locked to zenith

[bakedapple]

[ Link's mental space feels like being outside, so depending on where you are, you might not realize that someone has started Communion with you. Since joining the Zenith, the landscape of Link's mind has gone from idyllic, sunny forests to icy, overcast mountains. A frigid wind blows against your face, carrying the scent of firewood and meat roasting over an open flame. The diminutive Hylian is not sitting by the fire, but standing at the edge of a rocky ledge, his back turned. ]

There's going to be another Oracle soon. I can feel it. The rest of you can feel it too, right? That... pulling feeling.

[ He sighs. ]

If we lose this one, it's over. The Meridian isn't going to go easy on us. I know them... I know how badly they want to win. To them, the stakes couldn't be higher.

So let's talk. About what we're going to be up against, and... well, planning ahead isn't really something we can do, but at least we can warn each other of the dangers that individual Meri pose.

And I... I want to say something, too.

[ He sits down where he stands, his feet hanging off the cliff. There's a sense that he knows this isn't going to go over well, but it's important enough to him to say it anyway. ]

Killing the other guy before they kill you is what war is. That's normal. But Kenos is different. Death doesn't work the way it should here. We don't die permanently. You can neutralize someone threatening you by just dissipating them. There's nothing to gain by destroying their soul after you're no longer in danger.

So, I don't think any of us should shatter anyone ever again.

If you claim someone's Shard, you should protect it. If you feel that you can't do that, give it to someone else.

...I'm not stupid. I know a lot of you aren't gonna agree to this. And the Meris probably won't either. I'm sure they want revenge for what happened to Quetzalcoatl, and those of you who lost the Shards Yima gave you probably aren't feeling very merciful right now either...

But if we don't come to some kinda agreement now, that's going to become normal. Things are gonna get really bad. I don't want that. So... can we talk about it, at least?

Comments

[tattooism]

Well, it's not like I can easily refuse a man who is so enthusiastic about my craft... Let alone the chance to say that Kiritsubo's work has been carved on the flesh of a god.

Even if he does defy certain deific expectations.

It takes me a day or so to infuse my inks. Shall we pray that the Oracle does not come so very quickly?

[erbe]

Would you like to come over for another visit? We can have drinks in the solarium and work on an estimate.

[semicharmed]

[ All right, Matt's still not the best at concealing his feelings and thoughts over Communion. But when he has a little time to prepare, he's found he can meditate and submerge certain topics to the point that they won't arise spontaneously. So maybe you clocked his mental presence for a moment, only to find it gone on closer inspection. He's back now, though! And he's ready to not discuss:

Sebastian's collar and potential implications thereof

What Dimitri told him about Rin sending him magic spyware

The extent of his negative feelings about Yima

The memories and emotions he gleaned from Silco in the alley

That should do it. ]

For the record, I agree about destroying Shards. Especially if it's really true that destroying them has a fundamentally subtractive effect. Like, even if you have no sentimentality about the preciousness of life or anything, I'd still say it's a bad idea. Kinda seems like doing oblivion's work for it.

I just don't think we can afford to lose souls at this point.

Also, I'm interested in chasing down a lead about the Oracles. What have people learned about them, apart from "they possess and/or influence people during sadistic tests"?

[tattooism]

Of course it would give you an advantage ♡

I want Zenite to win this Oracle, after all.

But as for what it can do... I would tell you what Amos' is, but that would make it rather pointless. So I will tell you what I have done in my world.

I have returned a voice to the voiceless, and motion to a limb that would not move. I have provided armor, and I have provided protection from heat, or from cold...

Anything that is to do with the skin, or within reach of where my ink can seep... It may be available to you.

[eightfoldfiend]

Ha!

How fortunate for humans that so many are very skilled at that.

[erbe]

What? Are you intent on getting close enough to poison him yourself? I wouldn't suggest it. Anything boldly attributing itself to chaos is likely a liar as well.

[erbe]

Of course I'm right. The idea of being a Servant or even a Counter Guardian sounds woefully annoying.

[AND YET—]

[fursuit]

You bet, Hummingbird. [ nickname reveal so fast, ] I just like a good fight, for one, but if she's a big threat on the opposite side, then she's worth takin' out fast. Plus. She disrespected me. I'm bein' pretty lenient since not many of ya truly know who I am, but if they're an enemy? Well, that's a little different.

[ There's a colder threat there that comes with a sense of danger... But it's quick to pass. Instead, in the space of Communion, Tezcatlipoca manifests himself more completely to demonstrate, and in his hand is a pistol but with what looks like an axe blade on top of it.

...Because it is. Tezcatlipoca loves guns but he also can't aim them for shit. He will not admit this part, though. ]

Yep, this one! I love modern weaponry—So I made sure to etch this custom build right into my soul. Just like my armor you saw, it's with me whenever I want it.

[tattooism]

There are drinks, too? My, how spoiled I am today.

I would~

[erbe]

It's very fortunate, actually. I doubt anyone on the other side knows what I'm truly capable of, for example.

[erbe]

I only keep whiskey for a nightcap. If you'd like to bring over something a bit more fitting you are welcome to. I'll set up the reception accordingly.

[eightfoldfiend]

Well, now I am curious.

Do you have a show in store for us?

[erbe]

That depends on what is needed for the Oracle. Each trial is different.

[punkisntdead]

Fucking gross, dude! Remind me to stay way the hell away from your weapons.

[fursuit]

You bet. Huge pain in the ass. Definitely not worth it unless you're one of those real goody two-shoes types. A hero among heroes, that kinda thing. Stick in the mud, more like.

[ He laughs, though this does make him realize he should probably explain Ryouma, huh... He'll get around to that. ]

'Course, us Divine Spirits have way less of a choice in all that shit than mortals, but. Kinda part of the gig. Mortals are always gonna be better off goin' along to their afterlife once they finally kick the bucket.

[eightfoldfiend]

Are you allergic too?

[punkisntdead]

Tattoos are cool as it is, but magic tattoos? Fuck yeah.

[fursuit]

Ha. Yeah, I get that- Well, not a lot. But enough. Arguably, kinda my whole deal.

[ Tezcatlipoca wasn't a simple god, and he very much liked it that way. Breaking expectations is practically a compliment. ]

I'll do you one better and even offer up some blood. [ He says this like it's a joke, but is it... ] So, yeah, just lemme know when you're ready. I'm slummin' it around various places, but makes it easy to just meat up whenever, wherever.

[erbe]

I wonder, I wonder! Would there be a little book about you too, Mr. Black Sun? Should I educate myself more on your grand deeds as well? If you're upset I was so dismissive our first time you should just say so.

[She's just being a pain, sorry.]

[semicharmed]

[ Matters of DRAGON are neither here nor there, though Matt is sorely tempted to DM Byleth on the side. More urgently, to his mind: ]

Oh ... I'm sorry that happened to you.

I mean. [ Rueful. ] It's nice that he was willing to not make it permanent. I have kind of a hard time being grateful to someone for inflicting pain just because theoretically it could have been worse, though.

If that makes any sense.

[punkisntdead]

Sure, man. Keep that shit away from me.

[kinaesthesia]

Yeah, she's a real strong one. Stubborn too—if she sees any one of us, it's gonna be a fight on-sight.

[Alright, that last part sounds more like a bit of admiration than a real warning.]

I got to tussle with her a little bit back in Springstar, so I can tell you her skills in a fight are no joke. Wouldn't mind a rematch some time...

[One without a building crumbling down to put a premature end to it...]

[eightfoldfiend]

I have no reason to use my blades on you, do I?

But I wonder if you'd be reacting this way if Set was allergic to my blood? Honestly, mortals have the strangest hangups.

[eightfoldfiend]

What have the trials been in the past?

[eightfoldfiend]

Some of us don't have any reason to lie.