Linked AU One-Shots

42. Silent Fears Part 2

Prompt: Cloud (including fog and mist)

Follows right after Silent Fears

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

As Sky approached the large arch sprouting out from the great tree in the forest, he slowed to a stop.

"What's wrong, Sky?" Twilight asked, moving so he stood beside him.

"It's the forest... it's not supposed to look like this." Sky replied, staring into the fog so dense that he couldn't see past it. It was as though the first just simply stopped right in front of them.

"It looks like the Lost Woods." Wild noted with a frown. "Do you remember the way around, Sky?"

"I..." Sky paused before he nodded. "I think so." He replied as a shiver ran through his body. He took a hesitant step forwards into the fog. "There are monsters in these woods. Stay on your guard."

"We should link arms." Time suggested, taking Legend's in his own to demonstrate.

Legend grumbled and rolled his eyes. "Oh you have got to be kidding me. What are we? Children?" He asked.

"No, we aren't." Four replied. "But there are a lot of us. We should all at least have a buddy." Deciding that, he grabbed Wars' hand.

"Sounds like a good idea." Hyrule agreed as he grabbed Wild's hand. "That way, if we get lost, at least we won't be alone."

"Speaking of which..." Twilight said, walking over to the newest pair. He growled slightly, bearing his nonexistent fangs. "You two are not going to be together. I won't allow it." He said, undoing their clasped hands as he went in between them. "Hyrule, you're with me. Wild, you're going with Sky."

"But—" Hyrule began to protest, but he shook his head. It didn't really matter. After all, they were all going to be right next to each other anyway. It was just that this way, they each would have one free hand. And so, they each had their own partner.

"Follow me." Sky said, his voice coming out more confident than he felt. Why that was, he wasn't sure. He took a few steps, finding that Wild followed him, and the other groups followed in turn. "If we just hug the tree, we should be headed in the right direction."

A cold wind blew, forcing Sky's sailcloth to blow back behind him. He shivered again. He used his free arm to grab it and wrap it around himself the best he could. Even covered in dried mud, it still comforted him... from the wind. There was nothing else to be comforted from, right? Right.

The fog was thick around them. So much so that even standing right next to him, Sky couldn't see Wild. He could see his hand, and make out his arm, but not him. Not unless they were so close their bodies were touching. He listened as the various heroes talked to one another, if only to ensure that they all stayed together. Sky, however, found himself quiet. He let Wild do the talking.

They moved slowly, and with every step, Sky got colder. Certainly not nervous to get that much closer to the Goddess-given trials he had so adored going through. Excited. Enthused. Happy. Joyful. Elated. That's what he told himself as each step brought a new memory. Ghostly hands reaching for him. A sword slashing him in half. Fi's frown as she informed him that he had failed for the 87th time in a row and that perhaps, the Goddess—. No, the Goddess wasn't wrong. He had proved himself. He was the Chosen Hero. He had saved the world... only for it to fall to ruin, time and time again. Only for himself to inact a curse that would affect Hyrule for thousands upon thousands of years. But he was happy! Happy to be going to the first trial he ever completed again.

"Hey," Wild whispered to him at one point, squeezing his hand. "Are you ok, Sky?"

"Of course." Sky replied, forcing a smile. "Why wouldn't I be? I'm getting to share a special place with all of you." A place, for some reason, perhaps due to selfishness, he wanted to keep all to himself.