kenoscomm | locked to zenith

[ 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?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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.

Identities, [ Matt seizes on. He spends a moment fretting about whether Florence or Kathova will be able to overhear this conversation, or whether Link will tell them about it himself. He tries to chart a narrow, but honest path. ] Yeah, that's exactly what I'm wondering about--if they have distinct identities, or personhood. If there's something in them that could still be reached.

My understanding is there's something called an effigy, and that's not actually the Oracle per se? But I'm wondering if I got close enough, if I could run some kind of magical scan and get a glimpse of their deal.

There's an Effigy in Highstorm. Zenith won the Iconoclast Oracle, so its Effigy is sitting by Highstorm's Tree, near the Manor.

The two that Meridian have won, they're also around the Tree in Springstar... but you're going to have a much more difficult time traveling to see those now.

Ah--yeah, I'd guess that's true. [ A frown. Matt's so focused on the words he wants to use (and not use) that he's kind of forgotten to come across as embodied via Communion, so the sense of frowning is more of a vibe. ] Hell, if it were me, I'd put up some kind of ward or something against Zenith energy ... keep us from getting too close.

Okay, but the effigy-- [ Of the Iconoclast Oracle. The same one Set mentioned. ] --is the Oracle in there? Or does it visit, like a god or a spirit might visit a dedicated shrine?

I really don't know. We don't even know what the Oracles are, exactly. Or what it means to claim them... or where the Effigies even come from.

[ There's a reason a lot of the Shard-Bearers who have been here for a long time have given up on trying to find out what's really going on. Even if you could try devoting yourself to unraveling Kenos' secrets... The Oracles come anyway, for the two sides to fight over. ]

Sure, [ Matt says immediately, a hint of sheepishness permeating his mental presence. ] Yeah, that makes sense, given how much we don't know about this whole conflict in general.

[ Something he continues to view as deliberate, and potentially sinister. ]

I appreciate the pointers. Honestly, you're already saving me a lot of false starts.

[ It's clear from the ambience of Link's Communion that he has an exhausted, numb, and mostly hopeless attitude about their situation in Kenos, but hearing this, he smiles weakly at Matt. ]

I'm glad. I'm not very good at figuring out stuff like that... I'm not good with magic, or dealing with people... but I wanna support the people who are. You're our only hope if we want to try to crack those mysteries.

[ Matt feels the tiredness; the numb nothing; the lack. And his heart cracks a little for it. He slowly comes into "view," appearing within the mind's eye like an image emerging from a photographer's bath: twiggy guy, messy hair, wearing the t-shirt and jeans that were destroyed (presumably) when everything else was. ]

I want to support people too. Who can do the things I can't. [ A faint smile, as he aims for a lighter tone. ] For example, before Springstar, I had literally never been in a fight in my life. It turns out I'm not totally hopeless, but ... there's significant room for improvement.

[ There's a sense of searing pain, of guilt and self-recrimination. The flicker of flames. Contextually, it would make sense to think the memories are from the attack on Springstar, even though they aren't. ]

[ When Matt's image materializes in his mind, smiling and trying to encourage him, there's a sense that Link turns to face him. Mentally, he was still standing on the edge of that icy cliff that he delivered his original Communion message from. Now, the sprawling mountains around him are at his back, and the flickering campfire casts light and shadows across his dainty features. ]

Will you be alright during the Oracle?

[ As soon as Link asks, he frowns. No. Oracles are dangerous, even for people who are seasoned in combat. ]

Stick together with others, if you can. Those of us who know how to fight will do what we can to protect you, but not if we can't find you. Okay?

[ Matt can't help warming a little as Link turns to face him. It feels like doing something good, however small.

Link seems to regret his question immediately, turning--if not a 180 from it, then at least a sharp 90. Matt laughs. He's a little sheepish, but honestly nothing he feels now can be as embarrassing as swinging Byleth's dagger into empty air when no one was even close to him. He drags a hand absently through his hair, then offers Link a crooked smile. ]

I'll send up a flare, [ he promises. His hand drops, flipping palm-up: in his mind, it's dreamily easy to summon a kaleidoscope of sparking lights, all different colors. ] Like I said, I'm not a total damsel in distress. But I'm definitely better at things like putting up shields while other people do the hitting ... and slashing ... and burning.

Then maybe you'll be the one doing the protecting.

[ As he says this, he smiles slightly. Still tired and numb, but acknowledging that maybe he doesn't need to worry about Matt that much after all. ]

If you ever want to learn how to use a sword, I can show you. There's probably not enough time to teach you anything useful for this Oracle, but maybe for the next one. Until then, choose your actions defensively, alright?

Oh. [ Matt's surprised, then touched; his emotions brighten, even as the rainbow sparks fade away. ] That's a really kind offer. Yes, totally, I'd love that. I don't know how good a pupil I'll be--

[ The memory of swinging Byleth's dagger returns, this time with a stronger undercurrent of flushing nerves. Is it adrenaline from the life-or-death situation, or embarrassment over looking stupid in front of a cute guy? Yes. ]

--but I can promise a positive attitude.

And uh. Defensive sounds good. I can do that.

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