Stone Tethers

The Hero was able to distract his descendant from continuing to think far too hard about his past over more seasoned meat and potatoes. He told him the same story of when he defeated Volvagia and then recounted his experience of being in the bottom of the well, "Thinking back to this now, I'm surprised I'm not permanently scarred nor continue to have nightmares about this place."

"Nightmares? Damn, just where was this?" The champion asked.

"We all know about wells, right? You draw water from them. Let's just say that I was right about never wanting to drink any of it. I was in the midst of trying to find my way into another temple when I was told I needed the Lens of Truth. I'll just say now that I have no idea how to say what that is, so pardon me. So, after breaking a windmill and causing it to drain the well in the village, I climb down, and I find a sort of drain-tunnel. It was just barely big enough for me to fit through, and I can certainly say that water on stone doesn't feel good on bare skin. Bleh. After that was a ladder that took you into what seemed like the main tunnel." Time's nose wrinkled, "I tell you what, I hadn't gone down it yet, but it smelled absolutely disgusting in there. Like you could taste the stench with your mouth. It was like getting strangled by the air." Now he shook his head as he began to chuckle, "I quickly found out just what was making it smell so bad. I don't know how, but there was an infestation of spiders in the ceiling, and piles of dirt, shit, blood, and dead bodies! And entire skeleton even sat at the end of the hall!

"Still I continued, and when I reached the end, I thought about turning back, but! Right as I put my ear up to the wall, my hands fell right through it!" Time laughed, "There we're all sorts of walls like that!" Then he remembered what he'd find in each hidden room he came across, "Even worse…each time I practically fell into one of the secret rooms, there was at least two rows of skulls on each wall. All of which had name tags." His words had gained traction in the Mess Hall as he read the room's expression, "You guys are thinking this already, but the first time that happened, it was only then that I was like, 'What the hell is this place?' Did the people of this village really dump bodies down the damn well!? Why were skulls perfectly lined up in the walls? Why is this where the water comes from!?"

Several disturbed faces nodded in agreement to his queries.

"But, y'know, aside from the first tunnel, the floor seemed pretty dry, dusty even. Maybe I was wrong…" He sighed, "Then I turned a corner and saw more water coming out of the mouth of a demon's face." Mentioning that he played Zelda's Lullaby to get the water to stop would be downright unbelievable, so he came up with something else, "The water was blocking a door I needed to get to, so I…dear Goddesses…I was forced to block it up with the stuff around me…ugh…" His fists tightened, "Yet, it had flowed for so long that I still had to swim in it!"

Those around him rightfully gasped.

Time facepalmed at what came next, his voice becoming a tad agitated, "Gods, and then there were those things that hold dead people in them, but they were made out of stone. I take one step and, of course, a redead climbs out of one!" He briefly explained that they were basically walking corpses, "What sucks about them is that, besides being creepy as hell, their scream is so loud and high pitched, it paralyzes you in fear! You can't move as it slowly walks toward you…tch, and that one drooled too! I tell you what, getting bitten by one is something else. They wrap their arms and legs around you and literally try to tear your skin off." The Hero shuddered, "There's no way I was going to have that happen to me again, so I found the key in one of the tomb-thingies and sprinted out of there."

Plenty of strange things had happened in that well, but he only wanted to hit the parts that were most important. There wasn't much room for interruption either. Everyone was too invested.

"Let's see, there was a room with a few prison cells and some sort of torture device in the middle of it. Blood all over the floor of course. Nearly slipped." His eyebrows furrowed, "Oh Gods…why was it fresh? Um, okay anyways, at some point there was also a pit that I'm pretty sure held the souls of the damned. The hands would try to grab at me as I tried to get across. And then…hm…" He thought for a moment. He'd found the map to the place, but even then, it was still as though he stumbled or tripped into a new area, "…yeah that well was a damn maze."

By this time, his foot had been grazing the floor when it passed over a spare, thin bone and snapped it. Hearing it made his eyes narrow, "Worst of all…I stumbled into a room that had nothing but earth, skeletons, and blood to make up the walls and floors. Death hung in the air far more than it already did. What's more, four, long, pale-white arms whose hands had bloody claws strangely stuck out of the ground in every corner of the room." He turned to his descendant who sat beside him, "I'd drawn my sword to cut the first arm I saw, but right as I got near…" He quickly grabbed Link's face in the same manner it had occurred to him, "Snatch! It got me and held on tight!" His free hand simulated what he described next, "A few steps in front of me, this massive, white monster with blood smeared on it's body had come out of the ground. It had a long neck, pitch black shadows for eyes, stubby, blood-covered nubs for hands and arms, and a set of jaws with straight teeth that could open far wider than any normal being could. It could only sort of wobble over but being grabbed by that hand…it was torture to simply watch and hear it's laugh, all the while wondering what it would do to you!"

Dread hung in Link's eyes after his face was released and the legend continued, "I finally managed to yank my head away before I could be chomped into. I ended up scratching my cheeks in the process! Still, I slashed at the monster's face, and when it retreated back into the ground, I almost felt relieved!" The Hero sighed, "But it wasn't dead! I was locked in this room with it until I managed to kill it! I quickly learned that the fastest way to get it to come back was to simply get grabbed again, even if it hurt and messed up my face a bit each time." A bit of light returned to his eyes as he recalled the way it twitched in agony after it had been slayed, "I finally killed it and found what I was looking for! With the Lens of Truth, you could see things that were hidden, like those walls that were actually doorways. Needless to say, after that, I got the hell out of there." Time couldn't help his small smile at seeing a few genuinely horrified expressions his story produced, "Long story short, I don't drink well water. I'm quite sure that yours is fine, but if there's ever some village with a windmill and a well, and they've got any history to do with the Royal Family, stay away from it."

The tension in the shoulders of those around him seemed to finally get released with one large sigh. An older guard spoke, "Dear Hylia kid, I can't imagine facing all that. Even at your age."

"Oh I was younger when that happened."

Link spit his drink into the face of the guy in front of him.

Meanwhile, the guard didn't seem that convinced, "Alright, you don't need to make it seem worse haha. It's horrifying enough. Besides, no kid has enough grit to make it past the entrance without pissing their pants." He raised his hand, "G'night." Soon after him, more and more left the room to retire to their cots.

"I'm really sorry about that," Link apologized once more before the guy could leave.

He laughed it off, "No worries! Really! I would've done the same thing!" There were no more than ten other people left after he was gone.

"Hm," Time just finished his flask of water, "Seems we should get some sleep as well." He smirked, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"You really had to use me to show what that awful monster did?" Link seemed to be coming from a place of contempt rather than annoyance.

He laughed, "Didn't like what I had to experience? Also, it's kind of hard to grab my own face like that. It's the angle of the wris—"

"Yeah yeah, okay. Now I just hope I don't have nightmares." The champion crossed his arms.

"Really? I probably could have described it a little bit better. Though, if there were a way for my mind to show you exactly what I saw…I wouldn't blame you at that point. I did have nightmares about it. I had nightmares when I fought it again when I was older!"

They walked back to the barracks together, "Speaking of which, you really were ten that first time?"

"Mhm, that thing was two times my size. Plus, I learned in general that there was a lot of blood spilled back in my time. The Royal Family was clearly hiding something in it's past. Even now, I have no idea what it was, but one thing was for sure: their unmistakable crest as well as the symbol of the Triforce itself could be seen down there. Not to mention, unlike now, the Sheikah were people that mostly worked in the shadows."

"Wait really?"

He blinked, "Well…don't give yourself the wrong idea. I wouldn't say they were bad by any means. I like to think that they were right in the middle and just did what the Royal Family said."

"Right…"

They reached the room and split ways, Time making sure to wish his descendant sweet dreams. After he set up his cot, he found himself rubbing the hair that stood up on his arms as he began to sit down. The Hero stopped midway, his eyes widening at him being able to faintly see his breath with each exhale. 'Okay no, just no. I'd consider setting the blanket on fire before I sleep like this again.' After last night, he was determined to get some sleep. Too much had happened that day to let the previous night occur again. He zipped over to the champion's cot, bringing a short gust of wind with him. 'From the looks of it, he already seems to be asleep…'

He had to stifle a chuckle as the moment made him think back to when he'd found the Yiga scythe in his bed and came running to the Guards' Chamber. Only this time, it seemed unlikely that Link would snap awake in the middle of him slipping under his covers. 'Damn…this is a tighter squeeze than when we shared a bed back in Kakariko!' An eyebrow raised, 'Hmph, no matter—to me, anyways—this is still far warmer than being by myself.' With how Link was splayed out with his limbs hanging off the ends, Time had to maneuver him to be more on his side before getting in.

While still a tad uncomfortable—there really wasn't room for more than one person—the Hero of Time quietly sighed before letting his mind drift away into slumber.

…

He awoke to feeling a finger making the tip of his nose wiggle. His eyes rolled open, "Why…are you…doing that?" He grumbled, his hand making it's way to grab the one responsible for his wake. He was in the middle of inhaling when he felt the two fingers pinch his nose!

In an instant, Time straddled the champion and grabbed the neck of his shirt, hissing while shaking him, "LINK! What in Hylia's blue sky are you doing!?"

This time it made him laugh, "Waking you up, asshole! We need to go soon!" His words echoed off the stone walls.

In the midst of watching Link's bedhead fly around, he could see through his peripherals that their commotion had awakened several of the men around them. If it weren't for the pillows being thin, he would have pushed his descendant back down against it. For now, he puffed out a breath of air, "Dammit…you're right. Ugh," A light push will do.

He got off him and stretched before finding and equipping his things. Time had taken note of the expressions of those they woke, 'At least they seem bewildered at best. This damn descendant of mine…'

You'd think the champion would be the slightest bit mad that his bed space was invaded, then got his wits shaken, and his head bludgeoned against his pillow—all by the same person! Instead, he was oddly cheery as they speed-walked toward the entrance to the citadel, "So why did you sleep with me?" He asked with a smile.

"Link…dear Goddesses above…" He mumbled in his own tongue as his hand dragged down his face, "We both know how damn cold that room gets. I was solving my own problems." Now he nudged him, "Why…yeah why are you so happy? Are you excited to go see the spring or something?"

"Well yes, but I also just find it funny that you did that." He chuckled, "I can't believe that poor cot didn't break under us!"

'Ah okay, he's tickled that we didn't send splinters into everyone's eyes.'

Luckily for the Hero, the sight of Zelda perched atop her white stallion quickly came into view once they neared the gates, "Good morning," she greeted, gesturing over to Twilight who currently nibbled at spare blades of grass that poked out of the bridge, "I already asked for the stable to get your horse ready."

"I hope we didn't keep you waiting for too long," Time replied, motioning for Link to get on first.

She chuckled, "Well, your hair definitely gives away that you just woke up! But don't worry, I was probably out here for a few minutes."

"Good."

The morrow brought hope for Her Highness, as well as for the other two who accompanied her under the graying, late-morning sky. "Goodness," She held out her hand, expecting drops of rain, "Is today even a good day to do this? I wanted to head back tomorrow, but maybe…" She shook her head, sounding stern, "No. I said today, and so today it shall be. Though, I hope it doesn't start raining."

A deep roll of thunder consumed Time's thoughts, "Does it normally thunder this much around here?"

"Hm, I suppose in the past I've always managed to catch at least one storm before I left. This is the first time it's happened in the morning, however. They seem to be more likely around midday," the Princess explained.

"Interesting." Aside from thinking about the chances for lightning, there was this strange, almost static feeling that seemed to jump between his fingers as they continued to ride. He took the back rider position so he could focus more on looking around. Not to mention, Link clearly didn't have a good time during the initial ride to the citadel.

They stuck strictly to the path. The trees around the fortress had thinned out and turned into a plain with hills while the land and general brush were greener now that they had gone to lower elevations. At one point they appeared to stray from the road to hug a cliff.

"It's a shame there isn't a faster way to get down," Zelda sighed, "We'll have to back track once we reach where the cliff ends. Very tedious."

They both nodded in agreement.

Once they arrived where the land began to encase itself, they dismounted and stepped into the area. For one, there appeared to be several small plateaus that were raised into the air, and along those open rock faces were ore deposits. Time took note of how the entire area significantly smelled like rain, and how quite a few trees appeared to have been struck by lightning. With that came charred twigs and branches. The grass squished beneath their feet as they walked around, "Do we know where the entrance is?"

The Princess only shrugged, "Looks like we'll have to split up then!" She almost looked giddy as she quickly ran off to the right.

This made the Hero laugh and managed a quiet chuckle out of Link. "Guess I'll see you in five." He waved and started strolling to the left, leaving the champion to survey the middle. After eyeing some of the deposits to look for precious gemstones, Time ran his fingers along the rocks, 'Strange…my fingers almost feel numb now. I don't like it.' Then his ears picked up on a faint sound. 'What the?' He closed his eyes and tried to track down where it could be coming from, his fingers beginning to feel a little warm. It made his palms sweat.

Bzzt.

'Damn, I know exactly what sound that is, but I just can't remember where I've heard it from!' Now his fingertips felt alarmingly hot. A quiet roll of thunder echoed through the dark clouds.

Bzzt. Bzzt.

He had to be so close by now! The noise seemed to get a bit louder. It was almost like—

BZZT!

Time felt sparks fly between his fingers as he whipped around and found his descendant in a clearing between the large rocks and trees. His eyes flew to the hilt of the Master Sword where subtle flickers of electricity had been licking at the static air. He heard the thunder from overhead repeat, only it was much louder, 'Oh shit!' Honing his focus, he sped over and pushed him as the electric bombshell left its cannon from the clouds.

CRACK!

"Time!" Link yelled as he whipped around. The shove had sent him falling to the ground as he now struggled to scramble back to his feet, "Time! Are you—" He gasped..

Young Link stood paralyzed as electricity still racked up and down his body…as well as his own power. In the instance the bolt struck him, it became abundantly clear how much he sought to break free of his 'noble form' and let his true self exist for longer than mere moments, such as those spent at the fountain. He still fought against it, more pained by the strain it put on his mind than the lightning that finally found its path into the ground. He used the instance of the bolt to retake his typical form.

He exhaled after regaining control of his limbs, looking over his green-clad shoulder at his descendant, "Okay good, I was hoping that lightning wouldn't jump from me to you." After his sentence ended, he was firmly wrapped into a hug that picked him up off the ground. He could feel the muddied skirt of the champion's tunic on his legs and smell the scent of sodden earth that clung to him after he got to his feet.

Link's sigh into a whisper was hard to emotionally place. There was relief, but also disbelief. Neither prevailed over the other, "I can't believe you just survived getting hit by lightning." He sat him down but continued to press the Hero's head into his chest, somberly shaking his head. Still, his voice remained partially stoic, "Thanks for saving me."

'...What do I do here? Considering I'm fine, this feels terribly sappy, but I can imagine he probably thought I was going to die for a second there.' He internally winced, 'However, I also know part of this must be that he's glad I'm back to being short again!'

The fingers from the hand that kept their embrace started to mess with his damnable cowlick.

His eyes flicked open, 'Ooookay. Don't yell at him. Clearly he's still—wait! There's no way he doesn't have mud on his hands! Damn! It!' Time tried to stay more or less tender with the knight, "Anytime, dork." His eyes finally caught the entrance to the spring they were looking for, "I know that looked scary, but I'm fine. Also get your muddy fingers out of my hair!" Removing the hand himself, he pointed ahead, "Anyways, seems we found it. Let's get going before I have to take another hit for you."

Before Link could catch his arm and possibly wrestle out an explanation, the Princess in her white dress harshly stuck out from the flora as she ran into view. She too looked ahead at the entrance to the spring, "Oh look!" She called, unaware that they were simply behind her, "I've found it! I found the opening to the spring!"

"Good job, Princess!" Time played along, picking up his cap and putting it back where it belonged: protecting his hair. The lightning had made it fly off his head, though, it luckily wasn't damaged, "C'mon Link, we don't have all day!"

The champion's eyes bore into his ancestor's, hesitation sat in the depths of his pupils. A look of determination replaced it as he nodded his head and jogged along behind him.

They rejoined the Princess as she stood at the entrance. The stone used for the hall was smooth despite its age. Vine's curled where the walls met the ground before splitting up and away past opening at the end. Once inside, they were swept with a warm yet mystical breeze that shook the overgrown flora. Pillars adorned with the Hylian crest lined either side of the walkway and held ever-lit candles. Four large trees, two at the steps and two around the Goddess statue, took up the majority of the space for plants. Next to it in abundance were the lily pads that infected the surface film along with fallen leaves. Around the statue were several flowing waterfalls that put mist into the air.

Both Link and Zelda's eyes sparkled with wonder at the sacred place as they continued up the steps to the platform that ended a considerable distance from the base of the statue. Meanwhile, the Hero felt a certain sense of lightness at his head and shoulders as he trailed behind them. Yet, as he made his way up the steps, he felt a sudden jolt at his tear ducts as he caught the statue's eye.

Dearest Hero, are you alright?

That bolt that hit you…your weaker vessel didn't come into too much harm, did it?

Her immense feeling of worry made his nose start to run as he responded, 'Oh I'm entirely fine, don't worry. I took advantage of the bright light and figured it was time to come back to this form. It's better than turning into my actual self in the middle of that clearing. I'm pretty sure my adult form is okay.' He tried to quietly sniff and hope the sound of the waterfalls drowned it out.

Link stood guard at the front edge of the platform while Zelda thoughtfully eyed Young Link before slipping into the spring and beginning her prayer. Succeeding in keeping his expression neutral, the Hero sat with his shoes off on the right ledge so he could kick his legs around in the water. Some of the fluttering wildlife appeared to be strangely drawn to him.

'So…while we're here…I was wondering about Zelda and her—'

You know better than that.

Her sweet-sounding words were a warning in every sense. In fact, a small bolt of lightning followed by a deep roar of thunder raged on not too far in front of them. It made them all flinch in surprise.

He slightly hung his head as he bit his inner lip, 'Yes, Your Divinity, I do.' Looking up, his eyes spied one of their butterflies starting to flit over, 'W-Wait…no way. Is that? How did one of them get here?' Right as he finished his sentence, the beautiful insect landed on the bridge of his nose. Mere seconds into its rest, it's sparkling wings opened as it merged into his face and disappeared, leaving all but a few twinkles and sending a tingling sensation that spread into his cheeks and thrusted his memory back to when he was last in Her domain. Time's face and ears burned red. Without thinking, he immediately scooped the spring water in front of him into his hands and splashed it up at himself.

My goodness.

Hylia's head and upper torso faded into view. It would turn out that he cradled her pooling hair and head in his lap while her pale eyes looked up at him with a bewildered interest. The rest of her body was submerged beneath the surface of the water.

I'm simply right here, my love.

There's no need to do whatever that was.

His wet hands gripped the edge of the platform, 'Eh!? I was trying to cool my face off from that butterfly!'

How strange…

I thought you were trying to get my attention.

He failed to see how throwing water in his face could ever come across as trying to get anyone's attention. Maybe it had to do with the fact that it was sacred spring water or that she was technically in front of him the whole time so he, in a way, maybe scooped part of her up when he did that. He had no idea. 'R-Right, sorry about that.' A thought came to mind as his gaze veered off to a waterfall, 'Hylia, you can see things that are hidden right? Even those that are hidden by magic?'

I can see everything, yes.

Time pushed the brief concern that caused him to the side, 'Could you lend me your gaze for a second?'

You mean grant you your real eyes in your noble form?

Have you found that difficult to do yourself, my sweet?

'Um…I haven't had the Lens of Truth for a long time now…' 'Just what is she implying? I don't remember anything looking different the last time I was in my other form at the fountain…' 'Besides, there's no guarantee that it'd be the same as yours, right?' She blinked as she considered his words.

…

Your interest has piqued my own.

Her hand rose to his cheek, her fingers stopping just short of his right eye. Instantaneously, his vision began to morph in one eye in a way that made his head ache. However, after closing his left it quickly began to subside. Interestingly, the water right in front of him looked normal. Well, perhaps it shimmered ever so slightly. The tree off to his left was a tree and the cliffs surrounding the spring were simply there as well. When his gaze briefly looked to Hylia, she wasn't there at all, nor was she at her statue in the center of the pool. Yet, eyeing his own hands and forearms, he didn't see the armored deity version of them that he expected.

Tilting his head to look toward the waterfall behind the monument, it was there that he found his satisfaction. 'Yes! I knew there was something behind it!' He couldn't see much, but what caught his attention was a radiating sparkle that hovered in midair that was surrounded by a dark wall with strange designs. His heart soared at the thought of parting the water and finding out what it was. He thought of looking to Zelda and Link, but he didn't want to risk catching their attention, especially if the one eye he had open looked out of the ordinary.

Found what you were looking for, my sweet?

Time kissed the palm of her hand as he took it off his face, eagerly watching her reappear, 'Sure did, thank you very much! Though, where were you just now? You can't see yourself?' He couldn't imagine a universe where he couldn't see his own reflection, let alone not even his hands and legs.

I see everything as it is.

That which must be hidden therefore cannot hide.

Her eyes drifted toward her statue.

I am not here. Not entirely.

It is for the same reason why we cannot speak at my other tethers.

'Your statues?' He was more surprised that she was explaining something to him for once.

Such earthly ties are quite troublesome, aren't they?

Very mischievous.

It clicked. 'Ooohhhh, so whenever I talk to you at your statues, you're actually here! That makes way more sense for why the one in Castle Town isn't a good place. Ganon could probably easily sense you or something.' The Goddess smiled in delight as she quickly rose from the water and sat beside him. She was huge when compared to his younger form's size. What was left of her hair still flowed down into the skirt of his tunic.

I'm starting to think you understand why it seems as if some of your questions are ones you know the answer to, my sweet.

She leaned down to the point where her hands had to support her before her lips could touch his forehead in praise. Meanwhile he had to keep his tendency to flinch at such a gesture under lock and key as to not alert the watchful knight behind him. 'Perhaps I can see where you're coming from, Dearest Hylia.' It crossed his mind that talking to the Goddess seemed quite rude considering that Zelda was not more than five feet away from them and was getting nowhere with her prayer. He also came to notice Hylia's peculiar body language, for even after he looked at the Princess from over his shoulder, her focus never left him. 'Well, I appreciate the explanation of your so-called tethers. I'll try not to get hit by anymore lightning.' She giggled.

I'd quite like that. Though, should you ever find a reason to produce a storm of your own, I will be curious to learn why.

I find myself reminiscing of your blue and purple bolts, my love.

Once again she alluded to capabilities he didn't think were possible. He had nothing more to say, so he let her kiss his cheek goodbye before bringing his attention to the Princess and their surroundings. His eyes searched for possible switches or solutions to puzzles the spring could be hiding. 'Knowing how these things generally work, it's no surprise that I'd have to solve a puzzle in order to get to the shrine. Speaking of which, maybe this one is actually turned on too! Maybe it glows the same way the Sheikah slate does!'

Many peaceful hours later, the sun was beginning its trek to sleep when the Princess sighed and trudged back to the stone platform, "I know Cotera suggested this, but this feels useless," she admitted. Her head hung low.

Young Link scooted over to her, lightly pressing his forehead into hers. With time to let his last interaction sink in, he felt terrible about Hylia being there while she was praying. 'I'm starting to think that it's possible that she has no control over whether Zelda gets her powers or not. I mean, she seems to lump both her and Link into the same collective "humans" or "creatures." I'd be crazy if I didn't think that there wasn't some significance to that.' He briefly exhaled as well, "I suppose this might have to do with the fact that this is the part of the Triforce that Ganon normally has. I'm sorry Princess."

Perhaps her Highness found some reserve in his actions, for she allowed it to persist for a few moments after his phrase ended. She pulled away as she spoke, "Ah…I didn't think of it like that, Hero. You might have a point." Still, she shook her head, "Nevertheless, I don't suppose there's a point in dwelling here any longer. It seems the storm has passed as well."

"Actually," He perked up, "If I could check something really quick before we leave."

Now both the champion and the Princess's eyes held curious gleams, "Oh, um, please go ahead. So long as you're not breaking anything of course."

Time nodded as he waded through the water that came up to his midriff. It proved to be more difficult to move in than he cared to admit. It was low enough that his feet had a steady grip on the pebbly grounds, but high enough to where the waterfalls added unforeseen but remarkable resistance—but above all—swimming was still deemed unnecessary. Soon, he paused in front of the waterfall that flowed directly behind the statue of Hylia. He took his ocarina from his waist, playing a gargley note before emptying the water out of the instrument. First, he was reminded of the waterfall that blocked the entrance to Zora's Domain back in his own world, so he played Zelda's Lullaby.

Nothing. Only subtle reactions from the two behind him.

Next, he played the Song of Storms. While still being one of his favorite songs, he sort of felt bad for the light sprinkle of rain it brung. For once he paid attention to the color of the lightning the song produced, and, to his astonishment, none of it was remotely blue or purple. 'Strange…' Unfinished with his search, he took a step into the gushing waterfall to get a look at what was behind it in the first place.

And what do you know? Directly behind the water was an ancient door with text he couldn't read. Was it really a door? 'Goodness, I have no idea how this would open. All of the individual rocks or something…I can't imagine how you'd break it away unless it opens on its own.' A part of him considered praying to Hylia to open it, but seeing as she didn't appear too interested in it when he used her gaze, who was to say she'd do it in the first place? He stepped out of the downpour of water with a shrug, "Dang, there's almost always something behind a waterfall. I guess that's not the case here."

The light drizzle of rain had finished passing as the other two took in his drenched figure. Neither of them seemed to be able to hide their shock at the nonchalance he had with getting wet, "R-Really?" Zelda's hand came to her chin, "I suppose I'll have to keep that in mind. I would have never thought to check something like that." She watched him climb back onto the platform, "Why did you play my lullaby?"

"You don't know?" 'I get the feeling that even my own Zelda knew how important her song was!' He pulled on his boots and explained it to her as they strolled away from the spring, "You remember me saying that the notes of the song were in the Atrium, right? Where the champion ceremony took place."

Both her and her knight nodded.

"Your lullaby has always held very magical abilities, Princess. For me, a lot of times it was a sort of key to open hidden things, but it also was a sign of my loyalty to the Royal Family. Not just anyone knows that song."

This intrigued her further, "That's very interesting. Maybe there's something about it from my bookshelves back at the castle." She looked back to where they left the horses, "Well, let's head back. We'll be leaving tomorrow morning after we get our bearings. Also," A curious smile took place, "Just when did you change back? How did you change back? I'm just wondering, of course."

"Oh right, that was just before we came in here. Also, I'm not exactly sure how. I saved your knight from getting struck by lightning and then I was back to looking like this." He sort of shrugged, "It goes without saying, but clearly I'm fine too."

Concern briefly lit her eyes before she blinked it away, "Oh my…well…thank you for doing that. I-I'm glad you're alright."

They returned to their horses and swiftly made their way back to the citadel before the moon could replace the sun. If anything, the Hero's smaller size certainly made riding, in general, far easier for the both of them. He was able to ride in front of Link rather than behind since they could both fit in the saddle. Twilight was quite interested in his changed form. She nosed him before they left and after they made it to the bridge.

He laughed as he pet her muzzle, "What's all this about, Twi? Wondering why I got all short so suddenly? Or maybe you're thanking me for the load being much lighter now?"

"It's probably the last one," Link chimed.

"I'm pretty sure this conversation was private, thanks," Young Link playfully mused back, crossing his arms. Before he could say anything else to the knight's horse, the stablemen had come to take their horses back.

Once inside the gates, Zelda took his hand and brought him over toward the stairs, "I was going to mention that you're still free to room with me if you'd like. Especially now that you don't look nearly as old."

Frankly, the thought of staying another night in the drafty barracks made his heart sad, yet his mouth said, "Princess, that doesn't change the fact that I'm actually eighteen years old."

Her cheeks instantly became flush, "Ah…I didn't realize that was your true age we were seeing."

"It's okay, and don't worry, as chilly as that room gets, I'm sure I'll make it another night. I appreciate your kindness, though." He kissed her hand goodnight, making sure it was her left. Then he met up with his descendant in the Mess Hall before retiring once more.

Deciding it would be best to not share a cot that night, he was glad he could feel the waves of sleep beginning to take his mind elsewhere. This time it took him into a fairly realistic setting: the Hyrule Field of this world. He stood in the tall grass listening to the sound of the wind and insects. 'Hmm…' Time took in the beautiful scenery, the wide-open sky, 'Perhaps this really has become familiar with enough exposure to it.' His hand trailed along the blades of grass, 'Funny how that happens, I suppose.' He turned and found a tree sitting just behind him. Seeking the shade, he spotted a small patch of the bluebells that could be found growing around Cotera's fountain. He bent down to peer at them.

"Hehe, very pretty," He murmured with a smile.

The sound of flittering paper interrupted his viewing as a large shadow loomed over him.

'Shit!' The Hero remained still, 'Well wait, this is just a dream!' He could feel his hands starting to twitch outside of his dream. Moments after, he jolted awake, his face becoming disturbed at the three or so soldiers surrounding his cot. He let himself sound annoyed, "Um… yes? You're disturbing my sleep."

One flinched before speaking, "O-Oh, sorry about that. Inappropriate timing, yes, but I was just showing my two friends that the Hero was here." He looked to them, "Cool, yeah?"

As soon as his sentence ended, time seemed to slow around them. Young Link's eyebrows furrowed together in slow motion as he thought, 'Wait a damn minute! Literally no one but two guards know who I am like this! These guys look nothing like them either!' Dinner had turned out to be a little awkward when he came and sat by Link only to be told by a couple of guys that he couldn't be there. A tiresome explanation ensued from Link that made believers out of them, but everyone else seemed too engrossed in their food to care.

Once time started to move normally, the other two guards had pinned his arms and legs down while the one that talked shoved a rag full of blue petals in his face. The smell of blue nightshade, the flower from his dream, flooded his nostrils and immediately took effect.

Their smirking faces faded into darkness.

Link rose from the dead in his cot, wearing a frown. A peculiar feeling had developed in his chest and continued to get pumped to the rest of his body. 'Weird, it's not like I was dreaming a second ago…' His gaze observed the men that were sleeping around him, 'I should go check on Time.'

For no particular reason, of course, and certainly not because said feeling was getting worse. It must have been the food from dinner, even if that's never happened before...that doesn't mean it's not possible. 'Let's see, I believe he was somewhere behind me, but not by much…' Needing to squint his eyes, he eventually found a speck of moonlight reflecting off the metal rim of the soldier's shield he gave him. The champion began walking over, 'Wait is he…is he not there? What?' Now leaning over the cot, he could see nothing but the indent in the pillow from where his head had been. Time's blanket half hung off the edge and his equipment was propped against the side, but otherwise looked untouched.

Link's hand found his chest, the feeling was starting to get really bad. He puffed out a breath, 'This is fine. He probably just went to use the restroom or something and I'm just overreacting.' So he waited with crossed arms for the Hero to return.

Five minutes later, his weight shifted from one side to the other as his lips started to press together. His fingers had left his pounding heart to go mess with one of his long forelocks that hung a little past his shoulders. It wasn't making him feel any better.

Five more minutes passed and his eyes narrowed, "Time!" He hissed, now fervently trying to find his blonde head, "This is a really bad time to be messing around!" Link immediately rolled his eyes at himself, 'Oh as if, he would literally never do something like that!' Unable to hear his footsteps or see him, he took to inspecting his bed more intensively. After feeling how cold the canvas had become, it set off an alarm in his mind that the worst had happened.

Anxiety now racked around his head as he bolted to the senior commander's quarters. He both sounded and looked like a mess as the sleeping man was shocked awake, "Sir. Sir!"

His deep voice chuckled as he sat up, "Champion! You nearly gave me a heart attack! What's got you so riled up this late at night?"

He couldn't believe his calm demeanor, "Time—no, th-the Hero! He's missing!"

"Link, I'm sure we both saw the same capable-looking man, even if his attire was questionable at best. I understand that you're both buddies, but even I could see him cozying up next to the women at the stables. He'll be back in the morning."

"Whaaaaaaaaat!?" The air that left his nostrils was so hot it might as well have been fire. Not to mention, such an inherently false assumption about his ancestor turned his face bright red, which the lighting luckily made hard to see, "Why would you—that's literally not how—he wouldn't even…UGH! Listen! The Hero doesn't even look like that at the moment! When we were at the spring, he just…reverted back to his younger looking self. Me and Zelda don't know why or how. More importantly, my gut is telling me something awful has happened to him and you know my gut is never wrong!"

That struck a chord with the commander, "That monster attack on the research camps…"

"Mhm, and that one time there was a stampede of lynels."

He was decided, "I appreciate you coming to me about this, champion. Go wake the men and tell them to join me in their organized groups at the front gate. I'll quickly devise a search plan to cover the majority of the region."

Link saluted him, "Sir!" and ran back to the barracks. Though, the commander's previous notions about Time stuck in his mind, 'Does he really look like the type of person to go do that?…That's still the last thing I expected him to say.' He pushed the door open, bracing himself to call out, 'Still… please be okay Time. Please let this be some huge misunderstanding.'

But his gut told him he would not find his ancestor there. In fact, every hint it gave pointed to the idea of this being the work of the Yiga Clan.

The champion nearly prayed it wasn't so.