Chapter 35: Steel your Resolves

Noah stood over Christa's lifeless body, his gaze hollow, drained of emotion. He had never seen death like this, not so close, not so brutal. The deaths he'd witnessed before were peaceful, the natural result of old age. But this... this was murder. Cold, senseless murder.

He had always imagined death would have more meaning. Like in the movies, where someone's final moments were filled with purpose, where a heroic last stand meant something. But here, in this dark, forgotten cave, Christa had died without reason, without ceremony. Just another casualty in a world that seemed indifferent to their struggle. The bitterness gnawed at him, but beyond that, he wasn't sure how to feel.

Christa had been one of the first people he met when he was pulled into this twisted reality. She wasn't a carbon copy of the characters from the video game he once knew; she was real. He had fought alongside her, trusted her, but now she was gone. Dead, just like that.

Noah knelt, instinctively reaching out to scoop her into his arms. She shouldn't be left here, not like this, in this dark place. But before he could lift her, Anthony's voice broke the silence.

"…Leave her. She will get the burial she deserves within the Church."

Noah's hand froze mid-air. His face twisted, his rising anger threatening to break free. But as he stared into Christa's vacant eyes, the rage quickly deflated, leaving behind only a hollow ache. He slowly withdrew his hand and stood. He couldn't bear to look at her any longer. Without a word, he turned and walked away, ignoring whatever else Anthony had to say.

The chill of the cave clung to his skin as Noah emerged into the fading light. He didn't have a destination in mind, only the overwhelming urge to get away, to leave the suffocating presence of death behind him.

Outside the cave, the aftermath of the battle greeted him. The body of the Moblin he'd ignored earlier lay on the ground, its blood pooling in the dirt. Surrounding it were several corpses of the Church's clergymen, their faces pale and shocked. These were the same people who had called for his help—the help he had refused.

Noah's eyes lingered on the dead Moblin. He could have killed it easily. It was nothing compared to the battles he had fought. And yet, he had chosen to ignore it. If he had acted, would these clergymen be alive? Were the deaths of these people his fault?

He pushed the thought away, burying it deep. There was no time for guilt. There was no undoing what had happened.

As he walked back into Kakariko Village, a Sheikah guard hurried over to him, his expression filled with concern.

"Master Link, what's going on? Something feels wrong here."

Noah glanced over his shoulder, back toward the cave. The guard couldn't see the bodies.

"How did the Church see them?" Noah muttered to himself before speaking up, his voice devoid of emotion. "Seal that cave. Nothing else matters."

He walked past the guard, not waiting for a response, his mind swirling with the weight of his choices. He wasn't sure if he could keep ignoring the consequences of his actions—or his inaction—for much longer.

Noah walked back to Lady Impa's dwelling and collapsed onto the bed, his mind heavy and his heart hollow. For the first time since arriving in this world, his tears were for someone other than himself.

Time blurred, each second dragging as though the weight of his emotions had slowed it. He lay there, lost in the void, until a knock sounded at the door. It was soft at first, but grew louder, more insistent. Noah groaned, pulling the blanket over his head, hoping whoever it was would give up and go away.

But the knocking persisted, relentless. Finally, with a frustrated sigh, Noah rose from the bed and shuffled to the door, cracking it open just enough to see who it was.

The door burst open, knocking him off balance and sending him sprawling to the floor. Before he could react, a hand grabbed his collar and yanked him to his feet.

"What the—" Noah winced, looking up into the face of his assailant.

It was Neph. Her brown curls were dishevelled, her chestnut eyes swollen and red, as though she'd been crying.

"Neph? How did you—"

She cut him off sharply. "Get in here? I was going to break in if I had to. But when I told the guards I was here to see you, they let me through without much of a fight."

"Why?" Noah asked, his voice dripping with annoyance. He didn't care. He didn't want to care. All he wanted was to be left alone.

Neph's gaze hardened, her voice a low mutter. "Christa is dead."

Noah felt the words hit him like a punch, but he didn't react outwardly. He simply nodded, as if acknowledging the weather forecast. "…I know."

Neph's eyes narrowed, anger simmering beneath the surface. "So what are you going to do now?"

Noah chuckled bitterly, waving a hand at the room around him. "This place is cozy enough. I don't have any other plans. I'll just stay here and enjoy the rest of my miserable days."

Neph's face twisted in disbelief. "You're not doing anything about it?" Her voice was sharp, incredulous.

Noah leaned back against the wall, eyes fixed on the ceiling. "What's the point? There's no escaping this. No tricks, no loopholes. I'm stuck here, Neph. We are bound to fail, and I've made my peace with that."

He closed his eyes, sinking into the acceptance of his despair. He had no strength left to fight.

"Disgusting," Neph said coldly, her words like ice water splashed on his face.

Noah opened his eyes, frowning. "Huh?"

Without warning, Neph moved, grabbing Noah by the throat and slamming him against the wall. Her grip was tight, her face twisted in fury.

"That look… I fucking hate it," she snarled.

"What—what the hell are you talking about?" Noah choked out, trying to pry her fingers from his neck.

"I've seen that look before," Neph spat. "Back at the Wall you wore that. That same pathetic, hopeless look. Like you're some kind of martyr, drowning in self-pity, waiting for someone to come and rescue you. It's disgusting. The first hurdle comes, and you crumble like it's the end of the world!"

Noah's anger flared. He shoved her off, gasping as he caught his breath. "What do you know about me, huh?" he spat, his voice dripping with venom. "You think you've got me all figured out?"

"I don't need to know everything," Neph shot back, her eyes burning with rage. "It's obvious enough from the way you act. You don't care about Christa's death—at least, not really. All you care about is yourself. Your own self-pity."

"She betrayed me!" Noah shouted; his voice raw with anger.

"Betrayed you?" Neph's voice dripped with sarcasm. "Firstly, I have no idea what you're talking about, but you've never stopped to think about what she went through. Yeah, she made her choices, but so did you. You lied to her, to me, from the beginning. You played the part of some nobody while you knew damn well who you really were: Link, the 'Legendary Hero.'"

Noah faltered, confusion breaking through his fury. "Link…? What are you talking about?"

"You heard me," Neph hissed. "I know who you are. And you've been lying this whole time, hiding behind that fake name of 'Noah', pretending you're just some regular guy. You never trusted us. You never even gave us a chance to know you."

"I didn't have a choice," Noah protested, his voice shaking as he tried to defend himself. "You have no idea what it's like… what it feels like to be dragged into something you never asked for, forced to play a role you never wanted."

Neph's eyes narrowed, and she stepped closer, grabbing his collar again. "Bullshit! You've been running away from everything, Link. You say you didn't want this, but you never even tried to take control of your own fate. Christa knew who you were. She figured it out on her own from the stories and the scriptures she read. And yet, even knowing who you were, she didn't push you. She didn't force you to reveal the truth because she believed in you. She hoped—no, she trusted—that you'd confide in her someday. But you never did."

Noah's mind flashed back to Christa's face. The quiet moments they'd shared. The times she had looked at him with expectation, with hope. He hadn't seen it then, or maybe he had and just ignored it. His heart twisted painfully in his chest as Neph's words cut deep. Had Christa really known all along? Had she been waiting for him to open up, only to be let down by his silence?

"I didn't think…" Noah stammered, his thoughts reeling. "I never thought she knew."

"She knew," Neph said coldly. "And she hated herself for not living up to whatever fantasy she thought you had in mind. But that wasn't her fault—it was yours, for keeping her in the dark, for never trusting her."

Noah felt a wave of guilt crash over him. He had been so focused on his own misery, his own fears, that he hadn't even realized the impact his silence had on those around him. He thought back to that moment at the Wall, when he had teleported Christa away with Bright Step. The anger he had felt from her back then… had it really been directed inward, at herself, for failing to earn his trust?

Neph continued. "She tried to convince me, but I never believed it. You were too much of a coward."

Neph's voice cut through his spiralling thoughts. "You need to stop acting like the smallest problem is enough to tear your whole world apart. This isn't some game, Link. This is reality. You've been asleep for a century, and it's time you woke up. So tell me, what is it that you want?"

Noah looked at her, his chest tight. The question struck something deep within him, a raw nerve that had been aching for far too long. What did he want? The truth was, he didn't want to be a hero. He didn't want the weight of the world on his shoulders. He didn't want to live for the sake of others, sacrificing himself for a cause that felt foreign to him. He simply wanted to go home.

"I don't want to be a hero," Noah finally admitted, his voice thick with frustration. "I never asked for this! I never wanted any of it! I'm not like you or Christa… I can't live for others. I can't… I won't pretend to care about saving the world when all I feel is trapped in it."

Neph watched him closely, her eyes softening, though the intensity of her gaze never wavered. "Then don't," she said, her voice surprisingly calm. "Who says you have to live for others? You don't owe anyone that. You don't have to be their hero. But that doesn't mean you have to give up like this, either."

Noah frowned, confused by her words. "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying," Neph continued, "if you don't want to be the hero, then don't be. Live for something else. Live for yourself. Live for revenge."

"Revenge?" Noah echoed, narrowing his eyes.

Neph stepped closer, her voice low and filled with a dark, simmering anger. "Yes. Revenge. For all of it. For what they've done to you, for forcing you into this role. Start with those responsible for Christa's death. They're out there, and then anyone else responsible for dragging you into this nightmare.

Noah felt something stir within him, something darker and more primal than the guilt or despair he had been drowning in. Revenge. The word echoed in his mind, and for the first time, it felt… right. Why should he be forced to become this world's hero? He didn't need to save the world. Infact, if he couldn't return then perhaps he could hunt down those responsible for throwing him into this world.

"And then what?" Noah asked, his voice quiet but dangerous.

Neph's eyes gleamed. "Then you find the rest of them. One by one. Until every single one of them pays for what they've done."

Noah clenched his fists, the anger he had tried to suppress rising to the surface. He wasn't a hero. He never wanted to be. But revenge? That was something he could do. That was something he could live for.

He had been in this world for some time now, and not once did the Goddess or anyone try to guide him through his situation, they only commanded and forced him to become someone he wasn't. He could start with those who did him wrong, beginning with the Saintess Amelia, then eventually… perhaps even to the goddess herself.

If the Goddess refused to pay him any attention, then he'd force her to give it to him.

For the first time in a long while, Noah felt a twisted sense of purpose. Of course, he wouldn't become a villain. He would still help those he can, but ultimately, his own survival takes priority.

Neph's grip on Noah's collar loosened, and she finally let him go. Noah staggered slightly, rubbing his throat where her fingers had clenched. He eyed her warily, still trying to process everything. "Why did you come here anyway?" he asked, his voice hoarse.

Neph crossed her arms, her posture still tense. "The Great Fairy… she was Christa's contractor, right? You've seen what she's capable of when it comes to healing."

Noah blinked, slowly piecing together her train of thought. "You're thinking… the Great Fairy could revive her?"

Neph nodded, a flicker of hope in her eyes.

Noah hesitated. From everything he knew—the logic of the world, the rules he remembered from the game—that kind of resurrection wasn't possible. But then again, this world wasn't exactly bound by the limitations of the game he once played. If there was a way to bring someone back… he wanted to know. Desperately.

Before he could share his doubts, another thought struck him like a cold splash of water. His gaze narrowed as he looked at Neph. "Wait a second. You said Christa is dead?"

"Yeah, obviously," Neph replied, her brow furrowing in confusion. "Why?"

Noah's mind raced. Something's not right. He stepped closer, his voice dropping. "No, Neph. How do you know that? You shouldn't even be able to… acknowledge it. The creature's magic—it works by making people forget, erasing the fact that their loved ones are gone. How can you even… process this?"

Neph stared at him, bewildered. "You think I wouldn't know my best friend is dead?" Her voice wavered, frustration and confusion mingling in her expression.

Noah fell silent, deep in thought. The creature's curse was designed to cloud people's minds, to make them unaware of the deaths it caused. But somehow, Neph was bypassing it. How? Was it because of her proximity to Christa? Maybe seeing her closest friend die had shattered the spell, broken the hold the creature had on her mind. Or was it the Church? Could the Saintess have interfered, pulling strings with her divine connection?

"No, it's not that," Noah said, shaking off his doubts. "Forget about it for now. I understand what you're trying to do, but... there's a problem."

Neph's face hardened. "What now?"

"There's something wrong with the Great Fairy." Noah hesitated, remembering the twisted, decaying state of the creature that had once been revered for its beauty and power. "She's… not well. Corrupted, maybe. It's hard to describe."

Neph's eyes flickered with frustration, but then a slow smile spread across her face. "Perfect. That just means that once we save her, she'll owe us. We'll have a favor to cash in."

She turned toward the door, her mind clearly made up. Without waiting for a reply, she swung it open and walked out.

Noah sighed heavily, his stomach knotting at the thought of facing the Great Fairy again. He had tried to avoid going back to that pit of decay. The memory of her condition still haunted him, and the idea of seeing her again filled him with a creeping dread. But Neph had a point. If he wanted answers—if he wanted revenge—he needed help. And the Great Fairy, once restored, could be a powerful ally.

As he followed Neph out the door, Noah's mind churned with plans. He needed more than just vengeance; he needed strength. He had heard of the contracts the Great Fairy offered to those she deemed worthy. If he could secure one for himself, it could greatly increase his chances of success—both in pursuing the Saintess, wherever she had fled, and perhaps in confronting the Goddess herself.

But there was more to this than just his personal vendetta. There was the creature lurking in the village, a monster preying on the innocent. He had never intended to involve himself with it, but now, realistically, who else could? No one else had the power or knowledge to deal with such a threat. And despite his reluctance, Noah couldn't let the village fall. It wasn't just about the people; it was about Lady Impa, the Sheikah, and the support they provided. They were key to his survival in this world, a vital part of his future plans. If this village was wiped out, his backing would vanish along with it.

Of course, saving lives mattered. But his own survival, his future, that was the priority.

"We need to make a stop on the way," Noah said, quickening his pace to catch up with Neph.

Neph glanced over her shoulder, her brow raised. "Where?"

"To prepare," Noah replied, his mind already shifting gears. "If we're going to deal with the Great Fairy, we'll need everything in our Favor."

Noah stood before Lady Impa, feeling the weight of her gaze settle heavily on him. This wasn't like the other times he'd been in her presence as an observer or guest. Now, he was the one being interrogated, and he felt the pressure mount. He had always known Lady Impa to be sharp, always a step ahead, but it was different being on the receiving end of her insight.

"So, you're saying, Link, that the enemy is within the Blessed Grounds to the northeast?" Lady Impa's voice was calm but layered with an edge that hinted at deeper understanding.

Noah nodded, already suspecting that she knew more than she let on. He wasn't surprised she was aware of the underground burrows where the Great Fairy resided. He had long suspected that little escaped Lady Impa's notice.

"Accessing such a location is not as simple as walking through the front door, as I'm sure you're aware." Her eyes were on him, unblinking, as though testing him for a reaction.

Noah hesitated, he thought he had entered quite easily. Was he given entry by the Great Fairy herself? Or was it because of this body—Link's body? He hadn't considered that before. He kept his face neutral, unwilling to reveal his confusion.

"As I've already explained," Noah started, "the monster invading the village is going to—"

Lady Impa cut him off, her voice firm but not unkind. "You do not need to describe the monster to me. I'm well aware of its presence."

Noah blinked in surprise. "But how? The creature uses mental manipulation to cloak itself."

Lady Impa sighed, though her expression remained calm. "I've known something was amiss since the first disappearance. I care for every soul in this village as if they were my own child."

Noah's eyes narrowed slightly. "So that's why you closed the village borders?"

She nodded. "Yes, the Blood Moon played a role, but the real reason was more subtle. Unfortunately, the creature's influence made it impossible for me to investigate it myself. But I've kept watch, waiting for a sign."

Noah exhaled, realizing she had been aware of the threat all along. "But you couldn't prove it."

"Correct," she said smoothly. "Which is why Kado's report that you'd found something similar was... enlightening."

Noah shrugged, though his mind raced with the implications of her words. "A hero seems drawn to danger, I've learned."

Lady Impa's expression softened, a rare flicker of something that might have been amusement crossing her face. "It has been over a century, but let's hope you're as skilled at eliminating danger as you are at finding it."

Noah allowed a small smile, but it didn't last. "Then you approve of my plan?"

She nodded, her expression growing serious again. "Freeing and curing the Great Fairy is a priority. Her power will be essential in removing the monster from this village. Without her, our chances diminish significantly."

"Then I'll move out at once," Noah said, feeling a surge of purpose. But before he could leave, Lady Impa raised a hand to stop him.

"One moment, Link. You'll need more than just yourself. Take my apprentice with you."

Noah raised an eyebrow. "You have an apprentice?"

Lady Impa's gaze was piercing. "You've already met her. She's been protecting you from the shadows for some time now."

Noah immediately understood. "Ah. The assassin. That could prove useful," he said thoughtfully. "But... how can she help us? She's not like you; she can't see the monsters as I can."

Impa's eyes softened, though her voice remained steady. "She treasures this village almost as much as I do. Once she witnesses the state of the Great Fairy, as you've described, I believe it will awaken something within her. Her cognizance will expand."

Noah had doubrs, but if Lady Impa was confident then he had faith. He nodded tersely. "Understood. Then we'll depart."

Just as he turned to leave, a thought struck him. He hesitated, then spoke up, trying to sound casual. "But before we go…"

Lady Impa's gaze sharpened, and Noah could see her reading him carefully, dissecting his every move. She had seen this hesitation before, usually from people trying to manipulate or swindle her. But this was Link—the Hero—and she dismissed the idea that he could be playing her. Still, she was curious.

"What is it?" she asked, her eyebrow raising slightly.

Noah's expression shifted, sheepish. "Can I have some money?"

Much to Lady Impa's misunderstanding, Noah was no hero.