I want to thank everyone again for supporting this story. This book was more intense to write than the first two and had taken longer to finish than I anticipated. The next book would be the last for this series. You can subscribe to the series to get a notification once the next book is out. See you guys in Book 4!

Shoutout to Beryluma in Deviantart for the wonderful art they made for Book 1. Be sure to check it out and their other artworks.

Time's hand clenched around the grip of his Hero's Bow as he stared down at the enemy he never thought he would see again.

His descendant's unexpected rage-induced outburst and the Smith's reaction earlier had brought many obscure facts to light. The two heroes had resonated with the Champion, whom they had just recently believed not to share the same spirit. However, tonight's ordeal had shaken that belief. Once again, had them question the true identity of the Hero of the Wild.

The feedback from their bond is usually tiny and lasts for a few seconds - a sense of déjà vu, a fragment of a dream, or even a fleeting emotion. None they had experienced before is comparable to the magnitude they had to confront right now. Twilight's mannerism, the color of his eyes, and his voice - all reflected Wild's. The heroes, especially Four, had felt the Champion's fury through their shared connection - something that should be impossible if the Hero of the Wild is not their reincarnation. Even now, Time could still feel the remnants of their resident cook's wrath lingering in the bond.

So, why? Why did Wild believe he does not have the Hero's Spirit? What had happened before he woke up from his Slumber of Restoration?

Time had hoped to learn the answers once he found Wild, but the name Twilight had screamed called for his urgent attention.

Dark Link.

It is the name of the nightmarish apparition of himself he had fought and defeated in the Water Temple. Dark Link is the name shared by a doppelganger that many of the heroes had faced in their journey and the very same being who had Twilight's protégé under his mercy just seconds ago. His evil counterpart wore not his face but the Veteran's. He is no longer simply a shadow that mirrored the hero but a sentient being freed from his marionette strings.

"So, you've finally come… Hero of Time."

Dark Link grinned at him with bloodied teeth and the eyes of a madman. His face was swollen and dripping in familiar black blood - most likely the handiwork of his descendant's protégé, who was sprawled behind the Old Man. Time wanted to check on the Cub, but he could not risk the Dark Hero sneaking up on him during a period of inattentiveness. He could hear Wild's attempts to bring back air in his lungs, which gave the hero a bit of relief that the Champion was still alive and conscious. He has to find a way to get him and the others away from this demon.

"Awww. No 'long time no see'? Not even a 'how are you?'?" Dink raised his hand impaled with an arrow, and waved it like a flag. "Look! You even shot me with an arrow. You've gotten crueler with age, old friend."

Time narrowed his eyes. "Perhaps." His gaze never left the shadowy doppelganger as he slung his bow and drew his Biggoron's Sword. "But I had never forgotten…Dark Link."

"Oh? Are you talking about the boring 'me' from the Water Temple?" Dink grabbed the arrow's shaft and pulled it out with no more than a slight wince. Black blood spurted out of the wound, but he seemed unconcerned about it. "I'd say, being a mere puppet to stand in your way was a tad dull. I prefer the 'me' right now, and it's all thanks to you heroes summoning me over and over throughout the ages that I reached this enlightened state."

The Dark Hero pointed the tainted arrowhead at himself. "Say, don't you like this version of myself?" He asked. "I can speak with you freely, commentate on your stupidity from time to time, unveil your darkest desires, and even relish the time I dig your graves." He licked his blood off the metal as his eyes gleamed. "I've got to say. I'm quite excited for the last one."

Time glared. "Not on my watch" He pointed his blade at him. "I won't let you harm anyone, Dark Link."

Dink grinned. The too-big smile twisted the Veteran's face in a grotesque expression of flesh and blood. "Be careful what you wish for, Old Man."

Time barely had time to react when the hero's doppelganger closed in. A shadow version of the Biggoron's Sword clashed against his and sent out sparks flying between him and the Shadow. The Hero of Time gritted his teeth and dug his boots on the soil as he fought for dominance.

"Did you know?" Dink asked. The volume of his voice was loud enough to be heard over the screech of their claymores. "The Hero of the Wild fought better than I anticipated. I'm quite impressed! Your descendant, the Hero of Twilight, had been teaching him well."

Then, a sneer curled up on the Shadow's lips. "But he's still weak! So, so weak that he failed to save Hyrule on the first try and needed to slumber for a century just to become strong enough to face Ganondorf just like someone I know." He leaned in and bore his eyes on the hero's. "Just like you!"

Time growled and pushed him back. He stepped forward and swung his claymore in a wide arc. Dark Link leaped away nimbly just in time before he was dismembered in half.

"Weak?" Time snapped. "Wild isn't weak! No weak or cowardly person would face Death in the eye and come back to live the tale as he did. Getting a second chance is not something a person should be ashamed of!"

The Dark Hero gagged. "Ugh! Of course, you'll spout such high and mighty words." He swept his weapon at the Hero of Time as if it did not weigh anything. "You heroes are all the same — self-righteous puppets whose repetitive fate is tied to faded glory. No one would even remember your deeds. Your heroics are doomed to be forgotten by all! You're all no better than the dead!"

Time parried a near-lethal swipe aimed at his chest. He slid his claymore on the underside of Dink's weapon and swung upward. The dark version of the Biggoron's Sword flew away from the hands of the Veteran's doppelganger and dissolved into the shadows. The Shadow howled in pain when the hero's blade slashed against his torso and stumbled to the ground. He scrambled away as Time leaped at him with his weapon pointed downward. The claymore drove on the forest floor where Dink was standing a split second before.

"I've really gotten rusty." Time wrenched free his Biggoron's Sword with just one hand. His blue eyes bore impassively on Dink's red as he did so. "As expected of my age. No wonder the boys call me an old man."

The Dark Hero hissed at him as he cradled his bleeding torso. Blood as black as tar watered the ground and withered the grass. Time flicked his weapon casually to shake off the tainted blood and fell back into a battle stance. "Come." He beckoned. "I'll hack that grin off your face. Let's see if you'll dare wear any of our faces again."

Dink lunged at him with a claymore Time had seen Wild wield before. The Old Man held his position and blocked with ease. The Shadow attempted to push the hero back, but his current form was no match to the man's strength. He tried to step back and change, but Time predicted his move and thrust forward to disrupt him. The blade nicked the Dark Hero's bare arm, forcing him to go defensive when the hero closed in again for an attack.

Time slashed and parried relentlessly, giving the Veteran's doppelganger no window to transform to a suitable form. He forced and locked him in a furious dance of darkness and gleaming metal he had choreographed as he pushed his foe further away from Wild. He dared not to catch a glimpse of the Champion's condition - he did not want Dink to use it to turn the tables on him.

The Shadow bellowed when the blade bit between his shoulder and arm. He backed away from the hero's claymore and snarled at the Hero of Time. Darkness writhed and coiled around him as he charged at him again. Time responded to the challenge by pointing his weapon upwards. Blue light flared, and flames wreathed the Biggoron Sword. He met the Dark Hero midway, and their weapons clashed.

Divine fire and suffocating shadows collide against each other as they swirled around Time and Dink. The flora around them withered and burst into flames, leaving not a single speck untouched. The struggle lasted for a few seconds before an explosion erupted between the two. Both were thrown back from the sheer force of the clashing powers. They stared down at each other as the smoke dissipated.

Time looked at him with restrained wrath as he brandished his weapon. "I won't forgive you for hurting Wild." He growled. "Nor would I let you continue to exist after this hour."

"Hah! How arrogant." Dink chucked his weapon carelessly to the shadows it came from. "I played long enough with you. Shall we move on to the main event?"

Darkness gathered above the Dark Hero's palm and solidified into a triangle. Time watched in horror as Dink's wounds knitted close and left not even a scar under the ominous purple glow from the triangle. The ground shook underneath their boots and burst open. Stalfos breached from their loamy graves and surrounded the Hero of Time. Rusted weapons of all types glinted underneath the moonlight, and bones creaked as the monsters positioned themselves to block any escape.

The Old Man gritted his teeth and readied himself to fight back. He swung his weapon at the first one that approached and the monster crumbled to dust. He did not waste time and slashed at the second, third, and fourth. The sounds of bones falling apart and disintegrating filled his ears, but it did nothing to stop him from trying to break through.

Red eyes gleamed amidst the skeletal monsters, and when Time turned, he saw Dink grinning triumphantly as the doppelganger watched on. It did not take him long to know the reason behind that smile when he heard a pained cry. The Hero of Time whirled around, and his eyes widened in alarm when he saw some Stalfos surround Wild. One gripped the scarred youth's hair, forcing him to lift his head and bare his neck. Two rusty swords pressed against the Champion's throat, just a touch away from piercing the skin.

"CUB!"

Time screamed as he surged forward to reach the vulnerable hero. He had not taken a step when his body froze in place. Something warm drenched his tunic hidden under the armor, and he looked down to see blood - red blood - dripping down from the metallic plates. A portion of a rusted curved blade from a Stalfos he killed moments ago protruded from his diaphragm. His Biggoron's Sword fell from his hand with a deafening CLANG! as his eyes met a horror-stricken Wild.

A sickening SQUELCH! rang loud and clear against the oppressing silence as the blade withdrew and Time collapsed on his knees. The scream for his name that tore off from the Champion's throat had not gone unheard, nor was the Shadow's laughter from behind him.

"YES! THAT'S IT!" Dink cackled as he reveled in the stunned disbelief and agony on the Champion's face. "Finally! It's here!"

"No…" The image of the younger Time's lifeless body burned in Wild's mind. Tears spilled unobstructed from his eyes. "No no no! This isn't - No! TIME!"

"Oh, yes!" Dink grinned gleefully as he kicked the Hero of Time on the back. "Do you see this, Hero of the Wild? This? This is my gift to you. My heartfelt token of appreciation for you!"

The Shadow picked up the Biggoron's Sword and smacked the flat side against the hero, sending Time sprawling on the ground. Wild shrieked hysterically as he struggled against his captors to reach the older man, but the Stalfos behind him yanked his hair, nearly tearing it off from his scalp.

Dink rested the tip of the claymore on the nape of the Hero of Time. "Why not look up, Hero? Let me see that beautiful anguish on your face! Perhaps, I'll let him live longer to suffer for you!"

"PLEASE STOP!" Wild begged desperately. "Stop it! Please! Let him go!"

The Dark Hero tapped his chin thoughtfully, then smiled wickedly. "Nah."

Dink stomped and twisted his boot on Time's back. The hero let out a blood-curdling scream and coughed up blood. His fingers clawed on the ground as he struggled to lift his head. His dim eyes searched for one familiar silhouette in the haze of pain.

"W-Wild…" Time rasped. Blood dribbled off his lips. "Cub...r-run…"

"NO!" Wild pleaded as he struggled against his captors. "I won't leave you! Dink, please let him go! I'm the one you're after!"

Dink scoffed. "Bold of you to assume you're special enough for me to ignore the other heroes." He knelt and grabbed a fistful of Time's hair, "The Hero of Time and I have gone a long way back. I'm not the type to ignore a longtime friend. I'm a fair and just person, after all. Isn't that right, Hero of Time?"

"C...Cub...run...save -" Time coughed. "S-Save yourself…"

"Yes! Please do!" Dink cackled. "Let me witness the first Hero of Courage that ran away like a coward. I'm sure the historians would have a field day!"

"D-Don't...listen to...him…." The Old Man gasped. "C-Cub...go...you must…you must live! The others - AUGH!"

Wild sobbed as he could do nothing but watch Dink shove Time's face on the ground, forcing him to swallow the dirt. His blood stained the beige of his trousers as the blades on his throat slit twin shallow cuts. The Champion did not care whether he bleeds or dies here, but please, Hylia, anyone, save Time! He does not deserve this! He should not die for an impostor like him -

"W-Wild...please…I-I'm begging you…."

NO NO NO! Wild cannot. He cannot leave Time here, so please stop asking him that -

"Listen to him, Link!"

Wild's breath stuttered as a familiar voice he never thought to hear again spoke up. No…that is - it is impossible! He is just hearing things. It cannot be - she is…she has moved on to the afterlife! H-How-?

"Not yet, boy. Not like this. We still have unfinished business here, namely you." The voice answered. "I'll help you, so you must live. You must live for their sake."

"I-I…no…Time…"

"...W-Wild…"

Wild's heart stopped as he finally locked eyes with the Hero of Time. Everything was shattering, collapsing, and burning to ashes around him, yet those dim eyes - Time's eyes - conveyed a message that shone brighter and warmer than the sun. It was a reassurance - a sincere promise that held a strength that Wild could not claim as his alone.

Be strong and live, Cub. Everything would be alright.

Why? Why is Time like this? Please please please stop asking him to leave him. He cannot - he could not! If he runs away, Time will -

"Link." A firm hand that only Wild could feel rested on his shoulder. The smell of Voltfruit and ozone filled the Champion's nose at the contact. "It will be fine. So, make your decision, hero."

Wild lowered his head as he shut his eyes and gritted his teeth. His hands clenched fistfuls of dirt beneath him as blood trickled down before him. The hairs on his bare arms rose as the familiar tickle of electricity crackled on his skin. The ghostly hand squeezed his shoulder before pulling away. The voice of the former Gerudo chief sliced through his hesitation like the Scimitar of the Seven.

"Urbosa's Fury is now ready."

"Go…" Time's voice resounded clearly in the depths of his soul. "Make us proud, Hero of the Wild."

Wild's eyes flew open as he yelled. His ears popped at the sudden change in pressure, and multiple green bolts of lightning struck down from the heavens like the goddesses' judgment. The night was illuminated in a blinding light as it tore and diminished the monsters into ashes. It lasted for a few seconds, but the Champion did not stay still to see the aftermath. He hauled himself to his feet and took off. His eyes blurry with tears and his ears ringing as he scrambled blindly through the trees and underbrush. He did not dare look back and see if Dink or any monster was after him. He just kept running and running, fully aware of who he had left to save his skin and the grief that gripped his heart.

The Champion broke through the trees and into the clearing where the camp was set. Or what was left of it. Broken weapons, monster ashes, and blood - black and red - greeted him. The logs they cut down and placed around the campfire were overturned or cleaved to parts. Bags set aside hours ago were missing, and so do their owners. The fresh scent of blood and rot permeated the air - more than enough indication of a brutal struggle that ensued there minutes ago. Just ahead of him, a purple portal swirled calmly like an eye of a storm, waiting for its next unsuspecting victims.

A chill crept up his spine at the sight of the portal. No…that is…that is not Hylia's. His muddy boot nudged something, and Wild looked down to see his Sheikah Slate lying on a small puddle of red blood. Whose blood, Wild did not know. He could not think straight anymore - Why? Why is this…why is this happening? - as he picked up the Ancient Sheikah tool with trembling hands. His feet moved on their own towards the portal as if pulled by invisible strings. He has no strength left to resist - he wanted to curl up and disappear. He wanted to erase his memories, emotions, and attachments. He cannot continue like this - Time is…everyone is - why? Why did these happen?

Has Hylia…has the Goddess abandoned them all?

The forest faded in a flash of eerie purple and black as the portal swallowed him whole. The world flipped around him, and Wild opened his mouth in a soundless scream. He felt like he was being torn apart inside out, and when it ended, he found himself on his knees in a field of green and ancient machinery. The ever-imposing Hyrule Castle stood at a distance underneath the bright sun and beautiful blue sky, and Wild's last conscious thought as his soul was pounded with the collective cries of help from eight others was how cruel it is.

He has finally returned home.