The Hyrulian Valhalla Saga: Side Stories
By Queenie Z

Ignorance is Bliss

A loud racket resonated throughout Sky's house one evening, thought it was only to be expected when six of our Heroes managed to squeeze under one roof for a sleepover of sorts. Although the eldest two, Sky and Mini, had elected to move upstairs when room ran out on the lower floor, they could still hear the noisy banter of their successors from below; and while no one in the house really needed sleep, Mini was still aggravated by all the ruckus.

He sighed in irritation as he covered his ears with his hands. "They're so annoying," he muttered, looking towards Sky. "Can't you go down and make them be quiet!?"

Sky laughed nervously, sitting cross-legged on his bed with a pillow hugged close to his chest. "Come on, Mini, they're having fun. Don't be such a spoilsport; it's not often that this many of us can spend the night together."

"But still!" Mini huffed and crossed his arms. "We're their seniors, right? They'd listen to us if we told them to stop. At least, they should."

"And as their seniors," said Sky with a small smile, "we're responsible for making this place somewhere they can be happy, don't you think?" He stood up and walked towards an armoire, digging out a pair of earmuffs he normally used during the winter, and tossing them to Mini. "Let them have their fun - use these if it bothers you so much."

Startled slightly, Mini fumbled to catch them. He let out another, disappointed sigh. "Fine," he said, beginning to place the earmuffs over his head. He stopped, however, when the Heroes downstairs mentioned him by name.

"I can't believe Mini and Sky are missing out on this," said Light's voice. "Those muffins were delicious!"

"We know, Light," chuckled Wind, "you ate six of them."

"My point exactly!"

"Hold on, looks like there's a few more left," Twilight said with mischief in his voice. "But not for long! Down the hatch you go!"

"Don't you dare take that muffin, Twilight!" cried Time, "I barely got to have any before you three took them all!"

"Too bad! First come, first serve, Time!"

Wind let out a hearty laugh. "Is that any way to treat your senior, Twilight?" he asked mockingly.

"Senior schmenior. You know what he puts me through during training - I deserve this muffin!"

"Well you did agree to do it," said Light. "And besides, he really didn't get to have very many muffins - it's only fair."

"Yeah!" sneered Time. "As my successor and student, you're obligated to honor me. Now hand it over!"

"You want this muffin so bad!?" growled Twilight, though it was more of a playful growl than an angry one. "Then here you go, Teacher!"

Time let out a muffled yelp as the others dissolved into raucous laughter. Presumably, Twilight had stuffed the muffin into Time's mouth himself; and quite forcibly, at that.

"Hey, we're your successors too!" giggled Wind. "That means we have to pay our dues too, right?"

"Of course!" snickered Light. "Let us pay tribute to our most highly esteemed predecessor...!"

Time's yelling was interrupted by another few muffins being stuffed in his gob. Though he was being ruthlessly assaulted by delicious baked goodness, he took it rather well in the end, his laughter joining with the others' once he had the chance to breathe again. Sky's shoulders shook as he chortled at the scene, and even Mini couldn't help but let out a few chuckles.

"What'd I tell you, Mini?" asked Sky. "They're having a blast!"

"Haha, yeah," replied the smaller Hero. "You can tell they really do look up to Time as much as they tease him."

"Mmm."

The two stayed silent, listening to Time as he scolded his successors in jest. However, Mini stopped paying attention after a sort while; he seemed to be preoccupied with something, and Sky noticed.

"Mini? What's up?"

"...You really think it's better for them this way?"

Sky blinked. "Better what way?"

"That they don't know."

Knowing immediately what he was talking about, and surprised that he'd breach the subject at a time like this, Sky stared at the boy for a moment, then lowered his head. He closed his eyes. "...I do," he finally answered. "If Time knew about his other death - if he knew he had failed and that Light had to pick up the pieces... it'd destroy him." He opened his eyes again, glancing off to the side. "It'd destroy all of them, to know that one of us could lose."

He crossed his arms over his pillow and rested his head on them. A sad expression creeped across his features. "I think they're entitled to know the truth," he mumbled.

"I know they are, Mini. It kills me having to lie to them." Sky looked up again, his face stern. "But the gods granted Time mercy by letting him forget everything. We have no right to take that away from him. If lying to everyone is what we have to do to ensure their happiness here, then..."

"It's okay, Sky," said Mini, "I understand. I just... I just wish it didn't have to be this way."

Sky looked towards the ceiling. "Maybe one day, when Demise's curse on us is broken, when Hyrule no longer needs Heroes to fight... maybe then we'll be able to tell them everything."

"Who knows when that'll be," Mini grumbled, rolling over under the covers of his futon. "I'm going to bed - night, Sky."

"Night."

But Sky, despite his characteristic sleepiness, couldn't bring himself to go to bed. He looked out the window and towards the inky blackness of the heavens, where he knew his creator goddesses were watching over his every move. He sighed, resting his head against the window, and silently asked Them if he was really doing the right thing.