Chapter 25: Room For One More?
The sudden jolt as the carriage resumed its journey failed to distract Noah from the daunting situation at hand. The Sheikah woman's presence was suffocating, a tangible force that filled the cramped space. How did she find him? Where are Neph and Christa? So many questions, yet as usual no answers.
The carriage was now climbing a steep mountain, with the edge hanging to the right of the carriage but at a relatively safe distance.
Noah's breath hitched. He instinctively reached for his Sheikah Slate, which laid forgotten amidst the blankets on the bed of hay. He was unarmed, alone, and facing a woman who exuded an aura of confidence that chilled him to the bone.
However, no movement could be unseen by the woman as her head turned sharply towards Link's hand, her gaze narrowing on the familiar rectangular shape he was reaching for.
"Is that... a Sheikah Slate?" she asked, her voice a hushed whisper. "Of course, it must be the one the Princess had left for you... what great power it must possess."
The woman's tone had shifted, a hint of greed replacing the earlier amusement in her voice. Her eyes, which had been piercing but calm, now gleamed with an intensity that sent a shiver down Noah's spine. The air in the carriage grew thicker, the tension so palpable that it felt like a physical force pressing down on him.
Noah froze, his hand hovering inches from the Slate. He hadn't considered the implications of his possession of this ancient technology. To the Sheikah, it was likely more than just a tool – it was a sacred relic, a symbol of their power and heritage. A symbol in his possession.
The woman slowly rose from her seat, her movements graceful yet predatory. "May I?" she asked, extending a hand towards the Slate.
Noah hesitated, torn between the instinct to protect this valuable item and the knowledge that resistance would be futile. He was at her mercy, and he knew it.
Begrudgingly he nodded his head and handed it over. "I... I don't understand," Noah stammered as he held it over, his voice raspy from surprise. "I'm not… Link?"
The woman cradled the Slate, her fingers tracing its intricate carvings with a reverent touch. "Aren't you?" she asked, her eyes never leaving the artifact. "The resemblance is uncanny. The same golden hair, the same piercing blue eyes. Even that stubborn set to your jaw. It's remarkable."
Noah swallowed, a knot of unease tightening in his stomach. "I'm just a traveller," he insisted, grasping at the flimsiest of straws. "My name is Noah."
"A traveller?" The woman chuckled, a low, melodic sound that sent chills down Noah's spine. "Would a mere traveller possess such an item?" She held up the Slate, its runes glowing faintly in the dim light. "Perhaps your memory is clouded. It wouldn't be surprising, after such a long slumber."
With each failed attempt to deflect the woman's scrutiny, a cold realisation settled in Noah's gut. This was no simple case of mistaken identity. The Sheikah woman's unwavering belief in his role as Link spoke of a deeper conviction, something that wouldn't allow Noah to deceive her.
This wasn't just any encounter; it was a calculated move by the Sheikah. They had sought him out, tracked him down, and now, their representative sat before him, radiating an air of quiet authority that left no room for argument.
Noah could feel chains binding him once more, similar to when he was with King Rhoam Noah's struggle turned from survival to his identity, his sense of self. He was being forced to pretend to be someone he wasn't.
The problem was that Noah didn't know Link truly, not enough to pretend to be him anyway. He only knew him through pixels and polygons. His last attempt at pretending to be Link was done so horribly, that King Rhoam attempted to kill him in less than a day. And once more he was being thrust into that role, with no script, no guide, and no guarantee of success.
But as he studied the Sheikah woman, a glimmer of hope flickered within him. She was young, perhaps even younger than the Calamity. Her words, while tinged with authority, also hinted at a naive reverence for the legend of Link. She hadn't witnessed the Calamity firsthand; her knowledge of the Hero was likely gleaned from stories and ancient texts.
This was his chance. He could use her assumptions, her blind faith in the prophecy, to his advantage. It didn't matter if his behaviour replicated Links because unlike King Rhoam, this girl had never met Link enough to tell the difference. If he maintained Links demeanour and limited his words, that should be enough.
Drawing upon fragmented memories of the game, Noah summoned a ghost of Link's stoic determination. He straightened his posture, his gaze meeting the Sheikah woman's with a newfound intensity.
His voice, when it came, was a low rumble, a stark contrast to his earlier stammering. "Yes, the name is Link. I suppose Noah has no further use as of now." He held her gaze, the blue of his eyes mirroring the intensity of hers. There was no room for doubt or hesitation in his tone.
'Ah, how cringey.' He remarked internally
The woman's veil shifted slightly, the only visible sign of her reaction. Noah held his breath, his gaze unwavering. He'd committed to this act, and he would see it through.
The Sheikah woman's lips parted slightly, a spark of awe replacing the earlier amusement in her covered eyes. "Indeed," she murmured, a hushed reverence in her tone. "The spirit of the Hero, awakened once more."
Noah internally winced at the dramatic proclamation, but he maintained his facade, nodding slowly. The weight of expectation, the burden of a destiny he didn't want, pressed down on him
The woman's voice softened, filled with a gentle awe. "It is an honour to meet you, Master Link," she said, bowing her head slightly. "I am Enforcer Anya, sent by Lady Impa herself."
Noah's heart skipped a beat. He was right, this was Impa's doing. But he couldn't let his excitement show. He maintained his stoic demeanour, nodding slowly in acknowledgement.
Anya continued, "We have been watching you, Link. Witnessing your heroic deeds at The Wall. Lady Impa believes your destiny is intertwined with the fate of Hyrule, and she wishes to speak with you."
Noah's mind raced. Was this a test? A trap? He decided to err on the side of caution, his response mirroring Link's legendary silence.
Anya seemed to interpret his silence as the noble stoicism of a seasoned hero. A spark of admiration flickered in her eyes. "Rest assured, Master Link," she said, her voice filled with warmth. "We will ensure your safe passage to Kakariko Village. Lady Impa awaits your arrival."
Despite such welcoming and kind words, Noah didn't feel reassured. While he longed to meet the Sheikah elder, the fact that he'd been actively avoiding the Sheikah only for one to appear in his carriage rankled him. He had a plan, a route to Kakariko, and the sudden intrusion felt like a violation of his hard-won autonomy. In addition he was unknowingly being watched, by her reaction it seemed he didn't let anything slip that would have screwed him over.
However, he couldn't voice these thoughts. He had to maintain the facade of Link, the stoic hero who accepted his destiny without complaint. So, he settled for a non-committal grunt, a low sound that could be interpreted as gratitude or simple acknowledgment.
Anya, ever perceptive, picked up on his subtle shift in demeanour. "Is something troubling you, Master Link?" she asked, her tone laced with concern, but her eyes remained sharp, watchful.
"No," Noah replied, forcing his voice to remain steady. "Just... surprised." He paused, searching for the right words. "I was... already on my way to Kakariko Village with some comrades."
Anya's smile remained unchanged, but a flicker of amusement danced in her eyes. "Indeed you were," she conceded. "That is my fault, I had intended to greet you at The Wall, but our paths were not aligned, regardless. Lady Impa felt it prudent to ensure your journey was not interrupted by anymore unforeseen... complications."
He forced a smile, hoping it masked the unease churning within him. "I appreciate the concern," he said, his voice dripping with false gratitude. "But I am capable of handling myself."
Anya chuckled, a low, melodic sound that held a hint of warning. "Of course you are, Link," she said. "But even the Hero needs guidance from time to time. And we, the Sheikah, are always here to offer our assistance."
Noah's jaw clenched. In other words, he had no opinion in the matter, shut up and go along with them.
Taking a deep breath, he asked, "Where are my companions? The ones who travelled with me from the Wall?" He tried to keep his voice even, but a tremor of anxiety betrayed him.
The woman's eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of suspicion flashing across her face. "Your companions?" she repeated, as if testing the word on her tongue. "Rest assured, Master Link. They are merely in a different carriage; we will reunite you with them in due time, but we needed some privacy to discuss."
The woman leaned closer, her eyes searching his face for any sign of deceit. "Tell me, Link," she said, her voice a soft purr, "what do you remember from the past?"
'I suppose never meeting Link comes with a drawback, she never met Link so she can't be sure I truly am him.' Noah thought.
Noah paused, carefully choosing his words. "I remember… fragments. Guarding a princess… against the darkness..." He hesitated, then added, "A great evil that needs to be vanquished." He paused, searching the woman's face for any reaction. "A sword guarded by a tree."
Her eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of doubt passing through them. "And the Calamity?" she pressed. "Do you recall the events of a hundred years ago?"
Noah's heart pounded. The Calamity was a significant event in the game, one that Link had played a central role in. He couldn't risk revealing his ignorance.
"I... remember glimpses," he hedged. "The darkness... the destruction... the loss." He let his voice trail off, feigning a deep sorrow. "The tears of a princess."
Anya seemed appeased, for now. She leaned back, a thoughtful frown creasing her brow. "It will all return to you in time, Link," she assured him. "Impa anticipated this. The Shrine of Resurrection was... an experiment, fraught with unknowns. But rest assured, we have methods to help you reclaim your memories, your strength."
A tense silence settled over the carriage. Anya broke it, her voice tinged with a hint of apology. "Forgive my abruptness, Link. I understand your... annoyance. But Hyrule is in dire straits. Your return is... a beacon of hope, the best news we Sheikah have received in ages."
Noah offered a curt nod, his gaze fixed on the passing scenery.
"I must admit, you're quite resourceful," Anya continued, a hint of admiration in her voice. "Adopting the alias 'Noah' was a clever move. If you had openly declared yourself as Link, who knows what chaos might have ensued."
Noah said nothing, his thoughts racing. 'it's not an alias', he thought bitterly.
"How did you find me?" he asked, his voice clipped.
Anya's smile tightened. "I am not at liberty to divulge that information," she said, her tone apologetic yet firm.
'Mhmm, some respected hero,' Noah thought bitterly, but he kept his expression neutral, his gaze fixed on the passing scenery outside the carriage window.
She leaned back, her posture regal despite the confines of the carriage. "You seem to be rather guarded, Link," she observed, her tone shifting to one of gentle reproach. "Why? The Sheikah are your allies."
Noah's heart skipped a beat. 'You pull this stunt and you're surprised I'm guarded?' he thought bitterly, but his face remained impassive. "I was warned to be careful around you," he admitted, his voice a low rumble. "It's been a hundred years. Things change. Combine that with my... memory loss, and I can't say I trust much of anything right now."
Anya fell silent, her eyes narrowing in contemplation. Then, she rested her chin on her hand, a gesture that somehow made her seem even more intimidating. "Who warned you, I wonder? The soldiers? No... The Church priestess in your company, perhaps?"
Noah flinched, caught off guard by her perceptiveness. "Does it matter?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.
Anya's smile returned unbeknown to Noah who couldn't see it but it was devoid of warmth, a predatory curve of her lips. "What did she say? That the Sheikah are distrustful and deceitful? That we rule from the shadows, conducting unethical duties?"
Noah remained tight-lipped, unwilling to betray Christa, despite her misguided attempts at spiritual guidance. "Perhaps," he said, his tone noncommittal.
"Then allow me to correct such misinformation," Anya said, her voice dripping with a honeyed poison. "The Sheikah do operate discreetly, yes. But our purpose is to maintain balance among the Hyrulen Great Families, foster relations with other kingdoms, and most importantly, prepare for the time when the Royal Family reigns once more."
She paused, letting her words sink in. "The Church, however, is a different matter. They do not always recognise the Royal Family's authority, nor do they act in the best interest of Hyrule. They interpret the Goddess's will as they see fit, often leading to... questionable actions."
Noah's interest was piqued. "What separates them from a cult, then?"
Anya's smile widened, revealing a hint of sharp teeth. "That depends on who you ask. But the Church is a significant power, with followers from all races and kingdoms, with influence that cannot be underestimated."
She leaned forward, her eyes boring into Noah's. "Remember, Link. Be wary of the Church. As the Goddess's chosen hero, they may see you as a threat or a tool to be manipulated. Tread carefully."
"Do the Church and the Sheikah often clash?" Noah asked, his curiosity growing.
"Sometimes, our relationship is tense at best." Anya replied cryptically. "The Goddess's will, as interpreted by the Church, may not always align with what is best for the kingdom."
Noah absorbed her words, a new layer of complexity added to the intricate tapestry of this world. There was the Hyrulen Great Families, the Sheikah and the Church all in a delicate balance with each other and now with his appearance in this world Noah understood that his actions, his very existence, were caught in a delicate dance between powerful forces.
Noah's head throbbed with the weight of this newfound knowledge. He'd been so focused on the immediate threats—Monsters, Guardians, the Calamity—that he hadn't fully grasped how far more advanced the political landscape. This was Hyrule, a kingdom steeped in ancient traditions and power imbalances. How much more complex were the societies of the Zora, Goron, Gerudo, and Rito?
He would need to tread carefully, indeed.
"The Church..." Noah mused, more to himself than Anya. "You mentioned they interpret the Goddess's will... does their leader have a direct line to the Goddess?"
He couldn't hide the curiosity in his voice. When Christa mentioned it to Noah, he couldn't place confidence in the idea, it's not that he didn't trust Christa's words, but it was hard to tell if her words came from opinions, facts or scriptures.
The idea of someone who could communicate with the Goddess was something of critical importance to Noah, if he could get into contact with the Saintess Amelia and contact the Goddess… he could very well make efforts to go home.
Anya remained silent for a moment; her veiled face unreadable. When she finally spoke, her voice was soft but firm. "The Church claims such a connection, yes. But the Sheikah believe true wisdom comes from understanding the balance of all things, not from blind faith in a single voice."
'So she does…' Noah muttered.
'Well, since she's here, I might as well benefit from this,' Noah mused, as he turned his gaze back to Anya.
Feeling his gaze, Anya seemingly shrank back at Noah's sudden attention. "Tell me more about Hyrule," he said, his voice low and steady. "What's happened in the century since... since the Calamity?"
Anya studied him for a moment, her eyes narrowing as if assessing his sincerity. "Much has changed," she began, her voice grave. "The Calamity ravaged the land, leaving scars that have yet to heal. Gannon's monstrous forces still roam the land, preying on the weak and vulnerable."
She paused, her gaze drifting to the window as if seeing the devastation firsthand. "The kingdom is fractured," she continued, her voice heavy with sorrow. "A deep divide is growing between Hylians and the other races... one that threatens to tear Hyrule apart."
Her eyes returned to Noah, filled with a mixture of sadness and determination. "Our Sheikah numbers dwindle with each passing year," she admitted. "Combine that with the growing Guardian threat... and the situation is dire."
Noah raised an eyebrow. "Guardian threat?"
Anya nodded; her expression grim. "The Guardians, mighty constructs created by the ancient Sheikah, were corrupted by Calamity Gannon and turned against us. During the Calamity, they nearly wiped out the entire kingdom. It was only through the heroic efforts of Princess Zelda that we were spared."
"Saved you?" Noah blinked, surprised.
"Yes," Anya confirmed. "Princess Zelda, using her divine powers granted by Hylia, the Goddess of Hyrule, erected a magical barrier around the entirety of the Hyrule Kingdom. This barrier slowly constricted to Hyrule Castle and the surrounding fields, forcing the Guardians inside or destroying them in the process. Eventually, the Guardians were trapped within Hyrule Field... or most of them."
Her voice grew even more sombre. "But Zelda's power is waning, and the barrier is weakening with it. The Guardians are slowly breaking free, venturing beyond the field, and their destructive power is as potent as ever."
Hearing the words of the barrier made a thought struck Noah, King Rhoam had said something similar back on the Sheikah Tower, and he had seen the shield first-hand when Zelda was trying to save her Father.
He paused, his brow furrowing as he desired to confirm his thoughts. "You mentioned the Princess erected a barrier... Are you referring to the glowing columns surrounding Hyrule Castle?"
Anya nodded, her eyes widening slightly in surprise. "Yes, those are the remnants of the barrier. But Princess Zelda's strength cannot maintain them, their power fades with each passing day."
"I see," Noah murmured, piecing together the information. There were five columns surrounding Hyrule Castle, but only three were golden light whilst the others were red, did it represent like a timer?
"So, once all five columns lose their light, the barrier will fall completely?" Noah asked.
Anya's face paled. "Yes," she whispered, a tremor in her voice. "And when that happens, the full might of the Guardians and Calamity Gannon will once more be unleashed upon Hyrule."
"I apologise," Noah's voice rasped, the unexpected words escaping his lips before he could stop them. The sudden apology hung in the air, a jarring note amidst the charged atmosphere.
Anya's brow furrowed, a hint of confusion softening her features. "For what?" she asked, her tone gentle yet probing.
Noah's gaze dropped to his bandaged hands, his voice a mere whisper. "I... I'm not sure."
A wave of unease washed over him. Why had he apologised? He hadn't done anything wrong, at least not in this world. But the feeling, a deep-seated guilt and regret, wouldn't dissipate.
A thick silence settled over the carriage once more, broken only by the rhythmic creak of the wheels and the soft clop of hooves against the dirt road. Noah's mind whirled with questions, doubts, and a growing sense of unease. He stole a glance at Anya, who sat perfectly still, her veil a tantalising barrier between him and her true expression.
Just as Noah was about to break the silence, Anya's voice cut through the quiet air. "Excuse me, Master Link..." she began, her tone hesitant, almost... apologetic?
Noah's head snapped up, his confusion evident. "Yes?"
Anya's posture, the only visible feature of her person, seemed to soften. "Why are you... wearing bedsheets?" she asked, her voice a gentle inquiry, but a hint of concern laced her words.
Noah's face flushed. He'd been so caught up in the shock of Anya's appearance, that he hadn't even considered the absurdity of his attire. The makeshift toga, hastily fashioned from a bedsheet, was hardly befitting a hero of legend.
"That's..." he stammered, scrambling for an explanation. But before he could formulate a coherent response, the carriage lurched violently, interrupting his train of thought. A sudden shadow fell over the carriage, plunging the interior into an eerie twilight.
The sudden darkness and the abrupt halt of the carriage sent a jolt of fear through Noah. His survival instincts kicked in, and he instinctively reached for a weapon that wasn't there.
Anya, seemingly unfazed by the sudden change in momentum, simply tilted her head, her gaze fixed on Noah. "Is there a problem, Master Link?" she asked, her voice a calm oasis amidst the growing chaos. "We should be arriving at Kakariko Village shortly."
"Since when was shaking a common occurrence–" Noah began, but his words caught in his throat as his gaze followed Anya's out the window. His eyes widened in shock.
Pressed against the small window, obscuring the sunlight, was a massive, vibrant green...face? It was a grotesque visage, all wide eyes and gaping mouth, the bark-like skin contorted into an expression of pure glee.
The creature's enormous eyes locked with Noah's, a spark of recognition igniting in their depths. A wave of disbelief washed over Noah as he realised the truth. This wasn't just some random monster; it was Hestu, the maraca-wielding Korok from the game. He couldn't see the full body, but given the size of the carriage Hestu must've been huge if he has to lean into the window.
But what was he doing here, looming ominously outside the carriage? And more importantly, why did he look so...menacing?
The carriage continued to shake, a rhythmic thumping accompanying Hestu's wide grin. Noah could feel the dread rising in his chest.
" Shoko... I swear she said they were hidden around here… " Hestu remarked as the shaking of the carriage continued, as Hestu danced around it.
'What is he looking for?' Noah wondered.
The rhythmic shaking intensified, the wagon now bucking and swaying as if caught in a miniature earthquake. Anya, oblivious to the growing commotion outside, continued her inquiry, leaning forward with an eager glint in her eyes. "Kakariko Village has changed since you last saw it, it is truly a beauty… let me tell you about it."
But Noah's attention was laser-focused on the window, only briefly flicking to Anya before returning once he knew that she can't see or feel anything. The massive, green face occasionally pressed against the glass, gazing inside as if trying to find something which made Noah's blood run cold. Hestu, it seemed, was not content with simply blocking their view.
Ignoring Hestu completely, Noah hoped the Korok would eventually lose interest and move on, but that was not to be. With a disappointed groan, Hestu began shaking his maracas wildly, the rhythmic rattling echoing through the carriage.
Noah gritted his teeth, a vein throbbing in his temple. This was not the jolly, dance-loving Hestu he remembered from the game, the music was just as annoying though.
Master Link?" Anya's voice held a note of concern. "You seem distracted. Is there something outside the window that warrants your attention?"
Noah debated his options. Should he tell Anya about Hestu who she obviously couldn't see, risk exposing his knowledge of this world's secrets? Or should he continue the charade, hoping the Korok would eventually give up and move on?
He decided on the latter. "It's nothing," he said, forcing a nonchalant shrug. "Just a tree, I think."
'Why do Koroks in this reality act so strange... this is twice now' He mused 'Wait... twice? When did...'
" Shaaallllaaaa... Maybe under here!" Hestu yelled abruptly, interrupting Noah's thoughts.
Anya raised an eyebrow, but before she could question him further, a loud cracking sound echoed through the carriage. The wagon lurched violently, throwing Noah against the wooden wall. He cried out in pain, clutching his bandaged side. Anya, however, remained eerily still in her seat, her veil fluttering slightly in the sudden draft as if she were immune to the laws of physics.
As the shaking continued, Noah realised with mounting horror that the carriage was being lifted off the road, precariously teetering on the edge of a cliff that was growing closer. The once rhythmic clopping of hooves had been replaced by a terrifying grinding as the wheels struggled for purchase on loose gravel.
" I'm sure it's here somewhere, maybe it's further under, " Hestu's sing-song voice drifted into the carriage, laced with a hint of frustration. It was then that Noah understood the cause of their predicament. The giant Korok, in his desperate search, had somehow managed to get a hold of the still-moving carriage and was pushing them off the cliff, evidently ignorant of the near death experience it was creating.
'Stop! Stop! your going to fucking kill us!' Noah nearly screamed out to him.
Panic clawed at Noah's throat. He knew he had to act, but his mind raced with conflicting thoughts. He survived against a Galemaw, just to die to an overgrown tree? How is no one else noticing this is happening or being effected by it? Noah was tempted to warn Anya of Hestu but that may carefully shatter his constructed façade as Link.
But if he did nothing, they would all plunge to their deaths.
"Anya!" Noah shouted, his voice barely audible over the creaking of the wagon and the frantic rustling of leaves outside. He fought to maintain a facade of composure, but his voice trembled with a hint of desperation. "H-have you heard the tale of the Maracas and the missing Korok Seeds?"
Anya paused; her brow furrowed in thought and confusion. "No... I can't say I have."
Noah, however, wasn't truly addressing Anya. Noah slowly spoke, his voice taking on a theatrical tone, laced with a thinly veiled threat. "Well, allow me to enlighten you. Once upon a time, in the Kingdom of Hyrule, there lived a Korok who played a pair of maracas."
Hestu, hearing the familiar words, perked up, his eyes sparkling with interest. The shaking of his maracas and the carriage slowed, as if he were hanging on to every word.
"But this Korok was different," Noah continued, his voice low and ominous. "He couldn't use magic like the others. Yet, he cherished his maracas, believing if he couldn't use magic, he'd become a Musical Korok."
Hestu's smile faltered, a flicker of doubt clouding his expression.
"The other Korok's mocked him, calling him foolish," Noah continued, his tone becoming sterner. "A musical non-magical Korok? A mockery of their kind. But one day, he played his maracas in an important ceremony, and the Great Deku Tree saw something special in him, and bestowed upon his maracas a magical power that allowed him to help his brothers and sisters."
Hestu's eyes widened, a mixture of hope and fear etched on his face. He stopped shaking his maracas entirely, leaning closer to the window to hear Noah's story better. The carriage gently lowered onto the ground and continued its ride.
"But his siblings," Noah's voice hardened, "grew jealous of his newfound abilities. They decided to play a cruel prank, hiding the Korok Seeds that fuelled the maracas' magic."
Hestu's mouth gaped open in shock, his maracas falling silent. A look of betrayal crossed his face as he processed the story.
"The Musical Korok searched high and low for the seeds," Noah continued, his gaze unwavering. "He finally found them... in the possession of a blond-haired boy, a traveller who was on an important journey of his own."
Anya leaned forward, captivated by the tale. "What happened next?" she asked, her voice hushed.
Noah paused; his eyes locked with Hestu's. "The boy," he said, his tone cold and menacing, "accidentally hurt himself because of the Koroks impatience. In retaliation... he burned the Korok Seeds, and the maracas lost their magic forever."
"And as punishment, the Great Deku Tree..." Noah paused for dramatic effect. "Turned the Korok into a pencil!"
"SHAAAAAA-LAAAAAH-KAAAAAAH!?" Hestu let out a horrified gasp , his eyes filled with terror. He released his grip on the carriage window.
"How incredible sad. " Anya muttered. "But that's not his fault? How could he have prevented that?" she asked.
Noah's eyes became cold as his face recoiled into a disgusted look towards Hestu. "Maybe he should have been more patient."
Hestu recoiled back in fear, and stopped moving, until it was out of view of the window and disappeared.
Just when Noah thought he left, the carriage shook once more as Noah could hear the carriage buckle under new-found weight. Noah looked through the holes above him and saw him scrambling onto the roof of the wagon. There, he remained perched, watching Noah with wide, fearful eyes. The shaking of the carriage ceased as Hestu clung on, his maracas forgotten.
Noah groaned. This was going from bad to worse. Hestu was a Korok, and like all the korok's they all acted like children, so what do you do when a child misbehaves? You threaten them with a scary story, like how Santa will give you coal if you misbehave and so on.
He could only hope that Hestu's weight wouldn't cause the wagon to shatter.
As for Anya, she remained blissfully unaware of the giant Korok perched above them, her attention still fixed on Noah as she attempted to piece together the cryptic story he had told her.
"An interesting, story but I'm afraid you'll have to explain it to me in-depths later, we have arrived at Kakario Village..."
"...about time." Noah muttered.