Sorry for the delay in updates! I'll try to update now that the story is FINALLY picking up in the main plot! Please leave a review if you'd like! Your kind words mean so much to me!
Daisy pressed her back against the labyrinth's cold wall as her eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness, her chest rising and falling with extreme speed as she stared at the bottom of the empty staircase before her. One hand clenched her chest as the other shook by her side in panic.
This was the first time she had ever been caught.
Never once in her years of leaving and entering had anyone ever laid an eye on her. She had always acted with supreme caution and awareness, yet she had never taken into consideration that that woman's curiosity might interfere,
And it did.
No one else defied or dared to even wonder of what laid beneath the Dark Lands. If anyone did, fear quickly took its place, as Bowser would never allow such a dangerous thing to cloud a koopa's head into finding out who, and where he was.
Yet, fear seemed to only drive Peach's questions. Or, Daisy assumed so. Was it the thrill of not knowing? There have been countless koopas with such a drive to figure out the timeless mystery many considered nothing more than a fairytale.
Surely that had to be what was pushing that woman.
What else could?
Workers in the opera house knew not to enter any entrances that were connected to the underground area of the labyrinth without proper permission from Bowser. Permission only necessary so situations like this would be avoided; so Daisy and the koopalings would not be caught leaving or entering through the areas they could be seen.
Yet, those idiotic stagehands had let Peach in without any permission from Bowser, and Daisy was left unaware.
She had hopped up the stairs casually, ready to head home after a long morning with Bowser, when she had heard the goomba and young woman talking. Instead of fleeing for another exit to the outdoors, she stood her ground, peering at the human from around the corner. For once, she had let her own curiosity get the best of her.
Something Bowser hated, for good reason.
Almost instantly, she had been caught, and instead of fixing it with a lie or excuse, she ran.
All of the blame was on her hands, and all that followed would surely be on her hands, too.
Pure panic ran through her nerves as she gazed from left to right, eying the large, dusty corridors that seemed to infinitely lead in each direction. Normally, Daisy felt secure and at home in their depths, but now, she felt pure fear as she stood, trying to settle her mind on what to do.
One thing was clear: She couldn't let Bowser find out...that woman had far too many strikes as it was. She was far too feisty to find anything out, and that seemed to leave Bowser on edge. Well, far more seemed to set him on edge than her meddling ways, but that was not her main concern.
Bowser would make sure Peach never set foot in this Opera house again if word spread of her nearly seeing Daisy; she knew too much. Or, had the potential to figure things out. He was never a risk-taking man, after all.
At least not after having lost everything.
Daisy groaned as, normally, what happened to trespassers was never her concern, as they were usually skeptics and koopas with death wishes, and Bowser would only get rid of those who posed an actual threat. Yet, the harder she tried to not care, the more she realized whatever would happen to Peach would be on her hands.
Knowing that woman, she wouldn't stop at simply wondering who she had seen. Instead, she would likely find answers on her own accord, and Bowser was not foolish enough to let that happen. Surely, he would realize this as well.
Daisy frowned, knowing how this would end if Peach followed.
Bowser would kill Peach if she descended.
Killing was second nature to the phantom. Sure, he had mercy, but that was a quality Daisy rarely saw in him. He had shed blood countless times, and Daisy doubted the koopa would have any mercy for this one human, no matter what seemed to have fueled his jealousy the other night.
Daisy held her breath as she turned on her heels, her brow furrowed and her fists clenched. Regardless of her decision, she knew Bowser would find out, as he had eyes on every corner at all times. It would not be long before one of the Koopalings reported to their father, eager to be the first to report the big news.
She only had so much time to convince him to hold his temper.
Peach's hand shook as she held the candle outward, her free hand trailing against the stone wall's creases beside her, slowly making her way down the spiral staircase. The eerie silence was almost heavy as it coated the pathway, hientening all of Peach's senses. Besides the gentle click of her heels and her loud, nervous breathing, she was met with nothing more than...well, nothing.
The dark silence felt like an infinitely large weight crushing on her chest and limbs, sucking the air out of her lungs. Without knowing it, she was shaking, out of pure adrenaline as the air thickened the further she sunk into the phantom's trap.
But instead of scaring her away, something called her and pushed her further. Each step was painfully slow as her stiff limbs pushed her forward, but she continued to the hidden world without a doubt in her mind.
This silence caused Peach to occasionally glance over her shoulder in paranoia, afraid of what else could be in this staircase with her. The further she descended, the further she felt the intense paranoia that she wasn't alone.
Whether or not she was being watched or followed, one thing was certain:
Something knew she was here, and it wasn't whoever she had just seen.
This something could be right in front of her, or steps behind her, and she wouldn't be able to tell. The candle barely lit up Peach's own face, let alone another figure. Hell, this person could not even be here! They could be waiting.
Was it him? Was he waiting for her below? Perhaps that had been him she had heard! He could have tried to silently beckon her into his world-
Peach shook her head with a deep, embarrassed frown. This was not a fairy tale or a gothic romance, and this ghost was not a prince hoping to whisk her away with secretive, seductive means. Whoever she had seen, was not her ghost; he was likely smarter than to get himself caught so easily.
Peach fumbled with her ring. Why had her mind jumped to such a conclusion, anyways? She was never the type of woman to dream of anyone in such a way. Well, besides-
Peach's movement froze as her footing slipped, expecting another step, but meeting the bottom of the staircase. She stumbled forward for a moment as her heels clicked against the stone floor, fumbling the candle onto the floor with a loud crash and extinguishing the flame.
Quickly following suit, she tumbled next to the lightless candle with a grunt.
A loud, squeaky yelp from the woman broke the silence as her right hand landed in the puddle of burning wax. Instantly, but surely too late, Peach hushed her yell and replaced it with a small whimper as she covered her mouth with her free hand.
The burn was directly in the center of her palm, the pain racing and trailing through her fingertips with a steady beat. Peach flexed her fingers and waved her hand slightly by her side, hoping to get rid of the burning wax that stuck to her skin, but was unsuccessful as it clinged to her cold skin.
Peach bit her tounge as she quickly helped herself back up, her gut falling as she realized that her only source of light was gone. Not only could she not see what was before her, but where the entrance was.
With her light gone, she might as well be back in the dark void of her ghost's dream.
Peach shuddered as she crossed her arms, feeling a slight gust of wind from her right, slightly pushing her hair to the left. It wasn't a strong wind, but it was better than feeling nothing.
She glared in the direction of the wind. Was there an opening far along in that direction?
Wherever she was, this was a large area if it could have a gust. Where exactly did the phantom's word lead to?
She shivered as she stood at the beginning of the opening, the cold, chilling air crawling over her bare legs and nipping at her collar, and feeling wonderful against her burn. If Peach could see, she could swear it was cold enough for her to see her breath.
This cold was more than just chilling, but the type of cold to cling to your skin and run up through your clothes, latching to every part of your body. She frowned, realizing the Darkland's heat was not as awful as she had thought.
She took one step forward, facing the gentle wind's direction. She squinted, hoping to make out the distant figure of whoever she had heard, but was only met with the gentle gust's embrace pushing against her form.
Peach's hair and dress trailed behind her as she walked towards the gust. The gust was gentle, but she couldn't help but feel that it was pushing her away; warning her. Yet, the wind's plea only brought her further towards its source, as she knew this was where she needed to go, no matter the warnings.
Daisy walked towards Bowser's intimidating study with a small lantern in hand, muttering under her breath. She kept rehearsing what she would say to the beast, but knew it would fall flat no matter how she would word it. She groaned in anticipation as she stared at the glow from the open door, only seconds away, knowing that the phantom was likely silently away at work, as he usually was this early in the morning.
She bit her tongue, knowing this was the last thing he would want to hear.
She froze, however, as a shadow was seen stealthily making its way out of his study. A figure easily enough to identify for the human, which allowed Daisy's posture to slightly relax.
She had caught him just in time.
Daisy raised the lantern as she walked towards the shadow, half expecting him to jump out and startle her.
However, the large shadow froze in place, clearly noticing Daisy's presence, and trying to hide. She scoffed in annoyance as she moved even closer.
Perhaps he had already gotten the news? Was that reason of his sudden need to leave his study so early in the morning?
"Bowser, you don't need to hide. You're getting sloppy at it, you know," she muttered through clenched teeth. She couldn't help but be annoyed when Bowser hid from her, even in desperate times such as this. Daisy held her breath before continuing. "I know you're far from happy, but please-"
"Bowser?" A squeaky voice interrupted in excitement. "You really thought I was dad?! Am I getting that good at being all sneaky?!" Junior launched forward out of the shadows as he nearly knocked the woman over in joy. He continued to gush and laugh of his accomplishment as Daisy's face paled.
The small lantern fell to her side as she felt her heart drop.
If this wasn't Bowser in his study...where was he?
Why did she stumble deeper? Further into the ghost's trap?
Peach didn't have a simple answer to the questions that rushed through her. Her exit had been so close yet she had decided to continue directly past it; away from any source of light, and instead towards the wind.
All she knew was that this was the first time she had felt so alive; so important. She felt like a key piece in this mystery, as she knew this figure. Or, at least, had recognized him.
The way she had felt when he was in her dreams was more than just coincidence;
She needed to find him.
Regardless, had she stupidly abandoned any hope of leaving?
Maybe, but it was not a fearful decision; she was not afraid.
Peach's lungs burned from the cold, crisp air pumping through her. Though she had dreamt of breathing the same air of her ghost, she hadn't expected it to feel so bitter and sour, as she wasn't meeting the man she wished to see, but instead, would surely be running from what she assumed was him.
Had she truly been seduced into a murderous trap?
Had she made the wrong decision? Probably. She had never planned on leaving right away, anyways. No matter how much she claimed she was going to simply take a quick glance, she knew what she wanted: to find answers.
She was not leaving without them.
Peach continued stumbling forward with her hands held out in front of her, wary of what she could potentially stumble into. Her eyes were wide open in anticipation, even though all she met was a solid sheet of black, and constant waves of dust that clouded her eyes.
However, with a clumsy 'oof', Peach stumbled into something rather large, her hands crashing into its surface, followed by her face squishing into it. She groaned as she took a few steps back, the force bringing back the pain of her burn. She gently shook her head before trying to maneuver around the object.
It was hard and oddly warm to the touch and incredibly smooth, though covered in countless gashes and cuts that impaled its surface. She ran her fingers through the slightly-violent engravings, trying to figure out what exactly she had run into, as it even seemed to be breathing-
"Going somewhere?" A hushed, angered whisper muttered. Its tone was unlike any she had heard before; On top of seeming angry and murderous, it seemed shocked and almost...hurt.
The voice towered above her, surely nearly double her height, if even more. Yet, even with the blood-curdling tone, she recognized this voice in a bittersweet moment of realization.
"You!" Peach shrieked in both realization and, for once, fear. She stumbled backwards, her hands covering her chest in uncertainty. Had she really just been running her palms against him? Why didn't he pull away?
As thankful for the dark as Peach was to hide her embarrassment, little did she know, her company could see clearly.
"You remember me, don't you?" She asked in a light, quiet voice. Her words were hopeful and almost longing as she stared up the large shadow, not knowing what she wanted to see, or what she would come to face.
Silence. A deep, thick silence coated the two, only Peach's heavy breathing breaking the silence. She stared at the figure, her eyes gleaming with a silent wave of something neither could identify.
She could feel his gaze scanning her every breath and every detail. Its intensity was just as it had been before, but now it was far more...real; threatening. His very presence was enough to send shudders down her spine.
A deep, bitter chuckle echoed as she felt his gaze pull away. This laugh was not amused, but disgusted in her. Even his presence was coated in pure, distinct hatred and disgust. The venomous reaction made Peach take another step backwards, any longing or curiosity replaced with pure regret and almost...disappointment.
"Who are you?" She shakily asked, disappointment dripping from her words. "You wouldn't tell me before…That's all I wish to know." She took yet another step away.
The figure spat a quick roar of hateful laughter, causing Peach to flinch away from the monster.
"You could at least ask something I wouldn't expect," he bitterly groaned, though a slight layer of amusement lingered, clearly at her expense. "It's always the same question." She could practically hear the eye roll. "You could at least keep me on my toes, Toadstool." He spat her name as if it were vile and worth nothing to him.
"Toadstool?" She mumbled through weak breaths. This was the last thing she had expected from the murderous monster. Her eyes furrowed with so many questions as nothing seemed to answer how the two knew each other. She knew she had met this monster before, and this confirmed it. Something about him was just so...familiar.
Who was he?
Without thinking, she reached forward towards the monster. "How do you…"
"BOWSER!" A familiar voice cried out from behind the large figure. Her voice rang off the walls and was coated in pure devastation as she quickly made her way down the corridor. "You idiot! Get away from her!" Her pleas were demanding and desperate.
Peach flinched, unaware of if she was being called an idiot, or the figure was. The phantom's silent temper seemed to double, yet he remained idle as he faced his prey, ignoring the woman in the distance. Had he expected this?
Peach tried to get around the figure to face the familiar-sounding woman, but was roughly pushed back in front of him by what she assumed was a large tail, forcing her to continue facing the phantom. Every time she attempted to move, even in the slightest, she was moved back into place.
Once again, she felt his glare on her. Though, this time, it was not examining her, but thinking. Though she couldn't see his eyes, she could feel an intense stare of debate.
If only she could see his face...If only she could-
"You big idiot! Listen to me, would you?!" The lady called out once again, closing in on the two. She groaned, angrily whispering at her company. "Junior, some help, please?"
Peach heard a small intake of air, followed by a few sparks, and then something she had never expected to see again:
Light.
Within an instant, Daisy was visible directly beside the towering figure, a small lantern held up beside her face, now ignited with a weak flame, its embers barely lighting up the walls around her. Daisy's eyes were wide with both annoyance and worry, though her eyes were not set on Peach, but on the monster beside her.
The light trickled down the cracks in the pavement with an orange glow, not allowing anyone any time to react to it. Peach flinched at the sudden brightness, but forced her eyes wide open as she realized this was exactly what she needed.
Turning her gaze upwards, she was met with a creature of terrifying proportions. Nearly double her height, a monstrous koopa stared down at the small woman, his eyes burning with a dark hatred. Though, she could have swore they flinched in hesitation for a moment.
Coating their faces in the warm glow, Peach didn't have time to question Daisy's presence as she nearly screamed at who towered over her.
Everything instantly clicked, yet one answer brought forth countless more questions. His deep, haunting voice, his intimidating presence... she had been around it all before. She knew of this koopa, and his face had given her the last answer she had wanted to have gotten. But...how did he know her name?
Pure confusion ran through her as she tried to piece together what she had just seen. The King of the Darklands was...alive?
"...King Koopa?!" She gasped in pure disbelief before his claw rushed forward with a furious growl, roughly snatching the small woman at the waist.