Inbetween

Understanding

Wilds POV:

The more I pondered alone the less I understood the situation.

There I was- on my way back to check on the process of Castle Town 2.0 and Zelda then I got swallowed by malice. Not my every Tuesday weird. This is weird, weird. I looked back down towards the makeshift camp filled with other- me's? Other Hero's with the same soul. The soul that was passed down from Sky. Chosen, whatever. I cant remember a new person's name to save my life. Zelda was correct- my head trauma still lingers.

We all trusted each other practically right off the bat- whether for survival or instinct. I felt that when me and Twilight were going wood- something so repulsive yet it took most of my strength not to let myself onto him and hug him and cry my fears to him. Something I would never do to anyone, not even Zelda. I wonder if they feel the same as I do. This soul of the hero connected us. Any one of us could feel it. This setup was too familiar. It reminds me of one of the first campouts with Zelda and the Champions

NO- I tightened my grip on the tree branch and hugged myself with my arms and dug into myself with my nails.

I was NOT slipping in the past. Especially on the watch fifty feet above the ground. And I was not letting myself be vulnerable around people I just met. Internal bond or not. I wasnt getting my backstabbed.

I let my thoughts ponder on todays events more. We were all here for a reason. Hylia might have had something to do with it. But malice is quite the opposite of her power. No, Gannon had a hand in this.

I heard a soft whistle and I looked below to see Time below me looking up at me. Has an hour passed already? I made my way down to him half falling and half grabbing onto what looked like the sturdiest branches.

I landed my Time. whistled. "Wow, spend a lot of time in trees?" He asks.

"No, mostly cliff sides," I said back. I was surprised at myself for being so verbal.

"Well, none the less its impressive to watch."

I nodded to him and kept studying his features. He had a scar down his right eye and red and blue markings. He looked around 30, he was muscular and looked more than capable of taking me down, which is a rarity. I winced at my self confidence.

"Well its only been fifty minutes, but I couldnt sleep. Care if I join you?" He asked

It was obvious he wasnt asking as he sat down and motioned for me to do the same. I reluctantly sat next to him, both of our backs against the abnormally wide tree. After a moment he asks.

"What do you make of all of this?" I found it weird he was asking me. He probably wouldnt if he knew how much of a failure he was. As far as I can tell everyone here saved their Hyrule or Princess or whatever first try. Not to say they didnt face any setbacks. Its just embarrassing and made me feel invalid.

I shrugged. "Seems like something big is coming. The malice made that obvious. The question is, if something evil wanted to succeed, then why bring us all here if not to kill us in a group or stupidly parish at the hands of nine heroes. Makes me wonder if the only other possibility is for Gannon to want this, he wants to strike somewhere where we are not. And we are helplessly stranded here."

"You know youre more intuitive than you look."

"Gee thanks," I said bluntly. Not the first time Ive been told that. Zelda was surprised that despite my sometimes childish behavior, I have good survival skills and observation skills, plus battle strategy is like breathing for me.

"I mean it." He said with a faint smile to the sky. "I was thinking along the same lines. We have the same theories, except mine involves more time manipulation."

I raised an eyebrow at him. "What did you think I got the title Time because I make clocks? Ive dealt with things like this before. And based on your calmness, so have you?"

"Kinda, but- never mind," I said. "Lets just say I havent had a reason to explicitly freak out."

"Mhmm." Time said. Now looking at me. "Can I tell you something?" I nodded for him to continue. "The others were talking a bit about you. Wondering where you got all of that." I didnt have to be looking at him to know what he was talking about. Nor did it surprise me that I was on the table for a decision.

"I mean you dont have to tell me, Im not asking for an answer, I just wanted to let you know that some of the others might ask about it tomorrow."

I stared at my boots. Waiting for malice to suck me up again to get me out of this conversation. Unfortunately, I stayed.

Time looked back up at the sky. "And should it come up, if you want, I can shut them up for you. Change the topic of something."

I quickly looked back at him but he was focused on the stars that were slowly becoming visible. "I understand being asked those things can bring back some bad memories or trigger you. Or maybe you are cool with it. I just thought I would offer it." He stopped to look at me and I quickly turned away before he saw a tear run down my right side. I pulled down my hood to cover my eyes and scars. I couldnt form words- I overstepped my limit. I just slowly nodded.

Little did I know that Time was well aware of my emotions. He has felt what I feel now. He understood.

It was extremely relieving for someone to say something like that to me. I was also wasnt happy about it. Based on this he said, he went through some of the same things as me, but I failed. I wanted to curl up and die. But I couldnt with so many people around. So I just got up and mumbled goodnight to Time and a small thank you and headed to my makeshift bed which sat between Twilight's bed and Winds. II thought I would have trouble sleeping, considering all of the people.

But I took off my top shirt, leaving on my long undershirt to cover my scars to keep me from prodding eyes. And quickly fell asleep.

==========

A bit of a shorter chapter loves.