Chapter 14: Burying the Hatchet

The pre-dawn light struggled through the crumbling Outpost Ruins, casting long shadows across the moss-covered stones. Noah hunched low, meticulously examining a twig clutched between his clammy fingers. "This one," he mumbled, more to himself than anyone else, "will do... for a stick, obviously. A very fine stick, quite sticky in fact. If I were a stick, this would be the pinnacle of my existence."

Realizing he'd spoken aloud, Noah hastily tucked the twig away and sighed. "Starting to lose it..." he muttered, chastising himself.

With a determined shake of his head, Noah emerged from the encroaching forest and approached the ruins. A warm glow beckoned from within, fueled by a fire struggling against the encroaching dawn. Despite the faint light, he spotted his unexpected guest seated near the embers.

Christa, her blonde hair roughly shorn at her shoulders, turned at his approach. Her slender frame was deceptively delicate, having remembered her surprisingly powerful stance wielding the Boko Bow which in Noah's experience was not easy to draw. But it was her eyes, vibrant pink orbs glowing with an intensity that rivalled the dying fire, that truly captivated him.

Noah hesitantly stepped closer, offering his gathered twigs. "These should do the trick," he mumbled, his voice barely audible as he tossed them onto a pile near the fire, avoiding her gaze. He felt strangely self-conscious under the scrutiny of those luminous eyes, their previous encounter loomed over him.

Christa's lips curved into a genuine smile, warming her features in the flickering light. "Excellent work, Noah," she said, her voice tinged with a lilting melody. "These look perfect. You have a keen eye for such… well, sticks."

A small, self-deprecating chuckle escaped Noah's lips. "I knew they were good sticks," he mused, finally meeting her gaze. He relaxed slightly, taking in her appearance more fully. The grime of mud & dirt smudged across her face couldn't hide the determined set of her jaw, and the hint of a scar peeked from beneath her worn sleeve, although Noah wasn't sure if it was recent or not.

Still, she seemed to be in a rather good mood.

"I apologize if this seems rude, Christa," he blurted, "but are eyes like that...common?"

Christa's pink eyes narrowed, holding his gaze for a long moment before a new voice sliced through the air. "Not quite," came the reply. Neph, her nimble fingers expertly skinning a grassland fox by the firelight, paused to glance at Noah. "Christa's a priestess with a contract with a Great Fairy."

Noah whipped around, mesmerized by his other guests' practised movements. The atmosphere between him and Neph had been particularly difficult after their initial encounter the two remaining guarded and wary between each other, but it was enough to cooperate.

He also had made the right choice in asking her to prepare the Fox. "Great Fairy... and a priest?" he stammered, realizing too late he'd spoken his thoughts aloud.

He stole another glance at Christa, trying to discern any hidden markings or symbols on her clothing that might hint at her supposed occupation. Her attire, though weathered and practical, seemed more like a strange amalgamation of a nun's habit and armour, devoid of any identifying emblems or patterns. It was an oddity he wouldn't have noticed if it hadn't been pointed out.

Neph sighed, running a hand through her sweat-dampened curls. With a flick of her wrist, she conjured a makeshift table from a nearby ruin and continued skinning the fox with meticulous precision.

Unlike Christa's almost ethereal grace, Neph was a walking testament to survival. Her once neat chestnut hair hung in tangled disarray, and the leather armour draped over her muscular frame bore the wear and tear of countless battles, each scar a story etched into its surface. Noah couldn't help but compare himself to these two extraordinary women. He was ordinary by comparison not to mention…

'Both are taller than me,' Noah grumbled to himself. He really was abnormally short in this world.

"Sorry, gotta remember you were stuck in the snow," Neph chuckled, her voice rough but guarded. "Great Fairies, think of them like powerful spirits. They go by many names, Mother of Fairies, Guardian Spirits... you get the idea."

She paused, wiping the blade on her trousers. "They have incredible magic, similar to their smaller kin. Sometimes, they strike bargains with living beings, lending power for something they value. Christa's one such case."

Noah's jaw dropped. While Neph was misguided, she was correct that Noah was dumbfounded, isn't that incredibly overpowered? Within the game, the Great fairies bestowed the ability to upgrade armours, while the fairies were responsible for healing the player… if they were smart enough to catch one.

Regardless, it meant that the existence of powerful beings existed and impacted the world in some way, that was a change Noah was unsure if he was comfortable with. "Do all priests have these contracts?"

Christa's voice, soft but firm, cut through the silence. "No," she said. "While Great Fairies seek pure hearts, they don't choose lightly. I'm one of the few among my sisters blessed with such a bond. They typically like to keep their presence hidden."

Intrigued, Noah couldn't resist. "So uh, what power do you have...exactly?"

A soft, graceful smile played on Christa's lips, her voice like a gentle melody. "Take a seat, and I'll show you."

Noah felt a blush creep up his neck. 'Idiot! Why are you flustered?' he scolded himself silently. He obeyed Christa's instruction, settling down beside her.

Without a word, Christa placed her hands over his chest. Noah instinctively opened his mouth to ask what she was doing, but the words died on his tongue. Her pink eye pulsed with an eerie glow, and a wave of warmth washed over him. It wasn't just warmth, though – it was pure invigoration, a surge of euphoria that felt like the sun itself kissed his skin.

As abruptly as it started, the sensation subsided, leaving Christa's eyes their normal shade once more. She met his gaze with a warm smile. "The power of healing."

Hesitantly, Noah touched his chest, half expecting the familiar ache of his injuries. But there was nothing. He peeled back the bandage on his leg, his breath catching in his throat. The gaping wound inflicted by the Moblin was gone, vanished without a trace.

"Incredible..." he whispered, still in awe. 'Much better than stuffing fairies into jars,' he thought, quickly adding, 'Definitely won't try that here, especially if they're sentient.'

Christa's gentle chuckle warmed the air, weaving through the crackling firelight. "It's but a small offering, considering the risk you took for us, dear brother," she said, gesturing towards the flames with a welcoming smile. "Come, gather yourself by the warmth and share your tale with us, beneath the watchful gaze of the goddess."

Noah shuffled awkwardly, still grappling with the surreal events of the past few hours. The warmth radiating from the fire beckoned, tempting him closer, yet the sudden mention of the Goddess sent a shiver down his spine for all the wrong reasons.

"Sounds a bit strange, honestly," he muttered, voicing the unease gnawing at him. "Not used to hearing about religion, going by our interaction, I would've guessed you weren't either."

Behind Christa, Neph shot him a fleeting look, her hands flitting in a frantic warning he didn't notice. Christa raised an eyebrow, her expression unreadable. "Ah, are you perhaps unfamiliar with the teachings of our Grace?" she inquired suspiciously gently.

Hesitantly, Noah shook his head. "Well, no, not entirely," he stammered, feeling the weight of her gaze. "It was just me and my family, we didn't… talk about religion." Which was true, from a certain perspective. His family in actual reality weren't religious.

Neph scowled, the firelight painting harsh shadows on her face as she shuffled away from Christa, putting more distance between them.

Suddenly, Christa knelt before him, her eyes filled with a quiet fervour. "That would grieve our grace!" she exclaimed, her voice sincere and soft as she placed herself into a praying position "How could one of her chosen ones be deprived of her blessings?"

Confused, Noah echoed, "Chosen?"

Christa, realizing her blunder, reached out and gently touched his ear. "Ah, your ears, of course!" she said, her touch warm and comforting.

Noah instinctively reached up, surprised. He rarely paid attention to them, but now, under the gentle touch of her hand, he couldn't ignore their unusual shape – pointed and slightly curved, like miniature elf ears. He'd always thought they looked a bit comical, like a discounted elf-on-the-shelf. Now, as he compared them to the round, unadorned ears of Christa and Neph, the difference seemed stark.

Seeing his confusion, Christa offered a kind smile. "In ancient times, before Hylians descended from the sky, the Holy Scriptures tell us our ears were curved to better receive the blessings of the Goddess Hylia,"

"Unfortunately, these have faded over time. These days, it's rare to see, and those who have them are considered… touched by her grace." She explained softly.

Her voice faltered slightly, and she touched her chin thoughtfully. "I don't believe I've seen anyone with ears like yours except Lady Amelia… a truly blessed mark, wouldn't you agree?"

The uncertainty in her voice sent a tremor through Noah. He didn't understand any of this –yet, a peculiar warmth flickered inside him, a feeling he couldn't quite place. Could it be…? No, it was absurd. Noah had been anything but blessed.

Before he could voice his doubts, Christa's eyes lit up with enthusiasm. "It's my calling to share her wisdom, dear brother," she declared, her voice taking on a soothing cadence. "Let us begin with the Holy Scriptures..."

Suddenly, Neph interjected, her tone firm. "Enough religion for now! This fox won't cook itself." She gestured to the meat over the fire, her expression practical.

Christa, slightly flustered, stammered, "Ah, yes, you're right. My apologies." She couldn't resist, however, taking one last lingering look at Noah's ears, her curiosity piqued.

A flicker of amusement danced in his eyes as he watched Christa fluster, her lingering gaze on his ears making him distinctly uncomfortable. 'Is anyone sure she isn't the cultist?' he thought wryly knowing this probably wasn't the last time he'd hear of this.

Neph's swift movements as she took over the fire from Christa were mesmerizing. The rhythmic hiss of the flames mirrored the sizzle of the fox meat roasting over the embers. The aroma, a symphony of savoury spices and caramelized flesh, filled the ruins, sending a pang of hunger through Noah's stomach.

He watched, captivated, as Neph expertly carved the fox, her motions precise and practised. Each slice seemed to land on their makeshift leaf plates with an almost ceremonial air.

Conversation flowed easily under Christa's guidance. She asked him about his journey, and his purpose in his travels, Noah was impressed by how she structured her questions, purposefully avoiding Noah's faked tragic past and focusing on the present.

That piqued Noah's interest. He answered honestly minus a few details, the initial awkwardness melting away with each shared word. Time seemed to slip through their fingers like sand, fuelled by the crackling fire and the shared meal.

As Neph served the food, Noah couldn't help but notice the missing slice on his plate. His stomach growled, but the sight of Christa and Neph devouring their portions with gusto gave him pause. They were prisoners, after all. He didn't want to pry into their imprisonment returning their courtesy, but their resilience in the face of hardship was commendable.

With a silent sigh, he pushed his extra slice towards Neph. "I'm not that hungry," he lied, offering a neutral expression. Neph's gaze flickered to him, surprise flitting across her face before she offered a curt nod and accepted the piece.

He took a bite of his portion, the juices bursting on his tongue with unexpected flavour. Was it the spices? The fox? Or were these two women simply culinary geniuses? He savoured the mystery along with the meat.

The silence that followed was comfortable, a stark contrast to the initial tension. But even the most enjoyable silence has its limits.

"Your skills," Neph finally spoke, her voice low and measured, "were competent."

Noah's gaze snapped up to meet hers. Her sharp features were softened by the flickering firelight, and for the first time, he saw a hint of vulnerability in her eyes. He couldn't tell if her words were a compliment or a veiled criticism, but they hung heavy in the air. He simply offered a hesitant nod, the silence returning, thicker this time.

As the fire died down and exhaustion claimed them, they agreed to take turns keeping watch. Dawn was already painting the sky, offering precious little hope for proper sleep.

Leaning against the mossy wall, exhaustion heavy on his eyelids, Noah wrestled with the elusive embrace of sleep. Dreams of home, of King Rhoam's booming laughter, and even the peaceful bleating of sheep refused to take hold. With a frustrated sigh, he cracked open an eye, peering through the remnants of darkness towards the dying embers of the fire.

"Can't sleep?"

The soft question startled him. Neph sat perched on a crumbling section of the ruined wall, her silhouette outlined against the faint glow of the approaching dawn. Though he felt like lashing out, the weariness in her voice tempered his anger.

"A fault of yours, wouldn't you say?" he retorted, unable to muster his usual charm.

Silence descended, thick and heavy. Just when he thought she wouldn't reply, Neph spoke, her voice barely a whisper, "You said that wasn't the first time?"

Her words pricked like thorns. He opened his eyes fully, a weary scowl etching his face. "Yeah, the second. First, I was attacked by someone I trusted, betrayed and almost killed. Though I suppose some blame rests on me – lying wasn't exactly wise."

He saw her figure shift, a movement suggesting empathy. "Is that why you can't sleep?"

He let out a humourless chuckle. "Nightmares don't help."

The air thrummed with unspoken apologies. Finally, Neph broke the silence, her voice laced with guilt. "I'm sorry for attacking you."

Surprise flickered across him. Neph, with her sharp words and steely gaze, rarely admitted fault. This unexpected vulnerability softened his anger. True, her initial aggression had stung and fueled his simmering distrust. But holding onto it wouldn't serve him here. This wasn't Earth, where rules of conduct were set in stone. Here, survival demanded pragmatism, even understanding.

Taking a deep breath, he conceded, "It's not your fault. You were protecting yourselves. Trading one enemy for another wouldn't have benefited anyone. I... accept your apology."

Her response was a silent nod, but in the dim light, he sensed a shift in her posture, a subtle easing of tension. He decided to press his luck.

"But my services aren't free. In exchange... I'd like to know why you two are prisoners."

The question hung heavy in the air, a challenge to her pride. Yet, to his surprise, a sigh escaped her, almost relieved. "Christa and I belong, well, belonged, to a mercenary group. We took a job to eliminate some monsters South of Lake Hylia, in the Finra Woods.

He blinked, surprised. "A job? Like a guild?"

Neph chuckled, a dry, humourless sound. "Not exactly, but the concept's similar. Monsters multiply too quickly, and the Hylian knights can't handle everything. So, guilds offer jobs, and mercenaries like us get paid to deal with them, and bring back useful loot."

"It's a win-win scenario," she went on, her voice gaining its usual confidence. "We eliminate threats, keeping the populace safe, and the guild gets materials that fuel the local economy."

'So it's like a guild from anime or RPGs, but perhaps more complex,' Noah thought, trying to piece together her explanation. He still didn't understand what these 'Hylian Great Families' were, but interrupting every few seconds to clarify wouldn't do him any favours.

Intrigued, he sat up, leaning against the wall. "And what went wrong?"

"The information was wrong," she continued, a grim edge creeping into her voice. "There were far more monsters than we expected. To make matters worse, the Bokoblins had somehow subdued the Moblins and had staged an ambush."

Her expression darkened. "They ambushed us, overwhelmed us. We barely escaped alive, separated in the chaos. I found Christa unconscious, but…" she trailed off, a tremor in her voice.

He didn't need to hear the rest. The two of them were probably captured alive sometime after that, he understood the fear, the desperate struggle for survival. His own escape from King Rhoam echoed in his mind, a stark reminder of the fragility of life in this strange new world.

"Where are the others?" he asked softly.

She shook her head. "No idea. Scattered, lost, maybe worse."

"Speaking of that," Noah said, curiosity gnawing at him, "it was unusual to see Bokoblin's and Moblins working together, wasn't it?"

Neph's brow furrowed. "They cooperate rarely at best, but these Bokoblins had somehow subjugated the Moblin. It's…unprecedented, as far as I know."

He leaned forward, intrigued. "How could they do that?"

Just then, the first rays of sunlight peeked over the horizon, casting long shadows across the crumbling ruins. Neph met his gaze, her expression grave.

"A Blood Moon is coming," she whispered, her voice laced with a strange urgency.

The whispered phrase resonated within Noah, sending a tremor through his body that had nothing to do with the chill of the pre-dawn air. His heart furiously roared against his chest, an erratic drumbeat in his chest. An unfamiliar weight settled in his stomach, a mixture of unease and anticipation that left him breathless.

Why did those words, spoken in such solemnity, trigger such a visceral reaction? He didn't know. He barely understood this reality and its creatures, let alone the significance of a blood moon. From the game, it merely respawned enemies, weapons and materials yet, what was this sense of fear he felt?

He stole a glance at Neph, bathed in the first sliver of dawn light. Her usually steely gaze was clouded a flicker of fear battling with resolve within its depths. He saw himself reflected in her eyes – the same confusion, the same dawning terror.

"What is a Blood Moon?" he forced the words out, his voice rough with unspoken fear.

Neph remained silent for a moment; her jaw clenched tight. Then, she let out a ragged sigh, the sound heavy with the weight of untold burdens. "A harbinger of chaos," she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. "A night when the veil between the dome and Calamity Gannon lifts, allowing ancient evils to slip through."

Noah swallowed hard, the air suddenly thick and suffocating. Images flashed in his mind, fueled by fear and adrenaline – monstrous creatures clawing their way through a blood-red sky, the world bathed in an ominous crimson glow. His grip tightened on the hilt of his sword, the cold metal offering a small comfort in the face of this unseen threat.

"What happens then?" he whispered; his voice barely audible.

Neph turned to him, her eyes locked on his. "Darkness descends,"

Christa stirred awake with a groan, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She glanced at Neph, expecting a playful jab for oversleeping, but instead found only a grim expression. "You didn't wake me," Christa mumbled, her voice hoarse.

Neph simply shook her head, her gaze distant. "There wasn't time."

Packing up camp became a silent affair. With three sets of hands, the process was swift, and soon they were on their way east, leaving the ruins behind.

Reaching the bridge over the Hylia River, Noah cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "I apologize if this is intrusive, but where are you two headed?"

Christa and Neph exchanged wary glances before she spoke. "Kakariko Village, if possible. It's the closest settlement, but…" she trailed off, her voice laced with worry.

"But the path is likely crawling with monsters," Noah finished, stating the obvious.

Neph nodded grimly. "Safer in numbers," she offered a statement more than an invitation.

"Coincidentally that's where I am headed as well," Noah spoke accepting their non-existent invitation, seeing the relief on the two girl's faces

As the trio travelled forward small talk filled the air, which mainly consisted of Christa attempting to convert Noah into a devoted religious servant of the Goddess much to Neph's annoyance, only disturbed by the occasional monster group that the trio had to fight together.

This peacetime offered a rare and invaluable opportunity for Noah. It was a chance to glean information. Spending time with Christa, a devout follower of the Church of Hylia, proved especially fruitful.

Christa spoke passionately about her religion, she belonged to the Church of Hylia, describing their unwavering devotion to the Goddess Hylia, the mythical protector who had once shielded Hyrule from darkness. At the helm of this faith stood Saint Lady Amelia, a figure revered not just for her piety but also for her surprising lineage and abilities.

Unlike it's many religious leaders, Saint Amelia belonged to one of Hyrule's five noble families, the Hylian Great Families as Christa called them. These families, according to her understanding, served as the cornerstones of Hyrulean society, each entrusted with the governance of a major city.

Neph, unfortunately, couldn't offer much beyond what she knew – basic details about the families' names and the cities they oversaw. Christa couldn't help either, she was only really familiar with Saint Amelia. But even these fragmented pieces were enough to ignite Noah's imagination.

Noah listened intently, absorbing these details like a sponge. The concept of "noble families" struck a chord, reminding him of historical accounts of the ruling classes back on Earth. But the inclusion of a religious leader amongst them, one who had supposedly relinquished her noble status, filled him with intrigue.

"So, Saint Amelia used to be part of one of these Great Families?" he asked.

"Yes," Christa confirmed, her voice tinged with admiration. "But she chose to dedicate herself to the Church, soon after the Goddess spoke and revealed her wisdom to her, seeing it as her true calling. However, that doesn't mean she lost her influence. Some say it even grew stronger."

Noah raised an eyebrow. "How so?"

Christa leaned closer, dropping her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "The Church used to be one of the most powerful forces in Hyrule, even before the Calamity. They held immense sway over the people, their teachings guiding not just faith but also social order. Lady Amelia, by becoming our leader, essentially inherited that power, wielding it alongside her holy authority."

Noah couldn't help but be intrigued about the inner workings of the Hyrule Kingdom both in its past and the present day. As much as he enjoyed BOTW, even he had to admit the game was a little empty on its lore and history about its world which left him disappointed at times.

It was hard to want to fight for a Kingdom when you knew little about said Kingdom.

Maybe it was in a book somewhere online, Noah never really went searching for it. Regardless, he still found the current political situation difficult to believe, they're weren't many Hylian towns in the game if he recalled correctly.

His thoughts were interrupted by yet another monster patrol, surprisingly, Noah found fighting alongside the two of them to be quite easy. The two girls were more than capable fighters with Christa holding the rear eliminating monsters with her Boko blow with frightening accuracy and Neph fighting in the front next to Noah with a Spiked Boko Club.

What made them particularly effective was the silent communication between Christa and Neph, the two had more experience fighting together and thus they perfected working as one.

Despite their effective engagements the more east they travelled the bigger the shift in their moods. As the sun climbed higher, the density of monsters increased, each encounter chipping away at their initial optimism. Fear, a slow-burning ember, began to flicker in their hearts.

"This doesn't make sense," Christa muttered her voice barely a breath.

Noah glanced at her, his brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"The monster density. It's…unnatural. This close to Kakariko Village, with Lord Dorian's knights stationed at the Duelling Peaks Gorge, shouldn't we see more patrols?"

Neph agreed, suggesting for them to skirting the main road, staying within sight but seeking safer paths through the dense woods to avoid monsters and travel faster. They moved like wraiths, shadows flitting between towering trees, the silence broken only by the rustling of leaves and their hushed whispers.

The forest grew eerily quiet, the tension thick enough to suffocate. They were forced to pause frequently, hiding amongst ferns and fallen logs as Bokoblin patrols swept past, their guttural laughter echoing through the stillness. Each encounter chipped away at their confidence, each near miss amplifying their fear.

Despite the growing anxiety, the sight of the Dueling Peaks, their majestic silhouettes rising against the horizon, offered a sliver of hope, until they arrived.

Carved from the very rock of the Dueling Peaks themselves, the fortification guarding the mountain pass stood as an imposing testament to Hyrulean ingenuity and resolve. Twin towers, their bases anchored deep within the mountain and their tips piercing the sky, mirrored each other. Reaching the base of the first tower, one was greeted by a massive portcullis gate, its iron bars heavy with age and purpose. Above it, a stone plaque bore the Hylian Royal Crest, a silent reminder of the kingdom's watchful gaze.

Ballistae, powerful machines capable of hurling massive bolts, slumbered within their stone housings, ready to awaken with a roar at a moment's notice. Flanking the gate were smaller, heavily reinforced doors guarded by stern-faced soldiers… or at least Noah assumed they were supposed to be.

Noah felt some fear looking at the massive weapons, they were too much for Bokoblins, which meant they were used for something else... and that scared him.

Noah stood speechless, staring up at the imposing wooden gate of the fort. It loomed before them, a towering guardian…but it was eerily silent. No guards patrolled the ramparts, and no shouts or laughter emanated from within. An unnatural stillness had settled over the massive fortification, heavy and oppressive.

Christa, oblivious to the growing dread, took a step forward, about to exit into the clearing, when a hand clamped down on her shoulder, halting her abruptly. It was Neph, her face pale and drawn.

"Wait!" she hissed, her voice barely a whisper.

Noah followed her gaze, searching for the source of her alarm. But the top of the wall was deserted, devoid of any movement. Yet, an unsettling feeling gnawed at him, a prickling sensation of danger just beyond his sight.

The three waited anxiously before Noah spotted and pointed out a patrol of Bokoblin's approaching the gate, one black Bokoblin and two blue standing together in a loose formation as the three approached the gate.

Unexpectedly, once they arrived, they were not met with rains of arrows or the instructions of being attacked, rather the green moss on the wooden walls visually spasmed for some unknown reason before stopping, shortly after the gate warmly began to open.

Standing sentinel at the weathered wooden gate was a Silver Lizalfo, its reptilian form blending seamlessly with the aged wood.

Its silver scales shimmer faintly in the dim light filtering through the gaps in the gate, creating a dappled camouflage that would fool the unwary. Keen reptilian eyes scan its surroundings, searching for any hint of approaching prey.

A Lizal spear, its tip glinting menacingly, is clutched tightly in the Lizalfo's clawed hand. Its powerful muscles are coiled and ready to strike, making it a formidable guardian against any who dare trespass.

The Lizalfo growled at the Bokoblin's, who returned the gesture in kind before the gate closed behind them hiding the four from view.

The weathered wooden gate creaked shut behind Neph, Christa, and Noah, plunging them into fear. The three of them were silent, unsure on what to say as the silence was thick with tension. Their carefully laid venture back to Karkario Village and into safety hit a snag - a reptilian one, to be precise.