Chapter Text
Legend was absolutely exhausted. Exhausted, perhaps, wasn’t even the right word for how he was feeling right now. His joints and muscles ached and throbbed, weighing his weakened body down like a sack of bricks. He could barely raise his arms without excruciating pain jolting through him, let alone continue walking through the forest-y depths of Wild’s Hyrule.
Yet, here he was.
Upon being thrusted through another portal, thanks to Hylia (fuck you, Hylia), the chain had been attacked by a large group of Moblins and Bokoblins, and even Lizalfos - it seemed they had landed right near a monster camp! While most of them made it out without any major injuries, Sky had broken his ankle while defending Wind and Four from the enraged Lizalfos that the latter had stabbed through the tail.
The poor guy was in a lot of pain, crying and sobbing as the chain had quickly defeated the remaining monsters and rushed to his side. Clutching his bruised-looking ankle in agony, he screamed his lungs out. Hyrule pushed through the terrified chain and knelt by the knight’s side, looking through his bag for potions, fairies- anything! But none of the heroes had anything left, and the young brunette already exhausted his magical reserves from healing several of the heroes from less major injuries during the battle.
So Legend, despite being in so much pain, wasn’t going to tell them. Yes, he had gotten impaled and stabbed in the thigh by one of the Moblins, and yes the wound was still bleeding and extremely painful, but he was fine. Sky was the one who couldn’t walk and was now, thankfully, unconscious and resting over Twilight’s shoulders. The poor thing deserved a rest after that, and Legend didn’t think he would be unhearing those wretched screams for a while now.
Legend winced as his leg twitched, a sharp pain coursing through it. He sighed and whispered, “din’s boiling tits, why does this shit always happen to me?”
He bit back a cry, taking a deep breath and turning to the side- to come face to face with Hyrule, who was looking at him in a mixture of concern and inquisitiveness.
His warm brown eyes twinkled in the afternoon sunlight, and despite the soft smile on his face, he definitely, absolutely, without a doubt must have thought Legend was crazy. “Legend,” Hyrule said. “Are you…okay? You look like you’re in pain.”
Legend forced back an irritated sigh, his mood and temper threatening to burst behind the carefully constructed barricade he had built. “Yes, I’m fine, Rule.”
At his short response and clipped tone, Hyrule prodded further. “It’s just- you’ve been talking to yourself a lot and holding your leg, so I thought you were-”
Legend felt something in his chest flicker with rage, and all the frustration and page he had been holding it was forcing its way out. “GODDESSES, I’M FINE HYRULE!” he snapped, making the poor magical teen flinch. “LEAVE ME ALONE AND BOTHER SOMEONE ELSE, DAMMIT!” Legend growled and stormed off ahead, in front of the rest of the chain.
From behind, Time, Twilight and Warriors exchanged mutually concerned looks.
“Uh…”
“Well that was awkward.”
“Is Vet okay?”
The trio watched as Hyrule jumped and looked down, posture slumped. The poor guy looked spooked, and it seems Wind and Four, who were behind them, weren’t much less worried. Wild, who was up ahead, watched in concern as Legend trudged past him and shoved through the clearing himself.
“Wait, Vet, where are you-” the cook started, but before he could even finish the question Legend was further ahead and out of earshot. Warriors and Time hurried forward, parental instincts flaring at the need to do something.
Twilight followed albeit slower, considering he was carrying Sky. By the time the three had gotten ahead, where Hyrule, Four and Wind, plus Wild were all speaking in worried, shocked tones, Legend was barely visible up ahead.
Someone needed to check on him and make sure he didn’t get hurt. He shouldn’t have gone so far ahead, who knows what was out there. They were in Wild’s Hyrule for din’s sake!
“What on earth happened?” Warriors asked the younger ones, who had varying expressions of shock or worry on their faces. “Why did Legend run off?”
Hyrule looked a little guilty. “I’m sorry. It’s my fault. I thought he was in pain and I asked if he was okay - and I guess it set him off.”
Time frowned. “No, Rulie, don’t apologise kid, it’s not your fault. Legend must be in pain or hurt, we should hurry ahead and make sure he’s okay. He’s never snapped like that before.”
Hyrule nodded.
The rest of the chain hurried ahead, determined to check on their resident veteran and make sure he was alright.
As they got closer, it became clear something was very wrong.
Legend was barely walking straight, swaying with every step and shaking. He was panting heavily, clutching his leg like his life depended on it. It sounded like he was gasping- wait, no…
Legend was crying.
Legend never cried.
He got mad, or grumpy, or even sad, but he never cried.
The heroes exchanged exceedingly anxious looks.
“Legend?” Twilight called. “Kid, what’s wrong?”
But the Veteran didn’t reply, he only stopped where he was. The group froze, not making any sudden movements.
“Vet…?” a few voices said softly, tones full of unveiled concern.
Legend turned around for a moment, eyes glazed over and face sickenly pale, save for the flush of his cheeks. Then, it all happened at once. His knees buckled, eyes rolling back and sending him to the grassy floor. He gasped a final cry out, body twitching as he lost the battle of consciousness.
For a second, just silence. Pure, horrified silence.
And then all hell broke loose.