Chapter 30: Wake Up and Smell The Roses

"Hold on a second, hold on..." Noah groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration.

Kajko, the young Sheikah guard tutoring him, sighed dramatically and lowered his quill. "This is the second time, now. Are you sure you're even listening?" he asked, a hint of amusement peeking through his polite tone.

Using such a casual tone with a supposed esteemed guest of Lady Impa might have been inappropriate a week ago when Noah first stumbled into Kakariko Village. But after a week of hanging around and socialising with the Sheikah guards in Impa's residence, the formality had worn thin. Especially with Kajko, who was thankfully around Noah's age.

"Hey, it's not my fault!" Noah protested. "Back home, we have a whole different system. Can you just run through it again, nice and slow?"

Kajko, having shed his armour for a more relaxed setting, chuckled and nodded patiently. He pointed at the parchment spread out on the table.

"Alright, alright. So, there are 12 cycles in a Hylian year. We call them lunar cycles because they follow the moon's phases, each lasting about 28 days. And in addition to these cycles we have the 'Blessings of the Triforce.' Your familiar with the Triforce legend?"

Noah, despite the strangeness of it all, found himself oddly fascinated. "Yeah, the three pieces: Power, Wisdom, and Courage." He listed off.

"Yep." Kajko confirmed, genuinely happy that something was sticking. "The teachings of the Church say the Triforce holds the essence of the three goddesses: Din, Nayru, and Farore. So, we associate each blessing with what you called... seasons, right?"

"Right, seasons, that's what I used previously." Noah confirmed, a flicker of understanding starting to ignite. "But how does that work in this context?"

"Well," Kajko said, leaning forward, "let's look at the current cycle. It's the 7th cycle of the year, which here in Hyrule corresponds to what we call the blessing of Farore but what you might call… Autumn if I'm understanding your old system correctly."

Noah scratched his head, trying to process this new system of time. "So, each cycle is named after the Triforce and the goddesses?"

"Not really." Kajko gently corrected. "We have 12 cycles and only four blessings of the Triforce. Each blessing of the Triforce spans over a period of 3 cycles.

"The first Blessing, the Blessing of Din, coincides with your spring. It's a time of fiery rebirth, the land awakening from its slumber just like the passionate spirit of Din, the goddess of power."

Noah couldn't stifle a chuckle. 'So, it's like a more elaborate version of our Earth calendar, with a healthy dose of religious symbolism thrown in.'

He paused, a new question niggling at him. His eyes shifted towards Kajko, a thoughtful crease forming on his forehead. "Hold on, there are only three parts to the Triforce, right? Power, Wisdom, and Courage. How come there are four Blessings?"

Kajko's smile widened, revealing a hint of pride. "Ah, that's where the fourth Blessing comes in. We call it the Blessing of Hylia's Breath."

Noah's brow furrowed further. "Hylia's Breath? Is that like the winter I mentioned earlier?"

Kajko chuckled. "Not exactly. The Blessing of Hylia's Breath is a unique time. It's a period of unpredictable weather, with sudden blizzards one day and warm sun showers the next. The Sheikah and Church believe it reflects the temperament of the goddess Hylia herself – powerful and ever-changing."

"I think I understand it, barely." Noah leaned back from his chair taking in his knowledge

From his Earthly perspective, it seemed overly complicated. Cycles were months, and Blessings were seasons, though likely not as predictable as back home. Still, a certain elegant logic underlay it all.

He glanced down at his Sheikah Slate, the time displayed in the corner – 1:32 PM. Here, most folks relied on portable sundials, or the melodic chimes of bells rung at specific times throughout the day. Convenient for him, cumbersome for them.

"Well," Noah stretched, muscles protesting at the sudden movement. "I think I'll head back to the village. Tucked away in here for too long."

Kajko raised an eyebrow. "What about that training Lady Impa mentioned?"

Noah shrugged, a hint of defiance in his eyes. "Never called upon me. Besides, Neph and I have been practicing archery out in the fields. Believe it or not, I'm actually a pretty good shot."

Kajko snorted. "Spears are more my style. Long-distance fighting isn't exactly my forte."

"Always gotta learn new tricks," Noah countered with a playful wink. Bidding farewell to Kajko, he exited Impa's residence, the bustling sounds of Kakariko Village washing over him.

Noah, having lived in Kakariko Village for over a week, had become reasonably familiar with the ground-level layout. Unlike the nimble Hylians who navigated the village's elevated walkways and bridges with ease, Noah stuck to the well-worn paths below. Today, he retraced his steps across the bridge, the faint memory of a week-old bloodstain now replaced by a spotless surface. He ambled towards the village centre, a bustling plaza where market stalls overflowed with wares.

A massive sundial stood sentinel in the centre, its gnomon casting a long shadow as the afternoon sun dipped lower. Noah window-shopped, his gaze lingering on the enticing displays of food and goods. A pang of concern shot through him as he glanced at the meagre sum remaining in his pouch – barely over 200 rupees.

'Over a week since I submitted that commission to the guild, and still no takers,' Noah grumbled to himself. He'd priced his rewards fairly, he believed. Yet with the prices he listed Noah knew that he couldn't afford to keep the commission up if multiple adventurers contacted him, his long-term financial prospects weren't looking promising.

Noah was tempted to seek an allowance from Impa several times. But that would be an admission of defeat, a backtrack on his goal of self-sufficiency. A dark, fleeting thought even crossed his mind – "Would they arrest me for smashing a few pots…?"

His internal debate was interrupted as he observed a few heavy faces of worry settling over the usually vibrant market crowd. It wasn't lost on him why.

The Blood Moon, a harbinger of chaos and monster resurgence, was long overdue. It should have risen a week ago, yet the night sky remained stubbornly clear.

Yet no one knew why.

His gaze drifted across the plaza, landing on a quaint building adorned with a faded banner depicting a simple pot and Hylian lettering. Kajko had valiantly attempted to teach him the language, but the characters still remained a tangled mess to his untrained eyes. However, a spark of recognition flickered within him. He knew this shop.

"The Curious Quiver," he muttered, the name rolling off his tongue with surprise as his memory drew upon the game.

Curiosity gnawed at Noah, urging him to climb the weathered steps and enter The Curious Quiver. Unlike the sun-drenched marketplace, the interior was shrouded in a comforting dimness. His eyes, momentarily blinded by the shift in light, slowly adjusted to reveal a surprisingly cozy space.

The shop mirrored its in-game counterpart – small lanterns cast flickering pools of warmth on tables laden with merchandise. Bows of varying designs leaned against the walls, their polished wood gleaming invitingly. Here, at the back, stood the main desk, the domain of the shop's owner.

Noah ambled around, his fingers trailing along the fletching of feathered arrows. Wooden shafts, ranging in quality and purpose, lined the shelves – some intended for monster hunts, others for honing novice skills on training targets. Prices varied, catering to both budget-conscious hunters and those willing to pay a premium. The variety surprised him; he hadn't anticipated such a broad selection in a seemingly humble shop.

Suddenly, a voice, warm and slightly surprised, broke the silence. "Well, hello there! Haven't seen you around before. Welcome to The Curious Quiver," a middle-aged woman called out from behind the counter. Her smile, though polite, held a hint of desperate hope.

Noah, accustomed to the friendly yet practiced greetings of salespeople back on Earth, responded in kind. "Thanks, just browsing." He recognized her instantly as Rola, the shop owner from the game. Her features, however, were slightly different – darker skin, a large nose adorned with a silver ring, and her hair woven into intricate braids, a signature style of the Sheikah.

"Of course," Rola replied, a flicker of sadness flitting across her face. "Take your time. Not many folks come by these days."

"Why's that?" Noah inquired, striking up conversation as his fingers brushed against a sleek, polished bow. Neph had recently introduced him to the art of archery, and the well-crafted weapon held a silent allure.

"Well," Rola sighed, her voice tinged with melancholy, "most of my customers are villagers, and not many youngsters seem interested in bows anymore. Besides, the kind of wares I offer..." she trailed off, her words heavy with unspoken worry.

"Aren't exactly what most adventurers are looking for?" Noah finished her sentence gently.

"Exactly," she confirmed, a ghost of a smile returning to her lips. "I knew you were a customer with keen eyes the moment you walked in. You seem to appreciate quality."

As Noah continued his browsing, confusion began to cloud his mind. Rola, ever observant, picked up on his growing bewilderment.

"Something troubling you? Ah, by the way, I'm Rola," she added, extending a calloused hand.

Noah approached the counter cautiously. "No, not at all, Rola. It's just… I was hoping to find something specific."

"Oh? What might that be?" Rola's curiosity piqued.

"Do you by any chance stock Fire Arrows?" Noah inquired; his voice laced with a hint of hope.

Rola's eyes widened in alarm. Her smile vanished, replaced by a look of stark fear. She took an involuntary step back. "What? Fire Arrows? Are you some kind of Enforcer?" she stammered. "Of course I don't! This is a legitimate business! We don't deal in illicit items here."

Noah blinked, completely bewildered. "Wait, what? No?"

Seeing his genuine confusion, Rola's fear seemed to recede slightly. "Fire Arrows require special permits to sell, and only licensed buyers can purchase them," she explained, her voice regaining a semblance of composure. "My permit was revoked a few cycles ago."

"And you never got it back?" Noah asked, intrigued by this unexpected turn of events.

Rola shrugged, a gesture of resignation. "What's the point? I hardly have any customers anymore, let alone ones with licenses and a burning desire for fiery projectiles."

"Fair enough," Noah mumbled, a sense of disappointment settling in. He started to turn towards the door, his quest for Fire Arrows seemingly at a dead end.

Rola's voice, heavy with disappointment, echoed through the shop as Noah turned towards the exit. "Leaving already?"

Noah forced a smile, the emptiness in his wallet mirroring the lack of success in his search. "Thanks anyway, Rola. Maybe I'll come back another time." He reached for the worn wooden door, a sense of dejection weighing him down.

Suddenly, a familiar sweet aroma, the same one that had lingered in the air for the past week, drifted in from outside, tickling his nose. Noah paused; his attention snagged.

Turning back to Rola, he inquired, "That wonderful smell, what is it? I keep catching whiffs of it everywhere."

Rola propped her chin on her hand, her earlier enthusiasm seemingly extinguished. "Honestly, I don't know," she mumbled in a disinterested tone. "It started a couple of weeks back, and no one seems to have a clue."

"Ah, I see," Noah muttered, a hint of disappointment creeping into his voice.

Just as he reached for the door again, Rola spoke up, a spark of interest flickering in her eyes. "But you know," she began, a sly grin spreading across her face, "I do have some theories."

Noah's heart skipped a beat. Curiosity, that insatiable itch, gnawed at him. "Oh really? Do tell," he pressed, a hopeful smile returning to his lips.

Rola, however, leaned back in her chair, her grin widening into a mischievous glint.

A sly smile spread across Rola's face. "Information comes at a price, my friend. Only customers get to hear my insights."

Noah's grin faltered. Curiosity had him cornered. 'Is manipulation on this village's school curriculum or something?' Noah mused

He wasn't here for a bow, and his coin purse was already feeling lighter than he'd like. He wasn't sure if he could justify an unnecessary purchase, especially on something he might not even use.

Noah glanced around the shop, his gaze lingering on the various bows and arrows. He wasn't an archer, but Neph had been teaching him lately, so perhaps a basic hunting bow could be useful. It wouldn't break the bank, and it might appease Rola enough to share her thoughts.

With a resigned sigh, he started browsing the selection. After a few moments, he spotted a simple, yet sturdy-looking bow that seemed within his budget.

"This one," he said, pointing to the bow

"Derkeson," Rola chirped, oblivious to his internal struggle. "Excellent choice! A true craftsman."

"Uh-huh," Noah mumbled, impatience creeping in. "Alright, alright, spill it. What's the theory?"

After Noah handed over his wallet and Rola concluded his purchase with a smile, she continued.

"Well," Rola leaned forward, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "I have a feeling it has something to do with the wind currents around Kakariko. You see, the breeze always flows down from that hill behind the village. Now, wouldn't it be a coincidence that those very same hills are rumoured to be the home of Kakariko's guardian spirit?"

"This sweet fragrance could very well be a special blessing, welcoming back the valiant soldiers from the Wall."

Noah's eyes widened. Recognition dawned. 'The Great Fairy, right?" he muttered. 'I remember this dialogue from the game, perhaps I should visit her...' A frown creased his brow. 'But there's also the church... so much to do, so little time.'

The oddest thing about these established characters was their conversations. Though they didn't rigidly stick to their scripted lines, they always managed to weave them seamlessly into conversation, catching him off guard every time, like just now.

Despair washed over him as he realized he'd been trapped in this reality for days. With a heavy heart, he waved goodbye to Rola, his useless bow slung across his back,

Frustration gnawed at Noah long after he emerged from The Curious Quiver. He was lost. Consulting a map was out of the question – he hadn't bothered to pick one up, assuming his memory of the village entrance would suffice. Now, lost amidst the bustling market crowd, he realized his mistake.

His initial plan was clear – seek the Great Fairy, then visit the church. But navigating Kakariko's labyrinthine pathways with no sense of direction was proving a challenge. He scanned his surroundings, his gaze falling upon a weathered bulletin board plastered with faded notices and announcements.

A worn pamphlet advertising a tavern caught his eye – "Demon's Cauldron," it proclaimed, followed by the disheartening news of a closure "for the duration of Paya's coming of age ceremony."

The name sparked a memory. Captain Boulk had mentioned Paya, alongside the Knight, before Noah left the Wall. But since arriving, he hadn't seen or heard a whisper of her. Lost in his own whirlwind of settling in, he had completely forgotten about his existence. Perhaps teasing her would lighten his mood.

Almost instinctively, he voiced his question aloud, "Miss Assassin, I have a question."

A spectral voice, faint and ethereal, materialized behind him. "Please go ahead."

Noah didn't even search for the source, unsurprised he was being followed still after an entire week. "On my way here from the Wall, and even now, I keep hearing about this Paya. Is she an important figure here?"

An almost imperceptible pause followed his question, a detail Noah filed away in his mind. "Paya is… uh, the granddaughter… of Lady Impa," the voice explained succinctly, "and the candidate to become the next village leader and, well, she's kind of a... uh... big deal around here

Noah nodded, the information aligning with what he recalled. He'd inquired only to gain the context he needed to ask his next question.

"I've been in the village for over a week," he continued, "and no offense to… uhm… Lady Paya, but why haven't I encountered her?"

The voice faltered this time, the reply tinged with a hint of alarm. "Please understand, Paya's… absence is not by her own choice."

"Lady Impa forbade me from meeting her?" Noah frowned, a flicker of disapproval crossing his features.

"No!" The voice interjected quickly, an obvious tone of desperation creeping in. "After Paya's coming of age ceremony, the candidates undergo a rigorous three-year training period… in seclusion. It's, uh, very important and keeps them, you know, very busy. No one has seen Paya since then, except Lady Impa, of course."

Noah processed this new information. This training process wasn't surprising, in fact it made sense, more sense than anything else he encountered in this reality so far. His memory of Paya from the game painted a picture of a timid, easily flustered girl. Here, such aspects was something Lady Impa couldn't allow for the next leader of Kakariko village, so it seemed Lady Impa was fiercely preparing her for a leadership role.

"Are there… other candidates?" he inquired.

"N-no, it's a, uh, hereditary position." The voice mumbled

"When did she enter this training?"

"…A little under two years ago."

Noah pondered this in silence, a strange thought taking root in his mind.

"I wonder who's her parents…" he asked, his voice barely a whisper, such detail was never mentioned in the games.

The ethereal voice remained silent, probably unsure herself.

Despite the lack of response, Noah felt a sense of satisfaction for now. He had gleaned more than he bargained for. With a renewed sense of purpose, he turned his attention back to his original goal – finding a way to the hills behind the village, where he hoped to encounter the Great Fairy.

Navigating Kakariko Village, bustling as it was, proved more challenging than Noah anticipated. Despite leaving Lady Impa's residence in the morning, the late afternoon sun cast long shadows as he finally stumbled upon a worn path leading out of the village. He wasn't frustrated, however. The detour had presented a welcome opportunity to explore the village's hidden corners, revealing a vibrant tapestry of life unlike anything he'd ever seen. The sheer scale of Kakariko surprised him – it felt more like a bustling city than a humble village.

As the path snaked through the trees, the intoxicating fragrance that had lingered in the air grew stronger. 'Rola might be onto something,' Noah thought, inhaling deeply. 'This scent definitely seems to be coming from here.'

Sunlight struggled to penetrate the dense canopy, casting the forest floor in an unsettling twilight. Patches of light filtered through the leaves, dappling the moss-covered ground. The scale of the forest was far greater than its depiction in the game, and Noah couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. After all, the Great Fairy was considered a myth among the Hylians, so a hidden sanctuary wouldn't be easy to find.

Suddenly, he felt a sticky sensation on his boot. Glancing down, he saw a web unlike anything he'd encountered before – large, intricate, and shimmering with an unnatural iridescence. 'Spiderweb?' he thought, his stomach clenching. It dwarfed any spiderweb he'd seen back home in Australia, and the implications were unsettling.

Monsters, he could handle. But spiders? Even a seasoned Australian like himself found them unsettling. He cautiously scanned his surroundings, his heart pounding a frantic rhythm. Seeing no immediate threat, he carefully disentangled his foot from the glistening web, vowing to steer clear of any suspicious foliage.

"Miss Assassin," he called out tentatively, "What is this?"

The ethereal voice responded unbothered. "Those webs are likely the result of oversized Hylian mushrooms, their decaying remnants resembling spiderwebs."

"Thank god- I mean the Goddess," Noah replied with relief

"Although" the voice continued. "There are giant spiders that dwell in the damp caves of the Zora's Domain, but they rarely venture out."

Noah's relief was short-lived, he made a mental note to avoid caves if he ever found himself near the Zora's domain.

His exploration continued, but after what felt like hours, frustration gnawed at him. Perhaps venturing into the forest without a plan had been a mistake. Just as he turned to retrace his steps, a blur of pink collided with his forehead. Startled, he stumbled back, searching for the source of the impact.

"Ow!" a high-pitched voice squeaked in obvious pain. Following the sound, Noah spotted a faint pink glow emanating from behind a tree. 'A fairy?' he wondered, cautiously approaching the tree.

As if sensing his curiosity, the pink glow emerged, revealing a tiny creature that looked exactly like the Great Fairy's attendants from the game. Noah blinked, surprised. In this world of grounded realism, he'd expected the fairies to be different, less… fantastical.

This particular fairy's glow was muted, resembling a pink marble with delicate wings. It hovered cautiously before him, then, seemingly overcoming its apprehension, zipped around him in a flurry of excitement.

"Whoa there, little one," Noah chuckled, attempting to follow its erratic flight path. "Easy now."

But calming down wasn't on the fairy's agenda. It continued to flit around him, brushing against his cheek with its tiny wings.

"Look, hey, stop this! I'm trying to find Cotera, the Great Fairy. Do you know where she is?" Noah asked, not expecting a reply.

To his surprise, the fairy's frenetic flight ceased abruptly. It zoomed ahead of him, then stopped abruptly, hovering and looking back expectantly. 'Much better,' Noah thought, a smile spreading across his face. Perhaps this encounter wouldn't be entirely fruitless after all.

The tiny fairy, surprisingly agile, flitted through the dense undergrowth, leading Noah deeper into the forest. After what felt like an eternity of navigating tangled branches and fallen logs, the fairy abruptly stopped in a small clearing. Noah emerged from the thicket, blinking in the sudden openness.

"Is it… here?" he asked cautiously, surveying the clearing suspiciously. It looked no different from any other part of the forest.

As he cautiously approached the fairy, still hovering expectantly, the ground beneath his feet crumbled. With a startled yelp, Noah plunged into a hidden pit. He braced himself for a painful impact, tumbling down a dusty incline before landing with a thud on a solid surface.

Groaning and rubbing his backside, Noah slowly sat up. Memories of his conversation with King Rhoam flashed through his mind. 'As a matter of fact, once upon a time, my weapon was stolen by a group of fairies. Mischievous things, they are.''

Opening his eyes, he expected a dark, cramped cave. Instead, a breathtaking spectacle unfolded before him. Here, beneath the dense canopy, a vibrant ecosystem thrived. Creatures of all shapes and sizes scurried through luminous flora, their bioluminescent bodies casting an ethereal glow on the subterranean world. It was as if the forest above ground had been distilled into its purest essence, teeming with life.

This hidden realm explained the lack of wildlife above. The creatures had chosen to take refuge in this haven, hidden from the dangers and unpredictable weather of the surface.

The fairy, seemingly unfazed by Noah's tumble, hovered above him, gesturing towards a specific direction. But instead of following its lead, Noah flicked his finger playfully at the tiny creature.

"Ow!" the fairy squeaked, its pink glow dimming slightly.

'Be lucky im not shoving you into a bottle…' Noah thought sheepishly. He wasn't usually a violent person, preferring to observe rather than engage. But his pettiness was overpowering sometimes.

Pushing past his annoyance, Noah continued on, the fairy leading him deeper into the subterranean forest. Soon, they reached a dead end, a large thorny flower bud pulsating in the centre. The sweet intoxicating smell was overwhelming here, it definitively originated from here.

The sheer size of the bud dwarfed Noah. Towering over him, it made him feel as insignificant as a ant before a bear. A particular thought flickered across his mind: if the woman trapped inside was similarly massive…

He quickly banished the image. This wasn't the time for inappropriate thoughts. With a resolute nod, Noah approached the monstrous flower. Stepping onto a makeshift pathway of giant, clustered mushrooms, he inched closer to the pulsing, thorny behemoth.

The bud violently pulsed, as if something inside struggled to break free. A nervous tremor ran down Noah's spine, but his knowledge propelled him forward. He cautiously continued to appropach the pulsating bud, the mystery deepening with each step.

Despite the unsettling shift in location, a familiar pattern emerged. 'It's just like the game,' Noah reassured himself, the tremor in his voice betraying a sliver of doubt. Stepping cautiously onto the flower-bud steps, he neared the pulsating bud. But before he could touch it, a voice unlike any he'd heard before echoed through the cavern.

"…Boy…" it rasped, weak and filled with an anguish far removed from the playful lilt of the game's Great Fairy.

Noah recoiled, a cold sweat prickling his skin. This wasn't right. The voice, laced with a desperate plea, sent shivers down his spine.

"…Sweet boy…" it croaked, the words echoing in the vast chamber.

"Please…" the voice cracked, "…Help me…"

Without warning a thin slit ripped open in the thorny bud, and a withered hand, grotesquely oversized and pulsating with an unnatural light, emerged. It oozed a sickly green ichor, the stench assaulting Noah's senses. The hand, impossibly long and skeletal, reached towards him, its touch promising nothing but pain.

"It's… IN...SIDE... ME….'

Frozen in terror, Noah found himself inhaling deeply, a curious sensation begun to wash over him as the terror progressively receded, replaced by a detached curiosity. The grotesque scene before him – the pulsating bud, the withered hand reaching out, the Fairy's anguished voice – became a tableau he progressively observed with a chilling indifference.

He blinked several times, trying to pierce the haze clouding his mind. A sliver of unease remained, a nagging suspicion that something was terribly wrong. He approached the Great Fairy once more. But as he focused on its form, the unease began to fade. The voice, the dialogue, the situation itself – it all mirrored the game perfectly.

"Isn't this how it goes?" a thought flickered in his mind, fragile and fleeting. He couldn't quite grasp why this scenario felt off, yet strangely familiar at the same time. He scrutinized his surroundings, searching for a detail, a discrepancy that would explain his disquiet. Yet, everything appeared as it should.

"Maybe I'm just paranoid?" he briefly mused.

Breaking out of his thoughts he stared at the grotesque appendage, a deep frown etching itself onto his face. "Right, rupees, isn't it? About a hundred?" he muttered, his voice barely a whisper.

Maybe the thought of spending money was his fears, Afterall the fear of financial bankruptcy was no joke.

Noah fumbled for his wallet. As he opened it, his face contorted in horror. The familiar pouch was nearly empty. The 200 rupees he'd started with were reduced to a meagre 80.

Panic clawed at him. He frantically retraced his steps through his day, piecing together the events that led to this financial drain. A single phrase echoed in his mind - 'Derksun, a true craftsman's…' The memory of Rola's shop flooded back – the shitty, crappy looking bow was apparently more expensive than he thought.

He groaned, burying his face in his palm. Even if he had the required rupees, the thought of using them on the Great Fairy was repugnant. In the game, the upgrade was a simple boost in defence – hardly a necessity right now, especially with more pressing concerns looming on the horizon.

"Technically, I've already spent a hundred rupees just to find you," he muttered to the withered hand, a mixture of frustration and defeat colouring his voice. "Sorry, but I just… don't have the money."

Trying to salvage the situation, he offered a weak smile. "I'll come back later, okay?" With that, he began to back away, the awkwardness of the situation hanging heavy in the air.

"Wait! Listen!" a frantic voice buzzed around him from the pink fairy following him .

But Noah had already fled the cavern. He retraced his steps, locating the slope where he'd fallen in. With newfound urgency, he clambered back to the forest floor.

Guilt gnawed at him, a feeling akin to abandoning a beggar in need. He took a deep breath, the air tasting sweet and fresh after the sweet atmosphere of the cavern.

The sweet, cloying air of the subterranean cavern clung to Noah's clothes as he emerged from the forest.

Relief washed over him, tinged with a gnawing guilt for abandoning the distressed fairy. He took a deep breath, the crisp sweet air of the forest.

Just then, the ever-present voice of the assassin echoed in his ear. "Sir, Lady Impa has requested your presence in the meeting room."

"Sure thing," Noah replied instantly, the summons acting as a convenient escape hatch. The last thing he wanted was to be cornered by the fairy and pressured about rupees he didn't have.

But after retreating a safe distance, curiosity gnawed at him. "Why does she want me? Is this about the training she mentioned?"

"No," the voice replied with a touch of impatience. "Lady Impa has summoned important figures of the Eastern Region for an emergency meeting in relation to the Blood Moon and its delay. You are to spectate."

Noah frowned. "I thought the walls to Kakariko Village had been closed for the past week?" If the walls were shut, how did Impa manage to gather these "important figures"?

A hint of annoyance bled through the voice's tone. "They were already in the village for unrelated reasons, and were trapped inside. This meeting is primarily to express their discomfort with such a situation."

"Right, of course," Noah mumbled, pushing forward. He was curious about this blood moon as well, so he decided to attend.

He re-entered the bustling village, the air thick with activity. Yet, something felt…off. A subtle dissonance he couldn't quite place. He navigated the throngs of people with a growing unease, the memory of the Great Fairy lingering in his mind for some unexplained reason.

As he passed a familiar clearing amongst the trees, he recognised it as the spot where he previously encountered Hestu. At first, he saw only the lush foliage and the dappled redlight filtering through the leaves. But then, a sliver of unease pricked at him. He squinted; his gaze drawn upwards.

For a horrifying moment, Noah saw them - two figures dangling limply from the branches, their bodies suspended by vines fashioned around their necks. A scream caught in his throat, his stomach twisting in revulsion.

Yet, the sight seemed to shimmer and waver, like a mirage in the desert heat. Before he could fully register the scene, the unease dissipated, replaced by a dull acceptance. He blinked, the figures remained, the clearing was once more peaceful in Noah's mind.

"Is something wrong?" the voice inquired, a hint of concern cutting through its usual monotone.

"I don't think so?" Noah asked confused, before pointing at the tree "Hey, is there… something wrong with those trees?"

The voice went silent for a moment, as it presumably observed the trees

The voice remained neutral. "See what?"

Noah felt a strange fog clouding his mind. "Sorry," he mumbled, the memory fading, "it's nothing. Just tired, I guess."

Without further detours, Noah navigated his way back to Impa's residence. The voice, ever vigilant, nudged him back on course whenever he strayed from the correct path.

Upon arrival, the sight that greeted him was unexpected. A row of carriages, some grander than others, stood arrayed in the residence's courtyard. Intricate sigils adorned their polished flanks, symbols Noah didn't recognize.

But he had the suspicion he would find out soon enough.