Link decided that a good course of action to take was to try to speak with the Goron Chief and the Zora King. Sheik explained that the Sheikah had already tried speaking with the Zoras once, but she figured that it wouldn't hurt to try again now that they have the Hero of Courage with them, and they should try to speak with the Goron Chief. Sheik sent two Sheikah to the Zoras Domain and to Death Mountain. Sheik warned that it may take a day or two before they would hear from either group of Sheikah messengers.

Nabooru, in the meantime, would train with Link, mostly so Link didn't get stiff and didn't slack off in his swordsman skills. Link wasn't used to fighting someone with a spear instead of a sword, but considering Nabooru's skill with a spear it didn't seem to make much of a difference. At first Link couldn't keep up and kept losing to Nabooru, but with Nabooru's coaching style being "never give up easy," it wasn't long before Link could fight Nabooru to a stand-still. He just needed to get back into the swing of fighting after a few days of training.

At the moment, Link was taking a break from the training. Sheik still feared that Link's injuries would still hinder his fighting performance, so she insisted he take it easy for now. Besides, the Sheikah messengers were due to return soon, so Link might as well take it easy until then. Link just came back inside after giving Epona a little trot around town. The horse seemed to enjoy it, especially when some of the local kids wanted to give her some sugar cubes and apple slices. Epona may have been stubborn around adults but she had the softest spot for children. Especially if they offered free snacks.

Link sat down at the table, waiting on the lady of the house to serve him some milk. The lady insisted on serving Link, and Link worried it was because of his "Hero" status. Sheik said she told everyone to treat him as another individual, but he would still have some treat him like royalty. Link could hear another individual sit at the table, but he was too deep in thought to look up at them. He just wished the Triforce of Courage chose someone who actually deserved it. But he promised Sheik he'd take the role for everyone's sake, and so far it seemed to help everyone's spirits up.

???: The whole "Hero" thing not working out for ya?
Link: Eh, I guess I'm just not used to it- Wait. Ben!?
Ben: Oh wow, you actually remember me. Most Hylians forget me within 10 seconds of taking their attention off of me.😒
Link: Ben you son of a- I-I thought you left the town days ago!😀
Ben: 😐Um, well, I would've. But the dark forces are blocking all the conventional paths of travel out there. Worse part is that they refuse to kill anyone no matter how annoying you are to them, so I came back here just because the Sheikah were willing to put up with me. They're taking in anybody whose village was taken by the forces or wounded from the initial ambush. They gotta do what they can for Hyrule I guess. Excuse me. Ma'am, how about another drink for me please?
Woman: You? No! That's the fifteenth cup of coffee you've had this morning sir! You're either the thirst-iest man alive or something is seriously wrong with you!
Ben: Please!?
Woman: I'm sorry but no! (Walks away)
Ben: 😧 D**mmit.... What're you staring at Mr.Not-A-Hero?
Link: Um... What was all that about?
Ben: Ugh, the Sheikah didn't let me sleep in late this morning, and if anyone expects me to be any amount awake at this hour I gonna need some coffee. But then I remembered that too much caffeine could kill a person, so I've been drinking coffee none stop. Well, up until now.😑
Link: Ummm... Ben?
Ben: *groan* What?
Link: What exactly is "caffeine"?
Ben: 😐... (face palm) I f**king forgot that Hylians haven't invented caffeine yet. That explains why the coffee's so bitter... Oh well, maybe the 50 spoonfuls of sugar I put into these will mess me up pretty good. D**mmit...

Ben banged his forehead against the table in frustration. Link could only stare at Ben in amazement and major concern. Ben really was depressed... In a strange way.😓

Link: You... You really are depressed aren't you?
Ben: *mumbling* I'm way beyond just being depressed man... (looks up) You look well. You know, for a guy whose leg was pretty banged up. Sheikah gave ya a ton of health potions huh?
Link: Oh Gods, don't remind me. Why does medicine has to taste so bad?😩
Ben: Sometimes the stuff that supposed to be good seems so bad, and vice versa can be true too. Believe me, I know.😧

Link would've talked more, but the door opened and immediately he heard Sheik calling his name. He saw that Nabooru was there with her. Maybe the messengers came back.

Sheik: There you are Link.
Link: Yes here I am. What's up?
Ben: Dark forces are heading right for us?
Sheik: Uh, no.
Ben: Worth a guess at least. Hey while we're all here, how come none of the dark forces tried taking this place? Sure it's a Sheikah village but they can't possibly know that.
Sheik: These are sacred grounds. They wouldn't dare step foot here. Besides, we have sacred symbols at Kakariko's entrance way as extra protection.
Link: Oh, to keep away bad spirits right? That makes sense. I was kinda curious about that myself to be honest.
Nabooru: 😐... Hey, I know you!
Ben: Huh?
Nabooru: You're that crazy miget who kept trying to get into the Gerudo Fortress!
Link: What?
Nabooru: Yeah, this guy used to go up to the gates and threaten to jump over the bridge and down the waterfall if we didn't let him in! But whenever he would act like he was going to jump, he'd suddenly just run off! Another day or two later, he'd show up again and do the same thing!
Link: 😲Good Gods almighty Ben!
Ben: For the record, I figured the guards would stab me by the time I got them riled up okay? What? So I think I don't deserve to live. Big deal! That doesn't mean I despise being called a "miget"! Everyone around here is so keen and peachy on calling me that. I ain't so short you know! There's plenty of folks that are shorter then me and no one calls them migets! Take Tingle. He's supposedly 35 and he only goes up to my shoulders. Or pretty much anyone from the Great Seas for that matter.😡
Sheik: 😐You seem to know an awful lot of information for someone of your... "social standing."
Ben: Miss, if you knew as much as I did, you'd be suicidal too😧.

Ben turned and walked away from the conversation. He figured the three of them had had it up to here with him at this point. Plus they were going into territory he didn't quite take pleasure in talking about. Besides, the effect of all the coffee he drank was starting to bite back at him.

Sheik: That's your "friend" Link?
Link: Hey, I just found out about this now! Look, let's get to the point for now. What's going on Sheik?
Sheik: Our messengers came back from Zoras Domain and from Death Mountain.
Link: And?
Nabooru: We had as much luck as we did last time trying to talk with the Zoras. They're not convinced we have the Triforce of Courage on us. They did say that they were more concerned with the Royal Family's safety right now, which would explain why they seem so eager to take back Hyrule Castle. So we're making some progress I guess.
Link: Great. What about the Gorons?
Sheik: Well, that part is kinda tricky. See, the Gorons want to help us all they can, but they need the word of their Goron Chieftain, Daurina, before they can just side with us. And unfortunately for all of us, Daurina hasn't talked to anyone since he first heard Hyrule Castle was taken.
Link: In short, he's not convinced that I'm Hyrule's Hero either.😧
Nabooru: If you ask me, we need to go up to both of them and speak to them face-to-face!
Sheik: What we need is someone who can negotiate with them. We need more of a real resistance if we're gonna get anywhere in this war.
Link: Well, any ideas?
Nabooru: Hmm... Hey, legend says there's a parallel kingdom to Hyrule called Lorule! Shadow Link would never see them coming!
Sheik: True. But no one has admitted to going there for centuries, and no one's certain how to get there at all. Not even all us Sheikah know.
Nabooru: Oh... Well, um, how about Termina? We have contact with them right?
Sheik: It's complicated but to an extent yes. However, the only individual known to know how to come and go from Termina was.... was Impa. The rest of us don't know.😔
Link: *sigh* Great. We only have Sheikah and Gerudo, and I doubt the Gorons and Zoras are going to negotiate with the Gerudo if they won't listen to the Sheikah. N-no offense Nabooru.
Nabooru: It's okay, I understand. I admit to being a thief by blood, but I do have my morals like any true Gerudo should.

Link, Sheik, and Nabooru were stubbed. They could try to contact the Mushroom Kingdom, but with the Great Seas between them it would take forever to even reach them. They could make for the Old Kingdom of Hyrule, but it's a tremendous amount of travel to reach them. And Shadow Link's forces were keeping everyone from traveling nearly anywhere, let alone the Old Kingdom. They couldn't think of what course of action to take.

It was starting to get on Ben's nerves.

Ben: God you guys are hopeless, and that's saying something coming from me.
Nabooru: You still here gorgeous😡?
Sheik: What are you talking about?
Ben: *sigh* Listen, if you guys want to save Hyrule so bad, you're going to need someone who can peace-talk to the Gorons and Zoras right? I might know a place where we can find a negotiator at the least.
Link: (ears twitch) What? Where?
Ben: Termina of course. That's where I'd go if I were you. Shadow Link wouldn't quite expect them to get involved with us, so why not?
Sheik: Um, did you not hear me? Only Impa knew how to come and go from there, and she never told anyone about it. And her house is filled top to bottom with books and scrolls and other dribbles of Sheikah information, and it would more time to search for anything Terminian then we have.
Ben: We don't need Impa or her notes to go to Termina. It may not look it, but I'm Terminian myself.
Nabooru: 😕Wh-what!?
Link: You-you mean...?
Ben: I am from Termina, yeah. And if I'm from Termina, then I know how to get there. You'd be surprised just how many Terminians come and go around here. Maybe that's why Impa never said anything, I don't know.
Sheik: Y-you're serious!? Then could you-
Ben: If you're serious about saving Hyrule, then yeah I could take ya. Heck, I might know some people who may be able to get you over to Lorule from Termina. I can show ya, but that's all I'll do. You willing to take along some freak like me with you as dead baggage, I can take you to Termina. Game?

The three of them looked at each other for a moment. It only took them a moment to think of their answer.

Link: How soon can we make for Termina?

Later

Link saddled Epona and walked her out of the stable to meet with Sheik, Nabooru, and Ben. They decided that the four of them should go while the rest of the Sheikah and Gerudo care for anyone that came to Kakariko. Sheik rode with Nabooru while Ben would ride with Link on Epona.

Ben told them that the way to Termina was through the Lost Woods. Link was naturally worried since the Lost Woods wasn't called the Lost Woods for nothing. Anyone who wasn't a forest creature or a fairy or the fabled Kokiri would disappear without a trace in the Lost Woods. But Ben assured everyone to the best of his ability (which wasn't very good) that he knew they were going and that they would be safe. I mean, three out of the four of them was a Gerudo warrior, a skilled Sheikah, and the Hero of Courage himself. What could possibly go wrong?

Well, the path was a long one. It was getting dark fast, so they decided to rest for the night and pick up the next morning. Ben said that the way to Termina wasn't much further, but he figured they might as well rest on it. Link and Sheik looked at the Terminian as he slept- and breathed- with a reasonable amount of worry to them.

Sheik: Look Link, I'm only listening to HIM because we need all the help we can get and Termina is an optimal ally for us. The first sign of him leading us into a death trap, and I'll give your "friend" here what he wants.😡
Link: Sheik, give him a chance! Sure, he's depressed- apparently- but he saved my life! He must have some goodness in him despite his... issues.😞
Nabooru: He's got a point there Sheik. Hey, if he hasn't hurt himself yet, it probably means he's faking it.
Sheik: "Fake it?" Why would someone fake it?!
Nabooru: I don't know. Maybe it's one of those reverse psychology things you hear about sometimes?
Sheik: Or maybe he's bipolar as well.😒
Link: Sheik, I don't know what the problem is here. Now look, I trust him unlike you. And I don't care what he does or what happens, I-
???: Hey! Hey! Hey! Listen! Listen to me! Hey!
Link: What in the-!? (Falls over)

Link fell backwards to the ground as a little ball of light sped around his head. After hitting the ground, Link looked up and saw that the light was a little light blue fairy. Nabooru stood up as her and Sheik were both as surprised as Link at the sudden guest.

???: Please! We need help!😭
Nabooru: "We?"
???: Somebody! Help!😭
Link: The little fairy's in a panic! She's not thinking straight. (Stands up) We have to calm her down if we're getting any information out of her.
Sheik: Little one, please try to calm yourself. You're among friends now. Whatever is the matter?😯
???: HELP US! PLEASE!😭
Ben: *groans* Will you guys shut up!? There are people that are actually trying to sleep here!😡 Wait... Oh God, what're you doing out here?
???: Ohmigosh Ben! Thank goodness I found you! The Mask Salesman needs help!😢
Ben: What?
???: A Wolfos chased the Happy Mask Salesman up a tree! Please help us!😢
Link: A Wolfos?
Sheik: Looking for food no doubt. These woods are probably crawling with those beasts, especially at this hour.
Ben: 😧*face palms* God d**mmit. That idiot never listens. Right, where is he?
???: Come on! Follow me! (Flies off)
Nabooru: After that fairy!

Sure enough, the fairy led them right to where the Wolfos was. The werewolf-like creature was clawing at a tree, hoping that the person clinging to the tree branches would fall. The person, a Happy Mask Salesman, clung to dear life on his tree branch as he shook in fear uncontrollably. The group was surprised to see anyone else besides a forest creature out here of all places. Well, everyone except Ben. Heck, he didn't seem phased by the Wolfos and stared up at the shivering salesman.

Ben: 😧...Oye, Happy!
Happy Mask Salesman: (ears twitch) Hm? 😕B-ben? ...Benjamin old friend! What a wonderful surprise to see you here!😁 What brings you-
Ben: Yeah yeah, warm fuzzies all over. Zip it. Now what have I told you about traveling to Hyrule Happy?😡
Happy Mask Salesman: 😕Erm... Ummm...😞...
Ben: ...Well?
Happy Mask Salesman: ...Never pack too much food in my backpack?
Ben: ...And?
Happy Mask Salesman: ...And never keep leftovers after sunset.😞
Ben: *sigh* I swear... Well, at least you didn't pretend not to know this time, I guess.😒
Sheik: You know this salesman?
Ben: Yeah, Happy. I know him. He travels between Termina and Hyrule as part of his job. And before you ask, Jariya is his name, but I just call him Happy for short. I say that since there has been some confusion before about it.
Jariya: Hate to interrupt you Ben, but I'm kinda, you know, HAVING A CRISIS HERE!
Ben: Happy, an actual "crisis" for you would be some poor kid scraped their knee. Calm your a**, we're getting to the saving part. Yeesh, can't even wait on the Hero, am I right?
Jariya: BEN!
Ben: (rolls eyes) Alright, who wants the Wolfos? First come, first serve.
Nabooru: I call dibs!😃
Link: Now hang on a second! Is it really necessary to kill it!?
Ben: Link. It's a Wolfos. Nobody's gonna miss it or even care about it. Huh... Maybe I should try to convince that witch girl-in-training in Holodrum to turn me into a Wolfos.
Sheik: That's besides the point! Look Link, if we can't run the creature off in one shot it's liable to attack us. We have to-
Link: I know a way we can get rid of the Wolfos WITHOUT killing it! You said so yourself that the Wolfos was probably looking for food, and we already established that it's after the food in the salesman's backpack. Give it something to eat and I'm sure it'll leave us be. Look, I'll show you!

Link walked over to Epona and rummaged through a bag. He pulled out an object wrapped in cloth and, well, unwrapped it, showing it to be cooked Cucco meat. He walked back to where everyone else was standing out of the wolf creature's way. Link then whistled and threw the meat in the Wolfos' direction. The Wolfos looked up at the whistling sound and jumped a little when it saw something being thrown at it. However, it went back and sniffed the meat in curiosity. It chewed on the meat somewhat, and after seeing it was edible and fresh, it snatched up the meat and ran off into a deeper part of the forest.

Link: There, see? It was just hungry. Now let's get Jariya down from there hm?
Nabooru and Sheik: 0.0....
Ben: 😐....That worked.
Jariya: Oh bless you dear boy! Thank you ever so much! How can I ever return the favor?
Link: Are you from Termina?
Jariya: I was coming from there, yes.
Link: Then maybe you can help us? We're looking for some potential recruits for our cause and Termina came to mind. Maybe you know some people who might help us?
Jariya: Recruits you say? Well I know some lads who may lend a welcome hand to ya! Just, you know, help me down from here first?
Link: Of course!
Ben: Can't you get down yourself?
Jariya: Er, well, not with this backpack on me no. It's so full of my things that it's simply much too heavy to climb in.
Ben: Then how did you get up to a tree limb 20ft. off the ground with said backpack!?
Jariya: Well when you're being chased by a wild animal your climbing abilities is the least of your worries!
Nabooru: How about you drop your backpack, then you can drop down here.
Jariya: Hmm... Very well. Good plan I say. Here. Catch it will you Link lad? Now do be careful it's quite heavy.
Link: Don't worry I got it- Oof!

The Happy Mask Salesman slipped off his large backpack and dropped it for Link to catch. However, Link was taken completely off-guard at just how heavy the backpack actually was. It sent Link backfirst to the ground with the backpack on top of his torso, making it hard for him to breath.

Link: *gasp* Oh Gods! What in Farore's good name did you put in this thing!? *wheeze*
Ben: That's actually a really good question I wouldn't mind knowing the answer to that myself.
Jariya: Oh, well, there's my sleeping bag, some of my wonderful masks, food and drink, some books, a few souvenirs- You know, the bear necessities!😅
Ben: Oh I swear to God ever since I got you that stupid "jungle book" you've been saying that😬! It's BARE! B-A-R-E! Not B-E-A-R like you've been saying!
Jariya: Bear, bare- Same word, just with the letters switched around. No need to make a fuss over it. 😞
Link: (pushes backpack off of him) *deep inhale*
Ben: *sigh* Whatever. Just go ahead and get down from there so we can go.
Jariya: I, um, would... but I don't know how to get down.😞
Ben: God d**mmit Happy. 😧What're we gonna do with you?
Jariya: *mumbling* I don't know.
Sheik: For the love of Nayru, this is getting us nowhere! Let me and Nabooru handle this.
Link: Sheik what're you-?

Sheik suddenly pulled out 4 or 5 needles in her hand and threw them at the branch the Happy Mask Salesman was hanging onto. The needles were mere inches from piercing Jariya's hand, causing him to scream out and consequently let go of the branch and fall. Nabooru, now seeing what Sheik was up to, managed to catch Jariya with both her arms before he could hit the ground. Jariya had stopped screaming but he was still stunned at what just happened.

Nabooru: Hey man what's up?
Jariya: U-um, nothing much now I suppose, heh😅. Um, I do believe you can place me down now ma'am.
Link: 0.0 ....
Sheik: *sigh* And that's why females deserve to have a much higher standing in Hyrule.😧
Ben: Amen to that.

While Sheik started climbing up the tree to retrieve her needle weapons, Jariya stood up and brushed down his purple garb of the dirt and dust. Link couldn't help but notice that the Happy Mask Salesman had to be at least a foot taller then him. Orange/brown-ish hair, thin built, and always seemed to have a cheerful look about him even without his smile. Link took a look at Jariya's backpack, and it didn't seem out of the usual. It was a large- and surprisingly heavy- bag with different masks decorating the outside of it, which was typical for a Mask Salesman to be seen with.

The small fairy flew around everyone with glee, being thankful for the help.

???: Oh thank the Gods for your help Ben! It's so good to see you around after so long!😀
Ben: Oh please. Nearly anyone could have done this. Don't act like I'm so special Navi.😒
Navi: 😓 Still haven't changed huh?
Jariya: Well, the point is that Ben is coming back home again, aren't you boy?😊
Ben: Whoo hoo.
Jariya: Mind handing me my backpack young fellow hm?

Link: What!? With how heavy that thing is?! How could YOU possibly carry it around!?
Jariya: *sigh* (rolls down his sleeves) See?
Nabooru: (snaps her fingers) Goron's Bracelets!😁
Jariya: And they said these things are useless. But as they also say,"one man's trash is another's treasure."😏 (rolls his sleeves up) Now, I'll be taking my backpack now thank you.
Link: Where were you headed anyway?
Ben: To Hyrule. Where else?
Sheik: Sorry, but Hyrule isn't exactly the best place to be right now.
Nabooru: Let's just say a shadow from the past has come back to bite Hyrule.
Jariya: Oh no! The Great Evil has finally come again after so long!?😦 They should really at least warn us before they start another war!
Link: Um, how would a Terminian know about-
Jariya: I've been to Hyrule many many times dear boy. After a while you tend to hear whispers of this sort of thing. Don't act like us Terminians don't know what goes on and what has happened in Hyrule.
Ben: Besides, Hap here has never really explained whether or not he's actually a Terminian or a Hylian. He's just been there for as long as anyone can remember.
Jariya: (clears throat) To the matter at hand, I suppose this is why you request recruits from Termina? Then I'll be joyous to help! Come come, Termina isn't far from here at all! 😀
Navi: But we just left... Nevermind. Hyrule's more important then a small business like ours right now! Come on Link!

Link would've said something about how he didn't like a fairy telling him what to do, but Navi flew ahead of everyone before Link could respond. Hm, might as well get back on Epona and follow Jariya.

Speaking of the Mask Salesman, he seemed... interesting. Happy and chipper all the time, and knew a great deal of Termina and Hyrule. Guess that makes sense. Ben knows Jariya and Navi on what seems to be a near personal level, so they must be dependable if they can stand Ben's behavior.

It wasn't long at all before Jariya and Navi lead the group to the entrance to Termina. It was.... A hollow tree? There was some kind of... "ramp" going down into the massive pit of darkness, so...

Nabooru: This is the way to Termina?
Navi: Yup yup!
Sheik: ...Impa never mentioned a tree whenever she came back to Kakariko from Termina.
Jariya: Eh, there's actually multiple hidden passages into Termina. This one is just the most traditional, and plus it's faster.
Link: When a passageway looks like a bottomless pit and you say "it's faster," that sounds like something a crazy person would say.
Ben: *sigh* Termina IS kinda warped compared to Hyrule, not going to lie.😒
Sheik: Ever heard of the expression "down the rabbit hole?" This feels like that.
Navi: Come on Sheik! It's not like we're asking you to fall down there! There's a walkway and everything for you!
Link: *sigh* I don't see a problem with this personally. I mean, there's no monsters or anything down there, right?
Ben: You're so confident and brave Mr.Not-A-Hero, you go first.

Ben suddenly pushed Link forward alittle and, not expecting the actuon, Link stumbled forward before he started to fall down the walkway! Navi immediately flew after Link as he fell farther and farther down into the passageway to make sure the Hylian wasn't hurt. Link finally stopped when he hit the bottom, but all can agree he was fairly dazed from the tumble.

Ben: Oops.
Sheik: What was that for!?😡
Ben: Hey, I didn't exactly plan that either you know.
Nabooru: (shouting) Link!?
Jariya: (shouting) Link my boy! You alright down there?
Ben: ....(shouting) Are you dead?
Sheik: BEN!
Ben: What? It's an important question to ask.
Nabooru: (rolls eyes) Link!?
Link: .....Ow...
Navi: (shouting) He's okay!😀
Sheik: Oh thank the Gods!😥
Link: ....Ow.... (shouting) Warn me next time you decide to do that! *groan*
Navi: Oh relax. You'll live. 😊
Link: Barely. 😑
Ben: Welp, what're you two ladies waiting for, Christmas? Come on.
Jariya: (whistles) Navi! We could use a light up here!
Navi: On it boss! Now you stay right here, alright Link?
Link: Yeah yeah. Sure. *groan*
Nabooru: (chuckles) Well you heard them Sheik. Hyrule won't save itself you know.
Sheik: (gets on Nabooru's horse) Don't even joke like that to me. *sigh* Let's just get on to Termina already before that... that miget does any more harm to us. Or before I decide to harm him.😡
Nabooru: *sigh* One word Sheik: Progress. That's all that matters. (Gets on her horse)
Jariya: (mumbling) Oi... Sheikah folk... Right behind you ladies! *clicks tongue* Come on Epona sweetie.
Epona: 😡
Jariya: Don't give me that look please. 😯

Link waited down at the bottom, lying on his back, while Navi used her glowing form to help the others see the way. Link looked around and found the bottom surprisingly roomy, or at least inviting. There were a few torches burning on the walls, and the ground felt mossy to the touch. Link looked and saw a tunnel with many colored lanterns lighting the path, so there was at least a few people using this passageway.

Nabooru: You alright love?
Link: Yeah. And don't call me that.
Nabooru: Whatever you say love.😅
Link: Seriously, st-stop it.😖
Jariya: Well, here we are! Just down this way a ways and then we'll officially be in the heart of Termina!
Ben: Whoo hoo.
Link: (gets up) Right. Come on Epona. Just alittle farther now girl.
Sheik: Expect anything to happen out there Link. Termina is far advanced us and they don't believe in any Gods or Goddesses, save for one. Plus I have no idea what may lay beyond this point.
Nabooru: None of us but our new friends do.
Ben: You coming or not!? Let's go!
Link: We're coming. Right... Stay sharp, I guess.

Link climbed up onto Epona and patted her shoulder, telling her to move forward. Termina was an unknown land to many, so Link had to stay alert as to what may lay forward. But he was unafraid (maybe a side effect from the Triforce of Courage?) and was confident in his training and skill as a knight. He wanted to see Termina with his own eyes.

Jariya: Sheik?
Sheik: Hm?
Jariya: A word if I may?
Sheik: What is it?
Jariya: Well, it's about... well, the Sheikah...
Nabooru: Spit it out. What?
Jariya: Hm... See, we Terminians... We're well aware of the Sheikah race, but the Sheikah in our world have completely vanished and it has been that way for countless ages. No one knows what happened, but the Sheikahs' tools and artifacts remain, letting us Terminians see into what your people must've been like. So, if anyone gives you any... strange looks, you'll know why now Sheik. I just thought I should make you aware, just in case.
Sheik: Impa had told me about such. I thank you for the forewarning Jariya. I can handle it.
Nabooru: What of the Gerudo in Termina? What are they like?
Jariya: Oh, well, they're not really "bandits of the desert" in Termina. They're "pirates of the bay" more or less. Other then that, they're basically the same as you Hylian Gerudo, so I wouldn't fret much on the matter.
Nabooru: Okay. I can live with that! Thanks.😆
Sheik: Jariya, are you positive you know of any individuals that can help us? I mean, Ben is rather.... Um...
Jariya: Ben has been through so much Sheik. It'd be too complicated to explain it all, even to a Sheikah like yourself. But I assure you Ben can be trusted. Him being involved in all of this will surely open him up in a much needed positive way! Just give him time, yeah?

Sheik remained doubtful, but she might as well give Ben the benefit of the doubt, or at least what little of it there was to give. Right now, she had a sacred duty to fulfill, and nothing would stop that. Especially if Impa was on the line...

What would lay ahead in Termina? No one could be sure.

Then again, that was kinda Termina's reputation.

---

Sorry this took so long to finally publish this chapter, but it's out now! I might take a break from this book for a while to work on my other books, but I definitely plan to continue this book ASAP. Cheers!🐉