#lu sage

Time isn't absolutely possessive of you or anything. He just doesn't want you to leave them. Ever. If your mother or her sisters wanted you somewhere else, then wouldn't they have led you somewhere else? They are all the heroes chosen by the goddesses! That is practically a seal of approval on their part. You are basically already married to him. He already controls everything you do and everyone you talk to. Oh? A ring on your finger. It's just something for protection. It's a mortal custom from his world. You wouldn't dare refuse it, would you?

Legend isn't enamored by your very presence. No, not at all. Can't you see how snarky and rude he acts around you? He always pushes you away and doesn't allow you to touch anything. He's the Link who is most likely to lead you to Hyrule first if even so much as a scratch shows up on you. It's not like Hyrule and Legend have teamed up against the other Links to win your hand. No, not at all. He just wants to pawn you off on someone else. He's got more important things to do. Like enchanting more things to give to you so he can show the others that you are claimed by him.

Hyrule is just curious about you. It's not like he spends every waking moment watching over your figure and fantasizing about you. It's not like he makes sure that you are always healed first. It's not like he reluctantly teamed up with Legend or anything. You find him bathing in the same river as you. Coincidence. Sorry. He just couldn't stay away for too long.

Twilight isn't your personal guard dog at all. He just likes being near you. That isn't a crime! Perhaps he manipulates you a little into always letting him cuddle up to you as Wolfie. Perhaps he is always willing to glare at every other member of The Chain so they stay away from you. He's just a touchy guy, okay? He always has his hands on you. He's always carrying you. It's just a quirk of his. It totally isn't a deeply ingrained obsession he has about you being his mate. The only one he'll back down to is Time, reluctantly.

The Colors just like you—Four does as well. He isn't going to do the 'he totally doesn't like you thing'. His strategy is to be honest with you. He isn't manipulating you! He's just showing you how much better he is than anybody else in The Chain. He splits constantly just because the others are so eager to see you and be with you. He just wants to make you armor and weapons and always keep you in his arms. Is that too much to ask?

Wind just wants you to take him seriously. He's surprised when you do. You're a fan of him? You watched his journey? Wait, you have the ability to do that with your super cool and awesome powers!? Is aged up here and most definitely kind of dorky when it comes to you. He's the most relaxed and socially inept when it comes to the others. Most of his gaslighting, manipulation, and other yandere tendencies are subconscious. He doesn't even realize he is doing anything wrong until one of the others confronts him. It isn't like they are any better about it.

Wars doesn't just flirt with anyone, only with you. He always hopes that The Chain won't end up starting an inter-dimensional war over you. He understands what it's like to have someone madly in love with you that you don't have feelings for. He's the most self-aware of The Chain, hands down. He takes a more traditionally romantic approach. While he may be hesitant to manipulate you because he wants your feelings to be genuine, he has no problem manipulating the other Links. He has no problem with threatening to not help them during battle just so he can get some more time with you.

Wild is the most self-sacrificing. He is also the most self-depreciating. If you have read my headcanons yk yk. He is almost entirely non-verbal. He's only spoken once since you met him. He takes the 'actions speak louder than words' approach. He is willing to fall at your feet and make you depend on his attention. That's one of his dreams, making you just as obsessed with him as he is with you. Another is teaching you Hylian sign.

Bonus: Ravio, Cal, & Sage

Ravio is the most intrigued and illusive. All of the Links can agree that they will try to scare him away from you. That's why he'll randomly pop in and out of your daily life. The two seconds of peace you get a day are interrupted by him. You are prone to being overstimulated since you went from zero contact to an entire group of yanderes. Ravio offers you relaxation, and he even speaks in a quiet voice with you. He gifts you relaxation and sleeping potions. He gives you a bunch of jewels and things he has found. He sees you as a treasure that needs to be protected by him. You are priceless, truly one of kind. Is it so bad that he wants you for himself?

Cal is completely non-verbal. You haven't ever heard him speak. He sees Twilight, Wild, and Sage as his main competitors. Twilight, because he is also your silent protector. Cal is always near you in a protective manner, and he is unable to verbalize his feelings for you. It always allows Twilight to sweep you up off of your feet. Both Wild and Sage are more experienced versions of him. Wild clings to your attention, and at least he was spoken once. Sage is verbal and is able to loudly berate Cal without anyone stepping in. Cal just takes it. It's what he's been taught. At least one good thing comes of this—you, sweet heavenly you. He may be your physical protector, but you are his spiritual protector. You always make sure the others stay off him. Wild is always extremely jealous of this and acts like a wounded animal to get your attention back on him.

So here are those headcanons!

- Courage was a street rat who earned a name for himself by using his street smarts to provide for himself. He was noticed by the royal family and initially hired to be a guard in the Castle. After learning Courage is the hero he left to travel and adventure.

- Korodai was similarly poor and orphaned but worked his way up through the Church of Hylia, not taking any serious vows but still training to be the Hyrulian equivalent of a monk who can kick ass(so like a knight for the church). He was still pretty goofy and silly though in spite of his intelligence.

- The people in the church learned he was the hero and sent him to the Royal Family where he continued his training. Korodai’s journey in “Faces of Evil” is his first official journey.

- Courage is incredibly strong, similar to Twilight except even moreso. People don’t really see this coming because of his lackadaisical and unserious nature, they don’t expect him to actually be that powerful.

- Because of his history on the streets, Courage never knew how to properly interact with nobility and royalty, which is how his “love-hate” relationship with Wisdom(his Zelda) started. He was attracted to her but she didn’t like how he had no manners and thus started the cycle.

- Both Korodai and Courage are exceptionally clever and resourceful.

(….And if one is around, so is the other. They are a duo! )

——-

Im sure Calamity/Soldier (I call him Cal) is very much the silent stalker yandere.

I feel like he can’t feel himself being able to fit in with the chain.

Because all of them are heroes, but the Master Sword doesnt even answer to him.

Or at least hasn’t said a word.

Basically all of these guys around him are accomplished but well, him? He’s not so special. The only way he knows how is to be darling's shadow.

And therefore follow them and around?

Maybe he’s learned some manners being the princess' guard, so he treats darling like royalty and their word is law hahaha.

———-

Sage? Overprotective to the max.

If Sage is Wild but hasn’t met darling until his third adventure, I think he would be very willing to see darling as a goddess easier.

In his eyes, she’d be unlike anyone he’s ever known. This reverence might show in small ways, he’s always gentle with her, speaks to her with the utmost respect, and sometimes catches himself just watching her in quiet awe, as if he can’t believe she’s real.

Cuz Darling would be like a breath of fresh air for him since everyone around him took advantage of him or only cared about him being the hero.

he’d also have possessive streak that he keeps under tight control, but any hint of jealousy unleashes it. If he sees someone getting too close to Darling, he’d be tempted to step in immediately, but hold back with a calm, collected demeanor.

His icy gaze speaks volumes though.

Darling is worth any sacrifice, and he makes it clear that he would do anything to keep her safe, even if it means his own life. (Though (y/n) is definitely working on fixing that mentality if she is aware of it.)

Her presence alone eases the burdens he’s carried for so long, helping him feel grounded and human in a way he hasn’t experienced in years.

After years of being questioned or pushed to his limits, Sage finally finds someone whose judgment he respects without question.

If she tells him to rest or take a step back, he listens, even if every fiber of his being wants to protect her.

Though, he’s the type to stay up until she falls asleep, keeping a silent watch over her to ensure nothing can disturb her rest.

———

First feels like the one who’s more jaded than Legend??? Kinda?

Because compared to Legend, First canonically points out how he’s only used for convenience when he’s really needed.

Hmmm...I personal always imagine First being very soft spoken (well, when he wasn't angered to the point of raising his voice)

Not super soft spoken, not like he’s a fragile person, but very calming to hear.

And he loves every part of her, even if it pains him to see her in any negative/unhappy state.

Would he want to show her the true depth of his loyalty and love? Absolutely.

But he'd also want her comforted and happy.

If she ever drifts off to sleep in his arms, he's whispering all his words to her. All the things he'd held back on saying when she was conscious.

They'd be intense, overwhelming, very very...well...Yandere. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

If she heard it, she'd definitely be frightened by the weight behind it.

But he waits until she's deeply asleep to do so. Maybe a small part of his hoping a small part of her acknowledges his words, even if he'd rather her not be aware what atrocities he'd commit in order to protect her.

First may be jaded, but he keeps his darker thoughts deeply buried. He despises anyone who threatens her happiness, his face a mask of calm while his heart seethes with unspoken rage. (You know how everyone agrees Sky has a scary face when angered? That’s First, he rivals Sky with his scariness except it’s colder.)

Behind the scenes, he’d handle any threat swiftly, never letting it reach her attention.

———

Shadow. He gives me vibes where he likes to cause harm for the fun of it. He enjoys causing chaos and despair and taunts people.

But he also yearns for companionship.

Shadow gets an undeniable thrill from causing chaos. He knows how to push buttons and stoke insecurities, loving the reactions he pulls from people.

But he’d be surprisingly gentle around (y/n), changing his dark sense of humor just a bit to make her smile.

When (y/n) pays attention to someone else, Shadow sulks like a petulant child. He’s prone to shooting them glares, muttering under his breath, and might even playfully (or not so playfully) trip them up just to remind her where her focus should be.

Shadow has no filter around people he doesn’t like, especially if they’re close to (y/n). His sarcasm can cut like a knife, and he won’t hesitate to call them out in the most biting way possible if he senses even a hint of a threat.

Shadow has a talent for inconveniencing others while staying just on the edge of innocence with (y/n). It could be someone’s drink spilling, their cloak tripping them up (or down a flight of stairs), or anything that paints them as awkward or foolish in front of her. He finds it hilariously satisfying.

Shadow wants to be the only one who can make (y/n) laugh, surprise her, or put a smile on her face. If someone else manages to get a genuine laugh out of her, he sees it as a challenge, scheming immediately about how he’ll one up them next time.

He’s not above showing his irritation in front of her if she’s giving too much attention to someone else. A muttered, “What, are they that funny?” or a dramatic sigh as he stands just a little too close, casting glances that all but scream “notice me instead.”

・❥・Welcome back. :)

・❥・So, we've established Sage as his own character at this point. I think it's safe to say he is not Wild. They are similar but two very distinct characters. That is something I'd like to clarify.

・❥・But we'll step into that later.

・❥・For now, let's talk about his entire timeline from start to finish.

・❥・So, Bailey and I talked about his parents and this is the conclusion we came to:

・❥・As everyone knows, Link in the AoC/BotW/TotK timeline was in the knights by a staggeringly young age. Either four or twelve or fourteen. I've seen them all, but I'm not sure if there's a canon age.

・❥・For Sage, we're going with four.

・❥・Now, let's start with his father. Sage's father was in the knights as a commanding officer, which is why he was okay with Link joining the knights. However, because of this a lot more expectations were placed on a very young Sage. And if he failed the punishments were much harsher and much less justified.

・❥・There were nights when Sage/Link was left on the ground outside because his father didn't deem him worth the effort and forbade people from helping him.

・❥・He'd walk past and spit on this terrified child because he didn't live up to expectations. "Your mother would've been so disappointed."

・❥・(shout out to Bailey for ripping out all of our hears with that line.

・❥・Because of this Sage finds much more comfort sleeping outside. Even a a century later, he prefers the comfort of a constant rather than a bedroom he was never allowed the privilege of knowing.

・❥・When he gets his house in Tarrey Town, he builds the stable extension first and slips outside with Epona.

・❥・We also agreed that his mother most likely died during the birth of his sister, which is probably why they had to move out of the Hateno house and closer to the castle, if not on the castle grounds.

・❥・If I had to make an assumption on his mother, she was probably a timid woman that never stood against his father.

・❥・This is really just my lil tidbit but because of that headcanon it's why I made Aaliyah such an abrasive character because I feel Sage would feel too much like his father with someone who reminded him of his mother. Or the little bits he remembers of her.

・❥・Anyway, his mother was probably a seen rather than heard woman,

・❥・Now, you're probably asking about his sister. We decided that she would've ended up as a maid/servant in the castle.

・❥・This is for two reasons:

・❥・One) It adds to hatred Sage has for the Royal Family. As a knight he would've had no choice but to watch this happen and would feel that burning guilt as a bystander, ignoring the fact that he has no choice in the matter. Maybe that's why he fought so hard pre-Calamity. Of course, he still fought because it was his duty, but I also like to imagine he was trying his best to protect his sister before it could ever hit her. Even if it was a fruitless endeavor.

・❥・Two) When Sage remembers this fact, it's probably before Tears of the Kingdom. The bridge between TotK and BotW probably is Link/Sage unravelling a lot of the trauma he tried to ignore regarding the royal family. So this is almost a catharsis to the entire feat. Moreso with Zelda/Natura's reaction.

・❥・She'd be flippant and almost ignorant to the entire ordeal.

・❥・Before anyone comes for my throat, let me explain Natura's character okay?

・❥・So, as far as I'm concerned, Natura hasn't learned anything. She's very much still the same character she was in AoC which is a spoiled individual with little regards to the woes others are facing. She had a tough time, yes I understand that and she was young, but she had no reason to act the way she did with Link. I don't care, argue with the wall.

・❥・She went digging around in the remains of what was left of her people post BotW trying to figure out how the guardians worked. She puts more emphasis on her studies and research rather than her people. Remember this is Natura. Not Zelda. This is my characterization in the same way that Sage is my characterization of Link.

・❥・Anyway, she didn't go looking for a way to solve the Gloom issue, she went looking for a way to capitalize on it. Like the pharmaceutical industry.

・❥・So you can imagine her reaction knowing that.

・❥・"We kept her off the streets like a worthless rat. You should be thanking me."

・❥・Yeah, it's not great.

・❥・So then TotK happens, yadda yada.

・❥・Sage loves animals. Let me get this straight. He's not heartless, he's angry and he's vengeful. Animals never wronged him. He finds comfort with animals as they can't lie to him. He can earn their trust and they'll remain loyal.

・❥・Because Sage is a dangerously loyal man. He still carries the loyalty of the hero's spirit, but it's amplified. Once you're his, you're his forever. Nothing can drag him away from you as he won't let it.

・❥・He's so loyal it turns from a positive attribute to a flaw. :)

・❥・He's possessive and protective and doesn't see an issue with it. Everything else has been torn from his hands but his fingers will be broken and bloody before he lets what's his go.

・❥・I bring up the animal thing just to say Sage gets a dog. You know that stable that closes down in the desert? And how all the stables have stable dogs? Well, this one follows Sage all over Hyrule. And if he goes in the depths thinking he's lost it, the second he's out the dog is sniffing his ass out.

・❥・Yes, he keeps the dog and feeds it the nicest cuts of meat, don't worry.

・❥・It's name is Droolius Caesar.

・❥・Timeline wise, let's talk about that.

・❥・So again, Bailey, and they're gorgeous fucking brain, brought up the idea of him being on a different timeline then Wild. I ran with it.

・❥・I don't see TotK falling on the timeline nicely no matter what we do. Not with the Zonai and not with the other game.

・❥・So what if it doesn't fall on the same timeline as BotW? The same events happen but now it's different.

・❥・Here's how it goes:

・❥・So when Time splits the timeline we get the normal one where, yay! he saves the day! and the other one where he doesn't. Call it the downfall timeline, the fallen timeline, the failure timeline, I don't care. For the sake of argument it's the Fallen Timeline here.

・❥・So there's an idea that the timelines merge somewhere between Wars timeline and Wild's. But let's say they don't. Because the Fallen timeline goes to Legend, then Hyrule. Then what if it doesn't fix itself and just continues. which is where it then leads to Sage's era.

・❥・Only this timeline is on hard mode at all times. Legend's adventures were difficult, Hyrule's era is absolutely brutal, so it makes sense that Sage's is just as hard.

・❥・We toyed with the idea that because this timeline is so hard, the heroes that reign from it are just that much more advanced. It's shown through Legend and then Hyrule, both of whom have wielded the full triforce at one point or another (I think). Somewhere between Hyrule's world however and Legend's, the goddess' didn't like this idea. They didn't like the idea of the hero having this sense of power, so they stripped it away entirely. They knew that somewhere the hero's spirit would be tainted and took away the power that could be used to dethrone them before it could manifest with Sage.

・❥・In turn, the hero's spirit carried on and grew stronger to overcome this. Sage still has the hero's spirit, but it's not like an actual spirit. No, it's more like the fallen hero carrying on and trying to amend for his sins.

・❥・Which Sage hates. He hates it so much, but it propels him before he can stop it. In the beginning of TotK? It's what propels him to jump in after Zelda. After however? The gloom is what finally kills that spirit. Rauru can save him, but fails to save the spirit.

・❥・And from there Sage evolves and arises into the rat we all know and love.

・❥・All of this to give my own lil headcanons on Epona.

・❥・So there's a theory that Malanya (Horse god) Is actually Malon and I like that. (Because she gave Link Epona OG and they sound similar) So in Sage's Era? Guess what?

・❥・Anyway, I imagine Malanya and Sage had a better connection because of this. Malanya goes out of their way to care for Sage and his horse because they feel they failed their Link.

・❥・So Sage gets an Epona in a way to apologize for their first failure.

・❥・Epona is a very good horse <3

・❥・So in the wise words of bailey to end this off,

Wild shook his head lightly as he stepped out of the portal. Every portal was always a little disorientating even with his experience of Sheikah Tech. The feeling of being magically transported through time and space was vastly different to the colder electric feeling of moving from shrine to shrine.

Rolling his shoulders to remove the vestiges of discomfort, he pulled the Sheikah Slate from his belt and glanced at it, frowning. The map was acting oddly. In most Hyrules, all it showed was static and the same blank page he’s had at the very beginning of his adventure. In his own Hyrule and in Cal’s, the map was filled out and clear, providing up-to-date information regarding the weather and the time.

This place however made the map glitch and a box popped up stating ‘CONNECTION ERROR’.

Which had never happened before.

Time finally stepped through the portal and it fizzled out behind him. “Sound off.”

Various voices called out, but Wild didn’t, too distracted as he poked at the screen.

“Wild and I are here.” Cal reported quietly. He’d been standing quietly next to Wild, curiously glancing over his shoulder.

“Wild? Is there something wrong?” Time turned to the two which also made the whole group turn towards them.

Cal shifted uneasily. They had only picked up the Hero of Calamity a few weeks back and he still had a habit of freezing up whenever attention focused on him. He’d loosened up, but there was still a ways to go.

Wild jabbed at the screen again. “My slate’s being weird. This isn’t my Hyrule, at least according to this, but it’s glitching.”

Suddenly, a bolt of light connected with a nearby tree, leaving a scorch mark and causing every single person to draw their sword.

“Identify Yourselves!” A feminine voice demanded. Both Wild and Cal froze.

The voice was familiar. Too familiar.

“Who are you to make demands when you attacked first?” Warriors said, taking a step forward only to pause when a woman stepped out from behind another tree, pointing a glowing bow directly at his head.

“Princess Zelda?” “Your highness?” Both Wild and Cal spoke at the same time, but denial shot through them.

This Zelda was clearly a bit older than either of theirs. Her hair was pulled back into a long braid, showing off the almost lightning-like scars that trailed up the right side of her face like a warped mirror of Wild’s own scars. The scars ran down her neck and under the sensible tunic and leather combination most travellers wore.

There was also the way this woman held herself. Confident without excess and comfortable enough with the bow that it held steady even as eleven swords were pointed awkwardly in her direction.

She looked like their Zeldas, but it was very obvious she wasn’t.

She glanced at them both briefly. “You are certainly neither of my heroes if you call me by that name. You came from a portal reeking of darkness. Identify yourselves else prove yourselves a threat to this land.”

“My name is Time and these are my companions. We are seeking the one who is making these portals and transporting monsters through them. Please, we mean you no harm.” Time sheathed his sword and held up his hands. “We also seek the Hero of this land. We believe that Hylia has called him to defend Hyrule once more just as she has with each of us.”

The woman snorted. “I have two heroes of courage under my protection and they shall come only if they wish. She can come down here and ask them herself if she wishes to toy with either of them.”

Sky and First looked as if they desperately wanted to object, but since she was still pointing a glowing arrow at Warriors’ head, they both bit their tongues and tried to still their impulses.

Still her eyes caught on the aborted movement and she stared at them. Something had caught her attention and her eyes narrowed.

“Is that the Master Sword?”

The group tensed as Sky nodded. She stared for a moment then nodded. “Then step forward and put it on the ground. We’ll see if you are who you claim to be.”

Cautiously, Sky took a few steps past Warriors and jammed the Master Sword into the ground before retreating to Warriors’ side. Her eyes squinted at him but let him remain next to the other.

Wild cast his eyes about as each of his brothers all shifted uneasily. They’d been thrown off guard by her appearance and knowledge and it was hard to make a choice. She hadn’t been entirely unreasonable. They had come from a dark portal and it was eleven to one. It wasn't unreasonable that she wanted to defend herself.

And she claimed she had two heroes to protect. How in the name of all the gods had that happened?

The woman smoothly approached the Master Sword and pressed a knee against the blade which glowed and let out a strange chime.

The woman glanced down at it and softened. “I suppose you can vouch for all of them, Fi?”

The sword chimed again and Wild nearly dropped his sword. Just who the hell was this woman?!

The sword chimed once more then dimmed and fell silent.

All tension in the woman dissipated and the bow vanished in a flicker of light. She wrapped a hand around the handle and pulled it easily from the ground. She smiled softly as she tested it’s weight, like she was greeting an old friend. “I apologise for my behaviour, but we’ve had issues with imposters recently and word of these portals unleashing strange monsters has everyone on edge.” She looked up towards him and Cal. “I take it neither of your Zeldas had visions when she was a child?”

“Visions?” Wild asked weakly. Next to him Cal tensed up, clearly uncomfortable with this woman who looked so much like their Zelda looking at them.

Her ear flicked, but her expression stayed gentle. “I had visions when I was younger. And a major personality change if your Zeldas are anything like the one we have to deal with.” Exasperation was clear in her voice.

“What are you talking about?” Wind burst out, voicing the thought they were all thinking.

“Oh, sorry. My name is Tia and I am a version of Zelda, specifically your Zelda.” She pointed at Wild.  He couldn’t help but stare. This woman was supposed to be a version of his Zelda. Like Cal was a version of him specifically. Impossible.

Tia smiled wryly. “I know it sounds complicated, but the long and short of it is when I was seven, I had visions of Ganon and what I assume was your adventure. I got brief glimpses at the other heroes, some clearer than others but you were the main one. A few months ago, my Hyrule merged with another version of Hyrule that was on a similar timeline. We’d both gone through the Calamity and… some other factors which I promise I will explain in a better location.” She added hurriedly before Wild could interrupt. “The main difference between our Hyrules was me and the consequences of my actions versus an additional Champion in the other Hyrule, a Sheikah Champion.”

Wild and Cal couldn’t help but tense up at the idea of another champion. One they could’ve failed and probably had in this version of Hyrule.

“Her name is Aaliyah and she basically attached to the hip with Link. Well, that version of Link we refer to as Sage and my original version we usually call Champ. The convergence was very confusing, but the end result was some people merged with their counterparts, others remained separate due to the fact they were too different or.. not dead really.” Tia explained, finishing awkwardly.  

“What do you mean not dead?” Warriors asked with a baffled expression.

Tia’s expression wavered for a moment then she licked her lips and looked directly at Wild. “The champions. Revali, Mipha, Daruk and Urbosa. They’re alive alongside others like your sister. I saved them.”

Wild felt the world go blurry. The champions? Alive?

And… a sister?

The world went dark.

Ten minutes later, Wild had recovered enough to walk back to Tia’s encampment. She was leading them next to Time and Warriors, who’d seemingly forgiven her for holding him hostage, discussing the portals. He noticed she kept glancing back at him worriedly.

He wished she’d stop.

Cal hovered by his side. It’d been hard at first, confronted with a version of himself that had won. But something about the other had him sliding him into the same place in his heart where he kept all of his brothers.

And now…

“Why didn’t you tell me we have a sister?” Wild asked quietly.

Cal winced and his lips pursed. He blinked several times and steeled himself. “I… I had hoped you would at least remember her a little bit. I haven’t seen her since I joined the knights.”

It was clearly a sensitive subject and Wild was no stranger to those. He dropped it.

But something else bugged him. “Do you have a Sheikah Champion?”

Cal shook his head. “No, we only have five of us plus the Princess. The Sheikah never had a champion.”

Guess that was something else different about this Hyrule. “Wonder what she’s like? Zel-Tia said they were attached at the hip to her version of us.”

Cal hummed in agreement before a loud laugh in interrupted all conversations through the whole group.

“GET HIS ASS SUNSHINE!”

This voice was again familiar. A little rougher but still undeniably his own voice.

Tia’s shoulders slumped. “I’ve been gone for twenty minutes. What on Farore’s Green lands have they been up to?” She muttered before breaking into a light jog.

Bursting from the tree line, Wild saw a version of himself, older and more ragged with shorter hair and a strange black arm, laugh as yet another version, one with longer hair and similar arm bands, wiggle helplessly in the grasp of the most beautiful woman he had ever seen in his life.

She had gorgeous short white hair like moonlight on snow. Her lean body seemed to weave through the air like she was the wind itself. Her smile lit up her entire face and Wild swore not even stars would outshine the gold in her eyes. He could see the way her muscles flexed under her silken dark skin as she casually tossed the wiggling counterpart directly into the river.

Gods, he wished that was him.

Cal let out a small quiet noise like a mouse being stepped on.

Wild nodded in agreement.

Yeah, he felt that.

The gorgeous Sheikah stood on the edge of the river, arms raised in victory as she laughed brightly. The sunlight seemed dim in comparison.

“Who the hell are these guys?” The growl of his own voice grabbed his attention for a moment and he glanced to see Tia linking her arm with the rougher version of himself and giving it a light squeeze. He seemed to be glaring directly at him and Cal who was still glancing at the Sheikah.

“Link, this is Link, Link, Link, Link, Link, Link, Link, Link, Link, Link, and Link. They're heroes from past eras.” She said entirely with an innocently straight face, pointing to each of them in turn. He adjusted his arm around her shoulders and pinned her to his side, angling her away from them.

“What.”

“Those portals with the monsters apparently connect to other times which is why I felt like I recognised some of them. These heroes have been dragged around trying to find the culprit.” Tia leaned against him.

The counterpart glared briefly at the group then down at her. “I thought you were talking to a korok.” He growled again.

She poked him in the forehead. “Well, maybe if you didn’t terrify the poor things, I would’ve brought one of you along but since you all decided to set fire to the Lost Woods...”

He slumped under the weight of her stare and seemed to grumble under his breath. "That was an accident."

Wild would’ve paid more attention as Time introduced himself properly, but it was stolen by the way the pretty Sheikah woman was now yelling at the river.

“Come back out here and face me!” Her voice was sweet like a bird song that could listen to for hours.

There was an explosion of water as the long haired version popped out from under the surface.

“Hey. Hey. Hey, Aaliyah~ Guess what I’ve got.”

Aaliyah. Even her name was beautiful.

She crossed her arms and smirked before she paused and pointed down at the possible hero who’s grin only got wider.

“If that’s fish you’re about to throw at me, I will make you eat it raw.”

“Close but no.” And with that, he threw an octorok at her.

Letting out a shriek, there was a flash of steel as she elegantly sliced the creature in two with her sword then gracefully launched herself at the cackling hero, sword left in the ground.

Wild felt the air leave his lungs in a rush.

That was amazing.

“YOU DAMN FUNGUS!” The ragged one tore after him as well, the water becoming a swirl of white foam and splashing.

Tia sighed and moved to pick up Aaliyah’s sword. “Honestly, I’m just impressed he caught one.”

Honestly, Wild was just plain impressed.

___

Tia can be Queen of Hyrule or she can fully corral the trio. She's good but no one's that good.