All 8 of the Links knew that something felt wrong today. They had been traveling together for 2 months now and switched between their eras every few weeks.
They were currently in Twilight's Hyrule, having left Ordon village just a few hours ago, and everyone was in high spirits. They had just emerged from Faron woods and were on their way to Hyrule castle to meet with Twilight's Zelda, Dusk.
A cooling breeze swept their backs as the dazzling sun reflected off armor and weapons. Hyrule was softly whistling a tune that filled the heroes with a rare feeling of peace. Invisible wisps of echoing magic swirled with the melody and were swept gently away with the breeze.
And It was all wrong. It was too perfect. Too peaceful. Nothing peaceful ever follows the heroes. They all know this. So when the giant portal suddenly appeared before them, they really shouldn't have been so surprised.
The Heroes being knocked to the ground by a giant swirling vortex was becoming a relatively common occurrence in their seemingly endless quest. When Time's irritatingly calm voice finally snapped them out of their shock and said with a sigh,"Alright everyone, you know what that means." They all groaned, and proceeded to gather both their wits and their gear. Twilight was especially upset now that he wouldn't be getting to visit Zelda at the castle until the next portal dumped them back in his era's Hyrule.
Legend let loose a few irritated curses and got playfully smacked on the head with the back of Hyrule's hand as Warriors gasped dramatically and covered Sky's ears. Four just rolled his previously blue eyes which were now suddenly a bright green. Wind bounced up and down in hopeful excitement at the possibility to see his own Hyrule again.
When the boys were all properly prepared and had finished their complaining, they went through the portal in twos in case they were separated in their new destination. Warriors went with Hyrule, Legend with Four, Sky with Twilight, and last went Time and Wind.
The world spun with swirling colors and sharp nauseating changes in direction. As the portal opened again, they were flung out of the sky and landed with 8 resounding thumps and groans on the lush grass of the different era.
"No matter how many times we do it, I will never get used to that goddess cursed landing!" The others grunted in agreement with Legends' breathless statement as they untangled themselves and searched for any signs of familiarity that might claim this Hyrule as any of their own.
"Aww man! too much grass to be my Hyrule." Wind pouted. "Does anyone recognize it?" Time asked curiously. Frowning slightly as the chorus of "no's" began.
"Nope"
"Not mine"
"Never seen it."
"It's too big to be mine."
"It's too big to be any of ours! We must be miles away from anything!" Warriors cried. "What do you make of it Time?" Sky asked quietly.
"I think Warriors is right, this doesn't look like Hyrule from any of our eras. We should be extra cautious and try to find a town. we need to be open to the possibility that we'll be meeting a new Link and--" Legend cut him off. "Wait, a new Link?! We have been traveling for 2 months without anyone new! Why would Hylia send us someone now?"
"Who knows why Hylia does anything! The point is we don't know where we are in this most certainly dangerous world, and if there is a new hero we need to find them." Twilight added.
As the others continued debating about what to do next, Sky looked around at the small patch of surrounding trees. The group were gathered together as they talked. Wind found a nice rock to perch on right next to the edge of a small lake with a bubbling waterfall providing it with beautiful, crystal clear water. Fish scales glinted in the golden rays of afternoon sunlight as the surface of the lake rippled in their wake.
Whatever Era we're in, Sky thought, its emptiness is truly brimming with the most beautiful life nature can offer.
Sky was startled out of his thoughts when the group came to an awkward lull in their attempt to understand the Goddess actions and how to work with them. "We will keep walking until we find a path or some kind of settlement." Time stated abruptly. His tone told every ear listening that he was not making a suggestion.
With no more room left to argue, the heroes mumbled their somewhat reluctant ascent as they started walking into the open field in the opposite direction of the lake.
It was Four who noticed the path first. They had been walking for what felt like hours. As soon as they had left the side of the lake, Hyrule and Wind found a huge hole and immediately tried to jump in to explore. Which of course, led to them being hauled out by Twilight, all 3 now completely covered in dirt. Once far enough away from the hole that the two could no longer jump right back in, Twilight dropped them and walked away with a satisfied smirk at their "Oof" as they hit the ground.
The sun was beginning to set by the time Four pointed out the path. They cut through a small forest filled with strange looking bokoblins, the monsters were dealt with quickly, and the only injury was a small scratch on Legends cheek that was fully healed with a potion.
They only traveled on the path for a short time before the sun set completely, and small flickering lights were seen ahead of the group. They came to a halt at the gateway to a small town. Warriors stepped forward and read aloud a scuffed weather worn sign. "It says, Hateno Village."
"Yes! Finally a village!" Whooped Wind.
"Hopefully we can get some answers about this era's hero." Twilight added.
" I am more interested in a warm bed, and a dinner that won't give us food poisoning." Legend said as he nugged Hyrule meaningfully with a joking side eye.
"Hey! That only happened once!" Hyrule defended. Four turned and arched his eyebrow at Hyrule as they walked. "Ok, so maybe more than once." Hyrule said bashfully, a blush flooding his cheeks. The Heros snickered and Time chucked at the memory of Hyrule's horrid cooking.
As they tried to enter the Village they were stopped by a farmer with what looked like a pitchfork. Time supposed this was the town guard, though why the guard was a farmer, and not a soldier was still a mystery to him. Time knew they would be stopped. They were 8 heavily armed men, (with the exception of Wind, Hyrule, and Four who were all in their teens) appearing out of nowhere in the middle of the night, covered in monster blood.
"Halt strangers!"
"Who are you?" the man demanded eyeing their various armor, weapons, and magical items suspiciously.
Time stepped up, being the oldest and the group's unofficial leader. He held his hands up in a gesture of peace. "We are travelers from far away. We encountered monsters on the road, and are seeking a place to rest for the night, and restock on supplies."
The man pondered this for a few moments, then seemingly made up his mind as he spoke. "Very well. However I have one question for you."
Time wasn't surprised, he guessed the man would ask something about their peculiar party. "Of Course sir." He replied as pleasantly as he could with his strange facial markings and a missing eye.
"What is your opinion on bananas?"
…
…
…
Time was not expecting that. He stared at the man in front of him for a few stunned seconds before Legend rolled his eyes and answered for him.
"I personally don't mind them, but they're a little too sweet for my tastes. Of course Old man over here hates em." He said gesturing to Time.
The guard seemed satisfied with that answer and welcomed them to "what's left of Hateno Village." Whatever that meant. But before they entered he grabbed Legends arm and spoke clearly so everyone heard, "sorry 'bout the strange question, but you can never be too careful nowadays. Even after Gannons gone."
With that he continued his guard duty.
With the last of their energy they headed to what looked like the inn. They passed small shops with red shingled roofs, and cloth hangings. Gossiping villagers, and children running around too late at night with wide curious eyes at Legends magic items. Twilight wanted to bring the children back to their homes before heading to the inn, so he scooped the giggling children, and they pointed him towards their homes.
Time watched his protegé with fond eyes as the rest of the group paid for beds. He would look into getting information about the new hero tomorrow. For tonight, he would settle in with his boys. He thought about Malon as he twisted the silver band on his ring finger. He thought about how much she would love each and every one of these young heros. He could never have children. Not with the life he lived. Malon understood this, and it still broke her heart every time he came home battered and bleeding. She could protect herself, he knew that. He remembered her beating the life out of a horde of bokoblins with a sledge hammer while he was injured on his original quest. He watched the boys sleep. He was settled in a chair as he waited for the first lights of morning. He will never feel safe enough to sleep in a strange and unknown Hyrule.