Hear…
The only word echoed in Ryne's mind before she regained her senses. Her suffering ceased, and the girl was at the heart of a wasteland…The one full of the pale residue of what was once pure light. The azure sky rose above this place with the sun burning bright, not cut off by any malicious force. But above this place, it felt different, like a burning, decaying star slowly withering the desert beneath it.
Ryne tried to trace herself back to the breaking point when she lost control in the ocular, but it proved complicated. Once more, the world around her consisted of flashes and fading voices, be those of the concerned but clueless guard or Lyna's dry voice with an undertone of empathy and understanding. Her mind could not process that much; she was too weak at the moment. And now she found herself in this place, unsure whether this was a dream or reality.
When will this nightmare finally end?
Feel…
Other words faintly swirled in her head, and then Ryne saw something different. In front of her, at the heart of this desert, laid…A creature? It certainly looked like such. It was a lifeless corpse of a gigantic being rivaling Bismarck himself. Devoid of any activity, a withering relic of a forgotten time.
Ryne approached closer, trying to see for herself…She found a basin created around this pale-skinned monster, and unlike the desert around her, it was not void of life. If it could be called such, at all. Dreadful beasts surrounded the creature, all of them sin-eaters. Several angelic warriors circled above it while dozens of primal beasts found themselves beneath them. These scorpions, hounds, and deformed corpses, screeched in chaotic unison, piercing Ryne's ears. It got louder, driving the girl insane, but soon all of it has perished.
Think.
The desert around Ryne quickly dissipated, leaving the girl in solitude among absolute emptiness…The void with nothing in it but the bright sun in the distant sky. Ryne still could walk; it seemed like there was nothing beneath her but air, but Ryne felt a powerful force, unable to describe it in detail.
A figure rose in front of her, bringing Ryne tremendous relief. Finally, something that looked human…It was a tall woman in snow-white robes; her long hair was of the same color. Ryne felt a desire to approach her, the only goal she could think about at the moment. This woman was not part of her dream; Ryne was sure of it. Her aura was the one that called out for her…Whoever this was, she needed to talk; she wanted to see Ryne.
"Heed, my child…" - A warm and motherly yet weak voice rang in Ryne's head, undoubtedly coming from this woman. The girl walked forth; something was drawing her to the stranger. She felt at peace near her, felt relieved of all burdens she carried. Just a few steps closer, Ryne wanted to see her face…
But this would not happen. It quickly shifted from a mysterious woman to a hauntingly familiar figure as she reached the figure. The man in black robes stood before her; nothing that felt real remained of him. Ryne was dragged back into this terrifying nightmare, her torture. And he was there to make every second of it horrific.
Ryne shivered and moved away, falling on her back and unable to look away from Hades. His gaze pierced her heart, burning out the remnants of her willpower. These yellow eyes glimmering like an all-consuming sun, like the light that tormented Norvrandt for long years. Ryne tried to run, but with a quick snap of his fingers, the ascian forced the child to the ground, unable to resist.
Ryne tried to fight this, desperately moved, and pushed her invisible chains while the man in front of her slowly approached. His face showed no emotions, reminiscent of an eerie mimic rather than a living being. No second of safety, Ryne could not even move her head; the girl was forced to look. A wide smile covered Hades's face, making Ryne want to scream.
And she did, yet no one could hear this scream, even herself. Emet's face grew darker, quickly losing form and becoming deformed. A black crown emerged while the eyes lost what little glow they had, turning into lifeless demonic holes. It was the face Hades revealed before their battle, now disturbingly morphed into huyr body. This grotesque image was the last straw…She wanted to perish, to disappear, body and soul erased at this very moment. There was no price too high to end this suffering.
A moment before Ryne closed her eyes, she sensed her presence again. The company of a woman she witnessed before. She could not understand her whispers, but they calmed the girl down…Gave her hope…Gave her strength.
In an instant, with a powerful wave of light, Ryne broke free from her chains and finally got up. The beast in front of her paused for a moment, giving Ryne a moment. She could think, but there was no point. Only to run. The girl ran away from her tormentor, ignoring the pain in her legs as her desire to escape rendered physical agony meaningless.
The ascian followed. Dark clouds rose above Ryne, fully covering the sky above this void. In an instant, the girl found herself in the middle of infinite blackness with no source of light in sight. No authority but herself. She heard a sound vaguely reminiscent of a furious howl behind her, and then the god behind her emerged. There was no man left, only a creature of untold power and horror. Faceless demon on his darkened wings flew towards Ryne at inescapable speed; the girl was at this maniac's mercy.
And this monster would never leave his work unfinished.
…
Emet-Selch hated leaving his work unfinished, but he had a minimal choice this time. At times it felt like all odds have turned against him and the ascians, slowing them down more than ever before. Hades did not lie when he told G'raha of the heroes that rose in eras of elf and resisted ascians but never before have they reached such success. One of the unsundered, the last ascian to retain his memories of Amaurot beside Emet, Lahabrea, was gone. This was not a loss they could ever replenish. Emet had his disagreements with Hephaestus, but never would he want for him to perish before seeing their glorious world restored.
The same could be said about this world…Hades was within a few steps before another rejoining; it was within reach! First Hydaelyn and her chosen, now stolen away from him by a man he once considered his closest friend…Emet tried to let go of these musings, for they were naught but another distraction. Lahabrea was gone, and Edwin was not Azem…Just a mortal with some potential. A potential gracelessly wasted.
It was time to focus on the present; Hades hoped that the emissary would bring him some welcome tidings, but alas, this was not the case. The moment he was finally able to share his recreation with a brother in sorrow was overshadowed by uncertainty of their future. Still, the ascians took a stroll around the main square, not wandering too far enough from their prisoner. Elidibus had much to tell.
"He was different this time…Much stronger, much more unhinged. Attacking him would have been a risk I did not wish to take." - Elidibus explained calmly, and without shame, Emet tried not to blame him. Indeed, they could not afford another loss, but the fact Garlemald shall meet its end so soon…Emet found it mildly infuriating.
"I leave my Empire to you and my grandson with unambiguous instructions, and here you are telling me about it all going wrong! Why am I not even surprised?" - The ascian said with distaste. How pathetic these mortals were…A mighty empire hinging on one man watching its sovereigns and preventing them from killing each other in a fit of their lust for power. "Ah, Varis, Varis…" - Emet turned away from Elidibus, reminiscing of his fallen grandson. He felt no sympathy, on the contrary. It was, to an extent, relieving that he will never have to see this pale imitation of what his son could have been, had he…He was getting distracted again. There was a figure way more notable in the story Elidibus told. "You say my great-grandson was different, then? There were times when his antics impressed me, but to come back from the dead as a sundered…That exceeds my wildest expectations."
"He was keen on his experiments to recreate echo. It would seem that he reached success." - Elidibus continued.
"And what about "unhinged"? Are his goals the same?" - Emet wondered, remembering the stories of Zenos's unhealthy obsession with battle and adrenaline; he would do anything for them.
"I did not pay much attention to his ravings, only that he strives for chaos." - Elidibus said heavily. "He is not concerned with EmpireEmpire or its future, only combat. An unhinged beast, naught more to it." - The ascian shook his head.
"What a bloodline…" - Emet said quietly with a sarcastic smile before turning back to Elidibus.
"The war has already broken out, Legions move their troops out, all in attempts to claim the throne. It will not be long before EmpireEmpire falls." - He continued to speak calmly and confidently, despite his failure being a part of it.
"Remind me not to leave my next Empire for more than a few days, would you?"
"Did you not plan for Garlemald to fall once it has served its purpose?"
"Exactly, when it has served its purpose. I was expecting this project to bring us at least one more calamity, not to end as disgracefully as this!" - Perhaps he should go and try to end the bloodshed in Garlemald himself, but is there any point? They have lost their leader and opened a self-destructive can of worms; it was too late…Especially while they had to act in the First.
"The chaos that will follow would create a perfect moment to unleash another calamity; they can still serve this final purpose if we are swift enough…" - Elidibus said, looking over Amaurot once again. He was too busy to visit these ghostly spires beforehand, and Emet could see the impression in his eyes. He didn't remember much of it, just flashes and echoes, and no matter how often Hades tried to convince him to peer into the crystal, Elidibus would have none. He believed that they would detract him from his duties, and looking at himself, Emet realized that he was correct. "Is that how it looked? Our world?" - He asked quietly.
"It's just a figment of its former glory, but in relative terms…Yes. I wanted to keep this memory before this world goes down in flames." Emet said, dropping his annoyance and arrogance for a moment. Every time he returned to Amaurot, mixed feelings of euphoria and depression plagued his mind. He was walking across the shade of his home, among people who now suffer, sacrificed to Zodiark. All these painful reminders of something he might never see again. If…When rejoining is complete, their life would still be very different. There would be much to restore.
"It's majestic." - Elidibus said with faint joy before quickly returning to his grim tone. "But coming back to our mission, this was exactly my thought process. It won't take long before the chaos unravels; we need to hurry if we want to succeed…Speaking of which, how does the work go here?" - Elidibus asked. Emet sighed; this wouldn't be his greatest moment.
"There were some complications…" - He said, recalling that moment. He could've stopped him if only he had silenced G'raha beforehand; he was in a position to kill him…But chose not to.
"Such as? I felt a disturbance in the stream, assuming the calamity was unraveling…Which was obviously not the case."
"The Warrior of Light is no more, as are the most of his accomplices…I annihilated the main threat to us here." - Emet said, seeing a shade of envy in Elidibus. He failed to do this back on Etheirys; now Hades finished his job.
"But the world is still sundered?"
"He played one final trick…Together with his crystal friend. After all of the light was contained within him, the Exarch sent him to space. There, he perished with all this power…Leaving the world untouched."
A moment of silence followed; both ascians were at a loss. It would seem that many factors played simultaneously, diverting their plan rather significantly. Nothing permanent, but they will have to proceed with care.
"Then I'm not the only one with grim tidings," Elidibus noted, remaining calm.
"As much as I hate to admit it…Yes, we haven't done our best." - Emet claimed as they returned to the aetheryte. Both were thinking about their next steps. It took generations to bring Norvrandt into the state it is now, to prepare everything for rejoining. Now they would have to start from scratch.
Emet noticed that Elidibus approached G'raha, who remained tied to the ground, not resisting anymore. The Exarch barely moved; he looked down and tried to compose himself; Emet could feel echoes of his agony in the air; it was far from pleasant.
"Who are you?" - Elidibus asked, only to have G'raha look up into his eyes. His gaze was full of anguish; Hades could discern the stains left from dried tears beneath his eyes. What was this feeling? Hatred? No, Emet wouldn't call it hatred; G'raha was not the one to hate. More akin to pure anguish and despair.
"Go to the seventh hell." - The Exarch replied with disdain, holding himself from screaming. Emet interrupted and approached Elidibus.
"Don't be pushy; he still needs more time."
"A prisoner of yours?"
"That's the Exarch I mentioned, the one that sent the warrior beyond the rift." - Emet explained; he expected a specific question to follow.
"Still alive?" - Elidibus was slightly surprised.
"I will need him later."
"Can he control the light's energy? Or be used as a vessel?"
"I highly doubt it."
"Why would you keep him alive and in here?" - This wasn't a conversation Emet wished to have now.
"Suffice to say, I have a theory I wish to test when I get a chance…It has nothing to do with rejoining but will aid our cause in other ways. I propose you stop focusing on it and allow me to look after this mortal myself." - Emet said confidently, immediately pushing Elidibus's inquiring back nod, setting his boundaries.
"My only focus is on rejoining this shard as soon as possible. I assume you something in mind?" - He asked.
"I could rebuild the light gradually. Surely there are many who would be willing to take Vauthry's place for a promise of power…But it will take a few years to replenish the light at best." - Emet said.
"We don't have that kind of time."
"Thanks for pointing out, for I certainly did not realize that…" - Hades replied with malicious sarcasm, pondering on how to proceed. "Even if we both focus on this shard, it will take too long…And the Source needs attention as well."
"With all due respect, I believed you pride yourself on your resourcefulness, Emet-Selch. What happened now that we need it the most?"
"I prefer to use my resourcefulness for creating civilizations, not burning them down…Mitron and Loghrif were our specialists in that, and you what happened to them." - Emet chanted in annoyance, but he quickly noticed the change of disposition in Elidibus.
"Yes…Of course, Mitron." - He said in a tone with slight excitement as if the perfect solution had just appeared before him.
"Have an idea?"
"There is one Source of light that remains. The first sin eater, born out of Mitron's broken body and spirit after his defeat." - Elidibus said. Emet arrived on the first after the flood began, but the story of this sin eater has been quite familiar.
"I remember…Is it not somewhere in the empty amidst the crystallized light? I assumed it to be long gone and faded."
"It has not been visited for years. Perhaps there is still use to be made of it."
"Only one way to find out, isn't there?" - Emet looked at Elidibus with a smile. He felt as if his comrade had just snapped him back to reality. They had a course planned, and for the first time since Edwin's gambit, their next step was clear. A sin-eater born of an ascian is a promising prospect; if it hasn't faded yet, it will bring a flood of untold proportions like it has already…
"No time to waste, then." - Elidibus said. The ascian turned away from Emet and closed his eyes; he would need some time to feel the sin eater's energy. Then they will know where to open a portal. Emet nodded and walked towards G'raha.
"Heard that? We are going on a journey to fix your mistakes." - Emet weakened his shackles and helped G'raha get up. He could now walk but not move his hands. The Exarch still looked down without resisting; Emet noticed this. "Let go of it. It will make it easier."
"You don't say…" - G'raha whispered with undertones of fury while looking at Hades's eyes. "Even after all we've done…All you've seen, all the suffering you caused…You would still murder them all for your world…" - He went silent, unable to speak, but his gaze said it all.
"Of course. Don't you realize that I would always go until the end, whatever it takes?"
G'raha did not respond. He will come to his senses soon; Emet was in anticipation. But for now, there was something else they needed to do. It was time to see what remained of Mitron.
…
For a split second, it would seem like the nightmare was over. Ryne opened her eyes, breathing heavily but unable to make any loud sounds. She felt the pressure as if she was tied down to a wall…But this was nothing but her mental fear. The girl prayed for it to finally be a reality, but she couldn't help but feel Hades's presence…He was bending her, ready to plunge his claws into her body and tear the soul apart.
And yet, with each moment, his whispers deteriorated, became quieter. The monster was getting further and further from the girl, and with each passing second, Ryne felt just a little safer. Breath after breath, the girl could finally restore her stable rate and relax. She grew accustomed to her surroundings, finally making sense of it.
Ryne found herself on a bed, covered by a warm blanket. Whoever covered her must have meant no ill, but sweat poured from her body after surviving this fever dream. The girl could've sworn she was dying of heatstroke. But this was not important, compared to the cold of Amaurot, the chill she felt in her bones after witnessing the monster in her dreams; Ryne was more than glad. She recognized the room around her; it belonged to a tavern in Crystarium, not far from the plaza.
"Does anyone else know?" - A stern male voice rang out.
"Not yet…If only I knew how to say it when I can't even…" - The second voice was familiar, hardened, and desperately trying to hide her emotions behind the breaking tone.
"I can tell them if you wish, it won't be easy but…" - The man suggested but didn't finish.
"No, I should do it. My job is to safeguard Crystarium and be a hand of my Exarch…What good am I if I crumble before telling my people the truth?" - Lyna said with newfound confidence.
"Try to keep your disposition when you do…They will notice if you falter, believe me…Wait, I think she's awake!" - Ryne felt this voice directed at her.
The girl shivered reflexively before calming herself down mentally. She finally moved her head to the side and saw her "companions." One of which was Lyna, utterly devoid of energy, with hidden grief in her moist eyes. The other was a tall young man in heavy armor and a claymore behind his back. He kept his distance, but Ryne saw a faint smile on his face.
"Thank the stars!" - Lyna said with genuine relief as she kneeled beside Ryne. "I almost thought you wouldn't…."
"Hi, Lyna." - The girl said weakly, unsure how to begin this conversation. She felt a little better now; at least she could control her movements, and silence took over her mind.
"How are you? Sorry, I know it's a stupid thing to ask, but…."
"No, it's alright, I promise… I'm better. A little."
"And…Do you remember anything?" - Lyna said with slight fear. She trod very carefully to not mention anything too soon, but there was no need for this. Ryne knew. The girl nodded in response to Lyna; the woman sighed desperately. "I…You haven't told me all the last time; I'm sorry if it's too early…."
"Please, don't." - Ryne said with seriousness hardly anticipated, even by herself. "It happened, that's it." - She said coldly. Ryne's emotions have gone numb, but she didn't dare to hope. She was too exhausted to feel anything, allowing her a few hours of respite, but it will break out once again. Again and again, until it gets too much to bear.
"Alright." - Lyna responded, slightly cautious at Ryne's calm. "Did…Does anyone survive there? How did you escape? There must be something, they can't just…" - Lyna quickly went silent before going too emotional, but the line of questioning was clear. Ryne could hardly recall their talk in the ocular, but it was probably devoid of details.
"I saw them all die…Until only me, Exarch, and Edwin were left. They talked…I was too far away to hear. Then there was a wave of light, I couldn't see anything…I think Edwin could destroy this light with him, somehow…Emet-Selch tried to stop him, and that was when I woke up in Lakeland…The Exarch must have teleported me here." - Ryne described in as much detail as she could. As the girl spoke, she realized that this was the longest time she had said since entering the capital. She noticed a shade of newfound hope in Lyna's eyes.
"The Exarch is alive?" - She said, trying to control her untimely relief.
"I don't know…Emet-Selch needed him alive. Maybe he still does." - It must have been a welcome thought, that at least one of her friends could be alive, but Ryne was too tired for joy.
"If that's true then…No, I shouldn't think about it." - Lyna said. The Exarch was her idol and a friend for long years before the scions even arrived. Perhaps this thought will calm her down; maybe it will make her worry even more.
"Have you told everyone?" - Ryne wondered; Lyna shook her head.
"I should; I just needed the details. That and a little…."
"They need to know."
"They do…" - Lyna sighed. The woman stood up and looked at a man beside her.
"Will you stay with Ryne? I need to make an announcement…."
He just nodded and allowed Lyna to go. She gave Ryne one last look.
"If you need anything, I won't be far." - She said before disappearing behind the door. The room went silent once again, allowing Ryne to think. An opportunity that she did not want to take. No thoughts will bring her peace or comfort now; it was better to abandon them and set herself adrift…Like in the dream. Thankfully, she did not have to think for long. The man she saw approached and looked at her carefully with his crimson eyes. Despite his age, he has seen the worst sides of life, judging by the scar on his face.
"How are you feeling?" - He said with care, although Ryne did not know how to answer this question, for she simply wasn't feeling.
"Alright." - She replied awkwardly; the warrior nodded. "You know, don't you?"
"I do." - He replied with a mix of sympathy and genuine pain, trying to switch the topic to a more mundane one. "Ryne, right? I know the circumstances are far from best…But I'm glad to make your acquaintance.
"Are you from the guard?" - Ryne asked. She realized that his armor barely matched the guard's, but this was her best guess.
"Oh no, not at all. I'm more of a mercenary; heard of bounty hunters?"
"I heard there were a few that hunted sin-eaters."
"I am Granson, of their kind." - He introduced himself. "I arrived here shortly before the light was gone and celebrations began…But something felt wrong. Very wrong. I saw your captain carrying you from tower to here, desperately trying to avoid prying eyes." - He recalled.
"And so, you followed her?"
"Yes, at that moment, I wanted answers, and Lyna decided not to hide them from me…" - He said with impending dread. "Now, a part of me wishes I never asked."
"Is it just you two that know?"
"So far. You've probably heard, Lyna will announce it once the people have gathered."
"Hah…" - Ryne let out a very faint laugh. "They were so happy when I arrived…They thought that it was the end of it. They believed in their hero, and I just…Knew." - There were no words to describe this.
"It hurts… Doesn't it?" - Ryne felt empathy in Granson's voice.
"Yes…It does." - She replied calmly; the tone did not fit her answer in the slightest. But Granson knew; she could see it in his pained eyes.
"I lost a loved one too…I know how horrible it feels, and I won't lie about it. It is horrific, dread even. But…Damn, it's hard to say. You probably don't want to hear it." - He was uncertain and seemed to suffer from his own words, but Ryne wanted to hear.
"No, please, carry on."
"I…Wanted to say that it will get better. Not now, maybe not soon, but it will, I promise."
There wasn't much to say. Ryne hoped that it would get better, but her hope was low.
"Edwin was a good man; whatever happened there, I know he did all he could." - Granson said with confidence and admiration of a hero that once was.
"You knew him?"
"We hunted a cardinal virtue together, made for a good team…He helped me to work through some problems of my own. Made me realize that it's not just his strength that makes him a hero." - He recalled with a faint smile. "Poor fools…They still believe, to think that our joy was so short-lived…."
"I want to see it." - Ryne suddenly declared.
"The announcement?"
"Yes…I should be with others, helping who I can, not lying here…" - The girl slowly stood and stood. She felt a little dizzy still, but at least she could walk.
"You need some rest, but if that's your decision, I respect it." - Granson held her for a moment, preventing the girl from falling.
"Thank you. We need to go…."
Granson nodded and followed Ryne. The two didn't speak; both were swayed by anticipation of the coming moment. There was no point in denying that the reaction would be massive and unpredictable. The people in Crystarium had little concept of an ascian threat, but the fact that it was able to destroy their greatest heroes would be enough for them to fear. It is a painful process, but a necessary one before they can brace themselves for whatever shall come next.
"It seems the defense of Crystarium will fall to us now…You know, the people." - Granson noted, glancing at his blade. "I just hope they'll be ready for it."
Ryne didn't respond; she was eager to see the people themselves. As the girl stepped out of the inn, the Crystarian plaza emerged before her. People have gathered around, constantly whispering to each other. However, these whispers were devoid of happiness or childlike joy this time. They were filled with uncertainty, misunderstanding, and even fear. None paid attention to Ryne, for they were focused on the ocular's gates, where Lyna stood beneath the steps with a few guards.
"Do they know already?" - Ryne asked.
"I don't think so…But they certainly suspect something." - Granson answered. Neither of them wanted to get closer to the crowd; they could hear just as well from behind. Ryne listened to some talk between citizens. They were worried, to say the least.
"Why haven't they returned yet?"
"What is she hiding from us?"
"Do you think she'll tell us what's going on?"
"Are you sure you saw the scion girl? They haven't returned yet!"
But soon, all was interrupted by Lyna's harsh voice.
"People of Crystarium…" - She spoke slowly and loudly, subconsciously trying to prolong their existence before this horrific moment but still looking at the crowd. It must have taken a lot of confidence to say something like this before them; Ryne did not think she would ever be able to do something similar. "We have received the news, and I am sorry to tell you that we did not disclose them outright…I hope you would understand."
She sighed and looked over the crowd one more time. Ryne felt something aching in her heart…If only this could have gone another way…If only they were…
"The warriors of darkness…Are gone."