Chapter Text
It burned.
Hyrule’s neck, wrists, and ankles burned like hellfire. The skin underneath the iron manacles was red and raw, bleeding but never healing. He no longer had a voice to scream, perhaps because the raw metal had nearly buried into his throat. It was a miracle he was still alive; his stubbornness to live was the only thing keeping him from collapsing in pain. The hero did not want that, especially with him captured and shackled like cattle for slaughter.
How long had it been?
A hunched body twitched beside him. The Traveler’s chains rattled as he shifted to support his fellow fae. Four had been going in and out of consciousness - his way of dealing with injuries from the goddess-forsaken metal. Neither hero was capable of transforming right now. Iron alloys would have been harmless to them, but raw iron was a different story. They were fortunate that Wind was not captured alongside them. They managed to get the Sailor out before he was seen. The pixie hoped the younger hero had already reached the others for help. He did not know how long he and the brownie could hold out.
“These are the hero’s companions? They don’t look that much.”
The Hero of Hyrule winced as the iron bars clanged. He lifted his head and tried to make out the figures standing on the other side of their cage. The metal was making him lightheaded, but he managed to make out the familiar red suits.
Yiga.
“Don’t get too close. I heard they’ve put up quite a fight.”
Hyrule whimpered when the bars creaked open. It hurt - it felt like something was tearing in his eardrums. Still, he curled protectively around the Smith, trembling like a fragile leaf. Footsteps approached, and two shadows loomed over them.
“You’re kidding, right? Look at them! They look like they will kick the bucket anytime.” One of the figures leaned forward. Red eyes gleamed against the dim light of the torches outside. “So, this is what raw iron does to fae folk, eh? Nasty stuff, isn’t it? Now, if this only works the same way with the hero….”
“Hey,” A stern voice interrupted. “Stop playing around. We got orders to carry out.”
The first one backed off with his hands raised. “Sheesh! Fine. You’re such a goody-two-shoes. Always a stickler to the rules.”
“I’d rather not have my head thrown into the pit.” Arms grabbed the Traveler by the back of his tunic. “But if you want to forfeit your life in the most disgraceful way, then be my guest.”
The pixie struggled weakly against their hold. His mouth opened into soundless shouts. One of their captors snickered and grabbed the hero’s neck chain, tugging it with inhuman force. “Hey!” The Yiga member said. His fangs glinted against the torchlight. “Behave yourself if you don’t want me to suck your friend dry. I haven’t tasted a brownie’s blood before, and I’m getting hungry. You’re only bait. The hero’s the one we’re after, anyway.”
The Sheikah traitor released the chain and harshly hauled the Hero of Hyrule up to his feet. The hands on the back of his tunic fell away. “I’ll take the other one. You go ahead.”
“Yeah, yeah. Whatever.”
Hyrule stumbled as he was pulled like an animal in a circus. The iron screeched and clanged against the ground with every wobbly step. It hurt - it hurt so much he wanted to cry and curl into a ball, but he swallowed it. He dared a peek behind him - the other Yiga was supporting the barely conscious brownie. The Hero of the Four Sword was completely limp against his jailer, unaware of what was happening then.
Was this the end? Was this how they would die?
The Traveler nearly tripped and bumped against the Yiga when the latter stopped. Another had stopped in their tracks and was speaking to their fellow clanmate. He could not determine what they were discussing and winced when the one behind him spoke up.
“What’s the holdup?”
“This guy’s being called,” The new Yiga jabbed behind her. “Something about sending him to spy on the Gerudo. Seems they’re up to something.” She crossed her arms. “A Blademaster told me to take over and hurry up.”
The said former Sheikah looked annoyed. “Seriously? Right now?”
“Hey, I’m not pleased with this arrangement, too, you know.” The third Yiga scowled and pointed at her fellow clanmate. “It was supposed to be my break, but now I have to escort… these things. ”
A growl. “Fuck, fine!”
The pixie jerked forward and collapsed on his knees when his captor thrust his chains into the other Yiga’s face. Footsteps stomped into the corridor as his former jailer sped away, grumbling under his breath.
“Oi! Don’t forget to wear your mask, idiot!”
“Shut up! I know!”
The two Yiga watched as their fellow member disappeared into the corner. The new arrival looked down at the chains on her palm and scoffed. “What a barbarian.” She knelt and inspected the hero before her. “Look at what they did to them.”
There was a shift behind the Hero of Hyrule. “Yes,” The other former Sheikah agreed. “Master Link wouldn’t be too happy to see them like this.”
“No kidding. Let’s get them out of sight first and remove those awful things.”
Hyrule did not know what was happening except that he was being moved and guided somewhere. They stopped, and a pair of hands helped him to sit on the floor and started tinkering with the manacles on his neck and limbs. The iron fell away within seconds but did not land on the ground. His vision cleared a little bit, and a concerned face came into his view.
Red eyes observed him dutifully. “Easy,” His new captor - or not - soothed, carefully setting the manacles on the ground. “It’s okay. We’re here to help.”
The rim of a canteen was brought to the Traveler’s lips. It took him a few greedy sips to realize it was not water but a healing elixir. He coughed a few times afterward and tried to focus on the Not-Yiga. “W-What….”
“Master Link sent us.” The woman smiled kindly. “We’re Sheikah spies.” She picked up a different container and offered it to the pixie. Refreshing water alleviated the ache in his throat. Once the Hero of Hyrule was done drinking, she set the canteen down and raised a finger in front of the pixie.
“Now, can you see my finger, yes? Follow it. That’s right. Good job.”
Though his mind remained sluggish, the Traveler did as he was told. Satisfied with his responses, the female Sheikah turned to her companion. “How’s he?”
“I already gave him an elixir, but he’ll still need thorough treatment.” The other spy answered. He effortlessly lifted the unconscious Smith in a bridal carry, muttering something about how light the hero was. “I’ll take the front. We’re close to the exit, so we shouldn’t encounter that many guards. That fake information we planted should distract them for a few hours.”
His fellow Sheikah nodded before turning to the Hero of Hyrule. “I’ll carry you on my back.”
“I-I can walk.” Hyrule grabbed the corner of a crate beside him and pushed himself up. Or, at least, tried to. His legs gave away almost immediately as the female vampire caught him before he could plant face-first on the ground. “Ugh….”
“Don’t push yourself. You’re still in a very bad shape. Here, you can lean on my shoulder if you’re uncomfortable with being carried.”
Hyrule mumbled an apology and let the Sheikah woman put an arm around his waist. He slung his arm over her shoulders and hauled himself on shaky legs. They started to walk only after he was stable enough on her side. They trailed after the other spy, stopping and hiding behind corners several times to check their surroundings for enemies. A few Yiga were patrolling, and they sneaked past them once they were outside their keen hearing.
The rapid movements made the pixie sick, but he held it in. Otherwise, it would put these vampire spies’ efforts to get them out in vain. Instead, he focused on the fact that Wild sent someone to rescue them instead of going himself. He could not think of an apparent reason why, but knowing the Yiga from the few encounters the group had before, they must have done something to keep the dragon occupied. Whatever that was, it left the man and the other heroes no choice but to rely on internal connections inside the enemy’s territory.
“Almost there,” The vampire holding the Traveler reassured the latter. “How are you holding up?”
“‘M fine,” The hero groaned, trying hard not to vomit as he was jostled to a low crouch. He was starting to regret not taking up the offer to be carried. “Want…Want out….”
“We’re going out of here.” The woman promised. Her voice was soothing balm against the lingering burns on the pixie’s skin. “Just hold on for a few more minutes.”
The Hero of Hyrule did not respond, squeezing his eyes closed as he was hauled back to his feet. The healing elixirs had helped him stay conscious, but he had been chained down with iron for too long. His burns had not completely healed; some were still bleeding and blistering - the damage was too deep in his skin. He just wanted to curl up with Four in Sky’s makeshift nest, where he would be safe and warm under the harpy’s wings. Legend would sit beside them, listening to Wind’s animated chatter. Time, Twilight, and Warriors would be somewhere nearby, keeping watch for any danger, as Wild’s cooking permeated the air.
“Sshh. Sshh. It’s okay.” The Sheikah spy soothed as he involuntarily let out a weak whine. “It’s okay. The exit’s just over there.”
True to the vampire woman’s words, the exit was just to the right of a large chamber they entered. The pixie could not care less about the sweet, fruity scent permeating the air or the ludicrous amount of bananas and Yiga propaganda decorating the room. Not when he could sense the familiar presence of the untamed just outside the wooden door. Nature beckoned him to return to its embrace, and it took all of his willpower not to wrench himself free from his rescuer’s hold and run.
Cold mountain air greeted Hyrule the moment they stepped into the outside world, and he nearly buckled at the rush of magic, divine power, and freedom. It seeped into his bones - into his core - and he barely swallowed the sob in his throat. He was back! Back to where he belonged! He glimpsed Four twitch in the other Shekah’s arms, sensing the same change in their environment as his fellow fae, despite still being unconscious.
“Watch your step,” The woman instructed beside the Traveler. “Don’t fall into the pit…Hm? What’s the holdup?”
The Hero of Hyrule was unsure if she was still talking to him, but he heard a hiss in front of them. “Trouble. We’ve been found out!”
“What?”
Ear-grating laughter closed in on them, and figures emerged from bursts of smoke and red symbols. Yiga footsoldiers surrounded them, blocking every possible means of escape. Even their retreat - the door they came from - was seized. A Blademaster, the leader of this ambush, stood at the other side of the pit, no doubt grinning behind the mask.
“Well, well. Look what we have here? It seems some rats got lost. In Master Kohga’s abode, no less!”
“That man’s dead!” The other Sheikah spy spat. “This clan is good as gone!”
“Oh? Then, you know nothing.” The elite soldier leered. Before the Sheikah vampire could question what that meant, he continued. “I have to say, I’m impressed. Your distraction worked well, but not long enough. Did you think we didn’t expect the hero to send someone else to rescue those fae? You, the Sheikah, aren’t the only masters of deceit and illusions.”
“Well, that doesn’t matter now. A fitting punishment must be dealt to the dogs of the Royal Family. Be it the hero or the foolish Sheikah clan, there is only one outcome.” The Blademaster pointed his longblade at them. “For the glory of Master Kohga...Kill them all!”