Link cannot move.

He is lying inside the tub that served as his womb in the Shrine of Resurrection. His borrowed body is mostly submerged in the glowing blue liquid that seeped into the wounds that permanently severed the Hero's Spirit from this body. His eyes, however, were partly open, gazing blearily at the faint shimmering outline of a woman kneeling by the side of the tub. Her palms pressed and caressed his cheeks as if he is the most precious thing in the world. There was a soft hum - a song, a divine ballad sung into a lullaby - that filled the silence of the dark and lonely shrine.

"Link."

The woman's voice was the chime of the winds, the twinkling of the stars, and the warmth of sunlight. Her gentle blue eyes gazed at him tenderly as she lifted herself and kissed him on the forehead. Her blonde locks fell down her bare shoulders like a polished curtain of gold, and her dress – white as the purest snow – rippled on her lithe form. She murmured his name quietly as her delicate fingers trailed down to his jaw. If Link could move his body, he would have shivered at the featherlight touch.

"Rest, Link, and ease your ills. Soon, we will meet. Rest…" The woman's hands slid down to the sides of his neck, her thumbs resting on his throat. She leaned down at the side of his head, her soft lips ghosting on the shell of his ear. "For eternity."

Then, he was choking. The woman was strangling him in a death's grip, pressing harshly on the skin above his airway. Link could not move, could not push the woman away, could not fight back as the woman smiled gleefully and wickedly as his body spasmed underneath her.

"How pitiful." The woman crooned. "You are just a fake pretending to be the real one, to be the real hero."

Her head moved back and where the glowing woman was, Link - the real Link whom the body he is currently inhabiting originally belonged to - now stood. His face was ashen white, pocketed with Malice that oozed out from the wounds he received during his last stand in Blatchery Plain. His honey-blond hair was loose and bloodied, and his eye – his non-Malice eye – glowed in crimson red. His lips were fastened upwards, showing rows of skeletal teeth. Around him, the glowing orange and blue of the shrine's interior now pulsated in a familiar ominous shade of magenta.

"You're just my replacement. An imposter. A puppet!" The grin on his face contorted into an ugly snarl."How cruel of Hylia to place a defective toy in my stead. You might have won against Calamity Ganon, but it doesn't make you any closer to the real deal. TO ME! And now…now you killed the Hero of Twilight. Because of you, one of my reincarnations died! You killed him. You killed another me!"

NO! Link wanted to scream. He did not kill Twilight. He did not leave the Hero of Twilight by his death bed. It was NOT his fault! He tried his best. He tried everything to save him. He did not wish for it to happen. He NEVER wanted that to happen!

"Look at you, convincing yourself to be innocent. You're a hypocrite! The worst kind." His bulging Malice eye narrowed at him in contempt. "Didn't you want to leave him because he is a nuisance to you? You want to be left alone. You don't even care if Hyrule burns to the ground. You think nothing but yourself! Pretending to be a saint..." He sneered. "It must be an exciting hobby for you."

"How does it feel to play pretend? To fool others into thinking you are me? Was it good? Was it thrilling seeing people flock around you, praising you as the hero that saved Hyrule, only to crush their hopes and dreams whenever you feel like it? Did you revel in their despair as they searched for a runaway fake like you in vain?" His nails dug into his skin as he hissed. "Did you enjoy tormenting Zelda like you are doing now?"

No no no! That is not it! He never wanted it. It was never his intention! Link urged his lent body to move, but he was pinned in place. He could see the Malice oozing from the wounds, flowing down to his arms and contaminating the healing water, and the raw bloodied flesh that mirrored the burn marks on his body. The pale hands clenched tighter around his neck - a little more, and his neck would snap into half.

"Give it up. Your purpose is done. The Goddess has no use for you. You murdered one of her heroes, and I am here to bring her divine punishment." He drew closer, close enough for Link to feel his decaying breath against his nose. "For me, for Zelda, for the Hero of Twilight, and for the Goddess Hylia." He murmured, almost as if in reverent prayer. "Rest…and cease to exist."

Link gasped. His eyes flew open as his hands clawed and his feet kicked at something bundling his body from freedom. He sat upright, his hands flying to his neck. He could still feel those Malice-possessed fingers wrapped around his neck – the fingernails digging on his skin with the intent of not just suffocating him but also making him bleed. His eyes darted around wildly, knowing that the blight that was the real Link was just around the corner, waiting to pounce on him and…

"…Link!"

Large hands gripped his shoulders, and Link nearly threw a punch if it was not for another set of hands – smaller and less calloused – holding his to restrain him. His head snapped to the same voice who called his borrowed name again, and behind his tear-stained eyes, he could finally make out the red and blue markings and the right eye that is almost perpetually shut.

Time was holding him down by the shoulders, careful not to put too much force yet firm enough to keep him from hurting himself or anyone else. Across him, Sky was seated beside Link, grasping his hands tight enough to prevent his hysterical attempt to sock Time on the face. The two Links were observing him carefully as recognition finally lit in Link's eyes.

"Easy there, kiddo." Time said gently as if soothing a scared child. "You're okay. You're safe."

Link's shoulders trembled as the meaning of those words slowly dawned on him. His chest heaved, trying to recapture the life-providing air, as the word safe chanted in his mind. He is safe. He is not back to the Shrine of Resurrection. There is no mysterious woman nor the vengeful spirit of real Link out to kill him. He is safe. Safe safe safe.

Time slowly let go of his shoulders, and Link slumped bonelessly against the Skyloftian. Sky loosened his grip on his hands and adjusted his position to let the biologically oldest Link lean against him without additional support. He took his scarred hands and began rubbing soothing circles against his palms. Link let out a weak sigh as he stared quietly on the blanket tangled around his ankles.

"Here."

Time handed him a cup of water which Link took with less shaky hands. The Hero of Time sat down on the chair beside the bed as he watched him gulp down the drink. Link passed the empty cup back to Time and squinted at his surroundings. He was in an unfamiliar room – the brick walls were painted green, and the floor decorated with brown tiles. Wooden pillars divided the walls into sections, and daylight streamed through colored square panes of glass. Rows of white-sheeted beds were pushed at the sides with small cabinets and curtains of blue separating them.

"Where…?"

"We're in my Hyrule." Sky answered, slowing down his ministrations. "Specifically, on my home, Skyloft. I'm staying on the Surface for a few years now, but we brought you here in the infirmary in the Knight Academy when we found you after the Shift."

"Shift…? When did we…?" Link blinked. Being teleported to a dark place. A coliseum filled with ten-legged monsters. Wolfie collapsing in front of him. Twilight dying on his lap. A portal and Hylia telling him to hurry. Voices shouting urgently and hands hauling him up to his feet. He jerked away from Sky and swept the place with panic-stricken eyes. "Twilight! W-Where is Twilight? Is he – did he -"

"Calm down." Time held his arm to stop him from leaving the bed. "He's fine. He's alive."

Link gazed at him, disbelief and terror written on his face, as he repeated Time's words in a tiny voice. "H-He's…alive…?"

"Yes, he is." Time nodded firmly, making sure his words carry well over to their newest member. "He's alive, Link. Pup's alive."

Link took in a shuddering breath. "I…he…he's dying. He was dying, and I couldn't do anything." He buried his face in his palms. "Hylia told me to hurry…I thought…I thought I was too late, that…that Twilight…Twilight d-died -"

Sky pulled him close to an embrace, and Link allowed him to without any resistance. "Sshh! Sssh! It's okay. He's alive and safe. Both of you are. You did great, Link."

"I…I didn't do anything…."

"Oh, I wouldn't be sure about that." Link peered from Sky's arm to look at Time. The man has his arms crossed, but despite that, he appeared less intimidating than he usually looks. "Skulltula venom kills quickly in an hour or two, yet Twilight managed to hold on beyond that. The doctor said that most of the venom was neutralized from his system. I don't know what you did, but it hampered the venom and saved his life."

"I…" Link pursed his lips as his voice suddenly failed him. He weakly raised his hands to sign. I just made him drink a Fairy Tonic.

Time did not seem perturbed at him suddenly switching to sign language. Instead, his eyes shone with understanding. "A Fairy Tonic?"

It is a healing potion I brewed with the help of fairies. Link did not say that he dumps the fairies into the mixture of monster parts, non-monstrous creatures, gemstones, or all three. Judging from the stories he heard about Time, the man would not appreciate knowing that, even if the fairies simply dance above the boiling brew unharmed.

"A healing potion brewed with the help of fairies?" Time thoughtfully. "No wonder. Fairies have the power to heal the most fatal of injuries. It would be helpful for us to have some. Still…you know how to brew potions?"

Link nodded, finally relaxing against Sky's chest, as his attention drifted successfully to a different subject. Healing potions, elixirs to stave off cold and heat, as well as others. They are helpful in my journey.

"You can store almost an unlimited number of items in your magical box, you can cook, you can brew potions, you can take down enemies with multiple arrows at once with deadly accuracy, you can sense portals, and you can speak with Hylia." Time counted with his fingers. "What else should we know about you?"

It was meant to be an honest question, yet Link could not help but flush at the attention. His ears drooped in hesitation before signing slowly. Slow time in my perception?

"What?"

You know, Link waved his hands. That time I take down the boss M-O-B-L-I-N? When I fired the arrows while jumping off the tree and struck really fast with my sword?

"Wait." Sky leaned back to look at him with wide eyes. "Is that what it is?"

Link nodded with ears red in embarrassment, nearly burying his face against the Skyloftian's tunic. Time and Sky looked at each other before turning back to him. The former has a conspiratorial smirk on his lips. "You and I should spar sometime, Link."

"Definitely." Sky agreed. "You and I too. I want to see it up close."

"You were close enough back then." Time pointed out.

Sky huffed. "I was busy not bleeding to death."

The Hero of Time chuckled good-naturedly before gesturing to Sky. "On a more serious note, Sky is the fastest swordsman among us. It would be good to test your mettle against him."

"I would not go easy with you, though." Sky warned. "Sun, my Zelda, will give me an earful."

Link tilted his head up and blinked at the Chosen Hero. I…I'll be honored.

"No need to be tense, kiddo." Time patted him on the back. "You sometimes remind me of Pup."

Pup. It is a term of endearment given by Time to Twilight. While everyone else assumed the reason for that was because the two are mentor and protégé respectively, Link felt like there is more to that, and even more than just the two being the first ones to be called by Hylia. He wondered what it is – Time seemed to keep his secrets close to his heart like Twilight. Like mentor, like protégé, he guessed.

Link wriggled out of Sky's arms which the latter pouted at. Can I…He paused for a moment before continuing. Can I see Twilight?

Time smiled softly at him. "Of course, you can. He's been stable for quite some time now but has yet to wake up. The doctor said he could receive guests as long as he rests." He angled his body a bit to reach for the curtain behind his chair and lifted the fabric for their newest member to see.

Behind it was another bed tucked at one of the four corners of the infirmary. Link recognized the blond hair bordering brown nestled on a pillow. Twilight was lying on the back, sleeping soundly as if he did not just come from a near-death experience. His torso was bare, save for the bandages that wrapped and crisscrossed almost entirely on his chest. Gauzes were fixed on his forehead and right cheek while three rounds of bandages were wounded around his sword arm. His complexion is back to normal, and his breathing is no longer comprising of pained wheezing. At the left side of his bed, Hyrule was seated on a chair with his head tucked between his arms as he snoozed.

"Hyrule pitched in to help." Time explained. "It's been three days since we arrived here. The Traveler has been checking on you two nonstop. Especially you." He threw a pointed look at Link. "You already got quite a record on Hyrule's book."

Link shrank to himself. Sorry….

"Hmm…" Time clipped the curtain against the wall to retain Link's view of Twilight's side. "While it cannot be helped, we still need to avoid getting injured as much as possible. Warriors' already up for a day. It's the two of you we are worried about."

"But!" Sky bumped his shoulder against Link's. "Good news is, you're more bruised than injured. Hyrule kinda expected you got it bad too, if Twilight is. It is a miracle you weren't. Most were just small cuts that are already healed. Your only major problem is that big bruise on your chest and stomach that will take a while to go away."

Link pressed a hand on his chest and winced. Unlike Twilight, he was fully clothed in white clothes that the infirmary must have lent. He lifted his shirt and groaned at the sight of the purple blooming across his torso. Sky was right. It is a miracle that this is all he got out of that battle after using the weakened Daruk's Protection. He expected a few broken bones, but it seemed the former Goron Champion's ability still managed to hold up. Still, it does not mean he could use it as much as he wants. The four Champions' abilities are still within him, but they had gotten really weak. Soon, he will have to get used to without them.

"You should rest." Time said as he stepped past the chair he was occupying not five minutes ago and towards the foot of Link's bed. "Dinner's still hours away, and the others are still loitering outside. We'll wake you up later."

Link curled his fingers to a circle before flicking it into a V-shape with his index and middle fingers. His thumb is tucked at the base of the two fingers while the remaining two fingers are curled into his palm. Okay.

Sky patted him on the shoulder and stood up to follow Time at the door. He gave a small wave before quietly closing the door behind him. Link's ears twitched at the sound of receding footsteps, and he glanced at his fellow patient. He swung his feet to the side of the bed and wiggled his toes as he felt the cold tiles kissed his skin.

Link reached for the back of the chair and hauled himself up, slightly staggering from being bedridden for three days straight. He turned the chair around towards Twilight's direction, careful not to disturb the sleeping Traveler, and sat down. He reached for the Rancher's right hand, feeling the strong pulse throbbing underneath his wrist. His eyes rested on the man's chest, watching as it rises and falls in a regular rhythm.

Twilight is safe. Twilight is alive. He managed to make it on time. Link could not remember much about what happened after they emerged from the other side of the portal. All he could recall were people shouting and heavy footsteps running towards them. There were hands hauling him away from Twilight and voices whispering assurances as he was led away. Everything was a blur and black, but he was happy, happy that everyone is safe and sound. He just met these people not less than two weeks ago, but he could not help but feel this way. He did not care. It does not matter. He is happy.

Link clasped the Rancher's hand with his scarred ones and closed his teary eyes in prayer. He soundlessly murmured his thanks to Hylia for giving him a chance to save Twilight, for letting the Rancher live, and for the safety of the others. He knew he has said and thought many rude things to the Goddess and disrespected her in one way or another, but he was thankful, nonetheless. He might still despise her, but she deserved his thanks amidst all of that, and Link acknowledges that. It might be hypocritical of him, yes, but he has his morals.

The infirmary creaked open and dainty footsteps shuffled inside. Link pried himself off his vigil and wiped the unshed tears with the sleeve of his shirt. He glanced over his shoulder and saw a woman in a flowing dress of pristine white walking towards them. Her long blonde hair was let loose – two thick strands at either side tied with crisscrossing purple ribbons. Her royal blue eyes resembled the depths of the ocean and the evening sky full of twinkling stars. When she smiled at him, he was reminded of Zelda from his Hyrule.

A familiar sensation washed over him – one that he always feels whenever he speaks to the Goddess Hylia and vice versa. It is a feeling that subtly permeates from Zelda, perhaps due to her being the blood of the White Goddess. The feeling, however, is far stronger from this woman. No, it is from her, as if she is the origin of it.

"Hello, Link."

Link's breath hitched. He knows that voice. He has heard it so many times than he could count. The last time he heard it was when the Goddess called for him to go through the portal and save the Hero of Twilight. That cannot be it, right? She is not…that is just impossible, yet... "H-Hylia…?" He croaked.

"That was my name before I was reborn as a mortal." The woman said. "Since my birth, I go by the name Zelda. Though my Link, the one you call Sky, gave me the name Sun to distinguish me from my descendants, from the Zeldas that come after me."

Link's eyes widened, and he rose abruptly from his seat, ignoring the sudden change in gravity pulling against his bruised chest. "I-I…you…" He stumbled in his words, unable to think of what to say or do. What do you say to the incarnation of the Goddess whom you loathe yet saved someone precious to you?

"Be at ease, Link." Sun said. "There is no need to be nervous." She sidled beside him and sat down by the feet of the sleeping Hero of Twilight. Her eyes fell to Hyrule then to Twilight's peaceful form before nodding to herself. "The Hero of Twilight will rouse from his sleep soon. You need not worry anymore. I heard from Sky what happened. Skulltulas can be a royal pain in the ass."

Link nearly choked. He stared at Sun with wide eyes. Did…did she just…? What…?

Sun chuckled, amused with the same reaction she gets from the first time a reincarnation of Link meets her. It never gets old. Playful mischief twinkled in her eyes as all formal propriety from her composure was gleefully thrown out of the window. "I might be Hylia reborn, but I am still Sky's childhood friend. I have my fair share of crazy antics." She winked conspiratorially. "Did Sky tell you how many times I pushed him off Skyloft?"

"W-What?"

Sun giggled. "You should have seen his face. You two got the same look of expression." She reached up and cupped Link's face. He flinched at the sudden contact but did not push her away. Her right thumb brushed against the burn scars discoloring the left side of his face. "I don't know what you have gone through. I am not my future self and know nothing what she might be thinking, but I believe I owe you an apology."

Link looked down and wrung his hands, drawing Sun's attention to the scars that have nearly eaten the unblemished skin of his palms. "It's…it's fine. You don't have to –"

"It isn't." Sun declared, snapping Link's gaze back to her. "Your words may say so, but I could see the truth in your eyes." She clasped his hands with her delicate ones and began rubbing soothing circles on his palms – the same way Sky did earlier. "If you don't mind…would you tell me your story, hero?"

Link stilled, swallowing a lump in his throat. Hero. Sun may not be her future self, but she still called him that, as if being a replacement would not change that fact. "Y-You…" He rasped. "You shouldn't call me that. I…I'm no hero. I'm not like the others."

Sun's gaze was indescribable. There was confusion, shock, disbelief, and a myriad of other emotions on her face that he could not place. Link wondered if he did the right thing to admit that or if he should have just described his journey as Sun requested him to. Then slowly, her expression softened akin to a mother. "What do you mean?"

Should he tell her? This is Hylia's incarnate before him – the mortal form of the patron goddess who will someday speak and guide him through the Goddess Statues after several thousand years of Hyrulean history. The Links may not believe him, may wave it off as an incredulity, but the Goddess…perhaps, the Goddess will believe him. Sun may not be Hylia from his era, but she and her are essentially the same person, the same deity. Maybe…just maybe…

Link inhaled, steeling himself for another fragile hope of someone listening to him, before finally speaking. "I…I'm not the real Link from my era." He said, keeping his head down to avoid meeting Sun's eyes. "I don't have the Hero's Spirit. Link…the real Link died more than a hundred years ago in my time. I'm just his replacement."

He withdrew his hands from her grasp and presented his palms to her – the scars still looking fresh even after nearly a year since he acquired them. "These scars…the Master Sword burned me when I pulled it. It only let me take it from its pedestal because its true master had passed away a long time ago, and no one else could take on Calamity Ganon. You…Hylia sent me to take over Link's body and defeat Calamity Ganon. That's the reason why I don't have a hero title. The Master Sword didn't…will not give me any. These scars on my palms are the proof."

Link let his hands fall on his sides and bunched the hem of his shirt. He did not want to look at Sun, did not want to see the disbelief, the disgust on her expression about his confession, but some force nudged him to, and now, he could not tear his eyes off. Sun looked at him as if she was seeing him once again for the first time. Her royal blue eyes bore down on him, finally sensing what is amiss that she failed to recognize before. There was neither the emotion he expected her to wear. What he saw was horror directed not at him but at the implication of his words.

"Are…Are you sure?" Sun murmured. "Are you sure that Fi – that the Spirit of the Master Sword did that?" When Link nodded in confirmation, her face paled. "Oh…Oh, Golden Goddesses! That's…Fi, why did you do that? Why did you…why can't you – just why? He's not – He's -"

Link held out his arms just in time to catch her when she placed a hand on her forehead and slumped forward. He held her there with a frantic expression. Is she sick? Who do I call? Should he wake up Hyrule? Where is Sky when you need him? "A-Are you okay? Should I call the doctor? I should call the doctor, right? "

Sun shook his head and weakly extricated herself from his arms. "No…no, I'm fine. Don't worry about me." She smiled at him, but her smile had lost its luster. "I should excuse myself. You still need your rest, yes? I have things to finish for the day."

Sun stood up, and Link wanted to stop her, but he hesitated. "Are…are you sure you're alright?"

"I appreciate your concern, but I assure you I'm quite alright." Sun tilted her head to Twilight. "I insist you stay by his side. I'm sure the Hero of Twilight would be happy to see you when he wakes up." She walked towards the door and glanced over her shoulder. "If you need anything, do not hesitate to find me. I'll see you again…Link."

Then, she was gone. Link could only watch the door closed behind the incarnation of the Goddess Hylia and wonder what that was about. He listened as her light footsteps descended to the floor below, mingling with many others in a discordant choir. He thought he heard the distant tone of Sky's voice, but it was drowned by the creak of a door. He slid back to his chair and laid his head in the nest of his arms as his gaze flicked to the sleeping form of the Hero of Twilight.

Happy, huh?

If that is the case, he hopes Twilight wakes up soon.

Depending on how the next chapter will turn out, I might add another chapter from the original twelve chapters. Probably by dividing it. It's still in progress.