Chapter Text
Life had never been simple for Wild — that much he could acknowledge.
From the moment he pulled the Master Sword as a child, everything started going downhill.
Everyone expected him to be the best warrior, the best hero, the best at everything. So he stopped using his voice — partly out of fear of judgment, partly because silence was what people expected from him. And in the end, he died in the princess’s arms.
Of course, Wild couldn’t exactly remember any of that. He only knew because Zelda and a few others had told him. Now, those events felt more like someone else’s memories than his own — though his voice still cracked sometimes, and the scars scattered across his body were reminders of a long-lost past.
But right now, Wild was actually living in the moment — and this was definitely not simple or normal.
Seeing some weirdass silhouette in the Lost Woods is something everyone can relate to, but a moving one? That’s a whole other story.
Wild and four other Heroes (and yes, he was still stupidly happy about the fact that others like him existed) were trespassing through the creepy forest in the Champion’s own era. According to Time — the big man with the tattoos and overall cryptid personality — it had been ten minutes since they’d entered. Once the old man said that, Wild saw the thing.
At first, Wild had only skimmed his eyes over it. But then something shiny caught his attention— and when he looked again, the figure fucking ran.
So what was the most logical thing Wild could do? Run after it, obviously.
But before he could take a step, Twilight — the other big guy (but smaller than Time, also with tattoos) — grabbed the back of his tunic. Geez, this dude was strong.
“Wild! Please don’t run off into the Lost Woods, you know it’s dangerous!” Twilight said desperately.
Oh, right. He did forget about that. Stupid brain.
“Ah, sorry. I just saw something weird and needed to check it out,” the Champion said, genuinely apologetic. Twilight released him with a heavy sigh.
“Already dying from stress, rancher?” The fourth Hero, Warriors — the man with probably the best looks (as claimed by himself) — stepped up, glancing at Twilight with a look of empathy.
“It’s fine,” the rancher answered begrudgingly.
The captain clapped him on the back.
Wild continued guiding the Heroes through the Lost Woods, walking alongside Time. How did the old man know the path? No idea. It was almost like he instinctively knew, even if he’d never actually been here—unlike Wild, who had to rely on the wind.
Huh.That explained why it was so easy to feel comfortable around these hylians. They were all weirdos.
“We’re almost there,” Time whispered. Wild gave a subtle nod, glancing back to check on the others.
And then he spotted it—the familiar glow of the Korok Forest, shining through the trees, a beacon of safety.
The first thing the champion heard was laughter—a high-pitched, cheerful kind. Definitely not familiar, but... oddly charming. Wild raised an eyebrow. What now?
Following the green path with Time and the others, he finally spotted the pedestal where the Master Sword had rested a few months ago. Rusty. Imposing.
Basically screaming, Don’t touch me unless you’re worthy!!
The Links approached, nodding at a few Koroks waving their tiny arms. “Hi, mister Hero!”
Wild glanced up at the Great Deku Tree.
“Hey, Deku Tree,” he greeted casually. The giant tree grumbled—a low, ominous creak in the branches.
“Greetings, young Link. I suspect those with you are also Chosen Ones?”
“You could say that,” Wild muttered under his breath.
His eyes flicked around, scanning for anything unusual among the spirits. Then—a flash of blue.
A kid. Sunlight caught him perfectly, making his blonde hair look like it had its own spotlight. And oh, just look at that outfit. Blue tunic (interestingly that was familiar).
Orange pants. A pendant in his neck holding a shiny blue stone (ah, that's what he saw!). Sword and shield strapped like he meant business.
He even had Koroks practically tripping over themselves to follow him. Great, another show-off kid with a fan club.
The Deku Tree spoke again, clearly impressed.
“Well then, this young man came here claiming to be a hero. And may I say... he carries the aura of one marked by the Triforce.”
Wild squinted at the kid, blinking rapidly. Marked by the Triforce, huh? Yeah, yeah... sure.
But then again, he did have to be special to even find this place.
Koroks chirped and waved. The kid grinned like he owned the place. And for some reason, Wild found himself... a little jealous.
Awesome. Another Hero to the group of weirdos. This is going to be fun.
“Was that you out there?” Wild pointed at the tanned kid. The younger stared back incredulously.
“I saw you running like a weird ghost in the Lost Woods. Explain yourself.”
The kid just looked at him, practically daring him with his expression: Why do I have to tell you anything, asshole?
Both teenagers stared at each other, glaring—each daring the other to blink first.
“Tune? Is that you?”
The kid broke eye contact (hah! I win!), glancing between Time and Warriors.
“Captain? Mask?” he asked, dumbfounded—his expression was so ridiculous Wild almost snorted.
He really wished he knew the context though.
The three of them froze for a heartbeat—then burst into laughter.
“What the hell?? Why are both of you taller than me now?! That’s so unfair, you assholes!” the kid yelled, practically throwing himself at the pair of Heroes.
To Wild’s surprise, they hugged him back like it was the most natural thing in the world.
“Looks like I win,” Time said, his grin boyish—he didn’t look like an old man anymore, more like someone the kid’s age.
“Shut up! I’m still your big brother!” The kid gave him a halfhearted punch in the chest.
Warriors immediately retaliated by ruffling the kid’s light blond hair with both hands, grinning like a madman. The kid shrieked, slapping at his hands.
Hylia save us all.
Twilight shot Wild a look, probably wondering the same thing he was: What the hell is happening?
“Are you done being confusing?” The champion called out loudly.
The trio stopped talking and finally looked at him.
“Oh, sorry. We just got a little too excited,” Warriors apologized, throwing both arms over Time’s and the kid’s shoulders.
“The three of us fought in the War of Eras together,” the captain said, grinning. “This is Tune — or Link.”
Ah, here we go again.
What even is this kid’s title? Hero of Tunes or something?
And Wild still really wants to know what the fuck he was running around the Lost Woods for.
The kid — or Tune, he supposes — waved at them with a toothy grin.
“Hey there, mateys.”
“Hello,” Twilight greeted back, a small, fond smile tugging at his lips.
“These are other Heroes we met,” Time said, his voice already edged with exasperation. “Apparently Hylia has another journey for us.”
The younger’s face went through so many emotions that Wild could only catch a few: concern, fear, determination — all flickering by before Tune sighed.
“Alright. Should’ve expected that,” he said, sounding suddenly tired, like someone who’d been through this kind of divine nonsense too many times.
But that weary expression didn’t last long. It was quickly replaced by a mischievous grin as he locked eyes with Wild.
“You there! I admire your keen eyes!” Tune said brightly. “Yep, that was me back in the fog of the Lost Woods. Some weirdass portal dropped me here — and when I heard you guys walking, I thought you saw me already. Oops.”
“I knew it! But how the hell did you find your way through?” Wild demanded, genuinely curious. He needed to know this kid’s secret.
Tune merely shrugged.
“Ah, the wind told me,” he said, like it was no big deal.
“Elaborate.” Wild crossed his arms.
“Well, the wind told me which way to go. Like, left or right, that sort of shit.” Tune smiled innocently.
Time and Warriors exchanged knowing smiles.
…Is this guy serious?
“Are you sure that’s the right nickname for you?” the Champion asked flatly.
And of course—they started laughing. Again.
“Stop fucking laughing and answer me!” Wild shouted, frustration bubbling over.
To his surprise, they actually stopped.
“Sorry again,” Tune said, wiping a tear from his eye. “I’m also known as the Hero of the Winds in my era.” He made a dramatic pause. “The savior of the Great Sea!”
The kid stood proudly in the sunlight, practically glowing with self-satisfaction.
This shit was really starting to annoy Wild.
“Ah. I guess that explains it.” The Champion took a deep breath to calm himself. “Sorry about the outburst. I’m—annoyingly—also Link. The Hero of the Wild. And this is my era you’re stepping in.”
“Oh! Okay, nice to meet you! Your era seems fun — although the Lost Woods is creepy—” Tune held out his hand.
Wild hesitated for a moment, then grasped it. The small, calloused, scarred hand felt firm under his own. His eyes caught a slightly darker, strong mark on it — the Triforce.
“Nice to meet you too,” Wild, feeling the weight of the handshake. “Wind.”
It fits much better than Tune, he’s the Hero of The Winds after all.
Eh, maybe this kid isn't that bad.