Is Nikolai a Darkling Now? Unraveling the Fate of Ravka’s King
The short answer is: no, Nikolai Lantsov is not a Darkling. However, the path he walks after the events of Shadow and Bone Season 2 is fraught with complexities and shadows (quite literally). While he doesn’t become the new Darkling, he is far from unscathed by his encounter with the original one. He carries a piece of the Darkling’s dark magic within him, leaving him a changed man and a ruler facing unprecedented challenges. Let’s delve deeper into what exactly happened to Nikolai and what it means for his future.
The Merzost Infection: A Different Kind of Darkness
In the books, Nikolai’s transformation is more direct. The Darkling uses merzost to turn him into a beast, a shadow creature with wings, fangs, and a thirst for flesh. This is a horrifying physical change that robs Nikolai of his humanity. However, in the show, the approach is different. Instead of being directly transformed, Nikolai is infected with merzost when he is attacked by a nichevo’ya, a shadow monster created by the Darkling.
This infection manifests as nichevo’ya appearing in Nikolai’s reflection. He feels a growing pain and sees a sinister shadow where his face should be. The implications are profound; it suggests that a part of the Darkling’s dark essence has taken root within him. Crucially, he doesn’t become a literal shadow monster controlled by the Darkling’s will. However, his body and mind are now vulnerable to this insidious influence. This makes Nikolai a unique case, neither fully human nor fully a shadow creature. He’s walking a precarious line between the light and the darkness.
The Battle Within
The merzost infection raises numerous questions about Nikolai’s future. Will he be able to control this dark influence? Could the nichevo’ya take him over? These are the very real and terrifying prospects Nikolai faces. Unlike the Darkling, who wielded his shadow power with purpose and control, Nikolai is now burdened with a potentially corrupting force within him. His struggle becomes a battle within himself, as he tries to balance his responsibilities as king with his personal plight. He needs to maintain his strength and resilience for Ravka, while simultaneously grappling with this monstrous threat from the inside. This adds a compelling layer of vulnerability and tension to his character.
A New Kind of Challenge
Nikolai’s condition is not just a personal burden. It also has huge political and social implications. As the King of Ravka, he must present an image of strength and stability. However, now he’s internally battling the potential darkness that threatens to surface and corrupt him. This places him in an impossible situation and makes his reign more precarious. The question is, can Nikolai successfully navigate this challenge and continue to lead Ravka? Or will this merzost ultimately be his undoing? This makes his journey not just a fight against the external forces but also his personal battle against darkness itself.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is merzost?
Merzost is a powerful and dangerous form of magic that allows a Grisha to manipulate creation and destruction in unpredictable ways. It is often associated with the manipulation of shadow, and it can have severe consequences for its user, including physical and mental changes. It is a fundamentally corrupting magic that requires a great deal of power and control to use without negative consequences.
2. Are nichevo’ya shadow monsters?
Yes, nichevo’ya are shadow monsters created by a Shadow Summoner using merzost. They are formidable creatures, and they’re highly dangerous to ordinary humans and even Grisha. The Darkling created a whole army of these, making them a crucial part of his strategy to spread fear and destruction.
3. How is Nikolai infected with merzost?
Unlike in the books, where he is directly transformed by the Darkling, Nikolai in the show is infected with merzost when he is attacked and stabbed by a nichevo’ya. This leaves him with a constant reminder of the Darkling’s power now residing within him.
4. Does Nikolai lose his humanity?
While Nikolai doesn’t become a fully formed shadow monster, his humanity is under threat. The merzost infection manifests as nichevo’ya in his reflection, signaling a struggle within him. This threatens his composure and well-being. He is forever changed by this infection, making him vulnerable to the darker side of himself.
5. Can Nikolai be cured of the merzost infection?
The show doesn’t provide a clear answer on whether Nikolai can be cured. This is one of the more unanswered aspects of his storyline, leaving us with uncertainty about his future. This raises the question of whether anyone can truly escape the consequences of merzost.
6. Is the Darkling dead?
Yes, the Darkling is killed by Alina at the end of Ruin and Rising. However, the influence of his dark power continues to linger. Even his followers can’t let him go, and they end up attempting to revive him later.
7. Does the Darkling come back?
Yes, in the later books, the Darkling’s soul returns and possesses the body of Yuri, one of his most zealous followers. This twist keeps the original villain involved in the narrative and continues to challenge the heroes in the story.
8. Does Alina lose her powers?
In the books, Alina loses her Sun Summoner powers completely after a battle with Kirigan and later temporarily loses them after the final battle. In the show, she retains them but uses them in ways reminiscent of the Darkling, showing that merzost has impacted her ability as well.
9. Who does Alina marry?
In the books, Alina does not marry Nikolai. She and Mal fake her death and live a quiet life together. In the show, Alina agrees to marry Nikolai as a political move after the Darkling’s defeat and her powers have transformed, still for a show of unity and strength for Ravka.
10. Does Nikolai marry Zoya?
No, Nikolai does not marry Zoya. Despite his feelings and desire to marry her, Zoya declines his proposal in the books, demonstrating that she is not solely focused on a romantic relationship but more on her work and her responsibility to her duty.
11. What happens to Mal?
In both the books and the show, Mal is brought back to life. However, he later dies of his injuries. However, the manner in which Mal is brought back to life changes between the books and the show. In the books, Tolya and Tamar heal him. In the show, Alina uses merzost to revive him, altering his existence forever.
12. What is Mal’s connection to the Darkling?
Mal is a descendant of Baghra’s sister, making him a great-nephew of the Darkling. He is also an amplifier, increasing the strength of a Grisha’s powers. This is a significant revelation that shows that not all of the Darkling’s power came from his Grisha abilities.
13. How old is the Darkling?
The Darkling is approximately 500 years old, as stated in the novels and implied in the show. This makes him one of the oldest Grisha, and it also speaks to the long-lasting influence and terror that he carries.
14. Why does Alina have white hair?
Alina’s hair turns white due to her over-exertion of power and her time spent away from sunlight and her powers. She is controlled by the Apparat, who forces her to be in darkness. This is a visible manifestation of her struggle and a reminder of the burdens she carries.
15. Does Nina find love?
Nina and Matthias do find love with each other, but sadly Matthias dies. Nina is heartbroken and devotes herself to helping others. Her relationship with Matthias, though tragic, helps to propel the story and to shape the decisions Nina makes later on.
In conclusion, Nikolai’s fate is intertwined with the residual power of the Darkling. He is neither a new Darkling nor entirely free from the dark magic, walking a precarious line that raises serious questions about his future and the future of Ravka.