Chapter 34: The Worst of the Hero

Noah's mind ground to a halt as he stared, frozen, at the soldier's lifeless body. It was only when he became aware of his laboured breathing that he managed to pull himself back into reality.

"M-Master Link? Is everything alright?" The assassin's voice quivered; her concern palpable.

Noah didn't immediately respond. Instead, he clenched his fist over his pounding heart and fought to steady his breathing. He needed to process the scene before him.

'He clearly killed himself,' Noah thought, trying to piece together the grim puzzle. 'This isn't a case of someone or something directly attacking them. The Hylian women, child and hanging man… they're killing themselves under some form of external influence. Likely in the same way that warps everyone's perception, except slightly tuned to self-destruction.'

A flicker of relief mingled with the horror. At least there was no monstrous entity stalking the night, killing indiscriminately. He glanced at the Sheikah slate, noticing the time—9:50 p.m. The Blood Moon hung ominously in the sky, its crimson hue casting an unsettling glow over the village. It seemed almost as if it were a harbinger of doom, poised to descend upon the world like a comet.

Noah's thoughts drifted to Lady Impa's earlier comments about Link's combat skills. Like Lady Impa said when he arrived, Noah had to admit his own abilities were not solely his own. It appeared there was some cross-over from the legendary hero, causing Noah to be guided, influenced, perhaps even empowered by Link's own abilities. It made more sense to Noah that way, when he was fighting in the courtyard in the Wall, Noah barely remembered anything after he dashed past the protective line, but he managed to do quite the damage to the monsters. Noah suspected by figuring out how to make that more consistent, his survivability will increase dramatically

But now the problem had evolved dramatically, warning Lady Impa wouldn't fix the problem. If it was a creature killing people, that's one thing. But if the villagers are killing themselves, that's something entirely different. You can't kill the monster, if the monster is the person you're trying to protect.

Noah unclenched his fist and looked around him, the guards were standing on the interior wall, and the village was otherwise relatively quiet given the time. Noah pulled out his Sheikah slate, and checked the time which was stated to be 9:50pm.

'Should I do this myself?' Noah contemplated, but quickly threw the idea out of his head. 'No, im not Link. I don't need to fight anything; I just need to do enough to guarantee my survival.' Within this context, Noah decided he just needed to do something short of fighting, getting information.

He needed to act strategically, not heroically.

"Assassin," he said, his tone decisive.

"Yes, Master Link?" she replied, her voice still trembling.

"Fetch me a chair, and something to eat."

The assassin quickly complied, returning as a wooden chair floated towards him which Noah sat on, placing the Sheikah slate beside him. He took a bite of a carrot she had brought, his eyes never leaving the Blood Moon or the corpse on the ground. 'The only thing you can do with parchments, is to write things down. Meaning whatever the Bokoblin wrote is enough to cause havoc within the village, but what could it be? Its not like I can find a translator, since they can't even see the paper…'

'What a hassle…'

After several hours of intense observation, Noah found himself pondering the astronomical differences between this world and his own. He knew nothing about astrology. Sure, he knew a few names like the 'big dipper' but if you asked him to point it out in the sky, he would be unable to do so.

A few more hours after that, Noah was staring at the pink fairy that was now struggling to even float in his hands. It's been quiet ever since it rudely bumped into him during the meeting causing chaos but since then its glow has been getting fainter and it becoming weaker

'I wonder if I can play ping-pong with it…'

"Master Link," the assassin said, breaking his reverie, "I don't understand what you're doing. Shouldn't we be assisting Lady Impa?"

'She's been talking to me directly more often.' Noah noted.

Noah's mind raced with strategy. He'd considered that if he were to act impulsively, he might inadvertently place himself in greater danger. Instead, he formulated a plan.

'Why risk my life like that?' Noah thought internally, leaning back thoughtfully. "Imagine you're a hunter in the woods. You've shot an elk, but it's managed to escape. What would you do?"

The assassin's tone appeared puzzled. "What's an elk?"

Noah sighed; frustration evident. "Details aside. What would you do?"

The assassin thought for a moment before responding, "I'd follow it."

"Why?" Noah pressed.

"To catch it, of course. I wouldn't hunt it if I wasn't trying to catch it," she answered.

"Exactly," Noah said with a satisfied smile. "And that's what I'm doing." He had deduced that whatever was affecting the villagers was indirectly related to the Blood Moon. No creature in the world of Breath of the Wild had ever killed purely out of malice or for sport minus the calamity. The monster—or force—at work here seemed to be manipulating the villagers to end their own lives before taking them away, likely for feeding.

An indication of this, was the fact that the corpse that noah had previously seen hanging from the tree on the way here had mysteriously disappeared.

Noah intended to remain an observer. By pretending to be a clueless villager, he hoped to lure the creature into revealing itself. He would avoid unnecessary conflict and let the situation unfold in a way that minimized his personal risk.

Just as Noah was about to commend himself for his clever approach, he noticed something disturbing. The foot of the corpse on the ground twitched and began to drag slowly across the floor as if pulled by an unseen force.

Noah's satisfaction turned to concern. He flicked the remnants of his carrot aside and stood up abruptly. "Let's go," he said, his voice edged with urgency.

The assassin looked at him, startled. "Where are we going?" "Hunting." Noah replied simply. The corpse's foot twitched again, this time with more force, dragging itself across the stone floor. Noah stood at a distance behind it, not daring to go closer but continued to follow it to the best of his abilities.

In order to remain natural, Noah remained walking on established roads and paved paths and only stared at the body using the corner of his eye, this continued for some time with the body being dragged before Noah caught an eye on what was moving it

'Silk?' Noah frowned

The leg was attached by a small nose made by silk, but it wasn't just any silk. Afterall, it was singlehandedly dragging the corpse of a full adult male with armour. It must have been powerful. But Noah hadn't managed to even catch a glimpse of the creature.

The trail led Noah through the quiet village, his footsteps echoing softly as he ventured deeper into the dense forest on the hills. A nagging unease settled in his gut, growing more pronounced with each step. The air seemed to thicken, heavy with the weight of something unseen.

Suddenly, without warning, the corpse plummeted through the forest floor and vanished instantly, as if swallowed by the earth itself. Noah's heart leaped into his throat, his senses sharpening as alarm bells rang in his mind.

"It went under?" Noah muttered, his eyes scanning the spot where the body had disappeared. The realization hit him like a cold gust of wind.

"There's an entire labyrinth beneath the forest," he whispered to himself. "It's where the Great Fairy Fountain is hidden… and where that creature is lurking as well."

The thought of venturing into the labyrinth filled Noah with dread. It was a relatively safe place, shielded from prying eyes and unsuspecting travellers—a perfect hideout for something dangerous. The knowledge only deepened his uncertainty about what to do next.

Noah clenched his fists, his resolve wavering. "It's… not my job," he told himself, though the words felt hollow. His grip loosened, and he turned his back on the forest, heading back toward the village.

"Are… we stopping?" the assassin at his side asked, her voice laced with concern.

"…Yes," Noah replied, his voice devoid of conviction.

"Master Link," she began hesitantly, "I think you're becoming exhausted… you're hallucinating…"

Noah could hear the uncertainty in her voice, the struggle it must have taken to speak so candidly to the Hero. He managed a grim smile.

"Yeah, I'm hallucinating big time. I just need a good rest."

"Can I do anything to help?" she offered.

Noah nodded. "Find Lady Impa and deliver this message: 'The Goddess has provided guidance. The village is in grave danger from a hidden enemy. Seek out the beast beneath the Forest Plateau and slay it.'"

"…Is that all?" she asked, still uncertain.

"Yeah, that's it. Now go," Noah commanded.

The assassin didn't respond, but the silence told Noah she had already left. Oddly enough, her departure only deepened the sense of loneliness that gnawed at him.

Feeling purposeless, Noah made his way back to Lady Impa's dwelling. The hallways seemed eerily deserted, more so than usual. Upon reaching his room, Noah didn't bother changing his clothes. He collapsed onto the bed and, without hesitation, fell into a deep, troubled sleep.

His rest was short-lived. A loud knocking at the door jolted him awake, dragging him from the depths of a restless dream.

"Master Link!" a voice called from the other side. "Are you inside?"

Noah squinted at the clock on the wall. It was barely past 2 AM. Irritation flared within him as he struggled to shake off the exhaustion clinging to him like a shroud.

"What is it?" he demanded, his tone sharper than intended.

"Master Link, Lady Impa and the other family heads are requesting an audience with you—the Hero."

Noah's frown deepened. 'The Hero,' he thought bitterly. It was clear that Lady Impa had revealed his identity to the other family heads, likely using his name to maintain control over the village and keep the gates closed. But now, it had come with the price of being constantly bothered.

Reluctantly, Noah opened the door, and the Sheikah guard took a respectful step back.

"I'll be there soon," Noah lied, forcing a polite smile. The guard thanked him and hurried away, presumably to inform the others.

As soon as the guard was out of sight, Noah's smile vanished. 'Why would I go to that? It'll just be a nuisance…'

Instead, Noah decided to take a walk through the village, hoping the fresh air might clear his mind. The rain had begun to fall, its gentle patter against the cobblestone streets creating small pools that reflected the dim glow of the village lanterns. But Noah paid little attention to his surroundings. His thoughts were elsewhere, lost in a fog of weariness and disillusionment.

He turned a corner near a wholesaler's shop when a sudden squeaking sound caught his attention. Noah's downcast eyes flickered with recognition.

"A chicken?" he muttered.

The creature before him had a white body with a bright red comb, just like the ones he'd seen in the game. It had been minding its own business, pecking at the ground, but now it stood, focused on Noah.

"Out here alone too?" Noah asked, bending down to pat the chicken. But before he could make contact, the chicken bit him and darted off.

In his previous world, such a bite might have caused Noah to yelp in pain. But after all the hardships and battles he'd endured; the sting was barely noticeable. If anything, it brought back a flood of memories he hadn't allowed himself to dwell on—his family's noisy dinners, his beat-up old car, his tedious retail job. Things he'd once thought of as annoyances, but now, he realized, he missed them more than anything.

"Oh my, was that Doop?" an elderly voice called out from behind him.

Noah turned to see an old Hylian man with thinning white hair, leaning heavily on a cane.

"Doop?" Noah repeated, eyeing the man. Now that he thought about it, wasn't it odd for someone so frail to be out at this hour?

The old man nodded. "Doop's the name of that chicken that just nipped at you. Are you alright?"

Noah nodded. "It's just a scratch. But shouldn't you be indoors at this time of night?"

The old man chuckled, a sound like dry leaves rustling. "Of course, the only place for me should be next to a warm fire with my loving wife. But Cado's been so busy with the village's security that he hasn't had time to look after his precious chickens."

"Right, he had a side quest like that, didn't he…" Noah muttered, half to himself.

"Side quest? That's one way to describe his obsession," the old man said with a wry smile. "Anyway, his chickens got out of the pen, so we're all doing our part to round them up. Just like how Cado looks after us."

"That's very kind of you," Noah said, a hint of admiration in his voice. 'More than I would've done,' he admitted to himself.

"Well, if you'll excuse me, I'd better go after Doop."

"Wait," Noah interjected gently. "You should go home. Your wife might be worried, right?"

The old man paused, his expression softening. "Right… she would be worried… but I can't go back."

"Why?" Noah asked, genuinely curious.

"Because it's my responsibility to look after what Cado cannot," the man replied firmly, a note of determination in his voice.

Noah's brow furrowed. He didn't understand this man's stubbornness. A simple fall could be disastrous for someone his age.

With a sigh, Noah came up with an idea. "Would you like me to tell your wife?"

"Tell my wife?" the old man echoed, surprised.

Noah smiled. "Of course. I can help you. I'll let her know you're alright and that she doesn't need to worry."

'I can help someone at least… maybe it'll ease this weight in my chest,' Noah thought.

The elderly man was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded. "Yes… please. It's been some time since we last spoke. Please tell her I'll be alright."

"Where is your house?" Noah asked.

The old man pointed up the path. "House 35, up the road, a little to the left after the statue with the big rooster hat. You can't miss it."

"No worries. Leave it to me," Noah said, giving the old man a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Some call me a hero, after all."

The elderly man chuckled again, the sound lighter this time. "A hero, eh? Looks like my luck's taken a turn for the better. Let's hope it holds up until I catch that damn Doop."

Noah watched the elderly man disappear into the fog, the rain blurring his silhouette as he faded into the distance. With a deep breath, Noah straightened his posture, trying to shake off the weight pressing on his shoulders. He set off toward the house, hoping that a small act of kindness might ease the darkness gnawing at his heart.

Ignoring the relentless rain, Noah navigated the familiar path through the village. The elderly man's house wasn't far; soon, he found himself standing before a modest one-story dwelling with the number 35 etched into its wall. The lights were off, and Noah hesitated. Maybe she's already asleep, he thought, but he decided to risk waking her and stepped up to the door.

He knocked gently, but there was no response. He knocked harder, but the silence remained. Just as Noah considered knocking down the door, the lights of a nearby house flicked on, and an older woman stepped out onto her porch.

"Oi! Kid! What are you doing?" she called out, her voice sharp and suspicious. "Don't you be bothering the old man!"

Noah couldn't help but smile at the scolding. It felt oddly normal, grounding him. "Ma'am, I'm not bothering anyone. The old man asked me to be here."

The woman narrowed her eyes, sceptical. "And for what?"

"The old man is out tonight, trying to track down one of Cado's chickens. Doop, I think he called it?" Noah paused, trying to choose his words carefully. "I tried to stop him, but he's persistent. I'm here to let his wife know he's alright and will be out a little longer."

The woman sighed heavily, rubbing her forehead. "I'm sorry he dragged you into this."

Noah shook his head, walking closer to her. "It's no trouble. I'm just glad to help. Is his wife asleep already?"

The woman's expression softened with pity as she looked at him. "No, she's not here."

Noah frowned, confused. "Oh… is she with you?"

"No."

The woman flicked on a light, illuminating the front patio. Noah's breath caught in his throat as he saw the dried bloodstains covering the ground.

"She's gone missing," the woman said quietly. "Has been for a while now."

Noah steeled his face, trying to hide is emotions. "…Missing?"

Noah closed his eyes, settling his thoughts before opening them once more, starring at the ground. "Why… doesn't he know?"

"He knows," she replied, her voice laced with sadness. "But old age makes things… forgettable."

"So he goes out looking for her? In the middle of the night, even in the rain?"

The woman nodded. "He forgets why he's out there. Eventually, he ends up hunting for chickens instead."

Noah felt a pang of guilt as he imagined the old man wandering the village, searching for the love of his lift, something he could no longer remember.

"You can go home," the woman said gently. "Don't worry, we'll send someone to fetch him."

"No," Noah replied softly, as he clenched his fists, feeling the familiar surge of hopelessness. "I'll go get him."

The woman didn't stop him, just watched silently as Noah walked back into the darkness.

It didn't take long for Noah to find the old man, standing by the towering bridges and lit-up Sheikah houses. He was staring absentmindedly into the distance.

"Old man," Noah called out softly.

He expected to have to call out louder, but to his surprise, the old man turned at the first sound of his voice. His eyes, though clouded with age, flashed with a momentary recognition.

"Ah… you're back already," the old man said, his voice tinged with weariness. "You weren't gone very long… or maybe I was too obsessed with finding Doop to notice."

Noah sighed, stepping closer. "Did you find him?"

The old man shook his head, a rueful smile tugging at his lips. "He's a pesky one, that Doop. Slipped right through my fingers… I was so close."

Noah hesitated, unsure of how to broach the subject. But he knew he had no choice. "About your… wife," he began carefully.

"Ah, has she made me some food?" the old man asked, his face lighting up. "I do love her curry."

Noah's throat tightened, the words he needed to say catching in his mouth. "She's… missing."

"Missing?" The old man's voice wavered as he echoed the word, as if searching for a memory that eluded him. "Ridiculous. I just saw her a few hours ago."

Noah stepped forward, trying to keep his voice steady. "Your neighbour told me she's been missing for some time. You… you've just forgotten."

The old man's face twisted in confusion, then anger. He stabbed his cane into the ground with a force that belied his frail appearance. "Bullshit! You're lying! Search again!"

Noah reached out, trying to calm him. "Come on, let's go back, and I'll show you—"

Before he could finish, the old man swung his cane, striking Noah across the face. The blow stung, but Noah held his ground.

"No!" the old man shouted, his voice trembling with emotion. "I won't go anywhere… You promised to find her…"

Noah's patience, already frayed, began to unravel. "I made no such promise. I said I would relay your message."

"Liar!" the old man roared, his voice cracking. "You said you would find her! I trusted you! Some hero you are!"

For some reason, the old man's words cut deep as Noah felt his anger surge, hot and uncontrollable. "…Hero?"

"What kind of Hero can't find a missing elderly lady?" the old man spat, his voice full of venom. "What? You gave up on her?"

"I didn't give up—"

"You did! You gave up! You couldn't be bothered. You thought to half-ass it since it's not your responsibility! If she's dead, it's all your fault!"

Noah snapped, his voice rising in anger. "How is that my fault?" he yelled. "I didn't choose to be a hero! I didn't choose to be here! What right do you have to command me?"

"Tough shit!" the old man shot back, his voice full of bitter resolve. "You're here now! You think you can just ignore it and pretend it's not your job? I relied on you!"

"Listen here!" Noah shouted, towering over the old man, his fists clenched in frustration. "Your wife is long dead! I've seen what happens when someone goes 'missing'. "What…?" the old man hesitated, as tears begun to swell in his eyes. "Your lying…"

Noah, however. Simply gave a deranged laugh. "Are you kidding me? I've never been more truthful!" "Your… a monster." The old man softly spoke as he collapsed

Watching the old man collapse and cry, Noah felt his rationality come back to him as he realised he went too far, but before he could say another word, a sudden scream pierced the night, cutting through the tension like a knife.

"Huh?" Both Noah and the old man turned toward the sound, their argument momentarily forgotten.

Noah cast a guilty glance at the old man before stepping out from the corner, looking down the street. A young Hylian girl was running by her face pale with fear. Noah grabbed her by the shoulder, stopping her in her tracks.

"What's going on?" he demanded.

The girl looked terrified, her eyes wide. "I don't know… the Clergyman just started attacking something on the side of the village!"

"The Clergyman… from the church?" Noah asked, his mind racing. "Attacking what?"

The girl nodded quickly, "I don't know, it was like thin air!". Noah immediately released her. She wasted no time, sprinting away into the darkness as Noah turned his attention back to the old man.

Whatever guilt Noah felt for the old man vanished, as another more overpowering emotion overtook him "…Church…" Noah muttered in anger. Ignoring the old man's bewildered gaze, Noah started walking toward the edge of the village, his mind focused on the new threat.

'Christa… I will find you…' he vowed silently, a new determination burning in his chest

Noah ran without pause, his heart pounding as he followed the chaotic sounds echoing through the village. He thought he was approaching Impa's dwelling, but the noises veered left, leading him to a hidden crevice. The entrance, once sealed by boulders, had been blasted open, the rocks scattered like debris from a forgotten battle.

Outside the crevice, Sheikah guards stood, weapons drawn but faces filled with confusion. Several members of the clergy, dressed in white, were swinging their weapons at seemingly nothing, their strikes wild and desperate.

To the guards, it appeared as though the clergymen were fighting against shadows, but Noah saw the truth. His eyes locked onto the small group of Bokoblin's and a towering Moblin, their snarls and grunts a twisted symphony of battle. Without hesitation, Noah pulled out his Sheikah Slate, and with a flicker of blue light, he activated Bright Step, teleporting one of the Bokoblin's away from a clergyman who was seconds away from being impaled.

Noah materialized in front of the clergyman, his sudden appearance shocking the man. There was no time for pleasantries or explanations. With a swift motion, Noah shoved the clergyman to the ground, his voice cold and commanding.

"Where. Is. Christa."

The clergyman, wide-eyed and trembling, immediately recognized Noah—not as himself, but as Link, the legendary hero. Fear and reverence mixed in his expression as he stammered out a response.

"I-I don't know who that is, Master! But there was a larger group ahead of us, so maybe there?"

Noah didn't waste a second. He released the clergyman and sprinted deeper into the crevice, the chaos behind him fading as he focused on his singular goal: finding Christa.

"Wait!" the clergyman shouted after him. "Aren't you going to help us, Master Link?!"

Noah hesitated only for a moment, glancing back at the skirmish. The Bokoblin's were led by a mere Blue one, and the Moblin, though strong, was only Blue as well. It was a fight Noah could end in minutes, if not seconds. But the idea of helping the Church, of aiding those on the same side as the Goddess, filled him with nothing but disdain.

"Deal with it yourself," Noah muttered, his voice hard. "Not my problem."

He turned away, leaving the clergymen to fend for themselves, and charged deeper into the darkness of the crevice.

The air grew colder as Noah pressed on, the sounds of battle growing distant. The crevice widened, revealing a grisly scene. Bodies of clergymen and women were strewn across the ground, their white robes stained with blood, their faces twisted in fear and pain. Noah's stomach churned at the sight, but he forced himself to push forward, his mind focused on one thing.

Then, in the dim light of the crevice, he saw a figure slumped against the wall, barely clinging to life. It was Anthony, the Saintess attendant and old servant of the bishop. His breathing was ragged and his body was bloody. But it wasn't Anthony's condition that caught Noah's attention—it was the fact there was no entry wound for the blood to have come from, unless it wasn't his own.

Noah's anger surged as he dashed over to Anthony, grabbing the wounded man by his collar and pulling him up. "Where is she?! Noah's voice was a mix of desperation and fury.

Anthony coughed, wincing in pain as he tried to speak. "W-We were ambushed… They came out of nowhere… We couldn't see them, the Saintess isn't here…"

Noah, however, wasn't surprised. The Bokoblin's and Moblin was after this point meaning they would have had to get through this group to get to the village.

Noah's grip tightened, his voice sharp as he repeated the question, desperation tinged with anger. "I don't care about that! Where is Christa?!"

Anthony's eyes flickered to the motionless figure on the ground beside him. The shift in Anthony's gaze was slow and deliberate, dragging Noah's attention along with it. Time seemed to stretch painfully as Noah's heart began to pound, recognizing the lifeless body sprawled in the dirt.

"…Christa…"

She lay there, unmoving, next to Anthony. Her once vibrant pink eyes, always so full of loyalty and fire, were closed forever. Her face, which had so often worn an expression of kindness, was now pale and still. The life that had once animated her was gone, leaving behind only a cold, empty shell.

"Christa…" Noah's voice broke as the word escaped his lips, trembling with a mixture of disbelief and grief. His knees buckled, and he sank to the ground beside her. His hands, usually so steady, now shook as he reached out, his fingers brushing against her cold shoulder.

But there was no response. Christa lay there, motionless, her body drained of warmth, of life. The reality of her death began to seep into Noah's mind, but he refused to accept it. He shook his head, denial clouding his thoughts.

"No… no, no, no…" His words were a whispered mantra, as if repeating them could somehow change the truth

Anthony's weak, rasping voice cut through Noah's spiralling thoughts. "She… used her abilities to heal me, but... she lacked the strength to heal herself."

Noah's breath hitched, and tears welled up in his eyes, blurring his vision. The tears were hot, stinging his eyes, but they weren't enough to drown the storm of emotions swirling within him. He wanted to feel anger, wanted to summon that familiar, burning rage to drown out the pain. Christa had betrayed him, after all. She had deceived him, put himself in horrible pain, and yet.

All he could feel was an overwhelming emptiness.

His heart ached with the weight of it. The betrayal, the anger—none of it mattered now. It was all so insignificant compared to the cold, lifeless reality of her body before him. He had expected to feel fury, to curse her for what she had done, but as he looked at her, all he could feel was a deep, hollow sorrow.

Noah's fists clenched, not in anger but in helplessness. His mind raced with thoughts of vengeance, but even those thoughts felt distant, muted. What good was revenge now? What good was anger when the one he wanted to direct it at was already gone? The fire within him flickered, threatening to extinguish entirely.

With trembling hands, he reached for her neck, searching desperately for a pulse. Anything. He prayed silently, hoping against hope that he would find the faintest sign of life. But the only thing he felt beneath his fingers was the unyielding cold of death.

Noah bowed his head, closing his eyes as the reality of it all sank in. Christa was gone. The woman who had stood against him, who had deceived him, who had fought beside him, was gone. And nothing—nothing—could bring her back.

His mind wanted to rage, to lash out at the injustice of it all, but his heart couldn't muster the anger. Instead, all he felt was an unbearable sorrow, a deep sense of loss that gnawed at him. The anger he had expected, the hatred he thought he would feel, was nowhere to be found. In its place was only regret, a profound sadness for the life that had been lost.

"Christa…" Noah's voice was thick with emotion, the word heavy with all the things left unsaid between them. His hands trembled as they rested on her cold form, and he closed his eyes, allowing the tears to finally fall.

He had wanted to hate her, to hold onto that anger, but as he knelt beside her lifeless body, he realized that all he could feel was grief. Grief for what had been, and for what would never be.

Noah bowed his head lower, whispering a soft, broken apology that only the dead would hear. "I'm sorry…"

But his words, his sorrow, his regret—none of it would reach her. Christa was gone, and nothing he could do would bring her back.