Dreamworld AU backstory

Spoiler-adjacent history

The Final Days arrived as usual and Emet-Selch did participate in the summoning of Zodiark. However, after their colossal failure on the Thirteenth, he became somewhat disillusioned by their choice of strategy regarding the Rejoining. Each calamity soured and embittered him, until he finally had enough and sought out Hydaelyn deep within the aetherial sea - an easy task for one so already naturally in tune with the Underworld.

Hydaelyn had never really borne any ill will towards Emet-Selch - they were once old acquaintances after all - and she accepted him into the fold. She revealed what had truly happened all those centuries ago in Elpis, where his memory had been forcibly erased. Just as it had then, the revelation brought out disbelief and anger at first, before it turned to grudging acceptance. Unfortunately, nothing could be done about the tempering of his soul since she embodied the power of stasis. But since he had proven to be able to work around his loyalty to Zodiark in order to approach Her, Hydaelyn saw no issue with allowing him free reign; She trusted him to act in whatever way was best for their star.

Thus did Emet-Selch begin to attach himself to factions allied against the machinations of his brethren. At first, he worked in the shadows ~~to serve the Light~~. His purpose wasn't so much to help Hydaelyn but to stall the destructive, chaotic force brought about by forcefully rejoining Shards to the Source. He hoped for a better way - just as Azem had - and searched relentlessly for solutions even as he played both sides of the conflict.

Of course, it couldn't last.

The other Ascians discovered his betrayal. Elidibus...was disappointed, to say the least. Lahabrea handled the news by sending his pawns after Emet-Selch, even though they all knew nothing and no-one could best the Third Seat when it came to matters of combat sorcery. They could only do so much - Emet-Selch had fled with the memory crystals they used to raise their sundered brethren to their Seats. Killing him meant they would lose them forever as well as their ability to locate their brethren's souls at all.

In this tense stalemate did Emet-Selch find himself allying with the Scions of the Seventh Dawn during the early days of the Battle of Carteneau. He already had a reputation as a mysterious, wandering advisor who would show up during moments of great importance and then vanish. The Scions did not and still do not know that he was a former Ascian.

Some key points of difference in his history:
- Still had a hand in Allag but he also is the reason why the Allagan bloodline managed to escape the Empire's fall and continue through the G clan of miqo'te to the present day.
- Garlemald was supposed to be an allied nation with the Eorzea Alliance but Lahabrea's influence made the political situation more complicated (he saw Emet's hand in its rise and worked against him).
- Solus is his own person, not possessed. Still emperor but a far more benevolent one whom Emet-Selch advises and protects.
- Dalamud destroying the Bozjan Capital was Lahabrea's doing.
- Lahabrea also backed Nael later along with Gaius and other warmongers/opponents to the imperial throne.