Chapter 37: Between Life & Death
Inside a previously unused room within Lady Impa's dwelling, a small group of four gathered, with Noah standing at the helm. The dim light from the single lantern in the corner cast long shadows across their faces, adding a tense atmosphere to the air.
Much to Noah's dismay, after convincing Xello to join the team, they had to wait an entire additional day to gather everyone once more. Initially, Noah had wanted to head straight into the mission and confront the monster, eager to prevent further deaths, but Neph and the others had convinced him otherwise. It was smarter to prepare before rushing into danger, and Noah had reluctantly agreed. Still, as he stood before the group now, the thought of how many more villagers had died in the past 24 hours weighed heavily on him.
"Alright," Noah declared, breaking the silence, his voice carrying the determination of a man resolved to see things through. "Let's get started."
He took in the sight of his team. Xello, the Zora archer, stood to his left, his tall frame seemingly relaxed but with a tense readiness in his eyes. A silver bow was strapped to his waist, the Zora equivalent of the traditional Hylian bow, but far more advanced in design. It gleamed faintly in the lantern light, a reminder of Xello's long-range expertise.
Neph, standing by Noah's right, carried a medium-sized axe slung across her back. It was a weapon that surprised Noah; he had expected something more traditional, but the axe suited her, giving her an air of brutal efficiency.
Then there was the assassin, the final member of their group. As usual, she stood apart from the rest, cloaked in shadow. Her dual daggers were barely visible, hidden beneath the folds of her dark robes, but Noah knew better than to underestimate her silence.
As for himself, Noah carried a medium-sized sword strapped to his waist—a standard Hylian blade, but well-maintained. His grip tightened slightly as he surveyed his companions. It wasn't a perfect team by any means, but it was versatile. Each member had a different role, and together, they had the potential to cover each other's weaknesses.
"So, what's the plan?" Neph asked, her tone patient but ready for action.
Noah took a deep breath and began. "We're going to go over everything we know about this creature, then discuss how we're going to move forward. We won't engage until everyone is on the same page. After this meeting, assuming there are no new developments, we'll head out."
Seeing the others' attention focused on him, Noah continued. "Here's what we know: there's a powerful monster within the borders of this village. It has some form of mental distortion ability. For over a week now, it's been using this ability to influence the villagers, driving them to suicide and then dragging the bodies away. Worse, it manipulates the perception of others, making it impossible for anyone else to notice these deaths or the disappearances."
Xello's eyes narrowed, his voice laced with suspicion. "If that's the case, how are you aware of it?"
Noah cast an understanding glance toward him. "It's a long story, but I have an ability that negates the creature's influence. I can perceive what others can't. Also," he glanced at Neph, "it seems this ability can be broken temporarily if a person's emotions are stirred enough by whatever the creature is trying to make them overlook."
There was a brief pause as everyone took that in. Noah could see the gears turning in their minds, each trying to comprehend the depth of the monster's abilities.
"Next," Noah continued, "is the matter of the Blood Moon. According to the villagers, the Blood Moon hasn't risen for over a week. But from my perspective, it's risen every night for the past week and a half."
"I can vouch, before coming here I was able to see it over the horizon." Neph vouched.
Xello raised a brow. "So, we have two conflicting versions of reality: one where the Blood Moon hasn't risen, and yours, where it has every night? Isn't both unheard of?"
"Exactly," Noah confirmed. "Something is deeply wrong here. If the Blood Moon had truly risen every night, we wouldn't be standing here. The monsters would've overwhelmed the village by now."
Neph nodded in agreement. "The Blood Moon can't be underestimated. Its effects strengthen all monsters, sometimes even creating new ones under certain circumstances. If it's been rising nightly, we'd be in serious trouble."
Xello crossed his arms, his mind focused. "Where is this creature based?"
"We're not entirely sure," Noah admitted. "I followed part of it once when it dragged a body into the forest near the village. That's where the Great Fairy resides. I suspect it's hiding in the underground caverns beneath the forest."
Neph's face grew more concerned. "You mentioned the Great Fairy was corrupted?"
Noah nodded grimly. "Yes. It was… disturbing. The fairy's bloom was rotting, and something had latched onto it. She begged for help, but whatever's inside her… it's disturbing."
Xello mused aloud, "What if the creature we're looking for is the very thing attached to the Great Fairy?"
Noah frowned. He hadn't considered that. "It's possible. If that's the case, it might make tracking it easier."
"And how do we help the Fairy?" Neph asked, her concern evident.
Noah paused, thinking back to the game. In it, Link had used rupees to restore the Great Fairy's power, but would that work here? This world didn't always follow the same rules.
"I have an idea," he finally said, "But if that doesn't work, we'll likely have to fight the creature and then figure out how to help the Fairy afterward."
At that moment, a pink glow appeared from under Noah's shirt, drawing everyone's attention. A small fairy fluttered into view, its light noticeably dim, and its wings beat slowly as if it were weakened.
Xello gasped. "That fairy… it looks weaker. Perhaps it's linked to the Great Fairy's deteriorating condition?"
Noah nodded. "This fairy has been guiding me, but I'm not sure what's happening to it. It will likely help us navigate the caverns, though."
With that, Noah turned the conversation to strategy. "What's our formation?" he asked, looking at Neph.
She scratched her chin thoughtfully. "Xello should be in the rear since he has the bow. You and I will be at the front as the main combatants. The assassin will stay in the shadows, providing support when needed. Any issues arise, and we'll adjust on the fly."
Xello raised a hand. "One problem—how can I help if I can't perceive what you see? The same goes for the assassin."
Neph leaned back, crossing her arms. "We'll call out targets for you. If you trust our directions and your aim is true, it should be enough."
Xello considered her words and then nodded. "Understood."
Noah glanced at the assassin, who remained silent throughout the conversation, lurking at the edge of the room. She seemed content to keep to herself, so Noah didn't press her for input.
After a few more minutes of discussion, the group rose to leave Lady Impa's dwelling. Their destination: the forest near Kakariko Village.
It was time to slay a monster.
As the four travelled through Kakariko Village, Noah kept his gaze fixed on the sky, purposely avoiding the ground beneath them. The streets were starting to show signs of the horrors that had occurred. Blood stains began to dot the path, growing more numerous as they walked. How many deaths had the village suffered? Noah couldn't say for sure, but it was evident that even the monster's abilities couldn't entirely conceal the bodies anymore.
Looking up at the looming Blood Moon, Noah found himself in awe of its eerie crimson glow. Its presence, as always, unsettled him, as though it signalled something dark and unnatural. Neph, walking beside him, slowed her pace to match his. After casting a cautious glance toward Xello and the silent assassin behind them, she leaned closer and whispered, "Hey, uh… why are you still calling yourself Noah?"
Noah glanced at her sceptically, his expression prompting her to shrink back a little. "I mean, most of us know you're Link," she clarified, her voice barely audible, as though worried the others might overhear.
'Right, that's a downside,' Noah thought. It was true—people had started associating him with the legendary hero, which carried its own complications. He finally responded in a measured tone, "Because right now, I am Noah. Nothing more, nothing less."
Neph frowned, falling into thought. She clearly misunderstood something, but rather than pressing the issue, she let it go with a small nod.
Noah was relieved. He had no desire to delve into the deeper complexities of his identity, especially with the assassin still in their group. She was a representative of the Sheikah, after all, and her loyalty wasn't something Noah could easily gauge. He preferred to avoid stirring up any unnecessary trouble.
By the time they arrived at the forest on the outskirts of the village, the night had fully settled in. The thick canopy overhead blocked out much of the moonlight, casting long, unsettling shadows over the ground.
"How exactly are we getting there?" Xello asked, squinting as his eyes struggled to adjust to the darkness of the forest.
"Hopefully, this will help," Noah murmured, reaching into his tunic to pull out the dimly glowing pink fairy. He released it into the air, watching as it wobbled in mid-flight, struggling to maintain altitude.
The fairy looked even weaker than before, its glow barely visible in the gloom. It hovered a few inches off the ground, then remained stationary, as though too tired to move.
"You want us to save the Great Fairy, right?" Noah asked quietly, kneeling beside the tiny creature. "Then guide us there… that's why you came after me in the first place, isn't it?"
The pink fairy had interrupted an important meeting earlier, something that had frustrated Noah at the time. But now, it all made sense—the fairy had been leading him here from the start, to help save its kind.
After a moment of hesitation, the fairy slowly began floating forward, albeit sluggishly, toward the denser part of the forest.
"Suppose we follow it," Neph muttered, unholstering her axe as her eyes scanned the surrounding trees.
As they walked deeper into the forest, the oppressive silence of the night began to weigh on them. Even the usual sounds of wildlife had gone quiet, as though the entire area was holding its breath. The air was thick with an unsettling tension, and Noah felt a shiver run down his spine.
To break the eerie silence, Noah glanced at Xello. "So, uh, what's it like being a Zora?" he asked, trying to sound casual.
Xello shot him a sceptical look, raising an eyebrow as if expecting a trick. "What do you mean?" he asked cautiously.
"Well," Noah began, scratching the back of his head, "I'm a Huma- I mean Hylian, and I've never been to Zora's Domain. I was just curious… what's life like for your kind?"
Xello blinked, clearly surprised by the question. For a moment, it seemed like he wasn't going to answer, but then he sighed and shrugged. "It's… different. We're more in tune with nature, especially the water. Life moves slower, more peacefully, at least when we're not dealing with things like the Divine Beast."
Noah nodded thoughtfully. "I imagine it must be nice, being so connected to the water."
Xello softened a bit, the suspicion fading from his eyes. "It has its advantages. But it's not always as serene as you'd think. The water can be as dangerous as it is beautiful."
Noah chuckled softly. "I guess that's true of a lot of things."
They continued to follow the pink fairy, its dim light barely illuminating the path ahead, but the conversation had helped lighten the mood, at least for the moment. Still, Noah couldn't shake the feeling of unease settling in the pit of his stomach. The forest felt wrong, as though it was holding secrets even darker than the monster they were hunting.
Ahead of them, the dense bushland opened into a wider clearing, and Noah could feel the ground beneath his feet begin to soften, the air around them growing colder and more damp. They were getting closer.
As the group moved through the forest, the pink fairy's faint glow flickered ominously, before it suddenly stopped in midair. Noah noticed it first, halting just in time. His hand reflexively shot up to signal the others to stop, but he hesitated, letting them move forward instead.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then, without warning—WHOOSH!
The ground beneath them gave way, collapsing into a hidden pit. Xello, Neph, and the assassin let out startled screams as they plummeted into the darkness below. The sound of crumbling earth filled the air as they disappeared from sight.
Noah stood at the edge of the pit, his heart pounding in his chest, but a small, rueful smile tugged at his lips. They had no idea this was coming. With a resigned sigh, he leaped in after them, allowing gravity to pull him down into the unknown.
The fall wasn't long, but the sensation of free-falling left his stomach in knots. They hit the ground with a loud thud, rolling into an underground cavern. The air was thick with dampness, and the ground beneath them was soft and uneven. The darkness was suffocating, and the only light came from the dim glow of the pink fairy, which had followed them into the pit.
Groaning, Noah picked himself up and looked around. Neph was already on her feet, dusting herself off, while Xello winced as he tried to stand. The assassin, as usual, was silent, though her tense posture suggested she hadn't enjoyed the fall.
"Everyone okay?" Noah called out, brushing the dirt from his tunic.
Neph shot him an exasperated look. "You knew that was going to happen, didn't you?"
Noah shrugged, and instead smiled.
Xello groaned, rubbing his back. "A little warning would have been nice…"
The assassin said nothing, though her eyes flicked to Noah in silent judgment.
"We're here now," Noah said, glancing around the cavern. The air was colder, more oppressive, and there was an unmistakable sense of wrongness clinging to the place. Shadows clung to the walls, and the sound of distant, dripping water echoed faintly through the chamber.
The atmosphere in the underground chamber was suffocating, and though the greenery around them remained vibrant with bushes, trees, and unfamiliar plants, something was off. The air felt stagnant. Unlike their previous journey, the once lively forest had gone eerily silent. No animals scurried or called out from the shadows. The stillness only made the tension in the group more palpable.
Noah followed the dim glow of the pink fairy as it hovered ahead, leading them deeper into the labyrinthine forest. He exhaled softly, frustration bubbling under the surface. So much walking, he thought, unable to shake the rising stress. His mind raced with the many unknowns about their mission, and his nerves itched for some sort of release.
Slowing his pace, Noah glanced at the assassin, who, though invisible to the others, had been walking beside him in complete silence for what felt like hours. His curiosity got the better of him.
"You haven't spoken in a while. Do you have any concerns?" he asked, lowering his voice so that only she could hear.
The assassin flinched, clearly caught off guard by the question. She glanced at him, her eyes wide with surprise. "N-No, Master Link!" she stammered. "It's just that… I…"
Noah raised an eyebrow. He could sense there was more on her mind, but he didn't press, allowing her space to continue.
"I have… a small, very insignificant problem," she admitted after a moment, her voice barely audible. "With… speaking around others."
'Ah,' Noah mused internally, piecing things together. "That… actually makes a lot of sense," he said after a pause.
"Does it?" she asked, a mixture of hope and embarrassment in her tone.
"Well, since we met, you've never said much. I assumed it was part of your stoic assassin nature," he confessed, a half-smile forming. "Turns out, I was wrong."
The assassin's cheeks flushed, though her face remained mostly hidden under her hood. "I-It's not your fault! It makes sense you'd think that."
Noah chuckled softly. "For what it's worth, I think it works in your favour. Being silent makes you look even more dangerous, although I suppose looks can kill as well."
She seemed flustered by the unexpected compliment, awkwardly fiddling with one of her daggers. After a moment, she nodded, her face softening. "Thank you," she mumbled, then hesitated before adding, "This… isn't my permanent profession…"
"What was that?" Noah asked, catching the faint whisper of her words.
"N-Nothing!" she quickly corrected, her face turning red. She straightened her posture, trying to regain her composure.
Noah, recognizing that she wasn't ready to share more, chose not to pry. He nodded, respecting her privacy. Everyone's fighting their own battle, he thought.
Just then, Neph's voice broke the tension. "Are we close yet?" she asked, her patience visibly wearing thin as she addressed the fairy floating ahead of them.
The fairy, however, remained silent, its glow flickering as if in thought or hesitation.
"Damn this thing!" Neph growled, her frustration boiling over. She reached out as if to grab the small creature, but Xello quickly stepped forward and caught her wrist.
"Easy," Xello warned gently, keeping her from acting out of anger. "It's guiding us the best it can."
Noah frowned, watching the exchange. The stress of their journey was clearly weighing on everyone. Yet, in a strange way, that tension was the very thing keeping them sharp.
"We're all on edge," Noah said, his voice calm but firm. "But we need to keep it together. This place isn't forgiving. One wrong move and—"
His words were cut short as the ground trembled beneath their feet. He froze, eyes scanning the terrain. "Something's here…"
The fairy, flickering more intensely now, began to speed ahead.
"Stay close," Noah ordered, his tone grave as they all rushed after the fairy.
Their steps quickened, their movements growing more frantic as they tried to keep up with the only light guiding them. But something in the air had shifted—an unsettling presence that seemed to slither through the shadows, watching, waiting.
The group emerged from the dense undergrowth into an open clearing, bathed in an eerie, sickly light. The once vibrant landscape had twisted into something unnatural. The trees that bordered the clearing were gnarled and warped, their branches stretching like claws toward the sky. The air was thick with a heavy, oppressive mist that clung to their skin and made breathing difficult.
At the centre of the clearing lay the once-majestic Great Fairy's fountain. What was once a beautiful pool of sparkling water had turned into a dark, stagnant swamp, covered with a layer of filth and slime. The vibrant hues of the flowers that once surrounded the fountain had dulled, their petals wilted and lifeless. Even the iconic fountain itself—the towering stone bud that housed the Great Fairy—had decayed. Cracks ran along its surface, oozing with dark liquid that trickled into the poisoned water below.
The group came to a halt, all eyes drawn to the grotesque spectacle that lay before them. The faint pink glow of the fairy that had guided them flickered dimly, as though even it was affected by the foulness of the place. It hovered cautiously, almost as if afraid to go any further.
'This place looks worse than before' Noah quickly analysed.
The Great Fairy's stone bud, which should have been grand and awe-inspiring, was now a monument to corruption. Dark tendrils of shadow wrapped around it, pulsating and writhing as though alive. The stone was mottled with moss and grime, its beauty eroded by time and the dark influence that now gripped it.
As the group stood before the corrupted fountain, Noah kept his eyes on his companions, gauging their reactions. Xello, for all his determination and courage, seemed troubled but confused. His eyes darted around the clearing, landing on the decayed surroundings, the stagnant water, and the cracked stone bud. But, despite the eerie atmosphere, it was clear he couldn't see the grotesque transformation of the Great Fairy herself.
"There's… nothing," Xello muttered under his breath, his hand resting on his bow as if unsure whether to prepare for an attack. "I don't understand. Why are we stopping?"
Noah frowned, realizing that Xello's inability to perceive the corruption was even stronger than expected. The Zora was entirely unaware of the horror that lay before them. His senses hadn't broken free from the creature's distortion ability, just like Neph's hadn't, before her emotions were stirred.
Just then, Noah glanced toward the assassin. Her demeanour had shifted. The stoic, silent presence that had been so unwavering began to falter. She stood a little more rigidly now, her hands clutching her daggers more tightly. Her eyes were fixed on the grotesque figure of the Great Fairy, her expression unreadable, yet her breathing had become shallow, and her hands trembled slightly.
Noah narrowed his gaze. She hadn't been able to see anything before, yet now, something had changed. It was subtle, but he could sense that the assassin was beginning to perceive the corruption—just as he had suspected might happen.
Suddenly, there was movement from within the fountain. A grotesque, skeletal hand—elongated and misshapen—emerged from the stone bud, grasping at the air with a desperate, clawing motion. The hand was pale, almost translucent, with veins of black ichor running through it. It trembled as though weak, but the sight alone sent a shiver down Noah's spine. He had seen it before.
The fingers, bony and skeletal, scraped at the edge of the cracked stone bud. Then, slowly, a face appeared. But it was not the radiant visage of the Great Fairy. Instead, it was a twisted mockery, hollow eyes filled with suffering, lips cracked and pulled into a painful grimace. The Great Fairy, or what remained of her, was trapped—something vile had attached itself to her.
"Help… me…" a voice whispered, barely audible yet filled with immense sorrow. It wasn't the regal tone Noah had expected, but a weak, broken plea.
Neph's hand tightened around the handle of her axe, her knuckles white. "What in the world…?"
Noah took a few steps closer to the assassin, his eyes flicking to her hands, now clenched tight around her daggers, the faintest tremble visible in her knuckles. Her usually guarded expression had shifted into one of quiet alarm.
He leaned in slightly, keeping his voice low enough for only her to hear. "You can see it now, can't you?"
The assassin startled, her eyes snapping to his, wide with surprise and a hint of panic. She hesitated, clearly reluctant to admit it. "I… I don't know what I'm seeing," she whispered, her voice trembling ever so slightly. "But something is wrong here… something terrible."
Noah's suspicions were confirmed. Her emotions had been stirred enough that her perception was breaking free of the creature's influence, just as his had. The more she saw of the twisted form of the Great Fairy, the more the distortion fell away, revealing the horrifying reality. But unlike Xello, who still remained blind to it, the assassin was slowly waking up to the truth.
Noah nodded subtly, not wanting to draw too much attention from the others. He could see that she was shaken, and pushing her further wouldn't help right now.
"It's alright," he said softly, offering her a reassuring glance. "You're seeing the truth. Just stay focused. We'll figure this out."
The assassin swallowed hard and gave a faint nod, trying to steady her breathing. She cast another glance at the Great Fairy, her expression hardening slightly as she forced herself to stay composed.
Xello, still oblivious to the exchange, sighed. "Are we going to move forward or what? I don't see any threat."
As Noah and Neph cautiously approached the Great Fairy's decayed bud, their movements slowed as tension filled the air. Noah glanced sideways at Neph, his tone calm but firm.
"You remember the plan. We get close enough to the hand, and we toss the bag of rupees."
Neph nodded, her grip tightening on her axe, her voice betraying her anxiety. "I remember, but... are you sure this will work?"
Noah gave a resolute nod, though doubt churned within him. "She's weak because of neglect. The rupees should help her regain strength."
'At least, that's how it worked in the game,' Noah thought. He tried to convince himself this world would follow the same rules, but there was no certainty.
As they approached the corrupted bud, a sudden, unsettling noise echoed through the chamber—a skittering, crawling sound that sent shivers down their spines. Then, a piercing scream split the air, sharp and unnatural.
"Move!" Noah shouted instinctively, and he and Neph leaped apart just in time. Something crashed down between them, sending a cloud of dust into the air. They drew their weapons in unison, eyes straining to make out the shape within the dust cloud.
Xello, standing back, gripped his bow tightly, tension in every muscle. "What... what is that?" he muttered, but he held his position, unwilling to interfere just yet.
Before the dust settled, something lunged at Noah with terrifying speed. He barely had time to react, thrusting his sword out as he braced for impact. The weight of the creature slammed against the blade, knocking him back a step. Grunting, he angled his sword, throwing the attacker to the ground.
Neph moved in like a shadow, her axe slicing downward with deadly precision, aiming for the creature. But it was fast—too fast. It rolled out of the way, springing back to its feet with unnatural agility.
As the dust finally cleared, Noah and Neph's breaths quickened in unison, eyes widening in horror at what stood before them.
As the dust cleared, Noah and Neph locked eyes on their foe. Their breaths quickened as they took in the sight before them.
It was a child—a Hylian girl, no older than eight. But she no longer resembled anything human. Her once-soft skin was stretched taut, pale as death, with thin, sinewy cords—like marionette strings—embedded deep into her flesh. These threads snaked over her body, pulling her limbs into grotesque, unnatural positions. Her eyes, hollow and lifeless, glowed with a faint, eerie light, like some malevolent force was puppeteering her every move.
Noah's heart sank. 'A child... what is this?'
The horror only deepened. From the depths of the murky swamp, more figures began to emerge—dozens of them. Men, women, and other children, all Hylian, their bodies in varying stages of decay. Each of them was bound by the same string-like cords, as if they were broken dolls held together by a sadistic puppeteer. The cords stretched and coiled across their limbs, locking them in contorted poses. Their movements were jerky and stiff, their dead eyes glowing with the same sickly light.
"This... these are the missing villagers," Noah whispered, his voice tight with disbelief.
"I thought they were dead," Neph muttered, her voice shaking with both dread and fury.
"They're not dead... but they don't look alive, either," Noah reliased.
The realization sent a cold wave of fear through Noah, but he quickly suppressed it. There was no time to freeze. The horde of corrupted villagers stood between them and the Great Fairy's bud.
Noah gritted his teeth, tightening his grip on his sword. "We're getting through them. Stick to the plan."
Neph nodded, though her eyes flicked uneasily toward the girl, who stood at the forefront of the horde, watching them with those dead, glowing eyes. "No mercy?"
"No mercy," Noah affirmed, though the weight of his words hung heavy. These people weren't themselves anymore. The only mercy they could offer was ending their torment.
Noah briefly shifted his gaze away from the advancing horde, taking in the state of his companions. Xello stood at the rear, visibly confused, his eyes darting back and forth as he struggled to focus on what he couldn't perceive. His bow was ready, but his hesitation showed—he hadn't yet realized the true extent of the threat.
In contrast, the assassin stood poised, daggers in hand, though Noah noticed the subtle tremor in her grip. Her body language was tense, but it was clear that unlike Xello, she could see the grotesque, plant-zombified villagers.
'At least the assassin can see them,' Noah thought, relieved that he wouldn't have to fight this battle entirely alone with Neph.
'Looks like Lady Impa was right,' Noah mused.