Chapter Text
The morning after the rainstorm is quiet in the maze.
The first thing Wild wakes up to is the smell of dew and mud. A fresh, earthy scent he'd become well accustomed to over the year he'd spent in the wilderness - and yet there is something distinctly foreign about it - the unfamiliarity is practically laced in the very air itself. A tired eye blinks half open, looking out on the vast expanse of brown.
The second thing that wakes him is an indistinct mumble just left of him that nearly frightens him out of his skin.
It's not until situational awareness floods his brain one beat later that his cheeks flush in embarrassment at such a flighty reaction.
In his hazy state he'd forgotten. He's still in the maze. Still stuck in this hellhole of endless walls that go nowhere. And beside him, sleep-talking, is Link - the other Link - someone he's undoubtedly stuck with now after yesterday. How could he forget such a character?…
Steadying himself with a sigh, Wild scoots out from behind their makeshift shelter, trying not to wake the other boy in the process. The skies were clear and cloudless now and the temperature nice and tepid after the cold winds of last night.
Perfect.
Wild takes a deep sniff of the morning dew, filling his lungs with air; though not expecting the sensation to rudely remind him just how empty his belly is in comparison.
Not so perfect.
He can't remember when he last ate. At some point he'd stumbled across a small pond and wrestled with a pint sized fish, but the days blend so fast in the maze he can barely recall the details. One fish would not be enough to sustain him. Not to mention Link, other Link, had mumbled about finding food offhandedly yesterday. An optimist type like him didn't seem much of a complainer. Wild could tell the hunger was hitting him too, whether he'd admit it or not.
Hylia… why did he end up giving the Sheikah Slate to Zelda…
The food situation still seemed bleak, given how decayed and lifeless this part of the maze was. But despite that, Wild knew there were other things he could do to make their time here a bit more bearable. While the other was asleep he figured it best to explore beyond the boundaries of their campfire; round corners they hadn't been to last night in the hopes of scavenging something worthwhile.
It doesn't take long for a few choice objects to catch his eye.
An old discarded metal bucket filled with rainwater was perfect to boil and drink. A ripped leather tarpaulin with rope still attached could be fashioned into a useful rucksack. And pieces of chipped wood and flint were perfect for the many campfires they'd need. It's a relative smorgasbord of useful survival tools, left over by some unknown entity that walked the maze before them and vanished without a trace. Wild's not sure he wants to know why…
By the time he gathers as much as his hands can carry it's been maybe an hour. The sun had already peaked over the top of the labyrinth's walls, draping light across the hero's path and reminding him how fast the flow of time is in this strange maze.
Surprisingly, Wild had not heard a familiar voice frantically calling for him yet. He was so sure Link would wake up in the time he was gone. But sure enough, when he arrives back at the camp, Link's still sleeping; huddled up with his knees tucked in and drooling all over his arm. He's almost jealous how easily the other boy could sleep, given the circumstances. A few rough shakes to the shoulder stir him into consciousness and make Wild feel a bit better.
"We have to leave soon." He tells him bluntly. "I found water. I'm going to boil it."
"Wh- I. Ok." Is all Link can manage to slur out in his barely awake form, placing a hand to his forehead to rub at sleepy eyes. "I'll be out in'a minute…"
By the time the white clad hero emerges from behind the shelter - well beyond a minute later - Wild's already lit the fire again. Link stretches his arms high and pops various joints with a groan, walking stiffly over to his companion by the fire. When he finally sits down there isn't a "Good morning." or "How are you?" Only an uncomfortable silence as Link stares down at the low flickering flames. Looking not so much lost in thought as just… lost.
It's not until Wild clears his throat that Link somewhat snaps free of his odd trance.
"Hmm? What's up?"
Wild doesn't respond but raises a brow, eyes looking between the brunette and the flames. Somehow Link seems to understand.
"Ah. Sorry. Don't mind me." He hums, scratching the back of his head. "Not a morning person… I'll perk up a bit later."
He considers for a beat, but eventually Wild nods and goes back to attending the fire. He supposed that was a normal enough thing. To be a bit dysfunctional before the sun came up. Though he couldn't help but feel it was a little ironic, given Link had slept through the whole night and Wild had perhaps gotten two hours, if he was lucky. But he was always a bit of a special case…
"Water's probably cooled enough." Wild declares a few minutes later, after carefully removing the bucket from the flames. "Drink up."
Two sets of cupped hands dunk in and out of the warm liquid and Wild can't help but feel a smile tug at his cheeks at the sense of relief on Link's face. It's his first drink in a while. In fact it's both of their first drinks in a while. As it turned out, the rain had been more a help than a hindrance.
They go through about half the bucket before they decide it best to pace themselves and bring it with them as they prepare to set out. That at least accounts for their most basic need met. Now they just need food… and shelter… and a way out of this Hyliadamn hell hole.
"Water's never tasted so good…" Link murmurs with a yawn, prompting a small huff of laughter from the wild hero.
"I dunno. Could've done without it being lukewarm."
Both boys have a laugh about it as they get ready for a new day of exploring the maze. Finding joy in this bizarre situation was surely a key to survival as well.
But Wild still could not shake off some feeling of doubt in the back of his mind. This odd, present worry that something was off - that something was wrong with the other Link. He feels silly, almost embarrassed to be so caught up in these emotions for a man he barely knows. Despite what his gut was telling him, he was almost certain the hunger was playing with his anxiety… or something.
He knew regardless of Link's state their only option now was to keep moving.
○○○○○
A few hours later, Wild feels some semblance of relief upon noticing the subtle changes in the labyrinth as they travelled.
The walls were no longer bare rock, as colonies of moss and vines were becoming a more common sight around each corner. The earth underfoot shifted from dry soil to little patches of grass. And the once eerily silent passages now echoed distant birdsong and the buzz of insects flying by.
Finally the maze feels alive.
It'd been Wild's plan to reach this place. In the brief time he'd spent atop the walls, he recalled seeing an area to the east of him where greenery poked out from above the maze and birds flew to and from tall, winding trees. Wherever there was that much green there was sure to be food. Of the plant and animal variety.
He'd been lucky enough to mentally note the location. Before getting rudely interrupted via an arrow in the arm, that was.
"We're getting closer now." He comments aloud. It's as much motivation for himself as it is for Link.
"Keep an eye out. Our next meal could be around the corner."
…
"Link?"
"What? Sorry?" The other hero responds, flashing Wild a vacant expression.
Wild squints, watching as Link tries to muster up some fake enthusiasm for the conversation. But the tired dark skin underneath his eyes was not there yesterday and it's telling enough for the wild hero.
"We should take a break. You're not with it today."
He meant no harm from the comment, but he still sees the corners of Link's mouth try not to twist into a frown.
"Nonono, it's fine." Link assures. "Really, I'm just fatigued from hunger. We should keep going."
"Are you sure you're-"
He's cut off abruptly though, as both heroes hear an unfamiliar sound echo down one of the passages. There's a silent exchange of nervous glances as Link steadily reaches for his short sword and Wild - having finally decided to forfeit his beloved stick - holds tight on to the spear he'd found just a few hours earlier. Whatever it is, it's close.
"Please. Please be food." internally chants Wild like a prayer.
Though a few turns later they both realise it's nothing they can eat. In fact it's far from an inviting sight.
A monster. Wild thinks maybe it's a bokoblin, though it looks a little different from those he's used to seeing. It's alone and distracted and in any other scenario one could've simply snuck past. But in the tight walls of the maze to do so would be impossible. They both realise quickly they'd have to face this thing head on if they wanted to proceed, much to their dismay.
Wild takes the initiative, ushering Link behind him.
"Sneak attack…" He whispers, barely even letting noise leave his throat. Link nods, gripping his sword tight.
Though they only get a few footsteps closer before the echo of the maze betrays them and the bokoblin turns its head with a grunt of surprise.
Crap.
"I've got this." Link declares and before Wild can even process, the other hero is fast on the case. He suddenly feels a tight knot of adrenaline in his gut. Having seen many a stupid traveller take on - and subsequently fail - a monster battle, he can't help but feel a sickening sense of deja-vu.
"Link! Be careful!" He cries out frustratedly when the 'blin screeches, running toward the hylian with sword brandished.
Though, much to Wild's surprise and relief, Link is quick. He's already defensive when the sword comes down on him. The sound of metal on metal is thunderous for only a beat until Link pushes the 'blin back. The monster stumbles with a growl, bested by Link's superior strength.
He tries to get a stab in -seeing the monster's vulnerability- but loses his footing, almost amateurishly so and a far cry from the previous confident swordsmanship.
Wild rushes to his aid immediately, knowing faltering from the other Link could easily result in a blow from the creature's sword.
He's able to distract the 'blin enough, diving and lunging the spear into its side as the monster cries out. It slashes at him wildly, but he still remembers how to dodge after all this time. His backflip is unexpected enough that he's able to get another quick jab into the monster's abdomen.
By the time Link regains his bearings it's over fast. The bokoblin gives a final squeal of pain as a sword plunging into its back finishes it off. Link pulls his weapon from the beast's corpse, exhaling shakily.
"Maybe leave the fighting to me?" Wild suggests, already looting off the monster's corpse. Link swivels around, face turning red seemingly in both anger and embarrassment at the snide remark.
"I'm a lot better usually!" The other barks defensively. "I'm jus-hu-"
And suddenly he's coughing.
Wild's eyes widen when it goes from a few brisk coughs to genuine spluttering, Link gasping for air between each hack. He's about to genuinely ask if the other is dying before Link finally seems to regain his steady breath.
".. You good?"
"M-mhmm. Sorry." Link groans, bumping his fist against his breastbone.
"Let's take a break." Wild prompts, though he suppresses a frustrated sigh when Link shakes his head.
"'M fine."
"I wasn't asking." Wild states bluntly. "Come on, we need to at least keep our fluids up." He points to the bucket of water laid down a few metres away. Thankfully, Link doesn't protest further as he goes to join the other, sitting cross-legged against the wall and cupping the last of their water into his hands.
They sit in silence for a while, Wild dipping a cloth into the bucket and cleaning the blood off his spear methodically.
In a way, seeing a monster on the ground may be a good sign, he thinks. Nothing could survive back in the dead part of the maze he and Link were dropped into. Not even a vicious and voracious creature like a bokoblin. There was no doubt a food source around here somewhere that the 'blin had been feasting off of. Despite his optimism though, Wild knows that there is a much more worrying problem at hand. The presence of monsters on the floor of the maze - not just up on the walls - was making him doubly cautious now. They'd need to keep their guard up, have weapons close at hand always and cover up their tracks as best they could. Not having the smell of blood on them would be a good start.
It's not until his spear tip is polished clean and Wild lingers out of his thoughts that he realises Link is still drinking.
"Woah, take it easy!" He snaps, dragging the bucket closer to his lap. "There's barely any left!"
"Sorry…" Link mumbles again, shaking off his wet hands. He'd been doing an awful lot of apologising lately, Wild notices.
Ever so slightly, he feels his stern expression soften as he studies Link's face. The other boy was flushed again, looking away from the hero with eyes cast to the ground. At first it seems like another bout of embarrassment, but the glisten on his forehead makes Wild squint suspiciously.
"Are you sick?"
"What? No I-"
"You're sweating." Wild points out, causing Link to blush even harder.
"I'm not-"
"And you're all flushed."
"I'm not sick!" Barks Link, flinching at the noisy echo it causes on the walls before lowering his voice.
"...just tired."
The other Link sighs, tilting his head back and staring up at the light fast fading from the sky. They'll be lucky if they get another hour of travelling in before it goes dark.
"Yeah. Me too."
"Well, you barely slept last night." Link comments. It's Wild's turn to scowl this time.
"How would you know? You were asleep!"
"How would you know I was asleep if not for you being awake?"
Wild opens his mouth to argue back, but when the words don't come out he lets it clink shut with a grumble.
"Ok, touché Link."
He will admit hearing the other hero laugh at that warms his heart more than it should.
"...You know, the fact we're both called Link is going to get confusing, don't you think?" Link mentions after a bout of comfortable silence.
Wild raises a brow. He hadn't exactly stopped to ponder it, given other, more pressing circumstances.
"Do you have any nicknames back home?" The white clad hero asks. "Anything your friends call you?"
"Your first mistake was assuming I have friends-"
"Uh. Nothing. Just Link." Wild answers.
"Ah. Right. Well I suppose it's a bit trickier then."
Link clears his throat, thrumming the hilt of his sword awkwardly.
"I kinda have a nickname."
"Oh?"
"Yeah." Link hums. "It's mostly used by those who I'm very close with, but I guess in this scenario it might be useful."
"Uh-huh."
"It's um. It's Sky." The other hero admits bashfully.
"Sky."
Wild lets it slip off his tongue, getting a feel for that word and its association with Link. Somehow, something about it fits just right. Wild can't stop the little laugh that leaves his mouth upon the realisation.
"What's so funny?!" Link snaps.
"Nothing." Chuckles Wild before softly admitting. "It suits you."
"Oh.."
Link- er- Sky twiddles his thumbs.
"How about we come up with a nickname for you?" He suggests.
"Nah." The wild hero dismisses. "I'm just Link."
Sky snorts, rolling his eyes. "Ok 'just Link'. Give me a few days, tops and I'll have a new nickname for you."
"That won't be necessary."
"But it will be fun."
"I don't need a nickname."
"But I want to give you one."
Wild groans. He's already learned his lesson in regards to Sky's persuasiveness. There is no arguing with this hero when he has an idea in mind.
"Fine." He resigns. "Whatever you say, Sky."
"Oh, come now. Don't say it like that." Sky chuckles, giving Wild a timid pat on the shoulder. Though immediately the wild hero tenses at the touch and Sky instantly retracts his hand, knowing he'd perhaps pushed past a boundary he wasn't supposed to.
"Ah. Sorry-"
"Quit apologising so much." Wild mutters, standing suddenly and brushing the dirt off his trousers. "Come on. We should probably get going anyway."
"Oh.. yes right. We should."
"You sure you're up for this?" Wild asks, suddenly changing his tone to a more serious one. "We can camp here if you're feeling too tired."
"...Next to the corpse?" Grimaces Sky.
"Well, further away from the corpse…"
"Link." Sky assures, getting to his feet with some effort. "Don't worry about me, I'm fine, really!"
"I'm not worried." Wild retorts…perhaps ending up sounding unconvincing given his quick defensiveness. "I just think that you're-"
"I'm not sick!"
"...I was going to say tired, but…"
Sky sighs and stretches up against the wall, popping his joints.
"I am tired. But I'd much rather be exhausted on a full belly than well rested and hungry. Don't you agree?"
Hylia damn he's got a point.
"Ok. Wild agrees. "But we can stop whenever you want."
"You really don't have to dote on me, Link."
"I'm not." Wild huffs. Though there's a part of him that thinks he's lying to himself.