Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

A salty breeze brushed Wind’s nose, and he almost gasped in excitement. The sailor’s eyes flew open, drinking in a view that was as familiar as it was welcome.
After three weeks, he's finally back.

Outset hadn’t changed a bit. Palm trees swayed in the wind. Grainy sand shifted beneath his boots. Short grass rippled like waves across the hilltops, and the same few houses dotted the island. Wind grinned so wide it hurt and spun around, practically bouncing in place as he waited for his brothers to step through the portal.

Hyrule was first, blinking as he looked around in wonder—clearly never seen a place like this before. Legend followed, weirdly scowling at the sand. Then came Warriors, Wild, and Twilight, holding hands like a reluctant trio. Finally, the portal spat out Four, Sky, and Time, pausing as if unsure what to focus on first.

Wind clapped his hands sharply. Instantly, every eye turned to him.

“No need to worry, swabbies!” he declared, puffing up proudly. “For this—” he swept his arms wide to display the island “—is Outset’s Most Famous Resident! Yours truly, Wind!” He held the pose like a performer at the end of a show. “And I’ll be your guide! So! Shall we begin our tour?”

Without waiting for an answer, he spun back toward the island and strode ahead, boots crunching in the sand. He didn’t look back, though the thump of footsteps and hushed voices behind him said they had followed.

“Oh! Finally, some civilization!” someone sighed loudly. “I was getting tired of all the grass and trees.”

Wind recognized the voice but didn’t bother pinning it down.

“What’s wrong with grass and trees?” came another, sharper voice.

“Nothing!” the first shot back. A pause. Then:
“It’s the birds screaming all day, the bugs in my hair, and the mud caked on my boots!”

“I’m sorry you can’t handle a little dirt under your nails, princess.”

The argument dissolved into shouting and shuffling. Wind chuckled under his breath but tuned the rest out. He could already see the roof of Grandma’s house over the rise, and his heart raced like the sea in a storm.

He ran the last few steps, barely remembering to push the door open before bursting inside.

“I’m home!!” he shouted, ears twitching with excitement as the word echoed through the familiar walls.

Chapter Text

There was a short pause before he caught sight of Grandma and Aryll. The hylian girl ran at impressive speed toward her big brother.

“Link!!” she shouted, jumping into his arms. Wind stumbled backward, landing hard with an ‘oof’. He didn’t mind in the slightest.

“Don’t ever disappear like that ever again! You idiot!” Aryll tightened her hold.

“Sorry, Aryll, didn’t mean to leave like that.” Wind smiled cheekily, hugging her just as tightly.

“Link,” Grandma’s voice rose warmly, caressing his hair gently. Her expression was a little strained. “It’s very good to see my grandson again, but who are these strangers behind our door?”

Wind strained his neck, remembering his brothers. They kept a respectful distance, smiling amusedly, though a few looked tense under Grandma’s watchful eye.

The sailor quickly stood up, though a bit slower than normal because of a certain sister’s death grip.

“Don’t worry, Granma. These are some friends I’ve been traveling with,” he said. “I’ll explain everything inside… please?” His best innocent face accompanied the plea.
“It’s them.” Wind added, whispering and nodding subtly to Time and Warriors.
The only thing that made the sailor know she understood, was her eyes slightly widening, before going back to normal in an instant.

Grandma looked sternly at the Links, then sighed deeply.
“Alright, let’s go in then.”

Wind grinned triumphantly and stepped inside, Aryll still clinging to him. She peeked at the older Links, curious… and just with just a hint of suspicion.

Chapter Text

Inside, three chairs were lined up. Some sat on the ground; a few stood. The house was small for all of them, but incredibly, they still fit.
Wind stayed in the middle, Aryll dutifully at his side.

“So! Let’s begin the introductions!” Wind addressed the heroes. “This, as you’ve probably guessed, is mine, Granma’s, and Aryll’s residence. You are very welcome here, my dear brothers!”
He gestured to Grandma. “This is Taldan, my Granma! The most notorious matriarch of our home!”
At this, the elderly woman chuckled fondly. Time and Warriors smiled at the same time, sharing a look.
Wind gestured to Aryll this time.
“This is my little sister, Aryll! Seagull Whisperer and Stargazer, she is the coolest little sister!”
Wind hugged the girl playfully, while she giggled and hugged him back.

The sailor turned to his Grandma. “Granma, these are my new friends! They are Heroes, and we are traveling together to uncover the mysteries of black-blooded monsters! Thanks for letting them into our home!”

Wind bowed respectfully.

Grandma stared silently at the Links for a long moment. From the corner of his eye, Wind saw Wild and Hyrule shift nervously.

“Is that so? I suppose I should have expected you would be pulled into supernatural matters,” she said, finally letting some tension go. “Observing you now, I can see that you are fine young men… aside from being heroes like my grandson.” She smiled gently. “Thank you for looking out for Link.”

“It’s our pleasure, ma’am,” Time said politely.

“This is a nice house you have. It’s rather cozy,” Sky added.

“Nice baby picture, Wind,” Warriors smirked, nodding to the framed photo of young Aryll and Wind playing tag. Wind pointedly ignored him. Four let out a quiet snort, which only widened Warriors’ grin.

“So, Granma and Aryll, this is Sky, Hyrule, Wild, Time, Twilight, Legend, and Four,” Wind said, pointing at each in turn.

Wind peered at Legend. He hadn’t spoken since arriving and seemed lost in thought, staring toward the sea. For now, Wind decided not to press.

Aryll squinted up at the group. “Heroes, huh? With those silly names?”

Twilight chuckled, and Grandma placed a hand on Wind’s shoulder. “Well, I’m sure they’ll prove themselves soon enough. For now, sit and rest. As Link said, you are all welcome here.”

Chapter Text

“Link! You’re back!”

The Chain glanced at the window. A young woman with short dark-brown hair and warm tan skin leaned in.

“Sue-Belle!” Wind exclaimed, rushing over for a high-five through the window. “I see you’re not getting any water for your plants, huh?”

“I noticed they didn’t need much hydration today,” she grinned. “Made some new friends, Linky? You’ve surely become a social butterfly. Oh, and hi to everyone.”

“What do you mean? I was always social!” Wind huffed.

Sue-Belle laughed and ruffled his hair. Wind groaned in exasperation.

He heard the captain saying in the background: “Nice lady you got there, Linky.”
Ooooh, he’s gonna get pranked for this shit, but later.

“So,” Sue-Belle continued, “what do you think about introducing your friends to the village? I’m sure they’d like to meet everyone.”

“Actually, I’m their guide for the Outset Tour!” Wind perked up. “Let’s go, guys! You’ve gotta meet the rest of the island!”

The youngest Link darted outside after Sue-Belle. Aryll followed, calling, “Zill’s gonna have new heroes to gush about!”

The Links who had been sitting stood up—though a few groaned—and the rest trailed behind.

---

After some of the Heroes stripped clothes, complaining about the heat, the Chain walked down the grainy path made from a lot of shoes which passes through daily.

Hyrule walked a few steps behind Twilight. Small houses came into view among palm trees. The air was fresh—salty, comforting—and sand crunched softly beneath his boots. The villagers reminded him of his own from his era: wary but kind, simple yet content. Although his people were definitely wary to an extreme, compared to here.

As much as the Traveler liked Outset, he couldn't appreciate it fully.
Legend was perturbed, though he claimed otherwise. Hyrule stayed close, brushing shoulders occasionally, a quiet reminder that he wasn’t alone.

They soon approached a dark-skinned man tending a small, vibrant garden. Wind waved excitedly.

“Hey, Mesa! How’s stuff?”

“Link! Already back? And you’ve got company,” Mesa said, grinning and leaning on his pitchfork. Sue-Belle went to help the man with the garden, and Aryll followed along. The tiny blond waved to Wind, he answered with his own, then turned back to Mesa.

“Yeah! These are my new friends—they’re Heroes from other places!” Wind gestured proudly. “This is Mesa, Sue-Belle’s dad and Outset’s best gardener!”

“Hi!” Hyrule greeted warmly.

Then came the rest of the Chain:
“‘Morning.”
“Good morning!”
“Hiya.”
“Hello!”
“Hey there.”
“Howdy!”
“Sup’.”

Mesa chuckled, giving Wind a friendly squeeze. “Nice to meet you, mates. Be sure to meet everyone in the village!”

Hyrule decided he liked the man.

They waved Mesa goodbye and moved toward the next house.

---

The house was a little bigger than the others, painted darker. No one was outside.

“Abe, Rose, and Two aren’t home,” Wind said thoughtfully.

“How do you know?” Hyrule asked.

“Oh! The door’s locked when they’re gone.” Wind responded, and suddenly his eyes lit up.
“Right! They must be at the pigs!”

Before Hyrule could react, Wind sprinted ahead. How is this kid so fast?

The Chain crossed a small bridge to a fenced area with pigs of all colors and sizes.
They were pretty cute.

A family tended to the pigs: a ginger woman and two brunette men, all tanned, as everyone on Outset.
The younger man lit up when he saw Wind.

“Hey, blondy!” he called, scooping Wind up and spinning him around.
“Hey, Two!” Wind laughed.

“Geez, everyone adores our sailor,” Wild whispered somewhere behind Hyrule.
“Kid just steals everyone’s heart… and their stuff. That little shit,” Warriors added, laughing out loud.

After one complete spin, Two put Wind down. “Got more stories to tell, huh?” Said the man looking momentaneously at the Chain.
“Sure thing, second Link!” The little sailor did a mock salute.

Wait, that guy’s name is Link?

Before Hyrule could question Wind, Wild leaned closer to the sailor, whispering, “Is that guy… a Hero too? I thought you were the Hero of this era.”

Hyrule glanced curiously at Wind.

Wind snorted. “Ah, no! Tradition here on Outset. Some families name sons after the legendary hero. Every boy wears the hero’s clothing on his twelfth birthday. I’m the third Link. Two is obviously the second. First Link gets the privilege of just being called Link, no nicknames—but he’s not on the island. Fourth Link… is somewhere around here.”

Four perked up, purple eyes wide. “So that’s why you weren’t surprised when we said we were all named Link when we met?”

“Yeah! Pretty much,” Wind said, shrugging. “I’m used to using nicknames to tell us apart.”

"Also because of these two." Hyrule heard Wind grumbled under his breath, looking at Warriors and Time.

Most of the Chain looked baffled, and a few laughed at the absurdity. Hyrule quietly smiled.

Two turned to the heroes, his face bright. “So you’re all Link too? What are your nicknames?”

One by one, they introduced themselves:
“Four.”
“Twilight.”
“Hyrule!”
“Warriors.”
“Time.”
“Wild!”
“Sky.”

Silence.

“...WHERE THE FUCK IS LEGEND?”

Chapter Text

He couldn’t have gone far.

Sky and Time apologized to the family for the chaos, then quickly organized search parties to find the veteran — three pairs and one trio.

Hyrule and Wind headed toward the small forest at the top of the island. The sailor had mentioned it was a calm, quiet place. Knowing Legend, Hyrule agreed it was the most likely spot he’d retreat to in his current state.

Hyrule was panicking, though he tried not to show it. If he let even a sliver of it show, Wind’s “big brother instincts” would kick in, and the traveler would never hear the end of it.
Still, Hyrule knew he was being dramatic — Outset Island was safe, and Legend could handle himself.

But he couldn't afford to lose anyone else.

They crossed the newly repaired bridge.
Hyrule stopped in his tracks, feeling the familiar tingle of Legend’s magic ahead. Wind almost bumped into his back.

“I can feel him,” Hyrule said, nodding toward the heart of the tiny forest.

“Good. We should be careful,” Wind replied, his brows furrowed in worry.

Hyrule almost told him to stay back or go tell the others — but he knew better. Wind wouldn’t listen.
So he said nothing, and together they stepped quietly into the forest, following the pulse of magic.

—-

Wind spotted Legend leaning heavily against a large tree stump. The sailor saw Hyrule open his mouth to say something, but the veteran spoke first.

“Don’t bother.”

His voice trembled — stripped of its usual bite, sounding nothing like the brother they knew. It made Wind’s heart ache.

He and Hyrule shared a look before stepping slowly into his sight. They sat beside him quietly. The veteran did not complain.

Legend’s eyes were distant — the kind of faraway stare of someone who’d lived through too much. Wind hated it.

“You don’t like islands?” Wind asked carefully.

Legend flinched. It was small, but Wind caught it.
He took that as a yes.
Hyrule shot him a disapproving look, which the sailor ignored.

“You don’t have to tell us anything if you don’t want to,” Hyrule said softly. “But next time… tell me — or any of us — if you need space. Please.”

For a moment, Legend seemed to come back to the present. His eyes flicked toward his successor, guilt flickering there.

“Sorry. I’ll tell you next time.”
He closed his eyes, face tightening like he was fighting off a memory.

“Good,” Wind said, crossing his arms. “Because if you disappear again, I’ll personally buy a leash for you.”

Legend slapped the back of the sailor’s head.

“Ow! I’m being serious! Don’t disrespect me!” Wind stuck out his tongue, earning a quiet snort from Legend and a laugh from Hyrule.

Wind grinned, triumphant.

Then silence settled over them — not heavy, but comfortable.

After what felt like an eternity to Wind, the veteran finally spoke. His voice was low and heavy, every word sounding like it cost him effort.

“In one of my adventures, I ended up on an island. Much bigger than this one.”
He paused, took a deep breath, and went on.
“I needed to continue my training, so I set out to find a way to leave. While I was there, I met many people — good ones, bad ones — and most of all, I met Marin. I’ve never known anyone quite like her… and probably never will.”

Tears began to swell in Legend’s eyes, though none fell.

“The only way to escape Koholint Island was to wake the Wind Fish — a massive, magical creature sleeping inside a giant egg at the island’s peak. When I finally gathered all the instruments I needed… I woke the stupid fish.”

Another long pause.

“Turns out it was all a dream. Marin, Koholint… none of it ever existed.”

His voice broke, bitter and aching.

Wind’s heart sank.
He understood — more than he wanted to.

Memories surfaced: waking up on the ship with Tetra after two weeks of adventure, only to be told they’d been gone for five minutes. The confusion, the disbelief on the crew’s faces. It felt like being slapped across the face.

But even then, he’d had Tetra. Someone who was there too, someone who believed.

Legend had no one.

A tear slipped down Wind’s cheek, and he tasted salt.

“I understand.”

Both Legend and Hyrule turned toward him, eyes wide.

“In my second adventure, something similar happened to me,” Wind said softly. “I also helped a giant fish — though he was called the Ocean King. I only did it to save my best friend, Tetra. But I met incredible people there. And I don’t think I’ll ever see them again.”

His voice wavered; he hiccuped but forced himself to keep steady. Looking Legend straight in the eye, he continued,

“All that happened in Koholint — it mattered. The people you met are still alive here.” Wind tapped his forehead with a tan finger. “And here.” He placed his hand over his chest, where his heart beat strong.

“So you keep them like that. Just like I’ll keep Linebeck’s, Ciela’s, Leaf’s, Neri’s — and everyone else’s — memories alive.”

Wind’s hand slid to rest on Legend’s shoulder, squeezing gently. Beside him, he heard quiet sobbing — and realized it wasn’t just the veteran.
The sailor’s own tears were flowing freely now, tracing warm paths down his face.

From the corner of his eye, he saw Hyrule curled up on Legend’s other side, a lone tear slipping down his cheek.

They sat there in silence for a long while, the wind whispering softly through the trees. Each of them lost in thought — about what they wished to protect, be it memories or people.

In that quiet moment, the Heroes of Legend, of Winds, and of Hyrule understood a little more about what truly mattered to them.

To live on — in each other’s hearts, and in their brothers’ memories — forever.

Chapter Text

It was night when the rest of their brothers found them. Some scolding from Time, Warriors and Twilight, smothering from Sky and hugs from Four and Wild later, they went back to Grandma's house.

It was quite cramped for all nine Heroes+Grandma and Aryll, but they made it work.
The Chain arranged their bedrolls all over the floor. His brothers insisted that Wind slept on his actual bed this time, since it was his house. Wind was too tired to refuse.
Then they all had Grandma’s soup for dinner, which Wind bragged about the whole time obviously, everyone was finally calm after the Legend drama.

Gradually, the boys and man laid down, most of them cuddled to each other. Wind, Grandma and Aryll went upstairs to their respective rooms.
Wind tousled his sister’s hair, she squanked loudly and tried to trip him. Unfortunately for her the sailor was expecting this, his leg did not give out. Aryll pulled on his arm which made him lose his balance—
“You two, stop disturbing the silence, little rascals.”
Grandma scolded with a death glare.
The siblings immediately separated, brown and blue eyes stared at each other mischievously.
Then Aryll hugged him tightly. “I really missed you.” She whispered, Wind couldn't see her face but he knew she was holding back tears.
The sailor hugged back, “Me too.”

After a few minutes, the blonde girl let her brother go. “Good night Link.” Aryll stepped onto her room and shot him a last look.
“Good night Aryll.” Wind smiled softly and waved at her.
She waved back and closed the door behind her.

“Link.”
The sailor looked at his Grandma, she had a serene look on her face. The elder woman gestured for him to follow her into her room.
Wind did as she asked, pleased to have a moment with her.

As they entered the room, the sailor was reminded of the times when the only world he knew was this small island. Old portraits were scattered across the walls, the faint scent of fresh wildflowers lingered in the air, and scribbles of small children still marked on one corner.
Has it really been that long since Wind became the Hero of Winds?

Just as he remembered, Grandma sat in her old armchair while her grandson perched on the edge of her bed.

“I’m glad I could finally see their faces,” Grandma spoke first, her voice soft and knowing. “Although they look different from how you described them.”

“Ah, that’s time travel stuff,” Wind said with a wave of his hand. “For them it’s been years since the war. It’s kinda annoying that my little brother’s bigger and older than me now.” He grumbled the last part.

“I see,” Grandma said, smiling gently. “It’s quite complicated for your old grandmother to understand fully. But they still seemed the same in spirit, so I’m not worried.”

She sounded so fond that Wind found it hard to stay annoyed at his loss of pride.

“And you’ve found even more brothers to carry in your heart,” Grandma whispered. “I still remember the days when you struggled to connect with anyone outside the island.” She paused, her eyes softening as she drifted into thought.
“You’ve grown so much, my boy. Your parents would be proud.”

Wind almost teared up again, still fragile from the emotions of a few hours earlier. He couldn’t really remember his parents, but he often wondered what life might have been like for him and Aryll if they were still around.
Even so, he had found family—both on Outset and within the Chain—and for that, he was grateful. Even if this chaotic adventure had thrown him into constant danger—and adventure—, it had also given him something he never expected: belonging.

“Link, I was afraid you might lose yourself in all this traveling,” Grandma said softly. “But I see now that it was an essential first step for you—to become the man you’re meant to be.”

She gestured for him to come closer. Wind obeyed, standing before her as she gently clasped his hand—the one marked with the Triforce of Courage—between both of hers.
“So go on, dear. Help others, and live freely, just as you were always meant to.”

Then Grandma pressed a kiss to his forehead, as if he were her whole world.

Wind couldn’t hold back anymore. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he buried himself in her arms, crying like he was eleven again—mourning his lost childhood, yet at the same time feeling something else.
Relief. Gratitude. The quiet, overwhelming comfort of her approval—and the freedom to finally just be himself.

—-

The purple portal swirled at the entrance to Outset.
It was time to say goodbye to the salty air and peaceful coasts — time to continue their adventure.

They had already said their farewells to Grandma and Aryll. Wind hugged them both tightly, knowing in his heart that he’d see them again.

The few hours they’d spent there had felt like a well-deserved break from Hylia. Even Legend couldn’t deny it — though things had been complicated for him, their time on the island had brought them closer together.

Wind was deeply grateful for that.
Still, it was a shame they couldn’t finish the Outset Tour. Dammit, Hylia.

As the Chain stepped through the portal, the sailor turned back one last time, waving a farewell to his homeland before surging forward into the light.