@kikker-oma @smilesrobotlover @miladyh I finally finished it!
Febuwhump 2025 - Where Loyalties Lie
Chapter 2 - post-victory collapse
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Wild materialized under the Gerudo Great Skeleton and fell to his knees, despairing. That look in Warriors’ eyes…
He'd known Warriors would see it as betrayal, he'd known he might never be forgiven…but… I had to leave him!
He felt awful leaving Warriors with the Yiga, but he’d be no help captured alongside his brother. He'd teleported to the first Shrine he could touch – Hawa Koth, by the Great Fairy Tera – and prayed it was far enough away from the desert fortress he couldn’t be tracked.
With some shimmying and ingenuity, Wild removed his gag and started in on the ropes around his wrists. Each moment he spent trying to escape dragged like the moments before a guardian fired.
Finally, the knots came loose. Wild spat out the chunk of rope he’d been picking at with his teeth and checked the slate: 11:10 am. Time to get everyone else and rescue his brother before he got hurt, or worse.
Bundling the ropes into his pouch – no use leaving perfectly good materials behind! – he pulled his slate again and tapped the icon for his travel medallion, placed in his room at Kakariko's inn. Hylia knew they always left something behind, so he’d fallen into the habit of dropping the medallion wherever they stayed for the night. A blessing, this time. He had to get back to the Chain.
Wild materialized in his room, barely stopping for breath before he ran out the door, checking his brothers' rooms. The blue light, the making and unmaking, the queasiness of abrupt altitude change, all were intimately familiar by now, overshadowed by the urgency churning in the back of his mind.
Nobody here? No note either. Strange…Wild clattered down the stairs into the reception area.
Ollie the innkeeper looked up from his desk. “Oh, Master Link! When did you return? You left the kitchen in quite a state.”
Wild flushed – he hadn’t exactly had time to clean up after himself, what with the Yiga abduction and all. “Sorry, Ollie, I’ll clean it all up soon. Have you seen the others around? I have an urgent matter I must discuss with them.”
The old innkeeper flapped a dismissive hand. “Oh, don’t fret over it, we’ve taken care of the mess already. The others, hmm? Can’t say that I’ve seen them this morning. Maybe check with Lady Impa?”
Well, they’d already talked with Impa the night before, but it couldn’t hurt to try again. Wild sketched a quick bow of gratitude before striding down to the main road. The whole time he kept his ears peeled for any sign of the Chain, the men and boys he'd accepted as family, his brothers, but not even Cottla's little games broke the quiet contemplation of the village.
Impa looked up slowly as Wild pushed open her door. “Link. What brings you here this morning?”
Wild strode to his customary place before her. “I must speak with my brothers. It’s urgent – possibly a matter of life or death. Have you seen them?” he pleaded.
The decorations on her hat rattled mournfully as she shook her head. “I am afraid I have not,” she replied, “but early this morning I awoke to a mighty disturbance in the balance of the world. I fear a great retribution from the evils of the world may be on its way.”
Wild groaned, tapping his foot impatiently. If Impa didn’t know where they went, how was he supposed to find them?! If they’d been portaled to a different era, shouldn’t he have been pulled along too?
Impa's next words pulled him from his spiraling. “I have heard rumors…” she murmured, and Wild's ears perked up.
“About what?” he encouraged.
“Rumors of a vast communication network across Hyrule, headed by the Champions and Stablemasters. I would suggest starting there.” She caught his arm before he could take half a step toward the door. “Link. If the rumors are true, this network is still in its infancy. I…wouldn’t expect too much of it, yet.”
Wild nodded and practically flew through her front door. He perched on the rails of her porch, studying his map. Teba might be the best place to start. He and the other Rito can help me search, and if Hylia teleported everyone to a different inn I could check there too.
After that, Wild tapped his lip with one finger, intimately aware of the tiny clock in the corner of his screen as it changed to 11:40 am, I’ll visit the villages and stables counterclockwise. Talk to Beedle, Kass if he’s there, see if the Chain is nearby.
He couldn’t afford to waste any more time.
-----
The moment he could move, Wild was sprinting from the Akh Va'quot shrine up the stairs to the top of Rito Village. Kaneli, Teba, anyone, had to have seen his brothers. But no Hylians had come to visit Kaneli and Teba was apparently at the flight range.
Plus, the cold mountain air had been devoid of any hint of the Chain.
Groaning, Wild hopped the rails, freefalling to the Swallow's Roost. He pulled his glider out at the last second, just barely breaking his fall, and stumbled gracelessly into the inn.
Ceceli looked up in shock, but before she could open her beak Wild spoke. “I’m looking for my brothers, if they show up here would you let me know? Thanks.”
He had his slate open and the icon for Noe Rajee selected before she could nod.
1:45 pm
Wild let the air currents from the lake beneath the Flight Range take him upward, angling his ascent to arrive perfectly on the landing platform. He took a half second to rub that victory into Revali's face before striding toward the fire and Teba. He hadn’t thought to change into warmer gear, so he welcomed the chance to warm up.
“Link! What brings you here this afternoon?” Teba asked.
“Impa said you’ve begun a communication network with the other champions and stablemasters. Is that true?”
“Well, it’s mostly the stables, but we’ve been helping ferry messages, yes. Do you need something?”
“We need to let the people know the Yiga are growing more bold. They kidnapped my brother and me from Kakariko's inn. I escaped, thanks to the Slate, but…” Wild cut himself off, shame bubbling in the pit of his stomach. He beat back his own mental accusations of coward and traitor with a metaphorical stick. “I need to find my brothers – seven other Hylian heroes like me – to rescue him, but they’re not where I left them, and they didn’t leave a note as to where they’ve gone.”
Teba frowned. “We can help warn the people about the Yiga, but I’m afraid we’re not equipped for a manhunt of that caliber.”
Wild grimaced, disappointed but understanding. Impa had said the network was in its infancy. “That’s okay, Teba, anything helps. I’ll check the other villages and stables, see if anyone's seen them.”
Teba rose from the fire and shook out his wings. “Would you like an escort, Link? It wouldn’t be any trouble.”
Wild smiled. “Thank you, truly,” he said, “but I’ll be faster using this.” He waved his Slate gently through the air.
“Ah, of course,” Teba nodded graciously. “We shall send word if we find any of your brothers. Goddess-speed, Link!”
Wild grinned back. “And to you!” In a flurry of blue, he'd changed into his Snowquill gear and punched the icon for Vah Medoh.
2:05 pm
Wild glided down from Vah Medoh, eying Rito Stable from the air. Snow flurries made it difficult, but he thought he saw Kass's distinct blue plumage and Beedle's giant backpack. No sign of Time’s armor, or Sky's cape.
He folded his paraglider with a huff, striding into the stable tent to see if, just maybe, they were sheltering from the light snowfall.
No luck.
Groaning, rubbing his face, Wild went back outside. Where'd Beedle get off to? This time of day, the eccentric merchant should be…There!
“Hiii Link~” Beedle sang as Wild approached. “How are you feeling today?”
“I’ve been better,” Wild said tersely. “Please, in your journeys, have you seen a group of travelers, seven or so in number, armed well and asking about monster camps?”
“I don’t believe I have, sorry.” To his credit, Beedle did look genuinely apologetic. “Are they important?”
“They’re my brothers,” Wild explained, “and I need to find them as soon as I can. Will you keep an eye out for them?”
“Aaahh, of course, of course! …For a price~ I am a merchant, after all!”
“I’ll buy every arrow you’ve got, every time.” Might as well stock up.
“Deal!”
Rupees clinked, shafts rattled, and he was off to Kass, time tick-tick-ticking like the stasis rune in the back of his head.
Kass smiled warmly as Wild approached, but it swiftly faded to a look of earnest concern. “Oh, Link…what is the matter?”
Wild blinked, hard, suddenly fighting back tears. Every being in his Hyrule had helped shape and guide him on his journey, but Kass…Kass was the gentle, guiding father-figure he couldn’t remember. Being with Kass had almost come to mean peace, and home, and it was all Wild could do to stop himself from collapsing into the Rito's arms and sob aloud.
“I can’t find my brothers,” he whispered past the lump in his throat, “I can’t find them, and I need them. I’m going to look all over Hyrule, in every stable and town. Please, will you help me?”
“Of course, Link, of course!” Kass put a wing on Wild's shoulder. “My old teacher had a song I think may help.”
“Kass, I don’t–”
“I know you don’t have time to listen now, but I will search the lands in accordance with the words, and meet you at every stable I can.” The wings caressed his face briefly. “Go, and may the light illuminate your path.”
Wild dove in and clung tight to the giant Rito, basking in his warmth and confidence, before tearing himself away. He pulled out his slate, stomach sinking as he saw the time. 3:05 pm! He’d spent an hour here!
Wild shook his head roughly. Yes, he’d spent an hour, but he now had at least three people helping him search – two of which he was half-convinced could teleport as well.
He punched the icon for the shrine near Snowfield Stable, and began his hunt in earnest.
Snowfield, Serenne, Tabantha Bridge, Gerudo Canyon and Gerudo Town, Kara-Kara Bazaar…The stables and settlements passed him by in a blur of anxiety, hope, and disappointment. Night began to fall somewhere between Lakeside, Lurelin, and the Dueling Peaks. Nearly nine hours, and not a trace!
He donned the Sheikah stealth armor to run faster.
As he made his way from the Whago Katta Shrine to Riverside Stable, he had to suppress a twinge of guilt. It was almost freeing – in a horrible way – to be alone again. Of course he missed his brothers, and of course worry for Wars sat like rock roast in his gut, but… the ability to go as fast as he wanted, as far as he wanted, wherever he wanted? He’d missed this.
20 minutes after materializing at Whago Katta, he was off to Kaya Wan and the Wetlands stable, with only a sinking heart and a handful of arrows to show for it.
8:35 pm
Always the same. Glide down, run in.
Anticipation.
Disappointment.
Hopeful eyes, a sad shake of the head.
Rupees and arrows exchanging hands, blue light overtaking his vision.
Stable after stable, town after town, time ticking ever on; the tension in his gut drawing ever tighter with each dead end.
9:35 pm
Wild soared over the corner of Foothill stable, folding his glider with shaking hands. He snatched it back out for one last desperate puff of air when he came too close to the pot by the stable walls, nearly cooking his foot.
He stumbled to a stop, haggard with exhaustion. White pants and blue feathers filled his vision, soon replaced by a concerned golden eye.
“Link, my friend, you should rest,” Kass said gently. “At least until morning.”
Wild stubbornly shook his head. “Can’t,” he muttered, regaining his feet. “Morning'll be too late. Still gotta lot t'search.”
He rubbed his eyes so hard his vision flashed korok green and malice pink, then shook himself and picked the next shrine. Beedle could sleep, just this once. He was almost out of rupees anyway.
10:55 pm
Wild's arms trembled with fatigue on the long flight to Tarrey Town, the 25 minutes just to get to the ground beating a horrid rhythm across his soul like a Moblin welding a sledgehammer. He would’ve just used the scope, but the lake's dark, foggy expanse killed the idea before it could take root. He staggered to the inn, the same pleas he’d repeated a dozen times dripping from his lips before he’d even made it through the door. He stayed just long enough to see Kapson begin to shake his head before blue Sheikah light enveloped him.
East Akkala, Death Mountain, Purah's lab. Almost there!
1:30 am
Myahm Agana Shrine…
Hateno Village. This was it, the last place to check. Please! Goddesses, please let them be asleep at the inn!
He burst through the door to the Ton Pu inn; Prima sadly shook her head before he could even open his mouth. Word must’ve made it ahead of me, for once.
The incessant tick-tick-tick of time paused, like the swoop of his stomach before freefall. Numbly, he left the inn, collapsing against its outer wall.
The Slate in his hands glowed merrily, ceaselessly, uncaring of his distress and exhaustion. Wild stared at the shrine icons, willing them to reveal to him where the Chain had gone.
The tiny clock in the corner changed to 1:50 am.
SLAM! Wild's fist collided with the side of the wall, his breathing accelerating as his anger rose.
Time, Twilight, Sky, Four, Hyrule, Wind, Legend…none of them would willingly leave without letting him know in some fashion. A note, a message with the innkeeper, Wind’s pirate charm, anything!
Only one possibility made sense. They had to have been kidnapped, too. Impa’s words from the day before churned in his mind.
“…I fear a great retribution from the evils of the world…”
Ice raced down his spine. Alone. Again. Like the Shrine of Resurrection. Like the beginning of his adventure.
Like Warriors.
The heat of his anger and the pressure to find his family coalesced into a diamond-like point behind his heart. I cannot fail. They need me.
Wild knew where one brother was.
He needed to see Warriors.
Decision made, time resumed its course in the back of his mind. 2 am. He punched the icon for the Kihiro Moh shrine and let the strings of light envelop him.
Make every moment count. Still in his stealth set, Wild moved like smoke, like water, following the path of least resistance. He’d been here frequently enough he knew the guards' routes by heart, and used it to his full advantage.
The Yiga wouldn’t be so obvious as to hold Wars in Barta's old cell. No, he’d be somewhere else, hidden deep, Wild just needed to find the odd one out in the pattern…he paused and rubbed at his eyes. Exhaustion pulled at his heels and dragged at his eyelids, and his stomach nearly gave him away with its growling. Maybe I should eat something…rest…
No! He shook his head, rattling the traitorous thought from his head in time to hide from an oncoming pool of torchlight. I can’t mess this up! Focus, stay out of sight!
Wait. This one! He's not on the usual path! He followed silently on the heels of the wandering blademaster, knowing that this was his chance.
They rounded a corner, then passed a doorway. Wild almost kept walking, except a flash of blond in the never-ending red, black, and gray caught his attention.
He checked his slate – 2:40 am – and slipped into the shadows of the doorway, impatiently counting the minutes until a guard passed once more. Ten minutes. Not a lot of time. He could work with that, though. He had to.
Taking a steadying breath, he turned, stepping into the room to finally see his brother.
Wars’ head hung low, loose, messy hair nearly touching his bare chest. Blood covered his face, shoulder, and legs, made starkly apparent by the horrible position he was restrained in…Wild made a face. I left him to this. This is my fault.
Bleary, distrustful eyes tracked up and met his, then closed wearily. Wild's heart clenched.
He pulled his water skin and a clean cloth from his pouch, dampening it enough to work at some of the dried blood pulling at the side of Warriors’ face. It took everything he had not to flinch when Warriors shied away from his touch.
More water, gotta work fast. Warriors' eyes opened, but Wild couldn’t meet them. Instead, he kept his attention on the cloth. “I’m sorry you got hurt for me.”
Warriors huffed, silent, still weary, still wary.
Briefly, Wild thought about just cutting Warriors loose and making a run for it. He wanted to cry, to hold his brother tight, to get him out of here, but as he was now…“I…haven’t been able to find anyone else. I was hoping to have their support, their items. It’s going to take me some time to get the things I need to get you out of here by myself.” Finally, he pulled himself together enough to look Wars in the eye. “Will…will you be okay for one more day?”
Warriors coughed dryly, silently, and Wild felt the ache in his brother's throat and body echo in his own scars. But Warriors nodded, and the worry choking Wild's heart loosened its stranglehold enough he could breathe.
I can’t get him out. What comfort can I give him? Concern lapped at the edges of Wild’s mind, and he felt the weight of the water skin in his hand. He held it up to Warriors. “I can’t offer much, but I can offer this. Drink,” he insisted.
The Captain drank greedily, notwithstanding his usual paranoia around unknown food sources, and Wild let him for as long as he dared.
All too soon, however, his internal clock pinged like stasis releasing, and he had to pull the water away from his brother. He stowed it in his pouch, steeling himself against the pleading gaze crawling along his skin. He swiftly checked his map – already past 2:55, we're out of time!! – then recalled his travel medallion, placing it at his brother's feet. “I have to go now,” he whispered. “I timed this to the guards' rotation, and one should be coming any minute. I’ll be back tomorrow, I swear.”
Before Warriors could say a word, Wild punched the icon for Robbie's lab and let the light take him.
He was going to elimiate the Yiga for what they did to his brother. He just hoped he had enough materials for Cherry.
~~~
“INSUFFICIENT MATERIALS AVAILABLE FOR EXCHANGE,” Cherry chirped negatively, and Wild groaned. He gave in to bis hunger and nibbled on a simple meat skewer as he checked her readout. He had plenty of arrows, thanks to his cross-continental restock spree, but he was desperately short on rupees as well as the ancient shafts, cores, and springs he’d need for the ancient arrows and other weaponry he wanted. But, if he limited himself to just the ancient bow and arrows…
Well, hunting down fifteen springs, nine shafts, and 2,000 rupees was manageable.
Hopefully. Exhaustion dragged his eyes closed and fatigue pulled at his limbs, but he shook them away, temporarily, always temporarily, to prepare himself. He’d never hunted guardians this tired, but he could collapse once Wars was safe.
For now, Wild took a deep breath in through his nose and held it, letting the oxygen-rich blood careen through his body. He shook out his fingers, loosening the muscles and preparing for the hours of fighting ahead. He felt his time-sense thin, shifting from the tick-tick-tick of Stasis to the more exhilarating sensing of the moments between, before; his Flurry Rush, primed and ready.
He released his breath and opened his eyes. Time to go. He grinned, a fierce determination and focus flaring as he hit the icon for the shrine near the quarry ruins.
He knew several of his brothers who were terrifying forces of nature despite their tiredness. He was happy to join their ranks.
-----
Seven hours, four potions, and an ungodly amount of weapons later, Wild had his ancient parts, scavenged from the smoking remains of yet another guardian stalker. He wiped a bit of oil and sweat from his face and stretched cramping fingers and limbs. His head and body ached from parrying lasers and hacking at metal shells, but he couldn’t find it in himself to regret it. Guardian stalkers, decayed guardians, and level III and IV Scouts for better weapons all fell beneath his relentless assault, and now he was that much closer to freeing Wars.
He fingered the icon for Shae Mo'sah Shrine and Goron City, figuring Ramella would be awake and willing to buy his gems for a decent price. He had at least ten of everything; no matter what she had a hankering for today, he would meet it.
-----
It took Wild far too long to find the wandering Gerudo woman, but at least he could always count on her to get straight to the point. “Sav'aaq Link. The daytime sure is scorching here!" she said plainly. "This is business talk, but I’m in the mood to procure some topazes today. Do you happen to have ten topazes? If so, I’ll buy them for 2,000 rupees. That’s more than a shop will–”
Wild had his arms full of gemstones before she could finish.
“–pay. Sarqso. It’s a huge help.” She carefully took his topaz hoard, and he gratefully accepted the rupees in exchange. “By the way,” Ramella started, “you don’t also happen to have ten sapphires, do you? I’ll trade you 2,900 rupees for them.”
Knowing how frequently the Chain needed to restock on items, Wild sold all his gems to Ramella, coming out with nearly 13,000 rupees. He’d be paying for the best rooms in any inn for the next three portals, at this rate!
His exultant mood faded when he pulled out his slate to teleport back to Robbie's lab. 11:10 am. Twenty-four hours since he’d freed himself; twenty-four hours for Wars to be alone, tortured by Wild’s enemies.
Hold on just a little longer. I’m coming.
As soon as the disorientation from teleporting cleared, Wild turned on his heel and burst through Robbie's door. He waited oh so patiently as Cherry processed his materials and rupees into a brand new ancient bow and 30 ancient arrows – enough to accurately and precisely banish every blademaster in the hideout to the void.
Quiet footsteps interrupted his staring contest with the unflinching ancient machine. He turned to see Jerrin standing just behind him, holding a tray with a few small cakes and a steaming mug. “It’s a cold morning,” she murmured, “and you look exhausted. I made you some warm safflina tea and energizing carrot cake, just for while you wait.”
The unexpected kindness of the gesture brought tears to Wild’s eyes. “I…I can’t–” he stammered.
She pushed the tray closer, gently herding him toward an empty chair. “Please, I insist. I was at the stable last night; I heard about the Yiga, and what you’re trying to do. You’ve done so much for all of us – let us return the favor.”
Wild blinked, overcome, and allowed Jerrin to settle him into the chair. He ate, mechanically at first, but once he started he couldn’t resist. The endura carrots in the cake rejuvenated his body, and even just the steam from the safflina tea relaxed sore, tense muscles.
He'd just finished both when Cherry spoke. “RESULTS AVAILABLE.”
Wild pushed away from the table and sprang to the machine, snatching up the bow and arrows. He slung the former over his shoulder and stowed the latter in his quiver. Before he teleported away, he turned and embraced Jerrin. “Thank you,” he whispered.
“Of course,” she said, embracing him back. She pushed away slightly, holding his shoulders and looking into his eyes. “Now go save your friend.”
Wild grinned and dissolved into Sheikah-blue strings of light, reforming once again at the Kihiro Moh shrine.
This time, even though he still needed to be careful, he was prepared in case things went sideways.
First, he needed to find Wars' clothes and gear. He could go in arrows blazing, but something in his mind – maybe Wars, maybe his old knight training – told him it might be more prudent to be able to blend in. He already had a windcleaver and vicious sickle from previous altercations with the Yiga, but he’d never thought about needing a uniform. The blademasters were all too big, but if he could find an armory or catch a footsoldier by surprise…
He got lucky. Barely two steps into their hideout, a footsoldier rounded the corner and froze, staring.
Their hands moved to start teleporting away, but Wild was faster, drawing his slate and locking them in stasis. Conscious of just how little time he had, he drew a guardian sword and slammed the pommel into the side of the Yiga's head, angling the strike toward the floor. Dead or unconscious, he didn’t care, he just needed them to stay put.
The rune chimed its release deep in his inner ear, and the soldier crumpled, mask knocked askew. Swiftly, Wild donned their tights, armor and mask, putting his hair up in the messy topknot typical of the Yiga.
He dropped an ancient arrow on the unconscious footsoldier before he left the room, pausing just long enough to ensure they vanished completely. One down.
Wild moved through the base with near-reckless confidence, bypassing the offshoot leading to Warriors' room for the moment in favor of making it to the front hall. He remembered his first time coming into the base and finding all the little recessed nooks filled with pots and boxes. If Wild were a betting man, and if Wars' things were anywhere in this place, that’s where he’d put his rupees.
Any single Yiga he passed received the same treatment as the first: stasis lock and an ancient arrow. He couldn’t afford to be noticed or called out, not yet, and it felt good to thin their ranks.
Concern rattled in his bones, however, when all he passed were footsoldiers. Usually there were at least a few blademasters patrolling the halls. Where could they all be?
Finally, he found the front room, picking off a couple more footsoldiers with stasis and his ancient bow. Once the room was clear, he started searching. Wars' scarf, tunics, and armor were in the third nook he tried; Wild shoved them all into his pouch, then drifted back the way he'd come, listening.
Now that he was focusing, he heard the low murmur of voices in the distance, rising and falling and spiking in a peculiar rhythm. He wasn’t very musically inclined, he couldn’t make heads nor tails of any pattern that might exist, but it felt important.
More importantly, the voices seemed to be coming from the direction of Warriors' cell. He moved a bit faster, worry for Wars making a home in his gut. He’d already been in the Yiga's clutches for over twenty-four hours, and if none of the blademasters were in their usual positions…
Suddenly, a breathless, agonized scream rent the air, echoing off the stone walls of the hideout. Fast on its heels, the voices resolved into gleeful laughter.
Ice flooded Wild's blood, slithering like a lizalfos under his skin. Wars! His heart sank as another scream shredded the dusty air.
Out of time to be delicate or cautious, Wild snatched up his slate and almost broke the screen tapping the icon for his travel medallion. This was almost certainly a bad idea, but Warriors could not wait any longer.
Wild materialized in the center of the medallion, and in the split second before time caught up with him he looked around.
Definitely a bad idea. He stood at the head of a semi-circle of blademasters, four or five paces away, with windcleavers drawn and hunger in their stance. The sharp, metallic tang of fresh blood absolutely drenched the air, even filtered through the Yiga's mask.
Heart in his throat, he turned his attention to Warriors. Each new wound – bloody nose, black eyes, multiple stab wounds and the wide, bloody chasm across his chest – hit like a silver moblin's punch to his gut.
My fault my fault my fault! Wild had tended his own share of wounds from windcleaver air blades. For the wound to be this deep, they'd have to have been torturing Wars nonstop for hours. While Wild was killing guardians, and trading gems, and having his tea and cake, these blademasters were killing Warriors!
Time caught up to him, and he watched as a desperate, burning hope ignited in Warriors' eyes. That hope pushed away his hurt, his self-blame, his sorrow; righteous indignation eagerly filled the empty space.
This ends now.
“Pardon the intrusion,” Wild said over his shoulder, forcing lightness and familiarity into his tone, “but I believe it is my turn now.”
He hopped backward a couple steps, ignoring the disgruntled murmuring rising amidst the bladmasters' ranks and giving himself room to use his own massive windcleaver. With swift, practiced ease he swung twice, aiming for the ropes around his brother's wrists.
The shattered hope in Wars' eyes hurt nearly as much as the tortured mewl he made when his abused body collapsed in an undignified heap on the sandy ground.
Revenge can wait. Wild abandoned his windcleaver and dove to Warriors' side, slipping into the moments between as an exceptionally impatient blademaster made an attempt to attack them. He used those moments to their fullest, sniping a dozen blademasters with the last of his ancient arrows, then opening his map and tapping the icon for the shrine under Zora's Domain.
Wild hugged Warriors close, his brother clammy and trembling fitfully in his grasp, and let the calming blue of Sheikah teleportation whisk them away.