emet_sulk | [jikan] INBOX

[ Azem is right in the end. Although Zodiark has saved their star from falling into further ruin, He cannot also restore the star's vitality. For that, another sacrifice is needed.

Hades can sense the dissent and trepidation when the Convocation put forth this proposal. None are more vocal in their objection than Venat, the former Azem, yet ultimately her pleas fail to sway the greater public sentiment - or indeed any member of the Convocation. Another half of those who survived voluntarily render their lives unto Zodiark, and for their sacrifice, the star flourishes anew. Finally, they can begin the process of healing and rebuilding...or so they think. ]

"Given enough time, we can nurture enough life to offer up to Zodiark and have Him restore those who gave their lives to halt the Calamity."

[ It's a contentious proposal. Hades has never seen his people so divided in opinion. Unlike the measured debates in the Hall of Rhetoric, these arguments sow discord and resentment. He himself is for the proposal, although he knows his reasoning stems only his selfish desire to see Hythlodaeus returned. Even when he looks at Zodiark, he can barely see the warm, candlelight flicker that is his friend's soul amidst their god's vast aether.

Besides, if Elidibus can separate himself from Zodiark's core, surely the same can be done for their people.

Before any decision can be made, however, a new god rises: Hydaelyn.

She is the umbral to Zodiark's astral. Though Her power pales in comparison, She holds Her own as the two entities clash. Hades knows fear once again with each blinding strike of light. If Zodiark is vanquished, what will become of Hythlodaeus? Of the star?

At the last moment, he sees Her launch upwards, sees the main body of Zodiark beneath Her lying vulnerable without Elidibus at its core...and he has a sudden, terrible premonition of danger.

He turns and rips a hole into the void. He blindly thrusts Elidibus through ahead of him, thinking only of protecting their saviour. That terrible Light is the last thing he sees as Hydaelyn sunders not only Zodiark but the very star itself and all its peoples.

And in the darkness, safe from Her gaze, Hades and Elidibus drift alone. The last of their people. ]

[ It's a lot to take in. Their heart breaks to see Hythlodaeus walk away to offer himself up to Zodiark. Especially given they know that that decision would leave Hades alone.

Outside of the memory, they squeeze Hades' hand.

What comes after only proves Azem's fears true. To sacrifice more and more lives to this creation was not the way. However, looking at it now perhaps it was the only way.

And then comes the last of their star as they knew it and it leaves them shaken. To think that their once mentor would go to this extreme just to do what she thought was right. It was one thing to sacrifice half and half again of their people's lives. But to destroy everything and rebuild it from the shattered pieces...

They honestly can't decide which distresses them more.

They know there's more to come after but they decide to draw back and let everything sink in before continuing. They don't release Hades' hand but he'll feel their consciousness pull away, punctuated by the sound of Azem sniffling. ]

[ He feels Azem withdrawing and slowly comes back to the present. His cheeks are also wet, he realises. He touches them with his other hand and stares at the sheen of moisture on his fingertips. Come to think of it, he had never really let himself mourn his losses back then. He had been too consumed by the need to set things right, to restore what had been lost.

His people are gone. No amount of prayer can restore them. He understands that now but all the same: he cannot help but wish otherwise.

Letting his head loll against Azem's, he murmurs: ]

I don't know what else we could have done.

[ Azem is quiet save their sniffling for a few moments. Finally, they swallow the knot in their throat and suck in a breath. When they speak it's quiet, ]

Rhea'li... he said there might be a way but it would set everything on a completely different course.

[ He'd made it clear that it wouldn't necessarily be erasing his future, at least not for him. And that was enough for Azem to cling onto. ]

Did he now...?

[ Hades doesn't know if he likes the flicker of hope in his chest. He's tired of fighting against fate. He wishes to rest. ]

Do you intend to take it, despite not knowing what lies down that path?

He did and I do.

[ They draw back, expression determined despite their somewhat puffy eyes. ]

I know the answer, now I only need a plan. [ And they suppose they have some time to come up with one as they plan to stay here until they can go back with their memories. ]

[ He draws in a deep breath and exhales slowly, feeling a pang of loss after Azem pulls away. He releases their hand and pulls his own back into his lap. ]

...I'm sorry that I kept this from you. But you understand now, don't you? I had no-one - no-one save for Lahabrea and the shell of what was once Elidibus - for over twelve millennia. If you want nothing more to do with me then I will accept it. I just--

[ Fresh tears well in his eyes. He hates crying. He's always hated crying. It feels too much like admitting defeat. Or weakness. ]

I wanted to enjoy your company, if only for a little while before the truth came out.

[ Even though they thought it would be impossible to forgive him not that long ago, they no longer feel that way. They reach out and cup his cheek. ]

I wish you had told me from the start. I was so hurt, but I can't stay mad at you. I've never been able to stay mad at you.

[ They know there is still more, but it can wait for the moment. ]

[ His tears spill over in spite of his attempts to hold them back. Even then, he tries to swallow down his own sobs. His next attempt to speak is interspersed with hiccoughs. ]

I went looking for you, you know. But the first time I found your soul, you looked at me like a stranger and tried to kill me.

[ Broken laughter bubbles out. ]

I thought that was what I deserved after what I said to you that day... But I tried to restore you - tried to restore the star. I owed our people that much after our failures...

[ Azem moves, half pulling him toward them and half moving to meet him to pull him into a hug. One hand rests on his back and gives him a soft pat.

Tears sting at their eyes but they're managing to hold them back. ]

I wish to know more.

[ He dashes the tears from his eyes and sucks in a deep breath. ]

'Tis not pretty. Are you certain?

I think it better I know.

[ No more secrets, they've decided. ]

But we needn't go through everything right now. Twelve millennia is quite a lot of time, for now, I would like to see an adventure in the sundered world. I would like to see a place you visited.

[ They offer a small smile. ]

[ He nods slowly. Hesitantly, he reaches over to take Azem's hand again. ]

You saw Garlemald before... I will show you the other lands. What do you wish to see? The mountains of Yanxia? The Dalmascan desert? Or I could show you empires that even Rhea'li has never seen.

[ Azem takes his hand and wiggles closer once more. ]

They all sound exciting, how can I possibly choose?

[ It's silly to ask Azem what they'd like to experience when they're the type that wants to see and experience all that life has to offer. ]

[ He huffs, leaning once more against his friend. ]

Very well. Why don't we start with a place and age that only I currently recall?

[ Something...breathtaking. Or at least as beautiful as Garlemald in the snow. Which is a tall order, since Hades had been speaking the truth before when he said that travelling held less appeal without company; his memories of new and foreign lands are not always pleasant.

Still, he closes his eyes and focuses. The vista that he will show Azem is of Meracydia, before it fell to Allagan conquest: home to Tiamat and Bahamut's brood and populated with all sorts of interesting people and beasts. ]

[ It's easy for them to sink into the memory as he recalls it. As they hoped it's a beautiful sight, but the choice is interesting to them. After Rhea'li's memory and the fight with Bahamut, and all that Rhea'li told them about the dragons, they seem to be a common theme.

Unlike the previous memory, Azem pushes a little to make it something they can interact with. So that instead of being an unseen passenger they're there to stand next to Hades and take in the sight alongside him. ] It's lovely.

[ He looks towards Azem and takes their hand again, giving it a squeeze. ]

This is Meracydia. It wasn't always home to dragons. The native peoples allowed a pair from the First Brood to settle here. 'Tis a wild and dangerous land. You may recognise some of the more unique concepts which have adapted to life here even if the land itself has changed vastly.

[ Azem squeezes his hand in return. ]

Rhea'li told me a little about the dragons, how they came from another star. Perhaps, if things work out, I will get the chance to meet them.

[ They smile, a little excited at the prospect. ]

I suppose it shouldn't be surprising that our concepts would endure.

Perhaps you will. They arrived not long after the star's sundering.

[ His smile turns melancholic. ]

Although, if you do manage to forestall the Final Days, or even prevent Meteion from escaping to the furthest edge of the sea of stars... Mayhap the dragons will never need to visit you.

[ They wonder how long that is from the time they were taken. ]

Was this Meteion the reason why the dragons came to Etheirys?

That...I am unsure of. The dragons' homeland fell to the advances of another space-faring, militant race. Perhaps such was always fated to happen; perhaps Meteion accelerated their demise through the despair she brought. I don't know.

[ And he never will know. A single action would ripple into a tidal wave of change. He can't begin to predict what would happen if Azem halted the Final Days. ]

I see.

[ There's no telling what will happen once Azem finally returns home. There's no telling if they'll succeed, but they plan to do everything they can to change their future. ]

Well, perhaps if that never comes to pass we can find some way to travese the stars. [ They look up at the sky with a grin as they reach a hand up and close it into a fist, as if grasping the sky itself.

They lower their hand and smile up at Hades. ] It's all unknown, the future and what lies beyond our Star. I wish to experience it all. [ They give his hand a squeeze as if to silently say they want him to be there with them. ]

[ He smiles wryly. He wonders, without the advances of Allag, whether their people are capable of creating the equivalent of magitek. After all, with such bountiful aether at their fingertips, why should they invent something for those without? Or even for people simply lacking, like Hythlodaeus... ]

If anyone can manage it, 'twould be you... One who desires to travel the world and all the known universe. Just promise me you will take myself and Hythlodaeus with you when you go. Someone has to keep you out of trouble on your adventures.

[ Perhaps it would take time, but that's something they would hopefully have plenty of. ]

Of course! [ They smile brightly at him. ] I wouldn't dream of such an adventure without the two of you by my side.

[ He squeezes their hand back tightly. Azem has no idea how much hearing that means to him - although he is sure his other self will not appreciate the bother. Really, that's the greatest tragedy isn't it? That this lesson will be lost. ]

I love you, [ he whispers. ] You and Hythlodaeus both. I missed you dearly.

3/3

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