Wild Link lay in the bed, his body still aching from the battle at the shrine. He stared at the ceiling, the weight of Time's words lingering in his mind. Slowly, the relentless, stubborn thoughts that usually pushed him forward began to soften. His breathing slowed, and for the first time in what felt like forever, he let himself relax. Time had been right. He couldn't keep going on like this—pushing himself until his body gave out, until there was nothing left. It wasn't just about Hyrule anymore. It was about himself. About keeping the strength to keep fighting, not just for Hyrule, but for the people who needed him—and for the future that still lay ahead.He closed his eyes, his chest rising and falling in deep breaths. He could hear the soft sounds of Hyrule Castle beyond the walls—footsteps of guards, the faint murmur of voices—but none of that mattered right now. What mattered was taking a moment to rest. To heal. After a long pause, he turned his head to find Time sitting nearby, watching him with quiet patience. Time's eyes were filled with a mixture of concern and something deeper—understanding, perhaps, or a hope that Wild Link hadn't quite felt in a long time. He didn't need to say anything. The silence between them was enough. "Alright," Wild Link finally muttered, his voice low but resolute. "I'll rest. But not for long."Time smiled, the tension in his shoulders easing. "It's enough for now," he said gently. "You've done enough, Wild."For a moment, Wild Link let himself sink into the bed, his muscles unwinding as his body gave into the exhaustion. It was almost unnatural for him to feel this way—to let go, to allow himself to be vulnerable—but it was what he needed. The strength he needed wasn't in pushing harder, or faster—it was in knowing when to stop.Time didn't say anything more. He simply stayed beside him, watching over him as he drifted into a much-needed, restless sleep.The next few days passed quietly. Wild Link remained in bed longer than he cared to admit, though his restless nature made it hard to stay still for long. Still, Time stayed nearby, making sure he took the time to heal.In the evenings, after Wild had taken the time to rest, he would take short walks in the castle gardens, breathing in the fresh air, testing his strength. His body was still sore, but the feverish urge to push himself constantly was starting to fade.It wasn't easy. Old habits died hard. But with Time's support, Wild Link began to understand the importance of balance. For the first time in a long while, he felt like he wasn't fighting alone. He had his comrades, his friends, and that made all the difference.One evening, as they walked through the gardens together, Wild Link glanced at Time. The moonlight bathed the two of them in its soft glow, and Wild Link allowed himself a small, tired smile."You're right, Time," Wild Link said, his voice quiet but sincere. "I can't do this alone. I need to be able to take breaks... to heal. Hyrule will need me for the long haul, not just for today."Time smiled back, his expression softening. "You're learning, Wild. You'll be a stronger hero for it."The two walked in silence for a while longer, a sense of understanding between them that hadn't been there before. It was as if Wild Link had finally allowed himself the freedom to rest, and Time was there to make sure he wouldn't carry the weight of the world on his own anymore.Wild Link may have been the Hero of the Wild, but now, more than ever, he understood that even heroes needed help. Even heroes needed rest.And maybe—just maybe—that would make him an even better hero in the end.
As the days passed, Wild Link found himself slowly rebuilding his strength, both physically and mentally. He began to find new rhythms in his routine, balancing moments of rest with the quiet actions of healing and reflection. The weight of the past, while still heavy, no longer felt like a constant burden. He was still the Hero of the Wild, but now, he was also learning how to care for himself, not just the kingdom.One morning, he sat up in his bed, the sunlight filtering through the windows of his room in Hyrule Castle. He stretched, feeling the last remnants of soreness ebbing away, and for the first time in a long time, his mind felt clear. It was as though the noise in his head had settled, allowing him to focus. He stood up, walking over to the window, and gazed out at the sprawling landscape of Hyrule. The kingdom looked peaceful, serene, like a place where there was hope. It was a feeling he hadn't allowed himself to have for a while.Wild Link heard a soft knock at the door, and when it opened, it was Time who entered, as he had done many times before. The Hero of Time had become more than just a companion on this journey; he had become a friend. And maybe even a mentor, in ways Wild Link hadn't fully realized."Feeling better?" Time asked, his eyes soft with concern.Wild Link nodded, turning to face him. "Yeah. I think I'm ready to get back to it." His words carried a sense of resolve that hadn't been there before. "But not the way I did before... I don't need to throw myself into every battle like I did. I have more than just my strength. I have my mind, my friends, and my heart."Time smiled, his expression proud. "Exactly. You don't have to carry the weight alone anymore, Wild. You've got allies, and most importantly, you've got yourself."Wild Link stood taller now, feeling a quiet confidence build within him. It wasn't about pushing forward endlessly, it wasn't about being invincible. It was about knowing when to fight and when to step back. And that balance—between strength and vulnerability—was what would allow him to be the hero he needed to be."I never thought I'd find peace like this," Wild Link admitted, glancing out the window once more. "I always thought peace was something that came after the fight was over. But maybe it's something we make along the way."Time nodded thoughtfully. "It is. And you're making it now."With that, Wild Link nodded, a small but genuine smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. His path would never be easy, but for the first time, he felt like he wasn't alone in the struggle.Suddenly, a loud voice called from outside the room, breaking their quiet moment."Link! Time!" It was the voice of Zelda—Age of Calamity Zelda, to be specific—her voice filled with her usual energy. "We've got news! Come quick!"Wild Link exchanged a glance with Time, and both shared a quiet chuckle."Well," Wild Link said, the spark of his old self returning. "Guess the rest didn't last long."Time laughed, his voice soft but steady. "Seems like we're always needed, no matter what."With a renewed sense of purpose and energy, Wild Link straightened his tunic and followed Time out of the room. The castle corridors were quiet, but as they made their way toward the main hall, Wild Link could sense the hum of activity. People were moving, preparing for something.When they reached the central hall, they saw Age of Calamity Zelda standing near a large table, a map spread out before her. She looked up, her expression serious but relieved to see the two of them."You're just in time," she said with a small smile. "It looks like trouble's coming, but it's not from Ganon."Wild Link tilted his head, intrigued. "What kind of trouble?"Zelda glanced at the map, then at the two Links. "Something... ancient. The kind of threat we don't fully understand yet, but it's spreading across Hyrule. I need your help."Wild Link's heart sped up, the familiar sense of responsibility stirring inside him. He may have found peace, but his purpose remained clear."Let's do it," he said, determination in his voice.As the team gathered around the map, ready for the next challenge, Wild Link knew one thing for certain: He would face this new threat differently than before. With his friends by his side, and the lessons of balance and strength he'd learned, he was more than ready to protect Hyrule once again.He wasn't just the Hero of the Wild anymore—he was something more. Something stronger, something wiser. And this time, he would fight for his future, and for the world that needed him.The adventure was far from over.
