I apologize for taking too long to update. I've been busy lately with my academics. We're almost at the end of this book, so hang on tight, everyone.

Legend is a hypocrite.

He might have acted that everything seemed fine after that big revelation, but that is just because he just went with the flow. He did not know what to say or do. What do you even tell someone who revealed they are not who they introduced themselves to be? Since their time in their inn, he felt a level of wrongness whenever he looked at the Champion. At first, he could not point it out, but it eventually came to light in the past days.

Distrust.

Yes, that is what it is. He would not admit it aloud, but he distrusts Wild. He pretended that he accepted the significant change in the team's dynamics, but he was suspicious of the person at the center of it. His confidence in Twilight also wavered to a certain degree, but that is only because the Rancher seemed genuine about forgetting that vital information about their recent addition to the team. So, yes, Legend is a hypocrite, but it does not mean he is the only one.

The Veteran could sense that the others were still wary of the Champion. Well, except for Twilight, Sky, and Wind, though the Sailor was oddly firm that Wild has, in fact, the Hero's Spirit. Hyrule also seemed to be getting over it quickly, which is surprising since the Traveler is one of the skittish heroes.

Warriors was the most open with his intentions. He hung around the Champion and asked questions from the most basic to the most ridiculous. At times, he would ask one that, if you are not sharp enough, would not sound like an interrogation at all. The Veteran knew that the Captain was testing the Champion's loyalty to the group, but the other hero's answers seemed to satisfy him enough that sometimes, he would offer to teach some sword techniques from his era.

Four seemed to have taken a neutral stance about it. He acts and speaks like nothing happened, though the Veteran would sometimes see a glint of curiosity in the smallest hero's eyes whenever he would catch him staring at the Champion. Legend does not know if it is a good or bad kind of curiosity, but he is not invested enough to know what is going inside the Smith's head.

Time was difficult to read as always, but nothing had changed considering how relaxed he had been since their eventful stay in the inn. If anything, he seemed to have grown fonder of their not-reincarnation, even though the older hero would not admit it. If it were not the Rancher, it would surely be the Old Man chaperoning the Champion. Not the latter needed it, but the physically older hero has taken the stance of a protective father. No one dared to call him out, but it has become a subject of amusement to the rest of the heroes.

Unlike them, however, Legend is already at his limits at playing nice - he already made it evident during last night's dinner. He has grown impatient with everyone trying to play it cool around their not-reincarnation and not addressing the elephant in the room. Again. What was worse was that they were placing the group's safety in the hands of someone whose identity was fake in the first place. What was Legend supposed to do? Accept it just like that? The others could but him? That is a big fat 'no' for him. He would rather buy all of Ravio's overpriced wares at once rather than entrust his life to someone who wore someone else's face, much less a puppet of the Goddess.

But are you not one?

Legend paused on his steps, ignoring the loud CRUNCH! of a dry twig beneath his boot. He gritted his teeth as he tried to curb the headache pounding in his head. Since that night in the inn, he felt restless and would volunteer to patrol to tire himself out. He is not a wanderer like the Traveler is, but he would find himself aimlessly walking around with his thoughts as his only company.

What makes you different from him?

What, the Veteran wondered. There is not much to differentiate himself from Wild. They might not share the same spirit, but both of them were dragged into a lifetime of metal and blood just because a 'benevolent' divine being wanted them to save the lands and left them fucked up after their missions were complete. Legend might have more adventures than anyone in the group, but who is to say that there were not more waiting once they finished this quest? He would not make it past Hylia to throw any of them to another after this mess when it is the most convenient.

The Goddess never cared. A voice inside his head accused. She even pushed an imposter right in your ranks. What is the point of caring what she WANTS? Are you just really a puppet for her to play and discard once she tires of you?

Legend's hands balled into fists on his sides. He had suffered enough for a lifetime - a treasure trove worth of scars hidden beneath the layers of clothing, events that haunted him even in his dreams, and people he had lost like...like her. He thought that he could finally spend the rest of his life in reprieve, yet here he was, thrown like a disposable soldier for a mission that had yet to amount to something.

Would it not be easier to rebel?

The Veteran's breath stuttered to a stop. Rebel, huh? He looked up to the heavens above - the mixture of red, orange, and blue signaled the setting sun. It was a sight that always put a sorrowful look on the Twilight's face but never told the story behind that expression. The Ordonian once asked him if he felt a strange sadness whenever dusk falls and mentioned something about a separate world. He had asked him about it, but the Rancher seemed detached that moment that he did not get an answer.

The growing shadows of the trees fell on the ground in alternating light and darkness. The Veteran's shadow pooled and curled around his ankles as the hero stared up to the sky in hazy thoughtfulness. His eyes, however, were unseeing, just like how its owner was blissfully unaware of the blackened hands curled on his shoulders. How would he even do that? Offer the most insulting gift? Vandalized the Goddess Statues in every era? Kill Hylia?

"How about starting by putting the fake hero in his rightful place?" A fanged mouth whispered beside his ear. "Just say it's a little tantrum and beg for forgiveness. I'm sure the Goddess will let it go. After all, Hylia owes you that much."

Him? Beg for forgiveness? Legend pried his eyes from the sky, which color now reminded him of a certain girl, and scoffed. As if! He had followed the Goddess' whims to a tee. Why would he plead for something or anything at all?

"Then, don't." His shadow purred. "Do what you want. There's no need to continue letting Hylia have you on a leash. You aren't her puppet, much less her faithful dog. Isn't that right, Hero of Legend?"

That is right. He is not anyone's property. Legend might hold the Hero's Spirit, but it does not make him a servant of the Goddess. He is not obligated to follow her orders. He never is. There is no need for him or the others to continue on this fruitless quest and throw their lives into a predetermined destiny they had already fulfilled years ago. They could just ignore Hylia's calls and return to their everyday lives away from the bloodshed and traumas.

"Yes, that would be for the best." The shadowy mass behind him hummed in agreement as it morphed into the hero's likeness. "However, there is one obstacle. Don't you think the Hero of the Wild will try to stop you? He can speak freely with the Goddess. What if he was plotting behind your backs? What if he had already planned to betray you?"

That is...Legend faltered. The conversation between Twilight and Wild drove a wedge between him and his thoughts. He had not meant to eavesdrop, but the goddess-damned curiosity that seemed to be inherent in the Hero's Spirit won him over. He is the only one who has yet to speak privately with the Champion - he does not have a compelling reason to - but what he overheard was unexpected.

The Champion had admitted that he did not have the Hero's Spirit. Still, that conversation presented many contradictions that had Legend questioning if the scarred hero was a mystery that Hylia wanted them to solve. He wondered how the Rancher had not picked up on it or played ignorant the whole time.

Will the Champion really stab them on the back? It does not seem like him at all…The kid has his quirks - all of them do - but he does not strike Legend as someone who would betray others. Wild is cautious and easily suspicious with new people yet would recklessly dive headfirst to trouble for shits and giggles. He is easy to read most of the time but becomes unpredictable when you least expect him to be. He is akin to a crazed prisoner that finally broke free of a dungeon, but also the stern warden that watches over that same mad man. He is a hero but not - an anomaly to the repetitive life story of a hero named Link. The Champion's identity is full of holes, but his place in the group remains steadfast. Just what is he?

Before the Veteran could delve deeper into the reason for his reluctance and truly ponder where the scarred hero's loyalty lies in their ragtag team, the voice of his thoughts crept back in. "Hesitation precedes turmoil, and turmoil brings ruin. You must keep the Hero of the Wild in line before he betrays any of you." His shadow urged as its hands clenched tighter on his shoulders. "He had deceived you many times. Who's to say he will not do it again? You must protect your own."

Something feels wrong...Legend swayed on his feet. The painful throbbing in his head was gone, replaced by a field of cotton that he could not seem to get out of. His body felt weighed down as if he was submerged in quicksand. He is breathing yet, at the same time, not. A part of him could tell that something was wrong, but he could not point out what it was. The voice in his head drowned everything else.

"Yeah…" Legend murmured. Is this how his voice sounded? "I should do...I should do that. I must...I must protect everyone..."

"Yes, that's it." The shadowy doppelganger crooned as he guided the hero's hand on the hilt of his sword. "Go on. Remember, you're doing it for your reincarnations. There's nothing wrong with that. "

"I -"

"- Legend?"

Like a flick of Sky's swordsmanship, the fog inside his head cleared, and the pressure on his shoulders lifted away. The forest - its sights, sounds, and scents - broke through the darkness so suddenly that it had him reeling. He gasped like a fish out of water and clutched the front of his tunic.

What…? What was...? Legend looked around wildly. He was still in the forest they were trekking in, but he could not tell precisely where he had ended up. Where is he? What was he doing? The past minutes had been spotty, and the pounding in his head had returned with revenge. He felt like throwing up. His body threatened to pitch forward, but a pair of arms steadied him.

"Easy there, Vet." A soft voice spoke at his side. The arms gently tugged him to shift his weight to a body next to him and guided him to sit down on the base of a tree. "I'm sorry, I don't have anything on me right now. I left my Sheikah Slate with Wind earlier."

His nausea had settled a bit, and Legend turned his head to his companion. It took him a few seconds before he recognized the familiar scars that pockmarked the left side of the face. "...Champion?"

A tired sigh escaped Wild. "Not you, too." He complained. "I swear you and the Captain are becoming more alike by the day."

Legend managed to scrunch his face into a disgusted scowl. "Say that again, and I'm kicking you off a cliff."

Wild cracked a smile. "You're free to try, though I can't promise that I would remain alive at the end of it."

It was supposed to be a joke, but it made the Veteran's blood froze in his veins nonetheless. Guilt burned in his chest as his thoughts from earlier crashed back to him. His nails dug on his knees as he mumbled. "... Don't say that."

"Vet?" Wild frowned, worry etched deeply on his features. "Are you...Are you okay?"

Legend scoffed. He knew that there was no way that the Champion did not hear that. Was he being considerate of him? "Don't waste your concerns on me." He said. "I can handle myself."

"Ah, I didn't mean to imply…." Wild trailed off and bit his bottom lip. His ears drooped. "Sorry."

The Veteran huffed as he turned away. He wanted to get this over with and leave, but his goddess-damned headache does not want to make things easier for him. Legend might have to ask Wild to help him back to camp at this rate. He does not think he can bring himself to request help from someone he is suspicious of.

"You...You don't have to keep pretending to get along with me."

Legend whipped his head back to Wild, and it was the Champion's turn to avert his eyes. The latter looked down on his lap and grasped his left arm with his right hand. "I know you hate me, and that's justified. I deceived you guys even though you trusted me. I can't erase the past, and I won't force you to like me either. I'll accept whatever treatment you think I deserved." His knuckles were bone-white as his grip tightened. "So, it's fine if you hate me. I will never complain about it."

Legend could only stare at him in utter disbelief. Hate...him? Does this idiot think he hates him? Really? He tried to open his mouth to let out a snide remark, only to close it again. He pinched the bridge of his nose in irritation. "Hate is too strong for a word." The red-clad hero said. "I don't hate you. I just don't trust you. Hating and distrusting you are two different things. I'm not that shallow to try not to empathize with the fucked up hell the Goddess put you through. We might have different adventures, but the essence is the same, and it never gets better."

"Also, stop that." The Veteran grasped the hero's right wrist and pried it off the other's arm. He inspected the angry crescent marks on the scarred skin. "You're bleeding. Are you a masochist or what? Why did you even leave your sleeves rolled up like this?"

"... 'm sorry."

"You…!" Legend clucked his tongue and reached for the hem of his red tunic. He ripped a strip and wounded it a couple of times around the Champion's arm. "Ugh! I don't know how the Rancher could remain sane with you around."

The Veteran tightened the bind and looped the loose ends of the fabric into a tight knot. "I overheard your conversation with the Rancher. You said you don't have the Hero's Spirit, yet you had dreams about us. Dreams that are possibly a part of our memories. Which isn't possible unless you share the same connection with us."

Wild's head snapped up in surprise at the other hero's words. His eyes were confused, and Legend knew that the interrogation had begun. He had nudged the ball to the direction he wanted it to, and it was up to him to keep it rolling. "There's also the fact that the Skyloftian's Zelda personally gave you a title. Why is that? Why does she have to give you a title even though you don't have the same spirit as us? If she used the Master Sword at that time, why didn't it burn you unlike before?"

Wild frowned. The Champion had questioned it himself many times and even asked Sun before, but never got a straight answer. Up to this day, he was still puzzled by her intentions. It seemed that Sun knew something yet could not tell him. He also does not have a definite answer to why the divine sword did not burn him back then.

"I don't know."

Legend threw him an unimpressed look and crossed his arms. "Then, how about this? You said that the Divine Beasts only allow the princess and the Champions inside them. If you aren't the same Link one hundred years ago in your era, why did they let you in? The shrines too. What's the point of those trials, then? Is that body the only requirement needed to enter?"

"That's…" Wild faltered. That was a good point. "I'm not sure…."

"The other Champions. Why did they even bother to let you borrow their powers if you aren't the Link they knew?"

"Vet, I…I don't…I haven't asked them -"

"How about your Zelda? She should have noticed that you're not the same person she knew. Why didn't she? Why didn't she notice that something was wrong with the hero of your era?"

"I-I tried telling her, but she won't believe me." Wild reasoned out. "She…she didn't want to hear it -"

"And maybe for a good reason!" Legend pointed out. "You told us you wielded the Master Sword. The fucking Master Sword! The same sword that burned you! Why did the Master Sword even let you pull it? The sword is bound to the Hero's Spirit! If you don't have the same spirit, how did you even manage to draw it in the first place? What kind of bullshit is that?"

"I - Vet, I…." Wild bit his lips and lowered his head in defeat. "I don't know. I…I honestly don't know."

"Exactly!" Legend exclaimed, nearly throwing his hands to the air. His frustration about the Champion for not knowing anything at all had reached the boiling point. "You're a goddess-damned contradiction! You don't have the Hero's Spirit, but many things about you tell otherwise. Tell me, Champion. Which is the fucking truth? What should I - we, believe about you? Who are you really, Wild?"

The hero in question did not answer. He kept his head down, his bangs covering parts of his face. Legend wanted to scream - he wanted to scream and punch whoever force gave the White Goddess the idea of toying with an innocent soul. Instead, he leaned his weight against the tree and hauled himself up. His exasperation gave him enough drive to ignore the throbbing in his head.

"I'm going back to camp." The Veteran gritted his teeth as he turned away. "Alone."

Legend did not spare the other hero another glance as he hobbled to the trees and underbrush. He did not hear the Champion stop him - he expected him not to. What is the point? He had given him a reason to keep his distance or leave the team for good. It would be for the best if Wild did the latter. No one would blame him if he made that decision.

Still, Legend felt a growing sense of unease as he walked farther away from the Champion. There was a tug in his soul that desperately urged him to turn around and get to him. He ignored it, holding on to the dwindling fury he had been nurturing for two weeks now, and continued on his path. By the time he had reached camp, the night had wholly shrouded the forest. The other heroes were scattered near the campfire as they indulged in their usual routine while waiting for dinnertime. Twilight peered from peeling a carrot by the cooking pot at the sounds of Legend's arrival and searched the space around the hero. His eyebrows stitched together when he did not see his protégé with the Veteran.

"Where's Wild?"

Legend's left eye ticked at the question. What? Is babysitting him his job now? "I went back by myself."

There was a THUNK! when the Rancher dropped the carrot. "You WHAT?" He rose from his seat on the log and would have marched toward the Veteran if it were not for Warriors blocking him by the arm. He still has his knife at hand. "You left him by himself? Do you have any idea what you've done?'

Legend mirrored the glare on Twilight's face. "Is it my business to know that shit? Why don't you fucking enlighten me?"

"We're not in any of our eras right now, Vet!" Twilight growled; his expression reminisced Wolfie's. "We don't know this Hyrule. I don't know what you guys talked about, but if Wild decided to disappear, he would go through with it. We'll never see him for goddesses-know-what! His hero title isn't for show only!"

The Veteran had enough. He could not bear to hear one more word from the other hero. The voice - his thoughts from earlier - clawed and reared like a Skulltula poised to strike. "He ISN'T a hero!" He snapped. "He's not like us! Stop deluding yourself with that bullshit!"

The camp rippled with gasps as eyes widened at the Hero of Legend's statement. Someone dropped their sword, but the clanging of metal was not enough to shake off the shock from the heroes.

"Legend!" Hyrule admonished. "How could you say that?"

Legend whirled to his successor's direction. "What? Am I wrong?" He pointed an accusing finger. "Don't you dare tell me that you haven't thought of that! He isn't one of us! He will never be one of us! So, stop pretending like you -!"

There was a loud cracking sound as Twilight's fist connected on the Veteran's face. Legend fell to the ground and spat out blood and a tooth. A bruise was already blooming on the impact area, but he could do nothing but look up at the other hero in utter disbelief. They long acknowledged that the Hero of Twilight is the physically strongest among them, but never did any of them were at the receiving end of it. Before he could fully recover, the Rancher was already onto him and fisted the front of his tunic.

"Pup, stop it!"

"TAKE IT BACK!" Twilight snarled, his ears deaf to the shouts around him. "Take back what you've said!"

Legend spat at his face and hissed. "FUCK OFF!"

The Veteran raised his foot and kicked the other hero's stomach with all his might. The force knocked the air out of Twilight's lungs, and he jerked away. Legend used that tiny window of distraction to lunge at the former and retaliate with a punch of his own. They grappled on the ground as blows, kicks, and curses were exchanged. The soil beneath their bodies splattered with blood and sweat despite the other heroes swooping in and desperately trying to separate the two.

"Legend, stop it!" Sky yelled over the scuffle and wounded his arm under the Veteran's right armpit. Hyrule had taken the other side as he tried to pry the remaining arm off Twilight's hair. "Stop it! Calm down!"

"Fucking dammit, Rancher! That's enough!" Warriors cursed as he narrowly dodged Twilight's elbow. His arms wrapped tightly across the hero's torso as he, Time, Four, and Wind tried to peel the Rancher off Legend. Their combined strength could barely nudge him from his spot. "Get a hold of yourself!"

"HOW DARE YOU!" Twilight roared as he struggled and lurched forward against the four bodies keeping him away from the Veteran. His normally sapphire eyes are now a whirlpool of two shades of blue and alight in a faint green-gold glow. A familiar voice superimposed the Rancher's. "How dare you, Dark Link! Leave him! Leave Legend alone, you sick bastard! I won't forgive you if you hurt him! I WILL NEVER FORGIVE YOU!"

The heroes gasped and staggered in shock as unadulterated wrath slammed against them through their shared spirit connection. Legend clawed on his throat as if something was choking him and opened his mouth to a soundless scream. His eyes rolled at the back of his head, and he fell limp in Sky and Hyrule's hold. Across them, Twilight keeled over and vomited on the ground. His weakened body heaved and panted as the fight he had in him seconds ago left him suddenly.

"C-Cub…" Twilight rasped as he blindly reached out to grip his mentor's arm. "Danger…Time, he's -"

The words died down in his throat as the Rancher tipped to the side and collapsed in Warriors' arms. The heroes could only stare at the still bodies of the two unconscious heroes as they tried to calm the constant pounding in their chests and process what had happened. Wild's white-hot anger pulsed once again within the spiritual connection, stronger than before, and Four let out a pained cry. The Sailor barely managed to catch the smaller hero from falling headfirst to the ground.

"Four!"

"S-Someone stop him!" The Smith gritted his teeth as he clutched his head. "Wild... he's - AUGH! Make it stop! Make it stop!"

It was Time who shook out of it first. He left his descendant's side and grabbed his Biggoron's Sword by its spot beside the log. "Captain, take charge!" He commanded as he strode purposefully towards the edge of camp. "I need to find Wild. Now!"

Warriors did not have time to answer when the Old Man broke into a run and disappeared into the darkness. The physically oldest hero was not gone long enough for him to start getting everyone back on track when a chill ran through his spine. The air became thick and suffocating, and a sense of dread weighed down on him like lead. There was a flash of ominous purple at the corner of his eye, and the Captain turned to see a portal that none of them wished to see again materialized behind Sky, Legend, and Hyrule. He could almost hear the march of heavy footfalls approaching from the other side of the treacherous gateway. They have no time to run and hide to safety.

At that moment, Warriors wondered if the Goddess Hylia had decided to abandon them and left only two parting choices.

To fight...or die.

Me who just finished writing this chapter: "Oops."