I've been playing games, watching movies, reading mythology, all my life. So many stories, so many myths, so many morals and posed questions. And none seem to have matched Dark Souls 2. What is a king? Is the self and life a curse? Who am I, and what do I want in the end? What one thing would keep me from going Hollow? How would I react to loved ones or myself losing my memories? Is dark necessarily evil, and is light necessarily good? What if one closest to you betrayed you, and would you still love them? What lengths would you go to in order to gain someone's affection? What is sinful, and what deserves punishment? Could you find enjoyment simply staring at the sky and watching the days go by?
My interpretation is that the soul, the self, the "I", is the curse. But only if one chooses so, or is taught that. For is it a curse at all? It is everything we have been, are, and ever will be. It is the source of our love and joy and pleasure as much as it is the source of depression, pain, misery. Without it we may not have the negatives, but also lose the positives. We would be hollowed out husks, with no self or aim or drive. And perhaps many do wish for such, as is their right. But is death itself, even if it is the end, not better than being essentially a zombie? And better yet, what if it isn't the end at all?
It is on the player to answer all these questions. No Primordial Serpents, no hidden gods casting illusions, no archive of scholars, even the Herald and Aldia tell you the choice is yours and do not influence the choice of light or dark. Indeed the game goes so far as to show many sides of the light as well as dark, from the chaotic malevolent abyss to the zen of zombification to a nostalgic and peaceful embrace to tyranical rulers and fascism and such from the light. It's all up to you. Are you a king, something neither granted by birth or fate? Is all the suffering of having souls worth the joy and happiness, or would it be better to have none at all? Can you make such a choice on behalf of all others (take the throne) or only yourself (walk away)?
I've thought about which choice I would make almost 10 years now. Do I take the throne and sacrifice myself with the crown of a king, eternally solidifying either a permanent age or fire or dark, deciding for all people present and future what will be? Or do I take my crown and walk away, leaving it to others or fate itself, ashes from which a new fire will always immediately spark? Maybe I just go Hollow? Or die? I definitely am not a king in the political sense of monarchy, but what of in my own life? Is the suffering worth the benefits of preserving the self and soul?
"A King may choose his garment as he will: there is no certain test: but a beggar cannot hide his poverty."
Book of the Law
"We exist and are essence in our own right. In truth we are beings independent of God, empowered to shape our own destinies as we may elect. Between the two great poles of the Universe, order and chaos, we shall stand to effect our several desires."
The Diabolicon
"I have nought in common with him! Nor would... I dwell apart; but I am great."
Cain: A Mystery
In the end I like the idea of permanently solidifying the existence of the soul and self, of life and death and spirit, of taking the throne and linking the fire. But my own religious path and studies have taught me thoroughly that not everyone, not even most, love or want the self, the soul, the will. Western religious usually teach it is a gross and sinful thing to be submissive to greater powers. Eastern traditions often teach the self is an illusion and solely a cause of suffering, where joy is in disillusion. Even "enlightened" movements like physicalism say the self is something insignificant and just a product of a meat machine. I don't agree with any of these, even with their overwhelming popularity nearing universalism. I would cure my own hollowing and walk away, free to work with both the dark and light, sustaining my self existence, for I cannot make that decision for anyone else, but I've certainly made it for myself.
"Sometimes, I feel obsessed… with this insignificant thing called "self". But even so, I am compelled to preserve it. Am I wrong to feel so? Surely you'd do the same, in my shoes?"
Lucatile
"What drew me to the Dark…I…I…I do not know. Hexes are…are more than mere tools to me… I feel affinity…and warmth… Something universal, nostalgia…even…Those who discover Dark…realize this… And…they never come back."
Felkin
"I am no king. I am more fit to be a jester… I was unaware of my own blindness. We are feeble vessels, with feebler souls. We would cast aside the prop of life, only to face greater hardship. Are you another such fool, or something more?"
Vendrick
"But what is a king? You, neither born with greatness, nor granted it by the fates. What is it that you seek?... All men trust fully the illusion of life. But is this so wrong? A construction, a facade, and yet... A world full of warmth and resplendence. Young Hollow, are you intent on shattering the yoke, spoiling this wonderful falsehood?"
Aldia
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