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]

How about the Hour of the Ox?

[erbe]

[Oh so now it's jokes all around as we mention THE WITCHING HOUR.

Hm.]

I'm typically busy at that time with my magecraft, but I suppose that's why you picked it.

[kinaesthesia]

A lack of mercy is a real bad precedent to set, kid.

[corvidant]

Things have already escalated. Or do you forget even our gifted Shards have been targeted prior to Cyrus's assassination? A series of deliberate attacks, no doubt orchestrated by a Meridian.

[ A pause, just to collect his mental breath and cool. He realizes blinding anger isn't going to help him here, so instead: ]

Let me paint you a clearer picture: what if that other Shard you carry hadn't been spared? Would you be as willing to give them the benefit of the doubt?

oh my god I love that nickname

[bakedapple]

H... Hummingbird? [ Link wants to object, but Tezca just moves right along, so he has no choice but to move along with him. ]

That's a gun?

[ Huh. He squints at it. It looks kinda... small? Will little pellets fired from this thing really take out a creature that's as big as a horse? ]

...What's the axeblade for?

[ let's start with that, ]

[bakedapple]

You fought her? [ It's clear from the tone of Link's voice that he's impressed. ] Aside from archery, what else can she do? Did she use any other weapons, or any magic?

[bakedapple]

Ah... [ he frowns. ] You mean your enchanted tattoos?

...I wish you wouldn't give any to Meris... Or do anything else that'd help them win, Kiritsubo...

[bakedapple]

Mmm.

[ The ethics of war is a topic that's a bit heady and advanced for a guy like Link, who is basically a medieval peasant with a sixth grade education. So it takes him a moment to respond, and with a heavy dose of hesitation. ]

...You're right, in a certain way, but... this is a war... it's not the same as if he'd attacked me unprovoked. He caught me spying on the Meris, after all — and I knew the danger I was in by doing it.

He had every right to try to kill me. I was trying to kill him back, once I realized talking wouldn't work.

I'm grateful he didn't make my defeat permanent.

[corvidant]

A valid strategy, though I would defer to our veterans on that particular choice. Admittedly, I'm not too familiar with the other side.

That said, what matters is that we reclaim balance one way or another. It's vexing enough that they have the numerical advantage regarding Oracles...

[corvidant]

One that Meridians have set, themselves. Must I remind you our gifted Shards have been targeted? Would you call it mercy, to witness an important soul bursting in your very hands?

[punkisntdead]

Alright, so what kinda spell we talkin' here? I really gotta up my game on all the magical shit going on around this place, and if I can do that and get a sick tat? Sounds like a pretty badass deal.

[bakedapple]

Armor... as in, protection from injury?

[ That sounds useful, at least. If a simple tattoo could help keep Link from getting killed, why wouldn't he get one? ]

How does it work?

[erbe]

They always have had more bodies, and judging by the papers posted in the aftermath of our Harbinger Oracle, it seems that if a person is dissipated during the trial their actions may not count in the Oracle's eyes. I tend not to pay too much mind to our differences outside of Oracles because mingling with the others can give you insight on what might be useful during battle.

However, if dissipation is all it takes, then quantity over quality with easy targets is the way to go. Shattering shards may be a last resort, but doing so will paint you as a target and make moving among them or taking advantage of a Meridian's kindness out of the question.

[alliterating]

Yeesh, someone's grumpy.

[bakedapple]

W-Well, no, but...

[ But. But.

............Yuber's idea does make a certain amount of sense, doesn't it?

A person like Link isn't about to say something that to a young woman, though. This whole conversation makes him very uncomfy! ]

Set might be a liar, but why wouldn't we believe a book about him? I mean, he didn't write it, right?

[kinaesthesia]

Stooping to their level is exactly the kind of thing that makes things worse and worse in the long run.

Our whole goal here is to make a new and better world. You start with a foundation like that, and it's screwed from the start.

[bakedapple]

You should be able to find something basic and useable by asking around the Manor. Even at times like this. Or, if you have the money, I know there are weapons for sale in the Market and elsewhere...

But if you need something specific... you could ask Amos. He has a workshop.

[erbe]

Oh no, I was merely implying that I would advise against poisoning in close-quarters because sweet nothings could truly be just that: nothing.

[Sorry Link she's just going to make it worse.]

[bakedapple]

I don't think we really know anything about the Oracles. Asking the locals doesn't get you anywhere, and the contests so far have been about winning them, not learning about them...

They do seem to have... identities, if that's the right word? They each ask us to do specific things for them. That's what makes each one different, and why it's so impossible to prepare or plan ahead.

[epiprocta]

[ Don't be insensitive, he's allergic to respecting his elders. ]

Yeah? How's that bootsole taste? I'm sure it'll be worth it.

[tattooism]

And here I simply picked it because it was the suitable time for a cursing pilgrimage.

[fursuit]

[ There's a little flicker of excitement, since Tezcatlipoca will gladly explain guns, but. Link's completely reasonable question makes it deflate quickly. You weren't supposed to notice that (extremely obvious thing). ]

Ah, just consider that a backup plan. Things go south, I can just be old-fashioned and use it as an axe.

[ He turns it in his hands so that the long part extended off the barrel now has a clear purpose—It's the handle of the axe when it's wielded that way. ]

Gotta stay versatile, 'specially if I'm in low power mode.

[ It's definitely not. That he can't aim for shit. ]

[erbe]

Arrive around midnight, or one. That will give us plenty of time before my mana is at its peak.

[fursuit]

[ The description causes an immediate flare of disgust, since that's definitely not someone he'd respect, so... ]

...Maybe you've got a point there.

[ Even if they're a know-it-all with a smart mouth, that's still better than someone with no pride at all. ]

I mean, not that I've met many. Daybit is the first one I'd really count as meeting until I got here, since the magecraft during the Empire was pretty damn different.

[eightfoldfiend]

What can they do?

I may be...interested.