Arggieh

Time dropped to his knees, a hand pressed to his chest and panting. He seemed to be struggling with something as Sky hurried closer to him. Sky stood above him, wanting to drop to his knees but also not sure he would help any more from there. From what he could see there was nothing wrong with Time, there were no injuries or any other signs of anything affecting him, but he was clearly struggling with something. His markings seemed to be glowing and so was his white eye, glowing in a way that Sky had never seen but reminded him of Fi and Hylia when he saw them in their truest forms briefly. A slight ripple of power caused him to freeze before he could touch Time’s shoulder to see if he would respond.

“Time?”

“Sky, back up.”

“Huh?”

Sky looked at Four and Wind in confusion. The two of them had their swords in hand and were staring at Time warily. The sense of foreboding returned stronger, something was definitely off. Just seeing that reaction from the two of them confirmed that there had to be something else going on. Sky wished he could ask Fi what it was but she was currently focused on something else. Before Sky could take more than two steps away from him Time slowly got to his feet. Slow in a way that the Hero of Time never allowed himself to be unless he was badly wounded. Sky took another step away, his hand tightening on the Master Sword. He felt his caution was proved right upon seeing Wind readying himself to attack, a horrible sign since he knew that Wind respected Time a lot.

“Well now… this wasn’t what I expected but I suppose it will do.”

Time’s voice seemed off somehow, he couldn’t quite tell what it was. Sky wished he could ask what was going on or even if he could help, but that sense of wrongness and the memories that the cloud stirred kept him frozen for the moment. When he looked at Time Sky noticed that his eyes were both open and the white one was black while the other was amber instead of blue. Shivering he took a step back and shook his head in denial, the amber stirred just as many memories as the cloud of shadow did but there was no way for Demise to influence Time. Whatever it was that change was a bad sign, worse than bad but Sky hoped that he was wrong even if all signs pointed to him being right.

“Time, please…”

Sky almost couldn’t believe that was his voice, it sounded so small compared to normal and he felt guilt settle heavy in his stomach. This was his fault. Time took his place. Sky should have been the one staring at them… no Sky should have dealt with the cloud before it came into contact with any of them.

“Hmm? Oh, no need to call for your friend. He can’t hear you.” Time’s mouth curved into a smile that only seemed to chill Sky further. It was cruel and looked completely wrong on Time’s face.

Fi chimed a warning, giving Sky enough time to deflect the attack that came from his friend and leader. The Master Sword being one of the few weapons that could stand up to Time’s Biggoron Sword without being damaged. Briefly Sky wondered if he should be relieved that all three of them had weapons that could stand up to it or not. Before he could decide Wind moved closer, his sword ready to attack. Before he could, Time shifted, his blade sliding against the Master Sword in a strange way as he turned the deflected strike into a spin attack that nearly cut Wind in half. Almost because Four dragged him back away from Time just before the strike hit him and Sky took advantage of that to attack. His strike missed, and Fi wasn’t quite burning his hands in warning as though she too was aware of what was going on. Sky hoped so. Fi could help free Time if he could get in a good hit.

That was the problem. Time was moving into positions where Sky couldn’t hit him without risking hitting Four or Wind. Sky internally cursed as he moved to try and attack him again. Their swords locked for a moment. 

Suddenly Time stumbled away from Sky, his right hand rising towards his face. The fingers ghosted over the red markings on Time’s cheek, the markings were glowing vividly and his right eye flickered white for an instant just before Four took advantage of the distraction and stabbed Time in the stomach. Sky jerked a little and quickly followed that with a cut of his own. He only managed a shallow cut along Time’s arm, it was hardly enough to do anything that it needed to do… but somehow that black eye flickered to white again for an instant longer.

In his hands the Master Sword heated in response to Fi’s anger at being turned against one of her future masters. She cooled as she seemed to realize that Time was being controlled by something. Yet before Sky could try to attack again Time was moving. He somehow grabbed Wind’s Phantom Sword and used it’s power for a moment, only obvious to them because for a moment he held it almost curiously then he was elsewhere. Before he knew what was happening Sky saw that Four was on the ground next to a tree gasping while trying to grab his sword which was just barely out of his reach. The Phantom Sword was flying through the air at Sky, and Wind was thrown harshly into a different tree from where Four was as though whatever was controlling Time didn’t want them close to each other.

Sky ducked and rolled out of the way of the Phantom Sword, he raised the Master Sword expecting the follow up from Time’s Biggoron Sword to try and finish him. Whatever was controlling Time growled as it clashed weapons with him, the sound strange from the usually composed man, and turned to leave. Sky raised the Master Sword into the air for a moment before he sent a Skyward Strike at Time’s back causing him to drop the Biggoron Sword as he dodged out of the way. Whatever was controlling him didn’t seem to be able to move like Time usually did and Sky wondered why that was while he was also grateful for it. The creature possessing Time seemed to focus on something as it began walking away, he hoped it would be searching for a fairy like Time usually tried to do after getting hurt. Sky wanted to follow Time and try to free him again but Wind and Four needed his help. Besides, Time wasn’t walking towards Camp…

A shiver came again and Sky whistled a signal for ‘danger’ and one for ‘disguise’ followed by the danger signal again. He had to warn the others about what happened, and hope that they were not in the direction Time was going in. They shouldn’t be but battles were strange sometimes and Twilight would definitely suffer if he had to fight Time especially in the condition Time was already in.

“I’m fine.” Four gasped, he managed to get up onto his hands and knees. One hand finally reached his sword while the other pressed against his stomach which seemed to pain him. Sky marveled that none of them had been killed by whatever controlled Time but perhaps that was the effect of whatever caused his eye to flicker white and his markings to glow. Sky shook his head ready to respond when Wolfie burst into the clearing with Warriors, Hyrule and Legend behind him. Wild was over by Wind before Sky could stand or say anything and Twilight shifted back into his Hylian form.

“What happened? Why do I smell blood?”

“Something possessed Time.” Wind said.

“What?”

“Something possessed Time.” Four repeated with a small nod.

“It was coming for me and Time pushed me out of the way. I’m not sure what it was.”

Twilight said nothing as he spotted Time’s sword on the ground. Sky privately thought he didn’t need to because the lost look on his face said plenty about what Twilight was thinking. Warriors checked over Sky who shook his head.

“I’m fine. Really. I got distracted when I saw it because it appeared behind me. The way whatever it was looked reminded me of the start of my adventure when I thought I lost…”

“Easy Sky.”

Warriors put a hand on his shoulder and gave it a small squeeze. While Sky had been focusing on getting his part of the story out Wild had somehow pulled Wind’s sword free from the tree where it ended up after missing Sky and was returning it to the youngest of the group. Wind seemed to relax once it was in his hands again though he was giving it a confused look like he expected something about it to be different. Twilight joined them with Time’s sword which Warriors took for a moment to study then handed back to Twilight with a couple of quick signs, Sky wished he could understand them better but didn’t so he focused on the others.

“It was Time’s choice.”

“So where did the blood come from?”

“Um…”

“That is-” 

Four hesitated, he wanted to speak but also didn’t, clearly not wanting to admit what happened to Warriors and Twilight.

“Four saved me and Wind from Time by stabbing him. I managed to get a couple of attacks in but nothing serious enough for it to free him.”

“Damn.”

“I’m sorry Warriors. It-”

“If I hear you say that it’s your fault again I am going to throw you into the next river we find then I’m telling Time and he will do it too.” Twilight warned him. The Ordonian hero’s expression made Sky realize that he was hitting some sort of emotional wound and his shoulders slumped.

“Time doesn’t blame you, and none of us do. Now we need to figure out a plan to catch him and free him from whatever it is that has a hold on him without it grabbing one of us instead.”

“I don’t know if it helps but those markings on his face were glowing really brightly.” Sky offered.

“What?” Warriors and Wind both asked alarmed.

“Is that a bad thing?”

“You could say that.”

“It depends on how the Deity feels once he realizes what is going on.”

“Deity?” Legend asked, incredulously. Sky felt relieved that he wasn’t the only one who was wondering how things had shifted so quickly.

“Not my story.”

“Warriors, we need to know what to expect.”

Warriors paused and looked at all of them, Sky had no idea what expressions the others were making but he was giving his best hopeful look because he felt like this was important and if they didn’t know it would end badly. It felt like this might be the cause of his bad feeling earlier.

“Time came into contact with a Deity when he was younger, and in exchange for its help it uses his body sometimes. Those markings on his face are a sign of it.”

“I hope he isn’t mad at us.”

“He shouldn’t be?”

“Um… would having killed a deity type being make it nicer or meaner?” Sky asked hesitantly. He hoped that it would be kinder but he didn’t expect it.

“Probably meaner.”

“I see… well Time went that way.”

Sky wanted to shrink at the thought of the possible deity being mad and him making things worse. He pointed the direction Time had left in hoping to distract them from his reaction to Warriors’ response. Most of the group turned in the direction Sky pointed but Legend stood there with his arms crossed while glaring at Sky. Sky gave him a small hesitant smile and stepped back.

“Sky…”

“Yes, Legend?”

“Explain.”

“It’s nothing really.”

“Then you won’t have trouble explaining.”

“Well… to save Zelda I had to kill a demon god thing called Demise.”

Someone whistled in a way that said they were impressed and Sky realized that all of the others were watching him and blushed, wishing that Time was there to get their attention away by saying he sensed a fairy or something. Sadly Time wasn’t- suddenly he realized that someone might be able to help them find Time quicker. His eyes focused on Hyrule who seemed to be standing uneasily next to Four.

“Hyrule, you can find fairies pretty quickly, right?”

“Oh! That’s right, if Time is hurt he’ll look for one first.”

Hyrule smiled brightly as he realized he could help like that. He turned the direction they had been about to go in and started walking. Sky hoped that whatever was possessing his brother would follow Time’s usual habit of finding a fairy to heal him, but wasn’t sure it would work out the way he wanted it to. Still it was the best they had to go based on so he tried to be optimistic… which only vaguely worked with the way Warriors and Twilight seemed to be worrying about something and the way Wind kept sending sad glances towards him.

Wild climbed a tree quickly so he could see better and hurried along above them, easily changing from the trees to the cliff once they got closer to the cliff and the caves there. Hyrule was pausing a little now, checking his directions as though the fairy was moving… or as though Time was. Sky hoped that it was the fairy moving not their leader because if Time was the one moving then it meant that whatever was controlling him knew they were following and intended to keep a distance for a while longer… and it might not even be trying to get help. Finally Hyrule stopped and looked around as though he lost track of what he was following.

Sky looked around too. He glanced towards the ground and noticed something dark and shiny there before Twilight could transform and take over leading the group. Crouching, he touched it, dreading that it was Time’s blood, and found that the spot was wet, confirming his suspicion of what it was. The scent was still somewhat strong making Sky think that it was fresh. Looking in the direction the drops led Sky gripped the Master Sword tightly.

“This way.” Sky called to the others then started walking in the direction the drops led. He didn’t look back at them, not wanting to see the judgement on their faces as they too saw the trail he was following.

“Sky… be careful.”

Warriors told him as Sky took a couple of steps and Sky nodded. He felt anxious that things would get worse before Time was back with them. There was a scream of pain and fear up ahead, the sound familiar enough that the group all ran towards it, swords ready for a fight. The glimpse of gold ahead told Sky what they would find and he felt a mixed sense of relief and dread because there was another cloud of darkness forming then a flash of light that cut through it.

Soon enough he stepped into a clearing and Time stood there facing them, his hand pressed to his head and his eyes unfocused but the correct colors. On the ground in front of him was a shadowed being that was already dissolving away from the two pieces it was in. In Time’s hand was a green and blue oddly shaped sword and Sky felt a surge of fear at the sight of a ghostly being behind Time.

“Deity… please…” Time’s voice was surprisingly weak.

Sky’s chest felt tight at that, once again thinking that it was his fault that Time was in the state he was. The being behind Time watched them, its mouth twisted into a mockery of a smile. Sky observed it and saw that the being, the Deity, looked similar to Time, white eyes and hair instead of blue and gold but so similar anyway. It reminded Sky of Warriors’ words and he felt sick at the idea of having to fight Time’s body again to save him from this.

“Old Man! Come on.” Warriors called to Time who looked up briefly but he flinched and pressed his hand harder to the side of his head. His eyes closed as though he was fighting something once again. “Old Man, you can beat it!”

“I.. I-”

Time stuttered and the monster finished disappearing. Sky took a small step forwards and watched as the Deity frowned at him. They Deity let him go for a moment, his hand hovering behind Time’s head.

‘Give yourself to me, I will protect you. Give me a body to use and I will leave you without pain.’

The words were almost hypnotic to Sky but seeing the way Time seemed to be letting go and not fighting set off warnings in his mind.

“Deity… I… I give you my body… for this.” Time murmured, his hand moving from his head to reaching out towards something they couldn’t see.

The Deity smiled and moved his hand to gently cover Time’s eyes, as though telling him to let go. Sky couldn’t tell if the others noticed the Deity talking or not because they only moved to stand in a loose half circle around Time. Sky swallowed heavily and tightened his grip on his sword as he watched, hoping that he would not have to fight the Deity if he frightened Warriors and Wind as much as he had.

‘I will keep you safe little hero. Now sleep. Sleep deeply, and let me deal with those that have harmed you.’

Sky shuddered as he heard the voice, it sounded indifferent but coldly so. He saw Time seem to relax into the Deity and the Deity’s arms wrapped around him. Time’s colors seemed to fade when the Deity stepped forward, turning Time’s eyes both that unearthly white that Sky had seen watching them. The Deity raised his sword, the strange blade gleaming in promise of pain for the crime of hurting his host.

“Now, I do believe that you attacked me.”

Sky felt sickened as he watched the blood that was on Time’s face be wiped away. He’d missed that when he looked at him, missed seeing the sign of how hard Time had to fight to free himself because of Sky’s mistake. He knew without a doubt that they would lose and suffer if they tried to fight this Deity. It was not like Demise, he wasn’t after power or control, and that made him the toughest being they would have to fight unless one of them could talk him out of it.

“Deity, let him go.” Warriors demanded, his voice oddly level and calm. Sky wished he felt that calm right now because he didn’t.

“Let him go? I don’t think so.”

Sky took a step forwards, drawing those white eyes to him. Fi whispered reassurances to him but Sky couldn’t focus enough to hear them, all he could focus on was the slowly darkening ground under his leader’s feet and those white eyes that watched him with some emotion he couldn’t place.

“Please.” Sky pleaded, dropping to his knees and bowing his head. Around him Sky heard Warriors call his name, and the others moving to step between them. He closed his eyes and laid his sword on the ground. “Please, let him come back. It was my fault he got caught by that thing and I need to apologize to him.”

“You… Hylia’s Chosen, that is what you are.”

“Yes, at least that is what everyone in my Era calls me.”

“What a joke.”

“What?”

Sky looked up at the Deity surprised, he completely missed that none of the others were moving any more and that both the Deity and he were in some sort of barrier that shimmered a silvery blue.

“You defeated Demise but couldn’t beat something like that.”

“... it reminded me of when I almost lost everything.” Sky admitted while meeting the Deity’s eyes. He wasn’t sure this was the right thing to do but he felt he needed to do something. He closed his eyes against the tears that tried to appear as he exposed this bit of himself to someone who might not even care, but it was for his brothers, all of them, so he would do it. “I was there and the cloud appeared and I almost died as did my Zelda. Please, I know it means little to you-”

“I see… that’s why he wanted to save you. He saw the loss you nearly suffered in your actions. The Little Hero is a soft hearted fool.”

“Please, won’t you let him come back?”

“I said that I would take vengeance against those that harmed him.”

Four, Sky didn’t even look towards him because he would not let the younger Hero be hurt by this god for his mistake. Instead Sky stood, leaving the Master Sword on the ground at his feet. He pressed a hand to his chest while looking at the Deity’s eyes and face, once again seeing some sort of emotion on his face. Sky almost wondered if Time would remember any of this once he woke and almost hoped he didn’t… but also that he would.

“Then take vengeance against me. It was my failure that caused the whole situation in the first place so please let it be I that suffer the consequences of it.”

The blade gleamed threateningly as the Deity moved closer. “Are you certain that you wish this, God Slayer?”

“Yes.”

The blade was pulled back to result in a stab. Then it moved closer at a speed that Sky could move out of the way of but would be relatively painless if it struck him. Before it could touch him the sword vanished and the Deity smiled. Sky blinked at him in confusion and caught a faint echo of Time standing there next to the Deity with a grin on his face, blue eyes kind and affectionate.

“You didn’t flinch away.”

“Was I supposed to?”

The Deity laughed and Sky could also hear Time’s voice in it. He closed his eyes tightly against his tears, he felt relieved to hear Time’s voice like it should sound, and he felt a hand touch his cheek before he was pulled into a hug. The hug he quickly returned and the world around them returned to color and sound and the others stopped moving while looking at them in confusion. Sky simply clung to the Deity, to his brother, not wanting to let him go so he would stay safe with them.

“He will need help for a few days. I managed to deal with the parasite only moments ago because he refused to let me surface earlier for fear that I would harm one of you.”

“Would you have hurt us?”

“No. Remind him of that for me. His family is mine to protect after all.”

“I will.” Sky promised as he wrapped his arms tighter around Time’s body, holding him tightly and securely. Once the Deity let go of him Sky suspected that Time would need that support.

“Good.”

The Deity seemed to relax and Sky felt its power fall away, the Deity sinking back to wherever it stayed while watching over Time. He tightened his hold again as Time went limp against him. He felt the warmth seeping into his tunic and sent a panicked look towards Warriors and Hyrule. Warriors appeared not long after and helped him lay Time down so they could check on him.

“I have no idea what you did or how you managed to talk Fierce down but I am grateful.”

“He wanted to make sure Time was safe with us… and he asked that I remind Time that he will protect his family.”

“He… would say that….” Time’s voice came, he sounded weak and exhausted from what had happened.

“Time!”

The others all gathered around them and Hyrule was scanning Time for any other injuries. Time simply laid there allowing them to move him and seeming to enjoy being with the group as he looked over each of them for injuries or anything wrong with them.

“How does it look, Rulie?”

“Bad, he needs a fairy.”

Warriors touched Time’s cheek to draw his attention then checked something against his neck. His face went pale and Warriors seemed even more worried. Time blinked dazedly at him while Warriors looked up at the others, his face still pale and worried. 

“The blood loss will kill him soon if we can’t get that wound closed. Hyrule can you go get a fairy to come? I am worried that moving him will make it even worse for him.”

“Wait! I have a fairy in my slate.” Wild called as he tapped a few things then a pink fairy appeared fluttering above Wild’s hand. Hyrule moved closer and said something to the fairy which chimed in alarm before moving over to Time. She spread her magic over him and began healing the damage caused by Four’s sword.

“Legend, we’ll need a fire. Twilight can you go and gather things from where we set up camp? Time’s bedroll and mine first, we need to get him warm and comfortable because moving him for the next few days will be rough on him.”

“Sure… Four, Wind would you two come with me?”

Sky watched numbly but he stayed where he was, the Master Sword still on the ground next to him as he watched Time. Time who was looking at him with some exasperation on his face. He seemed a little better now that the fairy had worked her magic and healed him, and Sky wondered what was going through his mind. Hopefully he wasn’t completely furious with him for having spoken to the Deity like that.

“I’m sorry?” Sky said, almost asked, and Time rolled his eyes.

“My choice.” Time managed to say.

“I should have moved.”

“We all hav-”

“Time, rest. You lost too much blood there.” Warriors cut in while Time was still talking and Sky was grateful because hearing Time sounding so weak but trying to tell him that it was okay just… it made Sky feel worse honestly. He wanted to help Time, to make things better but felt like he was just making it worse already.

“Shouldn’t sleep.”

“Wild is making something for you to drink then you will sleep.”

Sky saw how Time kept trying to look around and suddenly understood why he was refusing to rest at all. Smiling a little he grabbed his hand to get his attention and nodded.

“It’s okay, Time. You can rest. The Deity didn’t hurt us and he asked for me to tell you he won’t. He said that your family is his to protect.” Sky shared the information he’d been asked to and lightly touched Time’s cheek over the red markings there.

Time blinked slowly, clearly losing his fight to stay awake and aware now that he had that information. It obviously was a relief to him, knowing that none of them had been in danger from the Deity and Sky noticed that Time’s eye unfocused for a moment then refocused on him. A slight shimmer of silvery white told him that Time was checking with the Deity and when he saw the way Time was relaxed and almost smiling Sky felt like he’d finally managed to do something that helped.

“Here, this should help.” Wild handed Warriors a bowl.

Warriors helped Time sit up trying to be careful of the freshly healed wound. Once he was sitting up and leaning against him, Time tried to take the bowl. Sky moved closer and helped Time hold it steady, ignoring the mildly annoyed look he got for doing so. If Time couldn’t even sit up without help Sky was sure that he wouldn’t be up to drinking whatever soup and potion Wild had prepared for him to use to replenish what all he’d lost. With help from the two of them, Time was able to drink most of what had been in the bowl before his remaining energy was gone. As soon as Sky noticed he was holding the bowl almost entirely by himself he moved it away and when Wild grabbed it he smiled, seeing that it was mostly empty. Warriors picked Time up, ignoring the small disgruntled sound he got for it, then moved their leader over to where Twilight had just finished setting up a bedroll for Time. Sky nearly laughed when he saw that the bed was made of Time and Twilight’s blankets not Warriors. He grinned seeing Warriors’ annoyed look towards Twilight’s back as the rancher left in wolf form again.

Of course the annoyance melted away as Time sighed and curled under the blankets which was a little thicker than what Warriors had for his bed. Sky found it funny that Time and Twilight seemed to have the thickest blankets for their bedrolls while Wind and Four got the coldest. It often turned out to be a good thing since when someone was injured Time or Twilight could lend their blankets to whoever needed them… because one or the other didn’t sleep. Sky made a mental note to make sure Twilight slept some, or to remind Warriors to make Twilight sleep.

It took Twilight a few trips to move everything from the old camp to the new one, Wind and Four helping pack the old camp while Twilight carried it as Wolfie. Sky sat near Time and played his harp while watching over the rest of their camp. It hadn’t taken long for the others to set up the new camp, making sure Time was safely near the fire and away from the edge of the camp had been a priority. Sky almost got involved with it too but he was more focused on making sure Time rested peacefully. The Chain’s Leader was prone to nightmares that he didn’t want to talk about normally and this was sure to make them worse, and they really didn’t want him to be thrashing around much from one with the severe wound he’d recently had healed.

It was because of this that Sky could watch how just as one started to affect Time Wolfie came over and cuddled up to his side, his head resting close enough for Time to feel his warmth. Time sighed and curled closer to Wolfie, his arm slipping out from under the blankets to curl around the wolf. Twilight seemed to sigh as well and just curled protectively around the injured man. Sky felt his mouth curl into a smile but he just felt sad that things turned out like this. He reached over and tucked a blanket over Time’s arm so it wouldn’t get cold. Warriors had warned them all about the dangers of getting chilled while suffering from blood loss and Time wouldn’t be able to handle it for a couple of days.

As things settled Sky got up and walked a little ways away. He couldn’t quite bear to be in the camp any more. Not now. Every time he closed his eyes he thought about how Time fought against letting something that would free him help and how his brother got stabbed by a different brother because of him. A little way away from the camp Sky sat down and looked up at the sky. The stars seemed so dim compared to his home, but they were comforting anyways. They reminded him that the others were okay… even if every time he closed his eyes Sky could see the shock on Time’s face, amber and black eyes wide, and hear the Deity’s words. It was his fault, he froze.

A branch cracked and Sky was on his feet, his hand reaching for his sword which he realized was still at camp near where Time had been returned to thim.

“Like our Traveler likes to say, It’s dangerous to go alone. Especially without this.” Legend said as he approached Sky, holding out the Master Sword. Sky’s hands shook as he took her back from Legend. “Time will be okay. Warriors and Hyrule both said so.”

“I know…”

“You aren’t at fault.”

“I am though! I hesitated and Time had to save me. He got hurt because of me.”

“Then by that logic I got hurt because of him, and Hyrule did, and Wind, and-”

“No! That’s not true.” Sky sliced his hand through the air, shaking his head. He backed up a step away from Legend feeling sick at the thought of accusing Time of any of that after how long it had taken them to get the man to share those feelings and start to think maybe he wasn’t at fault. Sky’s hand dropped to his side and he closed his eyes, trying to think of anything other than what happened. Even so the image of Time’s eyes being the wrong colors and wide with pain from being stabbed flashed across his mind. “It’s… it’s not true. Time isn’t at fault for any of that.”

“I know.” Legend gave him a hug and Sky dropped to his knees, his legs suddenly unable to keep supporting him. “I know. Sky, Time did what he did because he wanted to keep you safe, to keep all of us safe. It was his choice to do what he did.”

“Four hurt him to protect me… and the Deity could have freed him sooner but he didn’t want to hurt us.”

“That’s our leader for you. Worrying about all the wrong things.” Legend’s exasperation caused some of the fear and worry in Sky’s heart to release.

“I’m sorry… every time I closed my eyes I-” Sky couldn’t finish his sentence because of a lump that formed in his throat. Legend sighed and gave him a small squeeze.

“Sky, you remember Time saying that it was his choice, right?” Sky nodded. Legend nodded back and shifted a little to make Sky sit up and look him in the eye. “It was his choice, and… we all have things we freeze up over. Maybe not all of us have experienced them or shared them but we all have them.”

“But I-”

“Remember how Wind reacted to your Loftwing that first time?”

“Yes?”

“Do you blame him for it?”

“No!”

“Do you blame him for almost falling off the island and needing to be rescued because of it?”

“Of course not.”

“Is this the first time you saw something like that since it happened?”

“Yes?”

“Then there you go. You didn’t expect it and weren’t thinking. Next time it won’t make you freeze.”

“It won’t…” Sky took a deep breath and then he felt himself smiling again. He could see the exasperated affection in Time’s expression as Time told him it was his choice and he felt like he could accept it now. “Thank you Legend.”

“Don’t mention it. Now, come on. Let’s go back before the Old Man wakes up and sees that we’re gone. He’ll try getting up if he doesn’t see you there.”

“Yeah.” Sky agreed though he wasn’t sure Legend was right, but he was more willing to believe him now.

When they got back Sky was surprised to find Time looking around the camp while partly pinned under Wolfie. When Time saw him and Legend he seemed to relax and smile, Sky felt tears burn in his eyes as he moved over to sit next to Time.

“I’m sorry.”

“Sky-”

“Please, let me speak?”

Sky waited until Time nodded. He could practically feel the eyes of the others on them and took a deep breath.

“That cloud reminded me of the one that Ghirahim used to knock Zel- Sun down to the Surface at the start of my journey. It nearly killed us both, at least it nearly killed me and she almost died because of it. We survived and it was the start of my adventure but I.. I froze just seeing it. Then when I saw your eyes after whatever that was possessed you… it reminded me of Demise, he is the one I fought instead of Ganon.”

“Sky…” Time repeated his name and touched his cheek. Sky leaned into the touch, barely realizing that he was crying until he saw how soft Time’s expression was.

“I just… I froze. I couldn’t attack you and all I can think about since then is that I failed, I hesitated and you paid for it.”

Time sighed and dropped his hand to try and tug Sky towards him using the Sailcloth. Sky took a moment to realize what Time wanted and it only sunk in when Time started to sit up, trying to free his arm from Wolfie’s weight while Wolfie was giving him a Look. Sky quickly pushed him to lie back down and shuffled closer so he could lie next to Time, facing him.

“Sun was the target, right?”

“Yes?”

“You almost died because of her then.”

“That’s not-”

“Sky, remember that the forgiveness you give others is what you should give yourself.”

Sky blinked a few times then he curled up a little, his hands fisting in his own tunic. Time sighed and pulled him closer, his arm circling Sky’s shoulders and his hand settling into his hair reassuringly. Sky sniffed and pressed his face against Time’s neck while trying to process what he had been told both by Time and by Legend.

“I feel like I failed you.”

Time sighed and nodded. “I forgive you.”

Sky shook a little, those simple words felt like a hammer hitting his shield. It seemed to pass through him in waves leaving him feeling loose and floaty. He curled his hand tighter into Time’s shirt and nodded. The relief he felt at that simple sentence left him feeling better than he had since he’d saved Sun and held her in his arms again.

“Thank you Time.” Sky murmured and he felt Time’s arm tighten around his shoulders giving him a small squeeze.

“You’re welcome.”