A Knight’s Tale — The Shining Courage of Radiant’s Ocoho
From historical legend to modern day fiction, there are few figures more commonly associated with heroism than the knight. A steadfast protector clad head to toe in armor, sworn to both lord and country, the heroic tales of the emblematic knight often blurred the line between reality and myth, creating a legacy that would outlast their eventual decline and inspire future storytellers for generations to come. I’ve made no secret of my love of fantasy and heroism on this platform, but today I’ve been tasked with finally making due on an article that’s been on my backlog for about three years.
Radiant Memories is a collection of stories looking back at the Radiant universe and its 10 year anniversary. For more details, see below.
Introduced in volume 5 which released in 2016, Radiant’s Ocoho tells one of the most unique knight stories in fantasy, cross examining the knight mythos while telling a deeply personal tale of sacrifice, tragedy and heroism. From her creative design to her compelling narrative, this piece will examine Ocoho’s origins and character arc, her relationship to the world of knights and what makes her one of Radiant’s most interesting characters in relation to the story and the medium today.
Folks, this article has sat on my writer’s table for far too long, so let’s not delay this any further. This is A Knight’s Tale — The Shining Courage of Radiant’s Ocoho.
***Note: this article contains significant spoilers for season 2 or volumes 5–10. Reader discretion is advised.***
The Rebel
Prior to launching his next original story, author Tony Valente initially envisioned three characters in what I will assume was his take on the “shonen trio” staple. Those familiar with Radiant will already know that this trio would take the form of protagonist Seth and his two companions, Mélie and Doc, in the final product. But what if I told you that wasn’t always the case?
“At first, Radiant was supposed to start with a trio composed of Seth, Ocoho (whose name was Méloko back then) and Grimm. But in the end, I had to make the character grow a little bit first, and when I was thinking of a story arc with the [Sorcerer] Knights, she fit right into that world. By the way, her name means “barn owl” in the native tongue of an indigenous North American people called the Huron.” — Q & A with Tony Valente (Radiant Volume 6)
With his series’ publication uncertain in the early days and the story still taking shape, Valente would eventually settle on his core cast. Seth stayed on as protagonist while Grimm and Ocoho would debut a little later on as their designs, character and narrative points were being fleshed out. In the case of the yet-to-be-named heroine, Ocoho would receive the largest transformation as Valente retooled every aspect of the character from the art to the final name.
Looking at those initial designs, it’s hard to believe that these were once the same character, but having proven himself to his publishers with the previous four volumes, the next chapter of Radiant, the Sorcerer Knights arc, would scale rapidly. Therefore, it needed a character who could recenter the story by acting as a guide for Seth — and the audience — into this foreign land before coming into their own as this brave new world begins to crumble under the weight of other influences.
From an early age, Ocoho is one of many knight apprentices who dreams of one day serving the Order of the Sorcerer Knights, the nation of Cyfandir’s finest warriors who follow in the footsteps of the legendary sorcerer Merlin. Determined to distinguish herself, she trains diligently day and night, but fails to stand out from her peers despite her physical prowess and raw talents as a Sorcerer.
That all changes after running into Seth, who hitches a ride with Ocoho and her dragon-racoon, Dracoon, on their next Nemesis hunt where we are introduced to a few recurring elements that will be of importance later on. The Specter Nemesis, an ethereal type of creature that counters most magic, and the knight’s trademark spell, “Gysoni,” which is currently the primary method of defeating them.
For those unfamiliar, Gysoni comes from the Welsh term meaning “Harmonize.” In Radiant, this spell is used to link multiple people’s senses, effectively sharing thoughts and communications with all active participants to synchronize each other’s strategies and movement. It’s a powerful tool that requires concentration and willpower, effectively designating the caster as team leader as they coordinate their party members and give orders. Symbolically, it represents the founding principles of the order, emphasizing strength through unity.
Within Ocoho’s story, it fits several ideas and themes we will get into, but for now, the spell eludes her grasp because during the incantation Seth is knocked off Dracoon, forcing Ocoho to break formation. After coming to his aid, their priorities shift back to the Nemesis as the order makes their assault, planting the first of many seeds in the aspiring knight’s philosophy. Slaying the Nemesis is a matter of public safety of course, but with magical artillery raining down from above them, it becomes easier to see the collateral damage throughout the farmlands as onlookers take cover from the bombardment. Seeing the situation play out in real time, Ocoho cooperates with Seth to protect the farmlands.
Aided by Seth’s Fantasia gathering, she casts Cromen — Welsh for “Dome” — shielding the surface until the Nemesis begins to dissipate, ending the conflict. Their overwhelming display naturally reaches her commanding officer, Lord Brangoire, who does not take kindly to her insubordination. But as Queen Boudica arrives to access the damage and remind her of the chain of command, she acknowledges her bravery and empathy towards the citizens while conveying the knight’s duty to Cyfandir and maintaining the trust between them.
At its core, Radiant is a story about finding humanity in a world where much of it is divided, be it magic, ideologies or the perpetual cycle of creation and destruction. Whereas Seth’s overall goal is all encompassing in finding the Radiant to end the discrimination against the sorcerers, Ocoho’s is driven on a community level. Growing up in one of the few safe havens for the Infected, her direct sense of identity and accomplishment comes from giving back to her community by helping others.
For the citizens of Cyfandir, the title of Sorcerer Knight is well regarded, recognized by almost every magical institution or governing body. Aside from the queen, it is also the role with the most influence and ability to directly impact the people both on the field and as a figurative model in keeping with the Arthurian symbolism. To Ocoho, becoming a knight is not only her dream, it is her direct avenue of giving back to her community, providing a sense of purpose and forming the ideal self.
Becoming a knight, however, is a different matter from becoming human. As the young apprentice embarks on the hero’s journey, a few different obstacles present themselves. From different perspectives to a matter of life and death, the world of the Sorcerer Knights expands as new players enter the scene to help or hinder her progress.
The Qualifications of a Knight
Throughout the Sorcerer Knights Arc, we are introduced to several new characters, including some recognizable figures parallel to King Arthur’s famous round table. While I don’t have the space here to go through each of them in detail, what I want to focus on is their thematic relevance in regards to the story and how they fit Ocoho’s narrative as she starts to form her ideal self.
Starting with the introduction of famed knight apprentices and childhood friends of Ocoho, Mordred and Sagramore are positioned as the leading candidates among their peers, notably for being two of the first to defeat a Specter Nemesis. Next is Lord Brangoire and Lord de Gulis, both of which serve as Ocoho’s captain within the first and second half of the story, respectively. All four of these characters represent aspects of “the qualifications of a knight” or loosely speaking, the traits the order identifies as the most “desirable” traits for a Sorcerer Knight to possess.
In Radiant specifically, they also represent a mirror to the order itself, foreshadowing the disorganization brewing from within by drawing upon the fictional aspects of the knight mythos, as well as the more historical true-to-life nature of humanity and societal norms. From Arthurian romanticism or “Arthuriana” and historical tradition, collectivism and individualism and freedom and control, all these aspects are prominently highlighted in form or another, only to be further complicated when Seth and Boudica add their two cents as the outsider perspectives — more on that later.
The most notable example is the relationship between Brangoire and Gulis, which incidentally fits all three of these thematic comparisons from their leadership styles and their involvement in the story. Brangoire takes a very traditional approach to knighthood, believing in absolute order above all, even if it means making unpopular decisions and losing face among the populace. While he generally cares about his people and his country, his inflexibility prevents him from catching on sooner that there was something off during the Specter Nemesis incidents.
Gulis, on the other hand, is the embodiment of “the knight in shining armor” trope, believing that maintaining the symbolism of a hero is part of a knight’s duty. This causes him to often treat battles as spectacle, winning the people’s trust, but putting them in real danger when he and his team charges on ahead.
A lesser-known example would be the relationship between Mordred, Sagramore, and their characterization of the order’s duality between order and chaos. Despite technically holding the same rank and tenure as knight apprentices like Ocoho, their reputation among the knights is among the highest, holding sway with the lords and the public’s adoration. From a narrative perspective, they also reflect the order’s “soul,” or freedom and control. While the two men’s motives are eventually revealed, their loyalties come into conflict with one another, leading to a similar outcome not unlike their literary counterparts.
Without context, one might think each of these would negate each other. But as the story progresses, not only are they in constant conversation with one another, they are presented as perspectives rather than black and white. As the Sorcerer Knights approach a massive upheaval, each of these four characters eventually find themselves on different sides of the pendulum, either rising to the challenge during a moment of crisis or showing their true colors, with one major twist recontextualizing the chain of events leading to that moment. Before Ocoho can challenge her fate, however, she must first rediscover herself.
At about the halfway point, Seth and company take a detour into the enchanted Callite Forest, awakening Ocoho’s senses to the primordial Fantasia in the forest and the spiritual plane known as the Sidh. She returns to the castle now fully aware there are traitors in the order working for a group known as the Faithful of the Hermit, a faction of knights that reinterpreted Merlin’s will using questionable methods, alongside a vengeful ghost rider responsible for the Specter Nemeses.
Unable to entrust this information with her fellow knights or the queen at the risk of alerting the conspirators, she resumes her duties until another Nemesis attack is spotted on the field. Split into two teams with Ocoho’s group — now being led by the newly appointed Gulis — and another team headed by the reassigned Brangoire, they make quick work of the caterpillar-like Nemesis, until another one is spotted in the distance.
As the two teams race into battle against the second Nemesis, they both fail to recognize that the slain Nemesis from earlier was still alive — and brought friends in the form of Echoes. While the pair of Ocoho and Mélie do their best to hold their defenses, the Echoes begin outnumbering them, prompting a call for backup. Once more, Ocoho is presented with a dilemma. Unlike before, however, her hesitation is internalized, not just because of the high risk of expulsion from the order or a particular knight ideology, but instead her mental image of the ideal knight being at odds with her ideal self.
Like any hero, Ocoho chooses the people, removing any self-doubts she had about doing the right thing by taking action, allowing her to draw on the full power of the Gysoni as she casts the spell. With her newfound confidence, she pulls most of her knight comrades back to their position to save the day in one of the most impressive displays of spellcasting in the series so far, forging a new path in the trials and tribulations to come.
Though her troubles have only just begun, this moment plays a role in Ocoho’s growth as her hard work and affinity for Fantasia can no longer be ignored, firmly recontextualizing her strength and leadership as her own as the spell that had once given her trouble now becomes her signature move. More importantly, it establishes her as a character on the path of reforging her own destiny, not by overwhelming force, natural-born talent, or the need to adhere to a title and recognition, but by something much more fundamentally human. In other words, “The will to act.”
Unfortunately, willpower alone won’t be enough to prevent what’s coming. As the Faithful of the Hermit regroup, they call upon the Dullahan to ride once more into the night. When the headless rider’s identity is revealed, the conspiracy grows beyond their imagination as a twisted revelation comes to light…
The Truth is Like a Curse
Like all the other characters who wield magic in Radiant, Ocoho is an Infected, or a person who survived contact with a Nemesis and acquired the ability to manipulate Fantasia along with a curse. In the country of Cyfandir, talking about curses is strictly forbidden, with the Infected advised to practice secrecy or cover up within reason for those with physical ailments. For the order, this serves two purposes.
The first is to maintain their own self-image among the populace. The knights represent “order,” ensuring peace and stability as well as a representation of Cyfandir itself. Given their standing in the queendom, all eyes are on them to not only protect the people, but also present themselves in the highest manner possible. The second is because it’s the law of the land.
As mentioned in my previous guide, Cyfandir is a country founded on traditions and heroic figures, with the statue of Merlin literally serving as the capital’s central landmark and his quotes having been immortalized by the knights. Once again, these two purposes represent the blending duality between Arthuriana/History, collectivism/individualism, and freedom/control, all of which culminate in the reveal of the Dullahan’s identity:
***Last chance to turn back!***
Sometime after the previous Nemesis incident, a bedridden Ocoho awakens in a medical ward. Much to her surprise, her old companions Mordred and Sagramore arrive to inform her she narrowly avoided expulsion with a little intervention from one of the top two Sorcerer Knight candidates. As the coronation ceremony approaches, a suspicious Brangoire begins trailing her from a distance. One evening, he follows her to the edge of the forest, prompting Seth, Mélie and Doc to intervene, only things are not what they seem.
After Ocoho is caught red-handed planting the next Specter Nemesis, it is revealed her involvement was not voluntary. Upon breaking her trance, she reveals the truth about her infection — a mole on the side of her neck covered by her braided hair. When pressed, it turns her subservient to the one who touched it, obeying any order and waking up with no memory of the event upon release.
Understanding the situation clearly, Brangoire allows her to resume her duties to expose the true culprits. However, he makes it clear that he has no intention of letting her join the knights after seeing what her infection is capable of. To make matters worse, it dawns upon her that only one individual could have known about her infection, setting a chain of events that will determine the fate of Caislean Merlin, if not all of Cyfandir and the Infected.
Having her dream, the trust of one of her closest companions and her future stolen, it’s no surprise that Ocoho is left at the crossroads of how to deal with this new reality. Simply put, it’s a lot to deal with for the knight apprentice. As she weighs her options, a few familiar voices lend a sympathetic ear, reminding her that despite the pain, betrayals, and future conflicts that have yet to be fought, everything from this point on are…
Your Decisions
When describing Radiant, Valente often cites it as a story where characters can take up almost any role. Good intentions sometimes lead to bad decisions, unclear motives can become heroic deeds, and everyday citizens and non-powered humans can be just as ruthless and violent as their magical or Inquisitor counterparts or rise against adversity and answer the call to action.
In maintaining this flexibility, it allows for characters to stretch their wings and behave in unconventional ways, giving main and supporting members the ability to build dynamic relationships and lines of communication. In the context of Ocoho’s story, there are three recurring players that guide her along from beginning, middle and end.
Our protagonist Seth is the first, who bumps into her after his own misfortunes pile up at the start of this chapter. While it’s easy to paint this as a narrative device to push Seth’s story along, their relationship marks the beginning of Ocoho’s own “hero’s journey.” As Ocoho teaches Seth about his new surroundings and rules that govern the land, he in return brings his outside knowledge, inviting her to look at the full picture in regards to service and the power of Fantasia.
Their respective journeys even mirror each other in several aspects. Seth wanting to become a Nemesis hunter while Ocoho works towards knighthood, only to rewrite their dreams towards something far grander by helping people, complete with a mentor/mother-figure to further visualize their future selves. Their idealism is slowly replaced with realism as the truth about their worlds becomes clearer, while still retaining their self-identity and valor. Hell, they even both suffer at least one traumatic event in their respective stories, both of which enable them to see what’s at stake and what it will to take to change the world.
What’s most impressive though is the role they play in each other’s stories. In Ocoho’s case, which I’ve covered before, it’s to prep Seth and the audience into the new setting, aid in the resolution of at least one of his internal dilemmas and set the stage for the main conflict. By the second act, they reverse roles with Seth playing more of a mentor and “moral-compass” to Ocoho, offering guidance and emotional support as she deals with her new reality and the impending countdown to destruction as the conspirators launch their final assault. Halfway through, he reassures her that she isn’t defined by her infection, rank, or title because:
“Titles mean nothing when facing a Nemesis. Just help anyone you can when you can.”
This in turn is reciprocated two-fold as she — along with Mélie — pulls him from his inner darkness, and later as she attempts to give him credit for resolving the main conflict. Though he chooses to turn it down by ducking out early — or staying on brand regarding his views of titles — he smiles knowing she has a bright future ahead of her, becoming the person he already knew she was. In other words, their relationship is one of equals.
Among Radiant’s prominent female cast, none tower above — pun intended — Cyfandir’s Queen Boudica, who looks after the young apprentice throughout the story. When Boudica first arrives, a clear connection between the two forms, fitting several roles as the narrative unfolds. Serving as a role model, maternal figure and, in keeping with the Arthurian/historical contrast, a cross-examination of the gender inequality in the order, her relationship to Ocoho is used to great effect in highlighting her struggles.
Finding comfort in their similarities, their conversations become interpersonal, reflecting on the order’s double standard in relation to women holding positions of power, knighthood and chivalry, and — if I may be so bold — shonen heroines in general. That’s because despite holding the highest title in the land in a fantasy story, her current position is one of historical precedent, one that can easily be undermined under the right circumstances:
While she cautions vigilance, ultimately, Boudica understands that Ocoho needs to find her own path, even if it means potentially defying orders, including her own, to serve the greater good. It’s the reason why she takes it upon herself to protect the young sorcerer despite her rule breaking, choosing to hear both sides of the story before acting.
It’s why near the climax of the war, she doesn’t take it personally when Ocoho punches her back into action after nearly giving up upon realizing the role they all played in the devastation of the forest, even entrusting her with command for one final mission. And it’s also why at the very end, she acknowledges the failings of the current system by reforming the laws, inspiring change and allowing the next generation to write the next chapter in Cyfandir and the world’s future with one final twist.
This isn’t the end of their relationship, but before I can properly address the true ending, we need to revisit one character who brings this back full circle.
Arguably the character in Ocoho’s inner orbit to undergo the biggest character development, Lord Brangoire is a full-fledged Sorcerer Knight dedicated to the queen and the people of Cyfandir. Their initial relationship at the start can be described as “non-existent” at best, with Ocoho joking at one point her commander hadn’t learned her name in the time serving under him. It’s only when she breaks the Gysoni during the first Specter Nemesis incident that she manages to grab his attention, though not in a positive way as he reprimands her actions and again during the second incident.
A distrust forms between the two as Ocoho garners the queen’s favor and circumstances lead to his reassignment. Despite the setback, Brangoire never forgets his duties or allow personal grudges to cloud his judgment as the two begin working together towards the midpoint when they realize they have a common goal. Though he cannot accept her into the knights when the circumstances change, this doesn’t stop him from supporting her, going so far as to defend her when accusations start making the rounds. Ocoho, in turn, shows him who she truly is, proving to him that he was wrong about her qualifications of a knight, as he accepts her growth and independence, sharing a newfound respect for one another.
As I mentioned before, Radiant’s relationships are dynamic and flexible, leading to all sorts of character developments, interpersonal moments, shocking revelations and some genuinely heartwarming scenes, showing the full scale of Valente’s writing and imagination. Through Ocoho, Radiant crafts one of the most complex and personal stories about knighthood, political intrigue, the price of freedom, and personal growth, all while still managing to craft a provocative tale of finding humanity, which brings me to the final point I’ll be covering today — the ending.
The Last Knight
After Mordred’s deception is revealed as the person using Ocoho’s infection against her, the day of the coronation arrives and all eyes are on the knight candidates. But as each of the lords choose their next heirs, only Ocoho is left behind, affirming her decision to renounce her pursuit of the title as she publicly exposes the Faithful of the Hermit. Before the knights can make any moves, a messenger arrives to inform them that the Inquisition has deployed their military, intending to conquer Cyfandir after a backend deal was made with the Baron Merchants who have plans for the country.
With the Sorcerer Knights refusing to back down, war breaks out while representatives of the Faithful of the Hermit meet with Baron Doussant and the other merchants. The baron reveals they were the masterminds who set up all the events necessary to convince the Inquisition to invade Cyfandir, with their ultimate objective of turning the public against the Infected and enslave them for labor. As the battles intensify between the Sorcerers and the Inquisitors, all hope seems lost as Ocoho is captured and Mordred reveals the full extent of his involvement, before murdering Sagramore in cold blood.
Revealed to be the biological son of Doussant, his infection prevents him from experiencing any emotions, making him the perfect pawn to his father’s ambitions. Unable to protect Dracoon from being severely wounded, her infection is activated once more by Mordred, with the intent of finishing her off once and for all. Unbeknownst to either of them, however, was the fact that her Gysoni was still active prior to her capture. With Dracoon serving as her senses, it affords her the opportunity to break control and turn the tables, activating her Gysoni against Mordred and her captors before entering the fray as Doussant orders the death of his own son.
Before making her way back to land with her injured steed, she takes one final look at Mordred who is still under the influence of her Gysoni. Because the spell shares all senses with all members, he feels the full weight of her emotions, unable to process the overwhelming information as the horrifying reality of his actions sink in. Begging her to deactivate the spell as the mental torture becomes unbearable, she drops one of the sharpest deliveries in the series, leaving him to his fate as the war below enters a turning point for the Sorcerers.
After snapping Boudica back to her senses, awakening Seth before his dark impulses consume him entirely and preventing the complete annihilation of the capital in the nick of time, the war finally comes to an end. As the citizens say goodbye to the fallen and the queen acknowledges the events that almost led to their demise, she makes the first move in reestablishing order by revoking the ancient law about curses. With the people still reluctant to open up, Ocoho takes the initiative, prompting others to share their curses after revealing hers.
As the mood begins to lighten up, Brangoire makes his own announcement, formally asking the queen to reinstate Ocoho’s knight candidacy and accept her as his own personal apprentice. After all the battles, all the tribulations, and all the pain, suffering and loss, the Order of the Sorcerer Knights and the people finally accept her as one of their own, and all is well with the world until-
(You know what? This deserves its own spoiler tag!)
***Spoiler Alert***
As the new crown princess takes her rightful place at the queen’s side, I revisit my earlier concepts and the delicate conversation between the established principles of the modern knights and their Arthurian counterparts one last time, as well as the characters and relationships that led to this point. With Boudica formerly ending the ancient law regarding curses and accepting Ocoho as her own apprentice, the bridge between old and new generations is finally mended as the order looks to new leadership and forward thinkers to forge a bright new future.
This passing of the torch is brilliantly subverted when Boudica denies Ocoho’s knight candidacy, encouraging her to pursue a higher calling while unabashedly admitting she always had an eye on her. It’s also why at the end of the story, she decides to let her go and explore the world, learn what she and her predecessors could not, and to further expand on the maternal relationship, give a personal farewell — again, mirroring Seth’s call to adventure at the start of the series.
To summarize the Arthurian lore referenced throughout, the way the story plays with established characters and reintegrates them into Ocoho’s story carries into her decision to walk away from the title and glory during the war. No longer bound by external expectations, she finally earns Brangoire’s respect and the trust of the people, putting herself on the line to expose the Faithful of the Hermit at the cost of everything.
And I do mean everything, because despite the deaths, betrayals, and lack of control of the situation — and her infection — she never loses sight of her goal as she works through the pain to assume leadership, directing the queen to push forward and ultimately, help her new friends and allies retake their freedom, reaffirming her humanity.
As is often the case in this series, the characters with the least amount of humanity or those who abandon it usually end up suffering the worst fates. You see a few examples of this with the Inquisitor’s Thaumaturges who do battle with the main cast as they deny their Sorcerer opponents of their existence, attempting to chain them into servitude. In Mordred’s case, the chain is not one of his own design, but rather, his father’s as he forcibly exposed his children to the Nemeses, all for the sake of his twisted ambition to enslave the Infected.
Though they are on opposing sides, Ocoho’s humanity shines through on and off the battlefield, notably when she chooses to protect Mordred from his father’s henchmen despite his unforgivable actions and when her Gysoni causes him to mentally breakdown. But as she looks on in anguish at her former friend, she knows the emotions he is experiencing will vanish the moment the spell is deactivated, leaving her to carry the weight of the events that transpired, including Sagramore’s death.
Even so, she still has people to protect, including Seth when he is unable to contain his parasitic host. Determined to save everyone from the impending destruction, her newfound bonds and experiences enable her to return the trust and kindness they instilled in her. Just as Ocoho’s infection didn’t make her less of a human, she reminds Seth of his humanity after a tragic loss consumes him, enabling him to push past his despair and regain consciousness, reminding everyone that even hope can bloom on a battlefield.
Your Story (Final Thoughts)
As I sat here trying to settle on a definitive conclusion, I had a difficult time settling on a core “thesis.” Whenever I start on one of these essays, I tend to brainstorm my basic outline on the first page and write the actual essay on the next, quickly changing that outline as needed. Unlike some of my other articles, I didn’t even have a “working title” for this one until halfway through! This chapter means a lot to me, not solely for its fantasy elements and Arthurian lore, thought-provoking themes or even the carefully crafted world and characters, which meant I was going to spend a little more time on it than normal. That said, it didn’t make writing it easier!
In the aftermath of the war, it’s impossible to ignore humanity’s penchant for destruction. Discrimination against the sorcerers is on the rise, the Baron Merchants and the Inquisition are more emboldened than ever before, and though Caislean Merlin lived to see another day, it doesn’t change the fact the knights almost fell to ruin, if not for the swift actions of a few individuals. The forest is gone, the people’s faith is shaken and we are still no closer to proving the existence of the Radiant. Perhaps, this world no longer has a need for knights… But you don’t have to leave.
“You show us what we should aspire to. We need inspiration. You give us a reason to grow. To become more than we are.
And if we don’t have that, we’re nothing more than statues.”
That quote comes from 2007’s Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn, another title that takes place in a world of two warring factions featuring some questionable ethics and decision making when all is said and done. Truth is, this story has existed since the dawn of the time. It continues to thrive and persevere not just because of humanity’s shortcomings, but because of our potential to create change, inspire others and find our own path forward. After all, inspiration is just another word for imagination.
The same imagination that, as we learn near the end of the story, would inspire a young Ocoho during her time in the Callite Forest, fostering a connection to the world and its inhabitants. It’s the same potential that drove her growth and the courage to confront her superiors, not because of a singular dream, but rather in service to the people, encouraging them to work together despite their differences. And though there’s still no definitive proof of the Radiant, the events that took place changed more than a few hearts and minds, including our protagonist who gained an invaluable ally, as well as reinspiring his own humanity.
In the world of Radiant, it has its own dedicated word, one taken directly from our collective history and language arts — Fantasia. Though not everyone can see it, it exists all around as the magic that shapes us. The power to create your story.
All screenshots and media captured from my computer and phone using the original source, unless otherwise noted.
Dark Aether is a writer/contributor for TAY and AniTAY. You can check his main writings on Medium, archives at TAY2, or follow him on Twitter @TheGrimAether. Not Dead Yet.
At Your Command, Your Highness (More Radiant)
