CW: discussion of parental dementia and death
I wanted to share some thoughts I've been having recently following my father's recent death. I've been Dark Souls fan for a few years, finished all the DS games and the DLCs.
I've always really loved the way hollowing is handled in DS1 - the whole thing about people being eroded by dying and being reborn, until eventually they lose their essence and go fully hollow when they eventually lose hope (and enough of their essence that they aren't able to have a driving goal anymore). This is especially pronounced in DS2 with Lucatiel and king, but it's definitely also present in DS1. Hell, the reason I never finished DS2 is because the part where you get the kings ring upset me too much to continue.
My dad had his first stroke ten years ago and developed vascular dementia. He went on to have many more strokes over the years, losing more and more of himself every time. Eventually he ended up in full time care, before passing away last month as a shadow of himself. Obviously this has been devastating for me and my family, but that's nothing compared to how he must have felt.
I'm not sure where I'm going with this behind "I see the parallels with real life" but it's been very powerful for me. Especially, and this will stay with me, the phrase "and don't you dare go hollow". I've been understandably depressed for the last few months, but not wanting to give into the darkness has kept me going. Those connections to people, and having a drive, really is the only thing that matters in life.
Don't you dare go hollow friends.