To Ryne's relief, the sin eaters would not cause much more damage across Crystarium. After helping Taynor get to the medical bay, she decided to support any adventurers and guards that were still fighting their fight. However, only a few minor beasts were left by this time, and they had no chance against the combined might of adventurers. It didn't take long for all warriors to gather and finish them off on the central plaza.

It was then that they could finally breathe safely. The attack has been thwarted, and the monsters have perished. It seemed like there were no casualties among guards, just several wounded. Ryne was among those who saw the last sin-eaters defeated, and she could see all of the guards. They were tired and surprised at such a sudden attack, and yet no one would run in fear. Like Taynor, they would fight with honor and determination despite wounds. This city could still inspire Ryne, after all…

The girl decided to be useful and help the wounded soldiers. Ryne would watch over them and use her remaining magic to ease their pain while Crystarian medics did their job. She could not be in many places simultaneously, of course, but she was happy to help as much as she could. It was then that Lyna noticed her and joined with her aid.

"Here you are. I was starting to get a little worried!" - The woman said as she approached the oracle.

"How is it going, is everyone alright?" - Ryne asked.

"More or less…We have no casualties, and all the sin-eaters are driven out. It would do good to stay careful, of course." - Lyna said with caution and looked over the pained soldiers. "We need to get them to the bay; others should help with it…I was so worried that we'll lose someone today. I served with these soldiers for a long time and lost even more after…No, no matter, everyone's alive, and it is good enough. Do you have any wounds?" - She looked over Ryne with concern.

"I was lucky when fighting that beast near pendants, Taynor helped me distract it, and when I was vulnerable, Arctus saved me…" - Ryne said with slight shame. She was tired of being saved by others who risk their lives for her. All while she would get distracted by the ephemeral call.

"Arctus? Who is that?" - Lyna asked with interest.

"You don't know? He is from the guard. I met him before." - Ryne tried to explain.

"I don't think I know him…It must be a new recruit, then. I usually remember all of them by names."

"Perhaps…I only wish we could do something instead of just waiting here…It's so agonizing, knowing that…Well, you know." - Ryne sighed.

"I understand…But what more can we do now? Only to fight until our very last breath and keep hoping…Just like Edwin taught us." - She forced herself to smile and moved on to other soldiers, leaving Ryne to think.

She knew that her real doubt did not come from their inability to act, quite the opposite. Ryne knew what she had to do, what she could do, but her resolve was never quite enough. Perhaps she needed to talk to someone else. Maybe she had to open up…But the girl did not want to be anyone's burden while she could barely figure out her problems.

Her attention was caught by Giott and Lue-Reeq heading towards the bay. They carried some potions with them, likely for the sake of healing. They have done their duty in defending Crystarium from sin-eaters and now only wish to help their friends. In truth, Ryne wanted precisely the same.

"Giott, Reeq, wait!" - She followed them after making sure that she helped the remaining soldiers as much as possible. The two adventurers turned around, and Reeq was quick to wave.

"Hey there, we've been looking for you and others!" - He exclaimed as Ryne got near them.

"How is it going? Did you deal with sin-eaters?"

"All the bastards have been beaten to a pulp, if that's what you're wondering!" - Giott said proudly before changing her disposition. "Granson told us about Taynor's wounds. We've got some potions for him."

"And if you want to join, we'll be more than happy." - Reeq added.

"Yes, of course…Taynor helped me back there. I'd gladly return the favor however I can." - Ryne said and followed the adventurers.

When the three finally arrived at the medical bay, finding Taynor's bed was not difficult. Granson remained nearby, monitoring the boy's condition. Nearby a nurse was working with bandages and potions for all the wounded. Notably enough, Cerigg helped her with Taynor specifically, bringing the cures to him.

"Are we on time?" - Reeq asked as they rushed toward their friends.

"No, a few more minutes of delay would be perfect…Of course, you're on time!" - Cerigg said sarcastically, getting near Taynor.

"I mean, I just asked…."

"Cut him some slack. He is just worried…Let's bring the potions down there." - Giott said, and after than, Ryne was able to look at Taynor. The boy laid down in bed with his wounds bandaged; he seemed to be conscious if only a little exhausted. He looked over others with a smile, allowing them to care for him. Taynor took the potion from Giott and drank it, immediately showing mild disgust.

"Damn, it burns!" - He exclaimed.

"It's for your own health, Taynor. Better than being wounded by a sin-eater…" - Cerigg reassured him, Granson interjected.

"I beg to disagree. I'd rather fight a dozen more of them alone than drink that blasphemous drug." - He said with a smile, shifting away from his stern and serious disposition.

"Speaking from experience?" - Giott asked jokingly.

"You have no idea…" - He responded. The others giggled, including Taynor. Only Ryne remained silent, for even jokes could hardly take her mind away from her musings about the future.

"Are you feeling better?" - Ryne asked Taynor.

"It's not that bad…Not as bad as being stuck in the void, at least." - Taynor looked over all adventurers who have helped him get through his wounds, despite not even being the most severe. The boy's smile brought Ryne a lot of joy. How glorious must this feeling be…Finding a group of friends would support you so soon after waking up in a changed world. "Thanks, everyone…It still hurts a little, but I can barely even feel it, so not to worry."

"You don't say, when we heard from Cerigg about your injuries, it sounded like you were on the brink of death!" - Reeq said with a mix of sarcasm and relief, giving Cerigg a glance.

"I might have exaggerated a little…I was just worried. I should've gone with Taynor instead of sending him forth." - Cerigg said with regret.

"Didn't you tell me that if one is afraid of scars, they should never even leave their house?" - Taynor sighed. "We defeated the beast and did something good; scars are just a bit of a price." - He pointed out to Cerigg.

"Hah…That's my boy!" - Cerigg smiled at Taynor, finally relieving himself of worry. As Ryne watched it, she thought of Thancred and how abruptly their time was cut short. For three long years, she prayed for him to finally accept her for who she was and not the lingering spirit of Minfilia within. To care for her just like Cerigg did with Taynor. And after such sweet acceptance and renewal, he is gone right before her eyes…

"Are you okay?" - Granson looked at her with concern.

"I…Have been thinking, but it's nothing important. Taynor is in much more of a need for…."

"Are you sure?" - Taynor said.

"Of course, why wouldn't I?" - Ryne tried to sound confident, but they were not buying her act.

"You seem like you're burning to say something important…"- Taynor noted. "And to be honest, I have been the center of attention for a while, so you could help take off the stress." - He tried to joke and lighten up the mood.

"Am I that transparent?"

"Well…"

"Haven't we told you? We'd love to hear you and help." - Reeq said, followed by Granson.

"If it's something about the…You know." - He wanted to say something, but Ryne interjected.

"The murder of Edwin scions?" - She was sick of camouflaging the truth with words. It happened. It was time to accept it.

"Yes. Remember what I told you, our losses aren't exactly the same, but if you wanted to talk, we're always up for it." - Granson said.

"He's right; if we had no one to talk to, we might as well forget how to speak with all the battles." - Giott added. There was a way around it.

"Don't you think you would feel better if you share?" - Taynor asked.

Ryne breathed heavily. He was right. It begins with sharing, but it would not end there. Ryne knew that she had to act as soon as possible, no matter how tired or afraid she was. The thought of venturing out there in the empty and seeing him again… horrified her.

"I know why Emet-Selch hasn't attacked Crystarium yet…."

The rest of the tale followed. Ryne spoke with fluency and ease now that she could tell her story. She said about the dream and Hydaelyn's words. Adventurers did not know much about her and her power, but they believed Ryne's word. She described the vision as all of them listened attentively. She told the creature buried in the empty, the one that so desperately called out to her and forced her into distractions. All of them listened with fascination.

"The first sin eater…And you are the only one who can take control?" - Taynor wondered, met with a nod from Ryne.

"Yes, the only mortal. It is far away, where no man walked for more than a century…And I believe Emet-Selch is there, trying to turn it into another flood. If Crystal Exarch is still alive, he must also be there…He wouldn't leave his prisoner unattended." - She explained.

"So this is why you seemed distracted at times?" - Cerigg asked.

"Oh, sweet…How bad can I be at hiding my own thoughts?" - Ryne giggled with sadness at realizing how quickly these suspicions arose.

"I just assumed you like to think on your own…The story with the beast was not the first in my least of explanations, but I believe you!" - Reeq remained jolly as always.

"Does this mean that if this Emet manages to control that thing, we're done for?" - Giott asked.

"I'm afraid so…" - Ryne admitted, as silence befell their bay again.

"What if we fight? How many sin eaters will he throw at us? I'm sure each of us is ready to take at least a hundred." - Granson said.

"Speak for yourself!" - Reeq responded.

"I don't think it will even be like that. It will be one wave, like a flood of light. We will just see it from afar…And then that's it." - Ryne said quietly.

"But can we do anything?" - Taynor was desperate to help. "I didn't wake up from my slumber to just see my world die!"

"I can do only one thing." - Ryne said, immediately realizing that she needed to be more decisive. There was no question about this. It was either death without any resistance or one last attempt. "I will do it. I am not sure how. Perhaps our engineers could help me with a vehicle, or maybe an amaro…But I will attempt to snatch control of this creature before Emet-Selch does."

"But that's just suicide! You wouldn't want to go into the hands of the one that murdered your entire family." - Cerigg was shocked.

"And what other choice do I have? To stay here and wait for my death knowing that I can at least try to save all of you?" - Ryne looked over the others, a newly found resolve burned in her chest. "My friends might be dead, but they died fighting! I want to fight too! Exarch fought a whole century for this, the warriors of darkness died for this, and now we are so close! I will go there…I will take it from him." - Ryne continued to say, almost as if she had any chance of success. She was sick of hiding and fear, there was only one way to end this, and it was now. "Yes, thank you, I needed to share. Now I know that I have to go as soon as possible, and there is no time to waste."

Adventurers looked at each other with uncertainty. There were no words, but Ryne was sure they were thinking of her words. There was nothing to lose and everything to gain. She only hoped they would understand.

"Protect Crystarium while I'm gone. You'll know if I ever return."

"No." - Granson was the first one to talk. "You are not going…Not without preparation." - He stood up in front of Ryne, looking into the girl's confident eyes, and smiled. "And certainly not alone."

The girl was dumbfounded, did he really just…She hadn't even thought about it, but it seemed so obvious now. If there was everything to gain, you might as well take it yourself.

"You would…Go with me?" - Ryne said shyly, barely holding back immediate gratitude.

"Absolutely. Most people I knew outside of this bay are gone…But they left a trace, a memory…And a reason to fight for them. Milinda would have fought, and I shall too." - He said with confidence and a heroic smile, ready for any coming battle. Ryne owed everything to him. "I'm with her. And you?" - He looked at others.

"What are our chances of survival if we encounter Emet-Selch directly?" - Cerigg asked suspiciously.

"Not much." - Ryne had to respond truthfully.

"Going against unbeatable odds with my friends to save our home?" - Giott said. "I couldn't have asked for anything more perfect! I'm with you through and through." - The dwarf stood up, joining Ryne and Granson.

"Looks like we might have a third coming for warriors of darkness." - Taynor said with a smile, followed by Reeq.

"I would've wanted to become a famous hero. This would be an opportunity even more striking than hunting Andreia…But I won't do it for fame." - He smiled and stood up. "I think my traps will be used there, wouldn't they?"

Ryne looked at the three adventurers that stood by her side, ready to follow her into the hellish pit of light and darkness. They are prepared to risk their lives against an enemy they have no conception of except for his boundless power and invincibility.

"But you have only known me for two days! I never wanted to ask you to bear this burden; it's mine." - Ryne said, unable to hold her emotions.

"We know." - Granson responded. "But this time, you do not even need to ask.

"I'm not sure about all this…" - Cerigg said. "I'll need to think it through."

She wouldn't blame him for not going. Those that agreed were already more than Ryne could have expected. The girl looked at the three again, with tears falling down her eyes.

"Thank you…Thank you so much!" - She said after wiping her tears and raising her head with a smile. Granson nodded in response.

"Don't mention it. So…Let's get started."

…

The clash against Prime left Emet-Selch somewhat impressed at the creature's infrastructure. This was certainly something very distinct from the typical sin-eaters. Was it because an ascian took the role of its basis? Was Mitron's soul stronger than that of a mortal? It should not have been by all laws and logic, but the effect was evident. Or perhaps the blade of light left such a stain on this realm…

Alas, this impression could hardly be shared about the man himself. Mitron grew resistant, and whether Prime was in his control or just an automatic defense system, he certainly did not mind. He wanted to be free, but Emet would not let him, instead of continuing to reject and silence his voice. After Prime fell, Mitron's whispers grew weaker and soon non-existent once again. Finally, a respite…

Hades tried to give Mitron some benefit of the doubt. A part of him wanted to release his imprisoned comrade so he could join their ranks. But Emet had to remind himself that this man was just a fragment, not the real ancient. His soul would return to the stream and be re-born, awaiting the rejoining…But what would have he done had it been Lahabrea or Elidibus in his place? Hades would consider unsundered to be unbreakable and immune to this transformation. Yet after being nearly beaten by mortals, he would not put anything out of the realm of possibility. Lahabrea especially was not beyond getting into unfortunate situations such as this. Would he jeopardize their plan to save a true ancient? Hades did not know the answer to this question.

And he had other things to work on…But they would soon prove to be fruitless. The core would not respond to a being affiliated so closely with darkness. Perhaps he could use the Exarch to gain control, but this was dangerous and unlikely to garner any results.

"Hades…" - He heard G'raha's tired voice behind him. The Exarch remained shackled as he sat on the platform inside their creature. Emet kept him at a safe distance, but enough for him to hear his voice.

"Anything of a substance you want to utter?" - The ascian turned towards him, expecting another attempt to bite back.

"Do you remember the promise you gave to me?" - The Exarch asked. "It's not like I had any choice in the matter, of course, but I believe these games have overstayed their welcome. If I am truly so powerless in your grasp, then why wait? You claim to have some plans for me…Whatever scheme you have planned, now is as good a time as any." - G'raha sighed.

"As stated by someone who would wait years before revealing the scions his true identity." - Emet parred.

"I kept my secrets…" - G'raha said with regret. "But there's always time for them to come in the open, and I believe you can stay true to your word."

Hades sighed and approached the Exarch.

"You are quite right, though I know full well that you are so eager solely for conspiring against me with given information. Alas, there is not much you would be able to do." - Emet claimed. Now was as good a time as any indeed, though he wished to delay this conversation for some reason. Hades wondered whether G'raha would understand even after seeing his close friends get obliterated.

"Then what is it you want from me? Why do you keep a nuisance like me near you instead of sending into Oblivion?" - G'raha was ready for answers.

"The answer is simple…Over thousands of years, we ascians have labored long and hard to rejoin these shards and restore our world." - Emet could have gone straight to the point, but he didn't want to hurry it up. He wanted to see the Exarch's reaction. He, of all people, should understand. "During these years, we learned many techniques that would be seen as impossible before. Be it infusing the sundered souls with ascian memories or taking control of the space between worlds to restore our power…The most notable was our ability to travel between shards."

"I assumed this was in ascians' power to transcend space." - G'raha noted.

"Not initially, and even so, it would require much more energy than a simple teleport. But for all these years, there is something we never mastered…" - Emet sighed and looked at G'raha, intrigued. "The travel across time." - He would soon see a spark of realization on G'raha's face, though it was not as strong as Hades expected. Perhaps the Exarch had his theories already.

"Is that what you want, to tamper with the timeline?" - G'raha said, holding back his anger.

"From your point of view, perhaps. Am I right in assuming that you were sent here from the future to stop the coming calamity?" - Emet asked, only to be met with immediate silence ?"Do your part, Exarch; you asked for honesty, and I demand the same."

"Well…" - G'raha spoke slowly, unsure whether he should. "Yes, I was sent from a world where the world was ravaged by war and calamity alike, all to avert it and pave the way for a brighter, more hopeful future…."

"And thus achieved something no mortal or ascian has ever dreamed of. For now, that is." - Emet continued to talk. "You have seen my world, the paradise we have lost, all the souls we sacrificed, the final days and the sundering…" - Emet couldn't help but smile as the Exarch listened in silence. "Surely you must see what my intention is?"

G'raha looked at him, still surprised. Perhaps even he didn't expect Hades to go that far. Maybe he believed that he would never seek aid from a mortal…Emet thought so too, but Edwin and G'raha proved him wrong.

"You to travel back to Amaurot and undo the wrongs that your people have suffered." - G'raha said, now with perfect understanding.

"Precisely!" - Emet exclaimed. "For many years, the path of destruction and annihilation seemed like our only chance. Shard after shard, world after world, civilizations rose and fell before our eyes…The Source is scarred. Even if it would be rejoined, there are thousands who fell to the final days, many who were sundered and would never be who they were once again…But we considered it the only option. Until I found out about your transgressions." - Emet raised his hands. It felt cathartic to finally voice this thought to someone, to share his newfound hope. "To undo these eons of torment, ours and yours, reclaim our lost world!"

"Even should you be able…How would you stop the final days before they destroy your home? You said that your people never learned of their Source!" - G'raha wondered.

"I will have the time on my hands and the benefit of hindsight. We could stop the final days altogether, find a way to summon Zodiark with far fewer sacrifices, prevent Hydaelyn from ever gaining enough strength to cause the sundering! The point is, possibilities are endless." - Emet looked at G'raha. He saw no disdain or hatred in his eyes. Perhaps he was not so hypocritical after all. "And as for you and your brethren…Of course, you would cease to exist in the way you know it. But those who were sundered would gain a new, blissful life as the proud people they once were. Speaking of which, that includes your vaunted hero. He deserves it after such sacrifice, would you not agree?" - Emet couldn't help but employ his manipulations…Although he believed every word of it, even regarding Edwin.

"How would you know?" - G'raha was cautious.

"He…Possesses echo, a sign of a soul that was sundered when Hydaelyn made her strike. He had a life in the era of old, I am sure of it…" - Emet decided not to tell about who he really was. The Exarch would better believe that Hades knows the life Edwin led before very well.

"This would require hundreds of years of preparation, not even counting the work and consequences…."

"All of which you were ready to give, I fail to see a problem."

"It's…" - apparently, G'raha wasn't sure how to form his thought. "I can hardly imagine you giving the same time and dedication for this cause."

Emet wanted to respond but soon realized that G'raha was hardly to blame. From his point of view, Hades was nothing more than a genocidal, megalomaniacal madman. It only made sense that he conceptualized him as selfish, especially after his last actions.

"Let's just say that you hardly know me for such judgments." - Emet looked down before gazing at Exarch once again. "There is nothing I would not give for Amaurot, nothing."

"Even in the case of your success, you will not see it. Your own existence was facilitated by these events…" - G'raha said.

"And yet you still stand. Or do you…" - Emet was surprised at G'raha's resolve; this was a lot of nobility for someone sundered. "Did you expect your own fabric to unravel the moment you foil my plans?" - This mortal continued to surprise him.

"Every day of it…And I still do." - The Exarch looked at Hades with resolve. "If I am still here, my task is not complete. And I did not waste a century to fail now…Even without them…Even without him…" - A tear fell from his eye. Hades felt his pain. To hold duty for generations, all for one purpose. Only to be cut off so unceremoniously in the end. How ironic that Edwin's demise caused both of them to go through this process.

"I shall gladly relieve you of your burden if you choose to help." - Hades proposed.

"Even if it means that you may never live to see the fruits of your labor?" - He asked, still in disbelief.

"Precisely. There will be another "me" there…The one who would not have to toil for eternity in the hopes of seeing a fraction of his perished people and world restored. I will gladly expunge myself from history's weave to pave another way for outer people." - Emet said confidently, leaving G'raha speechless for a few moments. Emet looked into his eyes and knew…The Exarch understood. He understood this all too well.

"And does Elidibus know?" - G'raha uttered, trying to change the topic.

"No…He does not." - Emet sighed. He would have been much more decisive on this plan had he been the only remaining. "Elidibus would continue carrying out his duty no matter what; for him, it is far from over. Service to our lord Zodiark…That is his purpose. And yet, for all I might talk about my suffering, he was the one who took the brunt. I remember the man he was…Before the tragedies unfolded. Naught but a shade of him remains." - He was so young when all of this transpired…

Emet couldn't help but reminisce. To remember his smile and occasional naivety. To remember his upbeat and joyful demeanor, he would always be there to help his friends. How he called the convocation his family. How he gave everything, he had for their people despite his youth and prosperous future. More than anyone, Themis deserved another chance.

"And here you have it, G'raha Tia. I give you a choice, here and now. You could help me re-create the journey you undertook a century ago. I shall rewrite history, and then all of us…I, you, Elidibus, Zodiark, and other sundered souls will sleep forever, allowing our world to blossom again. Or you could refuse and continue your petty struggle. I shall not kill you straight away. You're too useful of a pawn, even if the chance to break you is small." - Emet's tone changed to a much more sinister one. "But mark my words…You will see this world die. You will see the flood return and consume all of the life on it. The same fate awaits the remaining shards. Six more calamities shall ensue, all your friends that remain on the Source shall perish. And when our work is finally over, we bring our brethren from Zodiark back…You will perish too. Like a broken toy that has never served its purpose, the last remnant of this dark age in our history. The choice is yours." - Emet finished, the silence befell. G'raha was processing so many thoughts simultaneously that Emet would love to peer into his mind right now…But he needed time. To remain undisturbed and to think this through. It was clear that the Exarch was not ready to give an answer now.

"I was never…Never the one to conduct it. The planning took years, even among the greatest minds of Eorzea. All I did was offer my help, my sacrifice…" - G'raha said, trying to concentrate.

"Even so, you would know the people who had this knowledge. I presume they all exist in the Source right now? If so, I can always give them a little push."

"You…Of course, you would." - G'raha said as he was abruptly snapped back to reality.

"You cannot avoid an answer. I believe I was clear on that." - Hades stated. "But you deserve some time, and I…."

Before he could finish, a dark portal opened further down the platform, and the Emissary emerged.

"Here is your "stay of execution."" - Emet looked at G'raha and said quietly. "But I expect you to make a decision sooner rather than later. It is in your own interest."

Hades walked away from silent G'raha right towards the Emissary.

"And so our keeper of balance returns!" - He exclaimed. "I take it you've seen the sin-eaters outside? Our vigil here has been rather…Eventful." - Hades said, thinking back to fighting Prime and revelations of Mitron.

"I take it you've taken control of the core." - Elidibus said calmly.

"Indeed, although "reached" might describe it better. The core would hardly respond to anything but the purest energy of light." - Emet described.

"I…Might be able to do something with it."

"You don't sound too certain." - Hades notes. "But tell me of your journey, first. Was there any merit to coming to Crystarium?"

"There was, although not in the way I expected. I took a simple guise and walked among them, people are aware of the heroes' demise, and their hope is falling into the deepest abyss."

"Exactly how I predicted, yet still you wanted to do it your way." - Emet sighed.

"Some sin-eaters have not reacted to the call the way it was intended…They grew wild and attacked Crystarium, only to be put down. They were in the minority…But among people who resisted them, I found someone of note." - Elidibus said.

"So? You can do without dramatic pauses?"

"A girl by the name of Ryne."

Ah, the one that got away…Emet almost forgot about her after all of this.

"Yes, she was the only survivor apart from the Exarch."

"You did not mention her before."

"And what is she doing now?" - Emet said with genuine curiosity, talking with G'raha inadvertently awakened his more humane side. A child who lost her only family must be hurting for the rest of her life…She deserved a quick death, among others.

"She masks a lot of grief but still continues to fight and remain as hopeful as she can." - Elidibus said with a glimpse of respect in his voice. "And she still retains the power from her previous incarnations. The power of pure light."

Hades understood where he was going while simultaneously chastising himself for forgetting about that girl.

"So…" - He looked at the core once again, only to have Elidibus continue.

"If I fail and other preparations are complete…She might be exactly who we need."

There was certainly much to tell.