A/N: Here with a little story! I've been playing FFXiV lately and finished Shadowbringers. It was the best expansion so far. I loved it and Emet-Selch is my favorite character! I love him. This story will possess some spoilers for the expansion and patches following it. So if you're playing it and don't want spoilers, don't read until you finish. It has some spoilers, but not all of it is canon. Some of this is my own thoughts and theories. Please enjoy it if you are reading!
Summary: He hadn't expected this. He heard a great deal about this Warrior of Light. But he hadn't expected it to be the one he had lost all those eons ago. The reason he became what he was. And the one that would be his end. The one, he would sacrifice himself for.
FFXiV: Laying eyes on the Warrior of Light And Dark
He had many names. Hades and Solus zos Galvus were his more common names. He of course, had titles: Emet-Selch being the only one he preferred at the moment. He was the founder of the Garlean Empire. He was the Ruler of the Underworld. During his duties and 'life' as Solus zos Galvus he had heard of the Warrior of Light his great-grandson was obsessed with. The poor thing that had become the target of the unstable boy's twisted affections had Emet-Selch's deepest sympathies when he had first heard his great-grandson's spiel on his new 'best-friend'. This person of interest had other titles as well. The Eikon Slayer and the Ascian Killer were just a couple of them. He had heard of their feats of greatness. The people they helped. The lands they freed from his empire's hold. It was aggravating, yet rather admirable. It had become a goal of his to meet this vaunted warrior that had put some of his best warriors six-feet under and even turned a few others. But things were against him at every turn, keeping him from sating that curiosity.
But now. As he watched the rag tag Warriors of Darkness- just the newest title of many- he found himself in disbelief of what he saw. Or, more specifically, who the warrior was. He knew that soul any where, fractured though it was. He knew that rich and warm golden warmth from days under the sun. Days in the Akademia. Days before their painful separation, where his friend was the one who kept him from pushing himself too far in his excitement for a new creation. 'If I had known.' Hades thought. 'I would have done something, anything, to curb Zenos's obsession.' he shook his head, a little mournful of the time wasted and the problems caused by this oversight. 'Too late to change that bit of mental torment I'm afraid. Zenos will learn the warrior belongs to themselves and the people. Sooner or later. Just hope he can accept that.' Hades shook his head, deciding to put the headache of his own kin to the side. Back to something far more important. The sundered soul of his best friend from before the original world's end.
His best friend had been against summoning Zodiark from the beginning. They were hopeful and optimistic that there was another way to save their world. They believed it would only hurt their world to summon an Eikon. Hades had actually sided with his friend at first. Then his friend wound up almost fatally injured when helping in the infirmary and Hades just wanted to get rid of the blasted destroyer. So, Hades betrayed his friend and joined those in summoning the Dark One. Unsurprisingly, his friend had been right. His friend had always been the more rational and freer of their little duo. As the world had descended into chaos and land became infertile. As the Dark One was going to accept half of the remaining population to bring them back to balance, Zodiark's influence over him had become stronger; his friend's soul and presence his only rock.
Then there was word of summoning another blasted Eikon to deal and fight their first one. He had believed at first that his friend was going to join them. After all, his friend had been so against Zodiark. But his friend didn't wish to join them in summoning another one. They were adamant about not summoning Her either. He remembered that day well. For not only was it the day he learned his friend was still with him. But it was also the day he lost them.
'Summoning another Eikon, it will just spell the destruction of our world Hades. I know it will.' his friend told him as they sat on the top of the highest building. It was their favorite spot, over looking Amarot. Hades sighed, he knew they were right. But he and his couldn't stop them. It was going to come down to which Eikon was stronger. Hades was taken from his thoughts by his friend standing.
'And where are you going?' Hades demanded in worry. His friend always had a bad habit of attracting danger and after nearly losing them so many months ago, Hades was reluctant to let them out of his sight.
'Research in the Akademia. Maybe I can find answers in there.' his friend gave him a bright smile. 'Don't worry, I'll be sure to make desert. Pomegranate Tarts?' Hades laughed, something that rarely happened anymore at his friend's teasing.
'I expect no less. Try not to lose track of time again. I hate having to look for you in there.' Hades said with a roll of his eyes and an indulgent chuckle. And he let his friend go. He would never forget that night. He would always remember the regret at letting his friend leave him. Because that night was the night their world crumbled. The night his friend disappeared. All he had found of his friend was the basket of pomegranate tarts in a blood soaked street. That was the night Hades was fully tempered by Zodiark. Hydalyn's summoning was a few nights later and his friend was still gone. Hades lost himself.'
Hades shook his head violently to disrupt the thoughts, the memories that were both bitter and sweet. His friend had been adamant in their neutrality. All of Amarot knew it, the Dark One knew it. It was why Zodiark was so interested in claiming his friend. And Hades would admit to hoping- just slightly- for Zodiark to succeed. 'So why do they carry Her blessing? Her light, if they didn't wish to join Her? And why do they not possess their creation magic or any of the memories?' Hades wondered. Then it hit him. Hydalyn- the parasite- claimed Her champion when they were vulnerable to Her influence. Stole his friend's right to say no and fight back. And he could tell his friend had been reborn several times since the sundering. And their memories were sealed with every re-birth. 'Damn Her and Her interference! Damn Her to the abyss for Her sins!' Hades griped angrily as his friend once more absorbed more Light from yet another Warden. 'I guess I should introduce my self.' Hades smirked. Of course, he wouldn't give them his true name. Well, his friend could have his name. But not their pets.
"Emet-Selch. Ascian." Hades introduced himself with a flourishing bow. 'By the time we're done here, Warrior, you'll remember some of our past. And you will possess doubt for your Vaunted Crystal.' Hades thought, looking his friend in the eye. The fire that had never left those eyes drew him in. 'I'll make sure of it.' Hades promised himself and his friend, and their Eikons heard it too. He could tell from the slight thrum in the life stream- the Underworld- that neither Hydalyn nor Zodiark were happy with the new path laid out on their chess board. He smirked. It was going to be a mentally and physically painful road. And Hades knew how this would end.
He knew it from the moment he saw his friend's soul begin collecting more and more tainted Light than healthy for even one of Hydalyn's unwilling chosen. Despite what that idolizing Living Crystal believed, he wouldn't be the one saving his friend. Hades knew what would need to be done, and he'd do it. It was only right that it be him. After all, he had a great deal to make up for, even if his friend and most important person didn't remember the specifics regarding him. Hades would treasure this second chance, and everything that came with it. No matter the ending.
A/N: Hope you liked it.