Darkie: Do you know how many bones the hylian body has? It's 206. They start with 369 when they're babies but they fuse. Wouldn't you want to go back? Have as many bones as a baby? What if I could help you?
Shadow: Hi, yeah, what the actual, literal, GENUINE fuck does this mean?
Well, that was a massive explosion. No doubt that alerted the rest of the Chain but the current group could not bring themselves to care.
Exhaustion was obvious, pain was also obvious. Not a single one of them had managed to stay on their feet.
The smoke was clearing, that was good.
Four managed to sit up first, rubbing his aching head. His gaze fell to the center of the circle, stilling as he noticed to figures sitting up as well.
“Ugh... That was... unpleasant.” The familiar voice sent a jolt of hope through his heart.
“Shadow...?” The speaker quieted, but it didn’t take long for a familiar face to become visible as the area cleared fully. A half grin crossed Shadow’s face as he cocked his head.
“Hey, looks like things went well!”
“Shadow!” Ignoring the aches in his body, Four jumped to his feet and rushed over to cling to the other tightly. Shadow wobbled with a yelp before laughing as he clung back just tight.
“Goddesses... I missed you so much...”
“I missed you too...”
They both perked as they heard another voice shouting.
Rhythm couldn’t believe it. He was here, he was really here! Tears were streaming down his face as he took a few shaky steps towards the other, almost hesitant. But then their eyes met and Darkie smiled, holding his arms out to him.
And he broke.
“DARKIE!” He ran to him and threw his arms around him, burying his face against his chest. The older held him tight, running his fingers through his hair and hushing him softly.
“It’s okay, I’m here... I’m here... I’m not going anywhere, I promise...”
He lifted gaze to look at the others steadily regaining themselves, over to the other duo who still hadn’t let go of each other, and then back down to Rhythm who hadn’t lifted his head. He tightened his hold on him and sighed heavily.
Talking could wait, right now, he just wanted to hold his little brother for as long as he could.