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

HAYAME

[bakedapple]

Hayame. You probably recognize this name. She's the one who threatened everyone a few weeks ago.

She might be the most dangerous of the Meri at the moment. Not only does she want to kill us all, but she has the capability. She's similar to a creature known as a Lynel in my world, with the body of a horse, and a human torso and arms where the horse's head would be.

If you come across her, don't engage. If you have to fight her, keep your distance if you can, and watch out for arrows. And if you have to fight her up close, stay away from her front and her flank. Attack the legs from the side.

DIMITRI

[bakedapple]

Dimitri. [ Link says this name with a sigh, like he wishes he didn't have to talk about him. ] He's an extremely formidable combatant. Big, powerful, and good with a lance, which gives him incredible range. Magic is probably best against him.

...he's a good person, though. I think he'll listen to reason if you give him a chance. But he's devoted to the Meri cause, so... maybe not.

SHEZ AND BYLETH

[bakedapple]

Shez and Byleth. They're from the same world as Dimitri. Shez is competent with both a sword and magic. Byleth is, too, and he can transform into a dragon. Both of them are dangerous, and I think there's a good chance that if you run into one, the other will be close by. Don't engage if you're outnumbered.

They're good people too... but I don't think that you have any chance of avoiding a fight by talking. Be careful.

offering: magic tattoos

[tattooism]

You know... After the chilly reception I received last time I offered to make myself useful, courtesy everyone's new favorite Zenith-repeller... I thought long and hard about even bothering to offer again. After all, it was terribly upsetting to realize how little「foresight」was appreciated...

But... we find ourselves in dire straits indeed~ Tribune dead or not, the Oracle numbers have not changed, have they? So in the interest of helping in a way you can more easily swallow... If you do not want what my eyes see and what my ears hear... How about my hands?

I'm considering a sale on my inking services ♡ The ones that come with a little built-in spell, of course, not the ones that just look beautiful.

If you need a testimonial on their efficacy, you may ask Amos Burton.

- But before you get too creatively aroused, I must remind you.

The design is up to your karma... and to me.

No edits~

Only while supplies last... And, of course, only if you actually plan to put that sort of thing to proper use for Zenith.

asking about: Set!

[eightfoldfiend]

[Yuber's presence drifts into the Communion space as a black shadow before settling into the shape of a young man with long, golden-blond hair. His right eye, with its slitted pupil, glitters like a cat's in fire-light. His gaze is hungry and eager.]

The one they call Set claims to be a god of chaos and war. I must test his supposed might.

Tell me what I need to know to crush him!

Swords

[eightfoldfiend]

If I am to be of use I shall need a weapon.

My magic is strong but nothing is as satisfying as a good cut.

Someone bring me a sword!

[tattooism]

Oh, yes... that fellow is very big. You'll want to avoid his lance... or getting within arms reach if you aren't a particularly skilled grappler.

But his heart is big, too~

So you could always try laying down and playing dead if need be. Or, at least, playing pathetically injured or open to surrender.

[fursuit]

I mean, I was sold with just gettin' more regular ink, but if it comes with some extra juice? Of course I'm interested. Don't mind if it's your design, but I'd want it to match what I've already got, yeah?

[erbe]

I think I'll finally take you up on that.

[fursuit]

Ha! No wonder she's so damn cocky. Easier to feel like tough shit when you got half a ton of horse on your side.

[ But there's a grin in Communion all the same. Link knows it, since it's what he'd met in the woods of the Beyond. ]

If you're in a tough spot with her, don't hesitate to hit me up. She's a warrior, so I have to put her through her paces to test her. Her heart—hell, or maybe hearts—are mine to claim.

[erbe]

He has a known allergy, but I doubt it belongs on the battlefield.

1/2

[semicharmed]

Byleth can turn into a dragon?

[eightfoldfiend]

Allergies?

[He knows what those are!

...He thinks.]

What sort of god has allergies!?

2/2

[semicharmed]

... I agree with you, though, that he seems like a good person. Not sure about Shez, we haven't met.

[erbe]

Most deities have their mythological weaknesses.

[She's not happy to have this conversation because of what the allergy actually is, but... They desperately need a win.]

[fursuit]

[ He'll leave the actual explanation to Rin since she brought it up, but there's absolutely another god who's just deeply, deeply amused. Big thanks to the Throne for giving Servants a nice little dose of mythological knowledge they might be missing. ]

[eightfoldfiend]

Tsk!

Weakness I can understand but allergies? Absurd.

[He's stuck on this word specifically, imagining the human allergies he's observed over the years. Sneezing, being generally gooier than usual. Do gods actually have that issue?]

If it's a weakness, then tell me.

[erbe]

[There is a bit of exasperation on her side. The sensation of one pinching the bridge of their nose to ward off a headache.]

Semen is akin to poison for Set.

[erbe]

[ she wishes she could have just let him do it. ]

[eightfoldfiend]

[There is a sense of consideration, of a big cat tilting its head.]

Is that so?

[Yuber, fortunately or unfortunately, has never been human and does not have a human sense of propriety.]

Okay. I will coat my weapons in my semen then.

[He'll just need to get his hands on some weapons first.]

Anything else?

[erbe]

[oh gross






Anyway—]

There is a book on his mythology in the Tomes if you would like further information.

[bakedapple]

[ Link hesitates to tell a god to "be careful," but he doesn't want Tezacatlipoca to underestimate Hayame either... ]

On top of her physical strength and size... she's a powerful Shard-Bearer as well. She's been here longer than most of us, and she's been committed to the Meridian all that time...

[ so, be careful ]

[bakedapple]

[ ......why'd she have to say "that fellow is very big" in such a horny way.... ]

You know him? You haven't fought him before, though, right?

[fursuit]

Yeah, yeah.

[ He dismisses the concern, but it still feels friendly enough. There's also a sensation of touch at Link's head— Is his hair getting ruffled by a god? Maybe. ]

You sound like my little sister. [ Which makes him laugh, because that means he has a nickname for Link now. ] So, don't worry. It's a test of my skill too. If I can't stand up to Meridian's strongest, then I've got to do better as your resident god of conflict. But I've got confidence. Bows and arrows are nice and old school, but they ain't got shit on guns.

[bakedapple]

Yes, a dragon. A large one. I've seen it myself.

[ Although technically it was a shadow version of Byleth, from during the Harbinger Oracle... but he knows the real Byleth can do that too. ]

Shez...

Shez killed me last month. He wasn't interested in talking.

But he didn't destroy my Shard, and he took care of the other Shard I had on me at the time.

[ The only reason Link is still alive is because Shez chose not to do what Silco did to Quetzalcoatl. ]