Time's Moving Faster Than I Can Count

A Sinking Feeling

The journey was over, the shadow was gone, and everyone had gone back home. Twilight was sitting at home, outside with Epona, back to being just Link - Ordona that felt weird to say - and he was staring up at the night sky. Grief had settled deep in his being, and he missed his brothers dearly, but one person had him near tears, and he just didn't understand why.

Until it hit him. He had seen, spoke to, bonded with, and made his ancestor proud. It made his heart swell in pride for just a moment, allowing him to forget about the grief. He had seen his mentor, his ancestor, in the flesh, and made him proud. A smile graced his lips, and he spared a glance at a sleeping Epona, then the reason for the tears suddenly punched him hard in the gut.

Time was going to die, unfulfilled and full of regrets.

The pain in the Old Man's eye was very well hidden, but it was there. Things went unsaid, but there was always a lingering feeling that he knew something. Perhaps something he should never have known, but he did anyway. Despite that mask he wore for them, Twilight realised now that he had been slowly shattering beneath it. He thought back to every strained smile, every time his grin never met his eyes, and every laugh that sounded empty.

How had he not realised sooner?

Saying goodbye had felt so... full of grief. Like he was seeing Shade for the very last time again, and yet so happy, like he was returning home to where everything was okay. The hug he had gotten from the older man was warm, like the hug of a father, and cold, like the grave. He had a sinking, and agonising, feeling that when they parted ways for the true and final time, Time had run out of just that; time.

Did Malon ever see him again?

He thought back to the Shade that taught him to fight. Shade knew him. He knew that Twilight would see him again, knew that they'd meet while both alive. He knew what Twilight would become, and even then, he had been proud. It didn't matter what happened, in life and in death, he was proud of Twilight.

Did Time know how long he had left?

Link looked up to the stars, trying his hardest not to cry. He wasn't alone yet, and he needed time - how cruel it was - to process everything. The worst part to him was he didn't even know if it was true, he could only go off feelings. Yet, it hurt all the same. A few of the adults in Ordon were still up, doing their usual nighttime routines, and he didn't need to deal with their questions yet. He'd successfully managed to fend off the kids with fake smiles and laughter, promising to tell them about his "awesome" adventures with the "really cool-looking people" in the morning. But now, he wasn't sure he could cope with it.

Oh, how he hated being left alone with his thoughts. Time always knew how to keep them from getting to him. The village had enough to deal with, they didn't his tears and grief because he just couldn't hold it together like a man.

Time would probably tell him off for thinking like that, huh?

The thought of that happening made him smile a little as he thought of how that would go.

"What have I told you about that?" Time would say, with his signature look of disapproval.

'Even that look would be better than nothing, right now.' He thought to himself, glumly but amused.

A shooting star shot across the night sky, and a sense of grief and peace washed over him. It's golden trail lingered behind as the star disappeared into the darkness of the woods. It felt like a message, with how perfectly timed it was.

Was Time still looking out for him in death? Had the man not done enough?

Anger bubbled within him, and the tears he had tried to hold back fell stubbornly from his eyes. They burned his cheeks, but he couldn't bring himself to wipe them away. He chewed on his lower lip to try stop himself from sobbing, but his lip just twitched. His fangs dug painfully into his chin, but he just couldn't bring himself to care. He couldn't cry, not here, not now. Suddenly, he understood Time's anger towards the gods. How dare they do this to a man who sacrificed everything for the land he lived in!