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Chapter Text

Wind and Daen were in troublesome territory. Thank goodness they were able to disguise wind as a young girl, much to the sailor's humiliation. Daen simply told the young boy to be silent as the two pass Gerudo Territory, and into the Deep Desert. 

With her magic paintbrush, she could summon any object into reality, and she frequently summoned water canteens for wind and herself. But her magic stamina was running low... That is, until they were chased by Sand Wolfos. Daen fought them off, extending her paintbrush into a magic staff, whacking the Sand Wolfos with the end of the staff.

Thankfully, the Sand Wolfos dropped some raw meat. They settled for a while to enjoy the juicy meat over a magically summoned fire.

As they enjoyed their wolfos meat meal, they heard something... Daen quickly standing to look around. Wind got concerned. "More Wolfos?" He asked.

"No..." Daen replied, and saw what seemed to be cloaked, jumping figures, quickly approaching their position! "Wind, here!" Daen summoned a pirate sword from magic, her magic stamina nearly used up. Shame she can't make magic potions out of thin air...

Wind quickly took the sword, and got ready to fight. "What is it??"

Daen readied her staff. "Garo Robes..." She mumbled. As several ninjas surrounded the woman and boy. They were practically back to back, unsure if they stood a chance. It was then that the New Garo Master stepped forth.

"Travelers. You are in danger here... Come with us, we keep you safe." The Garo Master said, a boney finger beckoning the two to pack up their stuff and follow.

Daen whispered to Wind. "Let's just go along for now... These jumpy ninjas seem to be friendly, but be prepared for if that changes..."

"Right..." The young 13 year old whispered back. Putting his sword away.

After packing up, they followed the Garo Master and his entourage to civilization, desert pillars and huts, surrounding what seems to be mystic circle of energy, which was fenced off. Daen thanked the Garo Master, claiming that he and his ninjas have saved her and her little brother.

"Brother? I thought this was a young lady?" The Garo Master inquired.

Daen got flustered. "W-well... It was the only way to get past the Gerudo at the end of the desert we came from! Wind here is very much a young boy! And I'd like to get him new clothes..."

The Garo Master nodded, and snapped his fingers, summoning another Garo Robe to his side. "Bring these two to get new robes, their current wardrobe is not suited for the desert."

"Thank you, so much." Daen said, and slightly bowed to the now seated-upon-a-throne Garo Master.

She and Wind were then separated for a short time, Daen being led by what seem to be women Garo, and Wind being lead off by Garo men. 

Soon, the two heroes met up again in a grand dining hall, the Garo Master sat at a round table. "You, guests of honor, sit by me." The Garo Master commanded.

Daen politely bowed her head, and sat near the Garo Master, Wind sitting at her side opposite of the Garo Master. Soon, several Garo Chefs brought out food after food. Clearly it was Sand Wolfos meat, Cactus Fruits, various Desert Berries, some Fire-Fried Scorpions with what seems to be a sauce on the side. It all looked delicious.

Wind grew impatient, clearly still hungry, due to their meal earlier being interrupted. Daen tried to settle the 13 year old, and the Garo Master chuckled. "Go ahead. Eat. You two must be hungry, thirsty especially."

"Thank you for this meal, Garo Master... I don't know how we could repay you..." Daen said, as Wind started to dig in. 

Wind made content noises, enjoying the food. "Daen, ya gotta try the fried Scorpion! The sauce is made of Scorpion venom! Mmmn!"

Daen chuckled at Wind, smiling gently. This caught the eye of the Masked Garo Master. "You care much for the boy, do you not? You seemed to be like a mother to him."

"O-oh! I guess I'm like a Caretaker to Wind... He's certainly capable to taking care of himself if necessary... He still has his grandma and little sister." Daen explained, a little flustered.

She then decided to try the food, and cactus fruit. It was very juicy, she accidentally made a mess on the robes... "I'm sorry I ruined the robes you gave me-! The fruit- It was---"

"Simply delicious? Hmmn, I am not mad. It wad inevitable." The Garo Master was so kind, it concerned Daen.

All she knew of the Garo were the Garo Ninjas, and the Garo Master... And that they were ruthless, merciless. And if they were ever defeated, their law states them to blow themselves up, leaving no corpse behind...

"If I may ask... What brought you and the young man to the desert? A quest of sorts, I'd assume?" The Garo Master asked, leaning against his hands, arms propped on the table.

Daen swallowed her bite, and before she could say anything, Wind piped up. "We're searching for clues on the whereabouts to The Shadow... We followed the trail out to the desert, but we lost sight of the trail sometime after entering the deeper parts of the desert... We couldn't even see the Gerudo Fortress anymore."

The Garo Master hummed in thought, then decided to say. "Well, I have a feeling that this Shadow has traveled to the other world. The portal to the other world is within our village. It leads to Ikana's High Tower. My predecessor was slain in that Stone Tower. You two may travel to that world to see if what you seek is there. If not, then you might find a clue."

"Thank you, Garo Master. I appreciate all your help. We might rest a while before traveling to this Other World." Daen said, smiling at the Garo Master.

"That sounds nice. I'm a little sleepy..." Wind said, and yawned.

The Garo Master nodded, and beckoned some.of his Ninjas to show Wind and Daen to the sleeping quarters. There, the duo rested well, snuggled up to each other, as the sun set on the horizon, bringing the chilly cold air of the desert night with its departure.

Chapter Text

When the sun arose in the desert sky, Wind and Daen woke with it. They quickly pulled out the Pirate Charm, and went to call Wild. The Champion, already awake and making breakfast for the Chain with the Old Man next to him, quickly pulled out the Sheikah Slate to see what Wind and Daen are up to.

"Hey, you two. Something important come up? You two safe?" Wild inquired, Time peaking over his shoulder.

Daen chuckled, and spoke. "Yes, we're both fine. We found a portal to Termina, and suspect that's where The Shadow is now. So we're headed there soon. Is Old Man there?"

"Yes, I am here, Daen. You said Termina, is that right?" Time asked.

Daen nodded, and continued explaining. "Yes. Can we count on you guys to get here through The Lost Woods? Time, you remember how to get there from your previous adventure?"

"Could never forget my most bizarre adventure, Daen. Count on me to get these boys to Termina. Shall we meet you and Wind in Clock Town?" Time inquired.

"Yeah. Meet us in Clock Town. I suspect me and Wind will enter through Stone Tower, since we're with the Garo..." Daen said. She braced for Time to get concerned.

Time, surprisingly, stayed calm. "The Garo, huh? Surprised there are any left. So, they originated from Hyrule... We'll continue this conversation later. You and Wind focus on getting to Clock Town."

"Got it! We'll meet up there!" Daen exclaimed, and the call was disconnected.

Time then woke up the others, just as Wild finished making hearty fruit skewers for breakfast.

.~°.~°.~°.~{ ☆ }~.°~.°~.°~.

Meanwhile, with Daen and Wind, they both thanked the Garo Master for his hospitality. 

"It is of no issue, young travelers. We Garo are noble ninjas. So long as you keep our existence a secret, we remain on good terms." The Garo Master said. He gifted Daen a Garo Master Mask. "Perhaps, one day, you'd like to join our clan? Haha! I only jest." He gave Wind a Garo Ninja Mask, too.

The young boy was happy to have a mask in his inventory. "Thank you, so much! Makes me feel bad we don't have anything to gift you in return... All our stuff is with our friends..."

Daen hummed in thought. "I am certain I can make something." She brought out her magic paintbrush, and thought for a moment... After resting for the night, she gained enough Magic stamina to at least make something great. 

But what...? Well, she made an Oasis for the Garo, using great magic to make flowing water, greenery, and palm trees for shade. Fruit trees, berry bushes, all for their little Village.

The Garo Master marveled at Daen's work. When he tested the waters, he jumped in joy, praising Daen and Wind for their marvelous gift.

"You two are welcome here anytime! Thank you, ever so much, young Sorceress!" The Garo Master exclaimed.

Soon, Daen and Wind delved into the gated off portal. Travelling between the boundaries of the fabric of reality. Turning upside-down, spinning endlessly... Soon, they started Falling. And then, they fell onto cold, patterned stone. 

"Ooohhhhh, my head... I feel dizzy..." Wind mumbled, slowly sitting up. He sat for a moment to get his bearings.

Daen was faring no better, dizzy herself. "I need a moment. Gimme a moment, Wind..."

Soon, when they both pulled themselves together, they looked around. Wind marveled at the impressive stonework. And Daen just seemed nervous.

"Danny? You okay?" Wind asked, looking at Daen with concern. To which the young woman looked at him peculiarly when addressed with that nickname. 

Daen shrugged it off. "Yes. I'll be fine, Wind. Don't worry about me." She headed to the door.

They traveled a short way through the Temple eventually leading to the exit, where they needed to descend the Stone Tower. It was relatively easy. It seemed someone had built ladders and other steps to easily access the Temple from Ikana.

"Funny. I remember that access to Stone Tower Temple wasn't this easy. Let alone easy to get down." Daen remarked, looking around the area.

They eventually got to Ikana Valley. Exiting the Stone Tower Gate and into the Canyon Village.

It was bustling with excitement. Excitement from Stalfos, Stalchildren, Redeads, Gibdos, Bubbles, Poes, and other undead horrors. However, they didn't seem hostile.

Wind froze when he saw the redeads. Good Gods of Hyrule! Why the redeads?! "D-Daen... Those are Redeads...!"

"I know, but they're not hostile, it seems... Look, there's a Terminan Woman here, talking to them... Wait, she doesn't even have a Gibdo Mask...?! How is she not getting eaten?!" Daen was now shaken and shocked. Baffled, even.

A Big Poe soon noticed the two travelers, and went up to greet them. "WELCOME TO IKANA VALLEY VILLAGE! WHERE US UNDEAD AND THE LIVING EXIST IN PEACE! SO GLAD TO SEE FRESH FACES! PAMELA RARELY EVER GETS LIVING GUESTS!"

This was one enthusiastic Poe. She waved her lantern around and soon beckoned Daen and Wind to follow her to meet Pamela.

"Pamela? The Paranormal Researcher's Daughter?" Daen inquired, raising a brow as she followed the Poe. Wind clinging to her Garo Robes as he followed close behind.

The Ghost spoke up. "OH, YES! OLD MR. AKAZUKI JOINED THE DEAD LONG AGO. SOON, IS HIS REAWAKENING CEREMONY! HE REQUESTED HE BE WRAPPED LIKE A GIBDO, SO WE GRACIOUSLY FULFILLED HIS REQUEST!" The Poe enthusiastically explained. "OH, PAMELA! WE HAVE VISITORS TO THE VALLEY!"

Pamela, now a woman, clad in her father's scientist coat, looked over. "Thank you for guiding them to me, Heidi. I appreciate it." The woman took the Poe's black hand, and smiled softly. 

She was different from the cowardly young girl she once was. The river flowed as usual, the song playing was different than "Farewell to Gibdos" that usually played.

"Hello, Pamela. It's good to finally meet you." Daen said, and shook Pamela's hand. "I hope you're coping well with Mr. Akazuki's passing."

Pamela sighed. "He'll return as something he always wanted to be. I am fine. The Gibdos are being very comforting."

Wind shuddered, as he cautiously looked around. "H-how did this happen? Why are there so many undead?? It's so scary!"

Pamela chuckled. "I'm not sure how the dead arose again. I thought that young boy who came around and saved my father many years ago figured it out, and put the dead to rest... But that was years ago. The King of Ikana has a theory, and he and I were to discuss it later. Perhaps you should join us for that meeting?”

Daen sat in thought… Thinking on the benefits of meeting the Ikana King, and getting to the bottom of this phenomenon. But at the same time, they had a mission. Wind got concerned as Daen was silent for a while. Certainly, the others could wait a while, right? 

“The Carnival of Time is in a few days, too. And Ikana's Prince is planning to attend.” Pamela added.

Daen perked up, eyes widening ever so slightly. “The Prince? I didn't know there was a Prince of Ikana… What is his name? Do you know?”

“Prince Idigeous of Ikana, is what he is called.” Pamela helpfully said.

As far as Daen was aware… The Prince must have either died young or was conceived after the fall of Ikana… She didn't wanna picture that.

Daen finally shook her head to clear her thoughts. “Sure. We'll join you for this meeting. It would be a good experience, and I have a sneaking suspicion that I'll find my own answers to another mystery.”

Wind gulped, but put on a determined face. He wanted to make sure Daen was safe. She was like an older sister/mentor figure. She always knew what was best. Eventually, some of Ikana's guardsmen came to escort Pamela, Daen, and Wind to Ikana Castle.

There, they all had audience with Ikana's Undead King.