HYLIA'S CHOSEN

This had to be the first time Tatl ever agreed with Linkette... Maybe she would have been more amused by the situation if the topic weren't so dire. But Tatl was right. Dwelling over what they couldn't control... What good would that do? Link was different from Linkette. They had different experiences. He had already saved his homeland once before, whereas Linkette didn't have a clue what she was doing.

But...these were her people. She appreciated--and admired--Link's drive to protect the people of Termina despite being from a different land, but he didn't know them like Linkette did. He hadn't been Romani's friend since they were infants... He didn't see Anju as an aunt figure, a secondary mother. He didn't have a baby sister here in Termina who would die just like everyone else if they couldn't succeed.

He didn't have parents who died trying to stop Skull Kid.

The young girl gave a quick nod at the words of her companions. Tatl was right; if Linkette dwelled on such thoughts too much, it would slow her down until the grief suffocated her. That almost happened at the beginning, with her parents...but she couldn't afford to stop and think. Link has been a hero before...surely he knew the feeling. And yet, he still smiled like the weight wasn't so heavy. Linkette hadn't learned how to do that yet. She wasn't sure she ever would.

⠀⠀⠀"Whaddya say we go back and..." The words caught in his throat. Even though these people weren't his, they weren't his family or his friends, his heart still sank at the thought of leaving them all behind. A hand clutched at his chest, eyes drifting down to the ground. It was a difficult thing to burden, even with the hero's slightly more mature lease on life due to his prior time-travelling shenanigans. ⠀⠀⠀"We still need to... Quell the spirits of the canyon." The blonde mumbled, feeling the tension in the air between the pair. "I don't think we've got enough time left to do that right now." Sapphires drifted back up towards the sky, the terrifying visage of the moon eclipsing almost everything now. No bright blue hue, no clouds, just the moon's grimace staring down at them. Link reached into his pouch for his ocarina, before looking down at the instrument. ⠀⠀⠀"...Just say the word." ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

"...So," Kit murmured, gently swirling the ice in her drink, "welcome to Farcade." The two were currently sitting at the outdoor seating of one of the restaurants scattered around the city. It wasn't the best experience, she knew, to try and act normal after... that. At the very least, the city state that Farcade was almost felt mundane. If one ignored the immense castle-like structure in the distance, with it's physics defying towers and it's ever-present monotone 'darkness' exuding from the moon hanging behind it.

At least the city itself was far enough that Dusk's castle didn't exude its strange aura onto it.

⠀⠀⠀"...Could you run it by me again, please? One more time?" ⠀⠀⠀As he posed the request, the small blue light of his companion fluttered her way free from the confines of his emerald cap, darting back and forth around Link's head. ⠀⠀⠀"Are you actually going to listen this time, Link?" The comment was met with an eyeroll, and daggers thrown the fairy's way. Sapphire orbs quickly returned to the feline, awaiting her explanation. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

@her0icspirit

WEBBED FOOT TAPPED THE GROUND , her pacing having ceased temporarily . he had promised that he would return to her once the task given to him by the hylian princess was completed . it had been over a week now and the zora princess grew worried . was he well ? what if he was wounded somewhere ? gaze shifted towards the chest where the zora armor she had made was waiting to be gifted to him . it hadn't been finished when he set off . she hoped to give it to him upon his return .

⠀⠀⠀Making his way up to the royal chamber, Link couldn't contain his excitement at seeing Ruto again, a wide grin on his face as he finally saw her bright azure form once more. A gloved hand raised, waving at her as he approached, the waterfall of the chamber gently crashing. ⠀⠀⠀"Hey, Ruto." He spoke, somewhat brazenly for what would be perceived as a simple peasant addressing royalty. "Didja miss me? I told you I'd be back." ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

+. A small grumbling noise left Chiaki's lips as he squeezed himself further into the corner after letting Link's hand go; just as paranoid of the other as the little fae seemed to be of him.

"It's...Uh...Chi...Chiaki."

He wasn't a criminal. Chiaki had never even stolen even a dime in his life -- so the reason why he had been thrown in jail was lost upon him. Even the name of 'Ganondorf' didn't really mean anything to him...Perhaps that was important to explain -- especially now that he and this other man were going to spend some unwilling quality time together for who knew how long.

"I didn't...say it. So it's okay. No harm done----!"

With a huff, Chiaki's eyes flickered away from the stranger, looking quite defeated by the predicament.

"But, I, uh --- I'll be honest, I...I don't even know anything about Gerudo customs. Let alone Hyrule ones -- I'm not from here."

He was just about to gesture to the backpack that had been seized by the women throwing at him here, forgetting himself in the moment -- to which he let out another disappointed whimper in response. This wasn't good, not good at all...

"---- W-What do they want from us? I didn't even do anything wrong! I just set up shop outside the city walls, and the second they saw me, it all turned for the worse!"

Wait. For all he knew, this 'Link' person could've done something actually bad...He didn't seem like he would, but...If he had learned something during his travels, it was to stay vigilant no matter what.

"Uh -- What did...What did you do when they threw you in here...?.+

⠀⠀⠀"What she said. We're looking for someone." Sapphire orbs shifted downwards towards the ground, arms crossing over his chest. "Plus, they took all my stuff... So I can't really get out of here until I can find an opening of some sort." ⠀⠀⠀He paused, before glancing back over at the other man. ⠀⠀⠀"Maybe we can help each other out?" ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

@her0icspirit inquired: ❛  do we just sit here and watch them die?  ❜ [ x ] MM Link to Linkette! :3c @her0icspirit

⁕| Princess Mononoke |⁕

With every heartbeat, Linkette could feel time ticking away. It has always been an important part of Termina, time. It was celebrated, worshipped, and for one young Terminan, dreaded. She hated how time seemed to slip through her fingers like water or sand... And every mistake meant a repeat of this same damned cycle.

No one else in Termina understood. No one knew what was going on between the sands of time...except for this strange mirror image of her, a young boy with her face and an identical ocarina.

" You know they won't end up dying. " They never do. How many times now has the moon almost fallen..? Linkette lost track. But every time disaster nearly struck, the mirrored heroes reversed the flow of time. Back to the first day. They'll do it again.

⠀⠀⠀"...Yeah." He quietly mumbled, trying to shake off the feeling growing within his chest. He didn't like to doubt the other hero, but part of him felt... Conflicted. Could they really be certain that they'd forget? What if, every time they reset the cycle, they were just dooming that timeline? With no hero to stop the moon, then... ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

⠀⠀⠀Snapped out of his stupor by the obnoxious yellow fairy, Link's expression shifted to slightly shocked-- eyelids blinking several times over sapphire hues. She came right into his personal space, nearly knocking the poor boy over.

⠀⠀⠀"We can't worry about what we can't control." She spoke sternly, and Link could swear he could almost feel a finger jabbing into his sternum as she told him off. "We just have to get it right and stop that moon, at least once. That's what matters, right?"

⠀⠀⠀Link glanced over at his counterpart, before shifting back to Tatl once more. A sigh slipped through his nose, before his smile seemed to return to his face.

⠀⠀⠀"She's right. C'mon, Linkette. We've got work to do." ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

"Is it not a beautiful song?" Very rare, that the woman take out a treasure of the royal family. Only the Ocarina of Time was always kept on person, it was by far the most dangerous of those left in her bloodline's possession. "I've spent many an evening practicing." Even fairies had begun to gather, to hear the melody she conducted.

Upon her song coming to a close, hands slowly clasped in front of her, Zelda's features as soft as ever. Who needed fireflies when there were a flock of fairies around? The perfect spring ambience.

"I do thank you for coming with me tonight." Ordinarily she wasn't allowed out of castle grounds past darkness, but with a guard like Link, no one questioned her safety. "I dearly missed the sight of the stars from these fields. A window cannot compare." Sky blue eyes closed partway, her head tilting slightly. "What of you? Do you prefer the day, or the solemn of the night?"

⠀⠀⠀"As much as I love the warm breeze," he spoke, voice quiet and subdued, almost as if he were afraid of disturbing and frightening the fairies around them. "I have to admit... Stargazing like this? With you, princess? This is probably my favourite thing." ⠀⠀⠀Sapphires drifted back up to the stars, that contented smile creeping across Link's lips once more. ⠀⠀⠀"It just feels so... Peaceful. After everything we've been through... I think we deserve that feeling. To bask in this peace." ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

i'll 𝖓𝖊𝖛𝖊𝖗 run out of ｔｉｍｅ . 𝖓𝖊𝖛𝖊𝖗 run out of 𝓵𝓲𝓰𝓱𝓽 .

# HYRULEBORN,    sporatic activity ; an  independent  and  highly  selective  LEGEND OF ZELDA multi-muse SIDEBLOG with characters from hylian myth , ocarina of time , twilight princess , breath of the wild , age of calamity , tears of the kingdom , age of imprisonment , & hyrule warriors !  ruled by  𝓯𝓮𝓻𝓰𝓲𝓮

Cardinal Sentences, Vol. 2

(Sentences from Cardinal (2017-2020) and related stories. Adjust phrasing where needed)

"I won't ask how you're doing, but I do want to offer my help."

"Can we maybe hang out for more than an hour together at some point?"

"I'm sick of being on leave. I need to be busy."

"I hope this isn't weird, but you smell really good."

"You could have come to me. I know what you're going through."

"If you're going to do this, then do it quieter. We can't have you being suspended, understood?"

"Do you know why I chose you? I chose you because you've seen the worst of people and you're still standing."

"I promise you, I'm not going to ask you to do anything you're not ready for."

"How did you get this?"

"You were right to doubt me."

"Can I stop worrying about you?"

"Are you okay to drive like this?"

"Are you going to talk me out of this?"

"What happened wasn't your fault. None of it's your fault."

"I have no more reason to speak about you than I have to speak to you."

"I've given up guessing what people might be capable of."

"It's my money, so it's my rules."

"Did you put him there to protect me or to watch me?"

"You said you could keep me safe."

"I've never seen you scared before."

"You said you wanted to retire, but you keep doing this job that grinds you down and makes you shut everyone out. Why can't you just stop?"

"I'm sorry you had to grow up so fast."

"We both know I'm not walking out of these woods again."

"I think I have a cracked rib. I need to get it checked out."

"What are you going to do when she's gone?"

You have already set foot on the path of carnage.

Unacceptable. Also, I'm repulsed beyond words.

What harm in just a little bit longer? This is my last chance.

At times one must suffer to be fashionaaabluh.

I blame myself for underestimating the beast that is sex appeal.

There are only two tactics a real warrior needs! Frontal assault and DEATH BY FRONTAL ASSAULT!

Our agreement ends here. This is what your money buys.

…Should I be mad? I feel mad.

Now, now. No need to glare…

Yes, well…I suppose that about sums it up.

Totally, wholly, completely unacceptable!

You've all been deceived! By yours truly, no less! I had you going the entire time!

I just need to hear it from you. Say that you'll stay. Till the very end.

Hmph. Isn't that always the way when you're all passion and no finesse?

I plan to take care of her myself. I'll see the beatings aren't fatal.

I've seen enough to say this much: you are undeserving of my trust and my loyalty.

How are you here? Is no one under me competent!?

All that I hold true denies everything that you are!

What kind of child dies before his parents? It's a crime, don't you think?

I thought I made it clear before. This is farewell.

You'll not keep your head at all if you keep running your mouth!

Are these desert places normally supposed to be windy?

I'd not thought the girl as bloodthirsty as all that.

Are you sure they left because you were a burden to them?

Your odds are poor, and I don't take poor clients.

Go, then! They all abandon me in the end!

I haven't cooked enough to have a specialty or anything, but if I had to pick something… I make a mean jam and butter omelet.

What! What madness is this? You speak nonsense!

You worry too much! All we have to do is be careful to step around the marshy patches.

Perhaps she'll listen to you, if not me. Will you do this?

I am sorry to have foisted this cruel task on you. Forgive me…

First I'm going to retch, then I'm going to pummel you!

Oof. This might be a little… ambitious? Illegal?

Your words have made this clear. You are an obstacle before me

…It's too cruel… It feels like my heart's been torn up into ribbons… It's too sad.

I don't know. I don't know… I can't blame you if you blame me for it, though.

Fool. I didn’t say you could die before me.

Linktober 2025 Day 19: Link!

Commission done for @swedishmuffins on Instagram.