Wild's bloodshot eyes remained glued on his altered reflection beneath him. His anguish from moments ago is now replaced with horror and a terrifying realization. His reflection chuckled at the scarred hero's expression, clearly enjoying witnessing every emotion that crossed his face.

"Now, now." His reflection chided, his voice a melodious baritone that is surprisingly pleasant to the ears. "Don't stare too much. It's quite rude."

Wild let out a cry and reflexively jerked away from the water. He fell on his rear and splashed the murky water across his backside. The sudden movement did nothing to disturb the mirror-like surface, and the person in it huffed in amusement.

"Come now. Don't be afraid." His reflection coaxed sweetly. "I promise I won't bite. We'll just have a little chat before the heroes find you."

Wild flinched at the implication of those words. He looked behind him, half-expectant to see a familiar figure headed his way. Nothing. He furiously wiped his eyes with the dirty sleeves of his undershirt as he tried to force down the hiccups that tried to jump out his throat. The sides of his face stung, but that was the least of his problems right now. He is hallucinating. His head is too much of a mess right now that he sees and hears things that are not there. He is alone. There is no dark reflection talking to himself right now. It is just a halluci -

"I assure you." The voice exactly like his spoke up. "I am real."

Wild bit his tongue to muffle whatever sound of horror was threatening to breach the surface. He clenched and unclenched his fists and braved to look at the puddle of water. Like a curious cat locked on a moving object, he slowly and deliberately crawled forward on his knees and peered at the water. His reflection - the shadowy one - stared back at him with red eyes the same shade as the Blood Moon.

"W-What…" The Champion swallowed painfully. His throat burned from his outburst moments ago. "What...are you? Who are you?"

"Careful." His reflection said. "You will hurt your throat if you speak rashly." He hummed as he peeked at the hero beneath his ashen eyelashes. "To answer your question, I am, as you could see, a reflection. An unwanted one by the heroes. A part of them that they don't want others to find out. Some call me Dark Link, others call me the Shadow or even the Dark Hero, but you can just call me Dink. Saying Dark Link every single time would be tiring, you know. Let's be casual to each other."

A chill ran up Wild's spine. The Shadow. The younger version of Time desperately warned him in a dream about a person called the Shadow before getting murdered right in front of him. Now that he is crouched on all fours with his reflection openly introducing himself as the same being he was told to beware of, he could not help but let the inevitable dread sink in his stomach.

"Oh no, I know that look. Did the others tell you that I'm evil? That's quite mean of them, considering they're the reason I exist."

"What…" Wild murmured cautiously. A part of him was reluctant to continue his part of this little chat. "What do you mean?"

"I told you, didn't I? I am their unwanted reflection." Dink said. "I am the culmination of their fears, their repressions, and their darkest desires - the existence which they desperately try to bury and forget." He crossed his arms, his expression affronted. "Though, it is foolish of them to regard me in such way. Little did they know they are the ones from whom my very existence is derived. They are my creators, and I am their creation that they wish to destroy. It's just too bad that I am them, and I exist eternally within them."

Then, the Dark Hero gestured to Wild. "Then, there's you. An unexpected variable that Hylia introduced into our repetitive dynamics. I'd admit I'm quite curious. Among the nine so-called 'heroes' the Goddess brought together, it was only you who sensed me and accurately surmised my connection to this ridiculous quest of yours." He beamed at him like a proud parent to his child. "Yes, I am the reason for this quest, your prey in this hunt, and soon, the heroes' obsession which they will vent the tragedies of their miserable lives."

A peal of maniacal laughter burst from Dink's throat as the Shadow spread his arms wide. "What a show! What a beautiful circus that the goddesses had staged us into! Truly! They're such magnificent hosts!" He grinned at him. "And you! You poor soul. A soul who considers himself not of the Hero's Spirit got caught up in it. Feels great, isn't it? What an honor to be picked for a role only you can play!"

This fucking bastard! Wild fisted his knuckles until they turned white and gritted his teeth. "You... you're the one who has been empowering these monsters, hurting people, and endangering Hyrule. You're the reason I am in this goddess-damned mission!" He slammed his fists against the water, but it simply absorbed the impact. "Out with it! What do you want from me? Why are you showing yourself to me?"

"Now, now. Don't give me that scary look." Dink raised his palms to appease him. Wild's anger faltered when he noticed that he, too, had the same scars that marred his palms. "I'm not trying to pick a fight with you. You and I are the same. We're nothing but throwaways in this goddess-forsaken game. I am darkness born to be defeated by the Hero's Spirit while you're a pawn who will just be disposed of once your purpose is fulfilled."

"Let's just admit it. Both of us are tired of dancing in fate's tune. Frankly, I am too tired and sick of it. Don't you think it's time to break free? Have you considered it's time for us to take our destiny on our hands?" The Dark Hero leaned forward as he spoke in a low voice. "Don't you think it's about time to gain our freedom?"

"I don't know, and neither do you!" The Champion growled under his breath. "Why are you even asking me?"

Dink laughed, his voice resounding across the still forest. "Oh, don't you now?" He slammed his hands against the invisible barrier between them, and Wild nearly jumped a few inches at the sudden proximity. The Dark Hero's face adopted a somber expression. "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."

Wild stiffened. He knows those words. Those are the words he told Sun when he revealed that he is not one of her heroes. How…? How did Dink hear it? When did he -

"I...I don't know. Honestly, I don't know what to believe anymore. Not Hylia's plan for me or Hyrule. Certainly not if I am my own person at all."

The Champion covered his ears. "Stop…"

"I'm nothing compared to your heroes. They're the real deal. I'm… I'm inferior, a fake."

"Stop it!"

"I -"

"I SAID STOP IT!" Wild screamed. "Stop copying me!

Dink moved back and clicked his tongue. "But my dear Hero of the Wild," He reasoned out in a honeyed voice. "Your words are the truth, aren't they? The problem is that no one wants to listen. They will either comfort you like a child that woke up from a nightmare or wave it off and direct you to things that only confuse you more. Naivety can only get you so far. Blind trust will get you stabbed in the back. You don't want that to happen, don't you?"

"Shut up! I don't want to hear it. Leave me alone! You don't know me!"

"Perhaps." Dink hummed in agreement. "But I've watched you since that night. I've seen what you had to go through alone. It's painful, isn't it? Pretending to be someone you're not. Living a life that was never yours." He thrust a palm forward. "I can help you relieve the pain. We can free each other from the shackles that bind us. There's no need to endure such miserable treatment."

"Besides," The Shadow shrugged. His eyes glinted with a knowing look. "Who's to say that the heroes would want you to stay if they found out the truth?" He gave him a pitying smile. "The Hero of Hyrule disregarded you, and you've seen how the Hero of the Skies reacted. How do you think the others will take it once they learn that someone like you walks among their ranks? How do you think your beloved Hero of Twilight will react?"

Wild could not answer. The words that were on the tip of his tongue a moment ago eluded him. How would Twilight react? His shoulders sagged as the question beat itself in his head. He admitted to Malon that he was afraid that the Rancher might push him away when it comes to that. Not that he had not told him when he was still just Wolfie. It was just...different this time. Twilight does not remember yet, and once he does...how will he react? The Champion is afraid to know, but he wants to be prepared when worst comes to worst.

"You know, there's always an easy out of pain and suffering," Dink said as he cut through Wild's thoughts. He spoke as if it was the most casual topic to talk about with anyone. "And it only takes one itsy-bitsy stab. Right. Here." He pointed where his heart was. "But if you want, there are other places like here," He pointed to his stomach. "And here." His fingernail tapped on his throat. "You just take your pick."

"But then again," The Dark Hero smirked knowingly. "You really don't want to go down like that. Not like a caged animal meant for Hylia's entertainment and certainly not like a pitiful charity case sponsored by the Goddess. We share the same desire for freedom. We can make it ours if we work together."

The Shadow's form began to ripple against the water's surface. "Our time is short, but it has been a lovely chat." He pressed a scarred palm against the water surface as if to attempt to reach for the Champion. "Think about it, yeah? We will see each other again, friend. Remember, the shadows are everywhere."

"Wait-"

"Oh!" Dink's form solidified again. "And watch your back. Stalfos might be all bones, but those things know how to wield really sharp weapons." A chuckle rumbled in his throat. "Don't wanna get axed if I were you."

Then, he was gone. Wild could only stare as the mirror-like water became murky with mud and blood. The gravity of that encounter suddenly came crashing down on him as his body swayed in the weight of exhaustion. He shakily sat back, his shoulders hunched pitifully in his figure. There was just too much - too much for him to process and comprehend - that he felt dizzy, and he did not hear the clicking and popping sound already creeping behind him.

Wild felt the air sing with metal as something glinted just above his head. There was a loud CRACK! and an ax buried itself just in front of him. Something hard rained down on him, and when he looked down on his lap, he saw a skull looked up to him - an authentic Hylian skull.

"-LD!"

The Champion had no time to react when a Stalfos swung its sword at him. There was a SHING! as another sword blocked the attack. When he looked up, he saw a familiar royal blue scarf flutter just in front of his face. He watched Warriors' backside as the Captain kicked the skeletal monster away and risked a glance behind him.

"Wild! Snap out of it!"

Wild does not need to be told twice. The instincts to fight for survival kicked off his weary body into action, and he grasped hold of the only weapon at his reach. He hefted the ax, stood back-to-back with the Hero of Warriors, and let the knight's training drilled in his body do the work. Only four Stalfos were left corralling them from all directions - three of them were taken by the Captain beforehand - and both did quick work out of them. In less than five minutes, the monsters were left nothing but piles of bones before they dissolved into puffs of black smoke. Wild managed to let out a breath of relief before the ax fell out of his limp hands, and he tipped dangerously forward. An arm extended out in front of him and caught him before he could fall face-first on the ground.

"Whoa there, Champ!"

Wild blearily looked up at the scarfed hero as the latter supported his weight to help him stay upright. He parted his lips to speak but found he had no energy left to take on the task. He clenched one hand weakly and moved it in a loose circular motion against his chest. Sorry.

"Apologize once you can stand on your own." Warriors admonished. "I'd hate to scold someone who looks like a second away from passing out. I'll have to carry you back to town."

The Captain sheathed his sword and carefully set the Champion on the ground. He moved the strap of his scabbard over his shoulder and squatted in front of Wild with his back turned to the latter's direction. Warriors guided the smaller man's arms around his neck and slung his arms underneath his knees. He hauled Wild upwards with a HUP! and used the momentum to stand up. There was a moment of surprise on the Captain's face before a frown replaced his features. Wild signed his protests to the older man, but the hero shook his head and kept his hold firm.

"You can complain all you want about getting a piggyback ride later." Warriors told him as he adjusted the Champion's position on his back. "I'd worry more about those scratches on your face if I were you and the fact that our resident sleepyhead is probably about to die of worry because of you." He huffed. "Really. You gave us a scare, Champ. You just took off out of nowhere! Sky was inconsolable that the Old Man and the Vet had to pull him back from searching for you."

Sky? Wild's eyes drifted to the Captain's face to probe for any lies in his words. Why would he? Why would he even feel that way?

"I don't know what happened between the two of you, but you'll have to sort it out eventually." Warriors continued, keeping his eyes trained to the path ahead. "Maybe not now. You two have to spend some time away from each other, or we'll all be at the receiving end of the Old Man's endless lecture about teamwork. Even I have my limitations when it comes to that."

Sorry. Wild signed again.

Warriors scoffed and blew away some of his blond locks plastered on his forehead. Sweat trickled down on the sides of his face, and his upper clothes were wrinkled and askew, but he did not seem to care at the moment. The Captain looked the most disheveled now than Wild has ever seen of him. Did he run all the way here blind just to look for him? Are the others still searching? How come it is the Captain who found him first instead of Twilight? He buried his head on the loop of Warriors' scarf. Did...did he give up on him?

"No, you aren't, soldier. If you are, you wouldn't have apologized the second time. Also," Warriors peered at him at the corner of his eye. "What's with you? Why are you so light? You eat the most out of us, but how come you weigh like this? What are you putting in your share when we're not looking, huh?"

That made Wild peek from the nest of the blue fabric. His eyebrows furrowed together because that question just came out of nowhere. Nothing. He answered. Why?

"I'd prefer that none of us die of self-starvation." Warriors stated matter-of-factly. "Especially if I could do something about it. I don't want any of my brothers-in-arms to harm themselves for reasons that someone could intervene with." Then, he spoke in a quiet voice meant only for Wild to hear. "You don't have to bear the burden alone, you know. We're here. We might still have our share of untold secrets, but it doesn't mean you're not allowed to ask for help. We might be heroes, but we're still mortals capable of feeling pain. We're not different from the common folk outside our duty of protecting Hyrule."

And if you are not the hero people thought you to be? Wild's hands signed before his addled mind could properly catch up. What if you are not really the hero that the people had been waiting for? What if...you are just a replacement to fulfill that hero's duty?

Warriors abruptly stopped from his steps and glanced at the Hero of the Wild. The latter shrank under his scrutinizing gaze and hastily signed. Forget what I said. It is nothing.

"Nothing means nothing, Champ, and clearly there's something in that. There's a lot to unpack that I don't know where to start." The older hero turned his head around and continued their trek through the forest. "But if you don't want to talk about it yet, then I won't push for now. Just remember that it isn't just the Rancher who could listen to you. You are stuck with seven other people who are willing to lend an ear anytime you need it."

You too?

It was meant to be a joke, but Wild saw a soft smile tugged on the Captain's lips. "Absolutely." He answered with a different kind of confidence that the Champion had not associated with him in and out of the battlefield. "You're one of my brothers. It's the least I can do."

A strange yet familiar warmth welled up in Wild's chest. He finally let his head lay down on Warriors' shoulder as his eyes slowly fluttered close. The whispers of Dink's words from earlier faded against the light as they finally broke out of the forest. The edges of his lingering consciousness echoed with the chorus of familiar voices calling out for his name as seven silhouettes ran towards them.

Brothers.

"Wild!"

Yes...he likes the sound of that.

So, I have this headcanon that how Dink acts depends on which hero he impersonates. While his personality depends on the Links, he has a base nature of being their reflection and 'darkness'. It's parallel to how the Links have the same Hero's Spirit but possess unique traits and personalities that distinguish them from each other.