i’ve written a one-shot few years ago and that’s all. forgive me. i accept criticism, PLEASE do let me know. i know there wasn’t much dialogue from the others, but i wanted this to be more reader-centric or something idk. do let me know if this entire thing made any sense idk.
this was something i was thinking of while i was working and i wanted to try writing it out. also, i'm kinda new to the fandom and i've been wanting to get into writing lately, so why not try it out? don't expect this to be great lol (lowk scared to post this (highkey))
a linked universe & reader angst? (maybe, i hope i got the emotions down.)
———————————————————————————
“Who is everyone with?” Time yells from his room, voice filled with worry. He knows everyone can handle themselves, but he’s more concerned about the one who isn’t experienced with these things, maybe some concern over Warriors. All he can hope is that he’s with someone who knows how dungeons work. “[Name]? Are you there?”
[Name] hums as they get off the ground. Of course, they had to fall into a hole. All by themself. This was not good, and with their own experience (which was technically zero), they had to figure this room out on their own. “Yeah, I’m here.”
They looked around again to make sure that they were going to give him the correct information, which they’d lie about anyway. They were definitely alone, and they hoped it stayed that way (unless it was any of the Links). They only had that short sword Wild had given them. “uh, yeah.”
Of course he’d ask that if they was that hesitant to respond, now they had to choose someone from the group. [Name] didn’t know who he was with. “… Wild.”
“Okay, that’s. Wild’s with me.” he huffs, as if he were trying to calm himself down; it seems they chose the wrong Link. “You’re alone, aren’t you?”
“How could you tell?” [Name] retorts, enough of this standing around. They have to get going, and yeah, they’re alone. They still have to find their own way out. Looking around to see if there was anything they could use. Nothing. Just a door up ahead. They got this in the bag, easy. They assure him, and whoever is around to hear. “I’ll be careful.”
Being separated from the others was not ideal when you’re inexperienced with dungeons. Yet you were doing super well, you weren’t hurt, and this was the sixth door. You’re actually impressed with yourself! The puzzles haven’t been too hard, finding the key for the door was fun, but you still wanted to find the others. It felt safer around them. With Time and Wild in a room nearest to yours made things feel easier to push through, at least you can still talk to someone if needed. The only way out is forward, and so, deeper into the dungeon you go. Holding the shortsword in your dominant hand, you check your surroundings as you walk through the door.
A ‘whoosh’ shot through the air, you blinked, and sudden pain shot through your body. Confusion rose until you looked down to see an arrow shot through your chest. You didn’t check well enough, how annoying. It was an easy trap to see. You felt so stupid—it was an obvious arrow trap. Well, to be fair, you only had that sword, and you couldn’t easily dodge like Link. Still. This is just great, and you had nothing on you to deal with the wound. Your best bet was to leave the arrow in and get through the rooms quickly, but with your luck, the puzzles in this room weren’t going to be as easy as before, and you knew you had a low chance of surviving with this arrow in you. Yet you wanted to live, and so with every step you took was a desperate fight to escape the lurking death. It shouldn’t be long til you exit this dungeon, right? But with your lung punctured, both you and death knew who was winning this dance.
Should you tell Time and the others? Absolutely, but would you? Not yet.
Pushing heavy objects around wasn’t easy with this arrow; you could feel the blood pushing through it, and it hurt like hell. You were still in the seventh door, and no huge progress was made. You missed breathing normally—hell, you missed functioning normally. How did the heroes deal with this? They’ve gained so much more respect from you right now, and you already held so much for them. It wasn’t long before you realized you won’t get through this. You’ve gotten so much weaker since you got shot, gasping as you breathed in and wincing every time you breathed out, but you were actually surprised to get this far, and that was something to be proud of, in your eyes. With no experience, you did well, and you really did try to hold on longer, but the where’ve you been punctured was too vital. You should not have lasted this long, and you knew this. You just thought the goddess above could spare you, but why would it be you?
You knew you had to say something before anything happened. You were very reluctant, but you knew it had to happen. You couldn’t keep them in the dark, lest they come and find your body on their own. You don’t want them to blame themselves, do you?
“link, you know i’d forgive you, right?” You say breathlessly, you really just want to assure them. You were leaning on the wall to help you walk. Your rasped words caught everyone’s attention, or those who could even hear them. You gulp, trying to stay strong to talk to them before things get too dark. “’m just dumb. sorry for messing up.”
“[Name], what happened? Why’re you talking like that?” Wild called out, his voice came out urgent.
You were no hero, or even a traveller; the most outdoorsy stuff you did was go camping, and you never did that alone. You had no experience with these kinds of things, you shouldn’t have been sent here, but you were, and now you’re bleeding out. Guilt fell upon you as you felt like a huge burden, you knew you just added so much on the Links when you came along. You just thought it'd be fun. You learned their ways and tried to catch up, but they were meant to be on this journey, you just happened to fall in. Now they're going to carry your death on their shoulders. You shouldn’t have come along—you could have made a life in one of the passing towns. That small farm town you guys passed recently was beautiful, and felt so peaceful. It would have been fine to just restart, to forget the life you had before. Anything, but putting yourself in danger. You could have been working on a farm and selling crops, having small conversations and enjoying life, not worrying the chain by being around, but here you were. “—[Name]?”
“yeah?” You didn’t hear anything before your name, sitting down with your back against the wall. You could feel your body weakening. This was just great. This was your final moments, wasn’t it? It was not the best way to go, you admit. Tears were falling down your cheeks—you didn’t want to die alone. Why were you alone? The room was too empty, too dark, and it scared you. You were scared. You just wanted to be held by someone right now. To feel someone's warmth before you go. Hylia, please. You weren’t strong enough to handle this, to survive this. And maybe being around the chain made you too courageous, that you thought you could make it all the way, that you could live to tell the tale. Why’d you even think? Everything hurts, crying hurts. There really wasn’t much to do now, but beg. You hated this. You wished you had more time. You were just having fun, why now? Everything just started to make sense, and it was getting easier. Why are you dying now?
“Tell us what’s goin’ on!” Twilight’s voice popped through, he sounded like he was in a hurry. Did he sound closer, or was that your mind playing with you? Where did he even come from? You could only really hear Time and Wild the most, and a hint of Legend sometimes whenever he yelled (to whoever it was). He definitely feels something bad happened. “Talk to us!”
You zoned out a bit there before answering, your words coming out slurred together. “’m here, just tired. ’m just going to rest ‘re a bit. that’s okay?”
“Are you hurt?!” Hyrule exclaimed with worry. Twilight’s frantic yelling must’ve gotten his attention, or were they together? You wouldn't know. You didn’t know where the others were in the dungeon, but Time and Wild. Hyrule was not close. He had to yell to talk to you, and with how you were speaking, your voice would not reach him. “Don’t close your eyes!”
“yeah.” A pause. “yeah, ’m hurt,” Yet they still respond to him, but they know it’d reach him somehow. Your head bobbled before you corrected yourself, tilting your head up in hopes you’d stay longer. “pretty bad, won’t lie. sorry.”
There was a lot of blood lost now, and you don’t even know how long it’s been. You had no sense of time here. You can hear the others trying to talk to you, but you’re too focused on your breathing to even listen. This is bad. So bad. And it wasn’t like you didn’t know the risks. You knew this was a possibility, you just thought it’d be a monster that’ll get you.
“i was stupid.” Getting disoriented, you started to chuckle at your own circumstance. Your voice was getting quieter and quieter, your tears stopped falling, everything around you just stopped. Sleep felt nice right now. When was the last time you’ve gotten a good rest? Your eyes slowly closed as you took a breath. You were so tired. “don’t, don’t blame yourself, link. please.”
The last thing you heard was your name being called before darkness took you.
