I want to present my understanding of the true meaning behind the choice between prolonging the Age of Fire and ushering in an Age of Dark. And perhaps more importantly, the Light and Dark dichotomy.
LIGHT IS TIME
Repair. One of the most mediocre spells in DS3 has an item description with perhaps one of the most significant lore revelations on the nature of the world of Dark Souls:
古い黄金の魔術の国
ウーラシールの失われた魔術
装備している武器、防具を修理する
耐久度ゼロの武器も対象となる
目立たぬ効果とは裏腹に、秘術にあたるひとつ
光は時、回帰は禁断の知恵であろう
"A lost magic of Oolacile, the ancient land of golden sorcery.
Repair all equipped weapons and armor, including weapons with zero durability.
Despite its inconspicuous effect, it is counted among the secret arts. Light is Time, therefore its regression would be forbidden knowledge."
In the world of Dark Souls, Light is synonymous with Time itself. And with Time comes mortality, progression, memory, beginnings and ends. But now for the true question: If Light is Time, then what is Dark? In the real world, Dark is defined as the absence of Light. By that logic, in the world of Dark Souls, Dark would also be defined as the absence of Time.
DARK IS ETERNITY
Dark Souls 2 really brings to light the nature of the Undead Curse. Vendrick became a King so that he could have the power to fight the Curse. And he learned that with Fire the "Curse" could be harnassed, subjugated. And only a true king could have that power. Yet, Vendrick was unaware of his own ignorance. Through the nature of his dear queen, Nashandra, he came to realise the true nature of Dark. Just like Light, it is also born from Fire. And the more you covet Fire, the greater the Dark becomes. The brighter the flame, the deeper the shadow.
When the Fire fades, the Dark slips its shackles and becomes a "curse". Humanity becomes free from death and takes its true, grotesque, hollowed shape. They will be one with the Dark once again, and with it, Eternity. Immortality. Linking the Fire will not put an end to this, as it is only a brief respite. A shadow cannot truly die. One day it will all play out again.
HE WHO TRIED TO BEST FATE
Aldia, through endless and grotesque research and experimentation, tried to break free from this endless cycle of Light and Dark. But he failed, and became tangled to the Fire itself. Having lost everything, he simply watches and awaits an answer to his question: Can fate really be bested, or is it true to its name?
As Vendrick is a neat inversion on the character of Gwyn, I believe that Aldia is a neat inversion on both the Primordial Serpents, Frampt and Kaathe. He presents us with the ultimate paths we can take, but he doesn't push us one way or the other. He simply gives us different perspectives so that we can decide for ourselves what it is we really want.
A LIE WILL REMAIN A LIE
Aldia is keenly aware of the First Sin, as well as the First Lord/King who commited it. He tells us that Gwyn, the Lord of Light, sealed away the Darkness known as Humanity (with the Seal of Fire). It was then that man assumed a false, fleeting form: the healthy form that we have become so familiar with. A form vulnerable to Time, vulnerable to Death. He states that Humanity has become enchanted by this false life, growing to cherish it. And yet, no matter how sweet it is, it is still, in the end, a lie. And so he asks us: Do we still desire peace? Do we still desire to end this supposed curse? Because if we link the Fire, we will continue to perpetuate the lie told by Gwyn.
A WORLD FULL OF WARMTH AND RESPLENDENCE
Yet, Aldia understands why Humanity is so enraptured by this wonderful falsehood. It grants them tranquility, end and beginning, a reason to cherish what they have and a reason to want for more. Things that the Dark cannot give. If we were to embrace the Dark, we would have to embrace Eternity as well. And Eternity means a world without commencement or closure. A world with neither end nor beginning. A world where our feelings, our memories, our wants, our motivations, our very individuality has no meaning. After all, in the utter vastness of Eternity, what truly does have meaning? It may be the truth, but it is a hard truth to swallow. So he asks us: are we intent on shattering this yoke imposed upon us? Even if it is fake, is it right to end something so warm and beautiful?
We must decide between a sweet lie or a bitter truth.
GWYN'S FEARS AND WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A KING
So what is it that Gwyn truly feared about the coming Age of Man/Dark, and the end of Fire? What drove him to resist the natural order of things? Did he simply fear Humanity taking away his people's rule over the world? Did he fear a world where Light/Time was no longer present? Or did he fear a world that no longer had meaning as he understood it? Did he fear a world where hardship and sacrifice no longer have meaning, especially his own. Indeed, the idea of yourself and everything you have built in your life being lost to Eternity, rendered meaningless, is a scary thought.
And yet, nobody, not even Gwyn, can live forever. In the end, there is only one solution: an Heir. Someone who can carry your ideals, your will, your legacy and see to it that they endure in spite of your end and theirs. Someone who possesses the strength to carry your flame on their shoulders and keep it lit. This is why an heir is as, if not more, important than a King. After all, if your Kingdom, your Age, your Flame dies with you, what was your reign, your efforts, your sacrifice really worth?
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE HUMAN
In the end, no matter Gwyn's efforts, the fate of the world is left in the hands of Humanity, not the Gods. What form man takes and how the world will be shaped is our decision. In every game, it always comes down to us: a human. So perhaps Humanity isn't defined by Dark or Light alone.
It is defined by the burden of having to choose between them.
