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yanderelinkeduniverse · 1 month

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Me re-reading this knowing damn well I was the one who beta read it:

But seriously I really appreciate how Twilight’s story ends in such a different way than the others, while the boys up until now have found determination or closure or some kind of acceptance, Twilight just…doesn’t, his arc doesn’t conclude with his journey.

It would be interesting to see how he grows after the portals appear again and he finally gets the confirmation that everything was real. The arc between the portals appearing and being reunited with (y/n) is something that doesn’t get focused on, but it actually has a lot of potential when you think about it.

Hiiii, I’m back.

FINALLY! You guys have no idea how frustration this guy was!

But I did it! May the next post happen much soon! Sohelpmegod

@yanderelinkeduniverse @ice-cream-writes-stuff @linked-heroes @screaming-until-god-hears-me @imprisioned-in-the-hole @crestfallenmermaidan @eternadreeblissa @lovanmari

Well no more talk! Only story! Enjoy!

———

——

—

"Was dad upset with you today?"

"..."

Colin…didn't really expect an answer, he already knew.

Had seen the frustrated look on his father's face.

And Link, he had simply stood there silently.

When he wasn't found in the village, Colin always found him by the Ordon spring.

Sometimes with Epona, mostly alone. Link just stared into the crystal clear waters, never once looking away.

Colin observes Link's quiet and solemn routine by the entrance of the spring. As he watches, Colin notices something unusual - Link has a jug that belongs to his father, one that Colin had been warned against sipping from. Colin continues to watch Link from a distance, observing the way he silently drinks from the jug and stares into the clear waters.

Just another oddity in the growing list connected to the rancher.

For many days, Link had been behaving utterly odd.

Looking at everyone strangely, almost panicked, as if he no longer understood how to interact with any of them.

Everyone had been whispering about it, yet no one could figure out what caused him to suddenly change so much out of the blue.

Yet despite his strangeness, he still helped Colin's mother Uli, still patrolled alongside Colin's father Rusl. Still dealt with the goats and cared for Epona.

But it was almost…like he was simply going through the actions.

His body was moving but his eyes were empty. Even when he gave everyone a smile, it was crooked, like he didn't even have the energy to smile properly.

Colin watches as Link takes another swig from the jug, his eyes never leaving the reflective surface of the water. The typically cheerful rancher seems distant, lost in thought. Colin has never seen Link like this before, and it honestly makes him uneasy.

Despite his anxiety, Colin decides to approach Link, wondering what could be going on in the older boy's mind.

The sound of the water splashing against the shore and the distant bleating of the goats fills the air. Link doesn't seem to notice Colin's presence, instead continuing to gaze absently into the water. Colin approaches him from the side and looks at the jug of mead in Link's hands.

"He and mom were talking about you." He said quietly, sitting next to him, "I think he knows you've been taking his jug. They are worried."

Link turns to look at Colin, his eyes still clouded and distant. "I see," he says, his voice quiet and soft. He takes a long drink from the jug. He sets it down beside him, his gaze returning to the water.

Colin watches as Link takes a deep breath, as if trying to gather his thoughts.

Colin, curious and worried about Link's distant behavior, gently asks, "Is there…something wrong, Link? You’ve been… different."

Link stays silent for what feels like an eternity to Colin, his gaze fixed on the water. Just as Colin is about to give up on getting an answer, "I'm just...tired, Colin." Link finally speaks up, his voice barely above a whisper, "Tired of...so much, tired of…losing…so much."

Link's words hang heavily in the air, the weight of his emotions palpable. Colin, still young and inexperienced, didn’t and couldn’t fully understand the depth of what Link is feeling. He looks up at Link, trying to process the words. "But you always win in the end, don't you?"

"This...isn't something I can win.."

Link's reply cuts through the air like a knife, his voice laced with a sadness that only those who have experienced great loss can truly understand. Colin looks up at Link, searching for some hint of the Link he has always known, the one who is brave, strong, and seeming to never falter when trouble was about.

Colin watched the person he saw as an older brother stare into the waters of the spring.

He looked so…lost…but it wasn't like he was searching for anything…

It was almost as if he had long given up when just some time ago he had been fine.

"Link…did you…lose something important?” Colin didn't really know why he said that. But it made sense, in a way.

He lost something, Colin didn't know what but it must have been so important that it made him like this.

Made him behave so strangely.

Link continues to stare into the water, his mind lost in thought. He seems far away, consumed by his own emotions. Colin's question hangs in the air, unanswered. Link's shoulders sag, as if the weight of the world is resting on them.

Finally, he speaks, his voice quiet and defeated.

"I don't know..."

Link's response only deepens the mystery surrounding his current state of mind. The warmth of the setting sun does little to dispel the chill that Colin now feels in the air.

"I don't…know if I lost anything…anyone…" Link continues unprompted, "I…think I did…I think I lost some…one..so..so precious…"

Colin's heart tightens as he hears the pain in Link's voice. He gazes at his older brother, trying to find the right words to say. He opens his mouth, then closes it again, at a loss.

"But I don't know if I lost anyone…and that scares me…" Link took another drink from the jug, "I think..I'd be happier if I had lost someone.."

"Why?" Colin couldn't help but ask.

"…Because it means they had to have existed for me to lose…"

Link's words hang heavy in the air, as Colin looks at him with a mixture of confusion and concern. The kind Hyrulean boy that Colin had always known seemed to have been replaced by a hollow, lost shell of his former self.

Colin takes a deep breath, searching for the right words to say. He wants to offer Link some encouragement, some glimmer of hope to hold onto. But as he opens his mouth, the gnawing silence seems to swallow his words before they can even leave his lips.

Because no matter how much he wanted to help, Colin was just a kid. A kid that didn't really understand what Link was talking about.

It all confused Colin just as much as it worried him.

Colin sits next to Link in silence, his heart heavy with concern. He tries to offer an apology, hoping it might bring some comfort to his brother. "I'm sorry I can't help you, Link," Colin says softly, his voice laced with sadness.

Link doesn’t look away from the waters. "It's alright, Colin," he says, his voice quiet and devoid of emotion. "I don't think anyone can help me with this." He takes another drink from the jug.

That just made Colin feel worse.

Eventually Colin glances up at the sky and notices that it has started to darken. Reluctantly, he accepts that it's time for him to return home.

He takes one last look at Link, who still sits at the edge of the spring, lost in his thoughts, like the weight of the world was seemingly on his shoulders.

Colin sighed heavily, feeling a knot tighten in his stomach as he turned and began to make his way back to the village.

And Link...

...simply took another swing from the jug, the ache in his chest gnawing within him that he knew wouldn't be filled.

He had lost everything that had become so dear to him...

He didn’t know if he ever had it to begin with…

And all he wanted to do was simply forget, if it meant an end to the horrible pain.

——

It was familiar enough.

The Bublins charging into the spring.

The force that sent him collapsing into the spring waters beneath him.

Uli’s tears and Rusl’s grave face.

The forceful tug into the Twilight.

The agony of his wolf form wrapping around him…

The cell and cuff that bound him in place…

That laughter…that mischievous grin…

At one time, he had longed to hear and see this all again. Longed for the mischievous smile and arrogant words spoken at him. so much so that it was as if he needed it like air.

But…

…

…Funny how what he once wanted so badly was now the very last thing he ever wanted to see.

He didn’t know how to feel about it…

—-

Link gasps, collapsing to his knees, his sword stabbing into the ground in order to keep him upright.

“Why do you continue to fail?”

Link shakes his head, grimacing.

“I…I don’t…mean to…I-“

“You must confront that which you seek to deny, else it damns you to further loss…now..” The point of a blade was aimed at the hero.

“Again.”

“…Yes sir…”

—-

“You have a renewed burden."

He chose not to reply to the fortune teller.

At the urging of Midna, who's curiosity over talk of someone who could see into the future had garnered her interest, he had gone to visit Madame Fanadi.

Personally he'd have simply gone to the next location needing his attention.

He didn't want to be here, he already knew what he needed to do.

"You are lost, blindingly wandering through a world of memories long since past." She continued, "Eyes open, but unseeing as you stumble along your unpaved path."

Madame Fanadi's words hang heavy in the air, her piercing gaze never leaving the Hero of Twilight.

"Bound by chains forged from your own guilt and regret." She says, her voice taking on a somber tone.

Link's eyes are focusing on a point beyond Madame Fanadi. He can feel Midna's gaze on him from within his shadow, but he doesn't acknowledge it.

"Your burden wishes to trap you," she continues, "It would consume you whole, if you let it."

"…And why shouldn't I let it?" The words left his lips before he registered that he even said it.

Madame Fanadi's gaze does not falter, as if she had expected this reaction. "There is hope, even in your darkest memories," she says gently. "You have a chance to break free from your burden and find redemption."

He scoffs. "Redemption?"

He doesn't deserve it. None of them did.

Damned to relive these days. Damned to question whether he was truly reliving them or simply following a pattern that was laid before him. Worse still to realize that it was possibly all a figment of his mind.

(If they all truly exist... he hopes they are suffering like he was…)

If his Goddess truly existed or not...

He hoped she never forgave them.

None of them were worthy of it.

Twilight's hands curl into fists in his lap, knuckles turning white.

He wasn’t worthy of it.

"You wish to be consumed by the pain, seeing no point in continuing on," she says. "It's eating away at you, consuming you from the inside. Most curious for a young man like yourself to hold such regret."

Twilight's eyes, still fixed on a point beyond the fortune teller, narrow.

Madame Fanadi continues to watch him, calm, patient. As if for her, the passing of time meant nothing. "You are burdened by memories, young hero," she says softly. "Memories that haunt you, memories that bring you pain. Or rather, it is someone within those memories."

Twilight tensed, his fists squeezing tighter.

"You want to look away, to run from these thoughts, but you know that you can't escape them."

"That's enough..." He tells her, his voice low.

"Tell me young man, do you believe if you ignore these regrets, that somehow you'll be free of the consequences you suffer?"

"I won’t hear anymore..."

"Those who fought beside you, the trust you hold for them in your heart, it is strong and bright despite the darkness swirling within." Madame Fanadi continued, "If they stood before you, would they not be suffering such agony as well?"

She tapped her chin, an almost sorrowful smile on her face.

"After all, are you not all guilty of the same regret?"

"Stop it!" Twilight was looking directly into the woman's eyes, his own shining with anger and warning.

Madame Fanadi does not flinch under the provoked man's gaze, but rather, she holds it, her smile never wavering. "You are trying to hide away from the truth you created, young hero," she says. "But you can only hide so long before that truth finds you."

"I'm leaving." He stands, uncaring that his seat is knocked over.

Madame Fanadi's smile doesn't falter as he stood up, her eyes following him. "Remember, young hero, the truth has a way of finding us all." She says this softly, almost like a whisper. The room feels suddenly colder, it would excuse the trembling of his shoulders, and the candles flicker as if in response to her words.

He storms towards the exit, his footsteps echoing in the stillness of the room.

—

—-

He coughs, a dribble of spit escaping the corner of his mouth as he clutches his stomach.

“Had this been a true battle, you would have been cut down several strikes ago.”

“I-I’m so-“ a kick to his side sends him sprawling onto the ground once more.

“Don’t apologize. Improve.” Once more, the blade is pointed at him.

“Again.”

Link clenches his teeth, trembling with exertion as he reaches for his sword.

"What the hell was that Link?"

As he storms out of Fanadi's Palace, he hears Midna's voice calling out to him. She sounds concerned and a little frustrated, and Twilight knows that she wants him to explain what just happened.

He stays silent and continues to walk away from the building.

Midna, not used to being ignored, pesters him as he makes his way through and out the city.

Link stops in his tracks when they are a good distance away, looking down at Midna, who had appeared in front of him, with a mixture of annoyance and detachment.

"I didn't like what she was saying," he says, his gaze flickering away from Midna's.

Midna crosses her arms, her expression skeptical.

"Are you still worried over those kids?" She asks, sighing as if she figured out his problem already.

"They are safe in that village, that shaman seems to have a good head on his shoulders." She said.

Link's eyes narrow at Midna, shaking his head.

He wasn't going to bother correcting her assumptions.

What he suffers through happened long after she was gone.

...in his memories anyway.

"..I won't let things get in the way of what we're doing." He says quietly, looking away from her.

Midna frowned, eyeing him for a moment before returning to his shadow without another word.

Though he was not stupid to think that was the end of this conversation.

The wind rustles through the trees, carrying the scent of blooming flowers and the sound of chirping birds. The sky is a clear blue, with only a few wispy clouds visible. It's a peaceful scene, but Link's mind is anything but.

He closed his eyes, hoping the ambiance of the area would pull him into its peaceful embrace.

It was a fruitless effort of course, but it was better than suffering the ache in his chest.

—-

“Again.”

“I’m TRYING!” He growls, grunting as he tiredly raises his blade to block the strike aimed toward him.

“Success must come after attempting, yet you seem to linger at the ‘attempting’ stage of learning.” A twist of a wrist and the rancher’s sword is knocked form his hand and clatters to the ground several feet away from him.

“Again.”

Link can only bite back the snarl that tried to escape him, his hands in tight fists as he steps towards his fallen blade.

Link kept a smile on his face when he arrived in Kakariko Village, keeping the troubles that plagued him from seeping through as Talo greeted him excitedly.

Beth was still with Colin and Malo had his store.

Humoring Talo's rambling as he walked though the village, he soon waved him off when he approached the inn.

Entering the room, Link can see that Colin is resting peacefully. Beth is sitting in a chair next to him, her head resting on the armrest as she dozes off.

The warmth and quietness of the room wrap around the Hero. Beth doesn't stir from her sleep, and Colin looks peaceful, his chest rising and falling rhythmically. The silence almost tricks him into relaxing into it's embrace, but his thoughts keep invading, making it difficult to truly relax. He takes a seat next to Beth, watching Colin closely.

Truthfully he had no interest in being here.

But he had no interest in speaking to Midna either.

It was either here or back in town, and the rancher wanted to be as far away from that fortune teller as possible.

Link carefully lays a spar blanket over Beth, tucking it around her shoulders to keep her warm. He then turns his attention back to Colin, not really looking at him, merely giving his eyes a point to focus on.

The silence in the inn is only broken by the soft snoring of Beth and the rhythmic breathing of Colin. Link's constant attempts to find solace in the peaceful atmosphere are in vain, as his thoughts keep drifting back to Midna and the unspoken tension between them.

He can feel her eyes on him, even from within his shadow, and he knows she's waiting for him to address the elephant in the room.

This version of her may not have known him as well as previously, but she had a keen eye when she so chose.

But he refused to speak to her about it.

He didn't even want to think about any of it.

As Link sits in the quiet inn, it's as if he's viewing the world through a foggy glass, unable to truly connect with it.

He...didn't want to be here.

He takes a slow deep breath, in through his nose and out through his mouth.

He doesn't want to do any of this again. (Didn’t want to contemplate if he was doing to all over again.)

All he wants is to wake up back at camp, to hear Wild (his mentee, his cub) humming as he finishes breakfast. To hear the others (pack, trusted) slowly awaken at the smell of fresh food.

To hear Her voice, rough with sleep, greet them good morning,

To be able to reach out and cup her cheek, to feel the joy as She sleepily nuzzles against it, trusting that he would never harm her. Seeing Her almost fall back to sleep before he softly calls Her name to keep her awake.

Link's thoughts are consumed by longing for a past that seemed to never truly have happened, for the companionship he once considered so important. He closes his eyes, trying to imagine himself back at camp with his friends. He can almost hear everyone's chatter as they prepare for the day, the smell of Wild's cooking.

He can almost feel the warmth of the morning sun on his face, hear the sound of the birds chirping in the trees. He remembers the way Her sleepy laughter would fill the air as she conversed with the others. He remembers the feeling of camaraderie, of belonging to something bigger than himself.

He remembers his pack and he misses them all so very much.

His sword brothers...he longed to stand before them once again.

To be able to walk up to them...reach out his arms...

( And strangle the utter life out of each one of them for daring to damn him to this horrible curs- )

He tenses when he hears Beth mumble something in her sleep, relaxing when she didn't saying anything else.

He focused on some deep slow breath. He could hear his blood rushing in his ears.

He wants to lash out in some way, but he knows he can't let himself get carried away by his anger. He takes a few more deep breaths, trying to clear his mind.

As he opens his eyes, he notices Beth stirring in her sleep again. He watches her for a moment, listening to her soft breathing. He can't help but feel a twinge of envy towards her.

Link's gaze remains fixed on Beth, studying her peaceful expression as she sleeps. He can't help but think about how carefree and untroubled she looks, free from the burdens and responsibilities that weigh on his own shoulders. The envy he feels turns into a pang of sadness, and his heart feels heavy in his chest.

'Was it so wrong to want to stand by her side?' He mouthed silently to himself.

He doesn't want what he remembers to be a dream. He didn't want to think that the love he gained for such an incredible person to have been all for nothing.

He just wants to go back to his pack, back to Her.

(Even if his pack would damn him to suffer this cruelt-)

He ran both his hands through hair, letting one drop while the other kept a grip on his head.

He didn't want to do any of this! He didn't want to do this! Again or not! He simply wanted this journey far away from his present. To become a long done memory already.

Was he cursed to relive this path over and over?

Would a chance at life beyond the hero title be a failed dream?

He just wanted someone to tell him...

'..Is there an ending to all this?' He whispered to himself, it felt like it echoed in the silence of the room.

—

"...just kill me..."

Link's voice is barely above a whisper, his shoulders slumped in defeat. The Shade's sword remains at his neck, the weight of it a reminder of his mortality. The ghostly swordsman studies Link.

"Please…I rather die believing in the illusion my mind showed me, than live long enough to find it was all a lie."

The Shade's gaze lingers on Link for a moment longer, then he slowly withdraws his sword, sheathing it with a soft hiss. "I will not grant you such a release," he says into the silence.

"The strength of your heart…has disappointed me. "

Link stays silent, not meeting the Shade's gaze yet feeling the weight of it.

He feels empty…

He feels defeated.

—

When Midna finally manages to confront him, it's as sudden and as ferocious as he always expected her to be.

Link could feel the air escape his lungs as the Twili's versatile orange hair slammed him against the dungeon floor.

"You're not avoiding this any longer you goat-wrangling mutt!" She hissed, Twili magic crackling around her. "You better tell me what's been going on with you or I'll make you."

Midna's eyes glow with a fierce determination as she pins Link against the floor. Her hair holding him in place. Link struggles to breathe, caught off guard by Midna's sudden attack. He can feel the heat of her anger and the intensity of her gaze.

"I've tried to give you space," Midna said, hands clenched.

"But you've been avoiding even talking to me, and I won't stand for it any longer. You will tell me what's been going on with you, or I will force it out of you."

The air is thick with tension as Link struggles to break free from Midna's grasp.

"One hell of a time to corner me like this." He grunts, not bothering to struggle. He knew no amount of struggling to free him from her grasp.

"I thought you wanted me to keep moving?" He asks, trying to buy some time to gather his thoughts. Midna's sudden aggression had taken him by surprise, and he's still reeling from his own inner turmoil.

Midna's grip on Link tightens, and her eyes narrow. "I did," she says, her voice low and dangerous. "But you've been doing a rather good job keeping me from asking you anything, and I can't stand it any longer."

"Well maybe just keep out of my business and you'll spare yourself the frustration." He glares at her, but Midna's gaze doesn't waver. Instead, her eyes seem to bore into him, searching for the truth. Link feels a shiver run down his spine as he realizes that she won't let go.

"What is wrong with you?" He growls at her, "I have done everything you wanted since you freed me from that cell. Is asking for some privacy in regards to my own life that difficult for you to accept?"

"Not when it ends with you lashing out!" She snaps back, her grip on him tightening even more. Link winces as she presses down on him for a moment.

"You nearly attacked that one drunk guy in castle town!"

"He wouldn't leave me alone." Was all he said.

"All he said was That he'd feel sorry for whatever girl decides to fall for a, oh what was it he said? 'Grumpy country bumpkin.'? Something about how that girl would just have her heart broken."

"Wouldn't be the first time I've been called that." He answered, though the people who called him that were trusted friends.

"Oh? So you decided to nearly yank his arm from his shoulder socket because he just wouldn't stop talking?"

He didn't care if that stupid drunk rambled on like he had.

But to say whoever gave their heart to him would suffer heartbreak...

(Was he that terrible of choice for a life partner? A husband? A mate? Is that why he hurt-)

"Nothing he said was worth focusing on."

"And those knights! You snarled at them when they made a stupid joke! SNARLED!" She exclaimed, throwing her hands up when she saw his stubborn expression. "You looked like the very wolf you can change into. They ran without wasting a second!”

"The knights of Castle town are worthless and cowardly." He growled, a hand coming up to grab part of her hair. "They don’t dare approach me if I was in my beast form, it genuinely makes me wonder how they’d handle an actual war?"

Midna's eyes narrowed even further. "You can't go around attacking people. You're supposed to be a hero aren't you? Not some brute."

"Oh?" He asks, a faux look of curiosity on his face. "Would me being a brute go against your goals?"

"Now you're going after me?" She scoffs, crossing her arms and legs as she stares down at him.

"You were always strange since we met, but ever since you spoke to that fortune teller, you've been completely out of line."

"Simply because you're making assumptions about my situation-"

"Because you never talk to me!"

"Well maybe it's because I don't WANT to talk to you! Have you ever thought of THAT?" He spat at her, struggling for the first time since being pinned to the floor.

"You-"

"I've done EVERYTHING you wanted me to do! EVERYTHING. I have not made a SINGLE complaint since you saved me from the cell! Not one! I think I have been a rather good 'servant' don't you think?"

He clenched his hands into tight fists.

"But it seems no matter what I do. I'm NEVER good enough for you. For ANYONE." He shakes his head, his face twisting in pain.

"Was what I've done so bad that I have to be cursed like this? To be forced to live through it all over again? To question what’s true or fabricated in my mind?!?”

"Link-"

"I didn't mean to!" He shouts, his voice cracking.

"I-I...I just.." Wanted to be by Her side…

That's all he wanted. He wanted to be with Her. Hold Her. Kiss Her.

To be granted the honor of being called her partner, perhaps even her everything.

Wanted to never let her out of his sight again. To take her somewhere far away and start a life with just the two of them.

"What do I have to do to fix this?" He whispers, his head bowed.

'Link, focus-"

"WHO DO I HAVE TO KILL IN ORDER TO WAKE UO FROM THIS DAMNED NIGHTMARE!!" He roars at her. Midna actually rears back at the unhinged look overtaking his face.

“Hey! Watch it!”

Link's words hang heavy in the air, and Midna watches as he struggles against her grip, his eyes blazing with...something..

"Let go of me," He growls, his voice barely above a whisper. "I mean it Midna. Let. Go."

Midna stays silent, hesitation flickering in her eye.

Something was wrong. This was not how she expected this to go.

She watches as he struggles against her grip, his eyes blazing with an intensity that makes her want to keep him pinned down until whatever was happening was over.

"Link, focus," Midna tries to interject, but he talks over her.

"Let go of me..."

"Link, I-" she starts, but he cuts her off.

"I said let go," he repeats.

"Damnit, you’re not ok!" She says, refusing to let him go.

She didn't know WHAT he would do if she did.

"Let go of me Midna..."

"What'll happen if I do?"

"Let me go.." He brings his head up and lets the back of it hit the floor beneath him.

Midna watches as Link's head hits the floor, wincing at the sound of impact.

“Heheh…” He begins to laugh, it was not pleasant to hear, “Do I have to wake myself up? Is that how I'll return? Am I too stubborn to wake up?”

That look in his eyes, he's not in his right mind. She tightens her hold on him.

"Link. You're not thinking straight. You need to calm down." She says firmly, trying to reason with him.

He brings his head up, only to hit it against the floor again, harder.

“I need to wake up…they’re waiting for me…”

The sound of Link's head hitting the floor echoes through the wide space, and Midna can't help but feel a sense of alarm. She tightens her grip on him, trying to keep him still and prevent him from hurting himself any further.

"Link, stop it!" She commands, her voice firm and authoritative.

"I need to wake up..." His voice sounds fragile, trembling as he brings his head up as best as he could and to slam it back down against the floor. “She’s unprotected…we have to protect her…”

(He couldn’t lose her again. He simply couldn’t.)

Midna watches in horror as Link continues to bang his head against the floor, each impact causing the sound of his head hitting the hard surface to echo in the open space. The scent of blood making it's appearance.

"I need to wake up.." he repeats, desperate, as if he were on the verge of tears.

His mind overwhelmed by everything he'd be desperately pushing away since he awoke back in Ordon.

He couldn't take it anymore. He wanted to return to his pack. He wanted to return to (y/n).

He wanted this all to be a horrible dream.

Midna, completely out of her depth, lifts Link away from the floor, the back of his head leaving a splatter of blood on the rough surface.

She slams him back down, causing the air to escape his lungs.

"I'm sorry Link," she says, not giving him a chance to register what's happening as she releases him and turns her hair into a fist. "But you need to calm down!"

Link has just a moment to register what she said as her fist collides with the side of his face.

Midna breathes a sigh of relief as Link's body goes slack, her makeshift fist leaving a rather large red mark on his cheek.

..What the hell…

She knows that she had to do something to stop him from hurting himself, but that didn't help the twinge of guilt after hitting him. She floats down close to him, brushing his bangs out of his eyes after a few moments, checking to make sure that he's still breathing.

The dungeon is dimly lit, with faint light from outside barely illuminating the cold, stone walls. The air is thick with dust and the smell of dampness, and the noticeable sound was the distant drip of water. Link's unconscious form lies sprawled on the cold, wet. hard ground, his breathing slow and steady. Midna hovers over him, her expression a mix of concern and guilt.

"..What made you go crazy like this?" She mutters, unsure what to do.

What a situation she landed herself in.

Stuck in a damp dungeon with an unconscious frenzied hero.

...

(Maybe she should have chosen a better spot to talk to him.)

…

“This sucks..”

—

"Again.”

"What do you WANT?" Link shouts at him, his chest heaving from the exertion.

A single red glowing eye looks at him. "Your resolve has weakened to an absurd degree," he says. "You limit yourself to the boundaries that others have placed on you."

He stares up at him, panting and covered in sweat. " I have done no such thing." He protested. "I am doing everything I can."

The Shade shakes his head. "You are holding yourself back."

"No I'm not!"

"Still such a child. Denying a truth that is always dogging your footsteps."

"You aren't even HERE!" He screams, having finally reached his limit with the shade.

The shade said nothing.

"This is all some fucked up dream! The real you doesn’t even recognize me!! You think I wouldn’t figure this out? That I wouldn’t be able to see through this whole thing?!? What's the point, what’s the fucking purpose of my mind placing the illusion of you before me?!? To mock me?? To constantly remind me of something that possibly didn’t happen?"

"I may be an illusion...but your guilt isn't."

"This is ridiculous," He sits up, his teeth bared at the spirit. "I’ve denied nothing!"

"You are troubled. It clouds your heart."

"Sorry to disappoint you, but you aren't the first to point that out."

The Hero's Shade stood a few feet from him, sword held away as he watched Link.

The Shade's gaze is intense, scrutinizing Link as he rises to a sitting position. The air around him feels heavy, almost suffocating, as if the weight of his troubles is a physical entity. Link can't help but feel a little vulnerable under the Shade's gaze, the numbness that has become all too familiar to him serving as a constant reminder of his burden.

"I won't let it get in the way of learning what you teach me." The rancher replies in a monotone manner.

“Each time you appear before me, your resolve weakens further." The Shade says, his voice deeper, rougher than the rancher remembered.

Then again, he spent a considerable amount of time with his more...'livelier’ self...so the young hero supposed things would have changed during the decades after.

(Though...the Shade should have recognized him...shouldn't he? Yet he didn’t… Did that mean that everything truly was-)

Link shook away those thoughts.

"Though that does not distract me from your current failure to focus." He steps closer to Link, slowly walking around him.

"You’re weaker than you should be, yet still so disappointing. I’m surprised you have not been struck down by a Bublin yet due to your carelessness." Link grit his teeth, that was not a question.

"I am...as strong as you need me to be.."

"As I need you to be? So…you would allow another to determine your overall strength? You would cease to grow simply because another held your leash and brought you to heel?"

Link glared up at him, but of course, the Shade was entirely unfazed.

The Hero's Shade continues to circle around Link, his intense gaze never leaving the young hero. The weight of his gaze is almost unbearable, and Link can feel himself reflexively shrinking under the pressure.

When he stands in front of Link once again, he points his sword at him.

"Raise your sword." Was all he said to him.

The Shade's sword gleams in the light of this realm. Link tightens his grip on his own weapon, meeting his gaze. He lifts his sword as he stands, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on him.

The Shade begins to circle him once more, this time Link matching his movements.

"Now, attack." He commands. The young hero takes a deep breath and lunges forward, sword swinging through the air.

The Hero's Shade watches intently as Link attacks, it takes not even a few moves before Link is tossed to the ground.

"Again," he says, his voice stern. Link obliges, rising up and lunging and swinging his sword once more.

This time, the Shade raises his own weapon to block, the clash of metal on metal echoing in the air. "Again," he repeats as Link is once more knocked down.

Once more he rises, only to be defeated again. The Shade remains unmoved.

Link's movements become more sloppy with each loss. Frustration taking over more and more, but the Shade remains relentless, silently commanding him to raise his sword each time.

Link loathes the sound of his sword constantly clattering to the ground. An indication of his constant failure.

An indication that he was weak.

…weak…

…

No…

Nononono..

He couldn't afford to be weak.

No. Never.

Not when being weak means losing what matters.

Not when it means he could lose- he couldn't lose everything else!

He already lost his pack! Every one of them! He can't-

His reacted before he really registered the noise, rearing his head back in surprise, dodging the sword swipe.

"What are you doing?!?”

"You are rejecting the truth and it’s hindering you." The Shade says, his voice echoing ominously. "I wonder, how many will you abandon as you run away?"

"I have never abandoned anyone!" He exclaims as he dodges swipe after swipe.

"Foolish enough to release your sword in front of an opponent. Foolish enough to deny the truths that dig themselves into your very being. Foolish enough to be led on by others like some obedient beast."

"What point is there to gain strength when I've lost everything already?!?"

The Hero's Shade does not pause his attacks, but does look at Link with a contemplative expression. "Strength is not just for protecting others," he says. "It is also for protecting yourself. So that you do not continue to lose what matters to you."

"But I've already lost everything that I wanted to protect!" Link dives under a swing and rolls behind the Spirit, reaching out to grab his sword.

But before he could get close, he stills, the cold touch of the Shade's sword pressed against his neck.

"And it is your fault.”

The declaration was firm, weighted, Link could feel the chill of the blade against his skin.

The Shade's voice is low and accusatory, Link could feel the chill of the blade against his skin.

He should argued his point, said something to get his predecessor to stop.

But the young hero just couldn't take it anymore.

"It wasn't my fault!!" Link screams, his voice echoing through the training grounds. Tears well up in his eyes as he pushes the blade away with his hand, uncaring of the sharp pain it brought, his body trembling with emotion.

"I didn't mean for any of it to happen!" he repeats, his voice desperate, almost pleading. "I just wanted to keep her safe! I just wanted her to stay with us!" With me.

"You would lay the fault of your sins on your desire to protect? When you would endanger the one you sought to protect?"

"None of us would ever hurt her." He hisses at spirit, "Not even death would be enough of a punishment suffered for such a crime."

How many had he willingly killed for daring to threaten her safety?

Those disgusting creatures that took the forms of man. Daring to gaze upon her beauty and attempt to stake a claim.

A claim. As if she were an item to be bought.

Not even as he made them choke on their blood, as he wrapped his hands around their bruised necks, did the rage boiling through his veins calm.

"You believe that you have done what was necessary to protect her," he says, his voice softer now. "But have you considered the cost? "

Link's eyes flash with anger and defiance. "Yes," he growls. "A thousand times, yes."

The lives he's taken, the pain he caused upon those unworthy fools- it was all worth it to keep her safe.

The Shade's gaze pierces through Link, as if trying to read his very soul. "You believe that the ends justify the means," he says, his voice filled with a strange tone of somber wisdom. "But have you considered that the means themselves may taint the end?"

Link's heart races, but he stands his ground. "I have done what I had to do," he insists. "I would do it again if it meant keeping her safe."

Keep her away from those who would harm.

Keep her nice and safe. With them. With him.

"Even if it meant being the cause of Her tears?"

"...I.."

Link's mind reels as the Hero's Shade challenges him. The thought of (y/n)'s tears, caused by his own hand, is almost too much to bear.

"I-I never would never want to hurt her," he stammers, his voice filled with trembling in growing panic and despair.

The Hero's Shade studies Link intently, seeing the pain and fear in the young hero's eyes. "You say you would never wish to harm her," he says . "But sometimes, actions have consequences that cannot be foreseen.”

Link's heart races.

"You, and those who stood beside you. You all are the reason she was lost."

Link's shaking his head, The Hero's Shade's words cut deep, and Link struggles to maintain his composure. He takes a deep breath, trying to steady his racing heart. "I don't believe that," he says, his voice barely above a whisper. "I won't believe that."

"Still you deny the truth.." The Hero's Shade continues, shaking his head, "You grew arrogant, drunk on the delusion that you knew what was best for her. Convinced your strength was enough to fight back the world. But in doing so, you overlooked the consequences of your actions. You caused her pain, and ultimately, you lost her."

Link's heart feels heavy, each word the Shade speaks weighing down on him.

The Hero's Shade's words hang heavy in the air, and Link can't help but feel the weight of their truth. He thinks back to the moments leading up to (y/n)'s disappearance, trying to pinpoint the exact moment where he may have gone wrong.

His mind races as he replayed the memories, his heart aching with every image of (y/n)'s strained smiles. The exhaustion that settled around her.

Had he truly been so blind..?

"No..." he whispers, "No..I didn't...I didn't mean to.."

"It is not my place to judge you, that duty goes to the one you harmed," he says, "I only aim to teach. To help you understand the weight of your actions. Perhaps that is the reason that your mind created my image before you.”

Link looks up, meeting the Shade's gaze. He wants to argue, to defend himself, but he can't bring himself to speak.

Link feels a lump form in his throat. He looks away, unable to meet the Shade's penetrating gaze any longer. The Shade's tone had been calm and measured, devoid of any emotion, yet his words are like a dagger to Link's heart.

"The arrogance and narrow-mindedness of you and yours had blinded you all to the true needs and desires of (y/n). It was not your place to dictate her choices, but to support her regardless of what path she follows."

Link says nothing, tears falling down his cheeks.

“No matter how far you run, you could never escape the truth. Because you refuse to forget.”

His tears fall to the ground, his eyes clenched shut.

"...Cub.." He tensed, hearing the nickname only his mentor called him.

Link slowly looked up, tears still falling. His breath caught in his throat as he looked into a familiar face.

Once decayed and ghostly, his mentor now stood before him in all his familiar glory. His face immediately brings a wave of memories crashing down on him. Of brotherhood.

Of trust.

"...T..ime..?" The Hero of Time stared down at him, looking as alive as in his memories.

"Rise and grow strong Cub." He said, an aura of calm surrounding him, holding out Twilight's sword. “Rebuild your shattered resolve.”

"Become a Sword worthy of serving our Goddess..."

Twilight reaches out, taking his sword from his outstretched hand.

As he wraps his trembling hand around the hilt, as he did, he felt a surge of energy pulsing through him.

The last thing he saw before his vision became white, was his mentor watching him calmly.

The side of his face hurt as his senses returned to him.

Opening his eyes, he immediately shuts them with a hiss from the brightness hitting them.

"Hmph, finally awake are we?"

As he slowly opens his eyes again, shielding them from the light, he sees Midna, her impish face looking at him with a mix of masked concern, annoyance, and weariness.

"Took you long enough," she huffs,. "Here I thought I was gonna have to finish my business all on my lonesome before you chose to wake up."

He finds himself lying on his back, the ground beneath him feeling hard and unfamiliar. His head throbs with a dull pain, and he instinctively reaches up to touch the side of his face, wincing at the tenderness.

As he touches his face, his fingers probe a tender area near his temple. It feels swollen and bruised. He sits up slowly, trying to ignore the spinning sensation that threatens to overwhelm him Midna's face comes into focus as he blinks against the, to him, harsh light.

"What happened?" He ask once his head settled a bit. His voice hoarse.

Midna's impish features twist into a bitter smirk.

"What happened?” Midna repeats his question, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Well, let's see. You lost conscious, curtesy of me thank you, after your little breakdown earlier." She pauses, letting her words sink in. "I had to drag your sorry butt all the way to this pretty spot."

He look around, trying to get his bearings.

The torchlight flickers off the stone walls, creating an eerie atmosphere. As Link take in his surroundings, Midna's voice breaks the silence.

"Seriously, what was that back there?" Midna asks. "You scared the crap out of me, you know?"

Link turns to face Midna, his expression conflicted. "I'm sorry," he finally says, his voice still hoarse. "I…don't know what came over me."

"I'll say, you went crazy!"

Midna crosses her arms, her smirk faltering slightly as she studies Link. "You really don't remember?" she asks, her tone softer but no less annoyed now. "You were ranting and raving about some girl and waking up... it was so sudden."

Link furrows his brow, trying to recall what happened before he lost consciousness, all he remembred was this sense of everything becoming...too much.

Link sighs, rubbing his forehead. To think he'd breakdown like that.

He really had been running from it all.

"You were mumbling something about 'her' not being real, and 'waking up'." She crossed her arms, " Do those words mean anything to you?"

He tenses, Midna could tell he was trying to come up with something to say.

“Safe to say, they mean something to you.” She huffs.

Link stays silent for a few moments, deep in thought. The dim light of the torch illuminates his face, highlighting the conflict and anxiety etched into his features. He then shakes his head, letting out a sigh.

"...I made a mistake," he admits slowly, his voice still hoarse. "It...hurt someone very precious to me."

"Oh?" Midna floated closer to him, "What'd you do so bad that it made you like THAT?"

Link opened his mouth but closed it a moment after, looking away.

The room grows quiet once more, save for the crackling of the torches. Link's eyes lower to the ground, reflecting the guilt and regret he feels. Midna, sensing his discomfort, waits patiently for him to continue. After a few moments, Link finally speaks up, still looking away.

"I hurt her," he admits, his voice barely above a whisper. "We all did..."

"..'We'?"

He shakes his head, his mouth in a firm line.

Midna's eyes narrow, trying to make sense of Link's words. She cocks her head to the side, studying him carefully. "Alright, so you hurt someone you care about. But who's 'we'?"

Link's grip tightens around his phantom sword, his jaw setting. He doesn't look at Midna, instead focusing on a distant point on the floor. "It's not important right now."

Link's response only serves to pique Midna's curiosity further. She can tell that he's holding something back, but she doesn't want to push him too hard and risk shutting him down entirely.

Or worse, go crazy again.

Instead, she decides to change tactics.

"Fine, keep your secrets," she says with a shrug.

There was a moment of silence.

“. . .So did you mean to do it?”

“…H-Huh?” Midna tsk’d.

“Did you. Mean to. Hurt your friend?” Link took a moment to register what she asked.

“No…no I would never…” he whispered, the Twili could see his already pale skin turn a few shades whiter.

“Well that response at least means you got part 1 down of mending things right.” She rolled her eyes at his look.

“Let me tell you something, Link. You're not the only one who's made mistakes."

Midna's words hang heavy in the air, breaking the tense silence that had settled over the room. Link continues to gaze at the floor, lost in thought. The torchlight flickers across his face, casting deep shadows that seem to reflect the turmoil in his heart.

"I know," he says softly, his voice filled with pain. "But this was different. For me. For us all. The results-She-we…we didn't..."

Midna sighs, she can tell that he's not ready to open up about it. After another few moments of silence, Midna breaks the tension again.

"Alright, I get it. You don't want to talk about it right now." She straightened up and put her hand on her hip as she floats closer to him. "But you clearly don't have the means or time to even try to fix whatever it is that's happening with you."

He looked at her with tired eyes, and she frowned.

"If it were me who hurt someone I cared about..." she tapped her chin, "and I had no choice BUT to hold off on making amends...I'd at least take the time and accept that I did something wrong."

Link sent her a questioning looking and she huffed at him.

"Well how many times have you heard someone apologize but never bothered to understand what they did wrong? Apologizing is great but it means squat if you didn't bother to figure out WHY you're in the dog house...pun intended."

Midna's words seem to strike a chord with Link, who looks up at her with a slightly more alert expression. She can see the gears turning in his head as he considers her words. After a few moments, he nods slowly, remaining silent as he absorbs her words.

"Great, you finally realize a fact about yourself, “ she raises her hands up and shakes them in a Ta-da motion, “Congratulations, you’re a flawed creature.”

He blinks slowly at her, making her sigh again.

“So, if you're not gonna have a meltdown any time soon, let's get this place over with." She says, clapping her hands once and floating over to his sword and shield.

He remained seated, eyes following her before shortly getting up.

The rest of the dungeon was rather quiet compared to what he remembered, words only spoken when absolutely necessary.

. . . He didn't know how to feel about it.

—-

—

The shade did not appear in his dreams anymore.

A part of him felt relieved…to no longer be stared down by a visage of his mentor…

Another part of him mourned the only other person who knew everything he hid.

Even if that person was simply a construct his mind created…

…(perhaps it was for the best…)

—

He knew he should have at least announce his departure, instead of leaving a vague note on the entrance to his home.

Link knew he would worry Colin and his family. Knew Rusl would ask around for him, only for frustration to build when no one would know where Link was.

But he simply couldn’t take it anymore

Everything was too much and too little.

There was no journey to distract him anymore, no danger for him to defeat.

No princess of Twilight to yank his attention away from his thoughts from the moment she spoke.

What did it say about who he had become? That staring down at the corpse of Ganon, the very person who caused so much damage to the land, made Link feel nothing but disappointment.

Midna was gone now. He hadn’t realized how much he had depended on her presence to keep him grounded.

The land was safe once more. The people of Ordon were reunited once again.

Returning to Ordon, returning to that small world that once had been so big to him.

All he wanted to do was escape it.

It had all become too much. All so very much.

Everyone knew it. No one said anything but the rancher could tell. Could see their gazes, hated it no matter how well-meaning they were.

Their voices, once so soothing, irked him to the point that he wanted to tear off his own ears just for total silence.

If not his ears, then their very tongues.

He probably would have been horrified by his thoughts, had he been who he once was.

Even now it caused him pain. He didn’t want to look at them and feel anger.

It pained him. (It scared him.)

It was only when he numbly contemplated harm towards the villagers that he knew he had to leave.

He had to get out as quickly as he possibly could. Least he gives in to those overwhelming thoughts.

(And a part of him feared their reaction, should he breakdown in front of them just as he had done in front of Midna.)

So he left. Quietly during the early hours, long before the sun had even begin to rise.

A quick glance through his supplies and a gentle pat to sooth Epona and he was off.

He knows he’ll make everyone worry. A dull sense of guilt pulsing in his chest. But it was pushed down by the sense of ‘far too much’ within him.

All he could do was pray that wherever the path led him next, it would bring some sort of relief.

Perhaps he would return home with a stronger resolve. Perhaps he could find peace.

Perhaps…he could return with a smile that wasn’t on the verge of tearing itself apart…

. . .

. .

(…He could only really hope.)

#yandere linked universe #linked universe #yandere linked universe x reader #linked universe x reader #lu twilight #midna #timeline two au #reblog

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yanderelinkeduniverse · 2 months

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Yandere Sky Headcanons

Sky is, without a doubt, a hopeless romantic when he’s in love. We’ve seen him swoon and sigh dreamily when thinking about his loved one, he’s THAT kind of lover boy. Naturally, when adding a layer of insanity tinged love sickness to that adoration, he’s prone to becoming very affectionate.

Unless you are as dense as a rock, it will be no secret that the Hero of the Skies is head over heels in love with you. He basically has heart shaped pupils whenever he looks at you, cartoon heart bubbles magically appear around his head when in your vicinity and his face turns so red you’d think he had a high fever.

Sky is a devout yandere, obsessive in every way, shape and form, and protective to a fault. Even when not around you, you occupy his thoughts and daydreams to the point where it seems like he’s never not thinking about you.

He’s got a masters degree in yearning from Pining University.

And while he hasn’t lost that many people like some of the other mentally unstable chosen ones in the Chain(namely Wild and Legend), the fear of losing them is very real to him. He’s known the blood chilling terror of being a few steps too slow and a few minutes too late with the only thought in his head being “what did I do wrong?”

Following the conclusion of his first and only journey, Sky has come to accept that he made his mistakes and that he must move on in order to grow, but that doesn’t stop him from taking those lessons to heart when falling in love with you.

We’ve seen multiple times throughout the various installments that one of Sky’s favorite hobbies is playing his lyre. It’s a simple pleasure he indulges in whenever they have a moment of peace and the sound never fails to remind him of his home. But he’s found another reason to love it and that is the attention you end up giving him whenever he plays a song.

He isn’t the best musician in the group, but there’s no denying that the simple melodies he strings together are pleasing to the ears, so it’s no wonder you’d take the time to sit down, listen, and compliment him.

Sky doesn’t see it like that, though.

In his deluded, love hazy mind, all that registers is that you’re there giving him your attention and your praise; two things worth more than gold in his eyes. He’s like a drug addict who just got hit with another dosage. If he had a tail he’d be wagging it so hard it would thump against the log he’s sitting on, so he better consider himself lucky that Twilight is the dog of the group.

Though, if would please you, he’d willingly let you collar and leash him. Tell him to sit and roll over, he’ll do it on command without any shame whatsoever. He’ll even walk around on all fours if you want!-

Anyways-

THIS! 👏 MF! 👏 STEALS! 👏 FROM! 👏 YOU! 👏

I mean, technically it isn’t for long, he won’t permanently take something that belongs to you without ever giving it back(in secret so you never find out it was him), but he WILL swipe something of yours from time to time. Most commonly he’ll take a tunic or shirt from you, something you won’t immediately notice is gone.

When he has a moment of privacy, he’ll take out his little treasure and press it against his face, taking in a deeeeeep breath, and sighing lovingly. He’s got it bad for you and he knows it. If he could he’d use your tunic as a pillowcase whenever he went to sleep, but there’s no way he wouldn’t get caught.

Despite all this sugary sweetness, Sky isn’t solely a soft and gentle boy. If he is provoked, or if you’re being bothered, Sky doesn’t hesitate to step up and glare down the nuisance, all the while keeping a calm smile stretched across his face. This is where his surprisingly deep voice comes in handy, people aren’t expecting a voice like his to come from such a soft face.

Out of all the members of the Chain, I actually think that Sky would be one of the most patient when it comes to people trying to mess with them or you respectively; he’s dealt with Groose’s bullying for a few years, I think he’s a natural at letting nasty comment slide right off him like water off a duck’s back.

However, even then his patience is dangerously thin regarding people. If provoked he won’t hesitate to begin plotting the fool’s demise, whether it be a swift cut to the jugular or a slow, agonizing demise is up to the person in question.

And finally, just a hint, do not try to run from him, it won’t work.

If Fi’s ability to dowse objects and seek them out is based on Sky’s own desire to find them, then if you were to try and run away, he’d be able to track you right down to the exact spot you’re standing in. Because there is nothing and no one alive that Sky wants and needs more than you.

Hide in the woods, in a cave, in a dungeon, in a mountain, it doesn’t matter. He will hunt you down, find you, and drag you back home in his loving, suffocating embrace.

#linked universe #yandere linked universe #yandere linked universe x reader #linked universe x reader #lu sky #acrylic writes

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yanderelinkeduniverse · 3 months

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OMG THANK YOU THIS IS SO FUCKING CUTE THEY ALL LOOK SO GOOD. I adore the way you colored these, it reminds me of water color, and the little symbols in their eyes are so sweet!

Your girl Yuune looks great too! I especially love her hair cause I’m a sucker for characters with long front hair with short back hair, it’s why I like Lumine so much in Genshin for example.

But yeah THIS IS SO SWEET THANK YOU

You’ve all been doing great making content and putting your ideas onto paper, I don’t feel worthy to be included in these things. But seeing you all having fun inspires me to work too! I’ve got so many incomplete ideas and promises that need to be fulfilled, you all deserve something nice for a change!

Anyways thank you so much once again, your art is truly amazing!

For @eternadreeblissa I wanted to draw Ava Rosamaryllis, she’s really pretty. I loved looking through eternadreeblissa’s art, and just felt inspired.

Some little extras: from left —> right, Yuune(yep love to add her places), yanderelinkeduniverse’s (Y/N), and of course the lovely Ava. They’re wearing outfits inspired by my Pinterest broad.

#reblog #ava rosamaryllis #yuune #(y/n) posting #linked universe #not yandere #not my art

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yanderelinkeduniverse · 4 months

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HELL YEAH THIS LOOKS INCREDIBLE, (y/n) looks so adorable in your style thank you!!!!!

Noticed that submissions were closed so I’ll just post this. The idea and (y/n) design are from @yanderelinkeduniverse , I also just made it for them.

#reblog #linked universe #lu wild #not my art #yandere linked universe #(y/n) posting

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yanderelinkeduniverse · 4 months

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Merry Christmas y’all, and to anyone who doesn’t celebrate have a great time anyways! I’ve been in a writer’s slump lately, but I want to get done with something important soon so hopefully y’all will see what I’ve been working on before next year!

#not yandere #not lu #acrylic talks

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yanderelinkeduniverse · 4 months

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Aw thank you! Guess I have to tag some people too. Here are some of my fav writers from other fandoms!

@yandere-romanticaa @yanderehsr @hunnieknight @shiny-jr @my-insanity-is-an-artform @vrsin

I blame my brother for this

Apparently, I am severely lacking in the ability to take care of myself. I have been told to ‘do better’ with encouraging myself to do shit. So, naturally, I’m apparently gonna turn to y’all.

Let’s see if this works.

For every 100 notes (because I already feel I know who tf is following me and likely gonna see this) I will do a real self-care (now that I know what that means)

#reblog #not yandere

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yanderelinkeduniverse · 5 months

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Literally NOTHING could’ve prepared me for this, it didn’t just come out of left field we aren’t even on a field this fell out of the fucking SKY like some angel dropped their baseball.

But anyways RAAHHHHHHH RAVIO CONTENT!!!

Everything about this was so fucking perfect, I especially loved the fact that I could immediately tell that the soldier Warriors was with at the beginning was going to be killed. It just show’s consistency and doesn’t leave any plot holes.

Though that part does make me wonder about Warriors having some morally dubious allied soldiers who aren’t yandere or in anyways affiliated with (y/n), they just have faith in their Captain and don’t shy away from killing any traitors in their midst. Ngl I thought that Time was actually a soldier kind of like that when the traitor got killed.

I love the idea that Ravio’s self imposed isolation inside Legends house, just waiting and waiting like an obedient dog with no one to truly talk to, might’ve contributed to how he’s basically gone mad by the time Warriors finds him in the rest timeline. Of course going to long without answers would be the main factor and he would’ve gone mad either way but just kind of sitting there in the house probably sped up the process.

Anyways this side story has inspired me! Makes me want to write a side story of my own…

@yanderelinkeduniverse @stars-for-thought @imprisioned-in-the-hole @screaming-until-god-hears-me @crestfallenmermaidan @ice-cream-writes-stuff @linked-heroes @eternadreebliss

Hey hey folks! yes yes i know what you're thinking.

'But Gliphy! it's only been a few days since your last post! Is the world ending?'

And I agree! Buuuut I decided to throw something out there, a change of pace so to speak!

I present: TTAU Side stories! Or Side Stories in general.

The chain are still my main cast for stories. Most things will be written around them.

But, due to certain inquiries, a few characters were requested to be written~ Will that automatically mean I'll start posting a barrage of stuff for the side stories? Eh, probably only when inspiration hits me.

But I decided to have fun with dropping in characters from time to time.

For now, it's gonna be one character that a few people has asked for.

Will I do them justice? Dunno! I'll leave that to you lovely folk~

Anywho~

---

-----

---

The stench of blood was very potent here, enough to make his nose crinkle the moment he stepped into the area.

The soldier guiding Link gave his report as he led him through the mountain pass.

"This is the place." He said, gesturing to the entrance of an easily overlooked cave, his helmet tilted back to show his face. "We managed to lead him through here. Once he went through, the others distracted him while I sealed off the opening as best as I could."

The soldier stopped before the cave opening leading inside. There were crates and broken carriages turned on their side blocking the entrance.

Link eyed everything. "Impressive for one man. Though if what you said was true, blocking the path like this wouldn't have slowed him down."

The soldier sighed. "He seemed too focused attacking the nearest soldiers, I did what I could to escape and seal it off."

Warriors' eyes narrowed but said nothing of the soldier's careless admission.

"Very well, you and I will enter to confront him." Link folded his arms over his chest and gave the soldier a look when he opened his mouth.

"In the event that a battle occurs, I'll need you to be near so you can bring a detailed report back to base." The soldier thought it over and nodded.

"...Right then."

Without further ado, Link and the Soldier pushed as much of the crates out of the way and made their way in.

The cave was dark, darkening further since dusk approached. Even after stepping several feet inside there wasn't much light, it took a several minutes for his eyes to adjust.

They made their way carefully down the narrow tunnel.

...Warriors was uncertain about this situation.

While his memories of his past battles were convenient, he would be a fool to believe them to be absolute.

War was ever changing, no battle was fought with the exact method or gained the same result twice.

But this...he definitely would have recalled a situation like this. This was a new turn of events and he had to keep his wits about him.

After making it about twenty minutes in, a sudden loud bang echoed down the corridor, coming from behind them. "I know you're there!" A male voice bellowed. The voice sounded angered. deranged.

"That's him sir!" The soldier whispered to him.

The Soldier and Link both stood still, not wanting to give away their position.

"Come out! Come out and tell me where she is!" The male's voice cracked, as if he had been screaming for some time. His breathing was loud, sped up.

His voice...frantic...angered.

With his weapon drawn, both soldiers cautiously crept to the end of the cave passage where faint light poured from a hidden opening off to the side.

An open space, the light coming from burning crates off to the side, otherwise empty, save for the scattered corpses of soldiers throughout the space.

From the state they appeared in, they had been hit a large blunt object.

There was blood everywhere.

It was splattered from the ceiling and walls onto the floor, pooled beneath the bodies of soldiers whose faces were crushed flat within their helmets.

"Goddess above." the soldier breathed, his hand clutching at his weapon tightly in terror.

Link looked on dispassionately. "I have never seen such madness." he murmured, his voice devoid of emotion.

A flash of purple caught the corner of his eye as he scanned the room.

He made his way towards it, ignoring the soldier's hushed protests.

When he got closer, his eyes widened and he froze. Blue eyes lined with gold stared back at him. Reaching down, he grabbed it brought it close.

He recognized it despite it's ragged appearance. Only one person dressed in such a fashion.

Suddenly the sound of something heavy being dragged across the floor caught his ear. Then there was a low groan of pain before it grew into a scream of anger.

The soldier looked at Link, anxiety written clear on his face as he raised his sword but Warriors, dropped the item and shook his head.

They slowly moved into the open area, eyes and ears peeled for any signs of movement.

As they advanced, the noises grew. Heavy footfall and heavy breathing.

An occasional whimper or whine as things were dragged around. The sounds came more and more frequently until, finally, a single figure came into view, slowly stumbling forward.

His hair was disheveled. Green eyes wild. Blood seeping from wounds hidden behind purple robes, dripping onto the ground.

Robes soaked in blood that was both his and not his. A large bloodied hammer being dragged behind him. His missing hood left his face uncovered.

The Hero of Warriors felt his heart jumped.

The face that stared back at him was one he knew.

But how?

It didn't make sense. What could possibly bring about this scenario? Why the hell was Ravio here of all places, alone?

(He shouldn't be here, he was supposed to have joined up with them several missions prior. )

But Time had taken a different path as well...

"Where..." came the raspy whisper.

"Where...Where is she?" His eyes were frantic and desperate, darting around.

Not once had he looked at Warriors, as if he hadn't been there at all. He looked right at the soldier, his eyes piercing into the soldier's.

"Tell me where...is she..." He growled louder, stepping closer even as the soldier took several steps back.

He looked around frantically, trying to find something in the darkness, find someone.

But why? Who was he looking for...

(...Could he...)

"I told you, I don't know what you're talking about!" The soldier shouted, his voice shaking as he pointed his sword at the unhinged man.

"LIAR!" He roared, storming closer, hammer being raised with one arm.

"You killed my comrades!"

"You all took her from me! Took me from her!" His voice raged, his path to the soldier blocked as Warriors stepped in front of him.

His eyes settled on Warriors, and his gaze became fixated upon him.

Suddenly Ravio let out a loud scream, and without a moment's notice, he swung the hammer at him.

Instinctively, Warrior raised his blade and blocked it as best as he could, even as his arms shook from the force of the attack.

"Tell me what's wrong!" Warriors cried, desperately trying to hold the sword steady as the merchant pressed his hammer against his sword.

Ravio was screaming.

"It's all wrong! IT'S ALL WRONG!!" He was screaming and fighting against Warriors, but it was useless. "I'm not supposed to be HERE! You took her!! She was supposed to be SAFE!"

Warriors' ears picked up movement behind him and he shoved Ravio away just as the soldier swung his sword at the unstable man.

"Who are you talking about?" The soldier snapped as he was pulled back by Warriors while he put distance between them and Ravio.

"She was supposed to be with safe! I'm not suppose to be here!" Ravio cried out, as if he hadn't heard what was being asked at him.

"I was there! I was waiting for her at the house! I SHOULDN'T BE HERE!" Dropping the hammer, Ravio grabbed the side of his head with both hands, shaking his head violently.

"(y/n)..." He groaned in pain, eyes squeezing shut.

Warriors felt like he had been dumped in cold water.

"What did you say..?" He whispered.

Ravio's head shot up, a wild look on his face that Warriors couldn't quite recognize.

He...remembered?

---

She was brave...

That's what Ravio's first thought of her was, when Mr. Hero explained her situation to him.

A world without magic. A world nothing like theirs.

At least there was a way for him to return to Lorule. But for her...?

But she didn't let that get her down. In her eyes, if there was a way to land in Hyrule, there must be a chance to return home.

He liked that about her, liked her more when he got to properly know her.

Her bravery, her determination.

The determination to keep going even when she had no clue how to go about things.

But that determination to return home didn't stop her curiosity.

Ravio wouldn't deny how pleased he felt when she asked detailed questions about his items. Even more so when it turned into a conversation about Lorule.

Which became a routine whenever the group came by.

The culture, the history, the economy, there was always something new she wanted to ask him about his homeland.

He was a bit embarrassed to say he didn't know too much about most things she asked at first. But she never made him feel dumb about it.

Instead, she listened attentively as he tried to explain the differences between Hyrule and Lorule. Happily speaking of her world, describing the vast differences between here and there.

They would chat about those differences for hours on end. Which turned to a talk about the people back home, which would lead to a talk about each other's hobbies and opinions on things.

Anything they both wanted to talk about really.

It was only when Link interrupted them to announce dinner or something else that Ravio would realize how much time had passed.

All those questions that made him smile brightly, and it always made her laugh. Her laugh was wonderful and her smile was bright and contagious.

It made him crave to have the answers to the questions he couldn't give her. He'd return to Lorule just to gather books on those topics and study them.

He dared to say he knew more about his own home's history and of Hyrule's thanks to her curiosity.

When she returned, he was eager to show her what he managed to find.

Though he knew she wouldn't understand everything he said, it was simply a matter of her asking enough questions to make sense of it

Her enthusiasm was contagious when she spoke, especially since she never seemed disappointed or confused.

Sometimes he wondered whether that trait wasn't what attracted him to her at first.

He hadn't realized it at the time, but (Y/n)'s arrival had changed things. Everything about Ravio had changed. Every aspect of his life seemed to shift the longer he got to know her.

And it seemed he wasn't the only one who felt the same.

Watching the way Link and his companions began to behave around her.

Their gazes turning softer, smiles forming on their lips when she approached. They would sit closer to her whenever they had a chance and listen attentively to every story and ramble she shared.

How they each wanted to spend time with her. How the group seemed so much alive with her there.

How they felt like they needed to protect her because she was important to them.

How happy he saw them being when with her.

Not that he didn't understand. Being with her made him forget about everything that troubled him.

Everything simply felt better when with her.

He wasn't some strange fellow who people looked at oddly. He wasn't a coward that many people would mock.

He was simply Ravio to her.

...He liked being simply Ravio.

And being simply Ravio meant he was more perceptive than most others. (How else had he seen through Yuga's shoddy acting when he was manipulating Hilda.)

So it was almost immediate that he noticed the way the others became...attached to her.

How they started to focus more attention to her whenever she entered the room. How they began to follow her wherever she went. Even when she wished for a moment of solitude.

How they seemed to care for her a lot more now than before.

And while it was true that they were still worried over her safety but that wasn't exactly uncommon for them either.

But the way they treated her...

They were becoming...possessive. And protective. It was almost frightening actually.

Especially when they acted that way towards one another, especially around (Y/n).

How they glared at one another with venom one moment, only to look at her with absolute adoration the next.

How they looked at her as if she were the sun itself.

As if she were the entire world itself.

...Not that he blamed them. (Could he blame them?)

She was simply...perfect.

Not to say she was a flawless person that never made a mistake. No no.

But that's what made her perfect, she was human. She was herself.

She was real and real was beautiful.

He adored the times when Link would ask him to be her company, when they had business she couldn't join them in. (Business that had them strictly tell him what areas to not take her to, business that had them returning with a faint scent of blood.)

He spoke to her, let her speak whatever was on her mind. He joined her whenever she wanted to head to town or wander the area.

And with some made up excuses and a promise that she wouldn't go to certain places and to return at a certain time, he even let her wander off on her own.

He had been nervous about doing so. Because (he didn't what to consider the possibility that she would walk into danger if he wasn't there.) Link had told him to always be by her side.

But how could he listen to him when she would ask him with a nervous smile how she wanted some time to herself.

...She shouldn't smile like that. It should be happier, more carefree.

He could listen to Link about many things. (He had done so much for him and his homeland, it was the least he could do.)

But...what was the harm of letting her have a moment to herself? (Even if it felt like he was being torn to two whenever she had to leave.)

Yet when he gave her his conditions and told her he'd keep quiet...

That stained, nervous smile would relax into one more fitting. One full of joy and excitement.

He'd watch her as she waved at him as she wandered off, Sheerow fluttering around him.

Her journal under her arm and a bounce in her step. Only returning to the house when she vanished from his sight.

He'd spent the whole time she was gone debating what excuse or lie he would have to give to Link.

But she returned, always. With that beautiful wide smile, the tension gone from her shoulders.

His heart was melting and he wasn't sure how long it take for him to recover from such a beautiful sight. But he never wanted his heart to recover. (Not when it was caused by her.)

It was love. That's what he, what the heroes, felt.

What other emotion would make him feel as if his heart was filled with an endless warmth. As if his chest was going to explode with affection, with happiness, with love?

He loved (Y/n), and he knew everyone else did, too.

He didn't think his heart could beat this much when he thought of her. Not this fast, not this violently.

It almost hurt. It was almost too much.

But it was never enough. He wanted more.

When she smiled at him, his heart was ready to burst. When she held him, he wanted to wrap his arms around her and never let her pull away. Never wanted to feel that cruel coldness that always came when she let go.

When she wrapped a loose arm over his shoulders when they sat together, when she drifted off to sleep and slumped against him.

When her eyes brightened when she saw him when she and the others next returned to the area.

It was him that made her have that look. Not the others, certainly not Link. (Perhaps not for a long while.)

He wanted to keep being the reason that she was happy and relaxed. (LookAtHimLookAtHimLookAtHim)

Ravio hated when she left, the world felt quieter, colors more muted.

But he waited patiently, because each parting meant she would return soon enough.

She always seemed tired when she returned, but Ravio tried his best to offer her a quiet space for herself. Her expression of gratitude made going behind Link's back all the more worth it.

Each parting meant a return.

When he last waved her goodbye. She seemed more quiet. She still looked at him warmly. Yet much more tired. Evene as the others seemed oblivious to it.

But Ravio saw.

It lingered within his mind some time after. But he tried to argue with himself over what could have happened.

When he could think of nothing, he decided that the best course of action was to ask her in person. He wanted to help her, he wanted to ease her burdens, even a little.

So he waited for her return. Waited so he could ask her what he needed to do in order to take the weight that had been pressing down on her.

Waited so she could finally let herself have that moment of peace that had been so long coming.

...

.....

But she never came back....

No one did.

He waited and waited, waiting for her to return. Waiting for him to see the light in her eyes again.

He wanted to see her smile again. To hear that musical laugh.

Yet he waited. He waited as long as he could for her to come back but...she never did.

One month became two.

And neither she, nor Link and his companions returned.

'They...They're just delayed.' He rationalized in his head. From what Mr. Hero explained, they didn't get to choose where they went. So obviously they must have found a trail and went after that shadow.

Yes...it..it was a delay...they'll...she'll return...

Two months became three.

But no one came.

'What happened?' Ravio paced in the house, wringing his hands.

'Where did she go?'

He received no answer.

He got no response.

Only silence.

Silence that drove Ravio mad. A silence that only brought more questions.

Questions he could find no answers for.

(Why did they not return? Why were they delaying? What could possibly have happened?)

The silence was deafening and he loathed.

"I...I just have to wait..." He whispered to himself, biting the tip of his thumb.

"I mustn't leave. She could return any day now." He shook his head, forcing his legs to start moving once more.

(He ignored the nagging feeling in his stomach that told him something horrible happened.)

He forced himself to stay still for a few moments. Breathing slowly. Slowly and deeply. Just...just until she returns. Just until she returns.

Just until she arrives, safe and sound, with a smile on her face and her eyes shining brightly like they had once before.

But the third month eventually led to four.

What happened? Why haven't they returned?

Had it been enemy? Had they've become trapped somewhere?

Had the heroes done something to her..?

Ravio's breathed hitched at the thought.

Why...why would he think that? He's seen how they act around her. Treating her like she created the stars in the sky.

They would never, never, do something that would lead harm to her.

(...But she's been so stressed lately.)

No. They wouldn't. They wouldn't do something like that. He knew that.

The heroes would never do something that could cause trouble between them and (y/n). They'd kill themselves before doing something that would harm her.

(But why did she only feel relaxed when away from them?)

He sighed, running a shaky hand through his hair, trying to calm the worry that plagued him.

They would be fine. (She'll be fine.)

He just has to believe that. They have to be fine.

'If anything happens, she knows she can always send a letter to me...right?.' he thought, had he ever told her that? Had he ever told her that even when traveling, she could always reach out to him?

Tears springing in his eyes as he buried his head in his palms.

What could have happened, what kept her away?

It wasn't his fault. He would never wish to cause her harm. He wanted her happy. (But he wasn't there with her all the time. The others though...)

The others...if they...if...he clenched his hands, taking deep breaths to keep himself from falling apart.

They...they wouldn't hurt her.

They may have become possessive, may have monitored her whereabouts...but they were...simply watching out for her...

...

...Right?

(But what if they crossed the line?)

A shudder ran through his body, his breathing becoming uneven again, panic starting to grip him. He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to stop his thoughts from spiraling out of control.

No...there was no way they could hurt her. (They knew better than that.)

But...what (did they do) happened...

There was no way they wouldn't be connected to it.

What...(did they do) happened?

(It's going to alright. Any day now. Any day.)

Four led into five.

What (did they do) happened?

And on the sixth month, he's unable to bear the quiet anymore.

He sits at the table, head in his hands. He long since closed up the shop. Unable to think.

Sheerow resting on his shoulder, trying to comfort him even if the little bird knew it was useless.

He needs to know why. Where is she? Is she alright? Who took her? How did they get her?

The questions ate at his heart and tore open everything he thought he had been keeping locked away.

What did they do?

Where were they? Where was she?

(What did they do? It's all wrong.)

"What did they do..." He said to himself, voice breaking. "Where...where are they?"

There was no door opening behind him.

No one to come and greet him, to apologize for taking so long.

No warm smile that would have easily soothed away the pain that had settled in his heart, placed months ago.

He doesn't notice the tears that began dripping silently onto the table.

No one was coming. But he didn't want to leave and be proven wrong.

So he stayed there, staring at the table, letting the pain overtake him. Tears streaming from his eyes and the fear and pain in his heart only growing.

His knuckles turned white as he gripped his hair tightly, staring blankly at nothing.

Everything was hurting him but he just wanted them to come back.

His heart was hurting him but all he wanted was for her to come back.

What did they do....

What did they do to her. (He wanted to find her but he had to stay. He had to be ready for her return.)

What did they do. (He wanted to go but he had to wait for her to return.)

What did they do. (He had to wait for her to return.)

He couldn't leave. (He had to wait.)

(He couldn't leave. He had to wait.)

(He couldn't leave.)

And all the while, his world was crumbling apart.

What did they do...

---

His eyes were greeted to open skies and the sounds of battle.

..He was nowhere near where he should be.

(He shouldn't be here. She could be back and she would think he forgot about her)

He was in a daze as he walked. He didn't know how long he did.

(Why was it so hard to breathe? Why did his heart heart so much? What was happening? He shouldn't be here.)

He stumbled and hit the ground hard, shaking.

"Hey! You shouldn't be here!" He heard footsteps approach. Several.

"A civilian? Here?" "Where did he come from?"

".. need to go home.." He whispered. "I... shouldn't be here."

"Well you're right about that." One said as he stood before him, Ravio could see his boots.

Slowly, he looked up at the soldier who stared down at him.

"You seem lost little man." The soldier said, a mockingly kind smile on his lips.

"Maybe you should come with us to make sure we don't bring you any more danger."

Before he could reply another spoke up. "He's weird. Look at the state of him."

"Probably is sick." Another said. "In the head I mean"

Laughter rang out among their group.

The words didn't register in Ravio's brain and he blinked, looking at the other men who surrounded him. His mind felt fuzzy and confused, he could barely hear the words that fell from their mouths.

"you think we should-"

" don't wanna escort this guy-"

"-we don'-"

"Where...is she..." he asked quietly, trembling. (He shouldn't be here. He shouldn't be here. He shouldn't be here.)

"Where is...she..?" The soldiers looked at eachother, then at him.

The one in front of him, their leader, chuckled.

"Aw, missing someone?" The soldier asked sarcastically.

(How could they joke about this. About her. She could be in danger.)

Ravio swallowed hard, the lump forming in his throat making it harder to breathe.

The man crouched down, smirking.

"You know we could help you find her." He offered. "For a price."

The group chortled.

"Where is she..." He repeated, his voice crackling. "Where..is she?"

He choked as he spoke.

The soldier leaned closer, staring straight into Ravio's brown eyes with an expression Ravio couldn't quite place. "You know, maybe this place has a bunch of dangerous monsters ." The man purred, a sinister glint in his eyes.

(Monsters? no no, she shouldn't be near monsters. She could get hurt...she could get hurt.)

"Who knows? Maybe she ran off, maybe she got cornered." Ravio let out a low whine at his comment, which made the group laugh again.

"That or she's dead."

'No. No.' He didn't want her dead. She had to be safe. She couldn't be dead. "No. Please, please...No." He whimpered.

The soldiers kept laughing. "Ohh. So sad. You must miss her, don't you?" He cooed.

"Please, don't say that-"

"Sorry. but that's war for you.." Their leader said. "There are a lot of casualties. She isn't special."

Ravio's breathing quickened, his body trembling violently.

(Her gone. Dead. Gone. Gone. She's not coming back.)

"What are we going to do with him..." Another soldier asked. "We have to finish patrols."

(She can't be gone. She can't. She can't be. She had to be safe.)

Their leader shrugged as he stood up.

"Where is she?" he repeated, hand reading out to the soldier, only for him to kick it away, but Ravio didn't care about that. "Where is she?"

"Leave him. Seems deranged. Not our business." They continued walking ahead leaving Ravio in the dust.

(She's not gone. she's not. She's not.)

Ravio stood up, his breath quickening.

"Where is she.." He kept asking, His eyes widened, tears welling once again.

(Please...please, don't tell me she's gone.)

"already told you. Probably dead. Just accept it." Another soldier replied, walking past him to follow his friend. (Please...please.)

He gripped his head, shaking it.

(Nonononononononononono)

(She's not gone.)

He didn't feel himself letting go of his head. Didn't feel himself reach into his expandable pouch, the one he always carried because she told him it was always good to be ready for any situation.

Feel as he pulled out a weapon and turn to face the walking group.

(She's not deadShe's not deadThey know where she isThey are hiding herThey are trying to hurt her.)

He felt something inside him snap and suddenly, he shot out like a bullet towards the group.

The group hadn't realized what was happening, not until he was upon them, not until he grabbed the shoulder of the one who spoke to him and forced him to face him.

(What did you do.)

"Where is she." He rasped out. raising the hammer over his head with one arm.

"Where is she."

And He swung right at the leader's head.

---

"What. Did. You. Do..." Ravio rasped out at Warriors. Frowning, staring right at the pale faced hero.

"You...remember...?" Warriors breathed.

(How was this possible? How could he remember? The possibility of his sword brothers remembering was high, but the merchant?)

"Where is she?" Ravio took a step forward, never once taking his eyes off Warriors.

Warriors simply stared back, unable to unable to properly register this situation.

"Where is she...? What did you do? Tell me, Hero! What did you do to her?!" Ravio demanded, slowly reaching down and grabbing the hammer's handle.

"..I-"

"Sir!" The soldier tried to step forward as Ravio grabbed his weapon but Warriors kept his arm up.

"You..." Ravio's voice trembled, "You were all supposed to come back. She was supposed to come back."

Warriors was quiet, trembling.

"I waited. But no one came." The Lorule merchant's lips twitched into a crooked smile.

"No one CAME! No one! Not you! Not her!" He laughed hysterically, pointing a trembling finger towards Warriors, "You were supposed to come back! You were supposed to keep her safe and happy!"

He let out a scream. His entire body shaking.

"Why didn't you come? You should have come back! I shouldn't be here!" He screamed.

"Ravio-" "Where is she!?" Warriors could only shake his head slowly at him.

"We...we-"

"WHERE IS SHE?!" He screamed louder.

"Ravio, please-"

"You promised!! You all promised to keep her safe! And you FAILED!!" Ravio screamed, he grabbed his hammer with both hands and he lunged towards Warriors.

"Get back!" Warriors shouted at the soldier behind him, dodging out to the way by jumping to the side.

"WHERE IS SHE!" He yelled, his head followed Warriors even as the hammer hit the ground, the impact breaking the surface swiftly.

"Please, listen to me!" Warriors shouted.

"I'M NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HERE!!"

Warriors continued to dodge as the hammer flew straight towards him. The force of the hammer hitting the wall where his head has been was felt even without touching it. A few stone shards flying across flying and onto the floor.

"Where is she? WHAT DID YOU DO!?"

Another slam. Another broken surface.

"Please! You have to listen to me!" Warrior pleaded looking back towards the other man.

"Sir this man is clearly insane-" The soldier was cut off by another slam, and another crack.

"Ravio, please." Warriors begged.

"SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE SAFE!!!" Ravio screamed. He continued to attack Warriors.

"I'm sorry." Was all Warriors could say.

Ravio sobbed, "I waited and waited." Ravio whispered, "But no one came."

"Ravio..."

"She could be back, and I'm HERE!" He screamed.

"She isn't..." Was all he could say to the merchant.

"I waited," Ravio cried, "She could have been in danger while I waited. I have to get rid of any danger. I have to find her."

"So you choose to kill our comrades?!" The soldier exclaimed, clampingn his mouth shut as Warriors gave him a sharp look.

Ravio shook his head wildly again, groaning in pain.

"I have to get rid of the danger. I have to. She's not safe here."

"The soldiers...were a danger..." Warriors said, his words calm.

"Traitors..." Ravio groaned, "So many, I have to get rid of them. I have to kill them. She wouldn't be safe here. She doesn't KNOW."

"She's not here. But this place is not a threat anymore." Warrior stated, "You got rid of the enemies."

"Sir! You can't just-" Warriors gave the foolish soldier such a fierce glare, the man stumbled back.

Turning back to Ravio. He continued to speak calmly.

"You did well to get rid of the traitors," He continued, "Less enemies to harm her."

"I waited..." Ravio whimpered. "I waited so long."

"I'm sorry you did." He spoke softly, slowly stepping forward, not removing his eyes from the merchant's. "But I can explain what's happening, I can tell you how we can find her again."

Ravio looked at him.

"Find her again.." He mumbled back.

"Yes. We can find her again." He said gently, reaching out with one hand to touch Ravio's shoulder. Ravio flinched before relaxing slightly.

"You don't care about the rest of the world. Neither do I. Only She matters, right?" Ravio slowly nodded at him.

"We have to get rid of any traitors here." Warriors continued, "Get rid of any possible danger to her. We have to make sure this place is safe for her, right?"

"They...said they didn't know where she was..." Ravio said, still hesitant but less aggressive than before.

"They said they didn't know...but I knew they were lying..." He shook his head, blinking as of to clear his vision. "I knew, traitors always lie. I was going to force them to tell me, but they were stubborn, liars..."

"So you killed them." Warriors finished, nodding his head.

Ravio nodded his head again. "I...She's not here...w-where is she?" He repeated, his whole body trembling violently.

"...She's gone." Warriors replied.

Ravio stared at Warriors with wide eyes. "Gone...?"

"She...had to go somewhere.." Warriors said calmly, "We all did...it's why you're here too..."

"...Why I'm here..."

"Think about it, why would you be here?" Warriors asked Ravio, who continued to stand still. "You've been waiting patiently for her return. Why would you be here when she hasn't returned yet?"

"I..."

"It's alright. Just think. Why are you here. You remember this place don't you? Do you remember me? How we first met?"

"..War...Cia..." Ravio mumbled, his breathing heavy. Warriors nodded.

"The sorceress, the war she began. We are currently fighting her. Tell me Hero of Lorule," Warriors felt Ravio flinch under his hand, "How can you be here, how can we be fighting her if you were waiting for (y/n) back home?"

Silence filled the room for several moments, as Ravio stood there and processed everything that was said.

His gaze lowered to the ground, his eyes watering. His lip quivering.

Finally, he managed to look up at Warrior, fear in his eyes.

"She's...not.." He whispered, trailing off, but Warriors knew what he was asking.

"...She isn't..." Warriors replied, eyes softening as he thought of her, "But she is not here. You remember when you met her, right?"

Ravio nodded.

"But if you think about it, that point in time hasn't happened yet." Warriors reasoned, "So if you're here, and the point of time when you met her is farther down the line, what do you think that means..?"

"That she's still alive." Ravio answered quietly.

"Precisely."

"She's not dead." He said slowly. "She's...She's okay?"

"Right." Warriors smiled weakly.

"...Is she really alive?"

"She's not dead. That woman is very strong."

"Strong..." Ravio nodded, thinking of her. "She is very strong." He raised his head.

"What...what do we do?" He asked, wringing his bloodied hands, the fierce aggression that had been behind those eyes now settling, replaced with exhaustion. "W-What should we do now?"

"First we needed to meet up with the others, it's better to be around those you trust when feeling like this." Warriors explained, "Then we can decide on what to do next."

Ravio stared up at him, slowly nodding before looking around.

"...The...bodies..." Warriors looked at the corpses around them, eyes empty of any emotion.

"What about them?" He asked,

"Traitors..." Ravio muttered.

"We'll destroy the entrance to this cave..." He answered, "Lie and say an ambush took them out. They were never meant to live beyond the war anyways."

Ravio nodded, appeased by his response.

He shrugged, "Traitors don't live past their usefulness."

"How could you say that?!?" Warriors looked over his shoulder at the sudden outburst.

The soldier had his sword pointed at him. "These people risked their lives! And you decide to leave them here and take that...that monster with us?!??"

Warriors raised an eyebrow, "I don't see how you care, you abandoned them to save yourself."

"That...is not true!" The soldier shouted back, "I went to get help!!"

"You all saw Ravio here, decided to be drunk on power and harass a clearly out of sorts man." Warriors stated, turning to face the soldier, "And when he took out several of your 'comrades', despite your clear advantage in numbers, you decided escape was the better option."

The soldier, who's stance became slightly shaky, stepped backwards slightly, "Th...those are not...true."

Warrior chuckled, it was not a pleasant sound. "Oh...you didn't think I knew about your little group's games power trips when left alone with any refugees hm?"

He looked at the soldier, "No. Of course I knew about that, I knew about the bribes you took to lie about reports, how you tried to lord your status as a soldier to get what you wanted out of civilians." Warriors tsk'd.

" What Ravio did to your comrades ...that wasn't part of your plan, was it? You wanted to use you authority to take advantage of a clearly unstable man and when it turned out to be a bad move, you abandoned your fellow men to save yourself."

He chuckled lightly, "A shame though; I might've gotten something of use out of them before I took them out myself."

"No...they-I....!" He exclaimed, sounding desperate. "I did this because I was forced to!"

"Always with an excuse." Warrior stated, looking at the soldier steadily, "But no matter, I had no plans to keep you alive the moment I realized who you had cornered."

"You...You can't!"

"Traitors," He scoffed, "No matter how many of you are taken out, sooner or later, someone else will always step in to take your place."

He stared down the soldier, "So killing you really won't make much of a difference. But I suppose extermination of insects never is."

The soldier trembled violently.

"You're a monster!" He shouted at him, "You are nothing but a traitorous monster!"

"Oh? Is that so?" Warrior replied, "How very hurtful...and predictable, you all always say the same thing when you face judgement."

"Y...You'll pay for this!" He growled, lunging forward at the Hero.

"DIE!!!" The soldier shouted, raising his sword once more.

Warriors stood there calmly as the man charged forward.

But his attack never landed.

The soldier could only let out a gurgle noise as a blade pierced his neck from behind.

"One lesson I learned when dealing with traitors," Warriors said simply, as the soldier collapsed to the floor, "Always bring backup."

The soldier let out a choking gurgle, a hand trying to stem the blood escaping his neck.

Warriors slowly walked over to the dying man, staring at him.

"Hm...I just realized." Warriors commented, crouching down.

"But what was your name again?"

The soldier's eyes widened, a flash of rage passing through his eyes, but just as quickly as it appeared, it faded.

Along with the life that those eyes once held.

Warriors stared at the dead man for a moment before looking up.

"Thank you for the assistance, Time."

"You enjoy making me deal with your messes." Ravio jumped at the young voice that came out of nowhere.

He blinked, and suddenly, a young boy was standing next to Warriors and the corpse, a grey, stone like mask in his hand.

The boy was familiar...

"...The...old man..." Ravio uttered, still blinking in confusion.

The deceivingly young hero looked up at him and nodded.

"I'd say it's good to see you again merchant, but I doubt you wanted to wake up here in the first place." He said as he reached over and pulled out his sword from the corpse.

Ravio twitched but nodded all the same.

Warriors stood up, dusting his pants, "Where's Sailor?"

"Getting the bombs ready to seal up this place." Time answered, flicking the blood off his sword.

Warriors nodded in acknowledgement before turning back to face Ravio.

"We're heading out now."

"Also here." Time reached into his pouch and pulled out something large.

Ravio blinked. Oh, his hood.

The child hero tossed the hood over to the merchant who caught it.

"Alright then, follow me." Warriors began walking away, Time following.

"Will we...see her soon?" Ravio asked quietly, Warriors didn't pause.

"We will, eventually...but for now, we need to wait just a bit longer."

Ravio shifted in place.

He...didn't want to wait anymore. He was tired of waiting.

...But this time he wasn't the only one waiting, was he?

"If she isn't at the end..." Ravio said after a moment, "...then I'll kill you"

"...And I'd let you." Warriors answered as he kept walking. Time silently following, but the glance he gave the Lorule merchant said the same thing.

Ravio was free to kill them if she wasn't there.

Absorbing that answer, Ravio silently followed them.

---

Ravio silently stared at the letter and his bracelet on the table.

The captain hadn't informed him of what were the contents within, but he said it would help his counterpart greatly.

Tomorrow he would head into Hyrule to find Link.

The war had helped him get his mind settled straight.

Guided by the three heroes, he was able to learn control over his emotions, able to have a plan to focus on. It helped, when he returned to a desolate Lorule, one without it's Triforce. One where Hilda was manipulated by Yuga.

But not that he had a problem hiding his thoughts.

Who would expect cowardly ol' Ravio?

Ravio stared at the bracelet and letter. Thinking about everything that would happen, what could happen.

Just a little longer and he'll see her again.

He just had to wait a little longer. He wasn't the only one who prayed she was at the end.

He wondered how Link was handling this. A part of him worried for his Hyrulian counterpart. (Understandable really, to be away from her was utter pain.)

He hoped she was there.

Because Ravio, he didn't want to kill them.

Because killing them meant she wasn't there.

So he hoped, hoped that he didn't have to kill them.

He didn't want to even consider the idea that she wasn't there.

So he wasn't going to kill them. Because she was going to be there. He just had to wait a bit longer.

Whatever he punishment he could come up with was nothing compared to what they must be feeling. So he will meet his counterpart with an open mind. (Only when she was back, safe and sound, would he speak to him about it.)

He sighed, setting the two items in his desk and headed towards his bed.

He fell asleep early that night, he wanted tomorrow to come soon.

Because then he's one step closer being with her again.

...

(His heart still hurt. The world was still so cold.)

#reblog #ttau: side stories #linked universe #yandere linked universe #yandere linked universe x reader #linked universe x reader #lu ravio #lu time #lu warriors #timeline two au #not my writing

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yanderelinkeduniverse · 5 months

Text

God the ANGST in this one is so potent, it honestly gives Time a run for his money in the suffering department.

I loved the fact that Legend first thinks he’s dreaming about Marin given the fact that he’s surprised by (y/n)’s voice, it adds an extra layer to it. But Legend having a hyper realistic dream about (y/n) with THIS level of lucidity makes me wonder if Legend has a connection to dreams in general thanks to his experiences on Koholint,

Perhaps he should have another title like “Hero of Dreams” in the same way Four is both the Hero of Mean and the Hero of Light, along with the Hero of the Four Sword and so on and so forth.

But anyways this was great!

@yanderelinkeduniverse @stars-for-thought @imprisioned-in-the-hole @screaming-until-god-hears-me @crestfallenmermaidan @ice-cream-writes-stuff @linked-heroes @eternadreeblissa

heeheeee....(I haven't slept yet) (Buut i will now!)

Legend made me write too much!

---

----

Link was no stranger to nightmares.

At this point, they happened like clockwork as his subconscious weaved and re-weaved each moment for his mind to relive.

And at the end of every nightmare, whether he woke in a cold sweat or with his old wounds aching, Link always felt bitter about how real those dreams felt to him. At the time, the places and faces that haunted him felt perfectly captured and the fatigue and pain within them were so genuine to his memories.

Ha! If only he could see just how much of a shoddy job those nightmares had done.

Because, even if that traumatic moment would always be a core memory to him, the truth is that years had past and Link had grown up; that wound had scabbed over and scarred, he didn’t need to carry the bleeding pain everywhere anymore.

And as such, those night terrors turned out to be quite the vague recollection in the long run.

There was always crucial details that would eventually be left out.

Because in those dreams, Link couldn’t feel the weight of his Uncle’s sword in his too small hands, couldn’t feel the way they wouldn’t stop shaking. He couldn’t feel the stinging pain of his bare knees digging into the stone ground and scraping them. And he couldn’t feel the traces of wet blood that lingered on the hilt.

But this, this was all too real.

The gods could only be this cruel, to make him relive this pain.

----

Occasionally he wonders what his uncle, a former knight, would think of him?

Would he look at him with anger? Shame? Or with horror, covered in the blood of Hyrule's 'noble' knights.

Some knights his uncle no doubt once served alongside.

He recalled the stories his uncle once told him, the acts of bravery and courage that the knights preformed. How could he forget when his uncle would happily tell it to him whenever he asked?

Yet when he was staring down at the bodies of those knights, his tunic splattered with their blood. Men who's only crime was being brainwashed to serve Agahnim. He felt nothing.

How would his uncle react to him? To witness him staring down at the cooling bodies without a single trace of grief or guilt.

Would he recognize him as his nephew? Or think him an impostor?

It was irrelevant in the end, he could speculate on that for years and still never come to a conclusion.

He was numb to it.

(...Even though a part of him feared the answer all the same..)

---

"While I can't tell you what to do Mr. Hero, I can assure you that having something to eat would help put some life in that body of yours all the same."

"...I'm not hungry."

"Please...All you've had was a bowl of broth two days ago..."

"..." Ravio wrung his hands anxiously, staring at the young hero seated in the corner of the room next to a window where the sun could shine it's days over him.

Eyes stared blankly at nothing in particular, staying utterly silent unless Ravio urged an answer out of him.

It was rare for to see him stay in one place for long, normally Ravio would only catch sight of him when he came to restock his supplies, only to swiftly leave as silently as he came.

If it wasn't for the fact that it would mean never seeing him period, Ravio would have preemptively prepared his usual stock of items and set them aside for him to grab at his leisure.

He always left after restocking, gone for days at a time before returning for an hour or two at most. Looking more haggard each visit.

But this time, it's been a week since his most recent return, and he has stayed put since.

The only benefit to his recent return was now Ravio could actually check on his injuries, with him bruised and wounded whenever he came by.

It always scared Ravio, that every return could very well be his last.

Yet, no matter the injuries, he never showed signs he was in pain.

Never much of a said a word. Just eyes staring blankly from a pale bruised face.

Ravio knew on the rare occasion he caught him, his eyes were red and puffy, as if he had finished crying. But no tear stains were ever seen.

He didn't dare ask for the cause of his state.

(In a way, it looked like he was mourning. He couldn't imagine the level of loss needed to send someone like Link into such a state.)

Ravio felt so utterly helpless, yes he provided Link with items and weapons. But now he feared doing so would lead to his death.

Because that's how it looked to him, like he was purposefully walking to his death.

But to think that wouldn't imply that Link wanted death.

and the young hero who silently accepted to help him did not seem to have even the slightest sense of purpose to even have an urge for death.

A enjoy shell that simply did what was needed and if it died...

...Well he may as well be half way dead with the way he rarely took care of himself.

That was why he always tried to get Link talking, tried to ground him in the present, even if it was a failing effort.

He wanted to offer help, yet he feared any wrong word could be the final thing that tipped the hero over the edge.

What could he tell him that didn't sound strange? That didn't make him look like a fool?

He didn't know, and he refused to risk it, so he played it safe.

"Alright...could you at least drink some broth?" He asked, reaching to the tray of food he placed on the nearby table and grabbed the small bowl of broth.

An exhale escaped from the Hero's lips. "No...Maybe later.."

"Please, just a little bit, it'll settle your stomach." Ravio insisted, holding the bowl out, "I know it must be unhappy with the lack of food you've had lately."

For a while there was silence between them.

But before Ravio could pull the bowl back, Link finally gave in, and slowly took it from his hands and brought it to his lips.

The room was silent, save for quiet gulps as he drank the warm liquid. After a few gulps, he set it on his lap, staring down at it.

"Thank you."

Ravio blinked in surprise, "For what?"

Another sigh. "...Being kind." Link finally spoke up again, his voice soft and quiet as if he was speaking to himself.

"...Well...you're welcome." A shaky smile twitched on Ravio's face.

Legend nodded but didn't look back up.

Ravio frowned slightly, then decided to change the topic.

"Do you think you'll be able to get some sleep tonight?" He ventured, looking away from the hero to look at the sky outside the open window.

He didn't expect an answer, nor was he disappointed at all when he got none.

Instead of asking questions further, he turned and moved towards the door, softly saying, "Please at least finish the broth." before closing it behind him.

Eyes followed him until he vanished behind the door.

—

If Legend had the energy, he would have felt bad for stressing the Lorulian, yet the pressure the weighed down his body left him much too tired.

He didn't want to deal with the things that surrounded his life right now, he really didn't.

So instead he simply sat there and allowed his mind to wander, hoping he could just cease to be, for just a moment.

It was difficult, considering the amount of thoughts bombarding his brain.

If Ravio had asked him about any of his previous journeys, he would have answered with full honesty.

He barely recalled any of it.

Just pain.

So much pain it made him utterly sick.

Enemies that should have easily been slain with a simple swing of his sword left his utterly breathless with exertion.

His endurance, his strength, every pain filled experience that earned him the skills he had accumulated over the years.

All of it, reduced to nothing.

He had scars in areas that shouldn't be scarred.

He had unscarred skin in areas that should have been scarred.

He had memories he wished he hadn't, things which he did not wish to dwell in the slightest.

(To realize it may have all been one beautiful dream-No...no he couldn't dwell on it. Not for one second. It would break him.)

And despite this, despite everything that he'd gone through, he remained the hero he always was forced to be.

Had there truly been a point in time where he felt any pride for his title? (Had it truly existed at some point?)

Had there been a time where fighting for the sake of the kingdom, even when he thought he was about to collapse from the constant battles, was worth it?

If he had a chance to recall any such moment visually, he certainly couldn't recall it emotionally.

Couldn't even pull up a scrap of the pride he may have once felt. There was none left. (Because it may as well not have-stop right there.)

He was just...so tired.

...What was the point of going on.

—

Link left the next morning.

The empty bowl of broth next to the tray of cold food the only indication he had been there. (At least he finished the bowl.)

Ravio sighed at the sight of the empty chair, turning his gaze down to the letter in his hands.

It was a strange request he received a while back. (Very strange, He was a merchant, not a postman.)

Deliver this to the Hero, Link. That was what he had to do.

He could have refused, but his curiosity (and self-preservation) got the better of him.

It seemed rather personal, and although Ravio found it suspicious he felt compelled to follow through, because it could very well be something important.

He didn't need to know what exactly was written inside this mysterious envelope, just deliver it and be done with it.

But with the state Link was in. He was uncertain when was a good time to hand it over.

He had decided to swallow his anxiety and simply give it to him. But it seems he waited too long to make his decision.

Now he doesn't know when he'll will return.

Perhaps Mr. Hero won't return for several more weeks.

Ravio sighed, shoving the letter into his pouch, heading back towards his room.

----

His limbs hurt.

The Gibdo continued to approach.

He had been too focused on eliminating them, so much so he had forgotten the white Bari.

Electricity had coursed through him, leaving him stunned long enough for the Gibdo to strike him.

It was all he could do to block each attack aimed at him, blocking and dodging even as he grew weaker by the second.

Each hit that landed (hits that shouldn't have landed, he should have been better than this.) it landed hard, making his head ring and his vision become blurry.

With his strength spent, with his body weakening by the second due to exhaustion. it took all he could give to finally defeat them.

He allowed himself to collapse on the floor. Even as his body protested the sudden movement.

He gasped, closing his eyes for a moment.

The pain he felt in every inch of his body pulsed strongly. He felt dizzy...sick...heavy...

How utterly laughable. He genuinely would have chuckled if he had the energy to do so in this state.

He couldn't even handle such weak enemies, even when he knew their weakness and strengths.

He should be able to handle this better. What did it matter if he was bleeding from several cuts. He should be able to fight longer, fight more fiercely.

Why couldn't he fight like he once did?

What was the utter point of these memories, (they were real, they had to-stop, just stop. It'll break you.)

"Why..." he rasped out, hand weakly clenching the handle of his sword as a large shadow covered him.

"Why can't I just let myself give up..?"

The Wallmaster descended on him, he didn't bother to struggle, and the Wallmaster did not hesitate to pull him into it's grasps.

"I want to give up." he continued to speak, his raspy voice echoing into the dungeon room as he was pulled from the ground.

"I want to give up..."

He repeated over and over again, tears falling from his eyes as his eyelids fell heavy with weariness and exhaustion.

All he wanted to do was give up, because this wasn't just a nightmare. A nightmare he could wake from. This was crueler than any nightmare.

This was actually happening. This was real.

Everything that was supposed to be true had become false. (No one was where they should be. Nothing was as it should be. It was all so very wrong.)

And yet, he couldn't give up.

He wanted to give up, yet he kept going.

There was no point in giving up. Just as there was no point in going forward. He wouldn't get to return to where he wanted to be even if he did.

Return to everyone.

Was he still going forward because a part of him believed there was still a chance?

That if he continued on, he'd see everyone again?

He never learned from his foolishness did he?

The world around him faded to black as the Wallmaster carried him away in it's grasp

and he let it. It’s not like it was going to hurt him.

He simply didn't want to think right now.

-----

He's dying.

If not physically, than certainly mentally.

Ravio didn't know how to feel, staring at the unconscious form lying in the bed.

He wasn't going to even try to understand how Link managed to return in such an injured state. No healing items in his pouch, his weapons and shield in terrible conditions.

If Sheerow hadn't brought his attention to the weak rise and fall of his chest. Ravio would have considered the collapsed body a corpse.

The thin trail of blood indicated he brought himself here. (hopefully the dark clouds in the sky meant rain, blood trails were bad for business.)

Yet here he was, alive.

He looked so broken, so exhausted. He was paler than ever and looked as though he hadn't eaten for days even if the lack of food in his pouch indicated he had eaten something.

He had bags under his eyes that spoke volumes of his lack of sleep and he was shaking, breathing uneven and irregular breaths causing Ravio's stomach to turn in response. (a fever?)

What kind of land was Hyrule if it allowed it's hero to become like this?

A land that didn't seem to care about it's hero who had suffered for its sake.

(Even after everything he seemed to have done for this place..)

"You really are a useless one..." He said to himself. His smile was fragile, his tone harsh.

All he could do was offer Link items and minor assistance. He doubted his companionship was worth much right now.

But it was all he could give.

"...I'm sorry..."

---

He didn't know how long he sat there. His head down in his knees, arms wrapped around his legs.

The sound of waves almost soothing in a cruel way. The sand beneath him, a gentle cool feeling that briefly distracted him from the ache he was experiencing.

He knew without looking that the moon was large and full, that the stars were plentiful in the island's sky.

It was peaceful. Peaceful and familiar and he hated it.

He didn't have to open his eyes to know it wasn't real. That this was a dream and eventually he would awaken, find himself in bed being watched over by Ravio most likely.

(He never slept well anymore. When was the last time he felt rested? He never knew if it was a blessing or curse that he could when he was dreaming. Everything he remembered always ended with cruel realizations.)

So he simply sat there with his head buried in his knees, forced to listen to the waves and waiting to awaken once more.

He ignored the scent of sea salt floating along the breeze, the touch of mist from the ocean spray tickling his skin.

And he did everything to ignore the (false Not real) presence next to him.

Because if he acknowledged that presence, then he would be forced to endure the pain that came with it, and he did not need to relive those memories again. He had lived with that trauma far too often.

But the presence next to him remained. And still he tried to ignore it.

But it didn't work. It never worked.

"Are you going to keep pretending I'm not here?"

His heart jumped at the voice.

"I'm afraid so." (He didn't mean to answer, didn't mean to react, but he could never deny her when she spike so kindly to him.)

Soft laughter was his answer, and he could feel his traitorous heart quicken with joy.

He didn't want to acknowledge that someone was there beside him. (That she was there.)

That it was the person that could bring him peace when he needed it most.

Just as he didn't want to acknowledge the feeling he felt whenever she spoke to him, that warmth in his heart. The joy he felt whenever she laughed joyfully at him.

The happiness he felt every time he was around her.

"I guess we're stuck together, aren't we?"

She moved closer. He could hear her. He tried to tell himself she wasn't there. He tried to tell himself he was hallucinating. He tried to remind himself he was dreaming. Yet his breath quickened. He swallowed heavily against the lump forming in his throat.

But he could never refuse to acknowledge it.

He knew it wasn't possible. And he knew it was a dangerous thing to admit to himself but still he couldn't help it.

"Don't tell me you are truly mad at me for being here?"

She teased him lightly. (She had a wonderful laugh, he wanted to hear it more.)

"I could never be mad at you." He answered honestly, never daring to make her think he felt anything less than affection for her.

Because he couldn't dare imagine spending a life without seeing her smile. Hearing the genuine laugh that escaped her lips. Seeing her eyes sparkle with happiness when he told her funny stories.

It was unfair. All the things he remembered. All the happy moments they had shared together. He wanted to forget.

Because they were nothing but a dream he had been forced to wake from.

They could never be real just because he wanted them to be true.

They weren't real. She wasn't real. (How that thought hurt)

Everything here was fake. Everything he was experiencing right now, was all a lie, a dream.

(Nothing here is real.)

Everything was an illusion. There was no hope for it to be real.

A dream of which tore itself from him when he finally gave in to it's sweet allure.

"Then why does your face look so upset?"

"Do I appear upset? Do I have something to be concerned about?" He replied. (because he couldn't let her ever believe he was upset with her. He couldn't bare to handle the hurt that would cross her face.)

"Yes. You don't sound pleased to see me."

"...I will always be happy to see you." (Never a lie)

"...Then why don't you lift your head up?"

He was tired, but he didn't care about any fatigue. He just wanted her to go away. (No, he wanted her to stay. To never leave. she should never leave. He needed her here. Hecouldn'tloseheragain-)

"Please..leave me alone." (Why did he say that? He didn't want her to leave? Please, she mustn't leave-)

"Why?"

"I can't stand the sight of you right now..." (Shut up. Why won't he shut up? Why was he saying those things to her when he didn't want to let her go?)

"Is that what is making you upset?"

"Yes." (No)

"Then why won't you look at me?"

"..Because.." (He was terrified.)

"You should look at me."

But he couldn't.

He wasn't strong enough.

(Why was he always unable to resist temptation?)

"So you don't want to see?"

"See what? I'm sorry."

"I'm asking if you don't want to see my face?"

She was close now, he could hear her breathing. Could almost feel her next to him.

A part of him prayed she would close the distance, reach out and pull him towards her so he could be wrapped her warmth.

(To have her lift his head up to gaze at her, caressed his face, run her fingers through his hair...)

When he thought about her it made his whole body shiver. And there was nothing that could calm him down, save the simple fact that it was her presence that filled his entire world.

"Link-"

"Just go!" He could feel the tears gathering in his eyes as he raised his voice at her. (Don't say his name. Don't say it. It's too much. It'll weaken him further. He'll give in. He'll give in if she says his name and give her what she wants.) He refused to allow those tears free rein.

(It was stupid and selfish of him, but he didn't think he'd resist it if they fell.)

"Just leave..." He rasped out, hugging his knees tighter. "Just leave me."

(Please...please, I beg you…don't leave. I'll have nothing else left. Don't leave me. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.)

"I'm not leaving you Link, not while I'm right here." He flinched as her hand touched the top of his head.

(Warmwarmwarmwarmsowarmsoutterlywarm) Her fingertips running across the top of his skull.

"Please look at me?" She whispered.

"Leave me.. please…"

Her fingers continued to brush his scalp.

(He didn't want her to stop. He didn't want her to leave. Pleasedon'tleaveme.)

Slowly, she moved her hand down, he shivered as her touch left a trail of wondrous fire in its wake. Slowly and gently, she pulled her hand away from his head, and he nearly whimpered.

He could hardly breathe as she placed the palm of her hand on the side of his face, sliding it under his chin and gently pulling his head up.

"There you are," Her voice soft and gentle.

He felt a tear slip down his cheek, yet he was unable to look aware from her.

Not when she looked at him with such a loving gaze.

Her thumb wiped the tear away and it burned where her skin met his skin. A small sigh escaping his lips as her gaze traveled over his face. His eyes closed and he leaned into her hand as it cupped his cheek and allowed himself to get lost in the love he felt.

It was like the world disappeared around him. Nothing mattered anymore. He only cared about the warmth of her hand against his cold skin.

"Why do you keep crying over me?" She chuckled. Her thumb rubbing his cheek softly. She didn't know how much he loved when she did that.

(He couldn't answer her. He couldn't bear to hear her response.)

His eyes opened, and he found her smiling. It lit up her beautiful features perfectly. Her eyes twinkled with kindness.

He wanted to stare at her forever.

He reached out and took her hand in his, interlocking their fingers as he intertwined his fingers between hers, squeezing tightly.

"I'm afraid I can't answer that." He breathed.

She nodded. "Why?"

"Because then you'll realize what kind of a selfish fool I am."

"What makes you think that?"

He sighed heavily, trying to find the words to describe everything, but he was exhausted and it didn't take long until the tears started falling again.

"I hurt you..." He whispered to her.

She stayed silent.

"I hurt you and cared for only my own wants...and you suffered because of it."

"..You must really feel guilt over that, don't you?" She commented softly. He didn't answer her question out loud. She didn't need a response.

(Yes...Yes I do...I never stopped regretting)

He tightened his grip on her hand. He was trying so hard not to cry. To push back the emotions that threatened to engulf him and show her how much he truly regretted the pain he put her through.

He squeezed her hand and he leaned forward. Her forehead was resting against his, both of their breaths mingling together. Her hand holding his tightly as well. It was a comforting gesture, one that he craved.

"I hate myself for what I did to you."

"We all hate ourselves sometimes." she smiled, brushing the tears from his cheeks with her thumb. "We're human after all."

"What matters is what you do afterwards." She looked at him kindly.

"So what do you plan to do, Link?"

He couldn't speak for a moment, but her gaze never wavered from his face. Her eyes were filled with nothing but understanding.

"Whatever it takes to make it up to you, I will." He answered honestly. He wouldn't hesitate in doing anything to make her happy. Anything to prove to her that he still had a heart inside. "Anything I must."

"Then don't worry about it right now." She said. She slowly brushed his tears away and she rested her forehead against his once more.

"Just relax and take a deep breath. The outside world can wait for a moment." She spoke reassuringly.

He shook his head, still trembling.

"If you keep shaking like this I might just think that you're mad at me." She laughed.

The laughter of a woman who was willing to give him another chance.

(How can she be so kind to him?)

"And then I'd start getting worried again." She laughed softly. He couldn't help but laugh as well. She pulled away from him, moving to sit pressed next to his side.

Her arm snaking around his waist to pull him closer.

He was able to relax and lean against her.

His heart was beating faster than it should be. He knew that he shouldn't, but he still couldn't bring himself to move away from her touch.

Her fingers began stroking through his hair. It felt nice.

They remained sitting in silence, watching the waves, simply enjoying each other's company.

"...I don't want to wake up..." He murmured quietly, "I want to stay here, with you." finally admitting his true feelings out loud.

(He didn't want to return to a world where she wasn't there. It hurt. It hurt every second he was awake and away from this peace.)

"We all have to wake up from our dreams eventually." She answered, smiling as he relaxed into her embrace. "Even the ones we enjoy."

"But I'm not ready for that." (I don't think I'll ever be...)

"You're wrong." He twitched, realizing he had spoken that aloud, "You deserve everything good in life. You don't deserve to trap yourself in a dream. You deserve to be happy."

She gave his hair an affectionate stroke.

"And I'd be very happy if you gave yourself a chance."

(I can't...not after what I did...)

The tears were streaming down his cheeks. He felt a lump in his throat, as the tears threatened to choke him.

"...Close your eyes Link." She whispered softly.

"I..." He hesitated but soon relented. (He could never deny her when she asked him so gently.)

He did as she asked, and she held him close.

He leaned his head onto her shoulder, her scent calming him as he tried to control his sobs.

"Just drift away now, you shouldn't stay here forever you know." She said, pressing her lips to his forehead.

(She was warm and smelled good. Comforting. Like finally returning home.)

But how could this be? She was never meant for someone like him. She deserves someone

better. Anyone better. But he was selfish, he could never let her go.)

"I wish I could." He sobbed.

"But you can't." She replied, "You'll see...you'll see...everything will work out."

He didn't reply; he just held her closer. He buried his nose into her neck, shoulders shaking, inhaling her fragrance deeply.

"Link?"

"...Yes?"

"...Good Night..."

He sniffled and tried to burn every part of this moment into his memory. Even as a heaviness slowly pulled at him away from it all.

"Good night...(y/n)..."

And then, he was gone.

----

"I...um...I have this letter for you." The spoonful of stew paused it's trip into his mouth as he looked at Ravio.

He blinked, "...Is that so?" and set his spoon down when Ravio nodded.

It had been two months since he had woken from that dream. A month since he stopped Yuga. It had taken him time to recover from both it and the injuries he had sustained.

He had been letting himself recover slowly, mostly at Ravio’s insistence; going about life as best as he could after the last battle.

Yuga was slain, Ganon defeated once more, Lorule was restored, and Hyrule was at peace for the time being.

Ravio had eventually returned a few weeks after everything was settled. Using the excuse that business was better in Hyrule than back home.

(He threw a spare key at his head and told him to clean up after himself.)

He never had that same dream again. A part of him felt angered that the only source of happiness he had received in so long was ripped from him once more.

Yet another part of him felt both numb, yet somewhat accepting about it.

(She did say he couldn't stay there forever. Even as a dream, (y/n) was always watching out for him.)

He watched as his friend fiddled with the surface of the small envelope in his hand before handing it over to him.

He stared down at it, wondering what kind of letter it contained. He flipped it around, but the outside of the letter was blank.

"Who gave you this?" He asked, placing the letter on his lap for the moment.

Ravio fidgeted.

"Nobody! I-I mean, no one in particular...Not to say it's not not anyone in particular...i" He laughed nervously, "P-Perhaps the contents of the letter can answer your question? It's a really weird story."

Link nodded, he doubted Ravio would hand him a dangerous letter.

"I-I um...haven't looked through it yet."

...Or maybe he would. At this point he wasn't sure anymore.

"Trying to get rid of me after I did your job for you?" He bluntly commented.

Ravio sputtered and tried to defend himself but Link simply handed him his nearly empty bowl.

"I'd like some more please."

Ravio blinked and tried to decided between reacting to the now clear teasing or to immediately get him another bowl of stew.

But his desire to see him eat more trumped his desire to complain.

"...I'll make sure to heat it up." He said as he grabbed the bowl and left with a small huff.

He relaxed against his pillow for a moment before he picked up the letter again when Ravio left, and stared at it. Something about this letter didn't feel quite right. But it didn't feel wrong enough.

He eventually decided to open it.

Peeking within, he saw several folded pictures. He could see images of the sky in many of them. Pulling them out, a small slip of paper slipped away and fell on his lap.

Looking down, he noticed writing on it. It took him a moment to register what dialect it was written in, and only then did his heart begin to race at top speed.

It shouldn't exist here. This dialect shouldn't exist in this era.

How-

Legend looked at the door. As if Ravio would come in at that very second. But the merchant didn't.

Looking back down at the slip of paper, he swallowed.

'To the Hero of Legend.'

He wasn't called that yet. In this moment in time, he was just the Hero of Hyrule.

His title came later.

A shaky exhale left him as his hand trembled a bit harder holding onto the note tightly.

Looking at the folded pictures on his trembling hand, he slowly unfolded it, the contents within revealing-

...Captain..? There was no doubt who was in the picture. No other person could possibly come to mind.

He re-folded the photograph, as if to take a moment to gather his wits.

(Was it real?) His mind whispered, (was it truly?)

His breathing quickened. His stomach felt like a knot. Every nerve in his body was on edge as his heart was ready to burst.

Slowly...he unfolded the picture again, gazing at the calm face of the Hero of Warriors staring back at him.

It...It was him.

There was no mistaking who it was. No mistaking the sword only a Hero could wield.

(Could it actually be true?)

He looked through the next picture and a lump formed in his throat.

The sailor, a bit younger than he last remembered (a bit thinner as well), but still so easily recognizable. (The captain must have used his Picto box)

Even young and without his markings, Legend could easily recognize the old man. (He looked as tired as Legend felt. Yet there was a sense of peace in his gaze that could only have come from being near his most trusted.)

A genuine smile appeared on his face, the first one in...so long that he couldn't truly remember.

Legend's breath caught in his throat. (It was him. It was actually him.)

His vision became blurry, and before he even realized it, tears were running down his face, his body shaking.

He quickly brought a hand up, swiping his eyes to try and regain composure.

He kept shifting through the pictures. Eyes devouring each and every new image that he saw next.

Warriors. Time. Wind. He even saw Ravio. (And he suspected he could figure out how this letter came into the merchant's hands.)

Each image sent his heart soaring. (It was new. new new new new and real)

There was Zora Princess Ruto and the Goron Chief Darunia from the Old man's era. The Sage of Earth and the king of red lions from the sailor's.

People he shouldn't recognize but did. it set his mind spinning.

But it was the last picture that made him pause.

The last one that left him breathless.

Her smile, her blue dress, the Hibiscus in her red hair.

"M...Marin.." He choked out.

It was impossible...she shouldn't exist...she had been a dream.

But to deny her image in this picture would mean to deny the images of all the others.

And he simply couldn't handle that possibility.

It was her. It was truly her.

"(y/n)..." He whispered, he stopped trying to fight the tears that continued to fall. "You were right."

She had once told him of a possibility.

'If there are parallel worlds that even you've been to. Wouldn't that mean Koholint was just a world that fell into the Windfish's dream like you did?'

He had considered that possibility many times. But it never went far. because how would he prove it? By the time he met (y/n) and the others, Koholint was years behind.

He had considered, but never truly believed.

Because how would he go about finding evidence?

...With a picture it seemed. A picture that showed her happy and healthy and alive.

The realization shook him to his core.

All this time, he thought he mourned a life he had believed was forever lost.

All those times he wondered why he had been burdened with that weight, even if it was a weight he carried by his own choice.

The nightmares that haunted him for years.

But this one image...It left him dizzy with joy. She hadn't disappeared.

She was alive.

He took in each picture over and over, trying to absorb every little detail he could.

If Marin was alive... His brothers remembered...than that meant...that meant (y/n)....

Legend covered his mouth, unable to control the sobs escaping. He could hardly breath as he struggled to hold back the cries.

(Y/n) was alive.

All that he went through hadn't been for nothing.

Marin was alive. Most likely back home now that the war was certainly finished. (Not gone. Not a mere memory.)

His sword brothers, they were all out there, waiting just like he was.

Waiting to be reunited once more.

It made him so utterly happy.

"Mr. Hero?" Legend looked up at Ravio who nervously stood by the door with the tray of food.

"Are...you okay?" He asked, slowly approaching, scanning Legend to see if he wasn't injured again.

His eyes settled on the pictures that had fallen from his grasp and onto the bed, surprise crossing his face as he registered what the pictures contained.

"I.." Legend breathed, a smile stretched across his face. "am more than okay."

That's what mattered, after everything he had to go through. It was all real.

Everything that mattered to him was real.

All he could do was cry from the joy of that simple fact.

#reblog #linked universe #yandere linked universe #yandere linked universe x reader #linked universe x reader #lu legend #lu ravio #not my writing #timeline two au

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yanderelinkeduniverse · 5 months

Text

You visualized correctly I fear

Afternoon one of (y/n)‘s modern fandom 101 classes

Hyrule, who was having some trouble with the concept: Oh! They call them “ships” cause of relation-ships!

Four, who got it almost immediately: What did you think it meant???

Hyrule:

Hyrule: boat

For context:

#reblog

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yanderelinkeduniverse · 5 months

Text

Afternoon one of (y/n)‘s modern fandom 101 classes

Hyrule, who was having some trouble with the concept: Oh! They call them “ships” cause of relation-ships!

Four, who got it almost immediately: What did you think it meant???

Hyrule:

Hyrule: boat

For context:

#linked universe #yandere linked universe #yandere linked universe x reader #acrylic talks #lu hyrule #lu four #at any given moment I am rolling around the idea #of (y/n) teaching the boys about modern fandom stuff in my head #and they just sort of pick it up from her #Wild calls a Yiga clan member sus and immediately looks to (y/n) for support #shitpost #video

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yanderelinkeduniverse · 5 months

Note

Reader: "So eventually I'm like- alright"

Reader: "Being nice doesn't work, being nice gets me stalkers" *side eyes the chain*

Reader: "Being mean gets me crazy men who are attached to crazy woman" *side eyes dink*

Reader: "I'm just gonna ignore y'all now *walks away while fierce deity follows behind her*

Reader: (AND THEY LIKE THAT TOO!) *turns around and yells* LEAVE ME ALONE!

(At this point, it's safe to say reader is a yandere link magnet with how many alternate versions of link swarm her like a bunch of honey bees to a field of flowers 🤣😂)

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8fcnfoE/ (this is the audio they’re referring too)

Heavy is the head which where’s the crown, it seems like wherever this girl goes she ends up with at least one(1) admirer of the insane variety 😂

#linked universe #yandere linked universe #acrylic answers #video #lu dark link #lu fierce deity #yandere linked universe x reader #linked universe x reader

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yanderelinkeduniverse · 5 months

Text

They look great! So handsome and fun

The sillies JFYJXBRJGNH I love their friendship/duo dynamic 😔💞💞💞

These designs are for my story: Descension! (Yandere LU Chain x OC) I'll digitize these later...

Designs inspired by: @yanderelinkeduniverse ! @gliphyartfan

#yandere linked universe #reblog #linked universe #not my art #lu koridai #lu courage

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yanderelinkeduniverse · 6 months

Text

This was amazing Gliph!! It went a little differently from what I imagined when you gave me a sliver of writing to contemplate, but it’s even better nonetheless.

I love how Warriors uses a phrase that Time himself taught him and possibly the other heroes prior to the timeline reset. It’s interesting how certain gods react favorably to certain greetings, and of course Time would know what the Deity’s preferred greeting is since he spent a lot of time “bonding” with the god.

And the emotional reconciliation at the end was so sweet! We often focus on (y/n) and each hero’s thoughts and feelings about her, but it’s nice to see them being there for each other. I like to think that meeting (y/n) and working together to protect her also helped them become even closer than before they had even met her.

Anyways, this was a great piece of writing all around, I guess Warriors’ bit can finally be declared complete can’t it? Your writing has filled me with inspiration!

@yanderelinkeduniverse @stars-for-thought @imprisioned-in-the-hole @screaming-until-god-hears-me @crestfallenmermaidan @ice-cream-writes-stuff @linked-heroes @eternadreeblissa

Howdy Howdy! Boy this one should have been posted a few days ago! Sadly I got rather sick and then how to deal with a few other things. I'm good-ish now!

But it's here! And I shall be taking a victory nap as a reward!

This one ran away from me. Did not expect it to follow the path it did. But it happened and I accepted my fate.

(Note to self: Never write about deities, they take full control of the majority of the story, making me write more than planned while they take center stage 😤)

What He saw was the sight of battle.

What He smelled was the scent of blood.

What He heard was the sounds of combat.

What He felt was the ground rumble below Him and the shifting of the winds.

Felt the scent of smoke and blood fill His lungs and escape.

Before Him, beasts that cried for flesh.

Behind Him, He sensed terror, caution, and pain.

He did not need to look around to know why He was released.

Unrestrained beasts that needed to be culled.

The Young Vessel's desire for their deaths urged him forward.

Yes. He understood well His purpose for being called.

He raised His sword, uncaring of the sight of beasts instinctively cowering before him.

It was not an unusual sight for Him.

It was only natural that the weak kneel before Strength.

It was the way of War.

The weak bow to the blade.

But foolishness comes to the weak sooner or later, shown as one of the beasts became brazen enough to charge forward, it's allies even more so as they followed suit.

He hefted His blade above His head.

And the hoards quickly fell to His might.

—

There is a eternal repetition in battle. Repetition in war.

Use your weapon. Kill your enemy. Move on to the next.

The methods that war is waged may change as eras pass, but remove all the ideologies that each side has, and the bare bones of it all is the same as the very first war to ever be waged.

There are the Victors, and there are the Defeated.

All of them have blood on their hands.

Gods are no different from mortals in that aspect. Despite what many, divine included, may say otherwise.

If it were not so, the Fierce Deity would have no need to exist. Perhaps he would have long been granted the Fine Rest all souls earn inevitably.

Imprisonment within the mask did not mean death of who He was. Even within the wooden cage, the Drums of War called to Him constantly.

Battle urged Him to come. To lay waste against those He would claim as enemies.

Having a hand in Majora's death was a satisfying return to the mortal plane.

But to bond with the young vessel that He laid claim to. A soul that could hold His power without risk of corruption. It lead much change for Him.

He sensed the Soul long before he ever step foot in that place of mourning and memories. Sensed the touch of divinity that coated his soul. (A touch that displeased him, though he had not yet known why)

A seemingly fragile shell with a Soul that wielded such uncanny Strength.

The boy had been far from his reach when he had first been made aware of it's presence, yet the boy's soul strongly reached for Him, as if it had known Him longer than the mortal shell had lived.

Many times the connection they held, fragile as it was, would strengthen without warning, then weaken after some time.

The sense of Divinity would ting within those moments.

The soul echoed it's emotions to Him when their connection grew during those times.

What emotions they were.

The force of them all pulled at His attention, left Him unable to return to the silence that his prison wrapped Him in.

Turbulent. Like a raging storm.

Yet at some point, it dulled. Repressed itself deep within. Yet with focus He could feel the raging force within longing to be released upon those that had wronged it's shell.

The urge would sometimes overtake the boy.

When it did, the feeling of loss would overwhelm them both. It was an agony that He felt through his incorporeal being every single moment until the connection would fade back to fragility.

Soon the connection no longer fluctuated in strength.

But it did grow closer.

and with it's nearing, it was inevitable that He would come to learn the reason behind the turmoil he perceived within it.

—

Young, weary yet hardened eyes took in the lands that held his prison.

Lands that did, yet did not, exist.

Still, those same eyes took in the life in this world, saw it with familiarity that one his age should not have.

He was a shell that was Weak.

Or so He had thought. In the beginning, at the very least.

He had not meant to speak to the boy when he sent foot within the land of timeless death, merely choosing to speak into the silence, aware that any answer would not be made.

Yet He had not been displeased when the boy answered Him back without a moment of hesitation. Even less displeased when the boy was unbothered by His return to silence.

He watched how those eyes remained dulled and unfeeling as the cycle of repetition continued.

They did not waver even when He spoke to the boy.

And still He watched. Witnessed the cycles repeating themselves, over and over again in this Timeless land.

The boy collected the masks, assisted every person that he could, and with each mask granted to him, their connection strengthened.

A question asked by Him for every moment the child Fell to the First Day.

The child would answer without fear or question.

The child who opened his very soul to Him.

It was...interesting...to watch this strange boy, to be allowed to witness all that made him who he was.

To see the vessel grown to match the strength of his Soul, to sense His claim over him within those memories despite never having claimed him before.

To witness the battles that had Once been fought by his hand.

To see others with souls as strong as his. Hardened through trials that no mere warrior could face without becoming corrupted.

To see them all slowly soften within the presence of a mere mortal girl.

She was a curiosity at most. Though an ignorable presence at minimum.

A being from another reality all together. One that does not have active gods nor active magic.

The world may have arose from Chaos but magic has always rested against the surface of the lands. To know of a world that exists without such foundations...that was what caught His eye.

He supposed the girl had a way with words and actions. Easily able to ease the sorrows of His Vessel and his companions with well meaning acts of kindness.

A maternal hand. Perhaps a touch uncommon for a woman of her age without young ones, but not out of the ordinary for someone to be naturally caring.

She was a curiosity. But a dull one.

In the beginning.

Yet he watched the memories that may as well also be His as His Vessel sharpened his blade and slaughtered all those that dare endanger her.

How he and his companions nearly tore one another apart in a bid to claim a place within the one who's heart they desired to protect and cherish.

It was then He began to focus on who the woman was.

This woman was knowledgeable as a royal scholar, wise with words in a way that even the most experienced ambassadors could not best.

A heart that opened itself to those that had good souls yet a steel gaze that was ready to pierce anyone who would dare to fool her.

In a way, all that was lacking was physical strength.

It was utterly fascinating to witness.

The souls of the Hylian Lands, they grew too used to peace. Rarely was war fought unless the Demon heir rose to bring it forth. The souls here preferring to stay in their ignorant comfort as the Goddess sent her Chosen Sacrifice of the era to do her bidding.

Yet this one soul, one without magic nor blessings...

Yes...He longed to see how much this woman's strength grew.

This woman was not as fragile as He first assumed.

He wondered, how she would take to the blade.

Perhaps a spear? Nothing so fragile as a Bow nor dagger. No, this woman would not be pleased fighting at a distance.

He wondered what expression she would show as she felled her enemies?

What gaze would pierce her dying foes as she cut into their flesh?

She was truly an...enigma...

Fragile yet strong.

Heart of kindness yet a heart willing to steel itself in the face of adversity and manipulation.

The only true reason His Vessel and his brothers succeeded in hiding the actions they committed, was simply because she saw no reason to suspect them.

They would not have done so well, had she viewed them as adversaries.

Indeed, The being that He once was, in a time no longer existent, had assumed too hastily.

She was a match for Him and His. More so than any of the Goddess' blood.

A soul worthy of His blessing and protection.

It would indeed take a strong soul to attract the hearts of those who the Goddess of the Hylian land would dare claim as Hers.

A sense of peace was instant her presence, one that His Vessel had never held before.

A peace that spread amongst those His Vessel eventually claimed as Sword Brothers.

Yet...even the Deity of War knew such peace was always at risk of being ripped from mortals who were not cautious.

And inevitably, the woman was stolen from them. (From Him.)

His Vessel and his brothers broken by her absence. (His immense displeasure at their failings)

Then...power. Much of it. Colliding and mixing in ways such differences each power held should not.

And then...His Vessel woke again. Body once more that of a child.

Awakening just as He took notice of the sudden connection that they shared.

One that should not have existed, yet had always been there.

It seemed the Vessel was as aware of their connection as He was. Perhaps that familiarity was enough for his mind,unbalanced as it was, to hold on.

He supposed His being had been used for worse purposes before. He saw no shame in a fellow warrior finding a semblance of grounding within the presence of a comrade.

When the moment came that his wooden prison was placed in his Vessel's hand, their connection solidified instantly.

Odd it was, to feel such a...sense of rightness.

This...was His Vessel.

How the boy relaxed upon wielding His mask. His power, His Being, coursing through his mortal veins, as the young Vessel's form adapted to house His soul.

As it was always meant to.

( When He returns to His prison at the end of their battle with Majora, He ponders what thoughts would fill the Great Ones of the Beyond. Should they ever learn of the Goddesses' actions? What would the Great Ones think of the Divine Maidens, sending infants to fight Their wars?)

—

He recognized the souls approaching Him from His Vessel's memory.

Where the other warriors treaded cautiously around Him, these souls walked without fear nor arrogance.

His Vessel was not pleased by their presence.

(his hurt echoing through Him at the sight of them.)

'Leave.' His Vessel's presence echoed within him.

Leave?

His Vessel? Unwilling to face them? Those that his heart claims as his own?

Unwilling to face the possibility that they would view him with unfamiliar eyes?

(Such an strong yet vulnerable soul His Vessel was.)

It was rather humorous to note.

The two warriors drew near and stopped before Him. Each standing a bit further away as if in respect of His Presence.

Murmurs from the surrounding troops gradually spread out over the temporary encampment. Easily ignored, He did not care for any attention paid His way.

He awaited their next action, silent as he was gazed upon by those that may or may not know Him and His well.

The two sides stared at one another, His mind immediately noted similarities between the two men and his Vessel.

Both possessed powerful souls, His Vessel's own soul calling out to it's brethren.

Their bodies relaxed, their hands visible. As if to assure him that they mean no harm.

But their eyes, such gazes hid many intentions. Yet they were clear to Him with ease.

...No, it was not that He was able to see their their facade. It was that they were not bothering to hide it from Him.

They sought Him-sought out His Vessel whilst playing the part of oblivious men.

And the intimidated men surrounding them, all were blind by such a weak farce.

It seemed they were done with their inspection of Him as He was with them.

The younger one took a step forward but was stopped by the elder one's arm.

The elder one ('Captain' His Vessel's thought echoed through Him.), stepped forward, closing the space between then til he was naught by a few feet away.

"May your sword never dull." The warrior greeted him, the the corner of his lips turning upward in a faint smirk.

"Though if it must dull, May it dull after your enemies are long since slain."

It seems His Vessel saw fit to teach then proper greetings. Curious. (As was the surprising echoing from His Vessel.)

"Captain," one of the men in the crowd whispered toward the elder warrior, "He's dangerous! Ally or no, we can't risk antagonizing him!"

Without a hint of regarded to the whispered warning, the captain pressed his sword hand horizontally across his abdomen, bowing deeply to Him.

"We are honored by your presence, Great Deity, and your assistance in winning this battle." The captain spoke, voice calm and respectful "May we prove ourselves worthy of your continued favor in this war."

"...You speak well." Amusement sparked within Him as the men surrounding them jumped at His voice.

Yet His Vessel's brethren were not phased.

"I am honored by your acknowledgement." The captain replied smoothly, "I was taught well by a most trusted comrade."

His Vessel had indeed taught him well. Not many would greet Him with such respect and sincerity.

Even if His vessel was still displeased with the situation at hand. The urge to leave pulsing through their connection.

...He naturally chose to ignore it. (The annoyance that pulsed soon after indicated that His Vessel was very aware of his intentional ignorance.)

He observed the captain, noting His Vessel's emotions as he watched the man straightened.

Peace mixed with quiet joy. Yet also anxiousness and frustration.

Truly was His Vessel willing to hide away in order to avoid facing what troubles him?

Always so childish when it comes to matters of heart and soul.

No matter to Him, He had no wish to linger amongst solders who could not muster the courage to look Him in the eyes.

'I've faced my share of battles today.' He spoke to His Vessel, pulses of confusion and sudden panic swept through Him as He reached up and covered His face with His hand.

'Now you face yours.' And His released His hold on His Vessel, His power being pulled back into His wooden prison.

---

Warriors watched as a bright flash of light consumed the surrounding area, exclamations filled the air yet the light faded as quickly as it appeared.

Where the Fierce Deity once stood, now the men saw-

"Is that a child?"

The young boy, perhaps a bit younger than the Hero of Winds, stood there, mask in hand.

Bafflement clear on his face as he stared straight at the Captain.

"Hello Hero of Time." Warriors greeted him, a hand resting on his hip, his words inciting more whispers.

Time blinked repeatedly, lowering his gaze to the mask in his hand.

Slowly, his gaping mouth twisted into a scowl, and without a moment of hesitation, he threw the deity's mask to the ground before him.

"Damned God!" He exclaimed angrily, even as the surrounding men because to quickly step back, faces rapidly paling at the young hero's actions. "A devil more like! Always putting me on the spot when I least want his damned input!"

Warriors chuckled, which slowly turned into a laugh.

Wind behind him, biting his bottom lip and trying to stay silent despite his shoulders shaking from his own laughter.

---

"Oh, I haven't laughed like that in ages!" Warriors commented, still chuckling as they settled in a isolated corner of the encampment.

It had taken some calm his men, but eventually he had managed to guide Wind and Time away with him.

"They all looked like you insulted their mother." Wind snickered, legs kicking against the crate he sat on. "Then again, they'd probably look less insulted if you had."

"Moments like this makes me wonder why I let that one put me in in the spotlight." Time grumbled, sitting on the ground and resting against the crate Wind sat on.

"Well, it seems he simply wanted you to stop trying to hide away." Warriors suggested, reaching behind him and unclasping the waterskin from his belt and holding it put to Time.

"Here, I doubt all that fighting on this soot filled air has done your tongue any favors."

Time eyed the hand before accepting the waterskin and taking a drink.

Silence reigned in their small corner.

Wind humming quietly as Time stared at the ground at his feet.

"...How have you been, my sword brother?" Warriors asked watching as Time set the waterskin aside as he shifted slightly against the crate.

"...I suppose I could be worse." Time replied. "I've been better, considering I don't feel quite as alone anymore."

"It's a nice feeling." Warriors agreed, smiling at his brother fondly.

"Mn."

Another silence reigned as Time stared at the ground.

"…Do you want to talk about it?"

"What is there to talk about?" Time said, "I woke in a body I had thought I would never be forced to wear again. Forced to see the faces of my allies look at me with unfamiliarity. To bow my head towards the Goddess' heir. To journey again through places I never wished to traverse again." Time spoke through his teeth, his breath escaping in a hiss.

"All while trying to differentiate between truth and fiction within the confines of my own mind." He laughed bitterly.

"No, I don't have much going on in my life."

"Well pardon me for assuming you've been struggling." Warriors commented sarcastically.

He expected no answer to that but instead received only a scoffed laugh as Time leaned back against the crates once more. "Of course not. It would just be foolish on my part to assume otherwise, when the last time I was faced with the reality of a future that does not exist."

Warriors fell silent.

"But...you know it happened." Wind piped up. "We both remember it too, three for three. So that means the others must remember too."

That earned an agreeing hum from Time who didn't utter anything else.

"But why didn't you find us?" Warrior continued, "Why not find us so you could share your burden with ones who knows what it feels like?"

"Because I... couldn't burden you with something as trivial as-" He cut himself off, "-I mean-"

Time sighed, closing his eyes for a moment. When he opened them again, his expression was solemn, his youthful face contrasting with such an old expression.

"I'm...nowhere near the end of this curse."

"Time-"

"How long will it be for you both, before we are all united once again." He asked, "One? Two? A few years at most?"

Wind and Warriors stayed silent.

"But what about me? Trapped in a child's body once again, and every aspect that comes with such a curse."

"Pardon if this may sound offending, but is it truly as bad as you say?" Warriors questioned.

"You are not the one who must wait decades to reunite with everyone." Time snapped, turning his gaze away from them to glare up at the darkening sky.

"I logically thought of all the benefits that came with this circumstance of renewal. What I could improve from my previous path. What I could change." Time left out a quiet laugh, face twisting into a weak smile before it return to the frown it had.

"I tried to see everything from the perspective of someone who could return to our goddess with strength and wealth that would benefit her and her happiness." He shook his head, eyes closing.

"But it was not returning to my past that hurt. Nor was it that all my efforts in the previous life was erased like wind blowing away words written in sand. To be looked at with pitying eyes who only see a child, no matter the efforts I do to prove otherwise." He opened his eyes, tears glistening at the corners and threatening to fall.

"What truly hurts is the length of time that I must wait to return to you all. Not to even bring up the length until we reunite with our beloved."

His eyes burned as the two other men stayed silent and patient.

(He hadn't even realized he had started shedding tears until Wind's hand gently rested on his shoulder and squeezed it tight.)

"I..."

His voice broke as he spoke, though he swallowed down the emotion before letting out another sob.

"There's nothing I want more than for us all to be reunited again, even moreso being reunited with our beloved." He whispered, "Yet I can barely handle it. The pain, knowing I'll spend decades waiting for my comrades to come together once more. In a way, seeing you both now is like salt on the wound, a wound that is then grind down by one's heel."

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes tightly, as a choked laugh escaped his throat.

"I'm sure you heard of failed assault against the sorceress' forces? The one led by the lieutenant colonel Doza?"

"He tried to lead an assault through the Palace of Twilight, right?" Wind stated, "And failed half way through, along with the slaughter of most of his men. . After that, he sent a message requesting for rescue and stating that the sorceress' forces are stronger than ever."

"Which they now are, thanks to his disregard of the warnings they received." Time spat, eyes opening wide as his tone went sharp and cold.

"He also claimed that he 'caught unawares', and that if he had be 'properly forewarned', he would have succeeded."

"Something tells me he had been forewarned." Warriors remarked calmly.

"He was," Time answered, "By me."

"...What?" Warrior frowned.

"Before he neared the palace, I had crossed paths with him. I recalled you mentioning last time how the previous assault also failed and I had approached him with 'advice.'" He explained with a scowl. "He laughed at me and told me little children should not play at being a soldier. He ordered some of his men to escort me to safety while he marched his men forward."

"That arrogant-" Warriors pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling sharply. "I lent him some of my men. The very same ones who lost their lives there."

"The attack failed against the sorceress, as expected. The only reason there were any soldiers left to save was because I requested reinforcements after I was shoved to one of the far bases." Time continued.

"Didn't really stick around to see if they came in time, left as soon as I sent the message."

"That explains why I was praised for my foresight in the rescue." Warriors muttered.

"I knew how to make it seem like you wrote it, so I took advantage of that." Time sighed.

"Lives lost due to arrogance and overconfidence in one's position. Worst part? He'll never admit to it. Even if I had been an adult."

"Men like him never want someone else to order them around." Wind commented. "Is that why you've been sticking as the Deity?"

"He's imposing enough to make sure no one tries to treat me like a child." Time answered smoothly.

"Yet you were hoping that you could use him to bypass speaking to us." Warriors placed his hands on his hips, Time looked away.

"I already told you why."

"Yes, but why didn't you try talking to us sooner?" Warriors demanded. "The failed assault happened two weeks prior, where were you?"

"Does it even matter?" Time asked tiredly.

"Not particularly, but I'd still prefer if you would at least tell us why." Warriors said.

Silence reigned for awhile.

Finally, a sigh left Time's lips.

"I was scared." He admitted.

"..Scared?"

"Don't tell me neither of you were scared at the possible idea none of us remembered." Time scoffed.

Silence descended upon them once more.

"I was terrified." He confessed quietly, "I was petrified of facing you both, of seeing your faces look at me with unfamiliarity."

He rubbed his cheek with his hand, "I could barely stomach returning to my child's body. But seeing you both look at me with unfamiliar eyes? That would have broken me."

"But we do remember." Warriors quietly stated, taking a step forward.

"But I didn't know that yet, did I?" Time smirked weakly at him.

"Believe me, hearing you greet the deity as you did and knowing you could only do so if you remembered." He sighed calmly, "It lit my heart with so much joy."

"But then I suppose I became a coward in the time we have been apart. Here I was, willing to hide away so you would not see me like this." He motioned to himself.

"So I attempted the coward's way out of speaking to you." He snorted softly. "And you saw how that turned out."

Warriors took a step forward, then another. Slowly making his way to Time and kneeling before him.

"I'm sorry my sword brother." Warriors said softly, making Time look at him.

"Why are you sorry?" He frowned, looking away again.

"If I'd known it meant you this much pain, I might have stopped and thought things through better." He shook his head.

"No..I-" Warriors sighed, "I'm sorry that out of all of us, you suffer the burden of years. Something no sword can defeat. That you would be left alone in your era with no true support. With no one who could hear your words and know it to be true."

"I don't deserve such understanding, or apologies." His hands balled into fists, knuckles turning white and turning almost translucent under the strain. "None of us do for our arrogance."

"None of us do," Warriors repeated in agreement, "But that doesn't mean we shouldn't be forgiven. Or rather, cared enough about, to forgive ourselves."

"You-"

"We...have much to atone for. For trying to trap our beloved in a cage of our own making." He continued, "And for not being able to see it until it was too late."

He reached out slowly, taking hold of Time's shaking hands, and gave them both a gentle squeeze, Wind's hand never having left Time's shoulder.

"But we are here. For each other. And we will stand beside you, until it is time for us to part once more." He slowly leaned his head down, pressing his forehead against Time's.

"And when we reunite once again. We will stand by you, always. Just as you would always stand by us."

Time stared at Warriors, mouth slightly agape.

His eyes shone bright with unshed tears

Time blinked rapidly, the tears spilling freely. Warriors reached up and pulled him, and Wind, into a hug, letting Time bury his head in his chest and hold on tight.

"Let me go. Please." He said through his tears.

"Never."

"Please Captain-"

"Let us have this." Warriors pleaded softly to him.

"We won't let you go." Wind agreed firmly, burying his own face against Time's shoulder. "We don't want to, not when you need this as much as we do."

They felt Time shudder against them, and soon, he nodded.

They held him closer, silent as they soon heard his sobs grow louder and louder.

"I'm sorry." He sobbed, pressing his face against Warriors' tunic. "I'm sorry."

"We're here." Was all that was said in reply.

Time said nothing more as he continued to cry.

Allowing himself to finally let go within the arms of the few who had his complete trust.

#reblog #linked universe #yandere linked universe #yandere linked universe x reader #linked universe x reader #not my writing #timeline two au #lu warriors #lu time #lu fierce deity #lu wind

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