[Darin listens to Zelda speak with no small amount of interest. Wherever Hyrule was...it sounded fascinating. A world that, maybe, he'd love to see. Any place was better than Anmaral, honestly. Though he'd only known his own Kingdom of Alvale, he'd spent much of his life wondering if he'd find acceptance in its neighboring kingdoms. There was always the Eastern Continent, close off due to beast and demonkin but...since people thought he had tainted blood anyway, he always thought maybe he could find a place there.]

[It's the talk of "Champions" that causes his chest to tighten. It causes some of the color to wash from his face and immediately, he's on the defensive.]

"Champion?" [Darin echoes somewhat incredulously.]

L...Lady, look. I know I've got powers and abilities but I'm just a blacksmith. I'm just some guy who was cursed being born with powers he never wanted. That's all there is to it. I hate using my powers. I hate everything about them.