Chaper 24: A Journey Along the Way

Noah's legs trembled beneath him as the adrenaline that had fuelled his movements to this point began to fade. Every movement sent shards of pain radiating through his body, a bitter reminder of his injuries that the adrenaline had temporarily hidden. Christa's grip on his shoulder, intended to guide him, felt like a searing brand against his battered flesh.

"Wait," he gasped, wrenching himself free from her grasp. He swayed, his vision blurring as the world tilted precariously. "I don't understand." He clutched his side, fighting back a wave of nausea. "She was talking about me, wasn't she? Why are we running from her? Isn't she with the Sheikah?"

A spark of annoyance flared within him because of Christa's actions, but that was because he had the knowledge of what was going on. Noah was pretty certain that if the Sheikah were looking for him, it was because Impa, the Sheikah elder, likely ordered it. She must have found out that 'Link' had awakened – or at least, heard about someone who looked and acted remarkably like him and desired to meet him. Although Noah wasn't the hero he was mistaken for, Noah was determined to meet Impa regardless.

So Christa's actions were sort of blocking him from his original objective.

Christa's face hardened, her usual serene expression replaced by a frown of irritation. This was the first time Noah had seen her truly annoyed, and it sent a shiver of unease through him.

"You've been isolated on the Great Plateau," she snapped, her voice barely a whisper. "You don't know who the Sheikah are."

"Then enlighten me," Noah challenged, his voice hoarse but unwavering.

Christa sighed, a defeated slump to her shoulders. She gestured for him to follow, her movements now resigned rather than forceful.

As they moved away from the main commotion, Christa cast a worried glance back towards the Sheikah woman, who seemed unperturbed by their departure, her attention fixed on Captain Boulk.

"That," Christa began, her voice low and urgent, "is a Sheikah Enforcer. They're not just ordinary Sheikah, Noah. They're sworn to uphold the will of the elders, the highest authority within the tribe." A shiver ran through her voice. "And that veil… it's not just ceremonial garb. It's a symbol of their power, a direct connection to the knowledge and influence of the Sheikah."

Noah frowned, "So what? Isn't that a good thing? I thought they were on our side."

Christa scoffed, a bitter edge to her laughter. "Our side? The Sheikah don't choose sides, Noah. They serve the Royal Family, but their loyalty extends to Hyrule as a whole, not to individuals.

"I understand you're not used to civilisation, but try not to be naive," Christa politely phrased, her voice barely a whisper. "The Sheikah operate in the shadows, Noah. They maintain a delicate balance of power in Hyrule. Spying, surveillance, discreet interventions... They keep the Great Houses in check, ensuring none grow too powerful."

"If they want you," Christa continued, "it's best not to ask why. Just trust me, and let's get out of here."

Noah swallowed, a knot of fear tightening in his stomach despite his doubts. Impa, in the game, was also kind and caring towards Link while valuing the lives of Hylians. She was an important guide to the player, like a caring grandma. Noah found it hard to believe she was a threat to himself.

But that was in the game, Noah had seen how reality can warp things. If Impa was in charge of the Sheikah Christa described, then Impa may be different than Noah knew. Perhaps her pragmatism could now border on ruthlessness. The Sheikah woman before him seemed cut from the same cloth at the very least, her elegant demeanour a thin veneer over a steely core.

This Sheikah woman might be different, but Noah couldn't quite shake the feeling that Christa's words were unreliable. Well, it was enough to place some fear into him. This world had changed enough for Noah to begin taking chances,

"The carriage we're going to, it's taking us to Kakariko Village?" he asked, his voice firmer now.

"Yes," Christa replied, a hint of sadness in her voice. "We can say goodbye to this place..."

"Well," Noah reasoned, "if I'm going to end up there anyway, it doesn't really matter who guides me." He looked Christa in the eyes, his determination solidifying.

Although Noah already had a good idea on their intention

Christa, surprised by his sudden resolve, hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Alright."

'They're just trying to find Link who's supposed to be the destined Hero, it's not that big of a reveal.' Noah couldn't help but grumble internally

They made their way towards a small clearing filled with a large convoy consisting of carriages with soldiers bustling about, lifting injured comrades onto the wagons. As they approached, a familiar figure emerged from one of the carriages. Neph, her brown curls bouncing, waved enthusiastically at them with the biggest smile Noah had ever seen on her face.

"Oh, hey, you're still alive?" Neph greeted them, her usual stoicism replaced by genuine warmth.

"Wow, you're actually capable of smiling," Noah quipped. "I thought you lacked the facial muscles."

"I have you know I am quite the happy fellow," Neph retorted with mock offense. "I smile quite a lot, traditionally…"

"No wonder Christa needs to pray all the time," Noah teased. "She's probably trying to get an exorcism to remove the demon inhabiting that smile."

"Unfortunately, even the Goddess hasn't responded to my calls," Christa chimed in, surprising both Noah and Neph with her unexpected wit.

The three shared a laugh, a brief moment of levity amidst the chaos.

"Can we leave now?" Noah asked, his exhaustion returning. "No offense, but I've had enough of this place."

"For once, I agree," Neph said, nodding in agreement. "Hop in. The soldiers have agreed to give us a ride."

"You didn't threaten them, did you?" Noah asked, eyeing Neph suspiciously as he climbed into the back of the carriage.

"Or persuade them using your 'unruly methods'?" Christa added, her eyes twinkling with something cold.

"'Unruly methods?" Noah asked confused

"No!" Neph denied vehemently, whilst intentionally ignoring Noah. "As soon as they heard Noah was coming, they were more than happy."

"…Speaking of Noah, why are you wearing bedsheets?" Neph asked with some unclear emotion, as her face begun to become noticeably red.

'Is she disgusted? Is it because I'm short? Wait is she attracted to me? Nonsense, this is Neph….' Noah briefly thought.

"Because I'm cosplaying the Greek mythology." Noah spouted randomly as he climbed in, already knowing the reference would be lost on the two girls.

The back of the wagon was surprisingly spacious, a makeshift bed of hay and blankets providing a modicum of comfort for the wounded soldiers. As Noah was clambering in, careful not to jostle anything, he couldn't help but notice the curious glances directed his way from other carriages. His bedsheet attire probably didn't scream "war hero."

Neph and Christa followed; their movements less encumbered by injuries but still heavy with exhaustion. The wagon lurched into motion, the rhythmic creaking of its wheels a stark contrast to the earlier chaos. The heavy wooden door at the back of the wagon swung shut, enveloping them in a dim, private space.

"I don't mean to sound ungrateful," Noah started, settling himself gingerly against the wagon wall, "but… why do we get our own personal chariot while everyone else is crammed together like sardines?"

Neph let out a snort of laughter. "Believe me, no one complained. In fact, I think they were happy to see the back of us." She paused. "Also what's sardines?"

"We might have… overstayed our welcome," Christa added with a wry smile. "Between your... eccentric behavior, Neph's... negotiation tactics, and my... enthusiastic sermons, I suspect we're not the most popular trio in the fortress right now."

"Sermons?" Noah asked, his confusion evident. He vaguely remembered Christa mentioning something about prayer and healing, but surely not full-blown sermons in the middle of a battle-torn infirmary?

Sensing Christa's discomfort, Neph chuckled and jumped in to explain. "Christa here doesn't quite grasp the concept of 'bad timing,'" she said, her voice filled with a mix of amusement and exasperation. "While she was tending to the wounded, she decided to sprinkle in some holy words... with the subtlety of a geyser."

"I thought it might bring them comfort," Christa mumbled, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

"Comfort?" Neph burst into a fit of laughter, tears welling up in her eyes. "This one poor guy was missing an arm, practically bleeding out, and she's going on about how 'light and darkness are two sides of the same coin.'" She paused, wiping away a tear. "By the time I got there, he looked more terrified of her than the Bokoblin's!"

"You were still out cold at that point," Neph added, turning to Noah with a mischievous grin. "Lucky you."

Noah shuddered, a wave of relief washing over him. He couldn't imagine waking up to a religious lecture while his lifeblood was draining away. "Thank God for small mercies," he mumbled, earning a chuckle from Neph and a half-hearted glare from Christa.

"In my defence," Christa interjected, her voice laced with a hint of defensiveness, "the scriptures do speak of the importance of faith in times of adversity."

"Yes, Christa," Neph replied, her voice gentle but firm. "But perhaps we could save the discussions for a less... dire situation."

Christa sighed, her shoulders slumping in defeat. "Perhaps you're right."

As the wagon trundled through the massive gate of the fortress, a palpable wave of relief washed over the trio. The towering stone walls, scarred and stained with the recent battle, slowly receded behind them. With each creak of the wheels, the oppressive atmosphere of the Wall seemed to lift, replaced by a sense of freedom and possibility.

Noah remained silent, his gaze fixed on a small opening in the back of the carriage. Through it, he watched the fortress shrink into the distance, a gray monolith against the brightening sky. He hadn't had time to process it all yet.

When he left the Great Plateau, he expected perhaps a few short days of blissful travel of goofing around with the Sheikah Slate and exploring his surroundings, he hadn't expected to fight with his life on the line multiple times and come across fortresses.

But as the Wall vanished from sight, a profound sense of accomplishment settled over him. A smile, genuine and unbidden, spread across his face. He had survived. More than that, he had made a difference. Hylians were alive because of his actions, however accidental and chaotic they might have been.

It was a bittersweet realization. He wouldn't willingly face such horrors again, yet he couldn't deny the strange sense of gratitude for the experience. He had grown somewhat confident with a sword now, as he felt capable of fighting monsters individually without much trouble. He was almost thankful for the experience.

Almost.

As the air grew fresher, the stench of blood and smoke gradually replaced by the scent of damp earth and wildflowers. Sunlight, filtered through the dense canopy of trees, dappled the path ahead, a stark contrast to the flickering torchlight that had illuminated their struggles within the fortress.

Noah let out a shaky breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. They were out. They had survived. The realization was both exhilarating and terrifying.

"So," Noah asked, breaking the comfortable silence, "where to now?"

Neph leaned forward, a glint of determination in her eyes. "The convoy is heading to Kakariko Village. They need to report to the Hylian Great Families and the Sheikah, and also reunite the soldiers with their loved ones." She paused. "While we are there, we can get you some medical attention."

Neph's gaze held an unspoken question, and Noah's heart sank. "Unless… you're leaving?" she asked softly.

Noah contemplated this silently for a few moments, wrestling with his conflicting desires. He was deeply grateful to Neph and Christa, but a meeting with Impa was non-negotiable. His path, it seemed, diverged from theirs.

"I... have things I need to do," he finally admitted, a wave of guilt washing over him.

Neph nodded, a flicker of understanding in her eyes. "I see." The silence that followed was heavy with unspoken emotions.

"The Goddess... will bless your journeys," Christa offered, her voice a gentle benediction.

'Is there a refund policy on that blessing?' Noah thought wryly, but the humour did little to dispel the gnawing anxiety in his gut.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the land, both Christa and Neph succumbed to exhaustion, their breathing evening out into soft snores. But sleep eluded Noah. His memory of his battle with King Rhoam, Neph's dagger at his throat and of course, the chilling encounter with the monstrous horde at the Wall made any notion of sleep an illusion.

'Is this what they call PTSD?' Noah wondered.

His exhaustion was undeniable, yet Link's resilient body refused to rest. Instead, he stared blankly at the Sheikah Slate's map, tracing their route with a finger. They had passed the Big Twin Bridge, and the marker indicating their position was nearing the intersection towards the Pillars of Levia and the Cliffs of Quince.

The smooth journey so far only amplified Noah's growing sense of unease. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to go wrong. Paranoia, he knew, was an unwelcome companion, but it was hard to ignore the instinctual dread that clung to him.

Eventually, the convoy halted for the night. The sudden stillness was jarring after hours of rhythmic movement. Unable to bear the confinement any longer, Noah rose, slipped through the wagon's door, and stepped out into the cool night air trying not to disturb the two girls.

Pulling the bedsheet tighter around him, his only garment in this world Noah wandered along the line of silent carriages. He had of course, tried to find some actual clothes but Neph and Christa were strangely adamant that there were none.

His gaze drifted to a lone Hylian soldier standing apart, staring into the darkness with a haunted expression, holding a torch.

"Hello," Noah said, breaking the silence approaching him.

The soldier jumped, his hand instinctively reaching for his sword. Recognizing Noah, he relaxed, but his shoulders remained tense. "Sir," he said, a hesitant note in his voice.

"At ease," Noah replied. "The news that I'm not actually a 'sir' or a soldier should have spread by now, right?"

"Yes... Noah," the soldier corrected himself, a hint of hesitation in his voice. "But we all... we respect what you did for us."

The soldier shuffled his feet, his gaze fixed on the ground. "You might not recognize me, but I was one of the prisoners in the courtyard. I even joined the makeshift defensive line you protected." He paused, his voice barely a whisper as if reliving the harrowing memory. "I'll never forget how you fought... how you charged into the enemy lines for us."

"is… that so." Noah blankly responded.

Noah stared into the darkness, his thoughts echoing the soldier's words. 'Why... did I fight?' He couldn't quite answer that question. The memories of the battle were fragmented, a chaotic blur of adrenaline and instinct. Even now, Noah felt a lingering sense of dread that clung to him, a haunting reminder of his experiences.

Back on Earth, Noah wasn't known for his humanitarianism. In fact, Noah always had been more comfortable on the sidelines, observing rather than participating in most things. Yet, in this world, he'd repeatedly thrown himself into danger, risking his life for people he barely knew time, and time again.

He had thought of abandoning Neph and Christa in the fortress, leaving them to fend for themselves. Yet, each time, he never acted on it.

But why?

Because it was the right thing to do? No, not likely. Was he terrified of the consequences of inaction? Potentially, but Noah didn't feel as if that was quite right.

It was almost as if whenever he got scared, or terrified there was like an invisible force that seemed to tug at him, urging him back into the fray. It wasn't just survival instinct; there was a deeper, more unsettling feeling at play.

But what was it?

Noah was beginning to feel as if there was a puppeteer pulling his strings as he drew blanks to his questions. At the very least, Noah hoped he had acted out of genuine concern for others to a degree, Afterall he did truly care for Christa and Neph's safety.

A wave of self-loathing washed over him. He didn't deserve this soldier's gratitude, didn't deserve to be hailed as a hero. He was a stranger driven by impulses he couldn't fully comprehend.

A heavy silence settled between them. The soldier shifted uncomfortably, and Noah realized he'd interrupted the man's attempt at solitude.

"You're on watch?" Noah asked, hoping to ease the tension. "I thought there was a rotation system for the injured."

The soldier gave a wry chuckle. "Can't sleep. Figured I might as well keep watch. Never been one for sitting idle."

"I was, until recently," Noah admitted.

"May I ask why we've stopped for the night?" Noah inquired; his curiosity piqued. "Safety, I presume?"

"Yes," the soldier confirmed. "Normally, traveling at night isn't a problem, especially in the Eastern Region. But with that horde... seeing them emerge from the Wall shook us up. No one wants to risk an ambush in the dark."

Noah nodded in understanding. He, too, felt a chill of unease at the thought of a monster herd that seeming disappeared lurking in the shadows.

For a few minutes, they stood in companionable silence, each lost in their own thoughts. The shared experience of the recent battle, the unspoken anxieties of the future, created a strange bond between them.

"Goodnight," Noah said finally, breaking the quiet moment.

"And to you, Sir," the soldier replied, a hint of warmth in his voice.

As Noah strolled alongside the stopped convoy, a sense of unease prickled at the edges of his mind. The silence of the night was broken only by the soft rustling of leaves and the occasional snort of a horse. But as he passed by the carriages, snippets of hushed conversations drifted out into the night air.

"We were in the sparring rooms when the attack occurred..."

"Nonsense! I was in the cage on the north side. Saw that damn galemaw snatching people up like twigs!"

"But ain't it somethin' that a mere lad felled that beast?"

A smile tugged at Noah's lips. News of his exploits had spread like wildfire, it seemed. A little ego boosts never hurt anyone, right? Especially not a guy who had to deal with being thrown into another world.

Glancing up, Noah spotted Christa ahead, her gaze fixed on the star-strewn sky. "Stargazing?" he asked, approaching her.

She startled, her hand instinctively moving to the dagger at her hip. "I noticed you weren't in the wagon and came looking," she admitted, a hint of worry in her voice.

"Ah, should we head back then?" Noah asked, surprised she'd gone to such lengths.

"Yes," Christa nodded, relief softening her features.

But before they could turn back, the drunken chatter from the carriages grew louder.

"That's nothin'! I saw him fall from the sky, a blazing comet! The Hero come to save us!"

Noah's heart skipped a beat. That voice he recognised it… wasn't that the priest from the cage with Captain Boulk?

"You weren't even there! He stood on that beast's head and screamed that he would 'Fuck the goddess!'"

Christa froze, and so did Noah's hopes for a better future.

"But... isn't that, like, heresy?" one of the soldiers questioned, a nervous tremor in his voice.

"No! no!" the priest denied. "Heresy be damned! He's the Hero! Didn't you see his ears? Isn't it normal for him to bed the goddess? No... its destiny!" priest's drunken laughter rang out, followed by raucous cheers from his companions.

Noah's blood ran cold. 'Bed who!?'' His eyes widened in horror as he saw Christa abruptly freeze in front of him, her back rigid.

'No! No! You fuckwits! I didn't mean to screw her, I meant to curse her!' Noah hopelessly defended himself as a cold sweat broke out on his skin. He'd thought his actions were heroic, but he hadn't expected to be hailed as some kind of divine lover, a role he was most definitely not qualified for.

Noah desperately stepped backwards. "Christa that's not…I mean, they likely exaggerated–"

"Oh?" Christa's smirk wasn't playful this time, but a declaration of war. "Care to share your side of the story, Mr. Hero? Or shall we leave it to the bards who seem eager to compose another epic?"

An icy wave of dread washed over Noah, a stark contrast to the lingering warmth of Christa's earlier smile. His earlier exhaustion vanished, replaced by a frantic surge of self-preservation. In that moment, the battered Hylians and the bloodied fortress floor faded in comparison to the delicate girl standing before him.

Christa, with her soft smiles and gentle hands, suddenly seemed far more dangerous than any Bokoblin he'd faced. Her eyes, usually brimming with warmth, held a steely glint. He might have survived the monsters, but now, Noah faced a threat of a far more insidious kind – the wrath of a woman who wielded both kindness and the weight of religious conviction.

His mind raced; a desperate comedian trapped in a horror film. His panicked thoughts tumbled over one another: Maybe he could play it off as a joke? A misunderstanding perhaps? Blame the alcohol? Perhaps feigning a sudden illness would buy him some time to concoct a better lie.

The image of Neph flashed through his mind, hoping she could save him. If Neph was terrifying, Christa was a walking embodiment of divine retribution. He was, quite literally, caught between a rock and a very angry, dagger-wielding hard place.

Noah's survival instincts, sharpened by this strange world, screamed at him to run, but his battered body refused. All he could do was stand there, a ridiculous figure in his bed sheets, and muster the weakest smile he could manage. It was a testament to the sheer terror gripping him that the smile probably came off as more of a terrified grimace.

The silence that followed was deafening, punctuated only by the raucous cheers of the drunken soldiers. Noah could feel his heart pounding in his chest, every beat a grim reminder of his impending doom. What would it be? Humiliation? Imprisonment? A forced pilgrimage to appease an angry deity?

"Mercy?" he croaked, his voice barely a whisper. Christa, approached him until she was standing mere inches away, regarded him with a chilling calm that sent shivers down his spine.

Leaning closer, her lips brushing against his ear, she murmured, "The Goddess is merciful, Noah. I, on the other hand…" A sinister smile played on her lips, "...am not obligated to be."

Hours later, as the first rays of dawn peeked through the cracks in the wagon, Neph awoke with a yawn. She stretched, blinking sleep from her eyes, and noticed Noah's absence.

"Christa?" she asked, her voice still thick with sleep. "What are you doing?"

Christa knelt in the corner of the wagon; hands clasped tightly in prayer. "Repenting for my comrade's sins," she murmured, her eyes closed in serene devotion.

A cold dread washed over Neph. Surely, Christa didn't mean...? "Where is Noah?" she repeated, her voice sharp with alarm.

Christa's eyes opened, a chilling light gleaming in their depths. Slowly, she turned to face Neph, her smile more predatory than pious. "Repenting for his sins," she repeated, each word a hammer blow to Neph's heart.

Neph recoiled, a silent prayer for Noah's well-being escaping her lips as she scrambled out of the wagon away from Christa, lest she attempts to make her join him. She had experienced Christa's methods of "Religious Repentance" firsthand, and the thought of having to do it again was worse than facing against a Moblin

"He'll survive… probably." She muttered.

A thick silence hung in the air as the three sat together in the wagon, the only sound the rhythmic creak of wheels and the soft clop of hooves. Noah's gaze remained fixed on the rough wooden floor, his lips absently muttering a litany of holy verses. Neph, sensing the tension, kept her eyes averted, a conflicted mix of pity and pride swirling within her.

Christa, seemingly oblivious to the tension, hummed a sweet, lilting melody. The incongruity of her cheerful tune against the backdrop of their recent ordeal only amplified the awkward atmosphere.

Noah's eyes, dulled by exhaustion and the forced religious indoctrination, flickered across the floor. They snagged on the glint of metal—Christa's dagger, resting casually against her leg. A spark of life returned to his gaze as an idea took root.

He lifted his head, his voice surprisingly steady. "Neph, I have a question."

Neph, startled by his sudden coherence, blinked in surprise. "A-ah, yes? What is it?"

Leaning back against the wagon wall, Noah adopted a casual tone that belied his inner turmoil. "When we first met, you suspected me of being a Yiga clansman, right?" Noah paused. "Can you tell me more about the clan?"

"Ah..." Neph hesitated, her eyes darting nervously towards Christa. "I'm sorry, but I can't really discuss that."

Noah raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"

"Well," Neph stammered, "that's because... we never suspected you of being a Yiga clansman. Because… we simply don't know what that is."

A wave of disbelief washed over Noah. "Wait, but you thought I was a cultist, right? A follower of Calamity Ganon?"

"Yes," Christa interjected, her voice serene but unwavering. "We believed you were a cultist, but we never said you belonged to this 'Yiga Clan'' That was your assumption..."

Noah sat back, stunned. She was right. They had never mentioned the Yiga clan; he'd filled in the blanks with his knowledge from the game. It was a foolish mistake, as if relying on his game knowledge had ever helped him before.

"So... there are other cultists?" he mused aloud, more to himself than anyone else. The revelation opened up a whole new realm of possibilities, both terrifying and intriguing.

"There really isn't much known about Cultists, in general," Neph admitted, a rare hint of uncertainty in her voice. "There isn't exactly one organization, but rather many with their own agendas and beliefs. They're unpredictable and dangerous, most operating in the shadows, leaving behind whispers and cryptic symbols."

Christa leaned forward, her eyes reflecting the dim light of the carriage lantern. "We've heard rumours of scattered groups throughout Hyrule, each with their own twisted interpretations of Gannon's teachings. Some seek to resurrect the Calamity; others simply revel in chaos and destruction."

Noah absorbed the new knowledge like a sponge, his mind racing. "In a world like this, it's not surprising that there are cults," he mused. "But does that mean the Yiga Clan doesn't exist?"

A nagging doubt crept in. This world was different from the game, but it hadn't erased elements entirely. "It doesn't make sense," he thought. "The Yiga Clan probably does exist, but they're truly hidden, operating deep in the shadows. Maybe the Sheikah are even covering them up."

As Noah pondered these unsettling possibilities, the carriage lurched to a sudden stop, throwing the occupants against the walls.

"What's happening?" Christa muttered, alarm in her voice. Neph peered out the window.

Noah quickly pulled out his Sheikah Slate, the map confirming their location. They'd passed Lake Siela and were now traversing the Pillars of Levia.

"I'll investigate," Neph declared, pushing open the door.

"I'll go with you," Christa added, quickly following.

Minutes passed, each one amplifying Noah's anxiety. He was about to go after them when the carriage door creaked open.

"You guys were gone awhile" Noah exclaimed, relieved. "Did another soldier fall out or something?"

His smile faltered as a figure emerged from the darkness. It wasn't Neph or Christa, but the Sheikah woman from the Wall. She wore the same distinctive beige, red and navy-blue garb, her veiled face inscrutable.

"Oh my," she said, her voice like honeyed silk, "I'm so glad you care for my well-being." A subtle amusement laced her tone.

Without waiting for an invitation, she gracefully entered the carriage and settled on the bench opposite Noah. The air crackled with tension.

"Good evening, Noah," she purred, her eyes gleaming from beneath the veil. "Or should I call you... Link?"