Joseph looked through the applications for one him and his Scavengers could tackle. He found one that seemed quite interesting.

It was a delivery application. The Scavengers could tackle those easily. Apparently there was a statue and a tailsman that went with it in Termina that needed to be delivered to someone in a forest someplace. There was a map that was to be given to whoever accepted the application that showed the way from "point A to point B" so to speak. The application also stated that, should there be problems encountered along the path, the Ravager(s) who accepted the application were free to use the tailsman to fix the problem. The application was signed anonymous, which isn't uncommon for an application of any kind to be.

Joseph thought about it and discussed the application with the group. They decided that since they were planning to head on to Hyrule for Sheik, they would tackle this delivery application no problem. What's the worst that could happen?

Heh, funny you should ask.

Days later

Sheik had led them to Termina, Hyrule's twin kingdom. The center of Termina, Clock Town, was a nice place. The whole kingdom of Termina was quite nice really. Colorful, unique, and wide spaces abound. It was more technologically advanced then Hyrule, while Hyrule was more magically advanced then Termina. Hey, the two were twin kingdoms after all. Anyway, they met the person who had this statue and tailsman that needed to be delivered. He was a, quote, "happy mask salesman". Apparently Sheik knew this one in particular personally. They were loading the statue into the wagon. For some reason, the chipper salesman kept the statue covered with a white rag, along with the tailsman the statue was currently wearing.

Joseph: *groans* There. *panting* Any idea who wants this thing?
Happy Mask Salesman: *panting* Not a clue Joseph... I just received a letter saying that, in exchange for money, I was to make the tailsman and it was to be sent with that old statue...
Sheik: Phew... Why keep the statue hidden?
Happy Mask Salesman: Well, we do have a few of these statues around, they're just... hidden. Not many of the elders want to be reminded of that day.
Harpus: Of what?
Happy Mask Salesman: Well... I suppose it'll be alright to tell you. A lot of the younger folks around here don't believe it anyway. That's why some of them are so compelled to make these statues I imagine. You see, many years ago, there was this little boy that would come and go in and out of Clock Town. Nobody knows where he came from, nobody knows if he was an orphan or not, and nobody really knew him. The young boy seemed ever so happy and childish and immature, but many thought he was too sweet to be blamed too much or that he was just "acting his age" you know. But then, they say, he started being rather reclusive and saddened, and it only seemed to get worse. Some of the elders told me that they swore that, not long before that day, the poor boy started having bruises and cuts show up all over him. No one knows if he was abused or suicidal. Many figure he was starting to become suicidal because of what eventually happened...
Joseph: *gulp* W-what?
Happy Mask Salesman: Well... *sigh* They say that one day, the boy walked into town, looking down at the earth as he walked. He eventually came to the town well, and they say he simply stared into the water for hours. But then, without warning, he climbed up onto the stone edge of the well... and jumped into it. Many who claim to have seen the child do it didn't react at first, figuring he was just cooling himself off or pulling off another trick of some kind... but he never came back up... Not alive anyway...
Sheik: 😨Dear Nayru...
Harpus: 😕 S-so... Y-you're sayin' we's got a statue of some dead kid in our wagon wearing some magic thingie?
Happy Mask Salesman: Oh I wouldn't worry so much. It's just one of those urban legends we have is all. No one's been able to prove the boy actually existed, and none of the elders know if the child's bones were ever even recovered, let alone where he's buried or even if it happened. Yet another reason people have made statues of the child I suppose. I have no clue why someone would want a statue of such a thing.
Sheik: ... (Clears throat) Probably as a silly souvenir.
Joseph: O-or maybe a part of one of those horror collections or something...
Happy Mask Salesman: Hm, I suppose. Maybe they just wanted something proper and fitting to showcase the tailsman. Well, you best be off. The quicker the delivery is made, the quicker I get paid for this. It was lovely seeing you again Sheik dear.
Sheik: You too. Come on, we're heading out!

A few days had passed after that, and the Scavengers were well on their way to this place in the forest. Jeff was rather skeptical and worried about the covered up statue and tailsman that was sharing the wagon with him. He heard everything about the "urban legend" surrounding the statue from the mask salesman, and somehow he couldn't get it out of his head.

Jeff: Does that thing really need to be in here with me Joe?
Joseph: Well how else are we going to get the statue and tailsman to our client in one metaphorical piece?
Jeff: I'm just saying, it's freaking me out. You know Sheik, I heard that friend of yours tell you something that he didn't tell the rest of us.
Sheik: *sigh* It's nothing Jeff. Just more of that urban legend Clock Town has.
Jeff: He said that rumor has it that the spirit of whatever kid that statue's supposed to look like tends to possess those statues and cause all sorts of problems.
Joseph: Did the mask salesman tell you that Sheik?
Sheik: Like I said, just more of the urban legend. He figured you had enough of the story he told you all so he told that little part to me since I'm used to horror stories. It's no big deal.
Jeff: Don't act like it isn't a big deal Sheik. After all, it's common knowledge that Hyrule's legends about the Hero of Courage or whatever are true! What if this urban legend is true too?! And what's so special about that tail thingie anyway?

Joseph was starting to feel that things were going to get out of hand if this kept up. He stopped the wagon without warning. Harpus, who had listened in on the conversation while flying alongside  the wagon, perched herself on top of the wagon just above Joseph, Sheik, and Jeff.

Joseph: You know what? If you're so worried about the covered statue then why don't we actually see what it looks like under that cover? We've never actually seen it nor that tailsman. Maybe then it'll calm our nerves and make this trip much easier for us. Sheik, remove the cover will you?
Sheik: Me? Jeff's the one already inside the wagon.
Jeff: Yeah but you've got steel nerves, remember? Besides, you're so sure that the urban legend isn't true.
Sheik: 😧 Boys. Alright, but only because you two are sissies.
Harpus: (Laughs) Ooooo, you just got told son! Ha!😂
Jeff: Shad up!😡

Sheik reluctantly crawled into the wagon, pass Jeff, and to the statue. She then grabbed the cover and pulled it off.

And boy, the sight was something else. And not in a good way.

The first thing most people would notice was the tailsman itself. It really stood out with a sparkling smooth surface on the light blue gem that hung on the statue. On it were lightly carved out inscriptions that went full circle around the front of the gem. But the statue it hung on was... not exactly normal. It was short, and it rested on a somewhat thin light brown wooden square. The legs were bound together, and the hands were either meant to be hidden in unseen pockets or just plain none existent. The statue wore mostly green attire, with shorts barely going past the knees and a short sleeve shirt barely going passed the shoulders. However, the thing that disturbed them most was the head, specifically the face. The head was rather large compared to the rest of the body, and it had a long green hat hanging down low behind the statue with bright yellow hair hanging down as bangs. However, the face was... frightening, and somewhat realistic. The pupils a deep blue like ocean water, the eyes half-lidded, and the "smile" bared its teeth in a not convincing way, as if it was false or not even a smile at all. The neck was so unseen that you'd expect the head to suddenly fall off at any minute. It unexplainably froze the Scavengers in their tracks as it stared into them. After a good long look Sheik, regaining her steel nerves, quickly put the cover back over the statue and tailsman.

Jeff: 😨... You ever get that strange familiar feeling you get with something and you can't explain why it's so familiar? Yeah, I've got those vibes right now.
Harpus: 😕... Well, that's going to haunt my dreams for a few days.
Sheik: ... (Clears throat) W-we're wasting time here. We should get moving.
Joseph: R-right.

Jeff: Whoa whoa, that... thing's still coming with us?
Joseph: Jeff, we've got a delivery to make. No matter how... disturbing that statue is, we need to get it and the tailsman to our client. Besides, the map says it shouldn't be much farther now.
Jeff: ...*gulp* R-right. Just hurry up, will you?

Within a few hours they had found a worn dirt path in the forest, suggesting someone had come through here many times before. They decided to let the horse rest while they look over the map. Shouldn't be too much farther. The place had some old and dead trees along the path, but Sheik could tell it was of natural causes for such. Not too far down the path a tree actually fell, and it was enough to spook the Scavengers' horse. The wagon was moved slightly as Sheik went to calm the horse, but apparently Jeff was spooked as well. He suddenly sounded like he was fighting someone inside the wagon, shaking it as he went, before he suddenly threw what turned out to be the statue clear out the wagon.

Joseph: Jeff! What's gotten into you?!
Jeff: *panting* That thing just tried to kill me! What do you expect me to do?!
Sheik: That's nonsense Jeff. When the wagon shifted, it must've caused the statue to fall on you. Simple as that Jeff.
Joseph: *sigh* Statue looks unharmed. Harpus, go see where that tree crashed.
Harpus: Consider it done boss!
Sheik: Wait, where's the tailsman?
Jeff: Oh, I snatched the thing off that beast. Here.
Joseph: *sigh* Sometimes I worry about you Jeff.
Jeff: Hey, I'm screwed in the head remember? I can't help it sometimes. It's a curse.
Harpus: Uh guys, we may have a problem.

The tree that fell just had to fall onto the path. And it was a huge one too. Bigger then the wagon was tall. Harpus tried to break it, but obviously it was too heavy and too thick to break. No way the horse could by it. No way around it, and it would take forever for them to try and climb over it. While they were trying to figure out what to do, Jeff was fiddling with the tailsman, swinging the necklace part of it with his finger. He let it go into the air and caught it again with his hand. Suddenly the gem on it shined brighter and blinded everyone slightly. Some magical energy came out and surrounded the fallen tree, and somehow it... I wouldn't say fixed the damage... more like reversed it. The tree stood back as it once was, and with that done the gem stopped shining and returned to its original state. Naturally Jeff panicked, not being used to magic like most people, and forcibly handed the tailsman to Sheik.

Jeff: Ok, whatever the h*ll just happened, that wasn't me! I swear!
Harpus: What mind of amulet thingie is that?!
Joseph: Everyone, calm down! Sheik, any idea how that happened?
Sheik: Um... Well, let me look here at these inscriptions...
Jeff: ...Well?!
Sheik: ...Oh! Oh of course! It makes sense now! That mask salesman always did know how to use his knowledge!
Harpus: Pardon?
Sheik: Oh, um, how best to explain?... We Hylians, and Terminians of course, use many kinds and forms of magic. That includes time magic.
Joseph: A-are you saying that this tailsman is a time manipulating object?
Sheik: Well, I wouldn't say that exactly. See, these inscriptions are in what most of Hyrule and Termina would call a dead language , but us Sheikah have long known how to read and write in this ancient text. The inscription basically grants this gem the ability to reverse a limited amount of time backwards on certain things, such as the tree falling.
Harpus: A salesman made that? Who is that guy?!
Sheik: Well... (Clears throat) It's not that surprising that he could make something as simple as this, especially considering Termina. See, Termina may be more technological then Hyrule, but even Termina has its magic. Even though the people of Termina live in such a "sophisticated" kingdom, they still believe in magic, specifically time magic. They developed Clock Town around that Clock Tower you saw, which counts down the time until the Harvest Festival. And though they don't believe in the same goddesses as Hyrule, the only god or goddess that Termina does believe in is the Goddess of Time. This tailsman has been granted the simplest of time magical abilities, believe me.
Joseph: ...I guess that could explain why he application said that we were allowed to use the tailsman to fix anything that went wrong on the way to our client.
Sheik: Wouldn't surprise me if that was the case Joseph. And as long as the inscription stays intact, the number of times its magic could be used is unlimited.
Harpus: Well what are we waitin' for? Let's move it!
Joseph: Right. Sheik, since you're familiar with the magic, I think the tailsman should stay with you in case something else happens.
Sheik: You can trust me with it Joseph.

Now equipped with this knowledge, they continued on to where their client stayed. A wheel broke one time, but the tailsman fixed it with ease. Other then that, not much else happened that required the tailsman's use. The forest path eventually lead to what looked like a massive campsite with a black fence of some sort all around it. The tents looked like one massive tent, and it almost looked circus-like. It was set in a small clearing in the middle of the forest, and honestly the kind of tents being used looked like they should be used in a desert some place. At the front was a small gateway with a small bell on the structure that connected the gate and the rest of the fence. Joseph and Sheik stopped the wagon and walked out in front of the gate. No one seemed to be around, and the only real thing to do was to ring the bell. Almost immediately after ringing the bell, a jester like being floated out the front door of the tent and went up to the gate. He was slightly shorter then Joseph, and most of his body was actually invisible. He had disembodied hands and feet with no arms or legs to connect them, and a large orange and white cape hanging behind him. Though it wasn't clear if his face was technically invisible too or if it was just hidden under his headpiece, he had pearl white sharp teeth and large blue eyes. His headpiece had these "horns" on it, like a cartoon rabbit with floppy ears.

???: What'cha you want? The mistress doesn't like pointless disturbances.
Joseph: Um... May I ask who you are? Or what you are, while I'm at it?
???: Oh? Name's Jackle. Jackle the Mantle.
Sheik: ..."Mantle"?
Jackle: Some say I'm crazy and weird. And I'm not exactly an earthly creature. Now please, what'cha here for?
Joseph: Well, did you or your "mistress" set up an application to have a tailsman and a statue to be delivered here?
Sheik: We have them with us if you need proof. See?
Jackle: Oh sweet! Hang on, the mistress wanted to receive them personally! Stay here, ok?

Jackle floated off back inside the tent to notify his "mistress". After a few minutes passed, Jackle came back out with someone in a brown cloak. They were actually slightly shorter then Jackle was, and their cloak made it hard to see their looks. The person must have some kind of power, because upon approaching the gate they swung their arms and opened the gate. It sqeaked as it opened, suggesting it may have not been opened in a while.

???: Jackle says you have my tailsman. Show me.
Sheik: Of course.

Sheik held out the the tailsman to the cloaked person. They immediately and politely took the tailsman into their own hands and held it in awe. They then removed the their hood to reveal the face of a child. Their voice sounded young yet knowledgeable, and somewhat feminine. Their face was somewhat pale and yet had pink rosy cheeks. Their hair was brown and somewhat unkept, yet silky looking. The shirt they wore was long sleeved and lime green, with a bright yellow stripe across the shirt, just under the chest area and just over the stomach area. They wore long legged dark brown pants with light brown shoes. Joseph couldn't honestly tell if this child was a girl or boy, but even at their young age they seemed to enforce authority, so he tried not to stare and possibly offend them. He only assumed they were a girl since Jackle had referred to them as his mistress.

???: Ah, what beautiful workmanship. And the statue?
Joseph: In the wagon.
???: Jackle, retrieve it will you?
Jackle: On it.
???: I do hope your journey here wasn't too difficult.
Joseph: No, no. Um, mind if I ask your name, miss?
???: (chuckles) My, how inquisitive of you. What, not doing to ask where my parents are? (Giggles) ...Don't worry about it. Let's just say I'm... one of those spirits.
Joseph: 😕 Y-you're a... a spirit? You?
???: Like I said, don't worry. By the way, name's Chara. Got that statue Jackie boy?
Jackle: (grunts) Yeah, got it. Jebus.
Sheik: Out of curiosity miss Chara, any particular reason for needing this tailsman?
Chara: Mmm. Nothing per say. Maybe I just want some mistakes I've made, erm... erased. So to speak, of course. (Chuckles)
Joseph: ...And the statue?
Chara: Oh that. (Light chuckles) I'm sorta into the macabre, and someone told me about Termina's tales and such. Heard about the statue and, well, what better to hang a magic tailsman from Termina then a haunted statue from Termina?
Joseph: Right.
Chara: Hey, in all seriousness, I'm new to this whole "application" thing? Do I need to sign anything?
Joseph: Just this so that we can say we did the job and get the reward. Here's a pencil.
Chara: I'm fine with a pen thank you. Aaannnd... there. Thank you for this truly. I don't know that many people that would actually take their time to find me out here, you know? (Chuckles) Perhaps I'll ask for you specifically next time I need help. Um... I never caught your names...
Joseph: Joseph. I'm the leader. This is Sheik, she's like my second-in-command. Over there is Harpus, our fighter. All together we are called the Scavengers.
Chara: Nice to meet you. I imagine you'd prefer to return to civilization. I know I'm a bit... "eccentric" when it comes to living quarters. Heh, "living". Well, there's a city a few miles away from here. You should be able to use the map I supplied and be able to reach there by nightfall. Is that alright? I mean, I'd let you stay but we're awfully full of people here as it is. Besides, I understand that Ravagers travel a lot and... I'm rambling aren't I?
Joseph: No, it's fine. We were planning on heading back anyway. Nice doing business with you miss Chara!
Chara: Oh please, just call me Chara. I'm not all that formal. Being a childish spirit and all. (Chuckles) Safe travels!

Something seemed a little... off about Chara. Then again, she was a spirit apparently. No telling what she was up to. As the Scavengers left, secretly glad the statue was gone, Jackle and Chara took the statue and tailsman inside. As Chara entered her tent, someone snuck behind her and childishly put their hands around her and covered her eyes. She knew who it was, and she playfully smiled. It was a boy her age, with elf like ears and... green attire.

With blood in his eyes, like tears.

???: So, what did you think?
Chara: (chuckles) The statue? It looks nothing like you.
???: Well, at least they remember me.
Chara: ...
???: Oh, uh... I didn't mean to... I-
Chara: It's fine Ben... They probably don't remember you either.
Ben: ...Ouch... that hurt.
Chara: Mmm, doesn't it always? 😈... Anyway, those "Scavengers" seemed rather fun, didn't they?
Ben: Always straight to the chase and yet having fun while doing it. Yes, they did seem like interesting people. I overheard that one of them was a fighter, and I recognized that Sheik girl had the infamous Sheikah symbol on her. Oooo, what jokes and pranks we could pull with them, so little time! (Giggles)
Chara: Oh Ben, for people like us, we have all the time in the world... (chuckles)
Ben: Do they? (Laughs)

---

There! Very intriguing, yes?

Now if you've ever heard of Ben Drowned, then you'll know what all the appropriate references to him were. I'd show a picture and all, but, uh, Ben is a creepypasta and, well, you know their... reputation. But I'm glad to show you Chara and Jackle!

Normally I'd use a picture with just Chara, but pixels only tell show much and this is my personal favorite picture of Chara. It is unknown what gender Chara is, but I like to see Chara as a girl. Just personal opinion. And yes, she's from Undertale/Deltarune.

Jackle is a Nightmaren like NiGHTS and Reala. Well, a Nightmaren of a lower ranking then NiGHTS and Reala actually. And yes, he is crazy.

Anyway, hope you enjoyed! Cheers!🐉

Oh, and Happy New Year!🎆