#dungeon exploration | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

lukohan · 2 years ago

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Hey linkeduniverse fandom

I read so many fics about Time & Twilight and Twilight & Wild(and so many others), but I was craving some Time and Wild so I made my own little fic

Here’s the link to the work at Ao3

Below is for the ones who may be interested to read it here.

Summary: The chain were exploring some ruins, but then Time and Wild got thrown into a dungeon. The two of them had to get out again and Time is in for some surprises as he clearly underestimates Wilds Sheikah-slate and creativity.

Words: 7200

Enjoy!

The day was uneventful until early afternoon. The chain was traversing some hills when they stumbled upon a bunch of ruins. The size and shape of the scattered remains of stone and wood told them this was once a small village. Hyrule and Wild were already walking ahead towards the ruins before anyone could suggest going to explore them. This was neither new nor unusual and the rest was just as curious and followed them without protest.

Time stood in the middle of what was once a marketplace or had been at least the main square of the village. He did find a few rotten wooden sings indicating a market. After a few moments of looking around himself, he decided to keep an eye on his boys. Wind, Warriors and Legend stood inside the largest building discussing something. The remains showed that it had been a tavern. Sky had joined Hyrule and Four near a blocked well, while Twilight stuck close to Wild, watching him.

Twilights attention was drawn towards Sky and Four when they held up some trinkets. As Twilight made his way to them, Time saw Wild scurrying of in the opposite direction. Times gaze followed him until he disappeared behind some debris and chose to go see what interesting thing the cub had found. He walked behind the debris and stopped a few feet away from Wild. The boy knelt in front of something that resembled a tombstone.

“Found something interesting?” Time looked at Wilds back with a raised eyebrow. A tombstone with a strange symbol was not what he expected to find in village ruins.

Wild whipped his head around about to say something when a small tremor ran through the ground, seemingly to originate right underneath Wild. The world went instantly quiet and Time could hear the others approaching in their direction. Wild looked at him wide eyed.

The next moment the ground shook violently and collapsed right under Wild. Time was halfway to Wild, arm stretched out to grab and pull him away and out of danger. But Time lost his footing before he could reach him. The earth beneath him gave in and he felt himself fall into the hole with the collapsing earth and debris, losing sight of Wild as he entered the dark. He heard the others shouting.

Though he didn’t fall far. After just a moment he fell on a slope and slide-rolled down, accompanied by stone and dirt. The slide down wasn’t short and ended abruptly, dropping Time over an edge and five feet to the floor.

He hit the ground with his back and a groan, instinctively shielding his face with his arms against potential rocks following him. But only a few pebbles landed on him, leaving him unscathed.

He waited for three breaths, listening as the last bit of dirt rained over the edge. Then he quickly got up, eye already scanning the lit room he found himself in, searching for Wild. A quiet sigh of relieve escaped his lips once he saw Wild only a few feet away from him. He was on his knees and was about to get up.

“Are you alright?” Time hurried to Wilds side as he stood and took a closer look at him.

“I’m fine.” His voice oddly quiet and after seeing Time he flinched. “I’m fine.”

Time narrowed his eye slightly in suspicion, knowing well that he had the tendency to play down any injury. But he didn’t see any blood and he himself was unharmed so he assumed he was alright as well.

He took a proper look around the room. It was incredibly spacious, round and with too smooth too even stone walls. There were two metal doors opposite of each other. Time turned around and looked up the shaft they had fallen through. It was almost too dark to see anything, but he could distinctly make out what looked like a giant rock blocking the way back up.

And blocking all the rocks and debris that would have come down falling on us, Time thought to himself.

He saw Wild standing in front of one of the doors. He stepped closer as well and he noticed several heavy metal chains blocking the door. But there was no lock or anything similar to it. Wild investigated the chains, yanked at them, and seemed to come to the conclusion that they couldn’t get past here.

“I think we landed inside a dungeon.” Time crossed his arms. And we didn’t end up at the entrance. The door is probably locked from the other side, which means there is no way for us to open it.

A sense of dread spread inside him. He didn’t like this. They couldn’t get out.

“This door opens.” Wild called from the other side of the room, snapping Time out of his thoughts. He made his way over quickly, peered through the door and stared down a short hallway.

Time looked to Wild, who was in return looking at him, the corners of his mouth upward and a certain glint in his eyes. He gestured to the hallway “Guess there’s only one way forward.”

The door at the end of the hallway led them into an enormous room. It looked like an artificial forest with trees made out of stone. Several waterways of different width divided the room with a small lake at one side.

Time saw the curiosity written on Wilds face as they wandered into it. This place was certainly an odd sight. He probably would have felt a certain curiosity as well under different circumstances. Right now he was mostly concerned how they would get out of this dungeon, they could have missed an important item that they would need to get out of here, depending on how far into the dungeon they had fallen, making it impossible to proceed. He was also worried about the others outside, who hopefully didn’t end up falling and get buried, and are definitely frantically trying to find a way to get to them.

He caught the rock flying at him in his peripheral vision. Time immediately dodged forward and took cover behind a stone tree, the next stone impacted against it.

A quick look revealed three octoroks in a waterway. One launched a rock towards Wild who had taken cover behind another tree, bow and arrow at the ready. Time took his shield and stepped out at the same time as Wild. Wild shot two arrows taking out the two further away and Time parried an incoming rock, launching it back and taking out the third.

There were some more octoroks as the traversed through the stone forest, but the two of them had no problem handling them.

They stood now in front of the small lake. A door to the right of it, blocked with chains and a lock. In the middle of the lake, at the far end of the wall, was a tiny island with a socket and a small key on top of it.

Time gazed over the edge of the lake, Wild crouched down next to him. Both studied the creatures inside of it. They looked like oversized jellyfish in multiple colours.

“They look similar to bari. They electrocute you on contact.” Time answered the unasked question he saw on Wilds face. He tensed a bit, remembering their sting and the pain from his adventures. He was in full armor, which wasn’t exactly ideal to swim to the island and get the key, especially with electricity-based enemies. And while he knew Wild wouldn’t have a problem going himself, he’d rather not subject him to any danger. Besides there were just too damn many of them.

Wild must have seen him frowning as he stood up and took his Sheikah-slate in his hands. “The key is made of metal, right?”

Without waiting for an answer, Time saw a glowing orb extend from the slate to the key. As soon as it connected the key started floating. With a flick of the slate the key hovered towards them until Wild grabbed it midair.

“No problem.” Wild had a huge grin on his face and was proudly showing off the key in his hand.

Time stared at the key for a moment. He obviously knew of the functions of Wilds slate and had seen it in action many times before. It probably just didn’t occur to him that it could be used for something like that instead of battle or mischief, it made an otherwise hazardous task so simple. Well, it was always good to avoid danger.

He shrugged inwardly and followed Wild who was already unlocking the door.

The next room was much smaller, with a single waterway leading from one side to the other. The only notable thing in this room was an abstract mural. It seemed to depict some sort of altar surrounded by weird symbols.

Time recognized one of them. It was the same as on the tombstone… He wondered if it was a hint to the boss of this dungeon, or at least some puzzle to be solved. He counted eight symbols and tried to understand what they could mean.

He heard a familiar sound coming from the slate Wild held in his hands. The boy must have taken a photo just now.

“My Zelda will definitely find this interesting.” Wild said when he noticed Time looking at him.

“She’s interested in odd, obscure paintings from dungeons?”

Wild flashed a smile. “Honestly, she’s interested in just about everything. This can be her next riddle to solve.”

The next room was again gigantic. A stair led them down a few steps, the entire floor was covered in water that just went above their ankles. Stone trees were much sparser than in the other room, but there were still a few around. Three platforms of about 12 feet height, stood each at a wall and there was also another shaft way above one. Unfortunately, the light didn’t reach the ceiling and left the upper part of the room in darkness.

Time carefully observed his surroundings. So far he didn’t spot any signs of enemies or traps, even when he strained his eye against the dark above them. Wild had already walked a bit further into the room, his body language clearly stating caution. He walked after him reminding himself with a tinge of guilt that Wild may be a reckless gremlin, but he wasn’t just reckless. He had gone through his share of dungeons and danger.

Wild had reached the first platform and started scaling its walls and Time was once again amazed by Wilds ability to climb almost any vertical surface.

“There’s a door here blocked with chains.” Wild shouted from above him. “And there are more on the other platforms. I don’t think the others are locked.”

Time saw the one on the platform the furthest away from them. But that platform had water pouring down on its side, tiny waterfalls on each side. He doubted even Wild could climb up there.

Wild jumped down and landed next to him. “This door won’t open we have to try another one.”

“The key to it must be behind one of the other doors.” Time motioned his hand to the next platform, only slightly taller than this one.

Wild must have taken this as an invitation, because he was running towards it and climbed it immediately.

How is that boy so quick? Time followed at a swift pace and stopped in front of it, Wild had almost reached the top. He wondered how he was getting up there himself. There was no way for him to climb the wall like Wild did, but perhaps the tree next to it would allow him…

Time couldn’t finish his thoughts. A loud hiss had him look upward to the platform, his body tensed up into a ready stance. Before he managed to start picturing, what was going on up there, he heard the loud sound of metal clashing and to his shock, he saw how Wild had been flung backward and fell from the platform. He crashed through some tree branches and hit the ground with a groaned. His shield landed somewhere with a loud clang.

Time rushed to his side instantly, his own shield taken from the back with one swift motion. The moment he stood at Wild side his eye darted from Wilds pained face up to the platform. He had just enough time to raise his shield and brace himself against a greatsword. A lizalfos had jumped down on them. With the next breath he drew his sword and swung it at the enemy, wounded it and caused it to jump to the side in retreat.

A cough and dripping water told Time that Wild had moved. “There’s more of them. Dropped down from above.” Wilds pressed out from behind him.

Time took a few steps back, pushing Wild with him. Two more lizalfos jumped down, while another three had shown up at the edge, spears at ready. He felt Wild stepping forward to his side and saw the glint of sword and shield in hand.

The first lizalfos charged at him again. Time slashed his sword at its head. Two more strikes and it fell to the ground. A shadow appeared above him and he quickly dodged the incoming spear, sidestepped to avoid it again, and performed a back slice, cutting deep and killing it instantly.

Then he turned to Wild, just in time to see him dispose of one of the two remaining lizalfos with a spin of his sword. While the last monster was still facing Wild, Time struck it down from behind, ending this fight and returning silence to the room.

“That wasn’t so difficult.” Wild was slightly panting, most likely still from the fall, and drenched.

Time hastily stepped closer to him and immediately noticed Wilds left forearm, the sleeve dripping with bright light red blood from elbow to wrist. His heartbeat quickened once more at the sight of it.

“Your arm…” Time was about to grab it but Wild just nonchalantly raised and studied it for a moment.

“It’s ok.” He pulled up the sleeve and revealed a large abrasion, spanning almost the entire outside of his forearm. “It’s not deep and it doesn’t even hurt that much.” He demonstratively flexed his fingers.

Time breathed out in relieve. A small wound considering how he had fallen. The amount of blood had him fooled for a moment, but now that he had a second to think it should have been obvious, it was too bright; the blood had been diluted with all that water, spreading it and making it appear as much more than it actually was.

“Do you have potions with you?” Time asked still fixated on Wilds arm.

Wild blinked at him questioningly and took out his slate. He slightly pursed his lips: “I have two left in my slate. But Time, this hardly warrants a potion.” He demonstratively waved his arm.

Time raised an eyebrow. Two potions left, he himself had none with him. This wasn’t great. And they didn’t know what has yet to come and he reluctantly agreed with Wild in terms of wound severeness. He wouldn’t need a potion for something like that.

But before he could tell him so Wild continued. “Seriously, this is nothing.” He smiled in assurance. “And besides I had much worse than this and survived without potions.”

Time saw him avert eyes as soon as he had said the last part, probably worried that he would question him about it. Oh, he really wanted to know what had happened, but he had no plans on asking right now. But once they got back to the others, he might ask him about it. He already knows he’s going to be horrified about that story anyway.

Time helped to make a makeshift bandage out of some pieces of clothing. The moment he was done Wild turned to the platform and started climbing again.

“Wild, get back down.” Time couldn’t help but worry, they don’t know if there would be more monsters ready to ambush them.

“Don’t worry, we dealt with every monster.” Wild had already reached the top. He smiled. “I take a look through the door, see what’s in the next room.”

“WILD!” Time yelled at the disappearing figure, silently cursing at the boy’s recklessness. Then searched anxiously for a way up. He gave up pretty fast to ever get on top of the platform, instead he had to settle with staring up, hoping Wild would be back any moment, wouldn’t be facing any difficulties or danger.

A couple minutes later Wild had indeed returned and jumped down to meet up with him.

Time gave him a stern look, putting all unsaid words into it. The stare seemed to work, Wild didn’t meet his eyes, instead glanced to the side.

“I found a treasure chest with some rupees in it.” He knew full well Time wasn’t happy with him running of. “There was also a lever marked with a water symbol. I think it’s meant to flood this room.”

Time nodded at that. “From what I know of dungeons, you’re probably right. It will most likely allow us to reach the last platform.”

Time took a moment to think. He still had his Zora-armor with him. It will take some time to change into it, but then Wild could climb back up…

He heard Wild walking away and looked up. He was already halfway to the last platform.

Hylia, this boy! Couldn’t stand still for a few seconds and let him come up with a plan.

Time groaned inwardly. He suddenly understood Twilight so much better, always running after Wild and getting stressed out.

“Wild” he stopped himself from reprimanding him as he saw how he studied this last obstacle. “Even you won’t be able to climb this.” He shook his head to emphasize on it. The walls were too slippery from the constant running water.

“We don’t need to.” A mischievous smile had made its way on Wilds face. “Just stand over there.”

“What are you planning?” Time eyed him suspiciously. This smile didn’t bode well, he could feel it.

“It’s nothing dangerous, trust me.” Wild had his slate in his hands, waiting for Time to move to the designated spot. “Just a way to get us up.”

Time stood next to the platform, wondering what was going to happen. Trust me, the teen said, Time trusted him, but he would like to know what happens(if he survives this).

He suddenly felt the ground move and within a breath he rose up towards the platform. He looked down and saw a huge block of ice underneath him. He stared a moment at the ice and then turned his attention to the platform, which was now at chest height. It was easy to climb it. Wild was quick to follow him up.

“See?” Wild joined him on the platform, a wide grin on his face.

Time couldn’t help but chuckle. Whether it was due to Wilds enthusiasm or the surprise of the slates absurd and convenient power. Looks like they didn’t have to do it the way he had thought.

The next room was a large circle with another door at the opposite end, just like the first one they had landed in. But in this one there was in the middle a single large treasure chest.

Time and Wild carefully scanned the room and looked out for concealed enemies and hidden dangers.

“There’s only this single chest here.” Wild concluded with some disbelieve in his voice. It actually sounded almost like a question.

“It does appear that way.” Time didn’t trust this either, it looked too much of a trap. “But it’s too easy. I don’t think we can just take whatever is in there.” A chest like this in a dungeon usually contained something important or useful. He doubted a large chest like that had only rupees in it. But he felt uneasy…

Wild for one didn’t deem this to be a deterrent and approached the chest. “I’ll check.”

Time watched from where he was and observed the room closely, ready for whatever trap may be triggered. He knew he wouldn’t be able to dissuade Wild anyway and they most likely needed the content later.

Wild opened the chest and reached into it. He pulled out a small key. The same moment he showed it to Time they heard an almost deafening buzzing sound. Wild looked up right above him to its source and leaped to the side to avoid a flash of light, which shot to where he had been.

Time rushed forward, sword in hand and his eye on the buzzing light ball. Said ball charged at them with incredible speed, the two barely managed to dodge it. It zig-zagged through the air like lightning, never stopping, changed direction again and attacked them once more. He dodged again and felt a sharp blade scratching at his armor. He tried to hit it with his sword the next time it raced by again but it was too fast.

Wild shot several arrows, all missed its mark, the ball of light even circled the last arrow midair as if to mock them.

This went on for several minutes.

“Every time it attacks us it stands still for an instant.” Time shouted after another dodge, and another scratch showed on his armor.

But the next arrow missed as well.

This was a troublesome enemy. Time contemplated retreating. The doors weren’t blocked, they should be able to leave both ways without losing their heads if they timed it right. They even had a key for the locked door from before. He knew from the dungeons he had completed, there would definitively be an item or weapon to help them with this unknown enemy. If it wasn’t placed in the earlier part of the dungeon which was blocked off completely to them…

Time dodged the buzzing annoyance again. But this time not fast enough. He felt how something sharp sliced his left leg, leaving a burning sensation. The wetness of blood started to spread.

Tch.

“Strike it when it stops!” He heard Wild shout, sounding quite angry.

Before his mind could even question what sort of plan Wild had this time, he saw a yellow light flash the moment the noisy ball went for an attack again.

Time saw an insect-like monster standing completely still midair illuminated by yellow light. He swore he could hear a ticking sound. He didn’t think, simply reacted on instinct and with the next heartbeat swung his sword and cleaved the creature in two. A strange sound filled the room and the two halves of the being fell to the ground.

He looked to Wild, who had the slate in his hand and concentration on his face. The boy relaxed a bit and walked over to him. Time was bewildered, still not fully grasping what just happened. Like he had said, he knew about the slates function, he technically knew. He had even seen this time-stopping feature in action before. Yet his mind needed a moment to comprehend the last three seconds.

Time recovered from his surprised state and used his left hand to examen the wound on his leg. It was longer than his hand and still stung, but the blood started to dry rather quickly. Luckily the cut wasn’t deep. Time turned his attention back to the corpse. A small gentle light ball formed from the remains and turned into some sort of orb with a symbol engraved on it.

Wild picked up the fist-sized orb and studied it, rotated it in his hand.

“You alright?” Wild shifted a bit to see Times leg.

“Just a scratch.” It would fully stop bleeding soon, no doubt, and he moved without problem.

“This symbol was on the mural, though it’s different from the tombstone.”

“Take it. Pretty sure we will need it to get further.” Time closed his eye for a moment and took a deep breath. He hoped there wasn’t much more to come.

They continued through the door further into the dungeon. The option to go back to the looked door always remained.

Next, they stepped into a long empty corridor. On first glance.

Before Wild could make another step Time put a hand on his shoulder and stopped him.

“The floor.” He cast his gaze downward. Tiles in different colours were spread out. Time knew this sort of trap well and it was easy to avoid.

Wild seemed to understand promptly as well. He gave Time a nod and maneuvered through the little maze of tiles with ease.

They entered yet another round room, even larger than the last one. The inner circle was lowered by a step and filled with water. In the center existed something like an altar. Eight pedestals formed a circle on the outer dry ring.

It took Time several steps to cross the outer ring. Seven small orbs shone from beneath the water’s surface. He took one out of the water and studied it, searched and found another symbol.

Looks like he was proven right about the orb. Slight annoyance spread through him for he hadn’t completely memorized the mural. Time grumbled inwardly, pretty sure it depicted to order in which they would need to place the orbs on the pedestals in order to continue.

“Do you remember the order of the symbols on the mural?”

“Noooooo…….” The drawn-out answer arrived after a few seconds. “But I can check.”

Time watched Wild take out the slate and tapping on it. He still wasn’t sure what to think about this thing. It was undoubtedly useful and helpful but he still felt a certain unease.

He waited for Wild to bring up the photo he had taken back then.

Oh, this thing was convenient yes. If Time had been by himself, he would need to go all the way back and take another look. Depending if he could correctly memorize it in a short time, maybe even twice.

He leaned in to look at the picture on the slate. With this, it was child’s play and they quickly placed the orbs in their corresponding positions on top of the pedestals.

“Prepare yourself. Something is going to happen.” Time placed the last orb.

Slight tremors filled the room as the pedestals vanished into the ground. With an echoing thud, bars appeared and blocked the door. Eight lights gathered on top of the altar, darkness rose from it and seemed to devour the light.

Time drew his sword and was almost thrown off balance when the ground shook violently.

The alter burst apart and the darkness expanded, a monster manifested from it. It looked like a giant lizalfos but with a pair of extra arms and claws and spikes all over its body. A long tail whipped around, the spikes started glowing worryingly yellow and static electricity filled the room.

Time silently cursed. He had expected for the master key to appear or something similar. Not what appeared, in all likelihood, to be the boss itself.

Time darted to the side and avoided its tongue. He saw it using its spiked arms to block Wilds sword and used the moment to slash the monsters’ side, injuring it easily, monster blood dripped from his blade.

It roared; light flashed through its spikes.

“Get back!” Time heard Wilds shout. He needn’t be told, knew full well what was coming, and jumped back. He barely managed to avoid the electrical sphere discharged by the boss.

It whipped around and lashed its tail in a circle. Time ducked under it and used this momentum to charge forward and plunge his sword into its side once more. Then leaped back again to evade the incoming claw which was now laced with electricity. The monster cried out again and from the corner of his eye he saw how Wild had used the opportunity to strike. The monster turned to Wild and Time grasped the chance to attack it again.

The monster wasn’t exactly smart and always turned its attention to the one that attacked it.

They made a good team; one attacks while the other had its attention and then switched when the monster did. Only shortly interrupted when it discharged another electrical sphere.

Everything worked well and Time could see the monster growing weaker and more agitated. He stepped forward, prepared to strike again, when the spikes flashed again, far earlier than before. He retreated immediately and narrowly avoided the electricity, but its tail was much faster than previous and knocked him off his feet and into the wall.

The impact wasn’t that hard, but he needed a few breaths to steady himself again, his eye fixated on the monster. If it was going to change its attack pattern the fight would become slightly more troublesome.

A loud scream filled the room.

Time turned his head and hot fear shot through his veins. He saw Wild on his hands and knees, head lowered, trembling, remains of electricity dissipating. He saw a red patch growing rapidly on Wilds back and forced his thoughts back into order.

Without another second to lose Time sprinted to him, dodged a claw midway, and positioned himself between Wild and the monster. Eye trained on the monster he heard Wild gasping for breath. There was no time to waste, he lunged at the boss, stroke it right in its eye and the monster reared back. Time thrust his sword deep into its torso with a fury he hadn’t long felt.

The boss collapsed to the floor, a last hiss marked its end. Its body slowly dissipated.

Time spun around. Wild had stood up, still gasping and completely unsteady. Time grabbed his arm and caught him, before he fell to the floor again. His eye widened as he saw the huge amount of deep red blood on Wilds left shoulder and back, already dripping down his arm.

Time lowered themselves to kneel on the ground. This time it was really bad, he had known instantly.

With one hand he steadied Wild and the other clutched the slate from Wilds hip and moved it into Wilds view.

“You need a potion.” Time hoped Wild was conscious enough to follow his words and tamped the dread rising within him. He cursed silently at his inability to operate the slate, especially now, in this situation, where it could mean life or death.

Time moved Wild closer to him and pulled the torn clothing aside to get a proper look at the wound. A huge gash went from the top of the shoulder to the middle of his back. He made out bright red fern-like patterns going up Wilds neck and on the entire right shoulder. There was probably more under all this blood.

The slate lit up in a blue light and Time helped him drink the potion, Wilds arm too unsteady to move properly. He moved Wilds head gently to lean on his shoulder and made sure to keep them both upright. Time closed his eyes and listened carefully to Wilds breathing. He anxiously waited for it to become steadier.

After a while he felt Wilds breath slowing and returning to almost normal. He took Wilds right arm around his shoulder and got themselves up. He moved cautiously and walked towards the wall.

“ ‘m fine. Can walk by mys’lf” Wild groaned, his voice was a whisper. Time knew better, shouldered a significant part of his weight. The young man’s body slumped against him.

He let Wild down and propped him against the wall, knelt in front of him, eyes narrowed in concern and then sat down next to him and pulled him closer.

“We’re taking a short break.” Time made sure to use a tone that left no room for arguments. He probably didn’t have to.

Wild simply muffled something in response and let his head plop against Times shoulder.

Time took in the pale face, the half-closed eyes and the deep rhythmic breathing, a method to deal with pain.

The cub needs a second potion, Time told himself, his heart heavy with worry and guilt. If he hadn’t missed the timing and had drawn the monster’s attention to him, this wouldn’t have happened. Time sighted. Blaming himself wouldn’t help them. They really needed to get out of this place and back to the others. He could imagen them desperately trying to find them. Hopefully this was really the boss and they could get out of here.

Time did manage to convince Wild to take the second potion without much fuss, a confirmation that he was in really bad shape.

They spent half an hour in silence, as they waited for the second potion to work and for Wild to gather some strength. Wild had his eyes closed and controlled his breathing. Times thoughts ran around, spinning with worry and what-ifs scenarios.

Wild had recovered quite a bit, his breathing had returned to normal and he walked by himself.

“I’m fine now, really.”

Time almost believed him. Almost. But he saw the caution in Wilds stride, careful to not move his shoulder more than necessary, and his breathing overly controlled.

Time hadn’t noticed the door appearing, he had been too focused on Wild. When they got closer to it Time tensed once more. It was unlocked and revealed a relatively small room with a single large treasure chest.

Unlike last time, Time didn’t feel like this one was trapped, so he knelt in front of it and opened the lid. In it laid a single light green gem, a faint glow pulsated slowly. He took it out with one hand to show Wild and hoped he knew what it was, because Time had never seen such a gem before, and he had seen many.

Right after Wild shook his head in response to the gem, a ray of white transparent light appeared a few steps behind the chest and formed a circle, startling both.

“This looks like our way out.” Time put a hand on Wilds right shoulder after a moment and lead them to stand in the circle. “Let’s go.”

The white light engulfed them and soon after they appeared on a stone circle, the evening sun welcoming them. Small green hills surrounded them and between some rocks was a hidden, closed stone door adorned with eight symbols. They stood in front of the actual dungeon entrance.

“We made it!” Wild flashed a broad smile and threw his hands into the air only to yank them down again with a hiss.

Yep. Time had noticed the wound hadn’t completely healed yet.

The sky was still bright although slowly turning its colour. It had been roughly five hours they spent in the dungeon. Only five hours, that was extremely fast, if he considered all the rooms they traversed and everything they did.

Time looked at the device hanging from Wilds hip. It was thanks to this thing and Wilds creativity. He couldn’t say how long it would have taken him to get out if he had been alone. He would have had to take into account of changing his armor for swimming and carefully navigating through the baris-laddled lake. Then there would have been the problem of climbing the platforms, and dealing with a potentially submerged room. Not to mention the fights. Those would have taken a lot longer alone. He would have had to retreat and go back as soon as he met that insect-like monster to look for something to help him with it. The boss would have been an extremely difficult challenge. And Hylia… the time he would have had to spend going back and forth between mural and boss room.

All in all, he estimated it would have taken him at least thrice the time they had needed.

Time smiled; nervous energy still present but also a sense of accomplishment. This truly had been an adventure full of surprises. Good and bad alike.

“Alright. Let’s see if we can find the ruins and get back to the others.”

They didn’t search for long. They were just about to go past the first hill when Wolfie came running. Time saw how Twilight must have recognized them, because he sped up some more. For a moment he though Twilight would crash into Wild, but the wolf came to a skittering halt right in front of him and started whining. He circled Wild several times, clearly distressed at the sight of blood and the state Wild appeared in. He circled Time twice before going back to Wild.

“I’m fine, I’m fine.” Wild tried to placate Twilight, who was still circling him. He tried his best to calm him down, but then again, he would always downplay injuries.

“He will be fine after we properly patch him up.” Time helped out Wild and hoped to ease Twilights worry.

“See! Even Time says so. I’m fine.” Wild gesticulated wildly.

Twilight stopped circling him und growled at him, unconvinced.

Time heard shouting and footsteps approaching. He looked over and saw the other six heroes running towards them.

“Time! Wild!”

“Thank Hylia, you’re safe.”

“What the fuck happened?”

A general gasp went through the group the moment they took in Wilds appearance. Although he was smiling his body was visible tense, his stance protective as to not move his shoulder more than necessary, and his bloodstained back and red covered left arm didn’t help any.

Wolfie had disappeared in the midst of this and Time knew he’d be back in a few seconds.

Hyrule stepped to Wild immediately and started examine him, all while he ignored his protests and assurances. He had no chance when Sky joined in. Legend was rummaging through his bag, probably looking for a potion. Twilight showed up and touched his proteges shoulder, which made Wild flinch. Time figured they’d be fretting over him for a while.

Warriors stepped in front of him, his eyes focused and alarmed, and his hands grasped Times arms.

“Are you alright.”

Huh. Time might have forgotten for a moment how his arm and part of his armor was full of Wilds blood. It made him look worse than he was.

“I’m perfectly fine, captain.”

“No, you’re hurt.” A vibrating Wind pointed at his leg.

That was true, but the wound had stopped bleeding and frankly, this little bit could hardly be called an injury.

“Just a scratch.”

“Pretty long for a scratch.” Four chimed in with a skeptical look and his arms crossed.

“Long but not deep.” Time put a hand on Warriors arm and squeezed it lightly to assure him. ��Most of the blood is Wilds.”

Warriors head snaped to Wild, who was visibly uncomfortable with so many people cornering him. No need to go over there and make it worse.

“We left most of our stuff just around the hill.” Four informed Time.

Warriors nodded. “Had Sky and Wind look for a place to stay outside of the ruins, in case other spots caved in. We were searching for a way to get to you. Scurred the entire ruins for a way down. Earth shook after a while again and I had everyone fall back. Couldn’t get all of them out of that possible danger zone right away, especially our Rancher. It’s good to have you back.”

“Legend was the first to suggest to look for an entrance. He saw some walls that looked like they belonged to a labyrinth.” Wind continued and jumped up and down. “Wolfie turned up to help us, but we couldn’t find anything!”

“How did you know we were here then?”

Twilight was the one to answer, now turned to him, his face was still riddled with concern.

“Saw a huge flash of light and hoped it was you guys.”

After Sky, Hyrule and Twilight were convinced Wild wasn’t going to die any moment they decided to get back to their belongings and set camp right there. Twilight was almost glued to Wild the entire way and always glanced back to Time, as if to make sure he was really there.

Hyrule had been adamant on checking out Times leg as well. Wild on his part seemed to have given up on getting any space, even after he was properly treated. He was now leaning against Twilight, no doubt he still felt the aftereffects of the fight.

Time knew the young hero wasn’t keen on telling the story, so Time told everyone of their little dungeon exploration, only occasionally interrupted by Wild

“I wasn’t reckless.”, “It worked!”,

“That’s what I usually do.”, followed by Twilights stern stare.

Wild indeed fell asleep unusually fast, breathing deep and even, and missed the later part of the tale. Hyrule had kept his eyes on him for the entire story, and now turned his gaze back to Time.

“We did find this at the end of the dungeon.” Time took out the glowing gem “Anyone know what it is?”

Seven pairs of eyes stared at it and heads were shaken.

Hyrule spoke up first. “There is magic emanating from it, just a little, but its pulsing within.”

“What sort of magic?” Twilights eyes narrowed in extreme suspicion.

“I’m not sure, but it doesn’t appear harmful. In fact, it feels … soothing.”

“Yeah, it’s like a faint heartbeat.” Legend added, “And Time has been holding it for a while now. If it did anything bad that would have already happened.”

Time stowed it away in his bag. “I’ll keep it for now. Maybe we’ll find someone who knows what it is.”

Heads were nodded.

“Alright everybody get some rest. I’ll take first watch.” Warriors stood up and placed a hand on Times shoulder. “Especially you, old man.”

Everyone headed to their bedrolls, except Twilight who still held a sleeping Wild close.

Time huffed and stood up as well. Today at least he would follow this suggestion without protest. He only made two steps away from the fire, when he abruptly stopped and decided otherwise. He went to sit next to Twilight.

Twilight had one arm protectively around Wild and buried his face in the other one.

Time placed gently a hand on his back, careful not to startle him.

“We’re back, pup.” Time said in a soft voice, almost whispering.

A quiet sob escaped Twilight and his shoulders started trembling a little.

“When you two fell… both at once… I didn’t know… rocks and dirt filled the hole and there was no way going after you. I though … I was afraid that… “

Twilight didn’t finish the sentence, his breath hitched.

Time didn’t need to hear to hear them, he knew full well what words couldn’t be said. Knew what horrific thoughts must curse through his mind.

They sat there for a while. Time gently rubbed Twilights back in an attempt to sooth him. He could clearly picture how he must have felt. He clearly knew how he would have felt, if Twilight had fallen instead of him.

Time breathed deeply, leaving his hand on Twilights back, and let himself relax.

“Let’s go to sleep.”

And Time made sure to put his bedroll as close to Twilights as possible.

#linked universe #linkeduniverse #lu wild #lu time #dungeon exploration #the other boys are there too #but this is basically a Time and Wild adventure

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