his talk with Time.
Through the trees, Warriors and Hyrule reappeared.
"Sorry, we couldn't find..." Warriors started before squinting at Link and Champion, "...them."
"Are you guys alright? Where were you?" Hyrule's caring personality surpassed Warriors' disbelief as he approached Link to check for injuries.
"Um, yes, we're fine," Link meekly answered, Hyrule accepting the answer as he moved over to Champion.
"And how did you find them?" Warriors directed his question to the old man.
"Let's just say we stumbled on them," Time offered, his answer clearly not satisfying Warriors.
"Right..." Warriors slowly responded.
As Hyrule approached Champion, Twilight watched as the teen backed away from the brunette when he attempted to reach out a hand to examine him, Champion watching him warily as Hyrule withdrew his hand.
"Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable," Hyrule apologised softly, Champion giving no response.
"HEY I FOUND THEM!" Wind yelled out from the forest, surprising everyone as they turned to the source of the noise.
Soon, a panting Wind popped out of the trees, followed by an equally tired Four and Legend.
"See! There they–" Wind cut himself off when he noticed the other nearby heroes, "Oh."
"Idiot," Four called Wind through tired breaths, Legend facepalming himself as he was too tired to insult Wind.
"Anybody seen Sky?" Twilight asked.
"He probably fell asleep on a nice, comfy log or something," Legend exasperatedly replied as he laid on the forest floor, too tired to bother looking at Twilight.
"I'll go get him," Warriors volunteered before disappearing back into the trees.
Ignoring the whole fiasco, Twilight turned back to look at Champion, who had since disappeared. Quickly looking around, he sighed after he spotted Champion sat with Link, his hands lightly cupped over his ears. He slowly walked over to the pair and crouched down to talk with them.
"Are they too loud?" Twilight asked as Champion gave a stiff nod.
"Sorry about them. I've tried to get Wind to keep quiet but he's a 'pirate' or something," Time explained softly.
"He'll be fine," Link spoke on behalf of Champion, who remained quiet, "He just doesn't like strangers. Or loud noises."
"Well, I hope we won't be strangers for long," Time offered Champion a smile, who simply nodded.
"Found him," Warriors announced as he walked back with a yawning Sky. Did he really fall asleep?
"Oh, you two are back," Sky said drowsily. Yup, he did.
"Sky, I think it's time Link got his hero title," Time called Sky over, Link and Champion sharing confused looks.
"Hero title?" Link asked as Sky crouched down in front of him.
"Basically your nickname," Four simplified, "Since we're all called Link, we all go by our hero title, which is given by the Master Sword. My name's Four because I'm the Hero of the Four Sword. The others are self-explanatory."
"Oh, alright. But..." Link trailed off as Sky presented the Master Sword to Link, turning the hilt to face him.
Link swallowed drily as he looked at the blue hilt, "The sword doesn't really like me."
"Huh? What do you mean?" Sky drew back the sword slightly.
"I don't know. It just... burns me when I try to hold it," Link looked down dully.
Twilight noticed Link squirming in place slightly as the heroes huddled around nearby to watch. They were pressuring him. Using his hand, he gently ushered them to back away slightly, the heroes luckily getting the message and moving back, giving Link more space to breathe.
"No, there's no way she'd hurt a hero," Sky thought aloud in disbelief as he cradled the sword.
"Is it alright if I don't–" Link was interrupted by a gentle hand on his shoulder from Champion.
He proceeded to eloquently sign something to Link, presumably something lengthy given how long he performed the signs, all in quick succession. The members of the Chain who knew sign language attempted to keep up with him, but the generational differences and their general ineptness proved it to be difficult. They resorted to silently watching the conversation between the pair unfold, mindfully leaving them to talk uninterrupted.
The conversation seemed to conclude as Link gave a nod and turned back to face Sky, "I think I'm ready," A slightly uncertain Link stated.
Sky gave a nod as he turned the hilt back to Link. Slowly, Link and Champion raised their hands to grip the hilt.
"Wait, will it work if two people grab it at the same time?" Wind chimed in.
"Oh, uh, how do I explain this..." Link furrowed his eyebrows in thought, "Me and Champion, we're the same person."
"Huh? What does that even mean?" Hyrule asked.
"Uh, I'll explain it later," Link avoided the question.
"You better," Legend spat. He was getting tired of these two avoiding so many suspicious questions.
Link gave a quick nod as he and Champion resumed reaching out, both of them grabbing the hilt on the count of three.
The divine power of the sword hit quick. Champion had never felt it so strongly before, the Master Sword that he used was far more muted. Link appeared to be dealing with it quite well, he also wasn't getting burnt, which must be a good sign. Slowly, Champion withdrew his hand, leaving Link to wield the hilt by himself. Link seemed to be engrossed in thought, not noticing the fact that he was wielding the sword by himself.
This quelled Champion's fears, a deep down thought that Link wasn't a hero chosen by the Goddesses. Something must have changed after they defeated Ganon and Link must now be 'worthy' to hold the Master Sword. Despite being a biased source regarding whether or not the Master Sword was good, he felt happy that Link could hold it. He noticed that Link had been masking his sadness for a while now whenever the sword was brought up in conversation by him or Zelda.
They all watched in anticipation as Link kept his grip on the sword, his body unmoving as something was supposedly happening between him and the sword.
Champion had been staring at Link for at least a minute. This was longer than any memory Link had ever had before and he was getting a little worried. It was the Master Sword, what harm could it be doing to him? He could hear small murmurings breaking out behind him between the members as they discussed what could be happening, the heroes being just as confused as Champion.
Link blinked slowly, an action not gone unnoticed by Champion, who quickly shook him gently. He slowly came back to reality, releasing his grip on the sword to rub his eyes lightly.
"Are you alright? You usually don't have to hold Fi for that long," Sky asked as he took the Master Sword back, Champion deducing that he called the sword Fi for some reason.
"Yeah, I was just... I don't know. It was just a long conversation," Link sighed as he rubbed his head.
"What was it about?" Four asked curiously.
"The sword just apologised to me. We spent a while talking and she gave me my hero title," Link simplified the contents of his conversation.
"I see," Sky said quietly with slight sadness in his voice.
"What is your hero title? Hurry, tell us!" Wind excitedly bounced in place as he awaited Link's answer.
"The Hero of the Wilds."
The Chain heard a small playful scoff after Link, now dubbed Wild, said that. Turning their heads, it came from the last person they expected. Champion had just let out the first noise any of them had heard this entire time and it was to laugh at Wild's hero title. He quickly masked up his tiny smirk as he resumed his deadpan expression, the rest of the Chain still staring at him in surprise.
"How could you do that?" Wild playfully punched Champion, the latter dodging it as Wild continued.
They continued play fighting for a while before it turned into messy roughhousing, the Chain understanding why his title was Wild.
"Break it up now," Time light-heartedly interfered, separating the duo, "Welcome Wild and Champion."
They both shot back up to their feet, Champion cleaning himself off whilst Wild didn't bother. Champion gave a low bow in respect to them which Wild followed soon after.
"No need for the pleasantries," Warriors insisted, the duo rising back up quickly.
"Um, so what happens now?" Wild asked as he finally decided to brush the dirt off of him.
"Assuming that the group of monsters earlier were the only black-blooded monsters here," Sky started, "Then we should be getting the portal to the next Hyrule soon."
"They were. Does that mean we're leaving soon?" Wild replied with a tinge of sadness.
"Most likely," Sky nodded.
Champion tugged on Wild's sleeve, getting his attention before he signed a single word to him, a sign none of them recognised.
"Oh, he's asking if we can see our Zelda before we leave, whenever that is," Wild conveyed Champion's message to them, "She's probably at Hateno."
"If you want to go see your Zelda you can, we're not gonna stop you," Twilight supportively added.
"It's just that... It'll take about two days worth of travel. Probably more," Wild estimated.
"Two days?! How large is your Hyrule?" Wind exclaimed in surprise.
"If there's a chance you can see your Zelda, we should still try," Time suggested, ignoring Wind's comment, "So, lead the way."
Wild gave a short nod and started heading back to the stable, Champion accompanying him at the front as the rest of the Chain followed behind them.
"They still haven't answered any questions," Legend curtly reminded.
Champion didn't really know how to feel about the group of heroes trailing them. He knew they could be trusted, they were goddess approved after all, but he just felt different from the rest of them. They were all accomplished, some of them having multiple adventures under their belt. It took him two tries to get something right, something which most of them had already done, defeating Ganon.
He could hear the lively banter between them behind him, all of them comfortable and friendly with one another. Wild's easy-going personality would easily fit in with the rest of them, but he felt obligated to stick by Champion's side at the front. It made him feel guilty, he was hindering Wild from forming relationships due to his own selfishness or loneliness or whatever it was.
Wild was busy fiddling with his Slate when he was interrupted by Champion tugging his sleeve.
"What's up?" Wild peeled his eyes off his inventory to look at Champion.
'Go. To them.' Champion pointed to the group of heroes behind them.
"Really? I can stay if you want," Wild offered as he tilted his head.
'Stop caring about me. Go.' Champion ushered Wild away as he lifted his hood.
"Um, okay..." Wild reluctantly left Champion's side, giving him a few glances before tearing away for good.
Champion sighed through his nose. He was alone, again. But it was for Wild's own good, he shouldn't be allowed to not make friends just because of him. He focused back onto the road, looking around for any threats or monsters that might ambush them, or that's what he told himself. He could hear Wild talking with the rest of the group, his addition fitting in perfectly as they resumed their chatter.
He knew he was different. When they tried to talk with him he just didn't know how to extend the conversation, leading it to be awkward or only last a few sentences. He appreciated that they tried to talk with him, but it would just be better if he remained the silent knight he always was, just standing by the sidelines as he watched the action. He wasn't made to socialise, but to fight.
"Heyya," A voice to his right.
Champion cocked his head to the side, hand instinctively reaching for his sword before he realised it was just Twilight. He awkwardly rested his hands back by his side as Twilight released he just dodged an assassination attempt.
"Sorry, I shouldn't have snuck up on ya," Twilight brushed it off, Champion maintaining his gaze on the path ahead of them.
"How are you doing?" Twilight asked.
'Fine.' Champion succinctly responded.
Twilight just let out a hum in response. They continued walking quietly, the conversation descending into silence like the rest.
"How are you and Wild the same person?" Twilight spoke up again.
'Ask ----.' Champion signed. Twilight wasn't sure what the last sign was but assumed it was Wild's name, reiterated by Champion pointing back towards Wild.
"I did. He asked me to ask you," Ah, so Wild sent Twilight to him. "Besides that, he hasn't explained much about it to anyone else. Just lil' tidbits."
Letting out a soft sigh, Champion begrudgingly raised his hands up again. It seems Wild has dumped the responsibility of explaining why there were two heroes into his lap, not to mention that he also has to explain that he fell a century ago and that Wild has been asleep for a century.
'I died.' Champion decided this was a good starting point.
"I'm a bit rusty on my Hylian Sign, but did you say died?" Twilight questioned as Champion nodded.
He watched as Twilight's expression fell slightly, the rancher wasn't doing a good job at covering it up. To be fair, no one did a good job at masking their shock whenever he mentioned his death.
"Okay... died to who?" Twilight slowly followed up.
Champion didn't really understand why he had to answer because it was obvious who it was, but he did it anyway.
'-----. G-A-N-O-N.' Champion spelt it out for Twilight.
It would make sense he fell to Ganon, Twilight reasoned. But it still hurts to hear that his fellow hero had fallen in battle.
"If you fell... then how are you here? Are you a poe of some sort?" Twilight cautiously asked, he didn't want the teen to feel upset talking about such a sensitive topic.
Champion on the other hand, didn't care. He'd long gotten over his death. The burning pain that came along with it as he body toppled onto the wet grass, the metallic legs of the Guardian that killed him being the last thing he saw before everything went black. What he hadn't gotten over was the emotional pain that came along with it. Every time he looked at Zelda his heart ached, he didn't deserved to be forgiven by her, or by anyone for that matter.
Whenever he and Wild visited stables, the travellers sang their praises, occasionally gifting them food or weapons. But did he deserve it? No. They don't know he killed their ancestors. That he doomed the lands for a hundred years. That the deaths of people he knew constantly haunt him. The King, Mipha, Urbosa, Daruk, and even Revali. He didn't mind bearing this burden, in fact he was glad Wild only knew brief snippets of the whole story.
He'd wake up in the middle of the night, sweating and confused after having another horrid nightmare. Hyrule in flames as Ganon stared him down. Wild would always be there to support him, taking his time to talk with him and slowly coax him back to sleep. Wild didn't deserve to deal with him, no one did. He should suffer alone. Sometimes he'd wonder why Hylia even gave him a second chance. A second chance he didn't deserve.
"Champion?" Twilight's voice came out softer than he expected.
He snapped out of his own thoughts and faced the Ordonian, giving an apology for wandering off into his head by accident. He figured he owed Twilight an explanation to his long forgotten question anyways.
'I-am-a-spirit. S-P-I-R-I-T. What is a P-O-E?' Champion responded with slightly shaky hands.
Twilight gave a nod before explaining, "A poe is just a thing some of us have. It's fine if you don't know what it is."
Champion simply nodded at Twilight's explanation. Or lack thereof.
"So... you're a spirit. When did you die? If ya don't mind me asking," Twilight inquired.
He noticed that Champion hesitated to answer this question, perhaps it was more personal?
Slowly, Champion put up one finger, 'One.', before hesitantly making the 'C' symbol, 'One-hundred.'
"A hundred? Days? Months?" Twilight didn't suggest years because that wouldn't make much sense.
'Years.'
"What."
Twilight just stared at the teen, shock written on his face as he attempted to come to qualms with this new information. He must be lying, right? But he's been truthful this entire time, it wouldn't make sense to lie about something like this. Twilight then realised he'd been looking too obviously at Champion, who was now looking at his feet under Twilight's baffled gaze.
"Oh, sorry," Twilight withdrew his staring, "I'm, er, just taking it in."
'I-understand.' Champion guiltily continued to point his head down.
"Could you elaborate further? If you don't mind," Twilight slowly asked, he didn't want Champion to feel awkward, although they were far past that point by now.
Champion slowly nodded as he raised his hands again.
'After my death, they put me in the ------., where I-rested for one-hundred-years. Wild left the ------. I became a spirit.' Champion did his best to consolidate it into a short story that Twilight could understand.
Despite a few holes in the story, Twilight put together that the two unknown signs were the same and probably a place or location of some sort. Although he still didn't quite understand how there were two of them, something must have happened that turned them into two separate people. Twilight felt horrible for Champion and Wild, that something this bad could ever happen to somebody. That Hylia would let her heroes suffer like this.
"I'm sorry," Twilight mustered in a low voice.
Champion gave no response. Twilight presumed that he'd overexerted the teen for the day, especially after getting him to spill so much. He left his remaining questions to rest, given that it couldn't have been easy to have told him all that. The most he owed Champion was some time to compose himself. Twilight slowly reached out a hand to place on Champion's shoulder, stopping after he noticed the teen shying away from him.
"Alright, I won't touch you. But I'd just like to be here with you. Is that okay?" Twilight calmly asked. Champion gave him a quick nod.
Twilight let out a small hum and remained by Champion's side as they walked down the dirt path. The quiet chatter of the Chain and the whistling of the wind filled the silence between them. Champion was glad Twilight didn't push any further, but he still felt down. He hated talking about his past as it didn't get any easier, constantly faced with disappointed expressions whenever he explained himself. It made him feel horrible.
This time felt slightly different. Twilight was giving another disappointed expression but this time Champion picked up on other feelings. Feelings of sorrow, of compassion. He reasoned in his head that Twilight was making those by accident. He had to be. Why would anyone feel bad for him? He looked out towards the falling sun in the distance, the evening lights always shone the brightest at this time. They continued walking in silence, but this time it didn't feel awkward. It felt amicable.
Maybe this wasn't so bad.
Due to the setting sun, Time suggested setting up a makeshift camp after being informed by Wild that there weren't many stables around. Scouting around, they settled on a secluded spot by the river with a small group of trees nearby. Under Time's leadership, he effortlessly divided them into groups to help around the camp. Wild and Champion watched as jobs were distributed one by one until Time landed on them.
"You two don't have to do anything, seeing as how you just joined," Time assigned them to... sitting around?
"Huh? But we wanna do something!" Wild pleaded, which sounded more like whining, something that Champion was painfully used too.
"If you insist," Time acquiesced, "Wild, go help Four and Hyrule with resource gathering. Champion, can you cook for us tonight?"
The twins nodded in sync and went off to do their respective duties, Wild dashing into the trees as Champion approached the conveniently placed portable cooking pot carried by Warriors.
~~~
Wild didn't really know where Four and Hyrule went so he just trudged around the thick forest aimlessly, occasionally stopping to pick up some interesting mushrooms or plants he found. His main goal wasn't really to find Four or Hyrule but to just explore, seeing how he hadn't gotten the chance to do so in a while especially since he was apparently now a part of a group of time-travelling heroes. Zelda was never going to believe this. She's going to be sooo surprised!
Speaking of Zelda, Wild wondered how she was. He and Champion hadn't reported back to her all day and she had to be worried sick. Wild felt bad enough that it almost made him want to teleport over to Hateno. Almost. Wild couldn't just abandon the group he'd just met and besides, they were heading over to Hateno Village anyways. She could wait a day... probably. Actually, Zelda would kill them for leaving her in the dark like this and for disappearing for so long. Wild shuddered just thinking about it, Zelda's scoldings were way worse than Champion's.
He forgot about his future lecture as he focused back on the present, plucking out a few Ironshrooms by a tree stump. Just then, he heard a snap in the distance, his head instantly turning to face it. The sound was loud, so it wasn't caused by a deer, and it was thick, so it wasn't caused by a fox. Four and Hyrule. Staying low, Wild approached the noise with deadly accuracy, his ears twitching as he heard out for any other sounds.
Murmurings turned into voices, voices he knew. Turning past a tree, he caught a glimpse of Four's multicoloured tunic and Hyrule's mop-like hair.
"Does this one look edible?"
He made his approach.
"Well, it's green. Green's a good colour, right?"
On habit, he kept his steps light.
"Green could mean poison."
Standing behind them, he peaked over the shorter hero's shoulder to see what it was.
"How about this red one?"
"What are you guys looking at?" Wild spoke up.
The following screams were deafening, Four producing a shriek so loud Wild didn't even know his tiny body was able to make. He didn't understand what all the fuss was about as he stared at the two swords pointed right at him, completely unfazed as he turned to see if they screamed at something behind him, which they didn't.
"What's wrong?" Wild asked with a tilt of his head to the two scared heroes, who were both lying on the ground in shock as they dropped their swords.
"GODDESSES DAMMIT WILD DON'T DO THAT!" Four exclaimed with a hand clutched over his chest, his eyes were wider than ever as he stared at Wild like he was a Hinox or someting.
"Do what?" Wild asked innocently.
"Uh, I think what he means Wild..." Hyrule softly spoke as he stood back up, "...is that you shouldn't creep up on others like that."
"I wasn't creeping up on you guys. Time sent me to help you," Wild replied nonchalantly.
Four stood up after receiving a hand from Hyrule, "Right... just don't do that again, or I'm gonna die of a heart attack."
Wild quickly nodded, his messy ponytail bobbing up and down as well. He'd never heard of a heart attack before, but something attacking your heart doesn't sound good.
"Actually, since this is your Hyrule, are these mushrooms safe to eat?" Hyrule redirected him over to two groups of mushrooms, one group red and the other green.
Wild walked over and crouched down to check out the mushrooms, Four and Hyrule huddled around him. Taking one of each, he methodically examined them, Four and Hyrule following along despite not really understanding what Wild was doing. After his inspection, Wild proceeded to do the next step to check if they were safe. Eating them. Unhesitatingly, he popped both mushrooms into his mouth, chewing down on the tough texture.
"What are you doing?!" Four asked with wide eyes as he insisted Wild spit them out. By then, Wild had already swallowed the two mushrooms.
"Yup! They're safe," Wild confirmed, staring at a baffled Four and curious Hyrule.
"So that's how you check..." Hyrule took down a mental note to try it next time.
"Do NOT even think of following his behaviour," Four scolded, his face utterly perplexed at why their healer was up for eating random mushrooms.
"Here, try it!" Wild offered a red mushroom to Hyrule, who readily bit into it.
"Hm, chewy!" Hyrule let out a delighted hum as he took another bite.
"I think I'll just have my heart attack now," Four stated as he felt the white hairs growing on his head.
~~~
Champion threw the butter into the pan after waiting for about five minutes for it to heat up first. The butter sizzled and cracked under the hot metal, leaving golden trails as Champion expertly maneuvered it around with smooth tilts of his wrist. His eyes remained transfixed on the butter as it slowly melted, turning smaller with every turn. The crackling of the fire, constructed with dry sticks, accompanied the frizzling butter, which eventually dissipated into nothing, leaving the pan evenly coated.
"Now?" Time asked, his face illuminated with a soft orange glow as Champion nodded.
Time laid the large chunk of raw meat into the pan, the air filling with harsh hissing in response. Champion and Time were the only ones left in camp so he offered to help him, Champion reluctantly agreeing. Honestly, Champion didn't need help. He had planned to make some Salt-Grilled Gourmet Meat, a meal he'd made a hundred times in the past and had the recipe down in his head. He didn't know why he agreed, he could do it himself just like he had before.
Something in him just wanted Time over here. He didn't know what or why, but he just did, even though he was a bit scared of Time. He wore large amounts of armour and had a stern gaze that Champion avoided. Something about him just reminded him of people he knew, along with Warriors. Perhaps it was their positions of authority or appearance, Champion didn't know, especially since he knew that they would never harm him. Probably.
He felt Time's single-eye gaze over his shoulder as he sat ramrod straight, attempting to focus on the sizzling meat instead of his building anxiety.
"So, I heard you were a knight," Time broke the silence. Twilight must've talked to him.
Champion gave a stiff nod as he released his grip on the pan, fetching a chunk of rock salt.
"How long did you train? Your fighting skills are quite impressive," Time asked as he finally looked away, gazing lazily into the distance where he watched the setting sun.
Cracking the rock salt with his hands, he generously sprinkled it onto the steak before showing Time ten fingers.
"Ten? Ten years?" Time inquired, his voice lower than before.
Champion gave a nod as he masterfully flipped the steak with a quick flick to the pan.
"So, how old are you? Not including the century, of course," Time asked quietly.
Dividing his attention between the steak and Time, he lifted one hand to him and blinked out five, five, five, three using his fingers.
"Eighteen?" Time's tone was laced with surprise as Champion nodded.
He then gestured to Time to give him a plate, fishing out the perfectly seared Gourmet Steak and placing it on Time's plate. Taking the second raw piece of meat, he added it into the pan, the familiar sizzling returning as Time helped cut the Gourmet Steak into smaller portions for everyone.
"I'm sorry," Time solemnly stated over the sizzling and chopping.
Champion tore his gaze away from the searing steak to look at Time, tilting his head. Why was he sorry? Had he done something wrong?
"No one should go through something like that. You deserved a childhood," Time said with an underlying tone of sorrow.
Champion froze up. He didn't like thinking about his childhood, or his lack of one. He didn't really know how to respond to Time, instead attempting to distract himself by focusing on cooking the steak. Maybe Time would just drop it.
"You don't have to respond. Just know that we're here for you."
He felt a hand on his shoulder. He wanted to flinch away but oddly, it felt... fine. Champion slowly raised his own hand up and placed it on Time's. He disliked touch from others (except from Wild, of course) but strangely, he didn't want Time to stop. It was comforting. He felt as Time gave gentle squeezes to his shoulder to remind Champion that he was there for him. Eventually, Time drew away, Champion feeling more empty inside as he focused back on the steak.
The rest of the time he spent cooking was different. He usually used cooking as a way to focus on other things or unwind, but this time it felt empty. He realised he wanted to talk with Time, with anyone for that matter. He didn't realise how much he cherished the short conversation he held with Time, this sudden change in him surprising himself as well. He actually wanted to talk to others, to get to know them, but he didn't know how.
He took out the second perfectly seared steak out of the pan and placed it on another plate, cutting away at it with his wooden knife as Time sat nearby, peacefully humming to himself after he'd already evenly cut the first steak onto five plates. Efficiently slicing at the steak, he distributed it onto the remaining five plates and added a few finishing garnishes. Letting out a sigh, he stepped back to admire his work.
"Looks delicious Champion. Thank you, truly," Time stated with what Champion thought was sincerity.
Whatever it was, it made a warm feeling bubble up inside him. He'd done well and was being thanked for it. And... he liked it. As if on cue, the rest of the Chain started funnelling back into camp, Champion only looking out for Wild. Emerging from the forest, a particularly exasperated Four led out a chatting Hyrule and Wild, the latter showcasing his Slate's inventory to the former. Champion quickly got up and approached the pair.
"You can take them," Four sighed as he left Wild and Hyrule in Champion's care.
Slightly confused, he gave Wild a quick once-over before attacking offending branches and leaves from his hair.
"You guys didn't gather anything?" Time asked a tired Four.
"We did. Wild put all the stuff in his uh..." Four paused as he attempted to recall the name of Wild's Sheikah Slate, "Rock thing."
"WOAH! Dinner's ready!" Wind zoomed into the campsite after he returned from washing duty with Warriors, leaving Warriors to hold the damp heap of clothes.
The other heroes congregated by the plates, taking in the rich aroma as they settled down by them. Champion, Wild, and Hyrule headed over as well, each taking up a plate and sitting by the campfire around the others. They all started digging away at the warm steaks, the meat's juices giving a sweet kick alongside the salt. The Chain happily indulged in their dinners, probably the fastest they'd all finished it in a long time.
"Mmm! That was delicious! I'm so glad we can finally eat real food again!" Wind exclaimed as he leaned back with a content smile.
"Seconded. Your cooking is a goddess-given gift," Legend agreed between bites.
"You better make this again! For breakfast, lunch, and dinner!" Wind shot up as he pointed his fork at Champion.
"That's not any way to ask, sailor," Twilight scolded with a ruffle of Wind's hair, "But seriously, thanks Champion."
Champion simply remained tilted head down as he nodded in response, hiding a smile that tugged on his lips. He liked this feeling, of people caring about him. Wild seemed to notice this and looped a supportive hand around his shoulder, a silent gesture which Champion appreciated. After dinner, which was accompanied by lively banter, Time assigned two people to wash the dishes.
The camp was covered in dim moonlight as Time announced who'd be on watch tonight. Champion, of course, volunteered himself for all three but was strangely rejected. Instead, Warriors, Four, and Sky would be taking shifts, something about Champion and Wild being new or something. Ignoring the bias, they followed the rest of the camp as they headed to sleep, realising that they didn't have a bedroll like the rest of them.
Warriors generously gave up his bedroll to the twins, seeing how he'd be taking the first shift anyways as Wild thanked him. Warriors' frame was much larger than theirs combined so they were able to cuddle together on the bedroll, quite similarly like their bed in Hateno. With his arms wrapped around Wild, his gaze met his blue irises.
"Admit it, they're not so bad."
A hesitant shrug as he looked away.
"Whatever, you're being silly."
Champion gave a glare that had no bite.
"Goodnight, Champion."
"Goodnight."