The luxury of choice…Perhaps this notion was an exaggeration.
Emet took no illusionary pride in non-existent possibilities and hopes; this was something the sundered loved to do. The choice left the ascian's grasp eons ago when they first pledged their allegiance to Zodiark. Since then, whatever choices he made to live his life as a mortal, give them a chance after chance, have always brought him back to their goal. The one of renewal through destruction and annihilation. All these years…And when Hades finally finds a potential answer, he is being distracted by a comrade coming back from the dead!
Well, he paid no more attention to him. Mitron was a lost cause. Trying to fight for his life is a natural desire for both sundered and ancients, but it was easier to perceive it as his newfound insanity due to imprisonment. Whatever was waiting inside the creature, this won't be an easy path. While Elidibus had his fun in Crystarium, it would only be sensible for Emet-Selch to clear the way. The only problem has been the abundance of life…It was challenging to use darkness to its full strength.
This was the perfect time to gain some aid.
The ascian watched as G'raha Tia tried to fight and escape at every opportunity. This behavior was somewhat impressive; even when all seemed lost, the Exarch would not give up. He still had a lot of strength left, and now he might finally have an opportunity to use it.
When the sun rose, G'raha's wounds have been healed. Hades has never been a good healer, but he could remember a spell or two from Elidibus.
"Are you feeling better?" - Emet asked, standing beside G'raha.
"Very considerate of you to ask." - He responded sarcastically.
"You do, then? Perfect, let's not waste any time, shall we?"
"It would be even better had you chose to finally reveal your plans…."
"So you could already begin creating a way to resist them?"
"Potentially."
"Well…" - Emet smiled and looked at the creature. "First things first, we need to reach the creature's core and make sure it is secure before our fabled emissary returns."
"Was it just me, or did you say "we"? I don't think you understand…" - G'raha sighed, but Emet was prepared for such inquiry.
"You will help me there, and as a return favor, I will gladly tell you all my plans and aspirations. What do you say, is that a fair bargain?" - Emet said, only to be met with the Exarch's annoyed look.
"As if I have a choice."
"Alas…I was trying to create an illusion, so you feel a little happier, but I suppose I won't bother next time."
Emet weakened G'raha's shackles, causing them to disappear and the Exarch be free. Before he could make any move of aggression, Hades created a dark portal, teleporting both of them inside the sin-eater…
The two found themselves in the core. They stood on a single platform surrounded by celestial projections around them. Those seemed to be created by the sin-eater itself, if not by Mitron's buried conscience. But there was no doubt, this was the creature's core.
"Where are we?" - G'raha asked, looking around with wonder.
"The heart of this beast, of course. His insides, emptied of any light and left to wither…How tragic." - Emet said, preparing for a trap. There was still much aether in this creature; it only needed a directive.
"This hardly seems like the heart of a living creature…."
"I suppose it is unique in this way. My theories were correct; it is akin to a shared conscience…Someone can influence it."
Before Emet could continue, he heard a familiar whisper in his head. This time it was louder, for they were very close to his essence.
"So still, you decided to come here." - Mitron said disdainfully.
"Did you honestly assume we would just abandon our pursuit?" - Emet responded, immediately causing G'raha to look at him suspiciously.
"Are you talking to me?" - The Exarch said, perplexed.
"And who is this newfound friend of yours…I was expecting Elidibus." - Mitron continued.
"If you want to be useful, tell us how to use this core…Otherwise, I'd appreciate it if you stay quiet!"-Emet tried to speak quietly, but G'raha could still hear it.
"Seven hells, who are you talking to…."
"If there is no point…So be it." - Mitron said, as his whispers grew quieter. "Let my Prime be your challenge."
A creature emerged before Emet and G'raha. It represented the sin-eater itself, but smaller and more reminiscing of a humanoid. Still, it carried its wings, and a spear was held tight in its hand.
"Is this the sin-eater?" - G'raha wondered.
"No, that's…A Prime." - Emet replied, echoing Mitron's words.
"Did your theories predict this as well?" - G'raha was wary but not about to back down from a fight.
Emet concentrated and called upon creation magics, a magical stall that could be used for healing and attack appeared right beside G'raha.
"You'll need it." - Emet said, without looking at Exarch.
"You'd give me a weapon even though…" - He was surprised but soon realized they were in greater trouble. Prime let out a powerful wave of aether, burning almost all of the platform around them. The destructive energy would've destroyed anything in its way. The only safe place would be a small area right around the Prime, where both ascian and Exarch happened to be. The wave went off very close to G'raha; he barely evaded the strike.
"Does that answer your question?" - Emet said with annoyance; the Exarch quickly took the sword, ready for battle.
"Well enough."
"Keep your distance while I maintain its focus…It cannot be that powerful whatever this creature is." - Emet was ready to fight. The ascian unleashed a dark spell at the Prime, immediately burning the creature. It did not seem to fall so quickly; however, not that its attention was focused on Emet.
The Prime raised its spear and hurled it into the ascian. Hades was able to create a defensive aura at the very last moment, but this creature was way stronger than an ordinary mortal. Combine that with weakness due to light, this battle became more complicated. Hades resisted, trying to pick the best moment to conduct his counter-attack. He got his chance when G'raha joined. He struck the Prime with a spell of ice with his staff, slowing it down.
"Fine, is such is the only way…" - Emet sighed and remembered some of his older and frankly more embarrassing fighting techniques. He considered them beyond any use now, but they'd come in handy here.
Hades created something else; a large claymore appeared in his hand, with which he was able to push the Prime away and inflict the first wound.
"Not imposing at all once you get to fight it…Let's finish the job." - Hades smiled.
"I never took you for the one to fight with a blade." - G'raha noticed.
"We all have dark stains in our history." - He smirked back, focusing on the beast.
"I suppose there is always something new to learn…."
The Prime was far from finished, however. It looked over G'raha and Emet, preparing for an attack. Hades assumed it would target him as the most immediate threat, but he was only half-right. The monster unleashed two blasts of destructive magic simultaneously aimed at them; Emet barely had time to evade. He felt the burn around him before teleporting away.
"Damn, that scum is persistent…" - Hades said as he stood beside G'raha. The Exarch ran away from the puddle of destruction left around him, regrouping with Emet and expecting another move from the opponent.
"Should we just hit it until it budges? Always worked before…" - The Exarch said, likely reminiscing his older battles along with the scions.
"No question about it." - Emet grew tired of Mitron's games. It was time to end this.
The ascian charged at the Prime, G'raha prepared another spell, but soon the best teleported into the center of their platform. The area around them began to shift; celestial images darkened and transformed into a crimson aura around them. This could not be a good sign, but Emet continued his onslaught without fail. Spells of darkness, fire, and ice went very well, but a more direct strike needed to be.
Hades was ready to pierce this monster when it opened, but several spheres emerged between him and G'raha. The ascian and the Exarch looked at each other, trying to figure out what was happening, but it was too late to think. Light rays came out of them, striking Emet and G'raha simultaneously. The ascian quickly retreated to the dark portal, but the Exarch could not be so fast. The last ray hit him and caused him to fall on his knees. All while Prime retreated to the corner of that arena, ready to annihilate everything in front of it.
Damn it, now Emet had to resort to the most extreme measures…
"Hold tight!" - He emerged before G'raha and quickly teleported both of them to safety, behind Prime. A powerful destructive wave was unleashed but to no avail. After this, the creature teleported back to the center of this platform.
"That was close." - G'raha said as he stood up.
"And what do you say to a man who saved you from certain death?" - Emet inquired with some sarcasm.
"Eh…T…Thank you?" - G'raha's discomfort and awkwardness on his face as he said those words were enough of an amusement.
As they turned towards Prime, it disappeared once again and changed their surroundings. This time the aura altered to that of a sea of stars, boundless and wonderful to behold…In any other context except this.
Instead of the Prime, two minor guardians appeared before them.
"I'll take the one on the left!" - Exarch commanded and quickly unleashed his spells upon the guardian. Hades did not expect him to give out commands at this point, but he didn't complain.
The ascian lured his guardian towards the edge as the beast tried to use all of its light power to annihilate Emet. Alone, this creature would not be strong enough. After a few minutes of toying with it, Hades stunned it with a wave of darkness and slit it in half using his claymore. He was expecting that G'raha would need help with his fight but was surprised.
The Exarch was swift to deal with the threat, wearing the guardian down with the constant usage of elemental power. It did not take long before it fell to its knees.
"Finally, you begin to be useful." - Emet said.
"I know little about ascian conventions, but in our circles, taunting your only ally in the face of a threat would be considered somewhat inept." - G'raha responded confidently.
They looked beneath them, realizing that they were above a giant projection of the Prime. It was generating another ray of light, more powerful than ever. This began to grow very tiring…But this time, they had nowhere to hide.
…
This attack came as an unpleasant surprise to all adventurers. The sin eaters would always ravage the outskirts in their attempts to find new victims, but to attack Crystarium in such a large number…This hasn't happened since Vauthry commanded them to attack, and they couldn't have anything to direct them now, could they?
Ryne followed other adventurers into the fold. They rushed back as a team to help defend Crystarium from the beasts. Guards were well trained to resist them, but still, many citizens would be vulnerable outside of their homes.
"These bastards just can't have enough, can they?" - Giott said with anger as they approached the city, seeing that the guards were already engaged in another battle.
"I was hoping we'd see the last of them after Vauthry fell…Wasn't the smartest thing, was it?" - Cerigg added.
"We should be seeing the last of them; it takes time and effort to finally pluck them all out…" - Granson readied his claymore for another fight.
When the party entered Crystarium, their attention was immediately brought to the skirmish at the gates. Five sin eaters were descending from the sky. They fought the guards in their sight. Proud fighters of Crystarium would not give up and fought tirelessly to repel their onslaught. Lyna was among them as well, striking one beast after another. She was the first to notice adventurers and allowed a smile to form on her face.
"Ryne, Granson! You're just in time." - She said while still fighting the flying beasts. Lue-Reeq was the one to open fire and strike the nearby sin eater right into the eye with an arrow.
"Couldn't miss all the fun, could we?" - He said; other heroes followed in his fight.
Ryne would fight too. Recent victories against these monsters outside Crystarium have encouraged her to have more faith in her skills and powers.
The girl was quick to stab one of the nearest sin-eaters; as the monster screeched and bled, it would try to scratch Ryne with its own claws. Before it could do so, the beast was finished off by a spell from Taynor, who had Ryne's back.
"Thank you." - The girl smiled at him.
"Just returning the favor!"
Another sin-eater attempted to attack them, but its wing quickly got pierced by Cerigg's arrow.
"Don't get too distracted. There's still plenty of them…."
Granson, Giott, and Lyna would fight against the strongest sin-eaters. All three were talented fighters who killed more than one sin-eater in their lifetime. Soon all of the beasts fell, at least at the gates…But there were more, even among those who flew towards the city, there have been thrice.
"What's the situation here? Any more of these bastards?" - Granson asked Lyna.
"We did not expect so many to appear simultaneously, not after the flood was stopped…They are attacking the plaza, pendants, and the cabinet of curiosity, all at once." - She stated grimly.
"Splitting up, then?" - Giott suggested. "I'll take the plaza, all the more area for me to fight."
"I'll head to the plaza as well. It's my duty to guard the crystal tower." - Lyna claimed.
"Huh…" - Granson thought for a moment. "Cabinet it is, then. Anyone wants to join?"
"It's been a while since I read my last book, so might as well start now!" - Reeq joined in.
"That leaves the rest of you to defend pendants. Are you up to it?" - Granson looked at Cerigg, Ryne, and Taynor.
"Are you even asking? We're up to anything, aren't we?" - Cerigg claimed with confidence. Ryne and Taynor smiled at this.
"Let's get to it, then!" - Lyna commanded, and everyone prepared for battle. Cerigg rushed through the aetheryte hall towards the pendants, Ryne and Taynor followed.
Ryne was worried as she could clearly see chaos stirring upon the streets of Crystarium. Thankfully, no corpses were lying around; most people hid in their homes and looked at these beasts with fear and worry. Still, there were no sin-eaters in sight…
"Do we even know if they have moved on from there or not?" - Ryne wondered, although the answer was obvious.
"We don't, just listen for anything that screeches and tries to kill us." - Cerigg said, ready to start shooting his arrows at any sign of danger.
Shortly after their exchange, two more beasts emerged. Flying towards the land like wild vultures longing for prey, they cornered the three adventurers.
"And here they are!" - Cerigg said, launching a few arrows at them. Monsters evaded all of them and attacked the group. Ryne and Taynor joined in, but they could hardly reach these monsters due to their speed. Even their magic was not precise enough.
Soon Ryne heard a roar near the pendants, further south. It was followed by the sounds of swords clashing and blood spilling.
"There are attacking there; we need to save the people!" - Ryne said. Cerigg realized this, but he was still fighting the monsters here. There was very little time and space they could afford…
"Damn it, there is only more of them…Taynor, go with Ryne and help these guards; I'll join you as soon as I deal with these pests!" - Cerigg said as he continued to resist them. Taynor looked at Ryne, expecting a response. The girl nodded, and two brave young souls rushed away from there. They were confident that Cerigg could manage the battle. Fighting sin-eaters has become his specialty over his adventures.
But when Ryne and Taynor reached the plaza, they did not see any sin eaters…Only a few wounded soldiers near the building, trying to help each other get up. Ryne felt uneasy. It was almost as if they were being watched…
"Have they killed them already?" - Taynor wondered.
"No, I feel there's…."
A piercing roar interrupted them, and a monster emerged behind the wall. Ryne immediately recognized it; this was a beast very similar to the one she and Thancred fought in Eulmore and on the way to Mount Gulg. A lion-like creature with striking resemblance, but slightly smaller and weaker. It looked at them with hunger; there was nowhere to run.
"I'll distract it!" - Taynor said and launched a fire spell at this creature, all while Ryne rushed behind its back to find a perfect spot to hit it. Taynor angered the monster; it was ready to plunge its claws into him; Ryne had to be quick.
Before she could wound the beast, it unleashed a whirlwind spell, pushing Taynor away. While the boy was stunned, he immediately turned to Ryne and hit her with his tail. The girl lost her balance for a moment. This was enough for the eater to get closer and prepare for its strike.
Ryne called to the power of light and infused her daggers with elemental strength. As the beast tried to wound her with its claws, the oracle pierced its paw with her dagger. The magical infusion would leave the monster's body in great pain, evident by its roar of agony. Ryne felt herself become stronger as the few guards near her watched in awe. Minfilia's strength rose within her, ready to be unleashed. It felt good; Ryne couldn't deny it…She might be gone, but her legacy is not forgotten. She would let out a few more light spells, keeping this monster at a distance. This might have been its element, but Ryne could transform light into a destructive force that worked even against sin-eaters. She thought she could win…
And then the call returned once again. The echoing in her ears was stronger than before, causing Ryne to drop her daggers and fall, feeling the brunt of a stone floor. This sound rang once again. Closer and closer, establishing a connection with her essence while the girl was powerless to resist. She could smell the blood and decay upon the beast as it approached closer, claiming its prey.
"Don't you dare!" - Taynor shouted as he returned into battle with another blazing spell. He distracted the beast again and was about to continue his onslaught, but the monster proved to be faster…Its claws pierced Taynor's skin, immediately causing the boy to fall.
Ryne woke up from her call immediately as she saw this unfold. Taynor lost hold of his staff, laying on the ground with fresh and hot blood under his robes. No, she would not let him die like this. Ryne attempted to hit the monster, but her head was dizzy after hearing the call. There was not enough strength to deal with them…
"Stand aside!" - She heard a familiar voice.
The young guard she met earlier today, Arctus, has joined the battle. He appeared seemingly out of nowhere and rushed to the sin-eater and pierced its heart with impressive precision. It wouldn't even roar, so quick was its demise. The monster dissipated before Ryne's eyes.
"Thank Hydaelyn…" - Ryne said as she looked at Arctus. "You've saved us!"
"What did I say about fulfilling my duty?" - The guard smiled.
Ryne rushed towards Taynor to check on him. He breathed heavily and still bled.
"Damn, I…Almost forgot what real pain meant…" - Taynor said with a smile.
"Don't waste your energy talking! I'll help, just a moment…" - Ryne couldn't heal, but using light to at least ease his pain was in her power. In a few moments, Cerigg arrived and immediately rushed to Taynor.
"What's…Damn it!" - For a moment, he was full of fear as losing his newfound friend plagued his mind. As he saw that Taynor was still breathing, he let out a relief.
"Don't worry, I'm fine…This eater turned out to be worse than usual." - Taynor said; Cerigg smiled despite his worry.
"Sorry for sending you ahead, I should've…Ah, fine, we'll talk about it later, let's get you to the medical bay." - Cerigg helped Taynor get up. The former looked at Ryne. "I hope others have dealt with their eaters as well, but if not, we should still expect some resistance…
"I'll help them and then join you; if you need anything, just ask." - Ryne said confidently.
"You're already doing a lot. Thank you for your help." - Cerigg thanked her before setting out with wounded Taynor. Ryne was about to go and help others deal with the remaining threat, but she heard an intrigued voice from behind her.
"Your light's power is quite impressive. Has anyone told you that?" - Arctus said as he approached Ryne from behind. At first, she was slightly perplexed by his interest, but for someone who never had any connection to magic, this must have been a notable occurrence…
"Thank you…You're quite skilled, killing sin-eaters like that." - Almost too good. She was lucky Arctus was nearby to aid her; otherwise, Taynor might not have survived.
"It took a lot of practice…Let's get back to aiding others, shall we?"
Ryne nodded. There was still likely some work to do. Yet out of all of this, there was one detail remaining…It happened three times a day already, and this distraction has been almost fatal. It would become stronger and stronger, echoing in Ryne's ears. Her light connected her to this mysterious creature and place, no doubt. Hydaelyn spoke the truth, and Ryne had to face reality. What if this was indeed the only way to stop Emet-Selch? Only one way to find out.
She had to heed the call.
…
G'raha watched with both caution and awe at the occurring metamorphosis. Above them, there was a burning star with many more surrounding it, reminding him of a whirlwind. Before he and Emet could do anything, the ray of light emerged, pushing both of them into the sea of stars. They flew towards the limitless reach at incredible speed, all while feeling their skin burning due to the damning nature of Prime's light.
Fighting side by side with Hades felt surreal, so quickly after the tragedy…But G'raha had to accept that he had no choice. He was still unlikely to succeed if he were to try and strike Emet's back while occupied with Prime. If anything, the likeliest result of this battle would be his death, with the ascian eventually triumphing against Prime. There was no merit in that. But for all Emet's vices, there was one virtue that G'raha had to concede to him. He didn't lie and stayed true to his word. When Emet promised to tell him his plans, G'raha had no reason to disbelieve him.
He didn't lie, but he still omitted details…This was evident when Emet left him to communicate with the eater and by his seeming insane talks shortly before they got attacked by Prime. G'raha knew that this wasn't insanity or ramblings. He talked to someone else, someone who wasn't physically present. But who? Could he be communicating with the sin-eater itself? Does this mean that this creature had a conscience?
Before he could think anymore, they returned to the platform with the celestial surrounding. G'raha finally regained control, and Prime appeared before them once again. Emet was restoring his power after being burned by the light.
"Preposterous, absolutely preposterous!" - The ascian was furious. "To come up with such sadistic and elaborate visual schemes only to leave a minimal burn on your skin…Yes, this was undoubtedly designed by a madman!" - He said before taking up his claymore. "And I grow tired of these games."
As they continued to attack, Prime would adapt to their style. Hades would strike it with both sword and spells from the left, while G'raha remained in the opposite direction with his magic. Prime would prepare two more attacks. Rays were generated and ready to strike in the opposite directions.
"Oh, it's getting predictable!" - Emet said as he continued his onslaught. G'raha looked at the creature and noticed a third wave preparing. It shared a color similar to the first one they saw at the very beginning, the circular wave. Three strikes ensued at the same time. Emet was too focused on attacks to notice the third wave and was caught off-guard by its power. It shook the ascian slightly, but he quickly got up and fought.
"Not entirely predictable…" - G'raha added, keeping on aiding.
The Prime then switched its surroundings once again. The red aura around them was followed by four arcane spheres. As Emet and G'raha looked above, they saw four meteors descending above each of these spheres…They would clash with the ground in a few moments and annihilate everything around them.
"As if this madness could not go any further!" - Hades immediately attacked one of the spheres, G'raha followed with another. If they manage to destroy them before meteors reach the ground, they will be safe…Possibly.
The first two spheres were quick to collapse, but Prime would soon take part in the battle. This time it attacked G'raha with some of its light spells, causing the process of destroying the spheres to slow down drastically. Its strikes were powerful. The Exarch could hardly withstand them. It was to be expected that the first sin-eater would be a powerful adversary, but G'raha has rarely seen anything like this. Even Vauthry could not match…
"Damn it…" - He breathed heavily while still focusing on the sphere. At least they will have a chance to survive in the face of this monster.
When the onslaught became unbearable, G'raha was prepared to use his last resolve to end this battle…At least if he dies, Hades has no opportunity to use him for his plans. Perhaps such was his fate…As G'raha fell on his knees, unable to resist its burning power anymore, he was not afraid. Whatever happens, he would…
"And down you go!" - A dark claymore pierced through Prime's skin, causing the beast to bleed. The attacks were over, and the spheres dissipated along with meteors.
Prime fell to the ground and disappeared as well. Turned into aether before G'raha's eyes and was soon gone without a trace. The red aura was gone, bringing the platform back to normal. It would seem…That they have won.
Hades, however, still seemed to be annoyed.
"And now I expect some silence!" - He said as if he was talking to someone, definitely not the Exarch. Eventually, the ascian calmed down and sighed. "Yes…This was exactly what I expected. Setting you free for a moment was the right decision." - He said with relief. "I will be a tad more respectful than you and say thank you without a nudge."
"And who were you talking to?" - G'raha inquired. Emet looked at him and smiled.
"Aren't you a shrewd one…"
G'raha hoped that this would distract him, hoped that Emet was at least weakened after their clash. A futile hope. Before G'raha could unleash another spell, the shackles around him returned.
"I expected this as well." - Ascian said calmly.
"So damn close…" - G'raha was disappointed but not surprised.
"You've done enough for today." - Emet said as he looked over the newfound safe place they found themselves in. The very heart of the first sin eater.
G'raha dreaded whatever was to come.