Even after getting a lead, G'raha could not help but doubt his decision. He did not like to admit it, but there was truth in Krile's words; both of them agreed that this was a tremendous risk, but they could not agree on whether it was worth it. The Exarch convinced himself that a solution to the Final Days would take some time to discover, especially considering that Emet-Selch still withheld the key information he now possessed. This city was always on the brink of succumbing; Rhotsatz's barbaric methods were not enough to keep it stable.

But as it stood, G'raha needed allies. In the hours that he waited to meet C'irena, the Exarch made sure to go back to his ship and discuss this with their captain. G'raha told him everything, although he already got quite a picture painted by his men and shared the Exarch's disdain for the current regime. Some of their sailors were Limsan and could not recognize their home city after its degradation. Of course, he was not as eager to partake in any rescue mission, but G'raha convinced him to help. The Exarch promised protection and that he required no involvement from him except picking those servants on the ship, granted there was someplace.

With that settled, as the sun began to fall, G'raha ventured to the southern delericts near the fishermen guild. At least, that's what the place must have been before the overtake. Now it was more warehouse stacked with barrels and a few workers putting them all together. They were tired and busy; most of them were servants and were overseen by a few pirates. G'raha kept his distance, watching this labor from afar.

"Are we…Are we done?" - A hyuran boy asked the black-robed pirate as he carried the barrel to the warehouse.

"Ye jest or what? There is a dozen or so more."

"But we've brought so many already, we can do it tomorrow, just…"

"Get to it!" - The pirate raged, showing no care or consideration. G'raha tried to hold himself back from interfering, they might not have cared while he kept himself away, but he knew that those pirates would be far from understanding if he got into a fight. Just a little more, and he will know how to free those servants.

All he could do now was to look at the falling fun and its rays dancing on the sea before him. Not to mention the breeze and the distant squeaks of seagulls flying over this island and enjoying their freedom. G'raha approached the water and touched it with his living hand. It soothed him with its flow, but G'raha could also feel the fading power and wilderness of the waves that raged far away, bringing but a slither of their might here. The Exarch closed his eyes, thinking of Lakeland and its crystal-clear water. Such a beautiful sight tarnished by the hell this city was turned into…

"Psst…" - G'raha heard a whisper coming from behind the nearby wall. "Come here." - He recognized the voice as that of C'irena. The Exarch threw a glance at the people near the barrels, making sure that they weren't watching him, and after signing in relief, he retreated to the shadow where C'irena waited.

"Here you are." - G'raha looked at the woman, she didn't seem fearful, but she still occasionally looked behind her to make sure they weren't watched. "So, about that information…"

"Wait, not now."

"Not now?" - G'raha didn't understand; no one saw or heard them here.

"There are some…Unexpected visitors here I didn't expect but don't worry, handsome, I know what to do." - C'irena smiled and reassured him before pointing at the crossroads near them. "See that? I'll go there; you go the other way around the warehouse and then follow me…Go the same road, but keep your distance. I'll try to wait at certain points."

"That doesn't sound…"

"Just trust me." - C'irena said. "I'm making sure it all goes well."

"Can't you just tell me where…" - But it was too late; C'irena had already rushed away, not even looking back at the Exarch. G'raha sighed, he had no other choice but to follow her instructions, although, with each second, his suspicion that this could have been a trap only grew.

G'raha passed by the warehouse, sneaking between the walls while the pirate ranted at his servants for not doing good enough of a job. Once again, the Exarch had to resist his temptation to interfere; he must follow through with a plan if he is about to find out where the servants were held. When he crossed to the nearby plaza, he saw C'irena walking around as seamlessly as she could. The pirate guards were few and far between, especially in the route she chose, the small bridge covered in shades of the rising stone tower.

When she was far away, and the guards were preoccupied, G'raha followed her, slowly descending to the bottom levels of the city once again. He still wondered if there was any truth in C'irena's words and intention. She was not a person to be trusted from what she knew; taking him into a trap wouldn't be any problem for one who could act so cruelly towards children. For that reason, G'raha prepared a few spells that he would unleash when the first signs of a trap emerged. Some energy was being wasted on Emet's soul, but he still had much power in him to outmatch a gang of pirates.

C'irena chose the most obscure paths, the ones that had little use as it was, but the Exarch didn't know whether it was fortunate or not just yet. When they reached the small platform at the foundation of a tower with a few empty barrels crammed in there, C'irena finally stopped. There was not a single soul beside them here, and soon she beckoned for G'raha to join her. The Exarch approached her closely, hoping that now they would at least make some progress.

"Good, no one's here." - C'irena sighed. "That's the place they keep the unused barrels. Usually, we don't need any more than we already have, so no one cares for taking them up."

"Was it just to bring us away from any prying eyes?" - G'raha asked with both relief and misunderstanding; at least she seemed to be on his side for now. "Why couldn't you just direct me here, then?"

"Well…You wouldn't find a way." - C'irena sighed. "Or if you would, you would pick the wrong path, the one where they would definitely notice you, so I had to be a bit cautious, you know."

"I'm not that bad with directions. You do realize that you give me all the more reasons to doubt you?"

"Maybe, but I don't care either way. Now…Get into that barrel." - She pointed at one of the wooden ones before them.

"W…What?" - The Exarch crossed his arms. "Are you out of your mind? If you think that I am going to…"

"Do you want to find out where they hold the prisoners or not?"

"Yes, and you can tell me that here and now."

"No, I can't."

"Why?"

"Please…" - C'irena closed her eyes for a moment and looked at him. She clutched her hands, and her lips quivered as she looked at G'raha with hope. This was the moment she viewed him as a hero, someone supernatural and beyond mortal capabilities; the sheer reverence in her eyes was enough to show it. "I promise I am doing it for your good. You will know everything very soon… It's big enough; just wait in there quietly for a bit."

"You know that I have my staff? If you try to imprison me, I can blow the barrel up very quickly." - He said starkly.

"I know, I won't try to trap you or take the staff away…Just do it; there isn't that much time."

"Time for what?"

"You'll see." - She spoke in a soft, pleading voice. "Come on, what can I do to you?"

"I…Fine." - G'raha sighed, still in disbelief that he would sign up for this insanity. The Exarch walked towards the nearest barrel. There was just enough space in there not to feel too restricted; he looked at C'irena once again. She looked as hopeful and "supportive" as before. He could only hope that he won't come to regret this.

He got inside, concealing himself with an upper lid. There were a few cracks through which the Exarch could observe C'irena, yet all she did initially was stand idle on this platform, occasionally walking around and averting her gaze towards the sky and backing away from it. Was she waiting for him to pass out or get distracted? No, this didn't make sense…

"Here you are! "- G'raha heard a loud voice from someone descending to the platform on the opposite way. This was the moment when the Exarch's blood rushed through his veins; he saw a black-skinned roegadyn pirate approaching C'irena with clear annoyance in his voice. The voice wasn't familiar to G'raha, but he swore he recognized him as one of the pirates that were at the square when he went to visit Rhotsatz.

"Hey there, sweetheart!" - C'irena smiled and playfully waved to him. "Did the captain send you?"

"Aye, I come on behalf of the Bloody Executioners…Though neither captain nor I get why you have to meet here and not at our ship." - The Pirate crossed his hand. "If anything, you could just give us a bloody slave earlier today without all the show you put on."

"Well, I have to keep up my reputation, don't you know…Everyone knows that your gang treats servants far too harshly, they may be expendable to an extent, but they are not to be beaten and thrown around like some of yours do. What will the people say about me when they find out that I give my wards to such…Ruthless men?" - C'irena looked away, hiding her smile from the pirate, speaking quietly and quickly.

"As if you care." - The Pirate chuckled and came closer. "Get to the point, wench; what do you want here? Are we getting new servants for our crew or not?"

"Oh, just a proposition…Unfortunately, I can't give them to you in the next gathering just yet; there needs to be an example of what happens when one is far too careless with their toys." - She shrugged and raised her voice a little.

"And that's…All? You wanted someone to descend all the way down here only…" - The pirate was on the brink of shouting.

"Shh, not so fast." - C'irena rushed towards him, smiling once again. "I said I couldn't give them to you publicly, but do you really think I'd leave my boys disappointed? We just need to be more discreet, that's all."

"Go on…"

"Wait another day, and when tomorrow's night falls, I will prepare two servants, which you can take for free. It's a show of my goodwill to the captain of the Bloody Executioners, a way for all of us to be satisfied and continue our business. Wouldn't you want to do so?" - Her voice finally returned to her normal range, and judging by her unwavering tone, she must have been confident that he'll accept.

"And do we get to choose the servants?"

"You can tell me the captain's preference, and I will prepare my best."

"Hm…I know what he would want." - The pirate smiled. "A miqo'te boy, first of all, we've both seen them at work. They are the most hard-working of the bunch. Have him around seventeen or eighteen; he will work the hardest. And a hyuran girl of a similar age, the captain really has a…Thing for them. White-haired one, if there are any."

"I think I can do that."

"Good, now that's how I like it, my dear." - The pirate smiled in anticipation. This sleazy, arrogant smile disgusted G'raha; he spoke so casually of selling young people, if not children, into servitude; for some, it was even sexual. How could society degenerate so quickly in times when what they truly needed was unity? "Now, when do I collect them?"

"I said next evening, didn't I? I assume you know where we hold the servants? Come to the bottom levels of the Coral Tower, there is a back door entrance on the side, which points to the sea. I'm afraid I can't allow you near the cells on the lower level, Rhotsatz would be very angry if he found out, but I'll wait for you there with the two servants for your noble crew? How's that for a deal?"

"I'll tell the captain, but I suppose this'll do." - The pirate nodded.

"Splendid! And no need to make a fuss to anyone else, right?"

"No, no need at all. I'll go and tell the captain…Have a good night."

"You too." - C'irena smiled and waved as she and G'raha watched the pirate leave. Moments later, she rushed towards the barrel and waved to G'raha through the crack.

"Come out; we're done."

The Exarch had far too many questions. After rising and taking another of fresh air, he looked at smiling C'irena with a face of shock, his eyes focused on her, and his mouth kept open.

"Oh, you should see your face…" - She giggled.

"What was that for? If you were trying to get me sick by listening to how eager you are to sell children, then you've succeeded, but that's not why I asked for your help." - G'raha shook his head and raised his voice, ready to demand if it came to it.

"Haven't you listened? I told him where the prisoners are held."

"Yes, I know, the Coral tower, the back door entrance…Wait a moment…" - G'raha's head spun as he tried to make sense of this insanity. "Is this supposed to be my guidance?"

"Anything wrong with it? You know where to go now."

"And…Why didn't you tell me this without wasting so much time?"

"I didn't want to tell you, and I didn't. Don't you see? If they find out, then it won't be me; it will be you who hid in a barrel and overheard our conversation after following us."

"But that's not…"

"Doesn't matter. I like to find solutions where we all get what we want, just like with the Bloody Executioners, just like with you…I am not partaking in your 'coup' anymore, but I will be silent and oblivious unless it becomes too bad. I'll also spend this night away from the tower if you plan to do some…Infiltrations." - She forewarned and examined G'raha once again with pity in her eyes. Seeing the Exarch's frown must not have been pleasant.

"Very well, I suppose what's done is done. Thank you…" - He said through his clenched teeth, realizing that he was saying thanks to a manipulative slaver, but for once, she deserved it.

"You look heartbroken, G'raha Tia. Is seeing our city that hurtful to you?" - C'irena wondered. "You've seen far worse; shouldn't you get used to it at this point?" - She asked out of the blue, and G'raha had no answer. He even recoiled at the question. He saw so much suffering and pain in the First and his own world, and he always sought to correct it, but this time it was different. The rage, the desire he felt to help as many as possible, the hatred and pain every second of inaction brought him only grew worse with every moment. But the truth was clear, even if G'raha didn't want to think of it. It was his fault and the failure of his century-long mission. Utter and complete failure that spelled out the doom for his world.

"I…"

"You can still go to a private place, you know…"

"No, I have something much more important to do. "

The Exarch stepped aside from her, trying not to look C'irena in the eyes. He made his choice, and he couldn't go back on it; it was best not to think of the consequences that failure would bring. Not realizing this, G'raha found himself falling into the very same mindset he shared before destroying Zodiark, the mindset that can bring one to victory or undoing.

"Good luck…" - C'irena whispered, but G'raha could barely hear it. Only the mission was on his mind right now.

As much as Emet enjoyed the occasional breath of fresh air, the prospect of being constantly interrupted and side-eyed, if not outright attacked, by the pirates was of little excitement to him. They were about as far as people who were able to let others live and not pique into their business as was possible, one of the most irritating types among the sundered. He wouldn't have hesitated to teach them a lesson, but considering that the current powers Emet held were extremely limited, it was better to avoid those risks.

This did the ascian return to their designated accommodation after the boredom got the better of him. He expected this to unnerve Krile greatly, and she had good reasons for that, but the ascian did not care. As much of a puny and self-righteous scholar she was, it wasn't as bad as the pirates or Crystal Exarch. She had some logic and sense to her thinking and even forced an agreement with the ascian's idea out of herself. Perhaps there was some semblance of objectivity in her head, though Hades wouldn't count on it.

She did not talk with him at all when the ascian came back and took time to lay on his bed, looking at the glowing purple crystal in his hand. The lalafell tried to ignore, though each time their eyes caught each other, Emet saw her anger hidden behind the innocent appearance. This frown she couldn't help but force on herself every time they looked at each other…Not that Emet blamed her, he was simply tired of it. When Krile finally broke and said that she would rather spend her time on a ship than in this "accursed" place, Emet breathed in to relieve and wished her farewell.

Finally, the true solitude.

He didn't know how long did he spend looking at the crystal, trying to gaze into every single star etched upon it. The ascian kept it on him during their mission and each rejoining, but he never gazed at it as frequently as he wished to now. Emet could not avert his gaze; the magical power of the crystal was simply too charming. He knew that which resided in it, the memories, the bliss, the hope, and joy he shared with people that were now long gone…He could have looked at them again if his soul wished it. It was now when he understood Elidibus better than at anytime before. How many times did he offer their Emissary to peer at his crystal, but his response would always be the same?

"…and if these memories are truly so precious, pray do not ask that I forget them twice."

Emet wondered if it would be better if he forgot, too. Was this memory a blessing or a curse? At times he might have envied Elidibus, but not after Zodiark was gone. Now his memories were the only guiding star that would bring him back to Amaurot of the ancient times, the times that can still be salvaged, still be overturned. The crystal was his last reminder of this world, of a world that has not yet fallen to the insanity that Emet witnessed beside him.

Unfortunately, even here, someone would find a way to interrupt his solitude. When the door creaked, and Emet saw the silhouette of the Crystal Exarch, his mind was overwhelmed with nostalgic feelings for the pirates and rascals he met outside.

"Welcome back, the obnoxious hero of the most' immaculate' timing. How I missed your delightful presence…" - The ascian sighed, putting his crystal away, not daring to look at G'raha. Seeing his eyes, red hair, and ears were the complete antithesis of the crystal. A single look was enough to send Emet into another cycle of disappointment.

"Where is Krile?" - He spoke quickly and cautiously; something must have been on his mind.

"She decided to stay on the ship for a while. Said this place was far too unnerving. I imagine it has something to do either with the fact that this home was stolen and its owner likely slaughtered the presence of yours truly or her affinity for sea air…It must be the latter.

"Good."

"Good?"

"That's for the best if she stays on the ship; it's relatively safe there." - G'raha sighed with relief before turning towards the ascian. His eyes gleamed with a familiar spark, the one he displayed when they battled in the heart of Eden. Alas, now it was stripped of most of its unruliness and boldness, unmasking the tired man he truly was.

"Don't tell me you already have something in mind."

"That I do." - Of course, it couldn't be any other way with him. "And I ask for your help."

"You ask for my help?" - The ascian couldn't believe the audacity; this disbelief manifested in a loud chuckle. "What happened to demanding? Have you grown tired? Realized that it is pointless with me? If so, I applaud you, but I don't think that asking is the right step."

"I need to free the servants and bring this regime down." - G'raha announced with such confidence that even Hades was in shock. There were but a few hours that passed, and he was already eager to completely ruin their chances at leaving this place peacefully.

"Well, at least you are predictable…" - The ascian sat up, realizing that this might end up being a very long conversation. "I have laid my arguments on the table, and I know that your pride won't allow you to listen, but mayhap something else will make you reconsider? When I traversed the streets of Limsa, the child that guided us to this accommodation, Arielle, sought me out. She was 'keeping a keen eye' at Rhotsatz's orders, but she asked me of something."

"Truly?"

"Yes, she asked me that whatever we do here, we should just accept Rhotsatz's proposition and leave." - Upon those words, Emet saw G'raha's hope wane, and he looked down to the floor, being faced with the flaws of his plan.

"If she pretends to enjoy it here, she is lying to herself and others…"

"She does not. She simply says that us trying to change the current system would only cause more chaos and instability, all of which are likely to lead to someone turning. It is a gamble you cannot win, and if your past mistakes taught you anything at all, you would just stop."

"But we are so close!" - The Exarch denied him. "The captain of our ship agreed to sail off if any chaos arises and even to transport the servants; I found out where they hold the servants; it's the Coral Tower in the north, close to one of the gates!"

"And?" - Emet still did not care for G'raha's reasoning, even when Exarch's voice brimmed with this pointless hope, the same one that only made it worse. His voice was so tired, so nervous, Emet didn't know if G'raha's rational side wished to follow this insanity, but he did nonetheless. It was more sad than pathetic.

"I need your help." - G'raha repeated himself. "Even when imprisoned, you can be a powerful sorcerer, while I could utilize a few of the powers that I use to chain you. The pirates won't stand a chance against both of us; the magic will be a perfect tool to break them free and get away from this city." - Was he seriously planning to do this? His obsession grew worse with every day, and now even Emet was in danger.

"And is there a single reason why I should help you do this?"

"I would ease your chains and allow you to use some of your powers freely."

"Lies."

"No, I have given up on lies."

"Another lie…Even if not, that's not what I want. Far from it." - Emet smiled as he saw the dread on G'raha's head. The Exarch knew exactly where this was going.

"What is it, then?" - G'raha asked impatiently.

"You set me free and tell me all about Crystal Tower so I can use and leave this world." - His demand was loud and clear, G'raha looked away as if he was pondering for a moment, but Emet did not believe his act.

"I cannot allow that." - The Exarch shook his head.

"Then I can't be bothered to save the children I know nothing about, simple as that." - The ascian shrugged and was about to lay on his bed yet, again, totally ignoring G'raha. This sparked annoyance in his eyes as the Exarch's gaze followed Emet closely. Did he expect some reaction from him? Any reaction at all? The ascian wouldn't allow him the satisfaction. He felt the Exarch's turmoil; his soul bled like a fresh wound, slowly drenching all other aspects of his personality, such as logic and calculations. The Exarch clenched both of his fists and looked to the floor with eyes of utter shame.

"Emet-Selch…Please." - His voice broke for a moment before G'raha breathed and tried to calm down. "I need to save these people by any means, and if I don't…"

"Then what?!" - Emet shouted, forcing G'raha into shocked silence. "Will you feel ashamed of yourself? Will you lose someone you truly care about? Will the world collapse? All of those have already happened; stop making it worse."

"I am not making it worse! "- G'raha parred in a fury. "Final Days are here because of me, as is the report that encouraged them to give privileges to the 'strong.' It has degraded because of me!"

"Yes, it is all your fault; I wholeheartedly agree. You ruined everything, failed your friends and strangers alike, caused the deaths of thousands, gave them the wrong ideas, didn't save the city leaders…Everything you could do wrong, you did! Is that what you wanted to hear? Some acknowledgment because you are too afraid to acknowledge it yourself? Or perhaps you want some emotional support? Well, you don't deserve any, so if you want to keep even the smallest bit of dignity…Accept that there are bigger problems to deal with and just leave for Sharlayan tomorrow." - Emet's voice grew spiteful with every sin of G'raha's that he recalled. This fool took everything from unsundered and sundered, doomed an entire timeline despite coming from another.

"I…I cannot leave these people." - G'raha tried to look away, but Emet saw a few tears falling from his eyes and his whole body tensing. "They are suffering; they are getting beaten, raped, tortured, humiliated, forced to work until they can't walk anymore…I won't leave them here, I won't!" - He was on the verge of a breakdown, probably since the moment of meeting Rhotsatz. His feelings must have been similar to Emet's a few weeks ago…And for that, he could afford him, if not sympathy, then perhaps genuine advice.

"You've dug yourself enough of a pit." - Emet sighed. "Acknowledge it and stop digging it further. Even if this insane operation of yours succeeds, it will not make you feel relief; it won't correct the mistakes you have already made…But if it fails, it will be much worse, much worse. I strayed away from my course even in the face of my mistakes, one failure after another…If I did not, the eighth calamity would have been unleashed, and we wouldn't be standing here. But just because I believed that I could save everybody, rewrite the pain our people experienced, prevent those horrors from ever happening…And here is where it brought me." - Emet spoke with grief. If only he had killed G'raha atop the mountain of Gulg, if only he could control his morbid curiosity, Elidibus would still be alive. "So end your whining and get a hold of yourself! You can't save everyone. Even Edwin understood this."

"He also understood that one always had to try…To ignore the plight of those you might conceivably save is not wisdom, it is indolence." - G'raha looked at Emet with emerging anger once again, but the ascian remained stalwart.

"Then go." - Emet gave up and said quietly, there was no merit in educating this fool. After those words, G'raha looked down at his staff in utter shame and with shaking hands. "But I will have no part in. I'd much rather watch from the side how you doom yourself due to pointless ambition…And without most of your magic. I know your crystal fist hits rather hard, so maybe…"

Emet didn't finish. G'raha didn't let him. The Exarch raised his staff as it began glowing with azure colors, watching Emet being pushed down in blue crystal chains that emerged. The ascian felt his soul aching and coughed, rendered completely immobile by the Exarch's spell. The pain was sharp and tormenting, but despite this, there was a sense of catharsis, the one that made Emet-Selch smile as he realized that G'raha had finally dropped his pretense.

"If it comes to this, don't doubt my resolve." - The Exarch said sternly. "You will go with me and help me free those people, whether you like it or not!"

"Ahahaha…" - Emet chuckled with a sense of pride and victory. "Finally, take off your mask! A hero who once charmed his people with his mere words now resorting to downright torture to make his worst enemy. I wonder how quick you would be to judge if I did the same, or even better, what would Edwin say?"

"Enough talk!" - G'raha added more power, shocking Hades with magic. The ascian grunted in pain as he felt his soul squeezed by what felt like a thousand crystal spikes that slowly drank away his essence. The ascian clenched his teeth as he wanted to scream but had to withhold his pain, resorting to heavy breaths and sweat as he tried to maintain his smile before G'raha.

"You are…A hypocrite…Always have been…"

"I don't care what you think; only the prisoners matter, and we will save them!"

"Oh, but you do care…It vexes you so much because it's the truth…"

Another spell pierced Emet's soul, binding him to his bed. Even so, he continued to look into G'raha's eyes. There was no pride or glory, just a mixture of shame and hatred that made him look like a wounded predator, desperately searching for ways to stop its blood from clotting but only tearing his wound further.

"You are going with me right now. We will save these people…By any means!" - He commanded slowly, trying to get hold of himself.

"Very well, then…" - It seemed that he had no choice. "How eager you are to drag countless lives into your pit…Alas, mine is but a single one of them. At least I will watch your demise as it unravels."

And so it shall be, then. A foolish endeavor for a broken hero that would spill the blood of the very people he wished to save.

The Exarch despised every moment Emet-Selch laughed; every second, he spoke of hypocrisy and his actions because although those were words of a monster that murdered his friends and doomed civilization, he was right. G'raha knew that if an ascian used torture to force their prisoners into compliance, he would be one of the first to condemn it. That was the response scions gave when they heard Hades's tale and learned of the ascian plans. No matter how understandable his motives and passions, they could not condone his methods of mass destruction and suffering. Meanwhile, the ascian smirked and told them that if they were in a situation similar to his, they would go to those exact lengths.

And G'raha willingly made the first steps. The thought of seeing his world annihilated by the Final Days poisoned his mind and body, so much so that at times G'raha truly believed that there was nothing he would not do to stop the cataclysm, to avert the monstrous calamity and allow for a brighter tomorrow. Emet-Selch was right; he did not ask, did not propose…He demanded. Perhaps this was what he did with Edwin when he summoned him across the rift to fight in a battle for Norvrandt, eventually leading him into the jaws of death.

But there was little point in pondering what the dead would say or do.

The night has fallen, and the moon emerged amidst the pitch-black sky, emitting its pale glow on the water. How strange was it to remember that it was only recently that G'raha broke through the fabric of reality to emerge on the moon, the prison of this star's savior and shield? That day still felt like a puzzle that he still couldn't solve, the catharsis of finally arriving home and separating himself from the Crystal Tower combined with the realization that by destroying Zodiark, he opened the planet up for something far more malicious to force its rot upon it. Now he descended to the hell he created, and every living moment would be spent in an attempt to undo this mistake.

And he will not be alone in this. As the Exarch and the ascian transferred the shadows, following the same remote and removed parts C'irena walked, they were getting closer to the Coral Tower.

There were fewer pirate guards at night, perhaps because most of them wished to spend time in the inns or on their ships. Most servants would be there at this time and therefore require more watchers. This meant there would be some that guarded the prison inside the tower, but G'raha and Emet were ready for it. The ascian followed mostly silently, although G'raha would sometimes hear him grunt and sigh in anger. His shackles did not allow him to deny G'raha's commands and forced the ascian to follow.

"Be warned…" - Hades spoke quietly when he was sure they weren't watched. "My power is slowly restoring itself, and your chains are not limitless. One day, I will simply break them, and believe me, the clock is ticking."

"One day…But not this one." - G'raha responded calmly, trying not to repeat his mistakes and fall to the ascian manipulations.

Soon, the two reached the backdoor entrance C'irena mentioned, the one that led from the Coral Tower to the bridge connecting it to one of the lesser plazas. G'raha checked that they weren't followed once again before surveying the place. The gate that led to the outer La Noscea was nearby, and while it was guarded, two powerful mages were more than enough to create a pathway for the prisoners.

"Here are the gates…I imagine there will be quite a battle, but as long we allow them to escape the wilderness, our ship will pick us up later from a safer place." - The Exarch said while Emet-Selch pretended not to listen; he was much more interested in the tower itself.

"No guards except those at the main entrance…Hardly practical." - The ascian said with disappointment.

"I imagine there will be some inside. They don't want to attract much attention to this entrance." - He pointed at the small black door before them, which led directly into the lower levels of the tower, the closest they could get to the prison.

"You truly want to do this, don't you… You're breaking their law, and the moment we enter their door, we immediately lose Rhotsatz's 'blessing' and any opportunity to stay in the city. Do you really want to do this?"

"Yes, I do."

"A madman, that's what you are."

G'raha raised his staff, conjuring another spell, but this time, it was to ease Emet's chains. The ascian smiled with relief upon the realization. G'raha could hear him taking a deep breath as the azure aura emerged around him.

"Ah, such bliss…If only you went even further with it."

"You can use some of your magic now." - G'raha said. After those words, the ascian immediately conjured a dark arrow in his arm, but as he attempted to launch it at G'raha, a protective aura emerged before the Exarch. It absorbed the arrow and turned it into ash. "Only against people I deem appropriate."

"It was worth a try." - Emet clenched his teeth. "Fine, let's get this over with, then."

The ascian approached the door, followed by G'raha. It was expectedly shut, but there was no other form of protection over it.

"Can you remove the lock?" - The Exarch wondered.

"And you can't?"

"I can blast it out, but that's hardly the best option here."

"Enjoy the show, then."

The ascian raised his hand, focusing his powers on the door before them. In the next instant, G'raha witnessed the lock melt away as smoke rose into the sky. The Exarch conjured a faint wind spell to cast the smoke away and prevent anyone from noticing the scent. In a few more seconds, the door opened silently, and a narrow pathway into the main hall emerged before them.

"And that's the least creation magics can do…"

"Quiet." - G'raha commanded while still focusing his attention on the pathway. "There might be some guards there."

"Oh, really now? Well, there is no way back for us anymore, so we might as well get in and slaughter them all."

"This would only cause a premature transformation; we will have to fight at the gate, but for now, let's keep it as peaceful as possible."

"Whatever you say…"

The two sorcerers walked into the hall, traversing the narrow corridor. The welcoming area that was once the Marauder's guild was upstairs on the upper deck, while this hall looked rather remote. There were a few staircases in front of them, the largest one being in the form of a spiral that led upwards, but that wasn't what they needed. The prisoners were kept on lower levels, as C'irena said, and there weren't any here, so G'raha could only assume they had to go deeper.

The Exarch stopped once they were on the edge of the wall, forcing the ascian to stand down as well. They looked as if the room was guarded, only to notice the sheer emptiness of this place. He would expect their prison to be more guarded. Was it because no one ever attempted to break in before or because pirates were suffering from sparse numbers?

Nevertheless, one guard showed himself. The lone roegadyn with an axe came from the staircase that led downwards to the lowest levels of the tower. This dark path was exactly where they needed to head.

"Any plan?" - Hades whispered.

"Just a moment." - G'raha responded and emerged from his hiding place. The guard immediately took notice and took his axe out, looking at the Exarch with suspicion, even though he wouldn't dare to attack yet.

"Who are you?"

G'raha did not respond; instead, he summoned another array of ice magic that swirled around the guard. He attempted to resist as the icicles formed around him and restricted his movements.

"What the…Damn…" - He wanted to shout, but G'raha unleashed another spell, this time strong enough to knock the pirate out. The roegadyn let out a grunt as he hit the nearby wall, after which his body collapsed on the floor and was rendered immobile.

"He should stay like this for a few hours; let's go." - G'raha beckoned for Emet-Selch to follow him into the lower levels.

"Indeed…" - The ascian followed, but not before taking a look at the pacified guard. "Ah, you never finish the job." - Emet raised his hand and launched a dark aetheric blast toward the guard. It pierced his neck, opening up a wide wound with crimson blood spilling all over the floor. The man opened his eyes for a moment before they went completely red and pale, struggling to breathe in his last agonizing moments. "He will stay like this forever now; let's go." - Emet smirked and looked at the annoyance on G'raha's face.

"We didn't have to kill him!"

"We do not need anyone on our trail. He might have awakened too early. I know that your nobility clouds your judgment, but if you insist on having me with you, I am going to play by my rules." - Emet crossed his hands.

"You are insufferable…"

"Im glad you noticed."

G'raha saw no merit in continuing this argument; what's done is done. The duo eagerly descended into the darkness, which was the path toward the lower level, the prison where all of their victims were held. The Exarch already imagined how disgusted he would be when he saw those starved, hurt, and tormented people reduced to nothing but property and taken behind bars, all for those monsters' entertainment. It was bad enough seeing the treatment they received on the streets, but now at least, he will be able to do something to prevent those innocent lives from suffering the same fate.

The place proved as dreadful as he had imagined. Even from atop the staircase, where both G'raha and Emet were cloaked in shadows, they could see the cells. There were only five of them on the lowest level, but each was large enough to house a few dozen of people. They were utilized to their maximum potential, for the people were cramped inside, having barely any space to themselves.

They were broken and tired.

There must have been almost a hundred there. Boys and girls, men and women, hyuran, miqo'te, and even some roegadyn were locked away. Most of them did not possess the same physical strength pirates did; the difference was evident. Some of them feared, others stuck to the walls and shivered, clutching their heads, and a few children wept on the knees of their elders. Most, however, simply made peace and accepted their current situation, no matter how broken they were. They looked down in silence, avoiding eye contact with anybody else, consumed by their thoughts. They were guarded by three overseers, two miqo'te, and a tall hyur. They walked around the cells methodically, always keeping a keen eye on their servants. This must have been both a way to intimidate them and see that none become transformed. The ascian followed G'raha's footsteps, and it wasn't long before the Exarch heard his whisper.

"Well, that's a depressing sight. Let's get to the action."

"I'll distract them so we can quickly descend and attack from behind."

"Go on."

There was no time to waste. G'raha conjured up a spell of light, and a flash quickly emerged on the other side of the room, enlightening the darkness around the overseers. All of them turned towards it.

"What the…" - One of them uttered in a puzzled and shocked state while the others clenched their swords. It wouldn't be long before they realized the trickery, and so G'raha changed down the stairs right into the fray.

The ascian clearly chose to take another route. Emet-Selch jumped to the floor from the staircase, choosing the darkest possible spot for himself to stand in. The echo of his 'landing' traversed the whole room, immediately attracting attention from those who were imprisoned.

"In Zodiark's name, how do they even live without teleportation…" - Emet said with annoyance as he rose up.

"Who's there?" - One of the overseers turned around, but it was too late. Hades created an explosive sphere of darkness between the two closest overseers and forced an explosion.

The energy waves forced the shouting pirates to be thrown to their sides; one of them crashed into the bars, while the other landed at G'raha's feet. He attempted to attack the Exarch, but the sorcerer summoned a crystal spike that pierced the man's heart.

"So you aren't that averse to killing them when you deem there is no other way…" - Emet smirked moments before he was attacked from behind.

"Damn you!" - The pirate screamed, but Emet created a number of dark arrows that floated in the air before the assailant. They emerged so swiftly right before him that he could not react quick enough and stop. Poor fool ran into the darkness that pierced his eyes and heart, absorbing all the life energy he had, turning the pirate into yet another body.

The last one was horrified at the sight of their magic, G'raha saw his shaking hands, but they had to finish the job.

"Surrender, and I will not harm you." - The Exarch commanded. "Open the doors and free those people. That will be all I need of you!" - Those words caused the prisoners to approach the bars and look at G'raha in shock and hope. The sheer disbelief he read in their watery eyes, how quickly could the pirates break their will?

"I…" - The pirate spoke in doubt, he was about to surrender, or so G'raha believed. Another aetheric arrow emerged from the shadows, piercing the man's neck moments before he could speak again.

"Don't waste your time." - Hades shook his head and tried to school G'raha.

"He was about to give up; this was unnecessary."

"And what if he chose to shout loudly? The other guards from above would come like a swarm, with no purpose in playing with fate. Now say your piece, and I'll break the doors when you need it…" - Emet looked over the horrified people, most of which recoiled once again after seeing them kill the overseer so easily. "It seems you've got some convincing to do."

That he did. The Exarch looked over the horrified people around him, trying to look for at least a single slither of hope in some of their eyes, but he found none. They feared him as much, if not more, than the overseers.

"Don't hurt us!" - A young woman shouted. "Please!"

"Don't panic, I won't!" - G'raha tried to speak loudly enough without shouting; the fact that those people had already got the wrong impression vexed G'raha, yet he couldn't blame them. They were starved and weakened, dressed in rags. "Just listen, please."

"Who are you?" - A man from the crowd asked.

"I am the Crystal Exarch, G'raha, but it doesn't matter…What you need to know is that I am no ally of Rhotsatz and his captains, and I have come to free you."

"Free…How?" - Another woman spoke with a surprised voice, still bereft of hope.

"My comrade and I have enough power to break the gate and allow you to escape…From there on, there will be a ship to pick you up from La Noscea's shores; I'll make sure of it. I promise there is no trick behind this. I genuinely want to see each and every one of you saved; what happens here is monstrous and…"

"A long story short." - Emet interrupted G'raha, speaking in his usual arrogant voice. "We are going against Rhotsatz, and we have just enough power and talent to set you all from this hellhole. But we are also rather tight on our timing with the number of guards that are still swarming this tower, so I would like advice to find a solution as quickly as possible!" - The ascian was blunt in his speech, but he was right on all accounts, and it was best for G'raha to support him.

"We are your allies, and we can end this nightmare!"

"You said…" - The young girl spoke from the cell. "That we are to go into the wilderness?" - Her voice quivered, and yet another one rang out. "It's dangerous; we can't go there!" - She recoiled, followed by many of her peers expressing a similar reaction and shaking their heads.

"But we can protect you! I swear!" - G'raha said, only to be met with further hostility.

"No, you can't! There are monsters there, there are blasphemies all around, no one can defeat all of them!" - A boy shouted in disbelief.

"All the villages are already overrun; Limsa Lominsa is the only safe place on the isle!" - An old man supported others. "You're sending us to our deaths!"

"Better to be in Rhotsatz's hands than in the beast's teeth!"

"It's suicide!" - Yet another one shouted. This was getting out of control as G'raha tried to come up with arguments to convince them to go; there was so little time left.

"Hey hey…" - A menacing voice echoed from the staircase, causing most of the people to go silent and G'raha to turn around in horror. He prepared his staff, as did Emet with his dark spells. Someone was approaching.

"Who's that I see, our fabled guests!" - There were three more pirate overseers; the one speaking was a roegadyn with dark skin. He was followed by two hyurs, and they would not have posed a problem unless…There was another one. The roegadyn man held the servant in his clutches, squeezing the terrified boy's neck until he could barely breathe. His musket was at the prisoner's head with the pirate man's finger on the trigger. "Somehow, I'm not surprised after seeing one of our drowning in his own blood…"

"Don't hurt him!" - G'raha demanded, trying to come up with possibilities of what to do. The other guards must have noticed the trail and taken one of their own servants as a bargaining chip. G'raha felt Emet's gaze upon himself; the ascian's stern eyes were enough of an indication that he was planning something.

"Don't worry, I won't if you stand still and follow my orders." - The pirate man continued. "How ungrateful of you, Rhotsatz gives you refuge, and this is what you do? Try to take away our people?! Try to unravel our order? This won't pass any longer, not when the pirate Hears of it."

"He won't." - Emet raised his hand in an attempt to launch yet another spell, but he did not; G'raha took care of that the moment he realized that the ascian would not hold back. The azure chains of magic appeared once again and entwined Hades's body. "Aargh…" - The ascian let out a pained breath before collapsing and turning towards the Exarch with fury on his face. "What are you doing?!"

"We are not losing lives!" - G'raha responded before turning towards the pirates. "What do you want of us?"

"So you muzzled your garlean hound…Drop the staff. Now, or I will blow his brains out."

The Exarch obeyed, much to his own shame and Emet's shock. The crystal staff fell on the floor, spreading the echo all across the room.

"YOU FOOL!" - Emet shouted in disbelief. "Do you understand what you're doing?!"

Perhaps he was right, but G'raha could not reclaim his rationalist. All he knew was that there was another life in peril because of him, and he could allow his life to be extinguished.

"Good." - The pirate said before looking at his comrades. "Search them."

The two pirates approached; one went through G'raha's pockets, finding nothing but a share of gil, while the other tended to Emet-Selch. The shock of the failure that G'raha felt made him numb to the sounds around him, but even in this state, he heard Emet's resistance. As they searched him, the ascian became more nervous until, finally, his relic was uncovered.

"He has a crystal of some sort on him, and that's it." - The pirate said to the overseer as he took out Hades's purple crystal, which he looked at when alone. G'raha never asked what its purpose was, yet it was doubtlessly important for the man.

"No… Don't you dare!" - Emet said with as much spite as he could.

"Or what? You care for your little toy that much?" - The overseer chuckled. "Or perhaps there is some use to it…Take the staff and the crystal to Rhotsatz; I'm sure he will find a use for both." - A sardonic grin appeared on his face as he looked at the Exarch and the ascian while the other pirates took away their belongings. "And you two have a lot to answer. So prepare yourselves. Your stay is only beginning."

Once again, Emet-Selch was proven right, and now both were but prisoners of fate once again.