The Hero of Time found himself disoriented, standing in a field that felt both familiar and foreign. The air was crisp, filled with the scent of wildflowers and pine, and the landscape stretched out beneath a sky that seemed endlessly vast. He could feel the weight of the Master Sword at his side, as if grounding him, reminding him of his purpose. But this was not his Hyrule.
As he took a few tentative steps, he noticed a figure approaching from the tree line: a young man, clad in green, with a distinctive blue scarf and a gaze that held both strength and a quiet calm. His clothes were travel-worn, but his eyes shone with a kindness and wisdom that told of battles fought and won. The Hero of Time instinctively tightened his grip on his sword, feeling the pulse of recognition even before the young man spoke.
"You're... you're another Hero, aren't you?" the young man—the Hero of the Wild—asked, his voice filled with wonder and warmth.
The Hero of Time relaxed slightly, nodding as he took in his counterpart's steady demeanor. "Yes. I've come from... somewhere else, another Hyrule, I think."
Link of the Wild extended a hand with an easy confidence. "Then I think there's a lot we have to talk about. My name is Link, and you're in Hateno."
The Hero of Time, also named Link, grasped the other's hand, feeling a strange familiarity in this handshake across eras. Without another word, the two heroes began to walk side by side, heading toward a small village nestled among the hills.
As they traveled, Link of the Wild spoke softly, recounting tales of Calamity Ganon's reign and the long journey he had undertaken to free Hyrule from its grip. The Hero of Time listened, hearing echoes of his own battles in the other Link's story. He marveled at the resilience in this world, at the strength it must have taken to rebuild after such devastation. And though his own Hyrule had faced many trials, the challenges in this era felt somehow weightier, shaped by the scars of ancient wars and the passage of time.
When they arrived at Hateno, the Hero of Time was struck by the village's peacefulness. It was simple but vibrant, with children playing in the streets and villagers busy with their morning routines. The sight reminded him of his own childhood, of places untouched by darkness, where life carried on in quiet harmony.
"Come on," Link of the Wild said, leading him down a path that wound up a gentle slope to a modest, rustic house perched on the hilltop. "This is my home."
The Hero of Time took in the small house with a sense of reverence. There was a warmth here, a sense of belonging that seemed to wrap around him like a blanket. Inside, the rooms were filled with small personal touches: hand-carved shelves lined with trinkets and books, herbs drying by the window, and a table set with two steaming mugs of tea. It was clear this was a home filled with love and history, and the Hero of Time couldn't help but feel a pang of admiration.
As they sat at the table, Link of the Wild poured them each a cup of tea and offered a reassuring smile. "You've traveled a long way, I can tell. I've done my share of wandering too. I understand what it's like to be in a world that feels... different."
The Hero of Time took a sip, the warmth settling in his chest. "Thank you, Link. This place... it feels like something worth protecting."
Link of the Wild nodded, his eyes growing distant. "It is. Hyrule's been through so much, but it's finally at peace." He looked back at his guest, his expression earnest. "I can't help but wonder why you're here, though. Do you think something's coming?"
The Hero of Time paused, considering the question. "I don't know. I felt... pulled here, as though the Master Sword was guiding me." He glanced down at the sword at his side, its blue glow faint but constant. "Maybe I was meant to find you, to see what peace looks like after a long fight."
