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

[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?

[bakedapple]

We still don't know who targeted our Shards or how.

[ This, Link says sharply, through gritted teeth. He wasn't targeted, but he's among those people most desperate to find out how exactly that happened and who did it. He doesn't appreciate Akechi implying that he doesn't care about that, or even forgot. ]

...Trying to make me emotional with hypotheticals doesn't do anything to change my mind about what we should do right now, going forward.

The simple truth is that none of us will benefit from unnecessary cruelty in the long run. At most, it will convince the Meris even more thoroughly of their moral superiority. They have more people, more resources, a bigger population of locals supporting them, and more unity and teamwork than we do.

If we galvanize them further, we're not going to win.

[corvidant]

The very fact that you refuse to acknowledge such hypotheticals tells me enough.

[ His mental tone is his usual cold, but not deliberately cruel. No one who's gone as far as asking Yima for a special Shard would be indifferent to the thought of seeing it crushed. Even Akechi isn't, as much as he hates to admit. ]

In any event, and until we can gather more conclusive evidence otherwise, Meridians are the most likely culprits behind the targeted destruction of our gifted Shards. It was their choice to further this conflict beyond the realm of trials. Consort with the enemy all you like, but don't expect them to extend any of their [ ew ] unity and [ eww ] teamwork to one of us when their precious light of Meridian is extinguished.

Least of all... to a traitor of their cause.

[ It takes a special kind of idiot to forgive traitors, after all. Akechi just happens to be acquainted with... a few of them, but only one of which is currently in Meridian. ]

Not really here

[zauneyete]

[ oh he is going to ADOPT this lol guy ]

[bakedapple]

[ Someone more eloquent with words could've shot back with their own manipulative hypothetical, but Link is not that guy. As Akechi seems to move on, Link is happy to do so as well.

But then Akechi had to go there. The mild, polite sense of disagreement that had permeated Link's Communion with him hardens into something sandy and gritty. It blows against their faces like freezing mist. ]

What's the point of trying to win an argument by putting words in the other person's mouth?

The fact that they aren't going to show us any mercy is the point of what I said.

Are you even listening to me?