Chapter 31: An illuminating Meeting
The oppressive weight of tension hung heavy in the air as Noah navigated the darkened halls of Lady Impa's villa. Even the Sheikah guards, usually stoic and unwavering, held themselves with an unnervingly rigid alertness. Guards he'd befriended earlier barely acknowledged him, their eyes flicking away with a haunted resignation. It was clear – these weren't ordinary guests gracing Lady Impa's residence.
Noah's begun to wonder. The Saintess, Lady Amelia, was undeniably present, beyond that, his knowledge was thin. He retreated to his room, pulling on his well-worn beanie to muffle his distinctive ears and shrugging into plain clothes. Here, blending in as another guard was paramount.
As he changed, he remembered the assassin that watched him. Did her watchful eyes follow him everywhere? Surely not within the villa itself, he reasoned. But the uncertainty gnawed at him, nonetheless.
The vastness of the villa struck him anew as he traversed the seemingly endless halls. This wasn't the compact structure he remembered from the game; it sprawled outwards, a labyrinthine essentially.
Finally, he reached the designated meeting room. Three elite Sheikah guards, their armour gleaming under the dim light, stood vigilantly before the heavy oak doors. They acknowledged him with a curt nod, devoid of the usual warmth.
"Master Link," one guard intoned, his voice clipped. "The general meeting is still in progress. The emergency meeting has been delayed but should commence shortly." He paused, scrutinizing Noah before adding, "You've been granted permission to observe, though your presence is entirely optional."
Noah, lacking any other pressing matters, nodded readily. "I appreciate it. I'll stay."
'Got nothing else to do' he added to himself.
The heavy oak door swung shut with a thud, the echo swallowed by the tense silence within Impa's quarters. Noah watched as the guard, his face etched with a mixture of pity and apprehension, retreated back into the hallway. A sniffle drew his attention to the figure crumpled by the entrance. A man, his broad shoulders heaving with each choked sob, clung desperately to the smooth surface of the meeting table.
"Please!" the man rasped, his voice raw with anguish. "They have nowhere else to go... the guards can't help me." Tears streamed down his face, carving glistening tracks through the grime that coated his cheeks.
Noah's gaze shifted to the imposing figure seated at the table's head. Lady Impa, her face a mask of stoicism, offered a curt nod of acknowledgment in his direction. Her presence did little to ease the oppressive atmosphere. Flanking her was two men Noah hadn't seen before, yet a sense of recognition sparked within him.
The man on her left, Cado, was a picture of weathered experience. Age had etched lines onto his face, but his posture remained ramrod straight. A long, white beard flowed down his chest, contrasting sharply with the utilitarian blend of traditional Sheikah garb and armoured plating he wore. His eyes, the colour of faded steel, flickered towards Noah, a keen glint betraying his outward stoicism as he subjected the newcomer to a silent assessment.
Beside Cado stood Dorian, a stark contrast in both age and demeanour. His younger face was devoid of any expression, a mask of indifference that sent shivers down Noah's spine. His physique was imposing, sculpted with muscle that strained against the confines of his Sheikah armor. A broadsword, its polished surface glinting faintly in the dim light, hung casually at his side, a reminder of the deadly competence he likely possessed.
As Noah hesitated, unsure of the protocol, Impa finally addressed him. Her voice, though soft, carried an undeniable authority. "Welcome, Noah. Please, take a seat."
Despite the invitation, Noah felt an inexplicable awkwardness at the thought of joining them at the table. Instead, he opted to lean against the wall, a silent observer in this unfolding drama. He noticed, with a flicker of amusement, the ever-so-slight shift in the guards' postures, a subtle relaxation now that he wasn't directly challenging Impa's authority.
Unfazed by his decision, Impa turned her attention back to the sobbing man. "What news did the guards bring from their investigation?" she inquired, her voice calm yet firm.
The man's head shot up, raw grief etched on his face. "Vanished!" he choked out, his voice thick with despair. "My wife... my daughter... nothing. No witnesses, no evidence..." His voice trailed off, dissolving into another heart-wrenching sob.
'Missing people?' Noah thought, his mind already racing. He subtly observed Impa, gauging her reaction to the man's words.
"Our investigators are skilled," Impa stated, her voice betraying a hint of sympathy. "For them to find so little... were you a suspect?"
The question hung heavy in the air, a touch harsh considering the man's emotional state. Yet, he didn't hesitate. "Yes, my lady," he admitted, his voice devoid of defiance. "But with nothing to tie me to their disappearance... beyond a reasonable doubt."
Noah's brows furrowed at the man's last words. 'Beyond a reasonable doubt,' he mused. An interesting concept, one that seemed surprisingly similar to legal systems back in his own world.
Impa seemed to sense his curiosity. "I understand your pain," she said, her tone softening slightly. "Additional resources will be allocated to the investigation. I will personally assign someone I trust to assist them."
The man's face, however, remained etched with despair. "But... they've been gone for over a week!" he pleaded, his voice cracking with desperation.
Impa's expression hardened. "My decision is final," she stated with a finality that brooked no argument.
A heavy silence descended upon the room as the man slowly rose to his feet. Defeat hung heavy in the air. "...Yes, Lady Impa... thank you," he mumbled, his voice thick with unshed tears. As the guards escorted him out, his broken sobs echoed down the hallway.
Only once the man was gone did Impa finally address her guards. Cado, his brow furrowed in concern, spoke first. "Lady Impa, forgive my bluntness, but this is deeply troubling. This isn't the first such disappearance. In fact, their numbers are growing at an alarming rate."
"How many cases are we looking at?" Impa inquired, her voice devoid of emotion.
" "As of now," Cado replied, his voice grave, "there are forty-three reported disappearances. Each case is baffling, with a complete lack of evidence or witnesses."
Dorian, his stoic facade finally cracking a hint of concern, chimed in. "Any patterns? Age, gender, profession – anything?"
Cado shook his head. "That's the most unsettling part. There's no pattern. It seems completely random – anyone, from any walk of life, could vanish without a trace."
He lowered his voice, a hint of unease creeping into his tone. "Even more concerning, eight of the missing are our own guards. Four of them disappeared while on duty – heavily guarded duty, at that."
Dorian's hand instinctively tightened around the hilt of his sword. "Our own guards? On duty? How is that even possible?"
Cado shrugged, a gesture that spoke volumes of their frustration. "We don't know. The culprit must be adept at something extraordinary – powerful potions, perhaps, or some form of advanced Sheikah technology we haven't encountered before."
Impa steepled her fingers, her gaze fixed on the table before her. The weight of the situation seemed to press down on the room, the silence thick with worry. Finally, she spoke, her voice laced with steely resolve.
"We cannot allow these disappearances to continue. Cado, redouble your efforts. Investigate every lead, no matter how insignificant it may seem. Dorian, I want you to personally oversee the safety of the remaining guards. We need to ensure this doesn't happen again."
"Yes, Lady Impa," they both replied in unison, their voices firm with determination.
Impa then turned to Noah, a hint of warmth in her gaze. "Link," she began, correcting him gently, "Welcome. You arrived sooner than I anticipated."
"Apologies, Granny." Noah replied. "I wouldn't have intruded if I'd known."
Both Cado and Dorian radiated anger at Noah's words, but remained silent as Lady Impa didn't seemingly mind.
'Be as angry as you want, if she isn't calling me by my name why should I?' Noah thought.
"Nonsense. You're welcome here. Consider our affairs yours as well." She replied.
'Perhaps a little too involved,' Noah thought wryly, before glancing towards the door the distraught man had exited through.
"Are these disappearances becoming more frequent?" he inquired, concern edging into his voice.
Impa offered a sad nod. "We've been doing everything in our power to prevent casualties. We can only hope those who vanished are unharmed. There have been no messages, no ransom demands..."
Sensing her unspoken worry, Noah blurted, "Is something else troubling you?"
A flicker of hope sparked in her eyes. "You've been here for some time now. Have you noticed anything... amiss in the village?"
Noah pondered the question. He had spent the past week exploring, comparing this reality to the game he knew. Truthfully, he hadn't encountered anything out of the ordinary. At least, not that he could recall.
"No, I'm afraid not," he admitted, adding silently, 'though you would probably know, considering you have me followed.'
"She doesn't report on your every move," Impa said, as if reading his mind.
Noah flinched, surprise flickering across his face. "Was I thinking aloud?"
A gentle smile played on Impa's lips. "No, child, but your expression speaks volumes." She paused. "She's there to monitor you, yes, but primarily for your own protection."
Noah remained guarded, unsure how much to trust her words. He simply nodded in acknowledgement.
"How are you settling in?" Impa asked, shifting the topic.
Noah surprised himself with a genuine smile. "Actually, quite well. The people are warm and friendly, the village itself is lively, and the food is fantastic." He paused, appreciating the comfortable accommodations. "The living quarters you provided are very pleasant. I haven't slept this soundly since..." he trailed off, the memory of his arrival still fresh.
Impa nodded in satisfaction. "I'm glad to hear it. Don't hesitate to ask if you need anything at all."
"Actually," Noah began, "I heard you have a granddaughter. Would it be possible to meet-"
He abruptly stopped mid-sentence, realizing how his request might sound. In this medieval world, meeting someone's granddaughter could be misconstrued as a marriage proposal. And given Impa's relentless pursuit of his cooperation, he wouldn't be surprised if she entertained the idea.
'Though, that wouldn't be the worst offer,' a traitorous part of him mused.
"You'd like to meet Paya?" Impa inquired, a sly glint in her eyes.
'Damn it,' Noah thought, cursing his own transparency under her gaze.
"Perhaps... if it wouldn't be too much trouble," he stammered, hoping she wouldn't see through his sudden reservation.
To his surprise, Impa let out a hearty laugh, the tension dissipating but said no more to the topic. "My apologies about the delay in your training. The Blood Moon forced us to postpone the start."
Noah nodded in understanding. "May I ask why the gates are sealed?"
"During the Blood Moon," Impa explained, "Monsters become enraged and significantly more powerful. It's said that even a lowly Bokoblin can rival a Moblin in strength under the crimson light."
A shiver ran down Noah's spine. He'd already struggled against a single Moblin; a horde of them with enhanced power sounded like a nightmare.
"Furthermore," Impa continued, "these creatures often band together and attack settlements in a bloodthirsty frenzy. Additionally, Calamity Gannon's influence seems to peak during the Blood Moon, often leading to the creation of new, unknown monsters."
"I wasn't aware of that," Noah confessed, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Unsurprising," Impa replied. "You haven't witnessed a Blood Moon before."
"We seal the checkpoints and reinforce the village walls to prevent monsters from breaching the perimeter," she elaborated. "Though The Wall usually keeps them at bay, some can slip through. Particularly dangerous for outlying settlements," Impa continued, her voice grave, "a Blood Moon can be a death sentence. Especially due to the last monstrosity it birthed."
"The last creature?" Noah echoed; his curiosity piqued despite the underlying dread.
Impa nodded, her eyes hardening slightly. "A horrifying entity, vaguely humanoid in form but with grotesquely elongated limbs. It possessed immense durability and nightmarish speed." She sighed; the memory etched in her features.
"It ravaged several settlements before we managed to slay it. Thankfully, it only hunted at night."
"That's... terrifying," Noah managed, his voice barely a whisper. The thought of such a creature sent chills down his spine.
Impa's concern flickered across her face for a brief moment. "Indeed," she conceded, her voice a low rumble. "But fear not, Link. The Sheikah have safeguarded Hyrule for generations, and we will continue to do so. Now, regarding your training..."
Just as Impa launched into the next point, the heavy oak doors of the chamber swung open with a soft thud. A Sheikah guard, his face etched with a hint of urgency, entered the room and gave a sharp salute.
"Forgive the interruption, Lady Impa," he announced, his voice crisp. "Our esteemed guests have arrived, and the meeting is ready to commence."
Impa offered a curt nod. "Allow them to enter." She turned to Noah, a hint of apology in her eyes. "Forgive me, Link. This conversation will have to wait. Please, find a comfortable spot to observe the meeting. I don't require your participation, and in fact, it would be preferable if you remained inconspicuous."
"Absolutely," Noah replied with a respectful bow. "I wouldn't want to cause any disruptions." He moved away from Impa, his gaze landing on Kajko as the young Sheikah guard took his position amongst the others. A mischievous glint sparked in Noah's eyes.
Ignoring Kajko's unspoken plea in his posture, Noah sauntered closer. Kajko stiffened, his face paling under the dim lighting. He remained silent, caught between his duty and the unsettling presence of Impa's guest.
Noah leaned in conspiratorially, his voice barely a whisper. "Relax, Kajko," he said, a hint of amusement lacing his tone. "I won't get you in trouble... probably."
A small, unconvinced smile flickered on Kajko's lips. Noah knew it wouldn't last.
The rest of the guards took their positions around the room, their imposing presence filling the chamber with an air of tense anticipation. Noah, feeling a flicker of nerves, felt a pang of self-consciousness being the only civilian amongst the stoic warriors. However, the strategically placed shadows in the corners offered him a modicum of anonymity.
Following the guards came a contingent of knights, their polished iron armor gleaming under the dim lights. Their imposing physiques and unwavering postures further amplified the tension in the room. Noah's heart hammered a little faster in his chest.
Leading the knights was an elderly man with a scholar's air. He exuded an aura of arrogance, accentuated by the ostentatious framed glasses perched on his nose. He wore a heavy cloak and entered the room with a haughty half-bow towards Impa before claiming his seat at the table. Beside him sat a young man with blonde hair and a youthful face. Despite his boyish appearance, Noah couldn't help but notice the calculating glint in his eyes as he gave Impa a much more elaborate bow.
The final guest was a stark contrast to the others. A tall woman with flowing white hair, she wore a crimson gown that cascaded down her form. A blindfold covered her eyes, yet she moved with a grace and confidence that spoke volumes of her inner strength. Notably, she was the only one who entered without a knightly escort. As she approached the table, she offered a respectful bow to Impa, who in turn, seemed to react with a flicker of something akin to hostility.
Noah, unable to contain his curiosity, nudged a stiff Kajko with his elbow. Kajko flinched, his gaze darting nervously between Noah and Impa.
"Relax," Noah whispered, amusement creeping into his voice. "I just want a little information. Who are these people?"
Kajko's gaze darted nervously towards Impa, then back to Noah. He clearly felt caught in the middle.
Seeing his friend's predicament, Noah lowered his voice even further, a dangerous edge creeping into it. "Look, Kajko," he began, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Disobeying a direct order from Lady Impa's guest would be a far worse transgression than whispering a few names. Don't you agree?"
Kajko's face drained of colour. He knew Noah was right, and the playful facade had vanished. Trapped between duty and a growing sense of unease, he reluctantly met Noah's gaze.
"Fine," he hissed, his voice barely audible. "The elderly man is Lord Coin, some kind of high scholar. The blonde fellow is Lord Rode, and the lady with the blindfold is Lady Amelia."
"And why does Lady Impa seem so... displeased with her?" Noah pressed, his curiosity piqued.
Kajko shot him a withering look. "Just watch the meeting and avoid causing trouble," he muttered, his voice laced with a hint of desperation.
Noah's lips curved into a sly grin. "No promises," he whispered, relishing the momentary power he held over his friend.
Silence descended upon the table, thick and heavy. Lord Rode, the young blonde man, cleared his throat, his voice echoing in the sudden quiet.
"Well, it seems everyone has arrived," he declared, his gaze sweeping across the assembled figures. "Shall we begin this long-awaited meeting?"
A sardonic chuckle escaped Lord Coin, the elderly scholar. "Long-awaited? It feels like just yesterday we were last forced to endure this charade." He turned his sharp gaze towards Lady Impa, his voice laced with thinly veiled accusation.
"Lady Impa," he began, his tone dripping with condescension, "I believe we're all here for the same reason. It is high time these gates were opened."
Cado, the Sheikah warrior, bristled at Lord Coin's disrespect. "Watch your tongue, Lord Coin! You address Lady Impa, Royal Advisor to the Princess," he growled, his voice a low rumble.
Lord Coin dismissed Cado with a dismissive wave of his hand. "I'm sure Lady Impa understands I meant no disrespect. Surely this farce has gone on long enough."
Lady Impa, her expression unreadable, finally spoke. "The Blood Moon has yet to rise," she stated calmly. "The threat to Hyrule remains."
Lord Coin scoffed. "Precisely! It hasn't risen, and there's no indication it will. Unless..." he trailed off, his eyes flickering towards Lady Amelia, the enigmatic woman with the blindfold.
Lady Amelia, ever the picture of serene composure, merely offered a small, knowing smile and a subtle nod. Encouraged, Lord Coin continued.
"Not even the Goddess has seen fit to warn us of an impending Blood Moon," he declared, leaning back in his chair with a self-assured air. "This is a positive development, Lady Impa. Perhaps, for the first time in a century, we are free from its crimson curse."
A flicker of doubt crossed Noah's face. While a part of him yearned to believe Lord Coin's optimistic assessment, another part, a more cautious one, remained sceptical. Disbelief was one thing, disproving such a theory was quite another.
Lord Rode, his blue eyes glinting with a calculating coldness, addressed Lord Coin directly. "Forgive my ignorance, Lord Coin," he began, his voice smooth as silk. "I'm not entirely familiar with the scope of your research. What field do you dedicate your esteemed studies to?"
Lord Coin, momentarily taken aback, straightened in his chair. "My primary focus lies with the biological composition of monsters," he replied cautiously, unsure of the young lord's motives. "Sheikah technology holds a secondary interest for me."
"Fascinating," Lord Rode mused, a sly smile playing on his lips. "And wouldn't such valuable research require meticulous documentation? Documentation that would undoubtedly deteriorate with time, wouldn't you agree?" His voice took on a pointed edge.
"Perhaps," Lord Coin hedged, feeling increasingly uneasy under Lord Rode's scrutiny.
"Then perhaps," Lord Rode continued, his tone dripping with implication, "your true desire is to flee this village and ensure the safety of your research, rather than the well-being of its people." His words hung heavy in the air, leaving everyone to ponder their truth.
Lady Impa's gaze narrowed at Lord Rode's accusation. While she herself was not oblivious to Lord Coin's motive, she knew better than to allow Lord Rode to lead the situation into petty squabbling. Something Lord Rode preferred to do.
"Enough," she interjected, her voice firm yet laced with a hint of weariness. "We are here to discuss the safety of Hyrule, not engage in personal attacks. Lord Coin may have his reasons, but his expertise cannot be ignored."
She turned back to the elderly scholar, her tone softening slightly. "Lord Coin, while the lack of a Blood Moon for a century is indeed a positive sign, can you definitively say it won't rise again? Have you uncovered any evidence suggesting a permanent shift?"
Lord Coin stroked his beard thoughtfully, the glint of his spectacles catching the faint light. "Unfortunately, Lady Impa," he admitted, "conclusive evidence remains elusive. However, the lack of any divine warnings or signs of Gannon's influence is encouraging."
Cado, still fuming over Lord Coin's earlier disrespect, scoffed. "Encouraging? We can't afford to base our security on mere hope. The monsters are still out there, and the threat of Calamity Ganon lingers."
Lady Amelia, her voice a soothing balm amidst the rising tension, spoke for the first time. "Fear is a powerful motivator, Cado," she acknowledged. "But it can also cloud judgment. We must acknowledge the potential for change, even if the path forward remains uncertain."
"Then let us acknowledge the facts," Cado countered. "We've dispatched numerous messenger birds to nearby settlements, each one vanishing without a trace. Can we truly say there's no lurking danger?"
Lord Coin, ever the skeptic, adjusted his spectacles and offered a dismissive scoff. "There are countless reasons a bird might fail to return, Cado. Predatory hawks, sudden storms, navigational errors..."
"Yet you offer no alternative explanation for their disappearance," Lady Impa countered, her voice a low rumble.
"Let's not feign ignorance, Lady Impa," Lord Rode interjected, his voice laced with a subtle threat. "We all know the source of your anxieties. You fear the rumoured horde of monstrous beings that supposedly skirted the Great Wall, only to vanish just as mysteriously."
"Indeed," Lord Coin chimed in, his voice dripping with condescension. "A fantastical tale more befitting a campfire ghost story than a serious threat. No verifiable evidence exists of this so-called 'monster horde.'"
"By keeping the gates sealed," Rode pressed, his eyes narrowed, "you essentially condemn Kakariko Village to isolation. Fear, not reason, seems to be guiding your decision."
"And what if I were to agree?" Impa challenged, her gaze unwavering. "Would that quell your anxieties, Lord Rode?"
"It would be a start," he conceded, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips.
"And achieve what?" she countered, her voice rising in frustration. "Will it somehow negate the possibility of danger? Or simply redirect it towards a more vulnerable target?"
"Soldiers stationed at the Wall all claim to have witnessed this monstrous horde entering the Eastern Regions," Dorian, a stoic Sheikah warrior, chimed in, lending support to Cado's claims.
"As I said," Lord Coin scoffed, dismissively waving a hand, "hysteria and overactive imaginations from Soldiers driven insane are a far more likely explanation than an actual monster invasion."
Noah frowned at Lord Coins comments, he had personally spoke with and fought alongside those soldiers. Sure, he had seen them despair first-hand but for multiple soldiers to witness and testify of the same event builds their reliability. Yet Lord Coin wanted to dismiss this.
"Lady Impa," Lord Rode interjected before the debate could escalate further, "this situation is crippling Kakariko Village. Mercenaries are trapped within the walls, guilds are unable to fulfill commissions, and trade has ground to a halt. We are not self-sufficient, and prolonged isolation will only lead to further hardship."
A knowing smile played on Lady Impa's lips, a stark contrast to the growing tension in the room. She raised a hand, silencing the room.
Noah felt goosebumps, as if Lady Impa had everyone in the palm of her hand.
"My esteemed colleagues," she began, her voice calm and measured, "I understand your concerns. Lord Coin's apprehensions regarding the lack of concrete evidence are valid. Lord Rode's worries about the village's well-being are equally so."
She paused, letting her words sink in before pressing her point. "However, experience has taught me that true leadership requires more than simply reacting to the immediate needs or anxieties. We must consider the bigger picture, the potential consequences of each decision."
Lady Impa's gaze swept across the room, meeting each leader's eyes in turn. "The lack of a Blood Moon for a century is indeed an anomaly, a reason for cautious optimism. But can we definitively claim it will never return? Do we have any guarantees Calamity Gannon's influence has truly waned?"
A collective silence descended upon the chamber. Lord Coin shifted uncomfortably under her scrutiny, unable to provide a definitive answer.
"Furthermore," Lady Impa continued, her voice gaining strength, "the disappearance of our messenger birds cannot be dismissed so readily. It is an anomaly in itself, one that demands investigation. The Wall, where the soldiers claim to have seen this 'monster horde,' Ignoring such a possibility would be reckless."
She leaned forward, her gaze locking with Lord Rode's. "You argue for the village's well-being, Lord Rode, and rightfully so. Yet, consider this - if a monstrous horde were indeed on the move, wouldn't a fully fortified Kakariko stand a far better chance than a vulnerable village with its walls lowered?
Lord Rode's face flushed slightly under her pointed question.
"Yet we have no evidence that affirms such a horde exists," Lord Coin interjected, ever the voice of reason, but lacking the weight of experience in his tone.
"Then will you take responsibility should one appear?" Lady Impa countered; her voice laced with a steely glint. "Without the protection of the Sheikah and the fortified walls, how will your citizens fare against such a threat?"
Lord Coin faltered, his previous bravado waning under the weight of her unyielding logic. Lord Rode remained silent, the unspoken agreement flickering in his eyes.
Noah unconsciously nodded his head following alongside Lady Impa's words. He was bias of course, but he couldn't deny Lady Impa had silenced the room relatively easily. But that was of no surprise, it appeared the two Lords were using nothing more than excuses while she used facts to cut through them.
Just as it seemed Lady Impa had swayed the tide, a new voice cut through the tense silence. Lady Amelia, her blind gaze seemingly fixed on a point beyond the room, spoke with a chilling smile that sent shivers down Noah's spine.
"It appears the reasoning behind sealing the gates is a fear of this supposed horde and the disappearance of the Blood Moon," she said, her voice dripping with veiled accusation. "If such actions are committed because of said fears, it is understandable under the circumstances, however, I truly fear if that is your only justification."
A wave of unease washed over the room. Cado and Dorian's postures tensed, and even Noah felt a prickle of apprehension. Lady Impa, however, maintained a composed exterior, though a flicker of suspicion crossed her features.
"Forgive me, Lady Amelia," she replied, her voice carefully neutral, "but I fail to grasp your concern."
"I recognize the aura of the troubles citizens of this village." Lady Amelia continued, her words carrying a weight that belied her blindness. "Is it true that Kakariko Village is currently grappling with a crisis of missing villagers?"
Lord Coin, surprised by the unexpected turn of the conversation, blurted out, "A crisis?"
Lady Amelia offered a curt nod. "For the past two weeks, but intensifying this week, there have been a disturbing number of disappearances within this village. Mothers, children… it seems a shadow has fallen upon Kakariko Village."
Like predators licking their wounds, both Lord Rode and Coin's gazes resonated through the room. Lord Rode, his earlier nonchalance replaced by a grim expression, demanded, "Where did you acquire this information, Lady Amelia?"
"My order, the Church of the Goddess, often receives visitors seeking solace and prayers for the safe return of their loved ones," she explained, her voice devoid of emotion.
With that, she fell silent once more, seemingly withdrawing from the conversation. Yet, the damage was done. The revelation of the disappearances had shifted the power dynamic within the chamber.
Noah felt it had feel out of Lady Impa's favour.
Lord Rode and Lord Coin, their earlier confidence bolstered by this new information, turned back to Lady Impa with a renewed sense of purpose.
"Is this true, Lady Impa?" Lord Rode pressed, his voice hard.
Lady Impa, her expression unreadable, could only offer a slow, solemn nod in response.
Lord Coin scoffed, the gravity of the situation finally dawning on him. "A crisis unfolds within your very walls, even with the gates sealed. What, then, are you truly protecting?" he demanded, his voice laced with outrage.
"Indeed," Lord Rode chimed in, seizing the opportunity. "Is your actions to keep the culprit of these disappearances trapped within the village, or is it to prevent the spread of your incompetence outside the walls?" He cast a pointed glance at Lady Amelia, his suspicion evident.
Lord Coin, formulating a misunderstanding turned towards Lord Rode with a grim realization. "That might explain why those birds never reached their destinations," he muttered, the weight of the situation settling upon him.
The revelation of the missing villagers shattered the fragile power balance within the chamber. Accusatory gazes swivelled towards Lady Impa, who for the first time betrayed a flicker of vulnerability in her steely demeanour. Noah watched her intently, a whirlwind of emotions swirling within him.
'This whole charade is bullshit,' he thought, frustration gnawing at him. 'No one here seems genuinely concerned for the people's well-being.' Lord Coin's desperation to leave the village was transparent, Lord Rode's apathy palpable, and Lady Amelia's sole purpose seemed to be undermining Lady Impa at every turn.
But Noah was also inherently bias which he realised, the skipping of a Blood Moon only occurred with in-game glitches, there were no natural ways of doing so. In addition, Lady Impa in the game cared for their citizens, a behaviour which he had no reason to believe had changed.
Noah, however, remained acutely aware of his precarious position. Speaking up would only throw fuel on the fire. Lady Impa had cautioned him herself against involvement. He gritted his teeth, forced to be a silent observer amidst the mounting chaos.
Lord Coin rose from his seat with a determined smile, prepared to launch a verbal assault against Lady Impa.
However, a sudden, jarring eruption shattered the tense silence. "Hey! Look! Listen!" A high-pitched, echoing cry pierced the room, drawing everyone's startled attention. Noah, his reflexes honed from his fear, reacted instinctively. A blur of pink streaked towards him, a winged marble critter diving at breakneck speed.
Thinking only to protect himself, Noah lunged forward knocking off his beanie, scooping it up the fairy in his hand and shoving it behind his back. The unexpected manoeuvre drew gasps of surprise from the council members.
'Nailed it, fucking fairies.' As Noah scrambled to regain his composure, feigning nonchalance, he then resolved to shove this fairy into a bottle for nearly getting him caught. However he belatedly realised that every eye was now fixed on him. The once sterile wall behind him pulsed with an unnatural pink glow, reflecting the light emanating from the fairy hidden behind his back, as if pointing to Noah directly.
A shiver ran down his spine as he noticed Lady Amelia, a predator savouring the scent of fresh prey. Her lips curled into a terrifying grin, baring teeth that gleamed in the otherworldly light. The joy in her eyes and smile that was directed straight to Noah sent shivers down his spine. He knew, with a horrifying certainty, that whatever this situation had become, it had just taken a drastic turn for the worse.
The air crackled with a tension thicker than the belly of a divine beast. Lady Amelia, a figure both elegant and unsettling in her flowing crimson robes, rose from her seat with a measured grace that belied the satisfaction in her eyes. Lady Impa, ever the composed leader, mirrored the movement.
Before Lady Impa could utter a single word, Lady Amelia's voice, laced with a chilling righteousness, sliced through the tense silence.
"Lady Impa," she began, her gaze never leaving the unsuspecting figure of Noah tucked away in a corner. "I fear I cannot stand idly by in the face of such blatant disregard for the sanctity of life."
Noah, remained frozen where he stood, his mind struggling to comprehend the situation unfolding before him.
"This man," Lady Amelia continued, her voice gaining a prosecutorial edge as she gestured towards Noah with a pointed finger, "is to be placed under arrest for the callous murder of one of the four cardinals of the Church of the Goddess, Cardinal Serf Ceril!"