[ She says she doesn't mean to convince him, but what else should Link make of this conversation? Akua is the one who wanted to know what happened during the Oracle and why Link came out of it on the side of the Zenith. And the answer that Link gave only prompted her to tell him that his own evaluation of his world is wrong. It's the same thing over and over with the Meris — some dodged around the topic with kinder words, like Yuri; some were more direct and firm, like Akua; and some spit judgment at him, like Set. But with everyone, it comes down to the same thing: that he's wrong about Hyrule being a lost cause.
And every time, none of them can actually tell him why. None of them can tell him how to change things in his world. Like Link told her, the problem isn't a lack of motivation or desire on his part. The problem is that Link is the person who will have to implement some hypothetical solution once he gets home. So, yes, actually, it does matter that he isn't a god. It does matter that he isn't some all-powerful being who can completely rewrite the rules of karma and destiny if he returned to his world. It isn't enough for people who, frankly, barely know what they're talking about, to reassure him that there's a solution out there somewhere. Conversations like these are akin to looking at a man dying of thirst in the desert and telling him that all he needs is to find some water. Yes, thank you, of course that's what he needs — but unless someone tells him where the water is, he's going to keep dying anyway.
Perhaps that is unfair. Nobody here can know Link's world as well as he does. Nobody is going to hand him the solution on a silver platter like that. But he's fresh out of ideas, and his hope has run dry, and empty platitudes about how he just needs to want it more don't do anything for him.
Akua might not be giving him that sinister smile anymore, but Link won't be forgetting it any time soon. As she speaks, he silently withdraws away from her, both physically and mentally. His eyes stare down into the water, empty and unfocused, to match the placid neutral expression that descended onto his face. ]
...It's not my goal to keep you from returning to your world, Akua. Or any other Meri. If there's a way for you to make it home, while not having to bring mine back into constant suffering... that's what I would prefer.
[ But that is something they've been assured is not possible. ]
If the Meridian wins, and I end up having to go back, I will. But it won't be a victory to me, and I don't know what I'm going to do.
[ The Master Sword is gone, after all. Link killed her. ]
no subject
And every time, none of them can actually tell him why. None of them can tell him how to change things in his world. Like Link told her, the problem isn't a lack of motivation or desire on his part. The problem is that Link is the person who will have to implement some hypothetical solution once he gets home. So, yes, actually, it does matter that he isn't a god. It does matter that he isn't some all-powerful being who can completely rewrite the rules of karma and destiny if he returned to his world. It isn't enough for people who, frankly, barely know what they're talking about, to reassure him that there's a solution out there somewhere. Conversations like these are akin to looking at a man dying of thirst in the desert and telling him that all he needs is to find some water. Yes, thank you, of course that's what he needs — but unless someone tells him where the water is, he's going to keep dying anyway.
Perhaps that is unfair. Nobody here can know Link's world as well as he does. Nobody is going to hand him the solution on a silver platter like that. But he's fresh out of ideas, and his hope has run dry, and empty platitudes about how he just needs to want it more don't do anything for him.
Akua might not be giving him that sinister smile anymore, but Link won't be forgetting it any time soon. As she speaks, he silently withdraws away from her, both physically and mentally. His eyes stare down into the water, empty and unfocused, to match the placid neutral expression that descended onto his face. ]
...It's not my goal to keep you from returning to your world, Akua. Or any other Meri. If there's a way for you to make it home, while not having to bring mine back into constant suffering... that's what I would prefer.
[ But that is something they've been assured is not possible. ]
If the Meridian wins, and I end up having to go back, I will. But it won't be a victory to me, and I don't know what I'm going to do.
[ The Master Sword is gone, after all. Link killed her. ]