The fog pressed against them like a living thing, thick and suffocating. The battle had barely begun, but already the air was filled with the sounds of clashing steel, snarling shadows, and the ragged breaths of exhausted warriors.
Wild's grip tightened around the Master Sword as he pivoted, slashing through another shadowed creature. The blade cut cleanly through its form, dissolving it into nothing. But for every one he struck down, more came.
They were being hunted.
Wind fought nearby, his smaller frame making him a hard target as he ducked and wove through the enemy. His boomerang cut through the mist, knocking back two creatures before he followed up with a quick strike from his blade.
Wild let out a breath, adjusting his stance. They had to keep moving—
Then, something shifted.
The fog rippled.
A massive figure loomed behind Wind, its clawed hand stretching out.
Wild's eyes went wide.
"Wind!"
Wind barely had time to turn before the creature struck.
The blow sent Wind crashing into the dirt, hard. His sword skidded out of reach, and he let out a sharp gasp as the monster's massive claw pinned him down.
Wild's blood went cold.
A terrible sound rumbled in his chest.
Then, something snapped.
His vision blurred at the edges. His heartbeat roared in his ears. The world became narrow, his focus locked on the creature holding Wind down.
Then—he moved.
Faster than he'd ever moved before.
A blur of blue, sky blue, and gold—
And then—
Wild slammed into the monster.
The impact sent a shockwave through the battlefield.
The creature reeled back, screeching as Wild's Master Sword drove deep into its shoulder. He didn't hesitate. He twisted the blade, tearing through the beast's flesh as he ripped it free.
The monster staggered, howling—but Wild wasn't done.
He was on it in an instant.
His shield slammed into its head, cracking the mask it wore. He followed up with a vicious kick to its knee, making it crash to the ground.
The others had stopped fighting.
They were staring.
Because this wasn't just Wild fighting.
This was something else.
Wild moved like a force of nature—unstoppable, precise, and utterly ruthless.
His attacks were calculated, deadly, and efficient.
Warriors saw it immediately.
This was the fighting style of a knight.
Not just any knight.
A Royal Knight.
Warriors knew, because he was one too.
And this—this was battlefield combat. The kind only the most elite were trained for.
Wild wasn't just a survivor.
He had been one of them.
The monster lashed out—but Wild was faster.
He twisted, his blade flashing in a deadly arc.
The creature's head separated from its body.
The fog exploded outward.
And then—
Silence.
Wild stood over the lifeless remains of the creature, his chest heaving.
The mist was gone.
The remaining shadows had vanished.
And everyone was staring at him.
Wind groaned, pushing himself up, rubbing his head. "Hylia, what hit me?"
Twilight whistled low. "Wild... what the heck was that?"
Wild blinked, his breath still ragged. His hands shook slightly, but his mind was clearing.
Warriors stepped forward, his gaze sharp.
"You were trained," he said, voice unreadable. "That wasn't just instinct."
Wild hesitated. His grip on his sword tightened.
Warriors met his eyes. "You were a knight."
Silence.
Wild exhaled slowly. He didn't deny it.
Warriors nodded once. "That explains a lot."
Wind grinned weakly. "That was kinda terrifying, not gonna lie."
Legend scoffed. "You just got tackled into the dirt by something twice your size. Of course it was terrifying."
Wind pouted. "You could be a little more supportive."
Twilight clapped Wild on the shoulder. "We'll talk about this later," he said with a smirk. "For now, let's get moving before more of those things show up."
Wild swallowed, his pulse still thrumming.
The others moved ahead, but Warriors lingered a moment longer.
He looked at Wild, something knowing in his gaze.
Then he turned, following the others.
Wild exhaled and sheathed his sword.
They had won this fight.
But something told him this wasn't over.
