The Rest Is Silence

Chapter 5

Sky rested his head on the hilt of the Master Sword, his eyes closed as if in prayer. His lips were moving, barely any sound coming out. He didn't hold the sword like a weapon. One hand was on the hilt, the other supporting the blade. A small smile occasionally twitched on his lips.

Time never had the same type of relationship with the Master Sword like all the others. He's never heard her speak a full sentence to him, never got an answer if he asked a question. The most he ever had were during the darkest of nights, when the clouds were so thick they blocked out the moon, the sword would hum a gentle lullaby. He would drift off to sleep listening to her, grateful not to be alone. Time wondered if he was envious of Sky's relationship with the Master Sword.

After a few minutes of complete silence, Sky pulled away, blinking. He didn't seem surprised to see Time standing over him. When he spoke, his voice was soft and tired like he'd just woken up from a deep slumber. "I asked her why she's not speaking to her new Master," he said roughly. "She said he's not ready."

"Not ready?"

"The Master Sword was given to him, not earned, she said. He still has to face trails of the Goddesses before he is able to use her at her full potential."

"Hmm..."

At the quiet response, Sky raised a curious eyebrow. "Nothing to add? No bitter retort?"

"No," said Time. "You already know my feelings on the subject. Besides, as Hyrule pointed out to me, now is not the time for such talk. It's not going to help."

Sky sheathed the Master Sword. The quiet voice inside the blade sighed in contentment, happy to be back in the familiar hands of her original master. It made Time's heart ache.

"In your defense..." Sky started. "She's not happy with the Goddess's decision either."

"Really? I didn't think the sword had the ability to defy Hylia."

"She's not a dog," Sky said, annoyed. "She cares for her new master as much as any of us. But she has her orders."

"As do all of us," said Time, shaking his head. "Do you plan to come back to the camp soon or do you wish be alone?"

"I'll stay here a little longer. I don't want to share her with the others just yet."

For dinner that night they ate a pot of potatoes. Unfortunately nobody was keeping track on how long they boiled and they came out overcooked. They had used the last of the rock salt from a previous meal, leaving their dinner flavorless and disgustingly wet. They went to bed, Warrior taking first watch shift of the night.

Twilight couldn't sleep. He was too wound up, the events of the day repeating through his thoughts, refusing him any peace. Though he was healed, the burning flash of that beam was unforgettable. The smell of burnt flesh and hair clung to his skin.

After an hour of staring into the darkness, Twilight snorted in disgust and sat up. He wasn't going to sleep. Might as well do something productive.

Warrior sat at the top of the hill, taking vantage point of the camp, looking outwards. Besides the occasional stalkoblin, their nights were often uneventful, making the job extremely boring. More than once Twilight would find someone asleep on the job.

After today's events, it seemed he wasn't the only one alert. Warrior stood straight, his arms crossed his chest, staring intensely over the large lands of Hyrule.

"Hey," Twilight said softly, catching his attention. "Quiet night so far?"

Warrior nodded. "I've been keeping an eye out on those bokoblins riding the horses beyond there, but they're keeping to themselves. Why are you up?"

"Couldn't sleep. Do you want to switch early? I'll take both shifts."

"You sure? You'll be nodding off long before."

"I've done nothing but rest since we set up camp. I'm fine."

Warriors hummed appreciatively, handing over the sword in his hand. "Don't be afraid to switch out if you need to."

"Thanks."

By the third shift Twilight had yet to grab his relief. He knew he should, otherwise by morning he was going to be groggy and miffed. He didn't see the point as sleep was still evasive now as it was hours ago.

Twilight didn't like to feel useless. He didn't want to stand on the sidelines, unable to do nothing, knowing someone he cared about was suffering. Helplessness was like a maggot underneath his skin, slowly gnawing away at his muscles. Twilight dragged a heavy hand down the back of his neck, digging his fingernails in as if that could pull that feeling away.

Last time he felt this useless was back at Ordon village.

He remembered vividly of Ilia, turning to run away, only to be struck down by an arrow. He remembered the stomach-dropping horror, rushing into battle to save her, only to be smacked away as easily as a newborn kitten. As Twilight laid there facedown in the water, his blood slowly pooling out of him, he vowed to the Goddess this would not happen again.

"Damn..." Twilight muttered to himself.

Another uneventful hour passed. Just as Twilight considered passing on the watch, something in peripheral caught his attention.

Someone down at the camp was moving. Twilight didn't give this much thought as it usually was someone getting up to relieve themselves. It was probably Swords; having four bladders must be unbearable.

It wasn't Swords. This person was walking slowly, making sure their footsteps didn't disturb any of the sleeping. Out of all the reincarnations, Wind was the one with the lightest step. This obviously wasn't Wind. The figure was too tall.

Twilight sniffed the air. He caught the scent of ash from their smoldering cooking fire. There was the ever present smell of pollen, the remnants of their failed potato meal, Warrior's stupid cologne he kept insisting on wearing because some girl gave it to him...

There. Twilight caught their scent. Grass, animal hair, sweat, mud and tree sap. These were basic scents, everyone smelled like after spending a few days out in the wilderness. But this person's essence was as if in their blood ran the rivers of Hyrule itself. He was much as part of nature as any tree, animal or flower.

It was the Hero. After what happened today, Twilight would know that scent from anywhere.

The Hero quietly crept through the camp, his steps so light even Twilight had to strain his ears to hear him. That was impressive, not even Wind could soften his feet that well. Where was the Hero going?

Tucked warmly in his sleeping bag, Sky was curled around the Master Sword like a child curled around a favorite stuffed animal. Sky had been rather selfish this night, refusing to share the sword with the others. Twilight was not a jealous man, he didn't mind waiting his turn to hold Her again, but the others had been a little irked. They missed Her as well.

The Hero snuck in close, reaching out slowly towards the sword. The moment he put a single finger on the hilt, Fi sighed loudly, prompting Sky to curl in tighter. The Hero snatched his hand back.

He kneeled there for a good minute, contemplating. Twilight would be tickled pink if the Hero found a way to pull the sword from Sky's death grip.

The Hero backed away. Apparently it was too big of a risk for him. Instead he turned, and without any provisions, a weapon or shield, left the camp completely.

"Oh hell," Twilight cursed, going after him.