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

[corvidant]

[ Akechi's communion presence is extra R E D today, peering through the cracks of his surface calm. ]

What a bunch of sentimental fools.

[ And this is him being generous with his word choice. ]

Spare the lesser Meridians if you will-- I myself would give them the chance to see reason. [ Zenith reason, that is. ] But make no mistake: they are zealots floundering in their own despair, and many will not hesitate to destroy our Shards. In fact, I imagine Silco-san's public [ execution ] performance must have further riled them up.

We cannot afford to be merciful, least of all when we're outnumbered. I say we should even our odds, and target the strongest among them.

[epiprocta]

[ This is supremely unhelpful but -- ]

Silco-san?

[ Said with the most exquisite derision because my man, the guy doesn't deserve that much respect??? ]

[corvidant]

[ Yeah, he gets the Derision and immediately figures out this isn't a culture clash moment. ]

Yes. Whether you personally disagree with his methods or not, Silco-san is unquestionably an invaluable ally to our cause. He did rid us of one major threat, to say the least.

[ Respect your elders, punk!! ]

[bakedapple]

No.

[ Link was prepared for someone to say this. It's because he has already thought about what to say that the normally soft-spoken Hylian is able to respond so quickly and confidently. ]

It's only going to escalate things even further. They outnumber us... They can afford to have a few people shattered. We can't.

Shattering the Shards of those who get dissipated can't be the norm going forward. We can't let that happen.

[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?

[erbe]

I disagree. Sometimes it's best to take out the more middling threats to ensure your stronger targets don't have back up.

[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...

[kinaesthesia]

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

[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?

[alliterating]

Yeesh, someone's grumpy.

[corvidant]

I wouldn't have to be, if only I wasn't surrounded by such bleeding hearts.

[twohand]

Target anyone for permanent death, and I will have your hands first. Your head, if you continue to consider such a path.

We need everyone's experience to make a fruitful future. The Meridian will struggle enough when we win, unable to have any say — but, we will need them.

[fursuit]

[ yayyyy conflict :) which is why tezca has to butt in ]

Ha, big words, but after our lil tussle, I can at least say I believe you'd make a good effort!

[ It's a compliment, probably ]

So, you promise? I'd be real disappointed if you talked this kinda game but weren't actually willin' to follow through when push came to shove.

[kinaesthesia]

[Ohh, that's a nice feisty side of Drizzt to see there. A sense of passing approval and agreement comes from Gavial. Y'know, a little bit of 👀]

[corvidant]

You're assuming you could take my hands without a fight. And from the sound of it, it would seem someone else has claimed you as their personal prey.

[ He can respect a good ol' archnemesis relationship and stay out of the way! ]

In any case, you do realize I'm not advocating for a full extermination, do you not? Whether or not they wish to live in the world we aim to create is indifferent to me, but there will be no victory without force. If blood must be shed, then I should hope it will be theirs.

[semicharmed]

[ Matt's feeling a hint of I'm tagged in this photo here. At the same time, he does agree that Silco (derogatory)'s general conduct doesn't help any of their chances at survival.

Come to think, Amos might be in some added danger too. ]

I don't think of my position as sentimental. [ It definitely is. But he also has logic behind it! ] You said it yourself, Mr. Silco's behavior singlehandedly made things worse for us. I don't really want to engage in a race to the bottom of sentient depravity just because we're in a conflict.

And I think the thing that killed our worlds is the real enemy here.

[corvidant]

That, I can agree with. Both Silco-san's and Amos-san's choices to take public responsibility for the Meridian lives they took was ill-advised. My own approach to it would be far different.

[ Or: he would rather chalk the blame on another Meri and watch the girls catfight, but alas. ]

That said, I have to acknowledge the efficiency of their results. And until "the thing that killed our worlds" makes itself known, my only concern is to ensure Zenith will claim definitive victory in the end, nothing more.

[youngprodigy]

We do not have the numbers on our side. Aggression at this point in time is reckless and amounts to pointless posturing, instead of what's actually important: claiming the Oracle.

Are you stating you'll be taking initiative on this?

The way I see it, you'll not be creating converts with this nonsense.

[corvidant]

[ Does it get communicated over this mental network? Who knows, but Akechi sure is rubbing his own temples in his physical form. Why is everyone such a drama queen... ]

No, I am merely making a proposition. The whole point of this... [ uncalled for ] impromptu meeting was to discuss our approach going forward, was it not?

That said, and provided our efforts won't be broadcast to the general populace a second time, the Oracle trial would be the ideal moment to strike. Or at least, I would assume Meridians are inclined to agree, considering the sheer number of casualties on our side during the last one.

[zauneyete]

At least someone has enough of a functioning mind to see the truth of the matter.

[corvidant]

[ There's the feeling of a commiserating sigh. He's so exhausted from dealing with these bleeding heart simpletons... ]

I would've hoped more people had the basic common sense to accept bloodshed in a war. Instead, they'd rather consort with the enemy and play nice. Before we know it, they'll think "taking up arms" means holding hands.

[eightfoldfiend]

Reason? I wonder how many Meri could be swayed to our side if only they knew their worlds were destroyed.

A pity we cannot show them the destruction, eh?

Unless any of you happen to know how to give someone dreams.

[settingup]

Is this some kinda joke? Are you really suggestin' what I'm thinkin' you are? 'Cause goin' around destroyin' more shards sure ain't gonna make them wanna play nice if they get their hands on one of ours.

[tresemme]

[ tbh? he doesn’t want to agree, and largely he doesn’t with the idea of destroying shards willy-nilly, but… ]

Go for the throat. I like it.

[diegeticmusic]

[Dang dude, that's a lot of red. By contrast, Grace's communion is a calm blue.]

You shouldn't be so hasty. Even the minds of zealots can be changed.