No three words had ever filled his heart with so much dread.
"Where's the kid...?"
The heavy grogginess in the Champion's muscles was forcibly shoved aside. Even the Captain's question sounded half asleep. The Champion forced himself to his feet, ordering his sleepy eyes to scan the camp for his dear, young friend.
Time, who was on watch, was snoring seated against a tree. The sun hung high in the sky.
Their youngest Hero was nowhere to be found.
A scrap of paper caught blue eyes that refused to focus. The Champion grasped at the parchment. Growling in frustration he kicked the nearest slumbering Hero. "Wake up!" he snarled. "All of you wake up!"
Hems, haws, and groans drifted lazily across the camp. "Five more minutes," mumbled the Hero of Wind.
The Hero of the Wild yanked the preteen to his feet, glaring into his large eyes. "It's noon," he hissed before dropping him. "And our youngest is missing." He gave a particularly hard boot to the still slumbering Ranch Hand.
The Captain, at least, was sitting up, trying to rub the sleep out of his eyes. "Any clues?" he asked, though his ability to retain information was made questionable by the dragging tone and large yawn that escaped him.
The Champion stood still, glaring at the parchment as he willed his eyes to focus. "Every light has a shadow," he read, confusion dripping in his voice. "Don't follow me. Love you all."
"Wait," said a groggy Smith propped up on one arm, "what was that about a shadow?"
A loud snore erupted from their predecessor.
The Ranch Hand tried to shake him awake, but Sky defiantly turned away, wrapping the sailcloth around him. "Sky, get up," the Ranch Hand growled, shaking him more vigorously.
"Hey dipstick, your Zelda's in trouble," the Veteran snapped.
"Hwah—‽"
The Captain nudged the Hero of Time, who grumbled a bit before blinking awake.
"Wait, so, did he leave?" asked Wind, rubbing the last few grains of proverbial sand out of his eyes.
"Seems like it." The Traveler walked over to the Champion. "How did we sleep in so la—"
"It's gone!"
Everyone turned to Sky.
"The Master Sword—it's gone!"
"What‽" Time and the Veteran bolted to their feet.
"Everyone, check your supplies!" barked Time. "See if anything else is missing—" He stopped when he caught sight of the Champion clutching the note. "What is that?"
The Champion read it again.
"That doesn't sound like him," said Wind. "At least, not that first part."
"It doesn't make sense," said the Champion. "None of this makes sense."
"I've still got everything." The Ranch Hand slapped his friend on the back. "Come on. We found him once, we can find him again."
"Doesn't the note say to not follow him?" asked the Captain.
"I agree," said the Smith. "This smells fishy. I don't like it."
"That's a risk I'm willing to take," said the Champion with steeled eyes.
"I'll go with you," said the Traveler.
"No," said Time, "wait here a moment. We'll catch up to them."
"What? Why?"
"That wolf's the only one who can track him," said the Veteran. "And he doesn't show up around just anyone. I think I know where he's at, though." He gave the Ranch Hand and Champion a knowing nod.
The Traveler grumbled. "Fine."
"Let's go." The Ranch Hand handed the Champion his gear before the three of them disappeared into the trees. Once out of sight of the rest of the group, the Ranch Hand shifted.
The Champion held the note to the Wolf's sensitive nose. "We're counting on you buddy," he whispered.
The Wolf's eyes glowed a pale green. He turned, barked and ran. The Champion and Veteran followed at his heels.