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anwenevergreen · 2 years

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Knight of the Thorn

Season of the Scion - 1328 AE

She had taken Caladbolg with her, from the depths of the jungle to the heights of Divinity’s Reach, from the warmth and golden days of Tarir to the mists and starlit nights of Caer Aval, without a second thought as to why the Sword did not reject her the way it had rejected Canach — and it took broaching the subject to Trahearne for her to realise that Caladbolg had chosen her as its new bearer. And if the Thorn was willingly offered, it still demanded Anwen reconciled with the memories of its last two bearers to attune to its full potential.

Visiting Riannoc’s tomb was a very emotionally charged endeavour — Trahearne’s grief and regret echoed through the blade as much as it radiated through him, sorrow and guilt weighting on her shoulders as if they were her own, all the more crueler as she could barely find in herself the strength to comfort her beloved.

But the duel itself sparked anew her courage, reminded her of the power of unity, of the danger of isolation, fueled her pride at the thought that they had remained strong and loyal and steadfast in the face of certain death. She prevailed because even in the sword’s memory, Riannoc was alone, and even as she stood her ground in single combat against the fallen knight of the thorn, she was not.

The Vision Crystal next led them on the edge of Verdant Brink, where the Pact had fallen, the Thorn broken, and the wreckage of the fleet still painted in sharp broken lines of scorched vines and shattered metal a vivid recollection of their mistakes and nightmares.

The Glory of Tyria laid broken, suspended in her last moments, a frozen speck of time holding within its core a shard of Trahearne’s soul — a part of him that had never left Maguuma.

Anwen took in a deep, confident breath before she plunged in the vision. She was not alone. Trahearne was with her.

Her heart sank in her chest, her lungs filling with frozen dread, and within moments before the second vision seized her, she knew what deep hidden, dark and secluded part of her the Sword had conjured.

She instinctively rolled away, a stone greatsword shattering the ground where she stood and vines like whips breaking through the metal carcass as if it were dirt to slash and ensnare her, but it were his eyes — fiery and burning with hatred — that immobilised her.

Pumice-like bark covered his bulk, a wreath of sharp thorns breaking through his skin like a crown, and at his side, half buried in the entanglement of roots and creeper plants conjured in his wake, laid the twisted forms of familiar figures, friends broken, corrupted by blight.

She blocked another swing of the sword, sent to her knees by the force of the blow and barely dodged the shadows frothing neath her feet, a column of darkness rising from the ground a split second before a scythe slashed it through.

Wreathed in obscurity, Trahearne charged at her and struck with yet another powerful blow that seemed to drain even the memory of warmth around them. Ice sizzling as it covered her armour and withered the still fragile buds of the sword, she slashed desperately at the vision, a litany of pleas and reassurances dying on her lips as she struggled to breathe.

‘You’re not real. You’re not him. You’re not Trahearne. Trahearne is safe.’

The tip of the sword encountered resistance and a light pierced through the shroud where the blade had dug.

'You’re not real. You’re not him! You’re a figment! The memory of a nightmare!’

Cold and darkness surrounded her, but a light shined through with every cut and slash of Caladbolg, the withered buds blooming and a scent of salt water and iodine replacing that of decay and rot as the wind swelled and the vines recessed.

The hardened bark shattered, and the blade dug in his chest without resistance. Bright blue flames flared from the wound as the fiery glow in his eyes dimmed to their familiar honey and closed forever as ley energy drowned the world and consumed him from within.

Anwen blinked away the vision, her breath stuck in her throat when she found herself not atop of the wreckage, but on the deck of the Glory of Tyria, a vast expanse of water beneath and the sun rising over Orr on the horizon. Trahearne was with her. Another memory, a vision of a past she would rewrite if she could, and yet would not change for the world; the morning after the Cleansing of Orr, the moment she should have realised, in retrospect, that Trahearne loved her.

He smiled at her, his glow a deep purple striking against the warm silver and pale gold of the skies around him.

“One day soon, this plague will be but a memory. Every dawn rising bring us closer to seeing these wounds heal... But in the mean time, dear friend, this day is ours.”

She closed the gap between them, finding herself engulfed in a towering embrace, rather than nuzzled in the crook of his shoulder as the vision faded and she returned to reality.

“I know you're probably tired of hearing this — especially from me — but thank you, dear friend. We've come a long way and have a long way to go, but for now, I am glad you’re here with me.”

“Here at the end of all things?”

“Hopefully, their beginning.”

#anwen evergreen drabbles #knight of the thorn #1328 AE #trammander #Trahearne Lives AU #post HoT #pre-LW3

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queer-as-used-by-tolkien · 2 years

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Ascended Reborn: Knight of the Thorn (chapter 3.5)

I added a bit to chapter 3 just now, since it goes better with chapter three than with four, but here it is:

Chapter 3.5: The Verses of Balthazar

Oksuré climbs back down the double helix, the core of Mordremoth’s domain, called the Heart of Thorns, and pauses at the sight of the entrance that leads below to where Trahearne had been held prisoner. Her breath catches in her throat. She remembers going down there… she looks away with a shiver. She had gone down hopeful and confident, and returned with Trahearne’s death on her hands.

Oksuré closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. Her heart is thrumming in her chest. She recites the verses of death, as she had every day for months. War is life and life is brief. She reminds herself that she’d chosen this life of war, but that doesn’t help. She presses on. Death comes. But death’s not death that breathes life into others. Her eyes sting with tears. Trahearne had died to bring down Mordremoth. But he is still dead. And life’s not life that never dares to risk. Yes. Careful risks. Well-balanced risks. Not the foolish pride Oksuré had carried since Zhaitan’s unprecedented defeat.

The world is loss and grief… and faith… and hope. Hope? For victory? Victory is not enough. Not enough, with the price so high. The tears fall. Then take heart, and rejoin the war eternal. No. Oksuré doesn’t want to. She doesn’t want to lose anyone else. She shakes her head, shoulders shaking. But she has to. For it may be that death is not the end… but possibly the end of the beginning.

The beginning of what? Where does she go from here? The verses stop there. Her mother hadn’t considered the ones after to be important. Oksuré had never memorized them. Other verses, yes, but… nothing helpful. Only…

Balthazar praises those who can take a life to save others. It’s never about killing, but killing to secure safety for the many.

In the heart of Mordremoth’s domain, Oksuré sits down and cries.

#balthazar #book of balthazar #tiffany oksuré #trahearne #heart of thorns #hearts and minds #gw2 #hot #mordremoth #ascended reborn #knight of the thorn #the verses of balthazar

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mintjeru · 25 days

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i've been streaming a blind playthrough of hollow knight to 2 groups of people for the past month and a half and i really wanted to share some of my favorite experiences ><

open for better quality | no reposts

#hollow knight #fanart #myart #doodle #as you can see. my fav npc's so far are myla. bretta. and quirrel #the nail master is there bc he was like my disciple i'm so proud of you!! is it ok if i call you my child? and i was like yes ofc!!!#for the internal monologue that is actually what it sounds like in a call w/ me when i'm fighting bosses on stream #when i first started playing i was like guys idk if this will be fun bc i mix up the buttons and might die often #and a few streams in they were like no no it's really fun to watch bc you're always like ayayayaya #anyway i recently defeated the watcher knights and i recorded the final kill (it was with the thorns which is pretty iconic imo)#i had so much i wanted to draw so i filled these pages really easily

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taylor-titmouse · 6 months

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it feels silly to be posting a completely different story on a release night but! i have poster's disease and can't Not post art if i did it. so here's a ref sheet i made myself of rosaline and the knight of thorns. mostly so i can keep their scale straight. if he grabbed her around the waist he could dual wield her with the sword

#tt art #knight of thorns

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oaksentinel · 1 month

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Fair Lady and her most loyal knight for Souls Zine III

#digital art #fantasy #dark souls #fromsoftware #the fair lady #kirk knight of thorns

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essycogany · 3 months

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Rare But Not So Rare Sonic Moments

Flaws

This may get controversial.

I welcome anyone else’s view point on this topic. If you don’t agree I’m okay with that. Just because I have a different perspective doesn’t make what I think right or wrong. You don’t have to change your mind. Whatever your opinion is, I respect it. Besides, it’s fun to have different views on something we both love. It gives us a way to see different sides of the coin.

Disclaimer: I’m a person who didn’t grow up with this franchise and only recently got into in early 2022. I have no biases towards any version of this character. Making my opinions about his characterizations mixed.

By the way, I’ll only use Sonic games as examples (for the most part) because this analysis would be too long if I talked about other medias.

In short. Most of his flaws do stir into different medias as well. To be honest, Sonic’s other variants aren’t as different as some may think, but that’s my hot take.

Times The Blue Blur Messed Up

Riders: Sonic lunched Amy along with Eggman into the air with his wind abilities. While knowing Amy’s safety would be at risk. Then left her. Which was the reason she was so angry and aggressive afterwards. He didn’t ever apologize either.

06: Exchanged a chaos emerald for Elise even after Tails warned Sonic not to.

Unleashed: Was distracted by taunting Eggman.

Sonic: “Well, this is new. Showing remorse Eggman? If you played nice, I wouldn’t have to break all your toys.”

Then became the Werehog. All because he wanted to boost his ego.

Secret Rings: Shahra used Sonic to collect the world rings for Erazar Djinn. Even though it should’ve been expected because she said, “They use to work together.” Ended up not being true.

Black Night: Was tricked into helping Merlina who wanted to create a world that would last forever.

Lost World: Tails once again tried to warn Mr.Impatient about the conch in Eggman’s hand, but kicked it anyways. Then warned Sonic about another trap, he didn’t listen, ended up getting the fox captured instead.

Frontiers: Accidentally helped free The End despite Knuckles and Sage’s suspensions. If his friends, Eggman, and Sage didn’t help him…..Well, it’s in the villain's name.

Side Note: In Secret Rings, Black night, and Frontiers Sonic was rude at points.

Sonic Sassiness

Sonic Sassiness Part 2

Sonic’s Overall Flaws/Mistakes

Some may be from his general characterizations throughout his history.

Sonic rushes into things without a second thought. (Impulsiveness) Sonic can be too reckless, brash, or not take situations seriously.

He’s impatient. (Which was his core trait since his idle animation in Sonic 1)

He doesn’t listen to his friends warnings. Sonic can be too cocky at the wrong moments. He causes or contributes to world ending consequences. The blue blur can also be too trusting and naive.

Sonic doesn’t worry about his own physical or mental state and internalizes his emotions. He isn’t able to express himself very well. Therefore doesn’t put the right words together when speaking sometimes.

Sonic can be stubborn and a bit of a jerk.

Sage: “You are short tempered and short sided.”

And that’s about it. If I missed anything, feel free to let me know.

My Thoughts

A few of these can be seen as Sonic’s strength and weaknesses. Like his willingness to harm himself if it means to save his friends.

The reason Sonic never learns from his mistakes in the games is because he gets away with them. Which is not a good or bad thing per say. (Besides Sonic Riders. There’s no excuse for that.)

The stories never really given him an arc. But I don’t think Sonic’s a perfect or flawless character. If the examples I’ve shown are evidence of anything.

I’d say he’s static, but not consistently. Most static characters I’ve seen rarely stays static anyways.

I also don’t believe Sonic himself thinks he’s perfect. Sonic probably thinks he doesn’t have to change because he’s so sure he should be able to manage things without issue. Everything does eventually go his way. Why should he change?

I do understand Sonic influences people, but why can’t there be a balance? It’s been done plenty of times with other characters. In books, movies, and tv shows. Animated and live-action.

Movie!Sonic in Sonic 2 inspired both Knuckles and Tails. Helping them better themselves with advice and encouragement. While also going through his own arc of growing up and being responsible.

Tails:“You’ve inspired me. To leave my village. To find you and help you on your mission.”

Despite him learning how to slow down and plan things out, Prime!Sonic also inspires the different variants of his friends. Thorn, Dread, and Nine. Helping them grow into becoming better people.

Even in Unleashed Sonic was at his most mature, but it was only after his cocky attitude got him into trouble. So, yes. Inspirational characters can have flaws.

I’ll just say this

Everyone has their own views on how Sonic should be characterized, drawn, played, voiced, animated, and showcase.

It’s fine if you don’t like a curtain interpretation of a character, but to say the character (Especially if they weren’t very consistent in the first place) isn’t acting like themselves now, it’s really hard to argue what self there is to come back to. Because even in the games there are so many different selves for these characters in their own canon universe. From Classic to Adventure, Unleashed, Colors, and Frontiers. (If that makes any sense)

It’s hard to find one place to be in because Sonic’s been in too many places at once. He shouldn’t be held down to one characterization if he’s already been all over the place from the beginning of his existence.

AKA Sonic’s first two shows ever. TAOSTH and SATAM. In both shows Sonic had flaws as well, but never learned from them. Which means he’s been like this from the start. Like everything else about this franchise, his personality is an ongoing experiment that’ll probably never be solved. And I kind of love that. Even if it can be stressful and has it’s own up’s and down’s

All of these unique stories from the games, comics, tv shows, and movies people grew up with are what made this franchise so popular. This is the main reason I became a Sonic fan. Because I learned so much about characterization from this franchise and how to love the different variations of its characters. Finding an appreciation for each of them.

Conclusion

Everyone’s opinions are valid at the end of the day. At least we all have a version of this character we can love and appreciate. Whether you agree or not I’m grateful you’ve made it all the way to the end. You’re a trooper!

Stay Creative! 💜

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koumouby · 8 months

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Discord Commission

#hollow knight #Hollow Knight Character #HK OC #Spider OC #Other OC #Digital Art #character design #Commission Art #Commission #digitalart #Spider art #Thorn Spider #New favorite comm just dropped.

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http-paprika · 2 months

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IVY AND IRON THORNS

the epigraph / sir simon riley x lady reader / a medieval au / masterlist

Branches bow and break under the weight of the wind, it howls and sings as the knight straggles through the gardens, unable to make sense of his thoughts. Walls of stone tower over him, ivy clinging to the old rock and his mask has never felt more suffocating.

“Simon!” Her voice fills his ears as she follows after the knight, her dress brushing against the stones of the footpath and damp grass.

Though the sky threatens to break open and pour out on them, she follows and seeks. Unrelenting in the way she’s captured his body and soul, consumed by the feel of her hands and gleam in her eyes.

The knight sinks to his knees when she finally finds him in the maze of hedges, roses, and bushes. Looking up to her shining face as his lungs struggle to fill with air. “I’m sorry, m’lady.”

taglist @mysteriouslydeafeningwerewolf @ghostlythots

#call of duty #call of duty mw2 #simon ghost riley #cod mw22 #ghost #simon ghost riley x reader #knight!ghost #medieval!ghost #medieval au #knight au #simon ghost riley x you #simon riley #simon riley x you #simon riley x reader #fanfic #ivy and iron thorns #ivy and iron thorns series

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milla984 · 1 month

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King Knight screencaps MGG as Thorn Adams

@matthew-gray-gubler-lover, @spookydrreid, @redwithjoon, @reidsbookclub, @hotchsdharma, @will-grahams-eyes, @logolepzy, @icarusgold, @samsgoddess, @cynbx, @alexander-arcturus-black-lupin, @reidsaurora, @spookyspemilyreid, @busybeingstrange, @altsvu, @spencersssockss, @drreidsfavwhxre, @kissesforspence, @868angelorex, @lilapetrichorwinteryrogue, @pookieexe

»— Screencaps Masterlist link in my bio —«

#mgg #matthew gray gubler #thorn adams #king knight #mgg king knight #king knight (2021)#mgg roles #matthew gray gubler roles #mgg as thorn adams #matthew gray gubler as thorn adams #screencaps #mgg screencaps #matthew gray gubler screencaps #king knight screencaps #thorn adams screencaps #matthew gray gubler king knight #thorn adams king knight

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starsandthorn · 8 months

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no but actually. the parallels to other Twins in different nations of teyvat in relation to the traveler and their desire to reunite with their own sibling makes me a little bit bonkers. like.

diluc and kaeya as what the traveler has and fears, after we will be reunited [separation born from conflict that seemingly cannot be mended; they both care for each other but ultimately their opposing ideals mean they cannot be at each other's side in the same way that they used to, and no longer have the close bond they once did]

ei and makoto as what the abyss sibling experienced [a crushing loss not just of one's twin but the last remaining friend they had and the safety and security of their nation, coming out the other side traumatized, cold and jaded and making decisions that will ultimately hurt the people they claim to want to protect for the sake of an unattainable goal]

and lyney and lynette as what the traveler and the abyss twin used to have before they were separated [never apart for long, home is wherever we are together], what the traveler wants [their separation brief and quickly amended, continuing to be inseparable after they reunite], and also the choice they'll have to make [the twins being together in an organization the traveler inherently doesn't trust - does the traveler want to be by their sibling's side badly enough to throw their lot in with the abyss, and turn their back on everyone else they've met on their journey so far?]

#personal stuff #thorn plays genshin #RIPS AND TEARS.#hi . feeling so normal btw #i was thinking so so so so hard about the traveler twins when ei's second story quest dropped #and i am constantly sick in the head about the traveler being tired of the ragbros nonsense communication #and THEN in fontaine the traveler having to watch these two twins who are incredibly close.#and try not to think about what they've lost #i'm. uuaauguugh #LIKE #the traveler and the abyss twin really are what the fontaine twins could be if either of them lost the other.#at the end of his story quest lyney talks about how both of them give each other strength to get through the darkest days #and how darkness never consumes him because he has his sister and they remember the good things together [punches the ground]#also lyney and lynette losing their trust in people early on and having to lie to everyone around them #and getting the companionship that kaeya never got in his childhood. cries #like he had his twin!!! he had his brother!!! but he had to lie to him for years and never felt truly understood until that night #and AUUUGH the running theme of one twin being Light and the other being Dark #one always brightly engaging with people while the other deals with matters from the shadows #and the brothers flipping that on its head when diluc returns to mondstadt - diluc in the shadows and kaeya with the knights #and ei getting someone who will be her shadow so she can finally step into the light herself and see the world with her own eyes.#just AUUGUUGHGH. i'm fine. i'm normal #this is incoherent maybe but augh. augh. siblings.#[looking back at the earth] wait the game is about family? always has been

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queer-as-used-by-tolkien · 2 years

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Ascended Reborn: Knight of the Thorn (chapter 4)

Chapter Four: A Path Forward

First | Prev | Next (to be posted)

Back at Pact Base Camp, Oksuré sends Ridhais a message to meet up in Fort Trinity, then retraces her steps through Maguuma, stopping briefly at Tarir to check in with the Exalted and Glint’s egg, which, aside from having absorbed some of Mordremoth’s magic, is perfectly fine.

This, Oksuré thinks, as she stands over the egg on its pedestal, is one of the responsibilities she had prioritized over saving Trahearne. She can only hope it turns out to be something important, at least, and she hadn’t been wasting her time. She gets the feeling it is quite important, but she had thought the same every time she chose it over Trahearne and the Pact. She won’t make that mistake again.

She also stops at Rata Novus to speak with Taimi and check in on how she’s doing. She feels bad for rushing off on Taimi while she was looking for the shards, but now she listens attentively to Taimi’s updates and analyses of where Mordremoth’s magic had gone and what it was doing.

Finally she leaves to meet up with Ridhais, stopping only briefly at Camp Resolve, which is still serving as a sort of staging ground for the evacuation from Maguuma.

~oOoOo~

Back in Caer Aval, Graham bounds up to Oksuré and licks her face, which she is still short enough for him to do. Oksuré laughs and gives him some one-handed scratches behind the ears while carefully setting Caladbolg down. Ridhais approaches from the same direction Graham had come from.

“You got here first?” Oksuré asks.

Ridhais shrugs. “I’m closer. You were all the way in Maguuma.” She nods toward Caladbolg. “It looks like you made some headway with Caladbolg.”

“I did. It almost seems to want to be healed.” Oksuré offers the blade to Ridhais and then sits down next to Graham, who promptly sniffs her hair and then puts his head in her lap.

Ridhais frowns, turning Caladbolg over in her hands. "It looks healed, but the pieces are… still distinct.”

"It is still shattered in its soul," Oksuré supplies quietly. "What of the natural essence? Will that help?"

Ridhais shakes her head. "The natural essence is for restoring Caladbolg physically and replenishing its magic. I've got some, but it's certainly not going to be enough.”

Impulsively, Oksuré asks, "tell me more about Caladbolg. I only know what Trahearne told me and what I observed, which isn't very much. You mentioned needing to find a new wielder to bond to it, but then we got distracted talking about Waine."

Ridhais nods slowly. "Yes. Caladbolg is enhanced by its wielder - in this current state, it might even draw on some of the bearer's lifeforce to get itself back on its feet, so that’s the next step. Normally, though, the two would meld, mentally at least. The bearer is enhanced by the blade as much as the blade is enhanced by the bearer."

"Interesting," Oksuré murmurs, gazing at the sword. She wonders who could wield the blade next - she has a sneaking suspicion that it might be Ridhais herself, as her life and Wyld Hunt are clearly wound around the blade. But then, Caladbolg might have a different opinion, or the Pale Tree might have different criteria. "How will we find the next wielder? I'm sure it can't just be any sylvari."

"I think we already have the next wielder," Ridhais says, looking up at Oksuré.

It takes Oksuré a second to realize what Ridhais means, and her eyes widen. "Me? But I… why? I'm not even a sylvari!” Oksuré leans back on her hands. She sighs and mutters, “I have trouble enough being a human and a norn both at once, and now I add sylvari to the mix?" That’s not remotely the trouble, but Oksuré… doesn’t feel like figuring out the real trouble. She leans forward again to scratch behind Graham’s ears. It’s Trahearne, probably.

"As the…" Ridhais pauses a moment, then continues, "as the final wielder of Caladbolg before it became dormant, I believe you are already connected with the sword."

Ah… right. Oksuré’s shoulders slump. Of course not just anyone could have felt the resonances of Caladbolg's shards. And of course Caladbolg wouldn't have been dormant until its last bearer died. "Oh." And, hey, of course Caladbolg wouldn't care that she had been the one to kill its last bearer! By Kormir, it might even have agreed with Trahearne, despite obviously being affected by his death.

Oh, Spirits, why is she always the one who lives?

"Do you… not want to wield Caladbolg?" Ridhais asks, on the edge between curious and confused.

"Well…" Oksuré sighs. After a moment of sorting out her thoughts, she says, "I was thinking earlier how it wouldn't… how weird it would be to see another wielding Caladbolg. It’s Trahearne’s blade. But that’s just something I’d have to get used to. But by the same token, I wouldn't feel right using it.” She sighs again. “Not so easy to get used to. And…" And she isn’t sure she wants to.

"I understand," Ridhais says quietly. "But if I were you? I'd use it in his memory. Something to remember him by that you can keep with you." Ridhais smiles humorlessly. "You've seen the statue, but…"

"It just isn't the same,” Oksuré murmurs, eyes downcast. “He can’t be replaced.”

There is a moment of silence. "And, Commander?" Ridhais asks.

"Call me Oksuré, if you like," Oksuré tells her.

"Oksuré," Ridhais agrees quietly. "I’m not sure, but… if we can heal Caladbolg, something of Marshal Trahearne may still linger within the sword. Caladbolg's memory of him, as it remembered Riannoc."

Oksuré looks at the soul-shattered blade with a newfound interest. "It has memory? Well…” she sighs quietly. “That’s… certainly intriguing. I didn’t spend as much time with Trahearne as I should have.” That, Oksuré knows, is likely her grief talking, but she longs to know more about Trahearne. “Caladbolg did spend more time with Trahearne than anyone else did,” she murmurs. All his knowledge, all his research, the years of his life… gone. Oksuré glances up at Ridhais. “You come a close second, though."

Ridhais nods quietly. "I did.” Then, understanding the implied question, goes on; “he understood the call of the Wyld Hunt as very few others did… and that protecting somebody was a goal without a definite end. He said that at least he had a goal to work toward. He always had an encouraging word for others, even when he thought his own task was hopeless."

Oksuré smiles. "Yes. He did complete his in the end… and you have the same opportunity."

Ridhais nods. "I don't think he would have been able to without Caladbolg. Cleansing anything takes a lot of power, but the whole island-continent of Orr… he told me once that Caladbolg took most of the magical drain on itself. Most foci draw from the wielder, but Caladbolg draws from the Pale Tree through the Dream. But Marshal Trahearne was still too drained afterward to join the last battle against Zhaitan. "

"Was she alright after the cleansing?" Oksuré asks.

Ridhais shrugs. "I don't know - and even if she was drained, it would be a happy cause. Not at all like when the Shadow of the Dragon attacked her. Even if it was a neutral cause, if Caladbolg was interested in it, so would its bearer."

"How so?" Oksuré queries.

"Well, it amplifies the mental state of the one bonded to it," Ridhais explains. "Marshal Trahearne described it as an intensification of thoughts - the sword brings out your emotions and impulses. For a legend like the Marshal, it enhanced his existing noble qualities."

"Interesting," Oksuré notes. "I wonder if that helped against Mordremoth?"

"We'll never know," Ridhais tells her sadly. "Caladbolg can hold memory and have interest, it can draw power and mentally meld with the wielder, but it is not sentient."

"I don't know," Oksuré says doubtfully. "It seems… I don't know. I suppose 'interest' could describe… I mean, it seems to have desires. It wants to be healed. I put the pieces together like a puzzle, and it physically healed on its own."

Ridhais glances at the blade interestedly. "That's curious, although I suppose as halfway aware and capable as it is, it would want to be healed. It may be drawing on a subconscious desire of your own, or even an echo of Marshal Trahearne. I know he would never want the blade to remain broken."

Oksuré nods slowly. "That makes sense.” She sighs and shakes her head. “It doesn't matter. I think Mordremoth's influence is what broke its soul - do you think Caladbolg has enough of a mind to be affected?"

Ridhais shrugs. "I don't know. It is quite possible, and indeed probable, but we can't know for certain. At least not yet - this we might get an answer for when it is healed."

Oksuré nods. "Alright. If Caladbolg is operating on Trahearne's desire… this may be more of a last wish than his own death was." She laughs humorlessly as she rises from the floor. Graham whines at her and she gives him a pat on the head.

"If I may, Comm - Oksuré," Ridhais says hesitantly, "could I ask what you thought of Marshal Trahearne?"

Oksuré sits back down and Graham plops his head back into her lap. Oksuré sighs. "He was… a dear friend. I… he was an inspiration, and I admired him greatly. We couldn't have slain either dragon without him. He might not've been present for the final assault on Arah, but he led the Pact to victory as surely as I struck the killing blow to Zhaitan. He might not've been particularly active on the battlefield, but when he was, he was astounding. And it wasn't all Caladbolg, either."

"Certainly not," Ridhais agrees.

"In addition…" Oksuré sighs again. "I don't know if I could have made it this far without him. After Tonn died and Ceera accused me of being responsible, Trahearne explained how every day he gave orders, orders that inevitably wound up in death for at least some of the Pact, and he had to deal with it. He helped me a lot with that, and in other ways."

“He had a healing spirit,” Ridhais agrees softly.

After a moment of silence, Oksuré says, "after he completed his Wyld Hunt, he said he needed to redefine himself. Before we went after Zhaitan, he told me the Pact would be behind me in that all the way. I don't think he'd really seen it that way before, his focus had all been on his Wyld Hunt. But then he was interested, and he really got absorbed in his role as Marshal. He redefined himself as the Pact's Marshal, Ridhais."

Ridhais nods. "That he did. I saw it too - I was with him while you were fighting Scarlet's forces. He'd stepped up to his role even more than before - if that were possible - and was driving the research on Kralkatorrik. Then Mordremoth came and changed all our plans."

Oksuré smiles. "Yes. If there was one word I'd use to describe Trahearne, it'd be 'dedicated.' He's driven. He picks one thing, and he does it. No matter what. He said once, about his Wyld Hunt, that he didn't fear death, he feared failure. Cleansing Orr took a lot out of him, but I don't think he'd have minded if it killed him, so long as it was done. I think that translated into his other pursuits afterward." Ridhais nods. "He never put it in those words to me, but I got that general sense from him, especially afterward."

"True," Oksuré says. "You know, his first question when I came to rescue him was about the Pact? He said 'Commander' in greeting, but it was more of a… grabbing for a lifeline. 'Commander… the Pact…' he needed to know. First question! In his condition! I wouldn't be surprised if he knew already he was going to die, or at least suspected it."

"That might be why," Ridhais points out. "Maybe he had to make sure the Pact was alright before he died."

"That makes sense," Oksuré agrees. "I'm afraid I didn't do a good job reassuring him - or maybe I did. I told him it was all but gone, but that I and my team would kill Mordremoth. I think he knew I'd get the Pact back on its feet. I think he needs me to lead to the Pact, to finish what he couldn't. Or something like that. Carry on his legacy and all." She sighs, closing her eyes. “I mean… it’s the least I can do, after… what happened.”

“I’m sure you’ll do fine, Oksuré,” Ridhais tells her gently. “And I know Trahearne would agree.”

Oksuré opens an eye and peeks at Ridhais. “How did you know I was the one who… last wielded Caladbolg?”

“Caithe told me,” Ridhais says simply. “It’s not just the Pact that was injured by his death. The sylvari… well, you saw the statue. It’s a trying time for everyone. I don’t think the Pact will complain if you succeed him as Marshal, even if you are technically still a member of an Order. They need some hope.”

Oksuré sighs. That is part of the point. She’d killed him. “I don’t know how I can do it. Lead the Pact, that is. I was trained by the best, but… I don’t think I can be as inspiring as he was. I’m a warrior, not a leader.” That much is true. She'd be a poor substitute for Trahearne any day, much less after failing so miserably in Maguuma.

"You’re already a symbol to a lot of people, Oksuré,” Ridhais tells her. “You’ve done the impossible several times now. To lead, I think, you just have to believe in the cause. Your own enthusiasm will be inspiring. Trahearne was quiet, but he cared. He might not've shouted the way Almorra does, but he was just as inspirational, because he cared. And you could see it."

"Deep thoughts, Ridhais," Oksuré notes sincerely. It’s good advice. She might have to use it. She wishes she didn’t have to. "You know, I think you're a lot like Trahearne."

"You do?" Ridhais asks, startled.

"Yeah," Oksuré nods. "You have his determination. His focus.”

"I… I'm honored," Ridhais says quietly.

“I mean it,” Oksuré says, staring down at Graham’s head, guilt twisting in her heart. She isn’t the only one who’d been close to Trahearne. She’s not the only one his death had affected. Trahearne is not the only person her actions had harmed. And now she needs to pick up his weapon and lead his people? She isn’t worthy. She doesn’t want to. She isn’t sure if she can face everyone and pretend it’s alright, that she can replace Trahearne, when he can’t be replaced. When it’s her fault he’s dead in the first place.

But what else can she do? She can’t walk away from the fight against the Elder Dragons. She needs something to do. She needs to keep moving, doing something. This is the only path, the only ‘beginning’ that is open to her. It may be that death is not the end… but possibly the end of the beginning. Whatever it is the beginning of, she hates it if it requires Trahearne’s death. But she can’t reject her one and only path forward.

And at least she’ll be in good company, with Ridhais and the others who hold his memory. She won’t be alone.

She sighs, then gives Graham a pat on the head and a nudge with her knee. He huffs at her, but he moves off her lap and allows her to get up. “Let’s get moving,” Oksuré tells Ridhais. “Let’s split up to find that natural essence.”

"Actually," Ridhais says, "I wasn't expecting Caladbolg to reforge itself physically on its own. We should attune you to the blade quickly, so it can start really healing."

"We can do that without it being fully physically…whole?" Oksuré asks in surprise.

"Oh, yes," Ridhais nods. "We just need the Vision Crystal. You might feel weaker in general for a few days as it draws on your strength, but nothing debilitating."

Oksuré nods, suddenly nervous about attuning to Caladbolg - claiming ownership, or something, on a blade that is Trahearne's. She’ll probably never think of it as hers, but that is just as well. She doesn’t deserve to. "So how do we do this?"

"We'll need to go through its first bearer - the person it knew first," Ridhais explains. "Firstborn Riannoc is dead, but his grave should give us the connection we need, especially since the grave was planted where he died. Having been the weapon of a necromancer for so long, Caladbolg shouldn't have much trouble connecting to it." “Where is the grave?”

"Lychcroft Mere. You know the place? It's Krytan."

"Yes. I led a Vigil mission in that swamp once. It was infested with Risen. Is that what killed Riannoc?"

"Riannoc fought Risen, yes, and the lich Mazdak, but I would guess the ones you fought weren’t the same group or even the same swarm," Ridhais tells her. "Meet me there with Caladbolg, and I'll carry out the ritual.”

Oksuré nods. "See you there." Ridhais disappears in the familiar puff of blue as she waypoints to Shadowheart Site. Oksuré follows a moment later. Ridhais is a lot like Trahearne. She's knowledgeable and confident. Oksuré can trust Ridhais to give her direction when she doesn't have the strength to step forward on her own.

~oOoOo~

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#trahearne #ridhais #tiffany oksuré #caladbolg #knight of the thorn #sylvari #riannoc #orr #zhaitan #mordremoth #wyld hunt #the pact #tonn #ceera #risen #gw2 #ascended reborn

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