[ Growth, then, from a muted memory of her power to something more tangible. Perhaps it had only been a matter of time, a slow growth not unlike coming into adulthood, inevitable but unpredictable on the whens, whys, or where. But there are other possibilities, a reason for this start-- a trigger or provocation, that the divine power within her is provoked to shift in preparation for something grander. Likewise, a third option is that something has inspired her, causing the power to bloom in a subconscious way.
All three options should be considered. ]
Tell me, Daughter of Hyrule.
Has aught changed within your life in Reverin? Has something happened.
[ Zelda is silent for a minute or two, working her way back through her memory of recent happenings in the dream world. Her gaze drifts sightlessly over the array of weapons on the table. What has changed lately? Her friend Luca vanished during the spring, likely awakening back in his world. Satan has succumbed to the same unwaking sleep that Beatrix was suffering from (although, since Beatrix awakened unharmed, Zelda isn't too worried about Satan yet). The moon has returned to the night sky and a second moon has inexplicably joined it. New dreamwalkers awakened to Songerein not long after, including Link.
Zelda freezes, her unseeing gaze fixing on a hatchet blade not yet mounted to a handle. ]
It's Link...
[ It has to be. It can't be anything else. Change is constant in Songerein and it has never effected her powers before. Nothing has effected her powers during her time in Songerein. It's like they went dormant again the moment Zelda awoke to the dream world. She always assumed that it's because she is only a dream-version of herself; her powers remained behind in Hyrule with her real body, sealed away with Calamity Ganon.
[ Somnus's voice snaps Zelda out of her thoughts and she looks up from the table to him. ]
My knight. [ She seems a bit lighter just saying those words. ]
Link is from my kingdom, Hyrule. My father assigned him as my personal guard a year or two before the Calamity. He was my constant companion everywhere I went and... well, I was quite cruel to him because of it, to be honest. But once I gave him a chance, we became very close.
[ Zelda purses her lips. ] Link protected me when we fled the castle after Calamity Ganon awakened. He was mortally wounded while we were pursued and the thought of losing him---on top of my father and the other Champions who had already died because of me---somehow, my powers reacted to that threat and I saved him.
[ So, it is a friendship that had grown between royal and vassal before the fall of her kingdom, to the point that his near-death had been enough to evoke her awakening. Or-- no. Somnus is doubtful that her father or other friends' passing hadn't been enough on their own; this knight's wounds had been at the tail end of a series of tragic events. All together, they were enough.
It is similar in the narrative to the Chosen's own trials. A fallen kingdom, death after death, tragedy after tragedy, not being ready to bear the burden of the divine power granted to their line... until finally, it had been enough.
His helm lifts as he brings himself out of such reflection. The present, the future is what matters most. ]
This knight means much to you. [ His tone, although deep and thoughtful, still retains its hollowness, giving it a detached quality.
Somnus presumes this Link is under no threat in Reverein. But, her power still stirs. He continues: ] Fear for his life caused your first awakening. Perhaps this shift signifies it is not only fear that inspires the power of the goddess.
[ "This knight means much to you." A gentle little smile blooms on Zelda's face. It's difficult to emphasize just how much Link means to her, but it sounds like Somnus understands. He can be surprisingly intuitive at times, for an enchanted suit of armor or goddess-knows what manner of being.
The rest of his words make her contemplative. ] How do you mean?
I tried everything when I was young; I cannot even begin to guess what approach I missed. I've considered it since I arrived here as well, but I have felt nothing before now. I had to conclude that the Goddess's power simply cannot be utilized in anything less than dire need.
[ Of his Line, the deterrent to using divine power granted to them would be the natural pain it causes, the drain of their mortal life, and the toll it leaves behind. There is not one among the kings and queen of Lucis who are without the unique scars of their blessing. Divine power shouldn't be used at-will, for its power is unimaginable. ]
Ideally, such awesome power should be used judiciously. However...
[ ...At the same time, there is merit in exploring control of what is allotted to them, lest it causes damage by accident. Without the fear of it harming this young woman, that is what they should do. ]
It stirs within, awakening to something other than alarm. [ He gestures towards her, a slow and neutral wave of his metal-clad hand. ] The favor you have for your knight, perhaps.
[ Zelda turns Somnus's suggestion over in her mind. Why would her affection for Link have any impact on her divine power? If something so simple as friendship was the key to unlocking her sealing power, surely the princess would have figured that out long before the Calamity.
Or could this be a unique effect of Songerein's dreamotion magic? Dreamotion amplifies (and is amplified by) the intensity of one's dreams and/or emotions within the dreamworld. Would it be so far fetched to believe that dreamotion could be effecting her divine power? ]
Why would it react to that? It never has before.
[ Or so she thinks.
It's more of a rhetorical question than anything else, the result of Zelda puzzling this out aloud. ]
Mayhap, a culmination of factors surmounted, with the most significant being his presence.
[ As far as divine power goes, it may be more than one point that influences its awakening, strength, and malleability.He has seen it before, a trigger (similarly, a loss, visceral and grave). And then the Oracle—
[ A culmination of factors... Zelda hasn't considered that before. She has always assumed that awakening her powers would require one singular trigger, like flipping a switch. Is it possible that it has always required more than that.
Zelda nods in answer to Somnus. ]
Yes, Link was chosen by the gods to wield the sword that seals darkness. It is a holy blade forged eons ago by the Goddess who is my distant ancestor.
[ If the knight carries any items of importance would have been his next question. Weapons and certain jewelry are often instrumental for legacy and inheritance of power. For her, perhaps the presence of this blade may be one more factor to consider. As for Somnus... His tone lowers. ]
Inextricably linked, bound by forces beyond... explore your might with discretion.
[ There is a touch more emotion to it than before, a weariness that causes his words to be weighted like the iron bars upon the kiln. ]
[ Through her relationship with Link, Zelda has become more perceptive of subtle changes in a person's demeanor. Though Somnus has no expressions to read, his tone of voice and body language do offer some hints as to what he's feeling behind his words. Perhaps fitting of the suit of armor he can be so easily mistaken for, Zelda typically struggles to read Somnus beyond surface level. But she has long though that there is a lot more to him than he readily volunteers and remarks like this only kindle her curiosity about him.
She nods again, more solemnly this time. ] I shall.
[ She hesitates. Her mind, and the air surrounding her, are heavy with unasked questions. It feels like there's much more to his words than simply the sage advice of one older and wiser.
Eventually, she ventures a question tentatively. ] Did you once know someone like me?
[ The ambient sounds of the smithy fill the pause after her question, from the quiet crackle of embers beneath the dormant forge to the soft ting of metal scraps fastened like chimes above. He answers solemnly, ]
My descendant. [ He spares no details. Although they share similar struggles, they are too different to discuss the specifics. What matters is the virtue of their hearts, and their strength, that is comparable: ]
The Chosen struggled, yet prevailed. He honors his Calling. [ For their Star, for which the Light must be restored. ]
I believe... You are capable of doing the same. [ If she hasn't already, by the looks of it. It seems that all the pieces are there: herself, this knight, the sword... Time is the remaining factor, and, perhaps, patience. There will be more instances of frustration, more blocks, more trials, but if she is anything like the last of his Line, she will overcome them. Peace is worth all hardships, and there is no greater reward than the dawn breaking on a world without the Scourge's blight. ]
[ His descendant. Zelda isn't as surprised by this revelation as she probably should be. She has always found Somnus to be... otherworldly. More like a ghost of an age past than a living, breathing person. It seems her impression is closer to the truth than she expected. While "descendant" could technically refer to a child or grandchild, it feels like there is probably a great number of generations between Somnus and this Chosen. ]
What sort of role is your descendant chosen to perform?
To rid our Star of the Scourge’s blight, to restore the Light…
That is the duty of the Chosen.
[ His hollow voice is as solemn as a cathedral’s bell, and perhaps the quietness that follows betrays the gravity of both the Chosen’s task and the catastrophic circumstances of his world. ]
[ That last statement makes her purse her lips. It sounds like something her father would say about awakening her sealing powers. There was a time when Zelda would have argued, but since the Calamity, she has realized that her father was right. Which doesn't exactly make her feel good. ]
What is the Scourge? [ By it's name alone, it sounds like it might be similar to the Malice that poisons Hyrule. ]
A power and entity capable of corruption of beast, earth, metal, and man... And one that has since robbed the Light from our Star. [ No light means no crops, no crops means no food for livestock or people. No food means mass starvation, demise, and death.
The last vestiges of humanity survive, but only barely. Most of his dreams here are nothing but starless voids, because of this, with only phantom echoes of the dying as ambiance. The world cries for salvation, and it is desperate-- not exactly the shareable sort for practicing dream-walking. ] Mankind has passed its twilight. Night enshrouds all.
[ But this is where he redirects the topic, as his tale is not the reason for her being here. Somnus raises a gauntlet, palm facing her, to call for a pause to her questions. ]
Should your power and that of your knight seal a similar Darkness... I pray your realm suffers not the same.
[ Somnus's words are cryptic and before Zelda can ask for clarification, he holds up a hand to stop her. She knows the meaning in that motion and purses her lips into a thin line. 'No more questions.' She has pried as far as Somnus is willing to allow today.
Zelda doesn't bother to hide the air of disappointment about her as she nods obediently. There are not many things that can stop the inquisitive princess when she catches hold of a thread of information that piques her curiosity, but an authoritative figure is one of them. ]
Link has given me reason to believe that Hyrule will be spared such a fate. His memories stretch beyond mine somehow—things I will say to him in the future, decades from now. It seems it was I who woke him from his slumber, although I am certain I have done no such thing.
[ Now this is interesting: someone of her own world unraveling the secrets of her own future. It should be reassuring, but perhaps it's not that simple. The Zelda of the future is not the same as the one in the past, she has not lived whatever that future-her has. She must grow of her own accord, in a time and realm away from her own. ]
Should you doubt you have the capability, be assured that this future proves otherwise. However, [ Somnus gestures towards her.
She is so young. ] Grant yourself the patience to achieve it.
[ Zelda has to hold back a groan (although it shows in her face). 'Be patient.' She hates being told to be patient. Maybe it's because if a childhood spent patiently trying to awaken her sealing powers, or decades patiently holding Calamity Ganon in the seal. Zelda is good at being patient, but she doesn't enjoy it one bit. ]
I shall do my best. [ Said with the impatient exhale of a teenager who has heard those words more times than she can count.
Perhaps that's what reminds Zelda that she has been at the smithy for awhile. ] I should probably take my leave before I monopolize your entire afternoon.
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songerein
no subject
All three options should be considered. ]
Tell me, Daughter of Hyrule.
Has aught changed within your life in Reverin? Has something happened.
no subject
Zelda freezes, her unseeing gaze fixing on a hatchet blade not yet mounted to a handle. ]
It's Link...
[ It has to be. It can't be anything else. Change is constant in Songerein and it has never effected her powers before. Nothing has effected her powers during her time in Songerein. It's like they went dormant again the moment Zelda awoke to the dream world. She always assumed that it's because she is only a dream-version of herself; her powers remained behind in Hyrule with her real body, sealed away with Calamity Ganon.
Has that not been the case this entire time? ]
no subject
[ He repeats the name to her, tone open in a question, gently encouraging her to elaborate.
It seems she's realized something, but as to what it is, he remains ignorant. ]
no subject
My knight. [ She seems a bit lighter just saying those words. ]
Link is from my kingdom, Hyrule. My father assigned him as my personal guard a year or two before the Calamity. He was my constant companion everywhere I went and... well, I was quite cruel to him because of it, to be honest. But once I gave him a chance, we became very close.
[ Zelda purses her lips. ] Link protected me when we fled the castle after Calamity Ganon awakened. He was mortally wounded while we were pursued and the thought of losing him---on top of my father and the other Champions who had already died because of me---somehow, my powers reacted to that threat and I saved him.
no subject
It is similar in the narrative to the Chosen's own trials. A fallen kingdom, death after death, tragedy after tragedy, not being ready to bear the burden of the divine power granted to their line... until finally, it had been enough.
His helm lifts as he brings himself out of such reflection. The present, the future is what matters most. ]
This knight means much to you. [ His tone, although deep and thoughtful, still retains its hollowness, giving it a detached quality.
Somnus presumes this Link is under no threat in Reverein. But, her power still stirs. He continues: ] Fear for his life caused your first awakening. Perhaps this shift signifies it is not only fear that inspires the power of the goddess.
no subject
The rest of his words make her contemplative. ] How do you mean?
I tried everything when I was young; I cannot even begin to guess what approach I missed. I've considered it since I arrived here as well, but I have felt nothing before now. I had to conclude that the Goddess's power simply cannot be utilized in anything less than dire need.
no subject
Ideally, such awesome power should be used judiciously. However...
[ ...At the same time, there is merit in exploring control of what is allotted to them, lest it causes damage by accident. Without the fear of it harming this young woman, that is what they should do. ]
It stirs within, awakening to something other than alarm. [ He gestures towards her, a slow and neutral wave of his metal-clad hand. ] The favor you have for your knight, perhaps.
no subject
[ Zelda turns Somnus's suggestion over in her mind. Why would her affection for Link have any impact on her divine power? If something so simple as friendship was the key to unlocking her sealing power, surely the princess would have figured that out long before the Calamity.
Or could this be a unique effect of Songerein's dreamotion magic? Dreamotion amplifies (and is amplified by) the intensity of one's dreams and/or emotions within the dreamworld. Would it be so far fetched to believe that dreamotion could be effecting her divine power? ]
Why would it react to that? It never has before.
[ Or so she thinks.
It's more of a rhetorical question than anything else, the result of Zelda puzzling this out aloud. ]
no subject
[ As far as divine power goes, it may be more than one point that influences its awakening, strength, and malleability.He has seen it before, a trigger (similarly, a loss, visceral and grave). And then the Oracle—
A pause.
This causes him to consider another factor. ]
Tell me, is this knight also blessed?
no subject
Zelda nods in answer to Somnus. ]
Yes, Link was chosen by the gods to wield the sword that seals darkness. It is a holy blade forged eons ago by the Goddess who is my distant ancestor.
no subject
Inextricably linked, bound by forces beyond... explore your might with discretion.
[ There is a touch more emotion to it than before, a weariness that causes his words to be weighted like the iron bars upon the kiln. ]
...And cherish the time you have with him.
no subject
She nods again, more solemnly this time. ] I shall.
[ She hesitates. Her mind, and the air surrounding her, are heavy with unasked questions. It feels like there's much more to his words than simply the sage advice of one older and wiser.
Eventually, she ventures a question tentatively. ] Did you once know someone like me?
no subject
My descendant. [ He spares no details. Although they share similar struggles, they are too different to discuss the specifics. What matters is the virtue of their hearts, and their strength, that is comparable: ]
The Chosen struggled, yet prevailed. He honors his Calling. [ For their Star, for which the Light must be restored. ]
I believe... You are capable of doing the same. [ If she hasn't already, by the looks of it. It seems that all the pieces are there: herself, this knight, the sword... Time is the remaining factor, and, perhaps, patience. There will be more instances of frustration, more blocks, more trials, but if she is anything like the last of his Line, she will overcome them. Peace is worth all hardships, and there is no greater reward than the dawn breaking on a world without the Scourge's blight. ]
no subject
What sort of role is your descendant chosen to perform?
no subject
That is the duty of the Chosen.
[ His hollow voice is as solemn as a cathedral’s bell, and perhaps the quietness that follows betrays the gravity of both the Chosen’s task and the catastrophic circumstances of his world. ]
There is nothing more important.
no subject
What is the Scourge? [ By it's name alone, it sounds like it might be similar to the Malice that poisons Hyrule. ]
no subject
The last vestiges of humanity survive, but only barely. Most of his dreams here are nothing but starless voids, because of this, with only phantom echoes of the dying as ambiance. The world cries for salvation, and it is desperate-- not exactly the shareable sort for practicing dream-walking. ] Mankind has passed its twilight. Night enshrouds all.
[ But this is where he redirects the topic, as his tale is not the reason for her being here. Somnus raises a gauntlet, palm facing her, to call for a pause to her questions. ]
Should your power and that of your knight seal a similar Darkness... I pray your realm suffers not the same.
no subject
Zelda doesn't bother to hide the air of disappointment about her as she nods obediently. There are not many things that can stop the inquisitive princess when she catches hold of a thread of information that piques her curiosity, but an authoritative figure is one of them. ]
Link has given me reason to believe that Hyrule will be spared such a fate. His memories stretch beyond mine somehow—things I will say to him in the future, decades from now. It seems it was I who woke him from his slumber, although I am certain I have done no such thing.
no subject
Should you doubt you have the capability, be assured that this future proves otherwise. However, [ Somnus gestures towards her.
She is so young. ] Grant yourself the patience to achieve it.
no subject
I shall do my best. [ Said with the impatient exhale of a teenager who has heard those words more times than she can count.
Perhaps that's what reminds Zelda that she has been at the smithy for awhile. ] I should probably take my leave before I monopolize your entire afternoon.
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