The Hollowing (虚水 Kyosui?, "Empty Water") is a term in Tales of Arise.
History
The Hollowing occurs when matter is stripped of all of its astral energy. It becomes unable to retain its form, turning into a mirror-like void that can only reflect its surroundings. For living creatures, once it begins to occur, it is akin to a fatal disease.
In Elde Menancia, it can be inflicted on a Dahnan when they consume the Fruit of Helgan. Low amounts cause discomfort and loss of energy, but high amounts quickly lead to death. It is distributed secretly in the food supply so that the action can occur beneath the notice of Menancia's lord, Dohalim il Qaras. The sufferers are quarantined at the far end of the Razum Quarry, in which exists a large silver pool that is all that remains of the victims of hollowing. Migal, whose hand already displays symptoms of the hollowing, inflicts the full effects on himself to bring unimpeachable proof to Dohalim of not only the hollowing but of the conspiracy that threatens his rule and the relations between the Renans and Dahnans in Elde Menancia.
Trivia
- It is unknown how dangerous contact with this liquid is for healthy people. When the characters talk about it for the first time at the very end of the game, they quickly come to the conclusion that the idea of touching the hollowed water is not only potentially very dangerous, but also simply blasphemous due to the insults to the memory of who died for it to appear. Early on, the characters come to the conclusion that a hollowing sea or lake is actually a mass grave.